Gandhi was once asked for a message to the American people. Mr. Gandhi replied: "Why should I send any message? My life is my message." So it is with us—our lives become our message. In the Catholic Times, the priest columnist in Light of the World gives the readers some ideas on how to make our lives our message.
Even among non-Christians, there are many great many who can serve as role models for the world. Among them, we have Gandhi the father of India who said: "I am a poor mendicant. All I have is a spinning wheel, a rice bowl used in prison, a can of goat milk, six shabby bedclothes, a towel, and a not-so-great reputation." I consider him a great person. Gandhi, who was selected as the Person of the Year by Time magazine in 1930, presented many precious teachings to the human family through the ideas of non-injury, non-violence, and non-possession against British colonial rule.
"He who seeks the truth must be humbler than dust." "The more educated a person is, the more he should travel in the third class." "Non-violence is the most powerful force that humanity can utilize." "There is no path to peace. Peace is the way." One of the people who best practiced Jesus' teachings to love God and even love one's enemies was Gandhi.
Life with God—It is said that Gandhi earnestly hoped that India's independence and the dignity of its people would be preserved, but that he did not wish anyone to die because of it. He also lived a frugal life, working in solidarity with his poor neighbors, and was a man of prayer. Throughout his life, he sought to implement justice and tried to become a sincere and truthful person. This is the life that God taught us.
Of course, his life was difficult, many good people in India suffered under the oppression of powerful countries. But Gandhi and his efforts to preserve goodness preserved what was most precious. This is life with God.
The Catholic Church also emphasizes through its social doctrine that people are righteous before God (#260 of the Brief Social Doctrine), and that peace comes from the fundamental relationship between humans and God, a relationship characterized by righteousness. (#488)
In the face of widespread hatred in society, a life lived with God, is the purpose of social doctrine. What is needed for that is a life oriented toward love, prayer, labor, frugality, and charity toward neighbors, as shown by Jesus, numerous saints, and Gandhi. We emphasize that it changes society. Moreover, these virtues are urgently needed by leaders and politicians. Being hostile towards those who have different opinions telling them to fight, and showing hatred and anger, only creates a vicious cycle.
Laws and principles are also important. However, there are many things in the world that cannot be solved with just that. Dialogue, compromise, tolerance, are often necessary. So, Gandhi proposed seven vices, and among them are ‘politics without philosophy’ and ‘economy without morals.’ It is the biggest factor that makes our society difficult today. I must first live a life that pursues God's teachings, a life that pursues spirituality rather than just material things, and a life that practices reconciliation and forgiveness.
"Only through the mutual activity of individuals and peoples sincerely working for the good of all human beings can true universal brotherhood be achieved." (Summary of the Social Doctrine, Paragraph 145)
