Category: Uncategorized

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV-Highest Mountain

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

It is the first Sunday of Advent and we are called to prepare for the coming of the Lord (Christmas). The prophecy of Isaiah alludes to mountain climbing, the encounter at the highest mountain, where the Lord establishes a kingdom of peace, love, righteousness and unity. Interestingly, the activities on the mountain, though spiritual, has political consequences. It has consequences on the relationship between/among nations. Rather than wars – nuclear war, tribal war, civil war, trade war, diplomatic war, and so on – peace, collaboration, partnership and friendship is to be the norm. It has consequences on the economic development … Continue reading #SV-Highest Mountain

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – The King’s Vinegar

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Well, as a leader it is not a enough that you are mocked. Being mocked is not a measure that you are on the right. But the questions are: Why are you being mocked? And who are the ones mocking you? Are you being mocked for doing the right thing or for doing the wrong things? Are you being mocked for defending the poor, the less privileged and for speaking for the oppressed? Or are you being mocked for making yourself a demi-god, silencing opposition, and privileging the rich and powerful like yourself? Are you being mocked by the poor … Continue reading #SV – The King’s Vinegar

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Modelling

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Recently, there is a viral video of a young boy who was expressing total disgust against the entire educational system (in Igbo language). For him, life has become so hard that if you are not a politician or a oversea scammer, then you have no access to what makes life enjoyable – money. When his interviewer suggested that he should stop thinking that way and focus rather on his education, the young boy retorted that ‘education is scam’, to use a popular street language in Nigeria. According to him, there is nothing there in the educational system. And he justifies … Continue reading #SV – Modelling

Uncategorized6 Comments

The Verdict on Religion

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

When Jesus calls our attention to children, he calls us to becoming childlike. Being childlike is the have the mind of a child, a trusting mind, a mind that accepts its limitations but is filled with an innocent trust upon someone greater. It is a call to develop what Zen Masters call the ‘beginner’s mind’, a mind that is docile and ready to learn. In that sense, our spirituality becomes a way of getting beyond our certitudes and our secure-selves in order to move to the realm of childlike innocence and openness. For Richard Rohr “This is exactly what Jesus … Continue reading The Verdict on Religion

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Life-after-Death

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Life after death…yeah, the real taste of life after we had conquered the fear of death; that is, life after we had conquered the fear of losing everything – our property, our reputation, our place at the table of power, our spot at the center, and even our lives. Is that what you are preaching? For real? In the world of today? Yeah! Are you being delusional? I am not! Then, you are simple very naive because it is clear that you don’t understand how this world works. Well, I think I pretty understand how the world works. But my … Continue reading #SV – Life-after-Death

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Lover(s) of Life

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

From a theological point of view, I would refer you to the article by Stan Chu Ilo, “Africa’s Place in World Christianity: Towards a Theology of Intercultural Friendship,” Toronto Journal of Theology Vol.29, no.1 (2013): 125-142. Below are excerpts from p. 138. “Vital union is the bond that joins the living and the dead in a vertical and horizontal relationship; it is the life-giving principle in all. It is the result of communion, of participation in the one reality, the one vital principle that unites all beings. This unity is willed by God at the very moment of creation, because it is the … Continue reading #SV – Lover(s) of Life