I found encouragement in a conversation between Frodo and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
In a conversation between Dave Winer and George Lakoff, Lakoff says: “No business makes a dime in the country without the empowering function of Government.” Taxes are what we pay to live in North Platte rather than places where people don’t have protection and empowerment. Empowering and protecting includes roads, sewers, education, fire, and police protection.
Events this week provide the opportunity to reflect on the seven key principles of Catholic social teaching. Those principles are:
- The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person
- Call to Family, Community, and Participation
- Call to Family, Community, and Participation
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
- Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
- Solidarity
- Caring for God’s Creation
Solidarity
We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. “We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.” Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means learning that “loving our neighbor” has global dimensions in an interdependent world.
I’m hunkering down expecting the forecast blizzard. The National Weather Services says we have a 100% chance of Heavy Snow. I had intended to buy a snow blower. If the heavy snow comes the old manual snow shovel will have to do. Before the snow flew I took two old car batteries to the Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collection Event sponsored by Keep North Platte & Lincoln County Beautiful (KNPLCB). Their volunteers braved 30 mph winds and frequent raindrops to provide an opportunity for North Platte residents to properly dispose of their hazardous waste. Thanks to all those who made this event possible.
With a blizzard coming I may make time to play my guitar.