It seems that political confusion in the present reform era

It seems that political confusion in the present reform era
has become a vicious circle. Corruption, violence, intrigue and
other calamities have battered us time and again, close to
paralyzing us as a nation. We have become a nation without wit,
powerless against a host of problems.

Amid the anti-graft campaign that religious movements have
launched, we are stunned by reports of banking scams at BNI and
BRI. No parties wish to assume responsibility. Instead, they are
blaming one another.

Our reason is rarely used in the right manner, if not failing
to function altogether. Bloodshed is everywhere across the
archipelago, but it fails to move us to tears or resort to self-
criticism. For most of us, it is but a natural course of events.
The political elite, who have lost their common sense, have
evicted people from their birth places. It seems that this nation
is now devoid of a sense of humanity.

This is the dark side of humanity. Why have we suddenly become
blind and incapable of reading the signs of the times? Why have
we, all of a sudden, turned beastly, killing, slandering and
hurting one another? Suddenly -- we have been shocked to learn --
we top the list of nations where corruption, oppression, arson
and rioting prevail.

This Christmas, we have to ask again whether there is still
some light in this country. Do we still celebrate Christmas as a
ceremony only, an occasion without substance? Why is it that
darkness veils humanity in a country where religion is supposed
to permeate all aspects of life? We do not realize that this
darkness has deprived us of our right orientation in life.

There is darkness everywhere. The firmament of the nation is
overcast. There is hardly any virtue left in the entire country.
What is left is disappointment mixed with rage. Every day of the
year, the people of this supposedly religious country condemn,
pounce upon and topple one another. We no longer trust one
another and act like lions ready to prey upon one another.

Mother nature has sent a lot of warnings and meted out
punishments -- disasters, drought, flash floods, landslides --
but our elite have turned their heads and gone deeper into their
oblivion. They have lost their conscience and have failed to see
these mishaps as signals that they should rectify the behavior
with which they fool ordinary people. Their conscience has been
blinded by their pursuit of personal benefits. For them, religion
is only a twilight carol hummed at midnight.

These people are simply dancing on Mount Sinai and turn a
blind eye as well as a deaf ear to the oppression that is
unfolding before them. They ignore the quality of faith. They
don't bother about the necessity to lead an honest life before
God.

Isaiah says that God will accept a religious service if there
is solidarity among men. Isaiah tells us that God has decreed
that He would like us to distribute our bread to the hungry, give
homes to the homeless and provide the naked with clothing.
Isaiah actually corrects our narrow-minded way of practicing our
religion, in which we are concerned with ourselves (our own group
and our safety). Isaiah admonishes us because the way we practice
our religion has failed to become a beacon for other people.

The presence of a man with faith must be a blessing for his
fellow human beings. The late Mr Soegipranoto said that
Christians had to be strong and consistent in their principles
but should demonstrate gentleness when meeting with their fellow
human beings. In reality now, religion has degenerated into
simply "a language of identity" devoid of humanity. Light will
prevail when a man of faith is not simply performing his
religious service as a rite.

This is what every man of faith should feel called upon to do.
To have faith but be devoid of justice is sheer nonsense. To have
faith but stop short of humanitarian action means death. When you
have faith but you are not ready to fight for justice and truth,
your faith is rotten. There is no bargain for this demand. When a
man with faith simply turns a blind eye or a deaf ear to
oppression, exploitation and manipulation, he commits a gross
sin, much bigger than if he is faithless.

Faith that is implemented only in the context of a rite will
never liberate people from prejudice. When you have faith, you
must have the courage to go beyond yourself and serve as a
witness. Bishop Romero has said: "Engaging yourself in politics
means serving the community, not engaging yourself in power-play.
When a Christian decides to engage himself in politics, he must
uphold morality, refrain from lying, avoid graft or resorting to
intimidation and violence.

He must not pursue his goals at the expense of other people's
interests nor public welfare. He must not strive to reach his
objective by depriving other people, especially the little
people, of their rights and happiness."

Humanity must be used as a yardstick for the exercise of
politics. Those involved in politics must give light to the
world. This is the responsibility we all -- who long for the end
of violence -- shoulder.

This is the genuine Christmas celebration. It is not a rite
only. Instead, it is the celebration of faith marking the
presence of the baby Jesus among us, when the world is in sorrow.
It is a celebration of faith when millions of children are
weeping in their powerlessness against the increasingly more
cruel world. These children have been robbed of their childhood
as open fields have been turned into supermarkets, factories and
golf courses. Millions of other children must leave their
birthplaces as victims of the games played by the political
elite. Many more have to work day and night on the street to fill
their hungry stomachs.

The sorrow of these children must make us reflect on the more
profound significance of Christmas. The Christmas message tells
us to be no longer afraid to face this hostile world, a miserable
world without certainty in every aspect of life.

Bear in mind that it is this condition that the Virgin Mary
was in, when injustice, oppression, manipulation and
arbitrariness took a dominant hold in her society. God sent good
news. He did not send this good news to prime ministers, kings,
rulers or tycoons. He sent this good news through a rural young
woman called Mary.

Mary was the reflection of an innocent and simple mother. This
simplicity, however, was wrapped inside an extraordinary mystery.
She could bring light to the dark horizon. When people were
powerless and hopeless, Mary was present among them.

When the angels sent their greetings to Mary -- "Hail, You the
Blessed One,", this greeting marked that safety was present
inside Virgin Mary. This good news showed that the greeting had
severed the shackles that alienated man, till then controlled by
his wild desires, revenge and the fight for power, riches and
crowns. The angels said: "Do not be afraid because you have been
blessed. In fact, you will give birth to the Messiah that mankind
has been awaiting."

And Christmas brings good news to those who are simple and
live in sincerity. This is our common Christmas.