ÛW’O
Issue No. 83: June, 2010.
The Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ of
communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
THAT ALL MAY BE ONE
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CATHOLIC
BISHOPS GIVE A ‘NO’ VERDICT TO THE PROPOSED
KENYAN
CONSTITUTION
A DAY AT THE HILL OF DIVINE MERCY!
YEAR OF THE PRIESTS CELEBRATED AT
DEANERY LEVEL
THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 24TH
JUNE 2010 . (FEAST OF THE MONTH.)
SUNDAY COMMENTARIES
APPOINTMENTS
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CATHOLIC BISHOPS GIVE A ‘NO’ VERDICT TO
THE PROPOSED
KENYAN
CONSTITUTION
CHOOSE LIFE AND YOU WILL
LIVE (Deut: 30:19)
After the proposals on the
contagious clauses were rejected by the government, The Catholic Bishop’s of Kenya came up
with the following statement:-
Our
dear people of God and fellow Kenyans “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32)
We
the Catholic Bishops of Kenya greet you in the name of the risen Lord.
You
will recall that we wrote to you on 15th April 2010 in our pastoral
letter STAND UP FOR LIFE’ in which we were also addressing the government to
take our views and those of other Kenyans into consideration. We have also
sought other avenues to engage the government without success, specifically
trying to address the two major issues raised in our letter. On the 6th
May 2010, the proposed Constitution of Kenya was published by the
Attorney-General without change.
We
wish to express our disappointment and that of many Kenyans that our voice has
not been listened to so far. Even at this late stage, we still believe that the
said clauses can be removed from the Proposed Constitution of Kenya.
In
our letter ‘STAND UP FOR LIFE’ we referred to the difficulty we had with
article 26 paragraph 4 and our concern about articles 169,170.
With
regard to article 26 paragraph 4, we insist that the right to life is paramount
and we find the clause to be contrary to natural law, human dignity and
Christian teaching as specified in the teaching of the Catholic Church.
We
the Catholic Bishops of Kenya have sought advice on legal and medical issues
regarding the right to life, and are convinced on the basis of the advice that
we continue to receive, that the constitution will result in the liberalization
of abortion laws Similar wordings have been used in other countries to legalise
abortion, similar faulty arguments as those being used by the proponents of
abortion in this country. A good constitution should safeguard very basic
rights before conferring other rights. The Proposed Constitution of Kenya is,
as it were, cancelled by what it says about the most fundamental right, the
right to life. A constitution that does not safeguard the sanctity of human
life is not a good constitution.
Together
with this there are other issues which are found in the Proposed Constitution
about which we have the gravest reservations, namely, the ‘kadhis’ courts with
their inherent inequality of citizens (art. 169 and art. 170), family life (art
53), acceptance of international law as the law of our country (art. 2),
reproductive health care (art. 43, 1a), and the definition of religious freedom
(art. 32).
Why
is the term reproductive health care in this constitution when it is understood
in international definition to mean abortion?
Regarding
future amendments, we do not believe that a document that is fundamentally
flawed should be passed only with a very vague hope that it will be amended
later, especially when the process of amendment is more difficult after than
before. To vote for the Constitution is to vote for all of it, including its
good and its bad provisions. It is impossible to separate them. All people of
good will who vote for the Proposed Constitution of Kenya because of some
provisions that they like are also responsible of voting for all the morally
problematic provisions in the Proposed Constitution of Kenya, including the
liberalisation of abortion. We cannot in good conscience advice Kenyans to vote
for the Proposed Constitution of Kenya with the hope of future amendments. We
also cannot in good conscience leave the matter to Kenyans without giving our
considered advice in moral matters so that they can form their consciences in
accord with the will of God expressed to us through the moral laws that form
part of our cherished Christian tradition. We state this without any fear of
contradiction. The Constitution is not a bag of potatoes for which you can
remove five bad potatoes and retain the 95 that seem to be good. It is like an
egg, which is delicate and has to be well preserved. And if it begins to go
bad, it goes bad wholly and you cannot separate the good from the bad.
