St Theresa of Avila Masvingo Diocese

15/09/2026

Jacob’s Ladder with Fr. Isaac Muzenda
Tuesday 15 September 2026
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Hebrews 5:7-9
Responsorial: Ps 31:1-2b, 2cd-3, 4-5, 14-15, 19
John 19:25-27

One of the paradoxes of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ concerns how he was to be associated with suffering. This is not merely the suffering of those he encountered; as stated, “When he saw the crowds…they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). It also pertains to his own identity and life: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Is 53:3, 4). The Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes that, “Although he was Son, he learned to obey through suffering.” Suffering was integral to his identity, for he was born into our world to be the “Lamb of God,” destined for slaughter, offered as a sacrifice for all. In preparation for that sacrifice upon the Cross, he “offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears.” Mary, his mother, while united with her Son as Queen of Heaven and he as King, also shares in his pain, functioning as Mother of Sorrows. Saint Catherine of Siena reflects upon this, stating of Mary, “Christ redeemed us by His Passion, you by the pain of your body and soul.” Like her Son, Mary accompanies him in his sufferings, and yet, “kept all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:19; 51). Both Mother and Son offer their prayers, pain, and experiences “to the one who had the power to save,” and thus, their submission was so complete that their prayer “was heard.”

When the Lord Jesus was presented at the Temple, Simeon prophesied concerning Mary, stating, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Lk 2:35). The Church enumerates the seven sorrows of Mary as follows: The Prophecy of Simeon; The Flight into Egypt; the Loss of Jesus in the temple; Mary Meets Jesus on the Way of the Cross; the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus; the Removal of Jesus from the Cross; and the Burial of Jesus. These seven events serve as a reminder of the reality that Mary was an integral part of Christ's journey as He encountered these situations. She was present, attentive, and cooperating with her Son as He worked out our salvation. As Thomas à Kempis describes, as a mother, she cradles “Jesus on her pure breast, crying bitterly over the shape­less face of her Son.” At the foot of the Cross, the Lord sees “his mother and the disciple he loved…” and to both, He states, “Woman, this is your son… This is your mother.” At that very moment, when His own cup of love is overflowing, the Lord entrusts her into our care, so that she may also be our mother. Mary continues to accompany the Body of Christ, the Church, and its members. It is through her presence, love, and care that we are led to seek her intercession: "To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears,” in this life, at this moment, “and at the hour of our death.” St. Padre Pio exhorts us, “Let us bind ourselves tightly to the Sorrowful Heart of our Heavenly Mother and reflect on its boundless grief, and how precious is our soul.” The Lord gazed upon us with love, so that amidst the pains of this world, we may not be alone but have a Mother who understands these pains and journeys with us. Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us.

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14/09/2026

14/09/2026

Jacob's Ladder with Fr. Isaac Muzenda
Monday 14 September 2026
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Numbers 21:4b-9
Responsorial: Ps 78:1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross calls us to perceive the Cross as a profound symbol of God’s love and our salvation, rather than merely a sign of defeat. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that, “If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross.” The first reading describes how the Israelites “lost patience because of the journey” (Nm 21:4), neglecting God's deliverance and allowing their hardships to cultivate resentment, complaints, and rebellion. Such impatience hampers our relationship with God and jeopardizes our spiritual well-being. We, too, may succumb to impatience amid life's challenges, when prayer seems unanswered, suffering persists, others disappoint us, or the future appears uncertain. Nonetheless, Christ exemplifies an alternative approach. Though “in very nature God,” He chose humility over privilege, “he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Phil 2:6–7). He embraced our human condition, submitting to the Father even unto “death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). The Cross teaches us that patience encompasses more than silent endurance; it demands faithfulness in love, particularly when tempted to give up. St. Francis de Sales encourages us to “do everything for God, uniting yourself to him in word and deed,” and to “walk very simply with the Cross of the Lord.” Our crosses may not always be dramatic but remain authentic: forgiving those who have hurt us, practicing honesty despite the costs, persevering in prayer, fulfilling our responsibilities, and demonstrating compassion towards those burdened by us. When we unite these daily struggles with Christ, they transform into occasions of grace rather than reasons for despair.

