The cross
My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain
here and keep watch with me.” Jesus said to his disciples
in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Matthew 2: 36-43
Malawi, the Congo, and sub-Saharan Africa are representative
of the poorest and least healthy areas of our world. For hundreds
of years people have been victimized and exploited by each other
and world neighbors for slaves, rubber, coffee, tea, ivory, diamonds,
gold, coltan, oil, uranium and timber. In Malawi, life expectancy
has declined to 38 years. Despite these time limitations, women
still have an average of six children. Female fertility and cultural
value seem culturally synonymous. Birth and death rates are a
staggering 45% and 23% respectively. Despite the fact that half
of Malawi’s population is less than 15 years, one of six
people are infected and will die of HIV/AIDS. Total income for
Malawi when divided equally by population numbers is $600 a year,
but 90 percent of this goes to only the very few rich and powerful.
One-hundred and ten years of Christian mission effort has created
a literacy rate of 76 percent (men) and 50 percent (women), but
there is little to read and meager economic opportunity for the
literate.
The economic, political, and military exploitation of the very
poor of our world by the very rich demoralizes, degrades and terrorizes
God’s creatures and our world’s fragile ecosystems.
Witnessing it is like witnessing Mel Gibson’s dramatization
of Christ’s crucifixion. Time magazine recently
asked why the crucifixion and the agony of Good Friday are necessary
in Christian theology? The crucifixion symbolizes powerfully and
dramatically the reality of our own creation and participation
in the world’s horror and terror, not God’s. Our ambition,
pride, and disobedience lead to Golgotha.
Are we again, as Pilot, absolving our responsibilities for these
man-made injustices? I asked a knowledgeable American recently
why we support Persian Gulf sheikdoms that enslave their own poor.
He replied, “Who do you know that is willing to pay five
dollars a gallon for gasoline for their new SUV?” Or, as
President Bush responded to questions about U.S. prisoner atrocities
in Iraq, “This is not the America I am familiar with.”
Perhaps we as Americans need to become more interested and “familiar”
with darker sides of this world, including the Americas.
The noose
As then, are we not saying, “Surely it is not I,
Lord?
Matthew 26: 20-25
At the moment we feel the impulse to respond to our neighbor’s
need, is there not often a disabling sense of uncertainty and
personal inadequacy? Do we fear that others will judge our action
inappropriate, ill-advised, or even self-aggrandizing? We are
reluctant and hesitant with our precious time, energies, or resources.
We are admonished to be bold and brave with our responses to our
neighbors’ needs, yet “wise as serpents,” sensitive,
and respectful of their private spaces, values, and beliefs.
We are called to be advocates for changed behavior, the bearers
of peaceful solutions and innovative considerations, yet respectful
of civic and religious authorities.
Is it any wonder that Peter, Judas and the others, fell asleep,
ran away, or betrayed Jesus when faced with the reality? Peter
knew that remaining loyal to Jesus would result in cross for them
all. He plea-bargained with the authorities. Our industrial CEOs
do it regularly with the courts when they betray investors. Judas,
by betraying God’s wishes for him was absolved of his guilt,
guaranteed freedom and life, and enriched with thirty pieces of
silver by the promises of man.
When we lose faith in the promises and commandments of God for
each and all of creation, allowing our isolated selfish interests,
fears, reasons and calculations to direct our paths, do we not
place the same proverbial noose about our own heads?
We wish for you life abundant with joy, peace, hope, and love.
Bill, and Sue Sager
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
182
P.S. We returned from Malawi on May 2 and would be happy to share
about our service in Malawi, Congo, and Pakistan. If you’d
like to invite us to speak, our contact information is correct
below:
160 Timberlake Dr.
Ashland, Oregon 97520
Phone: (541) 482-8117.
Sager@maf.net
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