Daily reflections
Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwuta.
Sat. 30th July 2016
In the first reading, the people of Judah wanted to kill Jeremiah, which they latter succeeded in doing so, for telling them to repent of their evil ways and obey the voice of the Lord (Cf. Jer. 26, 11 -12). And in the gospel, Matthew presents the death of John the Baptist, in the hands of Herod, as a prelude to Christ's crucifixion and death in the hands of the Jews for standing against the evil in his society. Thus, W.E. Orchard is correct when he posited that it may take a crucified Church to bring the crucified Christ to the world. So the members of the Church have to be wounded in order to heal the wounded world following the example of Christ who healed us through his wounds (Cf. Isa. 53, 5). As Christians we should stand against evil in the society. This will cost us some wounds, troubles, persecution or even losing of our property or life. Christ has already told us that the world that persecuted him will also persecute his disciples (Cf Jn. 15, 20). Thus we should not be surprised if the people of the world persecute us for standing against the evil in the society. Although persecution is the lot of all Christians but Christ will always send us the Holy Spirit to be our advocate in time of persecution as he promised (Cf Jn. 14, 15)
Saturday 30 July 2016
Friday 29 July 2016
Martha's Rugged Faith:
Daily reflections
Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwuta.
Fri 29th July 2016
Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus, who often visited their home and went there just a few days before the Passion. Many tend to focus on Jesus' apparent criticism – that her sister Mary had chosen the better part by sitting at his feet and listening to him rather than bustling about attending to the details of hospitality - Luke 10: 38-42. Jesus does not downplay housework; rather, he invites Martha to keep her focus on the life of the spirit even while working and not to let anxiety distract her. He does not preclude Martha's listening to him from the kitchen – where she was preparing a meal for them all. The woman in the kitchen will often know exactly what is going on in the rest of her house. Today we remember Martha's deep, personal faith in Jesus. It is she who believed in “resurrection from the dead” for those who die in faith. When Jesus calls himself the resurrection and the life, promising that they who believe in him will never die, it was at Martha's prompting, as she mourned the death of her brother Lazarus. Responding to her prayer, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and many came to believe in him after this sign of his life-giving power. We can as well experience His power if we have a faith like Martha's.
Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwuta.
Fri 29th July 2016
Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus, who often visited their home and went there just a few days before the Passion. Many tend to focus on Jesus' apparent criticism – that her sister Mary had chosen the better part by sitting at his feet and listening to him rather than bustling about attending to the details of hospitality - Luke 10: 38-42. Jesus does not downplay housework; rather, he invites Martha to keep her focus on the life of the spirit even while working and not to let anxiety distract her. He does not preclude Martha's listening to him from the kitchen – where she was preparing a meal for them all. The woman in the kitchen will often know exactly what is going on in the rest of her house. Today we remember Martha's deep, personal faith in Jesus. It is she who believed in “resurrection from the dead” for those who die in faith. When Jesus calls himself the resurrection and the life, promising that they who believe in him will never die, it was at Martha's prompting, as she mourned the death of her brother Lazarus. Responding to her prayer, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and many came to believe in him after this sign of his life-giving power. We can as well experience His power if we have a faith like Martha's.
Thursday 28 July 2016
Daily reflections
Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwuta.
Thurs. 28th July 2016
Were the sorting to take place now. . . . In the first reading, Jeremiah compares the relationship between the potter and the clay to that between God and the people of Israel. But unlike the clay that has no say on what the potter does with it, the people of Israel have a say: they either turn away from their evil ways or remain in them. But the story is that God wants them to amend their ways. (Cf Jer. 18, 7-8). But as the will to decide on which way to follow lies with the people of Israel so is the power to judge rests on God. The time for God's judgment is the day of sorting out the bad from the good. This day of sorting out is brought out clearly in today's gospel of the parable of a net full of good and bad fishes. The world, or rather the Church, is that net full of good and bad people. Like the clay in the hands of the potter, all humans are in the hands of God. But they are the ones who are ready to allow God mould them into better instruments who will be judged as good on the day of sorting out. The question is, if the sorting out is to be now, which group am I to belong; the good or the bad? The scripture warns that because the sentence of the evil – doer is not carried out on the instant, people's hearts are full of desire to do evil (Ecclesiastes 8, 11). One thing is sure, the Day of Judgment, or sorting out, will come when people least expect it (Matt. 24, 44). So let us turn to God for good
Wednesday 27 July 2016
OFFERING GOD A COSTLY OR A COSTLESS SACRIFICE?
Daily Reflection
Monday 27th July, 2016
by Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwu
Sacrifice means giving up something that is important or valuable to somebody in order to get or do something that seems more important. The parables of the hidden treasure and the costly pearl (which those who found them had to sell everything they had in order to buy them) teach us that nothing can be comparable to possessing the kingdom of heaven. One possesses the kingdom of heaven to the extent one accepts the word of God and understands it and it bears fruits in one's life (Cf. Matt. 13, 23). Of course, accepting the word of God entails sacrifices. One has to give up other things one treasures most in life in order to give the word of God the first place in one's life. Hence, Christ tells us to strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other things will be given to us as well (Cf. Matt.6, 33). Today, people find it difficult to make sacrifices. Christians throng into the Church every Sunday yet they run away from attending zonal or organizational meetings and shy away from fulfilling their financial obligation to the Church. The summary is that Catholics find it difficult to sacrifice their time, money, energy or even possession for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. David offered the Lord a costly sacrifice and was blessed by the Lord (Cf. 1 Chron. 21, 24) May God forbid that we offer him a costless sacrifice.
Hoax Warning Claims 'Bompie' Brand Frozen Juice Has Killed 180 People
According to a message that is circulating rapidly via social media, SMS, and email, you should not buy a frozen juice brand called 'Bompie'.
Supposedly, the juice was shipped into Ghana from Nigeria and has so far killed 180 people. The warning rather vaguely suggests that the deaths occurred because the juice contains 'a poisonous chemical'. It asks you to pass on the information in the hope of saving 'millions' of people from such poisoning deaths. It further advises that, if you do not believe the claims, you should search Google for 'Bompie frozen juice'.
However, the warning is false. No such deaths have occurred and there are no credible reports that support the claims in the message in any way.
In fact, this bogus warning is just a revamped version of an earlier hoax that falsely claimed that a bottled water called 'Dew' had killed 180 people. As the following example reveals, the two hoaxes are cut from the same cloth:
Please don't buy or drink any bottled water called 'DEW'. Customs say it was shipped into Nigeria from Tanzania where it has killed 180 people. It is said to contain a poisonous chemical. Please pass this on and save millions. If u don't believe check google for 'DEW bottled water'.
The image used in the hoax message was apparently taken from earlier posts that discussed the juice product but made no mention of poisoning.
Please don't buy or drink any bottled water called 'DEW'. Customs say it was shipped into Nigeria from Tanzania where it has killed 180 people. It is said to contain a poisonous chemical. Please pass this on and save millions. If u don't believe check google for 'DEW bottled water'.
The image used in the hoax message was apparently taken from earlier posts that discussed the juice product but made no mention of poisoning.
Both versions of the warning are without substance and should not be taken seriously. Sharing such nonsense serves only to spread fear and alarm among communities. If you receive this message, please do not share it with others. And please let the person who sent it to you know that the warning is a hoax.
Tuesday 26 July 2016
THE REWARD OF FAITH OF SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE
Daily Reflection
Monday 26th July, 2016
by Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwuta.
We thank the Church today for availing us of the opportunity to reflect on the ardent faith of the blessed couple: Joachim and Anne. Faith is fundamental in every Christian practice and saints Joachim and Anne were shining icons of Christian faith. The greatest challenge of Christian life today is that of faith. Many of us Christians do not have faith even as small as that of a mustard seed and this situation accounts for the shallow spirituality that is rife at this present day. Joachim and Anne kept the faith alive even in the midst of life's threatening situation. They had no child but they patiently waited on God for they know that God's time is the best. George MacDonald will say that 'the principal part of faith is Patience.” Patience with God is a virtue and all those who manifested this virtue in their lives never lived with regrets. The case of Joachim and Anne was amazingly incredible. They were not just rewarded with the blessing of a child but through them was presented a spotless mother, Virgin Mary who alone was worthy for the Creator. Faithfulness is an uphill task but it is not impossible. The faith of these blessed couple has demonstrated to us that when faithfulness is most difficult, it is most rewarding. May we never permit the enemy to creep into our lives and sow the seed of faithlessness so that we will be celebrated as saints both in this life and hereafter.
