This week the Sisters of Christ Society (SOCS) led the chapel services and Ms

Dingle shared a reflection with us. The Sisters of Christ Society meets for

prayer and spiritual support in a faith-based, Christian context every Friday at

second break in The Chapel.

The reading for the chapel services this week was from Nehemiah chapter 1.

3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province

are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and

its gates have been burned with fire.”

4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and

fasted and prayed before the God of heaven (Nehemiah 1: 3-4)

Ms Dingle shared a reflection on the reading from Nehemiah and reminded us

that sometimes, after receiving bad news, to sit down and weep is not such a

bad thing. However, we should follow it up with action. Nehemiah was a man

of action and, importantly, a community builder.

In the reading from Nehemiah, Ms Dingle suggested that we take time to reflect

on our own brokenness and the brokenness of our community. It is our duty to

be community builders: in our families, our friendship circles, our country and

school community. God promises restoration and unity for his people:

8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are

unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me

and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest

horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have

chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ (Nehemiah 1: 8-9)

We just need to listen, reflect, and be willing to build our relationships and

our communities, with God’s help.

REVD RAKGADI KHOBO
CHAPLAIN