Entering St. Pio Catholic Church today, I reflected on the gift of Catholicism, thanking God for its role as both a mother and teacher, guiding humanity through millennia of ministration, consolling their bereavenent, offering them the graces of the sacrament as instituted by Christ, the catharsis of the confessional, and the stability of a long-established creed. The parish church, exemplified by St. Pio, serves as a collective home, knitting individuals into a community, standing as a testament to the unity of God's people. Life within its walls is adorned with sacred art, while religious music pours its mollifying harmony into the soul of the people.
My contemplation was interrupted by Fr.'s entrance to start the mass. Initially, he struck me as a thoughtful rebel, reminiscent of the great educationist, Fr. Augustine Oburota, in both physique and demeanor: with eyes are pinholes, a whimsical yet not entirely serious countenance, and a neatly trimmed beard. His diction, coupled with his appearance, lent him a magnetic personality.
Fr.'s sermon reflected orthodox beliefs, conveyed not only through his appearance but also through his authoritative presence and assurances of control. He began by explaining that every first Sunday of Lent, the readings focus on the temptation of Christ, with the year determining the gospel, citing Mark's Gospel for year B. Mark is noted for its brevity, vividness, and emphasis on action. Thus, “Mark,” Fr. says, “tells us that Jesus was tempted without details as in other Gospels.” Throughout, he demonstrated his expertise as a Catholic priest, extracting messages from the readings tailored to the Lenten period.
As Father explained, in the wilderness of life we face all sorts of tribulations. We face difficulties in our vocations, as husbands and wives, in our places of work, schools - everywhere but that we should not allow those challenges to conquer us and that as long as we remember that the Angels ministered to Jesus in the wilderness, we shall know that God will not abandon us, even when surrounded by wild beasts of the wilderness.
Father delved into the significance of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, paralleling it with biblical events that took 40 days or years such as the flood, the Israelites' wanderings, Moses' time on Mt. Sinai, and Elijah's journey to meet God on Mt. Horeb (Both mountains are theologically and grographically considered as one and the same- Sinai and Horeb.) He emphasized that Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, provides 40 days to draw closer to God through reflection, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and spiritual discipline.
Fr. highlighted the prevailing zealotry among Christians, citing instances of misuse of the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, where some individuals sleep or wander aimlessly while murmuring incomprehensible words. It was during this discourse that Fr. Gabriel's reputation was cemented, as he pledged to remove anyone found engaging in such behaviour. This underscores Fr. Gabriel's commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the chapel, which is intended for quiet prayer, with due consideration for fellow worshippers. This incident brought to mind Thomas à Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ," particularly Chapter Two of Book One, titled "On the Life of Solitude and Silence." In our seminary days, we also delved into works such as the "Lives of the Saints,” read over lunch and dinner. Those inclined to express their spirituality through violence of conduct like fearful contorting of the members have ample space elsewhere on church grounds, leaving the chapel—a sanctuary for silent communion with God—undisturbed.
Despite Fr.'s compelling sermon over which I will score him an A, which reminds priests the importance of preparing for sermons as if for major examinations, I disagreed with his decision to disclose the presence of CCTV cameras to deter theft in the church. In my view, such disclosure may prompt thieves to devise ways to evade detection, leaving their punishment to the all-seeing God at the last judgment.
Afriquecast
Entering St. Pio Catholic Church today, I reflected on the gift of Catholicism, thanking God for its role as both a mother and teacher, guiding humanity through millennia of ministration, consolling their bereavenent, offering them the graces of the sacrament as instituted by Christ, the catharsis of the confessional, and the stability of a long-established creed. The parish church, exemplified by St. Pio, serves as a collective home, knitting individuals into a community, standing as a testament to the unity of God's people. Life within its walls is adorned with sacred art, while religious music pours its mollifying harmony into the soul of the people.
