A prayer from the Corrymeela Community
God we see in familiar faces,
God in the strangers we think we know:
as we meet again and see each other
on the street or on a screen,
give us a moment to look again
and discover how people can change.
There are worlds within
each person we love,
and also within those we don’t,
and steps to take from point a
to point b that we can walk together.
As we set out for the good ahead
may we greet what’s new inside us.
Amen.
This week’s lectionary reading is form Genesis 21:8-21, it’s the story of Hagar and Ishmael being cast out by Abraham and Sarah.
The reading comes to us just as National Refugee Week comes to an end.
I recorded a couple of reflections, I really wanted to reflect on how the story of Abraham and Sarah went from Promise, to Broken Promise, To Promise Fulfilled through Hagar, To Promise Fulfilled through Sarah and finally to Privilege.
Privilege being what Abraham showed when he cast out Hagar and their son, making them refugees, without a home, without a hope…
I wanted to point out my own privilege, that I’ve made choices for the welfare or happiness of my family that have meant others have suffered, been enslaved and died, that has lead to waters rising, wars and more refugees seeking safety.
I wanted to name how I relate to the story of Abraham and Sarah because I too have wielded my own privilege and have participated in structures, abuses and systems that continue to create more Hagars, more Ishmaels.
And for that I need to repent, and am in the process of repenting.
And then…
I decided I’d instead invite you to reflect on Hagar’s story through the story of others, women, Rabbis, Authors, Refugees and Film. We are coming to the end of National Refugee Week and the last thing you all need to hear is from another privileged white male. So, here are some other voices to listen to, perhaps these voices, these stories will help you reflect on Hagar’s story a new way.
The Well, Hagar’s story by Rachel Held Evans.
This is a piece reflecting on Hagar’s story from the beautiful book Inspired by Rachel Held Evans. We’ve got a number of copies for people to borrow if you would like to read it at home, or with others.
Link: The Well (pdf)
Link: The Well (Audio)
Hagar’s Story
Constance On The Edge
Constance is an old friend of Holly and myself from Wagga Wagga. Some of her story is shared in this beautiful video “Constance on the edge” filmed by Belinda Mason. This video is not free to access, but perhaps you might find the time to watch it with a friend and halve the cost.
Listen to the story of a woman of faith, a refugee, a friend and reflect on the story of Hagar.
Link: Constance On The Edge (documentary)
Common Grace – Refugee Week & BLM
Common Grace hosted a video with Brooke Prentis this week, reflecting on what it means to celebrate Refugee Week in the middle of the global Black Lives Matter moment.
Link: Common Grace – Refugee Week presentation
Link: Daily Interruptions – Daily Reflections throughout Refugee Week
Why We Read Sarah and Hagar at Rosh Hashana: On the Abuse of Power
By Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
Link: Why we read Sarah and Hagar…
Reconciling Hagar and Sarah: Feminist Midrash and National Conflict
In particular pay attention to :Sarah’s Confession and Mohja Kahf” and “Hagar’s Letter to Sarah” at the end of the article.
Link: Reconciling Hagar & Sarah
When Mary Met Mohammod
This is another beautiful Australian story about refugees. It follows the arrival of Tasmania’s first detention centre through the eyes of local Christian woman and knitting club member Mary and Muslim Afghan Hazara asylum seeker Mohammad, who is detained inside the centre – as they connect through the gift of a knitted beanie.
This, like Constance On The Edge will cost to watch, it’s from 2013 so is dated, but is still a very interesting story.
Link: When Mary Met Mohammad
Our Stories
Our stories is another great resource that invites you to hear the stories of four refugees, on the site you can interact with eh stories of Alpha, David, Aya and Shabnam as they build a new life in Australia.
Link: Our Stories
SBS On Demand – Refugee Films
SBS on Demand has curated a list of films to watch as a part of Refugee week, check out the list on their website here, perhaps you might like to watch one or two of the films online this week.