In life there are times when we become resplendent with joy, which exudes in all ramification of our countenance because of the anticipation of a promise long awaited. Rejoice at the grant of freedom and liberation is equally a human way of acknowledging marvels of God in our lives. The emotional out burst of joy or rejoicing at the news of a future promise, is always a fascinating theme in the lives of the people of Israel and even among New Testament Christians.
For the prophet Zephaniah (3:14-18), he makes a hilarious call to all those who are largely in gloom, unhappiness and unexcited to wake to the “future fulfillment” of God’s restoration.
We ask ourselves this basic question, what is the root for this rejoicing. It stated that “the Lord has repealed your sentence”. The sentence in question here is the fact of the great fall of the human person in Adam and Eve. The consequence is the rape of original blessedness, justice, rapport and innocence with our God. The negation of these virtues in our lives leads to the social, political and moral insecurity that continues to plague our society at large.
The Christian basics for this REJOICE’, at this time is the grant of a “second chance”. An opportunity to redress the history and irregularities of the past times. This is only feasible in Christ, the promise of the ages. “a virgin is with child and she shall give birth to a son, whose name is EMMANUEL…… MEANING God with us” cf Is 7:14.
We must gladly note that the whole sense of our rejoicing is not in the here and now, but in anticipation of the future coming. The coming of Jesus we must try to hasten it, by our prayers, rectification of our lives and our Christian Vigil. Remember his coming is not to tolerate but vindicate the just and enthrone a kingdom of righteousness, peace, joy, love etc. In John 3:17-18, he states that “His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out”.
Just as the breaking forth or dawn of a new child brings joy to the human family, in the same wise expectancy of this coming of Jesus Christ brings not only but the freedom, liberation and God’s design to bore-enacted in the perfection of the human family and society.
The holy one of Israel is in our midst He is Jesus Christ, “Emmanuel”, God with us. We know and affirm with the Psalmist, “that he that is with God is with majority” that Jesus lives and dwells with us in the rectification of the course of human history.
Therefore, our joy today must know no bounds since our “salvation is near at hand” May this proximity of our salvation, draw us closer and closer to the eternal focus, design and original state Jesus will brings us.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
WE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT........
In the three readings of this Sunday, we have the evidence of the acknowledgment of the Holy Spirit actively involved in the life, existence and decisions of the early or apocalyptic church. In the church of Antioch, we see a kind of problem that erupted which had the capacity to mar the growth and Christianization of the pagan territories. But what is the riddle that was able to put an end to this malaise.
In the Acts of the Apostles (15:23-29), the apostles gathered imploring the assistance of the Holy Spirit (the inexpressible gift) to assist them in the resolution of this mis-understanding, adaptation and form of generalization form that was almost imposed on the gentile Christian. The general council was held under the auspices of the Holy Spirit.
This accounts for the final decision in which the college of apostles under the leadership of St Peter, could stand to declare before the congregation and general audience “we and the Holy Spirit”, have unanimously decided.
By virtue of this singular fact the apostles show us how we are to interact and deal with the Herculean crisis that could arise in the Christian community. We can successfully resolve this difference by beginning and counting on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bestows the wisdom for right judgment and decision.
In the same vein, it is obvious to say that the colleges of the consecrated elect “those in sacred orders” are divinely equipped for this great mission of reconciliation, conflict resolution and enhancing the unity of Gods people. We should not lose sight of this rare privilege of God in his ministers.
In our situations of today, how do we implore the intervention of God in the resolution of the common difference that continue to plaque our society. The table of dialogue and the wise counsel of God cannot be under estimated in the sure direction of lasting and true peace which our society of today is in dire need of at these material times.
In the apocalypse of John (21:10-23), the Holy Spirit guided John to the vision of heaven, such that this unique vision is a step towards realizing a form of enthusiasm for the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit to a large extent in this instance reveals the eternal goal of God to man and his vocation to dwell eternally with God.
The form of valedictory speeches of Jesus introduces us to his promise of the Holy Spirit. He says “I have said these things to you while still with you; but the advocate the Holy Spirit whom the father sends in my name will teach you everything”. Cf John 14:24-26.
Jesus makes the place of the Holy Spirit irreplaceable and indispensable in our lives. We cannot know, live and profess our faith in the mindset of God without the timely direction of the Holy Spirit. While we laud Jesus’ continues care for us, we must try as much as possible to seek the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
We today can lay credence that the church is sustained not true the action of anyone’s goodness but through the action of Jesus in the Holy Spirit. I make bold to say that the Holy Spirit is the radiant glory of God that enlightens the church and guides it on its way through the world in its decision. What about our physical existence?
May the promise of the spirit, comes speedily and wake our inactivity to activity, resurrect us from our death to life in Jesus Christ. Amen
In the Acts of the Apostles (15:23-29), the apostles gathered imploring the assistance of the Holy Spirit (the inexpressible gift) to assist them in the resolution of this mis-understanding, adaptation and form of generalization form that was almost imposed on the gentile Christian. The general council was held under the auspices of the Holy Spirit.
This accounts for the final decision in which the college of apostles under the leadership of St Peter, could stand to declare before the congregation and general audience “we and the Holy Spirit”, have unanimously decided.
By virtue of this singular fact the apostles show us how we are to interact and deal with the Herculean crisis that could arise in the Christian community. We can successfully resolve this difference by beginning and counting on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bestows the wisdom for right judgment and decision.
In the same vein, it is obvious to say that the colleges of the consecrated elect “those in sacred orders” are divinely equipped for this great mission of reconciliation, conflict resolution and enhancing the unity of Gods people. We should not lose sight of this rare privilege of God in his ministers.
In our situations of today, how do we implore the intervention of God in the resolution of the common difference that continue to plaque our society. The table of dialogue and the wise counsel of God cannot be under estimated in the sure direction of lasting and true peace which our society of today is in dire need of at these material times.
In the apocalypse of John (21:10-23), the Holy Spirit guided John to the vision of heaven, such that this unique vision is a step towards realizing a form of enthusiasm for the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit to a large extent in this instance reveals the eternal goal of God to man and his vocation to dwell eternally with God.
The form of valedictory speeches of Jesus introduces us to his promise of the Holy Spirit. He says “I have said these things to you while still with you; but the advocate the Holy Spirit whom the father sends in my name will teach you everything”. Cf John 14:24-26.
Jesus makes the place of the Holy Spirit irreplaceable and indispensable in our lives. We cannot know, live and profess our faith in the mindset of God without the timely direction of the Holy Spirit. While we laud Jesus’ continues care for us, we must try as much as possible to seek the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
We today can lay credence that the church is sustained not true the action of anyone’s goodness but through the action of Jesus in the Holy Spirit. I make bold to say that the Holy Spirit is the radiant glory of God that enlightens the church and guides it on its way through the world in its decision. What about our physical existence?
May the promise of the spirit, comes speedily and wake our inactivity to activity, resurrect us from our death to life in Jesus Christ. Amen
SHOW A LITTLE COMPASSION.
Enemies are usually considered as clogs in the wheel of progress. An enemy is one who continues to be obstacle to our general well-being and success in life. This is why we can consider people who have this quality of enemy as thorns in our flesh. The enemy definitely has a mischievous motive for his or her actions. This motive is to deny us happiness, or what leads to our general satisfaction, joy or happiness.
What should occupy us is, the attitude we put up as a form of defence mechanism against the enemy; or do we rather conclude that as an enemy of our well-being we should subscribe to the natural law of “tooth for tooth, eye for eye”.
In the first book of Samuel 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 we experience the encounter between David and Saul. It is the case that Saul never wanted to see the the success of David and was all about to kill him personally and exterminate his name forever. This plan did not succeed as God had chosen him and with his holy oil anointed him.
The opportunity of David with Abishai over Saul’s encampment and army was a clear opportunity for David to avenge his enemy Saul. But David rejected this offer on the grounds of the sacredness of life and that it was contrary to the faith in God to raise ones hand against the Lords anointed. Paying evil for evil, does not lead to a greater good, rather evil must be overcome with goodness. This was a form of compassion that David showed to his enemy Saul. Forgiveness granted to an enemy could to a large extent lead to his or her conversion. We must remember that those who sometimes play enemy to us are members of the household, such that reconciliation by way of genuine show of compassion could reinstate such a person to brotherhood and love.
Jesus in the gospel of Luke 6:27-38 calls us to be compassionate just as our heavenly father is compassionate. One of this show of compassion is love to our enemies; return non violence for violence; being of assistance even of those who do not merit our attention etc.
The nature of the human person calls today for a little show of compassion considering the plight and instability of our inconsistencies in both our moral and economic stagnation.
In John 8:1-11, when the woman was caught in adultery and presented to Jesus for his condemnation and the pronouncement of a mob action, he preferred putting the question to them “if you have no sin be the first to cast a stone”. Indeed he proved to the woman that he loved the sinner as a person but hated sin……I say sin no more. What can be more than this compassion of Jesus Christ.
In the same vein, today Christians must imbibe the virtue of compassion in all aspect of their life dealings. Rather than fault finding and condemnation we need to be considerate and put in understanding if we all can survive and live. Remember that vengeance is for God and our human retribution does not bear the fruit that is acceptable but displeasing to God.
Jesus remains full of admonition for us not to rest on the oasis of Karma law but give in love where it is not recognized, but from this endeavour love is capable of being transmitted and awakened in hearts and souls considered enemies.
What should occupy us is, the attitude we put up as a form of defence mechanism against the enemy; or do we rather conclude that as an enemy of our well-being we should subscribe to the natural law of “tooth for tooth, eye for eye”.
In the first book of Samuel 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 we experience the encounter between David and Saul. It is the case that Saul never wanted to see the the success of David and was all about to kill him personally and exterminate his name forever. This plan did not succeed as God had chosen him and with his holy oil anointed him.
The opportunity of David with Abishai over Saul’s encampment and army was a clear opportunity for David to avenge his enemy Saul. But David rejected this offer on the grounds of the sacredness of life and that it was contrary to the faith in God to raise ones hand against the Lords anointed. Paying evil for evil, does not lead to a greater good, rather evil must be overcome with goodness. This was a form of compassion that David showed to his enemy Saul. Forgiveness granted to an enemy could to a large extent lead to his or her conversion. We must remember that those who sometimes play enemy to us are members of the household, such that reconciliation by way of genuine show of compassion could reinstate such a person to brotherhood and love.
Jesus in the gospel of Luke 6:27-38 calls us to be compassionate just as our heavenly father is compassionate. One of this show of compassion is love to our enemies; return non violence for violence; being of assistance even of those who do not merit our attention etc.
The nature of the human person calls today for a little show of compassion considering the plight and instability of our inconsistencies in both our moral and economic stagnation.
In John 8:1-11, when the woman was caught in adultery and presented to Jesus for his condemnation and the pronouncement of a mob action, he preferred putting the question to them “if you have no sin be the first to cast a stone”. Indeed he proved to the woman that he loved the sinner as a person but hated sin……I say sin no more. What can be more than this compassion of Jesus Christ.
In the same vein, today Christians must imbibe the virtue of compassion in all aspect of their life dealings. Rather than fault finding and condemnation we need to be considerate and put in understanding if we all can survive and live. Remember that vengeance is for God and our human retribution does not bear the fruit that is acceptable but displeasing to God.
Jesus remains full of admonition for us not to rest on the oasis of Karma law but give in love where it is not recognized, but from this endeavour love is capable of being transmitted and awakened in hearts and souls considered enemies.
WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE.
