by Sr. Sheila Devane,MMM                               Ireland                                        07.01.2026

I have heard many sermons- maybe too many? I only remember a few. Those I do recall were built around stories. The story carries the message. Let me tell you of one sermon I remember and which I use from time to time in my own life when things have gone off kilter and become unbalanced – again!

The priest was Ugandan preaching in Swahili in Tanzania to a local audience. The people there often asked: “Who is saying the evening mass in Ulenga Parish?” When it was Fr. Rudi the community of Christians, of whatever denomination, tried to attend as his sermons were so practical. He was a storyteller, and it was clear that, like Jesus, he was telling a story not narrating an historical fact in every single detail. The gospel that evening talked of hypocrisy and pretense so we knew Fr. Rudi would not disappoint. He did not!

A couple living around Lake Victoria in Uganda went on a date one sweltering day; it was a great area for fishing, so they duly called into a local shack to buy themselves fish and tasty chips made from plantain for the picnic they planned. They walked around the lake admiring the scenery and eventually found some beautiful rocks to sit down on and enjoy their food. Pauline gracefully carried the load on her head wrapped in her colourful cloth which hopefully kept the food fresh in the tropical heat. They were so hungry and thankfully too they had brought along sodas to quench their thirst!

To their utter shock when they opened the inner parcel carefully wrapped in newspaper, they found money – all the poor fishmonger’s takings in notes and many coins. No wonder the load felt so heavy for Pauline. What to do? They were really starving and although they were surrounded by fish swimming in the lake, not one was ready to be eaten! Charles thought for a few minutes and then they decided they would head back to the fishmonger before dusk with his money – far, far more than they had paid and return it all to him. Certainly, a noble, just, and honorable thought. Back they both trekked and this time the journey was far less pleasant as they were tired, hungry, hot, and fed up with themselves and the load felt even heavier.

The fishmonger having missed his day’s earnings, was totally bereft and in a state of despair when the pair arrived to return his money – and get some fish and chips for themselves! He was stunned beyond belief at their justice and kindness and called out aloud in prayer and praise of this couple. He jumped up and down, danced enthusiastically, threw himself on the floor and all in all had the best few moments of his life to the surprise and glee of everyone in sight! He immediately asked to take a picture of the couple as he needed to advertise this act of honesty to customers at his shack, in his local church and anywhere he could. He spoke of this being the true example of honesty he and his fellow workers needed in their little businesses as they were so often ripped off.

Pauline and Charles refused any photograph. He insisted; they refused, and back and forth they went like this for a while. The fishmonger could not understand why on earth they would not want the praise they deserved for their good deed nor why they were refusing him to spread this first-class example of proper Christian behavior. They were adamant and it ended there.

Pauline was married to another man, and Charles to another women. They were hiding and cheating.  Publicity was the last thing they needed.  Fr. Rudi invited us to look at the areas of contradiction and thus cheating in our own lives.  I am trying.  I remember. Amen.