Jim Hite

Most often, after putting my thoughts and ideas on paper and then sending them to the Millen News for publication, I wonder if anyone takes the time to read what is written. Although every once in a while someone will make mention of a particular column, often adding his or her thoughts to mine, such is not a frequent occurrence.

However, the column of four weeks ago about littering and trash along the roads of our county brought a good number of comments, all agreeing that there is a problem and expressing frustration that there seems to be no way to bring such trashing of our land under control.

One in particular expanded on the idea, noting that we have other eyesores which, while not exclusive to our community, can also fall under the trash-along-the-roadside designation, such as deteriorating housing, unkempt areas, and abandoned buildings.

Comments like these reminded me of a concept which I studied many, many years ago in college philosophy and theology classes and which is as relevant in this day and time as it was throughout the centuries dating back to the time of the ancient Greek philosophers. It is a concept found also in the Bible.

It's called the "common good."

The term is rather self-explanatory. Laws, society, human activity, religion are to promote the common good. The Preamble of our own country's Constitution speaks of a "more perfect union…domestic tranquility, …common defense, …general welfare…," all having to do with what can be termed the common good.

Unfortunately, when one starts speaking of philosophic ideas, readers and listeners can quickly shut down and skip on to something that is not so "boring."

But hear me out.

It's the common good that calls for each of us to respect the land around us: Thus, no trash, no pollution, no destruction.

It's the common good that calls for each of us to care for the other: Thus, decent housing, decent wages, care and active concern for those with less.

It's the common good that calls for each of us to build up our community: Thus, each of us working to make our county, our country, a better place in which to live.

It's the common good that must be at the basis of every law in the land: Thus, no laws geared to favor the rich over the poor, to harm one segment of society while promoting another, to favor the powerful over those who have little or none.

It's the common good that calls for respect of those around us, whatever their nationality, religion, social standing: Thus, speech and actions that reflect this respect without the self-righteous superiority so rightly condemned by Our Savior whose ultimate sacrifice and conquering of evil (the opposite of good) we celebrated this past weekend.

It's the common good that applies the teachings of this Savior to our daily activities, that gives more than lip service to the entire Sermon on the Mount, a summary of His teachings that may be difficult to put into practice but which, if we are to believe the 25th chapter of the same Gospel, provide the blueprint for our life's actions by which God will judge us.

The current flap over the display, or rather the frequent forbidding of the display of the Ten Commandments in public buildings provided the opportunity for one commentator to note that the Commandments are very much concerned with how we treat one other, i.e., the common good. After getting our relationship with God on the right track, we are commanded not to disrespect our parents, not to lie, not to kill, not to destroy the marriage bond, not to steal what belongs to our neighbor.

Sounds like a pretty fair description of the common good.

I know the application of this concept in the world around us can reach a virtually limitless spectrum of activity. It's the application that often goes through my mind during runs and rides, as well as when I sit in the peace and quiet of an early morning on our back porch, watching the sky brighten with the hope and promise of another day.

My attempt to make real in my life this "common good" helps provide meaning to each day. There is no resting on my laurels, no cynicism, no negativity, and no end in sight for personal growth and understanding.

And it's a great way to stay young at heart!