Tafakari. Sherehe ya Pentekoste

SOMO LA KWANZA: Mdo 2 :1-11

SOMO LA PILI:  1 Kor. 12 : 3-7, 12-13

INJILI ; Jn. 20 :19-23

Ndugu zangu katika Yesu Kristu leo tutafakari historia ya sikukuu ya Pentekosti, umuhimu wa Roho Mtakatifu katika maisha ya Mitume na hatimaye kile tunachoweza kujifunza kutokana na sikukuu ya leo. Kwa Wakristo Pentekosti ni ishara ya kukamilika kwa msimu wa pasaka na malengo yake.  Ni siku ya kuzaliwa kwa Kanisa. Lakini ni muhimu kujua kwamba neno Pentekosti linamaanisha "hamsini au ya hamsini." Pentekosti hapo awali ilikuwa sikukuu ya mavuno kwa Wayahudi. Wayahudi walikuwa wakisherehekea sikukuu ya mavuno baada ya siku ya hamsini ya sikukuu ya Pasaka. Wakati Mungu alipowaachilia Waisraeli kutoka utumwani na kuwaongoza kuingia katika Ardhi ya Ahadi, Bwana aliwabariki kwa ardhi nzuri na baadaye kila mwaka wakati wa mavuno yao ya kwanza, Waisraeli walipaswa kuwa ya sikukuu na kumshukuru Bwana. Walipaswa kukumbuka jinsi Mungu alivyowatoa katika utumwa huko Misiri na kuwaleta katika Nchi ya Ahadi, ambako wangefurahiya fadhila kama hiyo. Pili, baadaye wakati wa sikukuu hii pia walikumbuka agano la Mungu alilofanya na Waisraeli, "Mimi ni Mungu wako, na ninyi ni watu wangu." Ilikuwa tu sherehe ya Kiyahudi. Sasa ikawaje iwe sikukuu ya Kikristo? Kuna sababu mbili. 1. Kwa sababu baada ya majuma saba ya ufufuo wa Yesu, Roho Mtakatifu alimwagwa juu ya wale wafuasi wa Yesu ambao walikuwa wamekusanyika pamoja huko Yerusalemu na watu wengi wakawa Wakristo. Hayakuwa mavuno ya ngano tena bali mavuno ya watu ambao wakawa Wakristo. 2. Baada ya miaka kadhaa ya  ufufuo wa Yesu, Wakristo wa kwanza walipokumbuka asili yao walichagua sikukuu hii kuashiria kuzaliwa kwa agano jipya la Mungu na watu wake.
Je! Roho Mtakatifu alikuwa na umuhimu gani katika maisha ya Mitume na kwa Kanisa? Kabla ya Yesu kupaa mbinguni, anawatuma wanafunzi wake kuwa mashuhuda wake huko Yerusalemu, Yudea, Samaria hadi miisho ya ulimwengu. Lakini mara tu Yesu alipoaacha walikaa kwenye vyumba vyao vya juu na kujificha. Waliogopa Wayahudi. Walijua kuwa watu hawawapendi, walijua kuwa mafundisho yao yalikuwa tofauti na ujumbe wa Wayahudi, na walitamani kujificha wenyewe vitandani ili wasionekane kwa wanajamii waliowachukia. Lakini nguvu ya Roho Mtakatifu iliwapa ujasiri wa kutoa maisha yao kwa Yesu kuwa washuhuda wake na kueneza habari njema ya upendo wa Mungu kwa wanadamu wote. Wakati hofu ya maisha ilipoipooza Imani yao kiasi cha kukata tamaa, Roho Mtakatifu aliwaamsha na kuwapa nguvu ya kutoka nje walikojificha na kuwafanya wa tofaauti. Roho Mtakatifu aliwakumbusha kama wana utume. Dhamira yao ilikuwa kuvunja kuta za chuki, mgawanyiko, na ubinafsi. Hili liliwezekana kwa kuptia msaada wa Roho Mtakatifu.
Sasa ni nini maana ya sikukuu ya Pentekosti katika maisha yetu? Siku ya Pentekosti imewekwa kwa ujasiri na wingi. Ni wakati wa kufurahi, wakati wa kukumbuka na wakati wa kufurahi katika yale ambayo Bwana  amefanya maishani mwetu. Katika nyakati za giza, tunapokuwa na wasiwasi juu ya maisha yetu ya baadaye, na mustakabali wa watoto wetu, wakati nguvu za uovu zinaonekana kuongezeka kuliko wema, wakati tunapokuwa katika hatua ya kukata tamaa maishani, wakati maisha yetu yanapoonekana kuwa ya zamani na yamechoka na kuchokea , Pentekosti inaibuka katika maisha yetu tena na inatukumbusha, kwamba sisi ni sehemu ya mavuno ya matunda yaliyopandwa na Kristo na yaliyowezekana kwa dhabihu yake. Na hiyo, inabadilisha kila kitu!
Hapo kale, palikuwa na mvulana aliyeitwa Olu ambaye alikuwa na kuku mweupe aliyempenda sana. Walikuwa marafiki wakubwa walioishi pamoja na wala hawakuweza kutenganishwa. Siku moja, kuku yule alitoweka, Olu alilia sana. Halafu baada ya wiki tatu, kuku mweupe alirudi akiwa na vifaranga saba weupe na wazuri. Olu alikuwa tena na furaha kubwa isiyo na kifani. Mama kuku aliwatunza vifaranga wale kwa uangalifu mkubwa. Siku moja, mwishoni mwa kiangazi, vijana Fulani walichoma moto kuzunguka eneo la kichaka kilichokuwa nje ya kijiji. Madhumuni yao yalikuwa kuwakimbiza wanyama wadogo kama vile sungura na swala waliokuwa wamejificha humo. Hapo yale mapanga yakawashambulia wanyama hao. Wakati wa mawindo kukamilika na moto kufifia, Olu na marafiki zake walitembea juu ya majivu yaliyokuwa bado yanafuka moshi. Olu aligundua rundo la manyoyo na kuhisi harufu ya nyama iliyoungua. Lilionekana kama masalia ya ndege ambaye hakuweza kukimbia moto. Halafu Olu aligundua kwa huzuni. Alikuwa yule kipenzi chake, kuku mweupe, ambaye alikuwa ameungua na kuwa mkaa mweusi. Lakini ghafla akasikia sauti ya vifaranga. Mama Kuku alikuwa amewafunika kwa mwili wake na walikuwa hai na wazima kabisa. Mama kuku aliyatoa maisha yake kwa ajili ya watoto wake. Alikufa ili vifaranga wapate kuishi.

