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Today we celebrate the liturgy of the third Sunday of Advent. Third Sundays of Advent are traditionally referred to, in the Catholic Church, as Gaudete Sunday – Joy Sunday.The term is inspired by the message and mood of the day's Liturgy. The word, “Gaudete”, is taken from the opening antiphon of today which reads: “Gaudete in Domino semper, iterum, dico: Gaudete!…Dominus prope” – “Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say, Rejoice! … the Lord is at hand” (cf. Phil. 4:4-5). This antiphon summarises the mood and message of the Liturgy of today - Joy, rejoicing.
In Advent, we are encouraged to reflective and do penance in order to prepare well to receive the coming Saviour. Why then, does the Church, through St. Paul, invite us her children, to be happy and rejoice? Why should the theme of rejoicing dominate the entire atmosphere of today's celebration? The answer is very simple: the reason for our profound happiness, though, we are still in the season of Advent is that our period of waiting (for the Lord) is nearing its end. Our Lord is now very close to us. Our Saviour is very near. “Near” in this sense, does not mean being a short distance away; maybe, just “around the corner” or “outside the door”. It is much deeper and involving than these. It means “Emmanuel” - God with us, here and now; he is in our midst. And this can manifest in many ways. So, by implication, we should be intoxicated with joy, for the Lord is with us. Happiness means being near Jesus. When the Lord is in the midst of his people, there is always joy; there is relief; there is no more fear; hope abounds and the people are saved from the evils that trouble them.
The prophet, Isaiah, in the first reading of today, calls on almost despondentIsrael to rejoice, blossom and be courageous for her God is coming to save her from the material historical predicament she was passing through. His presence would bring her good tidings. He then, goes on to describe the wonderful scenario that would characterize the reign of this great king among his people.
As the early Christians lived in expectation of the immediate second coming of Jesus Christ amid great persecution in a hostile society, James, in the second reading, encourages them to continue waiting with patience and great faith for the day of Christ. He uses the image of a farmer who waits patiently for the precious fruits of the ground until it has the autuum and the spring rains, to exhort them to steadfastness in the Lord even in their trial moments. In a like manner, He also calls on us, the Christians of today, to patiently wait in faith for divine intervention at the appointed time in our present life challenges, just as the farmer waits patiently for the working of nature. The waiting might be painful and demanding but it is rewarding.
John the Baptist was courageous. While in prison, though, in a tempting moment and great agony, he still remained strong in faith. He never wavered. In today's Gospel reading, John, who was in prison, heart all that Jesus was doing and sent his discipline to him with the question: “Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?”
Mathew did not tell us why John was imprisoned. But, according to Luke (cf Lk.3:19-20), John was put in prison by Herod Antipas, one of the sons of Herod the great, for reproving him for taking Herodias, the wife of his brother, Philip. It might be pertinent to note that Herod Antipas might have taken after the evil ways of his father, Herod the great, the wicked and much hated usurper, who manipulated the Roman authorities into recognizing him as the official king of the province of Judea in 31/30 BC. While on the throne, He killed some of his sons and officials perceived as possible rivals. And, in his cruelty, according to Mathew's account, he slaughtered all the male children in Bethlehem up to the age of two in a bid to eliminate Jesus Christ. At his death, however, the kingdom was divided among his three remaining sons y the Romans. These princes included: Archelaus, Philip and, of course, Herod Antipas, who was in charge of Galilee and a part of Trans-Jordan, where John the Baptist was ministering.
John the Forerunner of Jesus Christ
John the Baptist started his preaching before Jesus Christ. He was a great prophet of God sent to prepare the way for the messiah. And so, he called the people to repentance through baptism. As a true prophet of God, John spoke the truth courageously to each man's conscience irrespective of who they are. In the course of his ministry, he stepped on the toes of people of power and influence, and was incarcerated.
John the Baptist knew well enough who he himself was. And the identity of Jesus Christ was very clear to him too. When his own identity was inquired about by the priests and levities from Jerusalem, John openly confessed that he was not the messiah but rather a voice crying out in the wilderness … (cf Jn. 1:19-28).He was the one who pointed out Jesus as a redeemer to his disciples saying:“Here is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of world! This is he of whom I said;'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he was before me” (cf. Jn. 1:29-30)
So, he could not have doubted about who Jesus is. John might have had some difficulty with the way Jesus Christ, the supposed messiah, was behaving, because, it was completely different from the way he himself conceived and preached it. He spoke of the messiah as one who would come with a winnowing fork in his hand (cf. Mt 3:12) to clear his threshing floor and to gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire (cf. Mt. 3:12). He presented the messiah as a severe judge, and related him to the wrath to come”, saying that “the axe is lying at the root of the trees…to cut down and put into fire any tree that does not bear good fruits” (cf. Mt 3:7, 10).
