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Lectionary
EASTER 6 & WEEK FOLLOWING ASCENSION: 4 – 10 MAY, 2008
THEME: ‘LORD, ARE YOU AT THIS TIME GOING TO RESTORE THE
KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?
READING: Acts 1: 1 – 11
In that
Ascension encounter, the disciples showed a misunderstanding
of the power of Christ. The question that dominated their
minds was a political one – a restoration of the political
supremacy to Israel: “Lord, are you at this time going to
restore the Kingdom to Israel?” It was a question of power. It
is interesting to note that Jesus did not answer the question.
Rather, he corrected them, “It is not for you to know the
times or dates the father has set by his own authority.” The
disciples were concerned with power, and that remains a
dominant concern in our world today. Politicians seek
increased power to enable them lord it over their citizens.
Nations seek to become powerful so that they can subdue
smaller nations – militarily, economically, etc. Hence, we
talk often of economic power, military power, and we only need
to listen to the daily news to know the nations and people
that are politically, militarily and economically powerful.
The notion of power has been greatly misused and
abused in our world today. For example:
Politicians, who
feel threatened by their opponents, simply throw them in
prison or can even make them food for crocodiles.
Powerful
nations show their military might over smaller nations by
pounding them to submission.
Where there is no excuse for
military engagement, powerful nations strangle others
economically.
Power, as used by Jesus in the promise
contained in our text implies empowerment. Jesus displayed the
right use of power. His miracles were empowering – making the
blind to see, the dumb to speak, the lame to walk and the dead
to rise to life. He empowered those who came into contact with
him to live their lives to the fullest. Jesus also called on
his disciples, and us after them, to be witnesses to him and
to the Kingdom of God in our midst. But effective witnessing
comes only with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. You shall
have power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you shall
be my witnesses in Africa!
Submitted by Rev. ACee
Temple Anono
PRAYER
Lord of Hosts, purify our
hearts that the King of Glory may come in. Grant that we may
never lose the vision of your kingdom but serve you with hope
and joy for the good of Africa; through him who lives and
reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever. Amen
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
28: 16 – 20; Daniel 7: 13 ‐14; Hebrews 7: 21 – 28; Exodus 15:
1 – 3, 11 – 18; 2 Samuels 5: 1 – 5; John 14: 1 ‐6
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