3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily

Repentance and Transformation, 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time — Year B. Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20

On this 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time of Year B, we meditate on the repentance and transformation that are the fruit of our response to God's call. In the first reading, despite historical and cultural barriers, Jonah responds to God's call to go to Nineveh to preach repentance and the people of Nineveh respond without hesitation. God expects the same immediate response from each of us.

Our duty of evangelization should go beyond our ethnic, tribal, and racial affiliations. Each of us is called to discern our vocation and respond to it with generosity on a daily basis, whatever the nature of the sender of the message.

Christ's message throughout his ministry is to invite us to accept his reign and. to be active disciples of his Father's kingdom.

“Repent and believe the Good News” (Mk 1:15)

Believing in the Gospel requires from us listeners the resolve to take Jesus' words seriously every day, to translate them into action, and to trust in Jesus' authority. Jesus preached the Gospel, the Good News, that God is a loving, forgiving, caring, and merciful Father. God wants to free us and save us from our sins through his son Jesus.

Let us remember that, it is our calling in life as Christians, to transmit the light of Christ

through our lives, radiating the unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and humble service of Jesus to all in our families, our parish and our society.

Like Jonah, let us go to “Nineveh” and announce the Good News!

Wishing you a blessed spirit filled Sunday!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily - January 14, 2024

Reflection of 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

1S. 3: 3b-10. 19; Ps 39 (40); 1Cor 6: 13c -15.17-20; Jn 1, 35-42

He is calling you too

Dear friends in Christ, warm greetings of peace and joy in the Lord as I share with you the message of this Sunday’s readings, whose focus is on the call. As I was travelling last week from Detroit to Paris, I sat next to a gentle lady. I greeted her and introduced myself to her as a priest and the next question to me was: “How did you know that you were called to become a priest?”  I smiled, and I said: “We are all called, but every person simply needs to listen carefully to the voice of God in their heart”. Yes, brothers and sisters, we are all called by God; called to conversion, called to responsibility, called for action and called to fulfill God’s plan in our lives.

Today’s readings help us indeed to focus on God’s call and the listening to his voice. Through the examples of Samuel in the first reading and the calling of the first disciples in today’s gospel, we are reminded in the beginning of this year 2024 that God is indeed calling us. It is therefore important to be open to God’s call in our lives. We need the Holy Spirit and the help of others to discern the tone of God’s voice which can easily be mistaken for any other human voice. Three times in the first reading, Samuel hears God’s voice but mistakes it for a human voice (Ely’s voice). Only on the fourth time, that he could respond, “Speak, and the Lord for your servants is listening”. This indeed is the beginning of Samuel’s vocation. May we practice the lectio divina in order to adequately listen to the voice of God!

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is calling his first disciples not only to a personal relationship and intimacy with him but also to a task that is to preach the Good News of salvation. No wonder Jesus tells us: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16). One can never encounter “The Lamb of God '', Jesus Christ and remains indifferent to the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. God is calling us today in our various contexts of life to participate in his mission of love and peace, justice and reconciliation in our world. How do I respond to this call?

That is the vocation that all baptized receive from the second reading today. St Paul reminds us that we are members of the Christ body and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Henceforth our entire life is meant to serve God not earthly and vain pleasures that do not give honor to God. That is the main vocation of our existence to follow Jesus, to serve him and to be holy.  We belong to God and he calls us to the sanctity of life. “Come and follow me, says Jesus”. Have you truly made this tremendous decision to follow Jesus? Look at this in the little things of everyday life: where to work? What to do? Where to go to school? Who to marry and even how to spend my money and in what to spend that money? The best way to discern is still the reading and meditation of the word of God daily.

I believe God is still calling us right now to a task, responsibility, ministry, stewardship, reconciliation, peace and unity, forgiveness and joy, sanctity and eternal life. Let us open our hearts and respond with obedience of faith!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Blessed Sunday!

Epiphany Homily, January 7, 2024

On the feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate the intense appearance or manifestation of the Lord. The wise men who were looking for the newborn King following the star represents each of us. We must pray that we may be attentive to the intense manifestation of God’s power in our lives. All the time, God shows himself into our lives but hidden. We must open ourselves to those moments of God’s powerful manifestations in our existence.

The Epiphany means exactly this, Christ Jesus, true God, symbolized in the frankincense offering, and true Man, symbolized in the beautiful gift of the myrrh, and the newborn King, symbolized in the offering of gold. These can be revealed to anyone and in different ways, places, times and cultures. Like these unexpected strangers, may we offer to Jesus, adoration and honor and praise. He deserves the best treasures of our lives.

In Christ, the new light shines on the whole world. Isaiah 60:1-6 expresses this in these words: “Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…And nations shall work upon you and kings in brightness of you rising”. With Christ, all people, all the nations have got the opportunity to walk in the light. For Paul to the Ephesians (3:2-3), Epiphany is indeed the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God even to the Gentiles, understood as even to the pagans. All can now walk in light of God. We are heirs of the light. Do not walk in darkness anymore!