Pentekosti inatukumbusha kwamba wakati tu tunapofikiria kuwa hakuna tumaini katika maisha, wakati tunahisi kwamba hakuna dhamani ya maisha, kwa Roho Mtakatifu tunapata kutimizwa na kukamilika. Pentekosti sio msimu tu au sikukuu tu ya kila mwaka. Sio jambo au tukio ambalo tunakumbuka tu. Ni mwanzo wetu, ni lango la kuingilia, wakati wetu wa sasa. Roho Mtakatifu anaendelea kufanya kazi ndani yetu kutubadilisha na kutuhimiza, ili kazi kubwa ya wokovu ya Mungu iweze kuonyeshwa kwetu na kukamilishwa. Kwa Kuhamasishwa na tendo la Roho Mtakatifu, tunapokea ujasiri wa kuinua mioyo yetu kwa tumaini, na Roho hutujaza, kutufanya tuwe wapya. Kwa hivyo popote tulipo leo, katika hali yoyote tupitayo, tujue ya kuwa Roho yuko pamoja nasi. Kwa Kuhamasishwa na tendo la Roho Mtakatifu, tunapokea ujasiri wa kuinua mioyo yetu kwa tumaini, na kujazwa roho na kutufanya tuwe wapya.

Reflection on the Feast of Pentecost Sunday.

First reading. Acts. 2: 1-11
Second reading. 1Corinthians 12: 3b-7.12-13
Gospel. John 20. 19-23

My dear brothers and sisters today we will reflect on the historical background for the feast of Pentecost, the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Apostles, and finally what we can learn from today’s feast.  For Christians Pentecost marks the end and the goal of the Easter season. It is the birthday of the Church. But it is important to know that the word Pentecost means “Fiftieth or fifty.” Pentecost was originally a Jewish festival for harvest. The Jewish people were celebrating the harvest feast after the fiftieth day of Passover feast. When God freed the Israelites from slavery and led them into the Promised Land, the Lord blessed them with a bountiful land, and thereafter every year when the first crop would come, the Israelites were to have a festival and give thanks to the Lord. They were to remember how God had brought them out of their bondage in Egypt and brought them up into the Promised Land, where they could enjoy such bounty. Secondly, later on during this feast they also remembered the covenant God made with the Israelites, “I am your God, and you are my people.” It was purely a Jewish festival. Now how did it become a Christian feast? There are two reasons. 1. Because it was seven weeks after the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon those followers of Jesus who had gathered together in Jerusalem and many people became Christians. It was no longer the harvest of wheat but the harvest of people who became Christians. Secondly, it was several years after the resurrection of Jesus, the early Christians reflected on their origins and chose this feast to mark the birth of God’s new covenant with God’s people.

