THE COMMON IDENTITY OF CULTURES

(5^th Sunday of Easter Yr A. Acts 6:1-7, 1 Pet 2:4-9, Jn 14:1—12)

Gathered here this morning some of us are looking like local chiefs. This shows our diversity.

Each culture can be said to be a response to God’s call in Gen 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply and subdue the earth, and be masters of creation. Cultures arise as man forms repeated adaptive behaviours in thought and action to master his environment. So we see how cultures can be different as environments and societies vary.

But we have gathered here, not to celebrate our diversity but our unity and oneness. We are here today as a people with different thought systems but a common purpose; a people with different languages but a common message. There is something that transcends each unique culture that has dragged us here today.

We see this in the first reading of today where there was quarrel in the community resulting from cultural differences. Earlier in Acts 2:42—44 we were told that the whole believers who came from different cultures were united together in the breaking of bread and the apostles teaching. So when signs of division appeared in today’s reading, the apostles insisted that they must remain focused on that which unites, which transcends all cultures and gives new life to all cultures—the word of God, the life of Christ proclaimed.

Culture gives us identity. In Jesus we have a common identity within the diversity of our cultures. In Christ we move and have our being; in Him we become masters of ourselves and masters of the earth; in Him and through Him we achieve the purpose of our creation. Therefore, Jesus is the life; He is the truth that every culture tries to capture and he is the way to the Father; the ultimate purpose for which we were created. When I am lifted up, I shall draw all peoples to myself.

Brothers and sisters, our celebration today becomes a celebration of the identity we have in Christ, given to us through our diverse cultures. Therefore, our cultural expression must not negate this unique identity we have in Christ, who sanctifies human culture by sharing in it. As Jesus challenged the wrong understanding of culture and tradition of His time, He still challenges us today to remove in our lives the culture of death, sexual immorality, bribery and corruption, and  tribalism.

Let us develop the culture of prayer and of communion with Christ through the Word and breaking of the Bread like the apostles. He says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

GIVEN ON THE OCCASSION OF REDEEMER HOUSE CULTURAL DAY CELEBRATION,

IBADAN.

22/05/2011