Shelly-Ann Pollard led her first worship service as incumbent at St. Martin, Bay Ridges. However, after only two weeks of in-person worship, services were suspended due to the restrictions and lockdowns caused by COVID-19. Almost two years later, on Sunday, December 5, 2021, due to the easing of some pandemic restrictions, the people of St. Martin were, at long last, able to hold a service of celebration of new ministry to formally induct Ms. Pollard as their incumbent. 

Bishop Riscylla Shaw presided over the service with the assistance of the Rev. Canon Ruthanne Ward, regional dean of Oshawa deanery. St. Martin’s honorary assistant, the Rev. Richard Newland, shared the gospel reading and the Rev. Canon Erin Martin of St. James the Apostle, Sharon, delivered the homily. Several symbolic gifts were presented by members of the selection committee and a new chasuble was given to Ms. Pollard on behalf of the congregation. The entire service was livestreamed on YouTube for all who were unable to attend in person. 

While the pandemic delayed this event from happening, it didn’t stop Ms. Pollard from getting on with her ministry and getting to know and serve the members of St. Martin and the entire parish was proud to officially welcome Ms. Pollard. 

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Ms. Thomson imagined what might happen if everyone gathered to share their stories. She imagined the sheer magnitude of what God had done, and the outpouring of joy that would result. Since COVID-19 wouldn’t allow such a gathering, Ms. Thomson began to wonder if there was another way to tell the stories of God’s work in the parishioners’ lives. 

Praise from the People of St. Paul’s on-the-Hill brings together 27 stories from the parishioners of St. Paul. Each story is unique. Some, such as “Testimony of an A/V Tech,” are set in the fabric of life at St. Paul. Others, for example “Love on a Leash,” tell of unexpected light in dark times of loneliness, disintegration of the familiar or bereavement. “God’s Reassurance” remembers the return of hope and the sustaining presence of God during the hardships of a financial reversal. Several recount the loving, nurturing companionship of God during a lifetime of ups and downs. All show how a relationship with God has been strengthened.

Praise from the People of St. Paul’s on-the-Hill is available in paperback ($10) and as an ebook ($3.85). It can be found by searching amazon.ca for St. Paul’s on-the-Hill.

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While the parishioners of St. Thomas, Brooklin would have liked to send the Rev. Canon Claire Wade off into her retirement with a special service to celebrate her ministry and thank her for her presence and guidance, COVID-19 restrictions did not allow for such a celebration.  

Instead, in June 2021, Canon Wade stood for over two hours in the heat of a midsummer’s day as a long line of cars stretched down St. Thomas Street and slowly moved through the church’s parking lot, where parishioners wished her well, gave cards and gifts and thanked her for her time with the church. Canon Wade was particularly fond of the children that attend St. Thomas and they showed up with banners and good wishes.

Canon Wade saw St. Thomas through good times, such as the church’s 150th anniversary celebrations, and during the more challenging times, such as the pandemic, when worship services had to be online or in-person with adjustments. Whatever the format, the parishioners enjoyed her weekly homily and their gratitude for her inspiration, compassion and guidance shone through at her drive-by farewell. 

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Opening its doors to those in need of the warming room is an extension of the work the church is already doing in the community. St. Peter is one of five local churches involved in weekly lunch programs and members of St. Peter provide bagged lunches every Tuesday. On Thursday evenings, the church provides approximately 140 bagged hot dinners through their “Thursday Night Light” program. When it is safe to reopen, the church hopes to provide sit-down in-person meals once again, offering a sense of fellowship and personal contact. 

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In December 2021, Toronto’s Homeless Memorial added 35 names of people who died from causes related to houselessness in the city of Toronto. Every second Tuesday of the month, people gather outside the Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto, to name, to remember and to grieve the loved ones we have lost to tragic and preventable circumstances. Years ago, we would often have eight or nine names to add to the memorial monthly, but that number continues to rise, doubling, and now tripling. Every week I hear of the passing of several community members and friends, many of whom I have known for years.

Last winter we witnessed the city of Toronto evicting people living in encampments while there were no indoor shelter-hotel beds available: where were people supposed to go? In response, we organized with impacted families to advocate for an increase of 2,000 beds and private shelter rooms in the city of Toronto’s emergency housing programs, but we have seen no expansion. Within the underfunded and under-resourced shelter system we have heard shocking reports of residents experiencing rape, theft, transphobia, racism and even murder. 

