Readings for the Day:
Sermon:
Original Manuscript:
John Coleridge Patteson was the first Bishop of Melanesia. He tried to help spread the Gospel on the islands as he lived among them and learned 23 of the native people’s languages.
Unfortunately he was also there when many slave-traders came in and kidnapped the people or did worse to them. On one of his visits, it is thought Bishop Patteson was mistaken for one of these slave-traders and he and his companions were killed. Modern historians think there could have been other reasons behind the killings too.
Reconciliation was able to occur with the church in Melanesia. The British Government also took steps to end the slave trade in the area as a result.
Yet ultimately, Patteson’s death reminds us of the words we hear in Mark today. The call to spread the Gospel of Christ Jesus means we may be hurt or even killed by those we wish to help. Patteson knew the risks of his work. He felt the hardships too. Will we follow his example as we strive to follow Jesus?