June 17, 2024 • 6 mins
I love listening to podcasts (who would've thought that!!!).
One of the podcasts I listen to is called "Bit of Optimism" by Simon Sinek.
I was looking through the episodes and was drawn to the latest one titled "Moral Courage with Diane Foley, mother of executed journalist James Foley."
I was so wowed by what I heard that the next day I went to YouTube to see if I could find more about this woman.
In short, she is the mother of a journalist who was kidnapped and killed by ISIS in 2012. The person who killed him was called The Beatle within the terrorist group.
He was captured and tried for the crime he committed. After some time (I don't know exactly how long), Diane Foley went to the prison to meet and talk to her son's killer, face to face, and the first thing she said to him was, "Hello Alexander, it's a pleasure to meet you."
A book was written about James's death, about Diane's act, and everything involved in it, from James's journey to the Middle East, through his murder, and ending with the creation of the James Foley Legacy Foundation by Diane.
Was this all an act of drama, like a theatre act? Hmm, I don't believe so.
A mother will always defend her children, even give her life for them, because that's part of what it means to be a mother. If she had been there during her son's murder, she would surely have moved mountains to defend James from his oppressors.
Especially being who Diane is!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/david-goliath--6134668/support.
One of the podcasts I listen to is called "Bit of Optimism" by Simon Sinek.
I was looking through the episodes and was drawn to the latest one titled "Moral Courage with Diane Foley, mother of executed journalist James Foley."
I was so wowed by what I heard that the next day I went to YouTube to see if I could find more about this woman.
In short, she is the mother of a journalist who was kidnapped and killed by ISIS in 2012. The person who killed him was called The Beatle within the terrorist group.
He was captured and tried for the crime he committed. After some time (I don't know exactly how long), Diane Foley went to the prison to meet and talk to her son's killer, face to face, and the first thing she said to him was, "Hello Alexander, it's a pleasure to meet you."
A book was written about James's death, about Diane's act, and everything involved in it, from James's journey to the Middle East, through his murder, and ending with the creation of the James Foley Legacy Foundation by Diane.
Was this all an act of drama, like a theatre act? Hmm, I don't believe so.
A mother will always defend her children, even give her life for them, because that's part of what it means to be a mother. If she had been there during her son's murder, she would surely have moved mountains to defend James from his oppressors.
Especially being who Diane is!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/david-goliath--6134668/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:13):
Hi, guys. Today. It'snot exactly an episode. It's more like
an introduction to an episode about somethingI always tried to understand and, after
understanding it, put it into practice. I've always admired people who truly understood
what Jesus said. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
(00:37):
Pray for the happiness for those whocurse you. Bless those who curse
you, and pray for those whomistreat you. If someone slaps you on
one cheek, offer the other.Also, if someone demands your coat,
give them your shirt as well.Give to everyone who are and if they
(01:00):
take what belongs to you did notdemand it back, do to others as
you would have them to do toyou. Once I asked a friend who
went to a Mass every week,devoted to Christ and to the Catholic Church,
if she had the courage to applywhat Jesus asked us to do.
(01:25):
I asked her directly, because Iknew she had suffered at the end of
her ex husband, having had avery tumultous and violent marriage. She simply
applied to me, impossible. No, I can't. I can't forgive him.
To be honest with you. Atthe time, I was really shocked
by her answer, even though knowingit's difficult to do it. In those
(01:49):
days, I didn't go to Massor add any interest in following the life
of Jesus or the Bible, soit would be normal, let's say,
to respond with I can't, andI would also be the easy things to
do, I think, But hershe was devoted follower of the Church and
the christ commandments. How could shenot do it or at least try.
(02:15):
I know, in fact, everyoneknows how difficult this is to put into
practice, but it wouldn't be easierfor someone who regularly goes to Mass to
try. This question has always stayedin my mind for many years until last
week. I love listening to podcasts. One of the podcasts I listeners to
(02:38):
is called Bit of Optimism by SimonSinek. I was looking through the episodes
and was drawn to the last one, titled Moral Courage with Diana Foley,
mother of executive journalist James Foley.I was so wooed by what I heard
that next day I went to YouTubeto see if I could find more of
(02:59):
about this woman. In short,she is the mother of a journalist who
was kidnapped by and killed by ISISin twenty twelve. The person who killed
him was called the Beatle within theterrorist group. He was captured and tried
for the crime he committed. Aftersome time, I don't know exactly how
(03:23):
long, Diana Fowley went to theprison to meet and talk to her son's
killer face to face, and thefirst thing she said to him was,
Hello, Alexander, it's a pleasureto meet you. A book was written
about James's death, about Diana's actand everything involved in it, from James's
(03:45):
journey to the Middle East, throughhis mother and ending with the creation of
the James Fowley Legacy Foundation by Diane. Was this all an act of drama
like a theater act? I don'tbelieve so. A mother, we are
always the friender of children, evengive her life for them, because that's
the part of what it means tobe a mother. If she had been
(04:10):
there during his son's mother I thinkDiane, she would surely have moved mountains
to defend James from his oppressors,especially being Diane who Diane is. For
a mother to visit the man whokilled her son in prison be in the
same room as him, sitting acrossthe table from him, being able to
(04:31):
smell his scent, looking into hiseyes, and above all speak to him
in the way she did. Idon't believe so to perform this act of
kindness, beside the courage required,the person themselves must feel a lot of
love, peace and reconciliation. Wedem to conduct his deed. Otherwise it's
(04:56):
impossible. Now I understand why myfriend could do what Jesus asked us to
do. If we can overcome hatredand anger and feel that love Diana has,
we can surely wonders in this world. I realize now to change the
world, we must first change ourworld without a doubt, And what does
(05:20):
this have to do with this podcast? Everything? By reaching this level in
our lives, I'm absolutely sure it'snot necessary to listen to this podcast anymore.
