HOLY ROMANCE. By Tobe Eze

HOLY ROMANCE.

It was like a dream for me on that faithful night when it all started. Since that day this question. Is there a Holy Romance? Has not left me. Where is it written in the bible that there is a holy romance? But he won by quoting Bible passages where it is written that we should greet each other with a holy kiss. He quoted Romans 16:16 and 2Corinthians 13:12 which I read and saw that it is boldly written. I asked him, but what is written here is kiss and not romance. But he fired a horrible answer back that it is romance that begets kiss. He asked me which one I consider worse. Kiss or romance? He said immediately okay, if you choose kiss, let us go for it.

It all started on one of the all night crusades we normally go every Friday. I was one of the prayer warriors, so I normally go earlier every Friday. It happened that I went too early that day. I met only our leader Brother John. He is our leader and spiritual director. When he steps to the arena the atmosphere changes. When people see him coming they will start to sing Onyeze abaruola! Onyeze abaruola! Onyeze abaruola! He makes things happen. He sees the past, the present and the future. He does what even Jesus did not do when he was doing his own ministration on earth. Continue Reading

THE GOOD SIDE OF SEX. By Tobe Eze

THE GOOD SIDE OF SEX.

Introduction.

In the common language of everyone, “Everything that has advantage, has also disadvantage”. It is on this ground that I want to say that sex on its own has also something good that comes out of it. Let us not mind that we focus more on the wrong side of it and not even listen to the inner voice that talks in favour of it. Our minds are now negatively formulated about the word sex. Whenever we hear it, it will be as we heard devil calling us. Forgetting that all of us came from it and all that will come will also come from it. It is only the way, the time, the place and the persons involve that make it sin, not sex itself.

Everything we do on this earth has its own time. Even the Bible recorded it. There is time for everything, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. And sex is not an exception. Come and think of it, if a man waits till marriage before having sex, is it still an evil? Or if a woman does the same? It is a matter of time.

That we fall into many problems today is because we do not wait for the proper time. Premarital and ex-marital sex are doing the right thing at the wrong time, wrong place and with wrong person which in turn has changed the whole thing into wrong act. Patience is a virtue. We rush into things that are unclear to us many times and this land us into many problems. Looking at the percentage of divorced families these days, greater percentage is caused by either premarital or extramarital sex. Continue Reading

4th Sunday of Lent Year A Laetera Sunday By Tobe Eze

4th Sunday of Lent Year A

Laetera Sunday
FIRST READING
1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

SECOND READING
Ephesians 5:8—14

GOSPEL

John 9:1—41

THEME: God's ways are not our ways.

What Is Laetare Sunday? Laetare Sunday (/lɛˈtɑːrɛ/), so called from the incipit of the Introit at Mass, "Laetare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem"), from Isaiah 66:10, is a name often used to denote the fourth Sunday of the season of Lent in the Western Christian liturgical calendar. Again, Laetare Sunday is the popular name for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. The name comes from the first word of the Introit or entrance antiphon of the Mass for that day: Since there are six Sundays in Lent, Laetare Sunday falls just past the midpoint of Lent. For that reason, Laetare Sunday has traditionally been viewed as a day of celebration, on which the austerity of Lent is briefly lessened; the organ is played, flowers are allowed on the altar, and the purple vestments of Lent, signifying penance, are set aside and, as on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, rose ones are used instead. Continue Reading

WHY MEN ARE CALLED "GROOM”, AND THE WOMAN “THE BRIDE” ON WEDDING DAY?..

WHY MEN ARE CALLED "GROOM”, AND THE WOMAN “THE BRIDE” ON WEDDING DAY?..

Why is the newly wedded man called groom and the woman called bride? A friend of mine got tired of his wife just about six months after wedding. He complained bitterly to me about her and told me that he has concluded to break up with her; he went on to say that he was sure that he made a mistake. I did not respond immediately because I knew I must tell him that right thing, so I went home. And that is

What gives birth this message? Many men have broken up with their wives because they end up not being the wife that they have dreamt of. But they have forgotten that on their wedding day was when the man was commissioned for the new task. Nobody calls the woman wife on her wedding day but bride, because it is the man that will groom his bride to become the wife. That is why the man is called ‘bridegroom or groom’ and the word grooming has to do with patiently nurturing, teaching, tending and helping someone to become what he or she should be. It is therefore believed that a man that takes a woman to the altar of marriage is matured enough to patiently groom his bride to become the wife. The man is not supposed to just expect the bride to automatically become the wife, she must be groomed. It is clear that many of us men have unnecessary expectations when we were getting married, we want some magic to happen to our wives, we want them to become what we have had in mind about who we want our wives to be; not considering the fact that the woman does not know what is on your mind except you teach her. Continue Reading

3rd Sunday of Lent Year A By Tobe Eze

3rd Sunday of Lent; Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

FIRST READING
Exodus 17:3—7

SECOND READING
Romans 5:1—2, 5—8

GOSPEL

 John 4:5—42

THEME: LOOK FOR THE WATER OF LIFE.

