Monday, July 4, 2016

War and Peace


The most eloquent exposition of warfare strategy is the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.  The US military expected that Japan would first attack the Philippines not the United States. They definitely were caught off guard.

The genius behind this historical attack was Japan's Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.  When he uncovered his strategy to the Emperor of Japan, the head of the land of the rising sun had one word for Yamamoto, brilliant. But Yamamoto was actually not elated but wistfully said something like this, "I would rather be brilliant finding an alternative way to carry out our goals using words not swords or guns or force".  

Independence, freedom and peace all entail a price but I pray that it would be carried out through listening and understanding.

Happy Independence Day.  Peace.

Note:

I thank Fr. Joe Mele for the wonderful sermon he gave yesterday at St. Bernadette Church which served as  the inspiration for this reflection.  


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