In the Thursday (27 September 2012) class, I left you guys a question that I think is very important and worth reflecting on: In the face of radical contingency, where all things immediate to us, including ourselves, are passing, how do we live our lives?
Let me share two things which I think illustrates very well the fact that there are things that pass in life, which perhaps will aid us in seeking our own answer to these questions.
The first one is from the book of Job, a story which I think, on one hand, reminds us of how things can pass away quickly, and yet such reality goes hand in hand with the Absolute whom we are called to hang on to.
(this passage is quoted from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible)
"9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." 12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!" So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. 13 One day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the eldest brother's house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell on them and carried them off, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you." 16 While he was still speaking, another came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you." 17 While he was still speaking, another came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three columns, made a raid on the camels and carried them off, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you." 18 While he was still speaking, another came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you." 20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing."
Perhaps the big question is: Can we still manage to hang on with life after facing such radical contingency?
The second one is something that I encourage you to watch (by yourself or with friends). This movie is about confronting death and finding one's meaning through the experience of others' deaths. (side note: this is one of the most meaningful movies introduced to me by Mr. Calasanz, and I believe this is worth sharing to you, guys).
Departures (Okuribito), won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in the Oscars last 2009.
What do you think?