Despite our advocacy efforts and raising these horrific findings with city officials, we have seen little movement or efforts to increase the wellbeing, safety and privacy of residents. The overwhelming majority of houseless people are Indigenous, many are Survivors or intergenerational Survivors of child confinement institutions, including Indian Residential Schools and Indian Hospitals. A just response to the crisis of a dramatic rise in deaths in city-run institutions would prioritize the experience and knowledge of residents.

Many of our community members are missing. We have filed missing persons reports but they have led nowhere. We have been told that there are hundreds of unidentified and unclaimed bodies in Toronto’s morgue. Every time I refer a community member into a shelter-hotel I wonder if I will see them again. Every month the shelter system releases anonymous numbers of the amount of people who died in its services recently; we honour them at the Homeless Memorial service as Jane, Jay or John Doe. However, we know that every one of them had a name and little is being done to honour them or connect with the deceased’s family and community. 

Last week I learned of the tragic passing of a vibrant soul and wonderful Anishnaabe artist whom I had known for years. He died while riding the subway late at night, he was found unresponsive, and the cause of death is unknown. I recently broke the news of his death to another community member who knew and loved him. He broke down in tears at the thought of his friend dying alone, riding the TTC to stay warm because of severe winter weather and a constantly full shelter system. 

As we grieved the constant confrontation of the decimation of our communities he reflected: “I can’t take this, it’s like everyone is dying. Over 300 people have died at the Bond [shelter-hotel] since it opened during the pandemic. A shelter isn’t supposed to have a graveyard. A shelter isn’t supposed to be haunted. My wife died there, and I have no choice but to stay in the same institution that led to her sudden death. When we enter the shelters, they don’t ask for a next of kin. So many people have died that they don’t even tell us when someone passes. How are we supposed to grieve them if we don’t know they died? They aren’t contacting families or reaching out for people to be identified. If I die in the shelter or in a tent, who will tell my daughter?” 

Our community members are dying at disproportionate and exponential rates. Those most impacted by these ongoing tragedies have the wisdom that houses solutions to the overlapping oppression against poor and racialized communities. As Christians may we be challenged and transformed by God-with-us, who identified God’s very self with those most impacted by systemic oppression, trauma and social neglect.

“Whoever oppresses a poor person insults their Creator, but they who are generous to the needy honour their Maker.” (Proverbs 14:31)

Sister Laura, a houseless community leader and co-founder with Papa Smith of the street-based community care initiative “Harmonization” comments on the relentless and tragic loss of her friends:  “What I see is pure madness, the government treats people who live on the street, who don’t deserve to live on the street, so badly. The housing crisis and covid crisis has turned Toronto into a violent war on the street, the city is at war against us. 

“So many of my friends have died on the streets from drug use, so many have died by suicide. This is supposed to be a good place to live. The younger generation is our future to keep our veterans and elderly people safe from harm’s way, from sickness, bad drugs and sh**** housing. Canada has a racist issue. I, Sister Laura, support the grief and loss group in Toronto, Trinity Church supports me, I march forward every day and think every day of everyone around the world who has passed away from homelessness. I pray for the angels to protect everyone on Earth and for our younger generation to keep peace, goodwill and happiness, and have freedom to love and treat people as human beings.” 

The constant grief and burden of loss has been extremely heavy on our communities in this time, but in times of unprecedented suffering we are called to deepen our commitment to solidarity, in honour of all whom we have loved and lost. Indeed, above the Homeless Memorial, which crumbles under the weight of over 1,000 names, are the words “FIGHT FOR THE LIVING” written in chalk on the church wall. 

The Rev. Leigh Kern is the diocese’s right relations coordinator.

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FREDERICTON – The Diocese of Fredericton has employed the services of Malley Industries, which manufactures emergency vehicles, to build a mobile medical clinic. The mobile clinic will be shipped to the Diocese of Ho in Ghana, which is a companion diocese to the Diocese of Fredericton. Situated in the Volta and Oti regions, it is a large, rural diocese where most people lack access to health care. 

The van features a heating and cooling system, a worktable for lab tests, a refrigerator for medicines, a stretcher and a roof rack for jerry cans and the tents in which consultations and operations will be carried out. The interior of the van has aluminum bracing to prevent the equipment inside from coming loose as it navigates the region’s unpaved roads. It also has a winch for pulling itself out of ruts.  

The project almost didn’t get underway as Malley Industries has been affected by supply chain issues. Of 73 chassis they ordered, only two arrived in the fall of 2021 — one of them the chassis for the mobile medical clinic.

