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Word Gems
exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity
Why does The Good frequently appear as something undesirable; especially, when compared to Evil?
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We've seen that Evil presents itself as a lamb, as a nice young man with a smile and fine suit, bearing gifts of candy. He speaks of things which offer immediate sweetness - but will end in bitterness.
Children demand instant gratification. "Buy toys and eat sugar" is the mantra - "and I want it now."
Adults, however, have learned that the truly Good in life will often not be forthcoming without exercising a measure of prudence, restraint, and self-denial; of living within one's means and fiscal discipline. Work ethic and preparing for a rainy day is decried by the immature as extremism, heartless, and mean-spirited.
But the grasshopper fiddling the summer away will yet play serf to the enterprising ant.
And this is why the immature reject The Good. "It takes too long. And it's so unfair. Just too hard when we know a faster way."
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Reinhold Niebuhr: "Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime; therefore, we are saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we are saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we are saved by love."
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