But, the above picture of the messiah is different from the way he heard Jesus was carrying out his ministry. Jesus, being the concrete manifestation of and the channel of God's love for man, brought the judgement of God in a humble and gentle manner, portraying God as a merciful and loving judge. John's difficulty in understanding this cannot be said to be tantamount to a doubt. A typical Jew of his time had a politico-social perception of the expected messiah; an understanding contrary to the true nature and mission of Jesus's own kind of messiah. However, Jesus,through the message he sent to John through John's disciples, resolved the difficulty when he made it clear that he was the messiah, in whom the prophesy of Isaiah was fulfilled. Thus, he said: “Go back and tell John what you are seeing and hearing. The blind are seeing again, the lame walking, lepers being cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead being raised to life and the Good News is preached to the poor” (cf. Mt. 11:5).
Are you the Messiah?
But one might ask: If John did not doubt, why then did he send his disciples to Jesus while in prison to make such inquiries about Jesus? It could be that John wanted to clear the doubts of his own disciples about Jesus' true messiahship by sending them to him to hear and see for themselves, and be convinced. He might have done this for their own good. Remember, this people were earlier worried that Jesus was growing more popular than their own master and so had to report such “ugly” development to John (cf. Jn.3:25-26). But, John responded: “No one can receive anything except what has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnessea that I said, 'I am not the messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease (cf. Jn. 3: 27-30).
John knew who he was and who Jesus is too; there was no confusion. He was neither disappointed nor lost faith in Jesus even in his predicament. While it might be true that John's imprisonment and the manner of Jesus' messianic mission may have been both surprising and disappointing to John, John did not do or say anything that seriously suggests a lost of faith or taking of offense at the Lord. He accepted his destiny with faith and so, was crowned with eternal reward.
How About Us?
We might, as well, ask ourselves: What kind of messiah are we expecting?; A “sharp-sharp messiah? A miracle working one? One that would remove our problems and answer our prayers automatically immediately we shout, “holy ghost fire” and say, “it is not my portion?” No! We should allow God to be God for us in his own way and pace. Remember, Christ has asked us to carry our cross daily and follow him. It demands sacrifice and patience.
The question is. “What is our reaction when, in difficult moments, our prayers seem unanswered and our hopes and expectations of and from God appear unfulfilled. John, in today's gospel, is imprisoned for preaching the Good News and standing by the truth. So, like him, we sometimes in our lives, get stuck between a rock and a hard place, because of some natural causes or even for daring to take the right path and do the right thing - forstanding by the truth. We, then feel like asking the Lord: Are you truly God? Are you going to help me or will you leave me helpless in this prison/situation? Are you concerned at all that I am a good Christian who attend morning masses everyday and participate actively in other Church activities? What have I done Lord? Why is this my portion? Etc. But we are being encouraged in today's Liturgy to always be strong and patient and hopeful in the Lord in such tempting situations.
As Jesus told John's disciples, if we ourselves look around, we will see his messianic interventions in the lives of people around us; in our homes parishes, towns, places of work, and elsewhere. These are signs that God is always there for his people. He intervenes in every moment of our lives. He has and will never leave us dejected. He is our God, Messiah and Salvation.
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Utuh Marian Shrine Records Unprecedented Votaries
Ahead of next year's Centenary Anniversary of the Fatima apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, large crowds of Marian devotees have been flocking to the Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre of our Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine in Utuh, Nnewi South council area of Anambra State. The latest visit was the unprecedented large number of the Jesus the Healer Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi.
Numbering over sixty pilgrims, the Charismatic members arrived the Marian Shrine on Friday and departed on Sunday afternoon after a three-day spiritual devotion consisting of Bible reflections, Marian devotional hymns, rosaries, inspirational prayers and mortification.
Addressing the pilgrims, the Rector of the Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Utuh, Rev Fr Vitus Nnadi called on them to maintain a healthy culture of giving due recognition to the Mother of God who was given to mankind by Christ himself, assuring that the Virgin Mother is ever solicitous of our needs and ever willing to come to our assistance once invoked
Fr Nnadi, who is also the Parish Vicar of St Stephen's Catholic Church Utuh underscored the critical role of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the economy of our salvation, citing numerous instances of the Mother of God's direct positive intervention in the affairs of mankind.
Fr Nnadi informed the pilgrims that several groups of votaries have been thronging the centre in devotional supplication and mortification for sins and those of the whole world. Such groups include the priests and religious, pious associations and individuals
On his readiness for the year of Our Lady which has been inaugurated by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Fr Nnadi said that the centre was in top form and has made available large updated accommodation facilities, availability of water, assurances of comfort and a great publicity blitz for Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
According to the rector: “I am optimistic that many people will visit the centre. I have already contacted the Diocesan Chaplain of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Rev Fr Mbaebie who will visit this place with a large group. We will be at Blaze FM Radio Station and make advert placements in the newspapers. We are upbeat of getting sponsors. We have a multiple strategy for the total success of the Year of Our Lady.”
Interested Marian devotees should reach Fr Nnadi through 09026753941. Fr is also on Whasapp page.
