Bishop calls for introspection during Lent

Bishop Malzaire. File photo

Bishop of Roseau, His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire has said that the spirit of lent is to help us to introspect – to look at ourselves, our dispositions and relationships with God and people.

He said there is an approach that should be followed during the Lenten season.

“There is the three-pronged approach that the church takes of course, endorsed by the scriptures of prayer, fasting and thanksgiving,” Bishop Malzaire said.

“[This is the] three-pronged method to help us achieve the goal that we want to until Easter. These are meant to help us to come to learn how best to control ourselves, to control our intentions and to do good in the world that we may grow in grace,” he stated

The Bishop said lent is a spiritual moment for the soul, body and the community, experiencing and recognizing how our sins are destructive and dealing with the negatives in us so that we can live a positive life.

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22 Comments

  1. Karl Orndem
    March 11, 2019

    My dear Bishop, we do not observe lent here. We are not no longer a christian nation sadly. From ash wednesday, all sewo and public partying should stop. It is not yet even a week and we still have Malkassay, Wet Fete and how much other big jams going on like we do not care about our spirituality. We bypasses Xmas and wend straight into carnival mode. more and more we show less reverence to the church and religion. it seems like fete should be the new church and religion really.

  2. March 10, 2019

    “If there was a message you Elizabeth has got us confused and baffled.”

    @Viewsexpreesed as per your comment below and that statement above, I expect no reaction from you. You have acknowledged what is true about your; which is, pertaining to the God Spirit, in Love, Holiness, and Truth you all are “confused and baffled”

    The apostle Paul said it, to confirm your claim above: “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are “spiritually discerned”.

    You see my friend, your church teaches the natural (meaning physical and materialized) which keeps your mind absent from the teaching of the God of Spirit; so the apostle Paul teaches about the mind like yours “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be”

    My friend, God is Spirit and He wants us in a “spiritual bond” with Him, by our faith, not good works

  3. viewsexpressed
    March 9, 2019

    Elizabeth, you`re telling me that you as a spiritual person, goes to church, put pen and wrote this nonsense. “But the Catholic Church, itself, has no understanding that God is for all 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. They are busy doing works, and not putting faith into action, through all of their once-a-year rituals…” This statement of yours is deceiving, anti faith, poor in concept and to create and promote some level of indecency within people with different faiths. That statement is not going to get you, me, Fet and others anywhere. No one is gong to die, get sick because of a word “Lent”, “Funeral” or “faith”, or “Holy Communion” etc. Let`s enjoy diversity, enjoy one who practice faith is not gonna die early at 24 or 35 because of this. That is why I`m missing the point of action that you and Fet are promoting. I`m a proud catholic & Christian and I converse with everyone wherever and however they worship. Use you energy to guide our youths…

    • March 11, 2019

      @Viewsexpress, you are so carnal, it is just impossible to discuss the things about God with you because they are spiritually discerned; you cannot receive them because they are foolishness to you, just as you have claimed in all of your comments against mine

  4. viewsexpressed
    March 9, 2019

    “Bible versus about Lent. My friends, the time of lent developed as part of the historical Christians calendar and is typically celebrated by Catholics and some mainline Protestant Churches that follow a liturgical calendar. Although it`s format has varied throughout the centuries and throughout different cultures, the basic concept remains the same, to open our hearts to God`s refining grace through prayer, confession, fasting, and almsgiving (give the poor) as we anticipate Holy Week.
    Scriptures will help us focus on repentance and reflection during the season of Lent. My friends, use this time to grow in your faith as you think upon all that Jesus Christ has done for us.
    Fet, Elizabeth, hope this helps you to help others to reflect on Jesus and God at anytime, and at any religious day. I am committed Catholic and I welcome and chat with Rasta, 7th Day, Pentecostal, Berean Bible Church, etc. Lets not waste precious time on this matter that we all know. No condemnation please…

  5. Giuvelma
    March 9, 2019

    True words Bishop. However you have not said all. John The Baptist was beheaded for calling evil evil. I am not calling for you to be beheaded however will you call out our political leaders for the evil they are? Will you expose the corruption of the labor government? Will you use the pulpit to say to your congregation that there is an evil spirit over Dominica? Will you tell the God fearing members of your congregation and Dominica on a whole that they need to disassociate themselves from the corrupt labor government and allow Dominica to breathe? If you fail to call evil evil you will have failed in your duty to your followers. Remember, “The only tubing needed for evil/corruption/ungodliness/sin to flourish is for supposedly good men to remain quiet. Don’t be one if the quiet ones!!!!!!

  6. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    March 7, 2019

    Malzaire, all of that hogwash is your philosophy, it is  based, on your Roman Catholicism paganism doctrines! 

