Posts by Fr. Luke Ijezie
God’s Presence in Our Midst
Usually in moments of great crisis, people run to loved ones or powerful acquaintances for succor. The great tragedy is that of having no one to run to, living with the sense of being abandoned. For many people, the greatest friend and powerful figure to run to for succor is God. The human being remains…
Read MoreRepentance and God’s Boundless Mercy
I have often come across people who appear to be very interested in religion but express great fear of God’s presence. Some feel they have done so many terrible things that God can hardly forgive them. Such feelings are often very deep-rooted and lead to many emotional disorders. We suffer from such syndromes when we…
Read MoreWord of God as Bringer of Light to Those in Darkness
The word of God is presented in both the Old and New Testaments as a source of light. The psalmist puts it aptly: “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path “(Psalm 119:105). In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as both word and light, and his gospel is…
Read MorePeace and Joy to the World
Christmas is no doubt the most joyful season of the year. This is true for every part of the world. Although many who celebrate Christmas today exclude its religious meaning, it still remains for them a period of great joy. But no matter how people try to deny the religious dimension, the joy of Christmas…
Read MoreAnxiety for the End of Time
We all agree that life is a journey, but while some see it as a journey towards death, some others see death as a transition to another life. In both currents of thought, death is inevitable, whether as a definitive end or as a transition. This is the lot of every mortal. In the face…
Read MoreSeeking God with Clean Hands and Pure Heart
I was once in a Church on Sunday when the Catechist during his announcement cautioned members of the assembly against leaving their precious belongings on the pews while going to Altar for Offertory or Holy Communion. He said the warning was based on recent cases of theft during Church service. There was a murmur among…
Read MoreGod’s Delight in His People
Our whole religious life is anchored on the belief and conviction that God takes deep interested in us, and in our affairs. Without such belief, human life would become a matter of survival of the fittest. The conviction that God cares for us gives us courage and hope to continue striving even when things go…
Read MoreCall for Authenticity in Religious Living
Authenticity basically expresses the idea of being real, genuine, or true. It means being one’s true self, devoid of affectations and pretenses. The contrary is hypocrisy, which has become a big problem in our contemporary society. Many people we meet daily present false appearances, fake narratives, deceptive promises, and hypocritical mindset. The consequence is that…
Read MoreExperience of Reversals in Our Christian Journey
The call to follow Jesus is a call to a life that is full of reversals. What makes such reversals joyful is that they all lead to new and durable life in and with God. From this perspective, one can look at the life of St. James, the apostle, whose feast the Church celebrates today.…
Read MoreJudged by the Fruits We Bear
We usually take joy in the works of our hands; in the things we produce. They give us special pride and increase our sense of self-esteem. This joy is most experienced in the possession of offspring. The special joy of old age is the feeling of security in the midst of descendants. The Bible regards…
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