Thus,
as we have already stated, we are compelled to advise the people of Kenya
to vote No! To emphasize
our total objection to article 26 paragraph 4: a)We will be promoting the teaching
of our Church through the usual means of communication.
b)As
we promised, we will be proclaiming a national day of prayer.
These
are the issues on which we judge the Proposed Constitution of Kenya. We urge our
leaders to respect this decision and position that the entire Church has taken.
We must voice our opinion, whichever it may be, with utmost respect for persons
and institutions (articles 22 and 28). We are not in a political competition
but rather putting clearly the position that arises from our role as religious
and moral stewards of our society. We the Catholic Church have been involved in
responding to the problems and concerns of women and shall continue working for
the respect of their dignity. We wish to prevent many women of this country
from experiencing medical treatment by people who are not qualified. We want to
prevent them from experiencing the internal pain of the loss of love.
The
Church runs many health institutions in collaboration with the government. We
know that the rights of many women in this country have not been respected. The
Church has always been and shall always be on their side. Those trying to front
abortion are the ones who do not care about the plight of women. Why would anyone
wish to cause so much pain to women? Would the Church want anything bad for
this country? Would the Church promote evil for this country?
Our
dear Christians and dear people of good will, we find ourselves at a
crossroads. We all understand the craving we all have for a new constitutional
dispensation. However, we have a moral duty to pass on to our future
generations a constitution that truly safeguards truth and human dignity.
We
therefore urge you to make a major campaign of prayer for the defense of life
and a constitution that safeguards this reality. We urge all to pray the rosary
and other prayers in our Eucharistic celebrations and our small Christian
communities so that God may listen to our cry and plea.
We therefore repeat our advice to the
people of Kenya to reject
this Proposed Constitution of Kenya.
We commend all of you to the
protection of our Blessed Mother Mary; may she who treasured the mysteries of
God in her womb intercede for our beloved country Kenya.
By:- The Kenya
Episcopal Conference.
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AFRICAN SYNOD IN KIKAMBA CONTINUED FROM ISSUE NO. 82. MAY 2010
KILUNGU KYA
KANA KANISA YA AFRIKA.
To be
continued next month Issue no. 84.
Tũlilikane
ĩũlũ wa momanyĩsyo ma kanisa ya Afrika mũno mũno
ĩũlũ wa vata wa nguthu nini sya aklisto motũinĩ
maitũ.
Nguthu nini sya aklisto
ikatũtetheesya mwĩkalĩlenĩ wa mboya na kwĩthĩwa
na ũmanyi mwĩanĩu wa mũĩkĩĩo wa
ũklisto, “nĩ kana twonany’e wĩkwatyo wa w’o ũla twĩ na
wo” (1 Vetelo 3:15)
Kwa ala me ivĩlanĩ sya
utongoi twĩmukulya mwĩthĩwe na kĩthio kya uklisto
nthĩnĩ wenyu kwa kwĩmanyĩsya muĩkĩĩo wa
Kanisa Katoleki kwa kusoma Mbivilia ntheu, katekĩsimu ka Kanisa katoleki,
momanyĩsyo ma Kanisa. Mavuku asu nĩ ma thooa mũvũthũ
na no nginya twongeleele ũmanyi wa mũĩkĩĩo katĩ waitũ.
Masukulu ma universities sya
Katoleki nĩ syĩthĩĩtwe syĩ mbongeleku kwa myaka 15
mĩthelu, na mbingĩ no syĩendee kũvingũwa. Sukulu ithi
nĩ sya vata kwa momanyĩsyo kwa aklisto maitũ nĩkana
methĩwe matonya kũkũsĩĩa mũĩkĩĩo
woo ĩvindanĩ yĩĩ. Ngwatanĩo ya Kanisa yonthe ta
mũsyĩ wa Ngai nĩ ya vata kwĩanĩsya ou.
23) Wũmbano ũũ wa
Maasikavu wĩna wĩtano wa vata kwenyu inywĩ aklisto ma Afrika ala
mũthũkũmaa andũ ala angĩ.
