Posts by Fr. John Bosco Obiako
Conquering Human Fears
“We must obey God rather than men.” This declaration, which we find in today’s first reading taken from the book of the Acts of the Apostles (5: 27 – 33), has never been more relevant than it is today. Peter and the other Apostles conquered human fear. To the high priest, president of the tribunal…
Read MoreCome Down Lord
When I was still in the minor seminary, there was a song I loved so much, and we used to sing it often at Mass during the Communion. The title of the song is “Come Down Lord.” It was written by the Medical Mission Sister, Miriam Therese Winter, and was said to have been released…
Read MoreBarrier Breaker
We are on the last Sunday before the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent. The readings of today, for me, set us in the mood for one of the purposes that the season of Lent serves for us Christians: purifying our hearts from the leprosy of sin and lukewarmness. Divine Compassion In the Gospel…
Read MoreDivine Touch
Two Healings of Lepers: In the entire four Gospels, there are two healings of lepers recorded: this one narrated by Mark (which we also find in Matthew [8:1-4] and Luke [5:12-16]), and that of the ten lepers narrated by Luke alone (Lk 17:11-19). The specificity of these healings comes out when we consider the condition…
Read MoreAn Encounter
My Advent journey this year has been accompanied, inter alia, by a beautiful book entitled “AN ENCOUNTER: A Daily Discovery in Divine Word.” It was written by Fr. Maurice Nkem Emelu, who is the founder of the Gratia Vobis Ministries and the initiator of this daily reflection via email. The book has 3 volumes already…
Read MoreDo Not Forget
Remember the marvels the Lord has done! The above is the response to the Responsorial Psalm of today’s Mass. Psalm 105 (104) is a magnificent summary of the history of the people of Israel. It goes without saying, however, that the message that the Psalm conveys goes far beyond any historical event: the psalmist wants…
Read MorePeace Unto This House
When I was growing up, I had an aunt who was a Religious Sister in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ. At the main entrance door of our family house, she hung a holy placard with the inscription: “PEACE UNTO THIS HOUSE.” I remember reading it aloud…
Read MoreFirst of All
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity (1 Timothy 2:1-2). The expression “first of all” which the Apostle Paul uses in the First Reading of today…
Read MoreWalking Into Marriage
Preparation.When a young man feels called to a life of religious consecration or priesthood, this vocation isgenerally confirmed, by discernments of the Parish Priest, then by the seminary formators. Iremember when I started feeling the desire to become a Catholic priest. It was when I was about 9years old. After my First Holy Communion, I…
Read MoreThe Liberated Liberator
The future “liberator” of the Jewish people from Egypt is a “liberated” himself, one who has experienced the condition of a slave and faced the danger of death even from birth. Moses is first “liberated” by Pharaoh’s daughter from the waters, as we read in the First Reading of today (Exodus 2:1-15). Solidarity Even before…
Read More