WHAT SYMPATHY SHOULD DO… A Reflection on the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. We celebrate today the fruits of the action of sympathy in the life of a man who became a saint because sympathy led him to a life of empathy. We remember joyfully today the smiles on the faces of the poor in 17th Century France and almost in every part of the world today because of a man who strongly recognized the presence of Christ in the poor and the poor in Christ. Why is the…
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WHAT TO BE SCARED OF…
WHAT TO BE SCARED OF… Peter was the only man who walked on water apart from Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Although he began sinking when he doubted, he had already walked some distance. If he had been scared of sinking, he wouldn’t had stepped out of the boat in the first instance. Friend, the fear of failure prevents us from achieving important heights in life. So many people have died with their dreams because they feared they would fail. Believe you can fly. Believe you can touch…
Read MoreWHEN YOU KILL A PRIEST…(Nigerian Catholic Priest murdered)
Imagine that St. Augustine’s Catholic Church was filled on a Sunday morning with people from different parts of the world who had come for mass only to be told told that their priest had been killed some few minutes ago. Although like every other person the priest is human; nevertheless, in the imagination above, no person in the imagined church can carry out the killed priest’s ministry unless he is to be ordained a priest within a twinkle of an eye. What if there are no other priests in the…
Read More… ON WHOM TO REST
… ON WHOM TO REST Is it wise to rest on others? Is it wise to rest on no one? Do you enjoy having people rest on you? “No man is an Island” is a notable English saying. Life often demands that we depend on one another for the mutual well being of all and sundry. However, to absolutely depend on a mortal being is undertaking a suicide mission. Sometimes, those responsible for one’s trouble are “the most trusted folks.” Is this a call to distrust? Absolutely No! If we…
Read MoreDO YOU LOVE ME?
DO YOU LOVE ME? I was reflecting on the possibility of my asking one who betrayed me thrice, the question of love. However, Jesus Christ asked Peter; do you love me? Imagine the offence of Peter against Jesus! Denied Christ three times! Vowed previously never to do so! Does he Peter deserve to have been asked the question of love when his action already showed hate? The question of love can only be asked when we do not write off our enemies and those who loved us but failed us;…
Read MoreOPEN THE NEXT PAGE
OPEN THE NEXT PAGE Life is a book with several pages. As dusk turns dawn in the journey of life so the pages of our respective life’s book open. We awake somedays to realize our book has been turned to a beautiful page and we smile. At other times, we go to bed with the awareness that our book has opened to an ugly page and we cry. Many make life a station whenever an ugly page opens in their life’s book. Life is a journey and requires a continuous…
Read MoreTHE VOICE IN VOICES
THE VOICE IN VOICES Have you ever been in a situation of hearing several voices? Do you know that hearing is different from listening? One could hear lots of voices but listen to a few or a voice. Which voice should one not only hear but listen as well? In the world, there are lots of voices. Often, we listen to voices we always hear. Today, there are the voices of fear, hate, unforgiveness, revenge, divorce, fraud, lust, disobedience, rebellion, betrayal, denial, greed, division, war, pride, brutality, murder … However,…
Read MoreTIME TO LEAVE …
TIME TO LEAVE … Leaving is a reality that confronts us individually and collectively in life. People leave from place to place as they endeavour to finding meaning to their existence in the world. Are you planning to leave? It’s not a bad idea provided your leaving is geared towards the good that has others in view. Nevertheless, you must not leave unless you are sure of something. In Exodus 33:15, Moses said; “…if your presence does not go with us, we don’t want to leave this place.” Beloved, how…
Read MoreYOU CALL ME BY MY NAME
YOU CALL ME BY MY NAME Have you ever been called by name? What does it feel like to be called by name? Your name is strongly a part of your identity. If ten persons were to be walking on a path and a name is called, the one likely to get more attention of the call is the one who goes by the called name. No one calls you by name without knowing your name. When you have been called by name, you are more likely to listen to…
Read MoreFORGIVE THYSELF …
FORGIVE THYSELF … My experience as a pilgrim on earth has made me realize how weak one can be without the grace of God. Frequently but unwillingly doing the wrong things and not doing the right things may bring about frustration and depression. However, it is good for the believer to acknowledge the truth that “no sin can stand a planck time before the mercy of God when genuinely confessed and renounced”. The weakeness of the flesh when it neglects the spirit may may lead one to committing an attrocious…
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