Author: Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke
Human, son, brother, friend, Igbo, Christian, Catholic, priest, theologian and citizen.
“…To go to Disneyland and stay there forever!”
Making Sense of Eschatology (Heaven) from a Child’s Longing I have lots of nephews and nieces, since I come from a very large extended family. Each of them is unique in character and I am often fascinated not just by the energy they demand from me but also by the sparks of thoughtfulness they provoke in me. Yet, I am waiting to see one who is as daring – not with mischief, but with her inquisitive mind – as Zina (short for Zinachimdimma, which simply translates as ‘Testify that my God is good’). Zina (8 years old) and I have … Continue reading “…To go to Disneyland and stay there forever!”
#SV – The Free Gift
The idea of the origin of and the spread of sin in Romans 5 quickly calls to mind the Igbo proverb of that guilty finger whose meddling with the red oil ended up incriminating the other fingers. In the case of sin, it even brought death and not just collective guilt. Terrible! And to think of the fact that we constantly live under the ‘shadow of sin’ could be very disturbing. Yet, we can still think of the power of the soap against the messiness of the red oil. What Christ brought to us is much more than the power … Continue reading #SV – The Free Gift
#SV – Vital participation
That the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ follows the solemnity of the Trinity is not a mere coincidence. Rather the former flows from the latter. As the refection of last Sunday remarked, the life of the Trinity is the life of love, the participation in the Body and Blood of Christ is to share in this life (of love) of God. The Eucharist is thus a love feast – yet not in the empty understanding of feast, rather it is a holy immersion into the life of God. It is to commune with God and hence to … Continue reading #SV – Vital participation
#SV – The Nature of God
Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis (Pentecost, 31 May 2020)
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:4), as the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians. He continues: “There are different forms of service, but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone” (vv. 5-6). Diversity and unity: Saint Paul puts together two words that seem contradictory. He wants to tell us that the Holy Spirit is the one who brings together the many; and that the Church was born this way: we are all different, yet united by the same Holy Spirit. Let us go back to … Continue reading Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis (Pentecost, 31 May 2020)
Alongside One Another 