My contemplation was interrupted by Fr.'s entrance to start the mass. Initially, he struck me as a thoughtful rebel, reminiscent of the great educationist, Fr. Augustine Oburota, in both physique and demeanor: with eyes are pinholes, a whimsical yet not entirely serious countenance, and a neatly trimmed beard. His diction, coupled with his appearance, lent him a magnetic personality.
Fr.'s sermon reflected orthodox beliefs, conveyed not only through his appearance but also through his authoritative presence and assurances of control. He began by explaining that every first Sunday of Lent, the readings focus on the temptation of Christ, with the year determining the gospel, citing Mark's Gospel for year B. Mark is noted for its brevity, vividness, and emphasis on action. Thus, “Mark,” Fr. says, “tells us that Jesus was tempted without details as in other Gospels.” Throughout, he demonstrated his expertise as a Catholic priest, extracting messages from the readings tailored to the Lenten period.
As Father explained, in the wilderness of life we face all sorts of tribulations. We face difficulties in our vocations, as husbands and wives, in our places of work, schools - everywhere but that we should not allow those challenges to conquer us and that as long as we remember that the Angels ministered to Jesus in the wilderness, we shall know that God will not abandon us, even when surrounded by wild beasts of the wilderness.
Father delved into the significance of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, paralleling it with biblical events that took 40 days or years such as the flood, the Israelites' wanderings, Moses' time on Mt. Sinai, and Elijah's journey to meet God on Mt. Horeb (Both mountains are theologically and grographically considered as one and the same- Sinai and Horeb.) He emphasized that Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, provides 40 days to draw closer to God through reflection, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and spiritual discipline.
Fr. highlighted the prevailing zealotry among Christians, citing instances of misuse of the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, where some individuals sleep or wander aimlessly while murmuring incomprehensible words. It was during this discourse that Fr. Gabriel's reputation was cemented, as he pledged to remove anyone found engaging in such behaviour. This underscores Fr. Gabriel's commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the chapel, which is intended for quiet prayer, with due consideration for fellow worshippers. This incident brought to mind Thomas à Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ," particularly Chapter Two of Book One, titled "On the Life of Solitude and Silence." In our seminary days, we also delved into works such as the "Lives of the Saints,” read over lunch and dinner. Those inclined to express their spirituality through violence of conduct like fearful contorting of the members have ample space elsewhere on church grounds, leaving the chapel—a sanctuary for silent communion with God—undisturbed.
Despite Fr.'s compelling sermon over which I will score him an A, which reminds priests the importance of preparing for sermons as if for major examinations, I disagreed with his decision to disclose the presence of CCTV cameras to deter theft in the church. In my view, such disclosure may prompt thieves to devise ways to evade detection, leaving their punishment to the all-seeing God at the last judgment.
By Emmanuel Luper
150 views
Comments
Leave a Comment
Recent Comments
Good thing they are rising for what is right, kudos
Posted on Sep 04, 2024 at 03:57 PMNice one! Aka Eze Aka all the way🙌🏾
Posted on Sep 04, 2024 at 09:00 PMLovely.. AKA EZE AKA man of the people..
Posted on Sep 04, 2024 at 09:23 PMПолностью трендовые новинки модного мира. Актуальные события самых влиятельных подуимов. Модные дома, торговые марки, haute couture. Лучшее место для стильныех хайпбистов. https://chenews.ru/chepub/387-avariynye-derevya-novye-pravila-v-chelyabinske/
Posted on Sep 05, 2024 at 02:51 AMWhat's up to all, hhow is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this web site, and your views are nice in favor of new visitors. https://bandur-ART.Blogspot.com/2024/08/the-ultimate-guide-to-no-mans-sky-mods.html
Posted on Sep 05, 2024 at 10:25 PM<a href="https://1xbetin.com/">1xBet Review</a>
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 12:04 AMFantastic moves all hands should be on deck to deliver Ogalla
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 11:25 AMHello afriquecast.com administrator, You always provide clear explanations and step-by-step instructions.
