“Few important lessons learnt in the past few days”

Last week’s Shalom article cited Pope Francis’ words from no. 88 of his Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel. NB. The original was written in Spanish). The words are “revolution of tenderness”. I added the thought that this kind of strong social change would be felt globally. And it is happening in a remarkable way.

I find the word “tenderness” surprisingly paradoxical, because in a revolution there is violence which contradicts tenderness. What does Francis mean by “La revolucion de la Sencillez”? Vatican translators use perhaps British English which would understand Tenderness as a behavioral pattern, a way of doing things.

Sencillez in our American-Spanish culture connotes a characteristic, a personal quality. Simplicity would be correct and understood as uncomplicated, undemanding but a humble and respectful disposition of the heart. It is related to nearness (cercania), spontaneity (espontaneidad) and naturalness (coherencia). This is what I understand from the book, “La revolucion de la Sencillez: Un humilde convertido en Papa”. These are all well expressed or presumed in the title of this Shalom column. It claims to be written by a certain Rolet Villanueva whom I do not know personally but who, I feel, was inspired. The 23 lessons were forwarded by friends from our fellow secular institute called Secular Franciscans. I reproduce them here with appreciation and gratitude. They are worth reflecting very seriously these days.

Here they are:

1. United States is no longer the world’s leading country.
2. China won the 3rd world war without firing a missile and no one could handle it.
3. Europeans are not as educated as they appear.
4. We can survive vacations without trips to Europe and USA.
5. Rich people are in fact less immune to diseases than the poor.
6. Human beings are opportunistic and despicable no matter their socioeconomic position when prises are rising.
7. No Pastor, Rabai, Mullah, Alfa or Pandit saved patients. Doctors and health workers did.
8. Human beings are the real viruses on the planet.
9. We sure can spend Billions of Dollars on the poor without red-tapism.
10. Health professionals are worth more than sport persons and entertainers.
11. Oil is worthless in a society without consumption.
12. How animals feel in the zoo.
13. The planet regenerates quickly without humans at play.
14. Majority of the people can work from home.
15. We and the kids can survive without junk food.
16. Prisoners in jail for petty crimes can be released.
17. Living a higienic life is not difficult.
18. Only women should not know how to cook.
19. There is a lot of good people in the world.
20. If you build more schools and make them free, you will have to construct less hospitals and probably prisons.
21. Media is just manipulative and opportunistic.
22. Fame, wealth and position are vanity.
23. Health is indeed wealth.