The Guardian view on the tenacity of hope: a necessary virtue in troubled times | Editorial
www.theguardian.com
Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:47:31 +0200
At a moment of the year associated with renewal and new birth, reflection on inspiring acts of solidarity and courage can point the way to a better futureIn the introduction to a new, seasonal compilation of his speeches on hope, Pope Francis reflects on the legacy of the great German theologian Johann Baptist Metz.
Shaped by the early experience of living through the horrors of the Nazi era, Metzs political theology was a passionate warning against the danger of a selfabsorbed Christian piety.
Instead he urged a hopeful mysticism with open eyes one that clearsightedly bears witness to, and seeks to alleviate, the suffering of others.At a time of the year associated with renewal and new birth, it is not necessary to share Metzs religious convictions to feel the power of that message.
This year has been filled with heartrending images from the ongoing wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere.
The weekend brought reports of yet more innocent casualties of Israels relentless bombing campaign, including children sheltering in a school.
Meanwhile, more than 12,000 civilians have been killed since the start of Vladimir Putins assault on Ukraine, along with more than 43,000 soldiers, according to Kyivs estimates.
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