Posts by Fr. Venatius Oforka
Heaven 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…
Read MoreA Call Ringing Over The Restless Waves
As I read today’s gospel, I came across the statement, “And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” I remembered a song we used to sing in the seminary. There’s a call comes ringing over the restless wave “Send the light!…
Read MoreI Am Sorry!
The 3-word expression “I am sorry” can be magical in its accomplishments. It has the power of music and can calm frayed nerves and sooth wounded heart. Like balm, it can console a troubled spirit and heal a bruised ego. “I am sorry” can neutralize heated tempers and blunt the edges of repercussions of misdemeanors…
Read MoreThe Power of Love
Christianity is the most beautiful religion that has ever existed on earth. Only this religion has the ability to liberate our world from the stranglehold of evil. Only its principles and basic message can truly set both humanity and nature free from the pangs of wickedness that overshadows them. For only Christianity is the religion…
Read MoreSorrow in the Night but Joy in the Morning
The tomb is empty. He is risen. The angels testify. Mary joyfully encounters Him, the Rabbuni. This is an incredible testimony to the fact that a long and rough night will eventually metamorphose into a bright joyful morning. For no human condition is permanent. “Everything gives way and nothing stays fixed”, says the philosopher Heraclitus.…
Read MoreAmazing Grace and You
How deep is His Love! How awesome his mercy! How incredible His grace! I have experienced the manifestation of these sublime characteristics of God in my priestly ministry, both in my personal life and in that of many others. I would like to share one of such moments with you. It was sometime in the…
Read MoreCall to Martyrdom
The Christian story is the story of undying selfless love, the love of a Father who sacrificed his only Son for his beloved, and the love of a Man who courageously laid down his life for his friends. Christianity is thus a dynamic way of life that feeds on the flames of love. Without the…
Read MoreDo Not Go Back to Herod!
Today is the feast of epiphany. The word epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphanea (manifestation). The feast commemorates the manifestation of the newly born King of Israel to the gentiles represented by the magi (three wise men from the East). The word gentile was the expression used by the Jews to refer to those…
Read MoreConsole My People!
God does not stand aloof when his people suffer and groan in pain. He does not take pleasure in the sufferings of his people. However, he has an appointed time for his works. When this time comes, he appears and manifests his saving power. So when he sends the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading…
Read MoreThe Craftiness Required for Eternal Salvation
Jesus tells a parable of a crafty steward and encourages the stewards of light to imitate his craftiness. You may read the story in Luke 16:1-8. Now, each one of us is a steward of the Lord, to whom he assigns some duties in his house. Our diversified talents, offices and opportunities express these different…
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