My dear sisters and brothers,
Grace and peace to you all from our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an honor and a privilege to be with you today, to share the word of God and to worship together in this beautiful land of South Africa.
As we gather here today, we are reminded of the challenges that we face as a nation. We are reminded of the injustice, the poverty, the violence and the division that still exist in our society. But we are also reminded of the hope that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded of the love that he has for each and every one of us, and the grace that he extends to us, even in the midst of our brokenness and our sin.
It is this hope and this love that we need to hold onto as we face the challenges of our time. We need to remember that we are called to be agents of transformation and healing in our communities. We need to remember that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to seek justice and peace for all people.
This is not an easy task, my sisters and brothers. It requires courage and faith, and a willingness to stand up against the powers of darkness that seek to oppress and to destroy. It requires a commitment to the truth, even when the truth is unpopular or uncomfortable. It requires a willingness to forgive and to be reconciled, even in the face of great pain and suffering.
But we are not alone in this task. We have each other, and we have the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us. We have the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who showed us the way of love and of sacrifice. And we have the prayers and the support of the saints who have gone before us, who have faced similar challenges and who have triumphed through faith.
So let us hold onto this hope, my sisters and brothers. Let us trust in the love and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us be bold in our witness, and let us be diligent in our work. For we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Let us always remember just like any labor in the universe, remember your dedication, commitment, consistency, and hard work.
May God bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
“Honor your Father & Mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you”
Exodus 20:12
Amen
- Madolwana Mbetse