A reflection by Stan Bondoko MHM
The theme is an invitation to make a fundamental decision in deepening our relationship with God. We need grace, inspiration and strength to make our lives Christ-like. The Bible and the lives of the Saints remain the vital sources for enrichment. Besides, we ought to have a constructive disposition marked by absolute surrender to God (Jn. 4:34); and willingness to disclose the beauty of God in the social arena as Jesus did (Mc. 7:37; Mt. 9:33). It is imperative that we taste the goodness of the Gospel so that we can joyfully articulate the Christian faith with conviction. Authentic Christian life obliges us to face our own objection in modelling our commitment to that of Christ.
To begin with, we are members of the Church, the crowd of witnesses to Jesus. As witnesses we are to set up our hearts on the path to maturity, and holiness. Authentic Christian life means listening constantly to the Word of God, acquiring decent moral conduct, and becoming visible icons of Jesus, faithful and loving disciples. Loving discipleship resonates in simple life style, being available to God and to people, free from narcissism, and having inclination to extend to anyone the kind of love that God extended to us in Jesus.
In addition, authentic Christian life finds expression in stewardship: managing well our lives, our health (body and mind), our time (avoiding idleness), our resources (immaterial: skills, intelligence, strength; materials: money as well as other important commodities).
Likewise, we must learn how to create and enjoy good relationships in two dimensions. Vertically, we confess God as Source of life, strength, and inspiration. Horizontally, we strive to become the best versions of ourselves by encouraging each other to do well, creating an environment of care, collaboration, mutual support, and motivation to understand the law of nature capable to guide our actions.
Interestingly, flowers and rivers make known the law of nature. Flowers produce the scent but do not use it. Whereas, rivers contain water but do not use their waters. Neither flowers nor rivers enjoy the benefit of what they have. Instead, other creatures profit from what belong to them. As missionaries, we are called and sent to spread authentic Christian life everywhere. So, the law of nature clarifies our identity. It makes us selfless; and shapes our history of faith as we promote in right measure the various aspects of Christ’s life such as compassionate love for neighbor, solidarity and inclusiveness.
In fact, the law of nature makes us messengers of joy, and strengthens our missionary fellowship. Also, it enables us to grow stronger in principle about our faith as Catholics. By this law we graciously join Jesus in the ministry of giving life to our brothers and sisters. As Jesus confirmed, “I have come so that they may have life, and have it in abundance (Jn. 10:10). So authentic Christian life makes people alive in the name of Jesus.
In addition, we live and work in multi-cultural communities. Surely, there are those who do not share in our beliefs and values. In fact, Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Lk.10:3). In the midst of tensions and divisions authentic Christian life consists in our radical commitment to non-violence: no slandering, no quarreling, but being courteous and always polite to all kinds of people (Titus 3:2). Nonetheless, Jesus himself responded to the ills of his days by the loving witness of his life. So, where offences persist forgiveness is one of the best options. It is a powerful revelation about authentic Christian life. But forgiveness does not mean placing the offender under a watch full eye! The ability to forgive makes us spiritually stronger, and others can perceive in us what they may not find elsewhere!
Ultimately, authentic Christian life makes us active ministers of the Church. Sustained by the Spirit of God we can rise above the culture of alienation in many aspects such as abuse of positions and privileges, apathy, disobedience, double standards, pride, selfishness, injustice, manipulation and marginalization.
Furthermore, authentic Christian life means living in solidarity with each other. Jesus, a mystic of compassion, marked his presence among the deprived by being mindful of them (Mt. 4:23-24). In fact, for Jesus nothing was taken as a burden rather as an opportunity to do good. So, witnessing to Jesus in the slums is quite a challenge! Priests delivering intelligent and inspiring sermons is not enough for some people. Besides prayers and blessings some acts of care are expected… The elderly, the single mothers, the housebound, the jobless and the needy of any kind find it harder to make the ends meet. Therefore, it is fitting to find some assistance to sustain life: food, money for rent and medical care, even school fees for poor children… I recall here the words by the late Fr. Franz Mol, mhm, who used to say: “You need money as you do pastoral work.” Of course, money is not everything but it helps in many circumstances! Taking care of people in need is a proof of authentic Christian life, an evidence of faith at work (Is. 58:1-9). There is an experience of powerlessness on the ground due to the lack of financial backing. The love of God which we preach ought to be realized in actions; and it compels us to open our hearts to those in need (Mt. 25:31-46). The challenges in pastoral work oblige us to be generous, sharing our resources, combatting powerlessness and frustrations, thus making our presence relevant among the people we serve!
Authentic Christian life embraces the protection of the environment. Here we do well by embracing the Franciscan spirituality which features the sacramentality of creation, that is to say, all things, whether living or inanimate, reflect the love of the Creator and are due to reverence and wonder! So our task must be as Albert Einstein put it, ‘to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty…’
Living authentic Christian life makes us wise and brings to us a sense of fulfillment.
Fr. Stanislaus Bondoko Bolinga, MHM
Stanislaus Bondoko is a Mill Hill Priest currently serving as the Assistant priest at St. Joseph and Mary Parish, Shauri Moyo, Nairobi. He is dedicated to fostering spiritual growth within the community, actively accompanying the Sacred Heart of Jesus groups both in the parish and in Makadara Deanery. He also leads the parish choirs and engages with the faithful in Small Christian Communities thus promoting faith and fellowship.
