Christmas reflection: Illuminating humanity

Christmas reflection: Illuminating humanity

Benny Susetyo Pr, Catholic Priest, Malang, East Java

Acts of violence have plagued the nation one after another, as
though we have been affected by a terrible illness of some sort.
Common sense is becoming a rarity, and we witness bloodshed among
our fellow countrymen everyday; yet this fails to make us sad and
correct ourselves. Instead, the violence has become the norm.

Is this the dark side of our country's sense of humanity? Why
have we gone blind and have become incapable of reading the signs
of the times? All at once, we have been shocked by the fact that
the nation is a champion of corruption, oppression, arson,
rioting and that terrorism is around us, with the latest blasts
on the island of Bali and in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Therefore, during Christmas this year, we ask, does spiritual
enlightenment still exist in this land? Is Christmas merely a
hollow ceremony? Day by day, we suffuse religious Indonesia with
swearing and attempts at destroying and devouring one another.
We're like crouching lions ready to overwhelm their prey.

Further, nature is no longer hospitable. The recent mudslide
tragedy at Pacet in Mojokerto, East Java, indicates how the greed
of men is at the root of different perils.

Despite the various warnings and reprisals by nature, our
elite groups are increasingly unaware of their behavior, blinded
by their orientation to personal gain -- its followers merely
dancing on Mount Sinai, ignoring the oppression that is before
their very eyes. The quality of faith escapes the attention of
our elites, while actually they should be living in the footsteps
of Allah.

Isaiah said worship would please Allah if there was social
solidarity among men. He cited the words of God, "I want you to
distribute your bread to the famished, take the poor who are
homeless, give clothing to the unclothed." He criticized a
practice of worship which fails to take others into account.

The late Bishop of Semarang and national hero Monsignor A.
Soegijopranoto S.J. once stated that Christians should be strict
and firm in adhering to their principles, but mild in the face of
fellow citizens. Otherwise, religious practice would only be
trapped in a language of identity deprived of humanitarian
features.

Embracing a faith without observing justice is nonsense. Being
a believer without striving for truth and justice amounts to a
weak faith. A believer who keeps silent over oppression,
exploitation and other deviatory practices commits a great sin --
a sin great than having no religion!

A faith practiced through rituals alone will not be capable of
freeing men from prejudice. By professing a faith, one has to get
out of oneself and bear witness. The murdered bishop of El
Salvador, Oscar Romero, once said, "Joining politics means
serving the public instead of wresting power. So Christians
engaged in politics should observe morality, avoid lies,
corruption, intimidation and violence or...(sacrifice) public
interest and welfare...let alone ordinary people."

Politics should be pursued by following the yardstick of
humanitarian justice. Becoming citizens capable of illuminating
the world is the responsibility of all in bringing an end to
violence.

This would be the true celebration of Christmas! Rather than a
mere ritual commemoration, it is a celebration of faith in which
a new babe arrived when the global community was in grief. Now it
marks the time when millions of children must cry helplessly in
the face of a crueler world. It is about the cries of children
who cannot enjoy their childhood because their fields have been
converted into supermarkets, factories and golf courses. Still
millions of others must take refuge for having been made victims
through the scheming of the political elite, with the rest being
forced to work hard, day and night, at the city's crossroads.

The children's anguish should prompt us to reflect on the more
profound significance of Christmas. The message of Christmas is
to advise us not to be afraid of the world despite its current
inhospitality.

When law is subject to manipulation and becomes an object of
transaction, the expression of justice becomes obscured. The
Virgin Mary experienced such conditions when injustice,
oppression, manipulation and authoritarianism prevailed in her
era. Under these circumstances, Allah conveyed a message of joy,
which news was revealed to a village maid named Mary, rather than
a prime minister, a king, a leader or a conglomerate magnate.

Mary mirrors an innocent and humble mother, and her humility
is hidden in great mystery. She was able to open a path of
radiance along a dark horizon. When people were helpless and
rendered hopeless, Mary was present among them.

When the angel divulged the message to Mary, he said: "Hail,
full of grace, the Lord is with you," a sign of salvation
bestowed upon the Virgin. The happy message indicated the
alienation of men, who were gripped by wild desires, rancor and
the pursuit of power, wealth and high positions. Now the shackles
were broken by this greeting. The angel said: "Do not be afraid,
Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will
conceive in your womb and bear a son, the Messiah awaited by
mankind."

The angel's words "do not be afraid" are also aimed at those
who still retain their conscience, who are poor, oppressed,
victimized and disregarded by the political elite. It is these
people who can grasp the true essence of Christmas. They are
modest citizens who never expect anything in return. They have
sincere hearts and are never afraid of losing their position or
power. It is their good names that can help us celebrate
Christmas amid the nation's sorrows, because they remain faithful
and understand the message.

Christmas brings joy to those who live in modesty and whose
hearts are filled with sincerity. That is the Christmas we all
share.