The Big Question

“I visited Auschwitz a couple of years ago on a cold New Year’s Eve morning. It was a chilling experience, weather-wise and atmospherically. At one point, we saw the cell where the Polish priest, Maximilian Kolbe died.

“We all know the story, of course – an inspiring story of selflessness and sacrifice. It has had a deep influence upon me down through the years, as it has for so very many people. But what happened to the man for whom Father Kolbe gave up his life?

“His name was Franciszek Gajowniczek. He was released from Auschwitz after spending almost five and a half years there. In 1972, over 150,000 people travelled to Auschwitz to honour the first anniversary of Maximilian’s beatification.

“One of the first to speak was Gajowniczek who declared ‘I want to express my thanks, for the gift of life.’ He owed such a debt to Father Kolbe that he spent the fifty years from his time at Auschwitz telling others of the act of self-sacrifice.

“Just before he died at the age of 95, he said that ‘as long as he… has breath in his lungs, he would consider it his duty to tell people about the heroic act of love by Maximilian Kolbe.’

“Yes, Father Kolbe has inspired me, but the little told story of what happened to the man whom he saved from death and who made it his life’s task to tell others of such heroic sacrifice has had a profound eff ect also.”

“The one person, whose story has perhaps inspired me the most, is that of Dietrich Bonhoeff er, the German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism during the second World War.

“His dedication to study, and the level of achievement he attained fills me with a constant desire to do better. Then, of course, when one learns of the personal sacrifice he willingly made, returning to a country where he would inevitably be in mortal danger; that challenges me every day in how I should react to the small trials I daily face.

“I don’t profess for a moment, however, to know what it must have been like for Christians living in Germany in those days, so I can make no comment on the horrors that took place. But I can imagine, when the powers that be introduced a clause to the constitution of the national church, and thereby prevented certain groups from being ministered to, that he felt he had no choice other than to resist.

“The many sermons he gave, and the numerous quotations attributed to him, are inspirational in themselves; and I know some have definitely helped me find the right words to say at difficult times.

“His final words when on the scaff old, and preparing to face death: ‘This is for me the end, the beginning of life,’ reminds me of the sacrificial promise of Jesus; for He only sought constantly to do God’s will, seeking out the best in others and, by example, encouraging us to do the same.”

“I first remember being inspired by a story of personal sacrifice as a primary school pupil.

“That was the first time that I heard about the ill-fated expedition led by Captain Scott to the South Pole in 1912. It was hearing about the self-sacrifice of Captain Oates that deeply moved me, as he gave up his life in order that the rest of his colleagues might have a better chance of survival without him. I also remember watching the movie Scott of the Antarctic for the first time and how it increased my sense of admiration for Oates’ selfless courage.

“Then, some years later, the name of Rosa Parks first came to my attention, and I recall being deeply inspired by her courage, as she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. She sacrificed her security for the sake of maintaining her dignity, and as a result the civil rights movement was triggered, bringing much-needed reform of so much racist legislation in the USA in Rosa Parks’ lifetime.

“Naturally, these are famous people, whose stories are embedded in the annals of history. However, I’m also continually inspired by the self-sacrifice of so many nameless people; especially those who risk their own health to enable others to have their lives enhanced, particularly through surgical procedures. And so often these people don’t regard their actions as sacrificial, but simply as an expression of humanity. They’re inspirational and aspirational!”

“When we think about ‘personal sacrifice’ we tend to think about people who died as a consequence of doing something for others.

“However, in some ways, I am almost more impressed by those who make a personal sacrifice week in week out, year in year for others. Personally, I am extremely grateful for those who led the Scout group I was part of. Not only did those people sacrifice their time to turn up each week, they also, at their own expense, undertook the necessary training and gave up their annual holidays in order to take us on various camps.

“The most significant person for me was a man called Dick Taylor. Sadly he died in a potholing accident in the 1980s, but throughout my teenage years he invested vast amounts of time and energy into providing opportunities for boys like me to experience genuine adventure.

“During the week Dick was a builder; at weekends his van transported us into another world, a world in which we forged friendships that last to this day, discovered interests and activities that continue to provide deep pleasure, and forged values that have underpinned our lives since.

“Sunday School teachers, leaders of Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Scouts and Guides, and a multitude of clubs and societies are unsung heroes. Giving their time for the benefit of the next generations, they provide opportunities which, for some, like me, shape the person they become in profound and lasting ways.”

“Many of us when asked the question of people who have inspired us by their story of personal sacrifice think quite naturally of the heroes of the Church such as Dietrich Bonhoeff er.

“Bonhoeff er is probably the most inspirational person (through his selfsacrifice) to inspire me to read his works and understand his story. This has greatly helped me think and act in a Christian manner in a ‘world come of age’ as he put it and over the last twenty-five years of ministry within the broad Naval Service his words have made sense of many complex issues for me, regarding ethical behaviour. Very predictable so far.

“But I guess the real people who have

inspired me through their self-sacrifice in the deepest fashion have been my father and mother. The Reverend Bill and Margaret Shackleton have served the Kirk from the east end of Glasgow parish of St Francis in the East Church, Bridgeton with Church House and latterly at Wellpark West church in Greenock.

“Their commitment to the people often forgotten by society and the church has been inspirational to me and I am incredibly proud to call them my parents. “It is no mistake that the first time I came across Bonhoeff er’s Letters and Papers from Prison was in the manse in Glasgow sitting on my dad’s desk.

“I give thanks to God for the many inspirational witnesses to Christ through their self-sacrificial lives who have served our local parish churches without much public applause or recognition.”