When I was mulling over what to write this time, La Salle Bro Anthony Rogers texted to suggest I write about “Genocide at Christmas: Walking with the Palestinian Jesus into the 21st Century in the context of Jesus’ prayer for ‘Your Kingdom Come'”.
Really, how do we celebrate the birth of Jesus with joy and good tidings when a genocide is taking place in the Holy Land? Many of the Christmas celebrations in church and outside are taking place without even a mention of the massacres not far from Bethlehem.
This hamlet, in occupied Palestinian territory today, where Jesus was believed to have been born, is overshadowed by an illegal “security wall” built by the Zionist regime.
If Jesus was born today, the wise men from afar would have had to cross security checkpoints to reach Bethlehem.
Just over 70km southwest of Bethlehem, bombs are raining down on a population of two million in Gaza. Tens of thousands have been killed, many others displaced. There is no inn, no safe haven for them to take refuge on Christmas Eve.
No one knows for sure how many victims lie buried under the rubble of flattened buildings. The actual death toll could perhaps be closer to 200,000, many of them women and children.
This is a modern-day Massacre of the Innocents. It is reminiscent of the Gospel account of King Herod’s killing of the firstborn when he heard about the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah.
It is difficult to find historical evidence of that massacre. But we do know that Herod ordered the execution of potential rivals, including his own son. Suffering from paranoid personality disorder, his remorse over the killing of his wife Mariamme could have triggered his own psychotic illness, on top of other illnesses like Fournier’s gangrene.
This is the same Herod that, around 20BC, decided to expand the Temple of Jerusalem, covering an area double its original size. This architectural marvel was built on the back of heavy taxes and hard labour at a time when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was growing up. Would God really have been pleased with Herod for building this magnificent edifice?
Today, God’s Word is being used by Zionists (whether Christians or otherwise) to justify the killing of ordinary people. In reality, the Zionists in the early 20th Century were mainly secular. Many orthodox Jews opposed Zionists’ manipulation of Jewish theology to justify their worldly goals.
There is nothing new about this. The history of “Christian civilisation” is littered with wars and savagery in the name of religion.
A dear Pakistani Muslim friend, a former hostel mate of mine during my student days, sent me a video clip which suggested that the “Christian civilisation” is responsible for most of the deaths from genocides and wars fought over the last two millenniums.
He said he genuinely wanted to know what I thought and was “not trying to insult any religion”.
I texted him back: Actually, those who engage in war and violence are motivated more by greed and power than by love of God (no matter what religion). People who love God will not harm or kill anyone.
This was something my Muslim friend agreed to wholeheartedly.
In fact, leaders of “Christian civilisation” often made use of the trappings of Christianity to engage in wars and genocide with “the Bible in one hand and a conqueror’s sword in the other”.
Exactly 110 years ago, a Christmas Miracle took place in the week leading up to Christmas, 1914. German, British and French soldiers ceased hostilities and crossed their trenches and exchanged souvenirs, gifts and Christmas wishes. Some even took part in a football game.
This reminds me of a quote by US President Herbert Hoover who said in 1944: “Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die.”
Author Brandt Legg put it more eloquently: ““War is a place where young people who don’t know each other, and don’t hate each other, kill each other, by the decision of older rulers who know each other and hate each other, but don’t kill each other…”
But then again, what is happening in the Holy Land today is not a ‘war’ in the conventional sense. It is a genocide between one side armed to the teeth with the latest weapons and a largely defenceless population – the result of a settler colonialism project that began in 1948 and even earlier.
Unlike the tranquil Silent Night setting of the Nativity, Jesus was familiar with the massacres and savagery inflicted on the ordinary people of His homeland.
After Herod died in 4 BC, a rebellion broke out in the Sepphoris, a wealthy city close to Nazareth, in Galilee. The Roman legate in Syria, Quintilius Varus, sent in his legions, supported by allies, to crush the rebels in Galilee. They captured and burned Sepphoris. Many were killed or sold to slavery.
