Posts by Fr. John Opara
In the Service of Others
The image of Jesus as the good Shepherd has something to do with our own identity as children of God; “See what great love the Father has bestowed on us, that we are called children of God—and we are.” (1 John 3:1). The fact that we are his children gives the reason for this relationship…
Read MoreRevealing Who Jesus Is
As Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in his Encyclical Letter “God is Love”, “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” This is the question that stands before us as we…
Read MoreFirst, Go and Be Reconciled: Reconciliation as a Prerequisite for Worship
Reflecting on Jesus’ words, one may conclude that we live in a world of misplaced priorities. In the pursuit of success, some people hurt others. Yet instead of seeking forgiveness, they plan thanksgiving services, undertake stringent mortifications, or engage in spiritual exercises such as the Stations of the Cross. They justify their actions by claiming…
Read MoreHaving a Relationship with Jesus
I always understand believing as entering into a relationship. In John 15:16, Jesus says: “You did not choose me. I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” This expresses the very heart of the covenant between God and humanity. It is precisely for this reason that Jesus became human:…
Read MoreSeeing and Believing
Today, on the Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the Church invites us to reflect on how we perceive divine mysteries. St. John is named the beloved apostle not simply because Jesus loved him above others, but because he is the apostle that perceives God as love. Today on his feast day, we…
Read MoreA Prophecy of Hope
Many people experience their own “world endings”: the death of a loved one, the collapse of a relationship, the shock of illness, the unraveling of plans or dreams. Sometimes it is not the world around us that breaks, but the world within. Hence, we have lost hope of a new beginning. The Gospel of today…
Read MoreThe Wonder of love
In a world where love is often portrayed as a fleeting emotion, a romantic feeling, or something that comes and goes with moods and moments, the life of Jesus shows us something far deeper: real love is willing to suffer. It is not afraid of pain, criticism, or sacrifice because it puts the well-being of…
Read MoreLike Sheep Without a Shepherd
With the coming of Jesus and through the work of the Apostles, the restoration plan of God has begun—a restoration that humanity ultimately longs for. Today’s Gospel tells us what we need to be part of it, since the laborers are few. Learning to See The first step is learning to truly perceive ourselves, other…
Read MoreAmbassadors of Life
On this feast of St. Monica, we hear the gospel of the restoration of the dead son of the widow of Nain to life. The episode recalls that all the miracles of Jesus (including the gospel accounts of Jesus raising the dead) are not merely displays of power, but signs of God’s final promise: the…
Read MoreFriendship with God
I have a friend. He was frustrated about how things were going in his family. He was angry at his brother. And I said, “well, my dear, have you prayed over it?” And he said, “I have not.” And I asked, “why?” He said, “Because, if I pray, I know what God is going to…
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