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

 Fourth Sunday of the Year C – February 3, 2019.

Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19; Responsorial Psalm 70:1-6,15,17; 

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 & Gospel Luke 4:21-30.

Theme: Brace Up for action, Be Ambitious for Higher Gifts!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, our liturgy this Sunday urges us to brace up for action even as we seek for higher gifts. Our readings are a wake-up call for us to stand up for something really lofty and worth it.  The saying "if you don't stand up for something, you will fall for everything" comes to the fore. This reflection hopes to scan through the summary of the readings so as to ascertain what the pastoral lessons are. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

In Jeremiah's prophesy (Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19) where we took our first reading from, in the days of King Josiah, the word of the Lord assures of divine knowledge, divine consecration and divine appointment for his elect. It further challenges  the consecrated to brace up for action and tell the people what the Lord has commanded. It further assures that the Lord would fortify his elect and deliver them.

The second reading (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13) charges the Corinthians to seek after higher gifts. It notes love or charity as a springboard for those lofty gifts stressing that: "Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes." It surmises that "Love does not come to an end" and that "there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love."

In the gospel (Luke 4:21-30), Jesus reproves his people for their unbelieve and maintained that "no prophet is ever accepted in his own country." He goes ahead to laud the heroic faith of foreigners like the  widow of Zarephath and the Syrian Naaman. When they heard that, they wanted to kill him but he slipped from their midst. 

 

Pastoral Lessons

1. God's divine knowledge, divine consecration and divine appointment of us demonstrates the sacredness of life before, during and after conception.

2. Pro-Abortionist need to have a rethink because everyone including the unborn is special to God - He created us to fulfill a purpose.

3. In particular, priests and religious need to brace up for action by telling the people what the Lord has commanded them to and not the other way round. 

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

Second Sunday of the Year C – January 27, 2019.

Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10; Responsorial Psalm 18:8-10,15; 

1 Corinthians 12:12-30 & Gospel Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21.

Theme: Fulfilled in Your Hearing: Celebrating the Power of the Word!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today the Church presents us with an opportunity to relish the Word of God even as it is daily been fulfilled in our lives. What is more, our liturgy affords us the privilege of celebrating the word of God. This reflection titled “Fulfilled in Your Hearing: Celebrating the Power of the God” explores the background and summary of the readings, essential components of the Liturgy, pastoral lessons and homiletic quotes to remember.

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10) presents us with how Ezra the priest presented the Law to the generality of the children of Israel consisting of men, women and children on the first day of the seventh month. It tells how he read the Word from early morning till noon noting that the people listened attentively. It further narratives that the people prostrated themselves before the Lord when Ezra read from the wooden dais erected for the proclamation the Word. 

While Ezra the priest ceased the opportunity to translate and give sense to the Word so that the people will understand, Nehemiah the leader of the people including the Scribes and Levites dedicated the day to the Lord as the people cried. They proclaimed the day as a day of joy for the people but emphasized that the people should be generous by sharing their meal with those who do not have.   

The second reading (1 Corinthians 12:12-30) presents an analogy of the body working in unison as a metaphor for the Church, the body of Christ comprising of apostles, prophets, teachers and others who work miracles, heal, lead, help and speak in tongues. St. Paul notes that if one part of the body is hurt, all parts are hurt with it and if one part is given special honour, all the parts enjoy it.

In the gospel (Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21), St. Luke reveals that they were ministers of the Word from the outset. He further discloses that he decided to write about Jesus to tell Theophilus how well founded the teaching he received is. He emphasized that with the power of the spirit, Jesus came to Nazara where he was brought up and went into the synagogues where the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed him and he read: “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” He surmised that he said, “This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen” as all eyes in the synagogues were fixed on him. 

Essential Components of Holy Mass

Our liturgy prepares us for what we have today as the celebration of the Holy Mass. We shall reflect on the two indispensable parts of the Mass as they relate to the first reading and the gospel:  

Liturgy of the Word

The liturgy of the word, also known as the ministry of the word, takes three forms namely, liturgy, catechesis and scripture reading. The liturgy charges Christians to be at the service of the word by being committed to the word who is Jesus. Just as the early apostles continued to devote themselves to prayer and the service of the word (Acts 6:3-4), the word which is proclaimed provides a leeway for Christians to like Christ, heal, instruct, reconcile and show love. Like Jesus, it enables Christians to communicate effectively in a way that the power of such words come out powerfully.

As we saw in the case of Ezra the priest and Jesus, the pulpit is the designated place for the proclamation of the word of God. It is also the rightful place where those who belong to the ministerial priesthood proclaim and break the word of God. Members of the laity especially Lectors, Cantors, Masters of Ceremony or Commentators are heralds (communicators) of the Good News. They communicate the message of Christ to the faithful. At other times, members of the laity preach the Good News to one another in the various pious societies or sodalities they belong to. 

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Eucharistic liturgy is the sacrifice of the cross that is re-enacted in an unbloody manner by the Church following the command of Christ “Do this in memory of me (Luke 22:19). The liturgy of the Eucharist is the reenactment of the sacrifice of Holy Mass on Holy Thursday when Christ instituted the Apostles as priests of the New Covenant (John Paul II, 2003). Eucharistic liturgy is the source and summit of our Christian lives and existence (Sacosanctum Concilium, no.10).

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).