One wild and precious life…
‘Tell me, what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’*
As I watch the daily loss of lives and homes through war in Gaza, Lebanon and the Ukraine, as I see the conflict and people fleeing from Myanmar and South Sudan…and the numbers of people forcibly displaced from their homelands rising above 117.5 million by the day., the above question seems like a luxury that so many are deprived of. So many precious lives…
Yet with the same breath, it is a question that reverberates with limitless potential as we look beyond the statistics, and see the precious lives they represent. The mothers, the fathers, brothers and sisters, the friends, the individuals, each with stories of their own. Each one with a name, history, hopes, dreams, skills and gifts to share. It becomes an invitation to us to become individuals and communities of welcome and connection and compassion for those who have been forcibly displaced from their homelands by war, conflict, poverty and climate catastrophe. And in the welcome, and in the connection, and in the compassion there is a deep mutual transformation that takes place as we allow ourselves to see and be seen, to listen, to learn and be shaped by stories, and experiences so different from our own. So my question, and my invitation - what will you do with you one wild and precious life? How can our communities become places of light and sanctuary for those seeking refuge? Each one of us has a part to play.
It was a privilege to deliver the Mary Coatman annual lecture in Hobart a few weeks ago. As a part of the evening a Congolese family who is being supported by the local community under the CRISP program shared a part of their story. Everyone there was humbled by their courage and resilience. It was a wonderful opportunity for the local communities gathered there to consider their unique passions, resources and skills, and how they can be used to impact the lives of those who have had to flee unimaginable horrors and begin a new life in a strange land.
Sunday was a complete joy preaching at the 3 different congregations of St Mark’s Bellerive, engaging with people of all ages and stages of life. Through Jesus’ parable of the Great Banquet we explored what living lives of generous, lavish hospitality would look like in terms of the way that we welcome refugees, expecting nothing in return. It was a rich time of connection and warm generosity.I am so thankful for this vibrant community of St Mark’s Bellerive and am excited to see how they choose to embody this warm welcome and lavish hospitality within in their community and towards those outside.
*Poet Mary Oliver
