KNIGHTHOOD: A PATH TO AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIFE

KNIGHTHOOD: A PATH TO AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIFE
Retreat message to Knights & Ladies of St. Mulumba, Abraham Ojefua Sub-Council, Abuja

By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh

1. Import of the topic: To be a good knight translates to being a good Christian. If we truly struggle to be good knights, we cannot but end up being good Christians.
2. The Knighthood is to some laity, what the seminary is to the priest
3. Think of it …!
4. Like the seminary, the knighthood is a place/institution/school for formation, discernment, empowerment, discipline and physical and spiritual growth
5. Due to human frailty, just as going through the seminary does not necessarily make one a good priest or Christian, knighthood does not necessarily make one a good Christian
6. But the seminary surely prepares people to be good priests; and as a result of the seminary, many good and saintly priests have been produced for the Church and the world.
7. Similarly, in spite of individual human limitations, the knighthood has, over the decades, through its rigorous demands and discipline on its members, produced for the Church and the world, great and saintly men, and now women; professional men and women of valour and integrity.
8. We can still go on to say that, just as the priesthood does not necessarily make one a saint, so also knighthood does not necessarily translate to sainthood. We have experienced short comings amongst us
9. However, the seminary and the priesthood do not only inculcate, but accentuates the awareness that we are called to be saints, called to be holy!
10. In our world today, the stream of this awareness is fast running dry! Christians are losing the sense of being called to holiness; losing the sense of the sacred.
11. The knighthood must increase in us, the awareness of our Christian calling as laity, to be saints; a call to holiness
12. That’s why you are here ….
13. The handbook of the sacred Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba captures this desire for holiness of its members in the following words:

• The spirituality of the Order is rooted in the spirituality of the Catholic Church
• The mission is to defend the Catholic faith and serve God, the Church and humanity using Treasures, Talent and Time.

14. These are highly loaded phrases!!! Note the highlighted.
15. To do this …. KNIGHTS MUST UNDERSTAND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, WHO THEY ARE IN THE CHURCH, AND WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM … THEIR ROLE
16. Talking about the role of the laity, the Church has in several documents challenged the laity to rise and take their appropriate place in the Church and in the society.
17. “The Church’s mission is not just the task of the clergy, but of all the baptised.” – Christifideles Laici, Pope John Paul II (1988), no. 33.
18. “The lay faithful are called to bring the light of Christ to the world, and to transform the world according to the values of the Gospel.” – Christifideles Laici, Pope John Paul II (1988), no. 36.
19. “The lay faithful are not merely passive recipients of the Church’s teaching, but are active participants in the Church’s mission, and are called to take an active part in the Church’s life and apostolate.” – Apostolicam Actuositatem, Vatican II (1965), no. 3
20. “The laity are called to participate actively in the whole life of the Church, and to fulfill their own distinctive role in the Church’s mission.” – Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II (1965), no. 33.
21. These documents demonstrate the Church’s recognition of the crucial role of the laity in carrying out its mission and promoting the hope of the Church in this generation.
22. If there is any group in the Church most challenged by these clarion calls, it is the noble men and ladies of the Church; the knights!
23. Dear friends, most of you are on the average, above average or highly placed positions in the society. Many of you are high profile professionals, successful captains of industries in your own rights, heads of parastatals, managers of people, employers of labour, some of you are in government, policy makers.
24. Knights of the Church, are therefore great assets to the Church and her mission.
25. HOWEVER, we must never be tired of reminding ourselves that where there is charism, there is the likelihood of pride.
26. Charism, or spiritual gifts, can bring great blessings and opportunities for service, but they can also pose spiritual risks. So we need to speak about that monster, PRIDE!
27. Pride can creep in when:

• • Gifts are misattributed: When individuals attribute their charism solely to their own abilities or efforts, rather than recognising God’s grace and enablement.
  • Attention and admiration: When we allow our gifts bring attention, admiration, or even fame, it can lead to an inflated sense of self-importance.
  • Unbalanced focus: When the focus shifts from serving others and glorifying God to showcasing one’s own gifts and accomplishments.
    In all these, let us listen to how we talk, because for from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

28. Ecclesiasticus 27:5-7 says that a person’s true character is revealed through their words. The words they speak are a window to their heart, disclosing their intentions and motivations. It is wise, therefore, to reserve judgment about someone until you have heard them speak.
29. Every gift is bestowed by God, for service to others and for building up the Body of Christ.
30. Humility is key here, because it means recognising the source of one’s charism and remaining humble. It means acknowledging one’s limitations and dependence on God. This is crucial.
31. As Knights, we are called to cultivate humility, recognising that our service is not about personal gain or recognition, but about glorifying God and serving others.
32. Some saints of the Church have this to say about humility:

• • “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues.” – St. Augustine of Hippo
  • “Humility is the mother of many virtues, because from it comes obedience, holy fear, and simplicity.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
  • “Humility is the garment of the soul, and without it, all other virtues are of no value.” – St. John Chrysostom
  • “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. And the surest way to rise is to learn to humble ourselves.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
  • “Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking less about ourselves.” – St. Therese of Lisieux

