FURAHA YA KIKATOLIKI / JOY OF THE CATHOLIC LIFE: June 2021

1st JULY 2021

Readings at Mass Thursday 1 July 2021

Readings at Mass

Thursday 1 July 2021

13th Week in Ordinary Time

Liturgical Colour: Green.

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First reading

Genesis 22:1-19

God put Abraham to the test. ‘Abraham, Abraham’ he called. ‘Here I am’ he replied. ‘Take your son,’ God said ‘your only child Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him as a burnt offering, on a mountain I will point out to you.’

Rising early next morning Abraham saddled his ass and took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. He chopped wood for the burnt offering and started on his journey to the place God had pointed out to him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. Then Abraham said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there; we will worship and come back to you.’

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering, loaded it on Isaac, and carried in his own hands the fire and the knife. Then the two of them set out together. Isaac spoke to his father Abraham, ‘Father’ he said. ‘Yes, my son’ he replied. ‘Look,’ he said ‘here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘My son, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.’ Then the two of them went on together.

When they arrived at the place God had pointed out to him, Abraham built an altar there, and arranged the wood. Then he bound his son Isaac and put him on the altar on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and seized the knife to kill his son.

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven. ‘Abraham, Abraham’ he said. ‘I am here’ he replied. ‘Do not raise your hand against the boy’ the angel said. ‘Do not harm him, for now I know you fear God. You have not refused me your son, your only son.’ Then looking up, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. Abraham took the ram and offered it as a burnt-offering in place of his son. Abraham called this place ‘The Lord Provides’, and hence the saying today: On the mountain the Lord provides.

The angel of the Lord called Abraham a second time from heaven. ‘I swear by my own self – it is the Lord who speaks – because you have done this, because you have not refused me your son, your only son, I will shower blessings on you, I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants shall gain possession of the gates of their enemies. All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, as a reward for your obedience.’

Abraham went back to his servants, and together they set out for Beersheba, and he settled in Beersheba.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 114(116):1-6,8-9

Response: I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

I love the Lord for he has heard

the cry of my appeal;

for he turned his ear to me

in the day when I called him.

They surrounded me, the snares of death,

with the anguish of the tomb;

they caught me, sorrow and distress.

I called on the Lord’s name.

O Lord, my God, deliver me!

How gracious is the Lord, and just;

our God has compassion.

The Lord protects the simple hearts;

I was helpless so he saved me.

He has kept my soul from death,

my eyes from tears

and my feet from stumbling.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord

in the land of the living.

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Gospel Acclamation

Mt11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom

to mere children.

Alleluia!

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Gospel

Matthew 9:1-8

Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.

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Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible, Text of the Psalms from The Grail

UJASIRI WAKUTAFUTA MSAMAHA

“ASALI ITOKAYO MWAMBANI”

Tafakari ya kila siku

Alhamisi, Julai 1, 2021

Juma la 13 la Mwaka

Mwa 22: 1-19;

Zab 115: 1-9;

Mt 9: 1-8

UJASIRI WAKUTAFUTA MSAMAHA

Ndugu zangu wapendwa, karibuni kwa adhimisho la Misa takatifu asubuhi ya leo. Neno la Bwana katika somo la kwanza, tunakutana na simulizi kuhusu utayari wa Abrahamu kumtoa Mwanae Isaka kama sadaka ya kuteketezwa. Hakika hili lilikuwa jaribu la ajabu kwani huyu ni mtoto wa pekee, aliyesubiri miaka 25 kumpata, na ambaye alikuwa ameahidiwa kwamba kwa njia yake uzao wake utaongezeka. Na pia Abrahamu alikuwa mzee tayari. Lakini haoneshi ugumu katika kukubali kumtoa mwanae kama sadaka.

Tukio hili lilimbariki kwa maisha yake yote. Likamfanya ndio uzao wake uongezeke na kuwa tukio la kusimuliwa kwa vizazi vingi. Tunachojifunza hapa ni kwamba ukarimu, utayari wa kutoa yote kwa ajili ya Mungu hakika ni ufunguo wa kupata yote. Mbele ya Mungu hakuna cha kupoteza. Kila unachokitoa kwa ajili ya Bwana, utashangaa hakitapotea-iwe ni muda wako, rasilimali zako. Tuondoe tabia yoyote ya kichoyo.

Abrahamu kadiri alivyozidi kujitolea kwa ajili ya Bwana, ndivyo alivyozidi na yeye kubarikiwa. Sisi tuwe tayari kuzifanya kazi ya Bwana. Tutoe rasilimali zetu kwa ajili ya Bwana. Pia tutoe muda wetu kufanya kazi ya Bwana. Juu ya Mlima wa Bwana, itapatikana neema, hivyo jitoe kwa ajili ya Bwana.

Mwenyezi Mungu alimzuia Abrahamu kumtoa Mwanae kama sadaka lakini Mungu Mwenyewe alikuwa tayari kumtoa Yesu Kristo Mwanae kama sadaka ya kuteketezwa. Tutambue kwamba Mungu anapokuambia tutekeleze sadaka kubwa, hakika ni yeye anayekuja kuitimiza sadaka ile. Yeye anakurudishia kama ilivyo –Yehova Yire. Juu ya mlima wa Bwana, hupatikana. Usiogope kujitoa kwa ajili ya Bwana, juu ya mlima wake, hakika atatoa.

Katika injili, tunakutana na habari za kupona Mwenye kupooza. Huyu mwenye kupooza anasaidiwa na rafiki zake, ndio wanaompeleka kwa Bwana. Imani ya walio karibu na mgonjwa inaleta uponyaji kwa mgonjwa. Hapa twajifunza umuhimu wa kuuguzwa na watu wenye imani. Watu wenye imani huleta uponyaji kwa wagonjwa. Lakini kuuguzwa na wasio na imani, ni sababu za wagonjwa wengi kupotea.

Sisi tunaotunza wagonjwa tujifunze kuwahudumia kiroho pia. Tuwapatie pia sakramenti za wagonjwa, tuwapatie sakramenti ya upatanisho na Ekaristi. Hizi huwaponya kiroho na kimwili. Tusiache kutumia sakramenti hizi.

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MASOMO YA MISA, JULAI 1, 2021

ALHAMISI, JUMA LA 13 LA MWAKA

SOMO 1

Mwa. 22: 1-19

Mungu alimjaribu Ibrahimu, akamwambia, Ee Ibrahimu! Naye akasema, Mimi hapa. Akasema, umchukue mwanao, mwana wako wa pekee, umpendaye, Isaka, ukaende zako mpaka nchi ya Moria, ukamtoe sadaka ya kuteketezwa huko juu ya mlima mmojawapo nitakaokuambia.