Challenges of burying the dead
FAITH ISSUES SEVENTEENTH WEEK
By Eva Chuma Nnamene
By Eva Chuma Nnamene
At the death of Jesus, when he hung helplessly on the wood of the cross, and could have been abandoned by his disciples if not for a handful of them, it was Joseph of Arimathea who was identified as “a good and a just man” (Luke 23: 50), and one who longed for the kingdom (Mark 15: 43) who boldly went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. Joined by Nicodemus, a nocturnal disciple of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea had Jesus laid in new tomb he prepared for himself (John 19: 38-42; Luke 23: 53; Mark 15: 46). By so doing, they became exemplars of this laudable corporal work of mercy.
Now there are many social cultural cum religious challenges that arise at burials. This article will just consider few of them:
Challenges arising from identification: Identification is the format by which members of a group are identified as such. This identification can be by way of registration, initiation and other systems. It is one of the hot spots that generate problems at death. It deals with stuff like: did the dead person identify with the group, kindred, village, parish, etc. while he/she lived? If the dead did not identify with the group, there are difficulties in handling the burial of the person since most groups have welfare and benefits of members. Some people argue against the burial of such person because “he who did not identify with us alive should not be identified with us at death because we are not vultures that eat corpses” – they would say. And such burials will become problematic.
Challenges arising from participation: Participation talks about how a registered member of a group is involved in the activities of that group. Group activities may include things like meetings, social functions, and monetary commitments. Some people might just want to “fulfill all righteousness” and get themselves registered in the group’s index. And that would be it, because beyond that registration, the person does nothing else. Those who argue against burial of someone who did not go to meetings, attend group functions or pay debts, levies, or donations are often anchored on the proverbial “ana-esi n’ulo mara mma puo n’ama” because “oka mma n’ama”, is very bad.
Challenges arising from pagan rituals: there are some challenges arising from pagan rituals. In some places, the dead are never buried until some pagan rituals are performed. Such rituals include: igba afa, ivu odu, ije n’ugegbe – that is performance of some divination to verify if the dead died of a natural cause or if the dead should be buried or not. Such rituals pose strong challenges in Christian burial. And oftentimes, make Christians refuse the burial of such persons.
The truth is that some parishes even in our diocese are divided over the burial of the dead. Particular laws of local Church, and of course, pastoral reasons may make a difference in the process of how dead Christians are buried. But it is recommended that all those who are baptized and catechumens should be buried (Canon 1176 § 1).
Conditions that may affect Christian burial
However, Can. 1184 § 1 states clearly:
Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:
1. Notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;
2. Those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;
3. Other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.
§ 2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.
Can. 1185: Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.
It is based on the above stipulations of the Code of the Canon Law that it becomes clear that certain dead persons may be denied Christian burial. And there would be moral justifications to do so if the condition of any deceased falls under the ones noted above. However, as Christians we are challenged by the profound benevolence of Judas Maccabaeus (2 Maccabees 12) who upon discovering that some of his slain soldiers died under apostasy, yet he took up collections to offer prayers for them. As our Bishop would say, while there may be conditions that may deny someone the opportunities of Christian burial, we can at least pray for the dead.
Now there are many social cultural cum religious challenges that arise at burials. This article will just consider few of them:
Challenges arising from identification: Identification is the format by which members of a group are identified as such. This identification can be by way of registration, initiation and other systems. It is one of the hot spots that generate problems at death. It deals with stuff like: did the dead person identify with the group, kindred, village, parish, etc. while he/she lived? If the dead did not identify with the group, there are difficulties in handling the burial of the person since most groups have welfare and benefits of members. Some people argue against the burial of such person because “he who did not identify with us alive should not be identified with us at death because we are not vultures that eat corpses” – they would say. And such burials will become problematic.
Challenges arising from participation: Participation talks about how a registered member of a group is involved in the activities of that group. Group activities may include things like meetings, social functions, and monetary commitments. Some people might just want to “fulfill all righteousness” and get themselves registered in the group’s index. And that would be it, because beyond that registration, the person does nothing else. Those who argue against burial of someone who did not go to meetings, attend group functions or pay debts, levies, or donations are often anchored on the proverbial “ana-esi n’ulo mara mma puo n’ama” because “oka mma n’ama”, is very bad.
Challenges arising from pagan rituals: there are some challenges arising from pagan rituals. In some places, the dead are never buried until some pagan rituals are performed. Such rituals include: igba afa, ivu odu, ije n’ugegbe – that is performance of some divination to verify if the dead died of a natural cause or if the dead should be buried or not. Such rituals pose strong challenges in Christian burial. And oftentimes, make Christians refuse the burial of such persons.
The truth is that some parishes even in our diocese are divided over the burial of the dead. Particular laws of local Church, and of course, pastoral reasons may make a difference in the process of how dead Christians are buried. But it is recommended that all those who are baptized and catechumens should be buried (Canon 1176 § 1).
Conditions that may affect Christian burial
However, Can. 1184 § 1 states clearly:
Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:
1. Notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;
2. Those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;
3. Other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.
§ 2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.
Can. 1185: Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.
It is based on the above stipulations of the Code of the Canon Law that it becomes clear that certain dead persons may be denied Christian burial. And there would be moral justifications to do so if the condition of any deceased falls under the ones noted above. However, as Christians we are challenged by the profound benevolence of Judas Maccabaeus (2 Maccabees 12) who upon discovering that some of his slain soldiers died under apostasy, yet he took up collections to offer prayers for them. As our Bishop would say, while there may be conditions that may deny someone the opportunities of Christian burial, we can at least pray for the dead.
Monday 25 July 2016
THE ZEAL OF ST. JAMES:
Monday 25th July, 2016
by Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwuta.
Some of those who witnessed Jesus' earthly sojourn misinterpreted the essence of His mission. They were misled by their thought into believing that Jesus was in campaign for earthly Kingdom and its glory. And may be guided by such impression, the two sons of Zebedee (James and his brother John) led by their mother placed a request to flank Jesus in his empire. But to correct their request and dispose them for the challenges of true Christianity, Jesus asks them” are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? Which in other words means “are you able to suffer persecution and endure sufferings with me? This is a salient question meant for all Christians today in our devotion to God. Jesus reminds us all that Christianity is not cross-less but one strewn with thorns and challenges. God's love for us is not a love that always exempts us from trials, but rather, a love that sees us through trials. With the company of Jesus, we are sure to surmount all our problems and tribulations. One interesting thing here is that after their encounter with Jesus, James proved his readiness to die with Christ by spending the rest of his life in active service to God even to the point of undergoing martyrdom for the sake of Christ and today, the Church celebrates and presents him to us as a model of Christian life. St. James did not realize this feat by a flip of a finger; he was committed to (i) Obedience to Christ, (ii) steadfastness in faith and (iii) Unconditional love of Christ. May we imitate these virtues.
by Rev. Fr. Christopher Ugwuta.
Some of those who witnessed Jesus' earthly sojourn misinterpreted the essence of His mission. They were misled by their thought into believing that Jesus was in campaign for earthly Kingdom and its glory. And may be guided by such impression, the two sons of Zebedee (James and his brother John) led by their mother placed a request to flank Jesus in his empire. But to correct their request and dispose them for the challenges of true Christianity, Jesus asks them” are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? Which in other words means “are you able to suffer persecution and endure sufferings with me? This is a salient question meant for all Christians today in our devotion to God. Jesus reminds us all that Christianity is not cross-less but one strewn with thorns and challenges. God's love for us is not a love that always exempts us from trials, but rather, a love that sees us through trials. With the company of Jesus, we are sure to surmount all our problems and tribulations. One interesting thing here is that after their encounter with Jesus, James proved his readiness to die with Christ by spending the rest of his life in active service to God even to the point of undergoing martyrdom for the sake of Christ and today, the Church celebrates and presents him to us as a model of Christian life. St. James did not realize this feat by a flip of a finger; he was committed to (i) Obedience to Christ, (ii) steadfastness in faith and (iii) Unconditional love of Christ. May we imitate these virtues.
Saturday 23 July 2016
Called To Be Faithful
Daily Reflection Saturday 23th July, 2016.
