S3-Day 25: God Amidst Dirtiness

The word dirty does not truly resonate to us in comparison with the context of those who are less fortunate or vulnerable. How? Have you been called ‘dirty’? Was it by someone or rather some people who are at an economic and/or social high-ground than you are? Or were you told that you are dirty simply because you have soil or mud or dust (actual dirt) smeared on you after a long day’s work or play? If you recall yourself in a situation similar to the latter then you would know such statements were probably directed at your then-present physical-state with regards to personal hygiene. The former however has ulterior notions tagged to it, which are precariously aimed at people, to demean and derogate their personal identity- who they are as individuals, what they represent, where they hail from, etc. 

Now it is possible, that some of us have been subject to a few of these dogmatisms based on gender (since all the writers of this reflection season are women); but what if there are people moving among us that are subject to bigotry founded on faith, beliefs, caste, community, culture, gender, sexual orientation, race age, ethnicity, geographic origins, occupation, physical and/or mental challenges and various other factors? What if these elements are the constructs which lead the privileged to conventionally categorize a vast majority as ‘dirty’? In reality the brutal fact remains that this prejudice doesn’t just suffocate the vulnerable (as being branded dirty and unclean, even unholy) but is also celebrated as an instrument to keep the communal hierarchy from collapsing and in favor toward the self-renowned socially clean. Now you know why I quoted “the word dirty doesn’t truly resonate to us”. 

I would like to further this dialogue with a special concentration drawn on gender, since this is where I’ve had first-hand disparities- Have you been told that as a woman you are dirty during the time of your menstrual cycle? That you can’t worship or offer prayers to God or that you might need to use different utensils or that you can’t touch certain people or be touched by them owing to our uncleanness, even in this day and age? How is it then, 2000 years ago the only human who was (is) truly worthy of being called righteous and holy succeeded in breaking this mould? This Man allowed a woman who was burdened for twelve years with such ‘dirty disorder’ to touch him and be healed. He commended her exceptional courage to act upon her faith (Mark 5: 25-34). 

He tread on terrains that were scorned for its filth, journeyed among those identified as dirty, ate with them that were titled as sinners, healed those who were exiled for their infirmities, associated himself with the lowly and broken, acquainted with the unchaste. Above all, he died for the 'dirty,' just the same as he did for the 'elect.' Inclusivity was his forte and lived so employing radical measures. Within murky waters blooms the lotus: precisely why lotus implicates Christ and is centered as the CSI emblem.

Then why are we, who call ourselves believers in Christ, still hesitant to follow the path He set for us? Why do we allow for some to call the rest dirty? How can we stand-by while a few trod many like trash? 

How many more Anithas have to kill themselves to pursue an education because their social-cadres would not allow them even when they qualify? How many more Hathras daughters should be abused, crushed, murdered and burnt because their community is trade-marked as ‘dirty’? 

Prayer

God of life and love, help us to break barriers that subjugate souls as dirty. You have worked amidst us humans created from dirt, remind us to implore the same love and kindness with our fellow beings, that you have graced us with. –Amen 

Author: Ramya Angelina

About the Author: Ramya is a theology enthusiast, an avid reader, animal lover, environmental conservative, and mystery movie buff. She calls herself an amateur writer. She began by writing reports on church related activities from the perspective of a young person and gradually took to the habit to voice unspoken truth, to bring a feminist’s perspective in spirituality. Currently she works as a Lecturer of Commerce Lecturer.