Where Do We Go From Here

30 Reflect Baking heat and sea breezes. Wood smoke from the cooking fires. The laughter of children. Dark, gentle eyes. A war zone. Sister Dora, a local, was talking to me about the ‘Troubles’ in the Solomon Islands, in 2003 and before. The Christian Care Centre she worked at was the only domestic violence refuge on the island. She and the other sisters were used to the daily task of ‘talking down’ enraged husbands and safeguarding women and children in danger. During the ‘Troubles’ they had been caught on one side of a frontline of fighting. The road to the city – and essential supplies – was closed. In her lilting English and with a broad smile she explained how both warring parties had downed weapons and – with some embarrassment - waved her and the other sisters through all roadblocks, knowing them to be people of peace and faith. Their reputation was their salvation. It had been so for the Melanesian Brothers (an indigenous Anglican Order) who were negotiating with warlord, Harold Keke. Then Keke’s paranoia turned lethal and seven brothers were martyred in an horrific war crime. Peacemaking is not always a safe activity. In the reading from Acts 5, Gamaliel, a Pharisee, stands between the murderous intent of his colleagues and the Apostles, offering an alternative way forward and, consequently, saving lives. We cannot know his motivations (and various commentators have differing views on this) but his actions prevent bloodshed. Sometimes, whatever our motivations and