₦airaland Forum

A Reflection by Uwakwe Chibuike MFC

God has been understood to be omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipotent. If God is all-knowing (omniscient), did he know about the massacre of worshipers at St. Philip’s Catholic Church Ozubulu, Nnewi Diocese in Anambra State of Nigeria before it took place or was he taken unawares like us? If God is all-good (omnibenevolent) and has the good of all men in mind, why did he allow this evil to befall those who came to worship him? If God is all-powerful (omnipotent) why didn’t he use his mighty power to prevent the attack or frustrate the perpetrators or at least make them unable to escape from the scene? These are questions that call to mind when we reflect on this unfortunate event.

We believe that nothing happens without God's approval because no power is greater than his. Whatever happens, happens because God permits it, otherwise, it won't happen and if God permits it, that means he has a reason for that. There could be many reasons why God permitted the Anambra church massacre to occur. We may not know all of them, but we know through a rational reflection on the issue that one of the reasons why God permitted it is perhaps because he has something to tell us through the event as he usually does through every event. God does not allow evil to befall innocent people so that he will teach others but when he permits evil to befall some people, he could use that event to teach others. Thus, through the Anambra church Massacre, God may be telling us to be prepared to answer the irrevocable call at all times and in all places. The victims are rather fortunate to have died in the house of God, engaged in a holy act and not in a sinful act. At their deaths, they were more likely to be at peace with God having been with him in prayer.

God is telling us that it doesn’t matter in whose hands we die, whether in the hands of assassins or careless drivers or terrorists, what matters is that we die at peace with him. After all, his only son though innocent, suffered a violent death in the hands of those he came to save and he was crucified like a criminal in the midst of criminals. What is important for God is not the nature or timing or place of one’s death but the state of one’s soul at the moment of death. God is telling us that since we did not choose the circumstance under which we were conceived, we cannot also choose the circumstance under which we shall die.

Interestingly, God might also be telling us to be conscious of the presence of the ‘unjust aggressor’ around us and the need to take our security more seriously. God intends that we preserve the life we have freely received until he freely takes it away from us. What this implies is that we have the responsibility of safeguarding not just our lives but also the lives of others around us, needless talking about safeguarding the lives of those placed under our care either as religious or secular leaders. The Anambra church massacre at Ozubulu is a call to re-evaluate our security system especially in public places in Igboland. There is the possibility of having a repeat of such evil around us if proper measures are not put in place, but we pray against such repeat.

At the outbreak of the ebola virus, several churches were forced to develop strategies to protect her members. Through our collective efforts, we were able to contain the virus. In the North, we hear of incessant killing of worshippers even though the government later deployed security forces to those areas but those in the East did not take proper security measures to prevent its occurrence in the East. Now, that the lion has been let loose, should we wait for the government to increase the number of security checkpoints that at the end turn out to be ‘harassment points’ for innocent civilians? The problem of security cannot be solved by security forces alone, we have to contribute. It is high time we considered building fences round our churches and erecting gates and check points at our Church entrances. These security measures do not assure maximum security but they help to make attacks more difficult for the unjust aggressors and reduce the number of casualties.

There should be checkpoints at our church entrances. Those manning these checkpoints must not necessarily be security experts. Though they may not be able to identify all unjust aggressors, their presence could be helpful. If those at the checkpoints cannot confront the aggressors because they are inadequately armed, they can raise alarm to alert the people to take cover before the unjust aggressor gets to its victims. Those at the security points may not confront them directly, but they can make things difficult for the unjust aggressors and those few seconds or minutes of delay could save more lives.

I think that if the unjust aggressors at the Anambra church massacre were intercepted at the church entrances, they may still unleash violence but the casualty rate would have been reduced. Unfortunately, we spend heavily in erecting church structures, spend more in maintaining them but care less about securing them. Many churches have very old and sick men who can hardly resist any security threat at their security posts, just for cheap labour. God is our chief security but we have to play our roles. Many churches have their structures heavily decorated with very expensive ornaments but consider it unnecessary to install bomb-detecting facilities in their structures. Many churches only have night guards who come to lock their structures and gates at night but nobody to watch over the premises during the day. If any unfortunate event occurs outside the time for public worship, nobody is there to intervene or offer any explanation or even give an eye witness account. As a result of this, most of our churches are security porous.

Beloved friends, the Anambra church massacre is a wake-up call to all of us; church-leaders and church-goers alike, to be more responsive to security issues. God may have permitted this evil to convince us about why we have to invest in security. God helps those who help themselves. While we make effort to secure our churches, homes, schools and business premises, let us not forget to pray for divine protection. God protects his creatures but we have the responsibility to pray, for he encourages us to pray in and out of season. God loves you.

http://uwakwereflections.com/blog/2017/08/god-permit-anambra-church-massacre/

Theme: The Power of Divine Friendship

The history of the Israelites was punctuated with several ups and downs. After the Babylonian exile, they had to begin life afresh with little or no hope. It was difficult for them to hope for a brighter future because they had lost their friendship with God. God restored this friendship by promising them restoration and hope. In the first reading (Is. 43:16-21), we see this promise of restoration and hope. He urged the Israelites to forget the past because He was doing a new thing in their lives.

In the gospel reading (Jn. 8:1-11), we see a practical example of God’s promise of hope and restoration in the life of the adulterous woman. After being caught in adultery and seeing the people’s readiness to stone her to death, she lost every hope of survival until Jesus intervened. By that sinful act, she lost her friendship with her family, with the society and with God but Jesus became the fulfillment of God’s promise to do a new thing in her life – to restore this lost friendship.
Today, God also addresses this message to us in a special way. Through the first reading, He reminds us of the wonders He had done in the history of humanity and invites us to trust Him based on these testimonies. This invitation is a call to repentance, to abandon and forget our old and evil ways of life and embrace a new and better way of life.

As we approach the Holy Week, this divine invitation becomes more urgent. Perhaps, we may have wished to remain sinless this Lenten season but unfortunately fell into one mortal sin or the other and we think all hope is gone. Perhaps, we may have been unfaithful to our Lenten observance all this while and we feel it is too late trying to do something positive now, Jesus is offering us a new and unique opportunity just as he offered the adulterous woman. We have to make a new resolution as he is doing something new in our lives.

This period is a special period of grace, a period of restoration of divine friendship and a period of hope. It is also a period of preparation for that great event that reconciled the friendship between God and man. This is a period in which God is exposing the unlimited nature of His love, the magnanimity of His grace and the inexhaustibility of His gifts. Like St. Paul would say, “Now is the favourable time of salvation” (cf. 2 Cor. 6:2) because at this period, the mercy of God is at its peak, the theology of reconciliation is being proclaimed and the power of divine friendship is made manifest in man.

