What a day!
Whilst minding my own business and reading tweets on me phone, I’m alerted to watch the news. Now I don’t watch the news. Not because I’m not interested, but precisely because I am interested and over the years with different sources of news especially online I’ll tend to use that rather than take on board a broadcast of the ‘headlines’. Yet, the suggestion was urgent and it came at a time when I could watch it, so watch it I did. The main headlines revolved around revelations of a series of allegations of systematic hacking into phone calls from the News of the World newspapers over years. The level of illicit invasion in the privacy of some important people have left many stunned – and they are just allegations. Tellingly, as yet, there has been no outright denial of the allegations by the parties involved, rather an investigation has been called. Although there is concern that the Chief Executive calling for the investigation was also in charge of the newspaper at the time of the hacks.
Questions have also been raised about the role of the Metropolitan Police in these affairs as they have been in possession of the key pieces of evidence for years and yet it’s only now coming to light. It is even more baffling as previous investigations suggested there was nothing more to investigate.
In one fell swoop the media responsible for reporting the news of what is going on and the Police responsible for protecting its citizens from criminal acts now sit in a place of having their authority and credibility seriously questioned. Some may castigate tabloid press anyway, and some may have been suspicious as to the levels of endemic corruption in the police, but these latest allegations pushes things to a new low.
Meanwhile across the pond I have only recently been alerted to a court case going on featuring someone called Casey Anthony and from what I gather she is accused of murdering her baby and she has been found not guilty of the charge. If the twittersphere is a barometer of public reaction to the decision, and it is not always the best means, there is outrage at the decision. People have linked this case to the OJ Simpson trial which a fair number also felt was a severe miscarriage of justice.
In one day – the space of a few hours the issue of truth, justice and righteousness comes to the fore again. How can I trust authorities when they give decisions like that? How can they be credible if they are involved in collusions like this? How can I even begin to accept what I read in the papers when their method of newsgathering crosses serious human rights issues? Where can I get truth and justice? Where will righteousness be lauded and applauded?
Some may be downhearted and disillusioned by such events. Some may see reason to hold a sceptical, cynical, sarcatic and critical stance on such august social institutions. I, however, see an opportunity. An opportunity to speak of shalom as a place of wholeness by justice and mercy. An opportunity to invite people into a real relationship with the judge of the Universe. An opportunity to display those critical Christian tenets such as righteousness and peace.
Though there are those who will be critical, I am glad that following Jesus – pursuing the truth – is walking in the light, even as he is light. The tricky part is lettiing that light expose the dark areas of life that likewise need to be lovingly exposed by God, so He can help me deal with them. Even when justice does not appear to be done, there is God who looks and promises that He will right every wrong himself. It is not for me to get stuck on vengeance – he has that covered. It is for me to continue to walk in the lightand allow that to be wary of the darkness around but knowing the dark can never overwhelm the light.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 