Ibrahimu akaondoka alfajiri, akatandika punda wake, akachukua vijana wawili pamoja naye, na Isaka mwanawe, akachanja kuni kwa ajili ya hiyo sadaka ya kuteketezwa, akaondoka, akaenda mpaka mahali alipoambiwa na Mungu. Siku ya tatu Ibrahimu akainua macho yake, akapaona mahali pakali mbali. Ibrahimu akawaambia vijana wake, Kaeni ninyi hapa pamoja na punda, na mimi na kijana tutakwenda kule, tuakabudu, na kuwarudia tena.

Basi Ibrahimu akazitwaa kuni za hiyo sadaka, akamtwika Isaka mwanawe; akatwaa moto na kisu mkononi mwake, wakaenda wote wawili pamoja. Isaka akasema na Ibrahimu baba yake, akinena, Babaangu! Naye akasema, Mimi hapa, mwanangu. Akasema, Tazama! Moto upo, na kuni zipo, lakini yuko wapi mwana-kondoo kwa sadaka ya kutektetezwa? Ibrahimu akasema, Mungu atajipatia mwana kondoo kwa hiyo sadaka, mwanangu. Basi wakaendelea wote wawili pamoja.

Wakafika mahali pale alipoambiwa na Mungu Ibrahimu akajenga madhabahu huko, akaziweka tayari kuni, kisha akamfunga Isaka mwanawe, akamweka juu ya madhabahu, juu ya zile kuni. Ibrahimu akanyosha mkono wake, akakitwaa kisu ili amchinje mwanawe.

Ndipo malaika wa Bwana akamwita kutoka mbinguni, akasema, Ibrahimu! Ibrahimu! Naye akasema, Mimi hapa. Akasema, Usimnyoshee kijana mkono wako, wala usimtendee neno; kwa maana sasa ninajua ya kuwa unamcha Mungu, iwapo hukunizuilia mwanao, mwanao wa pekee. Ibrahimu akainua macho yake, akaangalia, na tazama, kndoo mume yuko nyuma yake, amenaswa pembe zake katika kichaka. Basi Ibrahimu akaenda akamtwaa huyo ndokoo, akamtoa awe sadaka ya kuteketezwa badala ya mwanawe. Ibrahimu akapaita mahli hapo Yehova-yire, kama watu wasemavyo hata leo, katika mlima wa Bwana itapatikana.

Malaika wa Bwana akamwita Ibrahimu mara ya pili kutoka mbinguni, akasema, Nimeapa kwa nafsi yangu asema Bwana, kwa kuwa umetenda neno hili, wala hukunizuilia mawanao, mwanao wa pekee, katika kubariki nitakubariki, na katika kuzidisha nitauzidisha uzao wak okama nyota za minguni, na kama mlango wa adui zao; na katika uzao wako mataifa yote ya dunia watajibarikia; kwa sababu umetii sauti yangu.

Basi Ibrahimu akawarudia vijana wake, wakaondoka, wakaenda zao pamoja mpaka Beer-sheba; Ibrahimu akakaa huko Beer-sheba.

Neno la Bwana... Tumshukuru Mungu.

WIMBO WA KATIKATI

Zab. 116: 1-6, 8-9 (K) 9

(K) Nitaenenda mbele za Bwana katika nchi za walio hai.

Au: Aleluya.

Aleluya.

Nampenda Bwana kwa kuwa anaisikiliza

Sauti yangu na dua zangu.

Kwa maana amenitegea sikio lake,

kwa hiyo nitamwita siku zangu zote. (K)

kamba za mauti zilinizunguka,

shida za kuzimu zilinipata.

Naliona taabu na huzuni;

nikaliitia jina la Bwana.

Ee Bwana, nakuomba sana,

uniokoe nafsi yangu. (K)

Bwana huwalinda wasio na hila;

nalidhilika, akaniokoa.

Ee nafsi yangu, urudi rahani mwako,

kwa kuwa Bwana amekutenda ukarimu (K)

maana umeniponya nafsi yangu na mauti,

macho yangu na mchozi,

na miguu yangu na kuanguka.

Nitaenenda mbele za Bwana,

katika nchi ya walio hai. (K)

SHANGILIO

Aleluya, aleluya.

Mbegu ni neno la Mungu, anayepanda ni Kristu, atakayemkuta, ataishi milele.

Aleluya.

INJILI

Yesu alipanda chomboni, akavuka, akafika mjini kwao. Na tazama, wakamletea mtu mwenye kupooza, amelala kitandani; naye Yesu, alipoiona imani yao, alimwambia yule mwenye kupooza, Jipe moyo mkuu, mwanangu; umesamehewa dhambi zako. Na tazama, baadhi ya waandishi wakasema nafsini mwao, Huyu anakufuru. Naye Yesu hali akijua mawazo yao, akasema, Mbona mnawaza maovu mioyoni mwenu? Kwa maana rahisi ni lipi, ni kusema, Umesamehewa dhambi zako, au ni kusema, Ondoka, uende? Lakini mpate kujua ya kwamba Mwana wa Adamu anayo amri duniani ya kusamehe dhambi, (akamwambia yule mwenye kupooza) Ondoka, ujitwike kitanda chako, uende nyumbani kwake. Makutano walipomwona, walishikwa na hofu, wakamtukuza Mungu, aliyewapa watu amri ya namna hii.

Neno la Bwana... Sifa kwako Ee Kristo.

CHALLENGES FOR THE LORD’S MISSION

“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”

Daily Spiritual Reflections

30th June 2021

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WEDNESDAY, THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Gen 21:5,8-20 Ps 34:7-8,10-13 Mt 8:28-34

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CHALLENGES FOR THE LORD’S MISSION

Today’s gospel passage gives us four points for reflection.

Salvation is for all: Jesus did not limit himself solely to the Jews; he went even to the gentile region of the Gadarenes to preach the Gospel. He was for all. Today, how great is our enthusiasm to take the gospel to the people who have not even heard the name of Jesus? Do we even consider whether we have opportunities to witness to Christ in our daily life?

Questioning the authority of the son of God is the devil’s work: The demoniacs asked Jesus: “Why are you interfering with us? Have you come to destroy us before the time?” He was trying to tell Jesus to go away. The work of the devil from the very beginning has been to question the authority of God. In fact, they became fallen angels because they refused to accept divine authority. The devil continues to tempt humankind to disobey God and question even the truths that he has revealed, enshrined in the articles of faith.

