Category: Reflections

by Philip Kosloski

Pope’s Prayer Intention: May 2019

In the final years of preparation before the year 2000, St. John Paul II addressed the Church in Africa in the document Ecclesia in Africa and urged them to remain rooted in hope amid such turmoil.

“I exhort all God’s People in Africa to accept with open hearts the message of hope…Despite the mainly negative picture which today characterizes numerous parts of Africa, and despite the sad situations being experienced in many countries, the Church has the duty to affirm vigorously that these difficulties can be overcome. She must strengthen in all Africans hope of genuine liberation. In the final analysis, this confidence is based on the Church’s awareness of God’s promise, which assures us that history is not closed in upon itself but is open to God’s Kingdom. Therefore, there is no justification for despair or pessimism when we think about the future of both Africa and any other part of the world.”

Continue reading “May 2019: The Church in Africa, a Seed of Unity” →

by Fr Dumisani Vilakati

Click HERE for this Sunday’s readings in Siswati

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 30
Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
Gospel: John 21: 1-19

This Sunday we are reminded of what it means to live a truly Christian life in union with God. “It is more necessary to obey God than human beings”.

The first reading recalls the courage of the apostles who speak in the name of the Lord before the Council. This narration is placed in the same chapter with the deceit of Ananias and Sapphira, who, claiming to be Christian, withhold money from the sale of a property and subsequently merit severe punishment. We learn early on therefore that opposition to the Church’s missionary activity was both from within and without as seen in the behaviour of Ananias and Sapphira as well as the orders from the Council. All the apostles, as if singing, stand up and proclaim that it is necessary to obey God than human beings. We note that it is not just the apostles speaking here, but the Holy Spirit, who witnesses with them. Whoever obeys God more than human beings is in the same corner with God’s Holy Spirit.
Continue reading “Reflection for the third Sunday of Easter – Year C” →

by Fr. Dumisani Vilakati

First Reading: Acts 5:12-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118
Second Reading: Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Gospel: John 20: 19-31

Click HERE for Sunday’s readings in Siswati

On this Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday, we are invited to contemplate the merciful God who invites us, his children, to be merciful. “Merciful like the Father”. Continue reading “Reflection for the Second Sunday of Easter – Year C” →

from: www.vaticannews.va

Pope Francis on April 18 led the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica in commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist as well as the priesthood by Jesus at the Last Supper.

At the annual Chrism Mass, priests of dioceses gather around their bishops to celebrate their priesthood symbolising the unity of the local church. Patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priests present in Rome joined Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica Thursday morning, to renew the promises they made on the day of their ordination. The blessing of the holy oils or chrism that is used in the various sacraments during the year takes place during the Chrism Mass. Continue reading “Pope’s Chrism Mass homily” →

by Fr Martin McCormack s.d.b. MA.LPC

Click HERE for Sunday’s readings in SiSwati

In the old liturgy, before Vatican II, the reading of the Passion was greeted with total silence. There was no homily. Even the concluding acclamation: “This is the gospel of the Lord” was omitted. On a day like this, I sometimes feel that the most eloquent response to the word of God we have proclaimed is silence. So a short reflection.

This morning we celebrate and dramatise the beginning of Holy Week called the Triumphal Entry of Jesus in Jerusalem or popularly known as the Palm Sunday. The disciples and the crowd hailed Jesus as king who comes in the name of the Lord. The scene has a celebratory atmosphere with people shouting: “Hosanna!” or hail to the king. But they were somehow frustrated of this expectation in Jesus as the Messiah who will liberate them from the bondage of slavery. Continue reading “Reflection for Palm Sunday – Year C” →

by Fr Frank Majka SJ

Jesus said we should “love one another as I have loved you.” Yet many times we human beings harm one another in ways that are violent and often lethal, especially in war. We may feel that our causes are just, but even in “just causes” people are killed, burned, maimed, disfigured or left to face lives filled with pain and suffering. Often those who are harmed are children. In one part of the world, over a three-month period this past year, 1,600 people were killed or wounded, 33% of them children. And though the warring sides are trying to negotiate their differences, the violence and suffering continue. Continue reading “April 2019: Doctors and their Collaborators in War-Torn Areas” →

by Fr Martin McCormack s.d.b. MA.LPC

Click HERE for Sunday’s readings in SiSwati

We live in a land where gender based violence is prevalent. I have experienced this up close and personal twice since I’ve come to Eswatini. Most recently three years ago in Malkerns with the murder of Nobantu Sukati. Is there any regard for women I ask some days.? In the gospel this morning we see The scribes and Pharisees had no regard for the woman. They were only interested in using her to try to trap Jesus. She was a pawn in their game of chess. They had no regard for the fact that maybe she did not initiate the sin, perhaps it was the man. But Jesus is full of compassion. Continue reading “Reflection for the fifth Sunday of Lent – Year C” →

by SECAM