Taking a moment to reflect during Lent often reminds me of the blessing of forgiveness, atonement, and simply making amends with those around me. We have recently received a number of titles that relate to these topics, but even beyond an academic discussion, there was one book that really struck me as I was receiving it, entitled Besa : Muslims who saved Jews in World War II by Norman H. Gershman (D804.65 .G476). The publisher's description includes the following:
"The tradition of besa--keeping one's word--is so deeply rooted among Albanians that when they committed themselves to saving the lives of Jews during World War II, they did so despite the danger they put themselves in. It is because of the courage and conscience of the mostly Muslim Albanians that the country's 2,000 Jews survived the Holocaust."
It is inspiring and comforting to know that, in the midst of suffering, during the low moments of history, we can be reminded of the power of something as simple as "besa," and may reflect in turn on the many good promises of our Lord.
Here are some other new titles on the general topic.
As we forgive [videorecording] / produced and directed by Laura Waters Hinson ; in association with Different Drummer. , Widescreen format. [Washington, D.C.] : Image Bearer Pictures, c2008. Ask at Circulation Desk DT450.44 .A82 DVD |
Forgiveness [videorecording] / Jeremy Nathan & Joel Phiri present ; a dv/8 film ; in association with National Film and Video Foundation ... [et al.] ; in co-production with Film i Väst ; a Giant Films production ; directed by Ian Gabriel ; written by G, Standard format. [San Francisco, Calif.] : California Newsreel, c2005. Ask at Circulation Desk PN1997.2 .F67 DVD |
McCullough, Michael E. Beyond revenge : the evolution of the forgiveness instinct / Michael E. McCullough. , 1st ed. San Francisco, CA : Jossey-Bass, c2008.
BF637.R48 M238 |
Radzik, Linda, 1970- Making amends : atonement in morality, law, and politics / Linda Radzik. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2009.
BJ1451 .R32 |
Deepening faith, hope and love in relations with neighbors of other faiths / Simone Sinn, editor. Geneva : Lutheran World Federation, c2008.
BL410 .D436 |
Bridges instead of walls : Christian-Muslim interaction in Denmark, Indonesia and Nigeria / Lissi Rasmussen, editor. Minneapolis, Minn. : Lutheran University Press, c2007.
BP172 .B74 |
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog. Furniture Tips
Posted by: Bella | April 12, 2009 at 03:03 AM
Nice blog I will visiting later time
peluang bisnis online di Indonesia
Posted by: valley | October 06, 2009 at 10:29 AM
even after doing that many people died in world war II
Posted by: Poker free | November 15, 2009 at 04:50 AM
Thank you for sharing your article with us. Hope I can read another interesting topic the next time I will visit your blog.
Posted by: Pune Dating | January 14, 2010 at 06:18 AM