The devil strives to disrupt the Lord’s mission: The demoniacs thought up an evil plan to disrupt the Lord’s mission in that region. Knowing that the people would react unfavourably to the loss of their property, the pigs, they begged to be sent into them. All through history, up until today, the devil relentlessly tries to disrupt the mission with his vile tricks and cunning plans. Are we constantly vigilant, through prayer and meditation on Scripture, to recognize the crafty temptations of the evil one?

The people choose wealth over salvation: The people were afraid of losing their wealth. They were least bothered about the healing that took place of one of their own; they were more concerned about the pigs they had lost. They asked the Light of the World to leave their country. They would rather live with the devil in darkness than lose their wealth. Will you continue to prefer Christ even when you lose something because of him?

Response: The lowly one called, and the Lord heard him.

Readings at Mass Wednesday 30 June 2021

Readings at Mass

Wednesday 30 June 2021

13th Week in Ordinary Time

Liturgical Colour: Green.

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First reading

Genesis 21:5,8-20

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham gave a great banquet on the day Isaac was weaned. Now Sarah watched the son that Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. ‘Drive away that slave-girl and her son,’ she said to Abraham; ‘this slave-girl’s son is not to share the inheritance with my son Isaac.’ This greatly distressed Abraham because of his son, but God said to him, ‘Do not distress yourself on account of the boy and your slave-girl. Grant Sarah all she asks of you, for it is through Isaac that your name will be carried on. But the slave-girl’s son I will also make into a nation, for he is your child too.’ Rising early next morning Abraham took some bread and a skin of water and, giving them to Hagar, he put the child on her shoulder and sent her away.

She wandered off into the wilderness of Beersheba. When the skin of water was finished she abandoned the child under a bush. Then she went and sat down at a distance, about a bowshot away, saying to herself, ‘I cannot see the child die.’ So she sat at a distance; and the child wailed and wept.

But God heard the boy wailing, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. ‘What is wrong, Hagar?’ he asked. ‘Do not be afraid, for God has heard the boy’s cry where he lies. Come, pick up the boy and hold him safe, for I will make him into a great nation.’ Then God opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw a well, so she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

God was with the boy. He grew up and made his home in the wilderness, and he became a bowman.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 33(34):7-8,10-13

Response: The poor man called; the Lord heard him.

This poor man called, the Lord heard him

and rescued him from all his distress.

The angel of the Lord is encamped

around those who revere him, to rescue them.

Revere the Lord, you his saints.

They lack nothing, those who revere him.

Strong lions suffer want and go hungry

but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

Come, children, and hear me

that I may teach you the fear of the Lord.

Who is he who longs for life

and many days, to enjoy his prosperity?

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Gospel Acclamation

Jn14:6

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

No one can come to the Father except through me.

Alleluia!

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Gospel

Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus reached the country of the Gadarenes on the other side of the lake, two demoniacs came towards him out of the tombs – creatures so fierce that no one could pass that way. They stood there shouting, ‘What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the time?’ Now some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding, and the devils pleaded with Jesus, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’ And he said to them, ‘Go then’, and they came out and made for the pigs; and at that the whole herd charged down the cliff into the lake and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off and made for the town, where they told the whole story, including what had happened to the demoniacs. At this the whole town set out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw him they implored him to leave the neighbourhood.

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Visit http://fur-kat.blogspot.com

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible, Text of the Psalms from The Grail

30th JUNE 2021

UTUOPOE MAOVUNI!

“ASALI ITOKAYO MWAMBANI”

Tafakari ya kila siku

Jumatano, Juni 30, 2021.

Juma la 13 la Mwaka

Mwa 21: 5, 8-20;

Zab 34: 7-8, 10-13;

Mt 8: 28-34

UTUOPOE MAOVUNI!

Watu waliokuwa na pepo wakitokea makaburini walikutana na Yesu wakati Yesu akikaribia kijiji hicho. Walikuwa wakali mno kiasi kwamba hakuna mtu aliye jaribu kupita katika njia ile. Walilia kwa sauti “una nini nasi, Mwana wa Mungu?” sehemu hii inaonesha kwamba pepo ni hatarishi na kwamba Yesu ana mamlaka makubwa. Yesu anaingia mjini kwa kuwaponya hawa watu wawili waliokuwa na pepo na hivyo kuonesha nguvu yake juu ya kuondoa uovu.

Ni wazi kwamba hawa pepo waliowashika hawa watu wawili walikuwa wakali na hivyo kufanya watu wakae kwa hofu na wasi wasi. Watu kuwa na wasiwasi kiasi kwamba hakuna mtu aliye thubutu kupita maeneo hayo. Tunaweza tusikutane na uovu kama huo mara kwa mara, lakini ni hakika kwamba tulisha kutana na uovu wakati mwingine. Muovu yupo daima na anazunguka kutafuta sehemu ya kujenga ufalme wake hapa duniani. Yesu ana mamlaka makubwa kuliko muovu. Jambo lakushangaza, aliwatoa pepo hawa na wakawaingia kundi kubwa la nguruwe na hivyo kuteremkia baharini na kufa. Watu wa mji ule wanaogopa kiasi cha kumwambia Yesu aondoke katika mji wao. Kwa kiasi, sababu inaonekana Yesu kuwaponya hawa watu wawili ilileta mtafaruku mkubwa sana katika mji. Uovu uliojikita hauondoki kimya kimya. Kuna mahangaiko!

Watu hawa wawili walitoka makaburini , kama sisi tunavyotoka katika makaburi ya dhambi-tuliko naswa, anasa, kuhukumu kwetu wengine, dhuluma, na mitazamo yetu mibaya kwa wengine inayoleta maumivu kwa wengine. Kwasababu ya hili watu wanaweza kutuogopa sana! Lakini Yesu yupo tayari kuja kukutana na sisi sehesmu tulipo. Uovu wetu humtambua Yesu na tunafanywa kuwa huru kama tukienda karibu na Yesu.

Lakini mara nyingi, Yesu anapokuja kuondoa uovu ndani mwetu, tunaweza tusitambue uponyaji. Ni mara ngapi Roho Mtakatifu anataka kutufanya upya nasi tunakataa? Tuna furaha kuishi katika hali ya dhambi na hatutaki kuacha. Hatutaki mtu atusumbue tunapo endelea kufurahia raha za ulimwengu. Tutafakari juu ya maisha yetu na kujaribu kuwa tayari katika maongozi ya Mungu na wala tusimuombe aondoke kama wale watu kwenye Injili, ili tupate kuishi katika maisha ya neema tele.

