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So much of who we are and what our lives are like is an accident of birth. We just happened to arrive on this earth at a certain time period and in a certain geographical location and in a certain cultural context. We had no choice over these things which have so much influence over our lives. They are determining factors and yet we have no control over them.

Maybe you have thought about how fortunate you are to have been born into the circumstances in which you live. Perhaps you appreciate that you have certain advantages that simply accrue to chance. Of course, there is what we make of the opportunities we are given, but still, there is much that may simply comes our way unsolicited for which we can be grateful.

In thinking about our context, maybe we feel fortunate that we were not born in the Central African Republic, or Syria, or North Korea, or countless other places where we may think life is more difficult and more dangerous. There are so many places in this world where it is hard to obtain food and shelter. And where violence and upheaval threaten day to day safety and security. There are many people who live in circumstances not only without access to what is needed for daily subsistence but also without access to healthcare, education, and the arts.

Before we feel sorry for others, let’s look at it from another angle. Someone living in more simple circumstances may see advantages to that life. They may look at our lifestyle and think it takes so much money to live in our context. You must have to be a slave to making money. It’s so difficult to maintain all those possessions. How do they have time for fun with family and friends, for church, for enjoying an evening by the fire? They must have to work all the time. And with all those cars and devices and energy needs they create so much garbage and environmental devastation. And there seem to be so many killings and shootings, how could you feel safe living like that? It’s such a complicated, difficult and stressful life! There are those in what we might consider disadvantaged circumstances who feel sorry for us and would not want to change places for “all the tea in China.”

Whatever our circumstances, where ever we are, whatever our context, our faith leads and guides us to live in a way that serves the common good, helping others, and contributing to the wellbeing of the community. We need not waste time feeling sorry for others and bemoaning our circumstances. We can see our context as an opportunity, given to us by God, to care for the world and for creation. Let us look for our calling, for how we are needed right here and now, where ever that may be, to share the love of God in the world.

Prayer: We are thankful for our lives and for all has been given to us. May we see our lives as a sacred trust given to us to be used for the good of the world. Instead of pitying ourselves or our circumstances, instead of envying others, instead of feeling sorry for others, may we embrace our situation and do all that we can to show forth the love of God. May we “bloom where we are planted.” Amen.

Despite the fact that the concept of a Christian Militia is an oxymoron, these groups continue to persist and thrive. We have been mentioning the Christian Militia groups in the Central African Republic that are pursuing a vendetta to eradicate the Muslim population of the country. These groups are powerful and zealous.

The Hutaree are a Christian Militia group. They are a paramilitary organization carrying on military training and maneuvers. They believe their movement has Jesus Christ as its foundation. They stand firm in Christ. They are committed to “defend Jesus’ testimony right up to our end.” [from Hutaree.org] The group is exclusively Christian. You cannot join if you are not a Christian. The motto of the Hutaree is, “For Jesus Till The End!”

This is a group which has somehow become convinced that they are called to militarily defend their faith. They seem to feel that Jesus wants them to pursue the course of violence to defend their faith. Somehow, they are sure that Jesus wants them to kill in his name if that is necessary. One wonders where these ideas come from? Maybe these people have never read the New Testament. Maybe they are not familiar with the Sermon on the Mount. Perhaps they have never heard the teachings associated with Jesus: “Turn the other cheek.” “Love your enemy.” “Pray for those who persecute you.” Maybe they don’t know the story of the crucifixion in which Jesus calls out from the cross, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” Anyone who reads the New Testament sees that Jesus never takes up arms, though there were those around him who did. Jesus never chooses a path of violence. He never harms another. He is all about healing, humility, reconciliation, and forgiveness. In him, there is no vengeance, no armed defense, and no violent toppling of a regime.

So, again, we see that there really is nothing Christian about the Hutaree Christian Militia. In fact, the values and beliefs of the group are directly at odds with Christian teachings. And you may be interested to know that the Hutaree are not from the Central African Republic but are based in near Adrian, Michigan right here in the United States.

This Lenten season is not a time for pointing fingers but for encouraging examination of our own values, practices, integrity, attitudes, and behavior. How consistent is our faith with the New Testament teachings of Jesus? Where are there areas in our lives in which we can more closely follow the way of Christ Jesus? How are we called to share the peace of Christ with the world?

Prayer: We pray for peace. We know that our Christian faith tradition shows us a path to peace in our lives and in the world. Yet do we follow that path? We pray for greater honesty with ourselves and others. May we more fully embody the way of peace given to us by Jesus. Amen.

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

The Central African Republic, a small country in the middle of northern Africa, has been wracked by violence. Just about a year ago, the Seleka, a rebel Muslim group, organized a coup and installed the first Muslim president in a country where the vast majority of the people are Christian. This Muslim take over involved terrorizing and killing Christian men, women, and children.

What is the Christian response in such a situation? Jesus was attacked and he did not respond with violence. His followers were targeted and they did not respond with violence. They did not defend themselves or fight back. They were followers of Jesus. So, they emulated his example. They did not seek vengeance. They did not seek retribution. Their goal was forgiveness because that is what they saw in Jesus and he was their teacher. The early followers of Jesus sought non-violent reconciliation when they were attacked and put to death.

This is hardly the case in the Central African Republic. Most of the Christians are filled with hatred for the Muslims and are viciously seeking vengeance. Christian militia groups are killing men, women, and children. The children are not being caught in the cross fire but specifically targeted. Thousands of Muslims are desperately trying to flee the country. Evidently, the Christian militia groups would rather see the Muslims dead than gone. What kind of expression of Christianity is that?

Here we see the question which eternally rubs Christians: Are we to believe in Jesus or to follow him? The answer could be both. But more often than not, I think Christians today are more concerned with believing in Jesus than living like Jesus. Believing in Jesus involves accepting a set of propositions about Jesus. For some, these may include: That Jesus is the divine son of God. That Jesus physically rose from the dead. That Jesus reigns over the earth with God. And, perhaps, most importantly, that believing these things makes you square with God so that you will spend eternity in the presence of the Divine. In this conception of believing in Jesus, the stress is on what you think about Jesus. The emphasis is not on following his example and living by his teachings. It could be that the members of the Christian militias in the Central African Republic believe all of these things about Jesus and it in no way interferes with their killing spree.

Sadly, I think that most Christians are content with a faith of theological tenets rather than a faith of theological tenets inextricably linked with ethical demands. I believe that true Christianity must involve a theological commitment and an ethical commitment. Our faith requires both. And if our faith is truly grounded in Jesus then we cannot condone or accept violence as a method of working for justice in the world. The means do not justify the ends. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see complete consistency between the means and the ends. That is the only way to live as a Christian with integrity and honesty. We may fall short of our intentions, but we still have the intention. It can be easier to change your mind or your thinking than your behavior. It can be easier to say and sing something about Jesus in church on Sunday that give up your job developing guidance systems for drones.

This Lenten season is a time to examine our faith commitment. What do we believe about Jesus? How are we following him? In what ways can we bring those two commitments closer together?

Prayer: We offer our prayers for the people of the Central African Republic. In the spirit of Jesus, we pray for the Muslims and for the Christians. Surely there is pain in the heart of God over all the killing that has taken place. We pray that the Christians find a path to forgiveness, the heart of the Christian life. We pray that they find true freedom in non-violence. We struggle as well with our desire for retribution and the use of violence to resolve differences. We pray that we, too, may find the path to forgiveness. We pray that we may find true freedom in non-violence. May we believe in Jesus enough to truly follow him. May we follow Jesus enough to truly believe. Amen.