What’s Wrong with the World?

When a Newspaper once asked the question: “What’s wrong with the world?” G.K. Chesterton, the great Catholic thinker replied: “I am.” We too are responsible, when we take no action which would make life a bit better for another given the opportunity to do so. Indifference is a sin against charity. For in doing nothing we allow injustice to fester, even on the most elementary level. And from the lowest level of unseized charitable opportunity does the world become wayward. It requires no real effort to take stock of ourselves in the quiet before retiring for the day in asking what were the missed opportunities today, if acted upon, I could have made a difference. Likewise, as we stand before the mirror readying for the day ahead, remind ourselves and make a commitment to not let that chance pass by us this day. When a multitude of us accepts that responsibility then the world will be well on its way to becoming right. Peace and order are no longer alienated when the scales of justice are put back in balance. When any multitude or individual is acknowledged and respected mutual camaraderie is renewed.

There once was a man who was very successful in training men for war. He felt if he could instill enough hate in his recruits then they will obey any command when called upon to do so. So at the end of many months of training in all conditions and circumstances he lined his squad up side by side. There before his commanding officer he proceeded to display to his higher up the power that he had over his men. He told the first man to turn to his fellow soldier next to him and slap him as hard as he could. The soldier obeyed with great force. Then the second soldier obeyed as the first and so-on down the line. When the 6th man in line heard the command he turned to the soldier next to him and raised his  hand ready to strike. But, instead, dropped his arm down to his side turned forward and stood respectfully at attention. It is at a moment as this when hate stops.

Connor Crites(left) and Christian Moore(right) first day of school in Wichita, Kansas.

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE.com) –
A first day of school picture is going viral, in a really good way.
Two elementary school boys began the new school year with a lesson in kindness.
“I saw him on the ground with Connor as Connor was crying in the corner and he was consoling him. He grabs his hand and walks him to the front door. We waited until the bell rang and he walked him inside of the school. The rest is history. They have an inseparable bond,” says Courtney Moore.
What Christian didn’t know that day is that Connor is autistic. He was overwhelmed with everything going on around him at Minneha Elementary School.
“I fear everyday that someone is going to laugh at him because he doesn’t speak correctly, or laugh at him because he doesn’t sit still or because he jumps up and down and flaps his hands,” says April Crites.
It was a moment in time, caught…now capturing the hearts of strangers all over. But to the boys, it was simple.
“He was kind to me. I was in the 1st day of school and I started crying then he helped me and I was happy,” says Connor Crites.
Christian didn’t see Connor as different…a message their moms, and many others, are taking from this.
“It doesn’t matter color, it doesn’t matter gender, it doesn’t matter disability, and it doesn’t matter anything, just be kind, open your heart… it’s what we need in this world.”
No words spoken, just a quick gesture…turned this little boy’s whole day around.
“One act of kindness can change someone’s life, can change the world. That’s all it takes.”

The two young men above teach the most valuable lesson. It is an example of sacrifice. One has the need of a friend and the other satisfies that need. Christian (prophetically named) could have easily passed Connor’s issue on to a teacher as most would have expected. But, instead, he took it upon himself to make a difference. When one sacrifices, one loves. For sacrifice is the  requirement of love. That act of charity has created a firm bond between these two new friends.

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:2-4

We can see through this example of Connor and Christian the joy that was Paradise. Milton wrote about Paradise Lost. It was lost by ego. It can be regained by selfless innocence. These two young men show us that ego could not have forged this new friendship. Ego compels people to take sides by an insistence that one must be right over another. But, no matter how long we wait out the theorized fruits of some anticipated evolutionary utopia we miss the immediate opportunity to regain Paradise. For Paradise takes but a moment to decide to let go of ego and get on the same page as did Connor and Christian in sacrifice and gratitude. Chaos vanishes and order restored. From it comes a peace, not as the present world can give . The kind of peace that filled Connor with confidence and comfort as soon as Christian took his hand.

What must we each do to answer “I AM” to the question: “What is right with the world?”

Saint Francis of Assisi points us in the right direction below: