The FORUM Newspaper

Balm for Weary Pilgrims
Venatius C. Oforka
When the Well is Dry (2)
Why the Well can Become Dry
A well cannot dry up without a reason. Knowing the reason or reasons why a well dried up is necessary for determining the right response to the challenges created by the dry well. We shall be considering four different reasons that can essentially account for why the well of a Christian can dry up.
1. A Purposeful Act of God
The well can go dry due to the action of God himself, the maker and owner of all wells. God described himself as a potter and his people as the clay with which he moulds pots according to his will (Jer. 18). He does not mould any pot without a purpose. He can continue to shape and reshape a pot to fit into his destined purpose. The pot is inanimate and does not feel the painful effects of these actions. But Christians are animate beings and will of course feel the pains, when the maker shapes and reshapes them for his good purposes. The idea here could perhaps be clearer with the imagery of divine carpentry.
It is perhaps not a coincidence that the foster father of Jesus was a carpenter. Like most male children, especially the first sons, Jesus most probably worked with his foster Father Joseph in his carpentry workshop. He did presumably learn the trade but differed from his foster father in the mode of practice. Instead of a workshop in the street of Galilee or relocating to a more business city like Jerusalem, he established a carpentry workshop in the lives of those who believe.
Just like a carpenter can see a piece of wood and realise that it could be fit for making a chair, table, drum, mortar or pestle, God easily perceives to what better use he can put any of his children. To do this, he will need to work on his choice instrument like a carpenter works on pieces of woods in order to prepare it for his purpose. To carpenter this crude instrument into his divine design would require subjecting the unfinished instrument through the strikes of his carpenter's hammer and mallet, the piercing pains of the nails, the crushing chippings of the chisels, the cutting effects of the saw and the painful ordeals of other carpentry instruments as may be required. During this period of reshaping and remodelling, no one will expect that the cuts, drills, hammering and sandpapering will be easy to bear.
There are such times in the life of a Christian. God can train those he loves to fit into his divine purpose. He can carry out a work of restructuring in their lives to make them what he wants them to be. Such a restructuring can at times be excruciating. No one under any form of training finds it easy. But the greater and more ennobling the reason for the training is, the more rigorous the training will be, and nothing is nobler than being in heaven's service. This is the reason why the book of Sirach admonishes: „My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and the chosen in the furnace of humiliation“ (2: 1-5).
Sirach compares the quality of those who serve the Lord with that of gold. The beauty and worth of gold can only be ascertained by passing it through fire. The Lord knows exactly the amount of heat required to refine each Christian in order to worth the name and be engaged for higher values. All those who have gone before us were marked with this glorious sign.
St. Paul related his own experience and said: „To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you'“ (2 Cor. 12: 7-9). The “thorn” was not removed from this great Apostle because it was serving a divine purpose, which also protected him from the deadly sin of pride. All that he required to bear this cross was the grace of God, which the Lord sufficiently supplied him. The sufferings of a Christian are directed according to the divine plan, for „in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose“ (Rom 8: 28).
2. The Devil's Jealousy
The jealousy of the evil one is another reason why the well of a Christian can dry up. A successful strike from him can be very upsetting. St. Peter described him as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1Pet. 5: 8). He can initiate a bitter time for a Christian out of jealousy that he or she enjoys and is destined to inherit what he lost. This often happens when a Christian is flourishing in the blessings and joys of those who sincerely serve God. This should not be surprising because such Christians get on his nerves. The devil hates this and would want to deal with them. His strategy is to set some troubles on their paths in order to frustrate them and make them break communion with God. At times these troubles may come in a chain reaction, giving one scarcely any respite. However, the devil has no right to upset the life of such Christians and cannot set these difficulties in motion without permission from God. This reason for dryness is aptly exemplified in the didactic story of Job.
Job was a righteous man. God himself described him in these beautiful words: „There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.“ This made the devil to burn with jealousy and sought the permission to oppress him so that he would curse God. He told God, „Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands.... But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.“ The Lord said, „very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.“
God believed in Job and entrusted himself into his hands, confident that he would prove him right without Job knowing what was at stake. The way he responds to these trials would make God proud or give the devil the chance to gloat over God. Some Christian suffering can take this form.
When the bitter trials of Job eventually started, he tore his garments in sorrow. He gave painful lamentations and shaved his head in mourning. This is completely human. God would not expect us not to react according to our nature. But Job took a further but decisive step after his lamentations. He fell to the ground, surrendered to the absolute will of God and worshipped him. Humbly he said: „Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised“ (Job: 1: 21). Even when his wife said to him, „Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die“ (Job 2: 9), Job soberly replied, „shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?“ The didactic writer then added, „In all this, Job did not sin in what he said (Job: 2:10).
What Job exercised in his trials is the fortitude required of a Christian that is being battered by trials and troubles. When these suddenly come, even when one does not see any breach in one's relationship with God, a one is expected to react like Job. Looking at God suspiciously with suggestions that appear accusing only complicates issues. No matter what happens, God remains good and faithful. To be able to make the profession of faith, like Job, in the midst of pain and torture is the true mark of a Christian.
The devil's manoeuvres will not last forever. He can be mighty but will never be almighty. His powers are limited. Therefore, his mission to destroy will expire with time. No matter how he presents himself, he remains under the overwhelming might of God. At the expiration of his gruelling oppression, the soothing balm of God's kindness and ointment of healing will be administered with Gods tender love. That was what happened when Job was able to stand till the storm of destruction passed by. He then shouted: „I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.“
However, every trial must not end with earthly triumph. One may bow out into eternity in the midst of such circumstances. That does not mean that one has lost the battle. What is basically important is what happens ultimately 'across the bridge'. The final and decisive victory of Christians is not to be celebrated in this world. Sufferings that introduce a Christian into beholding the splendour of God's eternal glory should be indeed a welcome experience. God might decide to work out a Christian's salvation through a suffering that end in bodily death.
St Bernadette Sourbirous was terribly asthmatic. She also suffered from the tuberculosis of the bone in the knee. Her racking cough at the same time made her situation more unbearable. She finally succumbed to these chronic diseases. Yet when the ritual exhumation for her canonization took place, thirty years after her death, this body which was battered by diseases and infirmities, was found to be incorruptible. She was victorious in spite of her earthly bitter experiences.
3. The Wages of Sin