Numbering over sixty pilgrims, the Charismatic members arrived the Marian Shrine on Friday and departed on Sunday afternoon after a three-day spiritual devotion consisting of Bible reflections, Marian devotional hymns, rosaries, inspirational prayers and mortification.
Addressing the pilgrims, the Rector of the Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Utuh, Rev Fr Vitus Nnadi called on them to maintain a healthy culture of giving due recognition to the Mother of God who was given to mankind by Christ himself, assuring that the Virgin Mother is ever solicitous of our needs and ever willing to come to our assistance once invoked
Fr Nnadi, who is also the Parish Vicar of St Stephen's Catholic Church Utuh underscored the critical role of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the economy of our salvation, citing numerous instances of the Mother of God's direct positive intervention in the affairs of mankind.
Fr Nnadi informed the pilgrims that several groups of votaries have been thronging the centre in devotional supplication and mortification for sins and those of the whole world. Such groups include the priests and religious, pious associations and individuals
On his readiness for the year of Our Lady which has been inaugurated by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Fr Nnadi said that the centre was in top form and has made available large updated accommodation facilities, availability of water, assurances of comfort and a great publicity blitz for Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
According to the rector: “I am optimistic that many people will visit the centre. I have already contacted the Diocesan Chaplain of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Rev Fr Mbaebie who will visit this place with a large group. We will be at Blaze FM Radio Station and make advert placements in the newspapers. We are upbeat of getting sponsors. We have a multiple strategy for the total success of the Year of Our Lady.”
Interested Marian devotees should reach Fr Nnadi through 09026753941. Fr is also on Whasapp page.
LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD: Charisms For The General Good Not For Profit!
They Preach without due Considerations!
To the question posed by St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans, “Well, then, is it possible that they have not heard [the word of Christ]?, St. Paul himself replied, “Indeed they have: in the entire earth their voice stands out, their message reaches the whole world” (Romans 10:18). The word of Christ is resounding over the whole world. There are people who make it their business to proclaim the word of Christ, morning, afternoon and night. Some ensure that people around them do not sleep by holding every night noisy vigils.
St. Paul while in prison was aware that many people were preaching the Message without fear and I would add, without restraint. His experience teaches us abiding lessons: “It is true that some of them are preaching Christ out of malice and rivalry [I add, avarice and materialism]; but there are many as well whose intentions are good; some are doing it out of love, knowing that I remain firm in my defence of the gospel.
There are others who are proclaiming Christ out of jealousy, not in sincerity but meaning to add to the weight of my chains. But what does it matter? Only that in both ways, whether with false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and for that I am happy; and I shall go on being happy...” (Philippians 1:15-19). Preaching Christ is one thing and preaching Christ for the right purpose is another. To preach Christ for the right purpose demands well prepared context and circumstances that will make the word of Christ take root, grow and yield abundant fruits in the lives of the people, fruits of righteousness. We need to ensure that the soil is rich for us to plant the seed of the word of Christ.
Challenges to the Audience
The major challenge to the preaching of the word of Christ comes from the hearers. Often the hearers are only interested in what tickles their fancy. St. Paul put it thus: “The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then they will shut their ears to the truth and will turn to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Jesus Christ taught the truth but many were not prepared to accept the truth.
When he performed miracles, multiplied bread and fish, they pursued him all over the place. Jesus Christ told them: “In all truth I tell you, you are looking for me not because you have seen signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat. Do not work for food that goes bad, but work for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal” (John 6:26-27). When Jesus Christ told them the word of eternal life, about his flesh which is the food of eternal life, the people reacted negatively: This is intolerable language.
How could anyone accept it?” (John 6:60). Many of the disciples of Jesus went away and followed him no more (see John 6:66). It is evident that many people go for what they want and not necessarily what they need. For that reason, they will want to hear not the good news of salvation but the ephemeral news of miracles, signs and wonders, healing, prosperity and the likes. The experience of Jesus Christ himself goes to confirm the dissonance in the lives and attitudes of people towards the word of Christ.
Attraction of Signs and Wonders
We will, therefore, not be surprised that thousands and thousands flock to places where there are claims of signs and wonders but few go to the places where God is worshipped in spirit and truth (see John 4:24). Many rush and suffer to be part of the “miracle” centres and that is why the prayer ministries, adoration ministries and fellowships are booming while places of teaching of sound doctrines are deserted.
Pope Francis gives the fundamental explanation: “In the prevailing culture, priority is given to the outward, the immediate, the visible, the quick, the superficial and the provisional. What is real gives way to appearances” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel, no. 62). The result is that people will do all they can to pursue the ephemeral claims of miracles, signs and wonders but will hardly have time to renounce themselves and take up their cross to follow Christ (see Matthew 16:24).
The Good News of salvation will continue to be what every human being needs and genuine Christians must renounce all the attractions of spiritual “abracadabra” to do like St. Peter who replied to Jesus Christ: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69). Genuine preachers and teachers will continue to preach and teach, welcome or unwelcome (see 2 Timothy 4:1-2).
