Article Credit: https://catholicchurchnewszimbabwe.blog
Coinciding with the opening of the judicial year by Chief Justice Mark Malaba on Monday, 13 January, in Bulawayo, the Catholic Lawyers’ Guild held a special Mass to spiritually prepare themselves for the year ahead.
The Mass, celebrated by their spiritual director, Fr. Johannes Maseko, took place today at 5 p.m. at the Africa Synod House in Harare.
In his homily, Fr. Maseko drew inspiration from the responsorial psalm of the day, urging the legal practitioners and aspiring lawyers to reflect on their lives, count their blessings, and thank God for His goodness.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading from Mark 2:1-12, which recounts the story of four men lowering a paralytic through a roof to bring him to Jesus, Fr. Maseko highlighted the value of true friendship.
“A true friend is one who brings you closer to your being, not one who takes you away. A friend should become the legs of a paralysed friend,” he stated, encouraging the lawyers to be a source of support and guidance for one another.
Following the homily, Fr. Maseko addressed the Catholic Lawyers’ Guild, challenging them to integrate their faith into their professional lives.
“Your work is not just about winning cases or making a profit but about the common good and promoting the dignity of every human being,” he said.
He urged the guild to lean on the social teachings of the Church as a guiding framework for their vocation as legal practitioners.
“The social teachings of the Church offer a rich framework for understanding our role and identity, first and foremost as baptised members of the Church, and through your vocation as legal practitioners. They remind you of your responsibility to promote justice, compassion, and truth,” he remarked.
Fr. Maseko also emphasised the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity, human dignity, and the common good as essential guides for their work.
Warning against the dangers of moral relativism, which he described as a growing challenge to both the Christian faith and societal foundations, Fr. Maseko reminded the lawyers of the absoluteness of truth.
“Man wants to define everything without God. As Catholic lawyers, when confronted with the temptation to compromise on fundamental principles or sacrifice truth for expedience, remember to lean on the truth of God that does not change,” he said.
He encouraged the guild to stand firm in their commitment to truth, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient, as a way to proclaim the Gospel and witness to their faith.
After Fr. Maseko’s address, the chairperson of the guild, Lincoln Majogo, took to the podium and thanked the members for their support over the past year. He urged members to take “collective ownership” of the guild.
Following his address, there was a charity drive led by Mr. Makore, who began by reminding participants that almsgiving is not solely a Lenten activity but a reflection of Christ Himself, who exhorts His followers to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
He informed those gathered that the guild had collected clothes from well-wishers and that the next step was to hand over the donations to the Spiritual Director for distribution across Zimbabwe.
The Catholic Lawyers’ Guild is a grouping of Zimbabwean lawyers committed to using their legal expertise to contribute to the local Church and society.
According to member Lenon Rwizi, the guild engages in various charitable activities, including prison visits, offering consultative legal advice, and providing pro bono legal representation for deserving individuals.
“The guild has shown us that we can actually contribute something to the local Church, not only as lawyers but also as Catholics and Christians,” echoed Forgive Siyawareva.
“We also have campaigns, discussions, and opportunities to socialise,” Siyawareva added, highlighting the sense of community and purpose within the guild.
With such a spiritually enriching start to their year, the Catholic Lawyers’ Guild is poised to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead with faith, compassion, and a renewed commitment to justice and truth.
This article was initially published on:
“Your Work is Not About Winning Cases,” Catholic Lawyers Told