May 6th, 2022: How to Look Back and Look Forward?

Some people would go the extra mile to convince others to destroy everything that reminds us of our colonial past.

They believe that we should exterminate all lingering reminders in mass.

Maybe we Vietnamese should stop drinking coffee altogether.

After all, we didn't drink coffee until 1850 when the French invaded the land of our ancestors.

What should we do with all Catholic churches with their incredible structures?

Vietnam witnessed Catholic priests coming after the guns as the French colonial time began to damage her.

Banh Mi (Vietnamese baguettes) might be the next one on the list.

It is a sandwich that has Vietnamese cold cuts, carrot pickles, and cucumber combined with French pate, mayo, and other mints.

We have not forgotten what the French did to our land.

We also remember what we have learned, and we do not throw up our hands.

French, Japanese and American did commit injustice to our people.

We don't sit and cry for our pity self. We work and overcome the impossible.

All things we go through in life have their reasons and purposes.

It is up to us to discern the lessons we need to learn so that we don't have a self-serving version of history circus.

We enjoy our coffee, banh mi, and the many blessings of the Catholic church.

We also have a solemn understanding and reflection of how things came about so hate won't emerge.

We don't look back to blame and shame others and demand compensation.

We do that to discover the meaning of evil and the benefits of forgiveness; we prefer to be part of that conversation.

God is more powerful than human wrongful acts.

We can always look back with honesty and look forward to the future with hope while keeping our dignity in tact.

Jeremiah 29: 11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Phillippians 4: 8

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."