Fruit that remains!
While preachers and teachers of commodity are primarily interested in the immediate gains, the huge seeds sown by them for the gullible, the genuine preacher and teachers are concerned about bearing fruit, fruit that will remain, fruit that will lead to eternal life (see John 15:16). Jesus Christ did not choose the disciples to go and fish for money and cheap popularity but “to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (John 15:16).
Genuine preachers and teachers should not be discouraged by the normal indifference to the truth and morality preached and taught by true followers of Jesus Christ. They should not be worried by the huge “successes” of those who preach and teach what the people want to hear and thus scoop up huge material and social benefits. The seed that is sown in rich soil will bear the appropriate fruit and that is what is important. The fruit that will last is the people drawn to eternal life by knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (see John 17:3). Let us continue to prepare rich soil for planting the seeds by putting in fertiliser and manure, that is, by using appropriate means to draw the people to true doctrines of the Church, the message of eternal life and not to the passing fancies of signs and wonders.
Charisms for the General Good not for Profit!
Charisms have a place in the Church and in her evangelising mission. We need to reflect with Pope Francis in his teaching of “Charisms at the service of a Communion Which Evangelizes”. According to our Holy Father, “The Holy Spirit also enriches the entire evangelizing Church with different charisms” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, - The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130). Charisms are the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to individuals at will (see 1 Corinthians 12:11).
The gifts of preaching, teaching, faith, healing, working miracles, prophecy, vision, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues are all given to individuals “to be used for the general good” (see 1 Corinthians 12:6-11). The challenge is the appropriate use of the charisms by those who actually received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are not talking about the fake miracle-workers and those falsely claiming spiritual powers and those with magical powers like the sages, sorcerers and magicians of Pharaoh (see Exodus 7:11, 21-22; 8:3). Similarly, we are not talking about false Christs and prophets who “will arise and provide great signs and portents, enough to deceive even the elect, if that were possible” (Matthew 24:24).
We must also be aware of the power of the Evil One which empowers beast to work great miracles (see Revelation 13:13).
Using Charisms for Authentic Evangelisation!
Pope Francis teaches clearly that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, charisms, “are not an inheritance, safely secured and entrusted to a small group for safekeeping; rather they are gifts of the Spirit integrated into the body of the Church, drawn to the centre which is Christ and then channelled into an evangelizing impulse” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130). Charisms are not private properties to be use for private gains.
Sadly enough, many people today either use charisms for commercial enterprise and many fake up charisms for sordid gains. We need to be careful and vigilant to be able to discern which gifts are from God (see 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22). Any attempt to use God's gifts to make money or to make a name for oneself shows the underlying corruption. Pope Francis gives us a way to discern the authenticity of a charism: “A sure sign of authenticity of a charism is its ecclesial character, its ability to be integrated harmoniously into the life of God's holy and faithful people for the good of all” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130).
Indeed, “To the extent that a charism is better directed to the heart of the Gospel, its exercise will be more ecclesial. It is in communion, even when this proves painful, that a charism is seen to be authentic and mysteriously fruitful” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130). No to abuse of charisms, whether by Catholic sacred ministers or lay people! Also, no to allowing oneself to be misled by false manifestations of power, pseudo-miracles and fake signs and wonders! Yes to accepting the word of truth, the message of eternal life!
Self-indulgence, the Bane of Humanity
The worst destroyer of the effects of the word of God in the hearts and lives of people is what St. Paul called self-indulgence. St. Paul called on the Corinthians to stop yielding to self-indulgence. Self-indulgence which can also be aligned to self-centredness is opposed to the Spirit. It is a virus that destroys the goodness in human beings and yields obvious fruit of immorality – “sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery, antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Are surprised that the word of God is not producing the required fruit of repentance and the fruit of the Spirit – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)? The Imitation of Christ presents this challenge as listening and interpreting according to the vain pleasure of the listener. It went on: “The Lord says, I have instructed my prophets from the beginning and even to the present time I have not stopped speaking to all men, but many are deaf and obstinate in response. Many hear the world more easily that they hear God; they follow the desires of the flesh more readily than the pleasure of God.
The world promises rewards that are temporal and insignificant, and these are pursued with great longing; I promise rewards that are eternal and unsurpassable, yet the hearts of mortals respond sluggishly” (Book 3:3).
Do not love the world with its disorderly Desires
It is evident that many Catholics listen more to the world than to the Church and to those who preach the word of God. Certainly, some people listen more to their families and kinsmen (umunna). What our umunna say makes more sense to many people. Similarly, people listen more to the government without realising that the government is more concerned with secular affairs and not necessarily with morality. The example of same-sex marriage being approved by Western governments should be an eye-opener to sincere Catholics.
