Nov
9
2009
Walking along the Galle road in Mt. Lavinia the other day I came upon the following statue (see picture on right). It was erected in 2004 in “appreciation of the working class”. On closer inspection we see that the name of the person unveiling the statue is written in larger font than the persons to whom the statue has been dedicated to. How is it that the statue called a ‘workers monument’ has relegated the working class to second class status? Is this an innocent typo or does it reveal something deeper about the society that we live in? Does society have an inherent bias towards the rich and the powerful?
Doesn’t it appear that if you want to send your children to the more popular schools you need to have a sizable ‘donation’ readily available? Isn’t it easier to get a bank loan if you can show that you have enough assets at your disposal? How hard it is to get a job these days if you do not have some ‘connections’ in addition to your educational qualifications to back you up. Yes, society is biased towards the ‘haves’ isn’t it? But are religions any different? If you look at most major religions in the world, divine power is always associated with a successful military leader, priest or king who ‘happens’ to be a male. Doesn’t this show a bias towards those who hold power in those societies?
The God of the Bible, however, is infinitely different. Right from the beginning he takes his stand with those most vulnerable in society i.e. the orphan, widow and stranger. He purposely works with the ‘nobodies’ in society in order to debunk the theories of the powerful and ‘wise’. He enters into the world as a vulnerable baby and identifies himself with all those who were marginalized in his society. However his influence doesn’t stop there. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross reveals how God tackles the root cause of suffering and injustice in the world by taking upon himself the problem of sin. Secular philosophers like Karl Marx, who advocated the revolutionary empowerment of the workers against those holding power, fails inspite of their noble intentions precisely because their solutions don’t deal with this root cause. The resurrection of Jesus also stands as evidence that the hope for justice and peace in the world is not wishful thinking but something that will come to pass when Christ returns to bring about God’s rule.
In the light of this don’t we need to ask ourselves who we take our stand with? Does our friends list show a ‘bias’ towards those who are weak and vulnerable? Does our work involve empowering the poor and marginalized or does it sustain or promote the status quo? Does our lifestyle and attitudes embody the message of identification with those less fortunate? Are we able to discern the biases of the ideologies in our generation? To believe in the God of the Bible and to not have a radical counter cultural lifestyle is a contradiction in terms. It reveals the worship of an idol far removed from who God really is. The statue was very illuminating wasn’t it?
Nov
3
2009
Sri Lankans everywhere were appalled at the video that came out last week. A mentally unstable man who was pelting stones at passers by was chased into the sea, beaten with poles and left to drown. The fact that it was done by policemen aided by members of the public only added to the cruelty. Cameramen from a television station taped the whole incident while Mr. Balawarnam Sivakumar was gasping his last breath. His body was washed ashore the next day.
But should we be shocked at what happened? Those who see incidents in isolation might say yes but incidents such as these don’t happen in a vacuum. For the last few years we have been constantly fed a steady stream of violence due to the ethnic conflict. Proponents of war have repeatedly said that brute force was the only way in which to solve our problems. The military was strengthened and given hero status. The media was galvanized to portray how we were crushing our ‘enemies’ without any regard to the human cost of war on all sides. Our artists joined in the bandwagon singing songs to cheer on our heroes. Those who pointed out the disastrous consequences to the nation were branded ‘unpatriotic’ and condemned.
In the immediate aftermath of the war several incidents remind us of the type of victory that we have won. Tamil citizens of this country still languish in ‘welfare’ camps while others are “re-settled” in ‘welfare’ camps in other locations. The long awaited and promised political solution to the conflict has been shelved and other issues have taken priority. Several incidents involving the police (assault of a SLIT student, brutal murder of youths in Angulana etc.) have come into light. The media continues to be oppressed and journalists struggle to write their stories with a clear conscience. Despite all this the war ‘victory’ and its heroes are still used for petty political gain by politicians on all sides without realizing the message that they are sending and its consequences. The murder of Mr. Sivakumar is only the latest in a long line of incidents that show how we have grown immune to treating human beings in this callous way. It is the direct result of the way in which we chose to solve our problems. However noble the goals were, the way we went about to achieve the goals has resulted in the type of society that we have now won for ourselves.