Treasures are considered those precious things, which rarely come into people’s possession, such that attainment or achievement of these values is a source of happiness. Treasures oftentimes lead us into greater heights, because of the inherent capacity of enrichment and re-endowment. In the face of any treasure, the possessive attitude of the human person can be predicted, such that all attention is geared towards it. The quality of a treasure shapes our “Desire, hopes, commitment, anticipation and value system”. These accounts for the words of scripture “where your treasure is, there your heart will be” cf Lk 12:32-33.
However we must equally remind ourselves that sometimes we loose focus of what is really our treasure. Though they might be precious to us, but they may lack eternal value and deprived of proper orientation.
Another of such problems is that oftentimes, where we lay our treasures might seem not to be “worldly enriching”, thus attitude and spirit of Luke warmness, inactivity and derail from the initial point of our departure begins to wane upon such a person.
Christ in this way encourages us, to keep alive and alight the lamp of action in which we not only anticipate the master, but that his return is the treasury of our joy and eternal solace. His return is not predicted, but the certainty of his return is sure. Thus our interest shall be to bank in the treasure of faith in Christ, a treasure in which moth nor thief is in capable of destroying.
The treasure of the Christian is the goal of reaching heaven and to remain with God. This kind of treasure is not a visible thing, yet it is not an illusive datum of Christian truth. The life and testimony of our fathers in faith, explains this well for us. That Abraham was called and he left his inheritance and other earthly values, for an unknown value. This response today makes him our father in faith. Cf Heb 11:2. The faith reposed in God, has become for many a treasury in which impossible and cases without hope, only became things of the past and possible things with God. Sarah, who was past the age of birth, gave birth at old age, and the host of personal testimonies that we have around us.
Today the invitation is that we begin to lay and consolidate our “Treasure” in Jesus Christ, He is the best of all ‘treasures’. To be rooted in him is the source of our happiness, success and final perseverance. This should mean that we basically re-define our ‘desire, commitment, focus and root’ in him.
Jesus our treasure is not a God who cares less about us, but super-abundantly he justifies this positive anchor we have in him.
The treasury in God, demands from us a persistent anticipation perseverance, fidelity and love. It is this kind of treasure that we should learn to cherish and guide jealously. The jealousy here shows how much we attribute to OUR TREASURE JESUS.
However we must equally remind ourselves that sometimes we loose focus of what is really our treasure. Though they might be precious to us, but they may lack eternal value and deprived of proper orientation.
Another of such problems is that oftentimes, where we lay our treasures might seem not to be “worldly enriching”, thus attitude and spirit of Luke warmness, inactivity and derail from the initial point of our departure begins to wane upon such a person.
Christ in this way encourages us, to keep alive and alight the lamp of action in which we not only anticipate the master, but that his return is the treasury of our joy and eternal solace. His return is not predicted, but the certainty of his return is sure. Thus our interest shall be to bank in the treasure of faith in Christ, a treasure in which moth nor thief is in capable of destroying.
The treasure of the Christian is the goal of reaching heaven and to remain with God. This kind of treasure is not a visible thing, yet it is not an illusive datum of Christian truth. The life and testimony of our fathers in faith, explains this well for us. That Abraham was called and he left his inheritance and other earthly values, for an unknown value. This response today makes him our father in faith. Cf Heb 11:2. The faith reposed in God, has become for many a treasury in which impossible and cases without hope, only became things of the past and possible things with God. Sarah, who was past the age of birth, gave birth at old age, and the host of personal testimonies that we have around us.
Today the invitation is that we begin to lay and consolidate our “Treasure” in Jesus Christ, He is the best of all ‘treasures’. To be rooted in him is the source of our happiness, success and final perseverance. This should mean that we basically re-define our ‘desire, commitment, focus and root’ in him.
Jesus our treasure is not a God who cares less about us, but super-abundantly he justifies this positive anchor we have in him.
The treasury in God, demands from us a persistent anticipation perseverance, fidelity and love. It is this kind of treasure that we should learn to cherish and guide jealously. The jealousy here shows how much we attribute to OUR TREASURE JESUS.
Monday, November 16, 2009
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST?
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the very heart of the Mass. Using one of the approved Eucharistic prayers, the priest prays over the gifts, ask the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them, recites the narrative of consecration, elevates the host and cup for the faithful to reverence and proceeds to call to mind the passion, resurrection and glorious return of the Lord Jesus. In this sacred, sacramental action the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ and we, through our participation in this mystery of faith, share spiritually in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Saint Justine describes this great prayer of thanksgiving and then notes “when he has concluded the prayers and acclamation by saying: ‘Amen.’ In describing the liturgy of the Eucharist, the Catechism tells us that “We carry out this command of the Lord by celebrating the memorial of his sacrifice. In so doing, we offer to the Father what he has himself given us: the gifts of his creation, bread and wine which, by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the words of Christ, have become the body and blood of Christ. Christ is thus really and mysteriously made present” (1357).
Then comes the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. We read in the General Instruction that at this point in the Mass “the priest then shows the Eucharistic bread for communion to the faithful and with them recites the prayer of humility in words from the Gospels. It is most desirable that the faithful receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the instances when it is permitted, they share in the chalice. Then even through the signs communion will stand out more clearly as a sharing in the sacrifice actually being offered”. If we turn to the Catechism we read that “Holy Communion augments our union with Christ.” The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus. Indeed, the Lord said: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (Jn.6:56). Life in Christ has its foundation in the Eucharistic banquet: “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me” (Jn.6:57) (1391).
Then comes the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. We read in the General Instruction that at this point in the Mass “the priest then shows the Eucharistic bread for communion to the faithful and with them recites the prayer of humility in words from the Gospels. It is most desirable that the faithful receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the instances when it is permitted, they share in the chalice. Then even through the signs communion will stand out more clearly as a sharing in the sacrifice actually being offered”. If we turn to the Catechism we read that “Holy Communion augments our union with Christ.” The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus. Indeed, the Lord said: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (Jn.6:56). Life in Christ has its foundation in the Eucharistic banquet: “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me” (Jn.6:57) (1391).
THE VISION OF THE FUTURE.
What we read in the first reading (Daniel 12:1-13) is part of a vision of the prophet Daniel concerning the end of time. It is remarkable because it contains the earliest statement of belief in the resurrection of the dead, and the first mention in the bible of ‘everlasting life’.
Today’s Gospel Reading (Mark 13:24-32) gives us a timely message about the end of the world. Jesus tells us that nobody knows when the end will come except the heavenly Father. About the end of time, we should be hopeful rather than fearful. This is because God made us for salvation, not for damnation. The Lord says: My plans for you are peace and not disaster; when you call to me I will listen to you. (Jn 29:11, 12, 14). Many people in the world today have claimed to know when the end of the world will come. Some claim a special revelation from God and or Mary, and others claim to have calculated it from the scripture. All these claims should be ignored. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of St. Luke “The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation…and they will say to you, ‘Look here! Look there’! Make no move; do not set off in pursuit… Lk 17:20-23. However, Jesus did not announce his Second Coming to frighten people but to give them courage that is why he invites us to be watchful; ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come’ Mk 13:33. Again He invites us to rejoice and to hope, ‘When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand’. Lk 21:28. Jesus invites us to wait for him full of hope and joy, since our trails will soon be over. Let those who refuse the salvation that Jesus offers be afraid: they have good reasons to fear both, their own death and the end of the world. We should not be disturbed by whatever may take place when the world is destroyed, even if it were to take place within our own life-time. Let us only make sure that when Jesus comes, he may find us faithful at his service. The life of a Christian is a continuous waiting for Christ’s coming but our waiting should not be an idle waiting, each of us must be on the work God entrusted to us in this life. Our waiting should be a joyful one, since the Lord will soon be coming to give us our real reward.
Today’s Gospel Reading (Mark 13:24-32) gives us a timely message about the end of the world. Jesus tells us that nobody knows when the end will come except the heavenly Father. About the end of time, we should be hopeful rather than fearful. This is because God made us for salvation, not for damnation. The Lord says: My plans for you are peace and not disaster; when you call to me I will listen to you. (Jn 29:11, 12, 14). Many people in the world today have claimed to know when the end of the world will come. Some claim a special revelation from God and or Mary, and others claim to have calculated it from the scripture. All these claims should be ignored. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of St. Luke “The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation…and they will say to you, ‘Look here! Look there’! Make no move; do not set off in pursuit… Lk 17:20-23. However, Jesus did not announce his Second Coming to frighten people but to give them courage that is why he invites us to be watchful; ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come’ Mk 13:33. Again He invites us to rejoice and to hope, ‘When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand’. Lk 21:28. Jesus invites us to wait for him full of hope and joy, since our trails will soon be over. Let those who refuse the salvation that Jesus offers be afraid: they have good reasons to fear both, their own death and the end of the world. We should not be disturbed by whatever may take place when the world is destroyed, even if it were to take place within our own life-time. Let us only make sure that when Jesus comes, he may find us faithful at his service. The life of a Christian is a continuous waiting for Christ’s coming but our waiting should not be an idle waiting, each of us must be on the work God entrusted to us in this life. Our waiting should be a joyful one, since the Lord will soon be coming to give us our real reward.
Friday, November 13, 2009
GOD NEVER FAILS.
Nothing great can be achieved without enthusiasm, little wonder then people say a man is known by what it takes to discourage him. A great obstacle to enthusiasm is discouragement. Discouragement brings about loss of enthusiasm, it makes every situation seems hopeless and every reason for living sounds unconvincing. A popular legend reveals that discouragement is the greatest weapon of the devil. A discouraged person is on the oath of losing hope. He also has a great temptation to give up faith in God. The Lord reassures us in today’s Gospel (Luke 18:1-8) that our God does not fail. He is always faithful, even though he may delay, he answers prayer. He may not give us what we ask for in prayer, but we will not lack what we need for survival.
THEY ARE MEANS NOT THE END.
Familiarity breeds contempt goes the popular saying. In the time past, the beauty of creation was a revelation of the creator. Our fore fathers realized that the beauty of the world has a value. But today we live surrounded by extraordinary phenomena but do not see them, because we are too use to them; and even when we don’t observe. We are so much distracted that we do not see beyond the star in the sky. The resulting ill is that the world is taking charge of us. Contrary to the order and blessing we received from the creator at the beginning of creation we have become slaves to created things. In his message to the whole world for the 43rd World Communication Day, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI noted that the new digital technologies are indeed bringing about fundamental shifts in pattern of communication and human relationships. He therefore urged us to see it primarily as reflections of our participation in the communicative unifying love of God. We must realize that created things are not end in themselves but means to an end. They must direct to a higher being responsible for their existence.
THE CHRISTAIN HALL OF FAME.
In November we celebrate two great solemnities which are necessarily part of Christian life. The first day of November is All Saints Day. On that day we remember all those Christians, our ancestors, who as much as we know, have lived a life of holiness and who can be recommended as a model for others. The second day of November, All Souls Day is dedicated to all those “who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith” as the first Eucharistic prayer proclaims. We love to pray often, “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them”. There is a profit in praying for the dead for there is nothing which God cannot do in his mercy. When we pray for the dead we acknowledge our own mortality and need in the “De Profundus”, Out of the depths I cray to you Oh Lord {Ps.130).
November brigs us an opportunity for stardom, a chance to get back on the purpose-driven path, the path of holiness. Jesus makes us an offer: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). He does this so that our achievements do not end simply with material success. How empty, as we have seen, life has been for those who “lived by bread alone”! The saints we celebrate are human beings like us who have strived to attain perfection and that faith has changed their surrounding and society. In our world today, people who seek perfection are very few. If there is so much imperfection in the world we Christians must take our share of the burden. Why not dare to be a star and be perfect too (Rom12:1-2)? Is that not why God made us? The penny Catechism says, “God made us to love him, to know him and to worship him”, in other words to “be holy as your heavenly father is holy” (Leviticus 19:2). This November, examine yourself, O Christian. What is your attitude to perfection? Take the chance and your place in the spiritual hall of fame! Strive for perfection, if for nothing, to celebrate the advent, the Lord’s coming.
