Vengeance Is Mine

Thirty US Special Forces personnel were killed this week in a helicopter shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Mr. Mohibullah Died Thursday morning, August 11, 2011 in an attack by a US drone rocket. He led the group who were responsible for shooting down the Chinook helicopter.

The helicopter was on its way to rescue special forces personnel under attack from Taliban fighters.

The American special forces were attacking the group who were attempting to revenge the death of Osama bin Laden.

Osama bin laden was killed by US Special Forces in revenge for the September 11 attack on the Twin Towers.

The attackers of the Twin Towers were motivated by revenge for a host of real and perceived recent and remote incidents perpetrated by the US in the Middle east.

Such is the cycle of vengeance.

Should we desire, we could trace this cycle far back in recorded history-a never-ending rhythm of violence which makes the Hatfield/McCoy feud seem like an over-the-back-fence shouting match.

Ironically, this week, I finished reading a book by Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. The rise of indigenous majority rule in South Africa which could have sparked a tidal wave of violence between the majority and the well-armed minority. The nation’s streets and farms might well have run red with rivers of blood. The whole society might well have imploded. South Africa might well have been one vast graveyard.

But it didn’t; it hasn’t and it isn’t.

The primary reason is confession and forgiveness through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a safety valve, releasing the pent-up anger of both sides in a slow and steady stream. Both sides benefited. Both sides suffered in the process. It was a pus-draining scalpel wound to the corporate psyche-painful but healing. It was inspired by a more-than-human wisdom. Desmond Tutu frankly states that it was based on many of the principles of Jesus Christ-Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; forgive; turn the other cheek. It proved that, without compromising the secular, pluralistic community, principles which all of all cultures can see the wisdom in can be applied constructively. They work. Few would reject the wisdom behind these oft-quoted but rarely-practiced words. But once the incision was made to the corporate body, the world took note. Though noted, none have followed suit; violence and vengeance continue apace in the Middle East and around the world. But there is now a grand example to which to point.

Vengeance versus forgiveness; violence versus reconciliation—is there any possibility at this late date in our declining society’s life to make an attempt?

May it be so, please God-the Father of Peace.

10/12/11