THEME: LOVING GOD LIVING TRUTH

SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER
REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH, KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI
MAY 16, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 16:1-10
PSALM: Psalms: 100:1B-2, 3, 5
GOSPEL READING: John 15:18-21

SERMON BY: FR. JOYZY PIUS EGUNJOBI

Jesus says, “There’s no greater love than for one to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus laid down His life for you and for me like it was said in John 3:16 that “For God so love the world that He gave his only son so whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” This is God’s love.

But God loving us and God being with us does not mean in any way that the world will love you. When you look at it in some way the love of God is contrary to the love of the world and love of the world is contrary to the love of God. You cannot serve both God and money. If you have to love God it doesn’t mean you have to hate the world, but it means you don’t have to be preoccupied with worldy things. The minute you put your mind on worldy things, then you forget about Godly things.

Jesus says, “If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) And that is Jesus Christ himself saying if the world hates me, because if you’re not walking in the path of the world, that is cheating, adultery, fornication, stealing, lying, deception, greed; those are the things of the world. And by the time you’re engaging in such things, the world likes you. The world does not like the truth. Look at, for example, the current pandemic. Nobody has been able to tell what the nature of COVID-19. We know that it can kill, or you can also recover, but the actual truth of it, we do not know. That’s the way if the world. And by the time you want to stand up to speak against all this, then people start to ask what are you taking about. The world will hate you. But if you live by the truth, then you live by God.

So Jesus says, do not be afraid, they hated you because remember you’re following me and they first hated me because I am the truth. And the world hates the truth. You and I also don’t like to be told the truth sometimes because the truth hurts. It’s painful. We want to hear lies. But lies lead to destruction. But the truth leads to life.

Jesus continues to say ” But because you’re not of the world, but I chose you out of the world…” Not that you’re not living in the world, but you’re not of the world, you’re not occupied with worldy deeds and worldly desires, you’re to be occupied with Godly things and Godly desires; the things of the spirit, not the things of the flesh. When you live in the flesh, it leads to death but when you live in the spirit, it leads to life.

“A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” (John 15:20) And also Jesus added, ” If they listened to my word, they will also listen to your word.” Because no matter how crazy your word is, there will be those who who accept it, and there’ll also be those who don’t like it. That’s just the nature of the world. Jesus is reminding us that no matter what situation we find ourselves in this life, we should stand by the truth. It is only by the truth that we shall be set free.

Jesus is telling us at this time that we should not be afraid if being hated. Because people will hate you if you don’t follow in their path. As Jesus also told us last Sunday that “Where I’m going, in my Father’s house, there are many rooms, but only those is us who live in the path of truth and righteousness will actually get there.” (John 14:2)

I encourage you today, brothers and sisters to stand firm on the solid foundation of the truth of Jesus Christ, so that no matter what comes, we stand by the truth. And only by this truth, that we will be set free. You will be hated, and it is expected. If you say the truth, you will be hated. But that’s okay. But you should still stand firm. And your conscience will be able to tell you, to stand by the truth bit now and always.

May God bless us and sanctify us. May God grant us the grave to always stand by the truth both not and forevermore. Amen.
Be blessed.

THEME: JESUS’ COMMANDMENT
FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER
REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH, KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI
MAY 15, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 15:22-31
PSALM: Psalms: 57:8-9, 10 AND 12
GOSPEL READING: John 15:12-17

SERMON BY: FR. JOACHIM BARIU

All of us know that the old commandment was to “love your neighbor as you love yourself,” (Lev. 19:8) and Jesus quoted it (Matthew 19:19; 22:39) accurately.

In today’s gospel reading, we hear Jesus commanding us to love one another. There are many reasons why Jesus commands us to love because if we do not love it is like committing a murder, nothing less.

That is why Morton Kelsey, a psychologist and religious author, in his book, Set Your Hearts on the Greatest Gift. Living the Art of Christian Love, writes: “If we love, we create, heal and release in those around us a power that seldom fails. If we do not love, we join the forces of the evil one and destroy us effectively as if we were triggering a machine gun into a defenseless crowd. If we love, we step into the circle of the very creative life of God. If we do not love, do not in our hearts go out in compassion and show love in action, then we step into the down-draft of evil which is destroying the world we live in. What a terrible responsibility God and life have put into our hands.”

