Wondering Pilgrim

Reconciliation Journey through Mooro Country

Mooro country is that part of the Noongar country that follows a string of lakes through the western and northern suburbs of Perth and beyond to the Moore River. This afternoon a group of us met with the Northern Suburbs Reconciliation Group and took a bus tour through some of this wetland area, visiting places of significance under the guidance of a local Elder. In pre-colonial times the area was alive with indigenous commerce. As well as bearing a plentiful supply of food and providing hospitable space for camping, corroboree and storytelling, these were meeting places where inland clans and tribal groups could trade commodities with the coastal people. Some of this function continued way past European settlement, and in spite of decimation experienced under attempts by colonisers to move Aborigines from nomadic to agricultural lifestyles.

To visit familiar landmarks, even a shopping centre carpark, and have pointed out to us the former culture’s significant places, a memorial stone here, a clump of scar bearing trees there, a main road where bitumen covered a thousands of years old walking track,was like twisting a kaleidoscope to see the layers of ancient folklore beneath the veneer of western suburbia.

Mooro country is not well known. It is only recently that its history has begun to be recorded in written form. The stories have been passed on orally – mouth to ear, mouth to ear, amongst the generations of those who are descendants of those who fished, hunted and traded along the waterways in this area. It was humbling and enlightening to hear some of those stories and visit some of those places today

Praising our one talent hero!

I like the contention that the servant who buried his one talent and got shafted by the boss might just be the hero of the story – not the goody two shoes (x2) who doubled their much more generous offerings. The proposition catches us on the back foot (like a good parable is supposed to do). The centuries old Protestant work ethic favours the traditional view that hard work and prudent application is duly rewarded. The lazy lay-about who did nothing with what he was entrusted got his just desserts – and you will too if you don’t get on with it!

Peel back the accretion of time and historical circumstance, however, and imagine the story as it was before this puritanical setting. Imagine it before Matthew got hold of it, and even Luke (who could be seen to be giving greater weight to the tradition that this post explores). It seems the parable was passed around orally before Luke and Matthew put it in the context of their own communities and set it down in writing. Matthew’s burden appears to be keeping the fledgling second and third generation church alert and disciplined, living out the teachings of Jesus rather than hanging around waiting for an imminent return. Hence “get on with it!”

Luke seems to use the story, with some interesting variations, to say, “This is the reality of how the world ticks.” It is unjust and unfair and if you are going to buck the system, be ready to meet the consequences. The third servant tosses in the towel and protests “I’m not playing this game any more!” knowing he will lose his position of privilege and be cast out among the tenant farmers who have been suffering the extortion of the landlords and their managers. He could stand for the disciple who is prepared to travel the way of Jesus, in the world of those who live on the margins of powerlessness, and not of the world of corrupt privilege.

Well, it’s at least worth a thought – yes? The strange outcome is that regardless of whether you run with Matthew’s call to diligence or Luke’s veiled urging to courageous discipleship, the result is the same – a more focused and active disciple. Neat!

Nostalgia – a good place to visit but would you want to live there?

Mrs Wondering Pilgrim and I are just back from a night out at the local multiplex. With a birthday just around the corner, we thought it a good idea to use a Gold Class gift voucher and enjoy some special cuisine while we luxuriated in some plush recliners.

With this sort of setup, one selects the movie very carefully – and what better offering than Midnight in Paris. Forget the storyline for a moment. Just breathe in the bon vivant atmosphere that floats off the screen as you are immersed in Parisien streetscapes and partake in the cafe scene of eras now and bye-gone – not so difficult as your own waiter serves up decadent delights while you watch.

The movie is vintage Woody Allen – a comedy borne of the sadness of something not quite right or missing. In this instance, Owen Wilson plays a Hollywood scriptwriter who dreams of publishing his first novel. (Hello all you NaNoWriMo athletes out there!). He is in Paris with his fiancee and prospective in-laws whose agendas are at variance with his dream – a dream that sees his nocturnal walks time-warp into the night-life Paris of the 1920s. There he encounters the lives and loves of such literary and artistic giants as Ernest Hemingway, Picasso,Salvador Dali and others. You don’t have to be au fait with their work to enjoy the exchanges and the conflict that the protagonist finds himself in as he moves backwards and forwards from the demands of the modern era to the romance of what he understands as a Parisien Golden Age. A turn of events and an unlikely romance brings clarity – nostalgia has its place, but needs something more tangible to fulfill the promise it seems to offer. We were not left with unfulfilling angst, but with a note of promise alighting from “an insight of a minor nature” (to quote our self-effacing hero).

