You are viewing a single comment's thread from:
RE: Poetry Sunday: Schadenfreude
My German is terrible but you and I share a common target of 'shady or dark gladness'. I have zero qualms over feeling that way. I know that the injured forgives his tormentor for his own progress. The guilty as well, if they ask forgiveness, must take action to repair the harm they caused; do penance to find some growth in themselves, and i believe if they fail to do it sufficiently, they will or should find misfortune. It's the same as feeling 'justice is done' when someone is sentenced by a court.
You wrote a thought-provoking poem. I love that it is short, the message is substantial yet it's conveyed efficiently and is more memorable that way i think.
Thanks, my man. That's quite a thoughtful response. I appreciate it. Yes, I think this one packs a powerful punch with just a few short lines. It's a heavy concept worthy of consideration. I like what you said here:
Is that a religious belief or your personal philosophy? I'm curious because Catholics do believe in penance as a means of correcting wrongs, but I don't think there is any thought of misfortune as a necessary component to making it right. The idea is, if the wrongdoer approaches the confessional with a contrite heart and confesses the sin, they are made right with the penance. No need for misfortune to follow. Protestants do without the penance and just accept that an individual can confess to God in private and all is forgiven. But the misfortune part is left to God, who, in his sovereignty, decides whether misfortune is necessary or not. I think both of these are off-base in some sense. I'm just curious where you get your idea of penance/misfortune.
EDITED: You're absolutely right - misfortune is not called for - penance is about reparation, and restoration of self and others - the relations (human and divine) which sin inevitably severs. Penance is a part of a process of healing . My reading of your verses led me to think this was concerning a very human persona, having felt trust broken, made vulnerable, hurt, injured. In response to that, twe in our frailty and limited understanding, revel in misfortune or bad consequences or plain bad luck befalling those we see as wrongdoers. I can identify with that, and I would admit feeling that way. It is not part of the idea of penance at all. Unlike penance or restoration, wishing ill on others, is harmful in the greater scheme of things. Yet, we still consider punishment a part of justice - don't we...?
I was raised Catholic; and having muslim relatives, I learned how significantly these two faiths overlap, especially in this area of sin and restoration after sin. Your poem really stands out here, and your response underlines just how significant it is. Thank you once again my man!