The Gospel explains why the Cross is exalted: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (Jn 3:14–15). In the wilderness, those bitten by snakes were healed when they looked at the sign God gave Moses: “If anyone is bitten and looks at it, he shall live” (Nm 21:8). In a more profound manner, all who turn to Christ in faith, lifted up on the Cross, are assured of the promise of eternal life. God did not send His Son “to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved” (Jn 3:17). The Cross does not signify God’s rejection of humanity but rather His mercy reaching out to humanity at its deepest point of sin and suffering. As St. Rose of Lima affirms, “Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven,” because Christ has made the Cross the pathway back to the Father. St. Maximilian Kolbe describes the Cross as “the school of love,” where we learn that genuine love is self-giving, merciful, faithful, and ready to serve. Because Jesus humbled Himself in obedience, “God greatly exalted him” and bestowed upon Him the highest name, so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth” (Phil 2:9–10). Like St. Paul, may we learn to boast solely in “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14). May we turn to Christ whenever impatience, sin, fear, or suffering threaten to overwhelm us, trusting that no one is beyond His mercy's reach and that His Cross leads not to death but to eternal life.

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Just another pilgrim on the journey, reflecting on God among us

13/09/2026

Jacob’s Ladder with Fr. Isaac Muzenda
Sunday 13 September 2026
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sira 27:33-28:9
Responsorial: Ps 103:1-4, 9-10, 11-12
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that our ultimate goal in the journey of faith is to become like God (CCC 1803). This entails not only performing virtuous acts and giving our utmost effort but also actively choosing what is good through concrete actions. Paul underscores this by reminding us that, whether alive or deceased, we belong to the Lord: “if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.” Our vocation extends beyond merely living well or making a positive impact; it concerns our fundamental identity, recognising ourselves as “called children of God, and that is what we are” (1 Jn 3:1). This identity represents a divine gift, intended for us to be wholly committed to Him. Regardless of worldly challenges or societal opinions, our allegiance remains with God. The call to lead a virtuous life invites us to emulate our Heavenly Father, cultivating a sincere, eternal relationship grounded in love. Our love for God must be authentic, rooted in the understanding that we are called to resemble Him and engage with Him sincerely. As children of love, mercy, and hope, we are dispatched to exemplify these virtues in all our endeavours.

Peter, in his second letter, reflects on how the call to live a divine life is meant to free us from corruption: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pt 1:3-4). This call is not only to be “holy in everything…just as God who chose you is holy” (1 Pt 1:15), but also to be “merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36-42). Often, we view mercy when we seek forgiveness ourselves, and when it involves others, we revert to verses emphasising God's anger against enemies. In today’s gospel, Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive, and Jesus responds that we should forgive “seventy times seven,” an almost impossible number, especially considering the pain, betrayals, and conflicts we’ve endured from perceived enemies. Yet, Jesus reminds us, “Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” Sirach warns that resentment and anger are detestable and belong to sinners; pursuing vengeance and judging others calls down God's wrath on us. His message urges us to recognise our own sinfulness, and if we seek mercy from God, we must also forgive our neighbours. Though difficult, Sirach reminds us to remember the “last things”, namely, death and judgment, as a warning to forgive, mirroring the mercy we hope to receive from God. By doing so, we help prevent the corruption that could threaten our eternal salvation. May God help us.

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12/09/2026

Jacob’s Ladder with Fr Isaac Muzenda
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Responsorial: Ps 116: 12-13, 17-18
Luke 6:43-49

Paul emphasises the significance of ecclesiastical unity, a fundamental pillar articulated in the creed: "We believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.” He elaborates that this unity is rooted in and reflected in the Eucharist, where the blessing cup and the bread symbolise communion with Christ’s blood and body. Despite our numerous members, Christ has united us into a single body, represented by the singular loaf, indicating our shared participation. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal affirms that salvation, attained through Jesus Christ, gathers us into a unified people who offer thanks and actively participate in the Eucharist, fostering continuous growth in holiness under Christ's guidance. As we commemorate the optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary, we are reminded of Mary’s accompaniment on this journey, as she is honoured as the Mother of God and of all believers, filled with divine grace. Let us not merely understand the unity of the Church intellectually but also experience it profoundly in the celebration of the Eucharist, sharing it with our brothers and sisters under Mary's guidance and support.

The Lord urges us to recognise that our faith must be tangible. Our lives and faith should clearly connect our beliefs and our conduct. Jesus questions, "Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” and reminds us that, “I am the vine; you are the branches" (Jn 15:5). Additionally, He warns that, “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3:10). Often, our actions, charity, and work are hidden within our community, sometimes concealed to cover our shortcomings. Nevertheless, the Lord assures us that "every tree can be identified by its own fruit” and that "a sound tree cannot produce rotten fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit." These words convey great seriousness, especially in light of Jesus's cursing of the fig tree when it bore no fruit. Likewise, it is said that "a man’s words flow from what fills his heart.” Therefore, we are called to present good fruit to God and reflect it in our world. Paul reminds us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). Today, we are once again reminded to “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Lk 3:8) and to engage in "bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10).