Four stars out of five!

Principles for a coherent refugee policy – Eureka Street

Fr Frank Brennan lays out a coherent groundwork should our politicians suddenly say “This is all too silly – let’s get back to a decent way of assessing and caring for those who seek asylum.” He lays it all out in Principles for a coherent refugee policy – Eureka Street.

Requiem for Shooty

Villawood Detention Centre, Sydney — Image by .M. via Flickr

Thomas Keneally, Australian author, has written an open letter to ‘Shooty’ whose despair under incarceration led to an untimely death. Read it at Sri Lankan Asylum Seeker Commits Suicide in Villawood.

As a resident of the city that just hosted CHOGM as well as a refugee advocate who has just about run dry of “appalled” responses to our labyrinthine asylum seeker assessment regime, I experience Keneally’s piece opening up fresh reserves of focused anger and lament that our country has come to this. My previous post feted some of the positive aspects of CHOGM. Today’s post acknowledges the dark side. What might a Commonwealth of Nations that is at one under a charter of human decency require of repressive governments, both those that create the huge people movements of this era and those who fail to properly receive those seeking refuge?

How long before we have an inkling?

Suicide sparks mandatory detention plea (heraldsun.com.au)

CHOGM and Prayer

Looks like stranded CHOGM delegates no longer have to sing “We still call Australia home” and can now board their Qantas flights to their destinations. The streets of Perth are returning to normal and I could even drive along Riverside Drive following the cathedral service marking the end of CHOGM.

Yesterday’s “Celebration of the Nations” service was a parallel event marking the culmination of an eclectic planning exercise involving a range of Christian traditions across the 54 Commonwealth nations. The diversity found full expression through music, dance and language during a colourful, vibrating evensong. My lasting impression will be the high church procession to the sound of a symphony of drumbeats from Sierra Leone, Ghana, United Kingdom, Papua New Guinea and Cameroon. Liturgical order and spontaneous rhythm demonstrated a compatibility that few would imagine. This harmony of diversity continued throughout the prayers with excerpts from Handel’s Messiah sung by a Maltese tenor, duet by harp and sitar, and traditional Thillana dance from South India adding to an even greater range of multilingual input. It was a delight for us to meet with a family from the Seychelles, the country my church had adopted as a focal interest for the 12 months leading to CHOGM. One of the smallest nations represented (about 150,000 pop.), it was great to observe their participation along with the other 53.

CHOGM is not without controversy. It’s relevance has been questioned as, like the United Nations, it is difficult to reach agreement on significant issues such as environmental and economical management and human rights. Even within the Christian tradition there are varying views and approaches, ranging from prayers inside the church walls for stability and order and protests beyond the walls urging redress for a range off justice matters. Everything has its season, and CHOGM was an occasion for both prayer and protest.

For a culminating event however, I found the cathedral celebration expressing the possibility of harmony through diversity a powerful counterpoint to notions of despair and fragmentation that are frequently abroad.

Such is life?…

Often a picture does it best. I’ve seen reams written on “the six (sometimes seven) stages of life” and even run the odd workshop or two myself. I found this silent but eloquent expression on imgur.com. The caption is a bit of a worry. That’s why I’ve inserted the question mark.

“Such is life!” These are the final words of Ned Kelly, Australia’s much feted anti-hero, just before the trapdoor dropped in Pentridge prison. Such, indeed, is the fatalistic outlook that has been woven around his story.

P J Harvey and Peggy Lee ask “Is that all there is?” Take your pick! (I like them both for different reasons)

The implication in the lyrics is that we must look beyond this life to satisfactorily answer this question, and one might expect that I would agree, and because of my vocation, point to the Christian affirmation of “something better beyond.”

I prefer, however, to point to the possibility of fulfillment through each of these stages. It is evident to me that this is central to the kingdom talk of Jesus, who continually announces the “reign of God” was upon us (literally “breathing down our necks”). Live out his radical teaching of muscular and proactive compassion and lay these down as the building blocks of a wholesome community.

The “something better beyond” then finds expression through each of those six stages of life’s journey, whatever our contextual challenge, whatever the circumstances.

Marking November how?

November is approaching – the harbinger of low temperatures by climate on the the top half of the planet and air conditioner in the countries “down under” the equator. (Australia’s not the only country “down under”, by the way).

