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

Second Sunday of the Year C – January 20, 2019.

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-3,7-10; 

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 & Gospel John 2:1-11.

Theme: With Prayer, Our Wine Never Gets Finished!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, our liturgy this Sunday presents us with an opportunity to reflect on prayer and its potential in the economy of salvation. I pray we use this occasion to re-catechise ourselves about the various forms of prayer in the Church namely latria, hyperdulia and dulia. We shall scan through a summary of the readings to draw pastoral lessons before concluding.

Background & Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Isaiah 62:1-5), the Prophet Isaiah brings a message of hope that the nations will see the integrity of the Jerusalem noting that she would be called by a new name and a crown of splendour as well as a princely diadem in the hand of the Lord. He further uses poetic language to describe her being wedded like a young man marries a virgin. He ends by saying, God will rejoice in her.      

In the second reading (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), St. Paul insists that there are a variety of gifts in the Church given by the same Lord but meant for service. He lists these gifts as, preaching, instruction, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, recognising spirits, tongues and interpretation. He concludes by emphasizing that: “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people just as he chooses.”

The Gospel (John 2:1-11) narrates how Jesus and his mother were invited for a wedding at Cana in Galilee. It tells how the couple ran out of wine and Mary intervened. Jesus obliged his mother by telling the servants to fill the six stone jars with water. When they did, the water had turned into wine. Although his hour had not yet come, he saved this couple from total embarrassment. 

The Virgin Mary’s intervention and the role of the stewards who filled the six stone jars with water at the instance of Jesus introduce us to the role of prayer. We shall now take a close look at the gospel and state how it relates to the other readings. 

 

Various Forms of Prayer in the Church

There are three forms of prayer in the Church. These are, latria, hyperdulia and dulia. We shall highlight them thus:

1. Latria: Since Latria is the highest form of prayer that takes place between God and humanity in which human beings accord God the worship that is due to no other being, Jesus’ nature miracle of turning water into wine is indicative of this form of prayer. Like the celebration of the Holy Mass, the miracle of Cana was a prefiguring of the Eucharist. The first miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast of Cana in Galilee was a miniature epiphany which elevated marriage to the status of a sacrament, a means of salvation and eventually prepares us for the wedding feast of the lamb in heaven.

2. Hyperdulia: Because the Blessed Virgin Mary intervened for the couple at Cana, it reveals Hyperdulia - the veneration and honour which the Church gives to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Often, this is based on her Immaculate Conception and Perpetual Virginity. God places her over the saints. We see that during his first miracle where Mary demonstrated her unique role in the economy of salvation. In imitation of what she did for the couple at Cana of Galilee (Jn. 2:1-11) the Pilgrim Church asks for her intercession. This is why we don’t need to apologize to anyone when we pray the Holy Rosary, observe May and October Devotions or seek her maternal intercession and engage in other Marian Prayers.

3. Dulia: Dulia means the veneration of the Saints. It is not the adoration or worship due to God; rather, it is the intercession of the saints who are ranked after the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholics seek the intercession of the saints who are before God through invoking or honouring them because of their heroic virtue. Just as we ask the saints or fellow Christians to pray for us, the role of the servants who assisted in filling the stone jars with water can be likened to Dulia.

 

Pastoral Lessons

1. The first reading challenges us to be wedded to God by being committed to him knowing fully well that it pleases him well if we do his will.

2. The variety of gifts in the Church namely, preaching, instruction, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, recognising spirits, tongues and interpretation, like fine wine calls us to use our gits and talents for the advancement of the kingdom of God.  

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

January 13, 2019.

Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord

Readings Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Responsorial Psalm 104:1B-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30; 

Tit. 2:11-14; 3:4-7 & Gospel Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.

Theme: My Favour Rests On You!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord. With the Baptism of the Lord ends Christmastide - that is, the Christmas season. Our reflection shall highlight the meaning of baptism, the types of baptism, the necessity of infant baptism and pastoral application. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11) reveals the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the Messiah. It calls the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prepare a way for the Lord and make his paths straight. It demands that the people fill every valley and lay low every mountain and cliff. It assures that if that is done, the glory of the Lord will be manifest because the mouth of the Lord has said it.

