THE REVOLUTION IN THE HEART OF MAN
The first reading describes the love of God for His creatures. “But you have mercy upon all because you can do all things and you overlook the sins of men for the sake of repentance. For you love all things and does not hate anything which you created”. In the Gospel, Jesus puts into effect the prophetic words of Wisdom. He communicates the gratuitous love of God to Zaccheus the sinner, who converts and opens his heart and hands. THE ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST OPENS THE HEART AND HANDS The exterior gesture of giving, like every human gesture, is in itself ambiguous. The gift of a man closed in himself, all stretched to the…
Sub-standard Nigeria
Although the civil war (July 1967 – January 1970), challenged the ingenuity of our local manufacturers to produce alternatives to imported goods, our industrialists and importers for a long time, continued to maintain the high standards inherited from our British colonial masters. Such was the case till the early 1990s. Until then, one could go into the market and find quality materials to buy, such as textiles, electronics, hard wares, building materials and car spare parts. Due to the availability of quality products the consumer had the choice of what to spend his money on. But today, the story has changed as our markets are now flooded with all kinds of fake, counterfeit and substandard…
THE TEN ‘I’s THAT BREAK THE HOME (2)
INFIDELITY Infidelity in marriage can also be referred to as cheating, adultery or extramarital affair. Wikipedia defines it as the subjective feeling that one’s partner has violated a set of rules or relationship norms and this violation results in feelings of sexual jealousy and rivalry. The violation can be sexual in nature, for example involving kissing, sexual fondling or sex with another individual outside of the marriage relationship. Statistics reveal that the rate of infidelity in marriage is higher in men than in women. In their book, Close Encounters: Communication in relationships, Guerrero, Anderson and Afifi maintained that men are more likely than women to have a sexual affair, regardless of whether or not they…
Why Political merger cannot work in Nigeria – Japhet Anyanwu
National Leader of a non-governmental organization known as “Rebuild Nigeria Initiative” Chief Japhet Anyanwu has criticized the merger plan by minority parties who desire having a mega-party that will challenge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections. According to him, in the 60′s, merger plans between the NPC and NCNC collapsed because the arrangement had no ideological base. He further posits that the proposed alliance between Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NPP) and defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the second republic failed because of selfishness of the leaders who want power at all cost. The ulterior motive of the proponents of the alliance and or merger is to grab power so as…
THE CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO HAS CHOSEN CHRIST AND FOLLOWS HIM
In all religions the great spiritual masters had disciples who were assiduous in their teaching and preoccupied with preserving their words. We find the phenomenon also in the Bible (1R), though this configured in a particular way because the people lived in a regime of covenant and faith. Covenant is not founded on traditions of master and disciples but on itself. Certainly, the chosen people needed guides to orient them in the interpretation of faith in events. This necessity was, however, provisional and the prophets expected a future in which God Himself the hearts of people without the mediation of earthly masters (Jer 31:31-34) and all shall become disciples of God (Is 54:13). CALLED…
Statement on Supreme Court’s Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ Rulings by the United States Catholic Bishops
Here is the US bishops’ statement in response to the Supreme Court decisions handed down today regarding same-sex “marriage.” The court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and refused to rule on the merits of a challenge to California’s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex “marriage.” * * * Today is a tragic day for marriage and our nation. The Supreme Court has dealt a profound injustice to the American people by striking down in part the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Court got it wrong. The federal government ought to respect the truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, even where states fail to do…
LESBIANISM: The Re-birth Of “Sodom And Gomorah” In Imo State
