The last few months have been interesting, to say the least. Some people claim that we have narrowly avoided a third world war. We are also witnessing the rather unique (or “historic”?) meeting between the governments of North Korea and South Korea. And finally, we are experiencing the never-ending tensions in the governments in the West: almost two months after its parliamentary elections, Italy still has no real government! And need we mention the social and ethical issues so hotly debated in our society?
And there are wars and rumors of war all around us.
Even Christians might be tempted to worry. What can we do in a world that is beset with all this political and social upheaval? What can we do, what can we say? What should we even believe? We could join the psalmist in crying out: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? (Ps 2:1) It would be a start. But we can’t stop there.
As disciples of Christ, we must be active witnesses to God’s promise: a kingdom is coming in which all tension, pain and opposition will disappear. This kingdom has already been ushered in. This is what we should dwell on!
The Psalm continues with encouraging words as the psalmist proclaims the reign of the Son of God, the promised Redeemer:
“I will issue the decree: the LORD said to me: You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, and the ends of the earth your possession.”
This promise is fulfilled in Christ, who is our Redeemer, the One who will restore everything in him, including all nations. Our responsibility is to live as witnesses to the real citizenship that we have in Christ, to a hope that goes beyond the reality of the world in which we live.
Yannick Imbert
Director of the first cycle programs
Faculté Jean Calvin