NOT ASHAMED OF BEING NON-COMPROMISING PERSON

Light plays vital role in the existence of all things. All living beings need light for their existence and sustenance. Without light, no one can move and have their being. The darkness is an absence of light which creates a discomfort for the beings to move. Among the five primordial elements that make up the universe and the functioning of this world, light is the first principle. The other four elements – sky, water, air & earth – gain prominence only with the presence of light. No wonder, why all religion from ancient time unto now have attributed the element of light to God. In this context, St. John in the gospel (Jn 3:14-21) presents Jesus as the light of the world. In light we can see matters, identify, recognize and differentiate them. Seeing the reality with the light of Christ make us to recognize the things as they really are and differentiate good from evil. “He who does not believe is condemned already” (Jn 3:18). There are people despite knowing this light, reject the light for the sake of safeguarding one’s name and fame. The wicked, who comes to believe in the light of Christ is demanded to renounce the ways of evil. After embracing the light, If s/he continues to associate with evil then s/he will be exposed of their evil deeds. The acceptance of light demands the behaviour and lifestyle that pertains to light. One cannot serve two masters (Mt 6:24).

The bifurcation of spiritual life from secular life leads one to darkness. Person is one single being, comprised of body and soul. Different functioning by different parts of the body and characteristic of human nature coheres the person and defines one’s identity. Any conflict in functioning of the body creates rupture in a person. Thus, dichotomy in lifestyle also would create a rupture within person. The mental stress and psychological problems serve as evidence to this reality. We make compromises in our faith to gain some favours from the corrupted society, justifying it as necessary. If so, why don’t we do it vice-versa? – compromise the expectations of society to gain eternal life and moral ascendency. The material world is corrupt and attractive that pulls us to compromise our faith. First and foremost we need to be convinced that the light is the primordial element for everything. It is our faith in Christ (light) that supposed to orient us to face the material world. Faith is not part time job. Faith is basic foundations to build rest of the floors. The more we fulfill the necessities of foundation, the stronger the building is. Similarly, the truer we are to the demands of Christ, the effective the life is.

The season of lent is a call to come back to the Lord in fullness. The partial giving of self will create rupture in life. For instance, what if a person is not fully transparent to his/her spouse? Will it not create suspicious, doubt and misunderstanding? We need to have integrated life – the blend of faith and social living. If we are adjusting to the society, then we have to ask; why society is not adjusting to my liking? Society is not ready to live a double life but we are ready to give in for the society. Despite many compromising their faith for the welfare of the society – as they claim to be – why still society is in a mess? Who is making society? It is we. We are the society. The double lifestyle of the people in the society does not allow the society to be perfect. This is the reality. When all lead a disintegrated life, the society that is comprised of us will not progress. When all live a single-minded and integrated life, the society will be a trustworthy place. The mere fact of leading double life makes the other to doubt and not to trust anybody. Let us analyse our life and see; whether are we compromising our faith? Are we leading a disintegrated life? Our single being should lead a single life, not a double life. Let the light of Christ be our guiding principle and foundation for our life. Let us not feel ashamed of being non-compromising person in the society. Let our integrated life in the society shame the society that calls for a double and dubious life.