21st January 2015

The most poignant moment for me in Russell Crowe’s new flick about Gallipoli, was when his character, west-Australian farmer Mr. Connor, arrives on the former battlefield to look for the remains of his sons who were killed in action. The Turkish sergeant who is reluctantly assisting the Australians in their retrieval of mortal remains, says to his senior officer, “Why would you want to help this farmer look for his sons?” The senior officer replies, “Because he is the only father who has come looking.”

I know another story about a Father who came looking. His sons and daughters had run off on their high-horse, and galloped around and out of that farming paradise Eden. And had quickly found themselves on a battlefield, damaged and doomed, and unable to effect any sort of evacuation. But the Father came looking. And with some divining, that only he can do – crossing together some sticks of wood until a Cross was formed – found them, and brought them to life.

I have heard of other fathers shouting loudly at their sons from a distance, sometimes through megaphones on high-towers. I have heard of some fathers lying on their sides, gilded in gold, watching their sons from a distance through closed eyes. But I have heard of only one father who actually cared enough for his sons to come looking for them: The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And by him, damaged sons and daughters may still be found.

DM 20^th January 2015