At this favourable time of salvation, the Church invites us to make good use of the available opportunities and graces God is offering us to get reconciled to Him. At the peak of God’s mercy, the Church reminds us of the availability of God’s forgiveness and mercy even when we are obviously guilty. Through the theology of reconciliation, the Church teaches us ways to reconcile with God. All these are made possible through the friendship God is offering us in Jesus Christ.

Beloved friends, like the adulterous woman, we have been unfaithful in several ways. Some of us have been unfaithful to our marital vows, the promises we made at ordination/profession, the moral obligations binding us as Christians and even to our social responsibilities as citizens of a state. The greatest danger of infidelity is its ability to destroy relationships and friendships. Thus, our infidelity has frustrated our relationship and friendship with our spouses, friends, relations, the Church and God. Like the adulterous woman too, we have a lot of persons and things accusing us to make sure we are severely punished. But Jesus has come to deliver us from all these. This deliverance is a part of the new thing God is doing for us.

Therefore, as we approach the Holy Week, let us use this opportunity to renew our friendship with Jesus who came to die that we might be saved. Let us be conscious of Christ’s injunction “go and sin no more.” As a final word, let us not forget to follow the examples of St. Paul in the second reading (Phil. 3:8-14) who regarded everything as lost compared to friendship with God. Like him, let us then forget the past and run towards the goal God has called us for in Christ Jesus. God loves you.

To get other reflections for subsequent Sundays visit www.uwakwereflections.com

Amidst other online and offline reports, the Nigerian Punch Newspaper (online), Friday 13th September 2013 published an article titled “Vatican May Discuss Marriage For Catholic Priests”. This report was informed by the views of some disgruntled iconoclastic media elements who chose to fed the public with half-baked beans and insinuate tension among Catholics.

Recently, Pope Francis appointed Italian Archbishop Pietro Parolin, as the new Vatican Secretary of State, the Number 2 position in the Vatican. Discussing how the Church understands Priestly celibacy in an interview with the Venezuelan Newspaper El Universal early this week , the New Secretary of State said: “Celibacy is not a Church dogma and it can be discussed because it is a church tradition”. Ever since then bearing in mind the reformist-minded Pontiff who has invited Archbishop Pietro into his government, the media has been stormed with headlines like “CATHOLIC PRIESTS MAY SOON BE PERMITTED TO MARRY”, “PRIESTLY CELIBACY IS OPEN FOR DISCUSSION, SAYS VATICAN OFFICIAL, etc.

The truth of the matter is that the Archbishop was never trying to create the impression that Catholic celibacy would be open for discussion under the regime of Pope Francis. Instead, he was shedding light on the difference between a Church dogma and a tradition. A dogma is a truth revealed by God through the Church, which every faithful Catholic is bound to accept, while a tradition is a norm, value or practice beneficial to the Church which has been adopted by early Church fathers and has lasted for several years. The Archbishop was only trying to emphasize that the Church does not claim that Celibacy is a divinely revealed truth but a venerable tradition of the Church which could be reviewed. But the possibility of it being reviewed does not make its review necessary at the moment.

However, there is no indication at the moment that the Church is going to permit Catholic priests to marry despite recent calls for that. Those championing the view of letting Roman Catholic Priests marry claim to help priests manage their sexual lives responsibly. But then, celibacy is not the cause of sexual scandals among priests. The cause is the lack of a proper commitment to the practice of virtue. Are there no cases of sexual scandals among the married? While we complain today of unchaste actions among celibate priests, tomorrow it would be unfaithful and secularized married priests. Praying for our priests would help them be faithful to their calling and we will have fewer troubles with them on issues of scandal.

Besides, as those who serve in the person of Christ, they should be transformed into Christ who remained a chaste celibate all through his life by following his example. As celibates, they are constant reminders of the world to come which they are witnessing on earth since the children of that world do not take wives or husbands. Their celibate lives also help them to give an undivided attention to the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. Aware of these facts, the Church established impediments that block the validity of marriages attempted by those who have been ordained. Canon 1087 states: "Persons who are in holy orders invalidly attempt marriage."

While we are considering conventional marriage which is permitted for Catholic Priests in the Eastern Rite and prohibited for those in the Western rite, we can observe that all Catholic priests are in a spiritual sense truly married. They, representing Christ the bridegroom are truly married to the Church the Bride. With the Church they profess mutual love and care for each other. Their marriage is consummated after ordination with the first mass and in procreating at the baptismal fonts, they reproduce wonderful sons and daughters of God who pass through the sacrament of Baptism and continue to nurture them with the Word and Sacraments.

Therefore, let our interest not be on having our priests conventionally married or not but on praying for them that they may remain faithful to their principal calling at the moment. They need more graces accruing from our prayers to meet up with their current demands. Going into conventional marriage would increase the demands even when they are still battling with the ones they have. Let us pray for our priests.

Reflection/Homily: Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C (April 28 2013)
Theme: Putting on an Behaviour of love

(Brought to you courtesy of www.uwakwereflections.com)

There was this story we were told at the minor seminary a few years ago. Three priests went to visit a sick male member of their parish in the hospital. After their visit, the little daughter was describing the priests to the mum. She told the mum that a priest, a gentleman and a “guy man” visited. She described the priest in Soutane as a priest, the one in clerical suit as a gentleman and the one in a good pair of jeans with a nice T-shirt with canvas to match as a “guy man”.

This little girl only gave a description of images she was popular with. Thus, she implemented an old rule which says: “You are addressed the way you dress”. This old rule is what Jesus is emphasizing in the gospel reading (John 13:31-33.34-35) but in a different dimension. Though we may be described and judged by our code of dressing, our code of conduct speaks more about us. In other words, it is our behaviour that defines us the more.

That is why in other to let the world identify and define his disciples, Jesus gave them a new commandment, a new code of conduct or we may say, he prescribed a new behaviour for them. This new behaviour would be for them, an identity card which they will not need to put on on request but which will be evident everywhere they go and in everything they do. This new commandment is nothing but love for one another just as God loved us.

What could be the basis of this love? In what sense could this love be new? When we consider the old commandment of loving only those who love us, we come to understand the basis of this love and how new it is to the Jews and even to us. Naturally, we are more inclined to receive and reciprocate love than to offer love. More still, there is always the tendency to love only those who have acquired the credentials to be qualified for our love. Such could be our family members and friends.