What was the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Apostles and for the Church? Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He commissions His disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the world. But as soon as Jesus leaves them they retire to their upper rooms and hide themselves. They were afraid of the Jews. They knew that the people did not like them, they knew that their teaching was different from the message of the Jews, and they just felt like wrapping themselves up in bed and not having to get up and face the hostile society. But it was the power of the Holy Spirit that made them to sacrifice their lives for Jesus to be His witnesses and to share the Good News of God’s love for all humankind. When the fear of life troubled their faith into silent submission to despair, the Holy Spirit warmed them up and empowered them to go out to the Society and make a difference. The Holy Spirit reminded them that they have a mission. Their mission was to break the walls of hatred, division, and selfishness.  This was possible only through the working of the Holy Spirit.

Now, what is the significance of the feast of Pentecost in our life? Pentecost day is marked with confidence and abundance. It is a time of rejoicing, a time to remember and a time to rejoice in what the Lord had done in our lives. In dark times, when we are anxious about our future, and the future of our children, when the forces of evil seem more prevalent than the good when we are at the point of giving up in life when our lives seem old and tired, Pentecost invades our lives once again and reminds us, that we are part of the harvest of fruits sown by Christ and made possible by His sacrifice. And that changes everything!  Pentecost reminds us that just when we think that there is no hope in life when we feel that there is no meaning in life, with the Holy Spirit, we will find fulfillment and completion. Pentecost is not just a season or annual feast for us. It is not simply a fact or event that we commemorate. It is our beginning, our entry point, our ever-present moment. The Holy Spirit continues to work in us to transform and inspire us, so that God’s great work of salvation can be shown forth in us and brought to its completion. Inspired by the Holy Spirit’s action, we receive the courage to lift our hearts in hope, and the Spirit fills us, making us new.  So wherever we are today, whatever situation in which we find ourselves, let us know that the Spirit is with us. Inspired by the Holy Spirit’s action, we receive the courage to lift our hearts in hope, and the Spirit fills us, making us new.

Joke of the day. 

After years of his wife's pleading, this rich good ole boy finally goes with her to her little local Church on Sunday morning. He was so moved by the preacher's sermon that on the way out he stopped to shake his hand. He said, "Reverend, that was the best @%&x sermon I ever did hear!" The Preacher replied, "Oh!! Why, thank you sir, but please, I'd appreciate it if you didn't use profanity in the Lord's house." The man said, "I'm sorry Reverend, but I can't help myself, it was such a @#&x good sermon!" The Reverend said, "Sir, PLEASE, I cannot have you behaving this way in Church!" The man said, "Okay Reverend, but I just wanted you to know that I thought it was so @%&x good, I put $5000 in that their collection plate." And the Reverend said, "No @#&x?"

Tafakari; Sherehe ya Kupaa Bwana

Sherehe ya Kupaa Bwana

Mt 28: 16-20

Sote tuna tabia ya kushikilia tunachokifahamu na kukiamini. Tunaweza hata kupinga mabadiliko ambyo yanaweza kuhatarisha maslahi yetu. Tunajiamini katika kuchagua au kutekeleza tunachokijua vizuri. Kwa mafano, mtu hawezi kujiamini kutumia barabara ambayo hajawahi kutumia kwend mahali anapokwenda hata ikiwa barabara anayoifahamu ni ndefu na yakuchosha. Hata hivyo maandiko, yanatuhamazisha kupambana na woga wa mabadiliko na vitu vipya ili tugundue kusudi la Mungu na upendo wake kwetu. Tukijua tutavuka mipaka tuliyojiwekea kama Abraham na Sara, Ruthu na naomi, Marimu na Yosefu na wanafunzi wa Yesu ambao walithubutu kushika maono kubwa ambayo Mungu alikuw nayo kwa ajili yao. Wote walishi maisha mapya ambayo awali hawakufahamu. Sikukuu ya kupaa kwa Yesu tunayosherekea inatupa hamasa ya kuwa na ujasiri wa kuacha mazoea na kukubali hali mpya baadaye.

