Is any current world news more disturbing than accounts of returned Kosovars taking revenge upon the Serb residents of their district? Stories of murders, tortures, burning, and looting must upset anyone who believes that revenging oneself upon others is both morally wrong and spiritually disastrous.

One can easily understand how those who have returned from exile feel. After all, they have seen almost unimaginable horrors inflicted upon themselves, their families, and their communities. At the hands of Serb forces, ethnic Albanians have witnessed the raping of their women, the massacre of their children, and the wanton destruction of their homes and all that is dear to them.

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In giving a seminar last week to employees of a high-tech company in Peabody, Massachusetts, I discussed ways for adult children to take responsibility for their parents and other family members who may need care. We reviewed together the best approaches to elder care for aging relatives, along with the challenges and satisfactions that the role of care provider can bring.

To my astonishment, one of the first questions asked was about something called “cryonics.” The questioner, Howard by name, wanted to know what I thought about freezing bodies at death in the expectation that, in the future, medical practitioners will know how to revive them.

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From Texas: “…this proposal about the Ten Commandments is the most hypocritical, stupid and blatantly PR-inspired move I have ever seen. Especially in tandem with weakening the gun control laws! It is like using fly paper to catch a Stealth Bomber. I am disgusted with the Reps who voted for this — both parties.”

Equally as passionate was this entry: “The morals of this country (are) gone, what with the President lying, etc. I think the Ten Commandments should be back in the school. Along with the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!!”

Two stories echo in me this week as I ponder their spiritual meaning. They both hint of a divine presence in the events of ordinary life. And thus these stories suggest a powerful love in the world that enhances the value of our lives.

The first was told in a Sunday homily Father George Salzmann, a chaplain at Harvard University.  It concerns Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminster and the spiritual leader of Great Britain’s Catholics, who died last week at the age of 76. Known for his openness to all people, he was especially beloved among members of his faith community.

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A huge, rough samurai once went to see a little monk, hoping to acquire the secrets of the universe. “Monk,” he said, in a voice accustomed to instant obedience, “teach me about heaven and hell.”

The little monk looked up at the mighty warrior in silence. Then, after a moment, he said to the samurai with utter disdain, “Teach YOU about heaven and hell? I couldn’t teach you about anything. You’re dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. You’re a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight at once. I can’t stand you!”

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