Posts by Fr. Alex Igbozuruike
Being 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…
Read MoreThe Anointed Messenger: Proclaiming Hope, Healing and Liberation
Our world needs prophets like Isaiah more than ever, who, through their words and actions, bring glad tidings, healing to the broken-hearted, and liberation to captives. Our world needs prophets who, like Isaiah, offer comfort to the grieving and announce freedom and liberation to captives and prisoners, drawing inspiration from the concept of the jubilee.…
Read MoreRelevance of the Message of Fatima Today
From May 13, 1917, to October 13, 1917, our Blessed Mother Mary appeared to Lucia (10 years) and her two cousins, Francisco (9 years) and Jacinta (7 years) – in Fatima, Portugal. These children, who were shepherds, came from an ordinary family. Raised in the Catholic faith by their parents, they learned early enough to…
Read MoreWe Are Witnesses by Faith in His Name!
Acts of the Apostles chapter 3 starts with the encounter between Peter, John, and a disabled man. This encounter changed the life and the identity of this man. He moved from being identified as a beggar at the temple portico to being a man capable of standing and walking. His healing becomes a testimony that…
Read MoreHe Passed Through the Midst of Them and Went Away
After he was tempted in the desert, Jesus went to the synagogue and inaugurated his public mission (cf. Luke 4, 14-23). At the end of his inaugural message, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips .” The Gospel we meditate on today is in continuity…
Read MoreLearning to Live as Brothers and Sisters or the Pathway to Humanization
The story of the original fratricide questions our sense of brotherhood and our human relationships. It narrates the story of Abel – a shepherd – and Cain – a farmer. Here we have two activities that complement each other. Later the story speaks of the sacrifice of both to God. In the Jewish religion, (not…
Read MoreFaith That Moves the Heart of God
The mention of the city of Capernaum at the beginning of today’s Gospel by Mark is quite significant. It helps to set the context of his narrative. Capernaum means “Village of comfort.” It is a city where Jesus preached most of his missions accompanied by great signs (Cure of a demoniac Mark 1, 21-28; Cure…
Read MoreKeeping Ablaze the Light of Faith and Oil of Love
One of the fascinating and beautiful aspects of the Feast of Nativity is the symbolism of light. Most cities and villages are already shining, especially at night. These lights and decorations remind all, (believers and non-believers), that we are approaching the season of festivities. For us Christians, the symbolism of light focuses our attention on…
Read MoreBy Your Perseverance You Will Win Salvation
According to the Catholic liturgical calendar, we are gradually coming to the end of the Ordinary Time of the Year. The readings focus our attention on the “end time stories” or “apocalypse.” There is sometimes, if not often, a misunderstanding of the meaning of symbols used in the readings. On this 33rd Sunday, the Word…
Read MoreBlessed in Christ and Chosen Before the Foundation of the World
The beginning of the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians starts as a prayer of thanksgiving. Thus, we read: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens….” We have here a revelation of who we are, and the…
Read More