On Wednesday I joined thousands of people in the “Churches against Corruption” march to Parliament. I’m not much of a slogan-shouting, banner-waving activist. Catching up with friends like the newly ordained Rev. Solomzi Ralo, of Gateway, was the highlight for me (See the photo to the left, Solomzi is the good looking man in Ray Ban’s). It was exciting partnering with an amazingly diverse crowd but I found myself wondering, “Does Parliament care? Do the powerful listen?”. A line from our Presiding Bishop’s prayer, at the Pretoria march, might open their ears: “In the name of God, may they not sleep well until there is change”.
Talk of Power, Politics and Partnerships is, strangely, an ideal way to introduce this Sunday’s Gospel lesson (Mark 10:2-16). The Pharisees “tested” Jesus’ views on divorce because it was a dangerously political question. John the Baptist denounced Herod’s marriage to Herodias and was executed[1] (Mk 6:17ff). Jesus’ reply takes us back to a time before the world was corrupted by power; God’s ideal of a man and a woman united in a ‘one-flesh’ partnership. Remembering that Jesus spoke these words on the way to the cross is helpful. His wounds heal those hurt by broken relationships. His self-sacrifice demonstrates true power and shows us the way to life-giving partnership.
God Bless,
Sean
[1] Herodias agreed to divorce Herod’s brother, Philip and marry Herod if Herod divorced his wife.