Category: Reflections

By SECAM

Continue reading “June 2019: Socio-Professions and Political Actors” →

by Fr. Dumisani Vilakati

Click HERE for Sunday’s readings

First reading: Acts 7:55-60
Responsorial: Psalm Psalm 97
Second reading: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
Gospel: John 17:20-26

This Sunday, which hangs between Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday, forces us to focus on heaven as we look towards God who judges with justice.

In Southern Africa these days are normally dedicated to praying for the unity of Christians.
Also, on this Sunday, the Universal Church keeps the World Day of Prayer for Social Communications.
Continue reading “Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter – Year C” →

by Fr. Dumisani Vilakati

Click HERE for Ascension day readings in Siswati

First reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial: psalm Psalm 47
Second reading: Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23
Gospel: Luke 24:46-53

After forty days since Easter Sunday the Church celebrates the ascension of the Lord. The ascension is a way of Jesus becoming fully present to his disciples, ourselves, as he continually blesses us.

The first reading highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus as we are told that he chose the apostles by the Holy Spirit. Remember too that at the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary, Luke tells us that she was filled with the Holy Spirit. So, where there is the Holy Spirit there also is Jesus. It is the same Spirit that the apostles will receive and as such be enabled to be witnesses of Christ right up to the ends of the earth. As Jesus ascends, a cloud takes him from their sight. The symbolism of the cloud recalls the exodus experience. In that dramatic moment of the exodus, God appeared to the people in a pillar of cloud, at least by day. We are told there that the cloud provided some protection from the Egyptian army which was in pursuit of God’s people. Even as Jesus seems to take leave of the apostles, nevertheless God’s abiding presence among them is assured in the symbolism of the cloud herein recalled. As they are looking up two men appear in their midst who continue to give them some instructions on Jesus. There will be a second coming of Jesus. We continue to wait for this as Christians under the firm guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading “Reflection for Ascension day -Year C” →

by Fr. Dumisani Vilakati

Click HERE for Sunday’s readings in Siswati

First reading: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Responsorial: psalm Psalm 67
Second reading: Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
Gospel: John 14:23-29

This Sunday the readings emphasise the importance of attaining righteousness and having peace in Christ by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

The first reading recalls a serious controversy concerning the identity markers of righteousness. Some of the brothers said that only those circumcised in accordance with the Law of Moses could rightly call themselves righteous. Yet we know that Paul and Barnabas carried out a successful mission among the uncircumcised, i.e. non-Jews. In fact God had already granted his Spirit to the uncircumcised (Cf. Acts 10-11). We know that the practice of circumcision had been expressly commanded by God to Abraham (Gen 17:9-14, 23-27). As such, we cannot really blame those who advanced obligatory circumcision.
Continue reading “Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter – Year C” →

by Fr. Dumisani Vilakati

Click HERE for Sunday’s readings in Siswati

First reading Acts 14: 21-27
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145
Second reading Revelation 21: 1-5a
Gospel John 13:31-33a, 34-35

This Sunday we are encouraged to remain in the faith by following the commandment of love so that we may receive the glory promised to us and thus be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The first reading recalls the successful missionary activity among the Gentiles. With success temptations also abound as both Paul and Barnabas are treated as gods by the people of Lycaonia and Paul enduring stoning by the Jews. From both Paul and Barnabas we learn, as the saying goes, that “when God begins blessing you, watch your ego”. In other words remain humble and give praise to God.
Continue reading “Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Easter Year – C” →

by +Buti Tlhagale o.m.i.

Nelson Mandela’s oath

When South Africans hurl insults and inflict violence on migrants, when they strip migrants of their belongings and set alight their businesses, they recklessly go against the solemn oath of Nelson Mandela, the revered father of the post-apartheid South Africa. Nelson Mandela made an oath that never again shall a human being be oppressed by another human being. This oath was proclaimed by Mandela on behalf of the New South African nation. He and many other leaders paid dearly. They sacrificed their lives so that South Africans might embrace freedom and walk tall among the nations. Mandela is an iconic symbol of peace. This symbol is inextricably associated with the nation of South Africa. He was the incarnation of the hope that South Africans would triumph against all the odds. Inflicting pain on migrants and refugees is a tragic betrayal of the sacred oath he made on behalf of the people of South Africa. He bequeathed South Africans the values of human dignity, reconciliation, peace, freedom and hospitality. It is hardly 25 years since his death, yet South Africans already trample his legacy underfoot and make a spectacle of themselves. The on-looking nations are no longer impressed. Continue reading “Violence against migrants” →

by Fr. Dumisani Vilakati

Click HERE for Sunday’s readings in Siswati

First reading: Acts 13: 14, 43-52
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 100
Second reading: Revelation 7: 9, 14b-17
Gospel: John 10: 27-30

With the fourth Sunday of Easter we are invited to look upon Jesus as the Good Shepherd who gives us eternal life. Traditionally this Sunday is also dedicated to the prayer, care and support of vocations, especially to the ordained ministry and religious life.

The theme of a shepherd is quite present in Sacred Scripture. Moses and David, both prominent personalities in the Old Testament, were shepherds. Moses met God and received his vocation whilst looking after the flock of his father in law Jethro (Cf. Ex 3). David also received his vocation and anointing as king whilst he was busy looking after the flock of his father Jesse (1 Sam 16:11). In some societies being a shepherd does not carry much prestige as it is a “smelly” profession. Even for the ancient Egyptians it was simply an abomination to follow animals (Cf. Gen 46:34). It is worth recalling that being a shepherd requires a lot of commitment as animals need daily care. There is no holiday in this profession.
Continue reading “Reflection for the fourth Sunday of Easter – Year C” →

by SECAM

Text: Luke 1, 46-55
Comment: The Hymn of Mary

After the Annunciation, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth. The dialogue between the two women ends with the hymn of Mary, the Magnificat. Mary thinks of the annunciation. She had answered the angel that she is a humble servant. She combines all the aspects of fragility. She is a woman in the patriarchal Jewish society and in the Greco-Roman world where the slave is only an object. She is the daughter of a people crushed by the Romans.

Yet she does not despair but participates in the salvation and liberation of her people. As a disciple, she will be the sign of the newness of God. Mary evokes the upheaval of situations and values ​​that characterise the transition from the old to the new world. The intervention of God that began with the Annunciation will give priority to the humble and the crushed. Continue reading “May 2019: Mary and Women” →