Twĩmũtũngĩa
mũvea inywĩ ala aingĩ menyu meyumasya kũthũkũma
andũ ma nthĩ mũteũkĩa mĩisyo na mathĩna ala maetawe nĩ maũndũ ma
siasa.
Wĩa wenyu ũetae maendeeo
na kũendeesya ũsumbĩ wa Ngai wa ũw’o, wendo na mũuo
kwĩanana na momanyĩsyo ma kanisa( G.S 75). Kwoondũ wa ũu
twĩ na wĩkwatyo wa kwĩthĩwa na andũ ma siasa ona
atongoi manthĩ maitw’ĩkĩthw’a atheu kũũ kwitũ
Afrika, Ngelekany’o nzeo nĩ Julius Nyerere wa Tanzania, ũla maũndũ
ma kũmũtw’ĩkĩthya mũtheu nĩ maendee na
kwĩkw’a. Nthĩ yaitũ ya Afrika nĩyĩkwenda atheu
methĩwe maumĩte ona ivĩlanĩ ila nene sya ũtongoi;
Twĩenda atongoi ma siasa ala
nĩ atheu nĩkana;
-Mamine ũlũsani.
-Kũthũkũma kwoondũ
wa ũseo na maendeeo ma andũ.
-Kũkwatany’a vamwe andũ ma
wendo mũseo ona ala mate ma kanisa yaitũ nĩ kana mamine
mothũku ala makwatĩte nthĩ sitũ.
Maasikavu maitũ
wũmbanonĩ ũũ nĩmakũlĩtye makanisa mongelange
ũthũkũmi woo wa kũea mathayũ ma andũ mũno
mũno kũla kwĩ athũkũmi ma selikalĩ,
kũseũvya kũndũ kwa kũvoyea na athembi
kũthũkũma Selikalĩnĩ ta Chaplains.
Twĩmũkũlya
inyw’ĩ aklisto onthe ala mwĩ maũndũnĩ ma siasa, mwose
maũndũ ma kĩthayũnĩ ala me kũndũnĩ
kwenyu kwa mawĩa ta maũndũ ma vata. Aklisto aingĩ
maitũ ma katoleki, methĩĩtwe mateũnengane
ũthũkũmi wa w’o movisinĩ moo.
Twĩkũlya andũ ma
mũthemba ũsu melile na kũalyũla mĩendele yoo, na
ethĩwa ti ou kũvutwa wĩa movisinĩ asu, vala mekũlikya
andũ thĩnanĩ na kũnenga kanisa Katoleki ĩsyĩtwa
ĩthũku.
24) Kwa mĩsyĩ ya
katoleki ya Afrika, twĩmũtũngĩa mũvea kwoondũ wa
kũkwata na kĩthito momanyĩsyo ma mwĩkalĩle wa
mũklisto mũsyĩnĩ. Kwa nzĩa ĩsu nĩmwonanĩtye
imanyĩo nzeo sya mũsyĩ wa
mũndũ wa Afrika.
Ĩsũvĩanei na
imanyĩo na momanyĩsyo mathũku kuma nthĩ sya mũingo ila
andũ amwe mekũetee andũ maitũ na kũmakenga kana
nĩ kĩthĩo kyeũ.
Endeeai na
kwĩtĩkĩla syana isyawe ta mũthĩnzĩo kuma kwa
Ngai, na mũimanyĩsya syana isu, kũmũmanya na
kũmũkĩa Ngai, na
kũtw’ĩka andũ ma
kũete wĩw’ano, ũw’o na mũuo ĩvindanĩ yĩla
yũkĩte.
Nĩtũkwĩtĩkĩla
kana mĩsyĩ mingĩ nĩlikĩtwe nĩ
kĩũũyũ kingĩ. Ũkya nũtumaa asyai
matasũvĩa syana syoo nesa ũndũ vaĩlĩte.
Twĩkũlya selikalĩ
na atongoi ma nthĩ masũvĩe mĩsyĩ ya andũ mayo
nũndũ mũsyĩ nĩ w’o mũsingi wa kũkwata
atongoi aseo ma nthĩ.
