Scotch College

Greening a Desolate LandChaplain’s Column

Zechariah has been read this Term in Assembly. We considered the awesome visions and now there is some plain speaking.

'This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other".'

How simple is that? Yet Zechariah is clear that, once again, the people had ignored this Word from God. The devastating consequence was this: in Zechariah's day "they made the pleasant land desolate."

Melbourne developers have reduced the green belt to wedges, and even they are under threat. How hard it is to open a new park - unless it's a car park; Birrarung Marr is the standout exception. The metropolitan area expands and freeways extend while public transport struggles.

'Greening' our social scene is more challenging still. Sport, which offers such value, debases itself by alliances with alcohol and gambling venues. Poker machines are typically placed where the most vulnerable fall prey, while huge licensed premises in the CBD become youth binge and brawl venues. All this and Victoria is still a pleasant place for most of its citizens.

However, more interconnected than ever, we need to think bigger. It is urgent to consider 'Who is my neighbour?'. The 'global village' is now; the vista of our neighbourhood is seen through windows everywhere. Israel's outspoken prophets make clear that grand statements don't go very far; 'greening' relationships requires a profound concern for our neighbour.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were developed to make a desolate planet pleasant. Alas, already governments are falling behind in their commitment to these goals. We need to be personally committed to keep things moving in the right direction, socially and environmentally.

I was encouraged recently hearing of the work of one person, David Pearce ('96). David is a pilot with MAF in Kenya. He flies out of Lokichoggio in northern Kenya on missions into Ethiopia and Sudan. David was grounded recently for flying more than 12 hours in one day. This is how it was described to me...

"At the end of a long day flying to five different locations in southern Sudan, ferrying emergency supplies and people, David's upper limit of an 11 hour day was drawing near due to battles with huge electric storms which sweep across the region at this time of the year.

"As David flew towards his Lokichoggio base into a head wind, he had one more call to make, but he knew that if he landed he would be way over his allowable hours. Down on the ground a Doctors without Borders (MSF) Team was dealing with a cholera outbreak and living in tents. MSF urgently needed the medicines he was carrying. David went down. And down he stayed the next day - grounded! But on his way home a magnificent rainbow settled on his Cessna Caravan."

Well done David, strong work.

Graham Bradbeer