The teaching of Jesus offers the deepest insights into human nature. In Luke 11:24-26 he tells the parable of an evil spirit being driven out and finding no resting place. It returns to find the house swept and tidy, so goes and finds seven other spirits, more wicked than itself, and they go in to live there. So the final condition is worse than the first. All nature, including human nature, abhors a vacuum, and if we do not fill it with positive Christian principles, do not be surprised if it degenerates into anarchy and misery.
Since I wrote last month’s ‘Rector’s Letter’ war has raged in Iraq to depose an evil regime, and root out weapons of mass destruction. The military campaign is judged a success, and in many areas of Iraq the jubilation was evident as the realisation sank in that people were free from the terror, which had oppressed them for so long. But the overthrow of the regime created a vacuum of leadership, and we have witnessed the frightening and terrible results of that with widespread looting and violence. It is an enactment of Jesus’ parable. There has been no doubting the commitment of the coalition to ensure that if Saddam Hussein did not comply voluntarily, compliance would be enforced militarily. The very scale of the resources and logistics poured into the military operation was staggering. But the overthrow of the regime was only the first stage of the stated intention. It is not only Iraq’s future which will be determined by what happens next, but that of our whole global village. If only the countries of the world could be truly the united nations, and devote the same will to deploy the logistics and resources needed for humanitarian aid on at least the same scale as the military operation, and extend that campaign to address all the world’s trouble areas, then that would make a lasting difference. Instead of creating a vacuum to be filled with anarchy and violence, we might witness real signs of new life and hope for our world. I wonder how long the ‘carpet’ media coverage of events in Iraq will continue. Will it be the same as with Afghanistan, that when the military campaign dwindles, the reporters lose interest and go home, so we no longer hear or see what is happening in the aftermath? Would it not be wonderful to see food and water being brought to where there is desperate need and medical supplies to hospitals – to see new signs of life and hope?
In this Easter season we recognise that the new life of Christ, bursting out of the Resurrection, only came by his supreme sacrifice of selfless love on the Cross. Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection are the enactment of his teaching, demonstrating the very truth and principles of creation. If the nations of the world only focus on self interest, and try to grab for themselves at the expense of the weaker nations, that will only bring anarchy and misery for everyone: if the strong nations work together to give support and help to the weaker nations and address all injustices and endemic inequalities, that will bring new life and hope for all. So on 29 May we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus as Christ the King. This is the final verification of the teaching, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem 2,000 years ago is just as relevant today:- “If only you had known the way that leads to peace.” If we would find that way today, it is the way of Jesus we need to follow.
This year Christian Aid Week (11 – 18 May) has even more urgent relevance than usual. Christian Aid acts out the teaching and principles of Jesus. Not only is Christian Aid the Church’s agency for channelling resources and encouragement to areas of greatest need in our world, it also makes a stand for Jesus’ demand for social justice, and challenges, for example, unfair trade practices, which favour rich countries at the expense of the poor. I believe Christian Aid deserves the support of, especially, all Christians, not only financially, but also in it’s stand to promote Christian principles of justice in the world arena. As usual Christian Aid has produced attractive resources to inform our own involvement in their work. We shall be sharing some of that in our special Family Service on 11 May, and hope you will join us. The ‘Prayer of the Month’ is taken from the prayer cards produced for that service. So let us play our part to ensure that we fill any vacuum with positive Christian principles that bring the new life and hope of Christ to our world.
Yours sincerely
Peter Lee
