Poem: To the Immaculate Virgin

TO THE IMMACULATE VIRGIN

O Virgin conceived without sin
Pray for us who come to you with joy
To praise your life lived without sin
Which for us has been a source of joy

Immaculate you were conceived
To be the virgin daughter of God
Immaculate you also conceived
To be the virgin mother of God

Help us o virgin to remain pure
For your purity saved the world
And made our salvation sure
Through your son, “The Word”

How ordinary is the ordinary time of the Year?

How ordinary is the ordinary time of the Year? One may ordinarily wonder why in the list of the liturgical season, we find a season referred to as the “Ordinary Time of the Year”. The other seasons of the liturgical year are: Advent, Christmastide, Lent and Easter. These seasons celebrate the preparation of the birth of Christ (Advent), the actual birth of Christ (Christmastide), the passion and death of Christ (Lent) and the resurrection of Christ (Easter). They celebrate in magnificent ways the key events that summarize the life of Christ.

Therefore, one can easily conclude that since the chief mysteries of Christ’s salvific acts have been given special places in the liturgical calendar of the Church and they cannot be stretched to run throughout the year, the period in between them cannot be as important as they are. Hence, they are called “ordinary time”. This assumption is simply incorrect. 

However, the Ordinary time of the year is that part of the liturgical year that celebrates “no particular aspect of the mystery of Christ. Instead on the Last Sundays, celebration is made of the mystery of Christ in all its fullness”. (General Norms for the Liturgical Year, 43).

Comments received during Uwakwe Reflections' one year anniversary

“Uwakwe Reflections which is one year today is really engaging the new areopagus, bringing the Good news of Jesus our Christ to the cyberspace. It amazes one that the founder and sustainer is a young seminarian.  I know seminarians to be intelligent, but I think Chibuike is exceptional because it takes more than intelligence to initiate and sustain such an apostolate. He is living his time gracefully and he needs the support of all. Uwakwe Reflections is profoundly inspiring and enriching. Depth with thoughts and filled with experiences it makes my Sundays.  Congratulations. – Okeke Emmanuel (Rome, Italy).

“Uwakwe Reflections” is a gold mine. The Word of God is opened with deep insight and brought home with interesting stories. Hungry souls are fed and hardened hearts are challenged. It is a must read for every Christian.-  Fr Paulinus Okpala (Awka Diocese), Honnell, New York, USA

"UWAKWE REFLECTIONS" - The Reflections have been wonderful; quite enriching and pastorally-oriented. To be candid, I must congratulate the writer, Chibuike Uwakwe on these fantastic reflections, which he most often garnishes with interesting stories. Bravo!”  - Fr. Abel Ezenwa (Orlu Diocese).

“An idea nurtured about 365 days ago,
Born out of the desire to proclaim the Word of God,
To people of diverse nations and cultures,
Reaching out to the world through the internet,
Fulfilling God's command of "Go ye into the world and proclaim the Good News".
Uwakwe Reflections is not just a name, it is a message.
Happy one year anniversary!” - Uwakwe Martin (FUTO Owerri)

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF UWAKWE REFLECTIONS:

The Beginning of the Story

The idea that gave birth to Uwakwe Reflections was conceived in September 2011. It was a challenge posed to me by my younger brother Martin, a student of Information Technology. He challenged me to establish and maintain an online presence. In November 2011, the initial motivation he gave me into blogging led me into writing reflections on daily Mass readings online. After considering the demands of my studies and that of my seminary formation, I decided to concentrate only on Sunday reflections to enable me give adequate attention to other areas.

The trademark Uwakwe Reflection was the only available option when I needed to register for a domain name. Every option I tried was unavailable so I decided to use my name. More than just a domain name, Uwakwe Reflections is a concept I hope to develop in future.

The past one year was not easy for me. The task of coming up with reflections every Sunday was a very big challenge. Within the seminary environment, I was better disposed and enabled to write them than during holidays. Another challenge was popularizing my website to make the reflections available to many people. Thanks to GOOGLE whose approval and support I have enjoyed.

The story so far is not my success story but the story of God working through a weak instrument. It dawned on me that I am not just a writer but a preacher of the Word and therefore, ought to practise what I preach. From my experiences so far, I have realized that for a preacher to preach well, he/she must be in good communion with God. This therefore challenged me to work towards a better spirituality.