Wanafuni walitaka kumkariri Yesu wa kwama kabla hajafa na kufufuka, walisita kumruhusu aende zake. Lakini walipata changamoto ya kuanza uanafuni uliokuwa umeanzishwa na Yesu. Utengano wa Yesu na wanafunzi wake unaleta nmna mpya ya uwepo wake na hatimaye kuanza maisha mapya. Kupaa kwa Yesu hakukuwa kutoweka kwa Yesu. Badala yake ni mwanzo na namna upya ya uwepo wake. Yesu hakutawaliwa tena na sharia za mahali wala wakati. Kwa kupaa, anauwezo wa kuwa na wanafunzi wake wakati wote, mahali popote. Wakati wa huduma yake ya kidunia angeweza kuw sehemu moja kwa wakati mmoja. Ikiwa angekuwa huko Yerusalemu asingekuwako kapernaumu; ikiwa angekuwa huko kapernaumu asingekuwako Yerusalemu. Lakini sasa kwa kuwa ameunganishwa na Mungu, yuko popote alipo Mungu; na hiyo ni kila mahali.

Kuondoka kimwili kwa Yesu kunafungua sura mpya katika maisha yao na maisha ya Kanisa. Sikukuu ya kupaa ni kusherehekea mstakabali wa kanisa wake. Je! Tuanweza kujifunza nini kutokana na sikukuu ya leo?

1. Sherehe ya leo inatualika kuiishi Imani yetu na kujitoa kwa ajili ya Bwana. Kama Yesu alitegemea wanafunzi wake katika utume wake, kwa sasa anatutegemea sisi. Utume wa Yesu haukuwa kwa wachache tu, lakini kwa waumini wote. Sisi sote tumepewa jukuma la kwenda kutangaza Inili ya uhai na upendo, tumaini na Amani, kwa ushuhuda wa maisha yetu. Tunahitaji kuwa watangazaji na waenezaji wa injili; wote waliobatizwa, bila kujali nafasi zao kanisani, ni mawakala wa uiinjilisaji.

2. Sherehe ya leo inatupa uhakikisho kuwa Yesu angali yupo, yupo hata wakati wa uchungu na huzuni tunaopitia. Kwa kupaa kwake, Kristo hajatuacha lakini amewezeshe Roho Mtakatifu kuingia katika maisha yetu. Kwa njia hii inawezekana kwa kila mmoja wetu kubadilishwa na nguvu ya Roho Mtakatifu kuwa wakala au chombo cah Kristo.

3. Yesu alitufundisha masoma ya Imani, Matumaini, msamaha, rehema, ukombozi na upendo. Hatuwezi kuweka masomo haya kwenye shelufu na kuyapuuza. Yanasimama mbele yetu katika utu wa Yesu. Ingawa hayupo tena katika ulimwenguni wa mwili, lakini anaishi katika neno lake. Lazima tufanye neno lake kuwa halisi katika maisha yetu na katika maisha yaw engine. Ukristo ulikusudiwa kuwa Imani ambayo wafuasu wa Yesu wangesaidia na kuwajali wengine, kama vile Yesu alivyokuwa anafanya, na kwa kufanya hivyo watamjali Yesu ndani yao. 

Nawatakia Jumapili njema. 

Reflection on the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord

Feast of The Ascension of the Lord

Mt. 28: 16-20

We all have a tendency to hold on to that which is familiar and comfortable. We may even tend to resist changes that may make us feel vulnerable. We are comfortable in choosing or doing what we know well. For example, a person may not be comfortable to use unfamiliar roads to reach his destination even if the familiar road is long and tiring. Scriptures, however, challenge us to overcome our fear of the unknown and to discover the God of life and love beyond the familiar pattern and known boundaries like Abraham and Sara, Ruth and Naomi, Mary and Joseph and the disciples of Jesus who dared to follow the big dream God had for them. They all ventured into an unknown future. The Ascension that we celebrate today is also about the courage to let go of the familiar and to embrace a new future.

