Posts by Fr. Luke Ijezie
What Makes Us Strong
A conversation on what we can learn through the life and works of St. James Sometimes we wonder how we succeed in overcoming obstacles and persecutions that ordinarily seem insurmountable. As Christians, we often find ourselves championing noble causes and waging battles that are far beyond our human strength. Knowing our human weakness, we are…
Read MoreTrusting in the Power of God’s Presence
Life is full of distressing situations. The distress becomes very acute when we feel radically incapable of confronting the challenges that face us. Forces that are determined to destroy us often threaten us, but we feel unprepared to overcome them. At such moments, we feel how radically weak we are as mortals and are easily…
Read MoreChildlike Approach to God
Growing up as a little child, I never knew we were poor. I always trusted that my father was capable of providing all my needs and those of my siblings, which were not many though. I was confident about regular meals, the basic needs of clothing and the little things needed for playing. For children…
Read MorePreaching the Good News to All Creation Today
The missionary mandate in the Gospel of Mark is to go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to all creation. This means that every creature is meant to hear the Good News. Jesus knows that the message is a joyful one for all cadres of creation. So, he mandates that the word be…
Read MoreBringing Justice – Mission of God’s Servant
The consciousness of having a mission changes one’s attitude to life and work. It gives special coherence and purpose in every endeavor. In our relations with God, we are constantly reminded that we have a mission. To have a mission means to be called. We are called by God for special tasks, and every person…
Read MoreLiving in the Presence of God
Living with a contemplation of beauty gives great satisfaction. But living everyday in the presence of such beauty gives the greatest joy. We have been told that the greatest beauty one can ever contemplate is God. I have often wondered how this God is. But we are also taught that He is far greater than…
Read MorePaul’s Conversion Encounter with Jesus
Today the Church celebrates the conversion of St. Paul, who is regarded as the Apostle to the nations. The first reading of the day’s liturgy from Acts 22: 3-16 (cf. Acts 9: 1-22) recounts, in graphic details, the story of Paul’s conversion. The turning point was his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus.…
Read MoreGift of Light and Joy
Light is a reality that is often taken for granted in most parts of the developed world. This is not so in most parts of the developing world where light energy is still a luxury commodity. In my part of the world, where most people don’t have the privilege of enjoying light for twenty-four hours…
Read MoreLiving with the Hope of a Better Life after Death
The most significant and most inspiring aspect of the Christian religion is its doctrine of life after death. It gives a sense of tranquility and orientation to the present life. Without such belief, one can hardly cope with the disappointing experiences of the present life. While Christianity inherited the belief in the resurrection from Judaism,…
Read MoreBeing Responsible Custodians of God’s Gifts
Life is a gift from God, and everything we have comes from God. This imposes on us the obligation to care for these gifts knowing that we are beneficiaries of divine love. The readings of today remind us that we are God’s servants entrusted with many gifts. We are to give account of how we…
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