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Lectionary
ADVENT 3: 14 - 20 DECEMBER 2008
THEME: “PREPARE IN THE
WILDERNESS A ROAD FOR THE LORD.”
READING: ISAIAH 40: 1-11
Despite the difficulties we face, Africa is undergoing
an unprecedented period of growth and reconstruction in
economic and political spheres. It is vital that there is a
parallel process of moral growth and regeneration. The
Churches are uniquely placed to contribute to this – indeed,
it is a fundamental part of our calling to proclaim the coming
of God’s kingdom. We know that Jesus himself is ‘the Way,’ the
road that will help us find our way through the signpost-less
wilderness and complex jungle of contemporary life. His is the
Way that upholds the Truth – honesty and transparency in
business and government – that will bring Life to all our
people. Good governance is God-shaped governance, where the
needs of all are taken into consideration, and special
attention is paid to the poor, the needy, the marginalised,
the weak and those without a strong voice of their own. The
Church can be their voice, crying-out with them so that their
perspectives are heard. The Church is further called to be a
voice speaking tenderly – our engagement in the political
sphere must wherever possible be constructive, cooperating
with all that is good, encouraging and strengthening best
practices. Of course, there may be times when we have to take
a more directly critical stance, but we must never forget that
God did not send Jesus Christ into the world to condemn the
world, but so that the world might be saved through him, and
therefore we are fundamentally heralds of good tidings. The
prophetic role of the Church is to engage political systems
and exert influence in order to guarantee good governance.
This week’s readings speak of God’s desire that we should be
well governed.
Submitted by Reverend Canon Nangula
Eva-Liisa Kathindi, and The Venerable Lubabalo Livingstone
Ngewu
PRAYER
Dear God, you called us to prepare a
place for you in the desert, inspire the ministers and
stewards of your truth to turn our disobedient hearts to you,
so that when Christ shall come again in his glory to be our
judge, we shall stand with confidence before him, who is alive
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
world without end. Amen
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
John
3:16‐17; Malachi 3: 1 – 5; – John 14:5,6a; Rom 13:1‐7; Deut
10: 12‐20; John 1: 19 ‐ 27
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