Gospel reflection for the XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
We must, I think, completely change the attitude with which we listen to these Gospels that speak of the end of the world and the return of Christ. We must no longer regard as a punishment and a veiled threat that which the Scriptures call “the blessed hope” of Christians, that is, the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The calm before the storm
Anticipating a reforming pope’s radical plan to curtail the Roman Curia. It’s not clear how radical the changes will be. But the relative, though uneasy calm that currently hovers over the Vatican is surely only the prelude to a document that is likely to cause one devil of a storm.
Gospel reflection for the XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
We might call this Sunday the “Sunday of the widows.” The story of a widow was also told in the first reading, the widow of Zarephath who gave up all she had left to eat (a handful of flour and a drop of oil) to prepare a meal for the prophet Elijah.
A Panorama of the Catholic Church all over the World
To 31 December 2016, the world population was 7.352.289.000 with an increase of 103.348.000 units compared with the previous year. On the same date, Catholics in the world numbered 1.299.059.000 units with an overall incewase of 14.249.000.
Gospel reflection for the XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Truly, loving God, more than a commandment, is a privilege, a concession. If one day we find him, we will not cease to thank God for commanding us to love him and we will not desire to do anything else but cultivate this love.
Cardinal Zen: “No goodwill” from China. The Vatican is badly mishandling China situation
HONG KONG – The recent agreement between the Vatican and China is a step towards the “annihilation” of the Catholic Church in China, Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Kong, wrote in a New York Times op-ed published on Wednesday.
Uganda: A Traditional Karamojong Wedding
The Karamojong are an ethnic group of agro-pastoral herders living mainly in the north-east of Uganda. We look at their traditional wedding.
Gospel reflection for the XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Bartimaeus is someone who does not miss an opportunity. He heard that Jesus was passing by, understood that it was the opportunity of his life and acted swiftly. The reaction of those present — “and many rebuked him, telling him to be silent” — makes evident the unadmitted pretension of the wealthy of all times.
The Synod of Bishops: Missing the forest for the trees
Just like the two previous Synod assemblies on the family, Pope Francis has made this current assembly on youth yet another necessary juncture on the road towards radically reforming structures of ecclesial governance and effecting a “conversion” of the papacy itself.
Republic Of Central Africa: A Church With Open Arms
Some dioceses have had their priests killed and churches destroyed but nevertheless they take in the homeless and the needy. The Episcopal Conference promotes interreligious dialogue and seeks to get internal and international political institutions moving. The testimony of Mons. Juan José Aguirre, Bishop of Bangassou.
Gospel reflection for the XXIX Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
After the Gospel on riches, this Sunday’s Gospel gives us Christ’s judgment on another of the great idols of the world: power… Our minds — the thoughts of the heart — can become a kind of throne on which we sit to dictate laws and thunder against those who do not submit to us
Ethiopia: The Sidama People – Magano, The First Ancestor
The Sidama people are a deeply religious ethnic group that lives in southern Ethiopia. They say that ‘Magano (God), created their ancestors and took them away’.
Oral Literature: Spider & the Lion
0ne day Spider went to the river to fish. It must have been Spider’s lucky day, for the fish swarmed around him until at last he had a large pile lying on the muddy bank beside him.
“Now for a fire to cook my supper”, exclaimed Spider in delight, and quickly collecting a few sticks, he made a fire and began roasting his fish.
Gospel reflection for the XXVIII Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
“Nothing is impossible for God,” says Scripture, and also: “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” But the world says: “Everything is possible for the one who has money.”
OGF 11/2018 What will become of the Church in the future? Ratzinger’s forgotten prophecy
“As so it seems certain to me that the Church is facing very hard times. The real crisis has scarcely begun. We will have to count on terrific upheavals. But I am equally certain about what will remain at the end: not the Church of political cult, which is dead already, but the Church of faith.”
Oral Literature: How the Monkeys saved the Fish
The floods came so fast that many drowned except the lucky monkeys who used their proverbial agility to climb up into the treetops. They looked down on the surface of the water where the fish were swimming and gracefully jumping out of the water as if they were the only ones enjoying the devastating flood.
Gospel reflection for the XXVII Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
What is important is that one must understand that in this process of tears and repairs, of crises and surmounted obstacles, marriage is not exhausted, but is refined and improves. I perceive an analogy between the process that leads to a successful marriage and one that leads to holiness.
OGF 10/2018 “The omnipotence of prayer is our strength”
Unique, amazing, overwhelming. And let’s admit it straight away: off-the-pegs clothes didn’t suit him. Pointless to get involved in cutting and sewing… he’d have suffocated in them. He was as he was. That’s how he was made. Every size was too tight on him. And there was nothing to do if the pattern didn’t fit.
