On this occasion of the International Women’s Day, Monday, 8 March, 2021, with the theme CHOOOSE TO CHALLENGE, I like to share my reflection based on the Gospel (John 2: 13-25) of the  3^rd Sunday of Lent, especially the line, “CONSUMED with Zeal for God’s home,” especially people, homeless and women who risk their lives finds a ready echo in John 2: 17 “Zeal for your house will devour me.”

What am I consumed with zeal by at this point of my life?

I am consumed by the peaceful CDM protests in the major cities of Myanmar, especially by the solitary figure of Sr. Nu Thawng, a true transfigured woman symbol of peace, pleading with a fortress-line of police with shields; pleading with them to cease using violence against those who are peaceful protestors of their freedom, human rights and liberty in Myanmar. She is a living symbol of the theme of the International Women’s Day 2021 as she boldly chose to challenge the might of the Tatmadaw/the military that unleashed its violence on protestors with 35 dead thus far.

The solitary Catholic nun reminds me that I need to be consumed by the Crucified Christ who is the power and the wisdom of God. How is Christ the power and wisdom of God for me at this juncture of my life? The Crucified Christ has to be the power that liberates our people from the oppressive military violence in our society, especially in Myanmar.

I firmly believe that the Church has to be living source of the wisdom of God in a world that believes in the power of the gun like Military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing who took power in Myanmar on Feb 1, 2021, intending to crush the 6 year-old fledging democracy initiated by NLD & Aung San Suu Kyi. God’s wisdom is “sanely insane” as Jesus takes on the violence of the imperial Rome and the military violence of the Roman Army and proudly proclaimed as the crucified Lord who is sheer madness and nonsense to the Greeks and Jews.

This is why Pope Francis reflected in in Patris Corde, Pope Francis remarks: “the world is at the mercy of the strong and mighty, but the “good news” of the Gospel consists in showing that, for all the arrogance and violence of worldly powers, God always finds a way to carry out his saving plan” a plan that is so “insanely wise”.

Like Jesus, women like Daw Aung Sang Suu Kyi take on the violence of the military might suffered by the Myanmar people as she languishes indefinitely in jail. Likewise, a woman like Sr. Nu Thawng takes on the violence of the military might on her bended knees to plead with the military and the Commander in Chief, “Thou shall not kill” or “violate the dignity of our peaceful people” (Exodus 20: 30). Indeed the CDM women protestors have chosen boldly to challenge and confront the military might. This confrontation makes the IWD 2021’s theme “Choose To Challenge” really more meaningful for you and me.

Let us reflect prayerfully on this question: In what way is my life being consumed by the oppressive plight of women in our days? Am I willing to challenge the androcentric conventions for a more gender equitable, equal and inclusive world with the power and wisdom of God?

International Women’s Day 2021 Avaaz Vide0: http://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4417794834904004