25) Kwa aklisto maitũ Aka
Akatoleki twĩmũlilikany’a kana ninyw’ĩ ituĩ sya Kanisa ya
Ngai. Ngwatanĩo yenyu ũthũkũminĩ wa kanisa nĩw’o
vinya wa kanisa.
To be continued next month
issue No. 84
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AFRICAN SYNOD CONTINUED FROM
ISSUE NO. 82 May 2010
JOINING OUR
SPIRITUAL FORCES
Dialogue and collaboration will thrive when there is
mutual respect. We Catholic Bishops have clear guidelines for dialogue, holding
firm to our faith but leaving others to freely choose. The Synod received good
news of Islamic communities which allow the Church freedom of worship.
They also gladly welcome and benefit from the social works
of the Church.
While we commend this, we insist that this is not enough.
Freedom of religion includes also freedom to share one’s faith, to propose, not
impose it, to accept and welcome converts. Those nations which by law forced
their citizens from embracing the Christian faith are depriving their own
citizens of their fundamental human right to freely decide on the creed to
embrace. Although this has been going on for a long time, it is time to revisit
the situation in the light of respect for fundamental human rights. This Synod
warns that such restriction and freedom subverts sincere dialogue and
frustrates genuine collaboration. Since Christians who decide to change their
religion are welcomed into the Muslim fold, there ought to be reciprocity in
this matter. Mutual respect is the way forward. In the emerging world, we need
to make room for every faith to contribute fully to the good of humanity.
CONCLUSION:
Dear brothers in the episcopate, dear sons and daughters
of the Church-Family of God in Africa, all you men and women of good will in
Africa and beyond, we share with you the strong conviction of this Synod; that Africa is not helpless. Our destiny is still in our
hands. All she is asking for is the space to breathe and thrive. Africa is already moving; and the Church is moving with
her, offering her the light of the Gospel. The waters may be turbulent,
but with our gaze on Christ the Lord (cf. Mt.14:28-32), we
shall make it safely to the port of reconciliation, justice and peace.
We entrust this message and all our fervent commitments to
the maternal intercession of the Most Holy Mary, Queen of Peace and Our Lady of
Africa.
Africa, rise up take up your pallet, and
walk! (Jn 5:8)
“In the meantime,
brothers, we wish you happiness. Try to grow perfect, help one another. Be
united; live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2Cr
13:11). Amen.
From: Message of the Bishops
of Africa to the People of God.
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A DAY AT THE HILL OF DIVINE MERCY!
11thApril,
2010 was the first Sunday after Easter, a Sunday which is regarded as the Feast
of Divine Mercy in the whole universal church, as it was declared so by the
late Pope John Paul II in the year 2000.
The Bishop introduced to the
congregation the main aim and the importance of that day in the history of
Christians and humankind at large. He said that on this day God pours His
unfathomable Mercy on His creatures as it was revealed to Sr. Faustina by
Jesus. The Bishop urged the Christians to trust in the Merciful Jesus and that
the world today needs God’s mercy. He took some few minutes explaining about
the Divine Mercy image, reading and quoting from the diary of Sr. Faustina
No’s.(Diary 49, 299) after which he blessed the image of the Merciful Jesus
then the procession began going towards the top of the hill with Christians
carrying the image of the Merciful Jesus which the Bishop had blessed, with the
congregation singing and dancing for the Lord. At different stages, the Bishop was
introducing and announcing different themes, needs and intentions to be prayed
for. It was indeed an inspiring moment
in our lives as we prayed the Holy Rosary and the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy.
Upon reaching the hill, He launched a Kikamba book entitled “ WIYUMYO KULA KWI TEI WA NGAI” (
Divine Mercy Devotion) which was
translated to make this devotion known and appreciated by ordinary faithful.
This
Little book translated by Fr. Januarius Kioko highlights basically the pillars of the devotion that is the
Novena, Divine Mercy Sunday, the image of the Merciful Jesus, the Chaplet, the
hour of mercy i.e. 3:00pm prayer and finally the life of Sr. Faustina.