Finally, we see in today’s Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, the fulfilment of the words of Isaiah. The magi empty their riches before the Lord. Nations will come and give: gold, frankincense and myrrh and incense. We are invited to open ourselves in thanksgiving and adoration to the Lord. Our response to the light of God is to give ourselves as a gift to the Lord Jesus, to our family and to his Church. Our response to the Epiphany is stewardship, “Give to Jesus 10% of your Time”, “Give to Jesus 10% of your Talents”. “Give to Jesus 10% of your Treasure or financial resources”. Rejoice in the Epiphany and walk in the light. Indeed, you are one of the wise men!

Happy and prosperous new year 2024!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Gratitude in the midst of storms! Blessings for 2024!

In spite of the demise of my grandmother, Marie Eyenga and I believe many of us have been through horrible predicaments, I would like to thank God and express my appreciation to everyone. I am positive! I am thankful and I am Grateful! No matter what happened, let us remember the words of Jesus “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) There are many things that might have sadden us or frustrates our peace, but we must train our mind to see good even in the midst of challenges for the word of God reminds us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Find in all that you went through the silver linings, the hidden blessings, and the opportunity for growth, sanctification and glorification. As you know well, whatever that does not kill you, strengthens you and remember the words of Karla Pope and Alesandra Dubin: “Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving”.

As we bid farewell to 2023 and step into the unknown 2024, let our gratitude, confidence, optimistic faith be our guiding compass. May the word of God in the liturgy, our daily rosary, our adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, strengthen our resilience and our faith, and so illuminate our path forward. In that line, our unwavering appreciation for God’s blessings should enable us to totally commit our lives in the service of our beloved Parish, Holy Redeemer Church. Our stewardship is indeed a bold reminder for each of us that, no matter what the storms we face, the seeds of gratitude are always within us, waiting to blossom.

May the Lord bless you with good health, peace, joy, spiritual and financial breakthrough throughout this year 2024 and beyond. Amen!

Happy new year 2024!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Holy Family Homily, December 31, 2023

Dear Holy Redeemer Family, to the homebound, and visiting friends, the end of this wonderful year 2023 offers me an opportunity to thank you as you deserve it. Thanks for welcoming me at Holy Redeemer and in the Diocese of Lansing. Thanks for participating on October 28 at my installation as your Pastor of Holy Redeemer by our local Bishop, Bishop Earl Boyea Thanks equally for your time, talents and financial contributions to Holy Redeemer, the Outreach and all other important missions. Be assured, like St. Paul: “We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray” (Col. 1:3)

I am aware that this year, especially June 2023, has definitely been difficult for most Parishioners after the announcement of Rev. Father Steven Anderson’s retirement as Pastor of Holy Redeemer. This might have been even more difficult as your new Pastor was coming from the Southern hemisphere (Africa). I believe this transition was, and it is still difficult for some of you who need a longer time to adapt with newness. I would like to reassure you, time is a healer and we all need to journey together, praying and trusting God’s guidance and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

So, as we step into this new year 2024, I would like us to entrust our Parish under the control and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female

servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit” (Joel 2:28-32) How I wish this prophecy may come to pass in our parish!

Henceforth, the coming year will be marked by fostering spiritual life and stewardship campaigns, evangelization, and Catechesis in all its aspects: these include seekers, youth, and adult formation.

1) Spiritual Life

Every day without fail we now offer the highest sacrifice of the Mass for our Parish and for the whole world. We pray the rosary daily before every mass and on Weekend’s masses, that is 3:20PM on Saturdays, 8:20AM and 4:20PM on Sundays. Every Friday at 3:00PM we are going to have the “Golgotha Hour” with the Divine Mercy chaplet or the Most Precious Blood of Jesus’s prayer for the conversion of sinners and for our salvation. This will start on Friday January 5, 2024. We will also give priority to Thursdays solemn hour of adoration (Power Hour) from 6:00PM to 7:00PM and we indeed foster and encourage you to come to Encounter on every first Friday at 6:30PM and we will be offering on every third Friday, a Healing Service at 6:30PM. Our first healing service will be on January 19, 2023. We pray that God, the Healer (Exodus 3:15) may heal our sickness and any kind of wounds in our families throughout this year 2024.

2) Stewardship Campaign

At the end of this year 2023, we have been involved in various diocesan strategic meetings on how to be effective in evangelizing our parishes. Our smart goal is to make all parishioners fully active participants in the work of evangelization in the parish. For this reason, we would like to embark on a stewardship campaign starting on the second week of January 2024. Stewardship will enable every parishioner to live out their commitment of self-donation, to be truly Christ-centered. Stewardship calls for profound gratitude to serve the divine plan by giving back to God (three-Ts) your Time, your Talents and your Treasure. The Campaign will be run by a stewardship committee which will be headed by Dcn. Ken Preiss. Stewardship is the key to make us all servants and participants in building God’s kingdom here at Holy Redeemer.

3) Outreach Campaign Programs

One of the very important parts of our faith is to reach out to the vulnerable and the poor, and the homebound whom Jesus identifies himself with. I thank you for taking responsibility and financially supporting our outreach here at Holy Redeemer. Thanks indeed for your monthly contributions. It is our way of becoming apostles of Jesus’ mercy.

