10 Top Churches in Norfolk

There were over 1,000 medieval churches built in Norfolk and 659 still remain, this is the greatest concentration in the world. Not only are these beautiful internationally important buildings, but they contain hundreds of medieval works of art and craftsmanship. The simple and easily built round towers of early times gave way to the rich and spacious buildings in the prosperous Middle Ages, many noted for their beautiful rood screens, decorated roofs and bench carvings. The decline in the population of Norfolk left many churches isolated from their villages, but their towers still dominate the Norfolk landscape. Each of these wonderful buildings, offers a great place to escape our busy lives and experience peace and tranquility. Make sure you get to visit some of these magnificent medieval churches during your stay in Norfolk.
The Norfolk Churches Site

A Map of Norfolk Churches

View a detailed tourist information map of Norfolk

10 Top Churches in Norfolk

Norwich Cathedral The Cathedral dominates the skyline of the city of Norwich. The building was started in 1096 and took nearly 200 years to complete, with stone shipped from Caen in Normandy. After the townsfolk set fire to the cathedral in the riots of 1272, the timber roofs were replaced with stone vaulting with carved and painted roof bosses. It is one of the finest Cathedrals in England.	Norwich Anglican Cathedral
St Helens in Ranworth The tower of St. Helens church dominates the skyline and has served the villagers since 1390. It is well worth tackling the ladders inside the church tower and climb to the top for the wonderful views over the landscape. The church bears the nickname the Cathedral of the Broads and it is easy to understand why when from its heights on clear days you can see five Norfolk Broads. The church also has a fine example of a medieval painted rood screen and some lovely stained glass. Next to the church is a Visitors Centre in a converted old coach house, which houses a tea room and a display of photographs of East Anglican churches.	The Cathedral of the Broads at Ranworth
All Saints in Burnham Thorpe Burnham Thorpe is the birthplace of Horatio Nelson. His father, Edmund Nelson, moved to Burnham Thorpe in 1755, after his marriage. Horatio, the 6th of their 11 children was born on 29th September 1758 in a house called the Shooting Box! Horatio went away to study and after his early years in the Navy, he returned for 5 years to Burnham Thorpe with his new wife. Nelson was given his first role as Captain after this and the rest is history. The church where his father was Rector, is well worth a visit as it is full of Nelson family memorabilia, including a cross and lectern made from wood from HMS Victory.	The church of All Saints in Burnham Thorpe
St Nicholas in Blakeney The large village church of St Nicholas has a small turret at the corner of the chancel where a light would burn as a beacon to guide ships safely into Blakeney Harbour. The church tower (100ft) is one of the highest in Norfolk and is a landmark for miles around. Inside, the church has a lovely early English chancel, built in 1220. You will also find some splendid wood carving and fine stained glass windows.	Blakeney Church of St Mary's
St Mary's in Happisburgh In a commanding position, overlooking the sea is the large village church of St Mary's in Happisburgh. It has a very tall tower (110 feet). Inside, the church is very spacious and contains some medieval features, such as the backlight to the rood at the east end of the nave. The church also has a splendid 15th century octagonal font and a stained glass window showing an English knight.	Happisburgh church
St Mary's at Sandringham Within the gardens at Sandringham, you will find the lovely church of St Mary Magdalene. The church dates back to the 16th century and is considered to be one of the finest carrstone buildings in existence.  St Mary's was built as Sandringham parish church, but it is regularly used as a place of worship by the Royal Family and inside are many memorials to various members of the Royal family.	Sandringham Church of St Mary Magdalene
St Margaret in Cley next the sea The parish church of St. Margaret of Antioch, dating back to the 13th century. Dominating this end of the village, it seems at times almost too cathedral like for the small village. The church is vast and contains many interesting features including a seven sacrament font, bench ends depicting people and mythical creatures, brasses and old stained glass.	Cley next the sea Church
St Nicholas at Salthouse The church of St Nicholas at Salthouse stands between the village and high ridge and is high enough to avoid any flood water. The best view of the church is from Salthouse Heath. Inside, the nave and chancel were rebuilt in the 15th century at a time of great prosperity. The church contains a fine font with lions and a painted rood screen.	Salthouse church from Salthouse Heath
St. Marys, West Somerton This ancient, peaceful church is one of the best in Norfolk, partly due to its location, perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside and views to the coast at Winterton. People have worshipped here for over 900 years and the building contains craftsmanship from various dates and periods.	West Somerton Village Church
Booton St Michael, near Reepham Booton Church of St Michael and All Angels is a highly individual church. It was created on the shell of a medieval building in the 19th century by the rector Revd Whitwell Elwin over a period of 50 years. Its a gothic fantasy, with palace-like towers on the outside, and hosts of oak angels and stained glass on the inside. No tour of Norfolk's churches is complete without a visit to Booton!	St Michael the Archangel Church Booton near Reepham

Tafakari ya neno la Mungu, Jumapili ya VI ya Kipindi cha Mwaka A wa Kanisa

Ninakuleteeni tena ujumbe wa Neno la Mungu katika Dominika ya VI ya kipindi cha mwaka A. Neno la Mungu latukumbusha kuwa Kristu Mwana wa Mungu hakuja kutangua Torati bali kuikamilisha. Kristo ni sheria mpya na hivi analeta ukamilifu wa sheria ya Mungu. Katika Somo la kwanza toka kitabu cha Yoshua bin Sira, Mungu anatangaza uhuru kamili kwa mwanadamu.

Anamtaka mwanadamu aamue mwenyewe kumchagua Mungu au kumchagua shetani! Anatumia alama za moto na maji, uzima au mauti akitaka mtu aone katika uhuru wake mwenyewe wajibu wa kuchagua jema au baya. Kwa hakika ni alama yakwamba mwanadamu alizaliwa akiwa huru na hivi matendo yote ya nje hayawi ya kutenda tu bali mwanadamu anawajibika kuchagua kwa kuwa anao uwezo huo. Kama anataka maisha ya kiroho basi atachagua amri za Mungu, kama anataka kifo cha kiroho basi atachagua rushwa na vionjo vya mwili!

