ZAMBIA: Emulate Christ; Poor Chaste and Obedient
Most Rev. Alick Banda, Archbishop of Lusaka during the Eucharistic Celebrations on the Day of Consecrated Life
Hundreds of Consecrated men and women in Lusaka Archdiocese celebrated the Day of Consecrated Life, also known as the Day of the Religious, which is commemorated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The event took place at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus on Saturday, 2nd February 2019.
Speaking during the occasion, Archbishop of Lusaka Most Rev. Alick Banda urged the Religious to emulate Christ who was poor, chaste and obedient. “The Feast which is being celebrated in the Year of Mission calls on the Consecrated Men and Women to recognize the Lord in their duties just as those two Biblical elderly devout Jews, Anna and Simeon, were able to recognize the baby Jesus when he was presented in the Temple,” said he.
Archbishop Banda also challenged the Religious Men and Women to put aside any power struggles and personal agenda but rather focus on service to God and his people. “In our daily tasks, we tend to be incapable of recognizing the Lord because we are often occupied with other things than our Consecrated life. As a result, our Prayer life, Community life and the living of Evangelical Counsels suffer,” he said.
“We forget that our mission is to serve God. Let us not pursue our agenda, be it political, social or economic but rather dedicate ourselves totally to Jesus who was a poor, chaste and obedient servant,” he said.
The Archbishop also implored the young people who were present for the celebration to reflect on their deep seated questions about Religious Life as they search for their vocation.
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By Sr. Beatrice Mwansa
