Bits of the Gospel

We celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord in a very emphasized manner. Popular piety is publicly acknowledged and used to show this high and most holy Sacrament. How can we bring this Solemnity and its solemn tone into our depths? We have to look at Jesus, the gift himself. He has gathered all virtues into love, which dares to die for the beloved. He has shown us we can bring healing to most people by showing them that they are important, special, valued, and appreciated. yet, their salvation comes only from witnessing that love is the reason we act in that particular way. And love, at the level of God, is sacrifice of the self. Love is the Language of God and it is the universal language. This universal language is understood [or at least perceived, intuited, in the instincts] by all creatures. It is silent, totally silent. It flows in the forces of nature. That language is not taught, it is acquired effortlessly. Yet, somehow, we need to consciously c...

I have many lessons to learn just as I have learned many. For instance, young people love to predict what s likely to happen in an encounter. predictability reduces the fear of the unknown. knowing what's going to happen allows young people to prepare themselves for it, and perhaps to be predisposed to find enjoyment in it. In this way, successful self-fulfilling prophecy is built into the experience. This principle applies to youth ministers in many ways. Let's talk about my recent experience. We have organized a prayer day which was meant to have some guests present. I told some of the participants before hand that some guests would be present and that they were supposed to share with them freely during the "sharing break". Those who knew this already were very enthusiastic since morning. They arrived earlier than the rest, were well dressed, brought their Bibles and notebooks. The difference was obvious. Some of those who knew nothing came dressed "not very ...

St. J B Cottolengo was ordained a priest on June 8, 1811, exactly 200 years ago. This event has not passed us silently at Kisarawe. We've had preparations done way before. Fr. Philip led the reflections for the Sisters' community at Kisarawe. Meanwhile, on June 7, evening news from the Diocesan Radio Tumaini, there was a piece of news on this occasion. With that information disbursed, many people called and asked to join us in prayer the following day. On the anniversary day, June 8, Fr. Philip presided the mass, which took place at four in the evening. Many Christians participated with the biggest number being the youth and children. During the Homily, Fr Philip gave a general picture of our Founder. He underlined his unique charism, and a style of life that calls all people, both lay and religious, healthy and sick, to participate joyfully in the world of service to the poorest. After Mass, we had a moment of refreshment while young people from Minaki Secondary School...

Trust is that precious attitude towards yourself, other people and God. Nothing is more ruinous and precarious in life than to mistrust the spontaneity of a person. It so much dangerous to life that a little mistrust puts other off and makes them feel suspected and judged even before they are given a chance to be heard. I have met people who simply "psychologize" and analyze people as a tool to relationship. This destroys trust badly. It is like exposing everything personal and invaluably secret about the private life of another. It is making what would be decent in secret to be public defamation. People love the sincerity that emerges from the attitude of trust. Trust, in fact, is the capacity to encounter and accept others just as they are. And before being a virtue, it is a target in life which has to be achieved through hard work, determination, and prayerful engagement with the Almighty God. Yes, no one is more loved that a person who accepts others simply, naturally...

Abortion is an issue that evokes, from all parties, very strong feelings and judgments, and even very heated debates. Abortions are done round the clock in clandestine clinics and sometimes in the most unexpected places. Here, abortion is to be understood as the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of a fetus or embryo from the uterus, resulting in death. I know I am not saying everything here. I'm just thinking around. Lack of love is at the root of all evils, and especially the evil of abortion. If love were to be freeing as its nature is, then one cannot try to eliminate another in order for her to feel free from the supposed "burden" of a pregnancy or child. These days I'm planning a seminar for young people wherein I intend to share with them the fact that love is above all sacrifice for another. It is death to the self in order to let emerge another. I want to share with them the fact that abortion is violation of the sanctity of life. I si...

Let me begin by clarifying that this Solemnity should be understood in the context of Resurrection, the Easter Event. The Apostles are clearly sad. The Lord has in the last days behaved "strangely", like one really serious when He says, "I'm going to my Father and your Father, My God and your God." And even more saddening facts, "The world will hate you [read, will treat you badly. Think of the Good Friday Facts fresh in mind!] just they did to me!" (John 16:16-20). It did not feel good at all, nor did the disciples seem to receive it with the faith expected [They received it with the faith they had, their little faith!) Ascension, as it is presented to us, is clearly the feast of glory. First, if we still stick to our faith that God cannot lose his Glory [Not even theoretically!]then we've already admitted that the Son kept his glory through his earthly life: birth, life, teachings, suffering, death and resurrection, even to Ascension. For us t...