Doubts of the teacher | Dorothee Soelle
by Elouise
Dorothee Soelle, professor and author, made her mark during and after the Viet Nam war. Her poetry resonates with the agony of yesterday’s spiraling war on the streets and in the air. In this poem she doesn’t address us directly. Instead, she itemizes her own agony as she observes the way so-called ‘peace’ gets negotiated without the input of those who suffer most.
I can’t help thinking about the way our country has descended into a sea of anger, anguish and hopelessness. Instead of locating and listening to people who most need help, attention is fixed on how to win the next election. Based, of course, on strengthening the power of the party, not the welfare of all citizens. Especially the welfare of the most neglected or hated among us.
So…here’s a look into Soelle’s spirit as she watches the debacle unfold in her generation–the View Nam war. In addition, watch for her early identification of the problem–now taken for granted, it seems.
Doubts of the teacher
In the phase of despondency
class wars subside
the fears of men grow
here and there peace is negotiated
nobody asks the people
what kind of peace they want
the hopes of the victims
stray to the occultIn the phase of despondency
my certainty grows
I feel
more and more resilient
I don’t waste my time doubting
these days
that lowly jesus is the truth
and the wayIn the days of fear
I sing once more
in the days of discord
my peace growsBut what for
if it can’t be shared
if it remains invisible
if we can’t partake of it with others
if the victims go away empty-handed
what good are these richesIf one can’t teach it
is that peaceDorothee Soelle, author; poem found in Revolutionary Patience, pp 38-39
English translation © 1977 by Orbis Books
Food for thought. Especially during this week following religious celebrations of many kinds. What difference are we making? Or are we more concerned about what we call “peace” — the kind delivered and enjoyed at the expense of those without peace or access to basic needs.
I wish I could wave a wand. Or, better yet, learn to teach it based on present realities, not on unexamined pie in the sky by and by, or looking the other way.
Many thanks for stopping by today!
Elouise♥
Telling the Truth 
A big sigh. I also look out a window and think and think and think. Recently, I have been quiet and reflective, trying to heal from a lifetime of bruises, trying to restore that sense of “be the light”. It is quite the process. But your words, your selection of poetry, helps. A brilliant tiny pebble. Merci, fair lady.
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Hi, Janet. I resonate with your big sigh. It sometimes feels like the past will always be intruding, reminding me/us that we’re not worthy (or worse). A great way to keep a woman/man/child down. Especially when we realize we might be part of the problem–whether we like it or not. I hope your quiet reflection will bring you the peace and light you deserve–no matter how awful your life has sometimes been.
Elouise
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I may not be able to address all the wrongs in the world, but I can do what I can with and for the people in my particular “orbit.” And so I intend to continue doing. It may seem a drop in the vast ocean of ills, but for the person(s) whose lives are impacted by love, encouragement, and hope, it can make a big difference, and I think that Jesus is pleased by my investment of my “1 talent”…
Thank you for this, and all your posts, dear Elouise. I always look forward to them, and the exercise they give my heart, and mind!
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Dear Debbie,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, we can only do what we’re able to do, whether we’re actively engaged with others or not. My semi-isolation of the past few years has underscored the pain and agony of this present age. I’ll always be grateful for the small ways I’m still able to make a contribution. At the same time, I’m reminded every day that what’s celebrated at the “top” doesn’t always make a difference for those most underserved and/or unwelcome at the table. Sometimes it makes things worse.
In the meantime, Yes! Your “1 talent” is important. Nothing goes unnoticed (in the big picture which we can’t see).
Elouise
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I understand how you feel. And the questions you ask. I feel the same way.
I think making a difference in people’s lives in our “corner of the world” does help to not only change people in positive ways…but, also, helps to change the world.
