Bishop Karowei writes…
I am writing this at a time when our nation and the world are experiencing an unprecedented pandemic. Millions have tested positive for COVID-19 and hundreds of thousands have lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost their loved ones. May they find true comfort in the love and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and may the souls of the departed rest in peace.
These challenges have been complicated by another long-standing social justice pandemic: racism. This was brought to the forefront by the recent killing of an unarmed African American called George Floyd at the hands of three white police officers in Minneapolis, US. George died as a direct result of one of the officers placing their knee on his neck for 8 minutes 46 seconds.
As soon as a video recording of the event was posted on YouTube, it went viral and led to many peaceful demonstrations all over the world. Demonstrations are still going on now, almost two months on.
As Christians, racial injustice has long been a social justice issue in our thoughts, conscience, actions and prayers. Today, we are reminded of the Creation narrative in the Book of Genesis. We read that God made man in his image and likeness (Gen. 1:27 & 5:2). This is the concept of Imago Dei.
Wherever you sit in the Creation vs Evolution debate, Jesus Christ said: “From the beginning of creation God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6).
This simple origin has given rise to only one human race, with numerous ethnic groups. So the first lie to debunk is that the world is made up of many races; rather, it is one human race with different ethnic groups. The second lie to debunk is that there is a superior race or ethnic group, because all men and women are created equal before God in his image and likeness, so all are equal in the sight of God through Jesus Christ who died for all (John 3:16 & 2 Corinthians 5:15a).
Our responsibility as Christians is to recognise that Christ is in each one of us and calls us into his family baptised by the same Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. It therefore puts the onus on us to be our brother’s keeper. Remember the Parable of the Good Samaritan, who helped the badly injured Jew who was a victim of robbers. That Samaritan was in essence obeying the law of God. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and Love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:25-37).
Since the George Floyd protests, many in our Diocese, led by our own Bishop Christopher, Bishops, Archdeacons, Priests, Lay Leaders and Laity, have carried “Black Lives Matter” banners and even bowed the knee in solidarity with the movement for change to our institutional structures, Church, personal attitudes and communities. It is our duty to Christ.
I remind us of the words of the Revd Dr Martin Luther King Jr, who said: “I have a dream that one day my children will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.” He also said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
We are one race, one Church and one body; when one part hurts, the whole body hurts. We each bring something unique to the table given the chance. So let us celebrate our ethnic diversity as a gift of God in Creation and the beautiful world he has blessed us with. Black Lives Matter, as do all our lives.
May we know the redeeming, unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and saviour. Amen.
