As long as I can remember, I have loved music and a good story. Both can get through to my deepest fears and inspire my loftiest dreams.
Last weekend I enjoyed some time away on
Vancouver Island. My wife and I attended
a special performance, Peace Meal, by Russ Rosen and Justyn Rees where they weave
music and story into a captivating take on Easter.
The play starts with a table of 12 men and
their leader, their “boss”, sharing a meal. The Easter story unfolds, from that
meal to the boss’s crucifixion and astounding resurrection. And once through it
all, we find a few of these men left pondering on what just happened. The
conversation was that of a bunch of regular guys sitting around wondering what
the boss wants them to do.
I won’t tell you everything and ruin the play for you, but it touched me. Especially by its focus on Peter, Thomas, and Judas.
I won’t tell you everything and ruin the play for you, but it touched me. Especially by its focus on Peter, Thomas, and Judas.
I completely related to each of the three characters. Sometimes I’m like Judas, simply out to do my own thing with a short-sighted goal in mind. Sometimes I feel like Peter, defender of the faith, wanting to fight back the world’s injustices. Sometimes I’m even like Thomas, just not sure and asking “could this really be?”
Perhaps you too have moments like these.
I found myself laughing and even tearing up
with each man’s interactions with their boss. Real people confronted with their
own limitations. Not unlike myself. Not unlike the families, churches, and
leaders Food for the Hungry (FH) walks with.
The men, women, and children in communities
around the world feel the same way. Facing intimidating limitations and obstacles
they are unsure if they are brave or smart enough to move toward a thriving
future. I’ve seen it. That is the biggest hurdle in overcoming poverty – not
knowing how to, but believing we can.
It was one of the final moments of the play
that made me pause. Peter’s character speaks out (and I’ll paraphrase), “Now
that I look back, the boss was only about one thing: loving your neighbour… But
I don’t think I can actually, fully do it; I can’t do it.”
But then the boss chimes in, “I know… But
what if I am with you to do it.”
At the end of the play he tells his
companions that they will suffer setbacks, but they too can overcome.
It struck me. It starts with togetherness. Loving
your neighbour, near and far.
Walking away from the play, I was reminded
of hope. The world is full of suffering, but also of people overcoming it. We
may be limited by selfishness, failed passion, or doubts. But because of what
Easter means, we can together combat
the obstacles many developing communities face.
Happy Easter - every obstacle can be overcome!
In faith, with hope,
Bernie Willock
President & CEO
What does overcoming obstacles together look like? Check out our latest Annual Report. It wasn't possible without you.
Last Easter, I shared a reflective letter Why Christian? An Easter Letter From President Bernie. It's been a helpful piece over the past year. During one of the biggest Christian holidays, we get questions. So, what does it mean that Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada is a Christian Non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on international development? Check it out.
