Tangaza Vision
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Date
1996-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College/A Journal of Socio-religious Concern
Abstract
Once there was a farming town that could
be reached by a narrow road with a bad
curve on it. There were frequent
accidents on the road, especially on the curve
and the preacher would preach to the people
of the town to make sure that they were Good
Samaritans. And so they would pick the
people up on the road for this was a religious
and charitable work.
One day someone suggested that they buy an ambulance to get the accident victims to the town hospital more
quickly. The preacher
preached and the people gave
for this was after all a religious
and charitable work.
Then one day, an elder
suggested that the town should
authorize building a wider road
and taking out the dangerous curve on the road.
Now it happened that the mayor had a farm right
at the curve on the road, and he was against
taking out the curve. Someone asked the
preacher to say a word to the mayor and the
congregation the following Sunday about it. But
the preacher and most of the people figured that
they had better stay out of politics; so the next
Sunday, the preacher preached on the Good Samaritan Gospel and encouraged the people to
continue their fine work of picking up the accident victims, which they did. Here in Africa we have a lot ofvictimazation
due to "bad curves" in aour political, economi
cal, religious and cultural systems. The Good
Samaritan Gospel loses its cutting edge when it
is preached to make people nice to victims of
their sins and death-serving systems. It becomes
a tool for maintaining the status quo politicaly,
economically and socialy. Solidarity with the victims of oppression, injustice, and sexism is more
than being nice to them through short-term charitable works. It entails walking with them more
than just one step. Making pledges for more funds
for the poor and those economically disadvantaged in the slums, in our streets and those who
frequent our gates is a positive gesture highly
appreciated. Crucial questions however remain unanswered: As future
pedagogists, gurus, social development and pastoral
agents, can we assiduously
remain silent about root
causes of poverty, environmental degradation and violence in our cities? Is there a
link between faith and development? These and many
more questions lead us to
search for new ways of being in solidarity with the victims of oppression and the poor. The experience
with the poor and victims of our systems becomes
the kairos for us to see critically the links between our faith and socio- economic and politico
issues such as: Urbanization, Environment, politics, Economics, Development, etc. We believe
reflections on such issues will shape the new paradigms of mission and relevant ways of sharing
our faith through prophetic and vibrant witness
of service.
The new understanding of mission and
the way of sharing our faith that God-is-among
us 'Emmanuel' makes the celebration of Christmas even more meaningful to all. Happy birthday Jesus and happy Christmas to you all'
Description
Keywords
Focus on Mission, Good Samaritan, Jesus Of Nazareth, battered Children, Urbanization, Take Off Shoes, degree, Theology, proverbs, Poverty