Fr. Ken's Pastoral Care

Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 95; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 and Mark 1:21-28.  TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS AMONG GULLIBLE CHRISTIANS    In a society where people are living in abject poverty and great difficulties like in Nigeria, Religion, in the words of Karl Max, “Becomes the opium of the masses” who are impatiently in search of solutions to their problems. Sometimes, when difficult situations break us down, our sense of reasoning decreases and our emotions increases. At this point, we become gullible and practically ready to do anything our religious leaders tell us. In view of this, today’s liturgy draws our attention to the true prophets of God and false prophets who are ready to manipulate and exploit the gullible Christians. How do we know and differentiate them?   In the first reading, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses promised the people that a true prophet like him will come when he said, “ The Lord your God will raise up for you a proph...

The Word of God Readings: Jonah 3:1-5.10; Psalm 25; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and Mark 1:14-20.  THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE.    On 30 September 2019, the feast of St. Jerome, (who is known for his translation of Scripture and commentaries on the Gospels), Pope Francis, in his Apostolic letter   Motu Proprio “Aperuit Illis” which is the Latin of the opening lines in Luke 24: 45, “ He opened their minds to understand the Scripture ” established the third Sunday in Ordinary Time as “Sunday of the Word of God” to enable better study and dissemination of the Word of God. In today’s liturgy, Christ is portrayed as an employee who employs us to diffuse his Word through the call to evangelize and preach repentance, for the kingdom of God is at hand.   While Pope Francis dedicated this Sunday to the Bible, our study of the Bible this liturgical year focuses more on the Gospel of St. Mark. St. Mark has the shortest Gospel with sixteen (16) chapters, and is the mos...

The call of Samuel Readings: 1 Samuel 3:3-10.19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6: 13-15.17-20 and John 1:35-42.  VOCATION: A CALL TO HOLINESS   Today’s liturgy reminds us that God calls each one of us by our names to the life of holiness as he called Samuel in the first reading and the Apostles in the Gospel. The Church also encourages us to respond to this call with all our being (body and soul) as she reminds us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.   The first reading recounts the dramatic call of Samuel, which also reminds us of our own call. “ Samuel was lying down within the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” …He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me. ”” After the third call, Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy . Like Samuel, so many young people don’t have clear vision of their vocation or career and they need Eli (the elderly ones) to help them have a proper discernment. Discer...

Christ's Baptism Readings: Isaiah 55:1-11; Psalm (Is 12); 1 John 5:1-9 and Mark 1:7-11.  THE WATER OF BAPTISM   Today’s celebration traditionally brings to end the Christmas season and begins the ordinary time of the church’s liturgical calendar. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord affords us the opportunity to reflect on our baptism as well.   The penny catechism book defines baptism as a sacrament, which cleans us from original sin, makes us Christians, children of God and members of the Church . In accordance with the teachings of the Church, we have three types of baptism: 1.        Baptism by water: This is known as the sacramental baptism, realized through sprinkling of water on the head or by immersion. 2.        Baptism by blood: When one sacrifices his/her life for the faith just like the martyrs or holy innocents. 3.        Baptism by desire: When one dies wi...

Epiphany Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3. 5-6 and Matthew 2:1-12.  CHRIST WAS BORN FOR ALL   “All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord” (Psalm 96:11). Today, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany is from the Greek origin, epiphaninen , which simply means manifestation, God’s manifestation to humanity. This is well expressed in the liturgy of today as the Magi represent the whole human race, people of every languages, colours and nations are all called to adore Christ the new born King.   Epiphany is the manifestation of God’s light and glory to the world. Christ rightly said, “ I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life ” (John 8:12). He is the Saviour of the world. So this solemnity establishes Jesus Christ as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. In view of this that the Psalmist of today said, “ The kings of Tarshish and islands shall pay him trib...