Page 205 - Built For God Handbook (Annotated and Explained Edition) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II

139

Very interestingly, this chapter, under the theme of compassion, presents us
once again with the reality of paradox: stillness as an attack, retreat as an
advance, not moving forward also as advance, not confronting as engaging,
and no weapons as fully armed. Like parables, these paradoxical
statements are meant to jar us out of our usual linear mode of thinking into a
broader, deeper view of reality.

It is the reality of faith in a God who is compassionate, merciful, and
unconditional love, the greatest power of all and the only power flowing into
eternity, that sheds light on these paradoxical statements.

There are two biblical words for the power of evil and darkness – devil and
Satan. Devil comes from diablos, which means to divide. So, any divisive
force in our world that seeks only to divide people can be said to be
diabolical. On the other hand, Satan gathers people together, but for the
purpose of destruction and death, such as gangs, mobs, and terrorist
groups.

Through the paradox of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, a
crucified victim, the good news is that our God has overcome all the forces
of darkness and evil in the universe by yielding to them and triumphing over
them in a totally unforeseen, non-violent manner. Those who truly believe in
this paradoxical mystery and participate in it, each in their own way, will be
able to extend that compassion to others with peace, joy, and inner
freedom.

a Exodus 14:13-18; Psalm 37:7; Proverbs 14:16-17; Psalm 46:9-11;
b
Matthew 5:43-48; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 11:3;
c Isaiah 63:8-9; Hebrews 2:17.