Posts by Fr. Venatius Oforka
His Ways Are Not Our Ways
The story of the conversion of Saul started with his bitter aggression against the nascent church, which has a humble but glorious beginning. The Pentecost experience soaked the disciples with the power of the Holy Spirit and gave them a courage they had never known before. They bore witness with passion for the Crucified. Not…
Read MoreEncounter with Nebuchadnezzar
The three young men in today’s first reading, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shine brightly as wonderful examples of Christian courage needed in times of tribulations. Whoever believes in God must also trust Him. He must trust His power to do all things. He must equally know that even though God can do all things, He…
Read MoreAvoiding Desperate Moves in Moments of Trial
The devil came to Jesus after his forty days fast and urged him to use his divine powers to turn stones into bread and satisfy his hunger. I did not fully capture the devil’s maneuver here until I visited Israel for a pilgrimage. Our group of pilgrims visited the desert of Masada. Most conspicuous in…
Read MoreDriven by Love
God made human beings in His image and offered them His friendship. However, they stubbornly despised him and consequently lost His friendship. Nevertheless, He did not abandon them to the power of death. Ever since then, He has been on the mission of restoring them to His friendship. He has offered them his covenant repeatedly…
Read MoreThe Magi and Their Gifts
The Church celebrates the feast of epiphany today. However, in countries where this feast is not a holy day of obligation, it is celebrated on the Sunday occurring between 2 and 8 January. Epiphany is one of the beautiful feasts that highlight the joys and mysteries of Christmas. Giving Christmas is essentially the feast of…
Read MorePower of Positivity
Today’s gospel centers on a paralyzed man who was healed by Jesus. This man could no longer help himself. He depended on others even for his miserable life. It seemed like there was no more hope for him. However, some men, perhaps his relatives and friends, refused to give up on him. They remained positive…
Read MoreThe Sacrifice of Praise
In his closing words in the epistle to the Romans, Paul writes: “Give glory therefore to him through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.” The psalmist picks it up from here in the responsorial psalm and blesses the name of the Lord. He uses these beautiful words; “I will bless you day after day…
Read MoreThe Golden Rule
The anger of Jonah in today’s first reading is palpitating and smoking. He is enraged to the point of death. Why? He preached the Word of God to the people of Nineveh, and they turned to God, abandoning their evil ways. God then showed them his loving mercy and compassion. For these reasons, Jonah became…
Read MoreThe Most Important Part of the Body
I remembered an impressive story told by Saji Anthony as I was reflecting on the gospel of today. I thought that it could help transmit the lesson from the encounter between Jesus on the one hand and the Pharisees, the scribes and a man with a withered hand on the other. A mother asked her…
Read MoreHeaven is the Prize
We perhaps remember this ancient hymn: Yes, Heaven is the prize! When sorrows press around, Look up beyond the skies Where hope and strength are found. Ref. Tis Heaven!—’tis Heaven!—yes, Heaven is the prize! The feast of transfiguration reminds us of the amazing glory that awaits us. After the painful phase of the process of…
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