Freedom from the 'F' word

by Anil Netto (reproduced from Sunday Observer column

published in the Herald, July 3, 2011)

One of the recurring themes of the New Testament is Jesus' proclamation, right at the outset of his ministry, that the kingdom of God is at hand.

What exactly is the nature of this mysterious kingdom? We don't have to look far to find it in the guiding principles in the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peace-makers, those who mourn.

Then a more radical edge: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Reflecting how important the cause of righteousness (justice) is, Jesus promises that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake will be the major players or, to use corporate jargon, "stakeholders" of the kingdom - "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

The words 'justice' and 'righteousness' are almost similar. We know God is a god of justice and righteousness. So concerned was he for justice that he guided an oppressed people out of slavery. In fact, the words "just" or "justice"; "righteous" or "righteousness", occurs several hundred times in the scriptures.

The quest for justice is closely linked to God's concern for the poor and the oppressed. Indeed, there is a strong bias towards the poor (and by extension the means of redressing the situation i.e. distributive justice) in the scriptures. No wonder, the first Beatitude is "Blessed are the poor". And at the start of Jesus' ministry, he proclaimed the Spirit of the Lord is with him, because God has anointed him to preach the good news to the poor. "He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed."(Luke 4:18)

In the Beatitudes, Jesus, however, warns that those who hunger for righteousness or justice (including, by logical extension, those who proclaim or work for justice) may be persecuted. Indeed, the first disciples of Jesus - and others who followed them down the ages - who proclaimed the Good News were persecuted, tortured and even put to death.

It is not easy to be brave and courageous in the face of adversity or oppression. The disciples of Jesus had much to be afraid of. Their leader had been given an unfair trial,  and then crucified in the most barbaric fashion. Who could blame the disciples for cowering in fear from such brutal depravity?

Such fear is a debilitating, paralysing force that eats the soul, drains us of energy and disempowers us. How to proclaim Jesus is Lord and work for his kingdom of justice, love, peace and truth when the consequences could be dire?

Those who proclaim the truth of the Good News, therefore, need much courage and fearlessness. And this fearlessness will come from the Spirit. I like what Dr Xavier Pereira wrote about empowerment. When people are empowered, they will realise that they can make a difference not only within the church but in the world outside, joining hands with people of goodwill around them to promote the values of the kingdom - i.e. justice, peace and compassion - in the world around us.

The same Spirit that empowers us will help us deal with our fears. Jesus recognised that the kingdom would not be realised if his disciples are paralysed with fear. No wonder, he repeatedly urged his disciples when he appeared to them after his death, "Do not be afraid. I am with you always." Throughout the bible, the phrase appears in one way or another "be not afraid, "do not fear" ... In fact, one of the most well known verses of Scripture sums it up: "The Lord is my shepherd, who shall I fear?"(Psalm 23:1).

Burma's Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, herself a victim of persecution in the cause of justice and truth, recognises the importance of dealing with fear: "The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear." Yes, only when we get rid of the 'F' word - FEAR - will we be able to realise the vision of the kingdom.

We need to hold on fast to the conviction that the Spirit who dispels our Fears will lead us to truth, justice, love, compassion and to the other F-word, real Freedom.