Katika somo la II mtume Paulo anaendelea kuwasisitizia Wakorinto juu ya hekima ya Mungu yakuwa ni siri ambayo haikufunuliwa kwa watawala wa dunia bali ilifunuliwa kwa Mitume. Kwa kuthibitisha hilo anasema kama wangalipewa hekima hiyo wasingalimtundika msalabani Mwana wa Mungu. Ndiyo kusema hekima waliyonayo wakristu si hekima ya kawaida ya kidunia bali hekima ya kimungu. Ni hekima ambayo inakuja kwetu kwa njia ya mpango wa Mungu ulio wa milele. Siri ya hekima hii ni kwamba wanaijua wale waliokomaa katika imani na tumaini la kweli katika Kristo Yesu.

Katika somo la Injili , Mwinjili Matayo akinukuu maneno ya Bwana anasema sikuja kuondoa hata yodi moja wala nukta moja bali kuifanya sheria ya Mungu iweze kueleweka vizuri zaidi katikati ya watu. Nimekuja kuifanya sheria iwe kwa ajili ya watu wa Mungu yaani kuwajengea uhuru kamili.

Mpendwa msikilizaji, Bwana anao uwezo wa kutafsiri sheria katika mtazamo wa mapendo kwa watu. Ona jinsi anavyowapenda wanadamu na hata akathubutu hata kuivunja Sabato. Anachotafuta kwa uhakika ni kuipa sheria uwezo wa ndani unaozaa mapendo kwa mwanadamu. Sheria iliyokuwa kavu anaipa nyama na hivi inaweza kutafunwa kwa urahisi!

Anakazia pia maana na namna ya kutafsiri sheria, akitaka tusiishie katika kile kilichoandikwa katika mwonekano wa kawaida, mfano usiue, kwa namna ya kutambua kuua kama ile hali ya kuondoa maisha kimwili, bali tutazame ndani na kugundua kuwa hata wale walio na lugha chafu, hasira, chuki wanashiriki katika mauaji ya wenzao.

Anatoa mfano wa kunawa hata viwiko ulio utamaduni wa Wayahudi kabla ya kwenda Hekaluni kwa ajili ya kutolea sadaka, hili kwake halina maana kama mmoja haangalii moyo wake. Matendo haya ya kilitrujia hayatoshi kama hayaambatani na toba ya ndani na upatanisho na wenzetu. Bwana akisonga mbele na mafundisho yake anakazia amri ya ndoa yakwamba kadiri ya mpango wa Mungu ndoa haitenganishwi. Ndiyo kusema katika mantiki ya ndoa ya kudumu, yafaa kukazia maisha ya unyenyekevu ili kuweza kuhimili vitimbwi nyemelezi dhidi ya familia. Hii haina maana yakwamba wale walioanguka katika utengano wadharauliwe katika jumuiya bali waombewe daima kwa ajili ya mabadiliko yao ya ndani.

Mpendwa mwanatafakari, Bwana anazidi kufunua namna ambavyo mkristu anapaswa afanye anapojikuta mbele ya kutoa ahadi na kiapo. Anawaalika wakristu daima wawe ni watu wa kusema ukweli daima. Maneno yao yawe ya unyoofu, wasiishi undumilakuwili yaani katika mazingira fulani ndiyo na katika mazingira tofauti siyo kwa jambo lilelile. Hii ni sumu kwa familia na jumuiya kwa ujumla, ni sumu wa serkali na utawala wa nchi.

Basi mpendwa jaribu kufuata hatua kwa hatua mafundisho ya Bwana kwa ajili ya kukua kiroho katika tumaini la kweli litakalokupa uzima wa milele. Nikutakie furaha na matumaini katika kushika mausia ya Bwana ambayo ndiyo sasa dira kamilifu na itupayo uhuru kamili wa wana wa Mungu.
Tumsifu Yesu Kristo.
Tafakari hii imeletwa kwako na Padre Richard Tiganya, C.PP.S

Majibu ya Papa Francisko kwa wanandoa watarajiwa!

Baba Mtakatifu Francisko katika Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Wapendanao Duniani kwa Mwaka 2014 amewataka vijana kukuza na kujenga ndani mwao upendo unaodumu hadi kifo kitakapowatenganisha; wajitahidi kumwilisha ndani mwao mtindo wa maisha ya wanandoa ili kukabiliana na changamoto za maisha ya ndoa na familia pamoja na kuthamini adhimisho la Sakramenti ya Ndoa ya Kikristo, kwani hapo wanajichotea neema na baraka katika mchakato wa utakatifu wa maisha.

Baba Mtakatifu anasema, upendo wa maisha ya ndoa ni wa kudumu hadi pale kifo kitakapowatenganisha kwani haya ni mahusiano kati ya Bwana na Bibi, yanayokuwa na kukomaa hatua kwa hatua, kwa kutambua kwamba, hii ni zawadi kubwa kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. Huu ni upendo unaowashirikisha wanandoa kazi ya uumbaji na kamwe si upendo mpito usioguswa na mahangaiko ya mwenzi wake. Upendo huu hauna budi kurutubishwa kwa kukutana na Yesu kwa njia ya: Sala, Sakramenti za Kanisa, Neno la Mungu na Matendo ya huruma.

Ubora wa ndoa unajikita katika udumifu wake, changamoto kubwa kwa wanandoa Wakristo. Pale wanandoa wanapohisi kwamba, wamepungukiwa na divai ya upendo na udumifu wasisite kumshirikisha Kristo katika upendo wao wa kila siku; ili wapendane na kutakiana mema.

Baba Mtakatifu anawaambia wanandoa watarajiwa kwamba, kuishi kwa pamoja ni sanaa na hija inayohitaji uvumilivu, inapendeza na kushangaza; ni safari inayojikita katika maneno: tafadhali, asante na samahani. Huu ni urithi ambao wanandoa wanapaswa kuwarithisha watoto wao. Ikumbukwe kwamba, unyenyekevu ni fadhila inaondoa chuki na kujenga upendo.

Si rahisi sana watu kujenga utamaduni wa kushuruku, lakini wanandoa wajenga na kuimarisha utamaduni wa kushuruku kwani mwenzi wako ni zawadi kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. Kukosa na kukoseana ni ubinadamu, kusamehe na kusahau ni kuanza hija ya utakatifu wa maisha. Wanandoa wajifunze kutambua mapungufu yao ya kibinadamu na kuwa tayari kukiri makosa yao, tayari kuanza tena upya. Wajenge utamaduni wa kusikilizana kwa makini, ili kujenga na kuimarisha familia ya Kikristo.

