Tag: Diocese of Manzini

Third Sunday of Advent reflection – Year B 

by Khonzumenzi Dlamini

Click here for Sunday’s readings

Today we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent known as Gaudete Sunday (rejoice). The second reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-25 sets the theme of today’s Eucharistic celebration “Rejoice always.” We should embrace the joyful hope of the coming of the Messiah. The Old Testament history tells us that the coming of the Messiah was a sweet national obsession. Everyone was waiting for the Messianic age, it was coming with great news of emancipation, happiness and restoration.

Our Gospel periscope today presents John the Baptist in the River Jordan where he was baptizing, calling People to “turn away from their sins and make straight the way of the Lord.” A delegation of Priests and Levites was sent to find out who John the Baptist was, they wanted his identity. He confessed that he was not the Messiah since some Jewish authorities and the people might have thought he was the Messiah, or else Elijah whom they believed would reappear when it was time for the Messiah to come.

Continue reading “Third Sunday of Advent reflection – Year B “ →

Bishop’s statement on Covid-19

by Diocesan Media

Brothers and sisters, the church today is in exile. We live our lives without actively participating in the Eucharistic Sacrifice which is the highest form of our worship. The Christian community has chosen to live its life away from communal prayer in order not to spread this Virus.

This choice does not mean that the Christian community is afraid of sickness or of death. It does not mean that the church is blindly obeying civil authorities. The decision of the church is rooted in the Church’s understanding of the value of human life.

Below is Bishop Jose Luis IMC’s statement, following the “Declaration of national emergency in response to coronavirus” issued by the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, with directives for the Diocese of Manzini. Continue reading “Bishop’s statement on Covid-19” →