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National Day of Mourningfor the victims of Bali bombings of 12 October 2002Sermon by Bishop John Harrower, October 20, St David's Cathedral, Hobart.
Our Prime Minister has called a National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bali Bombings of last weekend, the 12th October. Some 140 Australians are dead or missing. In Tasmania, our thoughts and prayers go out especially to the family and friends of Tim Hawkins. In all, nearly 180 people are feared dead. There are hundreds more suffering injury and trauma. Throughout this week we have seen and heard of scenes of heartbreaking loss. In the words of one of the Tasmanian survivors 'It was just horrific. I had to see and do some things that I wouldn't wish anyone (to) have to do in their entire life.' Our profound sympathy goes to those of every nation who have lost family and friends in this murderous act of evil; to those who have suffered permanent loss of physical and psychological health; to those who are caring and will care for them, and to the Balinese for their hospitality over the years now suffering the violation of their hospitality. In hope many people, including many of the injured, helped rescue and care for the victims of the Bali bombings. We thank not only the Australians, but also the Balinese people, and people from many nations, who helped the wounded and gave dignity to the dead.
GriefA day of National Mourning is a day of grief and a day of compassion.
On this day we mourn the loss of a loved one, of a friend, of an acquaintance, of fellow Australians. We grieve the ongoing suffering for those undergoing treatment for injuries and trauma. We grieve the empty places at dinner tables, the empty bedrooms, the silent work places and the football team photos bearing circled faces. Some have asked, 'I have not lost a loved one. Why has this affected me so much?' It is because the death of a person makes us all poorer. As John Donne wrote: No man is an island entire of himself. Everyman is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less... [A]ny man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee. The death of one person leaves us poorer: the death of near one hundred and eighty people renders us even poorer. And, confronted by such death we recognise our own mortality.
CompassionTasmanian Richard Joyes was in his Bali hotel when he heard the explosions (The Saturday Mercury October 19, 2002 pages 2-3). He went in search of his mates and was stunned at the carnage. 'I was in a state of shock, disbelief for a little while there.' Then he recalls that an Australian guy came up and said, 'Can you give us a hand?' Richard Joyes replied, 'No worries.' - a very Australian reply! And they worked together and rescued people. Is this compassion? Yes, it is compassion. It reminds us of the greatest act of compassion: when God 'gives us a hand'. God gives us a hand in acting to rescue us out of our grief and sorrow. We know he can give us a hand in times like this, both now and in the future. We turn to God and receive comfort in his eternal compassion and justice.
What are our reactions to this horrendous act of evil?Three possible reactions come to mind: Revenge, Escapism and Hope. Revenge?Commenting on the possible reactions of Australians to the Bali massacre, Adam Shand (Financial Review, October 19 2002, page 4) said of one particular incident, 'Fear and loathing was abroad as shock hardened to anger. NSW Premier Bob Carr was preparing for a possible 'breakdown in community harmony'. There were attacks on the homes of Muslim clerics and mosques.' He concludes, 'Just how well the terrorists will have achieved their evil aims is yet to be seen in the hearts of Australians.' Our hearts may yearn for revenge, but we do well to recall the old adage that 'violence begets violence'. We recall also the words of Walter Mikac, following the Port Arthur massacre, at the funeral of his wife and two daughters, 'Remember that the power of love and creation will always triumph over the power of destruction and revenge.' Escapism?It may be tempting to think that because we live on an island at the far end of the world, nobody will see us if we lock the doors, curl up in bed and pull the blankets up over our heads! But we are part of the world, we have been seen and we will continue to commit ourselves to life. God calls us to compassion and love, not to ignorance and fear. Hope?Rescuing people from burning buildings are acts of hope that overcome the fear and submission that acts of terrorism seek. Hope challenges us to build bridges, not walls. Hope enables us to build bridges of forgiveness, generosity and love; not walls of fear, anger, hate and resentment The Head of Calvin Christian School, Mr. Ric Peterson, in his newsletter (October 16, 2002) tells the story of two brothers who worked on adjoining farms in harmony for many years. When a misunderstanding arose between them, instead of dealing with it straight away it was allowed to become a festering sore in their relationship. It grew and grew until it became a major rift. The brothers spate hurtful words at one another and insulted each other's family. Indeed, the brothers may have come to blows if the younger one had not decided to stop the madness. He diverted a stream into a paddock between the two families thus creating a permanent barrier between them. One morning a carpenter came to the older brother and asked for work. The older brother said, 'Well, my brother diverted the creek to separate our farms, so I'll go one better. Let's build a high fence!' 'I think I understand the situation,' the carpenter replied and he began to work. When the older brother returned home that evening, he found a bridge over the stream! As he walked towards it, he saw his estranged brother coming across the bridge holding out his hand. 'Thank you' his brother said, 'for having this bridge built to bring us back together.' As they embraced, the older brother saw the carpenter preparing to leave. 'Please stay' he implored. 'I'd love to', replied the carpenter, 'but I have many other bridges to build.' Jesus Christ, the Carpenter of Nazareth, said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.' (Matthew 5:9). Jesus is the bridge builder, the Prince of Peace. The one who enables us to build bridges for peace, to extend our hand in the hope of peace. By his dying on a cross and coming back to life, Jesus defeated death. If we truly believe in him, and follow him, we will receive his comfort and hope.
I have written A Prayer for the National Day of Mourning and I invite you to bow your head in prayer with me now. God of
Love, God of
Justice, God of
Compassion, God of
Hope, We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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