Baba Mtakatifu anasema hakuna Familia inayoweza kujidai kwamba ni kamilifu na takatifu; wala hakuna Bwana au Bibi ambaye ni mkamilifu, kila mtu ana fadhila na kasoro na mapungufu yake, changamoto ya kujenga utamaduni wa kuomba na kutoa msamaha kila siku na kwa njia hii Ndoa zinaweza kudumu daima.

Maadhimisho ya Sakramenti ya Ndoa Kanisani yazingatie umuhimu wa Sakramenti ya Ndoa na kiasi bila kumezwa mno na malimwengu. Watambue uwepo wa Yesu Kristo anayeendelea kufanya miujiza kwa wanandoa kama alivyofanya takribani miaka elfu mbili iliyopita kwenye Arusi ya Kana. Kila kitu kiwe na kiasi na kielelezo cha furaha ya ndani na baraka kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. Wanandoa wawashirikishe jirani zao ile furaha na kumbu kumbu ya maisha yao ya ndoa.

Haya ndiyo yaliyojiri katika Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Wapendanao Duniani kwa Mwaka 2014, tukio ambalo litakumbukwa na wanandoa hawa watarajiwa katika hija ya maisha yao ya ndoa na familia. Mji wa Roma, umefurika umati wa vijana na wasichana wanaotembea huku wameshikana mikono na maua ya waridi mikononi mwao alama ya upendo!

Friday, February 14, 2014 HISTORIA FUPI YA SIKU YA WAPENDANAO

Sikukuu ya wapendanao inasherekewa kila ifikapo tarehe 14 mwezi wa pili kila mwaka.

Watu wengi wanaosherekea siku hii kwa Nchi za Afrika Mashariki ni vijana walio kati ya miaka 18 hadi 35.

Historia ya sikukuu hii inaanzia miaka mingi jijini, Roma, Italia ikiwa inahusishwa na mtakatifu Valentine au Valentinus aliyekuwa akiishi jijini humo katika karne hiyo. Wakati wa maisha ya mtakatifu Valentine Roma ilikuwa ikitawaliwa na Kaisari, Claudius II, ambaye alipata hisia wakati huo kuwa askari mkakamavu na bora zaidi ni yule asiyekuwa na mke wala familia. 

Claudius alilifanyia kazi wazo lake na aliamua kupiga marufuku ndoa zote kwa askari wa nchi hiyo, jambo ambalo halikukubaliwa na mtakatifu, Valentinus. Hivyo Valentinus alichukua jukumu la kukaidi amri ile na kuendelea kuwafungisha ndoa kwa siri maaskari waliokuwa wakitaka kufungishwa ndoa.

 

Haikuchukua muda mrefu, taarifa zilimfikia mfalme, Claudius na alipopata habari hizo aliamuru kukamatwa na kufungwa gerezani na kisha Valentinus aliuawa kwa amri ya Kaisari. Kuna taarifa zinadai kuwa kabla ya kuuawa kwa Valentine wakati huo akiwa amefungwa, mtakatifu Valentine aliandika barua ya salamu kwa binti aliyekuwa amekwenda  kumsalimia gerezani. Na mwisho wa barua kulisomeka maneno yaliyoandikwa ‘From your Valentine’.

Tangu hapo Valentine akawa anakumbukwa kama mtetezi wa wapendanao na siku hii ikawa inaadhimishwa duniani kote.

Baada ya kufariki kwa mtakatifu huyo ndipo wananchi wengi duniani wakaamua kuadhimisha siku hii kama sherehe ya kumkumbuka Mtakatifu Valentinus. 

Baraza la Kipapa tarehe 18 hadi 20 Februari 2014 litaadhimisha Kongamano la Kimataifa

Baraza la Kipapa la Ibada na nidhamu ya Sakramenti za Kanisa kuanzia tarehe 18 hadi 20 Februari 2014 litaadhimisha Kongamano la Kimataifa, kuhusu Jubilee ya Miaka 50 tangu Mababa wa Mtaguso mkuu wa Pili wa Vatican walipochapisha Waraka kuhusu Liturujia ya Kanisa "Sacrosanctum Concilium", litakaloongozwa na kauli mbiu Waraka wa Liturujia, shukrani na dhamana kwa ajili ya mabadiliko ya Kikanisa".

Kongamano hili litawashirikisha wadau kutoka sehemu mbali mbali za dunia na utakuwa ni muda muafaka kwa ajili ya kusali, kutafakari, kuabudu na kuadhimisha Mafumbo ya Kanisa. Ni kipindi cha kuonjeshana uzoefu na mang'amuzi ya Liturujia ya Kanisa, tayari kutwika hadi kilindini kwa ajili ya

Sheikh Hassan Bashir amwagiwa tindikali!

IMAMU wa Msikiti wa Sawiyatu Qadiria, Hassan Bashir (33) amejeruhiwa vibaya usoni na sehemu ya bega la kushoto baada ya kumwagiwa kimiminika kinachodhaniwa kuwa ni tindikali.
Akizungumza na akiwa kwenye wodi ya wagonjwa katika Hospitali ya Mkoa ya Mount Meru anakopatiwa matibabu, imamu huyo alisema tukio hilo lilitokea juzi majira ya kati ya saa 3:30 na saa 4:00 usiku karibu na Msikiti wa Tindiga, uliopo eneo la Unga Ltd.
Alisema ana maumivu makali sehemu ya uso pamoja na bega la upande wa kushoto.
Sheikh huyo ambaye alikuwa akizungumza kwa shida kutokana na maumivu makali, alisema alikumbwa na mkasa huo muda mfupi baada ya kumaliza mazungumzo na babu yake ambaye pia ni Mwenyekiti wa Msikiti, Ismail Olomi na Mwenyekiti wa Ujenzi, Abdalah Kaduma, juu ya maandalizi ya Maulid yanayotazamiwa kufanyika msikitini hapo.
 “Tulipomaliza kuzungumza mimi nikawa

Maaskofu KKKT Karagwe wacharuka Mchungaji Kanyiginya, kunyimwa dhamana

 

