As a child I knew of TS Elliot’s poems in ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’; more recently I’ve watched the stage musical adaption ‘Cats’… The elderly cat leader and patriarch is ‘Old Deuteronomy’ – named after the biblical book.
In the Book of Deuteronomy Moses is speaking to Israel before they enter their Promised Land. It’s an accumulation of old patriarch Moses’ wisdom; it’s a reminder of the ten commandments and the law. Cats’ Old Deuteronomy is noted for his age and wisdom; he’s the one who upholds the law…
This morning, seeking wisdom from the old book of Deuteronomy, I read of ‘Cities of Refuge’. Centrally located in the land they would be places where people could go if they were unjustly accused of a crime.
There’s an example: Two neighbours go into the forest to cut wood. One of them swings an axe to chop down a tree; the axe head flies off the handle, killing the other person. That man could flee to a city of refuge for protection from those who might seek revenge.
It’s about promoting justice, and protecting the innocent, through providing a safe refuge. We think of refuge-ees as people seeking places of safety, fleeing from war, persecution or famine in faraway places. There are refugees closer to home…
At Sunday’s BAFTAs, Britain’s equivalent of the Oscars, two Black stars were onstage; an offensive racist comment was shouted out involuntarily by a man with Tourette’s syndrome… The incident is still being discussed… I’m reminded that there should justice and safety for both those with Tourette’s and those demeaned and discriminated against because of their skin colour.
Musing… Within our community there are the abused, sick, rejected… forgotten minorities who need to be recognised, accepted and protected… Old Deuteronomy reminds me of the ancient wisdom… the need for tangible, accessible, safe places of refuge… the recognition that such places must be provided.
…Those with a faith speak of God as ‘our refuge’, our place, person and presence of justice and safety and security…
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