by Malcolm Fraser
The Age
10 May 2008
___________________________________________________
TWO months ago, the Australian Parliament passed a resolution celebrating
Israel's first 60 years. Until recently, Australia had preserved a balance
in Middle East policy that asserted Israel's right to survival and security,
but also the right of the Palestinian people to their own state. Under the
previous government, in lock-step with the US, our policies veered to a more
one-sided support for Israel. The vision of a Palestinian state seemed to
slip from view.
US President George Bush claims that it is possible for Israel and
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to negotiate the establishment of a
Palestinian state before the end of this year. That ignores the realities of
the current situation, which Bush has done a good deal to exacerbate.
It is a fact that Israel has persistently established more and more
settlements on the West Bank and that it has ignored the US and the UN
Security Council, which have continuously branded these settlements,
together with settlements in East Jerusalem, as illegal. However, the US has
not exerted real pressure to stop them and the process continues. Through
most of my life I have believed that Israel was a beacon of hope. But
somewhere Israel's leadership lost its way.
Since the start of the war on terror, US policies have become increasingly
unrealistic, branding people as terrorists to be beaten with guns.
In Bush's world, discussion or negotiation with those who are labelled as
terrorists is unthinkable, and indeed would be a betrayal of American
values. Yet he should recall what earlier US presidents did in negotiating
with leaders of the Soviet Union. Those presidents avoided nuclear war and
won the Cold War. Britain achieved peace in Northern Ireland with similar
policies.
Failure to talk with an opponent or with an enemy is perhaps the major
mistake of the Bush Administration. A mistake that has made many parts of
the world more dangerous. Hamas won a legitimate election in early 2006. Aid
workers on the ground in Palestine knew that Hamas would win because Hamas
helps local people while Fatah, corrupt and inefficient, did not. The West
claimed to be surprised at Hamas' victory. It betrayed its own principles by
making it plain that democracy was only acceptable if it gave the kind of
result that Israel and the US wanted.
It would have been possible to say to Hamas: a number of your policies must
change but we welcome your participation in the democratic process and we
are therefore prepared to talk and explore possible areas of agreement. This
approach would have given Hamas an alternative to violence and the
possibility of a different future.
When a joint Hamas-Fatah government was formed, it was short-lived. Both
Israel and the US sought to undermine it and encouraged Abbas to pursue a
policy that would diminish or destroy Hamas. In this regard, Israel and the
US have played a major part in the continued divisions among the Palestinian
people themselves.
I know there are those who would say that Hamas cannot be believed. No
agreement would be sustainable because it wants the total destruction of
Israel. However, those who hold such views commit themselves in effect to
continued warfare. If this situation prevails, Israel will lose more and
more friends and will place its own future in danger.
Terrorism must, of course, be condemned but if one measures the loss of life
in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is clear that the scales are heavily
balanced against the Palestinians. The tactics used by Hamas are inefficient
as a weapon of war, almost futile, but they have extracted a
disproportionate response.
If there is to be any progress, in addition to talking to Hamas it is
critical to heal the divisions between Hamas and Fatah. No arrangement
between Israel and Abbas will be acceptable unless the divisions among
Palestinian people are addressed. But Israeli and American policy is still
focused on perpetuating those divisions, breeding more hatred and bitterness
and making a secure future even more remote.
Former US president Jimmy Carter has recently held discussions in the Middle
East with many of those with whom Bush will not speak. He has attracted a
great deal of criticism from many quarters, including the Israeli lobby.
However, his efforts are to be applauded because he recognises that talking
to Hamas is essential for progress.
Hamas has supported a ceasefire. But this was rejected out of hand as a
subterfuge for gaining time to reorganise and rearm. Hamas has said that if
Abbas can negotiate a solution and if that is endorsed in a referendum by
the Palestinians, it will support it, provided that there is reconciliation
among Palestinians.
What then should be done? The principles endorsed by the Baker-Hamilton
report in relation to Iraq must be adopted in regard to the Palestinian case
as well. There must be talks leading to negotiations involving all the
players including Hamas. Progress will not be quick, it could be months and
possibly years, but a ceasefire, even initially for a limited period, would
be a good start. The ending of the blockade of Gaza and the cessation of new
settlements in the West Bank would be a prerequisite. In addition, the
adjudication of boundaries of Israel and Palestine would be critical to a
final settlement.
