Sunday
Kindling
September 2024
in this issue >>>
People who play sports practise regularly to be in shape, to build stamina and to get use to their different formations. They find joy in doing and fulfilling their commitment to their teams, clubs, and fans.
In the Book of Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, Moses demanded obedience from his people as a precondition to gaining, entering and occupying the land God was giving them. They must comply with the different practices and ceremonies, all commands, and prohibitions. In a way, the laws and practices are justification of God’s closeness to them.
Is there any joy in maintaining a practice?
“This people honors me with their lips …”
Lip services include: kisses, lipsticks, ointments, botox, and lip reading. But this is not what Isaiah meant when he called the people hypocrites.
Doers of the Word
Like – Do - Love!
Some people who hear the Word and do what it says, like to do what they love. Some people who hear the Word and do what it says, love to do what they like. Some people who say the Word but ignore it, love to say what they like. Some people who hear the Word and do it, like to be what they love.
One person washing pans, pots and kettles before preparing a broccoli soup. But when the soup is ready, it is bland, has no aroma, or flavour.
Another prepares the same broccoli soup with dirty pans, pots, and kettles, but the whiff of the soup fills the hallway and street. It’s delicious! One person plants carrot in his garden. During harvest, he harvests potatoes instead of carrots.
Surprised! Because he did not plant the potatoes. Another crushes three lobes of garlic and mixes them up in a pan steaming with beef. When the broth is ready, it tastes bitter and awful. A mother prepares a chicken soup for the family. As she peels off and chop onions, her eyes fill with tears. Her three-year-old son sees tears dropping from her cheeks to the floor and asked:
“Mummy! Why are you crying?” “Oh! Never mind, Bobby! I’m flogged every time by onions.” She speaks and leaves everything and goes to her son. She looks calmly into his eyes as she notices that Bobby is welling up. “Weep not, son! It is part of the ritual of preparing meals.”
There are things you cannot fake or stop. They come naturally, such as sneeze, welling up when peeling onions,
feeling hungry, breathing, passing urine or defecating, the outdoors, and more. They are examples of mini rituals or activities we perform daily. They make us humans and we do not need legislations to enjoy them.
Being truly human is one way to justify God’s closeness to us. As some theologians have said: “To be holy is to be human.” So, do what you like, and love what you do, in God.
Accessibility in Missions >>>
The Deaf Hears!
In places of worship, people have different hearing abilities. Some may be deaf, some hard of hearing, and some may have auditory processing disorder (APD).
Deafness
This means a person has little or no hearing. They may struggle with sounds, including those in videos. Sign language is often their first and most comfortable language.
Hard of Hearing
These people have some hearing loss, from mild to severe. They might use sign language, spoken language, or both, with or without hearing aids. They may also have trouble with sounds in videos.
Auditory Processing Disorder
This means a person can hear but has trouble understanding or organizing what they hear.
Your Mission
To help everyone, speakers in places of worship should not speak softly and should use microphones in large halls. Make sure the place is quiet. Provide sign language interpreters and ensure media players have captions, volume controls, and good contrast.
The Dumb Shall Speak!
The Bible uses the term “dumb” to describe people who cannot speak. However, “dumb” is not the best word to use for people with speech disabilities. The word “dumb” can mean different things, like being temporarily unable or unwilling to speak, lacking intelligence, or being silent and inarticulate. The Bible brings good news for those referred to as “dumb,” saying they will speak. However, we will use “speech disabilities” instead of “dumb” to describe people who have trouble speaking.
Let’s look at the different types of speech disabilities. This way, if you are an organizer or preacher and notice someone who does not sing or praise like others, you can offer other ways for them to participate. Speech disorders can range from mild slurs to a complete inability to move the mouth to speak. However, this does not mean that these individuals have trouble reading, writing, or understanding language.
Articulation – This is a speech problem where people have difficulty making certain sounds.
For example, they might substitute one sound for another, speak indistinctly, add sounds to words, leave sounds out of words, swap sounds in words, or change sounds in words.
Aphasia – Some people in your place of worship might not be able to speak due to brain injuries, head trauma, brain tumors, or infections. They may have aphasia, which is a language impairment that affects their ability to understand and produce speech, as well as read and write.
Mutism – This means no speech. A person might be unable to speak due to brain or speech muscle damage, or emotional or psychological reasons. In your place of worship, some people might have neurogenic mutism, which is an extreme form of other speech disorders. Others might have psychogenic mutism, which can be:
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Elective mutism: Choosing not to speak.
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Selective mutism: Wanting to speak but unable to due to anxiety.
