Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

Anita Mathias's Blog on Faith and Art

Further Thoughts After the Assassination of Osama Bin Laden

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Osama bin Laden: 1989: Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan during the war with Russia




I recorded my disquiet yesterday at the assassination–without trial–of Osama Bin Laden.


Kipling’s Recessional–which my father introduced me to, he used to quote the second stanza–has been lingering in my head this week.

  Recessional

BY RUDYARD KIPLING


God of our fathers, known of old,   
Lord of our far-flung battle-line,  
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,   
Lest we forget—lest we forget!


The tumult and the shouting dies;
   The Captains and the Kings depart:   
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
   An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,   
Lest we forget—lest we forget!


Far-called, our navies melt away;
   On dune and headland sinks the fire:   
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
   Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!   
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,   
Lest we forget—lest we forget!


If, drunk with sight of power, we loose   
   Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,   
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
   Or other breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!


For heathen heart that puts her trust   
   In reeking tube and iron shard,
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
   And guarding, calls not Thee to guard,   
For frantic boast and foolish word—
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!


After all the profoundly disturbing events of May 1st, the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, the widespread jingoistic rejoicing in the United States, it is good to remember that after all the tumult and shouting, what the Lord requires of us is his ancient sacrifice–a humble and a contrite heart, that loves mercy.
                                             * * * 



” A Christian never rejoices in the face of a man’s death,” says a Vatican spokesman.  


Standing apart from the self-interested governments of our day, I wonder if the Vatican is regaining its role as part of the conscience of the world. I like what they said on the involvement of Christians in social media for instance.
                                              * * * 


I am naturally a sanguine, optimistic woman, and rarely worry about personal safety.  However, the world does feel more unsafe after this assassination. Reprisals are certain, and anyone who travels has increased odds of being caught up in terrorism.


Lord, may your invisible angels in their chariots of fire protect us.
                                            * * * 


Osama Bin Laden left a moving will, which could perhaps have been written by a committed Christian leader, missionary or evangelist.


He asks forgiveness of his sons for not spending enough time with them.



“As for you, my sons, forgive me if I failed to devote more of my time to you since I answered the call to Jihad,” the document says.
 “I have carried the burden of Muslims and their causes, and have chosen a dangerous path and endured hardship, disappointment and betrayal. If it wasn’t for betrayal, things would be different today.”
“This is the most precious advice I can give you. I also want you to stay away from al Qaeda,” asking them “not to follow in his path and seek leadership.” 







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Comments

  1. I have felt much disquiet over the whereabouts of this man over the last 10 years. Should no one have acted to end his reign of terror? Should no one have acted to stop Hitler? I do not rejoice in the death of any man.

  2. Thanks Jo. I spoke today to someone with a ministry to Muslims. He said that by making him a martyr in that way, a hundred Bin Ladens will spring up to take his place.
    Lord, have mercy!

  3. Thank you for your thoughtful comments Anita. We too felt much disquiet over these events and over the word 'rejoice' which was repeatedly used in news reports covering American reactions.We discussed it with American friends yesterday and agree the world is certainly not a safer place now. This tasted like vengance to me. Bin Laden now stands before God – let Him pass judgement.