MAASKOFU, wachungaji na waumini wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania (KKKT), Dayosisi ya Karagwe, wamecharuka na kuvamia Kituo cha Polisi cha Karagwe wakipinga Mchungaji wao, Jackson Kanyiginya, kunyimwa dhamana katika mazingira tata na kuswekwa rumande.
Mchungaji huyo ambaye jana alipandishwa kizimbani kwa kosa la kumpiga mfanyabiashara, Joseph Gareba, alinyimwa dhamana baada ya Mwendesha Mashitaka, Meja Juma Litafa, kuzikataa barua za wadhamini hadi azifanyie uhakiki.
Akizungumza na gazeti hili kutoka Karagwe jana, Askofu mstaafu wa KKKT Dayosisi ya Karagwe, Bagonza, alisema mchungaji Jackson  alikuwa kwenye mkutano na viongozi wote wa kanisa hilo kwa ajili ya kufanya mafungo.
Alisema akiwa katika kituo cha mafungo, alipata wito wa polisi wa kumtaka afike mahakamani juzi kwa ajili ya kujibu kesi iliyofunguliwa kwa siri ya

Sunday Gospel Feb 16 2014

In this week's edition of There's More in the Gospel than Meets the Eye, Jill Bevilacqua and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the Sixth Sunday of the Year.
Listen:

Gospel Mt 5:20-22A,27-28,33-34, 37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you,
whoever is angry with brother
will be liable to judgment.

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
Anything more is from the evil one.”


Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/02/13/sunday_gospel_feb_16_2014/en1-772758
of the Vatican Radio website

Miaka 83 tangu kuanzishwa kwa Radio Vatican

Radio Vatican, Mama wa Radio zote duniani, tarehe 12 Februari 2014 imeadhimisha kumbu kumbu ya Miaka 83 tangu ilipoanzishwa. Inajivunia kuwa ni kati ya wadau wakuu wa Shirikisho la Watangazaji Barani Ulaya, EBU ambalo tarehe 13 Februari 2014 linaadhimisha Siku ya Radio Duniani. Kwa namna ya pekee, Jumuiya ya Kimataifa kwa mwaka huu, inajielekeza zaidi katika kuangalia mchango wa wanawake katika medani mbali mbali za maisha.

Watangazaji wanawake kutoka Radio Vatican wamekuwa mstari wa mbele kwa kuwa ni sauti ya wanawake wasiokuwa na sauti kutoka sehemu mbali mbali za dunia. Radio Vatican katika mtandao wake imeandaa programe mbali mbali zinazoonesha mchango wa Radio Vatican katika kuwawezesha wanawake Barani Afrika, Asia na Amerika.

Hizi ni programme zinazoonesha ujasiri wa wanawake katika kukabiliana na changamoto mbali mbali za maisha: katika masuala ya maendeleo endelevu, haki na amani duniani. Ukitaka kufaidi zaidi unaweza kutembelea katika tovuti rasmi ya Radio Vatican kwa anuani ifuatayo: www.radiovaticana.va
Unaweza pia kuwashirikisha jirani zako.

Mwaka Mmoja watimia Baba Mtakatifu Benedikto 16, alipotangaza rasmi kung'atuka

Ilikuwa ni tarehe 11 Februari 2013, Baba Mtakatifu Benedikto wa kumi na sita, alipotangaza rasmi kwamba, kwa hiyari yake mwenyewe na utashi kamili ameamua kung'atuka kutoka madarakani, ili kutoa nafasi kwa Makardinali kuweza kumchagua Khalifa mwingine wa Mtakatifu Petro.

Maneno haya yakaushangaza ulimwengu. Kwa Kanisa hili likawa ni tukio la kinabii, ili kutoa nafasi kwa Mama Kanisa kuendelea kufanya mageuzi ya kina katika maisha na utume wake, Mwenyezi Mungu akipewa kipaumbele cha kwanza; waamini wakijikita kutangaza Habari Njema ya Wokovu katika ulimwengu wa utandawazi na maendeleo ya sayansi na teknolojia.

Akachaguliwa Baba Mtakatifu Francisko ambaye ameamua kuendeleza mageuzi yaliyokuwa yameanzishwa na Papa mstaafu Benedikto wa kumi na sita katika maisha na utume wa Kanisa kwa kukazia uaminifu kwa Kristo na Kanisa lake, bila kumezwa na malimwengu, mambo ambayo yamelisababishia Kanisa kujikuta linaandamwa na kashfa mbali mbali. Maaskofu mahalia wamepewa dhamana ya kuhakikisha kwamba, wanatekeleza utume wao wa kufundisha, kuongoza na kuwatakatifuza watu wa Mungu kwa ujasiri na moyo mkuu.

Kuna waamini ambao bado wana madonda makubwa katika mioyo yao, jambo la msingi kwa Kanisa ni kujikita katika mchakato wa uponyaji na upatanisho, ili Kanisa liweze kusonga mbele kwa ari kubwa zaidi katika azma yake ya kuwatangazia watu Injili ya Furaha.

Baba Mtakatifu mstaafu Benedikto wa kumi na sita, aliona kashfa ya matumizi haramu ya fedha iliyokuwa inalinyemelea Kanisa kwa kutumia migongo ya wajanja wachache ndani ya Kanisa. Vatican ikatunga na kuridhia sheria inayopiga vita utakatishaji wa fedha haramu inayoweza kutumika kugharimia vitendo vya kigaidi. Papa Francisko anaendelea kukazia umuhimu na dhamana ya wanawake katika maisha na utume wa Kanisa.

Kanisa linamshukuru na kumpongeza Papa mstaafu Benedikto wa kumi na sita, kwa ujasiri na uamuzi wake wa busara wa kung'atuka kutoka madarakani, ili aweze kupata nafasi kubwa zaidi ya kusali na kutafakari.

Papa mstaafu Benedikto XVI kwa sasa ana utume wa sala na tafakari; uamuzi wake ni ushuhuda wa kinabii!

