Rediscovering the 'Human' Race

 We have always prided ourselves on being the human race; because unlike other living beings, we are ‘conscious’. Capable of rational thinking and feeling emotions, capable of unlimited learning; able to form and develop new ideas, philosophies, inventions and the like.

We are ever seeking further development and progress in all walks of life to move ahead into the future. But, we are so caught up in this rat race of innovation that we almost wilfully, fail to notice/observe the dark shadows of our past. Our world hasn’t fully recovered from the wounds caused by the genocides and massacres of the past millennium (Soviety Russia, Communist China, Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan to name a few) and even now, heavy blows continue to be inflicted upon it in the form of the horrific loss of life in places like Myanmar, Syria, South America, Africa and of late Afghansitan. Truly, it is shocking to see the extent that we humans are willing to go to for just a little bit of power and authority.

How many precious lives will have to be lost till we realize that history will continue to repeat itself over and over agina until and unless we act on the errors of our past? There is a lesson for all of us to learn from the situation in Afghanistan.

The lesson of humanity: being more humane. We have forgotten what it means to be human, to care for one another. We have been so blinded by our desire for power, wealth and comfort that we fail to see the sufferings of those around us. Our world has become one of diplomats and legalists seeking gain and profit at every turn, unwilling to help out at one’s cost.

Whether we like it or not, we too are terrorists in one way or another. We constantly terrorise people with our words, actions and even omissions. Many times we aren’t even aware that we are terrorising people, a moment and reflect: Every hurtful word we speak is like a bullet piercing one’s mind. We all know the feeling because somewhere in our lives, we have also been the recipient of harsh language. Every time we gossip, we do harm to the subjects’ dignity and reputation. So many times, we are willing to go out of our way to cause an inconvenience to somebody. And worst of all, countless times we have ignored a plea of one in need of help. We are called to be good Samaritans, attentive to the pains and sufferings of our brothers and sisters around us.

Tragically, at this moment the people of Afghanistan are suffering a great deal. Their loss and pain is immeasurable. They feel forsaken, for there is no one to come to their immediate aid. It is our duty and utmost responsibility to ensure that no one around us feels forsaken or lacking basic help and support.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel that whatever we do to the least of those around us, we do it to him, for even the least here on Earth are part of God’s family. We Christians, therefore, who desire to serve the Lord, must first serve our neighbours: the abandoned, the poor, those in need. We must seek to build up and construct, not terrorise. We must be Good Samaritans, compassionate and humane. Because it is only when we attend to and care for those around us that we can call the ourselves a part of the ‘human’ race.