Maoni yangu binafsi juu ya masuala mbalimbali yanayoendelea duniani

Maoni yangu binafsi juu ya masuala mbalimbali yanayoendelea duniani

Chadema wamepaniki sasa povu linawatiririka
PSX_20240113_132603.jpg
 
Evening Reflection (QT)

Introduction.

Today’s reading concludes the first chapter.

The apostle Paul informs the Corinthians about his change in travel plans and commends them for standing firm in the faith.

Reflection


Paul had intended to visit Corinth on his way to Macedonia and again on his way back (see 1 Corinthians 16:1-7).

It appears that he is being accused of vacillating in this regard.

What reason does he give for his change in plans (verses 23, 24)? Reread verse 20.

What is your understanding of Paul’s statement that Jesus “is the ‘Yes’ to all of God’s promises”?

Pray


Lord God, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit; with your Spirit in my heart I have the assurance that I belong to you in union with Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:12-24

2Corinthians 1:12

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with the simplicity and sincerity of God, [and] not by human wisdom but by the grace of God.

2Corinthians 1:13

For we write you nothing but what you can read and understand, and I hope that you will understand completely,

2Corinthians 1:14

as you have come to understand us partially, that we are your boast as you also are ours, on the day of [our] Lord Jesus.

2Corinthians 1:15

With this confidence I formerly intended to come to you so that you might receive a double favor,

2Corinthians 1:16

namely, to go by way of you to Macedonia, and then to come to you again on my return from Macedonia, and have you send me on my way to Judea.

2Corinthians 1:17

So when I intended this, did I act lightly? Or do I make my plans according to human considerations, so that with me it is “yes, yes” and “no, no”?

2Corinthians 1:18

As God is faithful, our word to you is not “yes” and “no.”

2Corinthians 1:19

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not “yes” and “no,” but “yes” has been in him.

2Corinthians 1:20

For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.

2Corinthians 1:21

But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God;

2Corinthians 1:22

he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

2Corinthians 1:23

But I call upon God as witness, on my life, that it is to spare you that I have not yet gone to Corinth.

2Corinthians 1:24

Not that we lord it over your faith; rather, we work together for your joy, for you stand firm in the faith.

- Sent from BitBible English App
bit.ly

BitBible (Lockscreen, English) - Apps on Google Play

The easiest way to read Bible, Download 'BitBible', now!
bit.ly bit.ly
 
Evening Prayer.

Heavenly Father, I pray for your guidance as I go to sleep tonight.

I ask that you would lead me on the path that you have set before me, and that I would be able to hear your voice and follow your direction.

I pray that you would give me wisdom and insight as I make decisions about my life, and that I would be able to discern your will.

I trust in your guidance and provision, and I pray that I would be able to follow your lead as I sleep tonight.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verses to Read:

Psalms 34:7

This poor one cried out and the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.

Psalms 34:8

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he saves them.

- Sent from BitBible English App
bit.ly

BitBible (Lockscreen, English) - Apps on Google Play

The easiest way to read Bible, Download 'BitBible', now!
bit.ly bit.ly
 
𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 $𝟴𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

* Tech giant SAP accused of bribing Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) officials in 2014/15 to win a tender

* Ex-TPA boss Madeni Kipande and 5 other port officials were charged at a Dar es Salaam court with economic sabotage over the deal in 2022

* SAP will pay $222 million to Wall Street's top regulator to settle bribery investigations in seven countries, including Tanzania

January 14, 2024

𝑩𝒚 𝑻𝑩𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓
Dar es Salaam

German software giant SAP has agreed to pay about $222 million to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to resolve investigations into bribery schemes in seven countries, including Tanzania.

The violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) arise out of bribery deals against the global software company in South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan.

SAP's payout includes a $118.8 million criminal fine and $103.4 million of forfeiture, the U.S. Justice Department said.

In a statement, SAP said it welcomed the settlements.

The company "has accepted responsibility for corrupt practices that hurt honest businesses engaging in global commerce," U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber in the Eastern District of Virginia said in a statement.

Authorities said the alleged bribery schemes spanned from 2013 to 2022, and involved falsifying SAP's books and records so the bribes would appear to be legitimate business expenses.

The Tanzanian bribery allegations are linked to a 2014/15 enterprise resource planning (ERP) software tender worth over $6.635 million that involved the provision of software licences and services to the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

An anonymous whistleblower claims that senior TPA officials were paid $800,000 bribes (about TZS 2 billion) to award the tender to a partner company of the German software firm.

The TPA tender was awarded to Zimbabwe-registered Twenty Third Century Systems (TTCS), which is the partner of the German tech company SAP across Africa and the Middle East.

The Tanzanian kickbacks were paid in cash stuffed in suitcases to TPA officials in two installments.

TPA officials initially received $100,000 prior to the tender award and the remaining $700,000 was paid after the tender was awarded.

A top former TPA official is alleged to have met with a representative of SAP/TTCS at the Southern Sun Hotel in Dar es Salaam where they colluded to create the draft tender document to ensure that only the SAP/TTCS bid could meet the technical requirements, thereby effectively eliminating competitors.

TPA eventually awarded the tender to TTCS although several other companies submitted bids that were much cheaper.

In 2022, former TPA Managing Director Madeni Kipande and 5 other senior officials of the ports authority were charged with economic sabotage and causing a loss of TZS 4.2 billion to TPA over the tender.

Other former TPA officials facing criminal charges in the ongoing case are human resource officer Peter Gawile, procurement board chairman Casmily Lujegi, procurement director Mashaka Kisanta and acting ICT director Kilian Chale.

Prosecutors said the former TPA officials abused public office by issuing tender number AE/016/2014-15/CTB/G/39 in 2015 with the intention of soliciting bribes worth $1,857,908.04.