We should be conscious of the fact that the government and its agencies such as the legislature and judiciary are more concerned with legality than with morality. Other societal bodies that influence people more than the Church are trade unions, social clubs and organizations. How can one explain the incessant strikes by medical doctors and university staff leading to abandon people in need, especially sick people? It is evident that the world does not value the word of God and people who allow the world to influence them are sure to be swallowed up by secularism. That is why the word of God is choked by the thorns of worldliness.
No to Self-indulgence and Worldliness!
The genuine preacher and teacher must do the needful to bring about fundamental conversion of the heart and mindset of the people so that they can say “No” to self-indulgence, self-centredness and what Pope Francis called spiritual worldliness! It is only then that people can be receptive to the authentic message of eternal life and bear appropriate fruit that will remain! The fruit will transform not only the individuals but the society itself.
Listening to the Church and authentic preachers of the message of eternal life, people will no longer model their behaviour on the contemporary world but will let the renewing of their minds transform them, so that they may discern for themselves what is the will of God-
what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and mature (see Romans 12:2).
To the question posed by St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans, “Well, then, is it possible that they have not heard [the word of Christ]?, St. Paul himself replied, “Indeed they have: in the entire earth their voice stands out, their message reaches the whole world” (Romans 10:18). The word of Christ is resounding over the whole world. There are people who make it their business to proclaim the word of Christ, morning, afternoon and night. Some ensure that people around them do not sleep by holding every night noisy vigils.
St. Paul while in prison was aware that many people were preaching the Message without fear and I would add, without restraint. His experience teaches us abiding lessons: “It is true that some of them are preaching Christ out of malice and rivalry [I add, avarice and materialism]; but there are many as well whose intentions are good; some are doing it out of love, knowing that I remain firm in my defence of the gospel.
There are others who are proclaiming Christ out of jealousy, not in sincerity but meaning to add to the weight of my chains. But what does it matter? Only that in both ways, whether with false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and for that I am happy; and I shall go on being happy...” (Philippians 1:15-19). Preaching Christ is one thing and preaching Christ for the right purpose is another. To preach Christ for the right purpose demands well prepared context and circumstances that will make the word of Christ take root, grow and yield abundant fruits in the lives of the people, fruits of righteousness. We need to ensure that the soil is rich for us to plant the seed of the word of Christ.
Challenges to the Audience
The major challenge to the preaching of the word of Christ comes from the hearers. Often the hearers are only interested in what tickles their fancy. St. Paul put it thus: “The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then they will shut their ears to the truth and will turn to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Jesus Christ taught the truth but many were not prepared to accept the truth.
When he performed miracles, multiplied bread and fish, they pursued him all over the place. Jesus Christ told them: “In all truth I tell you, you are looking for me not because you have seen signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat. Do not work for food that goes bad, but work for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal” (John 6:26-27). When Jesus Christ told them the word of eternal life, about his flesh which is the food of eternal life, the people reacted negatively: This is intolerable language.
How could anyone accept it?” (John 6:60). Many of the disciples of Jesus went away and followed him no more (see John 6:66). It is evident that many people go for what they want and not necessarily what they need. For that reason, they will want to hear not the good news of salvation but the ephemeral news of miracles, signs and wonders, healing, prosperity and the likes. The experience of Jesus Christ himself goes to confirm the dissonance in the lives and attitudes of people towards the word of Christ.
Attraction of Signs and Wonders
We will, therefore, not be surprised that thousands and thousands flock to places where there are claims of signs and wonders but few go to the places where God is worshipped in spirit and truth (see John 4:24). Many rush and suffer to be part of the “miracle” centres and that is why the prayer ministries, adoration ministries and fellowships are booming while places of teaching of sound doctrines are deserted.
Pope Francis gives the fundamental explanation: “In the prevailing culture, priority is given to the outward, the immediate, the visible, the quick, the superficial and the provisional. What is real gives way to appearances” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel, no. 62). The result is that people will do all they can to pursue the ephemeral claims of miracles, signs and wonders but will hardly have time to renounce themselves and take up their cross to follow Christ (see Matthew 16:24).
The Good News of salvation will continue to be what every human being needs and genuine Christians must renounce all the attractions of spiritual “abracadabra” to do like St. Peter who replied to Jesus Christ: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69). Genuine preachers and teachers will continue to preach and teach, welcome or unwelcome (see 2 Timothy 4:1-2).
Fruit that remains!
While preachers and teachers of commodity are primarily interested in the immediate gains, the huge seeds sown by them for the gullible, the genuine preacher and teachers are concerned about bearing fruit, fruit that will remain, fruit that will lead to eternal life (see John 15:16). Jesus Christ did not choose the disciples to go and fish for money and cheap popularity but “to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (John 15:16).