But when He speaks from Himself He says “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you,” (v. 12). There is a great difference between the way our neighbor might love us and the way that Jesus loves us. Unless we love one another in the Spirit of Jesus, our love is very likely to be narcissistic or a disguised form of control, or a projection of some private struggle. ‘Love’ covers a multitude, in every sense.

And the gospel today shows us that our love for God is a love of friendship. He says: “You are my friends, if you do what I command you.” To be a friend of God is a great gift. There are many instances as stated in the Holy Bible where God makes friends with human beings like a man. Like for example, Abraham is called the friend of God (Is. 41:8). God speaks with Abraham as a man speaks with his friend (Ex. 33:11). Jesus calls His disciples His friends and not His servants.

What does it mean to be a friend of God? Friendship with God certainly entails a loving relationship which goes beyond mere duty and obedience. Jesus’ discourse on friendship and brotherly love echoes the words of Proverbs: “A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity,” (Prov. 17:17).

Like love, today friendship is easily misrepresented by us. But friendship is more than convenience, mutual tolerance or mutual utility. Friends not only share love, they share secrets and intimate knowledge. Friendship implies an intimate sharing of goods. It involves familiarity and ease in mutual dealings. An old Jewish proverb says: “A friend is one who warns you.” Spiritual writers talk about the practice of “presence of God.” God is present in our hearts as a good friend. We can maintain a conversation and dialogue with Him as we go about our tasks for the day.

At the end, if we want to be true friends, let us maybe listen to these advices (from Common Ground, January, 1990): When you are with people, be aware of their likes and dislikes. Remember friend’s birthdays and anniversaries. Take interest in and cultivate relationships with your friend’s children. Become need sensitive Keep in touch by phone. Express what you like about your relationship with another person. Serve your friends in thoughtful, unexpected ways.

THEME: CHOSEN BY GOD TO CONTINUE WITH THE APOSTOLIC

MINISTRY FEAST OF SAINT MATTHIAS,APOSTLE

REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH,

KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI

MAY 14, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

PSALM: Psalms 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

GOSPEL READING: John 15:9-17

SERMON BY: FR. RAPHAEL MBENDERA

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthias, apostle and martyr. We don’t really know much about Matthias, other than what we have in the first reading of today (from Acts 1:15-17 then 20-26.) We are told that he was one of the 70 disciples of Jesus, and had been with Him from His baptism by John all the way to the Ascension. And we know that Peter, in the days following the Ascension, proposed to the assembled brethren that they choose one of their number to replace Judas, the betrayer of Jesus. Two disciples, Joseph, called Barsabas, and Matthias were selected; lots were drawn; and Matthias joined the ranks of the Apostles. And that’s about all we know for certain about Matthias.

Tradition has it that he preached the Gospel for 30 years in Judea, in Cappadocia in Asia Minor, then in Egypt and Ethiopia. Reportedly he was martyred in 80 A.D. by being stoned to death in Colchis, which is in modern-day Georgia. So, that’s about it. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Matthias’ brief story really has a lot to teach us. Today I wish to reflect with you on two of them: First of all the Feast of St. Matthias is a celebration of the continuation of the apostolic ministry. By honoring St. Matthias we honor the fact that Jesus enabled His first Apostles to pass on the sacred power of their ordination to others as their successors. St. Matthias took the place of Judas. And as the Church continued to grow, there were others who were picked and given the grace to continue the apostolic ministry.

The bishops, the priests, the deacons and all of us Christians are called to continue this apostolic ministry. This apostolic ministry involves in delivering the light of Christ into the world. It involves in loving God and other people selflessly as we hear today in the Gospel. This means being Christ-like in our words, deeds and actions, that is by loving one another, showing mercy and compassion, and caring for all those who are unloved. Today, shall we make a promise to commit ourselves to the apostolic ministry? The second lesson is about the requirements or qualities of apostleship. We are told that the requirement was ‘knowing Jesus’ – Peter lays down the requirement for an apostle: he should have walked with Jesus and a witness of the resurrection.

