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Wondering Pilgrim

~ the ramblings of a perambulent and often distracted sojourner

Wondering Pilgrim

Category Archives: christ

Palm Sunday – A Highway to Hell?

03 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in christ, Personal, theology

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Tags

COVID-19, Harrowing, Hell, Palm Sunday, peace

Photo by Jiarong Deng on Pexels.com

Only four weeks ago Canning Highway in Perth was packed tight as thousands of fans commemorated Bon Jovi and AccaDacca’s “Highway to Hell” famous signature song vibrating from bands on a fleet of tray-top trucks as they rolled from Canning Bridge to Fremantle.

Four weeks later Perth’s highways are all but deserted as we self-isolate in a mass attempt to avert the worst effects of the Covid-19 corona virus.

Some would point to the “Highway to Hell” celebrations as a harbinger of doom, but Covid-19 was already well established in some pockets of the globe and well on its way here.

And now Palm Sunday is upon us. An occasion to reflect and reminisce on past Palm Sunday processions with Sunday School kids waving palms as they usher the congregation into services. Some brave churches even commandeer donkeys (well fasted!) to be ridden up the aisle of the sanctuary. The socially conscious rally outside city cathedrals to march for peace – taking their cue from the one who they named the Prince of Peace.

Perhaps only Jesus, the focus of the original procession, knew what a highway to hell he was travelling. A few short but long days of passion, betrayal, trial, abandonment, torture and suffering to beyond the point of death lay ahead – and he knew it. He had a purpose beyond our ken however – Christian scripture and tradition refer to the Harrowing of Hell performed by Christ between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. You can read about it here.

Advent Voices – Elijah the Tishbite

01 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in christ, Spirituality

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Advent, elijah, social justice

Russian icon of prophet Elijah. Илия пророк с житием и деисусом. Икона из церкви Ильи Пророка в погосте Выбуты, близ Пскова (Public Domain)

Russian icon of prophet Elijah. Илия пророк с житием и деисусом. Икона из церкви Ильи Пророка в погосте Выбуты, близ Пскова (Public Domain)

‘Tis the season of obscure voices from long ago that speak into our contemporary scene – voices that call us to wake up and pay attention!

The Hebrew reading set for today is 2 Kings 1:2-18 – a confronting tale of a prophet, Elijah, who exacts some considerable collateral damage in awakening a king. The hapless Ahaziah is belatedly re-oriented to the faith narrative he is called to represent. It is too late for him, but his successors surely get the message!  Responsible leadership cannot take its eye off the ball or the people perish. A sobering thought for a democracy such as ours where our leadership is ultimately our responsibility, not just at the polling booths, but in our continuing dialogue with our parliamentary representatives.

Advent is the season that calls us to wakefulness. Listen for the voices that call us to alertness. There is much in contemporary life that distracts and diverts us from whatever high path we have chosen. For followers of the way of Jesus, this season is a reminder that our ancient faith calls us whatever our current preoccupation to focus on the meaning of his coming amongst us – then, now and yet.

Teaching disciples to suck eggs

23 Sunday Jan 2011

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in christ, Ministry, mission, Personal, Wembley Downs

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

discipleship, postaday2011, Religion and Spirituality

Some may find it strange to be talking to veteran congregations about discipleship, as today’s texts lead me. Most have been making the journey a lot longer than I have, and I’m getting a bit long in the tooth. Yet, once again I will address what I have come to call the magnetic summons of Jesus and I anticipate this annual revisitation will revive impulses in veteran and novice alike to stretch a little further along the road of learning to live in the spirit and character of Jesus. Of course, most of the inspiration will come from the congregation itself. Many individuals, though they be unaware, have demonstrated insights into matters of discipleship of which I would not otherwise have been aware. Grace in difficult family issues, courage and generosity while grappling with debilitating illness, serenity in failed enterprise, forgiveness when grievously wronged – these all reflect the spirit of Jesus and are evidence of attentive awareness of his transforming work. So perhaps the morning harangue will be a celebration instead!

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What more could you want in an Aussie Saint?

18 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in christ, local politics, Ministry, Personal, refugees, Spirituality

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

advocacy, Asylum, justice, MacKillop, mentally ill, refugees, saint

It seems Australia’s disadvantaged, including indigenous, mentally ill, and those seeking asylum, have a newly sanctioned advocate. Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop has become Australia’s first Saint.   On a day of celebration owned by Catholic and non-Catholic, religious and secular, believer and non-believer, one of our own has been ushered into the select company of the Roman Catholic Church’s Canon of Saints.

The fact that the intercessory properties of saints are hotly debated in my part of the Church does not detract from the fact that Saint Mary represents something quintessentially Australian. With a heart for the poor, she is best known for establishing schools and advancing education in rural Australia. She often had to stand up to the authorities, even enduring a period of excommunication. In other words, she was a battler and prepared to stand up for others so they could get a fair go!

What more could you want in an Aussie Saint?

Synchronicity had Mary’s  sainting day coincide with Luke 18:1-8 on the Revised Common Lectionary. It is the story of the relentless widow hammering on the door of the indifferent judge until he finally relents and gives her the justice she seeks. Jesus guides our reflection to the self-talk of the judge, who relents, not for the sake of justice, but for fear of being worn down – perhaps the tarnishing of his own reputation. Advocates for justice have a fairly realistic take on the lie of the land. Institutionalised oppression, like the judge, “fears neither God nor man.” The perseverance of the cry for natural justice, however, cannot be dampened, and the lesser resolve eventually caves in.

Perhaps this reality is at the base of St Mary’s story and it provides a beacon of hope to all who seek justice on the part of the dispossessed.

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