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.