We have everything to be motivated andmotivate others to live a more complete
life. I won't be the oneto transform you, but I would like
(05:43):
to give you a hand in climbingthat mountain. That's what I will talk
about in the next episode. Itwon't be this week because there's a lot
of what I want to assimilate.It won't be this week because I want
to find the right words to correctlyconvey everything I feel, because it's not
every day that we witness something sogrand and beautiful. For this reason,
(06:08):
the title I give to this episodeis WHOA See You next week
Hi, guys. Today. It'snot exactly an episode. It's more like
an introduction to an episode about somethingI always tried to understand and, after
understanding it, put it into practice. I've always admired people who truly understood
what Jesus said. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
(00:37):
Pray for the happiness for those whocurse you. Bless those who curse
you, and pray for those whomistreat you. If someone slaps you on
one cheek, offer the other.Also, if someone demands your coat,
give them your shirt as well.Give to everyone who are and if they
(01:00):
take what belongs to you did notdemand it back, do to others as
you would have them to do toyou. Once I asked a friend who
went to a Mass every week,devoted to Christ and to the Catholic Church,
if she had the courage to applywhat Jesus asked us to do.
(01:25):
I asked her directly, because Iknew she had suffered at the end of
her ex husband, having had avery tumultous and violent marriage. She simply
applied to me, impossible. No, I can't. I can't forgive him.
To be honest with you. Atthe time, I was really shocked
by her answer, even though knowingit's difficult to do it. In those
(01:49):
days, I didn't go to Massor add any interest in following the life
of Jesus or the Bible, soit would be normal, let's say,
to respond with I can't, andI would also be the easy things to
do, I think, But hershe was devoted follower of the Church and
the christ commandments. How could shenot do it or at least try.
(02:15):
I know, in fact, everyoneknows how difficult this is to put into
practice, but it wouldn't be easierfor someone who regularly goes to Mass to
try. This question has always stayedin my mind for many years until last
week. I love listening to podcasts. One of the podcasts I listeners to
(02:38):
is called Bit of Optimism by SimonSinek. I was looking through the episodes
and was drawn to the last one, titled Moral Courage with Diana Foley,
mother of executive journalist James Foley.I was so wooed by what I heard
that next day I went to YouTubeto see if I could find more of
(02:59):
about this woman. In short,she is the mother of a journalist who
was kidnapped by and killed by ISISin twenty twelve. The person who killed
him was called the Beatle within theterrorist group. He was captured and tried
for the crime he committed. Aftersome time, I don't know exactly how
(03:23):
long, Diana Fowley went to theprison to meet and talk to her son's
killer face to face, and thefirst thing she said to him was,
Hello, Alexander, it's a pleasureto meet you. A book was written
about James's death, about Diana's actand everything involved in it, from James's
(03:45):
journey to the Middle East, throughhis mother and ending with the creation of
the James Fowley Legacy Foundation by Diane. Was this all an act of drama
like a theater act? I don'tbelieve so. A mother, we are
always the friender of children, evengive her life for them, because that's
the part of what it means tobe a mother. If she had been
(04:10):
there during his son's mother I thinkDiane, she would surely have moved mountains
to defend James from his oppressors,especially being Diane who Diane is. For
a mother to visit the man whokilled her son in prison be in the
same room as him, sitting acrossthe table from him, being able to
(04:31):
smell his scent, looking into hiseyes, and above all speak to him
in the way she did. Idon't believe so to perform this act of
kindness, beside the courage required,the person themselves must feel a lot of
love, peace and reconciliation. Wedem to conduct his deed. Otherwise it's
(04:56):
impossible. Now I understand why myfriend could do what Jesus asked us to
do. If we can overcome hatredand anger and feel that love Diana has,
we can surely wonders in this world. I realize now to change the
world, we must first change ourworld without a doubt, And what does
(05:20):
this have to do with this podcast? Everything? By reaching this level in
our lives, I'm absolutely sure it'snot necessary to listen to this podcast anymore.
We have everything to be motivated andmotivate others to live a more complete
life. I won't be the oneto transform you, but I would like
(05:43):
to give you a hand in climbingthat mountain. That's what I will talk
about in the next episode. Itwon't be this week because there's a lot
of what I want to assimilate.It won't be this week because I want
to find the right words to correctlyconvey everything I feel, because it's not
every day that we witness something sogrand and beautiful. For this reason,
(06:08):
the title I give to this episodeis WHOA See You next week
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