Message from the Chaplain
A reflection on Sunday's Reading
They watched Jesus to see whether he would cure him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?”... He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” (Mark 3:1-5)
In these few verses, Jesus enters the synagogue and heals a man. Pharisees subsequently leave the synagogue and plot Jesus’ demise. This was a set-up. Pharisees were lying in wait to see if Jesus would cure on the Sabbath day (a day of no work, and healing was regarded as work). Jesus’ question “is it permissible on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm” is met with silence. In all four gospels, only in these verses is anger (orge) attributed to Jesus. Elsewhere the term refers to God’s wrath. Without touching the man or even speaking words of healing, the man’s hand is restored. Jesus has not ‘treated’ the sick man but has restored health.
Aside from the passage communicating Jesus’ lordship over the God-instituted day of rest, it asks us to consider our priorities in life. Do we put the dignity of another before our rituals of fidelity? Are we more concerned about who I am as a man/woman/Australian/Christian than about respecting someone who is different to us?
Sometime people can get stuck on their self-identity or their own particular viewing of the world without realising that they are denying others individual worth or the same opportunities in life that they themselves enjoy. It is an easy trap to fall into. Jesus’ anger is a reminder that as people of God we are called to be just that.
Same-sex Marriage
The law has changed to allow people of same gender to marry in Australia. However, it has done little to bring peace within Church congregations about homosexuality. Each side of the conversation draws upon Scriptures to justify their stance on homosexuality. Within the Uniting Church in Australia (KWS is a School of the Uniting Church – just saying!) there is a determination to remain united, loving and respectful towards those whose opinions differ to our own. Fundamental to the discussions is an informed understanding of the relevant Scriptures. There is opportunity to hear from a world-renowned Biblical scholar on the matter.
You are invited to attend a talk by Professor Bill Loader, entitled ‘Same-Sex Relations: a first century perspective. Listening to the Biblical witness.’ It will take place on Tuesday 26th June from 7:30pm – 9:00pm in Wesley Church, Orange (a couple of doors down from the RSL in Anson Street). Entry is free.
Prof Loader’s work on sexuality is well known and respected for its balance and respect for the ancient texts. At a recent Australian Anglican Bishops’ conference the retired conservative former Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen of Sydney Diocese observed that Loader’s presentation on the same-sex issues in the New Testament was the best he had ever heard, though he differed in how one now should apply it.
Respect
Kinross Wolaroi School is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA). It is not a secularist school. As a school of the UCA, the ethic of love as modelled by Jesus is extended to all who attend KWS. But there is a grab. The lived witness to the ‘ethic of love’ is also expected from all who attend KWS. That’s the way it works. Part of the ethic of love is respect.
Respect is a funny thing; we all expect it but some feel entitled not to give it. This, I suspect, is a reflection of contemporary political and social rhetoric. Disrespect is difficult to respond to respectfully. When disrespect toward the other, be it, for example, a boy’s sexualised language toward a girl or a student’s surly attitude toward a teacher, is perceived less as a misbehaviour and more as a perceived entitlement, we have a problem.
Respect is an element of love. As the Chaplain of KWS, as a man of faith and as a human being, I oppose the objectification of others and the arrogance held by some who think that the rights they enjoy are more valuable that the rights owed to others. My stance is grounded in Scripture, logic and human decency. At times, that means calling disrespect for what it is. I encourage others to dare to do the same.
Let’s face it, our world has witnessed enough of what happens in the absence of love. I encourage you, irrespective of your worldview, to reflect upon the values you hold dear and ponder on the behaviours you tolerate. The values you tolerate will fashion the nature of life for our youth as profoundly as those you hold dear.
Conversations with our teenage children can be difficult. When discussing values, it may be a matter of raising the value when the opportunity presents. Perhaps you prefer to address the matter head-on: ‘remember that the way you treat women matters. Think of what you expect for your mother or sister’ or ‘it is only by the Grace of God that you are you and not that person’ or ‘before you criticise him/her think about yourself. I love you but none of us are perfect’. You get the idea.
The core values of Kinross Wolaroi School are courage, respect, inclusiveness, resilience and commitment. It is, I suspect, becoming even more important for people “to do good” (recalling the Scriptures for this weekend) and to be counter-cultural as disrespect gains societal traction.
Phil Worrad
Chaplain