 The disciples wanted to hold on to the earthly Jesus, they were reluctant to let him go.  But they were challenged to take responsibility for their discipleship which is to work for the new future inaugurated by Jesus. The separation of Jesus from his disciples brings about a new way of His presence and ultimately a new way of life for them. The Ascension is not about the disappearance of Jesus. Rather it is about a new way of being present. Jesus is no longer bound by the law of space and time. By ascending, he is actually able to be with the disciples at all times, at all places. During his earthly ministry he could only be in one place at a time. If he was in Jerusalem he was not in Capernaum; if he was in Capernaum he was not in Jerusalem. But now that He is united with God, he is present wherever God is present; and that is everywhere.

The physical departure of Jesus opened a new chapter in their lives and the life of the Church. The feast of the Ascension is the Church’s celebration of her future. What can we learn from today’s feast? Today’s feast invites us to live out our faith and commitment to the Lord.  As Jesus depended on His disciples for the mission, He depends on us now. The mission of Jesus is not only for a few but for all believers. We are all being commissioned to go forth and proclaim the Gospel of life and love, of hope and peace, by the witness of our lives. We need to be proclaimers and evangelizers:  All the baptized, whatever their position in the church are agents of evangelization.

Today’s feast gives us the assurance that Jesus is still present, present even in the pain and sorrow we undergo. By His Ascension, Christ has not deserted us but has made it possible for the Holy Spirit to enter our lives. In this way it is possible for each of us to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into agents or instruments of Christ.

Jesus taught us lessons of Faith, Hope, forgiveness, mercy, Redemption and Love.  We cannot put these lessons on a shelf and ignore them.  They stand before us in the person of Jesus.  Although no longer visibly present in the world, He is present in his words. We must make his words real in our lives and in the lives of others. Christianity was meant to be a Faith in which Jesus’ followers would help and care for others, just as Jesus had done, and in so doing, would care for Jesus in them.  

Joke of the day

A woman in a confessional said, “Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have committed the sin of vanity. Twice a day I look in the mirror and tell myself how beautiful I am.” The priest took a look at her and said, “My dear, that isn’t a sin. It’s simply a mistake.”

Have a blessed Sunday.

Tafakari ya Dominika ya 6 ya Paska

Dominika ya 6 ya Paska, Mwaka A, Injili. Yn 14: 15-21

"Sitakuacha yatima." Wakati fulani sisi sote tunataka au hata tunahitaji kusikia maneno kama haya. Maneno haya huzungumza moja kwa moja na woga na changamoto zetu kubwa; kutengwa na kuachwa, upweke, mazingira magumu. yanatukumbusha kuwa hatujasimama peke yetu. Ni karamu ya mwisho. Wanafunzi wamelishwa, miguu imeoshwa, na anayesaliti ameondoka. Ni usiku, giza, na Yesu anatangaza kwamba anaondoka. Yule ambaye walimwachia kila kitu sasa anasema anaondoka. Lakini anawahakikishia kwamba hatawaacha yatima. Anamaanisha nini? Kuna njia tofauti za kuacha mtu.

Kuondoka kuna maana ya kuachwa. Wakati mwingine tunasikia au kusoma katika magazeti kwamba watoto huachwa wakati wa kujifungua, au mwanamke huachwa baada ya kupata ujauzito, au wazee huachwa. Kuachwa ni jambo chungu na la kuumiza ambalo linaweza kutokea kwa mtu yeyote. Katika Injili hatushughuliki na hii. Yesu hakuwaacha mitume. Pili, kuna kuondoka ambayo inamaanisha kukataliwa. Kwa mfano, msichana alikuwa na tumaini la kufunga ndoa lakini mpenzi wake ghafla anamwacha na kuoa mtu mwingine. Msichana anahisi kukataliwa. Au katika visa vingine, mume huacha mke wake na watoto na kuenda kuoa mwanamke mwanamke mwingine. Mke na watoto wanahisi kukataliwa. Hii inaumiza sana kwa familia. Hapa hatujashughulika na hiyo. Yesu hakukataa mitume.