Against this modern-day tragedy, it is important for countries such as
Australia to be even-handed. That is why I support the appeal for the
Australian Parliament to pass a resolution recognising the hardships of the
Palestinian people and committing Australia to work for a fair and peaceful
resolution and the establishment of a viable independent state for
Palestinians.
_____________________________________________________________________
Malcolm Fraser is a former prime minister of Australia.
Web link
http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/balanced-policy-the-only-way-to-peace/2008/05/09/1210131260171.html
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
New Prospects for Nation Building?hursday, June 26, 2008
So, what? Public lectures in contemporary humanities and social sciences
SO.What@UNSW.EDU.AU
WWW.ARTS.UNSW.EDU.AU
Please join us for the next lecture in the UNSW Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences series.
We are pleased to present Professor Michael Pusey
School of Social Sciences and International Studies
Introduction by Bruce Petty
Has economic ‘reform’ run its course? What potential remains for constructive nation building?
Contrary to expectations Canberra emerges from twenty years of free market ‘economic rationalism’ with disciplined government, ample revenues, an effective regulative apparatus and — perhaps — the capacity for government to steer the economy towards a brighter future. For a quarter of a century neo-liberal politics has made the people serve the economy. Can we recover the political capacity, the clear-sightedness, and the will to again make the economy serve the people? We face three crucial challenges. We must deal with climate change, re-build our rotting infrastructure and
fix federal state relations. Are we up to it? Can our history of nation-building come to the rescue of our future?
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008
Time: Cocktail reception from 6.00 pm
Lecture from 6.30 - 7.30 pm
Location: Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW
RSVP: so.what@unsw.edu.au (numbers are limited)
Null Doro
After completing his doctoral studies in sociology at Harvard University Michael worked with the Schools Commission and at the Australian National University. Over the last thirty years at UNSW he has taught on social theory, the media and the public sphere, economic ideas, and, most recently on quality of life in Australia. Michael is a Professor of Sociology at UNSW
and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. His writings and media commentary on economic reform and on the changing Australian middle class are extensive, including two highly influential and prize winning books,
Economic Rationalism in Canberra and The Experience of Middle Class Australia.
From 1995 to 2002 Michael was the Director of the Middle Australia Project. Michael is currently working with Paul Jones
SO.What@UNSW.EDU.AU
WWW.ARTS.UNSW.EDU.AU
Please join us for the next lecture in the UNSW Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences series.
We are pleased to present Professor Michael Pusey
School of Social Sciences and International Studies
Introduction by Bruce Petty
Has economic ‘reform’ run its course? What potential remains for constructive nation building?
Contrary to expectations Canberra emerges from twenty years of free market ‘economic rationalism’ with disciplined government, ample revenues, an effective regulative apparatus and — perhaps — the capacity for government to steer the economy towards a brighter future. For a quarter of a century neo-liberal politics has made the people serve the economy. Can we recover the political capacity, the clear-sightedness, and the will to again make the economy serve the people? We face three crucial challenges. We must deal with climate change, re-build our rotting infrastructure and
fix federal state relations. Are we up to it? Can our history of nation-building come to the rescue of our future?
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008
Time: Cocktail reception from 6.00 pm
Lecture from 6.30 - 7.30 pm
Location: Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW
RSVP: so.what@unsw.edu.au (numbers are limited)
Null Doro
After completing his doctoral studies in sociology at Harvard University Michael worked with the Schools Commission and at the Australian National University. Over the last thirty years at UNSW he has taught on social theory, the media and the public sphere, economic ideas, and, most recently on quality of life in Australia. Michael is a Professor of Sociology at UNSW
and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. His writings and media commentary on economic reform and on the changing Australian middle class are extensive, including two highly influential and prize winning books,
Economic Rationalism in Canberra and The Experience of Middle Class Australia.
From 1995 to 2002 Michael was the Director of the Middle Australia Project. Michael is currently working with Paul Jones
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sydney to honour the Stolen Generations
MEDIA RELEASE
Busy weekday traffic will come to a standstill on Monday 26 May 2008 when hundreds of members of the Stolen Generations, their families and supporters march through the streets of Sydney. The City of Sydney and the NSW Police Service have given their full support to this public event, which commemorates the 10th Anniversary of Sorry Day and the historic apology of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
The event, which is being organised by the NSW Sorry Day Committee, will commence at 10:30am from Hyde Park (Northern end) and proceed down Macquarie Street. There will be a flag raising ceremony at Parliament House before the march proceeds to Circular Quay and onto First Fleet Park where there will be entertainment, speakers and refreshments.