SS Peter & Paul Nnerim Ndugba Celebrates her Maiden Pastoral Visit

The prelate of the Catholic Diocese Orlu; Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma paid a faith-filled pastoral visit to SS Peter & Paul Nnerim Ndugba. The visit lasted from Saturday 12th through Sunday 13th March, 2016. Upon his arrival, the bishop visited traditional ruler of the community ,HRH Eze Stanley Egbe (Obioha of Nnerim Ndugba,) and equally visited St. Mary’s Maternity Nnerim Ndugba where he prayed for the pregnant women and the sick, after which there was benediction and meeting with parish council.

The climax of the visit was the celebration of the Holy mass on Sunday, 13th March, 2016 by the Bishop during which he confirmed 79 candidates. Speaking during his homily, from the gospel of (John 8 1-11) where Christ freed the woman who was condemned to die for her sins according to the law. Christ refused to condemn her but rather forgave her, and encouraged her to go and sin no more. The prelate reminded the faithful that God is not out to condemn us but he is always ready to forgive our sins. He however urged the faithful to avoid occasions of sin and persons who could lead one to sin. The bishop on the other hand called the attention of the candidates for confirmation to the fact that they are now saying yes to the faith which their parents received on their behalf when they were infants and to brace up for the challenges of true discipleship. He prayed God to grant them the strength and courage to live out a life worthy of their calling as Christians.
The prelate after the post communion prayers rewarded the candidates who distinguished themselves in the catechism examinations. He also thanked the choir for their wonderful performance, the Church warders for maintaining serenity in the church, the parish pastoral committee for their wonderful organizations, the parish officials for their dedication to the church and also appreciated other statutory bodies.
At this point ,the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Remigius Udeze thanked the prelate for his love and care for the faithful of SS Peter & Paul Nnerim Ndugba which made him to visit the people notwithstanding his tight schedule. He also thanked all who contributed to the success of the celebration especially Sir Silas Ike and those who supported the parish in one way or the other.

The mass was followed by a grandiose reception of the prelate where the parishioners expressed their joy and gratitude. The prelate was also thrilled with many cultural displays by the parishioners as they showered him with numerous gifts. The reception was brought to an end after the bishop imparted his blessings on the faithful.