Trouble in Norway / 0
Echo’s of Australia’s 1996 Port Arthur massacre is seen in the island of Utoeya tragedy of the Friday slaying of 68 innocent people So much so that Tasmania’s Dr Barry Jones chair of the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority wrote to Norway expressing their condolences and solidarity. In part his letter read “The personal grief caused by last Fridays atrocity will long be remembered as a terrible example of human cruelty, arrogance, violence and narcissism” Gun wielding Martin Bryant pleaded guilty whereas Anders Breivik has not and no matter his ideological views is neither a hero nor a martyr to a higher call. And if he is found to be a Christian from the extreme right, let me say this - religion, any religion without love is a very cruel instrument. Some in Norway are finding it hard to come to grips with the fact he was one of their own and has only compounded the grief and confusion over the bomb blast and shootings How do you and I deal with betrayal at such a serious level? Remember the peaceful setting that close nit group of men found themselves in where Christ was off praying while they slept. It was in a garden, where people go to reflect and enjoy the surroundings. Only one of the 12 knew the peaceful silence was soon to be shattered We saw Peter’s Gethsemane response to Judas’ act of damming betrayal, it was quick and it was bloody. The books of Matthew & Mark records His men all forsook Him soon after An act of betrayal is even the more severe when it comes from one of your own; Your life partner Your family Your closest of work mates The friend you shared your deepest of feelings with The church How did Christ deal with betrayal? He prayerfully abandoned himself to the perfect will of God Blessings Bruce Docker |