Kuna kuondoka ambayo ni muhimu kwa sababu ni kwa faida ya yule anayeondoka. Kwa mfano, mtu anaacha familia yake na marafiki kwenda kutafuta kazi nzuri mahali pengine, au mtu anaondoka kurudi nyumbani kwake. Yesu anaondoka kwa faida yake mwenyewe. Anarudi kwa Baba yake. Kurudi kwa Baba ni kwenda nyumbani. Ni kwenda kwa heshima na utukufu. Mwishowe kuna kuondoka ambayo ni kwa mema sio tu kwa yule anayeondoka lakini pia kwa wale waliobaki. Huu ndio ukweli kamili wa kile kinachotokea hapa. Kuondoka kwa Yesu ni kuzuri kwa mitume pia kwa sababu atawatumia Roho Mtakatifu. Kwa kupokea Roho, wataweza kuendelea na maono ya Yesu Kristo. Kuondoka kwake haukuwaacha bila msaada na uongozi kama walivyoogopa. "Sitakuacha yatima" alisema.

Ingawa alizungumza juu ya kuwaacha, alizungumza pia namna atakavyokuwa nao. Angekuja kwao kwa njia ya Roho, na angetokea kwao mwenyewe. Walikutana naye baada ya ufufuo. Na hata ingawa baada ya kupaa hawatamuona tena, aliwahakikishia kwamba bado atakuwa pamoja nao, ndio, hadi mwisho wa wakati. Yesu hakuwacha wanafunzi wake wakiwa yatima. Kwa imani yao waliweza kumuona, na kupitia utii wao kwa maagizo yake, walivutiwa na ushirika wake wenye upendo naye.

Nasi Yesu hajatuacha yatima. Tunaweza kumpata kama alivyokuwepo, kwa msaada wa Roho Mtakatifu kama Wakristo wa kwanza alivyokuwa kwao. Yesu sio zawadi kama ukumbusho wa mtu ambaye aliishi miaka elfu mbili iliyopita, lakini ni uwepo halisi, wenye uhai ambao unatubadilisha. Mara zote tunahisi yuko nasi tunapompokea kwenye Ekaristi. Tunapopokea Ekaristi ya Ukristo sio tu tunawasiliana naye, lakini tunakuwa na ushirika- ushirika mtakatifu. Hapa analisha mioyo yetu pendo lake. Chakula cha Ekaristi hutupa nguvu ya kushika neno lake na kuishi kama wanafunzi wake. Ndio, Yesu hajatuacha yatima au wakiwa. Yesue huja kwetu kila wakati kupitia sherehe ya Ekaristi.

Mtu alifika kwa Padre na kutaka kudhihaki imani yake, kwa hivyo akauliza, "Je! Mkate na divai zinawezaje kugeuka kuwa mwili na damu ya Kristo?" Padre akajibu, "Hakuna shida, wewe mwenyewe unabadilisha chakula kuwa mwili wako na damu, kwa nini Kristo asiweze kufanya hivyo?" lakini yule mtu hakukata tamaa. Akauliza, "Lakini ni kivipi Kristo anaweza kuutosha ulimwengu mzima?Padre akamjibu Kwa njia ile ile eneo kubwa la mazingira litoshavyo jicho lako dogo. Lakini bado aliendelea, "ni vipi Kristo huyo anaweza kuweko katika Makanisa yako yote kwa wakati mmoja?" Padre kisha akachukua kioo na kumruhusu mtu huyo akitazame. Kisha kioo akakianguke chini na kuvunjika kisha akamwambia yule mtu, "uko peke yako lakini bado unaweza kuona uso wako unaonekana katika kila kipande cha kioo kilichovunjika wakati huo huo."

Nawatakia Jumapili njema. 

Homily 6th Sunday of Easter.

Gospel reflection on John 14: 15-21, Easter VI Sunday

“I will not leave you orphaned.” At some point we all want or even need to hear these words. These words speak directly to some of our greatest fears and challenges; abandonment and isolation, loneliness, vulnerability. They remind us that we do not stand alone. It is the last supper. Disciples have been fed, feet have been washed, and the betrayer has left. It is night, dark, and Jesus announces he is leaving. The one for whom they left everything now says he is leaving. But he assures them that he will not leave them orphaned. What does he mean? There are different ways of leaving someone.

There is a leaving which implies abandonment. At times we hear or read in the newspapers that the babies are abandoned at birth, or the woman is abandoned after she got pregnant, or the elderly people are abandoned. To be abandoned is the most painful and damaging thing that can happen to anyone. In the Gospel we are not dealing with this. Jesus is not abandoning the apostles. Secondly, there is a leaving which implies rejection. For instance, a girl had hopes of marriage but her boyfriend suddenly leaves her for someone else. The girl feels rejected. Or in some other cases, the husband leaves his wife and children to go get married to another woman. The wife and the children feel rejected. This is extremely painful for the family. Here we are not dealing with that. Jesus is not rejecting the apostles.

