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Lectionary
LENT 5 – PASSION WEEK: 9 – 15 MARCH, 2008
THEME: ‘CAN
YOU DRINK THE CUP OF SUFFERING WITH ME?’
READING: Mark 10:
32 – 45.
One of the characteristics of
Christianity is UNITY. This unity should manifest itself in
both word and deed. In Galatians 6:2, we read “Bear one
another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of
Christ” (NRSV).
Being one with those who suffer and
drinking from the cup of suffering they drink from requires
our oneness with them. It means walking alongside the other
person truly and selflessly sharing in their pain and
suffering. It means seeking to eradicate that which brings
about their suffering. This cannot be done with a feeling of
sympathy from a distance. It is an act of oneness and empathy.
This is what Jesus Christ our Saviour did for the
world. He left us a clear example of the one who had no sin
but suffered sin for the sake of the world. By stepping into
the arena of humanity Christ was not only to experience the
essence of human suffering but was also able to transform it.
There is no way that we can transform a suffering, groaning
and hurting continent of Africa without listening and hearing
voices of those who face suffering , hunger, abuse, the
pandemic of HIV, human trafficking, poverty and death daily.
Both inside and outside Africa God has placed men and
women who can truly drink the cup of suffering with the
marginalized and transforming their situation. Africa is
groaning. Christians everywhere are called and instructed by
the power of the Holy Spirit to unite and suffer with Christ
for the sake of the universe and the transformation and the
healing of Africa.
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Libuseng S.
Lebaka-Ketshabile
PRAYER
Most Merciful God, who by
the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered
the world, grant that by faith in him who suffered on the
cross, we may triumph in the power of his victory. May your
African people experience that victory, through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
PRAY FOR:
Mauritius (National Day – March 12)
READINGS FOR THE
WEEK
Matthew 25: 31‐ 46; John 21: 15‐17; Galatians 6: 2;
Isaiah 60: 1‐5; Isaiah 41:17‐20; Luke10:25‐37
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