Spirit & Life

An image of great hope – for it offers something that is not quite here and is yet to come. These are words of comfort for those faithful people, in the midst of their sorrowing, turmoil, grieving, displacement, prejudice and unjust loss. Over two millennia later, it still rings true.

On All Saints Day we recall the great cloud or crowd of witnesses who have gone before, who are with us now, and who will be beyond our time.

Wealthy, corrupt and unscrupulous. Shocking the gathered crowd and righteous folk. Unsettling Law, tradition and culture. Sharing food and wine as if friends or even family. Why would he do that? I mean Jesus.

Two men, physically and socially distanced.
The righteous leader, one to be trusted, to share wisdom, in a stable and comfortable position, seen as worthy of respect and honour, publicly fasting and tithing beyond the normal requirements, standing aside, careful to maintain purity nor be unsullied by others.

The message is clear. God has written it on our hearts. Persevere in sharing the good news of God’s grace and love, through our words and action.

What a beautiful change of focus, feeling and forging ahead in faith. In the midst of tragedy, trauma, and irreparable change, God’s message of hope is intertwined with peace-making and renewal.

We cannot read these laments, without hearing the voices of our First Nations people and the longing for recognition and Treaty, our Asia-Pacific neighbours as their islands are subsumed by oceans, refugees caught in the midst of conflict, earthquakes groaning and the waterways roaring, the cries of species at the devastation of environments and waling of those with empty bellies and no homes.

“Mary is rich in so many ways – love of life, full of hope, with a deep faith and intellectual achievement. She supports so many, and shares these gifts with all whom she meets.”

A pertinent reminder, at this Time of Mourning and Sorry Business. We are called to pray for all people and all communities, beyond culture, age, and social situations.

You can’t get a much more marginalised group of ‘listeners’ – outcasts who were literally outside the gates of family homes, enclosures and town walls; tax collectors who were ostracised by the two communities of those whom they worked for, and those who were their kin. Jesus’ parable offers them a place of respect, purpose and abiding love in God’s realm.