Why is God using water today? What is he trying to tell us with water? What is water symbolizing? And lastly. What is water? I will start from the last question.

What is water? Scientifically, Water is a polar inorganic compound that is at room temperature a tasteless and odorless liquid, nearly colorless with a hint of blue. Water is a liquid that washes many dirty things to make them clean. Water cleans everything and bring it to a better state. It is a pure substance.

What is water symbolizing? For the fact that water washes everything and makes them clean, then water can symbolize 1. Cleanliness. Because of this first symbol of water which is cleanliness, God himself chose water for baptism so that men can come back to him in a pure state. Jesus himself knew the neat nature of water and changed water not any other liquid into wine in (John 4). Prophet Elisha also for the same reason asked Naman to deep himself inside water (2Kings 5:1-19). And many other places in the sacred Scripture. 2. Water is life. Even the ancient philosopher Thales recognized this and he said that the world comes from water. He judged from the fact that everything needs water for its survival. Think of plants, they need water. Think of animals and human beings, without water their will be no life. 3. Water saves. When there is fire outbreak, it is only water that can quench the fire. When evil becomes too much, water comes to wash them away and save man kind. In the case of Noah (Genesis 6:9-9:17). Continue Reading

Morality in Abortion. By Tobe Eze

Morality in Abortion.

Moral Justification of Abortion

Abortion has acquired the status of a perennial moral problem on which scholars have formed different and, at times, conflicting opinions. In layman’s understanding, Abortion is just the act of removing or terminating pregnancy. Put differently, it is the expulsion of the foetus from the womb before it is viable, that is before it can live outside the mother. Abortion is derived from the Latin word aboriri which mean to perish. Pro-lifers see abortion simply as murder or worst still, direct killing.

Classifying abortion into two major ways may not be a mistake for some abortions happen without human aid. The two kinds of abortion are: natural and artificial abortion. Natural abortion can be termed Miscarriage. Natural abortion happens spontaneously without any medical application or the aid of anyone. This happens involuntary or unexpectedly. This type of abortion is not sinful in anyway because it is not caused by anyone, it is rather a natural occurrence. Artificial abortion on the other hand, is any type or way followed to terminate pregnancy. It may be done by medical practitioners or even through many other ways by the pregnant woman or lady. It is this type of abortion that every rational and God fearing person consider as sin. We have many types of this artificial abortion and they include: Therapeutic abortion, which the aim is to save the mother of the child in the womb. For example, if the woman has cancer of the womb, abortion has to take place so that the woman may be cured. Another is criminal abortion, this is the one that are rampart everywhere. Criminal Abortion: This is the kind of abortion done by both married and unmarried women who term their pregnancy unwanted one. They try to save themselves the shame of giving birth to a child either out of wedlock (a lady) or that it will be a shameful thing to them. Continue Reading

Why does Rain Fall? By Tobe Eze

Why does Rain Fall?

Rainmaking is artificially causing precipitation to occur to condense the clouds, and thus, cause rainfalls. People across continents have at different times tried to make rain. In the 1930s the United States of America faced some drought at their Midwestern area.

 This made some of their technicians to use aircrafts to produce rain. According to Michael Brooks, "the idea was simple: seed the heavy clouds with tiny particles of silver iodide whose electrical charge would pull together the cloud's water droplets. Once enough droplets had gathered together, their weight would make them fall from the sky as rain". Making rain is as simple as that. However, it is pertinent to mention that people use different methods to make rain. Some people use leaves to make rain. Some other people use incantations. Some others use prayers.

 While some other people just cry under the rain. In Ekwulumili, Anambra State, rainmakers use stone especially mkpume onu to make rain. In Nsukka area, some rainmakers claim to have inherited the art of rainmaking from their ancestors. In fact, one rainmaker says they use a certain type of plate with some quantity of sand, little water, and cola nut which they would put at a strategic place, and at a given time in the morning; and on such day there would rain. From our inquiries, we discovered that there are some people who make and stop rains. Continue Reading

Can Cow save us? By Tobe Eze

Can Cow save us?