November brigs us an opportunity for stardom, a chance to get back on the purpose-driven path, the path of holiness. Jesus makes us an offer: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). He does this so that our achievements do not end simply with material success. How empty, as we have seen, life has been for those who “lived by bread alone”! The saints we celebrate are human beings like us who have strived to attain perfection and that faith has changed their surrounding and society. In our world today, people who seek perfection are very few. If there is so much imperfection in the world we Christians must take our share of the burden. Why not dare to be a star and be perfect too (Rom12:1-2)? Is that not why God made us? The penny Catechism says, “God made us to love him, to know him and to worship him”, in other words to “be holy as your heavenly father is holy” (Leviticus 19:2). This November, examine yourself, O Christian. What is your attitude to perfection? Take the chance and your place in the spiritual hall of fame! Strive for perfection, if for nothing, to celebrate the advent, the Lord’s coming.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
ALL POWER BELONG TO GOD.
Some great thinkers in the past believed and taught that there is no measure of justice, therefore, “might is right”. Even though our society does not teach this, the reality on the ground confirms that we believe in it. Everybody is struggling for power, acquiring wealth and seeking means of dominating others and have the whole world under their feet. The corruption and evil in our society today is the result of this attitude. We point accusing fingers to our leaders because, to whom much is given much is expected, but if those of us who have been given little are faithful to the little in our care, we can influence the much in the hands of the few individuals. The Lord teaches today that every responsibility will be accounted for, therefore we must learn that he is the source of all powers and total to him is the only way to success. Let us therefore pray for the spirit of humility and total surrender to God for ourselves and for all temporal and spiritual leaders. “Lord you are the source of all power; may we use everything you give us to your glory. Amen.”
Monday, November 9, 2009
BE SIMPLE; BE GREAT.
Mark Link (SJ) shared a story in one of his reflections which I will like to share here. A man has driven a taxi around the streets for 35 years. One day he found an emerald ring in his cab. He racked his brain to try to remember to which fare it could have belonged. Having remembered the probable owner, it took him two days to find her. When he did, he returned the ring to her. She received it without giving any reward; she did not even utter a word of thanks for this effort. However, the taxi driver said “still I felt good because I had done what was right. What a great man indeed? Is this not the path Jesus placed before us in the gospel reading of today? (Luke 17:7-10) Greatness is not achieved by doing extra ordinary things but by doing ordinary things extra ordinary well. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Leo the great. We have only three saints that have the title great attached to their names and Leo is one of them. He did not become great by doing extra ordinary things, but just like that taxi driver, doing good was not just a duty but a reason for his existence. “Lord, you have revealed to me that the path to greatness is simplicity. May I work for the kingdom in simple and unassuming ways. Amen.”
THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY PLACE.
Today we commemorate the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. “The mother and mistress of all the Pope’s Basilica. It was consecrated on 9th November, 324 by Pope Sylvester and was later named St. John Lateran in honour of St. John the Baptist. This celebration invites us to a deeper reflection on the sacredness of our places of worship. Our whole world cannot contain God but he has chosen to dwell among us in a way that we can understand. This is an expression of God’s love that must be appreciated by all. Jesus ordered those who turned the house of God into a market place out of the temple, reminding them that the house of God is a place of prayer. This is a clear message to all of us to recognize God’s presence in our midst. The Lord is always in his dwelling place. “Lord you are always in our midst, open my eyes to recognize your presence always. Amen.”
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PREPARE ONESELF TO RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST.
To respond to the Lord’s invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood, the believer must be prepared. Saint Paul urges us to examine our conscience. “Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord” (1 Cor. 11.27). Before we approach the table of the Lord it is important to reflect on our life, ask God’s forgiveness for our failings and if necessary, due to serious sin, to avail ourselves of sacramental confession. Recent polls indicate that a significant number of Catholics do not have a complete understanding of the Eucharist and specifically the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Whatever the cause of such misunderstanding of the faith, all who approach the table of the Lord need to recognize the significance of their action and the importance of their spiritual preparation. It sometimes becomes the task of older members of the family, especially parents, to review with the younger ones what is happening at Mass and who we receive in Holy Communion. Grandparents have in some instances a unique and privileged role as a teacher of the faith in an age where the awareness of the real presence seems to be diminished.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PREPARE ONESELF TO RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST.
To respond to the Lord’s invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood, the believer must be prepared. Saint Paul urges us to examine our conscience. “Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord” (1 Cor. 11.27). Before we approach the table of the Lord it is important to reflect on our life, ask God’s forgiveness for our failings and if necessary, due to serious sin, to avail ourselves of sacramental confession. Recent polls indicate that a significant number of Catholics do not have a complete understanding of the Eucharist and specifically the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Whatever the cause of such misunderstanding of the faith, all who approach the table of the Lord need to recognize the significance of their action and the importance of their spiritual preparation. It sometimes becomes the task of older members of the family, especially parents, to review with the younger ones what is happening at Mass and who we receive in Holy Communion. Grandparents have in some instances a unique and privileged role as a teacher of the faith in an age where the awareness of the real presence seems to be diminished.
THE GIFT THAT COSTS.
Today’s liturgy reveals some important facts about the poor. The poor are blessed because they have a greater recognition of their need for God. The two widows in the first reading (Kings 17:10-16) and in gospel (Mark 12:38-44) give up everything, totally trusting in the goodness of the Lord. What these two widows have in common is their willingness to give all that they have without counting the cost or consequences. The first widow gave her entire supply of food to Prophet Elijah while the second one gave her only small coins, but she gave from her want as Jesus observes. However, the test of any gift is not what it amounts to in itself, but what its loss means to the giver. Our gift must cost us something for it to be valuable. This is not just giving what we can live without, but what we can’t live without, or don’t want to live without. This type of giving hurts, this type of giving is love in action. When the gift is as desperately needed by the giver as by the receiver –that is true giving. This is the only time our gift becomes a sacrifice. The reading shows us this. It is story about two widows. On one level the story in the First Reading makes no sense. Indeed, it seems ridiculous and impossible. That is if we take it in in a literal sense. The widow had not much; all she had left was a handful of meal in a jar. Yet by sharing what she had with the prophet, it never ran out. The point being made here is: it is possible to give without losing. In fact, to give can be a way of gaining. In the Gospel reading, Jesus Christ commended the widow when he said, ‘others had put in what they had to spare; she instead had put in ‘all that she had’ literally taken, the words of Jesus meant; ‘she has put in all her life’ the little she had to live on. Our Lord’s lesson is clear: God does not count what we offer but the love and sacrifice we put in offering. Humility and love bring God to our side right away. The widow in the Gospel story gave her all. She let go of every shred of security and committed herself to God. Hence the story is as much about trust in God as about generousity.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
AUGUSTINIAN BISHOP DIES IN CHINA.
Bishop Nicholas Shi Jin Xian, 88, died last month in Shangqui, the last of the Augustinian Recollects to have worked in China before the take-over of Communism. According to the statement from his Order, it was Bishop Shi who “after decades of persecution and isolation, restored religious life in his diocese, and the Catholic Church’s relations with the civil authorities.”
Nicholas Shi was born in 1921, just three years before the Order of Augustinian Recollects arrived at the Henan Mission (present-day Shangpiu). He entered the Augustinian minor seminary in his native municipality, and made his profession January 16, 1940. After studying philosophy and theology, he was ordained a priest on July 29, 1948.
Shortly after Friday Shi’s ordination, Spanish religious were expelled from China and native religious were dispersed or sent to concentration camps. His mission was thus closed. Father Shi was soon after appointed Episcopal vicar, until he was finally prohibited from exercising any pastoral action.
He first became an oculist, but later was consigned for three years to a brick factory to be “re-educated.” He was imprisoned for two years and lived in miserable conditions suffering the public contempt of the authorities. However, behind closed doors, he did not cease his pastoral work, undertaking constant visits to Christian homes and leading underground liturgical celebrations. His human qualities were appreciated even by those who guarded him.
Deng XIAO Ping’s coming to power and the 1979 Cultural Revolution enabled the priest to get a “rehabilitation letter.” He was assigned to teach English, a job he held until his retirement.
Soon after, he managed to contact the Augustinian Recollects through letters written to addresses in Manila he had memorized as a young man. The contact was unexpected on both sides: Father Shi was not sure if the order still existed, having been told during his psychological torture that it was gone; the Augustinians themselves did not know if any Chinese religious were still alive. Retired from his teaching tasks, he returned to Shangqui in 1980 to dedicate himself solely to pastoral work. He succeeded in having the civil authorities return to the Church all the goods they had confiscated since 1948. He re-opened the parish and contacted some of the Augustinian religious who were still in China after the dispersion. He also began to receive visits from foreign religious, once permission was granted for travel within China.
For years he engaged in negotiations with civil authorities, eventually gaining permission to have communities of religious in his diocese. In 1991, he was made bishop.
“Nicholas Shi deserves a place of honor in the history of the Order and in the Catholic Church in China,” the Augustinian statement affirmed. “His humility, discretion, ability to react and prudence led him to maintain a tense but respectful relationship with the authorities. His figure attracted many of his compatriots to Catholicism and the religious life.
“He was a In 1991, he was made bishop.
“Nicholas Shi deserves a place of honor in the history of the Order and in the Catholic Church in China,” the Augustinian statement affirmed. “His humility, discretion, ability to react and prudence led him to maintain a tense but respectful relationship with the authorities. His figure attracted many of his compatriots to Catholicism and the religious life.
“He was a son of profound spiritual life, deep faith and uncommon intelligence. Never having lived outside of China, he wrote in Latin, English and Spanish, and was able to translate official texts. When he made contact with the first Spanish religious, after almost 40 years without speaking, hearing or reading a word of Spanish, he had no problem writing letters and reports in this language with an astounding perfection.”
“His love for the Order of Augustinian Recollects in which he was formed, to which he belonged and which he re-established in his diocese, with a great vocational flowering, was a feature that all Augustinians recognize and thank him for.”
Nicholas Shi was born in 1921, just three years before the Order of Augustinian Recollects arrived at the Henan Mission (present-day Shangpiu). He entered the Augustinian minor seminary in his native municipality, and made his profession January 16, 1940. After studying philosophy and theology, he was ordained a priest on July 29, 1948.
Shortly after Friday Shi’s ordination, Spanish religious were expelled from China and native religious were dispersed or sent to concentration camps. His mission was thus closed. Father Shi was soon after appointed Episcopal vicar, until he was finally prohibited from exercising any pastoral action.
He first became an oculist, but later was consigned for three years to a brick factory to be “re-educated.” He was imprisoned for two years and lived in miserable conditions suffering the public contempt of the authorities. However, behind closed doors, he did not cease his pastoral work, undertaking constant visits to Christian homes and leading underground liturgical celebrations. His human qualities were appreciated even by those who guarded him.
Deng XIAO Ping’s coming to power and the 1979 Cultural Revolution enabled the priest to get a “rehabilitation letter.” He was assigned to teach English, a job he held until his retirement.
Soon after, he managed to contact the Augustinian Recollects through letters written to addresses in Manila he had memorized as a young man. The contact was unexpected on both sides: Father Shi was not sure if the order still existed, having been told during his psychological torture that it was gone; the Augustinians themselves did not know if any Chinese religious were still alive. Retired from his teaching tasks, he returned to Shangqui in 1980 to dedicate himself solely to pastoral work. He succeeded in having the civil authorities return to the Church all the goods they had confiscated since 1948. He re-opened the parish and contacted some of the Augustinian religious who were still in China after the dispersion. He also began to receive visits from foreign religious, once permission was granted for travel within China.
