http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2009/05/02/pauls-mad-max-chapter-and-stephens-leadership-gem/ an Imaginary Diocese blog Tue, 15 May 2012 07:40:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/2009/05/02/pauls-mad-max-chapter-and-stephens-leadership-gem/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Isabel Mon, 04 May 2009 02:11:20 +0000 http://imaginarydiocese.org/bishopjohn/?p=159#comment-7 To connect recent Asyluum seekers to the visible praxis of doing acts of mercy and justice seems appropriate here. We live in a vastly different world from the Howard era when pulling up the drawbridge was actively encouraged among those who held Christian values; especially those 'who didn't look, speak or think like us' ...and back then it seemed like the ultimate challenge for many Australians, causing so much anxiety for those who seek to love ...the unlovable... In a very short time, world has changed dramatically. Many people face dramatic lifestyle challenges today and are more able to empathise with Asyluum seekers but, are are we able to see beyond the images of what looks like illegal invasion as we struggle with the issue? Can we fiercely love and welcome refugees in God's name and in the doing glimpse the face of jesus in the stranger on a sinking tub? To connect recent Asyluum seekers to the visible praxis of doing acts of mercy and justice seems appropriate here. We live in a vastly different world from the Howard era when pulling up the drawbridge was actively encouraged among those who held Christian values; especially those ‘who didn’t look, speak or think like us’ …and back then it seemed like the ultimate challenge for many Australians, causing so much anxiety for those who seek to love …the unlovable…
In a very short time, world has changed dramatically. Many people face dramatic lifestyle challenges today and are more able to empathise with Asyluum seekers but, are are we able to see beyond the images of what looks like illegal invasion as we struggle with the issue? Can we fiercely love and welcome refugees in God’s name and in the doing glimpse the face of jesus in the stranger on a sinking tub?

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