Richard Ho Lung, Contributor
IN THIS holiest of seasons, we find Jesus rejected and condemned by the world, the politics, the crowds and even the trustworthy friends and disciples of Jesus reject Him. "I did not find him guilty, nothing deserving death has been done by him," says Pilate, but politics being what it is, that is, to win the popular vote and to please the people, they will wash their hands of truth: they will not call right, right and wrong, wrong. Thus the innocent are denied protection.
The kingdom of God, emphasises St. Ignatius of Loyola, is contrary to the kingdom of Satan or the kingdom of the world. They operate under two standards that are opposing. The kingdom of God has a King. That King is Jesus Christ. He is not of the world. He is in the world, but not of the world. Thus He is condemned by the world and rejected by the world. Those who are of the world do not want Him around. He is an inconvenient reminder of their corruption, their love of money, worldly pleasures, power and popularity.
"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" they cry. All knew that He had done good work. He had cured lepers, given sight to the blind, healed the crippled, fed the hungry, raised the dead. He brought justice and mercy to the poor and weak, and forgave sinners. Indeed, he was an inconvenient reminder to the rich, to the powerful churchmen the Scribes and Pharisees of the day to the politicians and his followers that "It is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. He made them uneasy, uncomfortable, and finally he made them his enemies.
NEW KINGDOM
He is building a new kingdom, the kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. In that new kingdom, Christ, the King of God's kingdom, will separate the sheep from the goat. "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me."
DIFFERENT VALUES
The kingdom of God really has tremendously different values than the values of the world. In our consumeristic and materialistic society I find men and women in the world and of the world trying to create an 'economically driven' nation. I believe, however, that there will be enough for all if we first pursue justice and righteousness and mercy for all, if the rich were merciful and kind and sought stability for our nation rather than the most they can get out of our country.
"First seek ye the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will follow," says the King. He has given stewardship to the rich; they must now distribute generously. Unless we do that, we will find our island becoming another Haiti.
"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" they cried, but He had a vision of another kingdom, a new man, genuine children of God. Though mocked and scorned and crucified and told "Come down from the cross. He saved others; Himself he cannot save," Jesus, the King, mounted His throne, the cross given to Him by His heavenly Father. There He will rule the hearts of those who truly love Him.
Self-sacrifice is finally His message. We must sacrifice ourselves to God, sacrifice ourselves for our fellowmen, and pour out ourselves in service of the poor and sinners. This is a new world and a new kingdom to be established here on earth. This is the way to live if we are to redeem the world.
Christians living out the cross in a spirit of service and self-sacrifice, however, will bring forth a new day, a new kingdom, the resurrected Christ in a world of darkness. Happy Easter Jamaica!
Father Ho Lung is founder and leader of the Missionaries of the Poor.
