Chaplains’ Chat

In our world of instant media coverage and social media connections, we hear and see events in real time and receive updates on people all over the world. For the influencers and people who post regularly, we receive information about them every day! For some in this world, there is the desire for greatness, to be known and to be famous. Of course, this might be an overt desire to be known and famous or others might have fame thrust upon them simply because of what they have done or achieved, even if this has been done in the background. I love reading of the nominees for awards such as the Australian of the Year, with so many of these people suddenly becoming more prominent simply because of their quiet, relentless work in their chosen field. Often, they are serving their local communities and regions.

While being known or famous is not a bad thing, perhaps it causes us to reflect on our motives as to why some might want this in their lives.  To be respected, well-liked, to have influence, or simply to have the approval of others, might be some of the reasons that people aspire to fame. In many ways, all of these reasons are linked to relationships, the importance of relationships and even the desire to have wide ranging relationships. As we heard from Rev. Foord this week in Chapel, the woman at the well in John 4 knew all about relationships. Despite the relationship difficulties she had experienced, Jesus reaches out to her and reminds her of the ultimate relationship that God offers us all. Indeed, Jesus offers her a source of life linked to none other than God. What a relationship this is! While many of us might aspire to be well known, while many of us might aspire to have influential relationships with others, Jesus reminds us that he has come so that we can have a relationship with the true and living God.

Rev. Anthony Benn
Chaplain