“Today is Christmas Day – What?” By Fr Frans Mol, mhm It was my first Christmas after ordination (1961) and I was with the Maasai people in Kenya. On Christmas Day, I was going to celebrate Mass with a group who had recently shown an interest in the Church. I carefully packed my Mass-Box with all things necessary, my chalice which dad and mum had given me, water in a small bottle, wine in a small bottle, communion hosts in a small box, books and vestments - every item carefully folded and packed in plastic bags to keep the dust out. A fellow-priest drove me into the open plains and dropped me at a large tree. He then disappeared in a cloud of dust. On the tree hung a bell, the rusty wheel of a long lost car. I was told to hit that
piece of iron as hard as I could and wait for things to happen. Under the tree, there were some homemade benches, fashioned from branches and pieces of wood; I sat down and waited patiently. After some time, a group of shy small children approached who, following the honourable Maasai custom stood before me with their bowed and shaven heads to wait for my greeting - the gentle touch of the hand in benediction and protection and love. Their not-soshy and curious mothers followed them. A few elders (older men), covered in heavy red blankets joined the group. They all sat down; the women and children were on one side, the elders somewhat at the back. I had my table neatly ready.
“Today”, I began solemnly, “today is Christmas Day”. Silence, until someone said: “What?” Somewhat taken aback, I continued courageously, “Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus”. Silence again, until someone said: “the birth of whom?” Then even the reverend celebrant fell silent. Silent night, holy night!
NEW APPROACH AND NEW INSIGHTS There and then I put all my Massbelongings neatly back in my MassBox, sat among them, took the translation of the day’s gospel and began to explain word by word about the child of Christmas, his dear mother, Saint Joseph and the shepherds. The last ones appealed to them because the Maasai themselves are a pastoral people, close to their animals. And so we sat together, a small group under a mighty tree, on Christmas Day at the foot of Kilimanjaro. We sat for a long time, sharing questions and answers. A great sense of satisfaction, fulfilment and happiness came over me. Finally, I was busy with the work I wished to do but had so far really failed to put into action. The core of my vocation was to announce, to proclaim, to be a missionary. I thanked the Christmas Child for this insight and grace. Up to now, I had somehow tried to do pastoral work among people who neither belonged to a parish or to the Church for that matter. I wanted to give the sacraments to people who
had not yet even received the first sacrament. I was fumbling around at the wrong end.
GOD ALREADY AT WORK AMONG THESE PEOPLE Suddenly, I felt very happy and at ease. I learned to understand that there is an essential difference between a missionary, priest or sister, brother or lay, and a simply ‘sacramental’ priesthood. Since then I have tried to remain faithful to my missionary vocation, applied myself to a better knowledge of the local language and regularly visited groups of people, sat with them and talked with them, made contacts to the enrichment of both parties. They taught me their language in all its beauty and expressions, their culture, their customs and way of life and especially their faith in one God. I tried to add all that was their own as yeast in my proclamation. I wanted Catholic Maasai, by which I mean Maasai who in the acceptance and the practice of the faith would
Maasai Mission now Fr Lawrence Otieno, mhm, celebrating Mass.
Maasai women in colourful festive dress - wearing ornaments and beadwork 4
Winter 2021
Winter 2021
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