Cultures vary from person to person, position to position, family to family, tribe to tribe and country to country because of our differences in locations, climate, color, dialects and language, customs and traditions. This is borne out of history which brings us to the unique identities of people and their communities. Because of this, there is a necessity to respect one another’s culture and in doing so we also recognize the appropriate position of each person in various societies and in the world.
Order in relating with other people is expected to bring forth diplomacy and peace. A blunder in handling the culture of others might have serious consequences either to economics, politics and peace. Even internally, respecting local cultures with various tribes in the Philippines has serious repercussions, how much more in international relations? That is why knowledge in various cultures is necessary especially if a person is appointed to a position which requires international diplomacy.
Peace is what man is seeking in life and in death. Understanding and respecting the culture of other people leads us to discover more of their identity and thereby facilitates the establishment of relationships which will not only bear fruit in economics and trade but also in the enjoyment of the peace.
When people are peaceful with each other it would be easier to negotiate when untoward incidents and situations arise and diplomatic negotiations will be facilitated. Even in scriptures, diplomacy is being taught. God is one in three persons. This model of the unity of God brings us to the realization that in His eyes “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) Therefore, the greatest diplomat is God himself. Even when he visited Abraham and Sarah at the beginning of scriptures (in the book of Genesis), He adapted their culture at that time to establish diplomacy between God and man. Relationship is very important and the way to nourish diplomatic relations is to follow international protocols and etiquette. One may lose trade interests because of diplomatic blunder or one may unnecessarily enter into wars and conflicts because of inefficient representative or ambassadors.
The greatest ambassador from the Father is Jesus himself because he is able to reconcile God and man even with the unworthiness of the latter. And even in heaven we follow protocols.
EVEN IN HEAVEN ONE HAS TO FOLLOW PROTOCOLS By Fr. Virgilio H. Delfin
The title of the reaction paper is so catchy. I really appreciate how Father connects diplomacy to the scriptures. It made me realize that this is indeed an old practice. It was never new and fresh. Even God himself followed such protocols in order to connect to the humans. And that is not stooping low to their levels but as a way to level Himself to the humans for better connection. If God has did this, how much more we His creation. He is indeed a good example of such practice that is worth modeling.
ReplyDelete