At the top
of the Hill, the Bishop began the Mass in which the entire congregation
participated fully. During his homily, the Bishop compared the Catholic Church
to a “Seven -star Hotel” where there is all you need. He said that devotions
strengthen the faith of Christians and we ought to love them. He said the risen
Lord is so merciful that he gives us power like the apostles Peter and John to
carry out his healing ministry to those people who are suffering in our
families, villages, societies and in the entire world.
Later
after the Mass the Bishop talked About the Kenyan proposed Constitution, he
said that it is true that our country needs a new Constitution, but it should
also be known that the country respects God’s commandments and the dignity and
sanctity of human life. He said that the proposed constitution opens a door to
legalise abortion, a move which cannot be accepted by the Church. He continued
to say that the Church has a duty to protect life at all cost so he told the
Christians to pray that the government may accept the proposed amendments to
the constitution, failure to which we will have no alternative other than
voting against it. (NO) We can not allow
killing and taking away of innocent lives.
The
Bishop reminded the congregation about historical shameful facts of countries
that have allowed Abortion! In attendance and of great historical significance
were the Kamba Mau Mau veterans some of whom had fought for the liberation of Kenya
in 1952 along with other families buried at the hill. This was the first day
for them to join in prayer for the Mercy of those buried there. Their chairman
spoke on behalf of the rest thanking the Bishop for supporting them and for
encouraging them all through as they search for justice to be done to those
people who died fighting for the freedom of this country. He also thanked Fr. Battista and Stellacometa
– Italy
group for the good work they have done in building that shrine and he
appreciated their effort. This is truly
the Hill of Mercy!
We
extend our heartfelt gratitude to our bishop for uniting us in prayer and for
his inspiring words in the homily. May God bless him abundantly and all the
people who did us proud that day for their participation and their
availability.
Compiled
by:
Rev.
Fr. Vincent Nzioki
–
Assistant parish Priest Kyumbi Parish
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YEAR OF THE PRIESTS CELEBRATED AT DEANERY LEVEL.
On 23rd, April 2010, Kilungu Deanery CWA/CMA (Catholic married
men and women) held their first colorful sports championships at Kiongwani
Parish, culminating the celebration of the year of the priests.
The event was officially opened by the Rev. Fr. Anthony Makau, the dean
Kilungu deanery and Fr. Incharge Kiongwani Parish in presence of the CMA/CWA
chaplain Fr. Francis Isenge father incharge Nguluni and Fr. Nicholas Munyweia
Kasikeu Parish.
Due to the Diocesan motto “that all my be one” the Bishops’ presence was
felt fully through his re-presentation by the Men/Women coordinator Sr.
Bernadette, who bravely gave the Bishops message and presented the winning teams with balls given by the Bishop as
gifts.
The participants from the deanery took part in the following games; -
Netball women, football men, volleyball men and women. The players were really
thrilling and they proved to us that ‘age is just a number’ and in fact
everybody was really entertained.
Sister coordinator commented that the event was one of the most challenging
in the entire Diocese and that she hoped other deaneries would emulate it.
She congratulated the deanery officials for the successful events, which
were well organized. She also congratulated the dean for his good work and the
Spirit of teamwork in the deanery.
The participants took part with a lot of motivation and their spirit of
Evangelization was felt through coming together and working as one team for a
common goal. You could see spectators appraising their participants at all
corners of the field and many promised to take part come next year!
The game was well covered by news reporter from the two renowned media
station of citizen and KTN. Bravo! to the drama performers from Kasikeu Parish
with their educative and heart touching play (PATIENCE), the fruit of the Holy
Spirit!
This was the climax of the day and everyone, young and old was touched by
the performers wits!
Prepared by:
Grace Muoka and Lovis Lole
NGULUNI
PARISH
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DIOCESAN JUNIOR YOUTH FESTIVALS
MASII ON THE 20TH APRIL 2010
It
was a great learning experience for the young people of Machakos Diocese and an
opportunity for them to evangelize.
All
Deaneries in the Diocese participated in this event.
We
congratulate the following teams who obtained the first position in the
following items. Choral verse -Kasaini outstation - Mutituni Parish
Solo
Verse Mbiuni outstation – Mbiuni Parish.
