Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala
April 19, 2026 is the Third Sunday after Easter, when Mwanakwetu attended Mass at St. Augustine Church, Mwisenge Parish, in the Catholic Diocese of Musoma, Tanzania.
The Mass was enriched by the Gospel from Luke 24:13–35—one of the key passages in Christianity that describes the appearances of the Risen Jesus to His disciples.
While reflecting on this Sunday, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, preached as follows:
“Saint Luke tells us that two of Jesus’ disciples left Jerusalem; as they were on their way to Emmaus, they encountered the Lord, but they did not recognize Him. They explained what had happened to Jesus, who was ‘powerful in word and deed,’ yet had been crucified, and now, according to ‘some women of their group,’ He was alive. Hearing this, the Lord explained to them, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, everything concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
These discouraged disciples recognized their Master only when He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. His word and their sharing of the bread restored strength in their hearts, so much so that they rose immediately and returned to Jerusalem, where they met their companions saying, ‘The Lord has truly risen, and He has appeared to Simon!’ They too recounted what they had experienced.
My brothers and sisters, the Good News of the Resurrection is for everyone. Jesus wants to share His peace not only with those who remained in Jerusalem, but also with those who had left. He gathered them before; He will gather them again. Let us all pray for this gift of the Risen Lord—the grace to be sought by Him, to recognize His face, to be reunited with our brothers and sisters, and to truly become people He has gathered.”
This message comes from the Vatican. But what about Tanzania?
Preaching at the same Mass, Father Julius Ogolla explained that according to African traditions, when a guest arrives at your home, different communities offer them water, others offer local brew, porridge, or food—this is all part of hospitality.
Some even serve the guest a special meal with choice pieces of meat—like ribs, thighs, and liver—while the host (often a young person) eats the less preferred parts such as heads, wings, or feet. The guest is given the best portions as a sign of honor. The young person is instructed to eat modestly and with discipline—small portions, not greedily.
If African communities understand how to welcome and eat with a guest, then they also understand how to behave in the presence of someone important. Similarly, the disciples of Jesus recognized Him in the way He shared a meal with them—He prayed first, then broke the bread. That is when they realized it was the Lord.
These reflections from Father Ogolla, together with those of Cardinal Tagle, reminded Mwanakwetu of an experience 10 years ago in Sinza, Dar es Salaam. After leaving the Labor Court, he stopped near an area known as ‘Vatican.’ Across the road, there was a large Pentecostal Gospel gathering with powerful speakers broadcasting a sermon.
The preacher read Luke 24:13–35 and said:
“This Gospel is one of the testimonies of Jesus’ resurrection to us and to His disciples after He was crucified, died, and rose again. After these events, the disciples lost hope, and some decided to return to their former lives—because the shepherd had been struck and the flock scattered. If Jesus had not appeared to them, perhaps even this Gospel would not be preached here today in Sinza, Vatican, Dar es Salaam.
So, my brothers and sisters, do not go back to Emmaus—even if life becomes difficult. Do not return to your old ways. You are now called to remain in Jerusalem. Where should you remain? (the preacher asked)In Jerusalem!(the congregation responded) Where do I remain? In Jerusalem!I remain in Jerusalem… I return to Jerusalem.”
That is why, at Mwisenge Parish, Father Ogolla concluded his homily with these words:
“My dear believers, today we have Jesus with us—we share with Him in the Holy Eucharist. We are called to remain in Him. Remaining in Him means living good deeds and being an example to others, no matter the hardships we face. Stay with Jesus. If something has separated you from Him—whether marriage or anything else—return to Him.”
So, dear reader—are you still there? Remember:
“I return to Jerusalem.”
Have a blessed day.
0717649257
.gif)
.gif)
Post a Comment