It is very sad to note that a very alarming and dangerous trend called “Lesbianism” is now sweeping our young innocent girls off their feet at an alarming speed here in our state. PARENTS & GUARDIANS: After reading this piece, it might shock you to find out that some of your daughters are now Lesbians. Our innocent girls in secondary and even primary schools are the most “vulnerable ones” and victims of their “unsuspecting already Lesbian friends”. DANGEROUS WITCHES IN OUR MIDST (Lesbians) or Call them “GENTLE LIONS” turns out finally to be witches. Who are these Lesbians? Lesbians display an outward “cool demeanor”. They are “Subtle” in their conquests and movements; very…
Pope Francis Sends Letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron
- Pontiff Responds to Letter Sent by British PM Regarding G8 Summit Priorities On Sunday, the Holy See made public a letter sent by Pope Francis to the British Prime Minister David Cameron prior to the G8 summit that was held 18-19th June in Northern Ireland. The letter was sent in response to a message sent by Prime Minister Cameron to the Holy Father in June 5th. In his letter to Pope Francis, the British Prime Minister said that he would use his presidency of the G8 summit to help developing countries achieve sustainable development. “Your Holiness has spoken eloquently about the need to rebalance the global economy, to help the poor and disadvantaged, and…
THE TEN ‘I’s THAT BREAK THE HOME
At about 19.02 on Friday, May 24, I received the following text message, “Good evening Fr. I go straight to your write ups every Sunday because of the way you handle burning issues. Please I would like you to handle marital issues because many homes are breaking. Most men always allow their ego to rule them thereby leaving their God given duties to their families especially their wives. Let them know what God said about loving their wives please.” This text added a real push to what I actually intended to do namely, to x ray the causes of numerous inconsistencies in marriages in our contemporary society. Marriage as we know is an enduring and…
Death as the Road To Life
Christ has one personal identity to save and to reveal, and one mission to fulfill. Now to reveal His identity and to fulfill His mission, to save the truth of His life, He is disposed to all, even to loose His physical life. The “unconditional” and absolute decision to be Himself and fulfill His Mission at “any” cost is the supreme act of faithfulness (obedience) to God. An Identity To Reveal And A Mission To Fulfill The loss of one’s life (death) is the “sign”, the verification and absolute “test” of fidelity to one’s identity and mission received from the Father is therefore the act with which life is saved. Now what is the…
Engr. Obinna Nshirim: Spread the Money…
For a man who’s been around politics for most of his life, Engr Obinna Nshirim should know when a politician is playing politics or playing to the gallery. Additionally, for a man whose dream of obtaining good education was nearly aborted by lack of a mere two naira, in 1970, Engr. Nshirim also knows how to praise a Governor who removes school fees and tries to clean up the education system, especially primary and secondary. Even when it seems Engr. Nshirim is contradicting himself, one thing is certain; he knows the terrain well, having been around political circles for long. From his undergraduate days at University of Benin until now, he’s been in politics, although…
Feast of Immaculate Heart: Archbishop Obinna blesses Claretian’s New Chapel
The 2013 feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary has been celebrated by the Claretian Missionary Fathers (CMF) at their headquarters, Area ‘A’ World Bank Housing Estate, New Owerri, Imo State. The Claretians have a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as their full title is, “Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary but they are popularly known as “the Claretians”. The celebration which attracted members of the congregation from far and near started with a Holy Mass during which the new chapel built by the mission was blessed by His Grace, Most Rev. A.J.V. Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri. In a homily delivered at the Mass, Archbishop Obinna said that God who…
Egbu remembers Parishioner beheaded in her farm … Appeals to IG to arrest killers
It is now one year since Mrs. Evelyn Uzodinma was murdered in her farm at Egbu on June1, 2012 and later buried without her head in her husband’s compound. Despite the fact that both the motor cyclist (okada man) that carried the murderers and the person that made the call, informing the murderers about the woman’s presence in the farm are all in the police net, the police still claim that they have not gotten any clue on the murderers and that the two in their custody have not provided any clue to the whereabouts of the murderers nor are there enough evidence to prosecute them. This was made known by the parish priest of…
St. Columba’s Parish Agbaghara-Nsu confers “Ezi Nwanwa” Award
