Edited by Jim McCrory, Tuesday, 11 June 2024, 09:23
When I was in my late teens, I became interested in learning Scottish Gaelic. And like any language, you learn of the culture and history of the people.
I became fascinated by a story centred around the Gaelic speaking islanders on the Island of Lewis on Scotland’s west coast. I read a book about HMY Iolaire. This was a vessel that was returning to the island on January 1, 1919.
On board were no ordinary group of passengers, but 283 men who were returning from WW1. They looked forward to making up on the lost years of absence; the simple pleasures of sitting by a warm fire and catching up with their loved one. But this was not to be, the waters were hostile that day and the captain struggled to negotiate a safe passage. Suddenly, the ship struck rocks and 201 of the 283 men perished.
What makes this more tragic is the fact that they spent many years dodging bullets, not to mention deprivation and suffering, and yet, when home seemed a few minutes away, their dreams were shattered.
When the bodies were recovered, a very human story emerged. In their pockets were toys. Yes, toys. Toys for their children whom they had dearly missed. Gifts that would re-establish the lost years with their little ones. Similar sad episodes have been repeated worldwide, from the cold Atlantic to the China Sea and from the Artic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. These oceans have claimed untold multitudes. I’m comforted by the hope that’s expressed in Revelation 12:12,13
"And there were open books. One of them was the Book of Life…The sea gave up its dead, and Death and the grave gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds."
In this great historical epoch, humanity will witness the joy of being reunited with friends, loved ones and faithful ones of old. And, of course, those lost in all the treacherous sea voyages. If I was to choose a word that captures this period, it would be the Chinese word Fùhuó for resurrection (复活). Carries with it is the thought of renaissances; a rebirth into the full realisation of these words promised by Jesus to the criminal: "Truly I tell you this day, you will be with me in paradise."
Fùhuó (复活) And Those Lost at Sea
When I was in my late teens, I became interested in learning Scottish Gaelic. And like any language, you learn of the culture and history of the people.
I became fascinated by a story centred around the Gaelic speaking islanders on the Island of Lewis on Scotland’s west coast. I read a book about HMY Iolaire. This was a vessel that was returning to the island on January 1, 1919.
On board were no ordinary group of passengers, but 283 men who were returning from WW1. They looked forward to making up on the lost years of absence; the simple pleasures of sitting by a warm fire and catching up with their loved one. But this was not to be, the waters were hostile that day and the captain struggled to negotiate a safe passage. Suddenly, the ship struck rocks and 201 of the 283 men perished.
What makes this more tragic is the fact that they spent many years dodging bullets, not to mention deprivation and suffering, and yet, when home seemed a few minutes away, their dreams were shattered.
When the bodies were recovered, a very human story emerged. In their pockets were toys. Yes, toys. Toys for their children whom they had dearly missed. Gifts that would re-establish the lost years with their little ones. Similar sad episodes have been repeated worldwide, from the cold Atlantic to the China Sea and from the Artic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. These oceans have claimed untold multitudes. I’m comforted by the hope that’s expressed in Revelation 12:12,13
"And there were open books. One of them was the Book of Life…The sea gave up its dead, and Death and the grave gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds."
In this great historical epoch, humanity will witness the joy of being reunited with friends, loved ones and faithful ones of old. And, of course, those lost in all the treacherous sea voyages. If I was to choose a word that captures this period, it would be the Chinese word Fùhuó for resurrection (复活). Carries with it is the thought of renaissances; a rebirth into the full realisation of these words promised by Jesus to the criminal: "Truly I tell you this day, you will be with me in paradise."
Image by https://unsplash.com/@andylid0