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Richard Littledale's
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"...tie a yellow ribbon" |
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The yellow ribbons are out again, fluttering in the late Autumn
sunshine in an English village. Not this time for soldiers on a far off
battlefield, nor for hostages in some hidden location, but for a young
girl in trouble and a long way from home.
We have not seen much grieving this side of the Atlantic for young Matthew Eappen, but perhaps out of sight is out of mind. After all, his home is a long way away, and he can no longer speak for himself. Whatever the final outcome of this story for the living, there will be two sets of grieving parents for different reasons. |
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| However, all this is very much a rich man's drama, played out by smartly dressed lawyers in the full glare of the artificial lights for the benefit of the media. Those who will never see the coverage because they have neither televisions nor electricity to run them from would doubtless be shocked. Many would be grateful for even the semblance of a fair trial. Others would be glad to know that they would see their son or daughter again, even if they had to wait many years to do so. Many mothers and fathers who watch their babies die are powerless to prevent it even though the cure is readily available. They have no one to blame afterwards but their circumstances. | ||
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Louise and Matthew's story will give way to others as the cameras
turn their gaze elsewhere. The poor however, will be "always
with us" (Jesus Christ).
Always with us too, will be those other troubling words of Jesus that "I was hungry but you would not feed me, thirsty but you would not give me a drink; I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes, naked but you would not clothe me; I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me". |
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This page is maintained by Colin Hicks; Comments by
e-mail are welcome; |