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
Are you shocked like the Psalmist that the wicked prosper? Are you down-spirited that good people stagger from failure to failure? Are you also taken aback that many evil men live very long and in good health while some holy men die of poison? Are you embarrassed that some flirting girls get married quickly and blessed with children, sometimes including twins while some holy virgins remain unmarried against their wish; or may even marry and die without children? The source of your worry is your concept or idea of God and his expectations of you. Some Christians know nothing except the vengeful God of the Old Testament. Today’s gospel presents the reverse side of the coin. The wheat and the weed will continue to struggle for survival. Their fate on the judgement day will depend on the nature of their struggle for survival. We Christians should not make the mistake of trying to succeed by all means in this passing world like worldly men who in order to make ends meet, work on Sundays, take to prostitution, steal, forge certificates, engage in exam malpractice. To die in such condition without true contrition (and confession) is to grade your road to eternal punishment. Mother Theresa of Calcutta gives us the right attitude to whatever frustration we may meet in life. She teaches us that God does not call us to be successful but to be faithful. Whether your business is flourishing or not, in sickness or in health, remain faithful to God. Keep your gaze only on the judgement day.
Friday 22 July 2016
Celebrating Eternity In Time (St Mary Magdalene)
Daily Reflection Friday 22th July, 2016.
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
In his Sonnet, William Shakespeare said, would that man may know his end. On the last day, there will be great wailing all over the land. People would be disposed to confess all their hidden faults but no priest would be available for confession because both the goose and the gander would be crying for mercy. In St Mary Magdalene, we celebrate eternity in time. Renowned for her First Class Ph.D. in prostitution, she saves herself from everlasting disgrace by confessing in time, all the festering sins that would make her cry on the judgement day. She is aware that time (divine mercy) cannot be celebrated in eternity (divine justice) but eternity can be celebrated in time. Whoever is not saved in time might not be saved in eternity. Today, Jeremiah calls us back to our Creator (Jer 3:14)). Let me ask you. Why have you stayed too long without confession and Holy Communion? Lack of priests? Why do you conceal some sins in confession? Because of shame? Perhaps you prefer praise in time to shame in eternity. The devil once replied to a holy solitary in confession: “I now restore to these penitents what I before took away from them; I took away from them shame while they were committing sin, I now restore it, that they may have a horror of confession”. St Alphonsus says that “gangrenous sores are fatal; and sins concealed in confession, are spiritual ulcers, which multiply and become gangrenous”. God made sin shameful that we might abstain from it, and gives us confidence to confess it by promising pardon to all who like Mary Magdalene accuse themselves of their sins. “After confession, says St Chrysostom, a crown is given to penitent’. St Mary Magadalene the one time prostitute is wearing her own crown now. Will you?
Thursday 21 July 2016
Gomorrah At Prayer
Daily Reflection Thursday 21th July, 2016.
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
If we know the mystery that happens at baptism, every Christian should be striving to remain a best friend and true child of God. It is a Sacrament that gives us free access to all the riches stored in heaven but made available to us here on earth for a foretaste. We become enemies of Satan. Above all, we become royal priests and St Alphonsus tells us that to a priest, every door is open. Today, Jeremiah laments that we have turned into God’s enemy: we have defiled our God’s land and lack the knowledge of God; we rebel against God (when we rebel against God’s ministers); we place curse when we should bless; we abandon God the living water to dig leaky cisterns that hold no water. No reason justifies this embarrassment! All these make us (both royal and ministerial priests) enemies of the God we serve. The truth is that no matter how we see it, no sane Christian would be comfortable to offer his prayers and sacrifices to God through a priest who is at enmity with God. He is like a Gomorrah at prayer. His prayer is offensive to God. However, God accepts his sacrifices though predicated on the theology that he acts in persona Christi but his salvation is not assured. Let us explore once more, the glories of our baptism- Gomorrah at prayer would thus become Melchizedeck at prayer.
Pope Francis, "The Joy of Love".
Accompanying the first years of married life
217. It is important that marriage be seen as a
matter of love, that only those who freely choose
and love one another may marry. When love is
merely physical attraction or a vague affection,
spouses become particularly vulnerable once this affection wanes or physical attraction diminishes.
Given the frequency with which this happens, it
is all the more essential that couples be helped during the first years of their married life to enrich and deepen their conscious and free decision to have, hold and love one another for life. Often the engagement period is not long enough,
the decision is precipitated for various reasons
and, what is even more problematic, the couple
themselves are insufficiently mature. As a result, the newly married couple need to complete a
process that should have taken place during their
engagement.
matter of love, that only those who freely choose
and love one another may marry. When love is
merely physical attraction or a vague affection,
spouses become particularly vulnerable once this affection wanes or physical attraction diminishes.
Given the frequency with which this happens, it
is all the more essential that couples be helped during the first years of their married life to enrich and deepen their conscious and free decision to have, hold and love one another for life. Often the engagement period is not long enough,
the decision is precipitated for various reasons
and, what is even more problematic, the couple
themselves are insufficiently mature. As a result, the newly married couple need to complete a
process that should have taken place during their
engagement.
218. Another great challenge of marriage preparation is to help couples realize that marriage is not something that happens once for all.
Their union is real and irrevocable, confirmed and
consecrated by the sacrament of matrimony. Yet in joining their lives, the spouses assume an active
and creative role in a lifelong project. Their gaze
now has to be directed to the future that, with the
help of God’s grace, they are daily called to build.
For this very reason, neither spouse can expect
the other to be perfect. Each must set aside all
illusions and accept the other as he or she actually is: an unfinished product, needing to grow, a
work in progress. A persistently critical attitude towards one’s partner is a sign that marriage was
not entered into as a project to be worked on
together, with patience, understanding, tolerance
and generosity. Slowly but surely, love will then
give way to constant questioning and criticism,
dwelling on each other’s good and bad points,
issuing ultimatums and engaging in competition and self-justification. The couple then prove in-
capable of helping one another to build a mature
union. This fact needs to be realistically presented to newly married couples from the outset, so that they can grasp that the wedding is “just the beginning”. By saying “I do”, they embark
on a journey that requires them to overcome all
obstacles standing in the way of their reaching
the goal. The nuptial blessing that they receive
is a grace and an incentive for this journey. They
can only benefit from sitting down and talking to
one another about how, concretely, they plan to
achieve their goal.
Their union is real and irrevocable, confirmed and
consecrated by the sacrament of matrimony. Yet in joining their lives, the spouses assume an active
and creative role in a lifelong project. Their gaze
now has to be directed to the future that, with the
help of God’s grace, they are daily called to build.
For this very reason, neither spouse can expect
the other to be perfect. Each must set aside all
illusions and accept the other as he or she actually is: an unfinished product, needing to grow, a
work in progress. A persistently critical attitude towards one’s partner is a sign that marriage was
not entered into as a project to be worked on
together, with patience, understanding, tolerance
and generosity. Slowly but surely, love will then
give way to constant questioning and criticism,
dwelling on each other’s good and bad points,
issuing ultimatums and engaging in competition and self-justification. The couple then prove in-
capable of helping one another to build a mature
union. This fact needs to be realistically presented to newly married couples from the outset, so that they can grasp that the wedding is “just the beginning”. By saying “I do”, they embark
on a journey that requires them to overcome all
obstacles standing in the way of their reaching
the goal. The nuptial blessing that they receive
is a grace and an incentive for this journey. They
can only benefit from sitting down and talking to
one another about how, concretely, they plan to
achieve their goal.
Pope Francis, "The Joy of Love".
Wednesday 20 July 2016
Let Me Never Be Put To Shame! (Ps 70: 10)
Daily Reflection Wednesday 20th July, 2016.
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
What is more shameful than the everlasting disgrace heaped for unrepentant sinners! Imagine the ripples of shame generated in the psyche of a thief caught in the open market and paraded round with a bundle of the stolen commodity placed on his head; or an adulterous woman caught in the act and in anger stripped naked by the community that abhors such crime as against the land. No person dies without information by God. At the threshold to eternity, an announcement which is heard only by the dying is made indicating that time is up. Once this happens, he is deprived of further communication with the living. St Alphonsus tell us that at this irreversible moment, three things happen: replay of his past sins (especially unconfessed ones), assault by many demons and fears of eternal damnation. The fear and shame of eternal punishment are more if the dying is a celebrated preacher, a healer, a miracle-worker, a man or woman of God, a person reputed for works of charity yet identified in hell fire with unbelievers, adulterers and armed robbers. The bottom line is that while we engage in these plausible ministries, let us avoid sin like snake and always pray with the psalmist; “In you o Lord I take refuge, let me never be put to shame (Ps 70:1).
