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	February 2005				John Harrower
		Bishop's reflection Life's chaotic character by John Harrower
			We expect the best, yet the worst may happen. Christmas festivities, the birth of the Prince of Peace, Boxing Day BBQ's, and then slowly but sickeningly we enter the horror of the tsunami. Perhaps nothing can top this for the extent of suffering. We all experience loss in unexpected ways. Recently while preparing food (a wild rabbit caught in our paddocks) Gayelene, my wife, cut her hand and medical treatment replaced an anticipated meal. During my Prayer Pilgrimage around Tasmania last year, my father unexpectedly died. On another occasion a growing friendship strangely faded. Life is ever changing and as a recent article pointed out, loss, including death, is an essential part of life on this planet and in this world. This Judeo-Christian understanding is based on the creation accounts as set out in the first three chapters of the Book of Genesis. Humankind rebelled against God's ways and, because of this, all creation is suffering until the return of Jesus Christ. Only then will all creation be restored in Christ. In the meantime we are called to be proactive stewards of creation: both carers of creation and creators of sustainable life. Frailty of life Natural disasters are not to be interpreted as; 'Serves you right. God is on your case!' But rather, as part of the frailty of life as we know it. Perhaps we have become too accustomed to 'the good life' that we are in danger of forgetting that life is transient. Jesus put an end to that devastating speculation of suffering as God's punishment for our wrong doing. As Barney Zwartz, The Age religion editor (January 3, 2005) explains, What then is the lesson of suffering? Jesus is asked (Luke, chapter 13) about some Galileans 'whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices'. Rebutting the ancient theory that disaster is a punishment for sin, Jesus asks his questioners whether these Galileans were greater sinners than other Galileans because they suffered this fate. And 18 residents of Jerusalem who died when a tower fell on them, were they worse than others in the city? 'I tell you, no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.' In other words, asked for a theological account of suffering, Jesus instead highlights the urgency of the gospel call of the Kingdom of God: repent (change course) and believe. He is surely not suggesting that if you don't repent a tower will fall on you, but that your perspective has to be from eternity.' 'Eternal life' is a category of living that Jesus characterised as life with God, both in this transient life on earth and as living beyond earthly death in life in Christ. Jesus Christ's resurrection is the call and character of this life beyond earthly life. It is both a call of expectant love and hope beyond this transient life of joy and sorrow, and also a call of commitment to live today fully in the love and purposes of God for all creation, it is a call to build ahealthy church, transforming life. May God bless our commitment to life in its fullness and comfort us in our sorrowing. Review of Tasmanian Anglican On another matter entirely, although continuing to speak of change: life and death, joy and sorrow, we are considering significant recasting of the Tasmanian Anglican. I am keen to receive your views and there is a suggested response form that you may like to use in this edition. I look forward to your ideas and this further development in our communications. Click here to participate in an online survey about what content could go in the magazine. Shalom