Jan. 17, 2012 Tuesday: 2nd Week in Ordinary Time (B)

Father Rwagema would wait for the assembled to settle down, and when he felt that the crowd had reached a satisfactory level of reverent silence, he would begin the proceedings. He’d start by hoisting a large wooden cross above his head, and then, in a booming voice, he’d recite one of the many messages Segatashya had delivered from Jesus, messages Father Rwagema had committed to memory. For example:

“God will never deny you mercy if you have a true conversion in your heart. Jesus is telling me to tell you that life on Earth lasts only a moment; but life in heaven is eternal. So you must pray. Remember that those who pay lip service to God and cry out, ‘Oh, Father, bless me!’ without meaning it from their heart, or repenting for their wrongdoing, will not go to heaven. It is those who truly love God and also do His will by performing loving deeds who will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven—not the pretenders and hypocrites. Remember to pray with sincerity … the only way into heaven is through prayers that come from the heart.”

And then with a long, confident stride, Father Rwagema would set out toward the end of the village and beyond, the cross he gripped in his hands held high, his lips constantly moving as he intoned Segatashya’s messages mile after mile: “Christ’s love for his children is great. God doesn’t abandon any of His children. He is always waiting for you to say yes to Him and let Him into your hearts. On Judgment Day, the Lord will show everyone their entire lives, and people will know that they are the authors of their own fate. God will show them their lifetime of deeds, and then that person will go where they deserve to go. Do not think God does not see your sins; the Lord sees every action and knows every thought. Repent; there is not much time left. If you need help to open your heart to Jesus, pray to his mother to come to your aid. Jesus wants you to love and respect his mother as you would your own. She prays for all her children and will bestow upon you many graces and gifts of the spirit,” Father Rwagema would say, reiterating the latest message Segatashya had revealed from the visionary podium in Kibeho.

Ilibagiza, Immaculee (2011-11-28). The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho (pp. 34-35). Hay House.