In Paul Gallico’s book, The Poseidon Adventure, a group of passengers on a cruise liner find their dream holiday turn into a nightmare when a massive wave turns their cruise ship upside-down. They realise that if they are to be rescued, they need to make their way to the bottom of the ship – which is now above them.
In Paul Gallico’s book, The Poseidon Adventure, a group of passengers on a cruise liner find their dream holiday turn into a nightmare when a massive wave turns their cruise ship upside-down. They realise that if they are to be rescued, they need to make their way to the bottom of the ship – which is now above them.
Their leader and saviour is, ironically for some, a pastor, Scott, who encourages and cajoles the group on its way to safety and the light, when he falls to his death.
The Gospel stories in the Christian New Testament give us a picture of Jesus Christ, Son of God, who becomes our saviour and in doing so, dies and rises again. He comes to proclaim the kingdom of God – which is creation restored, the reign and rule of God in our world – among us. He shows in word and deed, in signs and wonders, that the rule and reign of God is at hand. He confronts evil powers and sets people free. He brings healing and light and hope to the hopeless.
As Christians, as the Church, as the people of God, we are given spiritual authority, the authority of Jesus, to do the same. In the name of Christ, followers of Christ are called to speak and live and act from the perspective of the kingdom of God.
What will advance the kingdom, the reign and rule of God, in our world? What is the kingdom perspective on what is happening around us?
We note with great concern the current impasse in public school education in the Eastern Cape, following on from the dismal matric results in a number of our schools at the end of last year; the vacant teaching posts in schools; and the go-slow by some teachers.
We humbly urge the Department of Education, our teachers and governing bodies, and Sadtu, to find a way forward out of this deadlock, to avoid further damage to the education of our children. The current situation is unacceptable. We also note with concern the assault, allegedly by members of the SAPS, on Ayanda Kota, leader of the Unemployed People’s Movement.
Are these acceptable actions on the part of a democratic – or any – state?
How do we respond to the poverty and unemployment, and hopelessness, that is the reality for many in our community?
As the world commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January), remembering those murdered in the Holocaust under Nazi persecution, and in subsequent genocides, the Archbishop of Canterbury noted that this day brings back to our minds the appalling consequences of a situation where people don’t speak for the neighbour and don’t speak for the stranger; where people are concerned only about their own security, their own comfort zones.
He asked, “Who do we speak for? Are we willing to speak for the neighbour and the stranger, for people like us and also for people who are not like us? Are we willing to take risks alongside one another?”
And he quoted the words of Martin Niemoller, German pastor during the time of Hitler: “If I don’t speak for others, who is there to speak for me?”
We give thanks for the Holy Cross School at the uMariya uMama weThemba Monastery, and its blessing and dedication tomorrow. And, also tomorrow, as Grahamstown begins its celebration of 200 years of life, conflict, struggle, growth, creativity, and all that makes up our shared history, may we build on what is good in our community – for the sake of all who live here, and as Christians for the sake of the kingdom of God.
The Very Reverend Andrew Hunter
Dean of Grahamstown
