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
No comments:
Post a Comment