Light a Candle for Truth and Justice
All societies need a minimum moral sense in order to survive. The crisis that grips the nation over revelations of high-level corruption in the National Broadband Network–ZTE deal is only the surface of a deep rot at the center of our failing state. It is primarily a moral and not just a political concern when governance ceases to be an instrument for good but instead uses its awesome power to suppress the truth and obstruct justice. When truth has fallen in the public square, it is a sign that evil has grown strong in the land. (Jeremiah 9:3)
There are moments in history when the state ceases to be a servant of God as in Romans 13 but turns into a Beast as in Revelation 13. In such moments, the people of God are called to stand, to resist the seductions to conform and overcome the fear that makes us pliant before evil. It is time for all people of faith to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough. To express our moral outrage, we enjoin everyone to light a candle every evening from 8 to 9 starting Palm Sunday and through the Holy Week as a sign of solidarity with all who seek the truth and demand accountability from those in power.
Let this form of 'communal action' be a strong signal to our leaders that unlike the unresolved scandals of the past, we shall not let this one pass. So light those candles and put them on your windows. Make them visible to all who pass by. Show to the rulers of this nation that people power is alive and strong.
(SGD) Melba Padilla Maggay, Ph.D.
President
Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC)
No comments:
Post a Comment