MEMENTO ABOUT DIVINE LITURGY IN SAINT CATHERINE ORTHODOX PARISH - RWANDA

Titus Twungubumwe

On Sunday, 16th September 2018, His Grace Innocentios Byakatonda, the Bishop of the Orthodox Diocese of Burundi and Rwanda presided to Divine Liturgy in the Parish of Saint Catherine / Gishari, Rwamagana District, East Province of Rwanda. The co-celebrants were Father Petros Bicamumpakafrom Holy Trinity Parish / Nyamata, Father Maximos Mberabahizi from the Parish of Saint John Baptist, Georges and Dmitri in Kaziba, Deacon Timotheos Renzaho Levis Dicon Timothy from Saint Mary Parish / Rwabutazi, and Deacon Theodoros Musonera Jean Bosco the responsible of Saint Catherine Parish / Gishari.

To the service have attended many local orthodox faithful and their friends coming the nearby orthodox parishes / communities: Twelve Apostles Parish / Rwamagana, Mwurire Orthodox Community, Mount Fumbwe / Nyagasambu Orthodox Community , as well as friends from other Christian denominations. We were also glad to be visited by a nice choir from Uganda which took opportunity to make some chanting in their language.

The Sunday readings were: Galatians 2: 11-18 [True Apostles are correctable], and Mark 8: 34-9.1 [ Jesus'First Prophecy of His Passion, Matt. 16:21-28; Luke 9:22-27]

"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but the faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (Gal. 2:16)

The source of justification if faith, not the works of the law (Gal. 2: 16-20) Works of the law deal with man in his fallen state, in his corruption; faith "crucifies" man's corrupt condition and deals with the new man in Christ. Works of the law begin with the action of man; faith begins with the action of God. Every work of faith is the action of both God and man, a cooperation (synergy) between the divine and human wills. This faith and these actions find their source and fulfillment in God-made-Man, Christ. We experience them through our union with Christ brought about in baptism.

He said to them "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Mark 8:34) After Peter's confession, Jesus injects a new, solemn tone into His ministry by speaking about suffering and by teaching the people and the disciples the cost of discipleship: self-denial, carrying one's cross (a symbol of suffering) and obedience to Christ.
By saying "let him deny himself, and take up his cross", Jesus means His followers should separate themselves from their sins and from the inclination of their hearts towards evil (Gen. 8:21) crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal. 5:24).

Report by:
Reader Timotheos Titus Twungubumwe
Orthodox Church in Rwanda.

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