Pew Reflections Fourth Quarter 2010

Pew
Reflections
3rd October – 27th December 2010
Readings from
An Australian Lectionary
2010 (Year C)
Written by
Revd Isaac Pur Wal

Pew Reflections – Fourth Quarter 2010

3rd October – 27th December

Readings from An Australian Lectionary 2010 (Year C)

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 3 October 2010

Lament 1:1-6

Psalm 137 or Lament 3:19-26

2 Timothy 1:1-14,

Luke 17: 5-10

To make ends meet, Isaac Pur’s family keep a simple, corrugated iron shop in Gambella, which sells soap, tea, sugar and candles, the most-needed commodities all over Ethiopia.

Faith is not a commodity. It is a gift. In this passage, Jesus is showing us that a little faith is often enough to do great things.

God does not require powerful faith. What He really wants from us is to have faith in a great God. We can never put God in our debt, whatever we do for Him. What we do, in Church, is no more or less than what He requires of His servants.

Pray: that God will free us from self-importance and that, by grace, He will renew in us the gift of gratitude for His goodness and greatness.

Text: The Revd. Isaac Pur Wal, Nuer Missioner in the Gambella region of Ethiopia and the Right Revd. Andrew Proud, Area Bishop for the Horn of Africa. © Anglican Board of Mission Pew Reflections 2010

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – 10 October 2010

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:(1-7) 8-15, Luke 17: 11-19

Ethiopia is familiar with terrible suffering. Every year 6.2 million people are hungry and the average life expectancy is 46.

Ten lepers were healed that day, but only one came back.

All it took for these men to be healed was to take the first step of a journey to show themselves to the priest, the only person who could certify their cure and restore them to their families. But it was only the Samaritan, a despised foreigner who recognised the source of his wholeness and is now healed, restored and close enough to Jesus to be lying at his feet.

Christians remember that everything we have comes from God. None of us has a right to happiness or health; God gives all.

Remember, this week, that God’s love is there for you, too. God has a special place in His heart for foreigners, who feel isolated, different; for the sick, who feel ugly; and for the sinner, who feels dirty.

Pray: that we shall know, deep-down, that we are healed, restored, forgiven.

Twenty first Sunday after Pentecost - 17 October 2010

Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 34:8, 2 Timothy 3:10-4.5, Luke 18: 1-14

In the Gambella region of Ethiopia, widows have no rights and no one will fight for them. If she cries long enough and loud enough, the tribal elders will respond and take up her cause.

There are two parables side-by-side here: the persistent widow and the Pharisee and the tax collector. Both parables contain a pair of opposites: self reliance and humility.

The parable of the persistent widow challenges us to ask ourselves if we have faith enough to ask God even for the small things in life.

In the second parable, the Pharisee falls into the trap of comparing himself with others. The tax collector, however, was willing to face the truth about himself and throw himself on God’s mercy.

Pray: that we may focus this week on His goodness, not our own gifts and abilities, and so please Him.

Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist – 18 October 2010

Jeremiah 8:22 – 9.3, Psalm 119:97-104, 2 Timothy 3:10 – 4.5, Luke 10:1-9

There have been many times when we have not felt safe in Ethiopia, usually when travelling around by car, but occasionally even as we go about our work. Opposition has been focussed, strong and persistent at times.

This brief passage has something very important to say to clergy, preachers and anyone engaged in mission.

Luke gives us a succinct formula for mission.

Pray; go; travel light; trust in God for protection; accept the hospitality of the people you’re sent to; do something useful and then proclaim the Kingdom.

Pray: For the Church’s mission in your Diocese and your parish.

Twenty second Sunday after Pentecost – 24 October 2010

Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18: 15-30

There are many street children in Addis Ababa. By day, begging, or playing in the road, at night, they go hungry and are vulnerable to violence and insecurity.

Jesus says we should be like little children, because children are able to receive with delight and without embarrassment. Helpless in so many ways, they trust those who care for them.

In the next parable is the rich ruler. This man is what the Nuer call ‘Ram mi rieng-rieng’ – a pillar of society.

There is a clear warning here for those in positions of authority. What is needed is a un-embarrassed, child-like dependence upon our Heavenly Father.

The Christian Church should show care for all God’s ‘little ones’ as they are called here.

Pray: for the children’s ministry of your Church;

For the children themselves and for all those who give their time, love and attention to nurturing faith in our young people.

Text: The Revd. Isaac Pur Wal, Nuer Missioner in the Gambella region of Ethiopia and the Right Revd. Andrew Proud, Area Bishop for the Horn of Africa. ©Anglican Board of Mission 2010 Pew Reflections 2010

Feast of St. Simon, St. Jude and Martyrs – 28 October 2010

Deuteronomy 32:1-4, Psalm 19:1-6, Jude 1-3, 17-25, Luke 6: 12-16

Jesus chose twelve apostles to represent the New Israel. These were all ordinary, not powerful men and they were not the great religious leaders of their day.

