The Paradox And The Conundrum

Jesus said to them,
“And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
~ Luke 13:29-30

It is sad to see how secular most European nations have become. As they have become more affluent and developed, they have also become more agnostic and atheistic, not feeling any more need for religion, spirituality and a relationship with the sacred. The same thing seems to be happening in the USA. Although there are still many church-goers, the Nones (those without any religious affiliation) must be now be the largest religious group if they were to be considered as such.

In contrast, there is a strong flourishing of religion and spirituality on many poor countries of the global south, like  Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Poor and needy people turn to religion and spirituality for comfort, hope and encouragement.

Is this the natural unfolding of things? That we see less and less need for the numinous because we have come to trust and rely only on phenomenon. That in having split the atom and mastered nature, we have thought ourselves masters of the universe and forgot the maker and the creator. That in having harnessed the power of nature and exploited her bounty, we have thought ourselves to be totally independent and able to stand on our own.

And yet, there has never been more misery and sadness than in the midst of all this plenty, no more loneliness and helplessness than in this midst of all this power and achievements, no more tears and anger than in the midst of all these victories and achievements. And there has never been more joy to be seen than in the midst of those who are poor and oppressed, no more hope and anticipation that in the hearts of those abandoned and destitute, and no more love and caring than in those who have so much less in life.

Such is the paradox of life. Such is the conundrum that living is. In such manner have we been blessed by God.