|
A CALL TO TRANSFORM SOCIETY
It is common for people to be filled with anxiety and excitement each time they acquire a new property. Many would hasten to test and see what the newly acquired item is able to offer. Imagine what goes on in the mind of a person who buys a brand new car, bicycle, radio, or a house. The excitement would even be more in cases where there is a new government, a new Constitution or a new budget. But people will be happier if the new things are better than the old in terms of quality, durability and performance. On this second Sunday of Lent, we are invited to reflect on Jesus’ transfiguration which is a “prefiguration” of the glory that awaits him.
In the first reading of today from the book of Genesis, we about God who enters into a covenant with Abraham, “our father in faith”. In the second reading St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians expresses that the fulfillment of the new covenant is in Jesus. And in the Gospel, we are given a story of how Jesus is transformed while he prays to his Father. All the three readings give us a more clear explanation of the true identity of Jesus.
But throughout Jesus’ life, his true identity was often misunderstood. We heard in the Gospel during the first Sunday of Lent that the devil expressed doubt in Jesus saying, “if you are the son of God” (Lk. 4:3). Surrounded by people who were searching for his true identity Jesus gets transformed and is revealed as God’s Son (Lk. 9:35). Above all, the presence of Moses and Elijah (Lk. 9:33) entails the fulfillment of the law and the prophets in Jesus.
Today’s episode of Jesus’ transfiguration waves off the many doubts about his true identity. The ecstatic experience of the disciples must be translated into our own experiences today. In other words, our encounters with Christ today must always trigger a renewed understanding of his true identity and not just a repeat of what we have already heard, seen or known. Therefore, each time we encounter Christ in the sacraments there must be that renewal and invigorated experience with him. The season of Lent offers us an opportunity to re-examine ourselves and to see whether or not we are getting transformed.
Wherever you go in Zambia, there is always the feeling of wishing things were better than they are. Nearly, all sectors of our society today need to be transformed in order to uplift people’s standard of living. Our Christian life need to be transformed. We need more serious and committed Christians. Culturally, too, our traditional leaders need to uphold their integrity and never become sympathizers of selected politicians or political parties. Politically, we need honest, transparent and hardworking leaders who genuinely have people’s interests at heart.
Thus, the politics of hatred, divisions and name-calling must never be encouraged. Certainly, our economy need to be revamped so as to reduce poverty levels. We should not continue being perpetual bergers. One Bemba proverb cautions, “Insala ni ndiminwa te mpulilwa iyo”, meaning hunger can only be wiped out through hard work, not through begging. Similarly, the Nsengas say, “Mwana wachete olilira pansi”, meaning a real orphan won’t sit there complaining or crying, but will get out and till the land. The current Constitution also needs to be transformed into a document that truly reflects people’s values, aspirations and beliefs.
These few areas of concern can only reach desirable levels of transfiguration with the help of Christ. Christ must be given the position of an engine turning around all societal concerns. In the life of Christ we find that he transformed the broken hearted, the wounded, the blind and those who had strayed away from God’s power.
As Christians, we need to recognise in our lives needing transformation and people around us who need our help in order to be transformed. During this Lenten season, let us try to do what some people consider impossibilities. For example, inviting your longstanding enemy for lunch, or giving a very expensive gift to a beggar, or adopting one of the “street child”. In this way, we will be participating in both the transformation of our lives and the lives of people we live with. Hence, with Christ’s help of our wretched bodies will be transfigured “into copies of his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21).
Questions for reflection and sharing in Small Christian Communities
- Who in our political, social and traditional set up urgently need our help?
- Which concrete areas of concern in our lives need to be transformed?
- What are we going to do as a community this year to transform our society for the better?
SKETCH
Have a slim looking man or woman who does not take good care of himself or herself and fall sick often. Many people avoid him because he is smelly. Whenever he or she moves out for a walk, little children follow him or her and call him or her names. Then some concerned Christians visit him or her and buy new clothing, enough food items, and give him or her good advice on healthy living. A transformed person comes out neatly dressed and feeling good and everyone in the community is happy.
Community Prayers
- Lord, we pray for new eyes and ears of faith to act whenever we see and hear the cry of the poor. Lord, hear our prayer! Lord graciously hear us!
- Lord, we pray for our political, religious and traditional leaders that they may have the interests of people at heart and be more willing to transform our society. Lord, hear our prayer! Lord graciously hear us!
- Lord, we pray for the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in our society that you may help them and give them their heart’s desire. Lord, hear our prayer! Lord graciously hear us!
|
