Question 1
Q: Has Baba Simeo Melkio Ondeto resurrected?
A: Yes. Baba Simeo, the Messiah, truly rose from the dead and returned in
His physical body to visit His faithful. On the 15th of September, at half past
eight in the evening, Bishop Aruga personally witnessed Him seated behind His
grass-thatched house, dressed in a green cassock with white stripes. This event
is not merely a spiritual vision but a physical resurrection where the Messiah
manifested Himself to His chosen witnesses. It confirms the central doctrine of
Legion Maria that Baba Simeo is alive, that death could not hold Him, and that
He remains the living leader of His people, capable of appearing to us in the
flesh to guide and teach us.
Question 2
Q: What was the significance of the "glorious and dazzling radiance" surrounding the Messiah?
A: When Bishop Aruga returned to the Messiah, he found Him enveloped in a
light so intense that no one could look directly at Him for long. This
brilliance indicates that His resurrected body had been transformed into a
glorious, heavenly state. Even faithful followers like Cardinal Lawrence
Chiaji, Mbalo, and Oyier had to kneel or look away because the radiance was so
overwhelming. This reveals the divine majesty of the risen Messiah, showing us
that although He appears in a physical body, He is filled with the
unapproachable light of God, demanding our deepest reverence and awe as we
stand in His presence.
Question 3
Q: Why is the command to honor Romanus Ong'ombe important for the Legion?
A: The Messiah explicitly declared to Cardinal Lawrence Chiaji, "I have
entrusted with the leadership of this Legion" to Ong'ombe. He further
stated that He had made a covenant with him and warned the faithful not to
"disrespect or dishonor him." This command is vital because it
establishes the divine authority of the leadership structure within the Legion
Maria. It teaches believers that unity and obedience to the appointed leader
are not merely human choices but spiritual requirements tied to the Messiah’s
own covenant. By honoring Ong'ombe, we honor the Messiah who placed him in that
position, ensuring the stability and holiness of the church.
Question 4
Q: How did the Messiah explain why His followers should not touch Him?
A: When the people and Gombe desired to touch or come near Him, the Messiah
strictly forbade it, saying, "I do not want anyone to touch me" and
"do not touch me. I no longer possess the same body that you once
touched." He explained that He was returning to His Father and that His
body had transitioned to a new state. This teaches us that the resurrected body
of the Messiah is sacred and transformed, distinct from the mortal body He had
before His death. It reminds us that while He is physically present to teach
us, He is also in the process of ascending to the heavenly realm, requiring us
to approach Him with holy distance and respect.
Question 5
Q: What occurred at the gravesite at nine o'clock in the evening?
A: After disappearing from the first location, the Messiah appeared again at
His gravesite. A great multitude gathered, and some were so eager to see Him
that they climbed trees to catch a glimpse, while others stood at a distance
just to hear His voice. The Messiah stood openly among them and taught for many
minutes. This public appearance at the site of His burial serves as a powerful
testament to His resurrection. It allowed the faithful to witness Him alive
where they had expected only a grave, confirming His victory over death before
a massive crowd of witnesses.
Question 6
Q: How did some people mistakenly interpret the Messiah’s voice at the gravesite?
A: Because the crowd was so large and the people could not see Him clearly
through the mass of others, some thought that it was merely the Holy Spirit
speaking in the Messiah's voice through another person. This detail highlights
the confusion that can occur when human understanding tries to grasp the
mystery of the resurrection. However, the text clarifies that He stood openly
among them. It serves as a reminder to believers to look closely and listen
with faith, so we may recognize the true, physical presence of the Messiah
rather than relying on limited human perceptions.
Question 7
Q: What promise did the Messiah make regarding the destination of His followers?
A: As He prepared to depart, the Messiah spoke to Gombe and those gathered,
saying, "I am returning to My Father and your Father, and to the place
where you also shall come in due time." This is a comforting promise for
all members of the Legion Maria. It assures us that the Messiah’s departure is
not a final abandonment but a journey to the Father’s house, where He has
prepared a place for His faithful followers. It teaches us that our ultimate
goal is to follow Him into that same heavenly presence in due time, through our
faith and perseverance.
Question 8
Q: Describe the events surrounding the Messiah’s final departure.
A: As the Messiah finished His farewell, something like a flash of lightning
descended from the heavens, and a cloud appeared above Him. Then, before the
eyes of the witnesses, He was taken up, and the cloud received Him and hid Him
from their sight. This miraculous ascension, marked by heavenly signs,
signifies the conclusion of His post-resurrection ministry on earth. It is the
final, undeniable proof of His divinity and His return to the glory of the
Father, leaving the witnesses with the profound reality of what they had seen
and heard.
Question 9
Q: What does this text teach about Bishop Aruga’s role in the resurrection event?
A: Bishop Aruga serves as the primary witness and messenger in this
narrative. He was the first to encounter the risen Messiah, and he immediately
obeyed the command to summon the leadership, including Pope Timotheo and
Romanus Ong'ombe. By his own testimony, "I have seen Him with my own eyes
and spoken with Him," Aruga anchors the event in reality. His role shows
us the importance of being alert and obedient servants of the Messiah, ready to
spread the news of His presence and lead others to encounter Him.
Question 10
Q: Why was it necessary for Cardinal Lawrence Chiaji to kneel before the Messiah?
