The Parish Priest of Rushoroza Cathedral Parish in Kabale Diocese, Rev Fr Austen Christmas, has asked Christians to remain humble, support one another in faith and trust in God’s promises regardless of their circumstances.
Rev Fr Christmas said Christians should learn from the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose humility and faith enabled her to accept God’s call despite being a young and ordinary woman with no social status or power.
He was delivering his homily during the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish in Kabale District on Saturday.
Rev Fr Christmas said Mary’s life demonstrates that God uses ordinary and humble people to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
“God looks at the heart, not at human status or power,” he said, urging Christians not to despise themselves because of their social or economic circumstances.
He also encouraged Christians to build supportive communities, drawing lessons from the relationship between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.
He said Mary and Elizabeth stood by each other during challenging pregnancies, demonstrating the importance of encouraging and strengthening one another during difficult moments.
“Believers need to encourage and build up one another in faith,” Rev Fr Christmas said.
He further urged Christians to respond to challenges with faith and thanksgiving instead of complaining, saying Mary chose to praise God despite the difficult path ahead of her.
Rev Fr Christmas said Mary’s Magnificat, her song of praise to God, demonstrates deep faith, joy and trust in God.
He said the Blessed Virgin Mary also reminds Christians that God can transform the lives of the humble and disadvantaged while bringing down pride and arrogance.
“In Mary’s song, God brings down the proud and powerful. He lifts up the poor, the humble and the hungry,” he said.
Rev Fr Christmas further reminded Christians that God remains faithful to His promises and continues to show mercy to generations.
He urged the faithful to remain steadfast in their Catholic faith, saying God does not abandon those who trust in Him.
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by Catholics on August 15 each year and commemorates the belief that Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life.
