Scriptural reasoning
On 24th September 2024, Harmony institute and the center for social justice and ethics -Catholic university of eastern Africa organized the monthly scriptural reasoning at the catholic university of eastern Africa Multi- Purpose Hall and invited people from different faiths to discuss and share on the scriptures drawing the reflections from the holy books the Quran and the bible.
Our JPIC- Franciscans Africa director Sister Mary Wangari Sebastian -LSSJ was invited as the study leader and together with Mr. Mustafa Genc the director Harmony institute guided the reflection as more than 70 people joined to listen and share under the theme The story of Abraham: Covenant with God.
Father Peter Mbaro the CSJE director who hosted the scriptural reasoning in CUEA welcomed all the participants who represented a diverse faith background and age who joined to reflect and share what the scripture guides and directs in the shaping how we relate with one another and especially with those from different faiths.
Mr. Mustafa Genc together with our office director Sr. Mary started by emphasizing that both the Islam and Christianity are rooted in the Abrahamic faiths and the two faiths have much similarities which were discussed in the four study topics from the Quran and the bible.
The study leader Sr. Mary shared her experience on the importance of upholding a better relationship between the Muslims and Christians who share the same Abrahamic faith by sharing her experience when working towards establishing a good relation especially after the 2007 post-election violence and the 2015 Garisa attack. These past incidences highlighted the need to respect each one’s faith and stop the discrimination and also generalization since many people termed Muslims as all terrorist after the Garisa attack and this was a threat to peace as it was individuals and groups that made the attack other than people of certain faith.
Sheik Hassan Kinyua and Fr. Peter Mbaro shared on the importance of covenant, as they highlighted the promises, the sacrifice and rewards that are associated with the covenants as good example is from the rewards and promises that God to Abraham.
Here are the reflection guide verses that were discussed from
BIBLE
1. “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
2. “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. But Abram said, ‘Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”… Then the word of the Lord came to him: ‘This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.’ He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars-if indeed you can count them. Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:1-6)
3. “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’ Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:1-8)
4. “And said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:16-18)
QURAN
1. Remember when Abraham was tested by his Lord with ‘certain commandments, which he fulfilled. Allah said, “I will certainly make you into a role model for the people.” Abraham asked, “What about my offspring?” Allah replied, “My covenant is not extended to the wrongdoers.” And remember’ when We made the Sacred House¹ a centre and a sanctuary for the people saying”, “”You may take the standing-place of Abraham² as a site of prayer.” And We entrusted Abraham and Ishmael to purify My House for those who circle it, who meditate in it, and who bow and prostrate themselves in prayer”.” (Quran 2:124-125)
2. “Indeed, Abraham was a model of excellence: devoted to Allah, perfectly upright-not a polytheist. “utterly grateful for Allah’s favours. “So’ He chose him and guided him to the Straight Path.” (Quran 16:120-121)
3. “Strive for “the cause of Allah in the way He deserves, for it is” He “Who has chosen you, and laid upon you no hardship in the religion-the way of your forefather Abraham. “It is Allah Who named you ‘the ones who submit’1 ‘in the earlier ‘Scriptures and in this “Quran’, so that the Messenger may be a witness over you, and that you may be witnesses over humanity. So establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and hold fast to Allah. He alone is your Guardian. What an excellent Guardian, and what an excellent Helper!” (Quran 22:78)
4. “My Lord! Bless me with righteous offspring.” So We gave him good news of a forbearing son.” (Quran 37:100-101)
