Easter Sunday – Who will roll the stone for us ?

Every Easter I tend to join Mary of Magdalene and other ladies on their way to the tomb, with their question in mind “Who will roll the stone away for us?” That humbling moment when we acknowledge that the challenge ahead of us is beyond us. This mood is also echoed by Easter night procession, when the Easter candle is lit to conquer the darkness of the night, with the possibility of the candle being blown away by the wind. But our faith goes beyond the challenge of the wind. Our objective is to penetrate the thickness of the night so as to proclaim the wonders of God. We rejoice for Christ, the divine “light from light’, has triumphed as man over the darkness of death, has risen to eternal life in glory. We rejoice because the event has the most profound, joyous importance for our own lives, filling them with a new light and purpose. We know what comes with darkness all too well – grave sin and petty betrayal. It comes with worries towards the tomb. At first worried of the stone and secondly the discovery of an empty tomb. They must be reminded of what they had already learned, but had failed to grasp. Another challenge to the women (as witnesses) is the apostles doubling their message and dismiss it as nonsense. Mary of Magdalene as frustrated as she was is re-directed from the empty tomb (death) to meeting Christ in the garden of life, where Jesus calls her by her name. This is our story with Mary of Magdalene, as we search for answers, while we confront the big rock, blinding us and the most frustrating, the emptiness of treatment. The story will change if we accept to meet Jesus in a garden of life not of death. We shall be called by our names for life not among the cases of death. Before God we are his beloved children not as negative or positive cases. We shall come out of this darkness to tell Peter and the rest of the disciples that Christ is waiting to meet them in Galilee (a place of encounter). May the Risen Lord raise us beyond our present situation. Alleluia – Amen – Happy Easter – Fr. Patrick Njenga

Palm Sunday – 5th April 2020

In many countries of the world presidents and VIP’s always travel in a convoy of cars, with police cars and motorcycles in the lead. On the arrival to their venue they are greeted with big celebrations and a red carpet to walk on. Its always a show of power and might. This weekend my king is coming to my city, no four wheel cars, no police escort and no motor cycles. Instead of the red carpet, its leaves and clothes. Instead of a bullet proof car, he comes on a donkey. This shatters our expectation of who this man is. Riding on a donkey arriving in Jerusalem, the crowd of supporters creating a stir. Our king who accompanied by excited even elated followers, some spreading their clothes along the way (not the red carpet) while others strew the road with branches. Some people knew who he was (“Hosanna son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”) while others kept wondering who he was. They even wanted to shut the people down. The symbolism of riding on a donkey fulfils the prophecy of coming (Isaiah and Zechariah) of our king in all humility. People were used to the entry of kings in chariots riding arrogantly on warhorses. On this occasion Jesus could have kept himself busy enjoying the excitement of the moment, but rather kept talking about what was ahead of him, betrayal, denial, mocking and crucifixion. The disciples found it difficult to relate to his story of death. This year, in the week leading up to Easter, we as well have come face-to-face with suffering in a very tangible and quite extraordinary way. The daily updates on the spread of the virus and even changing protective measures have made us all, very personally and palpably, a part of the overwhelming mystery of the cross. Our thoughts and feelings are steered by uncertainty, fear and worries for the future. This is just a fraction of what Jesus went through on his way to Jerusalem (the reality of his death). Jesus used the “moment “of the cross as a show of love to us and God. We to, need to see this “moment”, today, as our “moment” to show our love and trust for God, whose love for us is boundless. Yes, our freedom has been (taken) away but be assured Allelluiah is coming. So in our simple ways let us process towards Jerusalem in prayer to face what is ahead of us in faith and trust in God our victory. May you have a blessed Holy week. Amen.

Fr. Patrick Njenga.

United in Prayer – 29th March 2020

This is a difficult moment for us. A time we are invited to prolong the stay in the desert with Christ. Being denied the celebration of our either weekly or weekend celebrations is and will be the greatest challenge or temptation of our time. We always long for the Easter celebrations but it is very sad that we will miss that opportunity. It is most certainly a great trial, but even this wilderness can be made to flourish if we bring to it the living water of our faith. Remember how Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at the pool? Two thirsty people met but both thirsting for nourishment. As you long and thirst for Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist, he is also keeping vigil with us at the pool. Christ knows our story! Don’t be surprised how God is able to console and accompany us during this desert experience. Physically and mentally you might feel exhausted and some lonely moments, but spiritually you feel the moment to be full of God’s experience. We start valuing some things we have been taking for granted; walking around freely, shaking of hands, hugging each other, being in communion with each other as we gather for our liturgical celebrations and much more. As reminded earlier during the week, Fr Miguel & I are keeping you in our prayers and especially in our daily private masses. Let us all pray for one another and use this time to deepen our care for each other and for the needy in our parish community. Our gospel this Sunday (Jn 11:1-45) is about the raising of Lazarus. And Jesus said, “This sickness (of Lazarus) will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it, the son of God will be glorified”. “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for two more days….” This is our story during this period, our friendship with Jesus is still on, that moment is coming for Lazarus to wake up, from the dust of Covid-19. He is coming in his time-keeping Martha and many waiting in prayer for Christ to come. Fr. Patrick Njenga