For years he engaged in negotiations with civil authorities, eventually gaining permission to have communities of religious in his diocese. In 1991, he was made bishop.
“Nicholas Shi deserves a place of honor in the history of the Order and in the Catholic Church in China,” the Augustinian statement affirmed. “His humility, discretion, ability to react and prudence led him to maintain a tense but respectful relationship with the authorities. His figure attracted many of his compatriots to Catholicism and the religious life.
“He was a In 1991, he was made bishop.
“Nicholas Shi deserves a place of honor in the history of the Order and in the Catholic Church in China,” the Augustinian statement affirmed. “His humility, discretion, ability to react and prudence led him to maintain a tense but respectful relationship with the authorities. His figure attracted many of his compatriots to Catholicism and the religious life.
“He was a son of profound spiritual life, deep faith and uncommon intelligence. Never having lived outside of China, he wrote in Latin, English and Spanish, and was able to translate official texts. When he made contact with the first Spanish religious, after almost 40 years without speaking, hearing or reading a word of Spanish, he had no problem writing letters and reports in this language with an astounding perfection.”
“His love for the Order of Augustinian Recollects in which he was formed, to which he belonged and which he re-established in his diocese, with a great vocational flowering, was a feature that all Augustinians recognize and thank him for.”
Thursday, November 5, 2009
CURBING CULT ACTIVITIES.
According to Mike Mudock, a great preacher, “the most fertile ground on earth is the burial ground” Why? “Many people have died in their prime with their dreams, goals and aspiration in life.”
When I remember these words, my heart skips a beat because, ordinarily, these people would not have died. Many people, particularly youths, have died for nothing while others have been maimed for life because of cult activities. Some are just a bundle of waste because, academically, they are no where. In fact, they are useless to themselves, there family and the society at large. They are perpetually in search of trouble and where there is none, they forment it. The most terrible aspect of the whole thing is that some parents know that their children and wards are involved in one cult or the other, but they turn their eyes to the other side. With the spate of cultism, one may be tempted to say that cultism is now institutionalized because both the young and old are now involved. In the past, we know that cultism was associated with undergraduates in higher institutions, but these days, we find pupils in primary school and students in secondary schools, what can we say. The world is in maze.
The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines a cult as a way of life, an attitude or idea which has become very popular. It is also a group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion. So, a from-all indication, a cult is not an approved organization. It is practiced in the secret, therefore, it is illegal. From the word cult, we have “cultism” which is the act of engaging or involving oneself in a treacherous activity that can mar one’s destiny. It is a destiny destroyer.
Any cult has a god, which is against the existence of the Almighty God; because God said “you shall not have any other god beside me”.
It is common knowledge that cultism is now everywhere-motor parks, our neighborhood, and most, unfortunately, the Church. Different folks for different cults- that is what we have today. Different cults are back up by some power and entities which is known as their gods. These cultists all pay homage to their gods- and these gods are often appeased with blood. That is why they kill or shed blood.
The activities of cultists are alarming and have also assumed a worrisome dimension. In Delta State and in almost every neighbourhood, you find young boys loafing and idling away and when you go closer and enquire of them what you will hear is, “ah, that one, he is in a cult? I hear that people now pride themselves in their neighbourhood to belong to a cult. And people now engage them in battle, either for land dispute or family dispute. Girls are now in that world of cultism and they don’t hide it. I was told of a girls’ school in this State where cult activities even take place in broad day light.
Our society is no longer safe. People are afraid to go out because of these people. Parents, Churches, Mosque and individuals have parts to play in stemming this ugly trend. Then government should campaign against cultism, just as we have bodies campaigning, against HIV/AIDS.
If these seeds are bad, what kind of plant and fruits are we going to get because these youths of today are the supposed leaders of tomorrow, but if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
The government, both at the state and local levels should put up a measure to track down these boys and girls and mete out punishment that will serve as a deterrent to others.
When I remember these words, my heart skips a beat because, ordinarily, these people would not have died. Many people, particularly youths, have died for nothing while others have been maimed for life because of cult activities. Some are just a bundle of waste because, academically, they are no where. In fact, they are useless to themselves, there family and the society at large. They are perpetually in search of trouble and where there is none, they forment it. The most terrible aspect of the whole thing is that some parents know that their children and wards are involved in one cult or the other, but they turn their eyes to the other side. With the spate of cultism, one may be tempted to say that cultism is now institutionalized because both the young and old are now involved. In the past, we know that cultism was associated with undergraduates in higher institutions, but these days, we find pupils in primary school and students in secondary schools, what can we say. The world is in maze.
The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines a cult as a way of life, an attitude or idea which has become very popular. It is also a group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion. So, a from-all indication, a cult is not an approved organization. It is practiced in the secret, therefore, it is illegal. From the word cult, we have “cultism” which is the act of engaging or involving oneself in a treacherous activity that can mar one’s destiny. It is a destiny destroyer.
Any cult has a god, which is against the existence of the Almighty God; because God said “you shall not have any other god beside me”.
It is common knowledge that cultism is now everywhere-motor parks, our neighborhood, and most, unfortunately, the Church. Different folks for different cults- that is what we have today. Different cults are back up by some power and entities which is known as their gods. These cultists all pay homage to their gods- and these gods are often appeased with blood. That is why they kill or shed blood.
The activities of cultists are alarming and have also assumed a worrisome dimension. In Delta State and in almost every neighbourhood, you find young boys loafing and idling away and when you go closer and enquire of them what you will hear is, “ah, that one, he is in a cult? I hear that people now pride themselves in their neighbourhood to belong to a cult. And people now engage them in battle, either for land dispute or family dispute. Girls are now in that world of cultism and they don’t hide it. I was told of a girls’ school in this State where cult activities even take place in broad day light.
Our society is no longer safe. People are afraid to go out because of these people. Parents, Churches, Mosque and individuals have parts to play in stemming this ugly trend. Then government should campaign against cultism, just as we have bodies campaigning, against HIV/AIDS.
If these seeds are bad, what kind of plant and fruits are we going to get because these youths of today are the supposed leaders of tomorrow, but if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
The government, both at the state and local levels should put up a measure to track down these boys and girls and mete out punishment that will serve as a deterrent to others.
YOU HAVE THE MESSAGE OF ETERNAL LIFE
We go through life faced with different possibilities and options to make in furtherance of our good and the general welfare of the human person. Indeed the process of making choice is an inalienable must for every human being. Since human being has the capacity to make a moral choice though difficult, but distinction between good and evil must be made. It is also inevitable that choices about things are not left out in our human decisions.
Just as in the temporal and human way of life, we make choices, the same is to be found in our spiritual realm in which we are confined to make our moral decisions, since we cannot belong to every other camp; opposing and reinforcing at the same time. Among the son and daughter of Israel, they were called in Moses who received the covenant from Yahweh. They are sheep of God, while God was their shepherd. They have to distinguish themselves in a manner that approves they were living in consonance with God’s way of life; but just as my guess could be good as yours they ramified their actions with infidelity and insincerity.
In the book of Joshua24: - ff, the person of Joshua had to declare a public gathering of all tribes of Israel at Shechem. The reason behind this summon was not to boast his ego; rather it was an attempt to address the moral issue of the people of Israel concerning the allegiance of their soul. They were a people of God, but they lived contrary to this God of theirs. He Joshua proclaimed the loyalty of himself to the living God alongside his family. In the same vain, the tribes of Israel agreed from what they had known about this God who continues to lead them, they pledged their loyalty and lives to God all the days of which they will live. A problem that arises from this response which often times might have not been pondered over all the necessary recollection not adequately made before the all loud assent of WE SHALL DO.
St. Paul in his letter to the Church at Corinth (5:21-23) shows us the nature of our loyalty to God in the model of obedience to Christ shown between Husband and Wife. This loyalty must express itself in OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION. The submission and obedience in question here is to God in Christ as the one who has saved you and me. His place in our lives is not replaceable, because in him we move, in him we live and in him we have our being.
Jesus has the message of eternal life as we see in the concluding passage of the gospel of John 6:60-69. When he had taught this gospel of John i.e. Jesus, about the truth as we have it in the theology of the Eucharist, the people began to desert him by leaving him? It was here they declared their unflinching trust and confidence in God, when they said- Where shall we go to, you have the message of eternal life. What a great demonstration of faith in Jesus Christ.
Today Christianity of ours calls for this kind of re-assessment, especially with reference to whom we have decided to serve and how much effort we show in these religious professions we have made in our life. Jesus we understand is the message of eternal life, but how much penetrative are we to tap from this eternal ushered by Jesus. To know that something could help and assist us, but we do not want to avail ourselves of this opportunity is a form of crass ignorance, which ends in the spiritual realm in lost of the kingdom of God.
We must say again that knowledge is power. Jesus has the message of eternal life, to avail ourselves of this fountain; WE MUST YIELD OURSELVES TO WHOM THROUGH OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION TO HIS WILLAND DESIGN.
Just as in the temporal and human way of life, we make choices, the same is to be found in our spiritual realm in which we are confined to make our moral decisions, since we cannot belong to every other camp; opposing and reinforcing at the same time. Among the son and daughter of Israel, they were called in Moses who received the covenant from Yahweh. They are sheep of God, while God was their shepherd. They have to distinguish themselves in a manner that approves they were living in consonance with God’s way of life; but just as my guess could be good as yours they ramified their actions with infidelity and insincerity.
In the book of Joshua24: - ff, the person of Joshua had to declare a public gathering of all tribes of Israel at Shechem. The reason behind this summon was not to boast his ego; rather it was an attempt to address the moral issue of the people of Israel concerning the allegiance of their soul. They were a people of God, but they lived contrary to this God of theirs. He Joshua proclaimed the loyalty of himself to the living God alongside his family. In the same vain, the tribes of Israel agreed from what they had known about this God who continues to lead them, they pledged their loyalty and lives to God all the days of which they will live. A problem that arises from this response which often times might have not been pondered over all the necessary recollection not adequately made before the all loud assent of WE SHALL DO.
St. Paul in his letter to the Church at Corinth (5:21-23) shows us the nature of our loyalty to God in the model of obedience to Christ shown between Husband and Wife. This loyalty must express itself in OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION. The submission and obedience in question here is to God in Christ as the one who has saved you and me. His place in our lives is not replaceable, because in him we move, in him we live and in him we have our being.
Jesus has the message of eternal life as we see in the concluding passage of the gospel of John 6:60-69. When he had taught this gospel of John i.e. Jesus, about the truth as we have it in the theology of the Eucharist, the people began to desert him by leaving him? It was here they declared their unflinching trust and confidence in God, when they said- Where shall we go to, you have the message of eternal life. What a great demonstration of faith in Jesus Christ.
Today Christianity of ours calls for this kind of re-assessment, especially with reference to whom we have decided to serve and how much effort we show in these religious professions we have made in our life. Jesus we understand is the message of eternal life, but how much penetrative are we to tap from this eternal ushered by Jesus. To know that something could help and assist us, but we do not want to avail ourselves of this opportunity is a form of crass ignorance, which ends in the spiritual realm in lost of the kingdom of God.
We must say again that knowledge is power. Jesus has the message of eternal life, to avail ourselves of this fountain; WE MUST YIELD OURSELVES TO WHOM THROUGH OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION TO HIS WILLAND DESIGN.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
MASTER DO YOU NOT CARE.
One mat want to liken the response of Jesus in our life situations as something of a slow pace and which is not commensurate with a caring and protecting saviour,when we consider that he allows this temptations and tragedies to come close to those who have reposed faith in him.