The project was the vision of the bishop of the diocese of Ho, Bishop Matthias Mededues-Badohu, and Robbie Griffin, chair of the companion diocese committee in Fredericton. The cost of the project, including the cost of refurbishing the van, supplies and shipping, is $270,000 and many parishes across the diocese of Fredericton have contributed to the fundraising. Malley Industries has also donated medical equipment. 

Mr. Griffin and Archbishop David Edwards hope to be there when the van reaches Ghana in early spring. The mobile clinic will be operated and staffed by the Ho Teaching Hospital. It will provide staff there with the opportunity to train in rural medicine, and the people of the diocese of Ho will have access to basic health care. 

The New Brunswick Anglican

Fundraising for affordable housing off to a good start

OTTAWA – Parish fundraising for the Christ Church Bells Corners affordable housing project has already raised $750,000 of its $1.6M goal, with $250,000 of that amount from a single donation. The housing project will see a 35-unit, 4-storey affordable housing unit on the site of the church’s former rectory. The project has already received $10M in government funding and construction is almost complete; it is expected that renters will be moving in later this year.

The building will include a mix of studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with units offered at average market value as well as three categories of affordable housing: 80 per cent of average market rent, 70 per cent of average market rent, and units with deeper subsidies for people eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program. The first floor of the building will provide a permanent home for FAMSAC, a local food cupboard, and the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, which provides services to seniors and families including meals, transportation and foot care. 

Crosstalk

Increasing community compassion for homeless 

PENTICTION – The Downtown Churches for Social Justice group is made up of a number of Penticton churches, including the Anglican parish of St. Saviour, as well as local social service agencies. The group meets monthly and works to address pressing needs within the Penticton community, including homelessness and food insecurity. 

Recently, the group and its partners have been working on resources to increase the wider community’s understanding of the root causes of homelessness, with the aim of increasing compassion and action for those who are unhoused or precariously housed. 

“One of the most challenging problems is public understanding — the need to help the wider community understand the challenges facing a person living under a local bridge in a tent or in a building doorway,” writes Pat Simons, deacon at St. Saviour, Penticton, in a recent issue of The HighWay. “I don’t think there is any intention to treat others badly; I just think people are unsure of how to respond when they encounter a person living outside.”

Ms. Simons identifies one of the biggest misunderstandings among the public regarding homelessness as being the notion that people living outside should simply “get a job.” This admonition overlooks the underlying causes of homelessness, such as abuse, trauma, mental health problems and substance use. To educate the public, the Downtown Churches for Social Justice group has supported its partner OneSky Community Resources to develop a series of videos in which people who have been living on the streets tell their stories. The videos have been released on the OneSky Community Resources Facebook page and Ms. Simons describes them as “very compelling.”

 “I became very emotional as I viewed the videos — the people telling their stories are no different than you and me, except some event or some thing had caused a catastrophic change in their lives.”

Another resource developed by the partnering groups and shared on the St. Saviour Facebook page over the course of a week details seven steps to support people experiencing homelessness. The steps include changing the language used to refer to people who are homeless, donating, volunteering, demanding affordable housing and showing kindness. 

Ms. Simons hopes these resources and a shift in the wider community’s understanding of homelessness could ultimately lead to a world in which homelessness is a thing of the past. “I know this is a huge hope but human lives are at risk. It is a human right to have food, clothing and shelter for everyone. If this is not happening, then we must push for it to be at the top of our agenda.”

The HighWay

A boatful of children’s books

ST. JOHN’S – During Advent 2021, the Parish of the Ascension in Mount Pearl, N.L., encouraged parishioners to purchase books for children aged two to four years. The books were collected in the church’s boat, Saint Margaret (picture a small rowboat), and the boat was eventually filled to the brim. The books were for the Daybreak Parent Child Centre in St. John’s. 

Anglican Life

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The platform grew out of a review of General Synod communications presented at the Council of General Synod in 2013. The originally envisaged channel would have featured press releases and official communications from General Synod, but those will now remain on anglican.ca, and the project has continued to evolve through consultation with the dioceses.

Priorities for the dioceses included the ability to share local stories across the whole church, having one central news site rather than leaving each diocese to run its own, and providing dioceses whose budgets will not support the continuation of their print publications with a sustainable option for sharing news and stories.

 Faith Tides and Rupert’s Land News are fully online and digital, with no print option (though a feature is in development that would allow visitors to easily download and print a PDF pamphlet of each issue), but the new platform isn’t intended to replace print editions of diocesan newspapers, and some of the diocesan publications that have signed up to develop their news site will continue with print. 

