The Methodist Church in Britain



Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Lent 2020The work of God is transformation of lives, affirmation and enrichment of life lived in community From an article in the People’s Reporter by The Rt. Rev. Dr. P. J. Lawrence, former Bishop in the Diocese of Nandyal of the Church of South India, and presently the Director of the Centre for Theological Leadership Training (CTLT), Cayman IslandsThe truth is: Coronavirushas killed 6,000 people. It hascrashed financial markets andgets 24/7 news coverage. 9million people die per year fromstarvation! 25,000 deaths perday! The media never mentionit. The difference? Coronavirusaffects the rich, the starvationdoesn’t!“Indeed, in the course ofCoronavirus pandemic, we havealready seen countless troublingincidents of xenophobia directedoften against the people of EastAsian Origen. Outbreaks andplagues in the past often led tothe victimization of the poor andthe vulnerable. We should be onthe guard against the ways thatoutbreaks of disease havehistorically led to the persecutionof marginalized people “Thissituation calls for deep biblicaland theological delebarationsaround social and systemicanalysis.It has been said that povertyis both a driver and aconsequence of disasters.Socio-economic inequality islikely to continue to increase andwith it disaster-risk for thosecommunities that have limitedopportunities to manage the riskand to strengthen theirresilience. The impact ofdisasters on the poor can, inaddition to loss of life, injury anddamage, cause total loss oflivelihood, displacement, poorhealth, food insecurity amongother consequences. “Therichest 2% of the world’s adultLenten Reflectionspopulation now own over 50% ofthe global wealth whereas thebottom 50% own less than 1%global wealth. The world isnearing what can be consideredas an absolute level ofinequality.”“But let justice roll down likewater, and righteousness likean ever flowing stream”. Amos5:24.We are challenged to re-readthe signs of the times and todiscern the gospel message intoday’s world of economicinjustice/inequality andecological degradation, wherethe gap between the rich and thepoor is alarmingly increasing. Weare called to respond relevantlyto the problems related to thecurrent global economic crisis:job-loss, cuts in funding, dryingup of aid, declining space forcitizen participation and civilsociety engagement.etc., Nowthe Pandemic of COVID-19, too!Here, instead of reinventingthe wheel I adapt the followingparagraph from “A ClarionChristian Call to Justice andPeace: Ending Global inequalityand Climate Injustice” by Dr.Agnus Aboum, Moderator of theWCC Central Committee.Pilgrimage of Justice andPeace:The work of God istransformation of lives,affirmation and enrichment of lifelived in community- John 10:10“As humans we partake inthe process by ensuring that noone goes hungry, marginalized,or discriminated against, thattheir dignity is not violated, andthat people are brought to theEucharistic table of the Lord toshare a meal and fellowshiptogether- as captured in the bookof Exodus and John. Thereforethe pilgrimage of Justice andPeace is a reminder that we arethe people on the way; we walk,pray and work together towardsa goal of justice for all. We menand women of Faith, people ofgoodwill, are invited through thepilgrimage of justice and peaceto restore our relationships withGod the creator, with one anotherand with the environment. Thepilgrimage is about recognizingand accepting our wounds,repentance andacknowledgment of ourcontribution and seeking to healand be reconciled”Especially during this time ofLent in the midst of Coronavirus.To receive the People’s Reporter regularly by email from India contact prprtr@ ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download