"Force. The French philosopher Simone Weil claims that the actual subject, the very focus, of Homer's famous poem the Iliad is force.
"For Weil, force is “that x that turns anyone subjected to it into a thing.” In the Iliad, a ferocious epic of battle and bloodshed, force literally turns subject after subject into a corpse.
"Weil's observation about force is as startling as it is true. The exercise of force makes people hollow, rendering them inhuman. Muting those instincts of compassion and what’s more, the Gospel's teaching of mercy, force drives a stake in a weary heart. . . .
"We might think it would be easier to wipe out our enemies, that by some brute exercise we could cleanse away those who disagree with us. A simple report on a colleague could end their career, and conveniently rid me of them . . . a new committee charged with enacting health and safety measures could in the name of health dispose of this or that activity members find irksome. The temptation to use force, to use power over another looms constant. . . ."
In a
recent commentary, Father Patrick Briscoe, O.P.,
reflected on how the true force of Christianity is the exercise of the power of the cross, including the virtues of lowliness, humility, and mercy.
To access Fr Patrick's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia: Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP: Want true force? Try forgiveness (11 SEP 20)
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