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| Logo of 'bersih' in Malaysia |
A woman who has suffered from severe bleeding for 12 years came up
behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak.
She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I will get well."
Holy Gospel of the Day from Matthew 9:20-21
Last week It brought to my realisation that the latest debate happening between Christians in Australia and the Government is the protection of Marriage Law; there are pressures within the Australian community to push for homosexuals to have the same 'marriage' recognition as other members of society. As Christians to accept same sex marriage is like calling upon earth what happened to Sodom and Gemorrah!!! Personally, I continue to maintain that the term M-A-R-R-I-A-G-E is only defined/is only valid legally and socially only if the marriage is between a man and a woman. Also, I popped into the Star paper online and came across rallies planned in some parts of Malaysia by a group called BERSIH; advocating a clean, honest and transparent vote for the up coming elections. As, usual I am sure many of us are well aware of political up-rising happening in the Middle East.
Myself, I do not agree on taking political action. Yes, but I will challenge individuals on a one-to-one dialogue on issues that may seem to need a Voice of God, a good conscience. But, I will not agree to participate in riots, rallies or war- because none of us have the right to fully enforce our ideas or fellings on one particular topic on the whole community.
Like the Gospel of the Day taken from Matthew 9: 18-26, like those who are involved in rallies and riots, I am also like the woman spoken about in the Gospel. Like the woman suffering from a physical illness, she longs for healing, she longs for renewal. The woman has faith, and she longs to touch the side of the garment of Jesus Christ. The events, which to me are sad because it involves the lives of other people, is very much a demonstration that people are still in want; there are people crying out for more justice, freedom, healing, peace, better economy...
Am I in want? Yes, honestly speaking I too dream and desire something better. But, what we want can never satisfy our flesh if what we want is not pure. For example, Egyptians rallied and managed to oust the Egyptian Leader. But, according to news riots are still happening in Egypt! The problem here is does what we desire come from a pure voice within? Does it come from the Voice of God speaking out to us?
You see, the difference between the majority of people and the woman in the Gospel is this woman did not only wished and acted on what she wished. More importantly the woman had a pure faith, a good holy desire - her wishes/desires were SELF-LESS, not individualistic. And this faith in God, this pure desire, gave her complete healing and more importantly she was SATISFIED!
This afternoon I prepared Sarawak laksa using wanton noodles, fresh prawns, wombok and eggs. So, there are a good number of ingredients. Bearing in mind that Sarawak laksa paste, given by a Catholic member, has a variety of spies. Each must be in a balance to give a good bowl of delicious laksa. If the laksa soup is too spicy, or too salty or tasteless, or if the noodles are far too cook it destroys the whole bowl of laksa. With my skills, I must say it was a good bowl of finger licking good Sarawak Laksa!
Same with the many friends we may have, same with the world, each of us are like a different ingredient. The trick is each of us as members of the society, as stewards of God, we must know how to maintain balance. If some members of the society does not stand for justice, then maybe others may get persecuted unjustly. At the same time, if another group of people do stand for justice but resort to illigal/dangerous methods in achieving their goals, then these people can also harm others. Haha! But, yes there are also groups who are in between. Group of people who does things in the Spirit of Charity; these people, yes they know the world can be unjust, but they themselves perform justly for the good of others - they take no part in calling for rallies/war/demostrations. We have seen people in the past like Blessed John Paul 2, Ghandi, Mother Teresa, St Francis. These people knew and have gone through terrible moments in history, yet they persevere and trusted in God- more importantly they acted in Charity; they performed their duties and services to the society in justice, with pure desires. Ultimately these few good people were SATISFIED; they had their fair share of contentment.
When will Malaysia get back to normal? When will homosexuals stop seeking same sex 'marriage' as their 'rights'? When will the situation in the Middle East improve? I don't know for now, I can only pray and hope that everyone can have moments of peace, and brotherly and sisterly love.
These days, I do not spent time anymore with ABC/SBS news. It makes my blood boils and my heart to slow down, knowing that so much individualistic riots and wars are happening just for the good of a few. I pray that like the woman in the Gospel, I will strive for detachment of worldly goods so that my desires are selfless.