Fr. Alex Roman sx
Dear brothers, the Gospel of this Sunday, 20th of Ordinary Time, presents Jesus in an exclusive mission, directed to the "lost sheep of the people of Israel"; at the same time it is a Gospel with a hard story.
I have been here for two years now in Northern Sierra Leone, and I am living specifically in Makeni-Bombali. I have come to realise the importance of culture, be it religious (Muslim and Christian), traditional or linguistic. On the other hand there is the problem of communication, (for example in one town they speak "Themne" and in another "Loko"). They also all know the national languages that are English and Krio (it is also true that Jesus does not speak of the problem of communication, only of the lost sheep). The social structure in each town is almost the same.
Every Sunday I preside the Mass for Catholics in the town, and continue to encourage them in their faith, and prepare the catechumens to receive the sacraments of initiation. Our mission is in contact with people who profess other faiths and who observe the work of the missionaries, but they hold on to their convictions and practices. Certainly those who have been converted to Christianity many times experience difficult time, just like the Canaanite woman. So much so that the missionary is tempted to take the attitude of the disciples in the Gospel story: to ask the Lord Jesus Christ for a quick solution to the problems, without noticing the faith of the person in front of him. That is why it is important to learn from the Master. That is, that person can discover something that was lacking in their faith, and take a Christian path. Jesus shows that the faith of the woman is more important, that it is not only a request of the moment, but that woman in spite of the harsh words of Jesus, is persevering in her faith and responds with these words: "Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." In other words, house pets not only eat the crumbs, but they are also loved and receive good food from their masters. The woman's response is sincere and humble before Jesus. This woman shows two attitudes: faith and humility. This is what makes Jesus heal her daughter from the devil. The experience of Jesus is a unique reality of his mission.
Missionary life is as described in the first reading, it is a promise found between the biblical message of salvation and the living culture of many traditions. In other words: "The spiritual life is a balancing act between the head and the heart, between the interior life and the communal experience, between tradition and innovation." (Larry Broding). The person who is moved by faith and the Holy Spirit moves his heart, it is true that he becomes a follower of the master and not of the minister in charge. Have a nice Sunday.
Fr. Alex sx.
Dear brothers, the Gospel of this Sunday, 20th of Ordinary Time, presents Jesus in an exclusive mission, directed to the "lost sheep of the people of Israel"; at the same time it is a Gospel with a hard story.
I have been here for two years now in Northern Sierra Leone, and I am living specifically in Makeni-Bombali. I have come to realise the importance of culture, be it religious (Muslim and Christian), traditional or linguistic. On the other hand there is the problem of communication, (for example in one town they speak "Themne" and in another "Loko"). They also all know the national languages that are English and Krio (it is also true that Jesus does not speak of the problem of communication, only of the lost sheep). The social structure in each town is almost the same.
Every Sunday I preside the Mass for Catholics in the town, and continue to encourage them in their faith, and prepare the catechumens to receive the sacraments of initiation. Our mission is in contact with people who profess other faiths and who observe the work of the missionaries, but they hold on to their convictions and practices. Certainly those who have been converted to Christianity many times experience difficult time, just like the Canaanite woman. So much so that the missionary is tempted to take the attitude of the disciples in the Gospel story: to ask the Lord Jesus Christ for a quick solution to the problems, without noticing the faith of the person in front of him. That is why it is important to learn from the Master. That is, that person can discover something that was lacking in their faith, and take a Christian path. Jesus shows that the faith of the woman is more important, that it is not only a request of the moment, but that woman in spite of the harsh words of Jesus, is persevering in her faith and responds with these words: "Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." In other words, house pets not only eat the crumbs, but they are also loved and receive good food from their masters. The woman's response is sincere and humble before Jesus. This woman shows two attitudes: faith and humility. This is what makes Jesus heal her daughter from the devil. The experience of Jesus is a unique reality of his mission.
Missionary life is as described in the first reading, it is a promise found between the biblical message of salvation and the living culture of many traditions. In other words: "The spiritual life is a balancing act between the head and the heart, between the interior life and the communal experience, between tradition and innovation." (Larry Broding). The person who is moved by faith and the Holy Spirit moves his heart, it is true that he becomes a follower of the master and not of the minister in charge. Have a nice Sunday.
Fr. Alex sx.