New Year 2017 - Time to decide for common good -

Rev Fr Paul Lelen Haokip *

INTRODUCTION:

Behold the year 2016 is leaving us and the New Year 2017 is here. Are you mentally and spiritually prepared to welcome this new counting of days and months? The celebration of 1st January as New Year's Day has permeated across cultures and people around the world. The idea of different names (counted as months) after every 28-31 days also rejuvenate and prepare us anew. Twelve months put together form a year. This pack of 12 months is here. Now it's up to us to use these precious years for dharnas, bandhs, blockades, counter-blockades, etc., or use them for pro-active, peace-oriented meetings, reconciliations sessions, etc.

IDEA OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE:

The Holy Bible gives us sufficient indications where Christians should live peacefully with their neighbours. It will be counter witness and a shame to Christianity to act the opposite while claiming to be followers of Christ Jesus. People who are Old Testament minded may take recourse to wars and fights but I guess we are people of the New Testament where Jesus is the example par excellence.

Jesus never taught us to hate others or begin wars in the name of Nationalism or so-called oneness on Ethnic lines. Let me lay some examples for us to follow and live.

Colossians 3:13 –"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God." Ephesians 4:2 "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you."

CHURCH IS NOT A POLITICAL PULPIT:

We may argue that the people involved in politics are also our church members. Yes.But that does not make Church politically-oriented. Church is Ecclesia (Assembly of God – people who have more or less the same faith) while political party is a body framed by some secular or political principles and subsequently, members joining that party.

In simple terms, the former is God & Salvation oriented while the latter is more earthly and wealth oriented. So, Church leaders should not be politically minded. They should be like Prophet Nathan who condemned David and his deeds with Bathsheba. Church leaders are not to please others but to be the mouthpiece of truth, love and peace.

BE AN EXAMPLE OF PEACE:

Cutting trees, producing paper and writing on the paper "SAVE TREES" equals to fooling yourself at the highest limit. Giving example is easy but being an example is hard. Basically, a Christian is supposed to be peaceful and forgiving for Jesus taught us "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". This is not mere surrender to situation but giving ultimate decision and power to God. A peaceful family produces peaceful members; these peaceful members come out and create peaceful society.

When fighting against violence and inhuman structures, we should not become evil doers ourselves. The warning of Friedrich Nietzsche should be taken seriously, "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. Jesus himself was a revolutionary without taking recourse to violence. This is a call to be different and unconventional from the usual way of religious life and spirituality.

We should not elect or select leaders who are short-tempered and violent. We should rather choose leaders who are forgiving, far-sighted, broad-minded and peace-loving. No God – No Peace, Know God – Know Peace.

CONCLUSION:

James 2:13 "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."2:14 – "What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" People who are not peaceful within themselves can't tolerate peace in the society. They create confusion everywhere. And if people are soundly educated with secular and religious wealth, they won't just follow few self-appointed leaders. They will judge wisely. To judge wisely, we need education that is proper to the heart and head.

Superiority complex is 'anathema sit' to co-existence in the family and society. The idea of annihilation and self-existence has no room in this century when the world is described as 'Global Village' webbed and knitted together so close by technology& communication. Let's opt for Peace for the common good. Let us make use of our 'power of speech' for dialogues and not for spurring venomous & unbecoming talks.

Wishing you all peaceful 2017.