Standing at the threshold of the year 2009, we are in what might be called a “Post-Ambivalent” year in the life of the Nagas. The bygone cynicism and skepticism toward “Naga solidarity” will simply be a sad chapter of our national saga. Naga-Land today is no longer characterized by the past mind-set of cultural and political exclucivism. From all the Naga communities, as witnessed and attested on September 25, 2008, by 37 Naga tribes and other apex bodies, at the Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur, the commanding mood of the Naga nation is created by the people. Coupled with this is the affirmation to Naga reconciliation by all the “Naga groups” and its leaders. This is historical. There is no turning back! Indeed, “The Timeliness in the History of the Nagas” is our newest song.
One important point should be written as our foot note: the FNR couldn’t agree more with the critics that soccer matches played, hoisting of white flags in homes, using car stickers, voluntarily, the United National Choir singing in churches, etc. have not deterred nor sealed violence. FNR has taken up the activities knowing fully that these are only means towards strengthening the reconciliation process in the Journey of Common Hope. To be sure, reconciliation is a process requiring tireless planning, executing, energizing and much more. The FNR is clear about this one thing: that the “FNR is not the only entity working for Naga reconciliation and as such we do not have a monopoly on reconciliation. FNR acknowledges the various individuals, Hohos, organizations and the Church for their undiminished commitment to the Naga reconciliation, unity and peace.”
Moving away from the footnote, we now move out into where violence and tears, and sweat, and screams, and curses, and bitterness, and suspicions, and anger are still real. There is no way on earth that the element of our personal reconciliation with God, our prayers and piety can be the exclusive quality of being a Christian.
A sign of demise of theology in our contemporary context is, Christians often cringe and withdraw. Can the “Queen of Sciences” (During the Middle Ages theology was given the highest honor in the world of academia) live up to its honor by knowing and living that the good news of Christ’s message must sometimes be made in agony, in the circles of hardships, danger, blood and death; and in being with the “rebels,” and the tax collectors, outcasts and sinners? Are we forgetting the Cross of Christ for ‘one’s respectability’ through our silence? Have we ever pondered that our “politeness” to safeguard the purity of the Gospel from “meddling in politics” may well be the greatest pro status quo political statement ever made?
In recent history, Nagas have been deeply wounded by the conflicts. Many people have become apathetic, while some are caught up in the vicious cycle of hatred, anger, and revenge, many simply walk away. Still, some say, “all efforts towards Naga reconciliation are futile.” During the Guatemalan conflict in South America, a priest wrote these lines: “I can deal with persecution by the military and the state. But the fact that some of my fellow people are against me hurts me more deeply than anything else.”
The most painful hurts always come from within. Jesus suffered that despair also. In the darkness of the grave He embraced the despair that existed among His own followers, and among His own people, in His own body. We are tempted to run away and say, “I don’t want to be connected with that body because it is still broken and it’s too much to deal with.”
But we are called to be a community in solidarity. We are called to be together, in a fellowship of the wounded and broken to proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord.”
The year 2009 must renew the people living in Naga-Land. The Cross of Christ is a powerful reminder to us that from a place of despair God speaks to us about hope. From the place of disappointments, of broken relationships, of hopelessness, Jesus emerges to accompany us as we journey on. Even though we are often downcast, Jesus always speaks of hope. And this hope is different from optimism. Optimism arranges reality in a way that enables us to say things will get better based on chances. The hope for the Nagas is built upon the promise that whatever happens, God will stay with us at all times, in all places. God is the God of life. We are called to be a people of hope. Together, we can face our despairs. Together too, we can find the Risen Lord, emerged from the tomb of despair, ready once again to love us first. In embracing us, Jesus gives us hope we need to live the life He has given us, in this world of ours.
Let the year 2009 be for us to share and experience this hope.
Source: www.morungexpress.com
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One important point should be written as our foot note: the FNR couldn’t agree more with the critics that soccer matches played, hoisting of white flags in homes, using car stickers, voluntarily, the United National Choir singing in churches, etc. have not deterred nor sealed violence. FNR has taken up the activities knowing fully that these are only means towards strengthening the reconciliation process in the Journey of Common Hope. To be sure, reconciliation is a process requiring tireless planning, executing, energizing and much more. The FNR is clear about this one thing: that the “FNR is not the only entity working for Naga reconciliation and as such we do not have a monopoly on reconciliation. FNR acknowledges the various individuals, Hohos, organizations and the Church for their undiminished commitment to the Naga reconciliation, unity and peace.”
Moving away from the footnote, we now move out into where violence and tears, and sweat, and screams, and curses, and bitterness, and suspicions, and anger are still real. There is no way on earth that the element of our personal reconciliation with God, our prayers and piety can be the exclusive quality of being a Christian.
A sign of demise of theology in our contemporary context is, Christians often cringe and withdraw. Can the “Queen of Sciences” (During the Middle Ages theology was given the highest honor in the world of academia) live up to its honor by knowing and living that the good news of Christ’s message must sometimes be made in agony, in the circles of hardships, danger, blood and death; and in being with the “rebels,” and the tax collectors, outcasts and sinners? Are we forgetting the Cross of Christ for ‘one’s respectability’ through our silence? Have we ever pondered that our “politeness” to safeguard the purity of the Gospel from “meddling in politics” may well be the greatest pro status quo political statement ever made?
In recent history, Nagas have been deeply wounded by the conflicts. Many people have become apathetic, while some are caught up in the vicious cycle of hatred, anger, and revenge, many simply walk away. Still, some say, “all efforts towards Naga reconciliation are futile.” During the Guatemalan conflict in South America, a priest wrote these lines: “I can deal with persecution by the military and the state. But the fact that some of my fellow people are against me hurts me more deeply than anything else.”
The most painful hurts always come from within. Jesus suffered that despair also. In the darkness of the grave He embraced the despair that existed among His own followers, and among His own people, in His own body. We are tempted to run away and say, “I don’t want to be connected with that body because it is still broken and it’s too much to deal with.”
But we are called to be a community in solidarity. We are called to be together, in a fellowship of the wounded and broken to proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord.”
The year 2009 must renew the people living in Naga-Land. The Cross of Christ is a powerful reminder to us that from a place of despair God speaks to us about hope. From the place of disappointments, of broken relationships, of hopelessness, Jesus emerges to accompany us as we journey on. Even though we are often downcast, Jesus always speaks of hope. And this hope is different from optimism. Optimism arranges reality in a way that enables us to say things will get better based on chances. The hope for the Nagas is built upon the promise that whatever happens, God will stay with us at all times, in all places. God is the God of life. We are called to be a people of hope. Together, we can face our despairs. Together too, we can find the Risen Lord, emerged from the tomb of despair, ready once again to love us first. In embracing us, Jesus gives us hope we need to live the life He has given us, in this world of ours.
Let the year 2009 be for us to share and experience this hope.
Source: www.morungexpress.com
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