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Adeladius Makwega – DODOMA
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today is the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A. The Gospel presents us with a lesson that all of us need in our daily lives: how to deal with wrongdoing, misunderstandings, disagreements and conflicts among us.
The truth is that as long as we live together, we cannot avoid differences. In our families, workplaces, communities and even within the Church, we sometimes hurt one another, misunderstand each other and do things that wound our hearts.
The question is not whether we will encounter conflicts. The important question is: How will we resolve them?
Jesus gives us a very clear way.
He says:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
Notice what Jesus does not say. He does not say, “Go and tell everyone else.” He does not say, “Go and gossip about him.” Nor does He say, “Punish him and take revenge.”
Instead, He says:
“Go and speak to him privately.”
There is great wisdom in this.
Many times, when someone upsets us, the first thing we do is tell other people. We tell our friends, neighbours, relatives or family members. Sometimes, we even take the matter to social media.
But Jesus teaches us a different way:
Seek that person out. Talk to him or her. Listen to each other. Look for a solution.
Why?
Because the goal is not to humiliate someone. The goal is to win our brother or sister back and rebuild the relationship.
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Jesus says:
“If he listens to you, you have won your brother back.”
Here we see the heart of Christ. Jesus does not want us simply to win arguments; He wants us to overcome hatred. He does not want us merely to prove that we are right; He wants us to save the relationship.
Brothers and sisters, sometimes we may be right about something, but the way we communicate the truth can hurt another person. We may have a good argument, but express it with anger, pride or contempt.
Therefore, when we approach someone with whom we have a disagreement, we should ask ourselves:
Am I going to help this person or hurt them?
Am I looking for a solution or seeking revenge?
Do I want to bring this person closer or push them away?
And this is where we need prayer.
Jesus says:
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
This is very important.
When we are in conflict, let us invite Jesus.
When our hearts are wounded, let us invite Jesus.
When we find it difficult to forgive, let us invite Jesus.
When we sit down to resolve our differences, let us invite Jesus.
For when Jesus is in our midst, our hearts can change. Anger can give way to peace. Hatred can give way to forgiveness. Division can give way to unity.
Brothers and sisters, conflict does not necessarily have to be the end of a relationship. Sometimes it can become the beginning of a new relationship—one marked by greater understanding, forgiveness and love.
But this is possible only when we let go of pride and place Christ at the centre.
Today, each one of us should ask:
Is there someone against whom I am still holding a grudge?
Is there a brother or sister with whom I have not spoken for a long time because of something that happened?
Is there someone I am speaking badly about instead of going to speak to them directly?
Perhaps today Jesus is inviting us to take just one step:
Go and talk.
Not with anger.
Not with accusations.
Not with revenge.
But with love.
And when we go to speak, let us go with Jesus beside us.
Because sometimes forgiveness begins with one small step: one person deciding to go to another and simply saying, “Let us talk.”
Brothers and sisters, let us be people who build bridges, not people who destroy them. Let us correct those who do wrong, but with love. Let us speak the truth, but with humility. Let us forgive, because we too need forgiveness.
And above all, let us be ready to walk with those who have lost their way, just as Jesus was ready to walk with sinners.
May the Lord give us hearts that forgive, hearts that listen, hearts that seek reconciliation and hearts that love.
And whenever we come together to resolve our differences, may Jesus be in our midst.
Amen.
According to the account presented by Mwanakwetu, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, was also referenced in connection with the reflection.
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, during the Year A liturgical cycle, Mwanakwetu attended Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Chamwino Ikulu Parish, in the Archdiocese of Dodoma.
During the celebration, an incident occurred at the time of Holy Communion that drew the attention of some worshippers.
The priest celebrating the Mass stood on the left-hand side, near the central exit of the church, while two assisted with distributing Holy Communion on the other side.
Among those approaching the priest to receive Communion was an elderly man who was using a walking stick.
The priest asked him several questions. From what could be observed, the elderly man did not appear to answer the questions satisfactorily.
The priest lowered and shook his head while looking at the elderly man.
Eventually, the priest did not give him Holy Communion at that moment.