     ​There is no place in the Bible where the word lent is found; there is no place in the Bible: the Protestants Bible, the King James version of the Bible, nor the (your Roman Catholic Bible) which is the same as the Protestant Bible, except the Roman  bible lags behind in verses, where Jesus told any of his disciples to burn chalk-coal and plaster it on people forehead!

     There is nothing you can say in this life to make one  believe that God has anything do with that!

    You should be ashamed a Black man to continue  spreading the false doctrines of a barbaric religion which condoned slavery and the brutality of our people, which includes the raping of Black women for more than four hundred years until the emancipation slavery! 

     The only celebration Jesus ordered is ” break bread eat and drink wine; and he said do this in remembrance of him!”

    • Dominica
      March 8, 2019

      Why so much hate for the Catholic church. We are aware that lent is not mentioned in the Bible but it is a reminder of what Jesus did for 40 days before his crucifixion, we are journeying with the lord, tempted just like he was. There is no where in the Bible that says First Lady of the Church or church camp etc, like the Protestants say or the loud/SHOUTING preaching that comes from these pastors. Mathew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
      are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and
      in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
      Hycpocrites

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        March 9, 2019

        If you are aware that lent is not in the Bible, it  does not have anything to do with  God Jehovah or Jesus Christ; it must be from the “god” of this earth Satan.

        Hence, the teacher of this false religious doctrines must be rebuked! 

        Anything that cannot be reference in the Bible is simply the philosophy of man, any teaching in regards to the worshiping of God must come from the word of God out of the Bible; anything else is false, and must be rejected, no matter how impressive the sweet sounding words may seem.

         These rituals have nothing to with the worshiping of God; and that is one of the reasons Jesus said ” in vane they worship me.”

        Do not  accept the garbage these Roman Catholic tools of Satan preach, get you a Bible and read it for yourself ask God to revel his words to your heart (Spirit) and mind, he will to allow you to identify nonsense when it is preached to you!

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        March 9, 2019

        So called Dominica, it is because of your ignorance of the existence of God and his written words which makes you see my opinions based on the word of God as hate!

        If you had any true knowledge of God and his written words, you would also condemned the garbage that Malzaire speaks.

        In the first place according to the word of God not religion; he is not even a bishop!

        Why?

        Because God said in Timothy 3: 2-5.

        A bishop then must be  blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach:

        3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous:

        4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.

        5.  For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

        That is God requirement!

        Where are Malzaire wife, and children?

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        March 10, 2019

        Viewsexpressed!

        You are into Roman Catholicism, you perhaps do not even have a Bible, hence you believe what Malzaire, and his so called priests say.

        There lies the danger, because if you are unable to read and understand God word for yourself, in the end you will find yourself into the pit of hell.

        If I read something  you wrote that is a fallacy, I will  point out the fallacy: Malzaire said one should grow in grace.

        That is false philosophical garbage!

        There is no place in the Bible where God said to grow in Grace; so why profess whereas it is not in the Bible.

        My friend no one is an authority on the word of God, if you or Malzaire can show me a scripture proving me wrong, I will apologize.

        I have not taken anything too far, I simply spoke truth; which I know hurts!

        “For as many believed on him to them gave he the power to become the Son’s of God.”

        No one man fallacies! 

    • viewsexpressed
      March 9, 2019

      I think Francisco is going a bit too far now. If you wish to be an advocate, a critic, then I am with you , which I have been reading your commentaries for years. Do not begin to spoil it, that and we take you personal rather than an academic and one who is well read, versed and objective. That comment comes across as too personal and vengeful. This is the Bishop who represents thousands of Dominicans and they listen to him, but obviously we have that right to differ, but not get personal. The Bishop is head of the Catholic Church in Domininca and that carries some level of decorum, respect etc.. but he is not immune to critics and being challenges on matters of religion and politics etc. Fet, i read your commentaries with passion and look forward to it, please do not hit below the belt, keep it up there. we have enough of Skerrit and his failed corrupt Labour government to get rid of, that we must not be distracted on the mission and tasks ahead. We need you & your advice on board.

