STANDING UP
My eye caught a report
in the news lately of a courageous Indonesian who is engaged in the struggle
against injustice in her country. Yuliana Langowuyo is a law graduate of
Cenderawasih University in Jayapura, Indonesia, and she has accepted the job of
leading the Papua branch of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission in
Indonesia. The threat of terror and intimidation are part of the risk people
take in fighting injustice in Papua, says the 36-year-old lawyer who is
gaining a reputation as an ‘iron lady’. She was hesitant as a lay
woman but she set her doubts aside. ‘It was intimidating at first to work among
priests who were smart and possessed excellent leadership skills. But they
welcomed me and gave me the space to develop dialogue and communication’, she
said. ‘We all have the same goal: peace in Papua’.
This Sunday we read the words of Jesus which he took
from the ancient law of Israel and manifested in his own life: ‘You must love
others as yourself’. We have come to realise that justice does not come easily
anywhere and every country has had to struggle for it. Those in power do not
cede their privileges unless there is both a constitution which sets limits to
power and the civic muscle to ensure compliance with the constitution. Much as
he would love to continue in power if he loses the election Trump knows there
is no possibility whatever of his manipulating the results in his favour.
So it is a simple call: ‘love others’! I saw a picture
of it scrawled on a London street last week showing that Covid 19 has drummed
the message into our dull skulls. But it is a call many continue to ignore in the
headlong selfish lust for power. It is painful to have to continually remind
ourselves that no change comes without selfless sacrifice, the sort Langowuyo lives. We look at the
situation in our countries and lament that so much suffering still awaits those
who struggle to bring justice and peace.
25 October 2020 Sunday 30 A Ex 22:20-26 1Th 1:5-10 Matt 22:34-40
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