Reflection for 4th December 2023

 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE KING OF PEACE

In our contemporary world, we see there are so many events which occur. These events which we experience; they bring tension to the world. The world is not in Peace because of war and injustice; One nation rises against the other nation. There is no fear of the Lord; Now the Prophetic massage from the book of Isaiah, Son of Amoz, invites each and every one to come and climb the Lord’s Mountain; Isaiah predicts the coming of Messiah who will bring Peace into the world. He is the one who will judge between the nations. In fact, no war again as long as Christ is in us. What is needed for us is to walk in his light with faith so that we can be saved by Him.

FAITH BRING SALVATION

However, in the Gospel the evangelist Mathew, gives us an example of the centurion whose servants is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully. But the centurion who is the chief commander had the total trust in Christ. It is because of his prudent. Thus, he was able to express his trust to Jesus and realizing that he is nothing before the LORD; Despite of his high position. Our father founder Saint Anthony Mary Claret in his Auto.383, He prayed for the zeal which is discreet and prudent in order that he may do everything in faith. What we learn here is that total faith toward Christ brings salvation. Therefore, during this time of advent let us pray for the virtue prudent and faith so that Christ may be born in our hearts. We should always learn from the centurion who was prudent enough and able to say LORD only say the word and My servant shall be healed.

Lucas Vedastus

II Year Theology

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Reflections for First Sunday of Advent

 1 Reading: Is 63:16b-17, 64:2-7

2 Reading: 1 Cor 1:3-9

Gospel: Mk 13:33-37

Today, we begin a great season of Advent and also a new Liturgical Year Cycle. The word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means coming. There are four Sundays in the season of Advent and each of them are focused on a particular theme, i.e.: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Our 1^st Sunday of Advent focusses much on the theme of ‘Hope’. Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming and this season is intended to be a time of preparation for his arrival. Jesus came and he is coming again. This season helps us to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus Christ through prayer and good deeds. In this time of Advent, all of us are called to be vigilant and prepared in our lives, to be truly worthy and ready to celebrate the true joy of Christmas.

Our today’s readings, focus much on the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since we do not know the hour when he will come, we are invited to be watchful and ready. Advent is a time of intent waiting, a time of prayer. Prophet Isaiah in our First reading remorsefully reminds the people of Israel and Judah, showing regret and awareness of their sinfulness which had caused them to be distanced from God. Despite this, because of the mercifulness of the Father, God did not give up on them but continued to love them. 

St Paul in the 2nd reading reminds and encourages the Corinthians to hold fast on to their faith in the Lord. Paul encourages them to continue living their lives worthily of the Lord because of everything they had received; the assurance, strength and the providence in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ in the Gospel elaborates clearly on the nature of the Advent preparation and commemoration. Jesus compares it with an unexpected scene which nobody knows when it will occur. Therefore, we should not be ignorant of the signs of time, as the coming of the time of reckoning and judgement will come at a time least expected by everyone, and no one knows exactly except the Lord himself, when this moment will come. Vigilance is the only remedy to this. This vigilance and preparation involve being righteous, virtuous and prayerful. We are all expecting this great moment when the Lord will come again and therefore preparation is really needed.

The message of Advent is an invitation, calling us to be looking forward, to be ready, to be prepared and we are also called upon to wait in joyful hope. Patience or waiting is something that majority of us find it hard to uphold. As we are in this season, if we do not develop this virtue, we may end up missing the point. Above all, as we are easily taken up with the Christmas Festivities, let us keep this in our mind that we should try to bring the Hope of Jesus Christ to others.

MAINA W ELIAS

III Year Theology

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7 MINUTES HOMILY FOR 32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

First READING: WIS 6:12-16

Second Reading: 1Thes 4:13-18

Gospel: Mt 25:1-13)

 “‘Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour’ (Mt 25:13)”

     Once upon a time, there was a football team which was expecting to have a friendly match with one of the weakest teams which was around the village that those people were living in. But by knowing that the opponent team was weak they kept relaxed and undermined it. They did not even have a kind of practice. However, for their surprise, the opponent team was stronger than them, that they could not even win the match. Therefore, lack of training and preparation made them to lose the match!   

