Printed
March 18th 2008
In Memory of Jimmy Mizen
http://jimmymizen.org/Though we speak often, of the rights and wrongs of this world, few bear the grace, to show it in their spirit when faced with their own personal dilemmas, especially when in times of true grief and adversity.
Each day, we face a world of extreme pettiness. Great resentment is displayed at the most simple of injustice. Imagined or otherwise. From the common cold to the state of the weather, mankind continually complains. Its rage transpires in one or two ways. Its either demands it rights through violent methods or it craves sympathy through self-pitying tears.
Few accept responsibility, or really crave or care to know the true and right way of dealing with that which is wrong, in the correct fashion. Whether on the giving, or whether on the receiving end of its dark power.
In a week in England, where a culture of uncontrollable, drunken football hooligans, both male and female, stormed the streets of Manchester, damaging everything and everyone in their path, elsewhere on the streets of London, a young boy visiting a bakery, became another victim of a senseless violent stabbing. Just another statistic in the UK where the increase in violence has reached epidemic proportions.
Whilst blame pointed the finger at the heavy handed tactics of the police on the streets of Manchester. CCTV footage showed the other side. A group of 20 men setting about one police office. A group of up to 50 overturning a car. Just because it happened to be nice, and just because it happened to be there.
Whilst debate raged, over the rights and wrongs of this event, in stark contrast, Mr and Mrs Mizen, the parents of Jimmy Mizen, the 16 year old, who had been violently stabbed, were showing a different side. Mr and Mrs Mizen, this very ordinary family, spoke not only eloquently on the need to not feed bitterness inside themselves, but their actions also displayed the true meaning of bearing pain, injustice and grief in correct proportion to the grace they had been given them through their faith. This they did on the world stage.
Many mock and belittle the gifts of faith. But, this week, in our very violent society, there are few who have not been extremely touched by the very real strength and dignity displayed by Mr and Mrs Mizen.
Real faith is not weak. Real faith should not be mocked, as so many of its opponents suggest and do. Faith is not always words. At times the spirit of it speaks far louder than mere words through someones actions.
We live in a world of great injustice. Not everything that happens to us is in proportion to what we deserve. Senseless and mindless acts of violence, terrorism and vandalism, hurt the innocent. How we deal with injustice in this world is whats important. It is agreed that harder penalties should be imposed on those who intentionally cause harm. Everyone knows the right thing to do. Society, and our government are not always doing the right thing. They are making too many allowances. So what do you do. The leniency being shown to violent criminal acts is creating further injustice. Creating further anger.
Mr and Mrs Mizen know what to do. Inside of them is the building block of something bigger. This week, during a time of great personal grief they displayed its strength. It was an inspiration to all. Everyone is talking about it. They made what was wrong, look pitifully wrong. This simple family made evilness look futile and decrepid. Small in the face of their bravery.In the face of the evil carried out on their son, they looked inside of themselves and saw the need to not let bitterness take root and destroy their family, despite its overwhelming temptation to do so. They have not excused evil. They have simply refused to let it destroy them further. Thus breaking the chains of its destruction.
It has been another dark week in british society but a ray of light actually shone through. And everyone sat up.
Faith in Action and the Family of Jimmy Mizen.
Out of the darkness, comes light.
hthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWsu28oMrxE
