People have the power

 

"People have the power" is a song by Patti and Fred Sonic Smith that I accidentally and happily discovered on Facebook.  This powerful song was my introduction to the Smiths.  On hearing it, I immediately named as my song for Holy Week.  It certainly gets my award.  

In writing the song, Patti Smith says, "What we wanted to do was remind the listener of their individual power but also of the collective power of the people, how we can do anything.  That's why at the end, it goes: 'I believe everything we dream can come to pass, through our union we can turn the world around, we can turn the earth's revolution.'"  

Holy Week this year began on 24th March, the feast of Oscar Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador, shot dead while offering mass.  Why?  Simply because he followed the gospel, in standing up for his oppressed people.  His waa a struggle of hope, arising from his commitment to building the Kingdom of God.   

The Easter moon is a sign to the world of this hope eternal.  We all have a reason, a purpose, a place in being here.  We make the world turn around.  The real power in life is at the grassroots with the people.  Holy Week has its focus on the sruggles of the people in life.  Easter takes it to the next level, with its focus on how our struggles are transformed to give new life to a world, so desperately overcome by so much human greed, aggression and craziness, which are part of the human narrative, but not the end of it, by any means.  Power to the people!   

   

 

Patience is a virtue

My sister is ever telling me - "Patience, Johnny".  I guess it is not one of my greatest virtues.  Well, last week I escaped to upcountry Thailand, in the northeast region, named Isan, for a bit of fresh and quiet.  It was "desert time", as I would say. 

There, as I quietly spent my short time, joining in life and watching the locals, I noticed their patience. They have lives to live and things to do, within the tough environment of rural Thailand, with its heat and varied limitations of a challenging rural existence, somewhat isolated from the lures of the big city.  In the midst of it all, its ups and downs, its dramas and traumas, they just get on with their daily routine, they're happy with their lot, they continue to ever thrive enjoying their family and love the place they call home.  I guess that is what matters in life. 

Living in a big city, being so western and critical in my approach to life, I can make life more complicated than it needs to be and become overly anxious about what should be.  There is something to be said for patience, while still keeping a watchful eye on life and its comings and goings.  .  

I needed my "desert time". not to escape reality, but to be able to appreciate it more deeply and live it more wholesomely.  I learnt from the people with whom I shared my desert.  I came to see them in a new light - as good and simple people, who work and struggle in life, loving and enjoying their family, continuing the daily chores.  I found that refreshing and life giving. The desert is a fertile place.  

 

The land is fertile

     

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Control doesn't work

We are mid-way through Lent and I hope I am learning something about life and me.  If I may be bold enough to venture an insight from my own journey into the desert this Lent, I am ever re-affirmed in a key life motif - control does not work.  Truth is there is only one person in control, and that is God, who has her own ways of keeping the show going, despite whatever we may do.  Thank God.  

Knowing who is in charge reassures me, as life then, in no way, depends on me.  Thank God, yet again.  

Last week, I participated in an international gathering of church partners, working on opposing human trafficking.  When I first walked in the room, I saw how few were there, but then I was immediately struck by their diversity and strength.  Each person represented a different country and each one was so strong.  So here was a group not to be misjudged or underestimated.  Control doesn't work.  

I have a simple encounter on the bus, on the way to work.  The conductor, a more mature woman, and I have a dispute over my fare.  I get the bus every day and I know how much I pay, which is what I paid her.  She continues the dispute, all spoken in Thai.  I am amazed at how much Thai I can speak. She eventually turns, telling me she knows who I am (after all I am a regular).  Her turning statement was how she would like to learn English and that her sister lives in Denmark.  She likes farang men and asks my name and where I live.  This is both funny and very uncomfortable.  We are friendly and that is good, but I am no longer in control, not knowing where this will go.  I am very  happy to get off the bus, while encouraging her all the way as a good and strong woman, who is smart.  

Control doesn't work, but be ever smart and friendly.  They work.  

 ; diversity and strength do.