The Path from Cutting to Healing

While cutting is on the rise, self-mutilation or self-harm has been occurring since biblical times. The issue with cutting is that it is becoming prevalent amongst adolescents – even Christians. According to Mental Health America, “Research indicates that self-injury occurs in approximately as many as 4% of adults in the United States. Rates are higher […]

NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU

HOMILY FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C. Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:8-14 and John 8:1-11. There was a tweet sometime last month by Harachi, expressing a rite in her culture that makes a woman run mad if she cheats in marriage. While the family of the man insisted that the rite […]

GOD’S JUSTICE AND THE CRY OF THE POOR.

HOMILY FOR THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C (MISSION SUNDAY). Readings: Sirach 25:12-14.16-18; Psalm 34; 2Timothy 4:6-8.16-18 and Luke 18:9-14. We are in a society where justice has been submerged, oppression and intimidation keep rising as barriers has been set for a greater proportion of the people to access it. Many have been denied […]

THE NATURE OF GOD AND THE BEST COMMUNITY

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, YEAR A. Readings: Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; Responsorial: Daniel 3:52-56; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 and John 3:16-18. In those days, religious divisions came from conflicting beliefs about God, rather than any conflict between theism and atheism. This division has caused many to look keenly to the nature of God. Among the […]

THE LAW OF GOD AND THE HEART OF MAN

Readings Deuteronomy 4:1-2.6-8; Psalm 15; James 1:17-18.21-27 and Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23.  It is obvious covid-19 has taught us many life lessons, one of which is the importance of proper hygiene. Although we seem to be relaxed at the moment, the practice of constantly washing and sanitizing our hands have come to stay in our society due […]

YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI), YEAR C. Readings: Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110; 1Corinthians 11:23-26 and Luke 9:11-17. Traditionally, this solemnity is celebrated on the Thursday or Sunday after Trinity Sunday with a procession of the Body of Christ. For pastoral reasons, the Church in Nigeria has her […]

CHRIST WAS BORN FOR ALL

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD. Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3. 5-6 and Matthew 2:1-12. “All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord” (Psalm 72:11). Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany is from the Greek word, epipháneia, which simply means manifestation, and in […]

The Path from Burnout to Engagement

If you are not experiencing burnout, there is a good possibility someone you love is. With COVID-19, burnout appears to be at an all-time high. When you factor in the overwhelming news cycle, pandemic fears, and forced quarantines, people of all different occupations are heading toward burnout. For example, burnout is such a possibility during […]

ARE YOU LACKING WINE?

HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C. Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and John 2:1-11. At the baptism of the Lord (last Sunday), Christ entered the waters of baptism in order to purify it for our subsequent baptism. And after his baptism, he called those that will work with […]

HUMILITY: THE MOTHER OF ALL VIRTUES

HOMILY FOR TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C. Readings: Sirach 3:17-20.25-29; Psalm 65; Hebrews 12:18-19.22-24 and Luke 14:1,7-14. Two words that are often used in contrast are pride and humility. These words are what the liturgy of today sets for us to reflect on. The liturgy of today helps us to re-evaluate the basis […]

CHRIST THE GIVER OF LIFE

HOMILY FOR FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A. Readings: Ezekiel37:12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:8-11 and John 11:1-45. In the liturgy of today, we recall the creation story of the lifelessness of man and the breath of life that was given to man. On the first Sunday of this season, Christ was led by the Spirit […]

Path from Grief to Joy

When we experience loss, it is natural to grieve. However, many people don’t know how to grieve. They may not have witnessed their parents grieving and learned to suppress their grief as a result. Or, they may have allowed grief to overtake them and turn them into bitter, hardened people. Neither is the right response. […]