NSW Sorry Day Committee Chairperson and Stolen Generations member Marie Melito-Russell said:
We hope this march will raise awareness about the issues that continue to affect members of the Stolen Generations. The Prime Minister’s apology was an important step in our healing, but this must be followed with reparations. We want justice and the same basic human rights that apply to others in our society. We invite all those that were affected by the removals policies to join us in solidarity and ask all Australians to walk with us in unity for a better future for all people.
Interviews with members of the Stolen Generations will be available upon request. For further information please contact NSW Sorry Day Committee on 02 9319 1034
Busy weekday traffic will come to a standstill on Monday 26 May 2008 when hundreds of members of the Stolen Generations, their families and supporters march through the streets of Sydney. The City of Sydney and the NSW Police Service have given their full support to this public event, which commemorates the 10th Anniversary of Sorry Day and the historic apology of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
The event, which is being organised by the NSW Sorry Day Committee, will commence at 10:30am from Hyde Park (Northern end) and proceed down Macquarie Street. There will be a flag raising ceremony at Parliament House before the march proceeds to Circular Quay and onto First Fleet Park where there will be entertainment, speakers and refreshments.
NSW Sorry Day Committee Chairperson and Stolen Generations member Marie Melito-Russell said:
We hope this march will raise awareness about the issues that continue to affect members of the Stolen Generations. The Prime Minister’s apology was an important step in our healing, but this must be followed with reparations. We want justice and the same basic human rights that apply to others in our society. We invite all those that were affected by the removals policies to join us in solidarity and ask all Australians to walk with us in unity for a better future for all people.
Interviews with members of the Stolen Generations will be available upon request. For further information please contact NSW Sorry Day Committee on 02 9319 1034
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
1. Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008
Two Invitations for Action in Peace
Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008
Global Week of Action Small Arms 2 – 9 June 2008
1. Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008
The International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel is an annual Week of Action advocacy initiative, convened by the World Council of Churches and supported by Pax Christi International. In 2008, the Week of Action will take place from the 4th to the 10th of June, and the theme is “It’s Time for Palestine.”
The goal of the Week of Action is to raise awareness in churches and civil society, and to impress upon governments the need for new efforts to end the conflict and negotiate a settlement. Four types of actions will be developed: Pray, Educate, Advocate and Public Action. The Ecumenical Service with the Heads of Churches will take place on the 4th or the 8th of June in Jerusalem. Member organisations of Pax Christi International are invited to join the Week of Action and develop their own type of actions in collaboration with churches, church related organisations, religious communities or congregations, and with NGOs at the national and/or local level.
The following material is available and could be used at the national and local level:
1. Invitation to Action: Who, What, Why, How and When?
2. The message “It’s Time for Palestine”
3. The Jerusalem Prayer for Sunday, the 4th or 8th of June 2008
4. A liturgy from the Churches in Jerusalem.
Some of you have been asking what you can do. Please read more for ideas at http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/icappi-2008.html.
2. Global Week of Action Small Arms 2 – 9 June 2008
A key focus of IANSA, the International Action Network on Small Arms, of which Pax Christi International is a member, is the next UN Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms (BMS), scheduled to take place in New York, from the 14th to the 18th of July 2008. Countries are expected to provide written reports to the UN on their efforts to reduce small arms proliferation, and in particular to outline challenges and gaps in capacity. Shortly before that, the Global Week of Action, from the 2nd to the 9th of June 2008, will help link the commitments at the regional and global level with actions by national governments. Member Organisations of Pax Christi International are invited to join these opportunities for global advocacy. More information is available on the website: www.iansa.org
Paul Lansu
Pax Christi International
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 21
B-1000 Bruxelles
Belgium
Phone: +32 (0)2 502 55 50 fax: +32 (0)2 502 46 26
www.paxchristi.net
Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008
Global Week of Action Small Arms 2 – 9 June 2008
1. Week of Action on Peace in Israel & Palestine 4 - 10 June 2008
The International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel is an annual Week of Action advocacy initiative, convened by the World Council of Churches and supported by Pax Christi International. In 2008, the Week of Action will take place from the 4th to the 10th of June, and the theme is “It’s Time for Palestine.”
