Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year, A (Laetare Sunday) – March 26, 2017

Readings: 1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13a; Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6(R.1); Eph. 5:8-14; Gospel Jn 9:1-14 OR Jn 9:1.6-9.13-17.34-38.

Theme: Rejoice, because God Chooses the Weak, to Shame the Strong!

Friends in Christ, today is Laetare or Rejoice Sunday. The fourth Sunday of Lent is referred to as Laetare Sunday because the Latin words of the Introit “Laetare Jerusalem” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem) from Isaiah 66:10 appears in the entrance antiphon at Mass in the Western Christian Liturgical Calendar. As we continue our annual Lenten Observances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the Church bids us rejoice because our redemption is near.

Laetare Sunday is considered as a day of relaxation from the normal rigors of Lent as Easter is insight. Traditionally, weddings which are usually discouraged during the period of Lent are performed on Laetare Sunday. To further authenticate “Rejoice Sunday,” servants were released from their Master’s Service to visit their mothers which is why in some Churches, Mothering Sunday is held on this day. 

The theme of joy connects with the first reading (1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13a)  which recounts how God shows preference for the youngest son of Jesse, David amidst his siblings. The favour God shows David is also demonstrated in the lives of the Israelites who despite being a small nation, enjoy divine blessings to the dismay of the Egyptians and Babylonians (Deut 7:7-8). One lesson we can quickly learn from this is that God has a way of making small things great.

To put him on the lane of happiness, Jesus turns the darkness of lack of sight suffered by the blind man in the gospel (Jn 9:1-14) into a life-changing experience. By giving him sight, Jesus changed his mourning into rejoicing. To appreciate the narrative, we must realize the various stages the man went through to appropriate the blessings of God in his life.

Bishop Malachy John Goltok (July12, 1965– March 21, 2015):  Two Years In Mind!

By Justine John DYIKUK

“Whether we are alive or dead, we belong to God” (Romans 14:8).

The imposing posture of Bishop Malachy John Goltok’s portrait at the entrance to the Bauchi Diocesan Secretariat and St. John’s Cathedral Rectory which reads ‘‘No pen can write, no tongue tell, our sad and painful loss’’ reminds this writer of the darkness that was cast over Bauchi Diocese at the rude shock of the demise of their Chief Shepherd, Bishop Malachy John Goltok at Our Lady of Apostle’s Hospital, Jos on Sunday 21 March, 2015. The sad event which occurred after a brief illness threw the priests, religious and laity of the Diocese into confusion and consternation.

It is exactly two years today since the sudden exit of our beloved bishop. No doubt, his death reminds us of the saying of the existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre: ‘‘A man begins to die the day he is born.’’ This statement underscores the shortness of life. This may be why the Psalmist prayed: ‘‘Lord, make us know the shortness of our lives that we may gain wisdom of heart.” Death is one sad reality that puts us in confusion. It is even more shocking and painful when it concerns a dear one like Bishop Malachy.  

No one saw this coming; not even the bishop himself – Bishop Malachy was strong and healthy. He went about his normal business. He was in the office a week before this unfortunate incident. Although he was ill for about three weeks or so, the illness did not show it would lead to death. Since then, for many of us, each day we woke up, we felt someone would tell us, ‘‘the news of your bishop’s death is not true. He is alive.’’ He was too good to die.

Born on July 12, 1965 in Bauchi to the family of Nde John, Bishop Malachy was the second eldest of a family of ten. The young Malachy attended St. Peter’s primary school, Wunti from 1972 to1978. In 1984, he enrolled into St. John Vianney Minor Seminary, Barkin Ladi and successfully completed in 1983. As part of responding to the call of God, 1984-1990 saw him at the prestigious St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos. Having fulfilled the necessary requirements for priestly formation, he was ordained a priest on the 4, November 1990 by the Bishop Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka of blessed memory.

Between 1991 to 1996, he worked as a young priest at St. Stephen’s Parish, Jagindi and St. James’ Parish Gombe. While in Gombe, apart from his pastoral responsibilities and studies, he found time for playing football (his second love) at the stadium. This earned him both popularity and friends among Muslim youths. From 1996-2004, he was involved in the formation of young men for the priesthood at the Holy Spirit Formation Centre, Kuru. St. Finbar’s Rayfield played host to him between 2004 to 2011. While in the Archdiocese of Jos, he doubled as the parish priest of St. Finbar’s and the Archdiocesan Financial Administrator.