Despite mounting evidence the short sightedness of our leaders and the general public is astonishing. How long will we continue to think that ends justify the means? Do we still not realize that the means that we use affects the ends that we gain? How long will we continue to consider only the short term benefit without realizing the long term consequences of our actions? How long will we continue to be deceived by hype rather than facts? How long will we be ‘shocked’ at things that we ourselves created? We are all responsible for building the kind of society that brought forth what happened last week. Father forgive us, for we know not what we do.
Oct
26
2009
The recent islandwide power failure was awful wasn’t it? Getting up in the middle of the night in a bath of sweat I couldn’t help muttering about the decline in the state of the power and energy industry. Was it a strike or sabotage? Couldn’t they have planned their ‘action’ at a more convenient time? Later in the morning I got to know that it was a maintenance issue. The frustration I felt was compounded by the realization that there was nothing to do. I couldn’t put on the TV or radio to hear some music. My phone was dead so I couldn’t listen to anything or browse the internet. It was just me staring in the dark in silence.
As the night wore on it dawned on me why I hated the experience. It wasn’t the fact that the room was like a steam bath. It wasn’t because I was bored and helpless. It wasn’t even because I had a busy schedule in the morning and I needed the sleep. The silence in the darkness forced me to think about things that I don’t like to think about. Everyday I crowd myself with distractions and noise to avoid thinking about these deeper questions of life. When those were taken away I was forced to deal with the questions. It wasn’t going away and I couldn’t ignore them. One after the other they came at me. Who am I really? Is there any purpose to my life? What about meaning? Am I happy with the life that I am living or do I just exist? Is death an ending to everything that I am doing in life? Urgh… the questions were so hard and the answers so depressing. Was it a mid life crisis well before time?
As I struggled through those questions I realized the futility of some of my ways. The more I did things to gain significance the more I realized how baseless it was. I needed significance that was not based on my looks or qualifications or the friends that I have or the abundance of my possessions. I wanted value for me with all my warts and quirks. I wanted meaning for my everyday mundane activities. I needed a purpose to live that was bigger than the struggle for existence.
The morning light brought some respite for my weary soul. I realized that I am significant because I am made in God’s image. I am loved because in spite of all that I do to ignore and provoke him, he values me so much to send his son Jesus to die on a cross so that I can be made whole. God thinks me so important that he is willing to let me partner with him in bringing about a kingdom of peace, love and justice that we all long for. Life itself is not meant to be temporary but eternal in the bosom of the Father. All that I do now that is in line with his purposes will not be lost forever when I die. Instead it will be transformed and used for the glory of God in his eternal kingdom.
All my questions may not have been fully answered but my fears were calmed. I had renewed vigour to face the future. I realized that my life and work had greater significance more than I could ever imagine. Wow…maybe the power cut wasn’t so awful after all.
Oct
13
2009
My wife and I realized a common dream recently – a long awaited visit to Jaffna. We went by plane as the bus service was functional only for Jaffna residents who travel to Colombo. What was actually a 1 hour flight became a 9 hour journey with the checking and being packed into buses at both ends. We managed to meet with university students who related their stories and what life was like during the past few years. Despite much sorrow and heartbreak their faith in Christ struck us. The journey also helped me to reflect on some of the challenges that each community faces in this post war phase. Below are some of my thoughts.
The Sinhalese have started to view the war victory as the end of the conflict and the beginning of a peaceful and prosperous era. Unfortunately the truth is not that simple. Even though the war might be over, the conflict remains. The Sinhalese lifestyle of ‘business as usual’ only contributes to the growing feelings of insensitivity and isolation felt by the Tamils. I can think of no better way to respond than to expose one’s self to the other community. It is when we take the time to build real relationships and share our true feelings with each other that we begin to understand each other and respond in sensitive and appropriate ways. The Sinhalese also needs to realize that greatness of a particular community is displayed by the way that they treat other communities, especially the ones that are considered their enemies. Going the extra mile to lend a helping hand or being the shoulder to cry on is not a betrayal of the community but rather a visible reminder of the caring nature of that community.