Padre Federico Lombardi, Msemaji mkuu wa Vatican, anabainisha kwamba, Baba Mtakatifu Mstaafu Benedikto wa kumi na sita kwa sasa anautumia muda wake mwingi kwa ajili ya kusali na kutafakari na kwamba, uamuzi wake wa kung'atuka kutoka madarakani ni wazo ambalo alilitafakari, akasali na kulipembua kwa kina na mapana yake, hatimaye,

Mradi wa miaka 5 kwa ajili ya huduma kwa waathirika wa ugonjwa wa Ukimwi wazinduliwa nchini Tanzania

Mfuko wa Msamaria mwema, unaosimamiwa na Baraza la Kipapa la huduma za kichungaji kwa wafanyakazi katika sekta ya afya kwa kushirikiana na Idara ya afya ya Baraza la Maaskofu Katoliki Tanzania na Kampuni ya Gilead Sciences kutoka Marekani, wamekubaliana kimsingi kusaidia juhudi za kupambana na ugonjwa wa Ukimwi mkoani Shinyanga, kwa kusaidia juhudi za kupima virusi vya Ukimwi kwa wananchi 120, 000 pamoja na kuwapatia dawa za kurefusha maisha wale watakaokuwa wameathirika.

Makubaliano hayo yamefikiwa Jijini Dar es Salaam, tarehe 11 Februari 2014 katika Maadhimisho ya Siku ya 22 ya Wagonjwa Duniani. Huu ni mradi wa miaka mitano kwa ajili ya kupima virusi vya Ukimwi na kutoa dawa za kurefusha maisha. Ni mradi unaozingatia taaluma, maadili, usafi pamoja na mafunzo kwa walengwa watakaofaidika na mradi huu, kwa kutoa kipaumbele cha kwanza kwa watoto yatima.

Mradi huu utaendelea kuongeza nguvu katika kuwahudumia wagonjwa wa Ukimwi, juhudi zinazofanywa na Jimbo Katoliki la Shinyanga katika Vituo vya Afya vya: Ngokolo, Bugisi, Buhangija na Mija. Mradi utatoa ufadhili kwa ajili ya mafunzo ya hali ya juu kwa wahudumu wa sekta ya afya, ili kuweza kutekeleza wajibu wao barabara pamoja na kuendelea kujikita katika mapambano dhidi ya Virusi vya Ukimwi na maambukizi kutoka kwa Mama kwenda kwa Mtoto.

Wananchi watakaogundulika kuwa na maambukizi ya Ukimwi watapewa dawa za kurefusha maisha anasema Askofu mkuu Zygmunt Zimowski, Rais wa Baraza la Kipapa la huduma za kichungaji kwa wafanyakazi katika sekta ya afya. Mradi unapania pamoja na mambo mengine, kudhibiti maambukizi ya virusi kutoka kwa Mama kwenda kwa Mtoto, kama sehemu ya huduma makini inayotolewa na Kanisa katika kumhudumia mtu mzima: kiroho na kimwili, kama sehemu ya mwendelezo wa agizo la Kristo katika kuwahudumia wagonjwa.

Askofu mkuu Zygmunt Zimowski, amemkumbuka kwa namna ya pekee, Marehemu Askofu Aloysius Balina wa Jimbo Katoliki Shinyanga, aliyefariki dunia mwezi Novemba 2012. Aliamini kuhusu mafanikio ya mradi huu katika kuwahudumia watanzania waliokuwa wameathirika kwa ugonjwa wa Ukimwi. Ni mradi wa pekee, unaojumuisha Mfuko wa Msamaria Mwema, Baraza la Kipapa la huduma za kichungaji kwa wafanyakazi katika sekta ya afya pamoja na Kampuni ya Gilead.

Lengo li kuhakikisha kwamba, Kanisa Katoliki linashiriki kikamilifu katika mapambano dhidi ya Ugonjwa wa Ukimwi ambao umekuwa ni chanzo cha vifo na upotevu wa nguvu kazi nchini Tanzania.

Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Wagonjwa Duniani, yalianzishwa kunako mwaka 1992 na Mwenyeheri Yohane Paulo wa Pili, ambaye hapo tarehe 27 Aprili 2014 anatarajiwa kutangazwa kuwa Mtakatifu. Siku ya Wagonjwa Duniani inalenga pamoja na mambo mengine kuhakikisha kwamba, wagonjwa wanapata huduma bora pamoja na kuishirikisha Familia ya Mungu katika huduma kwa wagonjwa, kwani wagonjwa bado wanayo nafasi ya pekee katika maisha na utume wa Kanisa.

Kanisa linawahamasisha watu wa kujitolea, ili waweze kuwashirikisha jirani zao upendo, kwa kuwaonjesha upendo. Kanisa linapania pia kutoa majiundo makini ya kitaaluma na kimaadili kwa wahudumu wa sekta ya afya.

Wakristo wanapaswa kuwa ni chumvi na mwanga wa dunia!

Mkiwa maskini wa roho, wenye huzuni, wapole, wenye njaa na kiu ya haki, wenye rehema, wenye moyo safi na wapatanishi,

BATAROKOTA VIDEO SONG - KWEJAGA NYANGISHA

Umejiandaaje na Valentine’s day?

URAFIKI na Mahusiano ndio jina la safu hii mpenzi msomaji. Ni matumaini yangu umzima na unaendelea vema kukabiliana na shughuli mbambali za ujenzi wa taifa hili.

Nami bila hajizi nakukaribisha katika safu hii ili twende sambamba katika kuzungumzia suala la Siku ya Wapendanao (Valentine’s day), ambayo sherehe yake ni Ijumaa ya wiki ijayo – Februari 14.
Kwa kawaida huwa kuna sherehe nyingi na wengine kuwatumia zawadi wahusika kama familia na marafiki, na mojawapo ni hii Siku ya Wapendanao.

Hakuna binadamu yeyote duniani anayeishi duniani bila kukwaruzana na mtu yeyote, iwe rafiki au ndugu.
Hivyo hakuna kitu cha kukufanya uwe na wasiwasi juu ya siku hiyo kwamba utafanya nini kwa uwapendao au umpendae.
Unaweza kuifanya Siku ya Wapendanao iwe nzuri kwako. Kabla ya kufanya chochote; kwa maana kwamba ikiwa bado siku kadhaa hadi ifikie siku hiyo, tembelea maduka ya kadi na utazame aina mbalimbali za kadi.

Njia hii haitokufanya usahau kupata kadi nzuri na pia itakuepusha kukurupuka na kununua kadi ambayo haina mvuto wa kipekee.
Bila shaka wazo kubwa zaidi la zawadi ambalo huwepo miongoni mwa watu wengi ni maua.
Zawadi hizi pia huweza kutumiwa hata kwa walioajiriwa, yaani kwa wafanyakazi wa taasisi au kampuni fulani.

