Mennonite Weekly Review

Paul’s letter to the believers at Philippi has been called joyful, but it starts with a lament about the obstacles we face. Paul had the confidence that as he submitted his life to the will of God, God would be honored, even in adversity.

Stackley

Under house arrest Paul received many visitors, and you can guess what he talked about. Summoned to court, he had opportunity to state his case to Roman authorities.

Among the world’s many communities where people face obstacles, Colombia — plagued by civil war since the mid-1960s — comes to the top of the list. Like the pulse of a toothache, painful situations offer many illustrations of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. A distraught father, finding no other way to call attention to the 12-year unjust captivity of his son, wore chains for three years and walked from his home town to Bogota, the capital city.

The Colombian Mennonite Church has implored the global community to pay attention, to be informed, to pray. It has also helped those who suffer to put these obstacles in the perspective of the Chris­tian gospel.

Can we help to change the U.S. policy of militarized intervention in Colombia? Can we stop buying skin moisturizer and shampoo from the Body Shop, pressuring the company to demand that its palm oil supplier Daabon Organics return land to Colombian small farmers that is rightfully theirs? Christian Peacemaker Teams volunteers, in Colombia since 2000, advocate for the farmers at the community’s invitation.

The marks of Christian commitment

Obstacles test our Christian commitment. Apparently the Philippian Christians were going through difficulties. They were, to quote Mennonite mission worker Jonathan Larson, “in the crucible of misfortune.” Paul invites them to understand their suffering through his suffering and as a Christ experience.

Here is a list of recent obstacles. In the column for next Sunday, below, are responses to each one. 1) Violence on our streets and on our playgrounds; 2) The devastation of Haiti’s earthquake; 3) The impasse between Israel and Palestine; 4) A seemingly hopeless divide between Christians and Muslims; and 5) Disrespect between the various expressions of Christian faith.

Retired from editing and pastoring, Muriel T. Stackley worships at First Mennonite Church in Lincoln, Neb.