Cherishing the Birth of a New Life

An infant of several hours old was found in a lavatory in a sub-district of Malang, East Java. The baby was a boy, weighing 1.9 kg.
Citizens in the neighborhood heard the cry of the newborn infant by the break of dawn. They found the baby, lying in the public lavatory, all drenched in feces and urine. Immediately, the premature baby was taken out of the lavatory, washed clean, and brought to the nearest midwife -- who then incubated and sent him to hospital.
The latest report stated that the couple who first found the infant were determined to adopt him, since they've got no children even now in their late 40's.
Very dramatic, isn't it?
It sounds very much like a movie scene, but worse -- this is a real-life incident!
It was obvious that whoever ditched the infant there must have meant to kill him. An innocent, sinless, newly born baby boy!
While many couples were so eager to expect the birth of a baby (some are willing to pay millions to get in-vitro), others are being ungrateful at the gift of a new life emerging from their own bodies.
Despite the cause of conception (disgraceful though it may be), pregnancy is a gift. A new life is a divine present. Even when the biological parents may not want it, others may desire and crave for the presence of a child in their homes.
I personally respect the efforts of private social institutions that help women undergoing unexpected (unwanted) pregnancy go through tough times and provide new parents for their newborn infants.
Let's help reducing the numbers of infant murder in this country. Every new life deserves a place in this world!

Somewhere Between Was and Am

A man sat underneath a tree
In the vast overgrowing city,
Among three huge shopping malls,
That stand on the space which once
Were children's playgrounds,
Mossy swamps and rice fields.

He was naked,
Despite the piece of cloth
Wrapping his loins.
His head was shaved,
Though not his beard.
Staring at the vehicles
Passing and honking before him,
There was barely light in his eyes.

The world around him
Spoke of things not perceived,
Screamed of intelligence unintelligible.
Too much...
Too harsh...
Hush...!

No longer could he hear
The sound of the rushing world.
No longer would he be able to see
The flashing lights before him.
Soon everything would fade.
Soon all would end.
By the end of the day,
As the sun set behind the skyscrapers,
The light would disappear,
And he would be gone,
Though he still was.

Then,

Peace.



---Shamantika---

[Upon my last visit to Surabaya, March 20, 2010]

When Empathy Fails

It is said that when others are in need or pain, we should response with empathy, not sympathy.
I agree – to some extent.
While there is a major difference in perspective between the two (empathy views the matter from the victim’s eyes, whereas sympathy views it from the beholder’s – which puts quite a contrast in the matter of understanding the problem), it is somewhat pitiable that our sense of empathy, as humans, is marred with imperfectness.
Take the example of Peter.
How did he respond to Jesus’ statement about His going to be betrayed into the hands of sinners, tortured and crucified – and on the third day be raised from the dead?
I love the way NIV puts it, “But Peter insisted EMPATHICALLY, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You’” (Mark 14:31).
Peter replied with his human empathy, which sprang forth out of the depth of his heart and emotion. Nevertheless, as we need to keep in mind, as true and noble as a man’s heart can be, we are imperfect beings who are not immune to failures and shortcomings.
When the moment of trial and crucifixion came, as Jesus had predicted, Peter disowned Him. Not once, but thrice! His empathy melted, and he quivered before the pointing finger of a maid!
What caused Peter’s denial?
Fear.
He feared the Jews. He feared the heat of torment. He feared that slow and excruciating way of dying upon the cross. And so, he abandoned his Master.
But Jesus endured to the end. Even after Peter’s denial, even after all His beloved disciples deserted Him and He had to die alone on Calvary, He remained true to His promise: that He would give His life as a ransom for mankind.
What motivated Jesus’ endurance?
Love.
When all else fails, God’s love stands firm to the end.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (I John 4:18).
It was God’s unfailing love that succeeded over all fear, pain, misery, and soared higher beyond our spheres of sorrow and despair.
And, for Peter, it was granted that he, too, was given the privilege to understand and receive this love of God that surpasses all understanding. It was after that moment of grace, as he accepted God’s love and sacrifice, that Peter was able to go through all trials and tribulations, and endured all sufferings for the sake of the Lord’s name – even to the death at the cross.
When empathy fails, look up to the cross of Calvary!
The love of God remains a safe anchor for eternity!