Some worshippers seated at the back of the church were surprised by what they had witnessed. They raised the matter with two women who were members of the community responsible for assisting with the Mass.
They asked:
“Why did the priest not give the elderly man Communion? Parish leaders should be near the priest during Communion so that they can assist him in making appropriate decisions.”
Shortly afterwards, the reader of the announcements was informed about what had happened and came to the area, but no immediate explanation was available.
Meanwhile, at the altar, the priest had already placed the remaining Eucharistic hosts in the tabernacle as the Mass was coming to an end.
The elderly man stood for a while and later sat on a bench to the side.
Later, two catechists came to where the worshippers at the back of the church were seated. After being informed about what had happened, they went to speak to the elderly man.
When they returned, they explained that the man usually takes a long time to respond “Amen”, and that the priest celebrating the Mass was a visitor who was not familiar with him.
They told the worshippers:
“This elderly man will receive Communion at the second Mass.”
When the time for announcements came, the matter was not mentioned publicly.
However, after the first Mass, Catholic men who remained at the church held a meeting, and the issue of the elderly man who had not received Communion was raised again.
One suggestion was that whenever a priest distributes Holy Communion, a representative of the Parish Lay Council should also be nearby, particularly when the priest is visiting and may not be familiar with the members of the congregation.
Although the meeting had other matters on its agenda, including contributions, the issue concerning the elderly man was received and discussed.
Later, as Mwanakwetu was returning home, he saw an elderly man walking slowly ahead of him. The man was wearing a hat and using a walking stick.
After greeting him and looking at him carefully, Mwanakwetu realised that he was the same elderly man who had not received Holy Communion during the first Mass.
He asked him:
“Mzee, what is your name?”
The elderly man replied:
“My name is Yohane Mazoea.”
Mwanakwetu then asked him:
“Mzee, may I ask you—why did the priest not give you Communion?”
Mzee Yohane replied:
“I do not know. But the catechist came and told me that I would receive Communion at the second Mass.”
Mwanakwetu then asked:
“So, Mzee Yohane Mazoea, why are you leaving when the second Mass is just beginning?”
The elderly man replied:
“I will receive Communion next Sunday.”
The conversation then took a lighter turn.
Mwanakwetu jokingly said:
“Mzee Yohane, perhaps this priest is new to your community and has discovered that Yohane Mazoea has two wives?”
Mzee Yohane laughed heartily.
He then replied:
“I do not have two wives. That would be wrong before the Church. At my age, where would I take them? My son, you know I have not even had tea.”
Mwanakwetu gave Mzee Yohane 1,000 Tanzanian shillings, and the two parted ways.
From his appearance, Mzee Yohane Mazoea seemed to be between 80 and 90 years old.
The incident brings us back to the message of the Gospel: when we encounter misunderstandings, disagreements or situations that require clarification, we need to listen to one another and seek solutions with love.
Mzee Yohane is an elderly man who relies on a walking stick. Despite the challenges that may come with old age, he remains a member of the faith community.
The incident therefore raises a broader question about how Church communities can ensure that every worshipper—particularly the elderly and those with special needs—is treated with dignity, patience and care.
It is not necessarily a matter of immediately blaming the priest, the catechists or the elderly man. Rather, the incident can become an opportunity to reflect on the importance of communication, understanding, cooperation and pastoral care within the Church.
After all, behind every worshipper who enters a church there is a personal story, a history and perhaps challenges that cannot be seen simply by looking at them.
Mzee Yohane left the first Mass without receiving Holy Communion. Yet his later conversation revealed another side of the story: that of an elderly man walking with a stick who, according to his own words, had not even had tea.
And this leads to a broader question:
When we serve people in the Church, do we see the person before we see the mistake?
Do we listen before we judge?
Do we seek to understand before we accuse?
The Gospel reminds us that Christ must remain at the centre of our relationships.
Let
us listen before judging.
Let us ask before deciding.
Let us understand before blaming.
And above all, let us love.
Because the Church is a family, and in a family, no one should feel forgotten or left behind.
“I WILL RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION NEXT SUNDAY.”
Amen.
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