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 10:00 PMThat's very good 😊 but I wished he gave his brothers and sisters scholarships and also sponsored many of his home town you. By now all academics will be talking of him and his awards.
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 11:12 PMhttps://khelraja-india.com/khelraja-login-and-registration/
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 07:59 AMGod is not a man that He should lie.He will surely continue to do new things in our lifetime. GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 10:35 AMGod is not a man that He should lie.He will surely continue to do new things in our lifetime. GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 10:36 AMTell him that game's village Awgu is a tourist center capable of generating huge internal revenue.
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 01:48 PMEthical Leadership Centre, Enugu recognising visionary leadership is certainly a milestone towards 'making excellence the norm'. Big thanks to Chief Ben Etiaba for his tireless effort to improve our society and it's pillars.
Posted on Sep 10, 2024 at 09:51 AMYes Rangers! Our darling team was the hope of everyone across the niger to get thrilled and be happy. Rangers was the binding wire that bound the faith of the IGBO MAN together. Because the Igbos does not believe in anybody, rather the Igbo-man believes in self and God. He believes in what he can do for himself and others. Otherwise, how could a people in a war situation be cut off from outside world, they were not getting relief materials from the world bodies, no ammunition and the rest, and things got most trying and difficult. But in such horrible state of life, the IGBO-MAN produce the great bomb fondly called (Ojukwu bucket or Ogbunigwe) that destroys and kills in multiple folds, produced fighter jets which they used during the war, the Igbo-man produced his own fuel both for aviation and automotive uses. The Igbo-man started live again after the war with just twenty pounds only and excelled beyond imagination. Rangers FC was a reincarnated spirit of Igbo-man, that of course was the reason Rangers took over the football sphere in Nigeria shortly after it was founded in early 70's. Well let me come back before I go adrift Rangers International FC. I appreciate my brother Chief Ben Etiaba "Ifennia" founder Ethical Leadership Center Enugu, for the good job he is doing , especially in fishing out our men and women of substance who has paid their dues in their different callings and honouring them duly. Finally, my Congratulations goes to Dr. Joseph Ugboaja the Chief Medical Director Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi for his milestone achievement so far at NAUTH. I also congratulate the young enterprising Director of Rangers management board chief Ugboaku for his visionary leadership and achievements. God bless you all, and let the flame keep burning!
Posted on Sep 10, 2024 at 05:25 PMPainful. Ijele colleague
Posted on Sep 13, 2024 at 02:03 PMHi this is somewat of off topic but I waas wanting to know iff blogs usse WYSIWYG editors orr iff you hazve too manually code with HTML. I'm starting a blog ssoon but have no coding expertise so I wanyed to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated! https://lvivforum.pp.ua/
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 01:12 AMМодные советы по выбору необычных луков на любой день. Статьи стилистов, события, все новые коллекции и шоу. https://vladtoday.ru/news/2024-09-10-10-prichin-za-chto-my-lyubim-demnu-gvasaliyu/
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 09:35 AMYou were hired by another community to come and fight for them, after which you got that land as compensation. And you think you will live in another man's land?Some of these Ebonyi people dont think straight
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 02:05 PMСтильные заметки по подбору модных видов на любой день. Мнения профессионалов, новости, все коллекции и шоу. https://vladtoday.ru/news/2024-09-10-10-prichin-za-chto-my-lyubim-demnu-gvasaliyu/
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 04:59 PMCan one person sell community land, accord to MrAlinta
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 10:17 PMCarry de go you are the man of universal love, The Lord choosing.one.
Posted on Sep 15, 2024 at 12:04 AMSimply wish to say your article iss as amazing. The clarity in your post is simply cool and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to dazte with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work. https://Lvivforum.PP.Ua
Posted on Sep 16, 2024 at 07:45 AMVote Pdp all the way. Tomorrow is here
Posted on Sep 18, 2024 at 06:18 PM