Leadership Magazine – Time to heal the wounds

Time to heal the wounds

Apr 07, 2021 Leader Editor's Pick 0

In addition to the current pinch of the Covid-19, the experience of the recently concluded elections in Uganda has left behind deep-seated wounds. People have used words as sharp as arrows at each other. This happened not so much as to make known their leadership potential, but purposely to disqualify their fellow candidates.

A great dose of blackmailing has been served. Some people lost their lives and others are nursing wounds that have brought them permanent bodily damages. Some losers are pointing fingers at the possible causes for their failure and some winners see their poor performance as a result of regional biases. Systems of justice seem to be very porous.

Many are decrying the disappearance of their dear ones. The list can be continued. However, where will this mutual accusation lead us? Amidst all this, Christians have made a journey of Lent. This journey does not only expose the wound but also points at the remedy. The Lenten journey has offered us the chance to be with him in the desert where He was with wild beasts (Mk 1, 13). What we started with the recognition of our vulnerability through the sprinkling of the ashes led us to another recognition that “wild beasts” are in and around us.

Jesus descended into the wounded and wounding humanity. On the Cross, the Savior exposed the human problem, that is, humans wound each other. When he was pierced with a lance, he laid bare the sentiments of his heart. Contemplating his opened heart allows us to be in touch with what fills our hearts. Are they feelings of revenge and retaliation? The Master calls us to make the challenging journey of forgiveness. “Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23: 34). The enemies of Jesus (in fact those meant to be his friends since he had come to bring them the love of the father) exposed their need for healing.

Easter is a time to contemplate the healing that the love of God is capable of. After His resurrection, Jesus looked for his scattered friends and showed them the wounds of the nails and his pierced side. Amazingly, they are healed wounds. This is what he wants to bring into our time. Only wounds that are addressed can be dressed for healing. The light and truth of the Risen Lord will show us what mistakes have been made and have to be corrected. The process of dialogue that has been suggested should be a chance for people of different political convictions to listen to each other.
The motivation of this dialogue should not be the defense of personal or party interests but a journey made together as people who are interested in the welfare of the nation.

I think this is not far from patriotism. It may be true that different parties look at each other as enemies. Alice Camille (God’s Word is Alive 2007) once made reference to the grace that comes to us from and through the “enemy” when she said: “It is an unsettling thought, but many of the saints swore by their enemies as their best teachers.” If people are looking for a real Easter challenge, let them try to hear what God might be saying through the “enemy”. Let us allow the Lord to descend with us into the hell of our wounds in order to rise up with Him. It is Easter. It is a time for healing!

Fr. Anthony Kibira MCCJ