A different point of view

by Fr. Phil Schotzko

In the past, I have preached on being open to another human being who has a different point of view.

I don't mean my point of view, rather, I am referring to any number of points of view other than my own. If I could really see other's points of view as clearly as my own, would I not be like God who sees into each person's heart and knows all points of view? Truly "seeing" with one's imagination and "hearing" with compassion the unfolding of another person's life experience is very enriching and enlightening. It can also bring an end to war and lay the foundation for a relationship of love and understanding.

A number of years ago, I had a wonderful conversation with a seventy year old German woman who met an American serviceman at the end of WWII. Her parents practically disowned her for talking to, and, horror of horrors, falling in love with the "enemy". However, another point of view had its way. They were married. They had a good life together. Eventually she spent the last ten years of her life nursing her invalid husband until his death.

While visiting some friends in California I was amazed at how one's point of view shapes one's perceptions and responses. One friend, a refugee from Nicaragua, is poor and lives in East Palo Alto. This "other side of the tracks" sort of place is full of folks of various nationalities struggling to survive in a world of broken dreams, poverty, drugs and gangs. Her faith is her anchor in a seemingly bottomless ocean of sorrow and longing. She perceives the wealthy in Palo Ado to be snobbish and unable to empathize with her plight. She often feels overwhelmed and alone.

On the other hand, there is Susan, valedictorian of a small mid-western town. Now over fifty, she has made it big in a man's world amid the corporate executives of Silicon Valley. Her husband sells real estate. Their multimillion dollar home is just off a scenic highway on a red wooded bluff over looking the Pacific Ocean. They speak of the problems of East Palo Alto that need to be “cleaned up". Their grief is about loosing their favorite cat. It is real grief. Don't get me wrong. They are wonderful people. We've been friends for more than thirty years. They find it hard, however, to see from the other point of view.

How can we get a glimpse of life as another might see it? I am convinced that we must first empty ourselves, in so far as we are able, of our privileged positions and cherished opinions. If we cling to these we are destined to have an impoverished, one dimensional vision.

The divine Christ has shown us this way by shedding the divine situation of heaven and embracing the limited human situation of living in a body. This mystery of the incarnation is embedded in every human being in so far as we carry around in our bodies the dying and rising of Christ. The people of each culture collectively reflect different portions of the values of Christ's Kingdom. It would seem to be important to try to notice and appreciate how various individuals and peoples live those Kingdom values in some ways better than we do.

It is not hard to understand that travel and living in a foreign land or in another culture can be very valuable in helping us open up to other points of view and see as God sees. I encourage all to set aside any fears, and, if you are able, to travel into the hearts of those who are different. For some this may only be possible through books or videos. Music and art are also aids to this journey. Best of all is to go on a mission trip or live with another family in another world for a while. I am convinced that one's eyes, ears and hearts will never be the same. They will have more of the compassion of God and will be better able to see and appreciate other points of view.

Fr. Phil Schotzko is Director of the Propagation of the Faith/Holy Childhood Association for the Diocese of New Ulm. He currently serves as pastor of the Church of St. Peter, St. Peter, MN.