The World is Mad

What a mad world we are living in. I mean it in both senses of the word. The world is both insane and angry. And both are closely related. Extreme anger, unreasoning anger, can evolve into insane actions. The extreme anger of some Americans toward their economic situation has ended up in the election of a president that might be considered insane by actions he has taken, and things he has said. The anger against a dictator has led to thousands killed, and millions displaced in Syria. Anger against a country's alliance has led to the killing of the Russian ambassador in Ankara, and bombs against police. Anger against real and perceived injustice, has led to a man plowing a truck through pedestrians at a Christmas market in Berlin. Anger against a different religion has led to a hate-deranged man to shoot three men in a Muslim prayer hall in Zurich. 

It seems we notice these things even more now that it happens to be Christmas time. Since we are children, in the Western, Christianized world, we are taught that this is a time of "peace on earth, goodwill toward men." We hear stories of how people have stopped fighting to celebrate this day of peace. Stories like the one about the first Christmas during World War I, when a Christmas truce was called, and soldiers on both sides talked and sang Christmas carols in the trenches. What we learn as we grow into this mad world, is that such stories are few and far between. More common is the truth that there is no season of peace, only that we wish there were. What we forget are the massacres and murders that have occurred on Christmas day throughout the years. We even forget about the Holy Innocents, whose slaughter was commanded by Herod, to try and kill the Child who was supposed to take his throne away in the future. 

Let us stop and think about the little things. The things in our little world that bring us joy. Even though at Christmas family gatherings one sometimes finds plenty of reasons to kill that sister-in-law that always puts a damper on someone's joy, there are more reasons not to. As we sit around the table for twelve laden with food for twenty-four (you know you're not going to cook for days), we should appreciate those we sit with, and give thanks we have them with us. We should also give thanks for those who are no longer present, yet who gave much joy in past years. We should simply give thanks for having a table with all that food on it; so many don't. 

If we can't have peace on earth, let's have peace in our homes and hearts. Too many people have hatred and anger. Let's deny hate entry. Let's try, with each little word, each little action, to have this mad world become just a tiny bit saner. That's where it begins, anyway. Like Mother Teresa said, "Peace begins with a smile."