Tuesday 19 July 2016
“Be very childlike!”
TEXTS OF ST. JOSEMARIA
July 19, 2016
I advise you to try to return sometime ... to the beginning of your first conversion, which, if it is not becoming like children, is very much like it. In the spiritual life you have to let yourself be led with complete trust, single-mindedly and without fear. You have to speak with absolute clarity about what you have in your mind and in your soul. (Furrow, 145)
Be very childlike! The more childlike, the better. I speak from my experience as a priest, who has had to pick himself up many times in these past thirty‑six years (how long and yet how short they now seem to me!) which have been spent striving to fulfill a very precise requirement of God’s Will. There’s one thing that has helped me always, the fact that I am still a child, and I am always climbing onto my Mother’s lap and finding refuge in the Heart of Christ, my Lord.
July 19, 2016
I advise you to try to return sometime ... to the beginning of your first conversion, which, if it is not becoming like children, is very much like it. In the spiritual life you have to let yourself be led with complete trust, single-mindedly and without fear. You have to speak with absolute clarity about what you have in your mind and in your soul. (Furrow, 145)
Be very childlike! The more childlike, the better. I speak from my experience as a priest, who has had to pick himself up many times in these past thirty‑six years (how long and yet how short they now seem to me!) which have been spent striving to fulfill a very precise requirement of God’s Will. There’s one thing that has helped me always, the fact that I am still a child, and I am always climbing onto my Mother’s lap and finding refuge in the Heart of Christ, my Lord.
Serious falls, of the kind that can do great damage to the soul, at times almost irreparable damage, can always be traced back to the pride of thinking oneself to be grown up and self-sufficient. In such cases, people seem almost incapable of asking for help from those who can give it: not only from God, but also from a friend, or from a priest. And the poor soul, alone in its misfortune, sinks into confusion and loses its way. (Friends of God, 147)
Weekly texts
Christians Living In A Forest (Mic 7:14ff)
Daily Reflection Tuesday 19th July, 2016.
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
The survivors of the menace of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70) can tell better, the trauma associated with living in a foreign land nay, a thick forest without shelter. If the story of the abduction of the Chibok girls in the northern hemisphere of Nigeria is true, then imagine the horrible experiences they might be passing through for about three years now. They might have become objects of rape in the hands of their abductors. Some might have died. Some might have been bruised and lacerated by ferocious wild animal. It is worrisome that some Christians for whom God has secured comfortable accommodation in the Promised Land have ‘decided’ to live in faraway forest- a place designed for wild animals. They deprive themselves of the nourishing Sacraments of the Church and feed on food meant for pigs. Those that make it to this list include: unwedded married couples, apostates (those that deliberately defected from the true faith handed on by the apostles), despaired souls and those messed up in detestable mortal sin. I wish they knew the level of damage done to their souls as long as they remained in grave sin in the forest. What makes their case too bad and salvation ‘very difficult’ (should they die in this condition) is that they deliberately chose to die by severing communications with God and thus freely handed themselves over to Satan. The only thing that can guarantee their salvation as prophet Micah prays today (Mic 7:14), would be to present their neck to the saving crook of the Good Shepherd who wishes that all men be saved.
Monday 18 July 2016
“I have learned to become a little child of God”
TEXTS OF ST. JOSEMARIA
July 18, 2016
July 18, 2016
Our will, strengthened by grace, is all-powerful before God. If, for instance, as we travel in a bus, we are struck by the thought of so many offences against God and say to Jesus, backing our words with our will 'My God, I wish I could make an act of love and reparation for every turn of the wheels carrying me', in that very instant, in the eyes of Jesus, we really have loved him and atoned just as we desired. Such 'nonsense' is not pushing spiritual childhood too far: it is the eternal dialogue between...
... the innocent child and the father doting on his son: 'Tell me, how much do you love me?'... And the little lad pipes out: 'A mil-lion mil-lion ti-mes!' (The Way, 897)
... the innocent child and the father doting on his son: 'Tell me, how much do you love me?'... And the little lad pipes out: 'A mil-lion mil-lion ti-mes!' (The Way, 897)
In our interior life, it does all of us good to be quasi modo geniti infantes, like those tiny tots who seem to be made of rubber and who even enjoy falling over because they get up again right away and are once more running around, and also because they know their parents will always be there to console them, whenever they are needed.
If we try to act like them, our stumbling and failures in the interior life (which, moreover, are inevitable) will never result in bitterness. Our reaction will be one of sorrow but not discouragement, and we’ll smile with a smile that gushes up like fresh water out of the joyous awareness that we are children of that Love, that grandeur, that infinite wisdom, that mercy, that is our Father. During the years I have been serving Our Lord, I have learned to become a little child of God. I would ask you to do likewise, to be quasi modo geniti infantes, children who long for God’s word, his bread, his food, his strength, to enable us to behave henceforth as Christian men and women. (Friends of God, 146)
Weekly texts
An Ungrateful Beneficiary (cf Micah 6:1ff)
Daily Reflection Monday 18th July, 2016.
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
By Rev. Fr Oliver Onah
I once entered into personal retreat after celebrating Holy Mass in one parish church. A very handsome boy with ‘very bad’ bow legs approached me with desperation and asked whether a person with his type of legs could be admitted into the seminary to train for the Catholic priesthood. With that experience, I realized immediately that as often as I pass by persons who are physically challenged, some of them implicitly long to become priests but could not as a result of their deformities. Of course, some of them were born that way. But what extra love did I show God to merit me this favour? In return, what do I offer God? Today, the Lord sobs through the prophet Micah that in spite of all he endured to save us, we have remained ingrates, incorrigible in sin. You plunge yourself in the dungeon of adultery, fornication or masturbation (the only sins that defile the human body) yet, you remain unperturbed. What is worse, and Micah laments is that after committing mortal sin you end up making offering of fat cows and millions of naira or even your first born issue (as a clergy or professed religious) as if these are the very things that committed the grave sins. For our salvation, what God needs is our very selves crucified with Christ. What he asks of us, Micah concludes is: to act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with God and desist permanently from sin no matter the degree (Mic 6:8). By doing these, we express our gratitude to God, otherwise, we deceive ourselves.
Sunday 17 July 2016
“These world crises are crises of saints"
TEXTS OF ST. JOSEMARIA
July 17, 2016
July 17, 2016
The day of salvation, of eternity, has come for us. Once again the call of the Divine Shepherd can be heard, those affectionate words: Vocavi te nomine tuo - I have called you by your name. Just like our mother, he calls us by our name, by the name we're fondly called at home, by our nickname.
There, in the depths of our soul, he calls us and we just have to answer: Ecce ego quia vocasti me - here I am, for you have called me, and this time I'm determined not to let time flow by like water over the pebbly bed of a stream, leaving no trace behind. (The Forge, 7)
You and I belong to Christ’s family, for ‘he himself has chosen us before the foundation of the world, to be saints, to be blameless in his sight, for love of him, having predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his Will’[1] …
The goal that I am putting before you, or rather that God has marked out for us all, is no illusory or unattainable ideal. I could quote you many specific examples of ordinary men and women, just like you and me, who have met Jesus passing by quasi in occulto [2], at what appeared to be quite ordinary cross-roads in their lives, and have decided to follow him, lovingly embracing their daily cross [3]. In this age of ours, an age of generalized decay, of compromise and discouragement, and also of license and anarchy, I think it is more important than ever to hold on to that simple yet profound conviction which I had when I began my priestly work and have held ever since, and which has given me a burning desire to tell all mankind that ‘these world crises are crises of saints’.