Please do contact the office at any time whenever you find yourself homebound and in need of a visit.

With the Finance Council, we have discussed some ways we can extend the outreach to the Divine Mercy Foundation for the construction of the orphanage and the tuition of poor children, as well as assisting in the formation of Pallottine seminarians in Cameroon. What a joy to contribute in one way or in another to the formation of a priest! In our next insert, we will have more clarifications on this topic.

Like St. Paul said in Philippians (4:7), “I pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” so that you will experience God's peace, joy, happiness, healing, and the favor through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a spirit filled and prosperous new year 2024!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

The Holy Family

How beautiful it is to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Today, we emphasize the importance of family. The family is a beautiful space for our growth. It is the domestic Church. Let us pray for the restoration of healthy families in our country.

In the first reading, God promises that Abraham and Sarah will have a son. God is the author of all life. He is the beginning and the end of our story. Our life is sacred. Our lives are part of God's gracious plan. Let us pray for the sanctity of life from conception to death.

The family must build its life on faith, love, and charity. This is why the second reading recalls the story of Abraham and Sarah who put their faith in God. God is faithful, he has fulfilled his promises in Jesus Christ. May we learn to trust God in all situations of our life.

Let us be like Joseph and Mary who did not fail in their duty as parents. They take the baby Jesus to Jerusalem for the purification ritual. There they meet Simeon and Anna, who both talk about Jesus' future and how he will fulfill all our hopes, desires, and needs. May we as parents take seriously the spiritual education of their children.

Happy Feast of the Holy Family!

Christmas Homily. Is 52:7-10; Ps 98; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18.

Christmas is a Gift!

With every day passing, every week winding up, our world seems to fall into deeper darkness. Day after day announces wars, atrocities, increase of crime, crumbling cities, inflation, partisan divides, poverty and hunger. About 970 million people around the world suffer from mental illness; there is a flagrant of loss of faith. In each and every instance around the world, there is a fellow human being in pain: a woman, a man or a child potentially going through the worst that life has to offer, often feeling alone and abandoned. Now let me tell you the Good News: even if you are in terrible pain, and wherever you may be, this Christmas is still for you. Even if you are grieving because you lost someone dear to you. God is with you. Even if you have doubted, you have failed to pray, to trust in him in those times of difficulties, He is here for you. Happy Christmas!!!

Thanks be to God! Christmas is a Good news – God with us. A Good News of God’s love who sent us his Son, the word made flesh to us (Cf. John 3:16). Christmas reminds us of the gift of Jesus who is coming to give us love, hope and joy. This is the message which doesn’t change from year to year. It is the same Good News yesterday and today! When there is so much bad news and devastation in the world, this is good news worth celebrating! Jesus is our gift; He is our helper and our salvation. (Ps 27:1-3). Christmas is here to remind us that we all need help. Even the most privileged one among us is lost at times. We need God and Christ is indeed the reflection of the splendor and the fullness of the Father. Christmas is the light that shines in darkness. December 25 was the pagan celebration of the sun. For us Christians, Christ is the true Sun of justice, “The Light of the world” (John 9:12).

Every little help, every little assistance, every gesture of love for others, especially for the homeless, the less fortunate than ourselves, brightens the darkness of our world. Whatever you have done for the “little one of mine” (Mt 25: 40), be it, a gift of a toy, a plate of food, a gift card to someone in need, contribution to the outreach program, contribution to the Church and to charity, building the orphanage, feeding or clothing an orphan, a gift of tuition, a visit to the sick, the prisoners, the elderly in need of a visit, a word of consolation, all these have brought Christ’s brightness into our world. That is the meaning of Christmas. 

That is the meaning of Christmas. As one who grew up in very abject poverty in a village named Ebomkop in Cameroon, the story of Christ born in manger speaks louder to humanity. He wanted to be one with sinners and with the poor so we can live in solidarity with one another. No one is supposed to fight the battle of life alone, be it financially, spiritually, or emotionally! Christmas is the gift of Christ's presence in our lives. Our positive human interactions can ease a troubled mind, a troubled family, a troubled community, a troubled organization and a troubled world. Christmas is a gift: a gift of salvation that no human can give; a gift of peace; a gift of love; a gift of mercy; a gift of grace; a gift of joy; and whenever we become apostles of the Christian virtues, we celebrate Christmas in our world. This is indeed the beginning of the new world. 

Blessed Christmass!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac

Christmas Midnight Homily. Is 9:2-7; Ps 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2: 1-14.

Unconquerable Light. 

Let us all rejoice in the Lord tonight for our Savior has been born in the world. “Unto us, dear friends, a Son is given” (Isaiah 9:2).He is “a wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9: 6). Yes, dear friends in the Lord, today true peace, true joy, true power, true authority, and true light have come down to us from heaven. Let us rejoice and exalt!

Isaiah tells us today that: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” (Isaiah 9:2). We all have darkness in our lives; darkness of our sins, darkness of hopelessness, darkness of doubt, darkness of ignorance, darkness of pains and sorrows; the darkness of war and divisions, the darkness of hatred and fear, the darkness of greed and corruption. This night is here to remind us the true light has shined in our darkness!

