Faith, Humility and Respect for Worship

 

Adeladius Makwega – DODOMA

 

“We are in the 21st Sunday of Year A of the Church’s Liturgical Year. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples: ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And who do you say that I am?’

The disciples tell Jesus how people perceive him. Some say he is John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

 

 

When Jesus asks them about their own personal understanding of him, Simon Peter openly professes: ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

 

My brothers and sisters, listen to Jesus’ response:

‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.’

 

The Lord teaches his disciples that it is the Father who enabled Simon Peter to profess his faith. This became his special blessing. He became Peter, the rock upon which the Lord would build his Church; the steward entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the Church of Jesus.

This story will continue next Sunday.

 

My brothers and sisters, today let us reflect on this: Faith in Jesus is a gift given to us by the Father. It is not simply the result of our own intelligence or understanding.

Humility is essential in order to become a good steward in the Kingdom of God.”

These are introductory reflections from a homily by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Pro-Prefect of Propaganda Fide of the Catholic Church, whose headquarters are in Vatican City.

 

This Sunday, August 23, 2026, Mwanakwetu attended Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Chamwino Ikulu Parish, in the Archdiocese of Dodoma.

At the first Mass, which began at exactly 6:00 a.m., there were three priests at the altar: the parish priest together with two other priests.

 

The priest who presided over the Mass did so with great calmness. His words could be heard clearly, and the celebration was conducted peacefully, without haste.

 

During his homily, he said:

“Human beings were created in the image and likeness of God here on earth. Human beings were created in a wonderful and unique way. They are the only creatures commanded to reproduce and multiply. God could have decided that human beings should not reproduce, or He could have decided otherwise. But now, God works through human beings—not through our thoughts, abilities or intelligence. No.”

 

The priest continued preaching:

 

“Even leadership, whether governmental or within the family, ultimately comes from God. Jesus entrusted these responsibilities to Peter, while a small group chosen by Jesus through the Twelve was given the responsibility of continuing the work of Jesus. This work continued to be entrusted to others until it reached Dodoma, here at Chamwino Ikulu Parish. Through the Apostle Peter, this responsibility has been entrusted to us. That is why they were given this authority: whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever they loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 

These are matters that take place within the walls and at the altar of the Church.

 

But what story did Mwanakwetu encounter on this particular day?

 

As Mwanakwetu was returning home after attending the first Mass, he met Mrs. Lightness Waziri along the way. She is a member of the St. Cecilia Small Christian Community at Chamwino Ikulu Parish, the community where Mwanakwetu worships.

 

On August 22, 2026, Binti Waziri, a Zaramo mother, had visited Mwanakwetu at his home to invite him to the celebration of her son, Yoseph, who was to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on August 23, 2026, the 21st Sunday of Year A of the Church’s Liturgical Year.

Mrs. Lightness Waziri, whom Mwanakwetu regards as a sister, said:

 

“I can see that you have attended the first Mass. We are now going to the Confirmation Mass. But don't forget to come to my home so that we can have some Confirmation pilau together…”

 

Mwanakwetu replied:

 

“Okay, I will come.”

 

After parting with Lightness Waziri, Mwanakwetu walked a little farther and met another woman from the Wagogo community, a fellow member of their Small Christian Community, who was also hurrying to the Confirmation Mass. Mwanakwetu greeted her, and they then parted ways.

 

Mwanakwetu continued walking home alone. Along the way, he remembered an event from many years ago involving the Catholic outstations in Uzaramoni, in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, during the years 1988–1993, at Mbagala Parish.

 

Mwanakwetu recalls:

 

“We would arrive at Kiparang’anda Outstation at 4:00 p.m. It was the third Sunday of the month. We had Father Wolfram, and occasionally Father Fidelis. Catholics from the Makonde community and government workers living in the rural areas, such as teachers, nurses, agricultural officers and others, would wait for the priest from morning until 4:00 p.m. without becoming tired. When the priest arrived, Mass would begin. It was not that the priest had been late. No. Since morning, the priest had been celebrating Mass at other outstations, beginning at Vikindu, then Kisele, Kiziko, Dundani and Mkuranga, and finally ending at Kiparang’anda. Mass would end after the sun had gone down, because the priest came to those outstations only on the third Sunday of the month. On the other Sundays, there were only services led by catechists. These Christians never missed Mass on the third Sunday of the month.”

 

These are memories from the past. Today, however, in some churches you may hear announcements such as:

“Sing shorter hymns; another Mass is coming.”

 

At times, the celebration of Mass is hurried because another Mass is scheduled to follow.

 

Mwanakwetu says:

 

“My friends, let us remind ourselves. Why were our elders not like this? For example, Father Fidelis and Father Wolfram never told those Christians of that time:

‘Sing only a few verses; we have another Mass at another outstation.’ Personally, I never heard them say that. There should be no reason to rush through Mass because of anything, using time or another Mass as an excuse. Every Mass deserves to be celebrated with the same dignity and respect.”

 

This is included in this article simply as a reminder.

 

Perhaps, for today, let me conclude with an incident from the day of Father Fidelis’ funeral at the Mbagala Spiritual Centre. I believe it was in 1993.

 

I was personally there, although unfortunately I did not serve at that Mass. There were many people that day, and the Mass was celebrated outside the small Church of St. Anthony of Padua.

I sat near the wall of the small Church of St. Anthony of Padua. The Mass was very long, and there were many announcements. I remember that Cardinal Pengo did not attend the funeral that day. The priest who preached was a very attentive and serious priest.

 

Where I was sitting, I was with three other young men. We were preparing to attend an academic discussion scheduled for 07:00 a.m. Near us was an elderly man named Mwingizi, who was a member of the Pogoro community.

 

One of the three young men said:

 

“Wow, this Mass is very long. Is it ever going to end?”

 

Mzee Mwingizi, who has since passed away, responded sternly:

 

“You young men, we have come here to bury Father Fidelis. Was anyone forced to come and worship? Do not make time your idol. Father was alive, but now he has died. When you come to worship, everyone needs to maintain peace and respect, from the person presiding over the Mass to the congregation. Every Mass has its own order. Sit there until the Mass is finished.”

 

The young man who had been standing was made to sit down. He remained quietly seated until the Mass ended. Only then did we go to our academic discussion.

 

My reader, all these things—from what happens at the altar to these two stories—are matters from this Sunday that I wanted to reflect upon together with you.

 

Faith, humility, patience and respect for worship remind us of our responsibilities as believers. The Church is not a place where we race against time; rather, it is a place where we worship God with peace, dignity, respect and humility.

 

Mwanakwetu, are you there?

Remember.

“Faith, Humility and Respect for Worship”

I wish you a blessed and peaceful day.

makwadeladius@gmail.com
0717649257