“With Jesus Christ, let us embrace hope” (Romans 5 :5)
Grace and peace to you my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am writing this message to you as I have just begun my episcopal ministry among you. Roughly two months have passed. These months, as indeed my entire first year will be, have been a time of adjustment filled with anxiety, fear, and concern about how I should respond to the call.
The truth is that being a Christian has never been a guarantee of a comfortable life. On the contrary, it’s about a never-ending struggle to live in accordance with our Christian identity or in coherence with the Gospel of Christ. Since real life is made up of both happy and unhappy events, or more unhappy events than happy ones, our faith is often challenged and questioned, because it doesn’t provide us with the answers we’re looking for. In addition to this, we are tormented by everything that is happening around us: endless wars, growing social injustices, financial hardships and lack of resources in our societies and in the Church, etc.
But I am happy to tell you that the anxiety, fear, and concern about being up to the task have given way to joy and determination to throw myself into the Lord’s vineyard. I had the privilege of meeting the Bishop’s Staff, some clergy colleagues and churchwardens; I have been lucky enough to discreetly worship with some communities and visited others more formally; I attended the Mile-End Mission 17th Annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. All of this foreshadows how exciting our work together will be. The foundation of this my repositioning is indeed hope, this value which nurtures our Christian life like gas for an engine.
In view of all this, what is the meaning of Christian hope? Is it reasonable to be hopeful?
Once again, we have the opportunity to enjoy the Advent Season, a four-week liturgical season during which we will be called upon to train ourselves to welcome and hold on to hope. So, brothers and sisters, let us embrace hope with Jesus Christ.
In fact, the period leading up to Jesus’ birth was one of joyful expectation of the Saviour. Every year, we have the opportunity to relive this expectation in faith. Reflecting on the Word of God and practicing prayer are activities that will nourish our hope and grow our faith in the God who never abandons his children, and who always fulfills his promises. As a diocese, we have the opportunity to reimagine the best way to fulfill our mission. I have suggested that we be a co-responsible missionary church, caring for one another, respecting our diversity, and working toward our sustainability.
All of this can only be possible if we keep hope alive in trusting one another and, above all, in trusting the Lord, the Owner of the harvest.
So let us be watchful as we look forward to the annual celebration of Jesus’ birth, a reminder of what happened two thousands of years ago, and a commitment to witness the liberating visit God made to the world, and continues to do so every day of our lives. This is the essence of our hope today. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5 :5)
Wishing you and yours a fruitful Advent Season with every blessing!
+Victor-David Mbuyi Bipungu