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Total mutism: Deciding not to speak at all.
AAC – Source: Creation Solutions for Hope
When the Bible says that the “dumb shall speak,” you can help make this happen in your places of worship by supporting people with speech disabilities. Here’s how:
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Use non-verbal communication: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can help. Use pictures, facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures, or writing to aid understanding.
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Use short and simple sentences: Emphasize key words to help the person understand better.
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Avoid distractions: Reduce background noise to help the person articulate and understand better.
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Be honest: If you didn’t understand something, let the person know. Repeat what you heard.
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Speak at the same volume: Don’t speak louder; the person can hear you.
Question of the Month >>>
Q: How does Faith Relate to Science?
A: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth." "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God, the humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are." (III The Characteristics of Faith - The Catechism of the Catholic Church)
In Name and deeds: You’re who you say you’re!
The phrase “you are who you say you are” means that your identity is defined by what you claim or present yourself to be. In the context of authentication, it suggests that your identity is verified based on the information you provide about yourself. In a broader sense, it emphasizes the importance of self-representation and honesty in how you portray yourself to others.
Jesus is identified as: “You are the Christ.” His identity is defined by what he does, who he is, and the way he presents himself. Different people verify who he is by his works: the lame, blind, sick, and those brought back to life.
For someone who believes, personal identity can be linked to faith and good works. Your faith is not separated from who you are, and what you do.
Isaiah suffered some self-immolations: his back was struck, his beard was pulled out, his face was spat on.
In the face of adversaries, he hoped that God would help and declare him guilty. What an irony? He submitted to insults and sufferings.
An innocent person was sent to life imprisonment for a crime they did not commit.
For 15 years, while in prison they hoped that one day the truth would come to light, and they would be freed. They submit to humiliations, insults, restrictions and verbal condemnations. It is always heart-rending when you put your faith in thing and are disappointed by that thing. Many have been disappointed by their justice system, government, parents, family, friends and more because they have failed to produce good works. To be able to believe and act on it, you must blend who you are, your faith with virtues that matter. A faith that produces good works typically should exhibit these qualities:
Show a strong conviction in God’s promises and teachings.
Belief
Be ready and willing to follow and abide by God’s commandments and teachings.
Obedience
No matter how hard it is, be ready to have faith despite the obstacles.
Perseverance
Realize that without God we can do nothing and rely on his strength.
Humility
Be optimistic that the future is bright, and that God’s promises will be fulfilled.
Hope
Practice moderation and self-restraint in all aspects of life.
Temperance
Deeply rely on God, even in the face of challenges or unclear circumstances.
Trust
Show true love and compassion to oneself and others. It begins with love but does not end in love.
Love
Persistent and hardworking in one’s duties and responsibilities.
Diligence
James 3:16-4:3 >>>
Conflicts and Disputes and a True Peacemaker
St. James advises that there are conflicts because of the cravings that are at war inside people. He lists what can cause conflicts or disputes among people as: envy, selfish ambition, disordered mind and wickedness of all sorts.
“You desire things you do not have, and you cannot get them, so you engage in disputes. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly to spend what you get on your pleasures.”
Qualities of a Peacemaker
James proffers some theories of peace-making of which its foundation is unadulterated wisdom.
What is unadulterated wisdom? This refers to pure, untainted, and genuine knowledge or insight. It is wisdom that is free from any form of corruption, distortion, or external influence. This kind of wisdom is often associated with deep understanding and clarity about life, reality, and the nature of existence.
A peacemaker must not only be wise, but they must also be:
Peaceable – is an adjective that describes someone, or something inclined to avoid conflict or dissent. It means being free from strife, violence, or disorder. For example, a peaceable demonstration is one where participants protest without resorting to violence or aggression. In like manner, a peaceable person is someone who avoids arguments as they resolve conflicts amicably.
Gentle - A peacemaker should be gentle because gentleness fosters trust, understanding, and cooperation. Gentleness is crucial for a peacemaker because it:
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Builds Trust: Gentleness helps in creating a safe and trusting environment. When people feel safe, they are more likely to be open and engage in honest dialogue.
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Reduces Tension: A gentle approach can de-escalate conflicts and reduce tension. It helps in calming emotions and allows for more rational and constructive conversations.
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Encourages Cooperation: Gentleness promotes a spirit of cooperation rather than competition. It encourages people to work together towards a common goal rather than against each other.
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Shows Respect: Being gentle shows respect for others’ feelings and perspectives. It acknowledges their humanity and dignity, which is essential for resolving conflicts amicably.
