Alluding to the Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ, Dilexit Nos, Bishop Lagwen described “new humanity” as “recognizing and valuing the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and ultimately living a life of repentance.”
Putting on a new humanity, he went on to say, is enriched by “adoring Christ every time in the Eucharist and recognizing Christ’s presence in our hearts.”
“Our bodies are temples of God,” the Local Ordinary of Mbulu Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in August 2018 said to emphasize the need to recognize the presence of Jesus in our hearts.
In adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, “we also acknowledge God’s presence within us,” he said, and referring to Matthew 11:28-30, implored, “Let us go and find comfort and rest in Him.”
The people of God, he said, must be ready to listen to what Jesus Christ says and learn from Him, who says He is the humble one and the meek one, whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light.
The Local Ordinary of Mbulu Diocese that is in the Ecclesiastical province of Arusha Metropolitan see called upon members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in his Episcopal See to continually draw strength from the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist and in Adoration in the practice of their Christian faith in fostering the establishment and growth of the Kingdom of God.
Focusing on the 25th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Sacred Heart of Jesus movement in Mbulu Diocese, which are to conclude in 2025, Bishop Lagwen underscored the need to prioritize spiritual communion.
“As we celebrate this great event, we must begin with prayer; this is most important,” he said, and added, “We will pray, fast, do penance, worship, and perhaps undertake pilgrimages. At the same time, our strength will be the Eucharist.”
The 57-year-old Tanzanian Catholic Bishop reiterated the need to regularly participate in the Eucharistic celebration. In doing so, he said, “the Kingdom of Christ that we desire to establish on earth will begin within us, having a solid foundation in our hearts so that, at the climax of this celebration, we will experience joy that comes from deep within our hearts.”
Bishop Lagwen urged the people of God under his pastoral care to reach out to one another with love and to always show gratitude for the love of Christ. He said, “What Christ asks is that we love Him, love God, and love others.”
