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Lectionary
TRINITY 1: 25 - 31 MAY 2008
THEME: ‘THAT THEY MAY BE
ONE SO THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE…’
READING: JOHN 17: 20 –
26
The Missionary movement of the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries brought not only the Good News of
salvation to Africa, they brought also the ‘bad news of
division’. They brought not only the divided denominations,
but also the quarrels and feelings associated with the
denominations – the antipathy as it existed in Europe.
Unfortunately the churches in Africa relabeled and owned the
quarrels.
The Church in Africa, and the global Church
in general have displayed a tendency towards division and
divisiveness that has weakened their mission of being God’s
agent of reconciliation in the world. The Church is called to
preach the unity of humankind and to challenge all that seek
to deface that unity. But the Church as a human institution
itself, displays weakness in its dividedness. Jesus recognized
the divisive tendencies and prayed for the unity of the Church
in his High Priestly prayer:
My prayer is... that all
of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in
you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that
you have sent me (John 17. 20-21).
The All Africa
Conference of Churches (AACC) and the rest of the ecumenical
movement have understood their God-given mandate to work and
make real that unity of the Church as intended by God. Our
continued divisions and squabbles are disgraceful; they make
the Gospel and the Church incredible in the eyes of those
outside its fellowship. By our separation, division and
divisive tendencies we scandalize Christ and put an obstacle
in the way of the mission of Christ and the facilitation of
the unity of humankind which is the will of God. The unity of
the Church is a microcosm of the unity of the world. It is not
unity for its own sake, but unity for mission – “that the
world may believe.” The Church must be united in its mission
of enabling the unity of humankind. Any attempt of the
disunited church to advocate the unity of nations and peoples
will boomerang. What is your Church’s and your personal
contribution to the manifestation of the God-given unity of
the Church?
Submitted by Rev. ACee Temple Anono
PRAYER
Holy God, grant that your Church, being
gathered by your Holy Spirit into one, may reveal your glory
among all peoples, to the honour of your name; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
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Corinthians 12: 12 – 26; Acts 2: 37 – 47; 1 Peter 2: 4 – 12;
Ephesians 2: 11 – 22; Ephesians 3: 14 – 21; Ephesians 4: 1 –
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