No, only Christ.

The fact that its relevance is not limited to Africa, or to Igbos alone, is indicative of the fact that it is not just the Igbos alone that have placed some significance on cows. Other cultures have high cultural value for it. We may not here begin to compare its strength to that of horse, but cows, as well as horses, are known for strength. In the past, its strength made it one of the means of transportation, ploughing, and threshing.

 According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations most animal dairies come from cattle. As a matter of fact, the following statistics indicate the level of importance humans have come to place on cows. According to the data from FAO 83% of milk produced across the world is produced from milk extracted from cattle; while buffaloes produce 13%; goats produce 2% while camels produce 0.3%; and the remaining 1.7% is produced by equines and yaks.

 Apart from being eaten as part of food or dairies, Igbos prepare different types of delicacies of beef. Some prepare it as steak. Others prepare it as "ngwogwo". Others prepare it as "kanda". Yet, others prepare it as "nkwobi". Even for Israelites too, beef was one of their several delicacies served at royal banquets or when men of honour were received (Genesis 18: 7; 1 Kings 4: 23). At funerals, in spite of the fact that the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has established a standing rule that cows being used for funeral should be cut in pieces and served with food to guests; the use of cows at funerals is always problematic. Continue Reading

2nd Sunday of Lent Year A By Tobe Eze

2nd Sunday of Lent Year A

FIRST READING
Genesis 12:1—4a

SECOND READING
2 Timothy 1:8b—10

GOSPEL
Matthew 17:1—9

THEME: GOD’S WILL IS THE BEST.

Our most frequently said prayer may be “Our Father…….” We often say in it, “Thy will be done and again give us this day”. Are we practicing that which we say always or are we now doing another thing? In Igbo land we have names like Uchenna and Uchechukwu, which mean Thy will be done Father and thy will be done God. From the look of how things and people are behaving in this our time, may tell us that we are now acting otherwise. We are no more waiting for God. In the readings of today, we can see clearly the benefit of acting according to the will of God and those acted according to the will of God. In the first reading, we are made to understand that Abram went as the LORD directed him. He did not question God. God where are you taking me to? Why should I leave my father’s land? How do I know you are saying the truth? He obeyed the words of God. We most times ask God many questions whenever any little thing happens to us. God why me? If not you, to whom shall it go? Death is not my portion. Whose portion is it now? It is our portion weather we accept it or not. God are you there watching me and all these things are happening to me? Who do you want it to happen to? God you must show me that you are my God today. Because you created God. We should ask ourselves this question. Do I obey God’s words? Have you asked God to reveal to you his will in that particular situation? Mary told Angel Gabriel, “let be done to me according to your words” (Luke 1:38). We all know the outcome of “ka orere mu ka isiri kwo” of our blessed mother Mary. Continue Reading

Why are you tempting me this girl? By Tobe Eze

Why are you tempting me this girl?

It was a surprise to me when my little sister came to tell me that she was waiting for me outside. And who was she? A girl I met in Facebook. Is this how this world looks like? She sent me a friend request which I accepted. From there we started to chat. From charting, she decided to know me more which I gave her my details. She also had given me her details before then. We were telling ourselves all sort of romantic words. I was thinking that all will end in Facebook but I did not know that she was up to something. I sometimes tell her “how I wish I am riding you now or even worst still I can feel my manhood deep in you. From here I can hear your voice shouting that I should take it easy. And many other erotic things that I was sending to her via Facebook messenger, thinking that all will end there. One day she said she will like to see me but I gave her thousand and one reason why she should not see me that time but she continued to disturb that she wants to see me. That appearance is not reality, my appearance in the picture is not real me that she wants to see me in person. I later agreed. We fixed a date. On that day that I was to go and meet her somewhere because I did not want her to know my house but something unavoidable came up for me that day and we did not meet. I explained to her but due to the other times I had cancelled our meeting, she could not believe what I said. Then next thing I heard was that she was waiting for me outside. Continue Reading

1st Sunday of Lent Year A By Tobe Eze

1st Sunday of Lent Year A

FIRST READING
Genesis 2:7—9; 3:1—7

SECOND READING
Romans 5:12—19

GOSPEL
Matthew 4:1—11

THEME: ONLY THROUGH THE WEAK POINT.