Mary, in nearby Nazareth, would have been familiar with savage suppression. Growing up, Jesus would also no doubt have heard about this brutal suppression.
“The most disturbing cries of humanity are also the tears of our God of Mercy!” Bro Anthony added in his text. “If we still have a semblance of love in our hearts, we too will want to wipe those tears from their eyes and restore joy to their hearts.
“Joy to the world that began at Christmas in the Holy land has been smothered by violence in the name of our common Abrahamic God.
“My personal sadness for the past 30 years has given me faith to live with hope in my daily life. My friends in Palestine have helped me to understand the reason for my faith.”
The above urgings of my spirit cannot be accompanied by silence, he added.
So, this Christmas, we have much to reflect on about the meaning of the birth of the Prince of Peace. What can we do to stop violence and bloodshed in our times, whether it is Gaza, Ukraine, Syria or Lebanon?
How can we stop arms manufacturers and contractors from profiting from war, death and destruction?
Jesus has no hand in the world, apart from our own. How can we hasten the day when “they will hammer their swords into ploughshares and their spears into sickles”?
May we be instruments in ushering in the era when “nation will not lift sword against nation, no longer will they learn how to make war” (Isaiah 2:4).
This piece was first published in the Malaysian Catholic Herald.
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The Bible describes war in Armageddon –
A prophesied battle between the forces of God and the kings of the earth led by the Antichrist. The term is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, and is often used to refer to any end-of-the-world scenario. One of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is the second rider, on a red horse, represents bloody war.
Anil, do you think I should stop any further comments and discussions on ‘Religion, Ethnicity, and Christianity’? Looking at the replies, some people are showing insensitivity and narrow thinking regarding the topic.
Hi Rakyat feel free to comment on the topic as long as you do so with sensitivity and respect for the beliefs of others.
Prince of peace ? And yet, He was born in the midst of war and cruelty. He never achieved peace during his time. He was captured, then tortured, forced to drag a huge wooden cross up a hill, then was nailed to it. To hasten his death, he was speared in the stomach watched by his family, friends and followers.
Till to this date, nothing has changed. Ignorance and hypocrisy remains and dominates.
Uncle Senior Rakyat. Which war was he born in the mist? Cant quote but can tell or not? He did not say he come in peace rather there will be break up of families as they become his disciples and his own people will reject him as Christ. Are you his disciple? Can answer simple question or not? He did not run away and captured. He was betrayed and denied by Peter. Who is ignorant here and spinning different story?
For you , there will be no quotes , no links. You can either accept or reject or search by yourself.
The terms “captured” or “arrested,” can sometimes be used interchangeably.
As for Peter, he denied – yes but betray – no. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter followed at a distance and ultimately denied knowing Jesus three times, fulfilling Jesus’ earlier prediction.
While Peter’s denial was a moment of weakness and fear, it was not an act of betrayal.
Uncle Senior Rakyat – Still spinning? See quote – https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/730093
according to your interpretation – Former PM is “house capture”? So good for in your Senior Cambridge!!
In the context of a Prime Minister or a political figure, this term ” House Arrest ” would be more appropriate if they are confined to their residence under legal or governmental authority.
On the other hand, when discussing the arrest or capture of Christ, either term can be used. Since the circumstances surrounding Christ’s capture were different and involved more than just a legal framework, the term “capture” could also apply depending on the interpretation of the events.
Now shriek, move on.
uncle senior rakyat. You ignored the circumstances of Jesus’s final hours. He did not run away and avoid capture. During last supper, he said someone will betray him. Did he run away to avoid :capture? He knew Peter will deny him. Last the last supper, Jesus did not run away. … Jesus’s mission is to sacrifice himself instead of animal sacrifice during atonement day or korban. When you are cornered, you tried to evade and ask to move on. Dont try to speak on our behalf Rakyat
Don’t get excited about cornering me; it’s nothing of the sort. It’s just that you have a poor understanding of the matter.