The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of St. Columba’s Parish Agbaghara Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA, recently conferred the “Ezi Nwanwa” award on eight illustrious nephews whose mothers originated from the community. In his homily at the Mass preceding the awards, Very Rev. Fr. Jerry Ofoegbu, Parish Priest elucidated that the feast of Pentecost goes along with the seven gifts that bring succor to humanity. Rev. Fr. Jerry Ofoegbu assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Dr. S. Okeke the resident Priest and Rev. Fr. Adolphus Ofokpara posits that the spirit of God exist in man and when the spirit exit from man, the body is rendered motionless and the man dies because the flesh is helpless. It is…
World’s oldest person dies at 116
The world’s oldest person has died in Japan, aged 116 — just days after the passing of a Chinese woman with a rival claim to the title. Jiroemon Kimura, a former postman, died of natural causes in hospital in his hometown of Kyotango, western Japan, in the early hours of Wednesday, city officials told CNN. In December, Kimura had been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person, and as the oldest man whose age had ever been verified. “I wanted him to live longer,” his nephew, Tamotsu Miyake, told Japanese television network TV Asahi. “His life was respectable; I would like to say ‘thank you’ to him.” Kimura, who attributed his…
Illinois Bishops Welcome Delay in Marriage Legislation – Call Catholics to Advocate for What Is Right
The Catholic Conference of Illinois issued a statement this week after the Illinois House adjourned its spring session without considering redefinition of marriage legislation. Senate Bill 10 calls for the state to change its legal definition of marriage from “between a man and a woman” to “between two persons.” The legislation passed the Illinois Senate on Feb. 14, 2013, and was the subject of a contentious battle in the House. State Representative Greg Harris, sponsor of SB 10, announced that he would not call the measure for a vote, and asked his fellow lawmakers to return to their districts, talk to their constituents about the issue, and return in October to possibly vote on the…
Lady Ruth Duruiheoma: A woman must do her duty
If you think days are gone for the traditional woman, who cooks, cleans and looks after her husband and children, then you should have a word with Lady Ruth Duruiheoma. A career woman, leader, wife and mother of five children, Lady Ruth is the Maria Assumpta Parish CWO President and head of her town Union, Umuma Isiaku in LGA. She’s a busy woman with many meetings to attend, even on weekends and public holidays. Yet the would-be grandmother joggles her responsibilities wisely to ensure they don’t clash with her primary duties as a wife. According to her, the family comes first and must begin with ‘your husband’. “I am still a married woman, even…
THE GRATUITOUS LOVE OF GOD OVERCOMES SIN
One of the fundamental themes of St. Luke’s gospel is the self manifestation of Jesus as One who saves sinners. In this sense He already proclaims Himself God because in the consciousness of the Jews only God can forgive sins. SIN IS THE DEATH OF MAN Sin is the rejection of communion with God and the breaking up of people convoked by God. Offence to God is therefore a true and radical alienation of man from God. Sin is the death of man. Man is close to himself to the extent he is close to others. He truly arrives at himself by detaching from himself. He succeeds in being himself only through others. This…
Sunday Reading: ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C (16/6/2013)
ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C (16/6/2013) OPENING PRAYER Almighty God, our hope and our strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and to live according to your will. FIRST READING A reading from the second book of Samuel 12:7 – 10. 13 Theme: The Lord forgives your sin; you are not to die. Nathan said to David, “The Lord the God of Israel says this, ‘I anointed you king over Isreal; I delivered you from the hands of Saul; I gave your master’s house to you, his wives into your arms; I gave you the House of Israel and of Judah; and if this were not enough, I would add…
Sunday Reading: TENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C (9/6/2013)
FIRST READING A reading from the first book of Kings 17:17 – 24 Theme: Look your son is alive. The son of the mistress of the house fell sick; his illness was so severe that in the end he had no breath left in him. And the woman said to Elijah, “What quarrel have you with me, man of God? Have you come here to bring my sins home to me and to kill my son?” “Give me your son,” he said, and taking him from her lap, carried him to the upper room where he was staying and laid him on his own bed. He cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, do…
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