Sala: Bwana, nisaidie niweze kubaki imara ninapo kumbana na muovu na utawala wake wa giza. Nisaidie niweze kushinda utawala wake kwa ujasiri, upendo na ukweli ili kuleta ufalme wako sehemu yake. Yesu nakuamini wewe. Amina.

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MASOMO YA MISA, JUMATANO, JUNI 30, 2021

MASOMO YA MISA,

JUMATANO, JUNI 30, 2021

JUMA LA 13 LA MWAKA

SOMO 1

Mwa. 21:5, 8-20

Ibrahimu alikuwa mtu wa miaka mia, alipozaliwa mwana wake Isaka. Mtoto akakua, akaachishwa kunyonya; Ibrahimu akafanya karamu kuu siku ile Isaka alipoachishwa kunyonya. Sara akamwona yule mwana wa Hajiri Mmisri, ambaye alimzalia Ibrahimu, anafanya dhihaka. Kwa hiyo akamwambia Ibrahimu, Mfukuze mjakazi huyu na mwanawe, maana mwana wa mjakazi hatarithi pamoja na mwanangu, Isaka. Na neno hilo lilikuwa baya sana machoni pa Ibrahimu, kwa ajili ya mwanawe. Mungu akamwambia Ibrahimu, Neno hili lisiwe baya machoni pako, kwa ajili ya huyo mwana, na huko mjakazi wako. Kila akuambialo Sara, sikiza sauti yake, kwa maana katika Isaka uzao wako utaitwa. Naye mwana wa mjakazi nitamfanya kuwa taifa, maana huyu naye ni uzao wako.

Ibrahimu akaamka asubuhi na mapema akatwaa mkate na kiriba cha maji, akampa Hajiri akimtwika begani pake, na kijana, akamruhusu; naye akatoka, akapotea katika jangwa la Beer-sheba. Yale maji yakaishaisha katika kiriba, akamlaza kijana chini ya kijiti kimoja. Akaenda akakaa akimkabili, mbali i kadiri ya mtupo wa mshale; maana alisema, Nisimwone kijana akifa; naye akakaa akimkabili, akapazaza sauti yake, akalia.

Mungu akasikia sauti ya kijana. Malaika wa Mungu akamwita Hajiri kutoka mbinguni, akamwambia, Una nini, Hajiri? Usiogope, maana Mungu amesikia sauti ya kijana huko aliko. Ondoka, ukamwinue kijana, ukamshike mkononi mwako, kwa kuwa nitamfanya kuwa taifa kubwa. Mungu akamfumbua macho, naye akaona kisima cha maji; akaenda akakijaza kiriba maji, akamnywesha kijana. Mungu akawa pamoja na huyo kijana, naye akakua, akakaa katika jangwa, akawa mpiga upinde.

Neno la Bwana... Tumshukuru Mungu.

WIMBO WA KATIKATI

Zab. 34 : 6-7, 9-13 (K) 6

(K) Maskini huyu aliita, Bwana akasikia.

Maskini huyu aliita, Bwana akasikia,

Akamwokoa na taabu zake zote.

Malaika wa Bwana hufanya kituo,

akiwazungukia wamchao na kuwaokoa. (K)

Mcheni Bwana, enyi watakatifu wake,

yaani, wamchao hawahitaji kitu.

Wana-simba hutindikiwa, huona njaa,

bali wamtafutao Bwana hawatahitaji kitu

chochote kilicho chema. (K)

Njoni, enyi wana, mnisikilize,

nami nitawafundisha kumcha Bwana.

Ni nani mtu yule apcndezwaye na uzima,

apendaye siku nyingi apate kuona mema? (K)

SHANGILIO

Zab. 119:105

Aleluya, aleluya,

Neno lako ni taa ya miguu yangu,

na mwanga wa njia yangu.

Aleluya.

INJILI

Mt. 8 :28-34

Yesu alipofika ng’ambo katika nchi ya Wagerasi, watu wawili wenye pepo walikutana naye, wanatoka makaburini, wakali mno, hata mtu asiweze kuipitia njia ile. Na tazama, wakapiga kelele, wakisema, Tuna nini nawe, Mwana wa Mungu? Je! Umekuja Kututesa kabla ya muhula wetu?

Basi, kulikuwako mbali nao kundi la nguruwe wengi wakilisha. Wale pepo wakamsihi, wakisema, Ukitutoa, tuache twende, tukaingie katika lile kundi la nguruwe. Akawaambia, Nendeni. Wakatoka, wakaingia katika nguruwe; na kumbe! kundi lote wakatelemka kwa kasi gengeni hata baharini, wakafa majini. Lakini wachungaji walikimbia, wakaenda zao mjini, wakazieneza habari zote, na habari za wale wenye pepo pia. Na tazama, mji wote ukatoka kwenda kumlaki Yesu; nao walipomwona, walimsihi aondoke mipakani mwao.

Injili ya Bwana........Sifa kwako Ee Kristo

TWO GREAT APOSTLES OF THE CHURCH

“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”

Daily Spiritual Reflections

29th June 2021

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TUESDAY, THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34:2-9; 2 Tim 4:6-8,17-18; Mt 16:13-19

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TWO GREAT APOSTLES OF THE CHURCH

Today, we celebrate the solemnity of the two great apostles of the Church, Peter and Paul. One denied Christ while the other persecuted the Church, but once they encountered the risen Lord, they gave up their past life and embraced him, and in him found new life. Both worked tirelessly to spread the gospel to all nations, proving their great love for Christ by dying as martyrs for the faith.

Today’s gospel presents the granting of the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter by Jesus. First, the Lord changed the apostle’s name. He was no longer to be called Simon, but Peter, because, as the name signifies, he was to be the rock upon which Christ would build his Church. Christ compares Peter to a rock because he must have the strength of faith fit to be the foundation of his Church. Thus, the image of rock illustrates the primacy of Peter and his successors, the popes of the Roman Catholic Church.

Peter and all the popes enjoy primacy because they govern the Roman Catholic Church which has four essential characteristics of its identity that encompass the mind of Christ for it – one, holy, catholic and apostolic. It is indeed the “one” Church, united under its sole founder and head, Christ the Lord, who chose Peter to represent him after he proclaimed his faith; “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” St Ambrose would say, “Where Peter is, there is the Church.” This means that wherever we find the pope, Peter’s successor, there is the Church. This sense of belonging to the Church should fill us with great joy. Today’s feast in honour of these two great apostles should inspire in us great joy and gratitude to God for calling us to be part of the Church established by his son and sanctified by his Holy Spirit.

