Dear Saints in Santa Fe, and other far-off places,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, who Gandhi said was “the most active resister known perhaps to history.”
I have been an enthusiastic advocate of nonviolence all my life.
No, wait, hold on, that’s not right. In my earliest days (with many photographs as proof), I was smitten with all things cowboy—guns and boots and hats and kerchiefs. How I wanted a horse as well but for some reason mom and dad said no. Horseless, then, I could be seen shooting my fair share of bad guys and didn’t think a thing of it. I was on my way, like most boys I knew at the time, to a life of guns and violence, albeit all fake but still a big part of my life perspective.
Then it all changed. I’m not sure why, but I did that “repent” thing that Jesus talked about. I turned in a different direction away from guns to a life better suited for me, and I daresay, for the world around me.
What about you? Did you ever turn away from something, from the culture of violence perhaps? Has nonviolence ever been a part of your life? Or might you still be considering such a change?
Father John Dear sat in my office a few months ago to talk about his visit with us on February 4th. I have known him for many years and admire his non-stop nonviolence advocacy and he told me his turning point was the assassination of Robert Kennedy. At nine years old (we are the same age) he felt so deeply this loss, this national tragedy, one of several in our young lives, that he decided right then that he would do all he could to make sure that something like this would never happen again. He’s been doing this ever since.
What have you been doing for nonviolence? It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, I can tell you that much, and Father John will tell you nonviolence is the most effective response to the violence. Hands down. It is much more courageous than holding a gun. It surprises those who want to do harm. It is summarily dismissed by those in power. It is forgotten when we face conflict. It is regarded as a naïve gesture that will just never work.
So, let’s think again, and make that turn. If you shudder in horror at the carnage in and surrounding Gaza, the devastation of Ukraine, the violence that so easily erupts in places across the world then look more closely at nonviolence? Ask Rome about Jesus, Britain about Gandhi, America about King, and you’ll hear stories of its power.
Father John has been arrested 85 times for standing up to power and war, and he has done it without wielding a gun, calling for retribution, or believing the pervasive myth that just one more war will bring peace, just one more gun will take care of the bad guy.
Me? I have no arrest record, I haven’t traveled the world proclaiming nonviolence, nor have I written a single book on peace (John has written thirty-five). But I did give up my guns when I was seven. I think I just outgrew them and have wished ever since that the world would as well, and practice nonviolence instead. Maybe one day.
And maybe one day I’ll finally get my horse.
Grace and peace,
Harry