 

     The story above gives us an insight into what today’s readings are all about. The three readings of today have the common denominator, that is the “Preparation, readiness, and awareness”. As in the Second Reading in particular, St. Paul advices the Thessalonian Christian Community not to be asleep neither unaware. And strengthen their faith that, if Jesus Christ died for them and rose again so they too God will rise them in the life day, (1Thes 4:13). In one way or another, my dear brothers and sisters, St. Paul is speaking to us as well. We too need to change our ways. Our bad behaviors which leads us astray from the way of the Lord.

     Likewise, in today’s Holy Gospel, we hear the same message. For example, the Parable given in the same Gospel brings an eschatological and apocalyptic message, because it enlightens us on the judgment of God with humanity, through the Parable that Jesus tells his disciples. Furthermore, it looks at what is to come when the King of kings returns. Hence, to gain that just judgment of the Lord, we need to collaborate with the grace of God in our daily life. The “Parable of Ten Virgins” who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom (Mt 25:1), brings us to awareness, that everything in life requires or entails a good preparation. Beloved brothers and sisters, all of us we are call to be awake and to get prepared, because we don’t know the time neither the day (Mt 25:13), therefore, for that purpose we need a constant and daily preparation, a daily encounter with Jesus. 

     Our preparation needs wisdom from God and experience of Jesus Christ in our life. We, as Christians, we should learn from the image of these other five virgins presented in the Gospel, who came prepared to meet their bridegroom who brought enough oil. We need to retrospect our life, to in our inmost being, to see where we have wronged the Lord and our brothers and sisters. And any retrospection, however, leads us to a metanoia, that is to a complete change, living in moral virtues and evangelical virtues. We are called to be true disciples of Jesus, but for that, we need to leave behind everything that blocks our ways to encounter the Lord, and this, is called “preparation”. Each one therefore, as responsibility of asking him/herself: “How enough am I prepared? How is my relationship with God? Do I aware others who are far from God, or do I bring people closer to God?” It rest upon us the responsibility of being a true disciple of Christ.

Antonio Nungulu Lohoca

III Year Theology

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Reflection for Monday 6th November 2023: All Saints of Africa

 Readings: Sir 44:1.10-15

Ps 15:2-3a.3bc-4ab 

Luke 6:27-38

Dear friends, each and every person is always just in his own way. Perhaps while administering justice in our own way, we have found ourselves applying a tit for tat rule thereby returning evil for evil. We might have acted rough to conceal our weakness from others. We find ourselves convinced that our success relies on our strength and anything that threatens us in any way leads to insecurity. However, the readings we have heard this morning convey the contrary!

In the First Reading, Ben Sira wants Israel’s heroes kept alive in the memory of their descendants. He wants to eulogize people who are still remembered in his time. The idea of continuity and survival is essential in this perspective. Many have perished as if they had never existed. Others have survived because of their reputation. The people spoken about to be remembered are probably those who exhibited simplicity in their way of life and managed to touch people's lives. This challenges me to examine my life and think of the contributions I make to the people I encounter in my everyday endeavors and those whom I live with. How do I interact with them? Is there anything that I am doing to touch their lives, and could there be anything that I can be remembered for doing?

Moreover, the Gospel portrays the manner in which we can create this memory on others. It notes that it is simply by doing good to those who do bad to us and not to reciprocate evil for evil. The mean tends to reach climax through the golden rule “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).

Similarly, CMF Constitutions seems to have understood this and notes on issues that could cause controversies in relations among brothers. It notes that, “Our speech should always be humble and charitable. Avoiding whatever might wound friendship, we should refrain from sowing discord, from quarrelling among ourselves or grumbling about anything”. And adds that, “Even when we cannot excuse others' actions, we should excuse their intentions, and to be generous toward anyone against whom we may have some cause for grievance” (c. 16).

Today we celebrate the feast of All the Saints of Africa, who down through the ages, have followed the Lord with courage, love and dedication. Many of these saints are unknown to us, while others are remembered in various countries on account of their exemplary life of discipleship. Their example and teaching remind us of our call to holiness, while their intercession makes it possible for us to achieve it, thanks to God’s grace. The feast we celebrate today is a foretaste of the joy we shall experience one day in heaven. The Psalmist gives us a clue of such kind of people by responding to the characteristics entailed by those who may abide in the Lord’s tent.