Personally, November is a bit of a bookmark month, being the month of my arrival on this planet, so I tend to mark it in different ways, like celebrating a birthday, remembering to have my annual medical check, reviewing insurances, registrations and other exciting things! When I was younger, the anniversary of my arrival coincided roughly with the Adelaide John Martin’s Christmas Pageant, the harbinger of the magic festive season. So November has always carried an aura of “specialness” about it.

Others will also make hay while the November sun shines. “Movember” will encourage those of us who can to grow moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues – particularly prostate and testicular cancer prevention and treatment, and depression. Whilst supportive, I can hardly participate as my whiskers are a permanent feature of my face-scape.

Right now the prospect of November Novel Writing is nagging. I have four days to decide whether I will subject myself to the challenge of writing 1000 words a day for 30 days under the auspices of National Novel Writing Month . I’ve just registered with the site, but not yet sure that I’m committed to it. There is an idea that I am keen to pursue and that should be some incentive. I think it will be a decision to grasp the nettle and just go with whatever comes off the keyboard. Life AFK (Away From Keyboard) is very insistent, but not dictatorial if I don’t let it be.

So some decisions need to be made in the next 48 hours, so should I go ahead, I will at least have time to plan an approach!

It’s 9 pm and I’m bombed out from a 3 am rise for a run to the airport this morning. Musing on what I can write before I nod off completely, something is tickling my ear. Mrs Wondering Pilgrim is in Wagga Wagga tonight so I know it’s not her. Now it’s the other ear! Suddenly it lands on my desk – a Diplocephalus cristatus – or money spider! Oh goody, now I’ll be rich, according to the legend of such creatures. So tiny, little more than 3mm across.

Reminds me of this story about money and spiders that pops up from time to time under a variety of guises.

This one’s from Nine News MSN

Below is the complete email conversation that Adelaide man David Thorne claims he had with a utility company chasing payment of an overdue bill.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Our records indicate that your account is overdue by the amount of $233.95. If you have already made this payment please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.37pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead. I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Thankyou for contacting us. Unfortunately we are unable to accept drawings as payment and your account remains in arrears of $233.95. Please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.32am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
Can I have my drawing of a spider back then please.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.42am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear David,
You emailed the drawing to me. Do you want me to email it back to you?

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.56am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,

Yes please.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 12.14pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Attached

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 09.22am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Whose spider is that?

Dear Jane, Are you sure this drawing of a spider is the one I sent you? This spider only has seven legs and I do not feel I would have made such an elementary mistake when I drew it.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.03am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David, Yes it is the same drawing. I copied and pasted it from the email you sent me on the 8th. David your account is still overdue by the amount of $233.95. Please make this payment as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.05am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Automated Out of Office Response

Thankyou for contacting me. I am currently away on leave, traveling through time and will be returning last week.

Regards, David.
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.08am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Hello, I am back and have read through your emails and accept that despite missing a leg, that drawing of a spider may indeed be the one I sent you. I realise with hindsight that it is possible you rejected the drawing of a spider due to this obvious limb ommission but did not point it out in an effort to avoid hurting my feelings. As such, I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion.

Regards, David.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 2.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David, As I have stated, we do not accept drawings in lei of money for accounts outstanding. We accept cheque, bank cheque, money order or cash. Please make a payment this week to avoid incurring any additional fees.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 3.17pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

I understand and will definately make a payment this week if I remember. As you have not accepted my second drawing as payment, please return the drawing to me as soon as possible. It was silly of me to assume I could provide you with something of completely no value whatsoever, waste your time and then attach such a large amount to it.

Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Tuesday 14 Oct 2008 11.18am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Attached

Perth does CHOGM

Perth Western Australia at night. — Image via Wikipedia

Fighter jets flying overhead and rattling my office windows.
Concentration of police and security in the Central Business District.
Vehicles and personnel are being stopped and searched under special temporary laws.
The homeless have been moved on.

The Prime Minister & Cabinet move into the city and set up house.
The red carpet is no doubt being cleaned and shampooed before being rolled out for HM’s arrival on Wednesday.
We are told that some of the world’s most powerful will be rolling in over the next few days…
… and the local expression of OWS will seek to test them.

Should be an interesting week here in Perth as the Commonwealth Heads of Government gather.

In the meantime, we will continue to push back domestic chaos as we make early morning runs to the airport on family business and attend to the continuing round of daily distractions, opportunities and conundrums.

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