So the basis of this new commandment Jesus is giving us today is a love for one another that transcends the boundaries of family-hood, race, nationality, colour, sex, age and all those things that separate us from each other. It is a love that is selfless and sacrificial. It is new in the sense that though not common, Jesus is not offering it as a suggestion but as a commandment. It therefore becomes an imperative for every Christian.

Jesus knew that his Church would grow beyond the boundaries of the Jews and would bring together people of diverse languages, cultures and interests. This diversity could pose a challenge to the growth of the Church and to the continuation of his ministry. So he needed something to unite his followers even in their diversity. Nothing could unite them more that an unadulterated love for each other. This one will enable them collaborate with each other for the good of the Church.

In the first reading (Acts 14:21-27), we see this love alive in Paul and Barnabas who collaborated in their work of evangelization. Because of this love which radiated from them, they were able to make much converts and this love remained even among the believers that they did everything in common and lived in peace. The disciples however encouraged them to be steadfast in their love for one another and for God especially in the face of trials and tribulations which will certainly come.

But we observe that in our world today, our love for God and for one another is threatened by our individual differences, the difficulties and disappointments we encounter in life. How do we relate with people who do not share the same faith with us or with people who are not in the same association/organization with us? True and sincere love wounds. It wounds our pride and makes us humble, it wounds our selfishness and makes us selfless, it wounds our emotions when the love is betrayed and it wounds our comfort when we have to make sacrifices. Are we ready to make sacrifices to prove our authentic love and faith? Our faith here on earth is on trial and only when we overcome these temptations can we truly be happy and fulfilled.

In the second reading (Rev. 21:1-5) we see this type of happiness and fulfillment in the lives of the righteous whose tears had been wiped and pain removed. They are now enjoying the vision of God whom they have loved in their neighbours. They are now citizens of the holy city, a New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. If we desire to be like them, then we should put on a behaviour of love which will strengthen our faith in God and qualify us for heaven. God loves you.

Reflection/Homily: Fourth (4th) Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)
Theme: Jesus the Good Shepherd

By: Uwakwe Chibuike (www.uwakwereflections.com)

In today’s gospel passage (John 10:27-30), we see part of the response Jesus gave to those Jews who came to confirm his messiahship. He confirmed his messiahship by describing himself as a shepherd. It thus became clear that Jesus’ messiahship was not about stardom or political might but about service and sacrifice. He would have described himself with popular images like that of a caring father or loving mother. But by describing himself as a shepherd, he perhaps wanted to emphasize his obligation, mission and vision with qualities unique to shepherds.

Like a shepherd is obliged to make himself available for his flock at all times, Jesus’ messiahship obliges him also to make himself available for his people even to the point of giving up his life for them. He wanted to be with them here on earth and have them be with him there in heaven. As the mission of a shepherd is to care for his flock, Jesus’ messiahship also entrusts him with the mission of caring for his people. That was why he is involved in the spiritual and physical plights of his people. Like a shepherd with a brighter vision of reality because of his rationality, Jesus has a brighter vision of reality because of his divinity. That is why he can identify the enemy, instruct and direct us as a shepherd does for his flock.

Today’s liturgy therefore challenges us in three ways. Firstly, it challenges us to trust in God and never to be despaired no matter the ugly events of our lives, because our shepherd is always there to lead us to greener pastures and make our cups overflow with good wine. That is why the responsorial psalm reminds us that “We are his people, the sheep of his flock”. That means, as a shepherd never departs from his flock or allow them to be endangered, Jesus will never depart from us or allow us to be endangered. As a shepherd leads his flock to greener pastures, Jesus is leading us to a better life here on earth and to an eternal life there in heaven.

Secondly, today’s liturgy challenges us to be “listening sheep”. Jesus emphasized the qualities of his sheep when he said: “My sheep hear my voice… and they follow me”. As the sheep of Christ’s flock, do we listen to his voice in the words of the Sacred Scripture and in the teachings of the Church? How do follow Christ our shepherd? Do we have compassion on the poor as he did? Do we pray as he prayed and do we have passion for the things of God as he had? In our world today, priests are always there to help us hear the voice of Jesus and follow him through the celebration of the Word and Sacraments. How do we respond to their ministry as representatives of Christ who act in the person of Christ the head? Do we take advantage of their ministry to listen to the Word of God and receive the sacraments frequently?

Thirdly, today otherwise known as Vocations Sunday, we are challenged to pray for and support more vocation to the priesthood and religious life in other to assist more people hear the voice of this shepherd and follow him. Our world needs an increase in vocation to attend to the spiritual needs of our increasing population and we are challenged to make this possible with our prayers and support. Our prayers will inspire and motivate more young people to respond positively to their divine call and our support will enable them perform their tasks well. How far have you promoted vocations to the priesthood and religious life? Do you encourage the ministers of God or do you ridicule them? How have you attended to your parish priest, chaplain, the seminarian or sister working in your parish? Resolve today to pray for them to be better people even when you think they are not living up to expectations.

That is why the first reading (Acts 13:14, 42-52) presents us with the examples of
Paul and Barnabas as examples for ministers of today. The Church needs ministers who will remain undaunted in their vocation especially now there are more temptations. The life of every priest and religious should mirror the life of Christ the true shepherd of souls. We need religious men and women who will utilize every means to preach the Word of God with passion by word and deed, people who will lay down their lives for the sake of the faith. Such are the people the second reading (Rev. 7:9, 14-17) assures us will stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple.

Therefore beloved friends, today the Lord tells you “Do not be afraid”. As the shepherd of your soul, he is there for you. All you need to do is to trust him, listen to his voice and follow him. In other to do this better, we have to co-operate with and pray for our priests and religious who will assist us encounter the risen Lord in our difficult situations. Do you feel a strong desire to serve the Lord as a priest or religious? Then you have to pray and work towards its actualization. God loves you.

**Please do not forget to say a prayer for me especially today**

Reflection/Homily: Third (3rd) Sunday of Easter Year C (April 14 2013)- brought to you by www.uwakwereflections.com

Theme: When Jesus Steps In

In the gospel reading (Jn. 21:1-19), we are presented with a post-resurrection incidence where Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. In that scene, Peter had gone with some of the disciples to fish. Despite their expertise, they were unable to make a catch at the appropriate time.

At the inappropriate time, Jesus stepped in and stood on the shore unrecognized. He ordered them to cast their net over the right side of the boat and immediately they made a very large catch that they made extra efforts to pull the net out.

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in the shoes of these disciples today. As such times, we make every required effort but do not succeed. Success seems to be very far from us. Some may have made every effort to pass an examination but still find themselves repeating that examination. Some have failed in their plans to get married and wedded after making every possible effort. Some have also failed after putting in so much efforts to be better in their spiritual lives, businesses, academics, careers, etc. and so have remained despondent.

