On Sunday I presented a new cross to Koloa Union Church from my son Palani and me in memory of my mother and father. The cross is made from curly koa and specifically designed for the space above our communion table. My hope is that everyone who enters our sanctuary will be inspired by the beauty of the cross; after all, it is the symbol of our Christian faith! I also felt that it was important to have a cross that represents our Hawaiian identity; so I asked the artist Frank Pullano of Kalaheo to make the most beautiful cross he could imagine for our particular space out of koa. I am convinced that he rose to the challenge! It was especially meaningful to present the cross on Father’s Day and so soon after my mother’s death just a few weeks ago.
A NEW CROSS FOR KOLOA UNION CHURCH
After presenting the cross, I shared with the congregation about the importance of hope. After listening to the South African theologian Allan Boesak twice last week, I decided to talk about some of his thoughts. He spoke of Hope as a woman with children: “a mother with two daughters, and their names are Anger and Courage.” As he gave names to Hope and her children, I could see how he was able to embrace her during the dark days of his imprisonment in a South African prison, where he served time for taking a stand against apartheid. For him, Hope was more than just wishful thinking. She was personalized in a way that helped him to fight against injustice even when he could not see how he could win that fight. Because of Hope, he kept fighting until the battle was won and the regime of apartheid ended. My prayer is that the symbol of our faith will give us the inspiration to embrace Hope in that same way, even when we cannot see or know how things will turn out…even when we doubt…even when all we can do is know that the love represented in that cross might be all we have left.
Kahu Alan Akana
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