Hata hivyo, watu pia huwa wanasherehekea Siku ya Wapendanao kwa kuja na mitazamo tofauti na kutafakari ni zawadi gani inafaa kumtumia mtu.
Unaweza kuonyesha ukaribu na urafiki kwa wafanyakazi wenzako kwa kununua maua na kuwapa zawadi lengo likiwa ni kuonyesha upendo.
Lakini kwa wapenzi mbali na kupeana zawadi za maua yanayoonyesha upendo, pia wanaweza kutoka ‘out’ kwa ajili ya kwenda sehemu kubadilisha mawazo na kufanya siku hiyo iwe nzuri kwao.
Kama umepanga Siku ya Wapendanao ibaki kuwa kumbukumbu kwa ninyi wapendanao (wapenzi), usisahau kuhusisha zawadi zitokazo kwa sonara, kwani hakika ni chaguo zuri.

Kwa mfano unaweza kununua kimojawapo kati ya vitu vinavyopatikana sonara kwa lengo la kuboresha upendo wenu.
Epuka kuwa na kisirani pamoja na kumkera umpendae au uwapendao kwani kwa hakika utakuwa umeifanya siku hiyo kuwa mbaya kwako.

St. Jerome Emiliani

St. Jerome Emiliani

Feastday: February 8
1481 - 1537

Jerome Emiliani lay chained in the dark dirty dungeon. Only a short time before he had been a military commander for Venice in charge of a fortress. He didn't care much about God because he didn't need him -- he had his own strength and the strength of his soldiers and weapons. When Venice's enemies, the League of Cambrai, captured the fortress, he was dragged off and imprisoned. There in the dungeon, Jerome decided to get rid of the chains that bound him. He let go of his worldly attachments and embraced God.

Tafakari ya Neno la Mungu Jumapili ya tano ya Kipindi cha Mwaka wa A wa Kanisa

Tunaendelea na kipindi chetu tafakari Neno la Mungu masomo Dominika ya V ya mwaka A. Masomo yanatualika kuwa chumvi na mwanga wa dunia. Katika somo la kwanza, Nabii Isaya anatualika kuwalisha na kuwavika maskini.
Katika kutenda kazi hiyo tunakumbuka Heri walio maskini wa roho maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao. Kwa njia ya Nabii Isaya, Bwana anatangaza matokeo ya kazi njema hiyo, akisema nuru itakuzukia kama asubuhi na afya yako itakuwa njema na haki daima itakutangulia. Nabii Isaya haishii katika hayo bali pia anatangaza kuwa sala ya mwenye kutenda huduma kwa walio maskini itasikikika daima na hapa ndipo kuna furaha timilifu katika mapenzi yake Mwenyezi Mungu. 

Uaguzi wa Nabii Isaya unakuja wakati Waisrael wametoka utumwani Babilonia katika karne ya 5KK. Katika kipindi hicho, Waisraeli walitarajia kuwa mateso yangekuwa yamekwisha, lakini badala yake yaliendelea. Basi kwa kuwa katika nyakati za kale kama kulitokea shida fulani watu walifunga, ni katika mlengo huo basi, Waisraeli walifunga na kusali ili maisha yao yaweze kukaa sawasawa. Pamoja na jambo jema hilo la kufunga shida iliendelea yaani matajiri waliendelea kuwanyonya maskini. 

Ni katika madhulumu haya Waisraeli walianza kumlalamikia Mungu, kwa nini mambo hayabadiliki na hivi wakaanza kusema haina haja ya kufunga! Hapa ndipo sasa Nabii Isaya anakuja na jibu akisema Mungu hana kosa lolote, isipokuwa sala na kufunga kwenu hakufikii kiwango cha kumpendeza Mungu. Mungu anataka sala na kufunga kuliko na mzizi katika huduma kwa maskini na wenye taabu mbalimbali katika jumuiya yenu. Mpendwa sala yako ikoje?

Katika Somo la Pili Mt. Paulo anazidi kutangaza nguvu ya Mungu ambayo huongoza wahubiri wa Neno lake. Ndiyo kusema hakuna mhubiri anayeweza kujitapa yakwamba anatangaza injili kwa nguvu zake mwenyewe. Anawaalika Wakorinto watambue kuwa Neno na ujumbe wa Mungu haulali katika ufasaha na hekima ya kibinadamu kama watu wenye hekima katika kizazi hicho cha Wakorinto bali ni nguvu ya Msalaba wa Kristo mfufuka. Yeye mwenyewe anakiri kuwa hakuja kuonesha hekima yake bali kumjua Kristu tu na ndiyo shime yake. Ndiyo kusema anakiri udhaifu wake ambao utamruhusu aombe msaada toka kwa Mungu. 

Katika kitabu cha Matendo ya Mitume 20:9 inaonekana Mt. Paulo alipokuwa anahubiri kuna baadhi walianza hata kusinzia na kijana mmojawapo alianguka kupitia dirishani toka gorofa ya tatu! Ataka kusema nini? Ataka kusema ufasaha hauna nguvu bali Mungu mwenyewe katika Roho Mtakatifu. Na kama ingekuwa ufasaha ni wa maana, basi kijana huyu asingeingia katika shida ya usingizi. Hili halikumtisha Mt. Paulo bali Injili iliendelea kuhubiriwa na kuenea katika Ukorinto yote. Mpendwa unayenisikiliza Neno lenyewe lina nguvu bila madoido yetu, yafaa kuwa na imani thabiti.

Katika Injili ya Matayo, ujumbe na mwaliko ni ”kuweni chumvi na nuru”, na kwa namna hiyo kuangaza mbele ya watu na watu wayaone matendo yenu na wamtukuze Mungu. Mwinjili anatumia mfano wa chumvi na nuru, ambazo ni alama tumika katika nyakati za kale. Chumvi humaanisha mambo kadhaa: chumvi huleta radha kwenye chakula na hivi toka zamani ilimaanisha hekima na busara. Hata hivi leo utasikia watu wakisema, jamaa ana chumvi katika kichwa chake, wakimaanisha ana hekima na busara katika utendaji wake. Ndiyo kusema Wafuasi wa Kristo lazima watoe maneno yaliyo ya maana yaani yaliyojaa hekima ya kimungu na si bulaabulaa!