We are all familiar with Paul, formerly referred to, before and in the early days of his conversion, as Saul, a zealous Jew, who approved of the martyrdom of Stephen and then went on to relentlessly persecute the fledgeling Church until, when on the road to Damascus, he fell off his horse, met the risen Lord, and was led, physically blinded and spiritually confused into the very city he intended to enter with power and authority. Once he regained his sight, of body and spirit, and realized that it was the Lord that he was persecuting, he was never the same again. For him, all that was true, valuable and necessary in life, was the person of Jesus Christ. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Paul gave himself totally to the spread of the gospel. He was unconcerned about himself and suffered all kinds of trials and sufferings: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword?” (Rom 8:5). Paul knew that he was the instrument chosen by God to bring the gospel to the gentiles; “God... called me by his grace to reveal his son in me that I might preach him among the Gentiles” (Gal 1:15-16). Peter and Paul lived not for themselves, but for Jesus Christ. Both were sinners chosen by the Lord for very special missions – Peter, to be the first pope and the rock upon which the Church was to be built; Paul, to be the apostle to the gentiles. Both these apostles knew that Jesus spared nothing in his love for them and for all men, and they also felt compelled to give themselves for their brethren in the Church. Both were martyrs for the faith, and both spoke boldly for Christ as they knew that they had to obey God rather than men. We should imitate these holy apostles in their zeal for the faith, and then we will rejoice with them, considering the sufferings of this life as nothing in comparison to the great reward promised to those who love and serve God.

Response: From all my terrors he set me free.

Readings at Mass Tuesday 29 June 2021

Readings at Mass

Tuesday 29 June 2021

13th Week in Ordinary Time

(Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)

Liturgical Colour: Red.

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First reading

Acts 12:1-11

King Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly.

On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison. Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. ‘Get up!’ he said ‘Hurry!’ – and the chains fell from his hands. The angel then said, ‘Put on your belt and sandals.’ After he had done this, the angel next said, ‘Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.’ Peter followed him, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself. ‘Now I know it is all true’ he said. ‘The Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.’

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 33(34):2-9

Response: From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

I will bless the Lord at all times,

his praise always on my lips;

in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.

The humble shall hear and be glad.

Glorify the Lord with me.

Together let us praise his name.

I sought the Lord and he answered me;

from all my terrors he set me free.

Look towards him and be radiant;

let your faces not be abashed.

This poor man called, the Lord heard him

and rescued him from all his distress.

The angel of the Lord is encamped

around those who revere him, to rescue them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

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Second reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.

The Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Gospel Acclamation

Mt16:18

Alleluia, alleluia!

You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.

And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.

Alleluia!

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Gospel

Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

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Visit http://fur-kat.blogspot.com

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible, Text of the Psalms from The Grail

29th JUNE 2021

MATESO YETU YA KILA SIKU YANATUSAIDIA KUKUWA KATIKA UHUSIANO NA YESU!

“ASALI ITOKAYO MWAMBANI”

Tafakari ya kila siku

Jumanee, Juni, 29, 2021,

Juma la 12 la mwaka wa Kanisa.

Sherehe ya Watakatifu Petro na Paulo Mitume

Mdo 12:1-11;

Zab 33:2-9;

2Tim 4:6-8, 17-18;

Mt 16:13-19

MATESO YETU YA KILA SIKU YANATUSAIDIA KUKUWA KATIKA UHUSIANO NA YESU!

Karibuni ndugu zangu kwenye tafakari ya neno la Mungu siku ya leo tunapoadhimisha sherehe ya watakatifu Petro na Paulo. Hii ni miamba mikubwa ya kanisa iliyolisaidia sana Kanisa. Walitumia muda, akili na uhai wao kwa ajili ya Kristo. Kwao, kuishi ilikuwa ni Kristo na hata kufa ilikuwa ni faida. Na hili walilidhirisha kwenye maisha yao. Kweli walikuwa watu wa imani na Mungu aliwasaidia sana kwenye utume wao huu kwa kanisa na hili linadhihirishwa katika masomo yetu ya leo.

Katika zaburi ya wimbo wetu wa katikati leo, tunakutana na mzaburi anasali akionesha Imani kubwa kwa Mungu kwamba kamwe hataacha kumtukuza na kumheshimu Bwana na anawaalika watu wamtukuze Bwana pamoja naye kwani Bwana amekuwa mwema kwake kila wakati kwani aliwahi hata kumtuma malaika wake akamuokoa kwenye hatari na kumfanya asiabike mbele ya maadui wake. Jambo hili linamfanya asiache kuyatangaza matendo makuu ya Mungu na anaahidi kwamba kamwe hataacha kuzitamka sifa za huyu mwenyezi Mungu kwa msaada wake huu.

Kwenye masomo yetu ya leo, miongoni mwa watu waliokutana na msaada kama huu ni Petro mtume ambaye kwenye somo la kwanza, habari hii inaelezewa, jinsi Mungu alivyomuokoa mikononi mwa adui katili kabisa-Herode, aliyetaka kumnyonga mbele ya watu. Petro alimshukuru Mungu sana kwa hili tukio na alitambua kwamba ni malaika wa Bwana ametumwa ili kumwokoa. Mtume Paulo naye aliokolewa kwenye matukio makubwa na malaika. Yeye alipotaka kuuawa kule mjini Dameski, alitelemshwa nje ya mji kupitia kapu. Hapa napo ni malaika tu aliyetumwa ili kumwokoa.

