Again, Christians celebrate Easter, a momentum to celebrate the compassion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the leader who ministered with all humility to the point of suffering and death, but God raised Him on the third day.

So, in this 2018 political year, while celebrating Easter, let’s ask God Almighty to help us have leaders who serve and understand the law of love. Supposedly, Easter inspires leaders to serve with all humility, as Jesus did.

Jesus willingly died to reconcile us. He even prayed for those who crucified Him and asked for forgiveness for those who killed Him. He came not to be served but to serve, even to lay down his life as a ransom for many.

The minister who serves will not build a wall of separation among neighbors, nor does it sound hostilities and divisions. The undeniable historical fact in Jesus’ life as serving leader is that he mixed with beggars, tax collectors and prostitutes, even liars.

Even to his death and resurrection, Jesus firmly opposed all forms of lust for power and wealth. His rejection of the structure of evil made himself subject to rejection and even murder by the cross.

He lived the law of love he taught perfectly. Easter becomes the perfection of the law of love with all its beauty. Love is revealed in the attitude of not losing to evil, but defeating evil with good. Love encourages everyone, as well as a leader, not to lose a heart of doing good to his people, for the welfare of his people, as well as for those who reject him and have different political aspirations than him.

The commitment of ministry to society supported by the spirit of Easter is based on an attitude of faith that Jesus shed His blood for mankind without discrimination. Such a faith wipes out any doubt about the boundless love that restores the dignity of every human being, regardless of its group, social, political and religious background.

To this day our society is still in danger of being torn by hatred, hostility and violence. The news of hatred, animosity and violent outrage shadows us, both through social media, print and electronic media.

Crimes and intolerance have even afflicted religious leaders. We are also concerned that our sociopolitical conditions are increasingly wounded by the spread of individualism that divides one another through hate speech and hostility.

Rather than modeling a humble leader and serving, a few public figures have become cynical and corrupt, and they pursue personal instead of general welfare.

In these political years of 2018 and 2019, the dangers of disunity can emerge in the communion of communities, neighbors and even within families, simply because of differences in political aspirations.

Neighborly life and friendship in society and at work turn into enmity just because of jealousy and resentment, also among religious groups.

In that situation, exclusivism excludes inclusivism. Different groups are hostile to one another for the sake of power, prestige, pleasure and the security of the economy for a moment.

Our social and political conditions are getting worse, as conflicting parties find it difficult to forgive and build reconciliation. It is terrible to witness how certain groups justify various forms of enmity, division, slander, defamation, resentment, jealousy and desire for will.

Nowadays, we need humble leaders. The word “humility” derives from the Latin humus, which means earth or fertile soil.

Thus, political humility and humble political leaders mean leaders who are able to walk with earthly people to bring about common prosperity, not personal well-being. To borrow lyrics from singer Iwan Fals, we need a populist leader in the real sense, involved in all aspects of society, not one who uses his own will to gain power in the name of the people’s concerns.

Political humility is free from lust for power, let alone justification any means.

Instead of inciting hatred, resentment and hostility, humble leaders serve to promote harmony, wholesomeness, brotherhood and harmony in diversity. The humble leader serves to identify him or herself with those who are small, weak, poor, marginalized and disabled. The basis is solidarity and compassion for the poor and the oppressed.

May Easter become the birth momentum of leaders who serve without discrimination. Leaders who serve in accountability, credibility and transparency make life prosperous together! Happy Easter 2018.

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The writer is Chairman of the Commission on Interreligious Relations and Faith Semarang Archdiocese.