Yes, Christ did not run away, but neither did he voluntarily surrender. It took a trusted member of Christ’s inner circle, Judas Iscariot, to identify him for the authorities to capture him.
It is unlikely that Christ was unaware that the authorities were searching for him. The supper is called ‘The Last Supper’ precisely because it was the final meal he shared with his disciples, and it included the significant moment of betrayal that preceded his arrest.
If not betrayed, how come Jesus appear before king Harold and to be sentence? Another Spin?
” If not betrayed.” ? Who are you referring to? Is it Peter?
Earlier, you mentioned, “He was betrayed and denied by Peter.” How did Peter’s denial, which some may interpret and feel as betrayal, lead Christ to appear before King Herod?
What judgment or sentence ( as you have said ) did King Herod impose on Christ?
On the other hand, Jesus was arrested or captured after being betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot.
This occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus had gone to pray after the Last Supper with his disciples.
Judas identified Jesus to the authorities by giving him a kiss.
Uncle senior rakyat – So his story (history) changed. without betrayal, christ will not die for our sins. If did not die, mankind will not be saved.
In essence, Peter’s denial, although one may feel it is also a form of betrayal, arises from fear, the instinct to protect himself in a moment of danger but later leads to a path of repentance, forgiveness and restoration after resurrection.
Judas’s betrayal on the other hand is a deliberate, premeditated, conscious self-serving act for thirty pieces of silver which led to the capture or arrest by the religious authorities and ended with suffering, torture and death.
I do not have any religion but I respect anybody who have their own faith. Do not criticize people’s faith.
Can you explain how of what I have said above is criticizing people’s faith ? Because if it were, I am sure the moderator would not have published it.
Better to be objective and to see things from religious point of view. Already we have seen conflicts due to differences of religious beliefs and doctrines.
Still waiting for your reply. You said , ” Do not criticize people’s faith. ”
I am asking in which part of my comment am I criticizing people’s faith or are you actually ignorant of the subject.
Rakyat8’s message show his ignorance and intolerance towards religious harmony and sensitivity. Any religious matter is all about faith, no basis of historical facts or logic. Everybody has a right to subscribe to owns belief – that’s in our country constitution.
Interesting. But listen, no one is questioning anyone’s faith here. What makes you think this is so?
Uncle Senior Rakyat. You are question the faith – religion – by saying nothing has changed.
Again, I ask: In which part of my comment do I show ignorance and intolerance towards religious harmony and sensitivity, or in questioning someone’s faith?
When you accuse someone of something, you should be prepared to explain why you made such an accusation and provide supporting evidence, rather than simply accuse and remain silent.
Is this not supposed to be a discussion forum or blog focused on the topic presented?
” or in questioning someone’s faith? ” . Should read as ” or questioning someone’s faith? “
Further, apart from accusing Rakyat 8 of ” ignorance and intolerance towards religious harmony and sensitivity ” without any supportive proof, you also stated that ” any religious matter is all about faith, with no basis in historical facts or logic.’
What do you mean by this?
For instance, are you suggesting that Christianity is primarily rooted in sentiment and lacks grounding in historical evidence or logical reasoning, instead relying on speculative philosophy? Am I correct in interpreting your comment this way?
Uncle senior rakyat. Stop interpreting! You want to form another sect?
Interpreting whaat ? Until now, you have not addressed the points and questions I raised in my previous response. It feels like you are evading the topic and pretending to be knowledgeable about it. Perhaps it’s best to move on.
Uncle senior rakyat. You have been quoting and interpreting all the news media and now include the holy book. After doing, you move on to other coming soon and then next change like in cinema movies? Another cinema show?
Let the pastor or preacher do the interpretations. You are not an expert in theology!
Did you read senior rakyat’s reply to Dimpoo LL on 31 Dec? He is interpreting
.