Why will God, allow his disciples become sick and impoverished only to be scorned by illness, before he raises this person to sound health of mind and body? Will it not be more heroic if sickness does not come close to this child of God? The situation of the Job of scripture, to a large extent explains what dilemma the righteous or Christian faces in the face of temptations that threaten faith.
In the Gospel according to Mark [4:35-41], we witness Jesus who embarked on a journey with the disciples. The Journey was a dangerous one since they were traveling on sea which is fraught with many dangers arising from the conceptions of the forces that plaque and dominate the waters. Not only that we have the outbreak of a mighty wave which already was sinking the boat and created scenario of great fright. But the surprising aspect of this account is that while all this readily come from the lips of many one, was Jesus insensitivity to the plight of these disciples of his?
Or was he faced with the human dimension that he could not sublimate into his divinity to recognize a threatening natural disaster.
These are not the true meaning or lessons we will derive from this gospel, otherwise why will Jesus after they had woken him rebuke their lack of faith. To put it straight, the seeming silence or what we might call his sleeping is the interlude to determine the faith commitment and orientations of the disciples in the face of the problems of life. Ones faith cannot be determined on the corridor of convenience but on the alter of difficulties and problems of life. In the case of the disciples, they called upon Jesus and demonstrated their faith in him when they said “master do you not care”.
I will want to think that, this dimension of faith is always required of us in our faith encounter and in the face of the problems of life. It is the recourse to Jesus who has absolute power to conquer and overthrow whatever dominion of evil that lies hidden in our world. The Christian must discover in Jesus the sovergnity to every form of darkness. This is principally the surprise of the disciples when in secret they questioned where he got the authority over forces of nature etc.
To every created individual, we must cross the sea of life and this goes a long way with frightening and threatening situations that we see around them. But what gives us the courage is that we have a master who is with us in the boat of life and he reclines quietly to see our response to him in the face of threats of life. Therefore let us take the courage and wake him up to the consciousness of whatever plaques us at any time.
Why will God, allow his disciples become sick and impoverished only to be scorned by illness, before he raises this person to sound health of mind and body? Will it not be more heroic if sickness does not come close to this child of God? The situation of the Job of scripture, to a large extent explains what dilemma the righteous or Christian faces in the face of temptations that threaten faith.
In the Gospel according to Mark [4:35-41], we witness Jesus who embarked on a journey with the disciples. The Journey was a dangerous one since they were traveling on sea which is fraught with many dangers arising from the conceptions of the forces that plaque and dominate the waters. Not only that we have the outbreak of a mighty wave which already was sinking the boat and created scenario of great fright. But the surprising aspect of this account is that while all this readily come from the lips of many one, was Jesus insensitivity to the plight of these disciples of his?
Or was he faced with the human dimension that he could not sublimate into his divinity to recognize a threatening natural disaster.
These are not the true meaning or lessons we will derive from this gospel, otherwise why will Jesus after they had woken him rebuke their lack of faith. To put it straight, the seeming silence or what we might call his sleeping is the interlude to determine the faith commitment and orientations of the disciples in the face of the problems of life. Ones faith cannot be determined on the corridor of convenience but on the alter of difficulties and problems of life. In the case of the disciples, they called upon Jesus and demonstrated their faith in him when they said “master do you not care”.
I will want to think that, this dimension of faith is always required of us in our faith encounter and in the face of the problems of life. It is the recourse to Jesus who has absolute power to conquer and overthrow whatever dominion of evil that lies hidden in our world. The Christian must discover in Jesus the sovergnity to every form of darkness. This is principally the surprise of the disciples when in secret they questioned where he got the authority over forces of nature etc.
To every created individual, we must cross the sea of life and this goes a long way with frightening and threatening situations that we see around them. But what gives us the courage is that we have a master who is with us in the boat of life and he reclines quietly to see our response to him in the face of threats of life. Therefore let us take the courage and wake him up to the consciousness of whatever plaques us at any time.
SEASON OF PENANCE.
The Lenten season begins with the administering of Ashes, on Ash Wednesday, which introduces you and me to begin to rethink our relationship with with God, especially our moral lives. This obviously obliges on us to a life of penitence in which we show contrition for our past lives, which we have lead. We necessarily have to accept season of discipline that must accord with a Lenten liturgy namely:
1. A return to God, as we have become prodigal, even like the prodigal son (Lk
2. 15:1-17).
3. A spirituality of reconciliation with one another and with God.
4. A period to conquer oneself and be master of ones action, never its slave.
The ash we have already accepted should continue to remind us that we are pilgrim people who must dedicate their lives to living as citizens of heaven, not those who become dangerously engrossed with the passing shadows of our times. The church and the scriptures give us a good guide to the season of penitence. They are prayer; alms giving and fasting. (cf.Is 58:1-12)
Prayer as a form of penitence for this season must show in our utter dedication and communion with him, in such a way that we draw closer to him. This means that if we are not a praying people, we should begin in earnest. Scripture warns that our prayer lives should not be a form of public acclamation or showism which is regarded as holier than thou attitude.
Alms giving must be done in such a way, that it is meant to assist the less privileged ones and those in critical situations of life. This must be done quietly, such that God rewards such charity. The alms we offer must be tangible and sacrificing in our sight, before it can make meaning even in the sight of God.
Fasting from food is recommended. But fasting from tendencies that lead us into sin must be primary, before that of food. When we fast, our facial looks should be welcoming not a perturbed and confused kind of appearance. What we pray is that, God gives each and every one of us the strength to persevere in this season of penitence. After this season our Lenten observance may God grant us the grace to be part of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He call to self-denial cannot be part and parcel of the true journey of the forty days of our preparation for our victory over the flesh, concupiscence and the additions or habits that makes us act foreign to the invitation of Jesus Christ. Self-denial is a form of self-control and mastery over the self-instincts that control us inordinately.
We must not fail to realize that the fact of our acceptance of the ash on Wednesday was the highlight that we are sinners who must necessarily seek to return back to God, remain contrite, humble and docile to God’s word.
The accompanying words of administering this Ash are “repent and believe in the Gospel”. Trust and faith in the gospel must be unquantified at this material time, since it is the basis for true knowledge and the pathway to moral, social rectitude.
One of the primary things we must endeavour to do at this time is to examine closely those temptations that lure us into sin, our cause of moral laxity and general failures in life.
The Liturgical and Para-liturgical services should be used for drawing close to Christ; namely daily attendances at masses, recitation of our prayers, stations of the cross, bible classes, adoration,quiet visits to Jesus in the blessed Sacrament etc. We therefore hope and pray that our efforts in this season of the discipline of lent will help us grow in all positive way.
1. A return to God, as we have become prodigal, even like the prodigal son (Lk
2. 15:1-17).
3. A spirituality of reconciliation with one another and with God.
4. A period to conquer oneself and be master of ones action, never its slave.
The ash we have already accepted should continue to remind us that we are pilgrim people who must dedicate their lives to living as citizens of heaven, not those who become dangerously engrossed with the passing shadows of our times. The church and the scriptures give us a good guide to the season of penitence. They are prayer; alms giving and fasting. (cf.Is 58:1-12)
Prayer as a form of penitence for this season must show in our utter dedication and communion with him, in such a way that we draw closer to him. This means that if we are not a praying people, we should begin in earnest. Scripture warns that our prayer lives should not be a form of public acclamation or showism which is regarded as holier than thou attitude.
Alms giving must be done in such a way, that it is meant to assist the less privileged ones and those in critical situations of life. This must be done quietly, such that God rewards such charity. The alms we offer must be tangible and sacrificing in our sight, before it can make meaning even in the sight of God.
Fasting from food is recommended. But fasting from tendencies that lead us into sin must be primary, before that of food. When we fast, our facial looks should be welcoming not a perturbed and confused kind of appearance. What we pray is that, God gives each and every one of us the strength to persevere in this season of penitence. After this season our Lenten observance may God grant us the grace to be part of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He call to self-denial cannot be part and parcel of the true journey of the forty days of our preparation for our victory over the flesh, concupiscence and the additions or habits that makes us act foreign to the invitation of Jesus Christ. Self-denial is a form of self-control and mastery over the self-instincts that control us inordinately.
We must not fail to realize that the fact of our acceptance of the ash on Wednesday was the highlight that we are sinners who must necessarily seek to return back to God, remain contrite, humble and docile to God’s word.
The accompanying words of administering this Ash are “repent and believe in the Gospel”. Trust and faith in the gospel must be unquantified at this material time, since it is the basis for true knowledge and the pathway to moral, social rectitude.
One of the primary things we must endeavour to do at this time is to examine closely those temptations that lure us into sin, our cause of moral laxity and general failures in life.
The Liturgical and Para-liturgical services should be used for drawing close to Christ; namely daily attendances at masses, recitation of our prayers, stations of the cross, bible classes, adoration,quiet visits to Jesus in the blessed Sacrament etc. We therefore hope and pray that our efforts in this season of the discipline of lent will help us grow in all positive way.
Monday, November 2, 2009
HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER.
Moses’ role as a leader and guide to the children of Israel is very prominent. He was the receptor of the ten commandments and as such he could be said to be a good or best interpreter to these precepts of God. In the book of Deuteronomy {11:18-32}, Moses called forth the sons and daughters of Israel to remind them that their heritage as Gods people is premised on the conduct of the keeping of the law.
We must state that prior the former presentation of the ten commandments, there must have been an ethical code, but because it was not codified it was possible to Feign ignorance of this laws of the community and of God. Perhaps this is the reason of the fragrant waywardness of the Israelites and their history being characterized with ups and down.
Moses unequivocally reminded them that the keeping of the laws was a means of salvation. To keep the laws was next to be in the corridor of those who do Gods will and found favour in the sight of God. However to disobey the commandment of God was to incure Gods wrath on oneself. This is what happened in the old testament times and has a big lesson for our today Christianity. The laws of God are eternal and they remain the values that will lead us into harmony in our human coexistence and our rapport with God. God’s precepts are meant to be a means of our return to the original path that God has mapped out for us.
In the gospel of Matthew [7:21-27], Jesus clearly pointed out to his disciples that it is not those who continually call him “Lord, lord that will enter into his Kingdom but only those who do the will of the Father”. Many at this time, where more interested in exhibiting spiritual tendencies but were largely among against the laws of God. This was the simple reason why Jesus had to tell them categorically in this manner.
Looking at our World of today we have many situations of people who prefer going against Gods will and subsequently think of appeasing God. I think this is not the best situation, because it is not always that we have the opportunity of a second chance. A culture of doing things in the right perspective is always far better to subsequent holocaust or amendment. The Nigerian society thrives in this kind of life-world such rather than keeping to the terms of agreement we tend to prefer subsequent re-negotiations that would have earned us in bad and immodest outlook.
The other kind of situation is the attitude of lip-service to ethical norms or those in place of authority. The tendency to pretend but behave ones own kind of way, does not lead us in any way forward. I think there is greater good to doing the right thing and following the right process.
Obeying the precept of the Lord has been reckoned as building upon solid rock, such that with the words of God imbibed, one cannot be tusked about by the winds of time. The keeping of Gods commandment creates the strength of character that makes us elude the wiles and deceits of our times. But above all, it makes us pleasing to God since obedience is better than sacrifice.
We must say here that it is never easy to keep Gods laws without his aid. But at the same time, God has created in each and everyone of us a longing for him, thus we could infer that he is the only one to give us that capacity to keep to his will and desire for us. Jesus is the revelation of the father; he tells us that any one who turns to him, he will in no wise cast away. This is the lot of those who have a yearning to be at peace with God and to reconcile with his commandments.