There is a leaving which is necessary because it is for the good of the one leaving. For example, a person is leaving his family and friends to take up a better job somewhere else, or a person is leaving to return home Jesus is leaving for his own good. He is returning to His Father. To return to the Father is to go home. It is to go to honour and glory. Finally there is a leaving which is for the good not only of the one leaving but also of those left behind. This is the full truth of what is happening here. Jesus' leaving is good for the apostles too because he will send them the Holy Spirit. By receiving the Spirit, they will be able to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. His departure will not leave them unsupported and unguided as they feared. "I will not leave you orphans" he said.

Even though he spoke about leaving them, he spoke about coming back to them. He would come to them through the Spirit, and he would come to them himself. They did encounter him after the resurrection. And even though after the ascension they would see him no more, he assured them that he would still be with them, yes, even to the end of time. Jesus did not leave his disciples orphaned. By their faith they were able to see him, and through their obedience to his commandments, they were drawn into a loving communion with him.

Jesus does not leave us orphaned also. We have the same access to his presence, and to the help of the Holy Spirit as the first Christians had. Jesus is not a present as a memory of a person who lived two thousand years ago, but as a real, life-giving presence that transforms us. We always feel so close when we receive him in the Eucharist. When we receive the Eucharist we are not just in communication with him, but in communion with him- a holy communion. Here he nourishes our hearts with his love. The food of the Eucharist gives us the strength to do his word and to live as his disciples. Yes, Jesus does not leave us orphaned or desolate. He always comes to us through the Eucharistic celebration.

The unfathomable miracle (Eucharist)

A man came to a priest and wanted to make fun of his faith, so he asked, “How can bread and wine turn into the body and blood of Christ?” the priest answered, “No problem, you yourself change food into your body and blood, so why can’t Christ do the same?” but the man did not give up. He asked, “But how can the entire Christ be in such a small host?” In the same way that the vast landscape before you can fit into your little eye. But he still persisted, “how can the same Christ be present in all your Churches at the same time?” the Priest then took a mirror and let the man look into it. Then let the mirror fall to the ground and break and said to the man, “there is only of you and yet you can find your face reflected in each piece of that broken mirror at the same time. 

Have a blessed Sunday. 

Gospel reflection on John 10: 1-10, 4th Sunday of Easter

Gospel.John.10:1-10

The Good Shepherd image in the New Testament: In Palestine, the word “shepherd” was a synonym for selfless love, sincerity, commitment, and sacrificial service.  Hence, Jesus selects it as the most fitting term to denote his life and mission (Mt 2:6, 9:36, 18:12-14, 26:31; Mk 6:34, 14:27; Lk 12:32, 15:4; I Pt 2:25, 5:2-4; Heb 13:20). The prophets pointed out the main duties of the Good Shepherd: 1) The Good Shepherd leads the sheep to the pasture, provides them with food and water and protects them.  In Palestine, the shepherd went in front and the sheep followed behind.  2) He guarded them, not allowing them to get lost in the desert or become victims of robbers and wild animals – preventive vigilance. 3) He went in search of the lost ones and healed their wounds – protective vigilance.  4) He was ready to surrender his life for his sheep – redemptive vigilance.

In today’s Gospel Jesus compares himself to the Shepherd and to the Gate. The first title represents His ownership because Shepherd is the true owner of the sheep. The second title represents His leadership. Jesus is the Gate, the only Way in or out. He is the One Mediator between God and mankind. All must go through Him, through His Church, in order to arrive in Heaven. By identifying Himself with the sheep-gate, Jesus gives the assurance that whoever enters the pen through Him will be safe and well cared-for. Jesus is the living Door to His Father’s house and Father’s family, the Door into the Father’s safety and into the fullness of life. It is through Jesus, the Door, that we come into the sheepfold where we are protected from the wolves of life. There is safety and security in being a Christian. There is a spiritual, emotional and psychological security and safety when we live within Jesus and his Church, within the protectiveness of Christ, Christian friends and a Christian family.

What can we learn from today’s Gospel? We need to be good shepherds and good leaders: Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd.  Hence, pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, and caregivers, among others, are all shepherds.  We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time, talents and blessings for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers.  Parents must be especially careful of their duties toward their children, giving them good example and sound religious instruction. Above all, parents should pray for their children and, by living according to sound Christian moral principles, show their children how to do the same.

