It’s Iimi! Trust and Dialogue

When Pope Francis spoke to diplomats, he mentioned "Cancel Culture" (he used the English word) as one of the dangers of this time. He described the phenomenon as we know it in the west. It would be easy to think that "Only they do that but We do not," and conclude that We do not need to change.

 

The Problem with that kind of thinking is that the Pope's remedy is something we all should do but tend to neglect when we interact with others we disagree with: The Willingness to take part in... TRUST AND DIALOGUE.

It’s Iimi! Walking the Talk

In living the Christian life, it's easy to corrupt it into doing good to our friends while showing antipathy to those who hate us. But Jesus spoke against that attitude. As He pointed out, even pagans and tax collectors do that! (Matthew 5:46-47). Ignoring injustice done to those who hate us is not compatible with our Christian calling.

 

Even if we were foolish enough to ignore what our Lord taught us, it doesn't even make sense pragmatically to behave that way. Injustice done to others can be done to us as well. And if we don't oppose an evil when it first emerges, we may learn that nobody will be left to help us when evildoers turn on us. It's not enough to be "Talking the talk," merely saying the things that sound right. We need to be walking the talk, even when it costs us.

Content Alert:

(The reader should be aware that some of the characters use slurs in referring to others. I do not do this with approval of that language, but rather I do it to point out attitudes we cannot  hold as Christians, but some tragically do.)

It’s Iimi! Where Do You Draw the Line?

Many attack the Church for taking a stand on moral issues. These critics think this stand is based on intolerance. and demand that the moral line be redrawn in their favor. The problem is, others who go even further than they are willing to go, demand that same right.

 

When that happens, they must either give in to accepting behaviors which they find offensive or oppose it and face the same hostility that the Church does.

 

This serves as a warning. When determining moral obligations, we must act on truth, not self-interest.Those who rejects Christian teaching  must still consider nature and consequences when seeking where to draw the line.

It’s Iimi! Fractured!

People think differently on how to best handle topics. That alone doesn’t

make them evil. But if they support an evil cause or an unjust means to

achieve a good end, we cannot go along with it. What will Iimi, her family,

and her friends face what happens when people begin supporting what

they cannot.

Post-Comic Reflection: Yes, people do behave in an ugly manner in this one. Unfortunately, that is how extremists act. There is no interest in trying to understand the other side. So, people like Iimi, Thea, and Anne viewed with suspicion for trying to be just. However, regardless of what one thinks of the actions of another, we must still treat them as fellow human beings, loved by God. Will Iimi and her friends remember that? We’ll have to see.

It’s Iimi! A Hostile Act

Forgiving your enemies. Avoiding rash judgment. Being charitable. These things are difficult when you are angry, or when you have been attacked. When St. Gregory’s Church is desecrated by unknown vandals shortly after the recent pressure in school, it is easy for people to assume that the two are linked. Will Iimi and her friends succumb to this rash judgment? Or will they look and see if the assumption is true before condemning?