  7. Bishop
    March 7, 2019

    Bishop
    You need to fix the roof on the Cathedral after all its been a long time
    Your words fall on deaf ears Your tenure has ran aloof
    It is Time you go in to seclusion ……

  8. viewsexpressed
    March 7, 2019

    Bishop Malzaire has said that: “These are meant to help us to come to learn how best to control ourselves, to control our intentions and to do good in the world that we may grow in grace,” he stated”.
    Thank you Bishop Malzaire for this message, which is easy and clear for anyone to read. We, as church, Catholic Christians must be alert and show some compassion to those who are weak and unable to get out and about due to some level of disability. We also recognise other Christian faiths, non Christians, and Rasta, and those who decide not to be part of any Religion, faith. There is so much happening that we have in common that we pray together with everyone that we have peace, stability, decency, protection of our children. We must advocate strongly for good families, good mothers, good fathers, good parents and that pro active extended family. God`s Guidance and Blessings to all. Blessings, strength and support to all Bishops, our Priests, Pastors, Lay Ministers and volunteers…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      March 8, 2019

       In Proverbs 3:34 it is written.

      Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

      In Ephesians 2:8-9 we read God words where it said:

      ” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself: it is the gift  of God (9) Not  of works, lest any man should boast.

      In Hebrews 2:9 we read “But  we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angeles for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of    God should taste death for every man.”

      But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).So you see people like that man so called false bishop, talks nonsense, and if one does not know what thus saith the Lord, will will take his nonsensical rubbish,   and and down in hell with it.

      Malzaire show me a Scripture in the Bible where God said grow in grace!

      Man stop your nonsense!

      Preach Jesus!

      • viewsexpressed
        March 9, 2019

        I am really confused where Fet is going with this, as a matter fact where he came from with it?
        What is the point?

      • March 9, 2019

        Malzaire show me a Scripture in the Bible where God said “grow in grace”!–Telemaque

        Man, you are so foolish! You quoted Ephesians 2: 8-9 but you do not understand what it means; otherwise, you would not make that fool of yourself in that above quote

        As Christians, our goal is to grow in the Grace of God, that is the Primary theme of the “New Testament”.

        It means that we must grow in the Spirit, Love, the Primary stature of God–the Life of our soul. This can only happen by our faith, not works–such as the observance of Ash Wednesday and that 40 days observance called Lent.

        The Grace of God is His blessings of Life, is His free gift to us, not because we do any kind of good works. That is what you quoted from Ephesians 2, @verses 8-9, but you don’t understand it

        Stop pretending that you know God and His Word because you don’t. There are people out there who are shaking their head against your foolishness; I am one of them

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        March 10, 2019

        Viewsespressed; don’t try to be ignorant!

        Even a blind nice who spent one day in kindergarten would understand that Malzaire, your so called bishop told you lent is to make you “grow in grace.”

        Well, when someone like me read something like that; my duty is to go into God’s and search the scriptures to see if  what the person wrote can be verified!

        That I’ve done!

        Where am going with that is what I presented are written in the scriptures, I have not found any place in the New Testament where God said to “grow in grace.”

        I went into the old Testament where I quoted Geneses: Not written there!

        All I did is prove that Malzaire is teaching false doctrines, if God did not  say something and a preacher professes something that it is not in the bible; it must be a lie, and false teachings!

        As for Elizabeth she lie on God everyday playing preacher.

        People like her, and this so called bishop are tools of Satan!

  9. Bob
    March 7, 2019

    Preach that to the money controllers

  10. March 7, 2019

    For me, and I’m sure many others, introspection is an on-going, day to day, year-round thing. It is not something we do to order once a year.

    • March 9, 2019

      @ Roger Burnett, if people could come to terms with that statement of the bishop, that “Lent is a spiritual moment for the soul, body and the community, experiencing and recognizing how our sins are destructive and dealing with the negatives in us so that we can live a positive life”, they would also embrace your idea above, that those observances or practices, are not simply once-a-year routines.

      But the Catholic Church, itself, has no understanding that God is for all 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. They are busy doing works, and not putting faith into action, through all of their once-a-year rituals; but God calls their practices a sort of human doctrines and commandments, which He wants nothing to do with; n that He says they are worshipping Him in vain.

      For Salvation comes by God’s Grace (His blessings mercy and compassion in Love) through the faith of mankind, it is not of works, lest anyone should boast.

      • viewsexpressed
        March 9, 2019

        “They are busy doing works, and not putting faith into action, through all of their once-a-year rituals;”. Elizabeth, can you please read your statement above again and please try to better analyse it that we follow your concept and not, never attempt to analyse someone else`s words with some level of hate, venom etc. You, it is not Jesus or God, but we still have this religion of superiority and that the catholic faith is questionable. I have met people of all faiths even those who are not religiousness and one can debate the versus etc with humanity and concern. that i is what is expected of you and Fet to be compassion in your thoughts and words, its like getting at thi person. Please stop this because you are displaying hate and attacking someone else’s religion, place of faith. If there was a message you Elizabeth ad Fet has got us confused and baffled. Lets address our points of views with respect, faith, decency, Godly in Jesus` name . Amen. Gods Guidance and Blessings. Be…

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