Fr. Ken's Pastoral Care

Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 and Luke21:25-38.34-36.  THE FIRST CANDLE OF ADVENT: HOPE The first Sunday of Advent begins a new liturgical calendar, year C and year II for weekdays. Advent has its origin from the Latin word “ Adventus ,” meaning “Coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word “ parousia ”. It is a season of preparation for the celebration of God’s incarnation, that is, Christmas. In this season, we patiently and vigilantly wait for the coming of Christ. His coming in three dimensions: at incarnation, that is, historically Christ took flesh and dwelt among us; His coming Sacramentally, that is, He constantly comes to us in the seven sacraments; and His coming in Majesty, which expresses the second coming of Christ. The season is divided into two parts: From the first Sunday of Advent to 16th of December, which emphasizes on the second coming of Christ, that is, the parousia . While 17th to 24th December emphasizes on the comin...

Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:5-8 and John 18:33-37.  THE KINGSHIP OF THE SON OF MAN   Today is Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, which marks the end of the liturgical year cycle B. In today’s celebration we adore and worship Christ our King, the Alpha and Omega of our lives, whose kingship is to establish equity, justice love and peace in contrast to earthly kingship.   Originally, Pope Pius the XI established this solemnity in 1925 against the influence of secularism. And for pastoral reasons the Church in Nigeria combines it with the solemn procession of Corpus Christi, which ought to be celebrated Thursday or Sunday after Trinity Sunday in thanksgiving for the institution of the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. So, the title of this feast was “ Iesu Christi Regis ” (Jesus Christ the King). Later in history, Pope Paul VI in his “ Motu proprio Mysterii Paschalis ” of 1969, gave it a new title as: “ Iesu Christi Universorum Reg...

Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14.18; Mark 13: 24-32.  WE ARE PEOPLE OF HOPE   It is commonly said, “ After the darkest of the night comes a new dawn. ” The night could be so long, but dawn is certain. Passing through the tunnel could be so rigorous, stressful and painful but at the end of it comes great joy. This is also comparable to the birth of a new life after a woman’s labour. Have you lost hope and you think things can no longer get better? We are people of hope and the liturgy of today brings us the hope of salvation and deliverance amidst the great troubles and sufferings we undergo on a daily basis.   The first reading taken from the book of the prophet Daniel presents to us in an apocalyptic tone the time of trouble destined for Israel, the promise of deliverance and salvation of the righteous. It says, “ At that time shall arise Michael the great prince who has charge of your people. ” The Angel Michael is often associated with spirit...

Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28 and Mark 12:38-44.  THE FEAR OF THE FUTURE   The fear of the future has hindered and restricted so many Christians from the virtue of generosity in which the virtue of hospitality is embedded. This fear has lured so many to preserve and hoard their belongings to themselves alone. There is no way we can be generous if we continue with the fear of how to survive tomorrow by leaving God out of our plans. This is where our trust in Divine Providence comes in as seen in the liturgy of today.   The first reading presents to us the encounter of the prophet Elijah with the widow of Zarephath. Truly, to some persons, the fear of the future has become the greatest enemy of generosity and prosperity. In this reading, Elijah tested her generosity and trust in divine providence. She was indeed an extremely poor widow that did not even have sticks to cook. She was gathering ‘firewood’ to prepare her last meal for herself...