MALAWI: Look Up to God Amidst Problem, Bishop Stima to Malawians
Right Reverend Bishop Montfort Stima
Stella Zulu
Bishop Montfort Stima of Mangochi Diocese has urged Malawians to never turn their backs on God but rather run to him and make him known to others despite the numerous problems they are facing in the country.
He said this in a homily of October 23 which marked national celebrations of World Mission Sunday and Four Missionary Jubilees at St. Montfort Parish in the diocese. On this day, the Catholic Church celebrates the mission work of the Church and missionaries who dedicated their lives to spreading the Word of God to all people and encourages all Catholics to do the same through Prayer, offering money and doing charity work.
The Bishop said as the country is passing through a difficult time and so Christians should turn to God whose Word is not mere history but prophetic and contextual such that it is speaking to people today as it has done throughout the span of human life.
“The problems that we face should help us to be united with God. Do not kill your conscience and desert eternal principles because of what we are passing through. Problems of corruption, hunger, cholera, economic hardships, poverty and chaotic leadership at various levels should not make us lose hope. The Mission month has encouraged us all to be missionaries which means doing God’s will despite the struggles faced.
Bishop Stima who is also the vice President of the Episcopal Conference Malawi (ECM) continued that some of the problems facing the country such as corruption at the expense of the poor are as a result of lack of justice in the country.
“How come that in a nation where the majority of the people are stuck in poverty, some people have become rich overnight? In a nation where the youth are not sure of their tomorrow, some people have the audacity and luxury of boasting about their ill-gotten wealth? The best way to preach the Good News is to keep God’s commandments and letting each day be a testimony that people are witnesses to the true God through their professions and through their various vocations.” Said the ECM Vice President
On his part, the national director for Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) Rev Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa said Mission month encourages all Christians to live the mission inspiration in their everyday life. He therefore said Christians should continue praying for the World, the Church and personal needs, teaching one another about the role of every baptized which is taking the Word of God to the whole world and also to contribute money for mission activities of the Church.
During this year’s World Mission celebrations, PMS brought together Catholic professionals working in various sectors in the country. According to Fr. Mwakhwawa, this was done to show-case the importance of living gospel values wherever you are.
“We brought in the Catholic professionals including politicians to inspire and teach young people and their parents the importance of proceeding with their education while maintaining their Christian faith. We also wanted to demonstrate to the community members and the whole country, the importance and need of living your faith in your work, business or whatever you are doing. This is also part of living the missionary life because we preach to people around us with our behaviors. Said Fr. Mwakhwawa
He then thanked Christians at St. Montfort Parish for understanding their roles in the mission of the Church and making the National celebrations a success. This year’s World Mission Sunday was celebrated under the theme “You shall be my witnesses to the ends of the World” Acts 1:8