Thomas Owino Ooko

IV Year Theology

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7 Minutes Homily for 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 First Reading: Mal 1:14b-2:2b,8-10

Second Reading: 1Thes 2:7b-9,13

Gospel:  Mathew 23:1-12

 

Do and Observe Everything they do, but do Not Follow their Examples.

 One day, my superior advised me saying, “If you want to win peoples trust and lead them without struggle you need to be an example in everything you do. By doing so, you will realize that whatever indications you will be giving or the words you will utter to them will be acceptable. Failing in this will lead to failures and this will indicate that you have as well failed in leading others.” He ended up saying that people do not like empty words but rather rely on actions. Thus, a leader teaches through example. I was obliged to apply this method and as at the moment I can admit that it worked out. Today’s readings agree with this thought.

 Dear friends in Christ, the first reading and the Gospel are so closely related. Both warn about the behavior of leaders. Prophet Malachi bases on the priest of the time from Levi tradition. According to their position, they were expected to have certain qualities which could enhance them to fit and benefit from the activities which were entrusted to them. Priests of the Old Testament were highly respected and whatever they uttered was highly regarded by the faithful. The much trust accorded to them is the reason behind the message from the prophet Malachi who today advises them saying that they will receive many blessings from God if they listen to Him and follow what He tells them. The Prophet is clear that if they go astray, they will be cursed. A similar message is conveyed in the Gospel to the scribes and pharisees who like sitting in front seats of the temple and being honored in market places.

 These readings serve to teach us qualities of a good leader; that a good leader is one who is present before others by his good example. Consequently, failure to do so makes such a leader a bad leader. This is as well manifested in the characters mentioned in the Gospel. The scribes and pharisees do not give good example to others, prompting Jesus to tell his followers not to follow their example. Our Father Founder Saint Anthony Mary Claret seemed to understand the importance of good leadership. He mentions in his Autobiography that what the leaders need most is to practice virtues. For him, one of the virtues which is very important above all is humility (Autobiography No. 341).

 Problems arise when leaders fail in their duties. The problems in leadership may arise through words comprising elements of foul language that leaders may tend to utter. Actions here goes with how leaders appear to the people physically and become the source of inspiration to the others. Laziness also becomes a problem, since failure to do what is expected from you as a leader through example, hinders the trust of people who are subordinate to you. For instance, failure to attend Mass on Sundays and days of obligation, and failing to admonish the evil doers and challenge their evil actions are indications of failing in leadership roles.

 Therefore, we need to put into consideration all these things once entrusted with leadership roles lest the words of Mathew 18:6 “if anyone put the stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if great millstone were fastened around your neck, and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” catch up with us. We are then invited to follow the good example which Saint Paul showed us when leading people. He did not become a burden to any person. He rather made sure that the gospel message was passed to all people so that their ministry remained blameless.

Gastor B Kimario

IV Year Theology

 

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7 Minutes Homily for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 22:20-26

1Thessalonians 1:5-10

Mathew 22:34-40

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome to this reflection on the readings of the 30^th Sunday of ordinary time.  We may be aware that from the beginning of human history, salvation was preserved for only God’s chosen people of Israel. However, when Jesus came, the salvation was extended from the Jews to the Gentiles, thus the whole humanity.  This plan of salvation was not by chance, but it was well planned by God. This plan is none other than the love of God to humanity. This can be considered the central point of the readings of today as we celebrate the 30^th Sunday of ordinary time in Year A.

It is good that this message of God has come to remind us of what we are supposed to do. This message is very important especially at this time when we are experiencing wars, inequality, discrimination, individualism, oppression, human trafficking, not paying salaries to workers and even abortion, among other vices. All these are against God’s plan towards humanity. It generally affects man-God relationship, and man-man relationship. If we try to live what is stipulated in the first reading (Ex 22: 20-26) peace and love will prevail. That’s why Jesus perfects the law with his two commandments (Matt 22:36-39).