Today’s gospel reading is a message of hope for you. It assures you of success no matter how much effort you have wasted and no matter how many times you have failed. This type of success is guaranteed if only you are humble enough to listen to Jesus and follow his directives. You may have failed either because you did not invite Jesus to your situation or because you could not listen to or trust him.

The disciples may have failed despite their expertise perhaps because Christ wanted to teach them that he is the only person that can grant success to the works of their hands. The miracle was also a great manifestation of his resurrection because they had known him before his death as a wonder worker who intervenes in the hopeless situations of his people and so continues after his resurrection.

How often have you trusted Jesus in your hopeless situation? How much do you rely on him for your success? Do you think you have all the potentials to be successful in life? Do you pray for success when you are going for an interview or embarking on a project? Success is a gift more than a reward for efforts made and only God can grant one this gift. That is why we need God to show us the right path to our desired success as he did to the disciples by telling them to cast their net over the right side of the boat.

One credential to attract Jesus to our ugly situations to turn our failures into success is a genuine love for God. After providing for the disciples, Jesus asked Peter to make a confession and commitment of his love for him. We may go into the exegetical implication of Christ’s question to Peter “Do you love me?” but our concern here is finding that question as being addressed to us. Do you love God? Do you love Jesus? What can you show to prove your love for God?

Peter affirmed his love for Jesus though he could not prove it at his crucifixion. But he was determined afterwards to prove it concretely.

That is why the first reading (Acts 5:27-32) tells us how Peter translated the love he confessed to Jesus to the love he professed before the Sanhedrin. In putting this love into courageous action when he spoke before them, Peter fearlessly emphasized his obedience to God rather than men. In that incidence, Jesus stepped in and Peter and his colleagues were released unhurt. The greatest manifestation of our love for God is courageous obedience to His Word even if it means going against certain ungodly civil laws like legalized abortion, same sex marriage, etc.

Complete it here:http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2013/04/reflectionhomily-third-3rd-sunday-of.html

Reflection/Homily: Second (2nd) Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday 2013

Theme: Pragmatic Christianity

Pragmatism is an ideology that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application. For instance, a pragmatist will only believe that one is a good cook not when one describes the process of preparing a particular dish but when one actually prepares it well.

Pragmatism has permeated every sector of our society and religion has not been spared. In times past, people believed a man of God by the authority with which he spoke, but today, by the signs and wonders he perform. The world wants every theory to be practiced and proved effective before it is accepted.

In the first reading (Acts 5:12-16), we can actually say that God was pragmatic in His relationship with the early Christians. The reading records that so many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles. These signs and wonders were to confirm in pragmatic terms the restoration and deliverance the resurrection of Christ brought. With the signs and wonders, people came to believe in their message not because they heard but because the saw.

In the gospel reading (Jn. 20:19-31), we see Thomas as a core pragmatist. He did not believe in reasoning but in experience. He never wanted to listen to the event of Christ’s resurrection and appearance but wanted to experience it. He needed a first-hand experience which he got and believed.

In our religious practices, many of us are like Thomas. We want God to show us everything, to reveal every mystery to us before we believe. We want to see the Eucharist turn into empirical flesh and blood. We want to see a candidate for anointing of the sick rise up immediately after receiving the sacrament. We want God’s blessings and promises to materialize immediately, etc.

But have we ever cared to compare our expectation from God and God’s expectations from us? We expect God to be pragmatic, to be practical, but are we also pragmatic in our relationship with God? Can our religious doctrines and beliefs be seen practically in our lives? When we talk of forgiveness can we be seen forgiving those who offend us? When we talk of chastity, can it be confirmed with our life style? Is the communion we claim to have among ourselves pragmatic? Is our love for each other real?

Beloved brethren, within this period of Easter and beyond, the Church exhorts us to witness to the gospel of Christ’s resurrection not just by mere proclamation by mouth but by our actions. Our emphasis should not just be on orthodoxy (correct belief) but also on orthopraxy (correct action). We are invited to partake fully in the mercy God is offering His people. This mercy does not only provoke contrition for our sins but also repentance. Our actions should depict triumph of good over evil just as Christ triumphed over death. We don’t have to go back to those things we abandoned during lent.

To make us more conscious of this mercy, the Church calls today “Divine Mercy” Sunday to enable us celebrate the mercy of God which called us out of darkness. The Church still reminds us of the inexhaustibility of God’s mercy. This mercy confirms our hope in God. John in the second reading (Revelation 1:9-13; 17-19) reminds us of this hope with his vision in the Island of Patmos. Though persecutions may come our way as we try to put our Christian beliefs into action, God is always there for us. He says “Do not be afraid” because He hold the keys of death and the underworld.

Therefore, let us be courageous to live out our faith in love, charity and hope so that in our lives people will witness the resurrected Christ. For those who are backsliding in faith because some believers do not show up their faith in actions, Jesus exhorts us today: “blessed are those who do not see but believe”. Do not be discouraged rather put up the actions that others will see and believe that Christ is risen and that he remains the Lord. God loves you.

www.uwakwereflections.com

Universal Channel (DStv 117) on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform erroneously broadcast an "obituary" of Remembering Madiba on Tuesday night about the frail elderly statesman Nelson Mandela - who is very much alive - the TV channel is now a profusely apologising for the "technical error"

However, the TV Station has since released an apoogy.

"Like any international broadcaster, Universal Networks holds obituaries ready for every major statesman in the word," says Universal Networks International which programmes the Universal Channel on DStv, after the mistake.

"Universal Networks wishes to offer a sincere and heartfelt apology for the airing of such an announcement for Nelson Mandela which was broadcast last night on the Universal Channel due to a technical error by our team."

"We unreservedly apologise to the Mandela family, to Universal Channel viewers and to DStv subscribers for the alarm and offense caused by this error. Our thoughts and best wishes are with Madiba and his family for a speedy and full recovery,"says Universal Networks International.

Check out people's reaction on Twitter.

http://martinuwakwe..com/2013/04/dstv-accidently-airs-madiba-obituary.html

Finally, the Catholic Church has gotten a new Pope. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina has been elected the New Pope. He has chosen Pope Francis as his papal name. He is from Argentina and the first South American to be elected a Pope. He is a Jesuit priest and the first Jesuit to be elected a Pope as well.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 17 1936, he is one of the five children of an Italian railway worker and his wife. He was ordained a Jesuit priest on December 13, 1969, by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. Between 1973 and 1979, he served as Provincial Superior for Argentina.