May we accept again Jesus, the light that is shining in our darkness! The light that prevents us from stumbling and tripping. The true Light Jesus Christ shows us the way to eternal happiness. Just like the light, Jesus has come into our lives to expose the danger of humanity, of not following God. He exposes our lives as they are. He came to dispel darkness and gloom of hopelessness and sin that overwhelm us every day. 

We are invited to look at the world with this new light. Let our love, hope and aspirations be illuminated by the light of Christ. The Light of Christ is that power that overcomes everything, even the darkness of the tomb and death. The light came into the world and the darkness has not overcome it,  as will we as the Gospel of John reminds us (John 1:5), the Light of Christ is unconquerable!

The darkness of our sins cannot overcome the light of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. The problems in our communities cannot overcome the power of Christ’s resurrection. The culture of death, euthanasia and abortion cannot defeat the power and the joy of life. Christ is light and the light is alive! May God receive praise and glory, honor, and adoration for he has sent the light in our heart!

Let us renew our faith on this Christmas to Jesus, God from God and the Light from light; the true God from true God. May we go out and become witnesses to this unconquerable and undefeatable light of Christ! May live in the light for the rest of our lives until we reach eternal glory! Amen. 

Blessed Christmass!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac

4th Sunday of Advent, year b 2 samnuel 7: 1-5.8b-12, 12.14.16; Rom 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38.

Like Mary, surrender to the Lord. We might all be aware that God’s plan for us and humanity is wonderful and rewarding when we embrace it. However it is not always easy to follow because it often contradicts our personal and family interests and plans. That is the case of David in the first reading, who wanted to build God's house and the Virgin Mary in the Gospel, who although she was already betrothed to Joseph for marriage. To welcome Jesus in our lives demands of us, letting go sometimes even the best plans of our lives. Henceforth, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Blessed Virgin Mary is given to us as a Christian model of hearing, listening and doing the word of God. “Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum Tuum” “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” This is total surrender. Mary teaches how to respond to God’s coming and invitation with obedience – love and generosity. For us to be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas and in our daily lives we must discern God’s will in our lives and this imply letting go of our own aspirations and our personal plans. This might be difficult and sometimes painful, but it always brings happiness and peace, joy and eternal reward because we can say to ourselves I am doing exactly what Jesus himself is coming to teach us: “Not my will but your will be done” (Luke 22:42). Let us pray every day: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10). Like Mary, always surrender to the Lord. Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

3rd Sunday of Advent, year b Isaiah 61:1-11; 1Thes 5:16-24; John 1:6-8.19-28.

So, Rejoice Always!

Looking back at this year, so much has happened; maybe you have been sick, bereaved, disappointed by people at work, in the family, or at church, or you have been discouraged by another, this Sunday is a breath of courage and hope for you. On this Sunday, we light the third candle, representing “joy”. It is the “Gaudete Sunday”, which means “rejoice”. St Paul invites us to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4) as a true Christian community characterized by prayer, thanksgiving, and joy. The season of Advent is for the entire world, an invitation to be joyful for Christ is coming into our lives. Why shall we always rejoice?

1) All the readings of this Sunday point out that something is about to take place. There is a new beginning in perspective. We find this tune of liberation and newness that John is witnessing in today’s gospel, in Micah, and Isaiah 61 whereby the Lord will bring consolation, freedom and deliverance. We are joyful because we are waiting for our jubilee of freedom that comes from Jesus. So Rejoice always, even when you are going through difficult times.

2) We rejoice for Jesus the Divine, the Messiah who is coming, will restore us. No wonder Psalm 51:12, proclaims: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit”. The God who brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and from exile, will cause your heart to smile again even when things seem to be falling apart. The God-man, Jesus, is coming to take up us again, from zero to hero, from nothingness to something, and from dust to life. Rejoice always!

3) God’s presence is our joy because the coming of Jesus makes known to us the path of life. In Psalm 16:11, we read: “in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Spending time with God brings tremendous joy in the hearts of believers and “Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.” (Ps 97:11) Jesus is coming to us to give wisdom, and knowledge, and joy to those who please and who abide in his word (Cf Ps 119:111; Ecclesiastes 2:26). Like John the Baptist, faithfulness to God and witnessing to the power of the Holy Spirit should produce even greater joy in our lives.

4) This Sunday helps us to discover that joy is an essential part of our Christian life. Jesus reminds us in John 16:24 that, until now, we have asked nothing in his name. He urges us to ask and we will receive, and our joy will be full. Let's be filled with the spirit of joy and share our joy of being Catholics with the world today!

Do you really want to be happy in your life today?

Here is the secret: forgive, make peace, reconcile, be humble, please just do that and joy will find you.

Joy cannot find us in materialism, in extravagance, in materialism, in greed and selfishness. Joy can truly find us in humility and in nothingness. In the nothingness of the tomb, we saw the joy of Easter; in the nothingness of the womb of the blessed Virgin, Mary we saw the joy of Christmas; in the nothingness of the womb of Elizabeth, we saw the joy of God intervening in history. So, always find your true joy in the Lord!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac

2nd Sunday of Advent. Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8.