Interior life. We need it, if we are to answer the call that the Master has made to each and every one of us. We have to become saints, as they say in my part of the world, ‘down to the last whisker,’* Christians who are truly and genuinely such, the kind that could be canonized. If not, we shall have failed as disciples of the one and only Master. And don’t forget that when God marks us out and gives us his grace to strive for sanctity in the everyday world, he also puts us under an obligation to do apostolate. (Friends of God, 2-5)
[1] Eph 1:4‑5
[2] Hidden as it were’ (John 7:10)
[3] cf Matt 16:24
* Sin que nos falte un pelo, that is ‘down to our finger tips’ or ‘every inch of us’ (Translator’s note)
Weekly texts
Saturday 16 July 2016
“Wear on your breast the holy scapular of Carmel”
TEXTS OF ST. JOSEMARIA
July 16, 2016
Wear on your breast the holy scapular of Carmel. There are many excellent Marian devotions, but few are so deep- rooted among the faithful, and have received so many blessings from the Popes. Besides, how maternal this sabbatine privilege is! (The Way, 500)
When you were asked which picture of our Lady aroused your devotion most, and you answered--with the air of long experience--'all of them', I realized that you were a good son: that is why you are equally moved--'they make me fall in love', you said--by all the pictures of your Mother. (The Way, 501)
July 16, 2016
Wear on your breast the holy scapular of Carmel. There are many excellent Marian devotions, but few are so deep- rooted among the faithful, and have received so many blessings from the Popes. Besides, how maternal this sabbatine privilege is! (The Way, 500)
When you were asked which picture of our Lady aroused your devotion most, and you answered--with the air of long experience--'all of them', I realized that you were a good son: that is why you are equally moved--'they make me fall in love', you said--by all the pictures of your Mother. (The Way, 501)
Mary, teacher of prayer. See how she asks her Son, at Cana. And how she insists, confidently, with perseverance. And how she succeeds. Learn from her. (The Way, 502)
If you want to be faithful, be very Marian. Our Mother, from the time of the Angel’s message, until her agony at the foot of the Cross, had no other heart, no other life, but that of Jesus. Go to Mary with the tender devotion of a son, and She will obtain for you the loyalty and self-denial that you desire. (The Way of the Cross, Thirteenth Station, 4)
Before we begin to export our condolences to France, let us take these notes:
A group of Muslim youths, yesterday attacked St. Philip's Catholic Parish, Baki Iku, very close to Zuma Rock in Niger State.
The Muslims claimed that Friday is their day of prayer and that the Church only has right to worship on Sundays. Information gathered from eyewitnesses said that they destroyed the Church, wounded people and scattered the worshipers. Some soldiers managed to get there later but a lot of harm had been done already.
It should be recalled that Alhaji Kabiru Sokoto had on Christmas day four years ago, detonated bomb that killed several Catholics and passersby at St Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, close to St. Philips that was destroyed.
Just last week, Mrs Eunice Eze, a mobile preacher of the Redeemed Christian Church of God was killed by some fanatics.
Copied from Chinonye Ezema's wall
THE FATE OF EVIL PLOTTERS
Daily Reflection Saturday 16th July 2016
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
The world we are living in is never an ideal world but an imperfect world because its inhabitants include both good and evil people with expected opposing standards and world views. As a result, the good people have to contend with excesses of the evil ones; injustice, mischief, oppression and even murder, which are highlighted in all the three readings of today.
However, in the Gospel (Mt. 12:14-21), Jesus showed us in practical terms what He taught His disciples on how to live in this world, when He said, "Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpent and gentle as doves...when they prosecute you in one town, flee to another. Truly, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Mt. 10:16-23).
Meaning by that, God himself is aware and concerned about the situation, which even the Psalmist reminded us in today's Responsorial Psalm 9; “But you have seen the trouble and sorrow, you note it, you take it in hand. The helpless trusts himself to you; for you are the helper of the orphan.” And with this Good News of God's solidarity with the helpless poor, we need not give up or shy away from fulfilling our mission of witnessing; for good will surely triumph over evil, and we shall become victors and winners in the Lord Jesus.
However, in the Gospel (Mt. 12:14-21), Jesus showed us in practical terms what He taught His disciples on how to live in this world, when He said, "Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpent and gentle as doves...when they prosecute you in one town, flee to another. Truly, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Mt. 10:16-23).
Meaning by that, God himself is aware and concerned about the situation, which even the Psalmist reminded us in today's Responsorial Psalm 9; “But you have seen the trouble and sorrow, you note it, you take it in hand. The helpless trusts himself to you; for you are the helper of the orphan.” And with this Good News of God's solidarity with the helpless poor, we need not give up or shy away from fulfilling our mission of witnessing; for good will surely triumph over evil, and we shall become victors and winners in the Lord Jesus.
Friday 15 July 2016
A BLAMELESS LIFE IS OUR ALIBI!
Daily Reflection Friday 15th July, 2016
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
An alibi is a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place. Today's liturgy of the word underlines a blameless life as our only alibi for escaping the captivity of the evil one; in the likeness of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Master. Now, the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” (Rev. 12:10).
I have heard so many people make reference to this Hezekiah's case as a proof that prayer changes the mind of God, without alluding to his blameless life, which was his alibi. Likewise, every person would fancy being discharged and acquitted from a life-threatening allegation as that of Jesus' disciples in today's Gospel reading (Mt. 12:1-8), with a particular reference to Jesus their alibi. Meaning by that, while we would love and demand God to show us the same favour as to His saints, we should first of all ask ourselves whether we have done the same thing they did that merited them the desired favour, which is, blameless life.
Let us, therefore, know that the escape plan to being cured and kept alive and have our sickness changed into health, is not only to pray but also to behave faithfully and sincerity of heart in God's presence and do what is right in His eyes, just as Hezekiah did and lived on. We need to walk with Jesus, the Master of the Sabbath, in the light of His word in order to be protected by His Glory, which He shades on our way.
I have heard so many people make reference to this Hezekiah's case as a proof that prayer changes the mind of God, without alluding to his blameless life, which was his alibi. Likewise, every person would fancy being discharged and acquitted from a life-threatening allegation as that of Jesus' disciples in today's Gospel reading (Mt. 12:1-8), with a particular reference to Jesus their alibi. Meaning by that, while we would love and demand God to show us the same favour as to His saints, we should first of all ask ourselves whether we have done the same thing they did that merited them the desired favour, which is, blameless life.
Let us, therefore, know that the escape plan to being cured and kept alive and have our sickness changed into health, is not only to pray but also to behave faithfully and sincerity of heart in God's presence and do what is right in His eyes, just as Hezekiah did and lived on. We need to walk with Jesus, the Master of the Sabbath, in the light of His word in order to be protected by His Glory, which He shades on our way.
Thursday 14 July 2016
GOD'S PLAN IS THE BEST FOR US!
Daily Reflection Thursday 14th July, 2016
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
The whole readings throughout this week are stressing the fact that the best thing man can do for himself is to give up his selfish ambitions or agenda and surrender to the perfect will and power of God to save him; for in God's will is our peace. Hence, we need to come to terms with and welcome the reality that we are actually the architect or our enormous problems; because everything was working in man's favour until his rebellion against God in that beautiful Garden of Eden.
We need to acknowledge that the shortcuts we seek in life are the very things that compound our problems and serve the purpose of cutting short our lives. Simply because man's wisdom is foolishness before God and amounts to nothing but misery. It may seem a harder, longer route, but frankly speaking, it is the only way to peace of mind. And so, St. Peter admonishes us; “So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:6-7).
Hence, we need not waste any second in hearkening to Jesus' call on us in today's Gospel (Mt. 11:28-30); “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” The easy yoke and the light burden He talks about are nothing but God's commandments, which we fail to see as our own good. Instead, we try to circumvent God's laws and in the process, increase or multiply our sorrows, which constitute the overload Jesus beckons us to offload and enjoy rest. He wants us to learn obedience and humility from Him, the only means by which we can be exalted from the pit of destruction.
We need to acknowledge that the shortcuts we seek in life are the very things that compound our problems and serve the purpose of cutting short our lives. Simply because man's wisdom is foolishness before God and amounts to nothing but misery. It may seem a harder, longer route, but frankly speaking, it is the only way to peace of mind. And so, St. Peter admonishes us; “So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:6-7).
Hence, we need not waste any second in hearkening to Jesus' call on us in today's Gospel (Mt. 11:28-30); “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” The easy yoke and the light burden He talks about are nothing but God's commandments, which we fail to see as our own good. Instead, we try to circumvent God's laws and in the process, increase or multiply our sorrows, which constitute the overload Jesus beckons us to offload and enjoy rest. He wants us to learn obedience and humility from Him, the only means by which we can be exalted from the pit of destruction.
Overcoming Indifference for the Common Good!
