CLOSING THE BIBLE MONTH – NATIONAL LEVEL
“To reject God is to reject Salvation”
Bishop Martin Mtuumbuka of Karonga diocese , who is also the Bishop Chairman for Pastoral Commision at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) led the Eucharistic celebration at St. Luke Outstation (Kangindwa – Songwe Border) in St. Steven’s Parish of the Diocese of Karonga to mark the closure of the Bible month at National level.
Summary of the Bishop’s Homily
To reject the word of God is to reject God and to reject God is to reject Salvation
– The word of God is Good News that has been preached to us, as Jesus commanded and his Apostles. The Apostle adhered to this command; preaching orally, by examples, and by decrees that they received from the word of Jesus, his words, works, life and Holy Spirit’s promptings.
– The Church teaches that the Bible is inspired. The believing community under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave birth to the Bible and the Church has the mandate to interpret it.
– To reject the word of God is to reject God and to reject God is to reject Salvation
– Sacred Scripture contain eternal life. Preached and shared the Sacred Scripture solicit faith in us.
– Finally, a call to the ECM Pastoral Commission; ensure that the Word of God inspires all pastoral activities. It should permeate all lay movements. In a special way, the word of God should be at the basis of the Small Christian Communities. SCC should have more time sharing the word of God than sharing how to raise funds.
– The best response to capacitate Christians faith is to help them deepen the proper understanding of the word of God. This calls for popularizing the reading and understanding of the word of God among all Christians not only among the priests, religious and catechists.
– On a different note, he bemoaned other “tired” Pastors’ attitude that promote heresies that encourage paganism. The Church is prepared to oppose such heresies that seek cheap popularity by pleasing rich countries in accepting homosexuality. “This is a teaching that we (your pastors) will die fighting against as the martyrs did. And so, help us God.”
