Segment of Homily by Jeffery Reich, Seminarian
November 9, 2003

This morning we remember the Nigerian Ogoni Tribe. Theirs is an example of this stewardship of the soul. The Ogoni tribe's land was raped and robbed of its resources by the government of Nigeria. The Ogoni tribe, after battling with the government over issues of basic human rights, in the midst of terrible abuses by oil companies, lost her leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was executed by the Nigerian government for treason. During that period more that 750 Ogoni Christians were murdered and more than 8,000 left homeless.

The Nigerian government did its best to crush the souls of the Ogoni. The Ogoni people, however continued on in their Christian cause. Five years after the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa the tribe attempted to reclaim his bones so that he might be properly buried. In an effort to further crush the souls of the Ogoni, the government refused them his bones.

But that did little to crush anything. They carried on with the funeral and recommitted themselves to the cause of human rights…and carrying the banner of Christ continue on. In the midst of threats of death…in the midst of crushing poverty…in the midst of uncertainty, their trust in Christ and the stewardship of their souls continues to carry the day.

So here we sit this morning…the gathered faithful of Saint Paul's by the Lake with the call to the stewardship of our souls resting upon us… So much in our own world is amiss. For some of us national politics and economic uncertainties are our greatest temptation. For others, being so far from our homelands and families causes us to seek solace in places of earthy comfort. For others… it is known only to God what presses so heavily on our souls and what tempts to rob us of our life.

And the place we all look to as a refuge and strength, our own Anglican Church is threatening to tear asunder. In many ways we are like the widow and the Ogoni tribe. We have nothing left but our trust in God.

For complete copy of Homily Download PDF