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Lectionary
EASTER: 23 - 29 March, 2008
THEME: ‘DEATH HAS NO MORE
DOMINION…AFRICA, STEP FORTH IN FAITH!’
READING: Mark 16:
1-8
This passage is full of powerful symbols that are
relevant, not only for personal hope and spiritual renewal,
but also for social transformation in Africa. Firstly, the
theme of Christ’s resurrection symbolizes the victory of the
forces of life over the dominion of suffering, betrayal,
injustice and death. By rising up from the dead, Jesus
reclaimed fully his messianic titles: ‘Mighty God, Prince of
Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). By doing so, Jesus also gave to his
fearful disciples, the ultimate hope that another and a better
world is possible. This is so crucial to our Christian faith
that St Paul reminds us, ‘If Christ has not risen from the
dead, vain is our faith.’ (1 Cor. 15.17).
Secondly, the time when this story took place is of a
prime importance: ‘Very early in the morning … when the sun
had risen’ (v.2). In many African cultures, sunrise symbolises
a new beginning, a time of restoration and renewal. Therefore,
we may see in Jesus’ resurrection a wake-up call for Africans
and for Africa, to step forth from the powers of darkness and
to make a decisive leap of life in the light of Christ.
Thirdly, for this to happen, we African Christians,
together with our churches and local communities have to
follow the example of Mary Magdalene and her women companions
by asking the crucial question, ‘Who will roll away the stone
from the door of the tomb for us? (v.3) That question
expresses the women’s strong will to arise and to move
forward, despite their vulnerability. The issue at stake is a
matter of urgency. We are summoned to remove obstacles such as
fear, doubt about our destiny, laziness, superstition, magical
practices, corruption, tribalism, violence against women etc.,
that alienate instead of empowering us. Fourthly, we cannot
ignore the fact that women have played a leading role in the
journey that led to the discovery of Jesus’ resurrection.
Their action was possible because they kept their faith in the
Lord throughout the most difficult moments of his earthly life
and even beyond death. Their faith was their strength. This is
the proof that though marginalized and abused in most of our
societies, women can become true agents of transformation and
bearers of hope in the most adverse situations. The Risen
Christ invites us to ‘not be alarmed’ whatever our context may
be. The signs of hope are already there: the majority of our
communities throughout the continent are full of women of
faith. They just need to be affirmed in their faith and be
given the opportunity to play key roles today as they did in
the resurrection story. Then, and only then, will we all
respond to the Risen Lord’s command to ‘go and tell’ people
around us that, with Jesus by our side, another world is
possible.
Submitted by Dr Valentin Dedji
PRAYER
Lord of all life and power, who through the
mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin
and death to make all things new in him, grant that we, being
dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with
him in glory; to whom with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all
eternity. Amen
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah 12: 1‐
6; 1 Corinthians 5: 7 – 8; 1 Corinthians 15: 12 – 20; Rev. 1:
12 – 18; Exodus 14: 15 ‐22; Isaiah 26: 1 –
9
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