Go Beyond

Dubai en route to Kolkata

News of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami have dominated world news for the past few days. The earthquake is now officially in the record books as the fifth most powerful earthquake to shake the planet in the past century. According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the earth’s axis shifted 25cm as a result of the earthquake. And, the US Geological survey reports that the quake shifted the main island of Japan by 2.4 meters. On a more personal level, the earthquake and tsunami destroyed more than property — these natural disasters also destroyed lives. We have yet to know the final death toll. According to news reports, more lives may still be in danger because of radiation that leaked from Japan’s earthquake-crippled nuclear power plant. There is no question about it, the people of Japan will deal with the personal after-shocks of this earthquake for years to come.

It is likely that 15 year-old Deepu, a farm worker in the state of Uttar Pradesh in north India, knew absolutely nothing about the earthquake that shook Japan. He was too busy working in pea fields owned by a man named Pradeep Kumar. Exhausted after a hard day of work, Deepu walked toward a secluded corner of a field to get some rest. According to a story posted in today’s Khaleej Times, Dubai’s English language newspaper, Kumar suspected that Deepu had stolen some peas. So, Kumar brutally assaulted Deepu, beat him, and then set the young man on fire. Deepu is now fighting for his life. All this because the owner of the field suspected that Deepu had stolen peas. I never cease to be amazed at the inhumanity of the human family. As one of my seminary professors once said, “I would rather be a sinner in the hands of an angry God than a sinner in the hands of an angry sinner.” Sinners can act without regard to any governing constraints. God’s actions are always consistent with His character and tempered by mercy and grace.

It seems that we will always be plagued by natural disasters as well as by disasters of our own making. Both can alter the course of our lives. Natural disasters can bring out the best in us as we are reminded that we are all members of the same human family and need one another. Aid and support will pour into Japan from the people of the world. And, Japan will recover and rebuild. Men like Pradeep Kumar remind us of the worst that is in us and our capacity to do great harm to others. As a Christ-follower, I must imitate Jesus who valued and affirmed the dignity of others. In times of natural disasters I am most like Christ when I respond by offering practical and compassionate assistance. And when confronted by suspicions or allegations of wrong-doing on the part of another, I am most Christ-like when I give others the benefit of the doubt and allow my actions to be tempered by mercy and grace. Today, I grieve for the people of Japan and for the 15 year-old farm worker who is fighting for his life.