THE EYES OF THE WORLD

Many thought it was almost impossible but the answer came with a news headline: “RESURRECTION”. On October the 17^th last year the Independent on Sunday carried an article by Peter Stanford proclaiming that one billion people watched the incredible uplifting from the dead of the thirty-three Chilean miners from almost certain death. “Our faith in humankind was reborn,” the article exulted.

There is no doubting the heroic efforts of all involved in this operation, not least that of the Chilean miners themselves. Whether this brought about a universal rebirth of faith of whatever kind is debatable.

On all such human dramas the media will claim that the ‘the eyes of the world’ are giving it their full attention but where were those ‘eyes’ two thousand years ago to witness a far more stunning resurrection in far off Jerusalem? Probably turned toward other things yet that event is still celebrated today by millions if not ‘billions’ throughout the entire world.

What a contrast both in interest and response when the facts were revealed. The rescue of the miners, the object of world attention and rightly so, it was a magnificent achievement. But according to records the resurrection of Jesus surrounded by denial, fear and even total disbelief by many of his closest companions and disciples.

Despite all of this we might reflect this Easter time on another contrast in outcome. What had threatened to be the entombment for eternity for the Chilean thirty-three miners is now permanently sealed. Two thousand or so years ago the seal on that other tomb was burst apart and a Light streamed out destined to enlighten the whole of Creation. For any who have the eyes to see and the ears to hear, that Light held a promise that the best was yet to come!

Fr David

A parking hazard?

Khazi in Kandahar (and padded too): see p7

Hieroglyphics at The Yard: story on p8