Personal knowledge is important. Matthias, the apostle/saint of the day, had been “in the company” of Jesus “from the baptism of Jesus until he was taken up.” Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there are conditions or qualities that must qualify us to become disciples, Christians, leaders, managers or messengers of Jesus Christ and the Church. Hence we must ask ourselves, this pertinent question: Do I exbit qualities for my position as a Christian, member of CWA, CMA, choir?

Do I have the qualities required for it, or do I want it for prestige sake? Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, not only should I spend many years as a Priest, Religious, a member of CWA, CMA or Youth, etc., I am also expected to know Christ and to bear authentic witness to the Risen Christ in any of these capacities. If we do this as Matthias did, then, we can be sure that we are bearing quality fruits that will endure. The gospel therefore reminds us that it is God himself who has chosen us as He chose Matthias for a special task, and as a special gift to the people of God. It therefore means that we are not to embark on the task anyhow, as it pleases us. Rather, according to the stipulations, demands and dictates of the one who chose us.

Matthias was chosen to replace Judas and he did well by bearing good fruits that has endured till this day. Jesus stressed it thus: “You did not choose me; I chose you and commissioned you to go out to bear fruits that will last”. Also Paul in Ephesians 1, 4 reminds us all that: “God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and without sin in his presence”. This is the purpose for which God has chosen us and what he expects us to do. He expects us to know Him and to bear witness to his holiness and to be holy ourselves as Mathias whom we celebrate today was.

The ball now lies in our court and we are to ask ourselves, whether I make effort to know Christ and bear witness to Him. Brothers and Sister, let us pray today that God who chose us as he did Matthias, give us courage to walk in the footsteps of His Apostles and saints, that we offer ourselves wholly to be important tools and instruments of God’s love and mercy in this world. Happy feast day to all who have the name Matthias and all institutions named under this great apostle.

God bless you all! Amen.

THEME: THE TRUE VINE

WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER

REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH,

KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI

MAY 13, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 15:1-6

PSALM: Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5

GOSPEL READING: John 15:1-8

SERMON BY: FR. STEPHEN OMONDI

• I remember an incidence in the seminary when a guy planted a vine next to the chapel.

• Now I know a few things I didn’t know before:

1. A young vine is not allowed to fruit for the first three years.

2. The ground must be perfectly clean.

3. Each year it is cut drastically back to develop and conserve its energy and life.

4. When mature it is pruned in December and January.

5. It bears two types of branches and one produces fruit and one does not.

6. The branch that does not bear fruit is pruned back.

7. Most important the vine cannot produce the crop of which it is capable without constant drastic pruning

• Today’s gospel passage presents Jesus as the true vine, a symbol of the Old Testament frequently uses for Israel, God’s covenant people.

• In contrast to Israel’s failure, Jesus claims to be the true vine bringing forth the fruit, the fruit that Israel failed to produce.

• An important thing in this parable is the secret of fruitfulness, which is abiding in Christ. He says, “Remain in me, as I in you.”

• We used to have a song that I no longer hear nowadays, Mimi ni mzabibu • I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

• What is the work of the vine dresser? He prunes the branches to make it fruitful. Am sorry you might not want to hear this but some of the broken relationships you have were simply to give you better relationships.

• You may lose a job and regret and curse and even sue only to land a better job and you look back and smile and say thank you Jesus. • The secret is learn to let go. It might be painful but it pays. • Jesus says, I am the vine, you are the branches. A repeat, so to lay emphasis.

• Without me you cannot do anything. Ithui totare nawe tore ahuthu, hinya witu niwe Kristu, Penge sitaweza safari ndefu ya shida, penge yangu sitaweza kufika mbinguni. Yesu uwe kando yangu nahondha wa roho yangu, nipe nguvu za kushinda majaribu ya shetani.

• Fruit happens because you abide in the vine. You connect to me I produce the fruit. Tawi lizaalo lizidi kuzaa kwani mu matawii nanyi kweli ni mzabibu

• So what type of fruit?

• Gal. 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against these things there is no law.

• There are many Christians out there who have professed the faith but it is all word without action.

• They are like someone who connects the phone to the charger yes but forget to turn on the switch. So even if that phone remains there overnight my friend your battery will still be low in the morning.

