Posts by Fr. Christian Amah
All Souls Day
As a community of one faith, we celebrate today’s sacrifice of Holy Mass for all who have gone and who are yet to arrive at the banquet of the Lord in heaven. These groups of individuals are currently on their way to heaven, being purified/purged of any residual imperfections. Do we know who they are?…
Read MoreWho Is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
In Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples approached the Lord Jesus with a striking question: “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Matthew 18:1).” Beneath their question lies a related question worth considering—What makes someone great in God’s Kingdom, and how can one become great? Greatness is a human desire. To be great could mean…
Read MoreAuthority and Power
These two words are often used interchangeably in most contexts, especially in everyday situations. However, the Scriptures, especially the New Testament, present the two words in different lights. The word “authority”, translated from ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia), entails a right to exercise a given mission, to make a decision, or to exercise control over a jurisdiction. The…
Read MoreJubilee
The book of Leviticus (25:1, 8-17) from where the first reading today comes from, lays down specific instructions for observing a year of Jubilee. What is Jubilee? It means a sound, one that announces the year of special blessings—liberation, forgiveness (of sins and debts), restoration, and rest. In the Catholic Church, an ordinary Jubilee is…
Read MoreWhen the Poor Cries
There is a great deal of crying echoing in today’s Scripture readings. Poverty often gives rise to tears—many of them. No one desires to live in a state of lack. To live in need is to suffer, and while no one on earth possesses everything they want, we all need our necessities to be met.…
Read MoreDid You Receive the Holy Spirit When You Believed?
The Sunday of Pentecost is almost here. It is the day we celebrate the memory of the first time the Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus Christ as a Church. The corporate endowment of the Holy Spirit seals together the various tribes, tongues, peoples, and nations into one Body of Christ, the Church.…
Read MoreThe Wisdom of Gamaliel: Letting God be God
Who Was Gamaliel? In today’s reflection, I wish to draw some insights from the wisdom displayed by Gamaliel. Gamaliel was a Jewish Pharisee, distinguished in learning whose wisdom and erudition were well-known and influential in his day (around 20 to 50 AD). The New Testament mentions him twice in the Acts of the Apostles. One…
Read MoreJesus replied: My Father is still working and so am I
I wish to reflect on two very interesting statements from today’s gospel passage: Jesus’ response to those trying to stop His mission and His response to them. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is confronted by the Jewish leaders who were upset that He was working on the Sabbath. To them, the Lord says, “My…
Read MoreThe Training Every Christian Must Undergo
On this eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, just before Lent, the Scripture readings offer us essential tools for preparing our hearts for the season ahead. Among the many themes present, one stands out: transformation—a process we must anticipate and actively pursue. The first reading from Sirach provides a powerful analogy: “As the test of what…
Read MoreLiving in Expectation: Lessons from Simeon and Anna
In today’s Gospel passage (Luke 2:22-40), we encounter Simeon and Anna—two individuals who eagerly awaited the redemption of Israel. Their lives were marked by expectation and hope for the salvation of their people. As we reflect on the liturgical celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, these two themes—expectation and salvation—stand out. What struck me…
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