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REFLECTION

“No distinction” is the theme for our reflection. No distinction means an all inclusive regime or system where everyone is equally respected and valued. In ancient times there were clear and strong distinctions or discriminatory barriers in societies. Currently in some societies, the distinctions have been sustained throughout tradition, laws, religious believers and cultural practices. These distinctions are predominately based on race, class, gender and age.

Christianity was unique because it challenged the existing barriers or distinctions in Jewish and Greek societies. It was a new faith at the time that brought believers together regardless of their backgrounds and differences to fellowship in Christ as one people. Believers mutually shared Christ through faith and, for that matter, they became brothers and sisters in the Lord. Paul made this fact unequivocally clear that “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:27-29). In other other words through the baptism and faith in Christ we have all become one and equal in Christ. We share in the image and likeness of God as His children and have become common heirs to His grace and eternal life. The Eucharist or the Holy Communion is another important sacrament that teaches us that in the body of Christ we are one and there is no distinction. Jesus Christ our Lord was sacrificed not only for some people or specific race, class or gender but for all who repent and receive His assurance of salvation as their Lord and Saviour.

If we understand that there is no distinction in the Church of Christ then we must all be guided by the unconditional love of Christ in accepting us all irrespective of our backgrounds. We must have mutual respect for one another even as we worship together and serve the Lord in the various ministries of the church through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. No one should be made to feel inferior or discriminated against on the basis of his or her race, tribe or ethnic group, gender or class in the Church of Christ. Christ associated Himself with all manner of people in the society without any form of distinction during His earthly ministry, we must continue to exhibit His perfect examples to maintain the unity of the body of Christ. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, enable us to overcome all humanly created barriers of discrimination and distinctions in the Church and strengthen us to live in the unconditional love of God. Help us to serve our Lord in total humility, live at peace with all and have respect for human dignity. Amen.