You and Politics Series | Fifth week in ordinary time
By Rev. Uche Dr.Obodoechina
Is it any wonder that our governments in this country are daily growing in systemic evil and corruption? Are we surprised at their ineptitude and profligacy? Are we too -the ordinary men and women citizens of this great country- not like our so called leaders? Our governments at all levels are grossly indifferent to their bounden duties of protecting lives and properties of their citizens. And the citizens too are indifferent to the well-being of one another. They are also indifferent to the activities of the government. The result is the collapse of ideas and commitments for the Common Good. In fact, people become more and more selfish. And life in dignity and freedom become a mirage. It is therefore logical that we are the architects of our own problems. Indifference has eaten deep into our systems. Human promotion and well-being of the citizens demand that we do away with all forms of indifference.
It was Pope Francis in his 2016 Message for the celebration of the XLIX World Day of Peace that identified Indifference as a tragedy that threatens out interpersonal relationships as well as world peace among nations. It is a menace that shows itself in various situations. According to him 'Indifference to God is the most acute of all forms of indifference. It makes us believe according to the Holy Father that we are the source and creator of ourselves, our lives and society. We feel self-sufficient, prepared not only to find a substitute for God but to do completely without him. As a result, we feel that we owe nothing to anyone but ourselves, and we claim only rights.' There are also other forms of indifference against our neighbours. It shows itself in lack of concern for what is happening around us, especially if it does not touch us directly. As a result we grow incapable of feeling compassion for the plight of others. We become as it were insulated from what is affecting others. Yet we are not islands. We live in a human society where we are connected and interconnected in a type of web with others. We need urgently to recover from the tyranny of indifference for the common good of all.
For instance, if the government of the day is reckless about its responsibilities to the people, the situation cannot be left on its own. Something must be done and done urgently to wake the government up to some level of consciousness about its duties to the citizens. Organizations and groups of individuals who are vested with the duties of care for the common good must not rest on their oars. After all, the government has no other better business to carry out than the well- being of its citizens. And where the government is adamant and does not deliver on services, the citizens must not allow such a government to continue on the pedals of power. Credible institutions and agencies of human promotions should not allow the decadence of the government to persist.
But what do we say and do about the indifference of the people towards the government? This is most atrocious. The common people of the state are the immediate victims of government ineptitude. It is most dangerous when the people become also indifferent to the indifference of the government. Advocacy and empowerments ministries should brace up to redress the oddities of mass indifference on the part of the people in the context of a dilapidating common good. Let it be said and said loudly that indifference in all its forms is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. All hands must be on deck to stem the tide and menace of this cankerworm!
Wednesday 13 July 2016
THE LORD WILL NOT ABANDON HIS PEOPLE!
Daily Reflection Wednesday 13th July, 2016
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
What a blessed assurance we have in the response to today's Responsorial Psalm 93:5-15! But come to think of it, we are rather the people that abandon God, not God abandoning us; for He is always faithful and cannot disown Himself, even though we are unfaithful. (see 2 Timothy 2:13). There is this natural tendency in human being to walk out on God when he/she feels or has no need of Him.
The euphoria of our achievements and success in life's endeavours, if care is not taken, make us proud and lose sense of God's power in our lives; just like the Assyrians in today's first reading (Isaiah 10:5-7;13-16). And we know full well that “Pride goes before a fall” Also, that “God opposes the proud but bestows favour on the humble.” 1 Peter 5:6.
Therefore, the people God will not abandon, as it were, are those who walk humbly before Him, those who express and exercise their need of him. They are those whom Jesus exclaimed in today's Gospel (Mt. 11:25-27), “I bless you, father Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.” Our prayer and attitude, according to Francis Libermann, the co-founder of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, ought to acknowledge, “God is all, Man is nothing.” And in the words of the book of proverbs (30:9a), “Lest being full, I deny you, saying, 'Who is the Lord?”
The euphoria of our achievements and success in life's endeavours, if care is not taken, make us proud and lose sense of God's power in our lives; just like the Assyrians in today's first reading (Isaiah 10:5-7;13-16). And we know full well that “Pride goes before a fall” Also, that “God opposes the proud but bestows favour on the humble.” 1 Peter 5:6.
Therefore, the people God will not abandon, as it were, are those who walk humbly before Him, those who express and exercise their need of him. They are those whom Jesus exclaimed in today's Gospel (Mt. 11:25-27), “I bless you, father Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.” Our prayer and attitude, according to Francis Libermann, the co-founder of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, ought to acknowledge, “God is all, Man is nothing.” And in the words of the book of proverbs (30:9a), “Lest being full, I deny you, saying, 'Who is the Lord?”
Bury the dead
Faith Issues Series | Fifteenth Week in Ordinary time
By Eva Chuma Nnamene
By Eva Chuma Nnamene
“To bury the dead” is the last Corporal Work of Mercy. Death itself is the natural severance of the soul from the body. It puts an end to all earthly plans, dreams, desires and endeavours. At death humans become history as everything about them would be read in the past. As the choristers sing: “what the living are is what the dead were, and what the dead are is what the living will become at their appointed times”.
In our physical world, we observe that things have beginnings. They also have ends. In human life, death brings that end to the person. “Thou know’st ‘tis common; all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity” (Shakespeare, Hamlet). Death is a certainty. “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that, comes judgment” (Hebrews 9: 27). Though we do not know when it will come, but it will, surely, when it will come. “That we shall die we know; ‘tis but the time and drawing days out, that men stand upon” (Shakespeare Julius Caesar). When it will be, how it will be, and where it will be are all uncertainties. But with the cessation of consciousness, breaths, bumping of blood and so on, the body dies. Soon after death, rigor mortis sets in on the body. The next thing will be the decomposition of the body.
At the stage of decomposition, which is about 30 hours after death, the dead body is no longer hygienic to be left around those who are alive. If there were no embalmment, maggots would start forming in the body. Odor of decaying body will saturate the area. We may want to stay around the person because of our relationship, but the instinct for self-preservation would somehow push us out of the place. The truth is that 30 hours after death, the body is already constituting public nuisance. No matter how we feel about the person while he lived, we are more likely to approach his/her body with caution. At this point, no matter what, we would feel like giving the dead some befitting burial – to lay the person to rest.
It is common sense logic to bury the dead because of the impending health hazards dead bodies pose to the general public. But apart from the natural instinct to avoid the health hazards dead bodies pose, we bury the dead because of the dignity of the human person. The dead body was the body of a person and not of an animal. This person was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 27). During baptism that body was anointed. In Pauline teaching, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20). The respect we give to our bodies because they are the temple of the Holy Spirit will certainly not stop because the soul has been severed from the body. The respect continues.
The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy; it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit (CCC, 2300).
It is the hope of the resurrection that gives meaning to our faith as Christians. It is this same hope of the resurrection that would make us plan to bury others. However, we know that is not always easy to bury the dead. In our next edition we are going to look at the challenges of burying the dead.
In our physical world, we observe that things have beginnings. They also have ends. In human life, death brings that end to the person. “Thou know’st ‘tis common; all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity” (Shakespeare, Hamlet). Death is a certainty. “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that, comes judgment” (Hebrews 9: 27). Though we do not know when it will come, but it will, surely, when it will come. “That we shall die we know; ‘tis but the time and drawing days out, that men stand upon” (Shakespeare Julius Caesar). When it will be, how it will be, and where it will be are all uncertainties. But with the cessation of consciousness, breaths, bumping of blood and so on, the body dies. Soon after death, rigor mortis sets in on the body. The next thing will be the decomposition of the body.
At the stage of decomposition, which is about 30 hours after death, the dead body is no longer hygienic to be left around those who are alive. If there were no embalmment, maggots would start forming in the body. Odor of decaying body will saturate the area. We may want to stay around the person because of our relationship, but the instinct for self-preservation would somehow push us out of the place. The truth is that 30 hours after death, the body is already constituting public nuisance. No matter how we feel about the person while he lived, we are more likely to approach his/her body with caution. At this point, no matter what, we would feel like giving the dead some befitting burial – to lay the person to rest.
It is common sense logic to bury the dead because of the impending health hazards dead bodies pose to the general public. But apart from the natural instinct to avoid the health hazards dead bodies pose, we bury the dead because of the dignity of the human person. The dead body was the body of a person and not of an animal. This person was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 27). During baptism that body was anointed. In Pauline teaching, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20). The respect we give to our bodies because they are the temple of the Holy Spirit will certainly not stop because the soul has been severed from the body. The respect continues.
The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy; it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit (CCC, 2300).