Jaribu kufikiri kama Neno la Mungu lisingekuwa Neno la furaha wapi tungepata matumaini! Wapi tungepata kutambua kuvumilia taabu na madhulumu katika maisha yetu! Wakristo ni lazima watoe radha ya kikristo ili maisha ya watu yawe ni maisha ya furaha na matumaini.

Mpendwa msomaji, chumvi si tu radha bali pia hutumika kutunza vyakula vizioze! Wakristo kwa maana hiyo lazima wawe watunzaji wa maisha ya watu katika ulimwengu huu. Uwepo wa Wakristu katika ulimwengu ni msaada ili mwanadamu asianguke katika unyanganyi na ufisadi na hivi dunia ikaangukia katika kuongozwa na misingi ya shetani.

Mpendwa msomaji, kwa kawaida chumvi haipotezi radha yake, sasa iweje Bwana aseme chumvi iliyoharibika? Bwana katika hili ataka kutuambia kuwa kama mhubiri anaacha kumtegemea Mungu na hivi anaweka mambo yake mbele basi ile hali ya Injili uchafuliwa ingawa Injili yenyewe hubaki, lakini kuna uozo huo ambao huchelewesha kasi yake.
Mpendwa mwana tafakari Bwana anatumia mfano wa mwanga akitaka waamini wawe mwanga unaoangaza wengine ili waweze kuona. Kama ambavyo jua huangaza ili tuone vema basi nasi vivyohivyo kwa wengine. Mwanga unao wajibu wa kuangaza kumbe hatuweki macho yetu kwenye mwanga bali kwa kile chema kinachotendwa na mwanga.

Wakristo si mwanga bali wanategemewa kutenda yaliyomema yaani matendo ya mwanga. Wakristo kwa vyovyote vile lazima wabaki wamejificha, kwa sababu ukitazama jua moja kwa moja utaharibu macho, kumbe tunachotakiwa kuona ni hospitali, vituo vya watoto yatima, shule na mambo yote mema yaani matendo ya mwanga. Mpendwa ni kwa njia ya matendo haya Injili ya Bwana inasonga mbele kwa kasi mpaka miisho yote ya dunia.
Nikutakie furaha na matumaini katika kuwa mwanga na chumvi ya dunia. Tumsifu Yesu Kristo.

Tafakari hii imeletwa kwako na Padre Richard Tiganya C.PP.S.

Mwenyeheri Yohane Paulo II kutangazwa kuwa Msimamizi wa Siku za Vijana Duniani

Baba Mtakatifu Francisko anawaalika vijana kujiandaa kikamilifu kwa ajili ya Maadhimisho ya Siku ya 29 ya Vijana Duniani kwa Mwaka 2014 itakayoadhimishwa katika ngazi ya Kijimbo, Jumapili ya Matawi, ambayo kwa Mwaka huu inaadhimishwa hapo tarehe 13 Aprili.

Hii ni siku ambayo Maaskofu watazungukwa na umati wa vijana kutoka katika majimbo yao ili kufanya tafakari ya kina kuhusu kauli mbiu ya inayoongoza Maadhimisho haya: "Heri walio maskini wa roho maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao". Hii ni sehemu ya muhtasari wa mafundisho makuu ya Yesu yanayopatikana katika Heri za Mlimani. 

Baraza la Kipapa la Walei linasema, huu ni ujumbe ambao unatolewa kwa mara ya kwanza kwa vijana na Baba Mtakatifu Francisko tangu alipochaguliwa kuwa Khalifa wa Mtakatifu Petro. Ni mwendelezo wa changamoto ya majiundo endelevu iliyoanzishwa na Mwenyeheri Yohane Paulo II na kuendelezwa kwa ari kubwa na Baba Mtakatifu mstaafu Benedikto wa kumi na sita.

Papa Francisko bado anakumbuka ule umati wa vijana kutoka sehemu mbali mbali za dunia uliomzunguka wakati wa Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Vijana Duniani kwa Mwaka 2013 iliyofanyika mjini Rio de Janeiro. Baba Mtakatifu anaendeleza yale majadiliano ya kina kati yake na vijana yaliyoibuliwa wakati wa Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Vijana Duniani.

Kumbe, ujumbe wa Baba Mtakatifu kwa Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Vijana Kijimbo kwa Mwaka huu, ni sehemu ya maandalizi ya hija ya maisha ya kiroho, itakayofanyika katika kipindi cha miaka mitatu kuanzia sasa, kabla ya vijana hawajajimwaga kuelekea Jimbo kuu la Cracovia, Poland, kwa Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Vijana Duniani kwa Mwaka 2016.

Wachunguzi wa mambo wanasema, vijana watafunika Poland, ikizingatiwa kwamba, hizi zitakuwa ni mwendelezo wa utenzi wa sifa na shukrani kwa Mwenyezi Mungu baada ya Mwenyeheri Yohane Paulo II kutangazwa kuwa Mtakatifu. Tema zilizochaguliwa na Baba Mtakatifu katika kipindi cha miaka mitatu kutoka katika Heri za Mlimani zinazonesha jinsi ambavyo Baba Mtakatifu Francisko anavyothamini sehemu hii ya Injili kuwa ni kiini cha maisha ya Wakristo, mwaliko wa kuyamwilisha katika vipaumbele vyao vya maisha ya kila siku!

Baba Mtakatifu katika ujumbe kwa Siku ya Vijana Duniani anapenda kuwakumbusha vijana wa kizazi kipya kwamba, hii ni njia ambayo Yesu mwenyewe amewaonesha wafuasi wake, mwaliko wa kumfuasa katika maisha yao yote bila ya kujibakiza hata kidogo. Kumwilisha Heri za Mlimani kwa vijana wa kizazi kipya anasema Baba Mtakatifu ni kazi kweli kweli! 

Huu nimwaliko wa kumfuasa Kristo na kushikamana naye kwa dhati, tayari kutolea ushuhuda wa mabadiliko yanayobubujika kutoka katika undani wa maisha ya mwamini. Baba Mtakatifu anawachangamotisha vijana kutokubali kupata furaha ya mpito kwa mambo ya juu juu tu, bali wahakikishe kwamba, wanajitaabisha kutafuta furaha ya kweli inayobubujika kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu.

