Category: Diocese of Manzini News

By: Bp José Luis IMC (Bishop of Manzini)

(Sharing my article for the first issue of our Diocesan Newsletter)

Have you ever wondered why God gave us two ears and one mouth? Many have answered that question in the past by saying (for example) “so that we can listen twice as much as we speak”. Maybe James had this in mind when he wrote: “everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak” (James 1: 19).

Every few years the Pope gathers bishops from all over the world in what is called a “synod”. The word “synod” is a very beautiful and profound one. It means: “journeying together”. Synods have provided an effective support to the Popes in matters of greater importance for the Church. Thinking of the last ones you might have an idea of the topics addressed:

Continue reading “Journeying together” →

By: Bp José Luis IMC (Bishop of Manzini)

Homily at the launching of the first phase
of the synodal journey

Photos of the event

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“Not so among you” – “Akukafaneli kutsi kube njalo kini”

How I wished these four words from today’s Gospel passage would always (I mean: always!) remain in our hearts. How I wished these four words would be like seeds in our hearts that would produce fruit of how a Christian community should be. “Not so among you” constantly challenges any Christian community to go back to the Gospel to find her identity. We are not an NGO, we are not government, a political or a cultural organisation. We are a Christian community.

In today’s Gospel passage James and John, the sons of Zebedee – two of the 12 apostles – present a request to Jesus: “Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory”.

Continue reading ““Not so among you” →

By: Bp José Luis IMC (Bishop of Manzini)

Homily notes at the ordination to the diaconate of K. Dlamini
(St Ignatius of Loyola, Siphofanen)

Livi laba yinyama!

1. A call

Most of the times, if not every time, the one being ordained chooses as the first reading the one of the prophet Jeremiah or a similar one. It places today’s celebration in the right context: “the one being ordained is answering God’s call”. There is nothing like: “I would like to be a deacon, I would like to be a priest…” During these 8 – 9 years, the Church has journeyed with Khonzumenzi discerning if God had called him.

Khonzumenzi shared with me that the reading is an expression of his confidence in the One who called him. The future is unknown and he naturally wonders: “will I be able to live as per demands of my vocation? Will I execute it according to His will?”The reading assures him protection among challenges, difficulties, pains…

 2. In the body of the Church

As I said, the Church has been discerning if he has been called by God because this is a call in the Church.

Continue reading “The challenging call of a deacon” →