On February 28 1998, he was appointed bishop for the Eastern Catholics in Argentina. On February 2001, he was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II. On November 8 2005 he was elected President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three year term that was renewed on November 11, 2008.

He majored in Pastoral work/skills as a theologian and this is advantageous to his papacy. Besides, he is a strict defender of the Catholic doctrine and faith. He opposed the Argentine government on issues bordering on abortion, same sex marriage, distribution of contraceptives, child adoption by same sex couples, social justice, etc.

He is an influential and respected cleric and prelate. In 2005, he was elected a member of the Post-Synodal Council during the 2005 Synod of Bishops. His participation in that Synod may have brought him to limelight among bishops as many writers think.

The new pope has been a gentleman right from time. Beside this, he is popularly known for his simplicity and humility. He was first ordained as one of three axillary bishops and he dedicated most of his time to counseling priests and hearing confessions. When he was installed the bishop, he preferred to live in a small apartment, rather than in the palatial bishop's residence. He gave up his chauffeured limousine in favor of public transportation and he reportedly cooked his own meals.

He is a reformer and a builder who created several new parishes in his diocese. He is as well a core pro-lifer. We wish him all the best in his pontificate as the 266th successor of St. Peter.

courtesy of www.uwakwereflections.com

Reflection/Homily: Fourth (4th) Sunday of Lent Year C (March 10 2013)
Theme: The Generous, Forgiving and Loving Father

The gospel reading (Luke 15:1-3.11-32) presents us with a familiar story – the story of the prodigal son. This story describes the lives of a rich father and his two sons. The younger son came to the father and requested for his share of the family property and went away to squander his in an unknown distant land. When he realized his miserable condition after spending all he had, he made haste to return home, at least to work as a servant in his father’s house. Contrary to popular expectation, his father joyfully welcomed him as his son and organized a great party in his honour. The elder brother on his return showed his jealousy and dissatisfaction over the warm reception given to his brother and refused to be part of the joy.

Today’s parable told by Jesus is an attempt to explain to the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law the inexhaustible generous, forgiving and loving nature of God. This is because they were grumbling over Jesus’ association with the publicans and sinners who were coming to listen to Jesus. The chief protagonist in this parable is not even the prodigal son but the father. However, today, we shall reflect on the personalities of the three characters and draw some lessons from their lives.

The prodigal son is a symbol of the lost humanity. He was eager to ask for some goods he would later abuse. Nobody knows whether he had the initial intention to squander those goods. He is represented in those who ask God for a lot of favours, blessings and gifts but end up using them wrongly. A lot of people are gifted with rare intelligence but instead of using it for good, they use it to perpetrate criminal activities. A sincere look into our lives will reveal this character of the prodigal son in us. Some of us use our wealth and positions to victimize the poor and the weak, others are arrogant on account of their achievements which are only gifts from God. Some use their bodies for immorality and hence destroy the temple of God in them.

Please Click Here to Read more » http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2013/03/reflectionhomily-fourth-4th-sunday-of.html

Reflection/Homily: Third (3rd) Sunday of Lent Year C (March 3 2013)

Theme: The Word of God - A Divine Catalyst

Those days in the secondary school, we were taught that a catalyst is a chemical substance that facilitates a chemical reaction and is itself unchanged during the chemical reaction. In other words, we can say that a catalyst is an unchanging substance that is capable of initiating a change in another substance. Under the field of science, we can find catalysts like Manganese dioxide which is used to decompose Hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water, we can also find sulfuric acid which is used to dehydrate Ethanol to Ethylene, etc.

A more familiar example of a catalyst is heat. Heat is used to speed up a number of chemical reactions but at the end, it remains unchanged. Importing this idea into our context, we can also consider a spoken word as a catalyst in the sense that it goes from the speaker into the hearer to transform the hearer but in itself it remains just a spoken word. In this sense, we can then analogically talk about the Word of God as a Divine Catalyst. This Word comes to us as a gift from God to instruct and transform us into what God wants us to be, but this Word remains unchanged.

In the first reading (Exodus 3:1-8.13-15), we see the function of this Divine catalyst in the life of Moses. He was pasturing his father-in-law’s sheep when the Word of God came to him in an encounter with God in the burning bush. This Word transformed him into a messenger of God and a liberator of the Israelites. He was instructed by God to carry this unchanging Word of God and change the circumstances of the people of Israel in Egypt from being slaves to the chosen people of God. To prove the unchanging nature of God and His Word, God identified Himself as “I AM”.

Within this period of lent, the Lord is constantly making us more conscious of His Word as the Divine catalyst necessary to facilitate our transformation into the ideal children of God. Through the Church, He feeds us with the Word and Sacraments accompanied with prayer to make us bear fruits. The result of this is what we find in the gospel reading (Luke 13:1-9). Despite the efforts put into the fig tree, it failed to produce fruits and the master wanted to cut it down. But the gardener intervened requesting for one more year to dig round it and manure it.

As Christians, this period of lent is perhaps, the one more year, God is giving us as a second chance to allow His Word bear fruit in our lives. It is a unique opportunity to recognize God’s love for us and try to reciprocate that love by living a righteous life. God does not delight in the death of sinners but wants them to repent and be transformed by His Word. This was the lesson Jesus wanted the people who came to him to learn. Those who undergo unfortunate circumstances are not the worst of sinners as those who are always fortunate are not the best of saints. Our safety is only as a result of God’s mercy and favour which invites us to repentance. Thus Jesus says, “unless you repent, you will all perish as they did”.

Beloved friends, the Word of God says “If today you hear his voice harden not your heart”. The voice of the Lord is the word being addressed to us now, calling us to abandon our evil ways and allow the Word of God to liberate and transform. It is not about being baptized or about going to Church or about receiving the sacrament but about allowing the Word of God we hear to influence us into doing the will of God.

That is why St. Paul reminds us in the second reading (1 Cor. 10:1-6.10-12) that salvation is not automatic. It is not enough to believe in Christ (the new Moses), or to be baptized (crossing the Red Sea), or to receive the Holy Spirit (protection of the cloud), or to partake in the Eucharist (the bread symbolized by the manna and the wine symbolized by the water from the rock). The Israelites all did these yet they perished in the desert. Therefore, we ought not to grumble when we hear the Word of God as they did but we have to accept it with joy and allow it to bear fruits in our lives. Therefore, as we progress in our Lenten observance, let us be resolved to put into practice all that the Word tells us for this unchanging Word of God can transform the ever changing circumstances of our daily lives into something pleasing to God and beneficial to us . God loves you.