The goal of the Week of Action is to raise awareness in churches and civil society, and to impress upon governments the need for new efforts to end the conflict and negotiate a settlement. Four types of actions will be developed: Pray, Educate, Advocate and Public Action. The Ecumenical Service with the Heads of Churches will take place on the 4th or the 8th of June in Jerusalem. Member organisations of Pax Christi International are invited to join the Week of Action and develop their own type of actions in collaboration with churches, church related organisations, religious communities or congregations, and with NGOs at the national and/or local level.
The following material is available and could be used at the national and local level:
1. Invitation to Action: Who, What, Why, How and When?
2. The message “It’s Time for Palestine”
3. The Jerusalem Prayer for Sunday, the 4th or 8th of June 2008
4. A liturgy from the Churches in Jerusalem.
Some of you have been asking what you can do. Please read more for ideas at http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/icappi-2008.html.
2. Global Week of Action Small Arms 2 – 9 June 2008
A key focus of IANSA, the International Action Network on Small Arms, of which Pax Christi International is a member, is the next UN Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms (BMS), scheduled to take place in New York, from the 14th to the 18th of July 2008. Countries are expected to provide written reports to the UN on their efforts to reduce small arms proliferation, and in particular to outline challenges and gaps in capacity. Shortly before that, the Global Week of Action, from the 2nd to the 9th of June 2008, will help link the commitments at the regional and global level with actions by national governments. Member Organisations of Pax Christi International are invited to join these opportunities for global advocacy. More information is available on the website: www.iansa.org
Paul Lansu
Pax Christi International
Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 21
B-1000 Bruxelles
Belgium
Phone: +32 (0)2 502 55 50 fax: +32 (0)2 502 46 26
www.paxchristi.net
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Action for peace in Palestine/Israel
by Joshua McElwee, PCUSA intern
In the middle of the holiest week of the year, the week in which we eagerly anticipate the joy of the resurrection of Jesus, it seems necessary to call to mind the horrors that are occurring in the land which first witnessed his nonviolent message of all- encompassing peace and love.
At the beginning of this month in Gaza, a five-day assault left this place, what we commonly call the 'Holy Land,' reeling from the death of between 125- 131 people, half of whom were civilians and of which 22 were children. Tragically, this assault is merely one example in the constant flow of violence which is likely to continue until the underlying problems blocking the creation of two secure, independent and viable states are earnestly dealt with.
ACTION
We ask that you write to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at secretary@state.gov expressing your concern for the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. Ask that the U.S. use its influence to help bring about two secure, independent and viable states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace. Ask that the U.S. be even-handed in its support of Israelis and Palestinians as they negotiate an end to the occupation and a just sharing of Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
For more information, please see:
Religious leaders' letter on Gaza Crisis (Churches for Middle East Peace)
Sources: regarding the numbers of Palestinians killed -- adapted from Phyllis Bennis' article Click here. The action alert: from the Maryknoll website Click Here
web: USA Pax Christi Website
In the middle of the holiest week of the year, the week in which we eagerly anticipate the joy of the resurrection of Jesus, it seems necessary to call to mind the horrors that are occurring in the land which first witnessed his nonviolent message of all- encompassing peace and love.
At the beginning of this month in Gaza, a five-day assault left this place, what we commonly call the 'Holy Land,' reeling from the death of between 125- 131 people, half of whom were civilians and of which 22 were children. Tragically, this assault is merely one example in the constant flow of violence which is likely to continue until the underlying problems blocking the creation of two secure, independent and viable states are earnestly dealt with.
ACTION
We ask that you write to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at secretary@state.gov expressing your concern for the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. Ask that the U.S. use its influence to help bring about two secure, independent and viable states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace. Ask that the U.S. be even-handed in its support of Israelis and Palestinians as they negotiate an end to the occupation and a just sharing of Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
For more information, please see:
Religious leaders' letter on Gaza Crisis (Churches for Middle East Peace)
Sources: regarding the numbers of Palestinians killed -- adapted from Phyllis Bennis' article Click here. The action alert: from the Maryknoll website Click Here
web: USA Pax Christi Website
Friday, March 21, 2008
Easter Sunday 2008 - Sermon Fr Claude Mostowik
When confronted with a major disappointment, when our hopes and dreams are dashed on the rock of reality, others might say, ‘Well, what can you expect?’
The women on Easter morning expected to find a smelling body. The disciples were smelling the decay of lives in disappointment as they reflect on the one who seemed so connected to God and was abandoned by God. He even convinced them that his way of seeing the world and seeing people was the right way. And this happens! And what would happen to them now? They could go home to their fishing and admit they mistakenly followed a dreamer who left them disillusioned.
