"True dialogue is at the heart of the thinking man's life and demands that each person tries to get to know and understand the person with whom they are conversing." (Rabbi Skorka)
I overhear a lot of drama in my classroom. Often this drama consists of a strong opinion toward the opposition and no openness of perspective. It is quite tantalizing to listen to these conversations knowing that I can only do so much to change this perspective with my feeble promptings. A 16-year-old's world tends to be small and selfish. "At times, we are better able to identify ourselves as builders of walls than as builders of bridges." (Cardinal Bergoglio) It can be disheartening, but I recall that same ignorance in my own life and have faith that my persistence in teaching the value of respect will do even a minuscule difference.
On Heaven and Earth, a series of conversations between Rabbi Skorka and Cardinal Bergoglio (the current Pope Francis), has reminded me that "Dialogue is born from a respectful attitude toward the other person, from a conviction that the other person has something good to say."(Bergoglio) And has provided me with a fresh perspective of hope about our ability to understand one another as humans across dividing lines.
It is beautiful to watch the relationship develop between Skorka and Bergoglio in On Heaven and Earth. Written simply as a series of short comments on a specific topic such as death, divorce, heaven, etc. the insight these two holy men provide on matters of faith are incredibly related. The openness to one another's perspective (Judaism and Catholicism) is often posed as a question and is always followed by a poised response. I can imagine them sitting across from one another, tea in hand, a genuine smile on their faces, delighting in the perspective of one another.
"Skorka: Rabbis and priests should be teachers [....] What is the role of the priest in Catholicism?"
"Bergoglio: It is threefold: teacher, guide of the people of God and president of the liturgical assembly[...]"
"Skorka: is your way of bringing people closer to G-d the same as our in Judaism?"
Bergoglio and Skorka remind us throughout the book that as humans our open communication is incredibly important in understanding one another--and ultimately in living in harmony.
If you think simply about the purpose of a fortress... the exterior walls built to keep out the enemy while the bridge is lowered only to take in the ally. If we continue to build up our walls, if I continue to encourage my student to build their walls of drama and gossip, we accomplish nothing of peace and harmony.
Bergoglio and Skorka consistently lower the bridges of their minds and hearts to one another often allowing each other to witness a startling close perspective. Their dialogues are read as a heartfelt desire to understand each other, rather than a short dissertation on the topic of the chapter. The realness of their voices are a reminder that although our doctrines of faith and life may differ from one another, we still remain tied to the same thread--bearers of this life on earth.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have read On Heaven and Earth. Now I pass the opportunity on to you.
**I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.**