The second reading (Tit. 2:11-14; 3:4-7) invites the faithful to give up everything that does not lead to God. It cautions about worldly ambition and notes that we must exercise self-restrain even as we live good lives here while awaiting the appearing of the world to come. It maintains that we imitate Christ who sacrificed himself to set us free from all wickedness and to purify us for himself to have no ambition but to please him.  

The gospel recounts (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22) the feeling of expectancy that grew among the people who were beginning to take John as the Christ. It also reveals the humility of John who told the people that someone greater than he was coming who would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire. It further discloses how the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus upon his baptism and the voice of the father which said: “You are my Son, the beloved; my favour rests on you.”

Meaning of Baptism

According to the Penny Catechism, “Baptism is a sacrament which washes away original sin, makes us children of God and members of the Church." Notice that three things are at stake in this definition:

1. First, the fact that the sacrament cleanses us from the sin of Adam and Eve which every human being incurred except the Blessed Virgin Mary because she was immaculately conceived and prepared to be the worthy mother of the Saviour - To claim she had the original sin means that Christ shared that sin which is blasphemous. So baptism takes care of that sin.

2. Second, it makes us children of God confident to call him our Father. It is not as if we were children of the devil. The point is, because of the inborn vestiges of original sin, the unbaptised person doesn't enjoy the fullness of adoption and incorporation into Christ such that he/she can confidently address God as "Abba Father." The sacrament of baptism gives us that privilege.

3. Third, baptism makes us members of the Church. Town unions’ members in every society register their members. Just so, Christians admit followers into the flock through the sacrament of baptism. This gives them full rights and privileges as sons and daughters of the Church.  As such, by the virtue of baptism, Christians share in the Common Priesthood of Christ.

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

January 6, 2019.

Epiphany of the Lord

Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; 

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Gospel Matthew 2:1-12.

Theme: Celebrating Christ, Our Star!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today we celebrate the Epiphany otherwise known as the manifestation of Jesus to the world. On this day, the Church celebrates a miniature Christmas because the Magi represent humanity in following the star of Bethlehem to not only identify the Lord but present Him gifts and worship Him as Lord.

The word Epiphany comes from the Greek Epiphania, which denotes the visit of God to earth. The celebration reveals Christ as the Son of God. Most importantly, it unites three events in the life of Christ namely the adoration of the Magi, the baptism of Christ in the Jordan and the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast of Cana in Galilee. As it were, the Epiphany prepares the faithful for the second coming of Christ in glory. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6) from the prophet Isaiah discloses how everyone in Sheba would offer gold and incense to God while singing His praises - A clear testimony that the nations and kings have come to the light of the world. As it were, the reading is a forecast of how the Magi would be led by the star of Bethlehem to where the saviour is born. Interestingly, the prophecy of old takes flesh in the gospel (Matthew 2:1-12).

Aside from the exciting revelation of the Magi in the gospel, the reading tells us how sensible the wise men were in not returning to Herod who wanted to eliminate the child Jesus. Accordingly, they went through another way leaving Herod with his wicked plans on-hatched. Notably too, the Magi were thrilled at the star which guided them to the manger. Their mystic gifts would go down in history as artifacts (sacramentals) of faith: Gold signifies His kingship, myrrh stands for His death and frankincense signifies His priesthood.

In the second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6), talks about the revelation of God’s mystery which the solemnity of Epiphany tries to unravel and celebrate. It makes it abundantly clear that that mystery has indeed been revealed by spirit which is why Gentiles can also make claim to God’s inheritance that they are part of the same body and same promise through Christ.  

Pastoral Lessons

1. Celebration of God as Man: Epiphany denotes the visit of God to the earth, the divine wedding of Christ with humanity and the fact that great things happen when God mixes with men – “This day the Church is joined to her heavenly Spouse, for Christ has cleansed her crimes in the Jordan. With gifts the Magi hasten to the royal nuptials, and the guests are gladdened with wine made from water.”

2. Celebration of God as King: On this day, Christ is revealed to the three kings at Bethlehem as a symbol of His revelation to the Gentiles – an indication of the call to all nations to embrace the Christian faith and spread same. 

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

The Octave Day of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 

the Mother of God – January 1, 2019.

Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8(R.v.2a); 

Galatians 4:4-7 & Gospel Luke 2:16-21.

Theme: Mary’s Motherhood & the Need for World Peace.