Come to the desert with John the Baptist

According to some traditional wisdom, whenever the elephant wants to drink water from the river or the lake or reservoir, it first unsettles the water. The reason is that, as the surface of the still water acts like a mirror, the elephant would not love to see its own image through the still water because it comes across as another wild animal coming from the water to fight the elephant.

In the Bible, the desert usually represents a time of the testing of faith, a time of preparation, purification, temptation, and transformation. On this second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist invites us to the desert. He wants us to prepare ourselves for the “Good News” (Mark 1:1) that is coming into the world by joining him in the desert. There we can look at our image in the mirror. Advent is a time to focus on our life and examine conscience. More often, we are like the elephant, we run away from the silence of the examining our conscience because we are afraid to face our real image.

Yet, Advent is a time to work on ourselves. It is an opportunity to take a break from watching the bad things, the evil actions of others, but focus on ourselves. Advent gives us the opportunity to become better spouses, better children, better parents, better priests, better Deacons, and better people in the family, the community, and the world.

It is a time to experience and recognize divine providence; divine provision. While they had no bridge to cross the red sea, God provided a passage through the waters for the children of Israel. While making their journey through the desert, God fed them with the manna from heaven and gave them water from the rock. God is in control of our lives. He can help us even where we have no human connections - for our help ultimately comes from God. (Ps 124:8) He is the source of our satisfaction.

John’s preaching is clear and simple. The time of the desert is a time of change and transformation. This is an invitation to level the mountain and fill the valley. This is a calling to give up our pride and to become humble, virtuous, faithful, and generous. We must check ourselves through the mirror in order to avoid allowing the distractions of this world to take over the preparation and the meaning of Christmas. This examination will help us to grow in our knowledge and relationship with God. Always remember, my dear friend, Christianity is not a destination, but a journey towards heaven. May we prepare ourselves to receive the Good news of Jesus Christ by being apostles of peace and unity!

Come to the desert with John the Baptist.

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Reflections on the 1st Sunday of Advent Homily. Is 63: 16-17. 19b; 64:2-7; Ps 79; 1Cor 1: 3-9; MK 13: 33-37.

Crisis is the birthplace of hope

In last week’s readings, Ezekiel 34, the King of the universe identifies himself as a Shepherd whose role is to care for his flock. He gathers those who are scattered and lost; He heals the wounded and the sick. In fact, the people of Israel knew very well that God always comes to their rescue in times of difficulties. God will always be there for us. Even God’s anger against our wrong-doing is a sign of his love for us. God cannot forget us in times of crisis. In our times of troubles, God comes to us. In our sorrows and griefs, God comes to us. In times of problems, namely sickness, financial troubles, loss of loved ones, God will be there for us (Romans 8:31). God comes to us. He comes to us to console us; to strengthen us; to promise us a better future and everlasting life. Paul is grateful for all the gifts of God to the community. The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to them in order to strengthen them as they await for the coming of Jesus the Messiah, the fulfilment of our Hope. God we need your Holy Spirit. Lord, we long for your coming.

In this time of instability and many troubles, we long for a better future; a safer world; a stable economy and meaningful relationship. Yes, Jesus will come. We must stay awake. He will come to fulfill our deepest longing and our hope for the fullness of life. It is through pains, and death that Christ saves us. He comes to us. This is the spirit of Advent; a spirit of hope. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11). Indeed, this Advent; a time to stand still; a time to yearn; a time to long for a God who is so faithful to us. A God who will come and rescue us in times of troubles. The people of Israel in the first readings long for the coming of their Redeemer. “Tear down the heavens and come down” Yes Crisis is the birthplace of hope. Any occasion of pain or any difficulty is an entry point of God’s grace! Are you in trouble, sick, going through hard times, be assured, God will come to us to save us! But are worthy to welcome him in our heart: "Lord I am not worthy to receive you in my Lord"

May we please cleanse our hearts to prepare ourselves for Christ coming. Paul in 2 Cor 13: 5 says: "Examine yourself to see whether you are holding to your faith" May we do this examination throughout this week!

Happy first week of Advent!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac

Reflection on the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.

Our Final Exam! Heaven made Easy!

Today we conclude the liturgical year A with the solemnity of Christ the King, the Alpha and the Omega. In our various readings, Christ as the King is: -- The Good Shepherd who takes care and leads his sheep (Ezekiel 34; Ps23); -- The Risen Christ through whom all believers will also rise (1 Corinthians 15:20-26); -- The Judge of all people and all nations on the basis of how we treat one another (Mt 25:31-46). Jesus gives us the areas of focus for our final exam. How do I prepare for the final coming of Christ?