The summation of what we may say at this time is that those who will enter into the household of Gods kingdom are those who carefully DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER. To do his will is to reject every thing contrary to what his deeds demands.
We can begin today to change our orientation to Gods laws, submitting to remain docile to him. This can be achieved by remaining close to him in prayer and at the same time asking for his strength to do as such. On the other hand we must equally remember that keeping Gods commandments is to live out a life of love. Thus we say that love is the summation of the laws and the prophets.
We must state that prior the former presentation of the ten commandments, there must have been an ethical code, but because it was not codified it was possible to Feign ignorance of this laws of the community and of God. Perhaps this is the reason of the fragrant waywardness of the Israelites and their history being characterized with ups and down.
Moses unequivocally reminded them that the keeping of the laws was a means of salvation. To keep the laws was next to be in the corridor of those who do Gods will and found favour in the sight of God. However to disobey the commandment of God was to incure Gods wrath on oneself. This is what happened in the old testament times and has a big lesson for our today Christianity. The laws of God are eternal and they remain the values that will lead us into harmony in our human coexistence and our rapport with God. God’s precepts are meant to be a means of our return to the original path that God has mapped out for us.
In the gospel of Matthew [7:21-27], Jesus clearly pointed out to his disciples that it is not those who continually call him “Lord, lord that will enter into his Kingdom but only those who do the will of the Father”. Many at this time, where more interested in exhibiting spiritual tendencies but were largely among against the laws of God. This was the simple reason why Jesus had to tell them categorically in this manner.
Looking at our World of today we have many situations of people who prefer going against Gods will and subsequently think of appeasing God. I think this is not the best situation, because it is not always that we have the opportunity of a second chance. A culture of doing things in the right perspective is always far better to subsequent holocaust or amendment. The Nigerian society thrives in this kind of life-world such rather than keeping to the terms of agreement we tend to prefer subsequent re-negotiations that would have earned us in bad and immodest outlook.
The other kind of situation is the attitude of lip-service to ethical norms or those in place of authority. The tendency to pretend but behave ones own kind of way, does not lead us in any way forward. I think there is greater good to doing the right thing and following the right process.
Obeying the precept of the Lord has been reckoned as building upon solid rock, such that with the words of God imbibed, one cannot be tusked about by the winds of time. The keeping of Gods commandment creates the strength of character that makes us elude the wiles and deceits of our times. But above all, it makes us pleasing to God since obedience is better than sacrifice.
We must say here that it is never easy to keep Gods laws without his aid. But at the same time, God has created in each and everyone of us a longing for him, thus we could infer that he is the only one to give us that capacity to keep to his will and desire for us. Jesus is the revelation of the father; he tells us that any one who turns to him, he will in no wise cast away. This is the lot of those who have a yearning to be at peace with God and to reconcile with his commandments.
The summation of what we may say at this time is that those who will enter into the household of Gods kingdom are those who carefully DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER. To do his will is to reject every thing contrary to what his deeds demands.
We can begin today to change our orientation to Gods laws, submitting to remain docile to him. This can be achieved by remaining close to him in prayer and at the same time asking for his strength to do as such. On the other hand we must equally remember that keeping Gods commandments is to live out a life of love. Thus we say that love is the summation of the laws and the prophets.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
BISHOPS CRITICISE POPE OVER LINZ APPOINTMENT.
VIENNA-AUSTRALIA’S BISHOPS urged the pope to show more pastoral sensitivity when choosing bishops. The bishops said this recently in reaction to the resignation of a controversial priest whose appointment as auxiliary Bishop of Linz caused uprior.Following a historic crisis meeting held in Vienna, Australia’s bishops attempted to calm the Australian public with a pastoral letter admitting the Church’s error of communication and calling for “pastoral sensitivity” on the part of the Holy Father when making the final decision about Australian bishops.
Australia’s primate, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn called the emergency meeting recently after Benedict XVI Episcopal appointment of the outspoken Upper Austrian priest Dr Gerhard Wagner threatened to upset the delicate balance of the Austrian Church. Dr Wagner, the man at the heart of the row over the direction of the Austrian Church, announced soon after the appointment that he had asked Pope Benedict to withdraw his nomination following the uproar.
His appointment was to one of the country’s most liberal dioceses. The parish priest of the town of Windischgarsten caused controversy with his remarks about Hurricane Katrina-saying that it was a result of “Spiritual pollution”-his belief that homosexuality can be healed and his dislike of female alter servers among other things. The bishops’ meeting went ahead despite his resignation.
In the pastoral letter issued after the meeting the bishops said they owed the people an explanation for the past week’s events. They pledged their unalloyed support to the pope but also addressed themselves to the “crisis” that the appointment of Fr Wagner had unleashed in the Church. After dealing with the Society of St Pius X, they said: “The subject of appointing bishops is therefore so significant because it has been associated with a number of problems in Austria since the 1980s.
The controversies caused by the appointments of bishops were numerous, the conflicts and fissures in the Church too painful. Therefore it is precisely in this area that the most sensitivity must be applied. It is beyond question that the pope has free appointment of bishops. “The bishops desire no return to the times in which-as until 1918-the emperor chose the bishops in Austria. But also a bishop’s plebiscite would not avoid conflict and fragmentation.
We bishops are convinced that the procedure for choice and examination of candidates laid out in Church law stands the test, when the procedure is really followed. “For, before the Holy Father makes the final decision, there must be reliable and widely examined reasons for it, on which he can lean.” Addressing the fact that at least four new bishops are expected to be appointed in Austria in the next few years, the letter continued: “The faithful rightly expects that the procedure of the search for a candidate, the examination of the proposals and the final decision will be done carefully and with pastoral sensitivity. “In that way it can be ensured that the bishops are not named against but for a local Church. We bishops will do everything possible, in order to handle the appointments that lie ahead in the spirit of the procedural rules, in close work with the respective Vatican posts.”
Despite the apologetic tone of the pastoral letter the bishops not only praised the Diocese of Linz for its active work but expressed their concern about the tensions in the diocese. They said: “We bishops, however, have been troubled for years by the palpable tension, which has become once more acute with the recent appointment. We are not merely dealing with differing interpretations regarding structures and methods here, but ultimately a question of the sacramental identity of the Catholic Church. “In particular, this touches on the ordination of priests and deacons in relation to the general priesthood of all the baptized. The pastoral path can only be walked in unison with the universal Church.” Dr Wagner said he was relieved to have stepped down from the appointment on last month. Linz’s diocesan bishop, Ludwig Schwarz, made Sunday’s announcement on Dr Wagner’s behalf. He said: “In the face of hefty criticism, after prayer and discussion with the diocesan bishop, I have come to the decision with the diocesan bishop; I have come to the decision to ask the Holy Father in Rome to withdraw my nomination as auxiliary bishop.” It is as yet unclear whether Benedict XVI has accepted this request, but Dr Wagner spoke on the Austrian radio programme recently. He said: “This resignation has happened of my own volition. I woke up feeling very relieved when compared with the nights before the resignation. From the beginning, since I was nominated, I have felt the opposition; to be honest, often in unmerciful and unloving ways.” He said that he asked himself what he could do for the good of the Church while the controversy over his appointment raged.
Public pressure against Dr Wagner’s appointment had been mounting since it was announced on January 31, only 10 days after the storm over Society of St Pius X’s Holocaust-denying bishop started rocking the Church. The dioceses of Linz is divided between the liberal and conservative elements in the church, and the appointment of an outspokenly conservative priest exacerbated an already fragile situation. Earlier last month the leading regional priests of the diocese showed their dislike of the pope’s candidate in an informal meeting where 31 out of 35 voted against him.
Australia’s primate, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn called the emergency meeting recently after Benedict XVI Episcopal appointment of the outspoken Upper Austrian priest Dr Gerhard Wagner threatened to upset the delicate balance of the Austrian Church. Dr Wagner, the man at the heart of the row over the direction of the Austrian Church, announced soon after the appointment that he had asked Pope Benedict to withdraw his nomination following the uproar.
His appointment was to one of the country’s most liberal dioceses. The parish priest of the town of Windischgarsten caused controversy with his remarks about Hurricane Katrina-saying that it was a result of “Spiritual pollution”-his belief that homosexuality can be healed and his dislike of female alter servers among other things. The bishops’ meeting went ahead despite his resignation.
In the pastoral letter issued after the meeting the bishops said they owed the people an explanation for the past week’s events. They pledged their unalloyed support to the pope but also addressed themselves to the “crisis” that the appointment of Fr Wagner had unleashed in the Church. After dealing with the Society of St Pius X, they said: “The subject of appointing bishops is therefore so significant because it has been associated with a number of problems in Austria since the 1980s.
The controversies caused by the appointments of bishops were numerous, the conflicts and fissures in the Church too painful. Therefore it is precisely in this area that the most sensitivity must be applied. It is beyond question that the pope has free appointment of bishops. “The bishops desire no return to the times in which-as until 1918-the emperor chose the bishops in Austria. But also a bishop’s plebiscite would not avoid conflict and fragmentation.
We bishops are convinced that the procedure for choice and examination of candidates laid out in Church law stands the test, when the procedure is really followed. “For, before the Holy Father makes the final decision, there must be reliable and widely examined reasons for it, on which he can lean.” Addressing the fact that at least four new bishops are expected to be appointed in Austria in the next few years, the letter continued: “The faithful rightly expects that the procedure of the search for a candidate, the examination of the proposals and the final decision will be done carefully and with pastoral sensitivity. “In that way it can be ensured that the bishops are not named against but for a local Church. We bishops will do everything possible, in order to handle the appointments that lie ahead in the spirit of the procedural rules, in close work with the respective Vatican posts.”
Despite the apologetic tone of the pastoral letter the bishops not only praised the Diocese of Linz for its active work but expressed their concern about the tensions in the diocese. They said: “We bishops, however, have been troubled for years by the palpable tension, which has become once more acute with the recent appointment. We are not merely dealing with differing interpretations regarding structures and methods here, but ultimately a question of the sacramental identity of the Catholic Church. “In particular, this touches on the ordination of priests and deacons in relation to the general priesthood of all the baptized. The pastoral path can only be walked in unison with the universal Church.” Dr Wagner said he was relieved to have stepped down from the appointment on last month. Linz’s diocesan bishop, Ludwig Schwarz, made Sunday’s announcement on Dr Wagner’s behalf. He said: “In the face of hefty criticism, after prayer and discussion with the diocesan bishop, I have come to the decision with the diocesan bishop; I have come to the decision to ask the Holy Father in Rome to withdraw my nomination as auxiliary bishop.” It is as yet unclear whether Benedict XVI has accepted this request, but Dr Wagner spoke on the Austrian radio programme recently. He said: “This resignation has happened of my own volition. I woke up feeling very relieved when compared with the nights before the resignation. From the beginning, since I was nominated, I have felt the opposition; to be honest, often in unmerciful and unloving ways.” He said that he asked himself what he could do for the good of the Church while the controversy over his appointment raged.
Public pressure against Dr Wagner’s appointment had been mounting since it was announced on January 31, only 10 days after the storm over Society of St Pius X’s Holocaust-denying bishop started rocking the Church. The dioceses of Linz is divided between the liberal and conservative elements in the church, and the appointment of an outspokenly conservative priest exacerbated an already fragile situation. Earlier last month the leading regional priests of the diocese showed their dislike of the pope’s candidate in an informal meeting where 31 out of 35 voted against him.
CATHOLIC PRIEST SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IMPRISONMENT.
