Darkness over nation brings rage<\/p>\n
Illuminating the Dark Side of Our Humanity<\/p>\n
Benny Susetyo, Pr
\nCatholic Priest
\nMalang<\/p>\n
It seems that the political confusion in the present reform
\nera has become a vicious circle. Corruption, violence, intrigues
\nand calamities have battered us time and again, close to
\nparalyzing us as a nation. We have become a nation without wit,
\npowerless against a host of problems.<\/p>\n
Amid the anti-graft campaign that the religious movements have
\nlaunched, we are stunned by reports about banking scams at BNI
\nand BRI. No parties wish to assume responsibility. Instead, they
\nare blaming one another.<\/p>\n
Our reason is rarely used in the right manner, if not failing
\nto function altogether. Bloodshed is everywhere across the
\ncountry but it fails to move us to tears or resort to self-
\ncriticism. For most of us, it is but a natural course of events.
\nThe political elites, who have lost their common sense, have
\nevicted people from their birth places. It seems that this nation
\nis now devoid of a sense of humanity.<\/p>\n
This is the dark side of humanity in this country. Why have we
\nsuddenly become blind and incapable of reading the signs of the
\ntimes? Why have we, all of a sudden, turned beastly, killing,
\nslandering and hitting one another? Suddenly, we have been
\nshocked to learn that we top the list of nations where
\ncorruption, oppression, arson and rioting prevail.<\/p>\n
This Christmas, we have to ask again whether there is still
\nsome light in this country. Do we still celebrate Xmas as a
\nceremony only, an occasion without substance? Why is it that
\ndarkness veils the humanity in a country where religion is
\nsupposed to permeate all aspects of life? We do not realize that
\nthis dark side of humanity has deprived us of the right
\norientation in our life.<\/p>\n
It is darkness everywhere. The firmament of the nation is
\novercast. There is hardly any virtue left in the entire country.
\nWhat is left is disappointment mixed with rage. Every day of the
\nyear this supposedly religious country witnesses how we condemn,
\npounce upon and topple one another. We no longer trust one
\nanother and act like lions ready to prey upon one another.<\/p>\n
Mother Nature has sent a lot of warnings and meted out
\npunishments -- disasters, drought, flash floods, landslides --
\nbut our elites have instead gone deeper in their oblivion. They
\nhave lost their conscience and have failed to see these mishaps
\nas signals that they should rectify the behavior with which they
\nfool the ordinary people. Their conscience has been blinded by
\ntheir pursuit of personal benefits. For them, religion is only a
\ntwilight carol hummed at midnight.<\/p>\n
These people are simply dancing on Mount Sinai and turn a
\nblind eye as well as a deaf ear to the oppression that is
\nunfolding before them. They ignore the quality of faith. They
\ndon't bother about the necessity to lead an honest life before
\nGod.<\/p>\n
Isaiah says that God will accept a religious service if there
\nis solidarity among men. Isaiah tells us that God has decreed
\nthat He would like us to distribute our bread to the hungry, give
\nhomes to the homeless and provide the naked with clothing.
\nIsaiah actually corrects our narrow-minded way of practicing our
\nreligion, in which we are concerned with ourselves (our own group
\nand our safety). Isaiah admonishes us because the way we practice
\nour religion has failed to become a beacon for other people.<\/p>\n
The presence of a man with faith must be a blessing to his
\nfellow human beings. The late Mr Soegipranoto said that
\nChristians had to be strong and consistent in their principles
\nbut should demonstrate gentleness when meeting with their fellow
\nhuman beings. In reality now, religion has degenerated into
\nsimply \"a language of identity\" devoid of humanity. Light will
\nprevail when a man of faith is not simply performing his
\nreligious service as a rite.<\/p>\n
This is what every man of faith should feel called upon. To
\nhave faith but be devoid of justice is sheer nonsense. To have
\nfaith but stop short at taking a humanitarian act means death.
\nWhen you have faith but you are not ready to fight for justice
\nand truth, your faith is rotten. There is no bargain for this
\ndemand. When a man with faith simply turns a blind eye or a deaf
\near to oppression, exploitation and manipulation, he commits a
\ngross sin, much bigger than if he is faithless.<\/p>\n
Faith that is implemented only in the context of a rite will
\nnever liberate people from prejudices. When you have faith, you
\nmust have the courage to go beyond yourself and serve as a
\nwitness. Bishop Romero has said: \"Engaging yourself in politics
\nmeans serving the community, not engaging yourself in a power
\nplay. When a Christian decides to engage himself in politics, he
\nmust uphold morality, refrain from lying, avoid graft or resort
\nto intimidation and violence.<\/p>\n
He must not pursue his goal at the expense of other people's
\ninterest and public welfare. He must not strive to reach his
\nobjective by depriving other people, especially the little
\npeople, of their rights and happiness.\"<\/p>\n
Just humanity must be used as a yardstick for the exercise of
\npolitics. Those involved in politics must give light to the
\nworld. This is the responsibility we all, who long for the end of
\nviolence, shoulder.<\/p>\n
This is the genuine Xmas celebration. It is not a rite only.
\nInstead, it is the celebration of faith marking the presence of a
\ncute baby amid us when the world is in sorrow. It is a
\ncelebration of faith when millions of children are weeping in
\ntheir powerlessness against the increasingly more cruel world.
\nThese children have been robbed of their childhood as open fields
\nhave been turned into supermarkets, factories and golf courses.
\nMillions of other children must leave their birthplaces as
\nvictims of the games played by the political elites. Many more
\nhave to work day and night at crossroads to feed their hungry
\nstomachs.<\/p>\n
The sorrow of these children must make us reflect on the more
\nprofound significance of Xmas. The Xmas message tells us to be no
\nlonger afraid to face this hostile world, a miserable world
\nwithout certainty in every aspect of life.<\/p>\n
Bear in mind that it is this condition that Virgin Mary was in
\nwhen injustices, oppression, manipulation and arbitrariness took
\na dominant hold in her society. God sent good news. He did not
\nsend this good news to prime ministers, kings, rulers or tycoons.
\nHe sent this good news through a rural young woman called Mary.<\/p>\n
Mary was the reflection of an innocent and simple mother. This
\nsimplicity, however, was wrapped inside an extraordinary mystery.
\nShe could bring light to the dark horizon. When people were
\npowerless and hopeless, Mary was present among them.<\/p>\n
When the angels sent their greetings to Mary -- \"Hail, You the
\nBlessed One,\", this greeting marked that safety was present
\ninside Virgin Mary. This good news showed that the greeting had
\nsevered the shackles that alienated man, till then controlled by
\nhis wild desires, revenge and the fight for power, riches and
\ncrowns. The angels said: \"Do not be afraid because you have got
\nthe blessings. In fact, you will be pregnant and give birth to
\nthe Messiah that mankind has been awaiting.\"<\/p>\n
And Xmas brings good news to those who are simple and live in
\nsincerity. This is our common Xmas.<\/p>",
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