SIGNS OF THE TIMES IN THE NEW MILLENIUM

The end of one year immediately ushers in a new one. A new millennium has just began, marking a new stage in the history of the universe. What hopes and challenges does this new beginning hold for the people of Zambia and for the church in this land? A church which is about to celebrate hundred and ten years of presence among the people of this land (1891-2001).

What are some of the urgent needs, concerns, challenges, etc.? How might we approach this venture? Admittedly, there are several ways one could go about it. What I may propose here is simply one of the many. For what it is worth, I call this approach a reading of ''the signs of the times.'' Reading the signs of the times is an exercise which calls for both subjectivity and objectivity. On one level we cannot separate ourselves from the times and situations in which we live.

SOME EXPLANATION

Meaningful interpretation of the signs has to be done by someone who is part of reality. This is because most signs are cultural and someone from outside the culture risks missing the real meaning represented by the signs.

Precise meanings are almost impossible to communicate and this becomes even more difficult when the other does not share the same cultural or existential experiences. The danger with subjectivity in reading the times lies in the risk of seeing things only from one perspective and then making generalisations. Meaningful interpretation, therefore, must transcend subjectivity and reach towards objectivity. Objectivity implies a certain distance from the reality and situation. We need, as it were, to look at the situation from the outside. This gives the advantage of making judgements without being too emotionally involved.

THE CHURCH

How does this relate to the church of Zambia, especially in its fundamental call to prophetical witness? On the subjective part, we need to be part of the living reality in Zambia today. We need to be with the people and in touch with the flow of events. We need to feel with their joys and sorrows; eat with them their bag of salt. Here, we cannot rely on what we read in newspapers or from listening to and watching the news. We need to go out and confront the situation on the street, in the market places, wherever our people happen to be. By feeling with them what they are feeling, we will eventually begin to see a pattern emerging in the ''sign making'' of the Zambian people.

Ours is the call to make a difference for the better. So we cannot just go into situations for the sake of identifying with people. We need to be with them and yet apart from them. We cannot allow ourselves to be swept away by the flow of events.

One way of maintaining this ''apartness'' is by being men and women deeply rooted in prayer. We have to reflect on the experiences and bring them to prayer, so that illumined by the light of Gospel and guided by the social teaching of the church, we may act appropriately.

Our source of strength and motivation for being involved is undoubtedly the person of Jesus Christ, the perfect revelation of God. Saint Eugene de Mazenod, founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, calls us to lead people to be human first of all, then to be Christians and finally to be saints. This indeed is a holy undertaking and an approach worth considering. On the practical level, several questions may be asked:

a. What are the present signs?

b. How do they come about?

c. How do we interpret them? (Caution must be taken here lest we attach our own meanings and not the ones being communicated)

d. How do we respond to these?

SOME INDICATORS

One aspect clearly present in Zambia is the high levels of poverty. The majority of Zambian households live below the poverty line. This is clearly a sign that something is wrong. Meetings and discussions have been held to try and find the causes and solutions to the crisis, but the situation only seems to get worse.

The Zambian Catholic Bishops Conference, (ZEC), as a Prophetic Witness, has repeatedly called on government to reduce the suffering of the people. In their statement of 16 June 2000, they challenged government. They rightly pointed to the fact that the major problem currently facing our nation is not lack of resources, but the misuse of the available ones.

This situation of poverty gives rise to many other realities not so desirable. The growing number of aid organisations, NGOs, etc., are one response to the situation which must be applauded. But much more needs to be done. It is sad that while the majority suffer, a few enjoy the luxuries of life. Some even in the name of assisting the poor!

The South African style shopping malls and such other stores might appear on the surface to be a sign of positive development. But on closer consideration, one sees the many other negative aspects attached to these. Where do the people get the money to shop there or are these places only for the rich?

Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, addressing the Congresso Americano on 30 September 1999, said, "Ours is an age of technology.'' It is amazing what progress has been made with computers. The World Wide Web and the Internet have radically changed the notion of communications. The world seems to have become one large village. Unfortunately, in Zambia not many can afford the luxury of apersonal computer. Thus access to computer technology is a privilege for the few.

While the rest of the world moves forward, we are left behind. In this new world order it is clear that the poor will not be able to compete with the rich. They will thus remain an appendix to society. A terrible social sin of our day. A situation which we must challenge.

A visible sign of the technology age, at least in Lusaka, is the mobile phone. I would hesitate to interpret this as an indication that people have become more aware of the need for communication. I tend to see it more as a sign of prestige to own a mobile phone.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is an area which needs serious attention. But what is this a sign of? It cannot be denied that there is a socio-economic dimension involved here. Poverty has led some to life on the streets, while wealth leads others to think they can buy anything, including love, sex and indeed life itself.

Others, in the name of freedom, argue that they will do whatever they want as long as it is not outside the law. Both the effects and the causes of this situation need urgent attention.

It is evident that our education system is in a serious state of crisis. Over the years there has been a remarkable decline in the quality of education offered in our schools. Our two universities are nothing to be proud of. The health system is in a similar state. Without these two essential requirements for normal societal growth and function, I wonder how we can even begin to think of a future.

Islam is a force slowly making its presence felt among our people. As pastoral agents we need to be aware of the forces and powers moving our society. Meaningful dialogue must be used as a means for attaining understanding and truth.

INTROSPECTIVE

In reading the ''signs of the times'' we also cannot avoid being introspective. As individuals and church we need to reflect on ourselves. On a personal level, we need to be alert of the various factors operating in our lives. As church we constantly have to go back to the original message taught by Jesus and entrusted to the Apostles.

In conclusion, I wish to end with a quotation from ''A Prayer for Those in Ministry'' by Archbishop Oscar Romero, the martyred Archbishop of El Salvador. It expresses my deep joy at being part of this holy enterprise, and also my confidence in the future of the church of Zambia

It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.

This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow, we water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders, ministers not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.

May that future be filled with

grace, peace and hope!

Raymond Mwangala, O.M.I.

O.M.I. International Scholasticate

Rome

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