Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Artwork from Cameron

(Photo credit: Biblewalks.com, used with permission) 

https://www.biblewalks.com/Photos69/AnnunciationMosaics62.jpg

The inscription is from Zephaniah 3:10: “From beyond the rivers of Cush / my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, / shall bring my offering.

In Trevor Noah’s book, “Born a Crime'' he speaks of his experience with God in South Africa. He recounts that he was frequently asked to pray at his grandmother's house, because he had the lightest color skin in his family. The reasoning was simple, South Africa was in the midst of Aparthied and the white people were doing well, so God must listen to people with lighter skin. 

In January of 2018 I took a trip to South Africa and had the opportunity to visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. When we entered the general population wing of the island prison we saw an etching of “white Jesus” on the rear wall. With white South Africans only making up  9% of the South African population, we were all surprised to see this depiction of Jesus. 

As we’ve been reflecting on these images of Mary and Jesus, these stories were refreshed in my mind. I’m continually reminded of the importance of different perspectives, and getting outside of our comfort zones. I invite you to join me in this prayer of Courage from the Corrymeela community in Ireland, as we courageously engage in this work.

Courage comes from the heart

and we are always welcomed by God,

the Croí of all being.

We bear witness to our faith,

knowing that we are called to live lives of courage,

love and reconciliation in the ordinary and extraordinary

moments  of each day.

We bear witness, too, to our failures

and our complicity in the fractures of our world.

May we be courageous today.

May we learn today.

May we love today.

Amen.

Reflection by Intern Pr. Jon