Submitted by Jan on Tue, 01/11/2016 – 10:34
Year C (2015-2016)
Bible Book: Luke
Chapter: 20
Verse: 27 – 38
In the last few weeks I have been confronted by death in many different ways: a mother of young twins killed while out on a morning run, a young woman dead after her lungs failed, a young man shot in his bed, another young man drowned on a pleasure cruise. All unexpected, shocking, shattering dreams and ideals.

This is not an unusual thing for those working in the field of HIV. For many years we have heard the refrain: “I am tired of burying people”. Even in a time when ART is prolonging lives and bringing hope, we are still at times overwhelmed by the reality of the millions of lives lost and by the fact that people still die of AIDS related conditions. According to the UNAIDS 1.1 million people died in 2015 due to AIDS related diseases, 180 000 in South Africa.

It is easy to become despondent and overwhelmed. One text in this week’s reading reminded me anew to look at life differently; that death is not final, that through Christ there is new life.

38 “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

What a wonderful reminder of new life!

Does this mean that we no longer have to care for people’s lives in “this life”? No! I believe that this reminder in fact gives us hope and resilience to work for peace, justice and reconciliation in “this life”. I believe the emphasis in the text that all are alive to God, serves as a reminder to us that this life is as important as the eternal life.

It is easy to become despondent when we look around us, not only at HIV, but also at the social, political and economic turmoil in South Africa, but also internationally

Maybe this text can help us to look at the situation differently. Maybe this text even calls us to be more active in our work to ensure that all lives are seen as equally important – as they are seen by God. Maybe this text calls us to share in God’s work of resurrection – in bringing new life in places and relationships that are dead.

To think about: Where do you see God bringing new life, and where can you join in God’s resurrection work?

Author: van Rooyen L (Ms)