Tag: #SundayVibe

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Enough Room(s)

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Growing up, there is this popular hymn that is based on this particular passage of the Gospel (John 14:2): “In my Father’s house…” The hymn goes like this: In my Father’s house, there are many mansions there, In my Father’s house (twice) In my Father’s house, there are many mansions there, In my Father’s house above. Happy, happy, happy we shall be (trice) In my Father’s house above. Now this is a very exciting song, but the little trouble I have with the song is the exclusive reference of the Father’s house as the one ‘above’. This is purely transcendent … Continue reading #SV – Enough Room(s)

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Mane Nobiscum

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Hospitality is at the heart of the Eucharist, otherwise called the ‘Eucharistic Hospitality’, because it is first and foremost an invitation to share or participate in the Body and Blood of Christ. Hence, it is called ‘communion’, the Holy Communion. Now, there are quite a lot of issues regarding who is qualified or not in the actual reception, but there is no doubt that all of us are invited to fellowship together in the Eucharistic feast. However, we must become Eucharistic by living out hospitality following the example of Christ. Christ makes himself a place of welcome to all of … Continue reading #SV – Mane Nobiscum

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Solidarity Lifestyle

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

The passage from the Acts of the Apostles (2:42-47) is so apt for the situation that the world is facing today, that I consider it important that we take a closer look at it once again. Read it in the light of the challenge that faces the church in this period of global crisis. Read it in the light of the fragile situation of international solidarity at the moment – with nations closing off boundaries, and WHO defunded, xenophobic and racist attacks. Enjoy: Communal Life.* 42y They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to … Continue reading #SV – Solidarity Lifestyle

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Alleluia?

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Faith is more about how we believe than it is about what to believe, Richard Rohr reminds us. And this attitude is important at a time like this. How do we exercise faith in the face of the pandemic? How do we believe in the face of global suffering and difficulty? How do we respond to God at a time like this? If faith a relationship with God in which the darkness and light are constant elements – whereby the light continually overcomes the darkness of our lives, the uncertainty of our future, the hopelessness of the moment, and the … Continue reading #SV – Alleluia?

UncategorizedLeave a comment

#SV – Who is this?

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Humility and simplicity are virtues that are sometimes rare in our world today, even among religious leaders in the church. Yet, this is one of the greatest human examples that Jesus left for us. Incarnation was all about the humility of the Son of God. The betrayal, passion and crucifixion of Christ are all about a humble surrender to God, in allowing oneself to be immolated for the life of the world. What other lesson can we easily learn? Instead, most preachers of the Word have focused on power: the power to do miracles, the power to cast and bind, … Continue reading #SV – Who is this?