Brought to you courtesy of www.uwakwereflections.com

Reflection/Homily: First (1st) Sunday of Lent Year C (February 17 2013)
Theme: The Temptations of Jesus

This first Sunday of lent, the gospel reading (Luke 4:1-13) presents us with the temptations of Jesus Christ in the wilderness. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness immediately after his baptism for a forty day period of prayer and fasting. Jesus went to prepare for the commencement of his public ministry. As we begin our annual Lenten observance, it is worthwhile to learn from Jesus’ experience that nobody is above temptation and that the closer we are to God, the more we are tempted. From Jesus’ temptations, we realize that almost all our temptations are either to satisfy the desires of our flesh or to acquire material goods or to presume divine favours.

The first temptation of Jesus concerns the human appetite and all that the flesh desires. The devil said to him “if you are the son of God, tell this stone to turn into bread”. But Jesus replied “The Scripture says: No one can live on bread alone.” The devil wanted Jesus to use his supernatural power to satisfy the desire of his flesh (hunger). But Jesus conquered this temptation by proving to the devil that “matter” (food) was not the only thing required for man’s survival and that we must not use what we have to get what we want when it pertains to the desires of the flesh.

Today, we are often tempted to use what we have to satisfy the desires of our flesh. That is why some people use their wealth, influence and position to lure young girls and boys into immorality. Others engage in alcoholism and the consumption of hard drugs while others still engage in all sorts of sexual immorality just to satisfy the desires of their flesh. In conquering this temptation, Jesus is teaching us to consider the desires of the spirit as more important than the desires of the flesh. We should always be aware that the devil knows what is pleasing to our appetite and tempts us with that. Therefore, we should be conscious not to give in to lust, gluttony, and inordinate desires of the flesh for these temptations come when our bodies are vulnerable.

The second temptation of Jesus as recorded in the gospel reading concerns the acquisition of power and material goods. The devil took Jesus to a place where he would see the kingdoms of the world and said to him “I can give you power over all the world and all their wealth … provided you worship me”. But Jesus replied “Scripture says: You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.” We observe that in our world today people are ready to worship anybody or thing that can guarantee them material goods, fame, success and honour. That is why people engage in all sorts of evil such as examination malpractice, prostitution, disgusting behaviours like the “Sugar-mummy syndrome”, kidnapping, injustice robbery, murder, extortion under the disguise of religion, etc just to acquire wealth, power, success, honour, etc. Jesus’ response therefore teaches us never to bow down to anything or body we have deified such as the evils mentioned above in other to receive material goods or power.

The third temptation of Jesus concerns the presumption of divine favour. The devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said to him “If you are the son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written God will order his angels to take charge of you…” But Jesus replied “Scripture says: You shall not tempt the lord your God”. Today, the devil still tempts us to presume a lot of things about God’s promises especially about the mercy of God. That is why many people consciously engage in sinful acts and presume God will simply understand and forgive them since He is a merciful God. We are tempted to presume that God will grant us success even when we have not read, that God will give us children even when we have destroyed our wombs in abortion, that God will grant us healing even when we do not make efforts to treat ourselves. This is a temptation to accept the gospel of prosperity.

Please complete the next paragraph here: http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2013/02/reflectionhomily-first-1st-sunday-of.html

Report from the Burial of Rev. Fr. Stephen Njoku of Upper Room Ministries Enugu

[img][/img]The remains of Rev. Fr. Stephen Uchechukwu Njoku, the founder and spiritual director of Upper Room Ministry, Emmanuel town, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria was today the 18th of January 2013 laid to rest at the diocesan cemetery, Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu. The funeral mass was well attended by people from all walks of life. Five Catholic bishops - Bishops S.A. Amatu (Okigwe), J. Okoye (Awgu), C. Etokudoh (Port Harcourt), A. Gbuji (Emeritus – Enugu) and C.V.C Onaga (Enugu) were in attendance with over five hundred priests, uncountable number of religious men and women, and seminarians.

The Late Fr. Stephen Njoku died on the 29th of December 2012 after a brief illness. He was a powerful priest of Enugu Diocese but originated from the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara. His prayer ministry saved a lot of lives and families from the assault of the devil and was a center for divine favours for many.

In his introductory speech, the chief celebrant, Bishop Callistus Onaga said we have reasons to be thankful to God for the gift of Fr Njoku to the whole human race. The Homilist Rev. Fr. Professor Nicholas who was his classmate testified to the exemplary life Fr. Njoku lived on earth and urged all present to emulate him. He described him as a man of prayer and deep spirituality. He quoted his last words to those gathered at the Upper Room Ministry thus “God alone is our refuge and our security, make Him your refuge and feel okay here, as we your teachers are leaving your scene and leaving this world, never forget this.” He ended his homily be describing him as a saint and on behalf of the Bigard 1978 set implored his saintly intercession on them.

In his vote of thanks, Msgr. Igboaja thanked all and sundry for coming to identify with the Catholic Diocese of Enugu. He thanked in a special way Bishops Amatu, Etokudoh and Okoye who were the classmates of the deceased priest and consoled the bereaved family.

Courtesy of: www.uwakwereflections.com

Report from the Burial of Rev. Fr. Stephen Njoku of Upper Room Ministries Enugu

[img][/img]The remains of Rev. Fr. Stephen Uchechukwu Njoku, the founder and spiritual director of Upper Room Ministry, Emmanuel town, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria was today the 18th of January 2013 laid to rest at the diocesan cemetery, Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu. The funeral mass was well attended by people from all walks of life. Five Catholic bishops - Bishops S.A. Amatu (Okigwe), J. Okoye (Awgu), C. Etokudoh (Port Harcourt), A. Gbuji (Emeritus – Enugu) and C.V.C Onaga (Enugu) were in attendance with over five hundred priests, uncountable number of religious men and women, and seminarians.

The Late Fr. Stephen Njoku died on the 29th of December 2012 after a brief illness. He was a powerful priest of Enugu Diocese but originated from the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara. His prayer ministry saved a lot of lives and families from the assault of the devil and was a center for divine favours for many.

In his introductory speech, the chief celebrant, Bishop Callistus Onaga said we have reasons to be thankful to God for the gift of Fr Njoku to the whole human race. The Homilist Rev. Fr. Professor Nicholas who was his classmate testified to the exemplary life Fr. Njoku lived on earth and urged all present to emulate him. He described him as a man of prayer and deep spirituality. He quoted his last words to those gathered at the Upper Room Ministry thus “God alone is our refuge and our security, make Him your refuge and feel okay here, as we your teachers are leaving your scene and leaving this world, never forget this.” He ended his homily be describing him as a saint and on behalf of the Bigard 1978 set implored his saintly intercession on them.

