Rene Girard, historian [PhD from Indiana University 1950] and philosopher, is famous for his theory of how society rids itself of evil by assigning such evil to a scapegoat and then killing this creature, or sending it away to die. This mimetic process (the substitution of an animal for the human society), which involves violence, purges evil. Some Christian thinkers (e.g., James Alison) have applied this theoretical dynamic to the sacrificial death of Jesus. The Scriptures states that Jesus took on himself the sins of the world through his crucifixion. Alison claims that Jesus’ cleansing action is not only absorbing in his own body worldly evil, but he also stopped the cycle of violence; he refused to do violence to his offenders even though they violated him.
Refraining from participating in any violence (revenge, gossip, etc.) is an ideal ethic before the Christian community. It surely was a stance that characterized the consciousness of the early Church. None remained in the Roman legions. Many were martyred. Things changed over the millennia. But imagine what difference non-violent Christians could make in the world. We collectively are a body of one billion members. What if we refused to engage in war (cf. Mennonites)? What if we refused to have abortions? What if we honored persons of every stripe? Perhaps the war machines of the nations would take note...even stop (?).
One beginning for every one of us is dealing with sin in our personal lives. Sin primarily is violence; it always scars the soul by desecrating something sacred (about us and others). So the problem with sin is not only that it breeches a norm or law, but it intrinsically wounds the human soul. Violence is like that. Turning from sin—key theme of Lent—is really a movement toward integrity and liberty. The “turning” costs dearly because the habit the scab of sin is sometimes (oftentimes?) entrenched in my life experience. Over time I might have justified sin: “It isn’t so bad,” or I have grown accustomed to being manipulated and injured, even to the point where I don’t believe I can live without a particular kind of sin. An incredible lie!
Lent is coming in 3 ½ weeks. It seems far off, but it will be here soon enough. More importantly, it would be a wonderful change to enter Lent with a clear idea of what kind of violent trash I want, I need out of my life…now! I need to name it and claim it. I need to discover a strategy to resist it (temptation is quite powerful) which includes prayer. Begin to ponder these things now.
What an experience of the “end of violence” in my life. And from this beginning, it may grow beyond me by inches and furlongs. The stemming of violence might begin to claim much needed new sanctuary in a wounded world. Let’s be a part of THIS.
There will be a “Busy Persons Retreat” March 1-10. It consists of praying daily for 30 minutes and meeting with a spiritual director for about 30 minutes on three days during this interval. Limited to 20 persons. More coming next week.
Sin & Violence