We need to pray for good pastors and vocations. The Church uses this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations to encourage vocations to the ministerial priesthood, the diaconate and the consecrated life. All Christians need to share in the responsibility of fostering these vocations: a) The faith community must continuously pray for vocations both in the Church and in their families. b) Since good priests, deacons and people embracing the consecrated life come from good Christian families, all Christian parents need to live their faith in Christ on a daily basis by leading exemplary lives as parents and by fostering good relationships with, and among, their children. c) Parents need to respect and encourage a child who shows an interest in becoming a priest or deacon or of entering upon a consecrated life. Parents need to encourage their children, including their teenagers and young adults, to participate actively in the children’s and youth activities in the parish, like Sunday school, children’s clubs, and youth associations.

Joke: Pastor’s vacation: It’s been said that every pastor ought to have six weeks of vacation each year, because if he is a really good shepherd, he deserves it; and if he is not a very good shepherd, his congregation deserves it.

Tafakari ya Dominika ya 4 ya Paska

Somo la Kwanza. Mdo.2:14a, 36-41

Somo la Pili. 1Pet. 2:20b-25

Injili. Yn. 10:1-10

Jumapili ya nne ya Pasaka inajulikana kama jumapili ya Mchungaji Mwema, kama Yesu anavyo jiongelea mwenyewe kuwa ni “Mchungaji mwema”. Yesu anatupa sura ya Mchungaji mwema anaye wafahamu kondoo wake: anawaita, anawalisha na kuwaongoza. Ni kwasababu ya hili Kanisa limeipendekeza kuwa siku ya kuombea miito duniani.

Yesu anaonesha wazi tofauti ya wachungaji. Tofauti anayotoa ni juu ya mchungaji yule anaye wafahamu kondoo wake na kuwajali, na wale wanaofuata tu mkumbo bila sadaka ya upendo. Yesu alitolea sadaka kamilifu kama Mchungaji wa Kimungu. Alikuwa yupo tayari kutembea nasi katika njia zote, sisi kondoo wake. Alikuwa yupo tayari kutoa sadaka ya kila kitu. Hakutaka mateso, kuonewa, kukataliwa na mambo mengine yamuondoe kutoka katika lengo lake la kuwajali na kuwatunza watu wake katika njia kamili. Inapaswa ituguse na sisi, kutufariji na kutupatia sisi ujasiri na kutambua ni kwa jinsi ghani upendo wake ulivyokuwa mkubwa kwetu.

Katika hali nyingine Yesu anaongea kuhusu mfano wa mtu mwingine ambaye sio mchungaji mwema, ambaye anaona mbwa mwitu wakija na yeye hukimbia. Tunapaswa kuona ndani ya mtu huyu, vishawishi vyote ambavyo vyaweza kuja katika maisha yetu. Ni vigumu kubaki wakati wa nyakati ngumu. Ni vigumu kuwa karibu na wale wenye shinda wanapo tuhitaji sisi. Ni vigumu kuwa waminifu mpaka mwisho bila kuwa na aibu tunapo kutana na vishawishi vya hofu. Yesu anatupa nguvu na msaada wa upendo kamili yeye akiwa kama Mchungaji wetu mwema, lakini pia anatuhitaji nasi turudishe upendo huu huu kwake, kwa kuwapatia wengine upendo huu huu mkamilifu. Pale ulipo shindwa na kupungukiwa tunamuomba yeye akuchunge kama mchungaji ili nawe uweze kuwachunga wengine. Mkimbilie mchungaji mwema na amini upendo wake kwako.

Leo, Kanisa zima linatukumbusha hitaji letu la kuomba, kama Yesu mwenyewe alivyo waambia wanafunzi wake, hivyo kwamba "mwombeni Bwana wa mavuno apeleke watenda kazi katika mavuno yake" (Lk 10: 2). Tangu hapo awali Kanisa “ kwa asili yake ni umisionari" (Ad Gentes, 2), wito wa Ukristo unazaliwa ndani ya watu kutokana na kazi ya umisionari.  Katika siku hizi kwanza tunaombwa tuombee Kanisa liweze kupata wachungaji wema na waadilifu wa kufanya kazi ya Kristo ya kueneza Injili, na kwamba Kanisa liweze kupata vijana wengi wanoitwa kwenye wito wa upadre na utawa ikiwa ni pamoja na watoto wetu wenyewe.