Tuesday, June 4, 2013

TENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C), (9th June 2013)

11.    Readings: 1 Kings 17:17-24; Galatians 1:11-19; Luke 7:11-17

2.    Scripture Reflection
·       Through the Prophet Elijah, the widow’s son is brought back to life. This sign made the widow notice the Prophet Elijah as a man of God, and his word as truth that leads to life.
·       In the letter to the Galatians, Paul sees his preaching and conversion as a new life that was given to him by the revelation of Jesus Christ. It was the call from God who chose him, even before he was born.

·       Jesus in the Gospel is seen as a new Prophet, who gives new life to the new chosen people. He goes through various towns accompanied by many people and his disciples. He performed a miracle by raising the only son of the widow, a sign that left all his followers in awe, praising God. They saw him as a great prophet, a new Elijah who has appeared among them.

·       The raising of the son to life was a new thing to all the followers of Jesus. They saw this event as God’s salvation to his people. They started recognizing that, indeed, Jesus was more than the person they saw. He was a prophet who was able to give back life. The news spread throughout Judea and all over the countryside.

33.    Link with the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church.
·       Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: it is in contemplating the Lord’s face that we confirm our faith and our hope in him, the one Saviour and goal of history.  The Church continues to speak to all people and all nations, for it is only in the name of Christ that salvation is given to men and women.  Salvation, which the Lord Jesus obtained ‘at a price,’ is achieved in the new life that awaits the righteous after death, but it also permeates this world in the realities of the economy and labour, of technology and communications, of society and politics, of the international community and the relations among cultures and peoples.  Jesus came to bring an integral salvation, one that embraces the whole person and all humankind and that opens up the wondrous prospect of divine filiation (CSDC 1).*

·       The love that inspires Jesus’ ministry among men and women is the love that he has experienced in his intimate union with the Father. The New Testament allows us to enter deeply into the experience that Jesus himself lives and communicates, the love of the Father, and therefore, such love permits us to enter into the very heart of divine life. Jesus announces the liberating mercy of God to those whom he meets on his way and invites us to follow him (CSDC 29).

·       Our community and society are in need of the life, love and liberating mercy of God if we are to fulfil the mission of God to everyone. We are called to be signs of hope, healing, and life-giving to many people who are in need in our community, our societies, and the world at large.

44.    Application to the Kenyan Situation (Yes, Kenya Matters!)

·       We have seen many things taking place in Kenya, and insecurity in various regions has touched the lives of many people: the mysterious death of Senator Mutula Kilonzo; the fight for high pay by the members of the Parliament; the appointment of new cabinet secretaries; etc. In all these areas, Kenyans have new expectations: they need security, the truth behind the death of the Senator, understanding from the members of Parliament, and the implementing of the promises of the Jubilee Government, as well as of the new Constitution.

·       Now we face the demands of the report of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC). It can be hoped that Kenyans will know the truth about historical injustices and then find the way forward.
·       All that Kenya needs is healing, truth, peace, and justice. This is everyone’s cry, but it will only be possible through the openness and peaceful co-existence that we strive to establish with one other.

55.    Questions for Personal Reflection
·       Apart from forgiveness and dialogue, which other avenues can be used to ensure better security in various part of Kenya?
·       Elijah and Jesus gave back life to needy widows to strengthen their hope. What can we do to ensure the protection of life, whether of individuals or of groups?

6.    African Wisdom
·       Nothing counts more than life.
·       Only after death do we know the mystery of life.

* CSDC: “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church” Paulines Publication Africa

Outlines prepared by a Consolata team.                                           Edited by a team of RSCK-JPIC.

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