A story is told of a young man who was drowning into the water. An older man saw him and saved him. A few years later the same young man broke into a jewelry store and was caught and was taken to jail. As he appeared to the judge, he recognized the man who saved him when he was drowning in the river. He said to himself: “Thanks be to God. This man saved me several years ago. If he could risk his life to save me when I was drowning. I know he will do everything within his power to save me”. Eventually, the judgement was passed and the young man was found guilty and was sentenced to prison. Then he cried out to the judge and said: “ Have you forgotten me. I am the same young man you saved from drowning few years ago. Please save me” and the Judge said: “yes I remember you. But on that day, you were drowning, I came to you as your savior, today I am here as your Judge”

St. John of the Cross reminds us that: “in the Evening of our life, we will be judged on love.” Our seat in heaven will depend on our capacity to do the works of mercy in the name of Christ. The way we treat one another, especially the most vulnerable and the less privileged will determine our destination. Our capacity of seeing Christ’s image in every human person and our capability of loving Christ through our neighbor is the right key to the eternal kingdom. Christ says: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you did it to me”. Each one of us is now expected to be Christ-Jesus, so to not look down at anyone. Remember the story of St. Martin de Tours, a Bishop born in Hungary 316. He was raised in Italy where he was a soldier and Christian. While still not a Christian, he divided his cloak, and gave half to a poor man. His fellows mocked him. Later, he had a vision of Christ with that man’s face. Christ was wearing half of his cloak. So, do see Christ in the poor everywhere, in your spouse, in your parents, in your children, in your neighbors, in your friends. See in them today, the Christ you wish to see in heaven tomorrow!

Lord, I need your Holy Spirit to help us see you in every human person. Help us to stay focused on our journey! You are the First and the Last. Come Lord Jesus, reign in our lives! Be our KING forever!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

33rd Sunday, Year A

Faithful servant, take risk for God’s kingdom!

We are at the end of Mathew’s Gospel and Jesus is about to do his triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). It is time for Jesus to entrust his Church to his disciples, he teaches us a great lesson. Even if his second coming is not imminent, the disciples of all times will need to take initiatives so that his message may bear fruits. This great teaching is drawn through a parable. “A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted them his property;to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.” God loves us all and treats us equally but each person according to their abilities. All he asks of us is to trust Him as he trusts us to the point of entrusting his kingdom. He does not hold us accountable for what is beyond our capacities. Like with the two first good servants, God would like us to enter into his project of salvation. “Do only what you can do for the kingdom of God. Do it to your abilities. Do it well”. God trust is something marvellous as he even expects us to take risks and initiatives with what he has entrusted us. “Master, you gave me five talents, and I made five more”;” Master, you gave me two talents and I made two more”. And we can hear the Master Praising and encouraging such servants: “You have been faithful in little, I will set you over much.” This is indeed what I read from the Book of Proverb: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” (Prov.9:9). Dear Sisters and Brothers, entrusted to his Word and his kingdom, may we take initiatives and bear fruits for his kingdom so that you can hear: “Good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your Master”

Blessed Sunday!

Fr. Georges sac

32nd Sunday, Year A

Reflection on the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time year A. Wis 6:12-16; Ps 63, 1 Thes 4:13-18; Mt 25, 1-13.

Meeting with the bridegroom

As we are heading toward the end of the liturgical year, the Church continues to call her spiritual children to reflect daily on the “four last things” : Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell (CCC, 12 ; #1020 -1042). Death is the separation of man’s mortal body and man’s immortal soul as a result of original sin. After death, each person will be judged by God and based on his conduct, he will go either to hell or to heaven. Hell is the eternal state of torment and despair prepared for those who in this life have freely rejected God and the happiness which God offers. Opposed to hell, there is heaven, the eternal state of perfect happiness resulting from face-to-face with God as the reward of those who have served God throughout their lives. Jesus, the bridegroom, died so that we can be there with him in heaven forever. But we do not know either the day nor the hour when the bridegroom will come. Are we ready to meet with the bridegroom in heaven?

In this passage of the Gospel of Mathiew, Jesus gives us the parable of the ten virgins. Among them, five (5) are wise because they made provisions for the extra oil. This means utilised, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, their faith, the love and the grace of God for the service of God’s kingdom. They set their priority right. We must do the same. That is the true oil that leads to heaven. The five (5) others were  foolish probably because they spent their abilities, resources and time focusing on non-essentials. All of them were aware that in the context of the Jewish wedding in Palestine of the first century, the bridegroom would always come at an unexpected time. So we should always be “AWAKE”.

This parable has first to do with the people in the time of Jesus. They knew about the coming of the Messiah but when Jesus, The Messiah came, they rejected him. They were unprepared.

This parable is told for a timeless generation. It speaks of our individual death and the second coming of the Son of Man can catch us unprepared. Paul tells us that “Christ himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of trumpet of God” (1Thessalonians 4:16) The time of death still remains very unpredictable. Always ready to meet with the bridegroom. For the one who fails to prepare prepares to fail. According to our first reading, wisdom is the key to faithful religion and watchfulness the key to wisdom. Be watchful! Saty always prepared!