Genuine preachers and teachers should not be discouraged by the normal indifference to the truth and morality preached and taught by true followers of Jesus Christ. They should not be worried by the huge “successes” of those who preach and teach what the people want to hear and thus scoop up huge material and social benefits. The seed that is sown in rich soil will bear the appropriate fruit and that is what is important. The fruit that will last is the people drawn to eternal life by knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (see John 17:3). Let us continue to prepare rich soil for planting the seeds by putting in fertiliser and manure, that is, by using appropriate means to draw the people to true doctrines of the Church, the message of eternal life and not to the passing fancies of signs and wonders.
Charisms for the General Good not for Profit!
Charisms have a place in the Church and in her evangelising mission. We need to reflect with Pope Francis in his teaching of “Charisms at the service of a Communion Which Evangelizes”. According to our Holy Father, “The Holy Spirit also enriches the entire evangelizing Church with different charisms” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, - The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130). Charisms are the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to individuals at will (see 1 Corinthians 12:11).
The gifts of preaching, teaching, faith, healing, working miracles, prophecy, vision, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues are all given to individuals “to be used for the general good” (see 1 Corinthians 12:6-11). The challenge is the appropriate use of the charisms by those who actually received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are not talking about the fake miracle-workers and those falsely claiming spiritual powers and those with magical powers like the sages, sorcerers and magicians of Pharaoh (see Exodus 7:11, 21-22; 8:3). Similarly, we are not talking about false Christs and prophets who “will arise and provide great signs and portents, enough to deceive even the elect, if that were possible” (Matthew 24:24).
We must also be aware of the power of the Evil One which empowers beast to work great miracles (see Revelation 13:13).
Using Charisms for Authentic Evangelisation!
Pope Francis teaches clearly that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, charisms, “are not an inheritance, safely secured and entrusted to a small group for safekeeping; rather they are gifts of the Spirit integrated into the body of the Church, drawn to the centre which is Christ and then channelled into an evangelizing impulse” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130). Charisms are not private properties to be use for private gains.
Sadly enough, many people today either use charisms for commercial enterprise and many fake up charisms for sordid gains. We need to be careful and vigilant to be able to discern which gifts are from God (see 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22). Any attempt to use God's gifts to make money or to make a name for oneself shows the underlying corruption. Pope Francis gives us a way to discern the authenticity of a charism: “A sure sign of authenticity of a charism is its ecclesial character, its ability to be integrated harmoniously into the life of God's holy and faithful people for the good of all” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130).
Indeed, “To the extent that a charism is better directed to the heart of the Gospel, its exercise will be more ecclesial. It is in communion, even when this proves painful, that a charism is seen to be authentic and mysteriously fruitful” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel, no. 130). No to abuse of charisms, whether by Catholic sacred ministers or lay people! Also, no to allowing oneself to be misled by false manifestations of power, pseudo-miracles and fake signs and wonders! Yes to accepting the word of truth, the message of eternal life!
Self-indulgence, the Bane of Humanity
The worst destroyer of the effects of the word of God in the hearts and lives of people is what St. Paul called self-indulgence. St. Paul called on the Corinthians to stop yielding to self-indulgence. Self-indulgence which can also be aligned to self-centredness is opposed to the Spirit. It is a virus that destroys the goodness in human beings and yields obvious fruit of immorality – “sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery, antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Are surprised that the word of God is not producing the required fruit of repentance and the fruit of the Spirit – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)? The Imitation of Christ presents this challenge as listening and interpreting according to the vain pleasure of the listener. It went on: “The Lord says, I have instructed my prophets from the beginning and even to the present time I have not stopped speaking to all men, but many are deaf and obstinate in response. Many hear the world more easily that they hear God; they follow the desires of the flesh more readily than the pleasure of God.
The world promises rewards that are temporal and insignificant, and these are pursued with great longing; I promise rewards that are eternal and unsurpassable, yet the hearts of mortals respond sluggishly” (Book 3:3).
Do not love the world with its disorderly Desires
It is evident that many Catholics listen more to the world than to the Church and to those who preach the word of God. Certainly, some people listen more to their families and kinsmen (umunna). What our umunna say makes more sense to many people. Similarly, people listen more to the government without realising that the government is more concerned with secular affairs and not necessarily with morality. The example of same-sex marriage being approved by Western governments should be an eye-opener to sincere Catholics.
We should be conscious of the fact that the government and its agencies such as the legislature and judiciary are more concerned with legality than with morality. Other societal bodies that influence people more than the Church are trade unions, social clubs and organizations. How can one explain the incessant strikes by medical doctors and university staff leading to abandon people in need, especially sick people? It is evident that the world does not value the word of God and people who allow the world to influence them are sure to be swallowed up by secularism. That is why the word of God is choked by the thorns of worldliness.
No to Self-indulgence and Worldliness!
The genuine preacher and teacher must do the needful to bring about fundamental conversion of the heart and mindset of the people so that they can say “No” to self-indulgence, self-centredness and what Pope Francis called spiritual worldliness! It is only then that people can be receptive to the authentic message of eternal life and bear appropriate fruit that will remain! The fruit will transform not only the individuals but the society itself.
