Beyond the Call of duty

For all those witnessing on our screens the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, I am sure your hearts are going out to all the people affected.

I spent my early training in the seminary at The Mission, Greenmeadows in the Hawkes Bay. I am familiar with all the place names that have been inundated by the floods. Frequently we would walk over the hills behind our seminary, picnic and swim in the river at Puketapu. We picked grapes in the Esk Valley during the harvest. And here closer to Auckland, I have often spent time at Muriwai and taken visitors to see the gannets. These places now give witness to harrowing stories of survival and tragic stories of loss.

Our readings this Sunday remind us to love our neighbour as ourselves. Haven't we witnessed that in so many acts of heroism and human kindness over these days? People going beyond the call of duty to ensure people are safe, sheltered and feed to the extent of putting their own lives at risk and in some cases sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

Some year ago, I wrote a song 'Beyond the call of duty' featured on the album 'Place at the Table', for the Emergency Workers working in the Wellington region. We celebrated a Mass at St Mary of the Angels inviting all the various agencies to attend as a way of acknowledging and thanking them for their work. Given what so many are going through now around the North Island and all those called into assist from other places, I share this song with you.

Beyond the call of Duty

Beyond the call of duty we give thanks for you

The risks you take to make us safe, give thanks for you

For the anguish you witness has a human face

From the bottom of our hearts we give thanks

For your strength of mind and character we honour you

For serving our community we honour you

May the bonds that unite us be unyielding

For your lives on the front line we give thanks

May we know that our lives are interwoven

Each of us has a duty to fulfil

May the way you respond in your vital role

Shed its light, to guide us towards that goal

We give thanks to you

We give thanks to you

We give thanks to you

May this time we share together here encourage you

May our love and prayers for your sweat and tears, encourage you

May you always feel appreciated

From the bottom of our hearts we give thanks

For the friends you’ve lost along the way, we pray for them

Their family’s loss at such high cost, we pray for them

For the burdens you’ve carried and the sleepless nights

For your lives on the front line we give thanks

May we know that are lives are interwoven

Each of us has a duty to fulfil

May the support we give lift your spirits high

Touch your hearts and strengthen your resolve

We give thanks to you

We give thanks to you

We give thanks to you

May the good you do for those in need inspire you

The relief you bring to their suffering inspire you

May the promise of a new dawn give them comfort

From the bottom of our hearts we give thanks

Blessings on your week.