The parable of the unjust judge
Last Sunday's Gospel touches on something very relevant to us in Malaysia today
with the Appeals Court overturning the decision of the High Court that allowed
the to use the word Allah in the Bahasa Malaysia edition of Herald. As a matter
of fact, the ruling now extends to wider aspects as it is now taken to mean
that non-Muslims in general are forbidden from using the word, which means it
is exclusively for Muslims only. What was a small and non-issue has become
major contention that seemed to further distance the Muslims and non-Muslims in
the country.
Going by historical facts and the nation’s constitution we all know for
certain that Allah is not solely for Muslims but we have 3 senior judges in the
country who ruled against that universally accepted fact.
The Christians in particular and non-Muslim Malaysians in general are
disgusted with the ruling which they say is unjust and goes against the spirit
of the federal constitution on the freedom of worship. The only consolation
they have is that the verdict has made the judges, the judiciary and the
Malaysian government led by Umno a laughing stock in the eyes of international
community. The politicization of Islam by Umno and its supporters have made the country the look
stupid and unjust which is a poor reflection of the Muslims in the country, the
majority of whom are moderate and do not agree with the court ruling.
Has the Church achieved what it wanted by taking this issue to the
courts, knowing very well they will never get justice? Will it pursue the
matter further by appealing to the Federal Court? There are many opinions and
we wait for the experts in the church to make the decision on the net course of
action.
There are those who say that Jesus in the gospel in relating the story of
the unjust judge who gives in to a widow who was persistent in seeking justice
was indeed supporting our fight for justice. They say like the widow the church
too should continue to press on with its peaceful and legal means to get
justice and if we are persistent one day we will get it. But others say that
such a fight should be on issues that are more important rather than on trivial
ones like using the word Allah. Does the use of Allah the most important issue
facing the Church and Christians in Malaysia today?
Jesus message appears contradictory when he said, “I promise you, He will
see justice
done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of man
comes, will
He find any faith
on earth?'.
Having faith in Jesus is to be diligently following
what he taught us by his words and deeds on earth – love, humility and
forgiveness, with great patience and trust. That is why he asked whether He
will find that faith among us when He finally comes. Yes, God will grant us justice
if we continue to fight for it but that so-called justice must not be for
selfish purposes but for the good of all, especially the poor, despised and oppressed.
The fight should reflect our love and forgiveness for even our enemies. That is
what faith is all about.
The fight over the word Allah is just one of the
many fights against injustice in our lives. In our fight for justice we too
need that faith in Jesus by being faithful to what he taught us. Do we have
that faith that he asked of us?
Sunday Gospel 20 Oct.2013
Luke 18:1-8
1 Then he told them a parable about the need to pray continually and
never lose heart.
2 'There was a judge in a certain town,' he said, 'who had neither fear
of God
nor respect for anyone.
3 In the same town there was also a widow
who kept on coming to him and saying, "I want justice
from you against my enemy!"
4 For a long time
he refused, but at last he said to himself, "Even though I have neither
fear of God
nor respect for any human person,
5 I must give this widow
her just rights since she keeps pestering me, or she will
come and slap me in the face." '
6 And the Lord
said, 'You notice what the unjust judge has to say?
7 Now, will
not God
see justice
done to his elect
if they keep calling to him day and night even though he still delays to help
them?
8 I promise you, he will
see justice
done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of man
comes, will
he find any faith
on earth?'
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