Secretary, Baptist Church, Paravada, Visakhapatanam, AP
Publisher : India Baptist Coordination Committee Issue 21, Sep 17th , 2020 By Mr. P. Emmanuel Sugyanam; Secretary, Baptist Church, Paravada, Visakhapatanam, A. P. “COVID-19 AND RECLAIMING OUR INDEGENOUS HERITAGE” INTRODUCTION “COVID-19 and Reclaiming Our Indigenous Heritage” is an attempt to lift up the many nuances in this situation, presenting both a call to repentance for casting our lot with the oppressor (both actively and in connivance through remaining silent), and a conviction to affirm identities, histories, cultures of all people. As we pray together and ponder over our role in reclaiming our heritage, the heritage of the indigenous people and communities, may God open our eyes and hearts to the ‘beauty of divine holiness’ manifested in Sabbath, sustainability and recognition of shared heritage of all people, groups, communities and all of creation (all existentialist core values of indigenous communities) vis-à-vis the sin of insatiable greed and delusions of grandeur. Bible Reading: Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and people and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Reflection: A close reading of the verses opens our eyes to a great multitude representing every tribe, nation, people, language, colour and gender standing before the throne. The multitude is so enormous that it cannot be numbered.
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