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Lectionary
EASTER 4: 20 - 26 APRIL, 2008
THEME: LIFE IN ALL ITS
FULLNESS
READING: John 10: 1 – 10
This passage is
an immediate follow up of the miraculous healing that Jesus
operated in the life of a man who was blind from birth. The
timing of that miracle on the Sabbath attracted the attention
of some religious leaders (Pharisees) who challenged Jesus’
authority. Jesus seized the opportunity to teach his listeners
about the multi-dimensional approach of good leadership which
is concerned not only about the material needs of people, but
also about their spiritual and moral well-being. This implies
good governance, accountability, self-sacrifice, humility and
a full sense of compassion, responsibility and commitment. The
point of Jesus’ teachings in this passage was to draw a clear
line between two styles of leadership. The first is corrupt,
dictatorial style of leadership whose sole interest is ‘to
steal, and to kill and to destroy’ (v.10). The second is a
divinely inspired leadership embodied by Jesus himself who, as
the ‘good shepherd’ has come so that his followers ‘may have
life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’
The
daunting question is how one dare speak of life in abundance
in Africa where poverty abounds. Have Africans really ever
experienced abundant life, or only an abundance of problems?
Are Jesus’ words to be taken as a mere futuristic promise? No!
We must realize that Jesus speaks to us in the real context of
our daily problems (abundance of poverty, refugees, diseases,
high infant mortality, corrupt governments, political
mismanagement, economic deterioration, hunger, civil wars,
etc.) and promises (abundance of raw materials and human
resources, even children). Through his promise of life in its
fullness, Jesus offers us Africans a unique opportunity to
choose between either being overwhelmed by problems which lead
to death or beng empowered by the blessings which are ours
from God. Choosing life in Christ is an option for a new
awakening of ourselves and above all, our personal and
collective active commitment to the socio‐economic
reconstruction tasks of our nations and of Africa.
Realistically, opting for an abundant life in Christ today in
Africa does not mean an aspiration for a mere material
security in a tranquil siritual atmosphere; rather, it implies
a re‐orientation of our struggles, not as passive spectators
but as active agents of transformation for the advent of a
more dignified humanity.1 In St Paul’s words, we are invited
‘to fight the good battle.’
Submitted by Dr
Valentin Dedji
PRAYER
Good Shepherd of the
sheep, by whom the lost are sought and guided into the fold,
feed us and we shall be satisfied; heal us and we shall be
made whole; and lead us, that we may be with you; for you are
alive and reign, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Mark 8: 1‐9; Mark 10; 46‐52; Deut. 30: 15‐20; Nehemiah 2:
17‐20; Romans 8: 18‐28; Romans 8: 37‐39
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