Children's Books

Our Life
Children books. I enjoy children's books, for the most part. Many authors are ingenious in their use of color, rhyme, and story. I have marvelled at the simplicity of thought, vocabulary, and character development. I would estimate, however, that for as many books as I marvel and appreciate there are just as many that I detest. Some people have the goods. Other people don't. Any bloke can write a book for children. Look, Madonna, did it. It's not that these mediocre kids' books are horrible. Most of them have mediocre illustrations and some simple story. Yet, there is a talented corps of children's literature authors who are excellent at what they do. Why should parents and their tikes settle for anything less than the best? Classics and stupendous books abound. I wonder sometimes why we end up with the dregs? Sheesh. Mary and I try to go to the local library every week to check out some children's books. It's really an exercise of hit and miss. We usually grab a couple classics and a couple unfamiliar books. These unfamiliar books tend to be the pits. However, every now and then we come across a gem. With such a beautiful genre, I wonder why publishers humor the mediocre and bad. Hopefully, I will have better luck in my future book selections.

Current Affairs Commentary
Continuing thoughts on immigration. According to recent CBS/NY Times poll, roughly two-thirds of Americans approve of the present immigration bill. The present bill, which enjoys the blessing of the President and the US Senate, stipulates amnesty for illegal immigrants who have been in the US prior to January 1, 2007. By passing through some legal and financial hoops, illegal immigrants in the US have a venue to become legal.

Some of the positive elements of the bill:

1. it recognizes the presence of illegal immigrants;
2. it does something to rectify the situation;
   
3. illegal immigrants are getting the chance of a lifetime;
   
4. the US economy can continue as usual, employing illegal immigrant labor.
   

Some of the negative aspects of the bill:

1. it rewards individuals who have broken US domestic and international law
2. it sets a bad precedent on border protection and amnesty in the US and at large
3. in rewarding those guilty of breaking the law, it punishes those who entered the country legally

I believe that the US ought to pass a bill dealing with illegal immigrants in the US. Their plight is a reality that the US ought to address, with humanity, respect and civility. But, also with justice. I don't believe that amnesty is the correct and just decision in the present case. I recognize that there will be pros and cons for any solution: there will be supporters and dissidents for any serious proposal. I hope that amnesty is a decision based on lawmakers' sense of justice and not on their sense of convenience. For the reasons I list above, I don't think that amnesty is the way to go. A simple analogy. Imagine managing a large and prosperous estate. The estate's hundreds of acres provide homes and work for many people. New people are always applying to enter the estate. Based on their backgrounds and your needs, you accept some and reject others. Yet, some people trespassed on your estate and have been enjoying it without your permission. All the trespassers get together and ask you to do something for them: make them accepted residents. To me it seems absurd.

Quick Thoughts on Today's Gospel
Readings Today -- Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
Three times does Jesus Christ asks Peter if he loves him. Three times Peter responds in the affirmative. Three times does Christ respond by inspiring Peter to act upon his love. If you love, feed my lambs, feed my sheep. (I never really understood why Christ varied the lamb and sheep section of his mandate, but that's outside of what I want to reflect upon today. If you have any insights, please let me know.) Christ appears to be telling Peter that he can prove his love for God through acts of service to humanity at large, more particularly, the Christian community. In the Catholic tradition, holiness is found among both the contemplative-in-seclusion mystics and the out-there-in-the-world apostles. God calls each person to a different type of holiness. There may be a temptation for us, based on our personality, to slide to one end of the spectrum. Some extroverts may find it easy to be active in the faith amidst the community and yet find personal prayer difficult. Introverts may experience the opposite. A healthy balance may be the best way to go. Christ moves us to action in his mandate to Peter. To love Christ, we have to know him first. If we love him, we have to serve him. How do we serve him? By serving those around us.