We were horrified to learn about the attack on Muslims at Friday prayer in Christchurch on 15 March. I am mindful of the Muslim friends I attended school with, one who had a number of friends killed. I also extend my condolences to those in our own College community, and local community schools, who will be mourning. There is no doubt that we need to learn how to live in harmony, to live at peace with one another. One of the great things about our College is that we can model what it means for students from over 150 nations to live together in peace and harmony. The Holy Bible says:
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.” (Romans 12:18)
Living at peace with one another is a lot harder than it sounds. People rub us the wrong way, have different likes, values and beliefs. In school, we have to work out a way to both stand for what we believe, to be ourselves, but to learn what it means to appreciate others, to get along together. On the sporting field, the NZ All Blacks and the Australia Wallabies go full on against each other in Rugby. But at the end of the day, they are ANZACs, cousins across the ditch, united and in harmony with shared history and values.
Let me share something of my own cultural background. My maternal ancestors are Irish. On Sunday 17 March St Patrick’s Day was celebrated. More than leprechaun’s and 3 leaf clovers, Patrick himself transitioned from a teenage slave taken to England to return as the person who brought Christianity to pagan Ireland. He is the one God used to bring Ireland the gospel of peace with God. This is the same gospel that shapes our endeavor to live in harmony and peace with each other today.
If we reduce the call to unite, live in harmony, be at peace, to one idea, we are speaking about the need to love one another. Jesus himself radically said: “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35). And the Bible gives the vivid picture of people from all nations gathering around God's banquet table, worshipping Jesus on his heavenly throne. So, it makes sense that he challenges us to love and pray for our enemies – a very hard challenge. We may end up spending eternity with them, worshipping God together, for ever! Along with you, I need God’s help to love as Jesus did, as he wants us to. May we humbly acknowledge that we can’t do this ourselves, but need the salvation and transformation that comes from God.
In Peace,
Rev Jim Dayhew
College Chaplain