 The next round of publications slated for launch on the platform by the summer include The HighWay (Diocese of Kootenay), The Niagara Anglican, The Diocesan Times (Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island), and Anglican Life (dioceses in Newfoundland and Labrador). The dioceses of Ottawa, Edmonton and Athabasca will also be joining the platform but have not yet set a date for doing so.

Visit the new platform at anglicannews.ca.

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Some years ago, a dear friend introduced me to the New Year tradition of choosing words to live by for the year to come. In January 2019, I settled on “compassion,” “courage,” “grace” and “resilience.” Who would have known how those words would linger and sustain me over the coming years, particularly in the midst of the pandemic.

Heading into 2019, I also knew that I needed a “recharge” of sorts; to refuel myself so I could live out those words. Could I possibly combine my love of walking with Celtic landscapes? If one were to look at my browser history, it would be abundantly clear that I have been noodling this idea for some time. That said, time and time again I kept returning to one site in particular.

Over New Year’s Eve dinner with another close friend, I disclosed my desire to dip my toe into a wee pilgrimage called the “Way of St. David” in southwest Wales in June. It would mean walking approximately 100km over 5 days; ending up at St. Davids Cathedral. To which her response was, “Can I come too?” The next day, when clearer heads prevailed (the discussion the evening before did take place on New Year’s Eve, after all), we started working the plan.

Way of St. David

The Way of St. David is steeped in history and had long been abandoned (as a result of the Reformation) but was being revived by Journeying, a U.K.-based non-profit Christian travel organization. We would be on the inaugural pilgrimage. The cathedral, begun in 1181, was the fourth church to be built on the site where it is believed St. David founded a monastic community (one of 12) in the 6th century. For nearly 14 centuries it was an important place of pilgrimage. In 1124, Pope Calixtus II declared that two pilgrimages to St. Davids were equal to one to Rome and three were equal to one to Jerusalem. Having spent time in both Rome and Jerusalem, the Way of St. David seemed like a pretty good place to start exploring this idea of pilgrimage. According to The Penguin Dictionary of Saints, St. David’s monastic communities were extremely strict, and St. David was known as “the Waterman,” so there is speculation he and his monks were teetotallers. Full confession here, I likely would have some difficulty being a member of the community even if I could. But St. David, whose feast day is celebrated on March 1 as the Patron Saint of Wales, has as his motto “Do the little things.” Now that is something I could get behind.

Compassion, courage, grace and resilience

After months training on the walking paths of Brampton, we arrived in the small Welsh village of Llangwm in Pembrokeshire not at all knowing what to expect. Recognizing that this was also meant to be a vacation and perhaps a little daunted by the physical challenge ahead of us, we had given ourselves permission to take a day off. Had we bitten off more than we could chew? Walking 20km in one day didn’t seem too bad but five days in a row was another matter. 

Our first afternoon set the tone for what was to unfold. Our retreat leader was ever the gracious host and gently took the lead of our little band of five. For the next several days we would be journeying together. As I look back on this experience, I can see how my chosen words played out and how they would be foundational throughout the pandemic that was to follow, mere months after our return.

Much like a liturgy, our days settled into a gentle rhythm — beginning and ending with morning and evening prayer. Time had a way of slowing down, and you simply focussed on the task at hand even if it was putting one foot in front of the other. At intentional locations, Iain (our retreat leader) had us stop for moments of reflection, prayer or singing of hymns, and at other times we would meditate on a particular word or scripture. For me, the rhythm of walking cultivates moments of clarity and peace. So let me tell you how my words turned up on the Way of St. David and how they have helped me these last several months during the pandemic. Remember that St. David’s motto is “Do the little things.”

Compassion

When you bring five strangers together, albeit Lynne and I were not strangers to each other, it’s hard to predict how things will turn out. In our case, there is no question (and maybe there never is) that God’s timing was perfect. Each of us had stories that were revealed over the week, sometimes to the group and sometimes only to one another. That was the lovely mystery: you simply never knew nor needed to know if you were going to be the storyteller or the listener. The timing was not of our choosing but it was a time of deep listening and simply walking alongside. St. David was on to something with his little things.

Forward to the pandemic and haven’t we found that satisfying that deep human desire to be the storyteller to a good listener a big part of what we have been missing? Those long phone calls, walks with friends, delivery of meals, the cards and notes popped in the mail and small gatherings all speak to that. Being a good listener is not one of my strengths but in the pandemic, I have tried to cultivate it. Even with all the silence, I still have a long way to go. But the pandemic has gifted me more intentional time in silence and prayer that inevitably has me praying for others.

