‘The essence of religion is to love God through a life of service’

Golden Jubilee of Kohima Diocese concludes

Morung Express News
Kohima | October 30

“All of us are interconnected. The person who is not a member of your church, your religion, your tribe, the one who does not speak your language is also your neighbour, and deserve your love”, stated Most Rev. John Moolachira DD, Archbishop of Guwahati & President, NEIRBC on Sunday. He was the main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Diocese of Kohima which was held at the Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima.

Addressing a huge congregation of over 10,000 people from the Catholic Community including nuns, priests and dignitaries from across India, Italy, Germany and Australia, he underscored that “the essence of religion is to love God through a life of service.”

Citing the greatest commandment from the Bible, which is to love God with one’s whole heart, mind and strength, and the second is to love one’s neighbour as oneself, he affirmed that, “these, in fact, are the two sides of the same coin and are the human foundation on which our life is built.”

He further highlighted that our neighbour comes in different colours while elucidating that “they are the delightful ones whom we love to meet; they can be the irritating ones whom we prefer to avoid. It can also be enraging ones who makes our blood pressure go up.” “But we can only be good to our neighbour if we see the image and likeness of God in the poor, the orphan, and the irritating one”, he pointed out.

Stating that only the person who believes in a creator who loves and cares for him or her as a father, can be a good neighbour, he also cited Mother Teresa of Kolkata, who cleaned up even  a dirty, smelling, worm eaten, dying wretch with much tenderness because she saw the Lord Jesus in that person. He further remarked that “the Catholic Church is great, because it cares for what the world considers the scum of the society: the dying, the abandoned, the addicts, the orphans, the widows, the migrants, and goes out to serve the poor in the lowest strata of society because it sees Jesus in all of them.”

He also stated pride that the Kohima Diocese has grown and has been able to serve the Catholic community and the people of the state in a significant way. Acknowledging those who brought the Gospel, he made mention of “the bishops, priests, religious, catechists, elders, women, youth, and every member of the Catholic community and many others from outside our community who have helped us grow and flourish.”

‘Has the Gospel penetrated every segment of the society?’
Besides being a time of celebration and thanksgiving, he also said that “Jubilee is a time to take stock of our present situation to examine our strengths and weaknesses, and an occasion to plan for the future” while adding that, “we plan ways and means to make the Church relevant for the future generations.”

Towards this end, he also said, “as we celebrate the Jubilee, we could ask ourselves- what positive influence has my life on the people around and what influence the Catholic Church has over the people of Nagaland.”

“Has the Gospel penetrated every segment of the society, its social, educational and political strata? Has it become a more caring society which will indicate that it truly loves God and its people?” he posed while imploring for the power of the Holy Spirit to come down upon the Catholic community and all the people of the state of Nagaland.

‘The joy of the Gospel should be carried forward’
In his homily, Abp. Dominic Lumon, Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal Arch-Diocese, who was the main celebrant for the Holy Eucharist on Saturday morning also said that “today, after 50 years, we see fruits of those great works of faith” while recalling the pioneers of the Diocese. Stating that it is a day to be grateful for all the marvelous things God has done for the Diocese, he further expressed that a jubilee is a time of thanksgiving.

In this regard, he also emphasised that “Thanksgiving is at the heart of the Christian worship” while articulating that “Gratitude to God must shape our lives.” “Let us not forget that we are at this point because of the challenges we have overcome”, he added while highlighting that the seed that was planted 50 years ago has borne fruits today. “The joy of the Gospel should be carried forward”, he expressed and prayed for God’s abundant blessings on the Diocese.

During the two-day Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Kohima Diocese, 50 candidates received the Sacrament of Baptism while 50 candidates received Confirmation and 50 candidates received their First Holy Communion. A Eucharistic Procession was also held to mark the occasion, followed by the Jubilee Feast.