Fr. Richard Ho Lung"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3-10).
THE NEW Year is here. The Feast of the Epiphany is here when the three wise men from the East followed the star and worshipped the Child in a manger at Bethlehem. At that time the song by the angels echoed through the earth for all times: "Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of good will."
War is on the horizon. The United States, Britain, and most of Europe are gearing up for war. Endless billions of US dollars are being spent to hunt and destroy the enemy. The eleventh of September in the year 2001 has brought forth the war cry of the powerful advanced countries. There is much enthusiasm to stop terrorism by exercising "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
Wherever I have travelled whether in the Far East or in the United States itself there is a total horror at the thought of war. Most of the media want it and so do the leaders of these countries. There is a sense that whatever the US does must be right. But I believe that many of the countries, including the oriental countries such as the Philippines and India, believe that they must remain friends with the United States if they are to grow economically and therefore must give silent consent to the war against Iraq. That is why they want the war.
When we engage in conversation with the US and English citizens who are the common people, when we talk to the Filipinos and the South Koreans, and the Chinese from China and even the West Indian, they say, "We do not want war. We want peace."
I do believe we are moving into a new imperialism that is nothing short of slavery. The great alliance between rich countries in the one world global economy - led primarily by the government and backed by the media - will enslave the poor countries. Saddam and Iraq feel and act the way many poor countries feel but would not act out. Nor should they act out their terrible anger against the United States. The terrorism is evil and must be condemned. Terrorism is barbaric and creates an insane world.
Still, the rich advanced countries have been rich (and going richer) for much too long by using economic strength to pull off unjust trade, unfair immigration laws, and the domination of the media all over the world with the exportation of immoral cultural values. Thus the terrible sense of malaise, confusion and panic in our dark world.
If only the US and Europe would go about the Beatitudes with as much enthusiasm as they do about war. If only the readiness to sacrifice and die for the poor countries and poor people were as strong in the time of peace, as it is to make war during these times against the so-called "enemy." If only the billions and billions spent in war in times of peace were used for aid and development and progress of peoples. If only in times of peace we did not prepare war but gave over our goods and ourselves to concern for our neighbours, especially in the poor world.
War cannot bring about peace. War does not bring about peace. War can subject a people for a while, but in the hearts of those who are weaker, it makes for silent hatred and resentment, which is spreading rapidly in third world countries.
The Beatitudes are the only way to true peace and justice. The poor, the hungry, the naked, the peacemakers, the pure of heart, those who suffer for righteousness sake, these are the builders of a world in which there is one heart and one mind. We must live by a spiritual reality rather than an economic falsity built around the rhetoric and false idea of a "one world economy" ruled over by the rich countries with their great material wealth.
There really is enough for everyone if only the few who have so much shared what they have, and the many, which are poorer, got what is their due. This takes self-sacrifice, and a heroic spirit of love. But it has to be. The Master Jesus Christ requires it. It is the only way to peace and not war. This is true morality and spirituality, which the world knows not of. As the prophet Isaiah says, "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, "Here I am" (Isaiah 58:6-9).
The Very Rev Fr. Richard Ho Lung is Founder and Superior General of the Missionaries of the Poor.