RWANDA- The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in March this year sentenced Very Reverend Father Emmanuel Rukundo, a Catholic priest accused of Genocide, to twenty five years in prison. Trial Chamber II of the ICTR composed of judges Joseph Asoka Nihal de Silva,Taghrid Hikmet and Seon Ki Park, found Rukundo guilty of Genocide, murder as a crime against humanity and extermination. The judges wandered why a holy Catholic priest should be involved in such an act.
He is the second Catholic priest found guilty by the court.Fr Athanase Rukundo was sentenced to life in prison last year, while Fr Hormisdas Nsengimana is still on trial. Dressed in his full priesthood attire, the nonchalant Rukundo was called to the dock by the presiding judge, from where he was sentenced.
“Considering all the relevant circumstances and having ensured that the accused is not being punished twice for the same offence, the chamber finds Emmanuel Rukundo guilty of Genocide, murder and extermination as a crime against humanity, to a single sentence of 25 years of imprisonment,” judge Silva read from the verdict. The Chamber found the priest guilty of having participated in the killings of Tutsis, together with former Rwandan soldiers, at St. Leon Minor Seminary in the Southern Province.
He was also convicted for participating in the killing of a lady identified as Rudahunga and as well as severely beating and injuring her two children. The chamber also averred that prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Fr Rukundo was present during the committing of the crime and the soldiers acted under his authority.
A former highly respected military chaplain, Rev Fr. Rukundo was also found guilty of having assaulted a Tutsi girl at the St.Leon Seminary, an issue the chamber considered as a highly aggravating factor saying the priest abused his moral authority. “As an educated person, the priest should have appreciated the dignity and value of human life and the need for a peaceful co-existence between communities,” Judge Joseph Asoka Nihal de Silva said.
Speaking to The New Times news agent shortly after the sentence, ICTR Prosecutor Justice Bubacar Jallow said the prosecution was particularly happy with the findings, but could not readily confirm if they would appeal against the sentence.
“We have found the findings on genocide being a very important decision in that respect particularly. We shall not certainly appeal against the findings, we need to look at the judgment and review and analyze it,” he said.However, senior legal experts at the tribunal criticized the court’s judgment saying that since the priest was found guilty of Genocide, he should have been sentenced to life in prison.
In his final submission last year prosecutor William Egbe had requested for the priest to be given a life sentence arguing that he deserved no lesser punishment. The chamber finally ruled that Fr Rukundo, who was arrested in July 2001, shall receive credit for the time he has served at the UN Detention custody. The priest will remain in the custody of the tribunal pending a possible appeal or transfer to the State where he will complete his sentence.
He is the second Catholic priest found guilty by the court.Fr Athanase Rukundo was sentenced to life in prison last year, while Fr Hormisdas Nsengimana is still on trial. Dressed in his full priesthood attire, the nonchalant Rukundo was called to the dock by the presiding judge, from where he was sentenced.
“Considering all the relevant circumstances and having ensured that the accused is not being punished twice for the same offence, the chamber finds Emmanuel Rukundo guilty of Genocide, murder and extermination as a crime against humanity, to a single sentence of 25 years of imprisonment,” judge Silva read from the verdict. The Chamber found the priest guilty of having participated in the killings of Tutsis, together with former Rwandan soldiers, at St. Leon Minor Seminary in the Southern Province.
He was also convicted for participating in the killing of a lady identified as Rudahunga and as well as severely beating and injuring her two children. The chamber also averred that prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Fr Rukundo was present during the committing of the crime and the soldiers acted under his authority.
A former highly respected military chaplain, Rev Fr. Rukundo was also found guilty of having assaulted a Tutsi girl at the St.Leon Seminary, an issue the chamber considered as a highly aggravating factor saying the priest abused his moral authority. “As an educated person, the priest should have appreciated the dignity and value of human life and the need for a peaceful co-existence between communities,” Judge Joseph Asoka Nihal de Silva said.
Speaking to The New Times news agent shortly after the sentence, ICTR Prosecutor Justice Bubacar Jallow said the prosecution was particularly happy with the findings, but could not readily confirm if they would appeal against the sentence.
“We have found the findings on genocide being a very important decision in that respect particularly. We shall not certainly appeal against the findings, we need to look at the judgment and review and analyze it,” he said.However, senior legal experts at the tribunal criticized the court’s judgment saying that since the priest was found guilty of Genocide, he should have been sentenced to life in prison.
In his final submission last year prosecutor William Egbe had requested for the priest to be given a life sentence arguing that he deserved no lesser punishment. The chamber finally ruled that Fr Rukundo, who was arrested in July 2001, shall receive credit for the time he has served at the UN Detention custody. The priest will remain in the custody of the tribunal pending a possible appeal or transfer to the State where he will complete his sentence.
THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS (THE BEATITUDE).
This Sunday we will hear the beatitudes, apparently to tell us about the feast of All Saints.Therefore,a look at them should tell us what a saint is. What are the beatitudes? Beatitudes is a spoken declaration or bestowal of blessedness on a person.Alright, what is blessedness? In plain words, it means a spiritual benefit. An example of a beatitude would be, “May the Lord bless you with a safe journey.” Or, “Blessed are those who show mercy.” Often there is a condition involved: “The people who keep the law will be blessed” (Proverb 29:18). Jesus gave nine of them in his inaugural talk (the sermon on the mount-Gospel!). But I ha e often been puzzled by the way he uses them and by the order in which they come. There is something strange about them. For instance, (a) the first four beatitudes seem to describe bad things as good. Blessed are the poor, the mourners, the meek, the hungry and thirsty. This is a reversal of an ordinary beatitude, which says, “Act right and you will be blessed”. Jesus seems to say, “Be weak and unhappy and you will be blessed.” Look at it this way: these first four beatitudes are actually assurances to people who suffer: the displaced, those who are left out. Jesus is saying that they too are blessed and much loved by God. (b) The next three beatitudes more resemble the ancient form: Blessed are the merciful, the clean of heart and the brokers of peace. These sound reasonable, they are a spiritual step upwards from the first four. They are incentives to those who want to take action in the world on behalf of the Kingdom. The blessedness consists of being at work with Jesus as a companion. (c) But then come the last two, which are stunning: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.” And, “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you…” These sound like curses, not blessings. Who could want such treatment? Yet these two are a step up from what precedes them. They presume that you might actually want to take up the cross with Jesus, participating in the ultimate act of love, a love which cuts through false honor, wealth, pride and security. Radical love often stirs hate and envy in others. But it is blessed because it comes from being so close to Jesus. Thus, there are at least three stages of ascent in the following of Jesus suffering, working for others, enduring persecution as a result. The saints are examples in each of the areas, because of their love for God. This is very basis and root of happiness, or “blessedness,” as we are saying.
WHAT DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACH ABOUT MARY,THE MOTHER OF JESUS?
The question is a pretty broad one, but let me start the dialogue by saying that everything that the Church teaches about Mary is only in direct relationship to Jesus. As Catholics we start with the question Christ asked Peter: Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16).As we answer that question we begin to see that Jesus Christ is a Divine Person with two distinct natures (one Human another Divine).We believe the Eternal Word became incarnate in Mary’s womb from the moment of conception. Mary provided Christ’s humanity; the embryo in her womb was the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. For this reason, in order to protect Jesus’ Divinity at every step of the Incarnation, the Church ascribes Mary the title, “Mother of God” (Literally Theotokos meaning, “God bearer”). As we continue to explore the nature of the Incarnation, we understand that God intended to include man in His plan for Salvation. So as we are “In Christ”, we participate, in some capacity, in Christ’s redemption work. As St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians: 3:9 “We are co-workers with Christ for the sake of the Gospel”. To that end, Mary’s role in our Salvation is unique.We, that is: you and I, says Billy Graham, brings Jesus to the world by preaching the Gospel in word and deed. Mary actually brought Jesus into the world, so in that sense, her free will, “Yes” to God, became a secondary cause of our Salvation.Nevertheless, this was all a work of Grace. We don’t worship Mary! Mary is an Icon of what we as Christians ought to be. She symbolizes total surrender to God. We also believe that, just as you and I can pray for each other on earth, those in God’s presence can also pray; and pray all the more effectively, because their position allows them to pray in God’s perfect will.Therefore,we ask Mary and the Saints to pray for us.
ARE WE TRULY CHRISTAINS?
Do we really appreciate the fact that we are Christains,that we know, through Christ’s revelation, that the God of heaven, the infinite Creator of the universe, has designed to call himself our Father, and gives us the right to call him Father? Through that same Christian revelation we also know that he is infinitely merciful and cares for each single one of us more than any human father can care for his child. That he not only put us into this world and provides for us here, but that when our days here come to an end, he has prepared an everlasting abode for us, in his kingdom of peace and happiness.
Think for a moment what our world, or the people in it, were like before Christ came on earth. Ninety-seven percent of those then on earth. Adored false gods and offered sacrifices to idols made of wood or stone. Idolatry often made life on earth unbearable and gave no hope whatsoever of any-life. The remaining three percent was made up of the Chosen People who had a very limited knowledge of the true God. He had shown mercy and kindness towards them, but they feared him rather than loved him. With rare and notable exceptions, they served him out of self-interest, to get from him temporal gifts, rather than out of real gratitude and love. Their relationship to him was more like that of slaves towards their masters than that of children towards a kind and loving Father. Their life was earth entered and their ambitions were worldly. He had revealed little or nothing to them about a life after death. The prophets spoke of a great, happy and prosperous age which was to come, when God would send his Messiah, but the most they could hope for in the way of a future life or immortality, was to live on in their descendants, so that, to be childless was one of their greatest disasters.
Ours is a world which is in an all-out search for new idols. It is world which has left the path marked out by Christ, and forgotten or tried to forget, that man’s life does not end with death. To be a Christian and to have the light of faith to guide our steps in this neo-pagan darkness is surely a gift, and a blessing from God, for which we can never thank him enough. Than you, God, for this gift. Please give us the grace and the courage to live up to it and to die in the certainty that we shall hear, as we shut our eyes on the light of this light, the consoling words “come you blessed of my father, posses the kingdom prepared for you.
Think for a moment what our world, or the people in it, were like before Christ came on earth. Ninety-seven percent of those then on earth. Adored false gods and offered sacrifices to idols made of wood or stone. Idolatry often made life on earth unbearable and gave no hope whatsoever of any-life. The remaining three percent was made up of the Chosen People who had a very limited knowledge of the true God. He had shown mercy and kindness towards them, but they feared him rather than loved him. With rare and notable exceptions, they served him out of self-interest, to get from him temporal gifts, rather than out of real gratitude and love. Their relationship to him was more like that of slaves towards their masters than that of children towards a kind and loving Father. Their life was earth entered and their ambitions were worldly. He had revealed little or nothing to them about a life after death. The prophets spoke of a great, happy and prosperous age which was to come, when God would send his Messiah, but the most they could hope for in the way of a future life or immortality, was to live on in their descendants, so that, to be childless was one of their greatest disasters.
Ours is a world which is in an all-out search for new idols. It is world which has left the path marked out by Christ, and forgotten or tried to forget, that man’s life does not end with death. To be a Christian and to have the light of faith to guide our steps in this neo-pagan darkness is surely a gift, and a blessing from God, for which we can never thank him enough. Than you, God, for this gift. Please give us the grace and the courage to live up to it and to die in the certainty that we shall hear, as we shut our eyes on the light of this light, the consoling words “come you blessed of my father, posses the kingdom prepared for you.
THE LIVING BREAD AND BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY.
In the prophet Elijah of today, we come to understand the function of food for the human person and the aspect of nourishment that it brings to him in furtherance of the human goal which he wishes to attain, and the zeal for its mobilization.
Food is a necessary requirement of all men and women, who want or wishes to sustain the biological and bodily needs of human sustenance and growth. The outlook of workers, from day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year is simply to have food for the table and possibly for other menial purposes.
