Life Continues ...

Life continues after the terrorist activities of early January.

The 3 'shepherds' : the priest, the Protestant lay pastor and the Evangelical pastor celebrated Christmas on the day we usually celebrate the Wise Men's visit to baby Jesus at the local Elderly People's home.

Pascal reads the Bible text at the Aged Care Residence Christmas Celebration

I am always pleased to see 'my colleagues': 2 nuns from 2 different congregations who work in this area.

Last Sunday we had the Ecumenical Church service in the local (renovated at the State's and local council's cost) Catholic church. A significant celebration based around the text describing the Samaritan woman's meeting with Jesus around the well. The symbolism of water was very present and we were invited to transmit hand to hand water drawn from a well next to the church found during the renovations.

Transferring water as a symbol of God's spiritual gift to us : we were free to say a blessing or something to the person we passed the water on to.

Our common prayer time was punctuated by the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer. The priest, the lay pastor of the Protestant Church and the evangelical pastor (my hubby!) all played their part. This time more members of our churches participated in the celebration. After the Charly Hebdo and Jewish supermarket atrocities, our minds were firmly centred on the meaning of Christian unity and diversity as well as the concept of 'freedom of expression'. 

Yesterday we attended the consecration of one of our Union's pastors who has a part time position with the French Army. We were welcomed at the Army base chapel with a mixture of his parishioners (important that they support him in this other aspect of his ministry), Army chaplain personnel from Protestant and Catholic branches (no Muslim or Jewish chaplains there), and the military base hierarchy along with ordinary soldiers, the pastor's friends and family and some of his colleagues (us!).

Interesting context for a Christian service. A real sense of vocation amongst the chaplains. Humility and dependence on God especially the Holy Spirit. A common affirmation of our Christian faith through the Apostles Creed. A stated desire to respect the beliefs of others: Jews, Muslims, Atheists, agnostics and remaining open-minded in a multi-cultural, multi-faith context. A reference to patriotism and upholding the Republican values (I have to admit that I didn't feel all that implicated ;) ) A sense of supporting those who defend our living conditions in a 'free' country.

They mentioned those killed and prayed for the families of those who died in the Airforce plane crash in Spain. One person said "Killed for their country" as if they had perished in war, when they were in training for flying operations."Morts pour leur pays".

The chaplains accompany their units to outside operations in hot spots around the world and, apart from their presence and religious duties, they sometimes have a role in liaising with local populations. One of our colleagues was asked to liaise with the Christians, noted for himself the great needs of the local population and was able to raise a good sum of money through his church contacts in Lyon to directly help the people in need.

Laying on of hands for the consecration.

Life continues, but not always on the same trajectory. Events close to us, and far from us, nudge the paths we think we are on. Life is not a smooth journey, but is certainly meant to be lived to the full.

Australian Christmas Tree

And now for something a bit more light-hearted! Thanks to some Aussie missionary friends who passed this around.

The repercussions of the recent dramas in France

Now the emotion has calmed, radios, televisions, written press are beginning the analyses of why ? how? where lies the fault ? how to explain the radicalisation of young people drawn to Islam ; how to make opposite ideas and ideologies co-habit in a democratic society: is secularism the answer ? etc.

I read an interesting commentary published in The Telegraph, in which the author referred to Pope Benedict XVI 's masterful address to a German University in 2006. It helps us understand the different mentalities  between secular, Western Christians and believing Muslims.

Here they are for you to decide for yourselves if these articles help you in your reflections on the subject.

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11335174/Charlie-Hebdo-secularism-is-not-the-solution-but-the-problem.html

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg_en.html

Pascal's message after the massacre at Charlie Hebdo

Declaration written on the evening of Wednesday 7th January 2015.

Good Evening to all,

Today pure violence has come to the fore. We feel its effects even more as we come to the end of the Season where we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace into this world. What happened in Paris this morning, as for so many other similar incidents in France and elsewhere in the world, has only served to show yet again man's incapacity to consider Life as being the ultimate precious gift that we have, far greater than any other possession.

We could have hoped that all would recognize that Life itself is superior to all other things and that all would agree on the sanctity of life. Unfortunately, that's not the case for all. The heart of man is evil. In memory of these stolen lives and taking into consideration of the suffering of a number of grieving families for whom we can be praying, we should remind ourselves that we Christians are called to be peacemakers. Neither revenge, nor vengence belong to a Christian ethic. But we are not condemned to staying silent. The Lord hears our prayers. As with Paul : « We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthiens 4 : 8) ». Paul himself had experienced the horror of the violence against him and could only trust in his God through his prayers.

Other representatives of Protestant and Evangelical Christians have made public declarations and I attach these to my email.

We have heard of other public demonstrations being organised all over the place by many different people. Whether in the midst of our fellow citizens during one of these gatherings or while going about our daily business, let's show others how we believe and what we believe through our non-violent behaviour and by our words, both in our private lives and in public. Let's block all negative thoughts which could lead to dark stains in our lives.

Let's ask God for His wisdom and speak out againt evil. Weep with those who weep. May the Lord help all those who are suffering and may each person recognize that He is God.

In Christian love,

Pascal.

Happy New Year ???

As I write, the drama of hostages and Islamic extremists is being followed through TV and social network coverage.

Freedom of expression, liberty to choose one's beliefs and the exhortation to respect other people's choices: these are the big issues of the moment. I would add : how should we define 'blasphemy' ? and the sacredness of life.

God holds life to be sacred. His Son died so we could live. Life and Love. Eternal values.

So what can I wish you for this new year? These events can help us come out of our torpitude, our comfortableness, to emancipate ourselves from relying on other people's interpretations and media summaries. We should be shocked into deciding for ourselves what we believe in and for which values we would stand up for. It is a time in which we Christians can stand firm in our faith in a Sovereign God.

Life is not made of black and white issues, but of a myriad of colours and nuances. We need to be connected to God through the Holy Spirit in order to act, and even think, according to his will.

So may this year be filled with divine responses for each and everyone.

Next post: what Pascal has written for his parishoners after the murders at Charlie Hebdo.