He continued, “Let us pray to God that none of us may become a burden to the people to whom we have been sent. May we be among them examples to emulate. And may the Lord give us the grace and the humility to confidently say, ‘Imitate me, imitate us.’”
“It takes courage to say it, but it also takes humility to invite people to imitate you because you constantly live in the acknowledgment of your unworthiness, being strengthened and edified only by the grace of God,” the Archbishop added.
Archbishop Muhatia also challenged participants to use the August 26-28 event, which is part of the activities the Franciscan Family Association (FFA) has organized to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, as an opportunity for examination of conscience concerning their fidelity to their charism and the responsibilities entrusted to them.
Participants, he said, must ask themselves questions such as, “How have I promoted the charism of my community, my institute? Have I betrayed the charisma of my institute? Have I betrayed my Superior by being irresponsible in the apostolate that I have been given?”
The Kenyan Catholic Church leader urged the members of the Franciscan family to examine whether they have used their apostolates for purposes other than those for which they were sent, abandoned their responsibilities or become lukewarm in their service.
“We pray that the Lord, despite all our weaknesses and challenges, may strengthen us not to make any of these little ones fall away because of my recklessness, or because of my lack of seriousness, or because of my lazines,” Bishop Muhatia said, warning that even physical presence in a place of mission is insufficient if one is not spiritually and mentally committed to the work entrusted to them.
He described the symposium as more than an academic gathering, sharing his own long experience of encountering Franciscan communities during his Priestly and Episcopal ministry.
“My life story would be completely impoverished if the word Francis or Franciscan did not appear in the story of my life,” Archbishop Muhatia said.
He thanked the Franciscan family for its contribution to his journey of faith and ministry, saying the symposium held under the theme, “Lord Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace,” should be understood as an opportunity for a deeper encounter with the Franciscan vocation.
He said, “As we gather here for this symposium, it is for me more than just an academic experience. It’s more than just an encounter of comrades. It is an intense journey of faith that has had a huge impact on my life.”
