In ethics class, we learn of “the banality of evil”… the idea that systemic evil is often perpetrated not by moral monsters, but ordinary, uncritical people.
But what happens, though, when we consider the “banality of goodness”… the reality that some of the most important moral habits we might develop are, at first blush, fairly banal.
***pause for a story, not my own, but borrowed from a friend***
My friend was working with the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa’s folks) in a home for the dying. One day, as it was his job to clean the floor (of all of the gross bodily fluids), the drain (through which the grossness was to go) backed up conclusively. While he stared at the drain, pondering what to do next, a little nun approached the drain, rolled up her sleeves, resolved the blockage with her hands and, washing her hands, looked at my friend and said, “You think too much,” and took her leave.
***end of story***
So, yes.
Shall we ask for the grace of the growth of our (boring) habitual goodness? The consistent, attentive care we offer to a child… the cleaning of one’s habitat… loving the earth… learning from someone different from us… not packing our schedules within an inch of their lives…
The banality of goodness may just turn into a life of ultimate value, of deep love. That is, it becomes anything but ordinary.
Our Father is pleased to give us the Kingdom (sayeth the 12th chapter of Luke), after all.
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