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.