In his vote of thanks, Msgr. Igboaja thanked all and sundry for coming to identify with the Catholic Diocese of Enugu. He thanked in a special way Bishops Amatu, Etokudoh and Okoye who were the classmates of the deceased priest and consoled the bereaved family.

Reflection/Homily: Second (2nd) Sunday in Ordinary Time of the Year C (January 20 2013)

Theme: The Wedding Feast and the Sharing of Gifts

In a typical African society, once a male child becomes an adult, the next stop is for him to marry. In some societies, manhood is marked with some cultural activities like “Iwa Akwa” or with the attainment of a certain age or even with a landmark achievement like graduation or securing a job. In an African way, we can say that last Sunday, with his baptism Jesus was initiated into manhood and the next thing awaiting him is to get married. The first reading (Isaiah 62:1-5) seems to confirm this when the prophet talks about the marital relationship between Yahweh (the Bride) and the people of Israel (the bridegroom).

Again in the gospel reading (John 2:11), we are presented with the scene of a wedding feast. This wedding feast becomes a symbol of the marriage between God and man as Isaiah foretold in the first reading. Jesus who was invited as a guest in this wedding becomes the real bridegroom and the people gathered there the real bride. For this reason, the identities of the couple were not mentioned and the narrative gradually lost its attention from the couple to Jesus and the guests including His mother.

In most cultures, a marriage feast is characterized with the sharing of gifts. The couple shares their love together and other physical gifts like food, wine, souvenirs, etc are shared with the invited guests. In the gospel, the wedding feast of the couple ended when the wine they were sharing finished and Mary informed Jesus that “they have no wine”. She was probably referring to the servers who had no wine to share and Jesus changed water into wine because it is the responsibility of the bridegroom to provide the wine.

Please Click Here to Read more » http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2013/01/reflectionhomily-second-2nd-sunday-in.html

Reflection/Homily: Feast of the Baptism of our Lord Year C (January 13 2013)

Theme: The Significance of Christ’s Baptism

Today’s feast, the Baptism of our Lord was originally one of the three Gospel events marked by the feast of Epiphany. In the Western Church, it was later overshadowed by the visit of the Magi before Pope Pius XII in 1955 instituted it as a separate liturgical commemoration of Christ’s baptism. The Baptism of Christ is a great point of Theophany because in it the mystery of the Blessed Trinity which is the highest mystery of the Church is made manifest.

The Gospel reading (Luke 3:15-16.21-22) confirms the manifestation of the Blessed Trinity at the Baptism of Jesus. God the Father is revealed in the Voice which confirmed the Sonship of Jesus, God the Son is revealed in Jesus who was baptized and God the Holy Spirit is revealed in the Dove which descended on the Son. This manifestation of the Trinity thus becomes the origin and destination of our Christian worship because all our prayers begin and end in the name of the Blessed Trinity.

Jesus received John’s baptism and in the process instituted a higher form of baptism which according to John is with “fire and the Holy Spirit”. John’s baptism is the foundation of Christ’s baptism and in the later, Christ instituted a baptism which is not just a mere religious practice but also a sacrament. He brought the Trinitarian dimension to baptism and thus made baptism a communion with God and the Church. John’s baptism is for repentance but Christ’s baptism is more than that. It is a source of cleansing and incorporation into the family of God.

Please Click Here to Read more » http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2013/01/reflectionhomily-feast-of-baptism-of.html

Reflection/Homily: Solemnity of Mary Mother of God (January 1 2013)
Theme: The Relevance of Mary’s Motherhood of God

In a particular kingdom, after the death of the king, the Prince had to choose a wife before his coronation as the next king. The Prince made it open for every young girl in the kingdom to exhibit her qualities and draw his attention. Several young girls started wearing sexy clothes to seduce the Prince but he was not moved. Some began to wear wonderful hairstyles but the Prince was not moved. Others prepared delicious meals and presented them to the prince but he was not delighted.

Every young girl made an attempt in several ways but the Prince was not moved. It was not because he was very difficult to be pleased but because they did not know exactly what he so desired of a woman more so of a wife. Only one woman had a perfect knowledge of this. This woman was like the rest of women in the kingdom, while some valued her, others despised her. She was very dear to the Prince because of her glaring personality, but no one dared to consult her or win the Prince’s heart through her.

One day, a young lady desirous to have the Prince as husband came to this woman with an inferior dish containing some poorly prepared food. She requested the woman to help her present the food to the king. This woman took the food, transferred it into a royal plate, garnished it with the type of vegetables and fishes the Prince likes and presented it to the Prince as a gift from a lady seeking to please him. The king was surprised to discover this girl who could meet his taste and hurriedly married her. This girl was only successful because she went through the Prince’s mother who prepared the way for her and who knew what exactly the prince needed.

Today, we celebrate the motherhood of a woman who knows how best to please Jesus who is God. The Gospel reading (Luke 2:16-21) says “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”. That means she was deeply in touch with the Word of God and through her co-operation with the will of God contained in the Word of God, she became the Virgin Mother of God. The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God reminds us of the great role she played in the history of salvation and the privileges she have.

In the first reading (Numbers 6:22-27), we see the blessings God gave to Aaron and his sons. They were the mediators between God and the people and through... Please continue here http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/12/reflectionhomily-solemnity-of-mary.html

For reflections for Good Friday please visit: http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/04/reflectionhomily-good-friday-april-6.html

For reflections for Easter vigil please visit: http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/04/reflectionhomily-easter-vigilholy.html

For my reflections for Easter Sunday please visit: http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/04/reflectionhomily-easter-sunday-april-8.html

Please feel free to make your remarks, comments and contributions. Have a fruitful Easter Celebration and may the power of resurrection empower you to be more powerful and productive.

Theme: The Christian Cross as a Gateway to Heaven

In our lives we really desire good things but sometimes, we are not able to pass through crucibles in other to get them. Most students dream of graduating with first class certificates but only a few are really burning extra candles. Every achievement must be attained through hard work. That is why in today’s gospel (John 12:20-33), Jesus reiterates this principle that nothing good comes easy. We must work it out under difficult situations. Jesus uses the analogy of the sown wheat to demonstrate that to redeem man, he must die and for us to gain eternal life, we must also die just as a sown wheat must die in the ground before it yields a rich harvest. The problem is that most of us are reluctant to work hard. This reluctance is found in our physical and spiritual lives. Sometimes, we want this or that from God but we can’t kneel in prayer to get them. We want to go to heaven but we can’t do good and avoid evil. We want to be exceptionally spiritually gifted but we can’t work hard to develop these spiritual gifts, etc.

