The late Pope Francis, who died just a month ago (the month’s mind occurs today - 21st May), was an apostle of Hope. His autobiography is titled “Hope”.
Enough has been appearing in our local papers about the
gloomy situation of corruption and violence as well as the pathetic socio
economic condition: increasing rate of AIDS and of unemployment in Nagaland. We
badly need Hope. The late Pope Francis, who died just a month ago (the month’s
mind occurs today - 21st May), was an apostle of Hope. His autobiography is
titled “Hope”. The Introduction is captioned “All is born to Bloom”. There he
says: “The book of my life is a journey of hope”.
1. The Situation: Corruption
We cannot close our eyes to what is happening in our state:
Already, in 2023, seeing the prevailing situation a perceptive observer was
tempted to ask: “Has God abandoned us?” Nagaland Post 28th Feb 2023. Another:
“In today’s world, we seem to be completely subdued and driven by insatiable
greed for money and power and have all but lost sight of the collective dream
and aspirations”, Nagaland Post 30th July 2024.
An editorial in the Morung Express, quoting a minster says:
“Honesty and integrity are priceless values of the Nagas. But the disconnection
between rhetoric and practice has grown so wide that it is difficult to locate
these “priceless” values beyond speeches and ceremonial declarations. One of
the clearest contradictions lies in the normalisation of corruption. It is
widely acknowledged – across civil society, religious platforms, and political
forums – that corruption pervades every layer of Nagaland, from elections to
everyday governance”, Morung Express, 8th April 2025. The problem of Corruption
“was deep-rooted and starts from grassroots level”, reports a candidate in the
2023 elections. The demand for money by voters was impossible to meet. “People
would come in groups or in the name ofclans and ask for money ranging from 3-5 lakhs!”
An editorial in Eastern Mirror: “Non-believers ridicule
‘Nagaland for Christ’, as ‘Nagaland for Corruption’, befitting its reputation
for vice”, 11th April 2025.
2. Unemployment and Aids
The editorial of Nagaland Post 29th April, 2025 speaks of
Nagaland being on the precipice of socio-economic crisis as unemployment rates
continue to soar. Further, the deputy director of STI and Nagaland State Aids
Control Society, Dr.Zaiwang has reported that 960 individuals from 3 districts
of Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland have tested HIV positive in 11months from
April 2023 and March 2024. Dr. Zaiwantg said Nagaland’s HIV prevalence rate at
1.61% was high, making it the second highest HIV prevalence state in the
country, while Mizoram topped the list of states with the highest prevalence
(2.34%).
In this unhappy situation, NBCC on 23rd April 2025, had
called for moral renewal issuing a public appeal for a renewed emphasis on
justice and righteousness in the state, citing ongoingsocial and moral challenges “Despite itsmajority Christian population, Nagaland
continues to face widespread issues including killings, rape, extortion,
nepotism, and community divisions,” Morung Express 24th April 2025.
4. Call for ActiveHope
In the midst of this lamentable situation comes a heart-felt
call for strengthening the hope that has been a guiding light for the Nag
people through years of struggle, conflict and uncertainty. Indeed “Hope is not
just wishful thinking; it is active faith. For the Naga community and all who
seek a bright future, hope must remain alive, not as a last resort, but the
very foundation of their struggle and vision…The fight may be long, but every
great change starts with those who refuse to give up”. Edit Morung 1st May
2025.
5. Pope Francis: Apostle ofHope
He says hope is above all the virtue of movement and the
engine of change: It is the tension that brings together memory and utopia to
truly build the dreams that await us. And if a dream fades, we need to go back
and dream it again, in new forms, drawing with hope from the embers of memory!
Hope is a tangible experience. Scientists believe that this
characteristic of the human species is one of the most powerful survival
mechanism existing in nature, for example in reacting to illness. It is far
more than an illusion and is far more than simple trust. It is in fact a
medicine and a cure! And for the Christian “Hope never disappoints,” (Rom.5:1).
As Martin Luther King reportedly said, “Even if I knew the world would end
tomorrow, I would plant a tree today”!
6. Pandora’s Box and Hope
According to the ancient Greek myth, Pandora, the first
mortal woman to appear on the earth, opens a box and unleashes countless
misfortunes for the history of the world. Once all the evils have flown out of
the box, a tiny gift seems to win over all the evil that floods out. Pandora
catches sight of the last. The Greeks call it ‘Elpis’ which means “Hope”. That
ancient myth testifies that hope – that which is left over – is supremely
important for humanity. Hope is not a way of making things easy, nor another
way of saying “all is fine”; instead it is the force for living in the present
with courage and a capacity to look toward the future.
7. Humour and Laughter
Connected to hope and flowing from it is humour and smiles.
They are the leaven of existence and a means of facing difficulties, even major
worries with fortitude. Humour is an affirmation of dignity, declaration of
man’s superiority over all that befalls him. Sadness and sorrow are part of
life, but it is important to avoid wallowing in melancholy at all costs, not to
let it embitter the heart. There are some people who always look as if they
have just returned from a funeral”. A constant mournful Lenten face is not
compatible with Christina life. “A Christian who is sad, in the end, is always
a sad Christian”!
Jokes and amusing stories make it easier to bear problems.
No wonder ancient kings always had ‘Court Jesters’. Today we have the cartoons
to take his place. People who make others laugh and don’t’ mind being laughed
at in turn, are truly a blessing for any group. Some newspapers have someone
with jokes or jocular comments on events or prevalent situations.
Generally, a smile breaks down barriers, creates
connections. When laughter breaks out it is easily transformed into a kind of
social glue. Where there is laughter there is generally a growing spirit of
peace and a healthy estimation of the other person. Something of this was seen
some years ago when matches were organised between underground organisations in
Kohima.
8.An Invitationl to ‘Dream with Open Eyes’
Let us then go back to our dreams as Pope Francis suggests:
“Dream it again, in new forms, drawing with hope from the embers of memory”.
Let us dream with open eyes “of a free, united , prosperous and harmonious
future” and work actively with trust in God. Let us encourage every act, every
group, every enterprise that builds, promotes and supports progress,
development and peace. The more we focus on anything the more it manifests
itself. Someone in the USA once asked Mother Theresa to join the anti-abortion
movement. She said sorry I don’t join any ‘anti movenmt’. I will join the
Pro-life movement!
