Resurrection, Protest and the Good Samaritan

Joining the massive protest march (March 23^rd), the coalition of resistance, has been a highpoint Lenten experience for me. I gave up writing about protesting and took to the streets with the thousands protesting – hopefully making a statement against heartless and some clueless politics (not to mention politicians! I lost track of the number of poignant, creative and stinging placards carried by protestors of all ages on this protest.

As we marched in what I can only describe as a Carnival atmosphere, I wondered if I had my bible on me, what scripture passage would I read and how different that reading would have been. I am sure there will be many texts. The thought crossed my mind, however, as I had only recently come across the practice of what has been referred to as “dislocated exegesis” - the practice of reading scripture in unexpected places, in places that might unsettle the reading you were accustomed to or likely to bring to the text from the comfort of one’s desk or office.

The text that came to mind, as it was easy to remember having heard it so many times (besides preaching on it!) was the story of the Good Samaritan. What did I hear differently, as the very familiar words of this narrative replayed in my ears and my mind on the march?

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho…” The thousands journeying on this march took on this journey in solidarity against inconsiderate economic policies that would affect very vulnerable people. In the eyes of the government and the banking institutions, I suppose we would not be considered “the good protestors” but largely idiots who do not understand the economic mess we are in, who are unable to give up our comfortable lives and people who can only moan and whinge! It must have been mind-blowing to juxtapose “good” alongside “Samaritan”, as it is to do so (in the minds of many) alongside the very diverse group of protestors on that march!

There were many neighbours on this solidarity or coalition march – unlikely ones, but neighbours nevertheless – who may have beeen (or are) victims themselves, but who are certainly on the march for the many victims our economic policies have attacked, battered and left for dead on the roadside. I recall the words of Gustavo Gutierrez: “the neighbour is not the one whom I find in my path, but rather the one in whose path I place myself, the one whom I approach and actively seek.” When this happens it is not only the world that will change, but also our ways of acting in it. This is when protest marches are then translated in concrete policies that change the ways we manage our economic life together.

Participating in the protest march brought alive for me the need to revisit the assailants in the story of the Good Samaritan – who often go unnoticed in the story. I mean those who assault, leave people naked, wounded and bleeding to death at the wayside of history. They would continue to go unnoticed as long as we only go down from Jerusalem to Jericho to treat the wounded with compassion, without it ever dawning upon us that that we are only binding up wounds while nothing changes. Binding up wounds isn't enough; we have got to also ensure that people don't need to be bound up in the first place. More radical steps are necessary in order to get at the root of the problem. This is the task before us which that march brought forcefully back to me. The “coalition of resistance must turn into “coalition of change” that starts with each one of us! After all, in economic terms (to employ its own logic): it is cheaper to eliminate poverty and social ills than to maintain it! We need an alternative system not a bandaged up and redressed one!

copyright March 29, 2011

Connecting Random Thoughts

It was a long day of meetings and then having to travel back to London (Euston) on a three hour train journey. Though tired, I was happy when we reached London and I was looking forward to pick up something form the M&S just at Euston station. The fact that it was crowded (as it was just around the afternoon rush-hour) proved slightly irritating. I was anticipating a well deserved meal! So after collecting my items and joining the queue at the checkout, I was in no mood for the question the youngman at the till asked me. “What size bag will you need sir, for your purchases?” I was tired and I thought it was a foolish question, so out rolled my answer: “One in which the items will fit!” I was thinking: “why such a difficult or even philosophical question when I was so tired?” The person paying at the till next to me, who overheard my comment could not hold back her laughter, saying to me (as the tills are so closely squashed together:) “You know, for a long time I have been thinking what answer I can possible give to this question every time I shop here. And you have just provided it: it’s funny!”

I was thinking more than humour. I was aware why the question was asked; as M&S wants to give the impression that it is eco-conscious, as it will get people to use their own shopping bags or think about the environment when we use plastic bags. I do shop with my own bags! But I was just returning from a day of meetings and like many others at that time of the day one would rarely be expected to have a shopping bag with them. Besides, if I had asked for a large bag then I had to pay for it! I was not charged for the one I eventually got as I simply placed the ball back into the cashier’s court. He actually gave me a large bag without a cost (which by the way, I am reusing). In thinking more about the incident, I must say I am dubious of M&S eco intentionality in this specific location, as I can see them making lots of money just on their bags with the number of people rushing from work and doing a purchase!!!! Large or small, it is still plastic! They should go further and do less packaging of items that can be purchased as loose items! Perhaps, then our purchases will fit in the work-bags we are travelling with.

And since I am on the matter of shopping, allow me to share with you how challenging it is to find a good book to read: it is not as easy as one would expect., in spite of all the reviews around! Imagine the amount of forest used to produce the sheer number of books published these days! Just walking through one of the larger bookshops can make one become dazed by the choice. But look closer and you will notice that what is being stocked is nothing more that those popular titles that booksellers/publishers want us to read. I suppose one need to understand that publishers/bookshops are in the business of “selling books”. They are not too concerned about what I wish to read or what I consider a good read (in itself a subjective undertaking). Hype, of course, sells like hotcakes in our world of instant micro-celebrity and where everyone thinks they have a biography to write that is worth reading. And, while walking through Waterstones may give the impression that before me is an array of choices, what is nearer to the truth is that my choice may be very very limited. In the meantime there are still a number of timeless volumes on my shelf that I can reach for and re-read with great pleasure!

© copyright March 13, 2011