The women did not get what they expected. They found no smelly decaying body but the presence of the one they had known and loved, who said, as he always did: ‘Do not be afraid’. And the disillusioned disciples would receive a ministry to proclaim the presence of love and life in the world. It changed them and the world forever. It is interesting that the early community seemed to only preach Jesus' rising from the dead because everything else seemed irrelevant and unimportant alongside the news that death was not the last word and the Reign that Jesus preaching was breaking in. Only later did it become obsessed with finding little instructions for life’s every little problem with lots of dos and don’ts which caused people to fear again for themselves and become irresponsible about this world by focussing on a future world.
Chocolat – film [about Lent and chocolate]. It is set in a little French village where everyone and everything is in its right place. Tranquility is the supreme value. The status quo must not be disturbed. If you see something, look away. The village is dominated by a mayor who knows what is good for everyone. The mayor even corrects and rewrites the parish priest’s homilies. Church attendance is obligatory However, a woman and her daughter arrive in the village to set up a chocolate shop – during Lent. They are not churchgoers. The woman is a single mother. The mayor spurns them and gets the villagers to do the same. But she seduces the curious villagers who peer through the shop window [remember, it is Lent] by inviting them to come in and taste her delicious chocolates. This awakens in them the ancient mysterious desire for connection, intimacy, and inclusiveness. A stone has been rolled back and a spirit of life breaks through into that community. A spirit of ‘playful’ resistance occurs when mother and daughter help person after person reawaken a sense of connectedness which is based on love rather than fear. She reawakens in them a sense of their beautiful humanity. It enables them to begin to do life differently. Jesus does this for us.
Today’s gospel begins in an atmosphere of darkness, oppression. It is the darkness of the empty tomb; the darkness of not knowing; the darkness of loss; the darkness of shock at seeing Jesus' capture, torture and death. This darkness persists until the ‘other disciple’ entered the tomb, ‘saw and believed.’
What can we see? Can we see things we usually do not? Do we see the Christ in the poor and suffering around us? Do we see that winning and power are not the solutions to every problem or confrontation? Do we recognise that those who have lost much in life have a story to tell that others have not experience? Do we hear from those who are least privileged stories that no one else would ever know? Do we see that being able to have all we want does not mean we should? Do we see that people in other parts of the world suffer because of our personal and national excesses? Do we see God’s reign, God’s seduction, in the little efforts to change our world Do we see that letting go of our fear is a way of entering new life?
‘Well, what did you expect?’ Jesus is risen – and so are we. Jesus is not in the tomb. But will we leave our tombs; leave behind what entombs us – fear, preciousness, self-centredness. New life has been set loose in the world and possibilities for change are available to us. It depends on us to accept it.
It means that we act differently: to see that life is about slow growth, not perfection; a reckless love of the unlovable; traveling through life with new insight, with new people, in new ways. Important question: will we, touched by Jesus, now rise and do life differently?
There are many things which call forth our passion: injustices to redress; social and moral outrages that cannot be ignored. Though always with us, it is no excuse for tolerating them. Christianity’s strength is seen in its ability to build a barrier against hatred in our hearts. We can relieve the world of a little hatred that will otherwise almost surely contribute to the suffering and pain in others.
Jesus’ prayer for his persecutors is a model of how to do life differently in the face of hatred. His rising puts us in touch with a world where it is no longer necessary to settle scores. We have seen the disastrous outcomes when people keep settling scores in the old ways: Iraq; the Balkans; Middle East; even our neighbours who we might not speak with.
People still live with vilification, racism, sexism, prejudice and other forms of violence and we risk just taking it for granted and keeping silent, looking away. We can accept lies of systems and institutions that preach themselves rather than challenging them. In these weeks before Easter [Lent] we have been called again beyond private religion to the prophetic; beyond perfectionism to seeking true growth; beyond mere ritual to witness; beyond religion-for-show to religion-for-real and deep spirituality.
The empty tomb alone proves nothing but we can acknowledge the presence of Jesus everywhere. God and Jesus cannot be locked up. Resurrection invites us to find God by being open to our world; by making connections; by allowing ourselves to be surprised by God in places and in ways we never thought possible. We are invited to allow others – like those women at the tomb, those whom we might refuse to consider - to open our hearts to things we do not want to hear. Let us allow God’s voice to be released in everyone, everywhere. So, let go of the fears that protect us from one another – reach out to the other: the Muslim, the child who needs, support, the homeless, the unemployed, the Indigenous person, the person living with mental illness, the stranger, the gay and lesbian. Our attitude and action leads to removing stones from their graves.
