Posts by Fr. John Opara
A Time of Listening
The Lenten season is a special time to pray, to reflect and to listen. God speaks to us through the scriptures, the prophets and in the quietness of our minds. As we journey through Lent, we are called to listen carefully in order to discern God’s will for us. This kind of listening requires faith…
Read MoreLiving as Salt of the Earth
“Have salt in yourselves and maintain peace with each other” – These words of Jesus carry deep significance. In a world where everything, from food to relationships, can lose their flavor, salt is a powerful symbol of preservation, strength, and transformation. Just as salt preserves food and enhances its taste, so too can our actions…
Read MoreRecognizing the Unseen
It happened that a world-class violinist, Joshua Bell, played in a crowded subway station and was ignored by hundreds of passersby simply because he was performing incognito. Similarly, in Mark 3, the scribes fail to recognize Jesus for who He truly is. Seeing His miraculous works, they accused him of casting out demons by the…
Read MoreThe Disciple`s Way of Seeing
Two days ago, we celebrated the birth of Christ. Today, being the feast of St. John, the Gospel presents us with the episode of the empty tomb, which is one of the many evidences, confirming the resurrection of Christ. The Liturgy of the Christmas season thus encourages us to follow the Lord from birth to…
Read MoreThe Grace of Perseverance
Persecution as Distraction: Our faith ought to be lived actively. Actively pursuing God’s will for us is not always easy. Persecution and trials are the cost of discipleship or a test of our faith. Persecution can come also as a distraction, aiming to dissuade us from fulfilling God’s will for our lives and the world.…
Read MoreThe Decisive Question
When someone begins an academic career or assumes new job responsibilities or enters a new environment, it is important to ask oneself this crucial question namely. “What do I want and why is what I want so essential to me?” This is evident during child-baptisms. Parents are asked what they request from the church for…
Read MoreWhat Will Be Your Answer?
The essence of examination is not only to test the students’ understanding of learned material, but to help them grow in their knowledge. And a teacher will always identify a good student from the way he/she approaches the question and from his/her answer. As a way of strengthening the students’ knowledge and impacting their lives,…
Read MoreHolding On to The Faith
Holding on to the faith and teachings of the Church is becoming increasingly more difficult in today’s world, due to contemporary societal pressure with its emphasis on individualism, moral relativism, and materialism, which is the brainchild of secularism. The secularized, neo-liberalized and pluralistic society promotes values that sometimes conflict with the Christian teachings, thereby evoking…
Read MoreMoving Towards a Supportive Humanity
A reflection on the importance of being supportive and nurturing growth in relationships and communities—supportive humanity. An adage states: “If you cannot help, do not hinder.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares the Parable of the Weeds, where a man sowed good seed in his field, but an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat,…
Read MoreThe Benefits of a Good Foundation
A reflection on the importance of a strong foundation through the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Just as every house needs a solid foundation to stand firm, especially in times of hurricanes and floods, so do we need strong foundation. The biographies of many people are marked by violent quakes and catastrophes. As…
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