Oral
narratives & skit Masawani - Matuu
Parish.
Traditional
Dance Muthetheni outstation - Muthetheni Parish
We appreciate the efforts and
contributions of our Chaplains, Youth Leaders and all people of good will for
making the day a success.
The
Diocesan youth Leaders had a seminar on
Leadership at St. Joseph Pastoral Centre Katoloni on the 28th of
April to the 1st of May 2010.
25 Parishes
were represented with 54 officials representing them. This Parishes were:-
Matiliku,
Cathedral, Mukuyuni, Ndithini, Masii, Kithimani, Emali, Kilungu, Athi river,
Mbuvo, Misyani, Ngunga, Makueni, Katangi, Kabaa, Makaveti, Tala, kathonzweni,
Matuu, Katoloni, Yathui, Kitwii,
Mbiuni,
Mwala and Kinyambu.
Seven
topics were discussed. Among them were self awareness, morality, leadership
skills, Self reliance, Catholic Church and her social teachings, Career
development and Vocation.
Each
member was issued with a certificate to ascertain that they had gone through
the seminar. Thanks to the Diocese for providing the opportunity to the Youth
to have this kind of learning.
By: Florence Chanya Mwaita
-Organizing Secretary
& Francis Muteti -Vice
Secretary.
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Remarkable events Corner
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THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 24TH JUNE 2010 . (FEAST OF THE MONTH.)
St. John the
Baptist, the kinsman of Jesus and the son of the priest Zechariah and his wife
Elizabeth, is the only saint other than the Virgin Mary whose birthday is
celebrated by the Church in a liturgical feast. Other saints are
remembered by the day of their death when they entered the kingdom of heaven.
Like the announcement of the birth of the Savior, St. John's birth was announced by the
archangel Gabriel (Lk
1:19, 26).
John's father Zachariah received the
news of his son's impending birth while he was serving in his priestly duties
at the Temple in Jerusalem.
Since the time of King David, the descendants of Aaron, who were the
priests of the Sinai Covenant, were divided into twenty-four clans of priests (1 Chr
24:7-17 All the twenty-four clans served in the Temple during the
celebrations of the three great pilgrim feasts:
The week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread, The Feast of Weeks (which was
also as Pentecost), and the week-long
Feast of Shelters (also called Tabernacles) (Ex 23:14-17; Deut
16:5-17; 2 Chr
8:13), but during ordinary time in the liturgical calendar, each priestly
clan took turns serving in the Temple for one week from Sabbath to Sabbath.
It was during the weekly course of the priestly clan of Abijah (1 Chr
24:11; Lk 1:5),
when the priest Zechariah was chosen by the drawing of lots to be the one with
the honour of lighting the golden Altar of Incense which stood in front of the
Holy of Holies.
This honor was probably a once-in-a-life-time event for a priest. It
was during the daily Tamid service (Ex 29:38-42; Num 28:4-10;
Sir 50:1-21),
when the designated priest lights the golden Altar of Incense with coals from
the sacrificial alter and prepares to burn the sacred incense (Ex 30:1-9),
that the angel suddenly approached Zechariah: Now while he was serving as
priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the
priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn
incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying
outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the
Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense (Lk 1:8-11).
The angel boldly announced to the elderly priest that God had heard his
prayers, and he and his barren wife would become the parents of a son.
The angel instructed the terrified Zechariah that he was to name this child
‘John’ which means "Yahweh is gracious" in Hebrew. Then the
angel told Zechariah that the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit from
the womb, and his life would be dedicated entirely to God's service in the
spirit of the great prophet Elijah (Lk 1:13-17).
When Zechariah protested in disbelief, the angel silenced the priest
striking him dumb and telling him that his inability to speak would continue
until the birth of the child.
However, just before silencing
Zechariah, the angel revealed his name: And the angel answered him, I am
Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God (Lk 1:19).
