More articles

Love — The Basis of Dialogue

I have been saying for so many years and I published it in the book Reflexões da Alma (2003) [Reflections of the Soul]: The heart is more willing to listen when Love is the basis of dialogue. For this...

Solidarity: A Path to Peace

Unarmed Peace will never come about solely from political agreements, but rather from a deep sublimation of the religious spirit. Since great achievements often have their roots in simple but practical and true initiatives by people who with great...

The Supreme Vocation for Serving

From my book Apocalipse sem medo - 1999 não anulou as profecias [The Apocalypse Without Fear — 1999 did not nullify the prophecies], according to the specialized press it was the biggest-selling book at the 16th International Book Biennial...

Charity

God and Globalization

Article published in the "A Tribuna" newspaper, Brazil, on June 27, 2014 (Friday).

On June 21 this year, when speaking to the youth of Good Will, who were participating in the 39th edition of an international forum organized by them, I commented on the Globalization of Fraternal Love, the theme of the day.

The goal throughout the millennia has been to globalize. But what? I often say that social reform, thus of humans, comes through the spirit. This is the difference we present to humanity. . . . The globalization of what Jesus, the Heavenly Statesman, would like globalized: the thought of God, who is Love (I John 4:8); therefore, fraternity in the highest sense. Many people still think it only applies within their group or among their tribe. As a result, nations split, human beings kill each other, and not even children are spared. . . .

To understand the extent of the real spirit of harmony, I beg to cite one of the best definitions of God in the magnificent work of Euripides Barsanulfo (1880-1918), a respected Brazilian educator, politician, journalist, and medium. It is beautiful poetry in prose:

"The Universe is a highly intelligent work; a work that transcends the most brilliant human intelligence; and, since every intelligent effect has an intelligent cause, it must be inferred that the Universe is greater than all intelligence; it is the intelligence of intelligences; the cause of causes; the law of laws; the principle of principles; the reason of reasons; the conscience of consciences; it is God! God! A name a thousand times holy, which Newton never spoke without uncovering his head!

"Oh God, Who is revealed through Nature, your daughter and our mother, I recognize you, Lord, in the poetry of creation; in the small child who smiles; in the old man who stumbles; in the beggar who implores; in the helping hand; in the dear mother who nurtures; in the loving father who instructs; in the unselfish apostle who evangelizes the crowds.

"Oh God! I recognize you, Lord, in the love of a spouse; in the affection of a child; in the respect of a sister; in the righteousness of the just; in the mercy of the lenient; in the faith of the pious; in the hope of the people; in the charity of the good; in the integrity of the honest.

"Oh God! I recognize you, Lord! In the inspiration of the bard; in the eloquence of the orator; in the creativeness of the artist; in the sanctity of the master; in the wisdom of the philosopher and the eternal fires of genius!

"Oh God! I recognize you, Lord! In the orchards in bloom, in the grass in the valleys; in the colors of the fields; in the breeze in the meadows; in the scent of the grassland; in the murmur of fountains; in the rustling of the branches; in the music of the woods; in the serenity of the lakes; in the loftiness of the mountains; in the wideness of the oceans and in the majesty of the heavens!

"Oh God! I recognize you, Lord, in the beautiful anthelia, in the multicolored iris; in the polar auroras; in the silvery Moon; in the brightness of the Sun; in the splendor of the stars; in the glow of the constellations!

"Oh God! I recognize you, Lord! In the formation of nebulae; in the origins of the worlds; in the genesis of the suns; in the cradle of humanities; in the wonder, splendor, and sublimeness of Infinity!

"Oh God! I recognize you, Lord, with Jesus, when He prays: ‘Our Father who art in Heaven. . .’ or with the Angels when they sing: ‘Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth to Men [and Women] of the Good Will of God.’"

In this way it is easier to understand the true solidary Love that urges to be universalized: the Love that feeds, educates, provides security, health, and, above all, spiritualizes people in their entirety.

José de Paiva Netto is a writer, journalist, radio broadcaster, composer, and poet. He is the President of the Legion of Good Will (LGW), effective member of the Brazilian Press Association (ABI) and of the Brazilian International Press Association (ABI-Inter). Affiliated to the National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Union of Professional Journalists of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the Union of Writers of Rio de Janeiro, the Union of Radio Broadcasters of Rio de Janeiro, and the Brazilian Union of Composers (UBC). He is also a member of the Academy of Letters of Central Brazil. He is an author of international reference in the concept and defense of the cause of Ecumenical Citizenship and Spirituality which, according to him, constitute “the cradle of the most generous values that are born of the Soul, the dwelling of the emotions and of the reasoning enlightened by intuition, the atmosphere that embraces everything that transcends the ordinary field of matter and comes from the elevated human sensitivity, such as Truth, Justice, Mercy, Ethics, Honesty, Generosity, and Fraternal Love.”