It is the hope of the resurrection that gives meaning to our faith as Christians. It is this same hope of the resurrection that would make us plan to bury others. However, we know that is not always easy to bury the dead. In our next edition we are going to look at the challenges of burying the dead.
Tuesday 12 July 2016
“Christian prayer... a loving conversation with Jesus”
TEXTS OF ST. JOSEMARIA
July 12, 2016
I have always understood Christian prayer as being a loving conversation with Jesus, which shouldn't be interrupted even in the moments when we are physically far from the Tabernacle, because our whole life is a serenade of human love for our God|... and we can love always. (The Forge, 435)
Each day without fail we should devote some time especially to God, raising our minds to him, without any need for the words to come to our lips, for they are being sung in our heart. Let us give enough time to this devout practice; at a fixed hour, if possible. Before the Tabernacle, close to him who has remained there out of Love. If this is not possible, we can pray anywhere because our God is ineffably present in the heart of every soul in grace. Still I would advise you to go to the oratory whenever you can…
July 12, 2016
I have always understood Christian prayer as being a loving conversation with Jesus, which shouldn't be interrupted even in the moments when we are physically far from the Tabernacle, because our whole life is a serenade of human love for our God|... and we can love always. (The Forge, 435)
Each day without fail we should devote some time especially to God, raising our minds to him, without any need for the words to come to our lips, for they are being sung in our heart. Let us give enough time to this devout practice; at a fixed hour, if possible. Before the Tabernacle, close to him who has remained there out of Love. If this is not possible, we can pray anywhere because our God is ineffably present in the heart of every soul in grace. Still I would advise you to go to the oratory whenever you can…
Each one of you, if he wants, can find his own way to converse with God. I do not like to talk about methods or formulas, because I have never wished to straitjacket anyone. What I have always tried to do is to encourage everyone to come closer to Our Lord, respecting each soul as it is, each with its own characteristics. Ask him to introduce his ideas and plans into our lives: not only into our heads, but also into the depths of our hearts and into all our outward actions. I assure you that you will thus be spared many of the disappointments and sorrows of selfishness, and you will find you have the strength to do good to all around you. How many obstacles vanish when in our hearts we place ourselves next to this God of ours, who never abandons us! Jesus’ love for his own, for the sick and for the lame, is renewed, expressed in different ways, ‘What is the matter?’ he asks, and we reply, ‘It’s my...’ At once there is light, or at least the acceptance of his will, and inner peace.
When I encourage you to open your heart in confidence to the Master, I am referring especially to your own difficulties, because most of the obstacles to our happiness come from our pride, which may be hidden to a greater or less degree. We had thought we were worth a great deal and had a lot of exceptional qualities; then, when others didn’t agree, we felt humiliated. This is a good time to pray and to correct our mistaken attitude. We can be sure it is never too late to change our course. (Friends of God, 249)
GOD'S MIRACLE: SALVATION NOT SOLUTION
Daily Reflection Tuesday 12th July, 2016
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
The scriptural explanation of the origin of evil and sufferings is traceable to that Genesis account of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, that is, man's disobedience to the perfect law of God. Ever since, all of man's self-effort to save himself without the need of God, his creator, or obedience to His commandments has rather plunged him into more problems than alleviate his sufferings and troubles, leaving with other option than to look up to God for divine assistance. This, of course, God in His loving kindness and mercy has continued to demonstrate through miracles; hence, the present crave and craze for miracles by man.
In the first reading from Isaiah 7:1-9, we saw God demonstrating His mighty miraculous powers in coming to the aid of His people against their oppressors. This is a sure proof of today's Responsorial Psalm 47:2-9, that “God upholds his city for ever. Even while on earth, Jesus performed a lot of miracles in order to free people from the bondage of the devil, sickness and death. These, however, serve only as temporary solutions to man's mounting problems. Hence, the need for the highest and greatest miracles, the death on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the eternal salvation of man.
Unfortunately, people's concern and desire for miracle are now limited to mere temporary solutions to their numerous predicaments. Thus, the so called miracle workers hardly preach salvation but solutions to problems at the widespread healing/solution centres. There is less emphasis on moral instructions but the promotion of moral convenience. It is against this background that one can understand why Jesus in today's Gospel (Mt. 11:20-24) condemned Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for not fulfilling the ultimate purpose of miracles, which is for conversion and salvation of souls, and not necessarily for problems solving.
Meaning by that, while we earnestly ask for and trust in God's unfailing help concerning our deprivations and yearnings in life, we should endeavour to reciprocate this extravagant show of divine love by drawing closer to God, in our knowledge, love and service of Him. For Jesus advised the Jews searching for Him for miracles, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him, the Father, God, has set His seal”. (John. 6:27)
In the first reading from Isaiah 7:1-9, we saw God demonstrating His mighty miraculous powers in coming to the aid of His people against their oppressors. This is a sure proof of today's Responsorial Psalm 47:2-9, that “God upholds his city for ever. Even while on earth, Jesus performed a lot of miracles in order to free people from the bondage of the devil, sickness and death. These, however, serve only as temporary solutions to man's mounting problems. Hence, the need for the highest and greatest miracles, the death on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the eternal salvation of man.
Unfortunately, people's concern and desire for miracle are now limited to mere temporary solutions to their numerous predicaments. Thus, the so called miracle workers hardly preach salvation but solutions to problems at the widespread healing/solution centres. There is less emphasis on moral instructions but the promotion of moral convenience. It is against this background that one can understand why Jesus in today's Gospel (Mt. 11:20-24) condemned Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for not fulfilling the ultimate purpose of miracles, which is for conversion and salvation of souls, and not necessarily for problems solving.
Meaning by that, while we earnestly ask for and trust in God's unfailing help concerning our deprivations and yearnings in life, we should endeavour to reciprocate this extravagant show of divine love by drawing closer to God, in our knowledge, love and service of Him. For Jesus advised the Jews searching for Him for miracles, “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him, the Father, God, has set His seal”. (John. 6:27)
Monday 11 July 2016
MORAL INSTRUCTION Vs. MORAL CONVENIENCE!
Daily Reflection Monday 11th July, 2016
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
By Achinike, Rufus C.S.Sp.
The height of moral decadence, such as the case the Lord condemned through His Prophet Isaiah in today's first reading (Isaiah 1:10-17), is now alarmingly disturbing in our own time for everyone to acknowledge. There is no gain saying that what is responsible for this unfortunate situation is the detest or neglect of moral instructions both in family and societal institutions. Or rather, it is the subtle replacement of moral instruction with moral convenience by man, who is working tirelessly to dethrone God and relegate Him to the background.
Hence, Jesus, the God-Son, without mincing words, began His instructions to the Twelve in today's Gospel (Mathew. 10:34-11:1) on an uncompromising note; “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth; It is not peace, I have come to bring, but a sword.” Meaning by that, anyone who desires to be on God's side is automatically opposed and antagonized by the rest who prefer moral convenience to moral instructions. Regrettably, the majority are those who, in the words of the psalmist in the responsorial Psalm 49, recite God's commandments and take His covenant on their lips, who despise His Law. (Instruction) and throw His words to the winds.
The Good News is that to the few who are determined, dedicated and disciplined, in keeping with His instructions, He has promised salvation to. They are the ones the Psalmist said, “I will show God's salvation to the upright.”Remember, this same promise is contained in the Beatitudes. “Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:10). And “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Luke 21:19)
Hence, Jesus, the God-Son, without mincing words, began His instructions to the Twelve in today's Gospel (Mathew. 10:34-11:1) on an uncompromising note; “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth; It is not peace, I have come to bring, but a sword.” Meaning by that, anyone who desires to be on God's side is automatically opposed and antagonized by the rest who prefer moral convenience to moral instructions. Regrettably, the majority are those who, in the words of the psalmist in the responsorial Psalm 49, recite God's commandments and take His covenant on their lips, who despise His Law. (Instruction) and throw His words to the winds.
