We like to accuse people of being evil, when evil is more often found in the complicated interactions of the people and the systems in which we live. That is not to say that people are not responsible for participating in evil, but that some evil that flows out of our actions is unknown to us or not intended.
In science it is said that "for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction." In human interaction it seems that for every word or action there are a complicated set of reactions--rational, emotional, physical--that are often decidedly greater in power and intensity than the original action. In fact, these same responses sometimes come when there is too much inaction.
I wonder if the opposite is also true. What implication does one word of truth have, one humble confession, one merciful act? Could it be that within the complicated system of human relationships that these could actually matter to a degree much greater than what may seem reasonable?
Could it be that a cup of cold water offered in Jesus name could make a world of difference and challenge the powers of the systems bind us?
Lou
