The Rectory                                                                                                                     March 2012

Oaksmere

01865 862458

lynsapwell@sky.com

Dear Friends,

“Forgive, and be forgiven. Holding grudges, against God or anyone else, will ruin your peace of mind. Forgiving is good for you, so keep short accounts.”

Such wise words from Tim Jack in his letter in last month’s “Advertiser”! We have recently returned from visiting our daughter in New Zealand and the day we left was the national Bank Holiday celebrating Waitangi Day - which marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed what is New Zealand’s founding document. The official ceremonies take place at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands – and as we were staying just a short drive away, we visited the area the day before amidst the arrival of government ministers and the setting up camp of thousands of mainly Maori families commerorating the occasion – and having a good time! We enjoyed watching the Maori “waka”– the traditional boats rehearsing their arrival in the Bay for the morrow.

The Waitangi Treaty has had its tensions but, despite mutual mistrust at first, by the early 1850’s the Treaty relationship seemed generally positive and mutually respectful of New Zealanders of all backgrounds. It brought to an end hostilities that had arisen between some of the Chiefs and the newly arrived European settlers. Perfect it may not have been – nonetheless many of the nations torn in civil conflict today might well take a leaf out of its ethos and implementation over the years.

We had a very interesting coversation with a Maori who had become a Baptist minister as he shared the stories of some of the prestigious Maori chiefs and the importance that their newly found Christian faith had made to them in the early days of the Treaty. One vital change related to their concept of “utu” – “revenge” –a frightening feature of which was that this should be an act even more humiliating than the offence they had received. A display at Waitangi marked how “utu” had been laid down for forgiveness – although one aspect remained – the act of “forgiveness” was encouraged to run even deeper than the offence made against it!

What a difference this kind of forgiveness and reconciliation makes at every level of human relationship in our world – not least as we see the distresses and seemingly implacable hostilities current between peoples in so many places. And the need is just as great so often in individual lives and families. Sadly we hear the story time and again of families, friendships and other relationships alienated and acrimoniously divided in some way. St. Paul writes “See to it that no-one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12 v.15) And it’s the person consumed with bitterness in whatever measure and for whatever reason who becomes the one least happy and most damaged.

The season of Lent is traditionally a time when we take stock of ourselves and our relationship with God and with one another. Tim’s words above directly reflect Jesus’ own given to us in love. What a good challenge to all of us again this Lent. “Forgive, and be forgiven. Holding grudges, against God or anyone else, will ruin your peace of mind. Forgiving is good for you, so keep short accounts.” No-one pretends it’s often easy – but we can always ask for help from the one who in love has chosen to forgive us most, even at the excruciating cost of a Roman cross.

With my love and prayers for a blessing-filled Lent

Lyn

Revd Lyn Sapwell