The Tamils have long since felt that they were being oppressed and discriminated against. Much evidence has been given to substantiate these claims although sections of Sinhala polity have challenged this view. Michael Ovey in an insightful paper writes that “the rhetoric of victimhood allows us to cast ourselves without qualification as victims… while dramatising our chosen opponents as demonic without qualification.”* Maybe it is time to acknowledge that there have been perpetrators and victims on both sides and trying to claim exclusive victimhood is self defeating. The Tamils will also have to grapple with the uneasiness of living in diversity. One is struck by the realization that apart from the armed forces, Jaffna today is a mono-ethnic town. The reintegration of especially Muslims and Sinhalese into the community will no doubt require adjusting and sensitivity. The challenge of being the majority community in a multi ethnic town lies ahead for the Tamils in Jaffna.
The journey was an eye opener in more ways than one. The church’s role in being a model community where barriers are broken and forgiveness demonstrated is crucial. It is not an easy undertaking but one that would show the authenticity of the gospel message. As we finished our journey one sobering thought came to mind – a longer and more challenging journey lies ahead.
*Ovey, Michael. Victim chic? The rhetoric of victimhood found at http://www.jubilee-centre.org/document.php?id=50
Sep
22
2009
Spiritual gurus seem to pop up everywhere these days. They promise a variety of blessings for their adherents. These include good health, financial security, success in business/studies and happiness in relationships. Their techniques range from meditation to positive thinking to harnessing the energy of mother earth. Many are attracted and some do receive the intended results that they are looking for. If religion is essentially about how we can successfully get these blessings into our lives then isn’t it a glorified form of bribery? Is Christianity, similarly, just an ‘answer to all our problems’ or is it radically different?
Dr. Vinoth Ramachandra in his book God’s that Fail , argues that it is idolatrous to think about faith in these terms. He writes that “at the heart of idolatry is the attempt to manipulate ‘God’ or the unseen ‘spiritual world’ in order to obtain security and well-being for oneself and one’s ‘group’ (whether family, business corporation, ethnic community or nation-state). Biblical faith, in contrast, is the radical abandonment of our whole being in grateful trust and love to the God disclosed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ”. Ramachandra adds that “faith involves us in embracing the pain and confusion of others, and in being willing to live with uncertainty ourselves while moving towards a future that is already at work among us.”
Jesus’ public ministry was preceded by a period of intense temptation. One of these was the desire to make the satisfaction of his own self the goal of his existence, which Jesus rejected (Mt. 4:3, 4). Later he teaches his disciples to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and trust that God will provide for them (Mt. 5:33). He warns his disciples not to
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16
2009
Watching the pristine beauty of the Mt. Lavinia coastline, one cannot help being moved. Many are drawn to its natural beauty. It is not an uncommon sight to see men, women and children of all ages seated on the beach taking in the spectacle of the sunset and the myriad of colours. The tranquil scene brings a sense of peace leaving you refreshed and captivated. However, the sea hides a dark secret. Many who fail to see its danger find themselves sucked into its depths. A lone red flag on the beach stands as a warning lest one gets too caught up in its enchanting beauty.
The term ‘sea’ in the bible holds a symbolic meaning. It is used as a picture of godlessness, the restless opposition to God’s moral order. The powerful sea monster, Leviathan (Job 41), agitates against God before it is finally slain by the Lord (Is. 27:1). The Beast in the book of Revelation (Rev 13:1) comes out of the sea to yield his chaotic power and the alluring Prostitute Babylon is seated on the waters (17:1). It is no wonder then that when God comes in glory to establish his kingdom there will no longer be any sea (Rev 21:1). All opposition is crushed and his moral order prevails.
Two contrasting legal cases generated much discussion recently. The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer agreed to pay a settlement fee of $2.3 billion for improperly and illegally marketing its painkiller Bextra, which has been withdrawn. This was the largest health care fraud settlement and the largest criminal fine of any kind ever. The second judgment was in the J.S. Tissainayagam trial where the accused was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment under the dreaded Prevention of Terrorism Act. Many feel that the award winning journalist was unjustly accused while others have questioned the severity of the sentence.
