Reflections: 1st Sunday of Lent 26 FEB

Friends Good Morning. It is exciting to note that we are already in the first week of Lent. A journey which calls us to re-evaluate our relationships with one another and with whole of creation. The reading this past sunday taken from Genesis 9:8-17; Mark 1:9-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22 & Psalm 25: 1-10, reminds us of how fragmented our societies is, and how time and time again we continue to live in isolation as if we don't need each other. The passages presents different stories told from different context in terms of the original recepients. but there is common thread in them that stands out as you listen carefully to the conversation of Noah with God and the baptism of Christ in Mark.

Christ is affirmed as the Son, in whom God is pleased. But don't just stop there, we are told that God re-assures Noah of a covenant which now is sealed between Noah, his descedants and all of creation. We see this theme of connectedness reminding a community like Oranjemund that nothing happens in isolation. That everything we do affects everyone.

We need to recognize that although we are a fragmented society, that Christ restores that which was broken and bring that to wholeness. Secondly lets take note that we need each other. The famous zulu expression "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu...." translated "a person is a person because of others.." suggest that our lives are interconnected. our survival depends on our relationships with one another! We dare not allow ourselves to be divided by racial lines, political affiliation, economic status not even religious or cultural beliefs. Please hear me correctly i am not suugesting that we should all be the same (although that could be exciting and yet dissappointing at the same time) but i am suggesting perhaps we become more cognisant of the fact that our actions determines what kind of a society we live in or what kind of future we will have.

The Lenten season calls us to repent of our individualistic, sometimes selfish ways of doing things and begin to see the world through each others eyes. 

I trust during this Lenten season you may realize how you and me are connected not just to each other but to  the rest of creation. And how we should pride ourselves in finding ways to re-connect with each other. Mindful of the fact that we were once fragmented because of our sin but Christ came and brought restoration, and through baptism we hear those words of affirmation again as they re-assures us of our position in this new family: "You are my Son/Daughter, whom I love, in whom I am well pleased.

The Lord Bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you and give you peace.....!

Shalom
Sandile

Holy Communion (Eucharist)

Good Day to you all. Just a reminder that Tommorrow is Holy Communion. Please make the time to join us as we celebrate the Lords Supper. Also just a reminder that Church now starts at 9h00am and not at 8h30am.

Shalom
Sandile

Reflection on Lent

Greetings to all those whom i have not met yet for this year. Hope your journey into 2012 has been kind to you and your family.  The month of March has many siginificant events happening depending on which side of the fence you are sitting. On home soil (Namibia) we will be celebrating  Independence Day (March 21) in South Africa we will be reminded of Human rights Day.  But in the Christian calender we are called to embark on a journey of Lent, which in itself is a period that is characterized by Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, Almsgiving, and Self-denial. A period that marks the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance.

It is through this period of Lent that we wholly submit ourselves to God and allow him the space to lead, guide and guard our lives. I therefore call upon every member of our church and those associated with us to use this lent period to pray for the redemption of our country (Namibia), the recovery of our humanness and values that affirm us as the people of God.

I pray that we will be able to listen to Gods voice as we journey into the valleys of darkness and uncertatinty. may we emerge through these 40 days and 40 nights with renewed faith and strength of purpose on Sunrise Sunday (Easter Sunday).

Shalom....
The Peace of the Lord be with You
Sandile Kalipa
(Pastor - Oranjemund United Church)