The Liturgical calendar indicates this is ordinary time, but world-events suggest otherwise. Can constant threats of natural disasters be ordinary? Can devastated and evacuated cities in Cuba, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi; marred by hurricanes like Fay, Gustav, Hannah and Ike speak of an “ordinary” time? Hardly so! The wrath of nature hasn’t been limited to this part of the world though. Even in India, there have been incessant floods in states like Bihar. Reading through (and watching on television) these stories, I was hit hard by certain parallel facts. Consider the following – thousands drowned in Bihar – many of them were denied a chance to get rescued, just because they were “dalits” (the so-called backward classes in society – the ones who have historically dealt with and worked in filth and dirt!). In a country that claims to upkeep its philosophy of brotherhood and secularism, the oppressed minorities are frequently denied basic rights of freedom, life, dignity and equality. Sure, the hurricanes in parts of USA point at human suffering…but what pains me the most are such situations in India – many of which are man-made rather than devised by nature! Extraordinary, isn’t it?
Continuing with my theme of “not ordinary”, I would like to point out some more floods in another Indian state – Orissa. There have been floods - and man-made at that - of bloodshed! Numerous inhuman (and fatal) attacks on Christians by fundamentalists claiming representation of the majority religious group in the state have rocked the Christian fraternity. There have been hundreds of instances of atrocities - killing people, including women and children, raping women including consecrated nuns, burning down churches and orphanages, making thousands of dalit and tribal Christians feel as hostages in their own land! Much of this violence is reactionary – against the concept of "Christian proselytism" or forced conversion. My parents have been followers of Jainism, which is deeply intertwined with Hinduism. They have followed Hindu religious philosophies and believed in Hindu Gods all their lives. Some of that has, surely, percolated to me as well. I am pondering. I am ponderous. I call a spade a spade. I know that Christian missionaries are working and have always worked for outcasts and the oppressed in India. They’ve worked for the unwanted female-child, for lepers and for the disease-stricken. They’ve opened orphanages, schools, vocation centers and doors of opportunity, even for the ones who were historically classified as untouchables, shudras or dalits. They have dared to reach far and wide into interiors and work with the common oppressed; communal violence and threats notwithstanding. God knows their work brings about positive transformation in society. Transformation is the key function of every religion. It is about improving the lot of people in a society. It is about fostering faith and hope. I, therefore, have an alternate (and more precise, if you will) conceptualization of “conversion” in my mind. I call it “transformation”. Yes, if such transformation (as opposed to “conversion”) happens within oneself, who is to morally judge and oppose the same? If a new religion can improve the lot of oppressed people, then, why the unnecessary moral judgments? And who exactly is morally judging? What does a VHP or a Bajrang Dal know? Who are these people who claim to be Hindus and kill innocent Christians? Who gives them custody to take lives? Is this the way they portray their religious morals? The killings, the fires, destruction and trauma in Orissa were accompanied by cries of “Jai Hanuman!”, “Jai Bajrangbali!” (Hail Lord Hanuman!). Killing in God’s name? Killing in orphanages? That’s a mockery of religious philosophy! And to think that Lord Hanuman is, among believers, the epitome of dedication and brotherhood (his dedication to Lord Rama is legendary, as documented in the Ramayana), and to compare that with the gory killings…oh, what a shame! Is this justice? Is this Hinduism? Far from that! It seems to me that these base fundamentalists are hiding behind a great religion. There are hundreds of millions of Hindus who are peaceful, tolerant, devoted to their faith; and above all, happy to live alongside people of other faiths. All religions teach us tolerance, love and peace. It is man who works the political dimension into religion and tries to maneuver it to his own benefit. Sometimes, there's no way of segregating religion and politics. They're like two shores of a river.
Even as India swims in this river, and grapples with a dual identity, one of an emerging economic power - and another of a parallel India – the India of the rural poor, the exploited and dispossessed, poverty-stricken, rights-denied, chained in religious bounds…the ones who are not even considered by the political powers except as an election vote bank - I invite you to realize how fortunate you are to have received (or to be receiving) a transforming education. I went to a Catholic school during my formative years. I was taught the true lessons of equality and brotherhood. I would get by fine in a class full of diverse ethnicities – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Tribals, et al. Today, educational institutions, the Church, schools and missions should still teach the virtue of real brotherhood. They should teach one to take people for who they are, and not for what they are (what religion/nationality/creed/class they belong to!). The folly of labeling and stereotyping is immense. Aren’t we fortunate to have had educations that point out such stark realities to us, and encourage us to be humane, just and loving?
Let us not forget that there are problems…and then, there are solutions. The problem – as Eric Hoffer pointed out – “It is easier to love humanity than to love one's neighbor!” I, however, like to focus on the solution than the problem. The solution - Education. Awareness. It seems to me that lack of education and transforming spiritual direction is deflating the value of human life in rural India. Governments – another wake up call for you! The international community can also raise its voice against such inequality and lack of justice. We owe it to our educations! How long will we just watch dumb-founded? Let us raise our voices and spread the message of brotherhood that Jesus Christ the Savior so well propagated through his life, death and resurrection: “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. Love others as well as you love yourself.”
Students, you are the beacons of peace and justice. Be light. Make a difference. Spread your educations and the message of love. Fight the darkness of violence, hatred and bloodshed. Open you eyes to unfair and base personal motifs (the so-called “political agendas”). Teachers and Parents - someone once said that "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." Hence, the education a child receives at a parent’s/teacher’s knee is retained for life. There’s a tremendous responsibility in parenthood. When we educate our child, we educate our child’s child too. In our education, if God and the Scriptures are honored properly, then there is that indispensable wisdom, which comes only from God. Conversely, where the love of God and family unity is unknown, sin and darkness prevail and human tragedy abounds in warped and twisted lives – much like we see in some rural pockets in India (Orissa, and elsewhere). I don’t ask, “Why this killing?” I ask, “Why not brotherhood?” I look to equality, to a time when brotherhood would need no publicity; when a brotherhood award would be as ridiculous as an award for waking up in the morning!
“Ordinary” times like these ask for extraordinary resolve and faith – the resolve and faith to upkeep brotherhood and hope – hope of equality, justice, freedom and of Christ’s love. Let us join hands in prayer for real brotherhood and equality and believe, "Before they call, I will answer." (Isaiah 65:24)