‘Well, what did you expect?’ Jesus lives! Let us do resurrection by insisting on the things of life, justice and peace. Will we rise and resist the deadening grip of the world's burnt-out systems and be open to the light-giving presence of God. These are hints of resurrection in our daily lives. Mary's stubborn commitment to give witness to her community's mourning and grief is inspirational. As the late Dorothee Söelle put it:
"Resurrection is the sign of a power that changes life and breaks its subservience to and cooperation with death. The resurrection has need of witnesses, for it does not function here for the sake of Jesus' return to his father, but for the sake of liberation of all people from fear and submission to the powers of death."
We might ourselves say, or heard other people say, ‘I will not collaborate in my own oppression’. I do not have to list the groups of people.
‘Well, what did you expect?’ This can be life changing! We have resurrection moments in our lives. Do we recognise them when we absorb animosity? Refuse to be violent in speech and behaviour in the face of violence? Hope in the face of despair? Live with depression and still come through? Be faithful where faithlessness might be understood? Let go of hurts in order to begin the process of forgiveness? Resist what is contrary to life? We glimpse resurrection whenever people break through prejudice and fear; attempt reconciliation and make bonds of friendship across cultural divides; when we question institutions, country and church - when they fall short of justice, love and compassion; when we question and challenge racism, inequality or unfair practices in the workplace, war, detention of children, women and men who seek our protection. The tomb is not the final solution.
Why do you seek the living among the dead? The Easter question provokes us: how is it that we have thought that the institutions of death will provide us with new life? Where did we get the idea that by embracing and blessing the death of others we find new life for ourselves?
This was Caesar’s solution. Pilate says send in the troops. It is still the solution of the powers today. Israel is adopting it in Gaza and China in Tibet. The USA sends in the marines, or better those of client states. Kill the one who objects, the rebel, the conscientious objector, the Jew, the Arab, the Salvadoran, the Filipino, the Iraqi, the Turk. Lynch the black person, drown the homosexual, rape the resister, deport the immigrant and the illegal alien. Quarantine the person living with AIDS; gaol the drug addict. Silence dissent by vilification or anti-terror laws or cutting funding to charities and research projects.
‘Well, what did you expect?’ You roll away the stones that prevent people from coming out of their graves – they begin to live. They do things differently. The resurrection introduces us to an uncomfortable newness in relationships and social arrangements. We want it and dread it. The call is to risk new life – and help others risk it. Let others roll away the stone… The resurrection stories show us the importance of the ordinary things of life. Jesus shows us that his wounds remain visible in his body; that whatever our wounds, they are not taken away, but become sources of hope to others. We can still feel the world’s pains and the pains of our family and friends.
This is the 8th day of Creation: it is about new creation; a new earth; new relationships; a new and united humanity. God's image is imprinted on us. It begins with God saying to us, "I love you. Where love is, I am. Where I am is home." God has fallen in love with you and wants you to come home.
Today shows us how much we are remembered by God; how much God wants to intervene in our lives and have a place in our hearts. The death of Jesus revealed how powerful we humans are. We did what we wanted with him. But today reveals how powerful God is and what joy God is holding out for us as we ‘see and believe’ and come to ‘understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead’. ‘Well, what else did you expect?’
The women on Easter morning expected to find a smelling body. The disciples were smelling the decay of lives in disappointment as they reflect on the one who seemed so connected to God and was abandoned by God. He even convinced them that his way of seeing the world and seeing people was the right way. And this happens! And what would happen to them now? They could go home to their fishing and admit they mistakenly followed a dreamer who left them disillusioned.
The women did not get what they expected. They found no smelly decaying body but the presence of the one they had known and loved, who said, as he always did: ‘Do not be afraid’. And the disillusioned disciples would receive a ministry to proclaim the presence of love and life in the world. It changed them and the world forever. It is interesting that the early community seemed to only preach Jesus' rising from the dead because everything else seemed irrelevant and unimportant alongside the news that death was not the last word and the Reign that Jesus preaching was breaking in. Only later did it become obsessed with finding little instructions for life’s every little problem with lots of dos and don’ts which caused people to fear again for themselves and become irresponsible about this world by focussing on a future world.