Ndugu zangu, mitume hawa walipewa ulinzi wa hali ya juu na Mungu kwani pia walikuwa mihimili mikubwa kwa kanisa. Yesu asingaliruhusu wafe kabla ya wao kutimiza ule utume wao na waliache kanisa kwenye hali nzuri. Wao walijitoa mno kwa ajili ya Mungu na Mungu alijitoa kwa ajili ya kuwalinda. Nasi ndugu zangu tusiache kujitoa kwa ajili ya kazi ya Mungu. Kama sisi ni mapadre, masista, makatekista, watawa, waamini tujitoe kwa ajili ya kazi ya Mungu. Kazi yake tuiweke mstari wa mbele. Kama ni padre-tutambue kwamba utume kwa ajili ya watu wa Mungu ndio cha kwanza-fanya hivi naye Mungu atatubariki. Tukijidai kuhangaikia maslahi nakueleza hatutavuna chochote. Kwa mwanzoni tutafikiria labda tunavuna pesa lakini baadaye kumbe tutajiona kwamba kweli hatujafanikiwa kwenye chochote. Hata zile mali ulizojidai kutumia muda wote kuzianzisha itafika mahali ziishe kama hewa-au mtu atakudhulumu na utaishia kujiona kana kwamba kazi zako zote ni bure. Wote walioacha kazi ya Bwana na kuishia kwenye kujitafutia maslahi, wameishia tu kuanzisha vitu vilivyokuja kuishia kwenye kudhulumiwa na wenzao. Hivyo jamani tuithamini kazi ya Bwana. Tuiweke iwe mbele kabisa. Kazi ya Bwana itakutunza tu, itakufanya upate ulinzi kama Petro na Paulo walivyopatiwa. Mungu atatuepusha na magonjwa mbalimbali na ajali za namna mbalimbali kwasababu sisi ni watumishi wake na tunaithamini kazi yake. Hivyo, Mungu atakupatia ulinzi na upendeleo wa pekee. Fanya hivi ndugu yangu na kweli tutatambua ukweli wa jambo hili. Awe padre, awe katekista, sista, mwenyekiti jumuiya-wewe fanya hivi, ipe kazi ya Bwana nafasi ya kwanza kama haitakutunza. Wewe fanya hivi na hakika utaona tu. Mimi nasema kile nilichowahi kukiona maishani.

Katika somo la injili, tunakutana na Petro akimkiri kwamba Yesu ni Masiha. Petro alikuwa wa kwanza miongoni mwa mitume kutambua hili kwa hekima na uwezo wa hali ya juu sana. Paulo naye alilionyesha hili kwamba anamkiri Yesu kama Masiha katika nyaraka zake mbalimbali. Nasi kama Petro na Paulo tumkiri Yesu wetu kama Masiha. Hakika atatulinda tu na kamwe hatatuacha. Tumkiri huyu Yesu, tusimuache, jitoe kwa ajili ya Yesu naye atajitoa kwa ajili yako. Ukijitoa kwa ajili yake atakulinda tu hata kuacha. Atakuokoa. Hawezi kukuacha bila ulinzi. Tafakari hii jamani iwafikie wakristo wote-na tujitoe zaidi kwa kazi ya Kanisa tukisukumwa na tafakari hii. Tukiambiwa kwamba kuna kazi ya kupamba kanisani au kudeki kanisani, tuwe wa kwanza kukimbilia-pale ndio penye neema jamani. Tusiache hivi.

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MASOMO YA MISA, JUNI 29, 2021

JUMANNE, JUMA LA 12 LA MWAKA

SHEREHE YA WATAKATIFU PETRO NA PAULO (MITUME)

SOMO 1

Mdo. 12:1 – 11

Herode mfalme alinyosha mikono yake kuwatenda mabaya baadhi ya watu wa kanisa. Akamwua Yakobo, ndugu yake Yohane, kwa upanga. Na akiona ya kuwa imewapendenza Wayahudi akaendelea akamshika na Petro. Siku hizo zilikuwa siku za mikate isiyochachwa. Alipokwisha kumkamata, akamweka gerezani akamtia mikononi mwa vikosi vinne vya askari wanne wanne, wamlinde, akitaka baada ya Pasaka kumtoa na kumweka mbele ya watu. Basi Petro akalindwa gerezani, nalo kanisa likamwomba Mungu kwa juhudi kwa ajili yake.

Hata wakati Herode alipotaka kumtoa, usiku ule ule Petro alikuwa amelala katikati ya askari wawili, amefungwa minyororo miwili; walinzi mbele ya mlango wakailinda gereza. Mara malaika wa Bwana akasimama karibu naye, nuru ikamulika mle chumbani akampiga Petro ubavuni, akamwamsha, akisema, Ondoka upesi. Minyororo yake ikamwangukia mikononi. Malaika akamwambia, Jifunge, kavae viatu vyako. Akafanya hivyo. Kisha akamwambia, Jivike nguo yako, ukanifuate. Akatoka nje, akamfuata; wala hakujua ya kuwa ni kweli yaliyofanywa na malaika; bali alidhani kwamba anaona maono. Na walipopita lindo la kwanza na la pili, wakaja hata mlango wa chuma wa kuingilia mjini, ukawafungukia wenyewe. Wakatoka nje, wakapita katika njia moja; mara malaika akamwacha.

Hata Petrao alipopata fahamu akasema, Sasa nimejua yakini ya kuwa Bwana amempeleka malaika wake na kunitoa katika mkono wa Herode na katika kutazamia kote kwa taifa la Wayahudi.

Neno la Bwana... Tumshukuru Mungu.

WIMBO WA KATIKATI

Zab. 34:1 – 8 (K) 7

(K) Malaika wa Bwana awaokoa wamchao.

Nitamhimidi Bwana kila wakati,

Sifa zake kinywani mwangu daima.

Katika Bwana nafsi yangu itajisifu,

Wanyenyekevu wasikie wakafurahi. (K)

Mtukuzeni Bwana pamoja nami,

Na tuliadhimishe jina lake pamoja.

Nalimtafuta Bwana akanijibu,

Akaniponya na hofu zangu zote. (K)

Wakamwelekea macho wakatiwa nuru,

Wala nyuso zao hazitaona haya.

Maskini huyu aliita, Bwana akasikia,

Akamwokoa na taabu zake zote. (K)

Malaika wa Bwana hufanya kituo,

Akiwazungukia wamchao na kuwaokoa.

Onjeni mwone ya kuwa Bwana yu mwema,

Heri mtu yule anayemtumaini. (K)

SOMO 2

2 Tim. 4: 6 – 8, 17 – 18

Mimi sasa namiminiwa, na wakati wa kufariki kwangu umefika. Nimevipiga vita vilivyo vizuri, mwendo nimeumaliza, Imani nimeilinda; baada ya hayo nimewekewa taji ya haki, ambayo Bwana, mhukumu mwenye haki, atanipa siku ile; wala si mimi tu, bali na watu wote pia waliopenda kufunuliwa kwake.

Lakini Bwana alisimama pamoja nami akanitia nguvu, ili kwa kazi yangu ule ujumbe utangazwe kwa utimilifu, hata wasikie Mataifa yote; nami nikaokolewa katika kinywa cha simba. Bwana ataniokoa na kila neno baya, na kunihifadhi hata nifike ufalme wake wa mbinguni. Utukufu una Yeye milele na milele. Amina.