In today’s parable, the refusal of the wise virgins to share their oil with the foolish ones is in no way a lack of charity, but it simply means that there are things people cannot do on our behalf, and things that we cannot do on behalf of others. Our relationship with God is personal and unique. No parent, spouse, no child, no priest, nobody can believe on behalf of others. We cannot go for confessions on behalf of others, or receive the sacraments on their behalf. Martin King Junior says: “You are going to die alone. You had better believe alone” so to meet with the bridegroom in heaven. Get ready by living a good life, having enough oil on the lamp of your soul, pray, go to confessions, center your life in the eucharist, stay close to Mary, meditate on God’s word, so as to get into the heavenly banquet! 

FR. G. R. BIDZOGO SAC

31st Sunday, Year A

Reflection on the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time year A.  Mal 1, 14b-2,2b.8-10; Ps 130; 1Thes 2, 7b-9.13; Mt 23, 1-12.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

The strong words of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees in today’s Gospel and even the words of Malachi against the religious leaders of his time in the first reading, challenged me as a priest to examine myself.  Am I convinced of what I preach and do I practice it in my daily life? Jesus.

Malachi realises warns the priests about their wrong behaviours and god even threatens to send a curse upon them for they have made the law an occasion of downfall instead of a means for salvation. How do you use the rules and laws of the Church or even the countries? Are they there to help us better serve God and one another or they have become burdens and means of enslavement?

Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and the Scribes who preach but they do not practice what they preach; they tie heaven burden to carry and only lay them upon people’s shoulders. They only act in order to be seen. They prefer eye service to heart service.  This criticism of Jesus is indeed an invitation to us today to examine our ourselves leaders and disciples of Jesus. Jesus definitely challenges the way we live and share our christian faith as bishops, as priests, as parents, as any civil servant or any civil authority.

We are called to tell the world about Jesus, his love, our joy and his promises of eternity. How do we do this daily?

1)We must practice what we teach. Pope Paul VI: “The world needs witnesses more than it does teachers.” Heaven is our goal. Therefore to bring as many people as we can, we should make our lives the best sermon, the best homily, the best good news we bring to the people. People want more of our witnesses. A witness is a person who produces the evidence of what he has seen and heard. Am I convinced of the christian message? Do I live by it? How many people do I attract to / or send away from the Church because of my good or bad examples?

2) Taking Jesus as my teacher and Master. Jesus preached throughout his entire life by his own example. He did not only preach about compassion, but he showed his compassion; He did not only preach about love but he was the incarnation of love; he did not only speak about humility but he became man; he did not only preach about service but spent his life washing the feet of his disciples and doing everywhere. Jesus himself invites us in the Gospel to learn from his words and his life; to be imitators of Him. Paul in the second reading, shows us an example of how to preach the gospel by showing kindness, humility and  loving service to the Thessalonians. Paul puts it in this way: “We were gentle among you as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well”. Living as Jesus lived, will help others to see Jesus and follow then follow him.

Lord give the grace to follow you as the true founder of the Church. May I believe whatever I preach, live whatever I preach through the intercession of Mary our Mother! Amen.

30th Sunday (Year A)

Reflection on the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time year A.

Exodus 22:21-27; 1Thessanians 1:5c – 10; Mt 22: 34-40

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

As we now head towards the end of the liturgical year our focus should be on what is more important for us? What could be the summary of Christ’s teaching? What is it that we cannot live our Christian Faith without jeopardizing our identity as a Christian? In a context where we really live in a crisis of love for our neighbor in our world today, we thank the Pharisees for bringing up this question to Jesus. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Was it to entrap Jesus like in Mathew 22:15-20 last Sunday? “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entrap him in speech…” If Jesus chooses only one commandment among others; they will conclude that he has thrown the rest away. They also might have found the amount of the 613 commandments very bothersome to be recited every day and to be put into practice.

For the Jewish people, the commandments refer to either: the Decalogue, which Augustine considers as “the summary and epitome of the entire law of God," the Pentateuch (The 5 Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Number, Leviticus and Deuteronomy), or the entire Jewish Scriptures (The Old Testament) and 613 laws (Mitzvot) put out by the teachers of the law.

Jesus as the one who fulfills the law, gives us on this Sunday the compendium of our Christian identity. He goes back from the Jewish scriptures: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut 6:4-5). The people in the Old Testament did not only know that the Lord is one, but they were also aware that one shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any other person and they shall love their neighbor as themselves (Cf Leviticus 19:18). Jesus reminds us that true Christianity consists in love of God and love of neighbor as yourself. Yet the true love of God is expressed in the way we treat the neighbor just as God is treating us. Christianity is the summary and the meaning of the law. it is a real application of the Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you” (Mt 7:12). People must always use themselves as a yardstick.

The Book of Exodus in the first reading is saying exactly that when it reminds the Israelites not to wrong or oppress a stranger for they were strangers in the land of Egypt; not to afflict any widow or orphans, any poor for they are directly under God’s care and protection. Love is what matters. We must love God as he has loved us. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”. (John 13:34) To truly love is indeed becoming imitators of Christ. For St Augustine says: “Such love is impossible for human beings without the help of grace — it is a gift & one of the three theological virtues”  

Our entire life, that is, our worship, our relationship, choices, our service to the community, our commitment must be motivated by the love of God and the love of neighbors. That is the greatest commandment. A life without love is like an engine without oil, actions without faith, marriage without love, a body without a soul. Do we make love the core element of our Christian identity?

