Posts by Neliswa Mdluli

by Fr. Francis Huwn Msfs

Jesus changed sunset into sunrise (Clement of Alexandria)

Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146:7,8-9,9-10
James 2:1-5
Mark 7:31-37

The miracle of Jesus which was narrated in the gospel took place in the regoin of Decapolis (Deka Polis in Greek), literally translated, Ten Cities. It was a federation of ten pagan cities within the area of Israel. Everything about these ten cities was Greek, including the way they were governed and their worship using the names of Greek gods. In these cities, the people resort to different greek gods and goddesses for wealth, healing, fertility, victory etc. Something like our socio-cultural context where people resort to Inyanga: sangoma and lugedla. But when someone was suffering, such as the deaf man in today’s gospel, they knew this pagan culture did not satisfy them, their only hope was Jesus. All the glitter of the Greek culture did not really fulfil their deepest longing, only Jesus. So they brought the deaf man with the speech impediment to Jesus. Continue reading “Reflection on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary time B” →

by Fr Chris Chatteris SJ

Pope’s Intention. September 2018:

Young People in Africa: That young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries.

It is truly extraordinary what risks migrants will run to get into so-called developed countries. Young West Africans, or their families, pay traffickers to get them across the Sahara desert into Libya and thence across the Mediterranean into Europe. A considerable proportion do not make it. Some die in the desert, abandoned by their traffickers. Others are arrested and languish in detention centres. Some are being sold into slavery. The hazardous sea crossing in manifestly unseaworthy boats is perhaps the most dangerous leg of all. Continue reading “September 2018: Young people in Africa” →

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION
1 September 2018

Dear brothers and sisters,

On this Day of Prayer, I wish first to thank the Lord for the gift of our common home and for all those men and women of good will committed to protecting it. I am likewise grateful for the many projects aimed at promoting the study and the safeguarding of ecosystems, for the efforts being made to develop more sustainable agriculture and more responsible nutrition, and for the various educational, spiritual and liturgical initiatives that involve Christians throughout the world in the care of creation. Continue reading “Pope Francis: Message on World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation” →

by Fr. Francis Huwn Msfs

Reflection on the 22nd Sunday, Year B

Deut 4:1-2, 6-8
Ps. 14:2-5
James 1:17-18, 21-22,27
Mk. 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Devotion is an expressions of godliness, holiness and sanctity of one’s life. Devotion also refers to the activities like prayers, observances and the sacramental life of Christians. In short, religion is all about one’s devotion to the Lord. We all seek devotion because it is a virtue very pleasing to God. Abel pleases the Lord for his honest offerings (Gen 4:4).

Our parish community is a mixer of faithful: some belongs to Christmas and Easter Christians, some are committed leaders, some are at the forefront in matters related to donations and contributions; in kind and cash, some are committed in all church activities yet avoid confession and Holy Communion and yet some are not affected but remain cold and indifferent and enjoys every bit of parish celebrations. These are the types of devotions probably visible before us. Continue reading “Which is more important to God- clean hands or a clean mind and heart?” →

by Fr Zweli Ngwenya

First reading: Joshua 24: 1-2, 15-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33
Second reading: Ephesians 5: 21-32
Gospel: John 6: 60-69

Today’s first reading contains one of the most familiar lines from the Old Testament, Joshua’s charge to “choose this day whom you will serve,” combined with his own response, “but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”. Joshua has summoned the people to Schechem to renew their covenant with God. He recounts the history of this covenant relationship. He begins by remembering their distant past, when the ancestors of the Israelites lived in the land beyond the river. He then tells what God did for their ancestors: he gave them descendants and good land; afflicted their enemies and brought them out of slavery; brought them to a new land and gave them victory over the Amorites. Joshua exhorts the people to fear and serve God in complete faithfulness. The Israelites themselves give two answers, the first reason to serve God is because of what God has done for them. They were listening to Joshua’s sermon! They echo back the history that Joshua himself recounted in detail for them. The second reason emerges naturally from the first: If God has done this for us, then he is our God. Continue reading “Reflection on the 21st Sunday of year B” →