Deuteronomy 11:18-21; 1 Corinthians 15:58; John 9:4
Introduction
The peace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you... For our reflection today, we are considering the theme “Celebrating our Heritage: Persisting in Mission, Progressing in Preserving Lives.” Heritage is not only about where we come from or what is received from our forebearers, but also about what we hand over to the next generation.
The Catholic hymn, "Faith of our Fathers," written in 1849 by Frederick William Faber in memory of the Catholic Martyrs, opens as;
"Faith of our Fathers! living still
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword:
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word."
To celebrate our heritage is to keep the faith of our fathers alive, and one of the greatest ways we do this is by persisting in the mission of Christ while progressing in the sacred duty of preserving the sanctity of lives - imago dei. The preservation of life to the Christian is not limited to the saving of souls for Heaven but also human lives on earth.
On the very mission of preserving lives here on earth, the Church has a team of young men and women, Blue Cross, who focus on preventing alcoholism and abuse of drugs by educating, implementing preventive programmes, providing life skills training, offering counselling and rehabilitation programmes, as well as advocating for addicts' supportive policies. The church has a task to build a drug-free, healthier society where people are free from the destructive effects of addiction and can choose a life of well-being.
Precious one, the truth is that we live in a world where life itself is under threat. Accidents, conflict, poverty, disease, neglect of the environment, mental issues, broken relationships, and so on. Some of these may be uncontrolled. The Church today is called not only to preach salvation for the preservation of souls but to embody it by protecting, preserving, and nurturing the dignity of life for God's use.
Passing on Life-Giving Faith
During the exodus of the Israelites, many years passed, taking away the very generation that started the journey from Egypt and witnessed the mighty Hand of God. The heritage of all the miracles and the presence of God with the people were passing away without acknowledgement. Preservation of God's word and acts among the people was necessary.
So Moses charged them to keep God’s word in their hearts and write, talk, and teach them diligently to their children. With this, he connects to the preservation of life, "So that your days and the days of your children may be many.” We can understand that the preservation of life is about obedience and generational faithfulness.
The society today is infested with various forms of addiction, with drug abuse on the rise. Alcoholism now walks chest out with so much applause. The youth of today compete to win the highest alcoholic beverage consumer. The introduction of 'shisha' and other smoking pipes - vapes and cigarettes is cutting short human lives. The least said about opioids, the better. This is fast gaining control of its victims by making them inefficient, unproductive, and painfully killing them. The evidence is on social media.
Moses teaches us that the young ones must know the works of God and build their faith and strength in God. Remember, preserving lives is about saving the physical well-being and the soul while ensuring that the next generation inherits a sustaining faith in Christ.
Progressing in Mission
Persisting in this mission can be frustrating and unending at times. Imagine an agenda to preserve a life that is not willing to be preserved. The words of Apostle Paul come to mind, "Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58) This mission is a fulfilling one. We must persevere and never give up.
Christ's Mission requires persistence to progress in preserving lives even in the midst of challenges. Fighting addiction has never been easy for both the victim and the facilitator (Church). Jesus indicated His mission to preserve lives by saying, "He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) The Great Commission of the church also embodies this very mission.
Urgency in Preserving Lives
In John 9:4, Jesus charged us, saying, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." Preserving lives is an urgent call. Procrastination has no room in this task; it must be now or never. We cannot delay in addressing the destruction and suffering of lives, speaking against violence, or caring for the vulnerable. Remember that
Our heritage as Christians in Ghana, Africa, and the world is rich with stories of missionaries and forebears who sacrificed themselves for the sake of saving and preserving lives. The Basel Missionaries, for instance, built schools, hospitals, and farms, and not just churches, because they knew preserving lives was part of the gospel.
Today, God is calling us to persist in the mission of reaching the drug and opioid addicts for Him. Walking with the alcoholic to come into sobriety for God's usage.
Generally speaking, the Church is called to advocate for affordable healthcare access to everyone. We are to promote peace in our divided societies, fuming in disputes. It is about protecting the environment in its natural and pure state for future generations. Bringing hope to the despair while offering spiritual care to the oppressed.
I strongly believe that heritage is celebrated not in monuments and singing of past glory but in preserving lives and sustaining people's faith in Christ.
My wife, Ama, who is a nurse, once made a statement that, “Every life I touch in my quest to preserve is a sermon I preach.” Her words give me the understanding that sometimes the best pulpit is not in the sanctuary but in the street, marketplace, the hospital, the classroom, and even in our homes. Preserving lives is a mission in action, not a passive political message.
Conclusion
Beloved, let us celebrate our heritage not only by looking backward but by celebrating the lives Christ preserves for Himself in our mission today. Let us be steadfast and immovable, holding firmly as an anchor. Let us progress in preserving lives with urgency, compassion, and faith. Since in preserving lives, we not only honour our past but also secure a firm and unwavering future.
Shalom aleikhem...
Thank you Rev.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome
Delete