SHANGILIO

Mt. 16:18

Aleluya, aleluya,

Wewe ndiwe Petro, na juu ya mwamba huu nitalijenga kanisa langu, wala milango ya kuzimu haitalishinda.

Aleluya.

INJILI

Mt. 16 :13-19

Yesu alienda pande za Kaisaria-Filipi, akawauliza wanafunzi wake akasema, Watu hunena Mwana wa Adamu kuwa ni nani? Wakasema, Wengine hunena u Yohane Mbatizaji, wengine Eliya, wengine Yeremia au mmojawapo wa manabii. Akawaambia, Nanyi mwaninena mimi kuwa ni nani? Simoni Petro akajibu akasema, Wewe ndiye Kristo Mwana wa Mungu aliye hai. Yesu akajibu, akamwambia, Heri wewe Simoni Bar-yona; kwa kuwa mwili na damu havikukufunulia hili, bali Baba yangu aliye mbinguni. Nami nakuambia, Wewe ndiwe Petro, na juu ya mwamba huu nitalijenga kanisa langu; wala milango ya kuzimu haitalishinda. Nami nitakupa wewe funguo za ufalme wa mbinguni; na lo lote utakalolifunga duniani, litakuwa limefungwa mbinguni; na lo lote utakalolifungua duniani, litakuwa limefunguliwa mbinguni.

Neno la Bwana... Sifa kwako Ee Kristo.

28th JUNE 2021

TAKING THE STEP FORWARD

“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”

Daily Spiritual Reflections

28th June 2021

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MONDAY, THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop, Martyr

Gen 18: 16-33; Ps 102: 1-4, 8-11; Mt 8: 18-22

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TAKING THE STEP FORWARD

The first reading presents to us the dialogue between God and Abraham. God says, “I must go down and see whether or not they have done all that is alleged in the outcry against them that has come up to me. I am determined to know.” (Gen 18: 21). It is surprising that our Omniscient (all-knowing) God does not know and requires to inspect and then pass a judgement. Didn’t God know that there were not even ten righteous people? However, he enters into a dialogue with Abraham who tries to plead for mankind. We also see that God knew that Abraham was righteous, and thus God made him the Father of Faith.

In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to follow Him, to put a foot forward on a journey with Him. In fact, Jesus calls us each day. But out of daily experience, we know that we have hesitated to place our foot in the pathways of suffering for His name’s sake, in pathways which are not beneficial for us, in pathways where we face embarrassment from family and friends. We have hesitated sometimes, not even making an effort to move a step forward. That was also the experience of the scribe who volunteered to follow Jesus. if we’re going to follow Jesus, it’s going to cost us our worldly expectations of comfort and prosperity; because He may call us to put our foot in hard places.

God’s wants to dialogue with us, but we need to walk towards Him. It would mean separating from the things, people and events that now hold us in place. We have to say our goodbyes and forsake life as we knew it. Only then will we be able to go to places and commitments that God has planned for us. St. John Chrysostom tells us “If Jesus forbade him (the scribe)... it was to make us realize that nothing is more important than the things of Heaven and that we ought to cleave to these and not to put them off even for a little while, though our engagements be ever so indispensable and pressing”.

Response: The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

Readings at Mass Monday 28 June 2021

Readings at Mass

Monday 28 June 2021

13th Week in Ordinary Time (Saint Irenaeus, Bishop, Martyr)

Liturgical Colour: Green.

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First reading

Genesis 18:16-33

From Mamre the men set out and arrived within sight of Sodom, with Abraham accompanying them to show them the way. Now the Lord had wondered, ‘Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do, seeing that Abraham will become a great nation with all the nations of the earth blessing themselves by him? For I have singled him out to command his sons and his household after him to maintain the way of the Lord by just and upright living. In this way the Lord will carry out for Abraham what he has promised him.’ Then the Lord said, ‘How great an outcry there is against Sodom and Gomorrah! How grievous is their sin! I propose to go down and see whether or not they have done all that is alleged in the outcry against them that has come up to me. I am determined to know.’

The men left there and went to Sodom while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Approaching him he said, ‘Are you really going to destroy the just man with the sinner? Perhaps there are fifty just men in the town. Will you really overwhelm them, will you not spare the place for the fifty just men in it? Do not think of doing such a thing: to kill the just man with the sinner, treating just and sinner alike! Do not think of it! Will the judge of the whole earth not administer justice?’ the Lord replied, ‘If at Sodom I find fifty just men in the town, I will spare the whole place because of them.’

Abraham replied, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this to my Lord, I who am dust and ashes. But perhaps the fifty just men lack five: will you destroy the whole city for five?’ ‘No,’ he replied ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five just men there.’ Again Abraham said to him, ‘Perhaps there will only be forty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the forty.’

Abraham said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry, but give me leave to speak: perhaps there will only be thirty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘if I find thirty there.’ He said, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this, but perhaps there will only be twenty there.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the twenty.’ He said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry if I speak once more: perhaps there will only be ten.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the ten.’

When he had finished talking to Abraham the Lord went away, and Abraham returned home.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 102(103):1-4,8-11

Response: The Lord is compassion and love.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

all my being, bless his holy name.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

and never forget all his blessings.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,

who heals every one of your ills,

who redeems your life from the grave,

who crowns you with love and compassion.

The Lord is compassion and love,

slow to anger and rich in mercy.

His wrath will come to an end;

he will not be angry for ever.

He does not treat us according to our sins

nor repay us according to our faults.

For as the heavens are high above the earth

so strong is his love for those who fear him.

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Gospel Acclamation

Jn8:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia!

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Gospel

Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw the great crowds all about him he gave orders to leave for the other side. One of the scribes then came up and said to him, ‘Master, I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’

Another man, one of his disciples, said to him, ‘Sir, let me go and bury my father first.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.’

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Visit http://fur-kat.blogspot.com

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible, Text of the Psalms from The Grail

27th JUNE 2021

JE, UMEPOKEA GUSO LA YESU?

“MBEGU ZA UZIMA”

Tafakari ya Jumapili

Jumapili, June 27 2021

Dominika ya 13 ya Mwaka B

Hek 1:13-15; 2:23-24

Zab 30:1,3-5,10-12 (K. 1);

2 Kor 8:7,9,13-15;

Mk 5:21-43.

JE, UMEPOKEA GUSO LA YESU?

