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Lectionary
7TH WEEK BEFORE EASTER: 3 - 9 FEBRUARY 2008
THEME:
‘RISE, TAKE UP YOUR BED AND WALK
READING: John 5: 1 –
11
The man with the infirmity had been there by
the pool-side for thirty-eight years, unable to help himself.
He had no one to help him – no extra hand to push him in! All
others were too busy helping themselves. Perhaps, they were
even busy making capitalising on the situation. The resource
for his healing was just there by his side, but he waited in
vain for someone to help him use it.
Africa is rich in
resources yet continues to lie in wait for outside help
towards economic growth. The continent has remained in
infirmity for centuries, it has come through slavery,
colonialism, it has had to cope with imperialistic attitudes
of the neo-colonial systems; but worse still it has been the
victim of its own political leadership and systems. The
infirmities that plague the African continent include
corruption, bad governance, etc. coupled with its proneness to
natural disasters. The majority of its citizens are abjectly
poor, desperate and broken, while the minority swim in corrupt
wealth.
Jesus provided hope for the impotent man at
the gate of the Bethesda pool then and in our present
situation he counters our hopelessness with the loud call out:
“Africa, arise, take up your bed and walk!” It is Jesus who
provides us hope in our hopelessness. The impotent man lay on
his mat for thirty–eight years unable to rise from his
infirmity. Only when he focused on Christ and acceded to his
command was he able to rise above his infirmity. Christ's call
to Africa should arouse the continent from the lethargic
acceptance of its plight to a new realisation that God wills
prosperity for Africa and that’s why God has endowed us with
so many resources. As Christians, we should stand up against
all that tends to keep us on the bed. We are called to rise to
engagement in the social, political and economic problems of
our nations.
Rise up Africa, take up your bed and walk!
Submitted by Rev. ACee Temple Anono
PRAYER
God
of pardon and deliverance, your forgiving love, revealed in
Christ has brought to birth a new creation. Raise Africa from
despondence, lethargy and brokenness to walk in your ways,
that we may witness to your power which makes all things new,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Zephaniah 3: 14 – 20; James 5: 13 – 16; Job 2: 1 ‐10; 2
Kings 5: 1 – 14; Mk 2: 1 – 12; 2 Cor.12: 1 – 10
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