The Herods of our lives
The Herod’s of our lives Have you ever wondered why God didn’t take away Herod’s life when he was striving and scheming to kill the infant Jesus, HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON? He is Herod the Great. What’s great about a man who killed infants? But that’s not the issue. Upon a well thought out scheme of execution from Herod, God who sees the hearts and minds of all, took the three wise men from the East through a different way because of Herod’s wicked intent (Matt 2:13). Since Herod could not get the details he needed from the Magi, he thought that he would kill the infant Jesus by killing those within His age range( Matt 2: 16). So, why would God not strike Herod dead in order to save the lives of innocent children including that of baby Jesus. Why allow Herod to live on to die later? Now,…
Why “no Gloria in Advent?”
Why “no Gloria in Advent?” The beginning of the Gloria scripturally runs thus, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours.” So, to answer this question properly is to ask, “What is the origin of the first part of the Gloria?” The first place we know this was recorded is in Luke 2:14, and was sung by the angels in the context of the birth of Jesus Christ. The “Gloria” sums up the story of Christ’s saving work; the paschal mystery, moving from his coming, to his redeeming death, to his triumphant resurrection and ascension into heaven. However, it begins from his coming. So, the beginning matters so much and gives meaning and credence to other parts of the mystery. That is to say, without Jesus’ coming, there would be no salvific life and teachings, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. Moreover, advent…
Nigerian Catholics: Is it Corpus Christi or Christ the King?
Nigerian Catholics: Is it Corpus Christi or Christ the King? 1. The Feast of Corpus Christi is a liturgical solemnity. A solemnity is a high-ranking cum feast day of greatest importance in the Roman Catholic Church. ”Corpus Christi” is Latin word for ”Body of Christ”, and the feast is also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. 2. The Feast of Corpus Christi celebrates the Eucharist, the centre and summit of the christian faith in the Catholic Church , and more specifically, it celebrates the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. 3. Corpus Christi celebration implicitly reminds us Catholics and tells the world how the Eucharist came about at the Last supper, and in obedience to the words of Jesus, “Do this is remembrance of me (Luke 22:19),” that in doing such, after consecration, the bread and wine of the Eucharist actually become…
All Souls Day: Fr., Can black vestments be worn in the Catholic Church?
All Souls Day: Fr., Can black vestments be worn in the Catholic Church? Yes, black vestments could be worn on Christian funerals and on All Souls day according to the instructions to the Order of Christian Funerals (a.k.a. OCF). However, the preferred option is first, white, followed by purple and then black. It may be surprising to many of us but it’s a matter of knowledge, awareness and proper perception. •White expresses hope in resurrection, holiness, hope, and baptism. •Violet expresses reconciliation, repentance, and mercy. •Black signifies mourning, death, sin, and judgement. What is important is that “The liturgical color chosen for funerals should express Christian hope but should not be offensive to human grief and sorrow” Therefore, ” The choice should be made in the light of local custom and perceptions, and in consultation with the family and community” (OCF §39). With pastoral, theological, psychological, liturgical, and pragmatic considerations,…
The Rejection of the Cardinalate by the Bishop
The Rejection of the Cardinalate by the Bishop In the Catholic Church, the reward for work well done is more work. Every honor and elevation in the Catholic Church goes with concomitant responsibilities and could take one away from current field of work or add more work to the ones he is already doing. When Bishop Syukur declined the cardinalate for the reasons of “wanting to grow more in the priestly life and in the service of the church and the people of God,” many called it humility, while many called it selfishness. Yet, how many have asked and really wanted to know what he meant by growing more in the priesthood. Is that not self-centeredness from our part to judge one conclusively without knowing one’s circumstances. What many lack or are not considerate of, are the understanding of the true nature of the church, consideration for the common…
Why I am not always quick to condemn tithing
Why I am not always quick to condemn tithing When I was a seminarian on philosophical studies, I argued vehemently against tithing because for me it shouldn’t be talked about at anymore since it was an old testament law. Moreover and strictly speaking, it was a thing of the past. The major biblically reasons for tithing were to provide for the upkeep of the house of God and those who work in the Lord’s vineyard (Numbers 18: 24,26), and then helping the needy (Deut 26:12). On these, all other O.T. laws on tithe rest. Therefore for me then, since there are many other superior ways in which these are being done today, what then is the need for tithe. Why tax the people? Whether you like this or not, my concern was genuine and may be you are already nodding your head with me. Fastward to my theological studies. In…
Who works miracle?
One of the criticisms though sometimes negatively mixed with mockery against the Lord’s Chosen Christians is that they over emphasize miracles against preaching salvation. However, this is not the burden incurred only by the Lord’s Chosen on Christianity but also majority of Christian communities today whether Lord’s Chosen, Zion, etc, and it is fast and surreptitiously cripping into the Catholic Church, at least the one in Nigeria. Have I in any way meant that miracles are not part of our Christian life? By no means for if the Lord grants miracles, who are we to refuse? However, many of us are centering the goal of Christianity on miracles instead of on salvation. Miracles in the strict sense are signs and every sign points towards something. In the New Testament these four Greek words are principally used to designate miracles: 1. Semeion, a “sign”, i.e., an evidence of a divine commission;…
I am a chosen
I am a Chosen You have mocked the extremes of the Lord’s Chosen revival movement, popularly known as Lord’s Chosen, but you have not praised the fact that they are proud to publicly identify themselves when they feel necessary, wearing their lemon green aprons while attending their church service and church programs always. This is what many Christians today lack, and that is, the ability to be proud of being a Christian by words and actions publicly and when necessary. Today, you a Catholic mock a person for identifying as a chosen but: You are afraid to do the sign of the cross in the public. You are ashamed to pray the Holy Rosary in the public. You are afraid to even mention the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the public. You are afraid to call the blood of of Jesus in the public. You are afraid excuse…
When does the Mass begin?
This is a tricky question and sometimes may seem unnecessary as far as one goes to mass. But if the Holy Mass technically has an end, then there must be a beginning. If the beginning is not meaningful then, anyone could come during the offertory or during the consecration. So, it’s very important to know when the mass begins. So, my brothers and sisters in this Holy media space, let’s follow this discourse gradually. Yes, the space is holy for whatever approach one follows determines the perspective. The mass doesn’t begin with the sign of the cross by the the priest for if we say that the sign of the cross by the priest is the beginning, then does that mean that the opening hymn and procession really weren’t the Mass? So, it’s not advisable for the chief celebrant to say “we begin this mass, in the name of…
The Significance of the Feast of Exaltation of the Cross
The cross was a tool for crucifixion in antiquity and was considered one of the most brutal and shameful modes of death. It was used systematically by the Persians in the 6th century BC. Alexander the Great brought it from there to the eastern Mediterranean countries in the 4th century BC, and the Phoenicians introduced it to Rome in the 3rd century BC. The Romans perfected crucifixion for 500 years until it was abolished by Constantine I in the 4th century AD. Crucifixion in Roman times was applied mostly to slaves, disgraced soldiers, Christians and foreigners–only very rarely to Roman citizens. Why then are we Christians exalting an instrument of torture? First, we rejoice that something so terrible was transformed into a means of redemption for the whole human race and thus became a symbol of salvation. Second, we remind ourselves of the fact that Christianity is not an abstract…