There is a story of one of my friends Stanley and his wife, Jeanette. As they were driving back home, Jeanette turned to Stanley and asked, “Eh Honey, did you notice Nancy who was just in front of us. She seems to be adding some weight. She is not married; do you think she is pregnant?” And Stanley, “I did not notice dear my dear”. After a few minutes, she asked: “Did you notice how short Suzanne’s skirt was. At her age, really?” What bothers me is that she dresses that way to Church! Again, Stanley said: “My dear I’m not sure, I noticed what Suzanne was wearing today” Then after a few more second, she turned again to the husband and said: “Hmm Stanley, I am sure you noticed Robert’s kids, how they were crawling over everything and distracting everyone at mass today.” Stanley said: “ha Robert’s kids! I am not sure I noticed that''. At that point, his wife turned to him, shook her head and said: “Honestly, Stanley, I don't even know why you go to Church anymore. You don’t notice anything.”

This story questions our motivations as for why we go to Church. Why do we live? What are our true motivations as we relate to others? Love should always be our motivation and heaven our goal. Let us love always and everything will fall into place.

Lord, teach us to love as you love. Amen.

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

29th Sunday (Year A)

Reflection for the 29 th Sunday in ordinary Time year A. Is 45:4-6; 1 Thes 1:1-5b; Ps95; Mt 22:15-21

A win-win with God?

Context.

Sometimes there seems to be a great tension between our “being” Christians and our involvement in the life of the city. Sometimes we seem to separate what is secular to what is religious. In light of today's readings, we see uses all that he has created for the fulfillment of his plan and his glory. In the first reading (Isaiah 45, 1. 4-6), the temple had been destroyed in 587 by Nebuchadnezzar and the Jewish been in exile for 50 years. Yet Cyrus, the Persian King is the new world’s king who rules with a humanitarian heart. He does not kill those he has conquered; he does not destroy whatever he finds on his way. Whenever he finds the exiles in a new territory, he sends them back to their homeland and helps them to rebuild their country. Isaiah’s prophecy comes in this context of despair. He wants to give hope to the exile people of Israel. “Thus says the Lord, to his Messiah Cyrus to whom he has given power to subdue nations…” 

God is sovereign and all-powerful

The message of Isaiah is that: 1) God is faithful. He can never abandon his chosen one. He says: “Because of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen one, I called you by your name”. 2) God is sovereign above all. “I am the Lord your God; beside me, there is no other”. Everything belongs to him. All people belong to him including the kings of the earth. So God will definitely use Cyrus to bring his people and to rebuild the temple. God is master of every situation, we must never despair. That is why the responsorial Psalm sings the hope of the people: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing his wonders among all nations'' (Psalm 95,1). Again, besides God, the world is nothing; our history and our existence is nothing. The advice of St. Paul to the Thessalonians applies to us today. Our faith must remain active. We must put love for God and one another into practice. Our hope must stand firm in the Lord for God is all-powerful and must always be at the center of our life.

Are we hypocrites?

The question of the centrality of God is addressed in a tricky way in today’s gospel. There, we see the Pharisees and Herodians, who were two opposed groups, approaching Jesus with a question in order to trap him. “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus reverse the roles against them. “ why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?” “Show me the coin that pays the census tax” “Whose image is on this coin?” To which the crow replied: “Caesar”. Then Jesus replied, “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”. What a honest and wise answer. We should never try to trap Jesus. He is God-himself. In both situations, Jesus would have been accused. On one hand, if he says ‘yes' , he could be considered betrayer of his own people because paying Roman taxes is a sacrilege, a blasphemy for the Jewish already paying a tithe to the Lord. On the other hand, if he says: “no”, he could be considered as a trouble maker or an insurgent who is trying to cause a rebellion against the Roman occupant. They know the truth but are only being hypocrites. Are you a hypocrite? 

Whose image is on this coin?

The symbol of the coin with the image of Caesar is a powerful answer to them and to us today. By asking the deanery, Jesus is referring to a particular kind of coin with the profile of the emperor Tiberius with the inscription written: “Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the divine Augustus”. In the first century, Julius Caesar and Augustus were regarded as sons of the divine by even the Romans. By this, Jesus is on one hand asking us to accomplish the civil duty of paying taxes and participating for the well-being of our society. That is what belongs to Caesar. On the other hand Jesus is also reminding us that just as the image of Caesar is engraved on the coin, so is the image and likeness of God is engraved in us (Genesis 1:26-27). While giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar to contribute to the building of communities, we give ourselves totally to God in whose image we are made. Jesus invites us to love the Lord with our heart, mind and soul (Mt 22:37). It means, everything that we are and own, our families, our leisures, our political stand, our choices and the choices for our families must always glorify God in whose image we are made. No win-win game. God is always the winner. Ask the Lord to give you the grace and the strength to return to him with your whole life. St. Augustine once said: “In the same way as Caesar looks for his image on a coin, God looks for his in your soul.”

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit. Renew my faith, and take Lordship over my life!

 Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC