In the last devotion, there was mention of the situation in the Central African Republic. A severe conflict cast as a battle between Christians and Muslims is going on. In the midst of this, groups calling themselves Christian militias are hunting down and killing Muslims by the thousands. Muslims are trying to flee the country but often cannot find the means to get out and have no where to go outside of the country.
While the Christian militias are anything but Christian, there are other Christians who are making a bold statement embodying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In one community, a newly ordained Catholic priest went out looking for Muslims and invited them to come to stay at his church. He went door to door and out into the bush to offer sanctuary to the Muslims in his region. Some seven hundred people have accepted his invitation. Father Xavier-Arnauld Fagba explains, “When the Muslims were attacked, the people didn’t help them. That’s when I decided to look for them and bring them here. I did it in the name of my faith. My faith asks me to transcend the most difficult obstacles.” Amen to that! What an incredible witness to the Gospel. Father Fagba’s actions are not popular with the town’s people who are also Christian. His life has been threatened.
In another town, Catholic sisters have taken in more that five hundred Muslims giving them food, water and medicine in addition to sanctuary. In another bold witness, Roman Catholic Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga invited the president of the Islamic Community to come and stay with him. Imam Omar Kobine Layama accepted the offered hospitality. The Archbishop explains, “I live alongside him and I ask Christians to do likewise. Love should be a characteristic of Christians. You can’t call yourself a Christian if you kill your brother. You can’t call yourself a Christian when you hunt him down.”
While the dire circumstances in the Central African Republic have brought out the worst in people, and the worst from Christians, the conflict has also brought out the best of Christianity in the courageous hospitality offered to those who are being persecuted. Drastic situations often do that – either bring out the best or the worst from us. Lent is a time to prepare ourselves spiritually to be strong and true, bold in love and generosity, when we are put to the test.
Prayer: We pray for the people of the Central African Republic. We give thanks for those who are making an inspiring witness to the love that is at the heart of our faith. We pray for all who are victims of violence as well as those who are perpetrating violence. We pray for the strength to make a bold witness for love each and every day in our context whatever that may be. May Jesus be our teacher and our guide. Amen.
Information and the direct quotations in this devotion came from:
Christian militias take bloody revenge on Muslims in Central African Republic
By David Smith, Monday March 10, 2014, theguardian.com
War-torn churches shelter Muslims in Central African Republic
By Fredrick Nzwili, Feb 20, 2014, 2014 Religion News Service, at christiancentury.org
Lakewood United Church of Christ 