Image
Photo: Claus Grue/WCC

Photo: Claus Grue/WCC

In a 19 May sermon at an ecumenical service in Harare, Zimbabwe, World Council of Churches Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit questioned our collective perception of being at the top versus the bottom. Tveit arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe yesterday leading a delegation of church leaders from Europe, Africa and North America.

“We most often think of what is up as better than what is down,” he said.

But is it best to be “up there?” he questioned. “If it leads to a sense of superiority, of unfair privilege, of patronising others, of discrimination based on gender, race, age, economy, profession, is this what we should seek?”

Showing compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and, especially, love is what truly qualifies us to be “above,” Tveit said.

“The unity of love is something that God has given us in being created and being united with Christ, so that we are able to love one another as God’s created and beloved peoples.”

The two-day visit in the capital is an ecumenical solidarity visit to manifest Christian churches’ support for the people of Zimbabwe.

Read the sermon by the WCC Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit

19 May press release WCC delegation visits Zimbabwe