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11/09/2026

Jacob’s Ladder with Fr. Isaac Muzenda
Friday 11 September 2026
Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27
Responsorial: Ps 84:2-3, 4-5+7a, 11
Luke 6:39-42

Paul addresses the difficulties associated with mission, vocation, evangelization, and the calling to serve with God. While these aspects entail rights and responsibilities, he observes that at times, rights remain unfulfilled, leading him to state, “I do not boast of preaching the gospel... it is a responsibility entrusted to me.” He clarifies that his reward lies in the opportunity to disseminate the Good News freely, without asserting the rights that the gospel grants him. As spouses, parents, priests, religious, and members of the Church, we frequently find our efforts more burdensome than advantageous. We make sacrifices for our loved ones and the Church; however, these sacrifices are sometimes met with contempt, gossip, complaints, and perceptions of being mere servants rather than beloved members. Furthermore, Paul asserts, “...though I am not a slave to any man, I have made myself a slave to all to win as many as possible...I have become all things to all people that I might save some by any means." Ultimately, our vocations are steered not by recognition but by our duties, which constitute the core of our work.

The Lord calls upon us to scrutinise the credibility of our missionary endeavors. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that God invites us to “seek him, to know him, to love him” (CCC 1). Recognising this, we comprehend that our relationship with God should be founded on understanding and knowledge, thereby providing us with substance and material for evangelisation. We cannot declare a God whom we do not personally know or relate to. The Lord asks, “Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit.” Through acquiring knowledge and cultivating a relationship with Him, we learn our limitations, strengths, and how we are called to engage with the world. At times, this involves pain and suffering; however, we are reminded by the Lord Jesus, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me first” (Jn 15:18). This is because, as He states today, “The disciple is not above his teacher…the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher.” With this in mind, we are invited to recognise that our mission is intrinsically connected to that of Christ. We are called to humility, collaboration with the Spirit of God, who guides us into service, and to act as instruments of mercy. Given that God is merciful, loving, and forgiving, who are we to judge unjustly? The ongoing mandate is to discover our authentic identity and mission, to align ourselves more closely with God's calling, and to “Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Let us entrust ourselves to God, who guides, transforms, and assists us in identifying what must be removed so that we may serve Him more faithfully in our relationships with others.

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10/09/2026

Jacob’s Ladder with Fr. Isaac Muzenda
Thursday 10 September 2026
Thursday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 11-13
Responsorial: Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14, 23-24
Luke 6:27-38

In discussing eating food sacrificed to idols, Paul takes the chance to emphasize how our individual choices can significantly affect others, potentially leading them into sin. While he recognizes that “it is love that makes the building grow” and “anyone who loves God is known by him,” he also notes that some people lack this knowledge. True love is not just about feelings but is reflected in our actions and decisions toward others. St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us that “Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness or difficulty of our actions, but at the love with which we do them.” Paul stresses that love involves moral responsibility for our brothers and sisters. He warns that, “your knowledge could become the ruin of someone weak, of a brother for whom Christ died. Sinning against your brothers and harming their weak consciences is, in effect, sinning against Christ Himself.” St. Gerard Majella offers a perspective: “I see in my neighbor the Person of Jesus Christ.” This prompts us to reflect: how, as a spouse, have I caused my partner to sin? As a parent, how have I influenced my children to sin? As a child, how have I led my parents to sin? As a Christian, how have I contributed to the sins and failures of my brothers and sisters?

Speaking to his disciples, the Lord sets the standard for their conduct: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.” As children of one Father, it’s clear that adopting this approach brings us closer to Him who created us. Ultimately, He promises, “You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” This way of life often requires doing what seems the hardest: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly…Give to everyone who asks, and do not ask for your property back from the one who robs you.” In essence, “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.” The Lord encourages us, acknowledging that we are sinners and wounded people living in a world that can push us to our limits, causing us to stumble and falter frequently. If we, as sinners, become judgmental of others, what good have we achieved? In the end, the Lord asks us, “Do not judge…do not condemn… grant pardon.” St. Gregory the Great teaches us, “The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it accomplishes great things,” even if directed toward an enemy. Often, we ask, “What will I get out of it?” The Lord responds simply, “…the measure you give will be the measure you receive.” Is that enough to motivate us? Is it enough to move us? What if it feels burdensome or painful? We can learn from the words of the 14-year-old St. Dominic Savio: “Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a Master who pays well; who rewards even a cup of cold water given for love of Him.”

