Chaplains’ Chat

I am sure that many of us experienced a break from the regular routines last weekend as we celebrated Easter. For many of us, it was likely that we travelled to a holiday destination. My family and I were in the Blue Mountains for the duration of the weekend. Of course, with a relatively short journey from Sydney, we could have made the trip in one go. However, the Springwood McDonald’s is always a favourite. On longer journeys the trip needs to be planned with meal stops and petrol stops (or perhaps a recharge of the EV for some). Generally, the trip goes well and the biggest issue is choosing what music to listen to as the countryside rolls by. However, the car stops provide a chance to stretch the legs and refocus for the next part of the journey.

So often in life, the years can be just like the car journey. Rolling by with a few speed bumps along the way, some slight changes in direction but so often largely uneventful. However, every now and then we are faced with things in life that cause us to stop, reassess and think about the journey. Some of these can be wonderful moments in life like a wedding, a family holiday or another success. Of course, other times can bring great sadness. Last week at Shore was one of these as we mourned the passing of Leon Li. We continue to be saddened by his loss as well as thinking of the frailty of life. Things in our lives that sometimes seemed important, perhaps didn’t seem to be that big of a deal. The things that made us impatient, seem trivial by comparison. We reflect on what really matters most in life such as the importance of relationships, life itself and our own mortality.

As we have just celebrated Easter, we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. As Jesus was on the Cross, one of the criminals who hung with Jesus turned to him and said: “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” To which Jesus replied: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise”(Luke 23:43). Here are some of the big things in life that matter. Grappling and thinking about the place of God and eternity in our lives. Grappling with our own fears, doubts and mortality. And what does this death of Jesus and his resurrection mean for us?

Rev. Anthony Benn
Chaplain