Tuesday: what shall we do?

This past Saturday many Australians responded to the call to participate in ANZAC Day at the kerb of their home instead of attending the traditional Dawn Services or mid morning commemorations.

In many conversations I have had since, people have remarked on their motivation – the desire to reflect on the sacrifices made by the women and men who have served them in the Australian Defence Force at times of conflict or in peace keeping missions or in providing assistance in natural disaster events.

In the busyness of our everyday lives we, that is all of us including you and I, seldom consider the extent of physical and or emotional injury endured by many of our ADF people; few are intimately acquainted with those who die while on duty seeking to serve their nation.

In this time of social distancing many of us have begun to recognise changes in the way we feel as we experience disconnection from routine patterns and find energy levels faltering. Most of us acknowledge the importance of acting in safe ways to protect others around us while incidentally keeping ourselves safer from the risks arising from the pandemic. But is there opportunity for more?

Perhaps we can find in this disconcerting time an opportunity for reflecting on our lives and our values for living. Personal Reflection as an element in our Christian life is fundamental. In Acts (2:31) we hear Peter call on those listening to heed the challenge that is inherent in Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Their reaction was to ask, “What shall we do?”

The invitation available to us all, is to take time to quietly undertake reflection on how we answer that question in our daily lives, not on one day each year, not one day each week, but each and every day.

You will notice this week your Elders are sharing the preparation of the daily presentations through the electronic media so that Rev Yvonne has time to complete some of her ongoing academic studies. In her last semester she was the recipient of a Dean’s Award for the exceptional standard she demonstrated in that period – we congratulate her and are confident her application and commitment will again achieve excellent results in this semester.

Blessings to all
George T