This Easter, we encounter incredible stories of forgiveness in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Early in 2020, Australians everywhere were shaken by the awful news of the tragic death of four children - three siblings and one cousin - in Western Sydney, mown down by an alleged drunk driver while on their way to buy ice cream one summer evening.
But what struck everyone was the response of the parents of three of the children, Daniel and Leila Abdallah. Though devastated, Leila said that she wanted to forgive the driver. She refused to hate him. “That’s not who we are,” she said.
That instinct to forgive is not quick or easy for most of us.
In this episode of Life & Faith, we hear from Kylie Beach, a journalist from Christian newspaper Eternity, who reported on a prayer vigil for the Abdallah children. While there, she met Daniel and Leila, and was struck with their ability to comfort others, even in the midst of their heartbreak.
We also meet Anba Angaelos, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London. He shares the terrible story of the 21 men - 20 of them Egyptian Coptic Christians - kidnapped and then beheaded by ISIL on a Libyan beach in 2015.
The two stories of tragedy could hardly be more different. But they share - along with the Easter story - an impulse to forgiveness in the midst of terrible suffering.
—
Read:
Kylie Beach’s article in Eternity
Martin Mosebach’s book The 21: A journey into the land of Coptic martyrs
Fruit-Pickers and Truth-Seekers
When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan
A Christmas Classic
Everyday economics
Culture Making with Andy Crouch
REBROADCAST: A History of Non-violence
Silence and Spirituality in Wild Places
Odd Ball: Greg Sheridan talks about faith
One and Free? Religious freedom in Australia
Costly Virtue: The price of doing what’s right
Busy Bodies: the gifts and curses of the evangelicals
The Dream (and Nightmare) of Technology
Caring for the Queen
Domestic Violence: An Afterstory
Getting History Right
Staying Married
REBROADCAST: An Astronomer’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Merry Philosopher
Ice and Isolation
Asking Questions: Finding Answers
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
BardsFM