Listening to the Church and authentic preachers of the message of eternal life, people will no longer model their behaviour on the contemporary world but will let the renewing of their minds transform them, so that they may discern for themselves what is the will of God-
WAEC Announces Winners Of National Distinction/ Merit Awards
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), recently, in Lagos, unveiled winners of the National Distinction/Merit Award.
The trio, Master Babalola David Oluwasayo, Master Alabi Philip Toluwase and Miss Nkata Lewechi Ugonma emerged first, second and third, respectively, among over a million candidates that sat for the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Announcing the winners during its 54th Annual Meeting of Nigeria National Committee of WAEC, held in Agidingbi, Lagos, the Head, National Office, WAEC, Mr Olu Adenipekun, said: “Babalola, who emerged first in eight subjects. He also stated that Alabi in eight subjects scored 667,1802, while Nkata in eight subjects scored 660,2430 to emerge second and third, respectively.
Babalola, who is presently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, (UI) had his secondary education at Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State.
On his part, Alabi who is also studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, (UI) had his secondary school education at Our Lady and St Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State.
Also, Nkata from Loyola Jesuit College, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who emerged third, is presently studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, Uni
The trio, Master Babalola David Oluwasayo, Master Alabi Philip Toluwase and Miss Nkata Lewechi Ugonma emerged first, second and third, respectively, among over a million candidates that sat for the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Announcing the winners during its 54th Annual Meeting of Nigeria National Committee of WAEC, held in Agidingbi, Lagos, the Head, National Office, WAEC, Mr Olu Adenipekun, said: “Babalola, who emerged first in eight subjects. He also stated that Alabi in eight subjects scored 667,1802, while Nkata in eight subjects scored 660,2430 to emerge second and third, respectively.
Babalola, who is presently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, (UI) had his secondary education at Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State.
On his part, Alabi who is also studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, (UI) had his secondary school education at Our Lady and St Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State.
Also, Nkata from Loyola Jesuit College, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who emerged third, is presently studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, Uni
Biafra: Court Denies Nnamdi Kanu Bail
An Abuja Federal High Court has denied leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu bail.
The Justice Binta Nyako-led court held that the offences Kanu and others were standing trial for, were not entirely bailable. She said the charge of treasonable felony they are facing attracts a life sentence.
She consequently denied all accused persons bail on the grounds that their case was sensitive to national security.
Also, the trial judge while reacting to an argument by Kanu's legal team regarding a recent statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari, where he claimed Kanu was guilty of the offence he is being prosecuted, said, “The president has freedom of speech; he can express his opinion on any matter.”
Recall that Kanu, alongside Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, were re-arraigned by the Federal Government on 11-count-charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony and publication of defamatory matter.
Justice Nyako recently took over the trial of Kanu, following the withdrawal of the former trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, over allegation of bias levelled against him by the defence team of the pro-Biafra agitator.
Following his re-arraignment before Justice Nyako of the same court, the incarcerated IPOB leader through his legal team, had filed an application for bail, on November 8.
Against the backdrop of the application, the new trial judge had adjourned,December 2 for consideration of the application.
The Justice Binta Nyako-led court held that the offences Kanu and others were standing trial for, were not entirely bailable. She said the charge of treasonable felony they are facing attracts a life sentence.
She consequently denied all accused persons bail on the grounds that their case was sensitive to national security.
Also, the trial judge while reacting to an argument by Kanu's legal team regarding a recent statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari, where he claimed Kanu was guilty of the offence he is being prosecuted, said, “The president has freedom of speech; he can express his opinion on any matter.”
Recall that Kanu, alongside Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, were re-arraigned by the Federal Government on 11-count-charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony and publication of defamatory matter.
Justice Nyako recently took over the trial of Kanu, following the withdrawal of the former trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, over allegation of bias levelled against him by the defence team of the pro-Biafra agitator.
Following his re-arraignment before Justice Nyako of the same court, the incarcerated IPOB leader through his legal team, had filed an application for bail, on November 8.
Against the backdrop of the application, the new trial judge had adjourned,December 2 for consideration of the application.
Obiano's Wife Makes Case For Rural Women
The wife of Anambra State governor Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano has toured primary healthcare centres in the state, stressing that one way to curb high maternal deaths is by providing expectant mothers in rural areas with basic delivery kits.
Mrs Obiano also distributed delivery kits at Otuocha, and Enugwu-Agidi, in Anambra East and Njikoka local government areas of the state, respectively.
Addressing the women who turned out massively at Otuocha and Enugwu-Agidi centres, Mrs Obiano said that no woman should die during pregnancy or childbirth when opportunities are available to avoid life-threatening complications during pregnancy, childbirth or six weeks thereafter.
She urged women to shun quacks and attend regular antenatal schedules at health centres.
Mrs Obiano told the women that Governor Obiano treats the welfare of women as priority and does not want to hear that any woman could not deliver safely in any part of the state, which was why he embarked on the renovation and rehabilitation of 63 Primary Healthcare centers across the state.
