Message from the Chaplain

God Shows Up, Even in the Darkest Places

Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of UnitingWorld this week wrote the following in her newsletter:

As we enter this final week before Easter, the anxiety and distress of recent events in the Middle East sits heavy on our hearts and minds. It’s a feeling that surely unites us with people all over the world. And with research showing that across the world three out of every four people still identify as religious, many of us will be finding solace in our faith. 

 

The ancient Passion story of Holy Week will be told this Sunday in suburban pews here in Australia, sung under slow-turning fans by our brothers and sisters in congregations in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and across the Pacific, and proclaimed over loud-speakers in Palm Sunday processions through the crowded streets of Amritsar, India. In Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, our brothers and sisters in Christ will lift their voices: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” This is a story that speaks powerfully into our current moment.  

 

In it, we see Jesus walk steadfastly into suffering with a courage shaped by love, not domination. Even in betrayal, violence and despair, Christ embodies God’s solidarity with all who are hurting. 

 

God shows up, even in the darkest places. 

 

It is the same for us. When we turn up and display kindness and service we bring the hope of Christ into dark places. The Easter story reminds us that even death is overcome and God offers hope and new life to all who put their trust in Jesus. 

I wish you and your family safe and holy Easter filled with hope and peace.