This week we will be looking at "A Christian Theology of Ubuntu" - again with Michael Battle.
Ubuntu gives us the insight that human life is meant to be shared. For Christians, Ubuntu resonates with the imperatives of our biblical faith to realize our relationality as God's children. It bids us to contemplate the mystery of persons, both as expressed in the triune God and in creation. Ubuntu theology is formed around the fact that there is so much about another person which cannot be known without community.
I was caught up by the expression "the mystery of persons." We are always at the edge of seeing, hearing, and being something new when we encounter others and are willing to be vulnerable as we come together with those other than us. In many ways, we cannot control what will take place - thus it is a mystery. We can try to be in control and limit who we encounter and on what grounds we encounter one another...but mystery is not something we meet when we are unwilling or unable to give up our control of the life we are entering. Think of the day at hand. The greatest mysteries we will run into will be those that cause us to meet and greet and work with others. Even the most predictable friends continue to be friends because they also offer us a new look at the world - a look we did not anticipate. Hearing how another sees and hears the world...may be the grandest surprise and the opening of our world view.
Connection: Be ready to enter into the mystery of this day - and spend some time making it a part of what will be with us.
Lord of Life, you expand our views and you guide our living. When we receive the gift of another person's wisdom and life, we are pulled to see how broad is your Reigning presence. Continue, O God, to stretch us. Amen.
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