• The one who does not remain in Jesus is like a branch that is thrown away and it withers. And the branches are gathered and thrown into the fire.

• A branch that is already cut off from the tree can only be firewood, only this time we are talking about a Christian and the fire is hell.

• We were not created to be firewood in hell. • John is clear about the mission of Jesus, he came to love and to save not to condemn.

• One central biblical principle which is also a life principle is that uselessness brings disaster.

• We can’t be effective Christians without being united to Jesus.

• Abiding in Christ means being in close contact with Him. In his life Jesus withdrew many at times from the crowds to be alone with His Father.

• So if you want to know how effective you are as a Christian just check the following a) Your faithfulness to the sacraments and prayer b) The kinds of fruit you produce c) Keeping his commandments

• The mark of a good disciple therefore remains one who: a) Enriches his own life producing again good fruit. b) He brings glory to God. How? That by people looking at your Christian life they want to glorify God who made you like that. Remember the story of Job. Job 1:8, Yahweh says of Job, a sound and honest man who fears God and shuns evil.

• The greatest glory of our Christian life is that by our life and conduct we can bring glory to God. That like Jesus God can look up from heaven and say this is my son or this is my daughter in whom am well pleased.

• So the question is, Do you remain in Jesus and how much fruit do you produce?

THEME: THE GIFT OF PEACE

TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER

REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH,

KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI

MAY 12, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 14:19-28

PSALM: Psalms: 145:10-11, 12-13AB, 21

GOSPEL READING: john 14:27-31A

SERMON BY: FR. JOACHIM BARIU

I once met an old priest who at 70 was so full of life, goodness, simplicity and love. When i asked him what is his secret he told me: “Don’t let anything or anyone destroy your peace. Keep your peace. If you get angry, you lose your peace. If you worry, you lose your peace. If you get upset, you’ve been set up!” In today’s gospel Jesus says: “My peace I give to you.” Notice the emphasis on “my peace.” By saying these words about peace, Jesus is teaching us that His peace is something different from other forms of peace.

There is a difference between what we think of peace and the real peace that comes from Him. It is because we think of peace only as the absence of war. We think that when the two nations are not at war, they are at peace with each other. Maybe they are preparing for war instead. In other words, our understanding of peace is avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face unpleasant things. Then He specifies negatively: “Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”

He offers no positive definition of his peace, but at least we know what it is not. Christ’ peace is more than the absence of trouble or unpleasant things. It includes everything which makes for our highest good. What is peace? According to somebody who is a priest said that St. Augustine has a beautiful description of peace. According to him, peace means the following: The first is “The serenity of the mind,” that is, allowing Jesus to take control of our thoughts, our fears and our worries.

The second is “the simplicity of the heart” that is, being contented with what we have and what we have received as gifts from God, and finally, the third is the “tranquillity of the soul” that is, being fully reconciled with God and others. Through this definition of St. Augustine, therefore I can say that peace is not something outside of ourselves or external to us. It does not depend on local, national or international agreements or the result of a precarious balance of opposing forces all ready to pounce on one another if the status quo were to change. Of course we need these also.

But peace is something internal. It resides in the hearts of those who are not disturbed by any conflict outside. It depends on reconciliation God has given to us through Jesus as a gift. Peace is not just the result of precarious balance but also it is the outcome of justice. And the most important element of justice is to give God what is due to Him, that is, there can be no true peace unless we are reconciled with our Creator. People who pray for peace are not automatically peaceful people.

Peaceful people are those who make reconciliation with God and with one another. I read this reflection that in 1979 Mother Teresa of Calcutta received the Nobel Peace Award for her extraordinary works of mercy for the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa’s works had a transcendental effect on the people of the world regardless of religion, ideology and race. But she was criticized by the liberationist leanings who said that instead of liberating people from misery and poverty, she was doing the opposite that is perpetuating the miseries of these people! Despite the opposition, she went about doing her work in the spirit of humility coupled with a prayerful life. No wonder her aura exuded serenity and peace.

“The absence of conflict is not peace. But the absence of Christ in our lives is always the absence of peace. Jesus is our Peace.”