The Lord is good, all the time. God created us with many good things. He created us and also created what we use to sustain our lives. As finite beings, we have weaknesses. These weaknesses, we know them, but sometimes as St. Thomas Aquinas said that conscience can be clouded with ignorance. We sometimes will be clouded also with ignorance or even pride will not allow us accept them as weaknesses. But rather, blame others or take others as evil or worst still use them to punish those around us. Everyone has his/her own weak point. Naturally women are seduced by what they hear and men are seduced by what they see. Generally women’s number one weakness is about hearing or listening. Continue Reading

FROM HE KISSED ME TO MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. By Tobe Eze

                               FROM HE KISSED ME TO MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

It all started when we were in the secondary school. I was in JSS3 and he was in SSSI. One faithful afternoon, he came to me under the mango tree and said “Baby how far?” I hated to be addressed as “baby” but I managed to say “I’m fine. And you?” As the conversation went on, he invited me to the canteen so that I can make a choice of whatever I like. Of course I immediately rejected the offer, majorly because of my bad notion about boys (they are devils to me). However, after much persuasion from him, I decided to at least for the first time accept something from an opposite sex. After that day he continued to care for me, sometimes he brought fruits for me and other edibles. To be honest, his attitude towards me changed my mindset about male folk. But I knew he had plan, so I was waiting for him to woo me so that I will decline and start avoiding him, surprisingly he did not make such move. I waited and waited but it was not forthcoming, so I relaxed a bit.

He bought me a wrist watch as a success gift during my Junior WAEC which I accepted with a great joy. In the next Academic Session I began SSS1 and he was in SSS2. We continued our lives as usual, he cared, provided and protected me always. I was beginning to like him so much to the extent that I knew it would be difficult to say no to him if he eventually woos me. So, I made a plan.

During one of our break periods, he called me from the school hall requesting that I meet him there. When I got there, he was seated and before him were different kinds of edibles ready to be devoured. I sat beside him and we together enjoyed what he had provided. After eating, he broke the “aku oba Nsugbe” (he started wooing me). Continue Reading

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

FIRST READING Isaiah 49:14—15

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 4:1—5

GOSPEL
Matthew 6:24—34

THEME: HE REMEMBERS US IN ALL OUR SITUATIONS

Will mother forget her child? Even if she forgets, I will not forget you. This is promise of God to us. He is our Lord and God. He cares for us and provides for us. We should fear not. It is out of fear that we sometimes judge our neighbours, but St. Paul in the second reading tells us not to judge. Be still and know that I am the Lord. One with God is majority. If you are with God nothing will harm you, there is nothing to fear about. Fear not for he is with us. First reading tells us that he will provide all our good needs. St. Paul said that, it is now the time for us to show our stewardship in Christ.

How do we show that stewardship? By obeying the law. What are the laws? The greatest commandment is love. If we love, there is nothing more that is expected of us. It is in love that we find hope, it is in love that we find joy, it is in love that we find prosperity, it is in love that forgiveness lives. Every good things are born out of love. If there is love among us there will be no fear. Where there is no love, every other vices live there.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that he cares for us more than every other creature. He is our father. Our good father. He has every good things in him, let us imitate, emulate and photocopy him. Let us answer oyiri Nna for our father is good. Oyiri Nna (Carbon copy of the father) is only good when the father is a good person. Because our father is good we should answer it, and if you cannot be like the father please do not answer it and remember those that he cares and provides for are those who are like him. Ndị nke ya n' eziokwu. In fear sometimes we lose our names.

Most times we fear too much that we don’t even remember God again and what we may be fearing for may be something too small. Continue Reading

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

FIRST READING
Leviticus 19:1—2, 17—18

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 3:16—23

GOSPEL
Matthew 5:38—48

THEME: WE ALL ARE FOR CHRIST.

Christ is God and God is Holy. If we are for Christ, that means, we should be Holy. Holiness is not doing extraordinary things but doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

How do we do ordinary things in an extraordinary way? Do everything in love and with love. Once we put love first in everything we do, we are doing them in an extraordinary way. Love should be in the centre of our lives. Christ is God and God is love, so we should also be love. Where love abides holiness lives in full there. Holiness of spirit and body. We are to be Holy for our heavenly father is Holy. When we say that he is Holy, we are just limiting him to a point. He is Holiness itself. And we should be holy as his children.

St. Augustine propounded the theory of Rationale seminale that is. God left a genre in creatures that make them procreate their different species. A goat cannot beget a fish. If we are really children of God, and God is holy, he that is holy can only give birth to another who is holy, which means, we to be holy. Continue Reading