Gospel Reflection 2020/2021

The Strife of Power, Glory and Honour in Malaysia.

In Feb 2020, the infamous Sheraton Move ousted the elected Pakatan Harapan government. Since then, the political turmoil in Malaysia has persisted. There are frequent dramatic episodes of power grabs, power plays, party hopping, secret deals and unholy alliances. The cabinet and ministerial posts and the directorships of government-linked companies have become the bargaining chips for political allegiance and supports. These politikus (political rats) are fighting tooth and nail to grab seats for themselves in the political survival game of ‘musical chairs’. It is all about individual power, glory and honour.

The Strife of Power, Glory and Honour at the Heart of Every Human Person.

The strife of power, glory and honour does not exist only in the political arena but it is at the heart of every human person:

• • POWER is the authority to control or to influence. Deep inside our hearts, do we not want to be the masters of the universe? We want to lord over other human persons – we demand others listen to us and obey us. We want to control all things in life – nothing must contradict our schemes and plans. We want to subdue nature – the entire earth must be subject to our personal greed and covetousness. We want to manipulate Truth – the Teaching of Christ and His Church must bend to our personal preference and interpretation. We want control over the priests, bishops, popes, and even God Himself.

• • GLORY is the public admiration won by notable achievement. We do what we do – not because we want to do it – but to seek public admiration. More often than not, we parade our piety and good works to receive praises, appreciations and acknowledgments. Worse still, social media has reinforced the belief that everything in life must be beautified, dramatized and broadcasted for the world to see us and for the world to adore us.

• • HONOUR is the high and great respect. We want to feel wanted, we want to feel important, we want to be looked up to, and we want to feel respected. We despise humility – humble job, humble pay, humble position, humble seat or humble pie – that does not boost our ego and pride. We regard ourselves as superior and holier, infallible, impeccable and indispensable – we think we are the messiahs and saviours of the world. Without us, the family, the company, the country, the parish ministry, or even the Church will surely crumble and fall.

Jesus is the living embodiment of profound HUMILITY, the example par excellence.

‘Though He was in the form of God,

Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.

He emptied Himself,

taking the form of a servant,

being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form,

He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death,

even death on a cross.’

[Ph 2: 6-8]

Throughout his life on earth, Jesus has shown us what it means to be a servant leader: “Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all.” [Mk 10: 43-44]

As CHRIST-ians, we are all called to be Imitators of Christ. Let us embrace Christ-like humility in our minds, in our hearts and in our lives. It is never about us; it is all about God. All power, glory and honour belong to Him. After we have done what we have to do, may we have the humility to say, “We are mere servants; we have done only what we ought to have done!” [Lk 17: 10]

Let our fervent prayer be:

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory.” [Ps 115: 1]