1.
Readings: Zach
12: 10-11; Gal. 3: 26-29; Luke 9: 18-24.
· The readings of
today prompt us to ponder our relationship with Jesus. We are invited to answer who Jesus is for each
of us individually. Once we recognize
him, then we can follow him and love his deeds and emulate his ways.
· Zachariah’s
prophesy stimulates us not to inflict pain on just and innocent people only to
satisfy our whims. He introduces us to a
just and innocent person who was persecuted. The executors of the crime came to
their senses and then regretted and repented their action. They manifested remorsefulness through a physical,
symbolic action: ‘public weeping and mourning.’
· In the letter to
Galatians, Paul, gives a new image of those who have faith in Jesus. Through
baptism, they put on a special dress by which they are identified as children
of God. Their life is in common; as they are one in Christ, social classes
should not exist. All are children of Abraham and heirs to the riches promised
to him. They should never mistreat each other in any way whatsoever. Gal.3:28
· The gospel links
Jesus to ancient prophets known for their stand for truth and their defense of
the Anawim (the poor) of Yahweh. The
apostles are in touch with villagers and they know what impression Jesus is
portraying in his visit: like John, he is calling on leaders for change of
heart; like Isaiah, he calls on people to take responsibility and remove the
yoke from others; like all prophets, he calls for the rich to think of the
poor. Peter acknowledges Jesus and professes faith: “You are the Christ.” Jesus
then teaches them the meaning and condition of true discipleship, self
sacrifice, and the spirit of sharing (Lk 9:23).
2.
Yes Kenya Matters
· The current
situation in Kenya is marred by greed and insensitivity to the plight of youth,
children, and the less privileged. Many Kenyans have been subjected to gross
humiliation because of their status.
· It is persecution
when leaders ignore the voice that asks them to lower their salaries so that
the money can be used in other sectors.
It is persecution when people cannot afford medication and suffer in
their homes awaiting only death to rescue them, while leaders pocket
millions. It is persecution when some
people cannot afford decent living and turn to suicide, while others, using
their position, have all their wants fulfilled. It is persecution when
thousands of Kenyans butcher each other because they have been incited, while
the inciters go free. Many Kenyans pray day in day out that death will come and
end their suffering.
· Indeed, the stars
of liberation, the defenders of rights and freedom, the promoters of brotherhood,
peace, and solidarity are being ignored and pierced daily.
· We already see
indications of the current parliamentarians’ seizing their chance to vet others,
not on the grounds of merit, but according to tribe, relationships, competition
and envy; always seeking a way to prove their power, to punish, to avenge, to intimidate,
or to harass others. Such persecution as
this cries out for repentance.
· Just as in the gospel,
Kenyans want to answer the question of who Jesus is in a way that corresponds
to their experiences and their needs. They
want a president, a governor, a senator, a woman rep, an MP, and county reps
who because of their deeds could be identified as John the Baptist or the
prophets. For the people of the Coast, Jesus is the one who comes to give a new
nation; for the people in Laikipia, he is the army general who should enter all
forests to cast out the enemy by destroying their weapons and forcing them to
go to school; for those in Garissa, he is a detective who discovers and unveils
bombs before they explode; for those Nairobi, he is an economic power who
dishes out jobs and money to people. For
others, he is the one who makes the status
quo remain. Is Jesus a Messiah to
respond to wants at the expense of others?
Indeed, that would be the exact opposite of the Messiah. Jesus comes to
liberate and make life easy for all.
3.
Link with the Catholic
Social Teaching:
· Catholic social
teaching proclaims the Christ who is Messiah and light of the nations. He appears in order to shed light on people’s
situations so that they can live well, in dignity, solidarity, peace, and love.
· The Church calls on
her members to use the modern dictates of globalization to promote living
together and to reach out to needy nations or individuals “…so as to liberate
the African peoples from sin and the structures of sin, in short the heavy yoke
weighing them down” (Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of
Bishops, 32).
· “If belonging to
Jesus Christ makes us members of the same family, sharers of the same word of
life and partakers of the same bread of life…then hatred, injustice and
fratricidal wars should cease” (Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod
of Bishops, 36).
*
CSDC: Compendium of the Social Doctrine
of the Church. Paulines Publication Africa
Outlines
prepared by a Consolata team and edited by a team of RSCK-JPIC.