Katika ujumbe wake, Baba Mtakatifu anafafanua kwa kina na mapana maana ya umaskini wa roho kadiri ya mafundisho ya Yesu, ambaye aliuchagua mwenyewe na hatimaye kuutolea ushuhuda katika maisha na utume wake hapa duniani, mwaliko kwa vijana kuiga mfano wa maisha ya Mtakatifu Francisko, aliyekuwa tajiri wa kutupwa, lakini akaacha yote na kuukumbatia ufukara wa Kiinjili. Hii ndiyo changamoto kubwa iliyoko mbele ya vijana wa kizazi kipya na wala si maji kwa glasi!

Baba Mtakatifu Francisko anawaalika vijana kutubu na kumwongokea Yesu Kristo, huku wakijitahidi kuishi maisha yanayosimikwa katika kiasi, wakitafuta mambo msingi katika maisha yao pamoja na kujenga mshikamano wa upendo na maskini pamoja na wote wanaosukumizwa pembezoni mwa Jamii. Maskini ni sehemu ya Fumbo la Mwili wa Kristo linaloendelea kuteseka, mwaliko kwa kila mwamini kuhakikisha kwamba, anaguswa na umaskini, taabu na mahangaiko ya jirani zake; kwa njia hii vijana wanaweza kuwa kweli ni walimu wa maisha, kwa kuwamegea wengine utajiri wa maisha ya kiroho na kiutu unaobubujika kutoka katika undani wa maisha yao.

Baba Mtakatifu Francisko anasema, kuna uhusiano mkubwa kati ya tema iliyoongoza Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Vijana Duniani kwa Mwaka 2013 huko Rio de Janeiro "Basi, enendeni, mkawafanye mataifa yote kuwa wanafunzi..." na kauli mbiu ya mwaka huu yaani, "Heri walio maskini wa roho maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao". Ufukara wa Kiinjili ni muhimu sana katika ujenzi wa ufalme wa Mungu sehemu mbali mbali za dunia. Ni ufukara unaojionesha katika hali ya kawaida pasi na makuu, kiasi cha kuweza kuwa ni chachu ya Uinjilishaji Mpya.

Baba Mtakatifu anawakumbusha vijana wa kizazi kipya kwamba, hapo tarehe 22 Aprili 2014, Kanisa litafanya kumbu kumbu ya Miaka 30 tangu Msalaba wa Jubilee ya Mwaka wa Ukombozi ulipoanza kutembezwa sehemu mbali mbali za dunia. Hizi zilikuwa ni juhudi za Mwenyeheri Yohane Paulo wa Pili kwa ajili ya Kanisa, tangu wakati ule, Msalaba umekuwa ni sehemu ya hija ya maisha ya vijana wa kizazi kipya.

Kwa hakika, baada ya Mwenyeheri Yohane Paulo II kutangazwa kuwa Mtakatifu, Kanisa litaendelea kumshukuru Mungu kwa kumtangaza rasmi kuwa ni Msimamizi wa Maadhimisho ya Siku za Vijana Duniani. Mwenyeheri Yohane Paulo II alikuwa ni muasisi na mhamasishaji mkuu wa Siku za Vijana Duniani, hadi leo hii, tukio hili linaendelea kuwa na mvuto na mashiko makubwa katika maisha na utume wa Mama Kanisa miongoni mwa vijana, kwa kutambua kwamba, vijana ni jeuri na matumaini ya Kanisa kwa sasa na kwa siku za usoni!

Daily Reading for Friday, February 7th, 2014

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Reading 1, Sirach 47:2-11

² As the fat is set apart from the communion sacrifice, so was David chosen out of the Israelites.
³ He played with lions as though with kids, and with bears as though with lambs.
⁴ While still a boy, did he not slay the giant and take away the people's shame, by hurling a stone from his sling and cutting short the boasting of Goliath?
⁵ For he called on the Lord Most High, who gave strength to his right arm to put a mighty warrior to death and assert the strength of his own people.
⁶ Hence they gave him credit for ten thousand, and praised him while they blessed the Lord, by offering him a crown of glory.
⁷ For he destroyed the enemies on every front, he annihilated his foes, the Philistines, and crushed their strength for ever.
⁸ In all his activities he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High in words of glory; he put all his heart into his songs out of love for his Creator.
⁹ He placed singers before the altar, melodiously to sing;
¹⁰ he gave the feasts their splendour, the festivals their solemn pomp, causing the Lord's holy name to be praised and the sanctuary to resound from dawn.
¹¹ The Lord took away his sins, making his strength ever greater; he gave him a royal covenant, and a glorious throne in Israel.

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Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 18:31, 47, 50, 51

³¹ For who is God but Yahweh, who is a rock but our God?
⁴⁷ the God who gives me vengeance, and subjects whole peoples to me,
⁵⁰ He saves his king time after time, displays his faithful love for his anointed, for David and his heirs for ever.

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Gospel, Mark 6:14-29

¹⁴ King Herod had heard about him, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'
¹⁵ Others said, 'He is Elijah,' others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.'
¹⁶ But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.'
¹⁷ Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married.
¹⁸ For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your brother's wife.'
¹⁹ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him, but she was not able to do so,
²⁰ because Herod was in awe of John, knowing him to be a good and upright man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
²¹ An opportunity came on Herod's birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee.
²² When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, 'Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.'
²³ And he swore her an oath, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.'
²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, 'What shall I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the Baptist.'
²⁵ The girl at once rushed back to the king and made her request, 'I want you to give me John the Baptist's head, immediately, on a dish.'
²⁶ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her.
²⁷ At once the king sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John's head.
²⁸ The man went off and beheaded him in the prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
²⁹ When John's disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

St. Moses

Feastday: February 7

Died: 372

Arab hermit and bishop who is called “the Apostle of the Saracens.” He lived in the desert regions of Syria and Egypt, caring for the local nomadic tribes. When the Romans imposed peace upon the Saracens, Queen Mavia, the Saracen ruler, demanded that Moses be consecrated a bishop. He accepted against his will and maintained the peace between the Saracens and Rome. The Saracens were a nomadic people of the Syro-Egyptian desert so designated by the Romans.