13 Aug Navigator (Ana Tia Borau) of Christ

13 August 2023

NAVIGATOR (ANA TIA BORAU) OF CHRIST

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” (Luke 9:59, Recommend reading the full text, 9:57-62)

Navigator of Christ Te tia borau in the Kiribati context is a person, either man or woman, who has special knowledge to read the movement of the waves and the current in the ocean, skies, stars, clouds, moon in heaven, winds, animals, creatures in the sea, people, and the land.

In the concept of the Borau, navigators did not deny the fact that in life, problems may happen, and lives may be lost because, for example, of a sea accident, that becomes a catalyst to affect the lives of people. All of these believed in the concept of the word bo, which represents devastating problems and calamities. Therefore, after te bo happened, then te rau - peace shall be proclaimed.

The central theme in Luke’s gospel is the cost of te tia borau, the “navigatordiscipleship.” The cost of te tia borau is that it denies the earthly world and prioritises only Jesus, and it demands a radical commitment that supersedes all social, cultural, and familial ties. In the reading, there are three different people who want to join te borau of Jesus (cf. vs. 57, 59 and 61). There were no names given. However, while these three men were interested in Jesus’ navigation, they failed to do so because it was impossible for them to leave their families and follow Christ. So, they started to give a response that is culturally based (vs. 59 and 61)

Although the sayings of our saviour, Jesus Christ, seem to go against a cultural identity that a family is an important part of our lives, he is referring to this important borau, the navigation. The target has already been set to join this challenging navigation to Jerusalem. Everything should be left behind so that a goal may be fulfilled. Verse 62 “no one having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God”. The cost of a navigator-discipleship is to never turn back.

He uses the word of the farmer who must keep looking forward in order to plough a straight furrow. Likewise, a navigator constantly distracted by past associations cannot provide effective service for the kingdom of God.

The navigation te borau of Jesus Christ from Galilee to Jerusalem is one of the primary tasks that Jesus was eager to fulfil. It was a borau that met with two reasonable reasons which Jesus must be encountered.

On the one hand, Jesus, in his mission, must encounter te bo, which reflected in many obstacles, difficulties and oppositions to fulfil his mission. And on the other hand, it is a task to fulfill God’s will, which is te rau (peace), by educating, teaching and leading people to God even though calamities or te boo existed.

The navigation of Jesus Christ from Galilee to Jerusalem is very suitable and applicable to our Christian journey. The message not only lies within te borau, navigation, rather the two words, te bo and te rau also proclaim important messages. In our Pacific navigation, we encounter te bo utterly that is the impact of climate change, pollution, domestic violence, and globalization.

Jesus sends us as navigators with special talents and wisdom for the world. We should never fear and be burdened, for Jesus Christ is our true Navigator who accomplished his borau from Galilee to Jerusalem to bring darkness to light and hope onto the Cross of Salvation. The peace, te rau, of Christ is upon us all.

prayer

May we follow our Lord Jesus Christ to bring Peace (rau) where te bo (difficulties) is experienced. Amen!

for further thought

As a disciple of Christ participating in the mission of bringing peace, what distractions must you let go to navigate till the end?

Waiena Tatiree

Tangintebu Theological College