The two cases show to what lengths the powerful go to to cover up their actions. The perceived security in their power and connections however are only temporary just like the raging waves of the sea meekly tapering off when it reaches the coastline. One day everyone whether individuals, organizations or governments, will have their actions revealed and called into account. As we wait for this reality we need to ask ourselves whether we are sensitive to the injustices committed around us whether in our governments, communities, workplaces or homes. Similarly are we willing to stand with the victims of injustice and oppression even if it costs us our security? It is easy to get discouraged and helpless when the cry for justice seemingly falls on deaf ears. The assured hope that one day Jesus will put right the miscarriages of justice should encourage us. The sea will be rolled back. Amen, come Lord Jesus, come.
Sep
7
2009
I had a craving for pizza the other day and called the hotline of one of the leading pizza distributors in Colombo. The operator was both helpful and courteous and enthusiastically promoted the latest range of pizzas and add-ons. Needing more information about them, I asked him about the characteristics of the pizzas and quickly realized that he had never eaten any of the pizzas that he was so eagerly promoting. This got me wondering. Do the wedges of a pizza have different flavours? How can we passionately promote something that we have no clue about? Can our work life stand separate from our relationships, our beliefs, our values etc.? What consequences will result from such a divided life?
Paul writing to the Colossians portrays Jesus Christ as the source and goal of all things in creation (Col. 1:16). He goes on to add that in Jesus “all things are held together” (Col 1:17). Because Christ is the integrating centre of the universe, he is also the integrating centre of our lives. Therefore to be converted to Christ is not to change a religion or some belief system. It is to begin a process of transformation whereby every aspect of our lives is gradually redirected towards the worship of Jesus. It is a gospel of integrity. Therefore Paul can confidently assert that “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Jesus also embodied this in his earthly life. His lifestyle was consistent with his teaching. His relationships, attitudes and values bore witness to the kingdom that he ushered. He stands as the supreme example of an integrated life.
A divided life inevitably leads to depression and hopelessness. Friedrich Nietzsche, the 20th century philosopher, writes “I am howling… inside of me, howling for my lost integrity, sundered from God, Man and myself, shattered in body, mind and spirit, yearning for two clasped hands to usher in the great miracle – the unity of my being”. Thank God that in Christ our lives no longer need to be divided. We don’t need to add different hats depending on where we are or who we are with. We are made whole and free to be what we were created to be. The pizza wedges are finally integrated.
[1] F. Nietzsche, My Sister and I. (Bridgehead, 1951), p. 233.
Sep
1
2009
Readers of the Daily Mirror newspaper last month (18th August) woke up to the headline news that Sri Lanka had topped the list among Asians (93%) “most satisfied with their lives”. At first glance this appears to be reason to celebrate, however, the irony of the situation was exemplified when comparing this story with the other headlines that day. Some of the headlines on the front page included the ‘leaking’ of the A/Level biology paper, the inaction of the police to arrest a senior officer alleged to have aided in an assault case, the pathetic conditions in the IDP camps after the recent rains and the alleged attempt by a government minister to monopolize a lucrative bus route.
Matthew summarizes the message of Jesus at the start of his public ministry, stating “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Mt. 4:17). The Kingdom of God is an inclusive community of peoples from all nations living in harmony with God and each other under the Lordship of Jesus. He goes on to record a sermon outlining the kind of society that reflects God’s kingly rule in a fallen world. God’s approval lies on those who are mourning against their own sin and the effects of sin in society (5:4). He calls on his disciples to stand up for justice, to be merciful and be peacemakers in conflict situations. This counter cultural lifestyle leads them to be salt of the earth and light of the world, he added. He encourages them to love the unlovable, even their enemies to show the character of God’s kingdom.
In the light of this we must ask ourselves whether we can and should be satisfied and optimistic in Sri Lanka these days. Maybe it is precisely because we are so satisfied with our lives that dishonesty, perversion of justice and simple inconsideration for those who are suffering eludes us. Is it only when we are direct victims of injustice and suffering that we long to see a different Sri Lanka? If we want to build a society free from dishonesty, injustice and oppression, then isn’t it time that we stop treating these as necessary evils but be uncomfortable regardless of who the victims are. The illusion of comfort and satisfaction in this context serves only to allow the status quo to continue. Maybe most Sri Lankans are satisfied and optimistic but I hope that those wishing for God’s rule to be present in this earth join me in taking our stand with the 7% of discontents in Sri Lanka.