Life and death issues

A favorite thing to say among people in the Christian sphere is that hope is not the same as optimism. (I remember saying it myself.) While optimism is believing that development is going in the right direction and that good trends can be extended forward in time, hope is believing in change for the better despite the state of things. In other words, hope is a break with the sad course of culture. In Christian faith, the distinction between the …

Life and death issues

Zbigniew Herbert (1924–98) has the distinction – the irony of which he likely both rued and appreciated – of being the only member of a trinity of internationally influential post-Second World War Polish poets not to have been awarded the Nobel prize. Having lost out on the award, he could at least boast of a bevy of laureates who felt he should have won. Responding to his laconic congratulatory telegram in 1996, Wisława Szymborska wired back: “…

Great concern for Zoe's daughter Clara. Suddenly the little girl is in danger of life – and of all people, He should help her.