SPEAKING THE TRUTH PRUDENTLY

Truth alone is not enough. It must be balanced off with the other transcendental properties of God: oneness, goodness, and beauty. That might sound abstract, but what it means concretely is that sometimes we can have all the right answers and still be wrong. How? If we are acting in truth how can we be wrong? The first pitfall is this: We may be acting out of truth and, in fact, doing all the right things, but our energy can be wrong. T.S. Eliot once famously said: "The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason." We can see what is at stake here by looking at the older brother of the prodigal son. On the surface his devotion to his father lacks nothing. He rightly attests that his life is blameless and a paradigm of filial devotion. He has kept all the commandments, has never left his father's house, and has done all the required work. The irony is that he fails to notice that he is not in fact inside his father's house, but is standing outside of it and is being gently invited in by his father. What is keeping him outside since after all he is doing everything correctly? Bitterness and anger. His actions are correct, but his heart is wrong. Bitterness and anger are not the right energy to fuel truth. We can be scrupulously faithful and still find ourselves standing outside of God's house and outside the circle of community and celebration because of a bitter heart. Gratitude is the energy that ultimately needs to fuel the truth. Like the older brother of the prodigal son, we can be doing everything right and still, somehow, be wrong. And where this is particularly important in terms of a challenge is in our efforts, both as individuals and as church, to offer the truth, the right answers, to those around us, be that our own children who no longer go to church or society as a whole. If, inside of our speaking the truth, there are elements of elitism, arrogance, anger, lack of respect, lack of understanding, or worse still, embittered moralizing, our truth will not be heard, not because our truth is wrong but because our energy is. That is why Jesus warns us to "speak our truth in parables". Truth is not a sledgehammer; it is an invitation that we must respectfully offer others. And there is still a second potential pitfall: We can have the right answers and the right energy, but have the wrong understanding of those answers. We see this, for example, in Mark's Gospel when Jesus asks the disciples the question: "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answers, and answers correctly, by saying: "You are the Christ, the Messiah." But he is immediately shut down by Jesus ("Don't tell that to anyone!") and is subsequently rebuked with the words: "Get behind me, Satan!" Why? Wasn't he correct? Peter's answer was correct, Jesus was the Christ, but his understanding of what that meant was mostly wrong. For Peter, the concept of a Messiah connoted earthly power and especially earthly privilege, whereas for Jesus it meant suffering and dying. Peter had the right answer, but the wrong understanding of that answer. Some scholars speculate that this is the real reason behind the so-called "messianic secret" in the Gospels, where Jesus repeatedly asks his disciples to not reveal his identity. His reluctance to have his disciples broadcast publicly who he is was based upon his fear that they could not, before the resurrection and Pentecost, properly understand his identity and would invariably preach a false message. We can have the right answers and still be wrong because we have the wrong energy to go along with the answers or because we have a wrong understanding of the answers. It is good to take that to heart, especially when we step out prophetically either religiously or morally or socially. We may well have the water of life, the truth that sets people free, and the right cause, but nobody except our own kind will accept to receive it from us if our energy is wrong or our understanding of that truth is wrong. It is easy to rationalize that it is because we are prophetic, the faithful remnant, the last warriors of truth still standing, that we are not being heard and why we are hated. But, more often than not, we are not being listened to because we are misguided, elitist, non-empathic, or flat-out unloving, not because we are warriors for truth or justice. And so we need to be humble and heed Jesus' warning to guard the "messianic secret" and "speak our truth in parables". In brief, we need to be solicitous always lest a false energy behind our truth or a misunderstanding of that truth have us so fall out of discipleship that Jesus has to reprimand us with the words: "Get behind me, Satan!"

