Political Poetry

Prepare the Way of the Lord - Luke 3:4

Yesterday's (Sunday) gospel reading begins with every lector's worst fear: a long list of names and places with mysterious pronunciations and even more mysterious significance. Most listerners briefly tune out this seemingly extraneous information, tuning back in for the poetic exhortation: "Prepare the Way!"

But these names, these places - these are the politicial leaders and seats of power that will be shaken by what is about to happen. These historical figures and geographical markers are the context into which God became flesh. This listing reveals the absolute audacity of our gospel's claim: that Emmanuel, God-with-us, came into the world as a specific time and specific place, and we are called to respond.

And yet those who gather in this time and in this place to ask: How can we respond? How can we prepare for an event that has already taken place? As soon as we acknowledge the historical nature of this Advent reading, the Christmas story, the tangible and visible presence fo God-made-flesh, it begins to feel distant, perhaps even disconnected from our own lives.

But John does not run for political office, petition the government officials just listed, nor even appeal to religious institutions - all of which have faded into the dusty pages of human history. John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all who will listen. This timeless pronouncement has shaped our worship and sacraments within our church family and does so even now, some two thousand years after John the Baptist and his passionate ministry.

The transcendence of John's prophetic promise of forgiveness beyond time and place erupts into the gospel writer's inclusion of an ancient text, some 700 years old even by the time of Christ. Isaiah's plea to "prepare the way of the Lord" summons each one of us, mo matter where or when we find ourselves, to trust in the promise for all generations: "all flesh shall see the salvation of God"

Political Poetry

Prepare the Way of the Lord - Luke 3:4

Yesterday's (Sunday) gospel reading begins with every lector's worst fear: a long list of names and places with mysterious pronunciations and even more mysterious significance. Most listerners briefly tune out this seemingly extraneous information, tuning back in for the poetic exhortation: "Prepare the Way!"

But these names, these places - these are the politicial leaders and seats of power that will be shaken by what is about to happen. These historical figures and geographical markers are the context into which God became flesh. This listing reveals the absolute audacity of our gospel's claim: that Emmanuel, God-with-us, came into the world as a specific time and specific place, and we are called to respond.

And yet those who gather in this time and in this place to ask: How can we respond? How can we prepare for an event that has already taken place? As soon as we acknowledge the historical nature of this Advent reading, the Christmas story, the tangible and visible presence fo God-made-flesh, it begins to feel distant, perhaps even disconnected from our own lives.

But John does not run for political office, petition the government officials just listed, nor even appeal to religious institutions - all of which have faded into the dusty pages of human history. John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all who will listen. This timeless pronouncement has shaped our worship and sacraments within our church family and does so even now, some two thousand years after John the Baptist and his passionate ministry.

The transcendence of John's prophetic promise of forgiveness beyond time and place erupts into the gospel writer's inclusion of an ancient text, some 700 years old even by the time of Christ. Isaiah's plea to "prepare the way of the Lord" summons each one of us, mo matter where or when we find ourselves, to trust in the promise for all generations: "all flesh shall see the salvation of God"

Political Poetry

Prepare the Way of the Lord - Luke 3:4

Yesterday's (Sunday) gospel reading begins with every lector's worst fear: a long list of names and places with mysterious pronunciations and even more mysterious significance. Most listerners briefly tune out this seemingly extraneous information, tuning back in for the poetic exhortation: "Prepare the Way!"

But these names, these places - these are the politicial leaders and seats of power that will be shaken by what is about to happen. These historical figures and geographical markers are the context into which God became flesh. This listing reveals the absolute audacity of our gospel's claim: that Emmanuel, God-with-us, came into the world as a specific time and specific place, and we are called to respond.

And yet those who gather in this time and in this place to ask: How can we respond? How can we prepare for an event that has already taken place? As soon as we acknowledge the historical nature of this Advent reading, the Christmas story, the tangible and visible presence fo God-made-flesh, it begins to feel distant, perhaps even disconnected from our own lives.

