"So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which
Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were
there too. Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill
over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. Jesus was
in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples
woke him up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we are about
to die?"
I believe the foregoing excerpt from Mark chapter 4, provides a good
picture of where the Church finds itself today.
I have been involved in shipwrecks twice. Both times in the dead of night.
Once in my own motor cruiser off Tweed Heads when a cyclone washed my
vessel and crew up onto the beach...
...and a second time here in the Whitsunday's when a mate and I went
aground in his yacht on the reef off South Molle island...
Therefore I am well aware of the emotions that take over when your vessel
is in danger.
In the Church today we have those who want to turn back to the shore,
even when the wind is coming from that direction and it would be impossible
to make any headway.
Then we have those who would like to just run before the wind which would
be easier going but with an uncertain destination.
Others want to head towards the lea of an island they can see but there
could be hidden dangers there.
But most have donned lifevests and intend to jump overboard and go it
alone.
I see the situation in the today's Church as being very similar to my
shipwreck experiences. In the long run the forces being faced are too
overwhelming and eventually we can only trust in God.
Vince
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 Vince
Exley is another much-loved member of this community who has
been with us since the very earliest days of the CathNews
discussion community. The lucky bugger lives in one of Australia's
paradise locations, the Whitsunday Islands in tropical Queensland.
He's a really contented bachelor and described his life to me a
few years ago in these terms: "I feel God has really blessed
me in leading me to retirement in this beautiful area. I lead a
very fulfilling life of twice daily Christian meditation, a very
fulfilling Sunday Eucharist, pleasant daily walks along the beach,
Vinnie's activities, relaxation in the resort's Spas and Pools and
an afternoon scotch or two on my balcony (where the parakeets actually
try to drink my scotch)." When we asked for a photo Vince
sent the one we've used on the front page along with the real one
on this page. He appended a note saying "When I get to heaven
I am going to insist that my resurrected body be bronzed, muscular,
and that I have a full head of black curley hair. But in the meantime
this is all I have to offer! I think the avatar expresses my personality
better, but I will leave it up to you."
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©2006
Vince Exley
[Index of Commentaries by
Vince Exley]
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