A: Cardinal Lawrence Chiaji, upon finding the Messiah, immediately knelt
before Him and remained there, unable to raise his eyes because of the
"overwhelming brightness" of the Messiah's glory. This posture of
kneeling is a natural, holy reaction to the presence of the risen Lord. It
demonstrates the proper response of a believer—humility, adoration, and
submission. By kneeling, Chiaji acknowledged the Messiah’s supreme authority,
providing a model for us on how to conduct ourselves when we find ourselves in
the holy presence of the living God.
Question 11
Q: What is the significance of the Messiah wanting to speak with Ong'ombe later?
A: When Bishop Aruga informed the Messiah that Ong'ombe had not yet arrived,
the Messiah responded, "Very well. I shall speak with him later."
This reveals that the Messiah’s resurrection appearances were purposeful and
governed by His own schedule and divine will. He did not let the crowd or His
followers dictate His actions. It teaches us that the Messiah is in control of
His mission and His interactions, and that we must wait patiently for His
timing, knowing that He will accomplish His work in the way He intends.
Question 12
Q: What were the emotions of the people after the Messiah's appearance?
A: The the people had rejoiced greatly at his appearance. The return of
their Baba Messiah turned their initial surprise and potential fear into
overwhelming joy. This joy is a fruit of the resurrection; it confirms that
when we truly encounter the risen Lord, our sadness is replaced by celebration.
The gathering’s reaction underscores that the Messiah is the source of their
happiness and the center of their community life, making His physical presence
the greatest treasure they could ever receive.
Question 13
Q: Why were Mbalo and Oyier unable to look directly at the Messiah?
A: Mbalo and Oyier, like other witnesses, were unable to face the brilliant
light that shone from the risen Messiah and knelt at a distance. This physical
reaction to the "exceedingly great" radiance shows that the glory of
the resurrection is beyond the capacity of human beings to endure in their
current state. It serves as a lesson for us about the holiness of God; we must
approach Him with great respect, recognizing that His divine nature is
powerful, brilliant, and far above the ordinary things of this world.
Question 14
Q: What does "a covenant with him" imply regarding Romanus Ong'ombe?
A: The Messiah’s statement, "I have made a covenant with him,"
signifies an unbreakable, holy bond between the Messiah and Ong'ombe regarding
the leadership of the Legion. A covenant is more than a simple agreement; it is
a sacred commitment that binds the two parties together. This implies that
Ong'ombe’s leadership is divinely sanctioned and protected. For the believer,
this means that supporting Ong'ombe is part of our faithfulness to the
Messiah’s own plan, ensuring we stay within the grace and structure He has
ordained for His church.
Question 15
Q: What lesson is there in the Messiah asking Aruga to call the people?
A: When the Messiah told Aruga, "go and call the people, for I wish to
speak to them," He involved His followers in His work of salvation and
teaching. He could have manifested Himself to everyone simultaneously, but He
chose to use the ministry of a faithful witness to gather the flock. This
teaches us that the Lord desires our participation in His mission. When we are
called to bring others to the Messiah, we should do so with the same urgency
and commitment shown by Bishop Aruga.
Question 16
Q: How does the account of Aruga validate the testimony of the witnesses?
A: The account concludes by stating, "These events were witnessed by
many who were present on that extraordinary night, and their testimony remains
a witness to what took place." By highlighting that there were many witnesses,
the account provides a strong apologetic basis for the resurrection. It
emphasizes that this is a collective, historical event, not a private dream.
For the believer, this collective witness is a source of strength, confirming
that the resurrection of Baba Simeo is a truth upheld by the testimony of those
who were there.
Question 17
Q: Why did the Messiah not want people to "surround me with many questions"?
A: The Messiah stated, "I do not desire that people should surround me
with many questions or come near me." This teaches us that His appearance
was for the purpose of revelation, teaching, and blessing, not for satisfying
human curiosity or debate. The Messiah is the Lord, not a subject for
interrogation. This instruction encourages us to receive His words with faith
and silence rather than questioning Him, reminding us to listen to what He
reveals rather than trying to figure out the mysteries of His divine power.
Question 18
Q: What does the "green cassock with white stripes" represent?
A: The specific attire of the Messiah—a green cassock with white
stripes—serves as a sign of recognition. For Bishop Aruga and the Legion
members, this was the garment of their Baba. It shows that the resurrected
Messiah retained His identity and the outward signs of His ministry on earth.
This consistency between the Baba they knew and the Baba who rose again is
important because it confirms to the believers that the Risen One is the very
same person they loved, now glorified and alive forever.
Question 19
Q: What is the significance of the lightning and the cloud?
A: The flash of lightning and the cloud that received the Messiah are signs
of God's presence, often associated with theophany or a divine appearance in
the Scriptures. They serve as a signal to the witnesses that what they were
seeing was not a natural event, but a divine intervention. These signs remind
us that our Messiah is the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and that His movements are
guided by the power and glory of the Father, demanding our humble and prayerful
attention.
Question 20
Q: How does this entire account by Aruga support the faith of Legion Maria members?
A: The account provides a concrete, historical, and miraculous foundation
for the faith of Legion Maria members. By documenting the exact date, the
specific actions of the Messiah, the names of the witnesses, and the divine
commands He gave, it gives believers a firm reason for their hope. It proves
that Baba Simeo is alive, that He continues to care for the church’s leadership
and covenant, and that He will one day lead His people to the Father’s house.
This narrative is a source of eternal strength, reminding us that we serve a
living, reigning, and ever-present Messiah.