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Lectionary
9 TRINITY: 20 - 26 JULY 2008
THEME: ‘HARD PRESSED, BUT
NOT CRUSHED.’
READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 4: 7 – 15
Paul seems to have had a preferential bias for the
faith community at Corinth. Notwithstanding countless problems
which beset that community, Paul thought it wise to make
Corinth one of the most important centres of early
Christianity. The complexity of challenges with which Paul had
to deal was two-pronged. In the first place, there were moral
issues that impacted negatively on that faith community.
Secondly, there were problems which revolved around the
personality of Paul. Some people doubted Paul’s authenticity
as an Apostle.
In this passage, Paul transforms an
unacceptable condition into a tolerable one. Whatever form of
affliction to which these Christians were subjected could not
have a final say. All that these Christians were expected to
do was to look beyond their plight and see Christ as a
resolute example of perseverance.
While it is good to
look beyond our afflictions, there is danger when we pretend
as if we are immune to such afflictions. When we offer no form
of resistance, we somehow contribute directly and indirectly
to our affliction. There is nothing unchristian about
resistance. Colonialism would have never come to an end in
Africa if it had not been for those people who decided that
‘enough was enough’ and resorted to different forms of
resistance. When we trace the tortuous politico-social journey
we have travelled as citizens of the African Continent, we
cannot afford to see our precious freedom maligned by
retrogressive forces.
Those who profess Christian
faith should guard against the temptation to be co-opted by
those who wield power. The danger of co-option leads to the
loss of the prophetic voice. However, there is also the
setback that Martin Luther King Jr., referred to as ‘the
jangling discords’ of faith communities that do not speak with
one voice, or do not speak at all. The need for faith
communities to stand together and speak with one voice is
absolutely essential.
Submitted by Rev. Canon Nangula
Eva-Liisa Kathindi, and Venerable Lubabalo Livingstone Ngewu
PRAYER
Almighty and everlasting God, in the
problems that face our continent, we are hard pressed at every
point but not crushed. Give us grace to continue to trust and
hope in you so that our continent will rise and step forth in
faith, in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAY FOR:
Liberia (National Day – July 26)
Madagascar (National Day – July 26)
READINGS FOR
THE WEEK
Genesis 4: 1‐12; Genesis 27: 30‐ 46; Exodus 2:
11‐15; 1 Samuel 18: 1‐16; 1 Kings 21: 1‐16; Psalm 137
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