September 21 marks the Feast of St. Matthew.
Before reflecting on St. Matthew, it is important to note that the turning point in his life was the divine statement made by Lord Jesus to St. Matthew telling him, "Follow me”.
He immediately became a disciple of Lord Jesus. Being a disciple of Jesus represents a nonpareil honor or rather the utmost hope of every sinner.
Catholic bishops have met with President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit in an expression of willingness to join efforts with the government for the attainment of peace and growth of the people in the Republic of South Sudan.
The delegation of the Catholic bishops included Mgr. Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of Tombura-Yambio; and Mgr. Stephen Amenyu, Archbishop of Juba.
The Holy Bible has been translated into the Pazande language which is spoken in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic.
This event instills joy and exhilaration in the people living in these countries, as they will be able to be familiarized with "the Word of God" which calls for love and peace.
The translation of the Holy Bible into the Pazande language, in the first place, is in line with the teaching of Lord Jesus Christ who urged His disciples to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature.
In the preface of a book in Italian titled, Per un sapere della pace (For Knowledge of Peace), Pope Francis encourages collaboration between the Church and universities for a world without war and violence.
In this preface, Pope Francis reiterates the need to invest in the younger generations to address the challenges posed by climate change, war, and violence prevailing in various societies nowadays.
Fraternity for Saint Francis was not an abstract theory, but a concrete gift from God to each and every person. Even today, the “Poverello” of Assisi reminds us that we cannot truly be brothers and sisters if we do not see ourselves as children of one Father.
Press reports indicated that 51-year-old Fr. Roberto Malgesini, known for being "the priest of the marginalized" and for his devotion to assisting the homeless and migrants in the northern Italian diocese, died in a street near his parish of the Church of St. Rocco after sustaining several stab wounds, including one to the neck, around 7am on September 15.
Fr. Malgesini was the coordinator of a group of priests who help people in difficult situations, namely the homeless and migrants.
Among the sacraments that Christians can joyfully take on daily bases is the Holy Communion, namely the blood and body of Lord Jesus Christ.
The blood of Lord Jesus shed on the Cross saves all those who believe in Him and gives them eternal life. This blood has so incredible valuable to the point that there is nothing in the world that has a perpetual effect on people as the Holy Blood of Jesus does.
This blood is a testimony that salvation is available and that eternal life with the Savior is never denied. It is a fact no one can deny this reality.
Our Lady of Sorrows, Blessed Mary, is marked on September 15.
Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady has its roots in Sacred Scripture and in Christian piety, which always associates the Blessed Mother with her suffering Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
The title, Our Lady of Sorrows, given to our Blessed Mother focuses on Her intense suffering and grief during the passion and death of Lord Jesus Christ.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated every year on September 14, recalls three historical events, namely the finding of the true Cross by Saint Helena--the mother of Emperor Constantine; the dedication of churches built by Constantine on the site of the Holy Sepulcher and Mount Calvary; and the restoration of the true Cross to Jerusalem by the emperor Heraclius II.
William Blake's poem, 'The Poison Tree' exactly suits my own angry responses, having been taught, mainly by religious figures, to keep my anger in check, like the poet the resentment of having to shut up, put up, and overlook others' wrong doing doesn't always resolve the issue, in fact it can make it so much more worse so the opening verse is so prescient:
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