The revelation of the name of
the angel was all Zechariah needed, coupled with the reference to the prophet
Elijah, to understand the significance of the birth of his son and the promise
of the Anointed One who was to follow. This was the same angel who
revealed the coming of "the end" to the prophet Daniel (Dan 8:16) and
prophesied to Daniel, at the time of the afternoon Tamid sacrifice (Dan 9:21), the
coming of the Anointed One, the Messiah (Dan 9:25-26).
Zechariah now understood that his son was the one who was promised to
prepare the covenant people.
According to the Tradition of the Church, John, the last of the Old
Testament prophets, was born June the 24th circa 3/2 BC.
He was thirty years old when he began his mission to call the covenant
people to a baptism (ritual purification) of repentance in order to prepare
them for the coming of the Messiah and the promised "new covenant" (Jer 31:31-34).
St. Luke recorded that John was thirty years old in the fifteenth year of the
Roman Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea
(26 – 36 AD). The Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar died on the 19th
of August in 14 AD.
He was succeeded by his adopted
step-son Tiberius. The fifteenth year of Tiberius' reign therefore was
from the 19th of August 28 AD to the 19th of August 29
AD.
Thirty years earlier gives the date of 3/2 BC (depending upon whether the
year is counted from the liturgical year in the spring or the civil year in the
fall). Scripture tells us that John was six months older than Jesus (Lk 1:36-37).
Since the early fourth century AD the Church has celebrated Jesus' birthday in
a special Christ-Mass on December the 25th and St. John's birthday six months earlier on
June the 24th.
The "afternoon" Tamid service was an "evening" service
for the Old Covenant people; the lamb was sacrificed at the ninth hour (3PM:
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 14.4.3) and the liturgical service
ended at about the eleventh hour (5PM). The next day began at sundown and
therefore from noon onwards until sundown the day descended into evening.
By: Fr.
Alphonse Muema
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SUNDAY COMMENTARIES
The Body and Blood of Jesus
Genesis
14: 18-20; 1Corinthians 11: 23-26; Luke 9: 11-17
The last supper marked Jesus’
last moment with His disciples before his death. Paul, in the second reading,
recites the oldest formula known about the Eucharist which had been handed over
probably so far for about 20 years after Jesus’ death. The blessing of the
bread and the cup was the Sacrament of Jesus’ self- offering for the sake of
Humanity. He commanded the disciples to continue the celebration as his
memorial until he comes again.
Whenever we celebrate the
Eucharist, we enact the last supper scene. It is in this celebration that Jesus
comes and dwells with the worshipping community. He is not only a guest to be
adored but a victim who offered himself for the remission of sins. He is not
only present but becomes our food and drink to satisfy our spiritual hunger and
thirst for him. The product Eucharist is not only the work of the priest but of
the whole worshiping community. Partaking in the Eucharist is a foretaste of
the heavenly banquet of love.
The church calls us to
participate actively and consciously in the celebration. As we celebrate the
feast of this great mystery, the Lord invites us to be ready to give up our
lives for the sake of the others.
11th
Sunday of the Ordinary Time
2 Sam
12: 7-10, 134; Gal 2:16, 19-21; Luke 7:36 – 8:3
After the celebration of the
feasts connected to the resurrection, the church offers us an opportunity of
about 25 Sundays to sojourn with Jesus in his public ministry, in Galilee and Jerusalem. The
Evangelists present to us a Jesus who was unknown and misunderstood by His own.
When Jesus performed a miracle
or taught with authority, the people always exclaimed, “Who is this man…? The
gospel reminds us of the human attitude towards sinners. For Simon, Jesus had
no knowledge of the bad name the woman had in the town. Jesus knows not only
this but even her state of sin.
Telling the woman that her
sins are forgiven meant that she has been accepted back in the community and by
God. Sometimes we fall victims of Simon’s attitude. We have no room for the
social deviants. From the first and second reading we see how God rewards his
faithful ones. Paul reminds us that we live no longer for ourselves but for the
sake of Christ. Let us share the Love of God among all his people
indiscriminately.
12th Sunday of the ordinary Time
Zec
12: 10-11; 13: 1; Gal 3:26-29; Luke 9: 18-24
Who do people say that I am?