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Just another pilgrim on the journey, reflecting on God among us

09/09/2026

Jacob’s Ladder with Fr. Isaac Muzenda
Wednesday 9 September 2026
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of St. Peter Claver, Priest
1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Responsorial: Ps 45:10-11, 13-14, 15-16
Luke 6:20-26

Paul discusses a profound topic that touches on the very essence of the Church and its call to vocations: celibacy. Those called to celibacy dedicate themselves entirely to the Lord and His affairs, exemplifying a sign of new life through their total giving to God and humanity. Celibacy joyfully proclaims the Reign of God and primarily concerns those called to consecrated virginity, priesthood, or religious life. Despite today's scepticism, we recall the Lord’s words: “…there are eunuchs who have been born incapable of marriage; and there are eunuchs who have been made so by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves incapable of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him who is able to accept this accept it” (Mt 19:12). Paul also speaks on marriage, emphasising that it is not a sin to be married and that those already married should not seek to end their marriage. He acknowledges that married life brings challenges, but reminds us that “They will have their troubles, though, in their married life,” and, even in those challenges, “what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Mk 10:9). Paul urges us to view both vocations with honesty and chastity, as reflections of the lives to which God has called us. Our willingness to live these vocations fully should be driven by the awareness that “our time is growing short…the world as we know it is passing away.” Ultimately, our way of living out these vocations should mirror the understanding that our eternal destiny depends on our faithfulness to them.

In our gospel, the Lord Jesus highlights the universal human vocation. As children of the kingdom, He speaks about the beatitudes, emphasising how our calling to change the world involves embracing our differences. Being Christian calls us to be a transformative presence, offering a new perspective on poverty, hunger, weeping, hatred, and even the joy we find in the Lord. He also addresses the value of riches, consolation, abundance, and worldly pleasures. St. Peter Claver reminds us that to love God properly, we must detach from all earthly attachments, loving only Him or loving others solely for His sake. Our mission is active, a call to shape and influence the world around us. Though challenging, St. Dominic Savio encourages us, “I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.” The beatitudes remind us that our perception of the world may not align with God's invitation, and difficulties are opportunities for blessings. Let us pray for the grace to recognise these moments and to live our lives as a form of evangelisation to a world that often sees things differently.

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Just another pilgrim on the journey, reflecting on God among us

08/09/2026

Jacob’s Ladder with Fr. Isaac Muzenda
Tuesday 8 September 2026
Feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Micah 5:1-4a/Romans 8:28-30
Responsorial: Ps 13:5-6
Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Church today commemorates the Birth or Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Andrew of Crete articulates this event as follows: “Today, the Virgin is born, tended, formed, and prepared for her role as Mother of God, who is the universal King of the ages... Today, this created world is elevated to the dignity of a sacred place for Him who is the Creator of all things. The creature is freshly prepared to serve as a divine habitation for the Creator.” The New Ark of the Covenant is bestowed upon humanity, she who shall become the Mother of the Lord. Mary appears as a symbol of consolation and a sign of new beginnings in anticipation of the Lord's Incarnation. “The day of the Nativity of the Mother of God is a day of universal joy because through the Mother of God, the entire human race was renewed, and the sorrow of the first mother, Eve, was transformed into joy” (St. John Damascene). She, who was Immaculately Conceived, is made accessible so that she may bear the one who comes to sanctify the world, “worthy of God, immaculate of the immaculate, one of the One” (Origen). Augustine describes her as “the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley.” It is this new Ark, this immaculate soul, that God “invited to conceive Him in whom the ‘whole fullness of deity’ would dwell ‘bodily’” (CCC 284).

The eternal plan of God is exemplified in His choice of Mary, as “from all eternity God chose for the mother of His Son a daughter of Israel, a young Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee, ‘a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary’” (CCC 488). Mary’s affirmative response introduces a fresh perspective into the profound mystery of God. Pope Benedict XVI states, “[Mary’s] example of faithful perseverance in doing the will of God and her heavenly reward are a source of courage and hope for all of us.” Even though we have been set apart, Mary’s cooperation reminds us that we ought to participate, with the grace of God, in our lives and in the lives of others. From the outset, Mary experiences the fulfilment of God's promises: her immaculate conception, her birth, her sharing the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, her Assumption, and her title as Queen of Heaven. She is the first of believers, and it was her who was first to realize these promises and their accompanying blessings of life, for "Mary was the first person to take the ‘way’ to enter the Kingdom of God that Christ opened, a way accessible to the humble, to those who trust in God's word and strive to apply it" (Pope Benedict XVI). God’s initial choice remains with her always, for “You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death” (Byzantine Liturgy, Troparion, Feast of the Dormition). Mary stands out among the humble and poor, confidently hopeful and receiving salvation from God. After a long wait, the times are fulfilled within her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and the new salvation plan is established (CCC 489).