Learning to be mindful and vigilant
Learning to be mindful and vigilant
Benny Susetyo Pr, Jakarta
The recent catastrophe in Aceh and Nias is possibly the peak
of misfortune in the history of Indonesia. It is indeed the
destiny we have to accept with resignation and fortitude. It was
predestined by nature to be a reminder to us all of the need for
constant introspection. In the words of a Javanese literary man
famous for his prophecies, men at the end of times should always
be mindful and vigilant.
This calamity has aroused unprecedented sympathy and empathy
in international circles, fostering solidarity regardless of
class, social strata, race, ethnicity, and religion, as well as
geographic boundaries of social, political and economic origin.
The borders created out of political interests have been removed
by humanitarian solidarity. With the disaster, everything
shattered to pieces by human greed will hopefully be reunited on
humanitarian grounds.
Now the majority of people have come to realize that God is
great, even greater than the mere imagination of people trapped
in the arrogance of science and technology.
In the perspective of modernity, people are indeed above the
entire universe. But now this viewpoint has to reverse its rigid
logic, in the sense that being the master of the universe will
not necessarily confirm human arrogance all the time. The saying
is true that man proposes and God disposes.
People have thus begun to remember God, reflecting on the
divine inferences of what has happened in the context of
spiritual depth. The tragedy has brought the human mind closer to
the Creator as King of the universe. It is not science and
technology that reigns over nature. Human rationality is just a
dewdrop in the vast ocean of God's glory.
Regrettably, though, we only remember God while in pain. When
we are helpless, with tears pouring out witnessing dead bodies,
God is brought to mind. In our daily behavior, God is still
frequently overlooked.
More ironically, even with the emotional atmosphere prevailing
today, some people still distribute donations without
transparency. There remains the suspicion of corruption and abuse
of aid, which should go to those suffering after the loss of
their families and material wealth.
The massive disaster that may ruin the future of Aceh and Nias
should give rise to a big question: What was behind the calamity?
Is this the way God punishes a nation, by causing misery? Where
is His power and why does He keep silent? IN any case, this is
how God reminds people of their limitations. This is a warning
against people's arrogance to make them aware that rationality is
always limited and has restricted access.
Behind this terrible occurrence, God warns this and other
nations to join hands in promoting social solidarity. The tragedy
invites all nations to realize that the bond of humanitarian
solidarity remains stagnant due to the constraints of sectoral
interests and human egoism. Such solidarity is sabotaged by
religious segmentation with emotional views and ethnic sentiments
that tend to negate other groups. It is this segmentation that
God is supposed to eliminate through the major quake and ensuing
tsunami tidal waves. It is a warning process, by which God makes
people mindful and then vigilant.
Humanity is often spoiled by violence and armed conflicts. Let
us abandon all hostilities. Let us return to a life of helping
others, giving humane treatment to those who suffer, assisting
people without the capacity to live a decent life, raising the
dignity of ordinary people and avoiding any deception by whatever
means.
Through the tsunami, we are reminded that all forms of
violence must be ceased on earth. The time has come to destroy
equipment of war and replace it with agricultural and industrial
machinery for the poor. This message has been clearly revealed
via the signs of nature's wrath. Nature has taught people to read
all signs of the times. It is through the appalling disaster that
God has conveyed the message to humanity.
People are called upon to build a new world order. It is the
order expected by God to process nature for common welfare. The
reality of globalization, which has caused men to plunge into
into the collective spirit.
We live together on the same earth. There should be no
difference based on skin color or cultural, social and political
identities. Racial colors and diverse cultures are God's
creations to enrich the world with multifarious forms of beauty.
Different views and political geographic features constitute no
barrier to humane treatment. God has come to remind us of all
this.
Fellow citizens surviving the calamity should be encouraged
that a bright future still lies ahead for them. Nobody should
ever blame nature and God, but instead we have been warned to
remember Him.
This nation should unite to build Aceh and Nias island in
North Sumatra as the most important part of the manifestation of
humanitarian efforts that are now beginning to grow. For all
those who perished in the disaster we pray that they will rest
peacefully beside Him.
And God has indeed come to teach people to be always mindful
and vigilant.
The writer is Executive Secretary of HAK Commission,
Indonesian Bishops Conference.