The Good News is that to the few who are determined, dedicated and disciplined, in keeping with His instructions, He has promised salvation to. They are the ones the Psalmist said, “I will show God's salvation to the upright.”Remember, this same promise is contained in the Beatitudes. “Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:10). And “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Luke 21:19)
Saturday 9 July 2016
A MAN OF UNCLEAN SPIRIT
Daily Reflections9th July, 2016
By. Fr. Athanasius Agbo
Isaiah's call is described as a profound liturgical experience in thetemple, with swirling clouds of incense imagined as a royal robefilling the temple. In response to his unworthiness God purified hislips with a burning coal. “Spiritual humility and, calmness that drawsGod's grace. With purification comes the willingness to be used by Godas He may choose. Once a person understands that worthiness completely
depends upon God, it raises spiritual confidence in him. Onye bunyeonwe ya elu……
depends upon God, it raises spiritual confidence in him. Onye bunyeonwe ya elu……
Friday 8 July 2016
BEING A SNAKE AND A DOVE
Friday 8th July, 2016
By Fr. Athanaius Agbo
Putting into mind being shrewd as serpent, and at the same time being innocent and simple as dove sounds hard and contradictory. But the context in which Jesus speaks may be very helpful to us. He speaks of how those who are to witness to their belief in the mix of persecutions and oppositions, should carry themselves in order to scale through when the going gets tough. Just being simple minded is not just going to be enough. Christians also need to interpret the hand writings in any giving situation. Christians should not be naive to what the society may do about our faith and expression of it.
We need to be on our guard not to fall into worldly mode of secular societies and government. In this sense we are to be innocent as dove devoid of revenge or retaliatory measure.
Thursday 7 July 2016
THE JOY OF EVERY GIFT IS THE ABILITY TO SHARE
Thursday 7th July, 2016
By Fr. Athanaius Agbo
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them power over uncleanspirit and all manner of disease as they went about proclaiming the
good news that the rain of God is at hand. We all share in thismissionary mandate with its accruing gifts. Among other giftsincludes, the gift of faith which we must share, because we receivedit without any payment and therefore we must also give it out withoutcharge.
Therefore, these gifts such as faith in the message, the sick and toraise the dead should be used for the good of others without any
advantage to themselves.
advantage to themselves.
We too have receiving gifts from the Lord which He wants us to share.
Try and discover your own and be able to share with others. It couldbe gift of life, physical fitness, love, and happiness.
Try and discover your own and be able to share with others. It couldbe gift of life, physical fitness, love, and happiness.
Wednesday 6 July 2016
HE NEVER GIVES UP
Daily Reflections
Wednesday 6th July, 2016
By Fr. Athanaius Agbo
“When stomachs and pocket books are full, warning falls on deaf ears”.
The northern kingdom of Israel was prospering. The more fruitful,
their orchards were, the more alters they built for false gods; and
more productive their fields were, the more pillars they erected for
pagan idols. Here comes the prophet Hosea's warning that if they did
not reform themselves that punishment will descend upon them (Ho.
10:10) low and behold it did. The northern kingdom was destroyed by
Assyrian armies within ten year. But God never give up on his people.
In the gospel we see Jesus choosing his twelve apostles sending out to
recover his lost sheep of “house of Israel” Mt. 10:16. Today we live
in a world of affluence. Are we aware of the dangers of too much
affluence? Many have lost their Spiritual Balance by making material
prosperity their ends.
Tuesday 5 July 2016
Daily Reflections: “NO NEED FOR IDOLATORY”
Tuesday 5th July, 2016
“NO NEED FOR IDOLATORY”
By Fr. Athanaius Agbo
When we hear or talk of idolatory in the scripture, we don't have to
go about looking for statues and images of winged animals or idealized
human beings. Idolatory, in the essence of our lives, remains a
genuine peril for all of us. We can easily make self, our comfort and
tranquility, our peace and prosperity, into idols. They becomes this
when we devote our greatest effort and our best energy and time to
them while offer, considerably less attention to the service of God
and love of our neighbor (mat. 22:37-39) our idols, whatever they may
be, they are no less helpless than those described in psalm 115. They
are like the wing that returns to destroy us and like what that
produces, no ears for harvest or sustenance. “Biko muru anya”
“NO NEED FOR IDOLATORY”
By Fr. Athanaius Agbo
When we hear or talk of idolatory in the scripture, we don't have to
go about looking for statues and images of winged animals or idealized
human beings. Idolatory, in the essence of our lives, remains a
genuine peril for all of us. We can easily make self, our comfort and
tranquility, our peace and prosperity, into idols. They becomes this
when we devote our greatest effort and our best energy and time to
them while offer, considerably less attention to the service of God
and love of our neighbor (mat. 22:37-39) our idols, whatever they may
be, they are no less helpless than those described in psalm 115. They
are like the wing that returns to destroy us and like what that
produces, no ears for harvest or sustenance. “Biko muru anya”
Sunday 3 July 2016
(A Joint Press Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the Three Dioceses in Enugu State following an Inter-Diocesan Prayer Procession for Greater Security in the Sate, in the Wake of Repeated Attacks by Herdsmen in Various Parts of the State)
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| Bishop Onah the Joint Statement y the Catholic Bishops of the Three Dioceses in Enugu State Following an Interdiocesan Prayer Procession for Greater Security in the State in the Wake of Repeated Attacks by Herdsmen.. |
Ladies and gentlemen of the Press,
Fellow citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
For decades our people here in Enugu State – a peaceful and God-fearing population of predominantly peasant farmers, traders and civil servants – have played hosts (not without some difficulties) to a succession of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle in various parts of the State. Over the years, there have been frequent disagreements between the herdsmen and the local population, but such were mostly minor and tolerable inconveniences that one should expect in order to make accommodation for another within the same space. In the past few years, however, this relationship has become increasingly problematic as the herdsmen turned aggressive, disrespectful and destructive in their activities. More recently, this gathering storm has led to conflicts characterized by kidnappings and robberies, the loss of lives, limbs and property, the rape of women and girls, and the utter destruction of farms and farmlands. The most recent and widely reported incident at Nimbo, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, in which several of our farmers and fellow citizens were savagely butchered to death in their own homes, was the culmination of a growing culture of impunity, arrogance and dare-devilry among the herdsmen, some of whom have become increasingly lawless. The result is that an ominous cloud of fear, foreboding and insecurity now hangs thick over our people in their own home State. So far, the responses of the various security agencies to these attacks and needless provocations have not been enough to give the people a sense of being protected by them.
As responsible citizens, clergymen, spiritual leaders and opinion leaders, we have been praying about and deliberating on these mounting challenges. At the end of a long prayer session with the members of our flock and after careful consultations with thoughtful men and women across the State, we have come to the following conclusions:
a) That the free grazing of cattle in our area has now become a threat not only to the growing of crops, which is the mainstay of our sedentary people, but also to our lives.
b) That the nomadic lifestyle makes policing and the pursuit of criminals much more complex and hazardous, while providing terrorists like Boko Haram operatives with ready cover for penetrating every nook and cranny of our country.
In view of the aforementioned developments, we demand on behalf of our long-suffering people and all citizens of Nigeria that the various levels of Government in Nigeria take more proactive steps to ensure that this already tense situation does not degenerate into an open clash of ethnic nationalities all over the country. The Government should not be seen as turning a blind eye to life-threatening problems of any section of the citizenry, especially when such an attitude is at the same time perceived as unduly favouring another section. In the light of this, therefore, we call on the Federal Government to drop, without further delay, the so-called “Grazing Bill” which is quite capable of tearing apart the fragile unity of our country. Nigerians are already suffering much on account of the economic hardships in the Country at the moment. To add to this by abdicating its responsibility in the provision of security for the people would amount to insensitivity on the part of the Government. We equally believe it would be wrong for the Government to think that the patience of the people in these difficult times is unlimited.
We however enjoin our people, and indeed all the good people of Nigeria, to be law-abiding and to continue to work for a harmonious co-existence between all Nigerians. We shall continue to defend the right of every Nigerian to live in any part of the Country and carry on his or her legitimate business, while respecting the laws of the land and the rights of other people to do the same.
We urge all our local community leaders to refrain from entering into agreements with herdsmen or with any other groups of persons that would create room for tension and crisis. We would advise that all such agreements already in existence be renegotiated in a way that would ensure justice for all the parties.
Finally, may we all intensify our prayers for peace, unity and harmony in Nigeria, while resolving to collaborate with God’s grace in making it a great Country.
Let us give peace a chance!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Long live Enugu State!!
Thank you for your time and patient attention.
+ John Ifeanyichukwu Okoye
(Catholic Bishop of Awgu)
+ Calistus Chukwuma Onaga
(Catholic Bishop of Enugu)
+ Godfrey Igwebuike Onah
(Catholic Bishop of Nsukka)
Given at Awgu, Enugu and Nsukka on Saturday 2 July 2016.
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