Message from the Chaplain

From The Chaplain – Week 1, Term 4, 2023 – Freedom

When it comes to debates about which are the really great movies of all time, one that deservedly keeps appearing on many people’s lists is The Shawshank Redemption.  Its main focus is the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker convicted of murder on pretty flimsy evidence and given two life sentences at the notorious Shawshank Prison.  In his time in Shawshank Andy is harassed and intimidated by fellow prisoners; he finds himself providing financial services for the Chief Guard and other prison staff; and he develops a lasting friendship with another prisoner, “Red”.

However, there’s also a subplot involving another prisoner, Brooks.  Brooks has been in Shawshank for about 50 years, when his parole is finally granted.  Wonderful news for Brooks, you’d think!  Instead, Andy and Red discover a hostile and almost hysterical Brooks holding a knife to the throat of another prisoner.  Rather than celebrating his release, Brooks is so accustomed to prison life that he’s afraid of the real world, and would prefer to stay in Shawshank, the only home he’s really known.

Imagine that situation: after fifty years of captivity, refusing freedom - out of fear of the unknown!  It’s an example of the film’s advertising slogan: ‘Fear can hold you prisoner; hope can set you free.’

It seems to me that many people today aren’t that different to Brooks, though: they live in their own ‘captivity’, fearful of what freedom from that captivity may bring.  It may be captivity to success in the business world; or the opinions of others; or the measuring of worth by wealth.  Jesus tells us that we can gain freedom from this captivity by finding our identity in knowing him.  If we do, he says, ‘you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ (John 8:32)

Rev. Mark Rundle

Calrossy Chaplain

DON’T MISS THE FINAL 2023 COMMUNITY PRAYER BREAKFAST – FRIDAY 27th OCTOBER

A reminder that this year’s final Community Prayer Breakfast, to which all members of Calrossy are very welcome, is coming up shortly! 

Whether you’re a parent, staff member, student, Board member or friend of our School, put Friday 27th October, 7.30-8.15am (Room 108 at the Brisbane Street Campus) in your diary.  Then come along on the day to share in a delicious brekky, as we thank God for Calrossy and pray for all the events of this last term of 2023, and for all the people that we make up our School Community!