Anthony de Mello

My favorite spiritual writer,Anthony de Mello, an Indian Jesuit writer, told stories. One of his favorites was a Chinese story called “Good Luck, Bad Luck.” In the story a farmer’s good luck turns to bad luck and his bad luck turns to good luck.

I am reminded of this story this week. The week started with bad news, my friend Lorenzo Rosebaugh had been murdered in Guatemala. However his violent death has brought persons all over the world together, which is good news. (See Memorial to Lorenzo Rosebaugh).

Also this week brought the sad news that a young adult member of our Church had died. This was sad news but knowing how much she suffered from a brain disease, it was somehow a blessing, good news that she is resting in peace.

On a smaller scale today the eye doctor told me how my sight had improved since my last eye exam. This is good news. However, she also told me that the reason for the improved eyesight is that the cataracts in my eyes have grown. This is bad news. But she said they were not harmful which is good news.

All of life, like in the story and in my daily life, seems to be a combination of good luck or good news or bad luck or bad news. But as the farmer in the story says: “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” I would say about this week in my life: “Bad News? Good News? Who knows?”

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