“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Last Thursday, on another blog, I recounted briefly the
story of a 10-year-old girl who pushed two younger companions out the way of an
oncoming vehicle and died as a result of her action. I went on to propose that
if we were faced by the same circumstance—and beyond the reflexive response—we
must push anyone in harm’s way to safety. Anyone.
Two responses came my way. The first tested my principle
by naming a current presidential candidate. I’ll leave out the name so that
both sides of the aisle can summon up their litmus test—yay or nay—according to
personal standards of loathing or love.
I answered “Yes”, unequivocally. Of course, I’m sure the reader
was joking. Or not.
The second challenge offered up a terrorist as the person
in peril. So?
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Mark 12:31
The words friends
and neighbor could ignite the
complaint that I am extending the two ideals beyond their intended boundaries.
Maybe I do so, but here’s why: Because I do not know the future.
Perhaps the person at risk will either do something of
great value or inspire actions that are transcendent—or an offspring, during
the next generation, or the next, or the next. I do not know. The candidate may
lead the nation forward in a resoundingly better fashion than expected. The
terrorist may commit an act so heinous that people will come together and peace
will reign for a thousand years. Perhaps not, of course.
As a counterargument, the line of thinking may be applied
to me as well—I might do something of greater merit or inspire the same. I
don’t know. Why, then, my life for another’s?
One word, humility.
Let me prop up my thesis from another angle by quoting
French theologian Nicholas Malebranche (1638-1715): “When I touch a human hand,
I touch heaven”.
So, one last word: Humbled.
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