Tuanze tafakari yetu kwa mfano ufuatao, Kijana mmoja alianza safari yake ya kutokea Morogoro kwa miguu kuja Mbagala Zakheim (Dar es salaam) akatembea, akatembea, Muda mrefu mnoo, akafika Chalinze, akaendelea na safari yake akawa anakaribia Mlandizi lakini alipokuwa akikatiza katika pori fulani aliona haiwezekana Mbagala ikawa sehemu ya mwelekeo wa pori au Dar es salaam iwe katika maeneo haya au mwelekeo huu. Akaamua kurudi mpaka Chalinze na kuamua kuchukua ile barabara ya kuelekea Moshi. Unaweza kufikiria anataka kwenda Mbagala Dar es salaam. Sijui ataipata lini? Ndugu zangu sisi pengine Imani yetu imekuwa hivi. Tunasali Sanaa tena tunajitahidi kwenda kanisani kila siku na huenda tunamuomba Mungu atuponye katika ugonjwa fulani , au hitaji fulani, lakini ile tunakaribia kupona/kulipata au pengine Mungu anataka kuleta uponyaji sisi nasi tunakata tamaa, tunaamua kurudi nyuma na hali yetu inakuwa mbaya zaidi. Wakati mwingine tunapokea ushauri mmbaya na kuona bora nigeukie kwa Waganga na kumuacha Mungu wakati umesali muda mrefu sana na Mungu ndiyo anataka kuleta Baraka na wewe unaamua kubalidilisha njia na kurudi dhambini, subira na uvumilivu katika sala ni muhimu. Yairo angesikiliza ushari wa ndugu wa nyumbani mwake pengine angekosa uponyaji kutoka kwa Yesu wa binti yake.

Katika Injili ya leo, tanakutana na miujiza miwili ambapo Yesu. Kwanza anamponya yule mwanamke mwenye kutoka damu, halafu baadaye anamfufua binti ya Yairo. Miujiza hii mwili inatufundisha kwamba Mungu, katika Kristo, kwa uwezo wa Roho Mtakatifu, hawezi kuruhusu woga, au magojwa, au mauti itoe neno la mwisho katika maisha yetu. Kwa imani yake katika Yesu yule mwanamke mgonjwa aligeuza woga wake ukawa ushujaa, na ugonjwa wake ukaponywa.

Yesu pia anamfufua binti wa Yairo na kumrejeshea uhai. Binti wa Yairo wa miaka kumi na mbili alikuwa anaumwa, na alilala katika kufa; akiwa ametishiwa na kifo chake , Yairo alitoka nje na kumfikia Yesu. Wakati Yairo alipomfikia Yesu, alianguka miguuni mwake Yesu na alimuomba aende nyumbani kwake, aliamini kuwa kama tu Yesu angekwenda nyumbani na kumuwekea mikono yake binti yake anayekufa, binti angepona. Baadhi ya watu kutoka nyumbani kwake walikuja na kumtaarifu Yairo kuwa binti yake mtoto alikuwa amekufa na hakukuwa na hitaji la kumsumbua Yesu juu ya hilo. Ndugu kutoka nyumba ya Yairo walimuangalia Yesu kuwa kama tabibu wa kawaida ambaye angeweza kufanya miujiza tu kama kungekuwa na uhai. Lakini hawakuwa na ufahamu kuwa ufalme wa Kristo na nguvu zake zilipita zaidi ya mipaka ya uhai na kifo. Yesu alimuuliza Yairo aendelee na imani yake – kuamini kuwa Yeye angeendelea kurejesha uhai wa binti yake, sio tu katika uhai, bali pia katika afya njema. Wakati Yesu alipokwenda katika nyumba ya Yairo, Aliushika mkono wa binti mdogo na alisema, “Msichana, nakuambia, Inuka,” na yule msichana alisimama. Muujiza ulikamilika; Yesu hakumfufua tu msichana toka mauti, bali pia aliiboresha afya yake. Kazi za Yesu daima ni kamilifu. Wakati anapotibu, anatibu kwa ujumla; na Anaposamehe, Anasamehe moja kwa moja. Imani kwa Yesu ni dawa yakutuponya sisi.

Kifo hakikubaliki katika tamaduni mbali mbali. Ingawaje kifo kinakuja kwetu katika njia mbali mbali. Kifo ambacho tunapaswa kuogopa ni kifo cha kiroho. Mungu alituumba sisi ili tuishi lakini kifo kikaja ulimwenguni. Kifo cha mwili. Kila mtu anaonekana kupigana na kifo cha kimwili. Kwetu sisi tunaomfuata Yesu, kifo cha kimwili ni lango lakuingia maisha ya milele, kwenda kuishi na Yesu milele.

Somo la kwanza leo nikutoka katika kitabu cha Hekima. Hata katika kitabu hiki tunasikia “Mungu alimuumba mtu si ili kumwangamiza”. Mungu alipenda sisi tuishi, lakini pia kifo kimekuja ulimwenguni. Somo kutoka Kitabu cha Agano la kale tayari wanatambua kwamba kifo sio jibu la mwisho kwa kuishi kwa Mwanadamu. Kifo ni jibu la mwisho kwa wale wanaoishi katika muungano na shetani.

Somo la pili kutoka katika barua ya pili kwa Wakorintho. Paulo anawashauri watu Wakorintho kuwa wakarimu kushirikisha hela kwa wale wasiokuwa na kitu. Hii ni hali nyingine ya kufa kwa nafsi ya umimi na kutambua kwamba tunapaswa kushirikishana kile tulichonacho ingawaje hatuna kingi. Tamaduni za sasa kweli watu wamekuwa wabinafsi mnoo na hata kushirikisha inakuwa ngumu sana. Na hii ni aina nyingine ya kuogopa kufa. Tuna hofu yakuogopa kutokuwa na nayote tunayohitaji. Ni muhimu kutambua kwamba kila mara tunahitaji na tunachohitaji vinatofautiana, tunapaswa kuacha ubinafsi tutambue utofauti huu.

Hatunapaswa kutazama wengine wanaishije, bali mimi naishije. Tunapaswa kujitazama sisi wenyewe na kutambua kwamba sisi wenyewe tunakitu chakutoa na kutoa tulichonacho ili kuwasaidia wale wasio nacho. Mtakatifu Agustino alisema “tunapaswa kupigania nafsi zetu ziwe na kidogo ili wengine wawe na kingi zaidi.” Maneno hayo kwa ulimwengu huu bila Imani unaweza kumkimbiza mtu, ila ndivyo wana Wamungu wanavyopaswa kuishi. Tumuombe Mungu Imani hiyo.

Sala: Bwana, Nisaidie niwe na ufahamu wa guso la Yesu katika Ekaristi Takatifu kila siku. Amina!

Everyday Saint / Maisha ya Watakatifu