A special value for money audit conducted by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) uncovered that TPA awarded the contract to TTCS in October 2015 for supply, installation, testing and commissioning of an ICT system for the ports authority.

TTCS was supposed to complete implementation of the ICT installation project within 9 months, but failed to deliver, forcing TPA to terminate the contract in March 2019.
By the time the contract was terminated, TPA had already paid TTCS more than $4.63 million although the company had failed to deliver the required ICT system.

The government audit also uncovered that TTCS grossly overcharged TPA for annual software license fees.

TPA paid $404,029.03 in annual software licence fees, while government auditors established that the ports authority was actually required to pay $190,643.70 in annual fees.

In another bizarre move, in September 2019 TPA paid the same German company SAP a total of $433,011, to review the work done by its partner TTCS.

TPA also awarded another contract worth $997,647 to SAP for unspecified services.

The review revealed that TTCS had only installed 7 modules out of a total of 26 modules required to complete the ICT system.

The government audit established that TPA awarded various contracts to TTCS and SAP, contrary to procedure, without consulting the e-Government Authority nor the Attorney General's Office.

It could not be immediately established if Tanzania will receive any share of the $222 million fines paid by SAP to U.S. authorities.
 
Tue, Jan 16, 2024
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I - 1 Sm 16:1-13

The LORD said to Samuel:

“How long will you grieve for Saul,

whom I have rejected as king of Israel?

Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.

I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,

for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”

But Samuel replied:

“How can I go?

Saul will hear of it and kill me.”

To this the LORD answered:

“Take a heifer along and say,

‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I myself will tell you what to do;

you are to anoint for me the one I point out to you.”


Samuel did as the LORD had commanded him.

When he entered Bethlehem,

the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and inquired,

“Is your visit peaceful, O seer?”

He replied:

“Yes! I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.

So cleanse yourselves and join me today for the banquet.”

He also had Jesse and his sons cleanse themselves

and invited them to the sacrifice.

As they came, he looked at Eliab and thought,

“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”

But the LORD said to Samuel:

“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,

because I have rejected him.

Not as man sees does God see,

because he sees the appearance

but the LORD looks into the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him before Samuel,

who said, “The LORD has not chosen him.”

Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said,

“The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,

but Samuel said to Jesse,

“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”

Then Samuel asked Jesse,

“Are these all the sons you have?”

Jesse replied,

“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said to Jesse,

“Send for him;

we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”

Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.

He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold

and making a splendid appearance.

The LORD said,

“There–anoint him, for this is he!”

Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,

anointed him in the midst of his brothers;

and from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

When Samuel took his leave, he went to Ramah.


Responsorial Psalm - 89:20, 21-22, 27-28

R. (21a) I have found David, my servant.

Once you spoke in a vision,

and to your faithful ones you said:

“On a champion I have placed a crown;

over the people I have set a youth.”

R. I have found David, my servant.

“I have found David, my servant;

with my holy oil I have anointed him,

That my hand may be always with him,

and that my arm may make him strong.”

R. I have found David, my servant.

“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,

my God, the Rock, my savior.’

And I will make him the first-born,

highest of the kings of the earth.”

R. I have found David, my servant.


Alleluia - See Eph 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

enlighten the eyes of our hearts,

that we may know what is the hope

that belongs to our call.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel - Mk 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,

his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him,

“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

He said to them,

“Have you never read what David did

when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest

and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat,

and shared it with his companions?”

Then he said to them,

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”


via Daily Mass Readings App: Catholic Daily Mass Readings - - Apps on Google Play
 
Wed, Jan 17, 2024
Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

Reading 1 - 1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51

David spoke to Saul:
"Let your majesty not lose courage.
I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine."
But Saul answered David,
"You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him,
for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth."

David continued:
"The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear,
will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine."
Saul answered David, "Go! the LORD will be with you."

Then, staff in hand, David selected five smooth stones from the wadi
and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's bag.
With his sling also ready to hand, he approached the Philistine.

With his shield bearer marching before him,
the Philistine also advanced closer and closer to David.
When he had sized David up,
and seen that he was youthful, and ruddy, and handsome in appearance,
the Philistine held David in contempt.
The Philistine said to David,
"Am I a dog that you come against me with a staff?"
Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods
and said to him, "Come here to me,
and I will leave your flesh for the birds of the air
and the beasts of the field."
David answered him:
"You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar,
but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted.
Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand;
I will strike you down and cut off your head.
This very day I will leave your corpse
and the corpses of the Philistine army for the birds of the air
and the beasts of the field;
thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God.
All this multitude, too,
shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves.
For the battle is the LORD's and he shall deliver you into our hands."

The Philistine then moved to meet David at close quarters,
while David ran quickly toward the battle line
in the direction of the Philistine.
David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone,
hurled it with the sling,
and struck the Philistine on the forehead.
The stone embedded itself in his brow,
and he fell prostrate on the ground.
Thus David overcame the Philistine with sling and stone;
he struck the Philistine mortally, and did it without a sword.
Then David ran and stood over him;
with the Philistine's own sword which he drew from its sheath
he dispatched him and cut off his head.



Responsorial Psalm - Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10

R. (1) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My refuge and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!



Alleluia - See Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.



Gospel - Mk 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue.
There was a man there who had a withered hand.
They watched Jesus closely
to see if he would cure him on the sabbath
so that they might accuse him.
He said to the man with the withered hand,
"Come up here before us."
Then he said to the Pharisees,
"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?"
But they remained silent.
Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart,
Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."
He stretched it out and his hand was restored.
The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel
with the Herodians against him to put him to death.



via Daily Mass Readings App: Catholic Daily Mass Readings - - Apps on Google Play
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Community

Regional Communities

Back
Top Bottom
Menu
Forums
New posts
Log in
Register