[stephenkhoo]

TOWNHALL DEMOCRACY
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [MK 11:1-10; ISA 50:4-7; PHIL 2:6-11; MK 14:1-15:47 (OR><15:1-39)]

Democracy is something the world cherishes. This is because freedom is intrinsic to man. The world clamors for democracy and freedom to exercise one’s rights. But look at what is happening to the world today! An exaggerated form of democracy has led to daily demonstrations and even violence against all forms of legitimate institutions. Just to qualify, we are not advocating dictatorship either. But freedom is not absolute. People demand not just freedom but absolute freedom, freedom to live their life as they please, freedom to do what they like, freedom to choose their values even if they are selfish and destructive. This is what moral relativism is promoting. Today, it is uncool to be moral. It is fashionable to be amoral. Christianity advocates both democracy and freedom, but not as absolutes. The problem with the world today is that these have become absolute rights of every person. The result is chaos, disunity and a fragmented society.

What is even worse is that today, decisions are often made based on popular opinion, initially articulated by a minority. But they speak so loudly, using the power of social media, entertainment and the internet that their voices seem to represent the majority. Many are backed by powerful establishments who want to promote their own interests. Unfortunately, the majority are silent observers. They are not keen to fight with the minority, hoping that their narrative would eventually die down. On the contrary, because they do not articulate their views, only the views of the minority are heard, and then they eventually get swayed by them too. As it is said, if we sling enough mud on someone, some mud will eventually stick. Hence, because most of us have been silent on non-conventional values, the minority voice has become the dominant voice.

This is no better than dictatorship; not by some despots or the masses but by pressure groups. Without a strong government, decision-making is difficult because there will be a thousand and one opinions for and against every policy. No matter the decision, there will be demonstrations. How can we please everyone? So, the solution is to make false compromises, which we call consensus.

This was the case in the trial of Jesus. It was a townhall trial. A trial by the mob. Initially, all went well as Jesus entered into Jerusalem. Sitting on a colt, the people welcomed Him as King. This was how the Israelite kings presented themselves, like David who sat on a donkey to symbolize that he was a King of Peace. They called Jesus, Son of David. He was received as the Messiah whom they hoped could deliver them from the Roman occupiers. But within a matter of a few days, the crowd went against Him. How could that be? What happened to that rousing and enthusiastic reception? What caused the change of perception? There were a few factors.

Firstly, the manipulation of the religious authorities. They were obviously threatened by Jesus’ preaching and miraculous works. His life and ministry were an affront to their status quo, their dignity and authority, and teaching. They were incensed by the raising of Lazarus, which threatened their doctrinal belief that there was no resurrection. But most of all, they were afraid that the Romans, sensing a possible revolt, might step in and strip them of their powers since they were unable to quell the mob. Hence, the tension and fears of the religious authorities. So they needed to find a way to castigate Jesus as the Messiah.

Secondly, they sought to expose Jesus as a fraud. He was not the political Messiah the people were waiting for. He was too weak to lead a revolution. Which is true, because as the first reading taken from the Suffering Servant Song said, “For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.” In other words, Jesus would not be able to deliver. He was a disappointment. To make matters worse, as we heard during the trial, the religious authorities got false witnesses to testify against Jesus. We heard him say, “I am going to destroy this Temple made by human hands, and in three days build another, not made by human hands”. So He was also an enemy of the Jews.

Thirdly, we have the political weakness of Pilate, the Governor. He was a man without values. He was only concerned about retaining his political power. He was easily swayed by the threat of the priests and cry of the people even though he knew objectively that Jesus had done no wrong. “He realized it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.” He was afraid to stand up for the truth, for fear of losing his popularity. He ruled by seeking popularity in the opinion polls. Instead of defending the truth as what a true leader should do, and a judge in this situation, he left it to the opinion of the people. They proposed Barabbas who “was then in prison with the rioters who had committed murder during the uprising” to be released in exchange for Jesus. “The chief priests, however, had incited the crowd to demand that he should release Barabbas for them instead.” They asked that Jesus be crucified. Again, “Pilate asked them, ‘Why? What harm has he done?’ But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, anxious to placate the crowd, released Barabbas for them and, having ordered Jesus to be scourged, handed him over to be crucified.”

Indeed, it was not just a mob trial but a travesty of justice. There was no justice of any sort, no sincerity, no desire to do the right thing. It was not about truth but popularity. It was not about justice but power. It was not about objectivity but collective subjective preferences. It was not about impartial investigation of the truth of the matter but manipulation by the powerful. There was no attempt to hear the charges, for the pronouncement of guilt had already been pre-decided. When those in authority seek to manipulate the truth for their own interests, this is perhaps the saddest day. When those in power cannot be trusted and relied on to serve out justice, the country would collapse. Indeed, the words of Caiaphas came true, but not the way he thought when he spoke of how the nation would be destroyed by the Romans. The country was eventually overrun by the Romans because the religious and political authorities were weak and they could not manage the rebellious revolutionaries.

This is the danger of the world today. Truth is decided by the consensus of a few who articulate loudly, making it seem like the voice of the majority. They are supported by extensive news coverage every day. Indeed, trial by social media is all too common. It all depends on who is spreading the word around. Regardless whether it is fake news or half-truths, society does not bother because everyone has the right to free speech. Is truth something to be decided by straw polls, or by demonstrations involving a small percentage of the population? Are the rest supporting or just watching? Even so-called democracy is no longer strictly democratic, as revolution and changes are effected by a small percentage of the population clamoring for change. The majority are silent, afraid to get involved or to oppose for fear of retaliation, or simply indifferent.

But in the face of such opposition and popular condemnation against Him, our Lord stood His ground. He was not cowed in any way. He was courageous and denied vehemently the charges against Him. He was not deterred by His enemies, their power and the threat of death by crucifixion. Even when death was imminent, He spoke with confidence, never flinching. Like the Suffering Servant, He knew, “The Lord Yahweh comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed.” In contrast, we saw the cowardice of Peter and the rest of the apostles. In the face of the popular dissent against Jesus, they took cover and ran away, like many of us when we are called to stand up for the gospel and our Catholic Faith when opposed by the world. So the question is, where do we stand at the end of the day? Will we allow the mob and the manipulators to decide the course of human society, or will we, like the Lord, remain resolute in our faith and in the gospel? Let us place our confidence in God who will protect us.