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Promotes Healing: In situations of conflict, people are often hurt or distressed. A gentle approach can promote healing and reconciliation by addressing these emotional wounds with care and compassion.
Willing to yield - A peacemaker should be willing to yield because flexibility and openness are key to resolving conflicts effectively. Yielding is an important quality of a peacemaker because it:
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Encourages Compromise: Yielding shows a willingness to find middle ground, which is essential for reaching mutually acceptable solutions.
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Demonstrates Humility: Being willing to yield reflects humility and the recognition that one’s own perspective is not the only valid one. This can foster respect and understanding.
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Promotes Fairness: It ensures that all parties feel heard and valued, which is crucial for a fair and lasting resolution.
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Facilitates Progress: Yielding can break deadlocks and facilitate progress when negotiations are stalled.
Full of mercy - A peacemaker should be full of mercy because mercy plays a crucial role in healing and reconciliation. A peacemaker should be full of mercy because it:
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Fosters Forgiveness: Mercy involves forgiving others for their mistakes and wrongdoings. This can help to break the cycle of resentment and retaliation, paving the way for genuine reconciliation.
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Promotes Healing: Showing mercy can help to heal emotional wounds. It provides comfort and support to those who have been hurt, facilitating emotional recovery.
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Encourages Compassion: Mercy is rooted in compassion and empathy. A merciful peacemaker understands the struggles and pain of others, which helps in addressing conflicts with sensitivity and care.
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Reduces Hostility: Mercy can reduce hostility and anger. By responding to conflict with kindness and understanding, a peacemaker can de-escalate tensions and create a more peaceful environment.
Good Fruits – A peacemaker should be a person who bears good fruits because their actions and behaviors have a significant impact on the resolution of conflicts and the creation of harmony. Bearing good fruits is essential for a peacemaker because it:
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Enables Positive Influence: Good fruits, such as kindness, patience, and integrity, positively influence others. They set a constructive example and inspire others to act similarly.
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Builds Credibility: A peacemaker who consistently demonstrates good fruits earns the trust and respect of others. This credibility is crucial for mediating conflicts effectively.
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Fosters Cooperation: Good fruits promote a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. They help to create an environment where people are more willing to work together towards common goals.
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Encourages Reconciliation: Actions that reflect good fruits, like showing empathy and understanding, facilitate reconciliation and healing in conflict situations.
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Sustains Peace: Bearing good fruits helps to sustain peace over the long term. It ensures that the solutions and agreements reached are built on a foundation of positive values and behaviors.
No Partiality – A peacemaker should be a person of no partiality because impartiality is crucial for fair and effective conflict resolution. Being impartial is important in peacemaking because it:
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Ensures Fairness: Impartiality ensures that all parties involved in a conflict are treated equally and fairly. This helps to build trust and confidence in the peacemaker’s ability to mediate the situation.
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Builds Trust: When a peacemaker is impartial, it builds trust among the conflicting parties. They are more likely to engage in the process and accept the outcomes if they believe the peacemaker is unbiased.
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Promotes Objectivity: Impartiality allows the peacemaker to remain objective and focused on finding the best solution for all parties involved, rather than favoring one side over the other.
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Reduces Bias: Being impartial helps to reduce personal biases and prejudices that can cloud judgment and hinder the resolution process.
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Encourages Open Dialogue: When parties feel that the peacemaker is impartial, they are more likely to engage in open and honest dialogue, which is essential for understanding the root causes of the conflict and finding lasting solutions.
No Hypocrisy – It’s important for a peacemaker to have no hypocrisy because integrity and consistency are crucial for effective conflict resolution. Avoiding hypocrisy is essential because it:
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Encourages Authenticity: Being genuine and authentic fosters an environment where others feel safe to be open and honest, which is vital for addressing the root causes of conflicts.
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Promotes Fairness: A peacemaker who avoids hypocrisy is more likely to treat all parties fairly and impartially, ensuring that the resolution process is just and equitable.
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Sets a Positive Example: Leading by example is powerful. When a peacemaker demonstrates integrity and consistency, it encourages others to adopt similar behaviors, contributing to a more harmonious and cooperative environment.
Only then, according to St. James, can a peacemaker sow a harvest of righteousness, which refers to the positive benefits that come from living a righteous and virtuous life. Some key aspects of harvest of righteousness include:
Living according to moral and ethical principles like kindness, integrity and honesty; having a positive influence on others, promoting peace, goodwill and justice; having inner peace and fulfilment that comes from living a life aligned with your values and principles; growing in spirituality that follows a righteous path which leads to a deeper connection with the divine.