Benny Susetyo Pr, Jakarta
The recent catastrophe in Aceh and Nias is possibly the peak
of misfortune in the history of Indonesia. It is indeed the
destiny we have to accept with resignation and fortitude. It was
predestined by nature to be a reminder to us all of the need for
constant introspection. In the words of a Javanese literary man
famous for his prophecies, men at the end of times should always
be mindful and vigilant.
This calamity has aroused unprecedented sympathy and empathy
in international circles, fostering solidarity regardless of
class, social strata, race, ethnicity, and religion, as well as
geographic boundaries of social, political and economic origin.
The borders created out of political interests have been removed
by humanitarian solidarity. With the disaster, everything
shattered to pieces by human greed will hopefully be reunited on
humanitarian grounds.
Now the majority of people have come to realize that God is
great, even greater than the mere imagination of people trapped
in the arrogance of science and technology.
In the perspective of modernity, people are indeed above the
entire universe. But now this viewpoint has to reverse its rigid
logic, in the sense that being the master of the universe will
not necessarily confirm human arrogance all the time. The saying
is true that man proposes and God disposes.
People have thus begun to remember God, reflecting on the
divine inferences of what has happened in the context of
spiritual depth. The tragedy has brought the human mind closer to
the Creator as King of the universe. It is not science and
technology that reigns over nature. Human rationality is just a
dewdrop in the vast ocean of God's glory.
Regrettably, though, we only remember God while in pain. When
we are helpless, with tears pouring out witnessing dead bodies,
God is brought to mind. In our daily behavior, God is still
frequently overlooked.
More ironically, even with the emotional atmosphere prevailing
today, some people still distribute donations without
transparency. There remains the suspicion of corruption and abuse
of aid, which should go to those suffering after the loss of
their families and material wealth.
The massive disaster that may ruin the future of Aceh and Nias
should give rise to a big question: What was behind the calamity?
Is this the way God punishes a nation, by causing misery? Where
is His power and why does He keep silent? IN any case, this is
how God reminds people of their limitations. This is a warning
against people's arrogance to make them aware that rationality is
always limited and has restricted access.
Behind this terrible occurrence, God warns this and other
nations to join hands in promoting social solidarity. The tragedy
invites all nations to realize that the bond of humanitarian
solidarity remains stagnant due to the constraints of sectoral
interests and human egoism. Such solidarity is sabotaged by
religious segmentation with emotional views and ethnic sentiments
that tend to negate other groups. It is this segmentation that
God is supposed to eliminate through the major quake and ensuing
tsunami tidal waves. It is a warning process, by which God makes
people mindful and then vigilant.
Humanity is often spoiled by violence and armed conflicts. Let
us abandon all hostilities. Let us return to a life of helping
others, giving humane treatment to those who suffer, assisting
people without the capacity to live a decent life, raising the
dignity of ordinary people and avoiding any deception by whatever
means.
Through the tsunami, we are reminded that all forms of
violence must be ceased on earth. The time has come to destroy
equipment of war and replace it with agricultural and industrial
machinery for the poor. This message has been clearly revealed
via the signs of nature's wrath. Nature has taught people to read
all signs of the times. It is through the appalling disaster that
God has conveyed the message to humanity.
People are called upon to build a new world order. It is the
order expected by God to process nature for common welfare. The
reality of globalization, which has caused men to plunge into
into the collective spirit.
We live together on the same earth. There should be no
difference based on skin color or cultural, social and political
identities. Racial colors and diverse cultures are God's
creations to enrich the world with multifarious forms of beauty.
Different views and political geographic features constitute no
barrier to humane treatment. God has come to remind us of all
this.
Fellow citizens surviving the calamity should be encouraged
that a bright future still lies ahead for them. Nobody should
ever blame nature and God, but instead we have been warned to
remember Him.
This nation should unite to build Aceh and Nias island in
North Sumatra as the most important part of the manifestation of
humanitarian efforts that are now beginning to grow. For all
those who perished in the disaster we pray that they will rest
peacefully beside Him.
And God has indeed come to teach people to be always mindful
and vigilant.
The writer is Executive Secretary of HAK Commission,
Indonesian Bishops Conference.