But you, who do you say that I am? The first question could have been easy to
answer because the disciples were giving the opinion of others. But the second
poses a challenge because the disciples are now to make an evaluation of their
master.
This question demanded an
answer beyond names and family ties, it concerned the commitments and loyalties
that shaped Jesus’ identity as his life had unfolded to the disciples. Jesus
sought to measure his identity against his commitments. What follows in the
Gospel after Peter answers on behalf of others is the real definition and scope
of Jesus life on earth, his mission and its culmination through his passion
death and resurrection.
Jesus invites his disciples to
identify with his mission for the life of the world, fully aware of all that
this mission involves. Having been clothed with Christ’s garment in Baptism,
Jesus invites us to do a self evaluation, renounce ourselves and take up the
mission entrusted to us by Jesus. If we were to pose to others the questions
Jesus posed to his disciples, what answers would we expect? Our commitment to
the responsibility entrusted to us defines us.
13th
Sunday of the ordinary Time
1
Kings 19: 16, 19-21; Gal 5: 1, 13-18; Luke 9: 51-63
Looking
at the state of the world today, someone would pose this question: Where is
life leading me? Seeing how people are reveling in riches while exploiting the
poor, spending money in pleasures while others are dying in abstract poverty,
seeking to infringe the rights of others, seeking the best secular education
for their children without thinking of their moral and social life, divorces
and non commitment to issues pertaining to life, one may be discouraged and
lose the purpose of life.
This
situation is not new. Saint Paul
notes the life of the Galatians and challenges the Christians to focus on their
mission. We find an answer to these challenges from the first and the Gospel
reading. Elijah invites Elisha to take over his prophetic role. Elisha accepts
the invitation. To show his commitment, he slaughters his oxen and uses the
yokes and the plough to prepare a banquet for his friends. In the Gospel, Jesus
resolves to accomplish his mission by heading towards Jerusalem where he knows that he will meet
his death.
What
is the sign of our commitment? Have we given up our old way of life or have we
opted for a double life? To challenge the world order, we should be ready to be
counted among those who live not for their own sake but for the sake of the love
of their brethren.
By:
Fr. Francis Maundu
(top)
BISHOP’S DIARY
JUNE
3rd Ordination
4th Nzaikoni— Kithunguini
School
5th Y.C.S
Machakos
6th Nguluni
Corpus Christi
8th Deans
Meeting
11th Kalawa Itituni Secondary School
12th Muthetheni Girls Secondary School Harambee/
Kikoko
BOG
26th Yathui
Parish-
-27th Confirmation
29th St. Peter
& Paul
30th National Year
of the Priests
JULY
14th Chemchemi
25th Ekarakara
27th Metropolitan
30th Confirmation
-31st Makindu
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APPOINTMENTS
Fr.
Paul Kinyumu- Kalawa Parish
Fr.
Paul Makundi- Kabaa Chaplain
Fr.
Peter Mandina- Chaplain Mua Girls & Assisting Mutituni Parish.
Fr.
Paul Munguti- Makueni Parish
Fr.
John Muvela- CPE Programme Chemchemi
Fr.
Nicholas Munyweia- Chemchemi
Fr. Jones Muinde- Chemchemi
We wish the above priest God’s
blessings in their New appointments.
(top)
REMARKABLE NEWS BRIEF
CATHOLIC
CHOIRS ASSOCIATION
The
Catholic Choirs Association (C.C.A) held their festivals at Christ the King
Catholic Mission Masii from 29th April—1st May 2010.They had three classes for
the Diocese namely Class A which had 36 choirs, Special Class which had 19
choirs and the top most Advanced class which had 23 choirs.
Other
classes namely C and B were handled at our eleven deaneries.
The
C.C.A Committee will soon meet to decide which choirs will be promoted,
retained or demoted in each class according to their constitution.
By:
Bernard Muendo Secretary General C.C.A
(top)
Catholic Diocese of Machakos
P.O. Box - 344 -90100 Machakos
Tel. +254-44-20484; Fax. (044)-21308
Office Mobile Numbers: 0735-330160/0721377439
E-mail: bishopsomks@wananchi.com
Website: http/www.machakosdiocese.org