Lessons from Notre Dame

It’s astonishing that just days before Easter during the Holy Week, tragedy befell one of the most sacred sites in history. The Notre Dame Cathedral is meaningful to more than just Catholics. It is an 800 year old masterpiece that served as the foundation for Parisian tradition and a symbol of civilization. I can still recall the grandeur of its Rose Glass window, flying buttresses, and ancient gargoyles back from when I visited the cathedral with my mother for her 50th birthday. Perhaps that is why watching the live coverage of the flames engulfing the Cathedral and the collapse of the renowned spire struck me more deeply. As we take the time to mourn the loss of part of our history, let us recognize how we as a society reflect on tragedies.

Thankfully, there were no casualties and the fire is presumed to be an accident. Nonetheless, the incident deeply hurt Parisians who consider the site to be the center of Paris, as well as the world, who all knew the immense cultural history contained in one building. Local Parisians have come together, religious or not, in prayer and reflection. On television, world viewers are hearing them sing Ave Maria, and going back to their local parishes and homes to spread the healing spirit. The Notre Dame fire has, at least temporarily, brought us all together as we pay homage to something grander than ourselves.

It almost seems impossible that the France showing such unity is the same France that was suffering from political turmoil and street riots just days before. In fact, we see the same reruns in America. A tragedy comes, we mourn together, and then we move on to the next divisive issue a horrific and sad truth. What’s most saddening is that it always takes a tragedy like Notre Dame for us to put our issues behind us and come together, only for us to return to our old divisive ways as soon as the headline changes.

So, how should we handle tragedies such as these? The answer is not retreating back to our own familiar values. It never will be. Instead, we should understand that there is a broader world around us, a beautiful world filled with blooming cultural diversity and centuries of history. We must not burn the bridges of culture that do not resemble our own, but build those bridges that allow us to form deeper connections with our communities, new and old. Let Notre Dame be a lesson of reconciliation and restored faith in society.