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT – OUR TEACHER AND REMINDER

MONDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER

REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH,

KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI

MAY 11, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 14:5-18

PSALM: Psalms: 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16

GOSPEL READING: John 14:21-26

SERMON BY: FR. RAPHAEL MBENDERA

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the Gospel reading that we have today from John 14:21-26 is a continuing “farewell address” of Jesus to his disciples. In His farewell address, Jesus assures his disciples of his ongoing presence with them through the Holy Spirit. So as Jesus returns to the Father the disciples are assured of His continued presence among them through the Holy Spirit.

In today’s Gospel passage the Holy Spirit as the “Advocate” clearly exercises two roles: that of teaching and reminding. Jesus assures his bewildered followers that this Holy Spirit will teach them and help them call to mind his words in an ongoing way. The question is: What teaching do they need from the Holy Spirit? And what does the Holy Spirit need to remind them of?

• The disciples needed to learn more about God and His plan of salvation, about Jesus and about discipleship.

• They needed to be reminded of the teachings which Jesus had already offered to them but may be they might have forgotten them with time. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, these two functions of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus were witnessed by the disciples at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit descended on them and opened their minds, gave them knowledge, truth and new understanding about God and His plan of salvation. The Holy Spirit reminded them about the teachings of Jesus and also their way of life as disciples of Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, these two functions of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus were not reserved only to the immediate disciples of Jesus at Pentecost.

They reach far beyond the day of Pentecost. The promise should be regarded as the common property of all believers, in every age of the world. Our Lord knows the ignorance and forgetfulness of our nature in spiritual things. He graciously declares that when He leaves the world, His people shall have a teacher and Reminder. We received the Holy Spirit as we were being baptized and confirmed. Therefore, the word of God today invites us to reflect on two things: 1. Whether we need more knowledge about God and our life as Christians. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the Holy Spirit is our teacher in matters to do with spiritual life.

The question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not we want to embrace the fullness of the grace that God has for us. Do we want to learn more about God? About discipleship? About Christian life? Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there is great danger that, after a few years of walking in the ways of Jesus, we may begin to think that we know all that we need to know and so become less and less teachable. How much do we know about God? We ask ourselves today. Are we willing to know more about God? Are we willing to know more about Jesus? Do we have the Bible on our shelves?

Do we really read the Bible? Do I have time for spiritual reading? This cannot be done unless we are teachable. We need to be humble and always willing to learn about the new way of life as disciples of Jesus. It takes a lot of humility to remain teachable throughout our lives. The world will always try to hold us back. The pleasures of life will become temptations that stunt our spiritual growth. Our own imperfect desires will have the same effect. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to have a fuller reign in our lives so that He can always challenge us to lift our expectations and to strive to grow more in holiness and likeness of Christ.

2. Whether we need to be reminded of the Teaching of Jesus. Jesus tells the Apostles that he will send the Holy Spirit after He leaves, who would always remind them of all that He told them.

• The Holy Spirit reminds us that love is at the centre of Christian life.

• The Spirit reminds us that we are full of potential, meant to be instruments of the healing love of God.

• The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are agents of salvation. The message of salvation belongs to everyone. It cannot be hoarded as our private property. Just as the Father’s message came through Jesus, so the message we have received must flow through us to inspire new life in others.

• The Holy Spirit reminds us that We are instruments of hope. Let us reflect on our commitment to our Christian way of life. Don’t we think we need to be reminded?

MAIN CELEBRANT: FR. JOYZY PIUS EGUNJOBI HOMILIST:

FR. STEPHEN OMONDI

1st Reading: Acts 6:1-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

2nd Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9

Alleluia: John 14:6

Gospel: John 14:1-12

NOTICES

1. CHARITY Today we are happy to announce that our parish coronavirus pandemic charity initiative has helped 273 families and one children’s home. We shall continue on with the program next Friday. We also have two Parishes from Western Kenya that are affected by floods so they have appealed to us for support and we shall attend to them this week.

We still appeal for more support to enable us accomplish our mission which is to offer assistance to all who call on our gates. Our pay bill is 4021151 ACCOUNT COVID-19 Anybody watching and has anyone in need to get in touch with our charity office on 0720 622 211 or give your name and phone number at our Parish gate or chiefs office. For Parishioners you can get in touch with your respective moderators.