Prayers Within the Apostolic Work

Apostolic Work Prayers: (Prayer for a successful apostolic work, prayer before teaching catechism, prayer before preaching, prayer over gifts and donations and prayer before going for home visitation. Feel free to share these prayers with your friends on Apostolic Work) - Prayers originally composed by Uwakwe Chibuike

Prayer Within the Apostolic Work:

Lord Jesus the Good Shepherd, I thank You for inviting me to work in Your vineyard, though unworthy I am. I solely depend on You for the success of this apostolate. I cannot work in Your vineyard without Your aid. Direct me on what to do and how to do it every day. Grant me the grace, disposition and enablement to be faithful to my duty and the grace to offer all that I have and am to Your service. Grant me the wisdom to handle all issues confronting me. Protect me and all that I have and grant me a good and sound health throughout this period.

Bless and dispose all those I will work with and for. Make them responsive and willing to cooperate. May they be edified with my work, come to know You better and grow in faith and holiness. May I believe the eternal Truths that I preach, practice the virtues that I teach and inspire all those around me. May I be a blessing to them and cause them to be ever grateful to You.

Grant O Lord that my weaknesses may not prevail instead may Your grace abide sufficiently in me to enable me overcome all trials and temptations. At the end, may Your spiritual and temporal blessings never elude me. You who live and reign with the Father and the Spirit God forever and ever. Amen.

Mary my dearest mother, I cannot do without your aid. I need you, please help me with your intercession and maternal care. St. Philomena, my heavenly friends, angels and saints of God kindly come to my assistance. Amen.

Prayer Before teaching Catechism:

Lord Jesus You have instructed Your Church to go and teach all nations and Your Church has given me the privilege to participate in this missionary mandate by teaching the Catechism of the Church to these little ones. Grant o Lord that I may teach them faithfully in accordance with the Church’s magisterium. Grant also to these little ones the gift of Your Spirit to enable them understand and learn. May they be quick to learn and retain what they have learnt in their memories and may this knowledge increase their faith in You and influence their lives positively. Amen.

 Continue after the cut

A Reflection on my Birthday this 26th Day of March 2012

A Disciple’s Prayer (2^nd Edition – 2012)

Lord, every year I come before You at my birthday to thank You for the gift of life and to x-ray my nothingness before You, asking You to make me something for Yourself.

I have come to discover that the nearer I try to come to You, the more distant I find myself from You because in my righteousness, I make one step towards You and in my sinfulness I make two steps away from You. I am seriously worried by this situation and I call for Your intervention. I am filled with shame each time I draw closer to You because:

If anybody has disappointed You, I am the one.

If You regret creating man, I am the cause of the regret.

If anyone deserves Your justice, I am the one.

If anyone deserves Your mercy, I am far from such one.

If sinners deserve hell, I deserve the worst of hell

If I had loved You, I would have obeyed Your will

I hated you at those times I ignored Your will and did my will.

Yet Your love for me increased.

Late Pope John Paul II may be Declared Saint Soon

According to an AFP report on Yahoo7 News, a second miracle attributed to late pope John Paul II has been reported, and he could be made a saint soon.

It said Italy's Panorama weekly, citing documents sent to the Vatican, reported that the miraculous healing occurred just weeks after Pope John Paul II's beatification on May 1 last year, which put him on the path to sainthood just six years after his death.

The first miracle attributed to the late pope was the healing of a French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, who recovered from Parkinson's disease.

No details have been given about the second miracle yet, which was chosen from among four reported and documented by the promoter of Karol Wojtyla's canonisation, Bishop Slowomir Oder. Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi declined to comment on the report, stressing that only a decree from the Congregation could confirm it.

The magazine said the case was being studied by experts from the Congregation for the Cause of Saints and, if it occurred, could lead to the canonisation of the late pope within the next 12 months.

Many Catholic faithful want John Paul II made a saint as soon as possible, even me, I want my great mentor canonized as soon as possible. His life has remained a model and an inspiration for me. Blessed Pope John Paul II – Pray for us.

Catholic Priest Denies Lesbian Communion in Mother’s Funeral

Barbara Johnson, 51, an art-studio owner in the District of Columbia, on Saturday 25th February 2012, felt embarrassed, insulted, humiliated and discriminated against, when in her mother’s funeral, was refused communion by the presiding Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr Marcel Guarnizo.

The incident which took place at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, has since then caused serious reactions from people, especially, gay right activists.

Deep in grief, Barbara Johnson stood first in line for Communion at her mother's funeral. But the priest in front of her immediately made it clear she would not receive the sacramental bread and wine because he had learned of their relationship just before the mass. "He put his hand over the body of Christ and looked at me and said, 'I can't give you Communion because you live with a woman, and in the eyes of the church, that is a sin,' " she recalled last Tuesday.

Filled with sadness and sorrow, she demands that Fr Guarnizo be removed from pastoral life and she vows to fight for it. In a mail to the priest, she wrote: "You brought your politics, not

A Day in the Life of Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict XVI, at age 84, never goes to sleep before 11pm, prays the Rosary every day, gets up at 5am and uses a cell phone only accessible by his closest advisers.