Some of these men, we know nothing about, yet Jesus had a reason to choose them and a clear idea as to how He would use them.

We stand in succession to these Apostles. We, too, are the New Israel of God: we are God’s people, chosen by name to live under His rule and reign.

We are called to be obedient and ready to do His will so we may bear fruit to His glory, not ours.

Pray: that God will show you where and when He needs you to step up to take part in His mission.

Twenty third Sunday after Pentecost – 31 October 2010

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137 – 144, 2 Thess 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10

Land owners in Africa often oppress their workers and grow fat on their sweat and labour.

Zacchaeus was employed by the Romans to collect taxes. His position had isolated him from everyone. Everyone hated him. As Luke tells it, Jesus did not have a plan to stop in Jericho that day, until he saw Zaccchaeus. Zacchaeus is the exact opposite of the rich ruler in last week’s Gospel.

Jesus helped this man break through. By the end of the meal, he was no longer a Roman puppet, but a child of Abraham again. He had come home.

This Sunday, let us delight in His love – and open our hearts to receive from Him.

Pray: for a child-like faith, to delight in Him and to trust Him. Pray, too, that He will fill us with joy!

Text: The Revd. Isaac Pur Wal, Nuer Missioner in the Gambella region of Ethiopia and the Right Revd. Andrew Proud, Area Bishop for the Horn of Africa . © Anglican Board of Mission Pew Reflections 2010

All Saints Day – 1 November 2010

Isaiah 25:6-9 or Wisdom 3:1-9, Psalm 24, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11: 32-44

In highland Ethiopia, funerals are big affairs. A long, wailing procession follows the body to the graveside; a stone is laid over the grave, to keep hyenas out; and then follows seven days during which everyone can come to the house and ‘sit’ with the grieving family.

Mary, Martha and the Jews had prayed and done all they could for their brother, Lazarus, and they are now at their wits’ end, which is often when and where God acts.

Martha, already believing that Jesus can do anything (verse 22), fetches him. He comes at her bidding and he weeps tears of deep compassion.

In verse 40, John tells us we are about to see the glory of God in the most impossible sign of all, the raising of a man from the dead. Jesus calls, the dead man comes forth, raised from death.

John is telling us that eternal life begins now, by knowing Jesus and obeying him.

Pray: for all those who mourn. And pray that He will release you from those fears and sins that bind you and that you will know His risen life.

Twenty fourth Sunday after Pentecost – 7 November 2010

Haggai 1:15b- 2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-40

In many African societies, your identity is found and assured by looking back to one great ancestor, under the great Creator God.

The question for us in this passage is: How should we think about death?

The Sadducees had a vested interest in the political status quo, which made them gloss

over what God had said about Himself in Exodus 3:1-6.

In Christ, death is abolished. Our relationship with God simply cannot be broken by death. Death is simply the moment we pass over a threshold into the presence of God, where our faithful ancestors are already gathered.

Our task in this life is to foster our relationship with God-in-Christ, because that is what will hold us to the end –and beyond. And how do we do that? Through prayer, study, worship, service, sacrifice and witness.

Pray: Give thanks for the faithful departed. And pray for your Church’s Bible study groups, education and social programmes, that God will use them to strengthen our relationship with Him.

Twenty fifth Sunday after Pentecost – 14 November 2010

Isaiah 65:17-25, A Song of Isaiah, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21: 5-19

Somalis who become Christians face real danger. Two years ago, one of our TEE tutors, a Somali, David Mohammed, was killed for his faith when he went back home to visit his family.

This passage speaks to us powerfully of the fact that all human achievement is ephemeral: beautiful buildings, culture, technology, political systems, global financial markets and the media.

We should never put our trust in them. That is hard because they define and shape our daily lives in all sorts of subtle ways.

Jesus says the signs of the times are all around us, plain to see. We should read them, but we should not be afraid. Instead, we are exhorted to trust in God and to be patient. To wait upon Him and to stand firm at all times.

Pray: for all persecuted Christians, that they may stand firm and remember, in the face of danger, that they are greatly loved by our heavenly Father.

Feast of Christ the King – 21 November 2010

Jeremiah 23.1-6, Song of Zechariah or Psalm 46, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23: 33-43

In many parts of Ethiopia, there is still a strong culture of blood vengeance. This does not always end in death, but the desire for revenge is big and can easily escalate smaller disputes into serious conflict.

Today we celebrate Jesus as King – but a King unlike any other. Jesus is taken out to the place of the skull – the rubbish tip outside the city walls – and crucified.

In the midst of this, Jesus says, ‘Father, forgive them.’ He does not ask for or seek revenge.

And then he promises forgiveness and paradise today, now, to the penitent thief. The contrast with the place of crucifixion could not be greater. Instead of decay and death, there would be the smell of beautiful plants and flowers, shade from the relentless sun and the sound of running water.

This passage urges us all to turn to Him again, today, and to know His forgiveness.

Pray: that God will give you grace to forgive those who have wronged you, or hurt you.