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Andre Comte-Sponville, a philosopher and Professor at the
Sorbonne was coming back with me from Geneva to Paris by car.
A railway worker strike forced us to drive back at night. We
had plenty of time to talk philosophy!
Right away Andre asked me; "Do you often think about
death?" I said yes, often I think about death. "So
do I, the thought of death makes me closer to others and my children.
Do you believe that there is something after death?"
" Yes I believe that there is Some One and that life
is not being destroyed. It is being transformed" Andre
could not agree with what I was saying. "Being a firm
atheist, I think that after death there is nothing. There is
not another life than this one. It is why our life is so important,
so the meaning we gave to it. I am sensitive to the message of
Jesus who insists on the value of love. It is really love that
makes the value of a life. The real value of a human life is
the amount of love we invest in it."
I thought of what Jesus would have said by listening to him;
"You are not far from the Kingdom of God".
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Théodore Monod |
His death leaves an empty space. The planet and humanity have
lost one of their protectors. When I was with him, I was feeling
comfortable, this humble and learned man was so full of humanity!
He was enjoying "an old age of full serenity", like
the liturgy proclaims.
I remember him at the demonstration in front of the Taverny Nuclear
Center headquarters; we were about fifty in protest. It was the
6th of August, the anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bomb. He was
carrying a long banner extending down to his feet with these
words, which he likes often to say: "the preparation of
a murder is a murder"
We were standing there, under the sun, when military and civilian
employees went home, paying no attention to us, as if we did
not exist.
I said to Theodore" Don't you think we look ridiculous?"
He answered me without hesitation" the little you can do,
you have to do it" then he added " but have no illusion!"
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A young Albanian married a French girl. Her parents did not
consent and did not come to the wedding. Both were employed,
he was illegally working in a restaurant. They found a small
lodging. Like many immigrants, he had to struggle to get his
working permit, going from one place to another, being requested
to go to some place or other. Sometimes hoping, sometimes discouraged,
finally his dream came true: the young Albanian obtained a one-year
working permit.
Proud, he told his boss that now he could legally work. She was
not too happy, because she would have to register him and pay
taxes. The young couple immediately called me and invited me
to celebrate with them, the event, in their new lodging. We drank
champagne. Her parents had changed their mind: they did offer
the bottle of champagne!
Lummumba
It is the title of the movie in an avant-garde theater. It
is an historical movie presenting a key period for Congo. Lummumba,
a Congolese of 36, became for only two months the Prime Minister
of the newly independent country!
I have been impressed by his way of overcoming difficulties,
his choices, his struggles, and his will to serve the people.
He was pioneering and willing to take risks. Through all events,
he always conducted his life in relation to his convictions.
Foreign countries wanted to get rid of this embarrassing Head
of State and to prepare room for Mobutu. Lummumba was badly treated,
humiliated and executed. Till his death he retained his dignity.