John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973), British, deeply Catholic author, professor of ancient language and literature, was able to construct a impressive mythological “sub-creation, The book is an authentic history of salvation, with a profound theological vision of the mystery of the meaning of the world. Re-reading his enchanting accounts of the “Middle Earth”, We can summarize in four main characteristics of the vocation and mission that every human being is called to develop in his or her life.
Trust
«It is possible for the good, and even the saints, to be subjected to a perverse power too great for them to overcome alone. In this case, the cause (not the “hero”) triumphs through the exercise of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness of injury: and a situation thus arises in which everything is reversed and disaster is averted» (Letter 192).
Tolkien coined the term “eucatastrophe” to explain the paradox of how a concrete disaster or failure can be decisive in achieving the definitive rescue of existence. Here we find an imitation of the paschal mystery: in the death and resurrection of Christ it is revealed how divine providence achieves the definitive victory of truth, justice and virtue.
Although created freedom is real and has dire consequences when it is not used in accordance with the truth for the good of the people, the living God - called in the English author's fictional work Eru (the One and Only) e Illuvatar (Father of all) - ingeniously transforms destiny, in order to obtain even from objective evil the greater good of those who live in his love (cf. Rom 8:28). For this reason, the Christian lives by faith and hope-in the midst of his struggles and efforts. serene, abandoned in the loving hands of the almighty Father, who has shown himself close and full of tenderness towards his children, whom he cares for with constant vigilance.
Compassion
-What a pity Bilbo didn't kill that vile creature when he had the chance,« said Frodo.
-Pity? -Gandalf replied. It was precisely pity that stayed his hand. Pity and mercy: not to strike needlessly. And he has been rewarded, Frodo. Be assured that he was so little hurt by evil, and that he escaped in the end, because he began to own the Ring in this way: with pity« (The Lord of the Rings: I. The Fellowship of the Ring).
At Válinor, the country of the valares (angelic beings), Gandalf was a disciple of Nienna, the goddess of pity and compassion for the wretched, as well as of patience and courage to face difficulties. Tolkien's work - in contrast to the materialistic vision, closed to transcendence, to the mystery of love and to the horizon of eternity - conveys the firm conviction of the immense value of forgiveness, generosity, service, humility and cordiality.
In reality, the small acts of kindness and respect can change course They are like the lever on which the heart of the God who guides everything with wisdom, power and gentleness counts. For what seems useless according to worldly parameters is, in reality, decisive in the Lord's plans. Thus, no effort - however small it may seem - to build relationships and communities based on the logic of gift and gratuitousness is wasted.
Courage
-I wish this had never happened,« said Frodo.
-And so do I,« said Gandalf. »And so do all those who live in such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what we are going to do with the time we are given.« (The Lord of the Rings: I. The Fellowship of the Ring).
When Frodo, the bearer of the ring of dark power, laments his tremendous situation, because of the destructive and unbearable weight that has fallen upon him, Gandalf explains to him that often in life we are not offered the option of choosing our condition, but how to face the reality that concerns us. The task received requires that each one of us, assuming the circumstances that are given to him, must be able to resist in the determination to fulfill the noble task assigned in this life.
The small and humble are sometimes stronger and wiser than the mighty, paid for their haughtiness; and, above all, the “medium talents” - such as the hobbits- are often less prone to the influence of evil. In a corrupt society, it can happen that the tenacity in the good deed that marks the hidden life of generous characters, The world's most important, if despised in the eyes of the world, is decisive for the regeneration of mankind.
Company
- «But,» said Sam, as his eyes filled with tears, "I thought you were going to enjoy yourself in the Shire, too, years and years, after all you've done.
- «I thought so, too, at one time. But I have suffered wounds too deep, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and I have saved it; but not for myself. That's the way it is, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, to lose them, so that others may keep them. But you are my heir: everything I have and could have had I leave to you. And besides you have Rosa, and Eleanor; and little Frodo and little Rosa will come, and Merry, and Goldilocks, and Pippin; and perhaps others I cannot see. Your hands and your head will be needed everywhere. You will be the mayor, naturally, for as long as you want to be, and the most famous gardener in history; and you will read the pages of the Red book, And you will perpetuate the memory of an age now gone, so that the people will always remember the great danger, and love still more dearly the well-loved country. And that will keep you as busy and happy as it is possible to be, so long as your part of history continues» (The Lord of the Rings: III. The Return of the King).
Samwise Gangee, the simple gardener, promised not to abandon Mr. Frodo, and remained true to his word, even when he had to accompany him to the terrible region of Mordor. The strength of the union and the fidelity of the modest characters makes the miracle possible: indeed, alone we get lost, or tired, or lose the illusion; but together, thanks to reciprocal encouragement, it is possible to to reach the goal of a successful existence.
In the end, the award of a land and a society that recovers peace and beauty demonstrates the rightness of the choice of just and noble actions, even if they did not seem profitable or useful. As in the parables of the kingdom of God, a minuscule ferment (cf. Mt 13:33; Lk 13:20-21), powerfully present in the midst of the mass, comes to fertilize the entire community.
In short, these four attitudes: companionship, compassion, trust, courage... are some precious lessons we can take away from the fantasy world - rooted in the Christian message - imagined and narrated by Tolkien, “master and literary prophet” for the personal and social crises of our time.
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