“Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.” (Psalm 44:22)
Today, 1 July, is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburgh, the turning point of the American Civil War, but a battle involving the largest number of casualities in the entire war.
On this day, we also pause to remember our brethren slaughtered by suspected al- shabaab terrorists in Garissa Town:
The masked attackers threw grenades into the Catholic Church compound. The explosion injured several people.
There was a further shock at what happened at the AIC Garissa church. Three masked men stormed into the church compound through the gate, with one going straight to the main church door where he detonated a hand grenade on worshipers. The other two, in a surprise ambush, shot dead the police guards who were on duty that day. They then rained bullets on fleeing worshippers, using police guns. Many of those who could not run tried to find safety in the church. There too they were shot ! This incident left 17 people dead and 65 people injured.
Today on the anniversary of this terrible atrocity we remember the 13 killed during worship at the AIC church: Edith Kaindi, Mbaluka Faith, Syombua Mwaniki, Irene Anyango Oula, Ivon Ngina ,Joel Musyoka, Mary Musila Muthami Katula, Nzangi Makau, Ruth Mbesa Mailu, Tabitha Kiwanzi, Mary Ivon (a child), Mwikali Makau, (a child).
AIC Garissa
What enable us to face such difficulty and transform us to be a faithful witnesses of God’s grace?
As attacks targeting Christians continue in this entire region, our departed loved ones and friends continue to inspire courage in us to stand firm! The words of the Psalmist (Ps 44:22) have also touched me on this Memorial Day.
“Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long…” Yes, we are continually or constantly being subjected to these calamities. It is not a single incident; it is a continued slaughter. In this verse we can sense the apprehension of the Psalmist. The true cause of the calamities which had come upon them was “for thy sake.” in other words, “on thy account; it is in thy cause; it is because we are your friends, and because we worship you…” The attack on us here is not on account of our sins; it is not because there is any prevalent idolatry, but it is because we are the worshippers of the true God, and we are, therefore, martyrs. All these calamities have come upon us in consequence of our attachment to you.
This passage is from Psalm 44 is applied by the apostle Paul to Christians in his time, as fitly describing their sufferings, and the cause of the calamities which came upon them in Romans 8:36.
How then do we view death and tragedy of this magnitude?
Every time Christians suffer, we see in them the truth that Christ suffers too. Their blood is his own. Their tears are his very own. It is into this fellowship that we are invited to share.
Tohito Kagawa, a Japanese theologian, offers this reflection on death in his book Meditation. He says:
“I do not deny the eventuality of death, death lies sternly upon my course, nevertheless I believe that Love [the love of God] has far greater power than death. ‘death is swallowed up in love …’
Love is stronger than death, love’s glory tramples even death under feet, I am thinking that death is transformed through love. Death is an aspect of change, while love is the substance that persists through all changes.”
What happens to us is not FINAL, however grievous it appears now. The harm caused through pain has no final word on us. The pain we face today has boundaries. God watches and will help us through this if we trust him through our ordeal. In fact, the challenge of death is contained in the statement that Christ has the final say over the second death. There is a greater boundary that these things cannot break and that is the second boundary of God’s grace.
Here are some famous words found written on a scrap of paper beside the body of a dead child at the Ravensbrück concentration camp:
“Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill, but also those of ill will. Do not remember all the sufferings they have inflicted upon us; remember the fruits we bear, thanks to this suffering – our comradeship, our loyalty, our humanity, courage, generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown out of all this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.”
Canon Francis Omondi
Anglican Church of Kenya,
All saints cathedral diocese .
Kimathi
The every day names give meaning to the verse Psalm (44:22) – “…we are killed all day long”.
It could have been me that day and yet it could be me today. We pray for the bereaved families that the martyrdom of their loved ones be not in vain.
Owino Magana
Wow, Rev! Persecution seems to be our lot in this lifetime! We shall, however, fight the good fight, never once relenting!
waanglicana
The calling is to follow him
Kimathi
The every day names give meaning to the verse Psalm (44:22) – “…we are killed all day long”.
It could have been me that day and yet it could be me today. We pray for the bereaved families that the martyrdom of their loved ones be not in vain.
Owino Magana
Wow, Rev! Persecution seems to be our lot in this lifetime! We shall, however, fight the good fight, never once relenting!
waanglicana
The calling is to follow him
Rodah Were
The last paragraph should be our daily prayer to the creator. Prayers can move mountains. May all Garissa people read Psalms 35 and 37
waanglicana
Amen
Rodah Were
The last paragraph should be our daily prayer to the creator. Prayers can move mountains. May all Garissa people read Psalms 35 and 37
waanglicana
Amen
Peter Njeru
Am remided of the great song “Reediming love has been my theam and shall be till I die” there is a fountain filled with blood……….
Peter Njeru
Am remided of the great song “Reediming love has been my theam and shall be till I die” there is a fountain filled with blood……….
