Scripture: Mark 14: 45-46

Jesus is arrested as a common criminal. He is named a criminal. He is cast into an infamous category of criminals who make a living out of committing crimes every day.

Today, the world has tens of thousands of drug lords who commit the heinous crime by destroying lives, young and old, through illegal drugs. Producing cocaine in countries like Bolivia, Peru, and mostly in Colombia, then transporting it to the U.S. have been done by a group of drug lords using terrorist tactics. While Bolivia and Peru have diminished their production recently, drug lords in Colombia have used terrorist tactics to challenge and dominate the establishment, the legal system, and the police force. Many leaders who upheld just laws were maimed or killed. This mode of terrorism is known as Narcotics Terrorism.

Meanwhile, the number of people who have died due to drug-related causes and drug consumption has increased in the U.S. every year since 1979. In the last 15 years, Columbia’s internal conflict has led to a huge number of internally displaced people. These internal refugees are more in number than the refugees in Kosovo or East Timor.

The U.S. sought military force to curb the tide of drugs in Columbia through the "Plan Columbia" aid package. Intensive aerial fumigation was done. That forced several civilians, groups, especially indigenous people, out of their farming lands and deeper into the fragile rainforests.

Faith communities, including the Women’s Division of The United Methodist Church, advocated a rejection of the increased U.S. military involvement in Colombia and the Andean region. The faith communities also supported drug treatment and prevention programs to reduce demands for drugs in the U.S.

God in Christ was treated like a criminal because of his fulfillment of the prophetic role. He adopted the stance of the least of the human beings and stood alongside them in their oppression and helplessness. God in Christ became the fulfillment of the prophecy. He identified with the least of the human beings. He addressed both the sinners and the "sinned against." God wants us to imitate Jesus as he is on the Way to the Cross.

REFLECTION:

(1) Who are the "sinners"? Who are the "sinned against" in the context of the drug situation in Colombia? In the U.S.?

(2) Are the suppliers of the drugs to be blamed? Are those who demand for drugs to be blamed?

(3) What are the ways in which the use of drugs can be controlled within the US?

PRAYER:

Just and merciful God, equip us with wisdom and knowledge to know the difference between "sinners" and "sinned against" in each crucial context and enable us to address the root causes of evil. Make us tireless in your service. Enable us to be imitators of you in our engagement in Christian mission. Amen.