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA P.O. BOX 62157 – 00200 NAIROBI- KENYA Dear Respondent, I am Rev. Fr. Joseph Baptist Nyamunga, a student at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in the Faculty of Theology for a Master’s Programme in Pastoral Theology. I am carrying out an academic research Entitled Negative Ethnicity As A pastoral Challenge: A Case Study of 2007/2008 Post Election Violence (PEV) Kibera Slums- Kenya. I will be very much delighted for your support in answering this questionnaire. All information will be held in confidence and used for the purposes of academic study and analysis. Contact: Rev. Fr. Joseph Baptist Nyamunga, SSA. Cellphone +254722585329, Email: nyamusus@gmail.com, Tweet @ omuhulundu. Blog; http://nyamusus.blogspot.com Answer by ticking inside the box [ √ ] SECTION: A A. PERSONAL INFORMATION 1. Name (Optional)______________________________________________________ 2. Occupation___________________________________________________________ 3. Denomination_________________________________________________________ 4. Age (Tick) 15-20 [ ] 21-30 [ ] 31-40 [ ] above 40 [ ] 5. Tribe (Optional)______________________________________________________ 6. Residence/location/village______________________________________________ 7. Contact: Tel Email: BACKGROUND INFOR MATION 1. Gender: Male [ ] Female [ ] 2. Indicate your Class: Student [ ] teacher [ ] business [ ] Religious [ ] unemployed [ ] 3. Level of education 1. Primary school [ ] 2. Secondary school [ ] 3. Completed secondary school [ ] 4. Trade training [ ] 5. Undergraduate university [ ] 6. Postgraduate university [ ] QUESTIONS 1. Do you think people planned the clashes prior to the election of 2007? Yes [ ] No[ ] Give reason for your answers…………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2. Who do you think planned the Post election violence?............................................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3. Who do you think won the top seat in the general election?..................................... Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. According to you what caused the fight after the general election of 2007?.......................................................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5. Who fought who and why?........................................................................................ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6. According you was it right to have a coalition government? Tick Yes [ ]No [ ] Give reason for your answers……………………………………………………... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7. Did the coalition government bring unity in the country? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers…………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8. Was it right to take the case to International Criminal Courts (ICC) Hague? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………............................................ 9. Were the suspects the right ones? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers……….……………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10. Why is there tribalism in Kenya?.............................................................................. ………………………………..…………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………. 11. Why do you think Kenyans vote on tribal lines? ………………….……………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12. Are political parties in Kenyan tribal? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers……………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13. Why is there tribal hatred in Kenya? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………….…………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14. Why do tribes in Kenya clash?................................................................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15. As a Kenyan are you proud of your tribe? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………….…………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16. What do you think are the causes of tribalism in Kenya?......................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 17. Do you think tribalism/negative ethnicity can be ended in Kenya? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18. Can you vote for someone who is not of your tribe? Tick yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………............................................................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………… 19. Do you believe that the church can help in bringing healing this country from her ailments of tribalism? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20. Should the Kenyan church get involved in politics of this country? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21. According to you as a Kenyan citizen how can tribalism/negative ethnicity be ended in this country……………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 22. According to you, how can the internally displaced persons be settled? ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23. Will you vote in the next general elections? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………….……….…………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24. If you were the president of this country how would you handle the issue of tribalism?........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25. Do you think there are some groups being targeted in this country? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers…………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26. Why do you think land clashes rear its ugly head whenever there is general election? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 27. Do you think land issue in Kenya has been too politicized? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers……………………….……………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 28. Do you think Kenyans are volatile by nature? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………….. 29. Why do you think churches were burnt? ……………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30. According to you what does it mean to be a Kenyan? .......……………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 31. Do you as a Kenyan, what comes first, your tribe or the nation? …………………. Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… 32. Do you think there are communities destined for ruling in this country? Tick Yes [ ] No [ ] Give reason for your answers………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

KAVA ASSEMBLY 21st - 27th 2012 at Dimisse Sisters -KAREN

<b>THE KAVA ASSEMBLY 2012 The Theme: “Vocation: God’s gift of Love” Time: Arrival 21st of October 2012. The Assembly ends on Friday 26th October 2012 evening. Departure for the Borders is Saturday 27th Morning. The payments:  The following are the agreed upon payments during the KAVA National executive Meeting held on the 5th of July 2012 at Dimesse Sisters.  Registration fee Kshs. 2,000/=  Food and Accommodation for the Borders, Kshs. 11,000/=  The commuters, Kshs. 5,000/=  Therefore:  Total amount for a Border, Kshs. 13,000/=  Total amount for a commuter, kshs. 7,000/=  The payments can be made as follows:  Through the Treasurer KAVA, Sr. Mary Kanyi, M-pesa number, 0725-820-142  Cheques, from Up-country add the withdrawal fee of kshs. 200/= The cheques can be given to Sr. Rhoda at Dimesse in advance or bring on the reporting day, during registration.  The amount for Registration has been allotted in order to fund some of the logistics involved in the entire process. Please, do cooperate. NB: in order to facilitate the smooth running of the assembly especially the opening day, the Commuters from around Nairobi, could see the possibility of registering themselves on the Sunday 21st October 2012. This will help us to start on time the following day for the opening remarks. THE KAVA 2012 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, OCTOBER, 21st to 27th 2012 DIMESSE SISTERS NAIROBI Proposed general theme: “Vocation: God’s gift of Love” THE FACILITATORS AND THEIR TOPICS THE FACILITATOR THE TOPIC DAY/DATE/TIME Fr. Pierli Mccj (Tangaza, Social Ministry Institute) Africae Munus: The Ministerial implications and Vocation animation Monday 22nd, morning session Sr. Agnes Lucy Lando (Daystar Univ) Information Technology: Effects on Vocation Animation Monday 22nd, Afternoon Session or Wednesday 24th morning session Sr. Marylyn Atimango (Chemichemi) Understanding of the Human Person and Vocation as a gift Tuesday 23rd, afternoon session Fr. Dominic Wamugunda(UON) The Mission of the Church and Social Transformation Tuesday 23rd Morning session Mrs. Abuya (from the KEC, family Secretariat) The Family: The school of Vocation Wednesday 24th afternoon session Fr. Raphael Wanjohi (Nyeri) Vocation animation and the healing Ministry Thursday, 25th Morning session Fr. Patrick Thawale (CUEA) Evaluation and Assessment of Candidates to Religious and priestly life Thursday, 25th Afternoon Session KAVA: NATIONA ASSEMBLY 2012, PROPOSED PROGRAM The general program(Tentative): ( In case of any changes it will be communicated) DAY/DATE/TIME EVENT FACILITATOR SUNDAY 21ST OCT. 2012 ARRIVAL/REPORTING/REGISTRATION National office/dimesse MONDAY, 22ND OCT, 2012 8:30 – 9:30 A.M KEYNOTE ADDRESS CHIEF GUEST 9: 45 – 11:00 A.M; SESSION 1 FR. PIERLI 11:00 – 11:30 A.M TEA BREAK ALL 11:30 – 12:30: INTERACTIVE SESSION FR. PIERLI 12:30 P.M: LUNCH ALL 1430 HRS – 1600 HRS: SESSION 2 SR. AGNES LANDO 1600 HRS- 1630 TEA BREAK ALL 1630HRS TO 1730 HRS: INTERACTIVE SESSION SR. LANDO (AFTER THE DAY’S SESSIONS, THE BOARDING MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED CONCERNING THE PREP. FOR EUCH. CELEBRATION) TUESDAY 23RD OCT 2012 9.00 A.M – 10: 30 A.M SESSION 3 FR. DOMINIC WAMUGUNDA 10: 30 – 11:00 A.M: TEA BREAK ALL 11:00 – 12: 30 A.M: INTERACTIONS ON THE TOPIC FR. DOMINIC WAMUGUNDA 12: 30 LUNCH 1430 HRS – 1600 HRS: SESSION 4 SR. MARYLYN ATIMANGO 1600 – 1630 TEA BREAK 1630 – 1730HRS: INTERACTIONS ON THE TOPIC SR. MARYLYN ATIMANGO WEDNESDAY, 24TH OCT, 2012 9.00 A.M- 10: 30 A.M: A TALK FROM Mons. FRANCIS BONICCI (SESSION 5) MONS. FRANCIS BONICCI 10.30 – 11:00 A.M. TEA BREAK 11: 00 – 12:30 Interactions on the talk MONS. FRANCIS BONICCI 1230HRS: LUCNH 1430- 1600 HRS: SESSION 6 MRS. ABUYA (KEC, FAMILY UNIT) 1600 – 1630 HRS: TEA BREAK 1630- 1730 HRS: INTERACTIONS ON THE TOPIC MRS. ABUYA THURSDAY, 25TH OCT, 2012 9.00 A.M – 10:30 A.M: SESSION 7 FR. RAPHAEL WANJOHI 10:30 – 11;00A.M: TEA BREAK 11:00 – 1230HRS: INTERACTIONS ON THE TOPIC FR. RAPHAEL WANJOHI 1230 HRS LUNCH 1430 HRS – 1600HRS: SESSION 8 FR. PATRICK THAWALE 1600HRS – 1630 HRS: TEA BREAK 1630 HRS – 1730 HRS: INTERACTIONS ON THE TOPIC FR. PATRICK THAWALE FRIDAY, 26TH OCT, 2012 9.00 A.M – 10:30 A.M: UNITS MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS UNITS OFFICIALS 10:30 -11:00 A.M: TEA BREAK 11;00 – 1230 HRS: UNITS REPORTS NATIONAL OFFICE 1230 HRS LUNCH 1430 HRS TO 1600HRS: UNITS REPORTS AND ELECTION OF NATIONAL OFFICIALS NATIONAL OFFICE 1600 HRS TO 1630 HRS; TEA BREAK 1630 HRS TO 1730 HRS: EVALUATION AND CLOSING SESSION NATIONAL OFFICE 1900 HRS: SUPPER FOLLOWED BY SOCIAL EVENING ALL