GitongawaNyagah
A popular MP from one of the constituencies there has proposed on the floor of parliament, no less, that counties where a certain religion is dominant be allowed to enact law for the supremacy of that religion – so that the inhabitants of the given county obey ‘both’ national laws and religious laws of the county. We discussed this pre-referendum, if you remember. We have not picked this up seriously, may be because we wish it was a slip of the tongue. Let us advance this discourse: Kenya is “80% Christian”, should the country where a given religion is dominant enact laws so that that religion is supreme in the country, over and above other religions? If we ensure that all counties have religious laws as per the dominant religion, what shape will the map of Kenya take? Then Christianity becomes the religion of the state? What is the way forward, and what are the powers that be, both in religious circles and secular/political arena doing as per that proposal? I’m praying …
GitongawaNyagah
A popular MP from one of the constituencies there has proposed on the floor of parliament, no less, that counties where a certain religion is dominant be allowed to enact law for the supremacy of that religion – so that the inhabitants of the given county obey ‘both’ national laws and religious laws of the county. We discussed this pre-referendum, if you remember. We have not picked this up seriously, may be because we wish it was a slip of the tongue. Let us advance this discourse: Kenya is “80% Christian”, should the country where a given religion is dominant enact laws so that that religion is supreme in the country, over and above other religions? If we ensure that all counties have religious laws as per the dominant religion, what shape will the map of Kenya take? Then Christianity becomes the religion of the state? What is the way forward, and what are the powers that be, both in religious circles and secular/political arena doing as per that proposal? I’m praying …
Mugizi Dream Nicholas
God is Love, and His love is very different from human love. God’s love is unconditional, and it’s not based on feelings or emotions. He doesn’t love us because we’re lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son (who also willingly died for us) to restore that relationship…They shall always be remembered!! Jesus loves them so much much.
Mugizi Dream Nicholas
God is Love, and His love is very different from human love. God’s love is unconditional, and it’s not based on feelings or emotions. He doesn’t love us because we’re lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son (who also willingly died for us) to restore that relationship…They shall always be remembered!! Jesus loves them so much much.
Tosh
Thanks Canon Francis. This encourages and challenges
waanglicana
Am obliged
Tosh
Thanks Canon Francis. This encourages and challenges
waanglicana
Am obliged
Asser K. Manasseh
Amen dad. It reminds that we are Soldiers IN BATTLE for Christ and for Christ’s sake.
He who enlisted us as soldiers, even Christ, forever remembers our lives and our deaths for that matter, on account of His name.
Memories- Garissa; Lord, let the prayers we’ve offered up for this land burn like incense before your Holy Presence and Throne. Remember o Lord! Amen.
Asser K. Manasseh
Amen dad. It reminds that we are Soldiers IN BATTLE for Christ and for Christ’s sake.
He who enlisted us as soldiers, even Christ, forever remembers our lives and our deaths for that matter, on account of His name.
Memories- Garissa; Lord, let the prayers we’ve offered up for this land burn like incense before your Holy Presence and Throne. Remember o Lord! Amen.
Ben Weru
Rev Francis, this is indeed a very encouraging message. In the face of death, only love transcends the pain. We may never understand the suffering of those that were left behind by the departed. Daily, the family and friends have to deal with insurmountable pain of the loss of their beloved. We must pray for them, that God will grant them grace to cope with the pain and loss… And through the incidence, that God will give each of them a testimony; that whatever time it will take, be it in this life or the next, they will be able to see God – the God of Love and praise Him for who He is, what He can do for them and what will do for them!
Ben Weru
Rev Francis, this is indeed a very encouraging message. In the face of death, only love transcends the pain. We may never understand the suffering of those that were left behind by the departed. Daily, the family and friends have to deal with insurmountable pain of the loss of their beloved. We must pray for them, that God will grant them grace to cope with the pain and loss… And through the incidence, that God will give each of them a testimony; that whatever time it will take, be it in this life or the next, they will be able to see God – the God of Love and praise Him for who He is, what He can do for them and what will do for them!
Sammy
For His Name’s sake! Thank you for the reflection and encouraging perspective. May Christ grant His comforting embrace to the Church in Garissa and the families whose loved ones now sit in Abraham’s bossom. God grant that we each walk faithfully and keep the faith until we see His face!
Sammy
For His Name’s sake! Thank you for the reflection and encouraging perspective. May Christ grant His comforting embrace to the Church in Garissa and the families whose loved ones now sit in Abraham’s bossom. God grant that we each walk faithfully and keep the faith until we see His face!
Emmanuel Mwesigwa
“My soul magnifies the Lord… Even in the grave, He is Lord”; I want to know Christ…
Emmanuel Mwesigwa
“My soul magnifies the Lord… Even in the grave, He is Lord”; I want to know Christ…
Lucas Owako
Could it be that the Church in that part of the country is as marginalized religiously as the region is marginalized politically and economically? May the Lord provide encouragement and strength to the saints who daily put their lives on the line to ensure that the Gospel continues to resound even in that part of the country; that the banner of Jesus remains lifted. And thanks, Francis, for the words of encouragement. How I wish that we could remember you guys even just a little more than we do; at least in prayers!
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose
Lucas Owako
Could it be that the Church in that part of the country is as marginalized religiously as the region is marginalized politically and economically? May the Lord provide encouragement and strength to the saints who daily put their lives on the line to ensure that the Gospel continues to resound even in that part of the country; that the banner of Jesus remains lifted. And thanks, Francis, for the words of encouragement. How I wish that we could remember you guys even just a little more than we do; at least in prayers!
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose
George Ogalo
That “Love is stronger than death, love’s glory tramples even death under feet, I am thinking that death is transformed through love.” Still reflecting. Thanks.
George Ogalo
That “Love is stronger than death, love’s glory tramples even death under feet, I am thinking that death is transformed through love.” Still reflecting. Thanks.