Posts by Fr. Alex Igbozuruike
Growing Together: Lessons from the Early Christian Community on Diversity Management and Justice
Acts of the Apostles paints a beautiful picture of the early Church, a community vibrant with faith and overflowing with love. (Acts 4: 32-35). However, this idyllic scene of oneness and shared possession is challenged in Acts 6: 1-7. As the number of disciples grew, so did the complexities of caring for the community. Grumbling…
Read MoreWhen Mountains Become Roads: Overcoming Obstacles with Faith (Isaiah 49:8-15)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, have you ever felt like Zion, the desolate city crying out, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forsaken me.” (Isaiah 49:14)? Our hearts are sometimes weary, burdened by problems, trials; and doubts easily creep in like a relentless desert wind, gradually eroding our spirit. Those who have…
Read MoreBeyond the Forgotten Bread: Unravelling the Deeper Truth in Mark 8: 14 -21
Today’s Gospel builds upon the miracle of Jesus feeding about 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few fish. At the end of this mission, Jesus and His disciples entered a boat and sailed to the other side of the river. Now, imagine being in this boat with Jesus, crossing the river, when the realization…
Read MoreJesus’ Table of Grace: Calling Sinners to Freedom
St. Mark begins today’s Gospel by saying that “Jesus walked along the sea”. As he walked along, a crowd gathered around him. The evangelist’s mention of the crowd shows that Jesus’ presence embodied a message of love, hope and redemption that resonated deeply with common people, many of whom were burdened by life’s struggles. They…
Read MoreSpiritual Awakening: Lessons from the Parable of the Ten Virgins
In the Gospel narratives, Jesus often used parables to illustrate his teaching. As figurative language, they are used to convey deeper truths. Parables typically employ everyday situations and characters, prompting us to reflect on their relevance to our lives. As we approach Christmas, I would like to reflect today on the parable of Ten Virgins…
Read MoreWisdom’s Whisper: A Christian’s Guide to Righteous Living and Relational Healing
As I meditated on today’s first reading, I was reminded of King Solomon’s prayers. When faced with the task of leading the Israelites, Solomon prayed to God for an understanding mind to govern His people, able to discern between good and evil. I believe that Divine Wisdom is one of the most precious gifts we…
Read MoreOvercoming the Powers of Darkness: Insights from Jesus’ Encounter with the Mute
In this passage of today’s Gospel, Jesus casts out a demon from a mute man, enabling him to speak. Instead of rejoicing at the miraculous deliverance, some people attribute Jesus’ power to Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Such a backdrop sets the stage for the teaching of Jesus on the Kingdom of God, spiritual warfare,…
Read MoreCultivating Authentic Faith in Today’s World: A Reflection on Mark 4:1-10, 13-20
On the memorial of St. John Chrysostom, I would like to reflect on the Gospel of Mark 4:1-10, 13-20, which is the Gospel proper to the Memorial. This periscope, often referred to as the Parable of the Sower, holds profound significance for Christians seeking to navigate the challenges of living an authentic Christian life in…
Read MoreFaith and Doubt: Lessons from Elijah and the Disciples’ Experience
I Kings 19 tells the story of the prophet Elijah facing a serious threat from Queen Jezebel, who sought vengeance for the death of the prophets of Baal. Frightened, Elijah fled the city and even wished he were dead. Feeling overwhelmed and depressed he says: “Yahweh, I have had enough. Take my life; I am…
Read MoreBeing a Missionary Today: A Noble and Demanding Task!
Jesus sends his disciples on a mission and gives them instructions. These instructions may seem perplexing and contradictory. At first, Jesus tells them, “The worker deserves his wages,” and then he adds, “You have received freely, give freely.” But what have they received, and what should they give freely? The disciples have received a mission…
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