2. PROJECT Am happy to announce that this week we shall be able to unveil the cross on top of the Church. We had a TAC and PPC executive zoom meeting and have resolved to do a few works before the Chinese contractor leaves. These works constitute the completion of Phase one of our project. We shall be able to communicate the correct figures and the particular works involved soon. We appeal to anyone with a pledge either on the Gratitude Sunday initiative run by the women or elder’s initiative run by men to pay in whatever they have so far. This will assist us pay at least the pending contractors certificate.

3. RETURN TO CHURCH RE-INTEGRATION PROGRAM As earlier communicated we intend to have a program for welcoming back our Parishioners the Parish when the government finally opens the Churches to Christians. We are putting up three committees: Spiritual/Liturgical committee- this is charged with organizing specific masses and a retreat to help Parishioners spiritually. They will be members of the proclaimers and liturgical team that was attending seminars before the churches were closed.

Health committee- to help us implement all the directives on sanitization, social distancing and any other directive that will still be in effect even when we return to Church. They will also provide speakers to assist in mental health. This constitutes the current health team handling covid-19 charity program. Project team- This will help us continue managing our project especially the construction of our new sanctuary. They constitute the TAC and PPC. Any Christian is welcome to give an input or join any of these teams.

Visit our website to talk to us or use our Parish email or your SCC/Group moderator.

SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH,

KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI

MAY 9, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 13:44-52

PSALM: Psalms: 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

GOSPEL READING: John 14:7-14

SERMON BY: FR. JOYZY PIUS EGUNJOBI

Happy Weekend! We continue to give God the glory for His honor, His power, His Majesty and for taking care of us even during this pandemic. Christ is for all and is to be preached to all nations. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13). May God continue to open the eyes of our mind that we can see Christ truly present with us. He is always with us. May God help us in our Christian journey that we will always find Him in our heart, in our soul and in our lives, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THEME: THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT

FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH,

KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI

MAY 8, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 13:26-33

PSALM: Psalms: 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11

GOSPEL READING: John 14:1-6

SERMON BY: FR. JOYZY PIUS EGUNJOBI

On this day we hear the assurance of Jesus Christ, that we should not let our hearts be troubled, we should not live without faith. Jesus always wants us to be with Him. Jesus says to us today, I am the way, the way to the Father, I am the truth, the only one truth that leads to life eternal, and the life, our resurrection.

There is only one path to the Father, and you can only get to the Father through the Son. When you have Jesus you know the way, you know and speak the truth. Jesus has united with all of us here on earth and He wants us to be with Him in His Father’s Kingdom.

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14: 2-3). May God bless us today and even during this time of the pandemic, we will still enjoy the presence of Christ who is the way, the truth and the life through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

REGINA CAELI CATHOLIC CHURCH,

KAREN PARISH – NAIROBI MAY 7, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 13:13-25

PSALM: Psalms: 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

GOSPEL READING: John 13:16-20

SERMON BY: Fr. JOACHIM BARIU

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we are called to continue the good work of the Apostles as St. Paul and many other disciples of the Lord, who have testified before the people about God and His many good works and ultimately ending in the perfect fulfillment of all that God has promised to His people. God has loved all His people and that’s why He has given us opportunities after opportunities, time and again, for us to repent and to turn away from our sins.

He does not want us to fall into damnation as what would happen if we continue down our path of sin. The Apostles, especially St. Paul was not afraid to speak up for his faith in God. As we have seen from the first reading from the book of Acts of the Apostles, he revealed before the people about the Lord Jesus despite the threats which the pharisees and the elders from Jerusalem. He was not afraid of all the threats and continued to speak in the Lord’s name courageously. Let us also be courageous like Paul.

This is the kind of dedication which all of us as Christians should also have in our own lives. We must be ready to stand up for our faith, to show our faith through real and concrete dedication to our faith. This is what each one of us must do as those who profess to believe in God. That in everything we say and do, we bring greater glory to God. Let us commit to the Lord in our hearts with all our strength. Let us all be beacons of God’s light in this world, especially during this time so that through us the works of God and His loving mercy be exercised among us so that more and more people will come to believe in God and have hope in Him.

May the Lord bless us all and be with us in this journey of faith. Amen.