Martin Jumbam

Catholic Meditation - Third Sunday of Easter - Year B

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 18, 2020, as the third Sunday of Easter – Year B. In the entrance antiphon, we pray: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy; praise the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise, Alleluia.”

Christian Cardinal Wiyghan Tumi waves last olive branch of peace to separatists

Shortly before his death on Good Friday, April 2, 2021, Christian Cardinal Wiyghan Tumi, the Emeritus Archbishop of Douala, Cameroon, paid what was to be his last visit to his home village of Kikaikelaki, Bui Division in northwestern Cameroon, a place he himself describes as "a known fierce battle ground in Kumbo." There, he appealed to the separatists, who are fighting government forces in a bid to carve out of the State of Cameroon an independent entity they call "Ambazonia", to lay down their arms and take their place around the dialogue table with the government.  To Cardinal Tumi, their struggle is an exercise in futility which has brought much hardship to the ordinary people, who are caught between the brutality of government forces, who accuse them of aiding and abetting separatism, and the separatists themselves, who have resorted to extortion, kidnappings for a ransom, and other acts of brutality against the very people they claim they are fighting to free from oppression.  In the report of his visit, he makes a desperate last minute attempt to persuade the separatists to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue with the government.  Below is his report.

 

Poetry - A review of Joyce Ash's collection of poems: Beautiful Fire

I thank Spears Media for giving me the opportunity to say a word or two on this award-winning collection of poems: Beautiful Fire.  My presentation, which I intend to keep short and simple, is in two parts.  In the first part, I talk about the author, not the traditional bio-data type introduction (date of birth, schools attended, diplomas earned, etc.) No, I simply want to pay the author, who I shall refer to simply as Dr. J., a debt of gratitude, which I have owed her for over a decade. In the second part, I zero in on her book, mainly on the title, which is what caught my attention most.

Catholic Meditation - Second Sunday of Easter - Year B

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 11, 2021, as the second Sunday of Easter, Year B. It is the Divine Mercy Sunday in which we are encouraged to offer forgiveness and reconciliation to all. It is based on the visions recorded from Saint Faustina Kowalski, a Polish nun. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II decreed it a solemnity, a high feast day. May we, on this day, learn to offer love, forgiveness and reconciliation to all our brothers and sisters, even those who do not care about us.

Catholic Meditation - Easter Sunday - Year B

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 04, 2021, as Easter Sunday – Year B. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “I have risen: I am with you once more; you placed your hand on me to keep me safe. How great is the depth of your wisdom, alleluia!”  “This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!”

Catholic Meditation - Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year B

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, March 21, 2021, as the Fifth and the last Sunday of Lent – Year B. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Give me justice, O God, and defend my cause against the wicked; rescue me from deceitful and unjust men. You, O God, are my refuge. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 4th Sunday of Lent - Year B

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, March 14, 2021, as the Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year B. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her breasts. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Third Sunday of Lent - Year B

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, March 07, 2020, as the third Sunday of Lent – Year B. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “My eyes are ever fixed on the Lord, for he releases my feet from the snare. O look at me and be merciful, for I am wretched and alone. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Second Sunday of Lent - Year B

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, February 28, 2020, as the Second Sunday of Lent – Year B. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Remember your mercies, Lord, your tenderness from ages past. Do not let our enemies triumph over us; O God, deliver Israel from her distress. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - First Sunday of Lent - Year B

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, February 21, 2020, as the First Sunday of Lent – Year B. The Entrance Antiphon of this day’s Mass says: “When he calls to me, I will answer; I will rescue him and give him honor. Long life and contentment will be his. Amen.”