This week in the free world, we are recalling the events in China 30 years ago when the ruling Communist Party used violent means to shut down protesters on Tiananmen Square.
The image of one young man standing in front of a column of tanks approaching the square will always stay with me. One man against an army. The pride and passion of standing up for what you truly believe.
Over the past three decades, the Chinese government has worked hard to erase that image – and many other images of bloody protesters being carried off the square-turned-battlefield.
They have done their best to wipe the memory of that day from the minds of their citizens. I saw a CBS report that was pretty chilling. It seems the effort to rewrite history has worked for many of today’s generation.
But we have not forgotten.
We’ve been here before. It’s the same story with the recent remembrance of the Holocaust. Our friends in the Jewish faith work very hard to retell their story to new generations.
It amazes me that there are people out there who try to deny the Holocaust despite all evidence (much of it discovered once the American military burst on the scene of the many camps).
We have not forgotten.
Today’s first reading shows that this struggle to stand up for what is true and good is not a recent thing. Paul was in the same boat as Jesus, the same boat as Moses, the same boat of those in Hong Kong this week who bravely took to the streets to protest; and to the Jews across the globe who continue to call out the evil in this world.
As Christians, we are called to do the same.
But how? How can we stand up to a mob that insists on fighting against us? How does one single church – and her members – find the strength and conviction of courage to stand up for the basics of our faith – including the right to life, the right to worship, the dignity of the human being, the respect of our earthly world?
There are many tanks lined up against us these days. There are many people who would like to erase our history and create their own. (Didn’t they try that in France?)
How is that we have remained solid for all these years … so much so that we still have an important voice in the crucial matters debated today and in the future?
Well, it’s not the size of our Army. And it’s sure not because we have some control over the global media.
No … it’s much better than that.
Take a peek at this coming Sunday on our Liturgical Calendar.
This weekend we will once again recall, remember, celebrate and retell the story of the Pentecost – the sending of the Holy Spirit from heaven to earth.
A Holy Spirit that guides our Church in all things good and true.
A Holy Spirit that promises to always be with us – even when many of its members (and leaders) fall into sin and hurt others, while damaging the very reputation of a faith that we should all strive to uphold.
A kind and loving spirit that is quick to forgive our sins and weaknesses, while constantly tugging at our hearts to move in the right direction – to keep our eyes on the prize.
Paul had his eyes on the prize that day he stood before those who would judge him.
Pray that when the time comes, we too will share in that vision and stand up with our brothers in China, Hong Kong and throughout the Jewish world in unity for what is good and right.