Ex-FBI agents to help investigate cardinals on abuse and corruption
A new watchdog, Better Church Governance, plans to produce a dossier on all the cardinal electors
Viganò accuses Pope Francis of slander and hypocrisy in new letter
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has issued a second statement in which he attacks Pope Francis for not responding to the allegation that he covered up the sexual abuse of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. He appeals to Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, to come to his defense by confirming his testimony.
Gospel reflection for the XXVI Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
One of the apostles, John, saw demons cast out in the name of Jesus by one who did not belong to the circle of disciples and forbade him to do so. On recounting the incident to the master, he is heard to reply: “Do not forbid him … For he that is not against us is for us”
Brother Fafa: A brother serving fellow refugees
I am happy and enjoy being a Comboni missionary brother. It gives me the opportunity to meet God in my life. And I believe that by using my talents well, I will be giving love back to God and become a good servant as the gospel invites us to be (Mt 25:14-30)
Oral Literature: The Crocodile & the Cockerel
Once upon a time, the crocodile was king of the animals. He was holding court one day. He sat majestically on his throne as he received petitions from his subjects and issued orders. A large crowd had gathered at the court on that day.
Gospel reflection for the XXV Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
In service all benefit from the greatness of one. Whoever is great in service, is great and makes others great; rather than raising himself above others, he raises others with him. Alessandro Manzoni concludes his poetic evocation of Napoleon’s ventures with the question: “Was it true glory? In posterity the arduous sentence.”
A pimp was that book!
A ‘church kid’ dreams of becoming a botanist. He loves reading short novels. One day, he lays his hands on a booklet titled “If the seed falls…” and buys it. It is not a work on botany. He feels fooled. Yet, he reads it all the same… and his life changes radically.
OGF 9/2018 Letter to the People of God
With shame and repentance, we acknowledge as an ecclesial community that we were not where we should have been, that we did not act in a timely manner, realizing the magnitude and the gravity of the damage done to so many lives.
OGF 8/2018 Change, Loss and Grief: Companions on the Journey
As we move through the life course, our very wandering is similar to the concept of peregrinatio. We move from place to place, life event to life event, and situation to situation with, perhaps, a general idea of what lies ahead and, at other times, perhaps not. Yet, we go forward because of the life that calls us to movement.
OGF 7/2018 How the Spirit guides the Church
“One of the things I think needs to happen is a change in attitude on the part of the magisterium, especially the Roman Magisterium. They must move away from the position that they are expected to have all the answers to an attitude of listening to public opinion in the Church”
Kenya: Maasai – The Course Of Life
Exact rites mark the passage to an age group or becoming a member of a particular group. In this way, identity and world vision are preserved.
Missionaries of Africa: A great gift
This year, the Missionaries of Africa (also known as the White Fathers) celebrate 150 years of their foundation. The society was founded in Algeria on the 19th October, 1868, by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie and it focuses on evangelism and education in the African continent.
Jean Vanier’s ’10 rules for life to become more human’
Jean Vanier turned ninety this week. To commemorate the occasion he released a YouTube video laying out his “ten rules for life to become more human” by sharing his thoughts on life and on growing older. He speaks about success, vulnerability, listening, fear and love.
Oral Literature: The Leopard & The Rabbit
Once upon a time the Leopard lived in a small house far way in the bush. After thinking for a long time he decided to look for a better place. After a short time he found a suitable place nearer the other animals.
Gospel reflection for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Regrettably we must state that Peter’s error has been repeated in history. Also certain men of the Church, and even Successors of Peter, have behaved at certain times as if the Kingdom of God was of this world and should be affirmed with the victory (if necessary also with arms) over enemies
Oral Literature: The Magic Crocodile
There was once a very big cave. It was divided into two parts being dry and the bottom part filled with water. In the bottom part there lived a crocodile.
Gospel reflection for the 23th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
We are deaf when we shut ourselves in, out of pride, in an aloof and resentful silence, while perhaps with just one word of excuse or forgiveness we could return peace and serenity to the home.
Impact Of Small Arms Proliferation On Africa
The consequences of small arms on African people due to international conflicts within Africa, rebel group activities, mercenary groups, and armed gang activities have yet to be fully measured. Armed conflict cost Africa $18 billion each year.
Swahili Myth – Heaven And Earth
When God’s moment had come, he began creating the world of matter. He rolled out the day-sky and the night-sky like an immense tent, or like carpets full of mysterious signs and symbols.
Gospel reflection for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
The evangelists would not have retained these harsh words of the Master if he had not understood the perennial relevance of the risk of introducing into the Church this hypocritical worship and the danger of equating the law of God with the traditions of humans.
