Mea Culpa

Back when the Catholic mass was said in Latin, one phrase that even the most casual churchgoer understood was Mea culpa, Mea maxima culpa. My sin, my grievous sin or, to soften it a bit, perhaps my fault, my most serious fault. With bowed head, one would even lightly beat his heart with clenched right fist. Today,the word "sin" isn't used much. We are more likely to hear words like error or misguided and expressions like not condoned, but understandable. Perhaps we take refuge in such explanations. Rudolf Virchow, considered by many to be the principal architect of scientific medicine, wrote "It is the curse of humanity that it learns to tolerate even the most horrible situations by habituation."

Twenty four hour news showing the aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti, unrelenting mail solicitation in full color from charities, and consistent bombardment of commercials to save a child, support a hospital, donate NOW, have all conspired to become our habituation and hence our toleration of horrible situations.


For sure, the child with the cleft palate doesn't get in the habit of being isolated by other children for his appearance, and the woman with a fistula doesn't grow to tolerate her filth. Neither can I.

I just ordered 20 collection/donation boxes that should arrive some time next week. We still have to decide where to start placing them. I am praying that people will be receptive to taking them and encourage others to donate by giving up one small thing in their own lives and giving its cost to International Surgical Mission Support, the group of East End doctors we are supporting.

It is my sin, my most grievous fault if I know a child is suffering and refuse to help. I don't want to beat my chest, but I am willing to beat the drums. Actually, the repetitive motion sort of helps keep my mind off cigarettes! Still not smoking and yes, it's still miss them.