PAROQUIA – Nssa. Sra. Do Rosário
Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima 18 August, 2011 XLI:2
Trav. Carlos Portes, 171 http://www.egfbenya.com
62.900-000 Russas, Ceará e-mail: [email protected]
BRASIL
Dear Benefactors, Colleagues, Friends and Family:
Life at the periphery of a unit (physical, biological, social, spiritual, structure or class) has a distinction of its own marked by qualities of that unit, yet most definite in its own character. Mutants of a population, criminals of a society, foreigners in a nation, prisoners of a judgment, soldiers in a campaign, prophets of Almighty God, warriors in battle, monks in a monastery, pundits of a culture, ministers of a faith exemplify groups whose presence within a unit raise questions, interest and even ire of those more integrated within that unit. Integration has its values but it is “virtuous diversity” that leads to plurality. Membership in more than one such peripheral unit simultaneously is entirely possible.
For those at the main stream, localization at one or more peripheral positions can seem odd and even harsh. Establishment within periphery can present challenges and even problems. Adjustment to periphery demands major shifts in sleep, nutrition, activity and physical conditions. Yet once established that adjustment can present a dynamic in self-discipline characterized by prolonged and perseverant presence; the “long-haul”. A member can find a definite rhythm to life through the navigation of periphery. John the Baptist, Gregor Mendel, Thomas Aquinas, Alexander Soljenitzen, Wernher vonBraun, Thomas More, Rupert Mayer, Ông Cao Quang M? are among a now-recognized elite whose positions (and situations) were peripheral and even marginal; anything but socially elite. Their social circles being limited, permitted time to think, pray and meditate on questions whose spiritual demands were complemented by intellectual implications. At periphery time and solitude can be most abundant. The peripheralized may speak precious little in words yet say volumes by his mere presence.
Assets at periphery are usually vastly varied from those of main-stream society. Food is usually basic and minimal as is the drink available to the peripheralized. Refection may be once or twice a day, and at times not even that. One learns to consume creatures and entities that are otherwise shunned or even rejected by polished society. Morsels of the meadow, fungus of the forest and samples of the swamp present additions to the menu that are diverse and mysterious. Paradoxically such “trash” can have sustaining value well beyond that of socially established diets as the prophet Daniel and his companions demonstrated during the Jewish Babylonian Captivity.
While presently recognized as the most significant individual in history, Jesus Christ was anything but a mainstream personality during His time in this life. Popular but peripheralized, that peripheralization reached the point of persecution and brutal execution. His conquest of both persecution and death is well chronicled in Revelation and the Holy Scripture. He continues to call, to invite. That Call promises challenge and at times even peripheralization, a call to immortality.
I cannot claim to be at periphery but I can acknowledge those who are. Their company and witness especially during these 27 years in Holy Orders has been magnificent. I thank them and I thank God.
Sincerely in Jesus Christ
Ed Benya, S.J.