Thank you for being someone who makes a difference in the world, and in my corner of the world. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙏❤️
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Thanks, Carolyn. If you come up with a way of making a difference in leadership of all kinds (church, cities, towns, nation, etc.), I want to know the magic potion! Seriously, the disconnect between what we say (or even promise) locally, and what actually happens in the larger picture is huge. I think Dorothee Soelle was feeling the reality of human existence in a world fraught with evil and unclear/deceitful public goals that ignore hard work on the ground with real people.
Thanks for your kind comment and your upbeat approach to life. I don’t know how that happened for you, but I do know it’s a gift, and that I’m grateful to be one of your friends. 🙂
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❤️ 🙂 Thank you! 🙂 ❤️
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HI Elouise! Your post has stirred some curiosity regarding the authors thoughts about Vietnam. Can you point me in the direction regarding such. My eldest daughter was married to a Vietnamese young man prior to their separation after 13 years of marriage. He was the son of an American soldier and Vietnamese mother. There were lots of identity issues. Now I gravitate to providing a listening ear for our 21 year old grandaughter from that marriage. She is a senior at Bloomsburg University focusing on life sciences and the arts. I have also been receiving Spiritual guidance from a Catholic Vietnamese director who is a Sister of Christian Charity. The guidance is strongly based on a reflection techique highly lifted from Biblical passages and prayer.
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It’s so good to hear from you, Dave! Dorothee Soelle’s interest in Viet Nam was part of her larger interest in the way Christianity and politics have taken the wrong direction when dealing with people who are suffering. Two of her books stand out as ways of pulling together her thinking about the way we “help” those in need–especially during times of upheaval or war.
First, I highly recommend you get your hands on Suffering. It’s not just about what causes suffering, but what we as individuals must do if we’re going to work with people who have endured horrendous suffering. Yes, they’re in Viet Nam. They’re also everywhere. It won’t do to tell them what to do, or where to go to get help. It’s more difficult than that. Nor is it about what we say or do. It’s about what suffering people must dare to do. Her chart on p. 73 (Suffering) sums it up. This isn’t about us giving them answers. It’s about learning to sit silently with people who are afraid to speak their truth, who don’t know what it means to lament, and must find ways of changing together. It isn’t about us. It’s about them (and us!).
I also highly recommend reading her critique of post-Christian apathy (Chapter 2). Beyond that, reading the entire book would be wonderful! Also, her small book of poetry, Revolutionary Patience, will give you a glimpse into her take on VietNam.
Thanks for the inquiry. I think we’ve not yet learned how to be with suffering people right here in our back yards. Definitely a different, yet related topic.
Elouise
I forgot to include this online review of her life! https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/god-is-justice-social-spirituality-of-dorothee-soelle/
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After 14 years of service as a Hospice Chaplain some of the cases where suffering was extreme were veterans who served ground combat either Viet Nam or Korea. Now as a caregiver for Parkinsons spouse with increasing dementia the view of pain and confusion accompanying suffering is quite different. Suffering from poverty, racisim, illiteracy, bigotry, hunger, nerve damage, air deprevation, loneliness, torture and on and on is horrible yet often is placed upon another by pure evil. Yet we do not surrender we persevere through the strength given by the love of God. Several months back Carol and I made a pack/oath that we would intentionally say Thank you to everyone who comes along to offer some kind act or words. We have decided to consider all life ecounters as Holy Moments as if the other individual were the living representative of Christ come to be in our midst. Matthew Kelly has written about how the world could be changed if everyone treated the other as if they had been sent to us by God. It has helped during very difficult moments. BLESSINGS !!!! Thank you for suggestions in previous response.
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I would love to read something by Matthew Kelly. Any recommendations? And thanks for your thoughtful response on behalf of you and Carol.
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ELOUISE, KELLY has published alot. Recently I have read Seven Stages of Intimacy , Generosity, and Holy Moments. His current material is focusing on Evangelism and the Catholic Church , mainly outside of the church. I ordered some of Dorothee Soelle material …. should arrive next week.
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Thank you for the title! I hope you enjoy Soelle’s writing.
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