tvc . dsj . org | November 8 , 2016 7
By Joanna Thurmann
There is violence , there is passivity , and then there is a third way ; active nonviolence . Not just the philosophy and methodology of giants like Martin Luther King , Jr . or Gandhi , it is a fundamental worldview , a way of life , and a choice for each of us . Unlike passivity , it calls for courageous engagement and determined resistance to confront evil with the weapons of love and truth alone . Most importantly , it works .
This was the core message of a talk by Ken Butigan on October 13 , sponsored by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Sant a Clara University . Butigan is professor of Peace , Justice and Conflict Studies at DePaul University in Chicago and director of Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service .
Despite the consistency of this message with Jesus ’ life and teaching , it runs counter to human history and seventeen hundred years of church
The Third Way : Active Nonviolence
“ Each of us has more power than we think we have – to change our lives , our nation , our world .”
doctrine . The so-called “ just war theory ” sees violence as regrettable but theologically and morally justifiable under certain conditions .
Yet the triumphs of nonviolent challenge to existing structures are profound . Butigan cited the prime example of the People Power Movement of 1986 , which ended the despotic regime of Ferdinand E . Marcos in the Philippines . With only 16 deaths , the peaceful upheaval achieved what most believed could only be done by a long and bloody revolution . Today ’ s headlines include the nonviolent protests of Native Americans against the Dakota
Access Pipeline and the two-week march of thousands of Israeli and Palestinian women in the name of peace .
“ This is kairos ; our moment of decision ,” says Butigan . But we must educate and train for active nonviolence and just peace , and put the full force of the church behind it .
Hence in April 2016 , Butigan participated in a first-of-its-kind Vatican Conference . It appealed to Pope Francis to write an encyclical on the topic and to the Catholic Church to boldly recommit itself to its teaching and practice .
Butigan challenged the audience
commuNity
to imagine the transformation that is within our reach , and to get engaged . “ Each of us has more power than we think we have – to change our lives , our nation , our world .”
That challenge was especially relevant to members of various peace and justice organizations in the audience , including Casa de Clara Catholic Worker , Pacific Life Community , and Franciscan priest Louis Vitale , another lifelong giant in the movement . They participated , along with Butigan , in a peaceful prayer vigil in front of Mission Church the following day , calling for an end to R . O . T . C . on campus . Regrettably , the vigil ended in the arrest of one individual , Fumi Tosu , showing that there is still much work ahead , even among the faithful .
Butigan ’ s example of the two hands of nonviolence – one indicating noncooperation with violence and the other openness to dialogue – invite us to practice active nonviolence in all our relationships . Find out more and get involved at nonviolencejustpeace . net .
San Jose Symphonic Choir , conducted by Leroy Kromm , will present its first concert of the 2016-17 season on November 26 , at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , 80 South Market , San Jose , at 7:30 pm .
The concert will feature two gems of the High Baroque : Johann Sebastian Bach ’ s Magnificat , and Georg Frideric Handel ’ s Dettigen Te Deum . The Choir will be accompanied by the San Jose Baroque Orchestra .
The Magnificat , or Canticle of Mary , is based on the biblical chronicle of Mary ’ s contemplation of her new status as the Mother of God , and has been the basis for many choral works over hundreds of years . The listener hears her joy in the exuberant opening section , “ My soul magnifies the Lord ,” and Bach ’ s lovely gesture with the final words “ As it was in the beginning , is now and forever ,” set to music which mirrors the first verse , thus recalling the music that was heard “ in the beginning .” Throughout the performance , the voices of four soloists and the instruments of the baroque orchestra interweave with the Choir to paint a picture of Mary ’ s joy and humility .
Bach wrote the M ag n i fi c a t for the 1723 Christmas Vespers at St . Thomas Church in Leipzig , where he had just been appointed Kantor , or Music Director . Bach held this demanding post
San Jose Symphonic Choir Performs Bach Magnifi cat
that required him to teach , compose , supervise musicians , and play the organ , until his death in 1750 . In spite of his heavy schedule , many of his most famous works were composed during this period , including choral masterpiece s such as the St . Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor , as well as the Magnificat .
The second celebratory piece on the program has its basis in the British military support of their allies Hanover and Hesse during the War of the Austrian Succession , from 1740 – 1748 . In June of 1743 , British troops under the command of King George II , were part of a victorious force that defeated French troops at the Battle of Dettingen , on the banks of the River Main in Germany . The incident has historical significance as the last time a British monarch personally lead his troops into battle . Handel , the “ Composer of the Musick to the Chapel Royal ,” was commissioned to write a Te Deum – a hymn of praise – commemorating the British military victory and giving public thanksgiving for the safe return of the King .
The work is structured in several short sections , featuring a lively interplay between the chorus , baritone soloist , and orchestra . Opening with a brilliant fanfare of trumpets and drums that leads into a joyous chorus of praise , the piece concludes with a stunningly beautiful final choral prayer “ Let Me Never Be Confounded .”
Tickets are : General , $ 30 in advance , $ 35 at the door , Seniors / Students / Military $ 25 in advance , $ 30 at the
door , and are available through Brown Paper Tickets . Visit the Choir ’ s website , www . sanjosesymphonicchoir . org for a direct link to tickets and additional information .