Category: Reflections

by Fr Ncamiso Vilakati

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows”

Being a social network ‘junkie’, I must admit, have come across this quotation in reference to the part of Psalm 23: “He anoints my head with oil”. Like many I have always thought it is a figurative language for God keeping the Psalmists healthy. But the author of the post put it like this: “Sheep can get their head caught in briers and die trying to get untangled. There are horrid little flies that like to torment sheep by laying eggs in their nostrils which turn into worms and drive the sheep to beat their head against a rock, sometimes to death. Their ears and eyes are also susceptible to tormenting insects. So, the shepherd anoints their whole head with oil. Then there is peace. That oil forms a barrier of protection against evil that tries to destroy the sheep.” Continue reading “Reflection on the 16th Sunday in Ordinary time-B” →

by Fr Ncamiso Vilakati

“Travel light with little or no provision”

At Diaconate ordination the Bishop asks a candidate if he is resolved to maintain and deepen a spirit of prayer appropriate to the life he chooses and, in keeping with what is required, to celebrate faithfully the Liturgy of the Hours for the Church and for the whole world. After he has answered YES to all that he has been asked, the Bishop presents him the Book of the Gospels and placing it in his hands saying: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach”. This is a beginning of a journey where the ordained will be a collaborator of the Bishop in the conveyance of Word of God. It is advisable and wise of him to travel light with little or no provision at all but the Lord himself. Continue reading “Reflection on the 15th Sunday Ordinary time- B” →

by Fr Ncamiso Vilakati

“My grace is sufficient for you for power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Cor 12:9

On the 14^th October this year, Pope Francis will canonise two holy men. Blessed Pope Paul VI as well as Blessed Oscar Romero an Archbishop of San Salvador in El Salvador from Latin America. The latter was a controversial Bishop who had to face adversaries from his own people, especially the government. As a believer he knew that through his baptism, God’s grace was and is sufficient in pastoral ministry. Its no wonder on the 14^th August 1977 he is quoted as saying: “The prophet must be disturbing to society when society is not with God”. In some instances, found to be saying “Even when they call us mad, when they call us subversives and communists and all the epithets they put on us, we know we only preach the subversive witness of the Beatitudes, which have turned everything upside down”. Continue reading “Reflection on the 14th Sunday in Ordinary time B” →

by Fr Chris Chatteris SJ

Pope’s Prayer Intention for July 2018

Priests and their Pastoral Ministry. That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests.

It is very possible to be lonely in the middle of a crowd. A priest can be lonely in the midst of his congregation, even at a moment of great celebration. This may seem strange, but it happens. Why? Firstly, there is the simple fact that he is both single and singular. Because he is celibate, this makes him different, unusual. Whatever the compensations of the pastoral life, he will still feel, from time to time, the loss of the tenderness and intimacy of the married life and the deep satisfactions of creating a home and a family. Continue reading “July 2018: Priests and their Pastoral Ministry” →

by Fr Ncamiso Vilakati

Last week Sunday, was the Feast of the nativity of St John the Baptist. The Church not only invited us to reflect on the life of the saint which was of simplicity, but also the people around him at his birth. One particular person for me worth the mention is his father Zachariah, who named him John. The effects of him saying his name is John is that he was healed from his inability to speak which had been impeded sorely for his lack of faith. Immediately after the utterance of the words; “His name will be John” we heard that Zachariah the priest was able to speak again.

Continue reading “THE GOOD NEWS IS: TALITHA KUM!” →

by Fr D Mazibuko OSM

Thirteenth Sunday of the Year

This Sunday theme is about life and God being the author of life. From the very beginning of creation, God wanted us to live a long and healthy life. And God gave us the freedom to make our own choices. Therefore, all that ruins or diminishes this gift is a result of the choices we make. The gospel attests to the theme in that we see Jesus bringing to life two people who were in lifeless situations. Having faith in God and in His power can give life in the different challenges life presents us. Continue reading “The God of life” →

by Fr D Mazibuko OSM

This Feast is held even on a Sunday indicating the unique role of John the Baptist as herald of the Messiah. Just like when we celebration of Christ begins with a Vigil Mass with special readings so does this Sunday. As a Church we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist on the 24^th of June and on the 29^th of August, we celebrate his martyrdom. John the Baptist is the precursor of Christ. His birth is announced by the Angel Gabriel. In the New Testament John the Baptist bears witness to Christ so much so that when Jesus arrives he proclaims as the “lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”. Misunderstood by many John the Baptist fulfilled his mission announcing an era that would be brought about by Christ. Today as a Church, as families let us celebrate his birth and all who bear the name John and all who were born on this day.
Continue reading “Reflection on the Birthday of John the Baptist” →

by Fr Dumisani Mazibuko OSM

From the little seed to the large Tree

One thing is clear, growth is gradual and not instantaneous. Growth needs patience, determination and time. From the little seed to the large tree is the theme of this Sunday’s readings. Spiritual growth is a process. The first step is openness to growth. Indeed from the very beginning God created us so that we may grow not only spiritually but holistically. How best can we today best can we as Church be catalyst to the growth of the God’s Kingdom?. How can the Church support the growth of the Kingdom in areas where it seem to diminish? With the seed-God’s word implanted in us, how can we allow it to grow within us? I believe the growth of God’s Kingdom is being placed in our hands as we listen to God’s word . are we going to allow it to spread and grow within us? Continue reading “Reflection on the Eleventh Sunday Ordinary Time” →