Sanctuary Foundation: The Solidarity of Sadness
Dear Friend,
The current rhetoric around who is welcome in our country and who isn’t is becoming increasingly bitter and polarised. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I am overcome with an intense sadness at what is going on in the world – and in my life.
It is then that I am most grateful that Jesus was described both as a “man of sorrows” and as a carrier of our sorrows:
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely He has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows.
This passage is from Isaiah 53 which clearly prophecies the death of Jesus. With all the pain, sorrow and sadness that he experienced Jesus was able to offer comfort and solace to others. He endured his sorrow, and carried ours, in order to offer us life and hope and joy. We reflect on this in the third video in our Lent 2023 series:
IIf you would like to use this video for personal reflection or group discussion, here are some questions that could guide you:
1. What is it that makes you sad right now?
2. Why do you think Jesus was called the “Man of Sorrows” in the book of Isaiah?
3. How can we be like Jesus and carry the sorrows of those around us without getting discouraged or feeling overwhelmed?
If you missed our first two Lent videos - Happiness <https://7w9so.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/cl/f/jgM82qUxTdRmeKiFXY5sP3UvG4msNYPBgx8ASMqX8QRSuK25vk5RWR164Kl7SgKyxyF5FzCQhl9D2ryMxw7_dEeBsPOlck9PZUD8mvHAB3CZPUWjMQX3K3BMM2H6ba5gBdLSHsY4xdk0xIk49av7IHcmLOUJMihk9SAkc16ly6-APMfn2Bixz15bZn4FVQEpX0rQkctA4RMz8_cRs7O1S86J6-6_ENpUPW0pWEDM> and Anger <https://7w9so.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/cl/f/KFSCYabW_vlbP4qHNLFI7Ggknm4TE9WnpI5jXpzKg_yXaoSSO7bFLaxybYZgGQEjc5rsQhqVxoxbbnUVLJip4pBTDEtPnSvSEtKeD9PqROgmLZrfJp39DCTdzzBKslwmuQ0wIrplNTFjX4S2kIvlwZWvkFEvJSXcFbI8sKTmY3u6FyP3bp5ogzptVMGtDRbz9cuuZoL1npXOMGJneZZ0i9NDlfXUR6Q_hwraI0DB> , you can watch them here.
I hope you are finding these short films are working well in your Sunday Services and Youth Groups. Please also feel free to share them on your social media platforms to inspire people to take a fresh look at the Christian message this Easter.
With blessings
Krish Kandiah
Director