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Lectionary
10 TRINITY: 27 JULY – 2 AUGUST, 2008
THEME:
‘CENTRALITY OF RECONCILIATION IN THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH’
READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 5. 14 – 6. 2
Reconciliation
is at the core of the Good News proclaimed by Jesus Christ. As
his disciples we are challenged to become agents of
reconciliation. We ought to be part of the solution , not part
of the problem. The public ministry of Jesus is soaked with
this essential principle – that making peace is preferable to
fomenting conflict; making friends is better than making
enemies; harmony is better than disharmony. “Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God”
(Matt. 5: 8). It is important to emphasize that peace-making
(pacifism) must not to be confused with inaction (passivism).
Jesus was a pacifist. But he was not a passive preacher. He
challenges us to actively pursue the initiatives to facilitate
peace and reconciliation. It is irresponsible to watch
passively while conflicts escalate. Rather, churches as
institutions and Christians as individuals ought to avail
themselves to mediate in conflicts within and between parties,
factions, clans, families and nations. One of the greatest
scandals in the history of the church is the schism which
resulted in the division between Catholicism and Orthodoxy in
the eleventh century, and between Catholicism and
Protestantism in the sixteenth century. It is difficult for
churches to be credible agents of reconciliation when they are
divided among and within themselves. For this reason, the
modern ecumenical movement is a positive illustration of the
fruits of mutual and reciprocal respect and appreciation
between and within churches. God expects each of us to become
reconciled with one another, so that through us others may
enjoy the sweet fruits of reconciliation.
Submitted by
Prof. Jesse Mugambi
PRAYER
God our Redeemer, who
called your Church to witness that you were in Christ
reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the
good news of your love that all who hear it may be reconciled
to you. By your grace, bring warring factions in Africa
together, that peace and justice may reign in our continent,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAY FOR:
Benin (National Day – August 1)
READINGS FOR THE
WEEK
Ephesians 2: 14 – 22; Colossians 1: 15 – 23; Genesis
33: 1 – 11; Matthew 5: 21 – 26; Matthew 6: 9 – 15; Luke 17: 1
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