Courage

I do not like heights, and I like them even less when I am on a narrow footpath precariously close to the edge of a 200-foot rocky cliff but that is where I found myself on the Way of St. David. I made the journey but not without literally walking through my fear.

Aren’t there days during the pandemic where we have a courage deficit? Days when we give into the fear even if just for a short time, when frustration or anger seeps in. I am not so sure that we have given ourselves enough credit for the courage that has gotten us this far. We shouldn’t overlook those little things like learning new technology, adapting to endless changes, refocussing our outlook and asking for or accepting help. All these things take courage. 

Grace

Some of you may recall the U2 song Grace from their 2000 album All That You Can’t Leave Behind. In it, we hear grace makes beauty out of ugly things and finds beauty and goodness in everything. The first day of our walk was anything but beautiful.

We started the day with worship at St. Jerome (a lovely medieval church built circa 1185-1215 and subsequently restored) and a pilgrim blessing for our journey. We then set off walking westward along the Milford Haven waterway. It drizzled all day, and we were surrounded by enormous petrochemical companies. I had seen too many British crime dramas (thinking specifically of Hinterland) to be daunted by a day of drizzle, but the prospect of five days was a bit ugly, and certainly the refineries stood in stark contrast to the beautiful landscape.

The next day dawned bright and we continued our westward journey, leaving the refineries behind us and eventually turning north to spend the balance of our walk along St. Bride’s Bay. In fact, the weather became so wonderful that we were scrambling for sunscreen. The portion of the Wales Coastal Path that we were on was simply stunning. Our little band of sojourners did not need much grace on our pilgrimage, however, the journey did much to restore it for the months to come.

God’s grace is central to me and without it living through the pandemic would have been quite ugly. ”What once was hurt, what once was friction, what left a mark no longer stings,” sings Bono, and that cannot be done without God’s grace. Throughout the pandemic, with all its messiness, there have been true moments of grace, and many of them have been the result of the little things. Small gestures have resulted in reconciliation. Kind words have healed wounds or provided comfort. Friends have reached out to support each other. God’s love bats last.

Resilience

I can clearly hear Iain say “just beyond the next headland” in response to us (it might have been just me) asking how much longer. The headlands came and went. The ascents and descents kept coming; they seemed relentless. We had trained on the mainly flat and well-maintained trails in Brampton and this was completely different. Sometimes the Way of St. David was easy and comfortable while at other times it could be wearisome and gruelling. I can clearly remember repeating my words over and over again during yet another climb just to keep me focussed, just to get to the top. But steady-on and we would eventually land in a quiet safe harbour to end the day. Isn’t this what it has been like during the pandemic? One pivot after another, grief and losses, joy and celebrations but for me it is the steady-on that will land us in that safe harbour. 

With the rhythm of the days, the wonderful companionship and the beauty of creation to energize us, we never did take that day off. When the pandemic is behind us and it is safe to do so, it will be another pilgrimage for me.

Walking the Way

May you find a new rhythm
Watching the waves,
Listening to the birds,
By walking the Way.
May you find a new rhythm,
Engaging with thoughts,
Conversing with strangers,
By walking the Way.
May you find a new rhythm,
In opening your heart,
And freeing your soul
By walking the Way.

The Little Book of Celtic Blessing by Iain Tweedale, 2021. Printed with permission from the author.

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Pamela Boisvert is the secretary of synod for the diocese. The Anglican caught up with her to find out about the challenges of and successes that came with organizing the diocese’s first ever virtual Synod.

When did you decide to go ahead with planning a virtual Synod?

Our last Synod was in fall 2019. We were delayed in starting the major planning for Synod 2021 because we were still hoping we could go ahead with an in-person meeting. But as soon as we decided to have a virtual Synod, we had to get planning and get contracts signed. It was a whole different playbook. But our vendors; the professional event coordinator; AV Canada, the production company that provided the online command centre; and Data on the Spot, the company that provided the voting system, had already pivoted to online events, so that was a huge help. 

How did you go about beginning to plan a virtual Synod? 

We have a pre-Synod in each region. I handle those events, not the professional event coordinator, and the cost is usually quite low, just the venue and refreshments. But because the members also need to vote at those events, we decided to do the pre-Synod meetings using the same online event platform. It did mean the cost was much higher, but it meant we could use those meetings as a test for the online platform, voting system and call centre. 

