MALAWI: Bishop Advocates Obedience in Priesthood

Priests and Pastoral agents have been urged to be obedient and submit to the will of God in order to succeed in their mission.

Bishop Paul Njiru Kariuki of Embu Diocese in Kenya in his Homily during the Eucharistic Celebrations at AMECEA Plenary on 19th July, 2014, stressed challenged bishops, priests and pastoral to follow the example of Mary by being ready to do the will of God; by standing by those who are suffering and by being the source of hope amid challenges of life.

“Mary’s response to the Angel… “Let it be done to me according to your word”… shows us that she is a woman of faith and surrender,” he said adding that “Before Mary humanity was like a closed house without light or air for many centuries. We can say that Mary gave God a blank cheque of her life to fill it out.”

Bishop Kariuki urged the Church to be ready to do the will of God. “The enemies of Evangelization are the pastors, the Christians (men and women) who are not ready to do the will of God,” he said adding that “If we can overcome such weaknesses and follow the example of Mary in her simplicity of life, readiness to do the will of God even if we do not fully comprehend what God wants with our life then we can transform this world.”

Mary stands with the Church at the moment of suffering, challenges and difficulties; Mary is always a faithful mother, compassionate mother who intercedes for us whenever there pain and suffering.

“We, the AMECEA Pastors ought to stand with Christ Jesus in our families, in our society, among the afflicted, the challenged, and the poor, those who have lost hope and even their faith. Young people who at times are confused or disoriented, those who are lost in the world; the church must start with them, must help them follow the example of Mary,” she said.

“Mary’s was also a woman of joy, and hope,” he explained adding that “The secrets to Mary’s joy are there in the words of Magnificat; “She is the woman who felt that the eye of the Lord looked upon her in her poverty and littleness and was dancing with thanksgiving for the great things the mighty and massive Lord has done for her,” she said adding that “This shows that working in the church is a joyful undertaking.”

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social Communications