Introduction

Today being 1^st January 2019 is the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Incidentally too, today is the “World Day of Peace” – a celebration that was established by Pope Paul VI in 1968 as a day in which the Mass for peace is said throughout the Catholic world.  Our reflection today prepares our minds to learn from Mary’s school of love and fidelity to God’s will. Theotokos which means Mary as Mother of God being one of the dogmas of the Blessed Virgin Mary prepares us as her children to respond to the will of God. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Numbers 6:22-27), God commanded Moses to bless the sons and daughters of Israel. The invocation of divine benediction upon the children of Israel signals dependence on God who is dependable and merciful. There is no proper time to seek God’s blessings than the beginning of the year which makes the reading apt.

In the second reading (Galatians 4:4-7), St. Paul assures that we have received the spirit of adoption as God’s sons and daughters. It also discloses that this was made possible through the incarnation of Christ who humbled himself to be born of a woman, the BVM who is the mother of God. The text assures that we have being given the spirit of his Son which makes us cry “Abba! Father.” This means that we are no longer slaves since we have a father and a mother who are always there to listen to our needs.

In a related development, the Blessed Virgin Mary kept everything that was said about her Son pondering it in her heart as the gospel (Luke 2:16-21) relates. The visit of the shepherds and the circumcision as well as the naming of Jesus does not only indicate how God mixes with men but how men must cooperate with the will of God for divine realities to be made manifest. The generosity of Joseph and Mary in showing their Son to the shepherds is something that we should think about.

What is a Dogma?

A dogma is the official teaching of the Catholic Church pertaining to faith and morals proclaimed by the Magisterium (the teaching body of the Church) through the Roman Pontiff which is binding on all Catholics. Dogmas are lights along the path of faith; they illuminate and make faith secure (John 8:31-32). Built upon divine foundations, dogmas are firmly rooted in scripture as evident in the Holy Scripture (Cf. Matthew 18:18 & 16:18-19, John 21:16 & Luke 10:16).          

         

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

December 30, 2019.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Readings: 1 Sam 1:20-22.24-28; Responsorial Psalm 84:2-3.5-6.9-10(R.5a); 

1 Jn 3:1-2.21-24 & Gospel Luke 2:41-52.

Theme: Overcoming the Challenges of the Family.

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. It gives us another opportunity to reflect on the family towards finding a panacea to the factors militating against this most ancient but noble institution. Based on our liturgical readings, we shall consider the background of the readings, the fourfold functions of the family as well as possible solutions to contemporary challenges facing marriage and the family. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Sam 1:20-22.24-28) recounts the story of Hannah and Elkanah. The aged parents had no child. Hannah was constantly in the presence of the Lord at Shiloh asking for the gift of a child. “…I will bring him and present him before the lord and he shall stay there forever” she had promised. When the Lord fulfilled his promise, this virtuous woman did not waste time in going to Shiloh to present her child to God in fulfilment of the vow she made to him.

In the second reading (1 Jn 3:1-2.21-24), Saint John informs that we are God’s children because the Father has lavished so much love upon us. He notes that when he is revealed, we shall see him as he truly is. It stresses that as God’s children, we ought to be guided by our conscience through keeping his commandments and overcoming every kind of fear even as we love one another bearing in mind that God’s Spirit lives in us.  

The gospel (Luke 2:41-52) tells the story of how Jesus got missing in Jerusalem during the feast of Passover at the age of 12. It recounts how his parents found him in the Temple sitting among the doctors, listening to them, asking them questions and how all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligent replies. His mother expressed worry but the child Jesus told them that he was about his father’s affairs. It notes that he followed them to Nazareth and lived under their authority. The gospel concludes that while Mary stored all those things in her heart, the child Jesus increased in wisdom, stature and favour before God and men. 

Fourfold Functions of the Family

In the light of our celebration, we will outline the fourfold functions of the family as given by Pope Saint John Paul II in Familiaris Consortio (1981, no.17) which include:

1. Forming a Community of Persons:  Every ideal family is formed by a community of persons namely father, mother and children.

2. Serving Life: Since married couples are open to accepting children lovingly from God, Christian marriage serves life. Parents also serve life because they are co-creators.

3. Participation in the Development of Society: The family has an indispensable role to play in the society in that parents work to contribute to the growth of society and give their children civic and religious education thus preparing them to be responsible members of the society.

4. Sharing in the Life and Mission of the Church: By bringing their children for baptism and dedication, parents share in the life and mission of the Church by walking the talk and preparing their children to do same. 

Pastoral Application

On the feast of Holy Family, I would like us to provide panacea to what the Fathers of the Church described as socio-cultural crisis faced by the family which are painfully the basic cell of society (Synod of Bishops, 2015, nos. 5, 6 & 7) not only in the African context but globally which I highlighted in my book “Couples Clinic.”. These are: 

1. Overcoming the Danger of Troubling Individualism: In a world where there is a growing danger of troubling individualism which deforms family bonds and ends up making each component of the family as an isolated unit, leading, in some cases, to the idea that a person is formed according to his own desires, which are considered absolute, couples are invited to over the troubling danger of individualism.

2. Checkmating the Crisis of Faith: In the face of crisis of faith among a great number of Catholics which often underlies crisis in marriage and the family leading to mass exodus Catholics out of the Church, family members are urged to checkmate the anomaly.

3. Rising above the Challenge of Loneliness: The Synod Fathers observed that many people are suffering from loneliness which arises from the absence of God in their lives leading to the fragility of relationships and so, couples are called to rise above the challenge of loneliness.

4. Defeating Poverty and Unemployment: In the face of increasing instances of poverty and unemployment in the workplace as well as the real nightmare of overwhelming financial difficulties which not only discourage the young from marrying but creates a general feeling of powerlessness in the face of socio-cultural realities that oftentimes end in crushing families, families are urged to defeat poverty and unemployment. 

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

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C –Dec 23, 2018.

Readings: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Gospel Luke 1:39-44.

Theme: Closing Advent by Recognising the First Tabernacle!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent. For four Sundays, we have been given the chance to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christmas. Our liturgy starts with the message of hope as it navigates through its fulfillment in Christ who came to do the will of God. It ends with a call on us to prepare our minds by recognizing Jesus who is coming at Christmas in Mary’s womb, the First Tabernacle. 

 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Micah 5:1-4) presents us with the assurances of the Prophet Micah to the people that out of Bethlehem, least of the clans of Judah will be born one who would rule over Israel and restore their fortunes. He goes further to state that in his days, the remnant of Yahweh will return as the Lord feeds his flock with power. He concludes that the people will live secure and peaceful as the Lord extends his dynasty to the ends of the earth.

In the second reading (Hebrews 10:5-10), the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that Christ came to offer himself for us once for all to be holy. He emphasizes that he takes no delight in oblations, holocausts and sacrifices for sins but obedience to the will of God which he demonstrated by coming into the world.

The gospel (Luke 1:39-44) recounts the glorious visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth. Saint Luke reveals how Mary’s greeting made the child in the womb of Elizabeth leap for joy. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth said, “Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 

Pastoral Application

Our pastoral lessons are drawn from the commentary of Saint Ambrose on Saint Luke's Gospel concerning the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary which we read today:]

1. God Favours the Humble: The assurances of the Prophet Micah to the people that out of Bethlehem, least of the clans of Judah will be born one who would rule over Israel and restore their fortunes demonstrates that God always favours the humble.

2. Obedience is Better than Sacrifice: The message of the letter to the Hebrews that Christ takes no delight in oblations, holocausts or sacrifices for sins but obedience to the will of God which he demonstrated by coming into the world challenges us to always desire to do the will of God.

3. God’s Word Comes to Fruition: By announcing something that was as yet hidden through the angel Gabriel, God urges us to relax because his word concerning us would be fulfilled.

4. Miracles of Others Evoke Faith in Us: Just as the angel’s message to the Virgin Mary that her kinswoman Elizabeth had conceived served to evoke faith in her, we are reminded that God enables miracles in the lives of our friends, nieghbours or family members to teach us that he has not passed us – meaning that our miracle is on the way.

5. Everything is Possible with God: The conception of an old sterile woman, Elizabeth assures that nothing is possible to God – Not even your deadly disease, poor finances or sins can prevent God from doing the needful in your life.

6. Trust in God Wins his Favour: We are challenged to emulate Mary who did not disbelieve the angle’s prophecy but was certain that God would fulfill that which he has promised.

7. Sharing what God does for us Increases Blessings: Because the Blessed Virgin Mary was eager to travel to the hill country of Judah to share the good news with cousin, we are encouraged to share God’s goodness in our lives with others as this increases blessings.