‘It was the stone rejected by builders which became the keystone.’
(see Matthew 18:18-20)
Famously, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a total of 27 years. He became President of South Africa in the early 1990s, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for bringing apartheid to an end. ‘I have fought against white domination, and have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It’s an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’ His was indeed a ‘long walk to freedom.’
Jesus experienced for himself acts of injustice, imprisonment, deep pain and death, rejected by those he came to save. He was the suffering servant, who came to serve not to be served and to give his life as a ransom for many. He laid down his life for his sheep.
The long walk to freedom is fraught with pain and difficulties but the dream of Mandela was realised. The world is not perfect, and there are still many injustices to fight, globally and locally. But if we trust in God’s justice, we too can play our part for standing up for what is right, and realising God’s Kingdom of justice, love and peace.
PRAY FOR those who fight against racism on a political and institutional level, and for our own courageous response to injustice in the world.
Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice, the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent
South Cardiff Ministry Area 