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“Make A Stand! Be Heard!”

This headline “Tiananmen Tank Man: Faced down the Chinese army” flashed throughout the world. A lone figure stood directly in the path of oncoming tanks, near Tiananmen Square in China, on June 6, 1989, the day after China’s bloody crackdown on student protesters. No one knew who he was but he became a symbol of resistance. We remember him as the “one who made a stand”.

Some day, somewhere or for something, each of us has to make a stand. It can be for oneself or for others or for the voiceless. It may require of us to speak out for what is right or expose injustices or stand unbending for what we believe in.

Why is it important to stand up for something? This act builds self respect, gains respect of and from others and indicates the values we live for. It is witnessing to our belief.

The most renowned example of “biblical heroes who made a stand” are the 3 young men in the Book of Daniel, who were cast into a fiery furnace. They did bow down, nor give in to the King’s order to worship another god. They could not be persuaded to do anything contrary to God’s will. They witnessed to the one God of the Israelites. The king and the palace were in awe.

Today, every single person, concerned citizens, Catholic and others, catholic communities and nation must make themselves heard on what happens to the poor and the earth. We must be convicted to convert; convert to cultivate a new way of life; cultivate to commit ourselves to care for our common home.

You who love what God loves, MAKE A STAND:

Make a stand for sustainability via recycling and zero waste; Make a stand to heal the ravaged earth and sea with the friends of the earth;

Make a stand to report polluters, exploiters and lawbreakers who damage our common home, our earth.

The Lord glorifies Himself when we make a stand for Him and His will. We are not alone.

Together Building His Kingdom,

Bishop Bernard Paul