In an article published online at Europaquotidiano.it on Feb. 17, Italian journalist Aldo Maria Valli documents a day in life of the Pope, who wakes up when Vatican City “is still immersed in silence.”

Valli says the Bavarian Pope is a “typical German, a methodic man,” who “likes to organize his day down to the last detail, according to a very precise schedule.”

Benedict XVI begins his day by celebrating Mass in the papal chapel at 7am, together with his two personal secretaries, Father Georg Ganswein and Father Alfred Xuereb.

Other members of the papal household who also attend the Mass include the Pope’s assistants, Carmela, Loredana, Cristina and Rosella, who are all consecrated women belonging to the Memores Domini community of the movement Communion and Liberation, as well as his personal valet, 46 year-old Paolo Gabriele, who is married and has three children.

After the Mass, which is always celebrated in Italian, Benedict XVI has breakfast at 8am, and then heads to

Happy Valentine My Lovers

I have got no greater lover than you on this blog. That is why I quickly wish you "Happy Lovers' Day". You are here because you love this blog and I blog because I love you, my readers and wish to offer you my best.

Today has been very busy for me. My valentine had to be spent in the examination hall. This is to enable me acquire more knowledge more to serve Christ in you.
 I any case, I wish you the best of the celebration. Remember  the poor and the unloved and try to show them some love. Do not also forget your family members because sometimes,  we may be carried away by those we keep outside and forget those who are inside always waiting to welcome us when we return.

This is a wonderful period for families to re-unite, quarreling couples to reconcile, and aggrieved friends to forgive one another. Students ought to show some love to their lecturers for making them what they are and for preparing them for what they will be. Teachers must also show some love to their students for giving them

Do You Know You Have 4 Wives? See How!

Read this story carefully, and you will learn a lot from it.  

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization (Papal Message for 46th World Communication Day)

The Roman Pontiff has released his message for the 46^th World Communication Day which he titled: SILENCE AND WORD: PATH OF EVANGELIZATION. In this reflection, the Pope emphasised on the value of silence in effective communication. He talked about the effective use of the social media, search engines and the internet at large.  Kindly go through the text below:

MESSAGE OF POPE BENEDICT XVI 
FOR THE 46th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY 
24 JANUARY 2012

 

Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization

  

40 RULES FOR LIVING

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Memorize your favourite poem.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
5. When you say, "I'm sorry," look at the person in the eye.
6. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.                                        
    

Quote on Love

Love is nothing but the allegiance of Loyalty, Obedience, Value, and Endurance to somebody or something.

Quote on the Sand of Time

"In desiring to write you name on the sound of time, the best sand is on the lives of people and the best time is now, never postpone the help you can offer to someone today till tomorrow".

FAITH HEALING AND HEALTH CARE DELIVERY: THE NIGERIAN SITUATION

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its “Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization” as adopted by the International Health Conference in 1946 defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. From this definition, it is clear that anything contrary to this is generally regarded as ill-health.

In Nigeria today, there are basically two ways of tackling the problem of ill-health. One is through faith healing and the other is health care delivery. While the former is unorthodox, the latter is orthodox. For some, faith healing is only an alternative when health care delivery fails, while others consider it as a normal practice for the restoration of sound health. It is, therefore, the intention of this writer to investigate into the relationship between faith healing and health care delivery towards proffering a better way of managing ill-health in the Nigerian situation.

A Mother Living with Sweet Memories of a Dead Son - An Interesting Story

I just found this interesting story on the facebook wall of a friend and decided to share it here. You may have had similar experience or might be touched by the story. Take time to go through it.

"She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be alright? When can I see him? The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it. Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care anymore? Where were you, God, when my son needed you? The surgeon asked, “Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the

The Most Appropriate Prayers for Nigeria at this Time

Following the situation of things in Nigeria, one would only recourse to God through prayers because the solution to our problem cannot come from either the masses or the government. We have to bring in God for a divine intervention else we all perish in this country.

Therefore, may we all recourse to God through these prayers:

Prayer of Blessed John Henry Newman

God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work for me which he has not committed to another. I shall do good. I shall do his work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place — while not intending it — if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling. Therefore I will trust him.

Why We Must Pray For America And Why Americans Must Pray Now?

This is one of the scariest elections we as Christians have ever faced, this is because of the moral values at stake in this election and we pray that people will vote according to their Christian consciences. The intention is for God to give America a God-fearing president in the 2012 polls.

We all need to be on our knees. Do you believe we can take God at His
word? Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to
behold.

This scripture gives us, as Christians, ownership of this land and the
ability to call upon God to heal it. I challenge you to do so.

We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land.