33. The life of a knight is like the rich young man who came to Jesus to ask: Master, what must I do, to inherit the kingdom? Since loyalty and allegiance to Jesus Christ is one of our core values, we too, like the rich young ruler must always IN HUMILITY ask him: what must I do?
34. That means that we must always seek direction for our programmes from him, otherwise we may keep so busy with activities without really doing his will or doing it rightly. We must always put our gaze on Christ and always come to him and ask humbly.
35. Jesus commanded him, “Go sell what you have and give the money to the poor.” Then come follow me.
36. In the twist of event, we are told that the rich young ruler walked away sad because, though he asked, though he kept the commandments, his religiousity did not rub on the life of the people around him.
37. The rich young man may be more like a knight … he was a noble man. A man of means, a man of high social status. We must be weary not to allow our lives and ministry take this pattern.
38. When we take decisions as a body, and in our personal lives…who inspires and guides us?
39. Our handbook again says that the members serve the Church and humanity through their Treasure, Talent and Time.
40. This underscores service and charity!!!
41. That is where we need to visit the centurion who came to Jesus in Luke 7:1-10
42. In this passage, a centurion approached Jesus and asked Him to heal his servant. These were his words:
43. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” (Matthew 8:8-9, Luke 7:6-8)
44. We must not miss these facts: Though he was a man of great means, he was rich and powerful, YET, HE WAS A COMPASSIONATE MAN!!! CUM- PASSIO… MERCIFUL; Rather than oppress and extort, he interceded and sought for the well-being for those under him.  The beneficiary of his benevolent intercession was not his son, daughter, wife or any family member, BUT HIS SERVANT. One whom he presumably already paid her wages, and was therefore not legally indebted to. YET…
45. Jesus is impressed by the centurion’s faith and heals his servant without even visiting him.
46. We must demonstrate compassion and concern for those under our care, those in need, especially the sick, the poor, and the oppressed.
47. How do we treat human beings, especially those under our custody???
48. THIS IS VERY KEY. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT for us as a body and as individuals. CHARITY, MERCY, COMPASSION.
49. Some saints of the Church have this to say about mercy:

• • Augustine of Hippo
    “Mercy is not only a virtue, but the very essence of virtue.” (De Civitate Dei, Book IX, Chapter 5)

• • Thomas Aquinas
    “Mercy is a certain kind of compassion, which is shown to those who are suffering, and is accompanied by a desire to relieve their suffering.” (Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 30, a. 1)

• • Teresa of Calcutta
    “Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” (A Gift for God)

• • John Chrysostom
    “The Church’s mercy is not limited to the forgiveness of sins, but extends to the relief of bodily needs.” (Homily on Matthew 25:31-46)

• • Vincent de Paul
    “Charity is the cement which unites the soul to God; it is the chain of gold which binds the heart to the divine will.” (Letter to the Sisters of Charity)

50. Here we have seen 2 types of nobles here. Both have the sense of the sacred; … both came to Jesus. One was okay because he had charity, compassion and mercy!!!  The centurion was preferred to the rich young ruler who could not bear the thought of parting with his wealth! He loved God, but he was not convinced enough that the God who has been so gracious to him is the Father of the underprivileged ones around him.
51. The young man’s wealth had become an idol, and that he was more attached to his riches than to following God through applying his treasure, time and talent for the underprivileged. As a result, Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).
52. The rich young ruler sought God, looking upwards, but Jesus taught him that one cannot truly see God above without seeing Him in his fellow human beings, as expressed in the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), where Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).That is why the cross, the altar of salvation … points both upwards and sideways.

53. Detachment is indeed a crucial aspect of the Christian life. It’s a fundamental principle that allows us to grow in holiness and deepen our relationship with God.
54. It is the willingness to let go of attachments to worldly things, desires, and ego.
55. It’s a spiritual practice that helps put God first above all else; treat human beings as creatures made in God’s image; and treat things as objects; not the other way round. As Pope Francis writes in Laudato Si’, “There can be no ecology without an adequate anthropology. When the human person is considered as simply one being among others, the product of chance or physical determinism, then ‘our overall sense of responsibility begins to fade'” (Laudato Si’, 118).
56. This spiritual practice recognises the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, created in God’s image. As the Bible teaches, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
57. By prioritising relationships with God and with others, this spiritual practice encourages a shift in focus away from materialism and towards a more balanced and sustainable way of living. As Jesus teaches, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). It helps us surrender to God’s will in loving trust.
58. Detachment helps us recognise our limitations and dependence on God, leading to greater humility and better service.

59. Conclusion:

As Knights of the Church, we are called to embark on a journey of detachment, humility, and service. We must recognise that our charism, our gifts, and our talents are not ends in themselves, but means to an end – the glorification of God and the service of humanity.

Let us not be like the rich young ruler, who allowed his wealth and status to become idols that separated him from God. Instead, let us be like the centurion, who demonstrated compassion, mercy, and humility, and was rewarded with the healing of his servant.

As we strive to live out our faith in concrete actions, let us remember that detachment is not a one-time event, but a continuous process; a way of life. It requires us to constantly examine our motivations, our desires, and our actions, and to surrender them to God’s will.

In the words of St. Augustine, ‘Mercy is not only a virtue, but the very essence of virtue.’ Let us, as Knights of St. Mulumba, embody this spirit of mercy, compassion, and service, and may our lives be a reflection of God’s love and glory. Amen.

 60. Questions for Discussion

a. What are the major challenges to being a “good knight” in today’s world, and how can we strive to overcome them?
b. In what ways can we cultivate humility and detachment in our lives, and how can these virtues help us to become more effective instruments of God’s love and mercy?
c. What are some practical  ways that we can demonstrate compassion and concern for those in need, especially the sick, the poor, and the oppressed?
d. How can we, as a community of Knights, support and encourage one another in our journey towards holiness?