The emphasis of loving God and our neighbor is in a way put in the second reading (1 Thes 1:5C-10). Here Paul is praising the Thessalonians for having faith in Christ. Having faith in Christ leads us to the love of God and our neighbor. This is because it is out of God’s love to humanity that Christ was offered freely for us as a gift. He was ready to die for all humanity. The love showed to us should make us to go away from idol worship and remain faithful to our only God as we live the first commandment of God (cf. Ex 20:3-6). Love of neighbor should not end at emotional level but self-sacrifice for another.  You give yourself freely for the good of others. We need to keep in mind that the neighbor is not only our friends but also our enemies as well as the marginalized. We are called to help everyone we meet.

Having faith in God and loving him leads us to extend the same love to others. This directs us to the Gospel of today, Matthew 22:34-40. I believe that it is not the first time to hear this part of the Gospel but still we find difficulty to live as brothers and sisters. We forget that all of us have the same origin and destination. It becomes more interesting that all of us are created with same image of God (cf. Gen 1:26). It is an invitation for us to check where we do go wrong concerning one another.

By internalizing the readings of today, we need not think of ourselves and forgetting others.  We are children of God.  No one is better than the other in front of our loving, merciful and kind Father in heaven. Thus, no Jews, no Gentiles but all people are called to live in brotherhood and sisterhood as we share the heavenly kingdom. It is by living the commandments of God and other regulations established by the Church that we find ourselves fulfilling the love of God and our neighbour. Now we need to open our hearts and minds in order for the words of God’s Son to transform our way of life. To make it easy, do not do to your neighbor what you yourself hate. This is the summary of the whole law (cf. Mt 7:12). Jesus’ summary of the law consists of two commandments that encourage love of God (Deut 6:5) and love of neighbor (cf. Lev 19:18). These two commandments are the threads on which the entire law hangs. Let us help each other as we bring everyone closer to Christ. 

Zephrine Superius

IV Year Theology

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7 Minute Homily for 29th Sunday In Ordinary Time

1^st Reading: Is 45:1,4-6

2^nd Reading:1Thes 1:1-5b

Gospel Reading: Mt 22:15-21

 

It is quite common that the enemies can easily team up to fight their common enemy. Especially if their common enemy seems to be too strong to be fought by one. If they managed to combine power and win the enemy does not change the fact that they are still enemies before the one, they consider a common enemy. The Gospel of today is clearly showing us the image where the pharisees and the Herodians who hates each other team up and plot to trap Jesus. The first reading of today, is giving us things, that God does of which many of them they are invisible, and people are sometimes unaware of them. With the example of King Cyrius, God is always influencing earthly rulers even if they are unaware of him. Paul is also talking of the fulness of the gospel in faith and deeds. Paul expresses genuine faith which is not passive but active.

The gospel of today is relevant for the family conflicts we encounter and experience every day if not always. Although people are close to each other, they can quarrel, argue, disagree and always try to trap each other especially for justification. The solution of a problem is not fighting or shouting rather it is humility in reasoning. Jesus is not quarrelling he is just putting the truth in the hands of his contenders then it remains in them to hold it or drop it. Jesus never picked a side because he understands the consequences of it. Jesus loved peace and his response is a peaceful response. Grod granted light which can make thing clear that is the truth (Genesis 1:3). The light and the truth of God can make peace in the affairs of men.

There are sometimes that we need to be humble in certain situations because there are many people who have fallen into traps of other people because they cannot give themselves time to think especially the time of temptations. We have political instabilities in the world whereby we find many political prisoners suffering because of speeches they made or responses they made during various presses. Jesus clearly understood the political, social and religious situation of his time so that whatever he does fits in the situation at hand.

Today we are invited to consider three things. The first is to know what is always expected from us to God. This should be done with faith and understanding reason why God himself created us. If we know our duty, we can be able to face some situations which may be tough but if we treat those situations with humility and faith in God, we can win. Secondly, we need always to ask the strength of the Holy Spirit in whatever we do. Faith and the power of Holy Spirit can make us victors in front of our enemies. Let us not be like the Pharisees and Herodians who plan to put down innocent souls because of our selfish character. Our character, our deeds should manifest the true faith that we received from God and the same faith we should return to God.

Let us know that God can choose us from anywhere like Cyrius to be the instruments to help others, to help ourselves and to be the preachers of the Gospel with zeal. Let us ask the maternal help of Mother Mary in this month of October so that we may be able to the instruments of truth like Jesus as he is the truth himself (John 14:6). Be humble and become a victor.

 

Austin Sayira

IV Year Theology

 

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