Today, Jesus invites us to learn from him how to boldly accept unpleasant situations for a pleasant result. The gospel began by narrating how some Greeks who came for worship at Jerusalem requested to see Jesus through the Apostles Philip and Andrew. Though John did not tell us whether

Please Click Here to Read more http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/03/reflectionhomily-fifth-5th-sunday-of.html

Theme: The Christian Cross as a Gateway to Heaven

In our lives we really desire good things but sometimes, we are not able to pass through crucibles in other to get them. Most students dream of graduating with first class certificates but only a few are really burning extra candles. Every achievement must be attained through hard work. That is why in today’s gospel (John 12:20-33), Jesus reiterates this principle that nothing good comes easy. We must work it out under difficult situations. Jesus uses the analogy of the sown wheat to demonstrate that to redeem man, he must die and for us to gain eternal life, we must also die just as a sown wheat must die in the ground before it yields a rich harvest. The problem is that most of us are reluctant to work hard. This reluctance is found in our physical and spiritual lives. Sometimes, we want this or that from God but we can’t kneel in prayer to get them. We want to go to heaven but we can’t do good and avoid evil. We want to be exceptionally spiritually gifted but we can’t work hard to develop these spiritual gifts, etc.

Today, Jesus invites us to learn from him how to boldly accept unpleasant situations for a pleasant result. The gospel began by narrating how some Greeks who came for worship at Jerusalem requested to see Jesus through the Apostles Philip and Andrew. Though John did not tell us whether

Please Click Here to Read more http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/03/reflectionhomily-fifth-5th-sunday-of.html

Reflection: Fourth (4th) Sunday of Lent Year B (March 18 2012)
Theme: God’s Immeasurable Love for Humanity

In today’s readings, we are challenged to reflect on God’s immeasurable love for humanity and its implications for us. The concept “love of God” could mean either God’s love for us or our love for God but in this period of lent, we consider God’s love for us first because it will inspire our love for God which will also be translated in our love for our neighbours.

In the first reading (2 Chr. 36:14-16, 19-23), the Israelites with their political and religious leaders all rebelled against God and defiled God’s dwelling place. Out of love for them, God constantly sent messengers to direct and teach them but their messages were treated with scorn. God did not abandon them but kept on watching them as they neglected His Love and wallowed in sin. Being vulnerable for being outside of God’s love, they were attacked and taken into captivity by the Babylonians. When they suffered and learnt their lessons, God had to intervene because of the love He has for them by raising up a king who will proclaim their liberty, offer them treasures and help them rebuild the Temple as we see in Ezra chapter 1.

The second reading (Eph 2:4-10), also confirms this love of God not just for the Israelites alone but for all of us. It says that because of God’s love for us, He was generous to us with His mercy, to the extent that even when we were spiritually dead because of our sins, He had to look for us and gave us life. In our sinfulness, we run far away from God and brand ourselves enemies of God but in God’s love, He finds us wherever we go, brings us nearer to Himself and brand us His friends, not by merit but by virtue of His mercy built on grace. Thus, a reflection on the love of God is a reflection on the mercy of God which brings about a salvation built on the platform of grace. That is why the reading also exhorts us never to claim to be worthy of God’s salvation since it is a privilege gained through grace and not on merit. But this grace has to be activated to bear fruits through faith.

In the gospel reading (John 3:14-21), we see the apex of God’s love. It recalls some significant events propelled by God’s love. It was because of God’s love for us that He gave out His only son so that those who believe in Him may not perish but gain eternal life. The Son of God incarnated in love came not to condemn the world but to save the world. People only condemn themselves when they racalcitrantly or deliberately refuse...

Continue here: http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/03/reflectionhomily-fourth-4th-sunday-of.html[b][/b]

I am tired of using Glo inifito classic with five special numbers, I want do migrate to infinito special with only one special number, who can help me with the code, I have tried using *100*9*1# yet it didn't work

You can always come back to www.uwakwereflections.com for your sunday reflections/homilies

Thanks for reading the reflection, feel free to make your comments

@GWslim, faith healing is not the ugly thing, the ugly thing is the deplorable state of public health care delivery in Nigeria that has left people with no other option but to seek faith healing whether authentic or fake. Thanks for your comment.

Read this story carefully and at the end you will definitely understand how I mean and know how to take care of those four wives.

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?


To find out the reply of the third wife and what happened next continue with the rest of the story here http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/02/do-you-know-you-have-4-wives-see-how.html

Imagine the ugly state of health care delivery in Nigeria. This has given rise to a mad rush for faith healing. The Churches and miracle healing centers now are over flooded with people seeking spiritual healing otherwise known as faith healing. See my write-up on this ugly phenomenon here http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/01/faith-healing-and-health-care-delivery.html

Reflection/Homily: Fifth (5th) Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B (February 5 2012)

At one moment or the other in our lives, life may have been very unbearable for us because of the miserable conditions we find ourselves in. Sometimes, it could be as a result of vocation crises, medical problem that the doctors cannot help, or an emotional problem or a spiritual or financial difficulty or even a family problem. At such moments, we regret our coming into the world. We then begin to look around for solutions to our problems, sometimes, with myopic eyes and not even being able to meet those who can help us.
Such was the condition Job found himself in the first reading. His problem was psychological, physical, emotional, financial and whatever you can imagine. Job was certain he didn’t offend God but wondered why he was in such a horrible condition. He lost the hope of rising again and caused everything about him. He eventually realized it was only God who created him could rescue him. Often times, we find ourselves in such conditions and we begin by blaming God instead of going to him for healing.
The gospel reading of today teaches us what best to do when we are challenged by difficult situations. Peter had to invite Jesus to heal his mother-in-law when she was terribly sick because of the faith

he had in Jesus. How do we profess our faith in Jesus? Can we really invite him into our problems? Jesus is the greatest healer and he can heal us from every kind of problem. Sometimes, we tend to exclude certain problems from the list of what Jesus can do. Why not come to him with that problem troubling your heart, that thing you think nobody can do for you or even what you think Jesus won’t do for you because of your sins. Perhaps he might use it to draw you closer to himself. The gospel records that “he cured many who were

For more click http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/02/reflection-fifth-5th-sunday-in-ordinary.html

To see my reflection on Epiphany Sunday (January 8th 2012) please follow the link:
http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/01/solemnity-of-epiphany-of-our-lord.html

For the most appropriate prayers for Nigerians at this time, visit http://www.uwakwereflections.com/2012/01/most-appropriate-prayers-for-nigeria-at.html