But John does not run for political office, petition the government officials just listed, nor even appeal to religious institutions - all of which have faded into the dusty pages of human history. John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all who will listen. This timeless pronouncement has shaped our worship and sacraments within our church family and does so even now, some two thousand years after John the Baptist and his passionate ministry.

The transcendence of John's prophetic promise of forgiveness beyond time and place erupts into the gospel writer's inclusion of an ancient text, some 700 years old even by the time of Christ. Isaiah's plea to "prepare the way of the Lord" summons each one of us, mo matter where or when we find ourselves, to trust in the promise for all generations: "all flesh shall see the salvation of God"

A common ground, dialogue, and positive communication are keys to settle Asian sentiments

I don't know how many of you have read the papers, including AAP, the various PNG discussion forums online, Facebook, Twitter, EMTV, and other sources about an article written and signed by various Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) on "Ceasing Asian owned businesses in PNG come December, 31st 2009". As a matter of fact, I had no part in the process, suggesting an idea or supported the idea.

However, some Papua New Guineans have made unfounded allegations against me for something that I didn't write nor inistigate for that matter.

Did I support the idea? No
Am I behind the idea? No

Did I write the article? No

Did I post the article on my blog? Yes.

The whole article was written by four different NGO groups which have their names at the end of the article. If you've read the whole article, you should have known who actually wrote the article.

Some of you could not even read who actually wrote the article. While others just read the theme and circulated emails to stir your thinking toward me on the content of the article as if I have written the article. I didn't add or subtract anything from that content apart from posting it on my blog.

I did so; for three reasons:

1. To strike a good conversation with concerned parties;

2. Get the government's attention;

3. Establish a dialogue to look into these issues.

I am glad you're all talking now. But let me tell you that your arrows are shot at the wrong direction. Papua New Guineans are well aware of this issue before I even put the article on my blog. How many PNGeans read my blog? None, only one or two per week. A lot of this information is being circulated throughout PNG by various ways as mentioned above and my blog probably did less than one percent of that awareness.

Nevertheless, I didn't encourage PNGeans to kill or loot any businesses owned by people of Asian origin. I am not racist against any person. But let me tell you this, I will continue to stand up against injustice, unfairness, and corruption at all levels in PNG. That is what I have been doing using my blog and in the media and will continue to do so without fear or favor.

What are you doing to address this issue at end? Did you talk to the PNG government about this issue? Are you getting other PNGeans to rally behind you to have a healthy dialogue on this issue? Papua New Guineans are not lazy. It's the government who is making life miserable for everyone. Until the government come out and speak to the people about this issue, there will be frustrations building among the people.

We want a peaceful Christmas without any riots and looting resulting in deaths. Within the remaining weeks, can we establish a dialogue and come to a common ground to have all businesses work together for the common good? What approach are you taking to address this issue head on before it esclates to something destructive?

I don't encourage violence but rather appeal to all Papua New Guineans to stand together and find amicable solutions to have business play on a level playing field for both nationals and locals.

A common ground, dialogue, and positive communication are keys to settle Asian sentiments

I don't know how many of you have read the papers, including AAP, the various PNG discussion forums online, Facebook, Twitter, EMTV, and other sources about an article written and signed by various Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) on "Ceasing Asian owned businesses in PNG come December, 31st 2009". As a matter of fact, I had no part in the process, suggesting an idea or supported the idea.

However, some Papua New Guineans have made unfounded allegations against me for something that I didn't write nor inistigate for that matter.

Did I support the idea? No
Am I behind the idea? No

Did I write the article? No

Did I post the article on my blog? Yes.

The whole article was written by four different NGO groups which have their names at the end of the article. If you've read the whole article, you should have known who actually wrote the article.

Some of you could not even read who actually wrote the article. While others just read the theme and circulated emails to stir your thinking toward me on the content of the article as if I have written the article. I didn't add or subtract anything from that content apart from posting it on my blog.