While Elijah was exhausted from the many persecutions of the prophets of Baal, he gladly delighted that God could take his life from him, as he went into the wilderness and slept.However, God miraculously brought him such kind of food and water that he ate and drank through the ministration of his angels .A second time he repeated his action, as Elijah ate and drank from this food that lay before him from God. This food became in him a kind of living food which was able to strengthen and vigour of a man who was exhausted in life.
In John 6:41-51, we see the complaint of the Jewish people against Jesus of blasphemy that he was the “bread that came down from heaven”. Indeed the truth is always cruel and bitter, but there is no other way to say the truth other than saying it. In the imagery of the one who came down from heaven, they construed him to mean the manna that Yahweh gave them in the wilderness. But in essence, Jesus was truly the one who humbles himself even to accepting the human nature which likened to that of a slave of Phil 2:4-9.
Going further, Jesus says categorically “Your father ate the manna in the desert and they are dead; but this is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die. The bread Jesus speaks of today is the sacrament and sacrifice of his body and blood confected by the words of consecration. This body and blood of Christ is the spiritual bread that brings nourishment for the soul and the physical body. We cannot say we have the life of Christ if we are not united in the body and blood of Christ. The bread of life is one of the central focuses of the Christian community of Acts 2:46-47.In the same way, we come together always to break this bread, the symbol of our communion.
Just as the food was the energizer for Elijah, the same is the Eucharist for the Christian as it provides the spiritual strength for the Christian vocation and mission. To be in communion with the living bread is the pledge of a future glory and it makes us conscientious of the dangers associated with being away from Jesus Christ who is antidote against death that we should receive sacramentally.Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
At the Emmaus experience (cf Lk 23:7-ff), when Jesus had opened their eyes by the breaking of bread, they were astonished, but immediately they left to proclaim Jesus to others and what they have known of him. In this living bread for the journey. This is why the psalmist of today tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good”. We cannot experience this Jesus unless we have a one to one encounter with him.
Food is a necessary requirement of all men and women, who want or wishes to sustain the biological and bodily needs of human sustenance and growth. The outlook of workers, from day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year is simply to have food for the table and possibly for other menial purposes.
While Elijah was exhausted from the many persecutions of the prophets of Baal, he gladly delighted that God could take his life from him, as he went into the wilderness and slept.However, God miraculously brought him such kind of food and water that he ate and drank through the ministration of his angels .A second time he repeated his action, as Elijah ate and drank from this food that lay before him from God. This food became in him a kind of living food which was able to strengthen and vigour of a man who was exhausted in life.
In John 6:41-51, we see the complaint of the Jewish people against Jesus of blasphemy that he was the “bread that came down from heaven”. Indeed the truth is always cruel and bitter, but there is no other way to say the truth other than saying it. In the imagery of the one who came down from heaven, they construed him to mean the manna that Yahweh gave them in the wilderness. But in essence, Jesus was truly the one who humbles himself even to accepting the human nature which likened to that of a slave of Phil 2:4-9.
Going further, Jesus says categorically “Your father ate the manna in the desert and they are dead; but this is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die. The bread Jesus speaks of today is the sacrament and sacrifice of his body and blood confected by the words of consecration. This body and blood of Christ is the spiritual bread that brings nourishment for the soul and the physical body. We cannot say we have the life of Christ if we are not united in the body and blood of Christ. The bread of life is one of the central focuses of the Christian community of Acts 2:46-47.In the same way, we come together always to break this bread, the symbol of our communion.
Just as the food was the energizer for Elijah, the same is the Eucharist for the Christian as it provides the spiritual strength for the Christian vocation and mission. To be in communion with the living bread is the pledge of a future glory and it makes us conscientious of the dangers associated with being away from Jesus Christ who is antidote against death that we should receive sacramentally.Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
At the Emmaus experience (cf Lk 23:7-ff), when Jesus had opened their eyes by the breaking of bread, they were astonished, but immediately they left to proclaim Jesus to others and what they have known of him. In this living bread for the journey. This is why the psalmist of today tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good”. We cannot experience this Jesus unless we have a one to one encounter with him.
POPE URGES BISHOPS TO HELP PRIESTS.
Being available for his people should not bring a bishop to diminish his availability for the Lord, says Benedict XVI.
The pope affirmed last month when he was visited at Castel Gandolfo by bishops who have been ordained over the last year. In his address to them, the Holy Father pointed to the Year for Priests and emphasized the need for prelates to support their priests.
“The imitation of Jesus the Good Shepherd is, for every priest, the obligatory path for their own sanctification and the essential condition for exercising the pastoral ministry responsibly. If this is true for priests, it is even more so for us, dear brother bishops,” the Holy Father said.” What is more, it is important not to forget that one of the essential tasks of the bishop is precisely to help priests, by example and with fraternal support, to follow their vocation faithfully, and to work with enthusiasm and love in the Lord’s vineyard.”
The Pontiff said that a particular mission for bishops is nourishing the spiritual life of priests, “to foster in them harmony between prayer and the apostolate, looking at the example of Jesus and of the Apostes, whom he called first of all to be with him.”
Benedict XVI acknowledged that priests, and even more so, bishops, face a “lot of work that tends to absorb them continually and totally.”
“Nevertheless,” he affirmed, “attention to the problems of every day and the initiatives directed to leading men on the way of God, must never distract us from our profound and personal union with Christ. To be available to people should not diminish or obfuscate our availability to the Lord. The time that the priest and bishop dedicate to God in prayer is always the best employed, because prayer is the soul of pastoral activity.”
In this regard, the Pope encouraged a profound Eucharistic life, as well as devotion in the Liturgy of the Hours,lectio divina, and the rosary.
He concluded with a reference to St.John Vianney, patron of the year for Priests, who “with the Word and the sacraments edified his people” and was thus able to plant the “love of God” in Ars.
The pope affirmed last month when he was visited at Castel Gandolfo by bishops who have been ordained over the last year. In his address to them, the Holy Father pointed to the Year for Priests and emphasized the need for prelates to support their priests.
“The imitation of Jesus the Good Shepherd is, for every priest, the obligatory path for their own sanctification and the essential condition for exercising the pastoral ministry responsibly. If this is true for priests, it is even more so for us, dear brother bishops,” the Holy Father said.” What is more, it is important not to forget that one of the essential tasks of the bishop is precisely to help priests, by example and with fraternal support, to follow their vocation faithfully, and to work with enthusiasm and love in the Lord’s vineyard.”
The Pontiff said that a particular mission for bishops is nourishing the spiritual life of priests, “to foster in them harmony between prayer and the apostolate, looking at the example of Jesus and of the Apostes, whom he called first of all to be with him.”
Benedict XVI acknowledged that priests, and even more so, bishops, face a “lot of work that tends to absorb them continually and totally.”
“Nevertheless,” he affirmed, “attention to the problems of every day and the initiatives directed to leading men on the way of God, must never distract us from our profound and personal union with Christ. To be available to people should not diminish or obfuscate our availability to the Lord. The time that the priest and bishop dedicate to God in prayer is always the best employed, because prayer is the soul of pastoral activity.”
In this regard, the Pope encouraged a profound Eucharistic life, as well as devotion in the Liturgy of the Hours,lectio divina, and the rosary.
He concluded with a reference to St.John Vianney, patron of the year for Priests, who “with the Word and the sacraments edified his people” and was thus able to plant the “love of God” in Ars.
WHAT KIND OF SHEPHERD?
The place of shepherds from old testament times has been an irreplaceable position because of the primordial duties attached to them in the general welfare and guidance they render to their sheeps or flock. The Good shepherd in the Gospel of John {10} presents Jesus as the ideal shepherd who takes care of his sheep, protects his sheep, loves and nourishes them such that they are kept in the bosom of safety and well being. However in that same presentation we see the vivid description of the shepherd who is not genuine but largely interested in the exploitation of the sheep. If I may ask, what kind of shepherd do we have in our world today and what kind of shepherds are we turning out from the tent of our Christianity and places of responsibility.
In the prophet Jeremiah 23:1-6 he outrightly denounces the shepherds. The reasons behind the prophecy of doom against the shepherd are for the following reasons. They have allowed the sheep entrusted into their care to be scattered and kept wandering away. These shepherds were merely interested in the material and monetary gains that accrued from the sheeps.They lacked the care and concern for the sustenance and welfare of those entrusted into their care. It is in this depravity and lacks from among the shepherds that Yahweh God promised that he will raise up shepherds.
Jeremiah in his prophesy says “I will raise shepherds to look after them and pasture them; no fear, no terror for them any more; not one shall be lost it is the Lord who speaks”.
Jesus is presented to us as the shepherd we must look up to in our day to day lives. One of the things he does is the unification and mending of the wounds of division among the lost sheeps.He brings them together under the umbrella of one shepherd and one fold. The letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 2:13-18 states “in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart”. The Psalmist in {23} states that the Lord who is the shepherd guides along the right path, provides fresh and green and leads by the restful waters.
In the Gospel according to Mark {6:30-34}, Jesus observes a pastoral evaluation with the disciples after their return from evangelization of the people. He instructs them on the basic need for rest, contemplation, meditation and reflection. This is to put the shepherd in touch with the master of the vineyard. However we still observe that the Jesus, who insisted on the disciples resting, is put to concern after seeing the pitiable situation of the sheeps before him. He goes after caring for them and bringing them help. Thus we could say, that the shepherd must learn to be untiring for the welfare of the sheep, no matter the circumstances around.
In these various instances, shepherds of today should learn to be more interested in their sheep and become instrument of the unification of their flock and wards. The shepherds who lack interest for the promotion and enhancement of their ward and flock explains the bane of the Nigerian situation and even the world in general. Let our profession of being shepherds be anchored in true objective of fulfilling our duties and doing this with all forms of dedication and sincerity without negative motives.
In the prophet Jeremiah 23:1-6 he outrightly denounces the shepherds. The reasons behind the prophecy of doom against the shepherd are for the following reasons. They have allowed the sheep entrusted into their care to be scattered and kept wandering away. These shepherds were merely interested in the material and monetary gains that accrued from the sheeps.They lacked the care and concern for the sustenance and welfare of those entrusted into their care. It is in this depravity and lacks from among the shepherds that Yahweh God promised that he will raise up shepherds.
Jeremiah in his prophesy says “I will raise shepherds to look after them and pasture them; no fear, no terror for them any more; not one shall be lost it is the Lord who speaks”.
Jesus is presented to us as the shepherd we must look up to in our day to day lives. One of the things he does is the unification and mending of the wounds of division among the lost sheeps.He brings them together under the umbrella of one shepherd and one fold. The letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 2:13-18 states “in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart”. The Psalmist in {23} states that the Lord who is the shepherd guides along the right path, provides fresh and green and leads by the restful waters.
In the Gospel according to Mark {6:30-34}, Jesus observes a pastoral evaluation with the disciples after their return from evangelization of the people. He instructs them on the basic need for rest, contemplation, meditation and reflection. This is to put the shepherd in touch with the master of the vineyard. However we still observe that the Jesus, who insisted on the disciples resting, is put to concern after seeing the pitiable situation of the sheeps before him. He goes after caring for them and bringing them help. Thus we could say, that the shepherd must learn to be untiring for the welfare of the sheep, no matter the circumstances around.
In these various instances, shepherds of today should learn to be more interested in their sheep and become instrument of the unification of their flock and wards. The shepherds who lack interest for the promotion and enhancement of their ward and flock explains the bane of the Nigerian situation and even the world in general. Let our profession of being shepherds be anchored in true objective of fulfilling our duties and doing this with all forms of dedication and sincerity without negative motives.
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