Chocolat – film [about Lent and chocolate]. It is set in a little French village where everyone and everything is in its right place. Tranquility is the supreme value. The status quo must not be disturbed. If you see something, look away. The village is dominated by a mayor who knows what is good for everyone. The mayor even corrects and rewrites the parish priest’s homilies. Church attendance is obligatory However, a woman and her daughter arrive in the village to set up a chocolate shop – during Lent. They are not churchgoers. The woman is a single mother. The mayor spurns them and gets the villagers to do the same. But she seduces the curious villagers who peer through the shop window [remember, it is Lent] by inviting them to come in and taste her delicious chocolates. This awakens in them the ancient mysterious desire for connection, intimacy, and inclusiveness. A stone has been rolled back and a spirit of life breaks through into that community. A spirit of ‘playful’ resistance occurs when mother and daughter help person after person reawaken a sense of connectedness which is based on love rather than fear. She reawakens in them a sense of their beautiful humanity. It enables them to begin to do life differently. Jesus does this for us.
Today’s gospel begins in an atmosphere of darkness, oppression. It is the darkness of the empty tomb; the darkness of not knowing; the darkness of loss; the darkness of shock at seeing Jesus' capture, torture and death. This darkness persists until the ‘other disciple’ entered the tomb, ‘saw and believed.’
What can we see? Can we see things we usually do not? Do we see the Christ in the poor and suffering around us? Do we see that winning and power are not the solutions to every problem or confrontation? Do we recognise that those who have lost much in life have a story to tell that others have not experience? Do we hear from those who are least privileged stories that no one else would ever know? Do we see that being able to have all we want does not mean we should? Do we see that people in other parts of the world suffer because of our personal and national excesses? Do we see God’s reign, God’s seduction, in the little efforts to change our world Do we see that letting go of our fear is a way of entering new life?
‘Well, what did you expect?’ Jesus is risen – and so are we. Jesus is not in the tomb. But will we leave our tombs; leave behind what entombs us – fear, preciousness, self-centredness. New life has been set loose in the world and possibilities for change are available to us. It depends on us to accept it.
It means that we act differently: to see that life is about slow growth, not perfection; a reckless love of the unlovable; traveling through life with new insight, with new people, in new ways. Important question: will we, touched by Jesus, now rise and do life differently?
There are many things which call forth our passion: injustices to redress; social and moral outrages that cannot be ignored. Though always with us, it is no excuse for tolerating them. Christianity’s strength is seen in its ability to build a barrier against hatred in our hearts. We can relieve the world of a little hatred that will otherwise almost surely contribute to the suffering and pain in others.
Jesus’ prayer for his persecutors is a model of how to do life differently in the face of hatred. His rising puts us in touch with a world where it is no longer necessary to settle scores. We have seen the disastrous outcomes when people keep settling scores in the old ways: Iraq; the Balkans; Middle East; even our neighbours who we might not speak with.
People still live with vilification, racism, sexism, prejudice and other forms of violence and we risk just taking it for granted and keeping silent, looking away. We can accept lies of systems and institutions that preach themselves rather than challenging them. In these weeks before Easter [Lent] we have been called again beyond private religion to the prophetic; beyond perfectionism to seeking true growth; beyond mere ritual to witness; beyond religion-for-show to religion-for-real and deep spirituality.
The empty tomb alone proves nothing but we can acknowledge the presence of Jesus everywhere. God and Jesus cannot be locked up. Resurrection invites us to find God by being open to our world; by making connections; by allowing ourselves to be surprised by God in places and in ways we never thought possible. We are invited to allow others – like those women at the tomb, those whom we might refuse to consider - to open our hearts to things we do not want to hear. Let us allow God’s voice to be released in everyone, everywhere. So, let go of the fears that protect us from one another – reach out to the other: the Muslim, the child who needs, support, the homeless, the unemployed, the Indigenous person, the person living with mental illness, the stranger, the gay and lesbian. Our attitude and action leads to removing stones from their graves.
‘Well, what did you expect?’ Jesus lives! Let us do resurrection by insisting on the things of life, justice and peace. Will we rise and resist the deadening grip of the world's burnt-out systems and be open to the light-giving presence of God. These are hints of resurrection in our daily lives. Mary's stubborn commitment to give witness to her community's mourning and grief is inspirational. As the late Dorothee Söelle put it:
"Resurrection is the sign of a power that changes life and breaks its subservience to and cooperation with death. The resurrection has need of witnesses, for it does not function here for the sake of Jesus' return to his father, but for the sake of liberation of all people from fear and submission to the powers of death."