I did so; for three reasons:

1. To strike a good conversation with concerned parties;

2. Get the government's attention;

3. Establish a dialogue to look into these issues.

I am glad you're all talking now. But let me tell you that your arrows are shot at the wrong direction. Papua New Guineans are well aware of this issue before I even put the article on my blog. How many PNGeans read my blog? None, only one or two per week. A lot of this information is being circulated throughout PNG by various ways as mentioned above and my blog probably did less than one percent of that awareness.

Nevertheless, I didn't encourage PNGeans to kill or loot any businesses owned by people of Asian origin. I am not racist against any person. But let me tell you this, I will continue to stand up against injustice, unfairness, and corruption at all levels in PNG. That is what I have been doing using my blog and in the media and will continue to do so without fear or favor.

What are you doing to address this issue at end? Did you talk to the PNG government about this issue? Are you getting other PNGeans to rally behind you to have a healthy dialogue on this issue? Papua New Guineans are not lazy. It's the government who is making life miserable for everyone. Until the government come out and speak to the people about this issue, there will be frustrations building among the people.

We want a peaceful Christmas without any riots and looting resulting in deaths. Within the remaining weeks, can we establish a dialogue and come to a common ground to have all businesses work together for the common good? What approach are you taking to address this issue head on before it esclates to something destructive?

I don't encourage violence but rather appeal to all Papua New Guineans to stand together and find amicable solutions to have business play on a level playing field for both nationals and locals.

A common ground, dialogue, and positive communication are keys to settle Asian sentiments

I don't know how many of you have read the papers, including AAP, the various PNG discussion forums online, Facebook, Twitter, EMTV, and other sources about an article written and signed by various Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) on "Ceasing Asian owned businesses in PNG come December, 31st 2009". As a matter of fact, I had no part in the process, suggesting an idea or supported the idea.

However, some Papua New Guineans have made unfounded allegations against me for something that I didn't write nor inistigate for that matter.

Did I support the idea? No
Am I behind the idea? No

Did I write the article? No

Did I post the article on my blog? Yes.

The whole article was written by four different NGO groups which have their names at the end of the article. If you've read the whole article, you should have known who actually wrote the article.

Some of you could not even read who actually wrote the article. While others just read the theme and circulated emails to stir your thinking toward me on the content of the article as if I have written the article. I didn't add or subtract anything from that content apart from posting it on my blog.

I did so; for three reasons:

1. To strike a good conversation with concerned parties;

2. Get the government's attention;

3. Establish a dialogue to look into these issues.

I am glad you're all talking now. But let me tell you that your arrows are shot at the wrong direction. Papua New Guineans are well aware of this issue before I even put the article on my blog. How many PNGeans read my blog? None, only one or two per week. A lot of this information is being circulated throughout PNG by various ways as mentioned above and my blog probably did less than one percent of that awareness.

Nevertheless, I didn't encourage PNGeans to kill or loot any businesses owned by people of Asian origin. I am not racist against any person. But let me tell you this, I will continue to stand up against injustice, unfairness, and corruption at all levels in PNG. That is what I have been doing using my blog and in the media and will continue to do so without fear or favor.

What are you doing to address this issue at end? Did you talk to the PNG government about this issue? Are you getting other PNGeans to rally behind you to have a healthy dialogue on this issue? Papua New Guineans are not lazy. It's the government who is making life miserable for everyone. Until the government come out and speak to the people about this issue, there will be frustrations building among the people.

We want a peaceful Christmas without any riots and looting resulting in deaths. Within the remaining weeks, can we establish a dialogue and come to a common ground to have all businesses work together for the common good? What approach are you taking to address this issue head on before it esclates to something destructive?

I don't encourage violence but rather appeal to all Papua New Guineans to stand together and find amicable solutions to have business play on a level playing field for both nationals and locals.