Did you already have an idea of how it would work or how it would look?

The professional planners could picture in their minds exactly what it was going to look like, but I really struggled to picture it. I hadn’t done a lot of virtual events during the pandemic. But I trusted the professionals and when we went to the rehearsals, I was pleasantly surprised. It looked really professional. 

What were some of the challenges you faced?

The biggest challenge was that for a meeting of this size, there was no opportunity for our members to network, and that was a big loss. The platform we used just didn’t allow for it, so that’s something we need to look at going forward. We also used a call centre for members to call in for questions and discussion.  This worked, but there were elements that could certainly be improved.  So that’s also part of the experience that we need to think about for next time. 

It sounds like it was enough of a success that you’re planning another virtual Synod next time?

Yes, we’ve already decided to go virtual for the next Regular Session of Synod. We did consider doing a hybrid event, but that involves more cost and risk. I think virtual events are much easier to plan in a sense, as you have much more control over the agenda. A lot of things were pre-recorded so you know how much time each segment will take. 

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Stations of the Cross features art works inspired by the story of the passion that prompt reflection and action on issues of social justice. Each year it is hosted in a different city — though in 2021 it was hosted online with contributions from around the world — and there are typically fourteen stations set up with art works. Participants can follow a pilgrimage route between the works. Reflections and podcasts also prompt participants to reflect more deeply on the art works and their messages. 

In 2022, Stations of the Cross, or Crossings as it will be known this year, will be in Toronto from March 2 to April 14. Due to the pandemic, Mr. Franklin made the decision to have the exhibits entirely outdoors, which presented some challenges. “It changed what we could include. How do you display an original artwork outside? We have had to make display cases for most of the pieces. It’s been a huge challenge and an undertaking.” 

But there is a positive side to having the exhibit entirely outdoors: “You lose the intimacy of a chapel or gallery, but you will get people who are just driving past who will see these pieces. It gives us huge public exposure.” 

Mr. Franklin is keen for as many people as possible to see the exhibition. “The Passion narrative should be available to all. It is a deeply human story. There’s justice, betrayal, vulnerability. It brings together suffering and hope. We don’t often see these as coming together, but Jesus embraced suffering in order to walk a redeeming and healing path.”

One of the pieces that will be included in the Crossings exhibition is Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz’s “Homeless Jesus.” From a distance, the bronze sculpture appears to be a cloaked figure lying on a bench. It is only when the viewer gets close to the sculpture that they can see the crucifixion wounds on the figure’s feet. “One of the wonderful things about art is it’s indirect,” says Mr. Franklin. “It piques curiosity. Good art will call you back again and again. Art can awaken us to see things in a different way. It’s about contemplation and action. Both are important. I hope they can live in creative tension, that people can reflect and then do something.”

There will be a catalogue to accompany the exhibition, with photographs of each of the 16 pieces (Crossings will include an additional two pieces to the usual 14 in order to include the triumphal entry and the resurrection), as well as a background on the artist and their artwork. The catalogue will also contain 16 meditations, with two of the meditations being written by Indigenous Archbishop Mark McDonald and Primate Linda Nicholls. 

For more information and updates visit the Crossings website crossingstoronto.com.

Station: The Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus
Title of artwork: “Explain Yourself”
Artist: Betty Spackman

The premise of this work is simply to show the ludicrousness of judging one another.

The twelve fingers (as a jury), point and ask Jesus to explain himself but he was silent before his accusers at the Sanhedrin saying only, “I AM.” He did not defend his innocence by pointing back. Instead, he retaliated with an act of love.

We so often find solidarity in a common enemy and our mutual hate towards them. We divide into our various camps and cry out for justice, pointing at and accusing the ones who are also pointing at and accusing us. It feels good to stand up together for what we believe is right and demand justice. But if judgmental hatred is our motivation, in the end, no matter how noble the cause, we are all just left with more hatred.

Jesus offered a more radical justice based on forgiveness, which acts in mercy and loves the enemy as well as the friend. He demonstrated the justice of a very difficult love that requires humility and the absurdity of retaliating with a blessing and calls for reconciliation rather than retribution.

Asking someone to tell us who they are and what they believe, in order to understand them and find ways to reconcile, is very different to demanding they explain and prove themselves because we believe they are wrong. It is no wonder this lamb of God who is love was mocked, rejected, brutalized and murdered. Innocent as he was, the only way he explained himself was to lay down his life for his accusers.

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