Said Mrs Obiano; “I have come to support the effort of our governor, Chief Willie Obiano at promoting the health and safe delivery of pregnant mothers with donation of delivery kits to some of you adjudged regulars at ante-natal clinics. The package I have is complete for safe child delivery; each pack contains all the tools needed by the midwives and health personnel and diapers, wrappers and mosquito nets to protect mother and child from bites.
The wife of the governor called on the women to work hard to escape poverty by engaging in productive ventures that would assist their husbands and help sustain their families. She urged them to take advantage of the opportunities available under the programmes of her NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), which adds value to the lives of women in our society.
She outlined some projects of CAFÉ which provides succour and empowerment to indigent women and widows. Services include housing for indigent widows in each Senatorial zone, the building of toilets in rural markets across the state as well as skills acquisition and empowerment training for over 2,500 women in various skills including; tailoring and fashion-design, soap-making, bakery and confectionery, hairdressing and beauty therapy, and interior decoration, among other programmes.
In a brief remark, wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke assured Mrs. Obiano that the women are excited at the opportunity to interact and discuss their health needs and thanked her for visiting to promote antenatal attendance and safe delivery in Otuocha as well as Njikoka her local government areas.
Mrs Obiano also distributed delivery kits at Otuocha, and Enugwu-Agidi, in Anambra East and Njikoka local government areas of the state, respectively.
Addressing the women who turned out massively at Otuocha and Enugwu-Agidi centres, Mrs Obiano said that no woman should die during pregnancy or childbirth when opportunities are available to avoid life-threatening complications during pregnancy, childbirth or six weeks thereafter.
She urged women to shun quacks and attend regular antenatal schedules at health centres.
Mrs Obiano told the women that Governor Obiano treats the welfare of women as priority and does not want to hear that any woman could not deliver safely in any part of the state, which was why he embarked on the renovation and rehabilitation of 63 Primary Healthcare centers across the state.
Said Mrs Obiano; “I have come to support the effort of our governor, Chief Willie Obiano at promoting the health and safe delivery of pregnant mothers with donation of delivery kits to some of you adjudged regulars at ante-natal clinics. The package I have is complete for safe child delivery; each pack contains all the tools needed by the midwives and health personnel and diapers, wrappers and mosquito nets to protect mother and child from bites.
The wife of the governor called on the women to work hard to escape poverty by engaging in productive ventures that would assist their husbands and help sustain their families. She urged them to take advantage of the opportunities available under the programmes of her NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), which adds value to the lives of women in our society.
She outlined some projects of CAFÉ which provides succour and empowerment to indigent women and widows. Services include housing for indigent widows in each Senatorial zone, the building of toilets in rural markets across the state as well as skills acquisition and empowerment training for over 2,500 women in various skills including; tailoring and fashion-design, soap-making, bakery and confectionery, hairdressing and beauty therapy, and interior decoration, among other programmes.
In a brief remark, wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke assured Mrs. Obiano that the women are excited at the opportunity to interact and discuss their health needs and thanked her for visiting to promote antenatal attendance and safe delivery in Otuocha as well as Njikoka her local government areas.
Save Igbo Language, Culture From Extinction - Ezeemo
Former governorship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in Anambra State, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, has tasked the Igbo to save their language and culture from extinction.
Ezeemo, who chaired the Ndi Igbo Cultural Festival 2016 Celebration, in Asaba, Delta State, a festival organized by the Igbo Cultural Forum, said the Igbo must not be ashamed of their culture.
The festival with the theme: “Igbo Bu Ofu” (The Igbos aAre One), was said to be the maiden festival aimed at uniting the Igbo race and promoting their culture, in line with what is obtainable worldwide.
Ezeemo urged the Igbo to come together in order to surmount any perceived obstacle and challenges facing them as a people.
He said: “Any race that abandons her language for other languages already has a major challenge. We must learn to promote our language, use it to instruct our children and to impact any form of technology using the Igbo language, like India, China, among others.”
In his goodwill message, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, represented by the former Delta State Commissioner of Police, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba, charged the Igbo to remain one.
Ezeemo, who chaired the Ndi Igbo Cultural Festival 2016 Celebration, in Asaba, Delta State, a festival organized by the Igbo Cultural Forum, said the Igbo must not be ashamed of their culture.
The festival with the theme: “Igbo Bu Ofu” (The Igbos aAre One), was said to be the maiden festival aimed at uniting the Igbo race and promoting their culture, in line with what is obtainable worldwide.
Ezeemo urged the Igbo to come together in order to surmount any perceived obstacle and challenges facing them as a people.
He said: “Any race that abandons her language for other languages already has a major challenge. We must learn to promote our language, use it to instruct our children and to impact any form of technology using the Igbo language, like India, China, among others.”
In his goodwill message, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, represented by the former Delta State Commissioner of Police, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba, charged the Igbo to remain one.
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