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February 27-March 5, 2008

Police Mission to Kosovo Backed by European Union

Warm-up Question:

Have you ever had a decision made for you that you did not agree with? How did you live with the decision? How did you make your displeasure with the decision known? (Examples could include rules at school, home, or laws that we all have to abide by.)

 

In recent developments, the European Union approved the deployment of a 1,800-member policing and administration mission in Kosovo.

The decision is an exercise of visible support of the province’s ethnic Albanian leadership, which is expected to declare independence from Serbia soon.

There were no objections to the mission from European Union (EU) nations, who hope to phase in the mission over the next four months. The mission is expected to help build an internal justice system and customs system free of political interference. The EU force could eventually grow to over 2,000 and include experts from countries that aren’t members of the EU, including the United States.

Technically, Kosovo is a part of Serbia, who backed by Russia, object to the mission. Since a brief war in 1999, however, Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations. The new mission would replace the United Nations mission there. Serbia and Russia maintain that international borders can only be changed when all parties involved agree on the matter.

The EU has issued a legal text stating that the mission’s purpose is to assist already existing institutions and leadership with the necessary tools to make progress toward sustainability and accountability. The document includes language which supports a multiethnic justice, customs, and police force, free from political interference.

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Constructive arguments can bring about positive change. They really can. What are some things that you think are worth changing, or arguing about? How might you gather support for your hypothesis or cause? How would you present your case to the necessary authorities? (Parents, friends, teachers, community leaders, law enforcement, government)
  2. What do you know about the United Nations? What do they do and not do? What are some past and present actions that the UN has participated in? Is there a cause or conflict you think the UN should participate in now?
  3. We live in a democracy. What do you think we take most for granted in our daily lives because of our freedoms, legal rights, and ability to participate in (or not) in the shaping of our government? Name a country or two where that freedom is not granted to individual citizens, youth, or women? Can we change their circumstances and lifestyle? How? Why should we get involved?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, March 2, 2008.
(Text links are to oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year A at Lectionary Readings.)

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23 (5)
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
The Pharisees in our Gospel lesson had two basic issues. First, the healing occurred on the sabbath. Second, Jesus had already been teaching and calling disciples. His identity and role was still in question for the Pharisees. (Pharisees were strictly obedient to the old Law of Moses as found in the Old Testament.) Was he a prophet, a teacher, a new leader, a political revolutionary, or indeed the Promised One? Any authority or power attributed to Jesus was already considered a threat to their position of superior religious knowledge and social standing. Even the man’s parents would not answer questions regarding their son because the Jews had already agreed that anyone who claimed Jesus was the Messiah would be thrown out of the synagogue (John 9:22).

At stake for the Pharisees and the Jews was their historical understanding of living within the Law of Moses (John 9:28), which had guided them as God’s people for centuries. At stake for the man’s parents, who missed a genuine opportunity to witness because of their fear, was the opportunity for new freedom in and through Jesus.

The healed man gave witness three separate times. He first told his neighbors Jesus had placed mud on his eyes and instructed him to wash at Siloam. He was brought to the Pharisees and told them also. He was returned to the Pharisees, and on his second visit with them, claimed that he had experienced the power and presence of God in Jesus’ actions (John 30-34).

The intention of the actions by the European Union and their mission is to create new freedoms for the people of Kosovo. If successful, they would live in a more peaceful state with less corruption, violence, and interference from outside sources. Some countries support the effort to establish these freedoms, and some view the mission as a violation of United Nations protocol and rules, because their interests will not be represented in the effort.

The Pharisees were hesitant because they were the keepers of tradition and law. Christ came to redefine God’s relationship with all people. Through his sacrifice and death, we receive the forgiveness of our sins, and we are granted freedom from everything that bound us to sin and death—every little thing. We have the ultimate freedom, praise God! And may the Holy Spirit guide us to share this freedom with others.

Discussion Questions

  1. In our text, John 9:16 reads: “Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided.” Can you name a time when you had to choose sides in an argument? What helped you decide which person or side to choose? Was it a popular or unpopular side in comparison to the other people involved?
  2. Have you ever been quiet on an issue or argument because you feared what someone else might think of you or do to you? What was the issue? Why did you remain silent or in the background? What happened?
  3. The man whose sight was restored was thrown out of church for testifying about Jesus’ actions. John 9:28 reads “You are his [Jesus’] disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.” Have you ever given public testimony or shared your faith with anyone? What was that experience like? Is it difficult to verbalize your faith experience and belief to others? Why? Why not?
  4. What do you think is the greatest blessing God has given you? What are you most thankful for?

Activity Suggestions

  • Visit http://www.elca.org/globalmission/ and investigate or discuss what opportunities your group might be interested in supporting or participating in. Create a plan of action to take action on your interests.
     
  • The story about Kosovo continues to change with recent decisions and actions. Using a computer or available Sunday newspapers, look for the reactions of neighboring countries and those involved. Discuss whether you think the EU mission will bring about positive change or backlash from within and outside Kosovo. Talk about the risks and benefits of getting involved in another nation’s affairs. When does it make sense to get involved as an outside nation? When does it seem inappropriate and even damaging?
     
  • Sing ‘Beautiful Savior’ in Spanish or English. The hymn is listed in the Global Mission Lenten Series Materials, week 3.
     
  • As a group, create a list of positive changes you would like to see in your community. Pray together over the list. If you feel you should pursue any of the matters, come up with a plan of action to do so.

  Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, through your sacrifice and the waters of baptism, you changed the course of our lives from sinfulness and death to salvation. Grant us the strength to witness to others without fear, and to bring about positive change and love in the world, the lasting kind of love we know because of you. Amen

Contributed by Matthew R. Nelson
Walla Walla, WA

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministry. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.

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