We might ourselves say, or heard other people say, ‘I will not collaborate in my own oppression’. I do not have to list the groups of people.
‘Well, what did you expect?’ This can be life changing! We have resurrection moments in our lives. Do we recognise them when we absorb animosity? Refuse to be violent in speech and behaviour in the face of violence? Hope in the face of despair? Live with depression and still come through? Be faithful where faithlessness might be understood? Let go of hurts in order to begin the process of forgiveness? Resist what is contrary to life? We glimpse resurrection whenever people break through prejudice and fear; attempt reconciliation and make bonds of friendship across cultural divides; when we question institutions, country and church - when they fall short of justice, love and compassion; when we question and challenge racism, inequality or unfair practices in the workplace, war, detention of children, women and men who seek our protection. The tomb is not the final solution.
Why do you seek the living among the dead? The Easter question provokes us: how is it that we have thought that the institutions of death will provide us with new life? Where did we get the idea that by embracing and blessing the death of others we find new life for ourselves?
This was Caesar’s solution. Pilate says send in the troops. It is still the solution of the powers today. Israel is adopting it in Gaza and China in Tibet. The USA sends in the marines, or better those of client states. Kill the one who objects, the rebel, the conscientious objector, the Jew, the Arab, the Salvadoran, the Filipino, the Iraqi, the Turk. Lynch the black person, drown the homosexual, rape the resister, deport the immigrant and the illegal alien. Quarantine the person living with AIDS; gaol the drug addict. Silence dissent by vilification or anti-terror laws or cutting funding to charities and research projects.
‘Well, what did you expect?’ You roll away the stones that prevent people from coming out of their graves – they begin to live. They do things differently. The resurrection introduces us to an uncomfortable newness in relationships and social arrangements. We want it and dread it. The call is to risk new life – and help others risk it. Let others roll away the stone… The resurrection stories show us the importance of the ordinary things of life. Jesus shows us that his wounds remain visible in his body; that whatever our wounds, they are not taken away, but become sources of hope to others. We can still feel the world’s pains and the pains of our family and friends.
This is the 8th day of Creation: it is about new creation; a new earth; new relationships; a new and united humanity. God's image is imprinted on us. It begins with God saying to us, "I love you. Where love is, I am. Where I am is home." God has fallen in love with you and wants you to come home.
Today shows us how much we are remembered by God; how much God wants to intervene in our lives and have a place in our hearts. The death of Jesus revealed how powerful we humans are. We did what we wanted with him. But today reveals how powerful God is and what joy God is holding out for us as we ‘see and believe’ and come to ‘understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead’. ‘Well, what else did you expect?’
A Message from Peacefriends - Tibet
Hi,
I've just joined the urgent campaign to send Kevin Rudd to China with a message to stand up for the human rights of Tibetans.
As Australians, we are in a unique position to help stop the cultural genocide taking place right now in Tibet.
Kevin Rudd happens to be the world leader who not only can speak to the Chinese leaders in their own language, but is visiting Beijing the week after next to meet the President and the Premier. Add to that the impending Beijing Olympics, where the world's eyes will focus on China, and we have a once in a generation chance to resolve this crisis.
As you read this, Tibetans are burying an unknown number of their dead from these recent protests - the number is unknown because China is keeping out all international media and human rights monitors. But China can't afford too much damage to its international reputation, and will listen to Australia's concerns.
Please sign the petition today: Sign petition
I've just joined the urgent campaign to send Kevin Rudd to China with a message to stand up for the human rights of Tibetans.
As Australians, we are in a unique position to help stop the cultural genocide taking place right now in Tibet.
Kevin Rudd happens to be the world leader who not only can speak to the Chinese leaders in their own language, but is visiting Beijing the week after next to meet the President and the Premier. Add to that the impending Beijing Olympics, where the world's eyes will focus on China, and we have a once in a generation chance to resolve this crisis.
As you read this, Tibetans are burying an unknown number of their dead from these recent protests - the number is unknown because China is keeping out all international media and human rights monitors. But China can't afford too much damage to its international reputation, and will listen to Australia's concerns.
Please sign the petition today: Sign petition
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