Jesus clears the temple declaring that it has been made into a marketplace, corrupted by the ways of human beings. This is a reminder to us about the nature of church – both the building itself and the nature of ministry. Another word for church is “sanctuary”. It is a holy place, a refuge and a place of protection.

The church is also a gathering of people that seek after justice. It is this that Jesus seeks to encourage in his ministry. Archbishop Desmond Tutu writes: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

I am struggling to come to terms with the actions of the Indonesian government.
“Two Australians listed for execution in Indonesia have been given a brief reprieve, while the country’s president has confirmed Jakarta will not be taking up Australia’s offer for a prisoner swap.

Indonesia’s justice and human rights minister, Yasonna Laoly, told the ABC there would be a “short delay” to the next round of executions, which includes drug traffickers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.”

I do not, and never have, agreed with the death penalty. I know we may feel powerless in the face of this situation. I am reminded of the following…

“I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will!”
I am shouting out my disapproval and praying from the depths of my being for these 2 men, the other 8 people awaiting the same fate, and their families!

Blessings

Reverend Shan