Today's Liturgy with Fr Innocent

JOHN'S ROLE AND YOUR ROLE

A lot of people today are struggling with the person that they should be and what others expect of them. The negative outcome is that if you get into a position that is not meant for you it will either destroy you or you will destroy that position. Ecclesiastical jurisprudence holds that if you attempt to fulfill a role greater than you, then you are not supposed to occupy the office that you occupy.

God has a role for each one to play and has fashioned each person to fulfill that role.

The problem is that sometimes we feel we are running out of time. As a result, there is anxiety, fear and pressure. People handle this pressure in different ways: some try to be what they are not. In doing this, you try to s***f out everybody around you who is becoming what you wish you were.

Envy, jealousy, depression, anger, transfer of aggression, drinking all fall into place because we are not progressing as we should. Worse still, there is no time.

John, in this Sunday's gospel's reading, was also running out of time. and pressure was mounted on him by those who came to him for him to declare who he was.

Here is someone who is younger than John; whose ministry began far later than John's; who seem to be socializing and enjoying life while John's life was of a more austere and puritan nature. At this point, he could have uttered a critical statement about Jesus - calling him out or dragging him or even passing negative comments in style to denigrate his ministry. But John conquered himself by speaking well of his competitor. His humility became a participation in the plan of God enfolding in the proclamation of Jesus the Savior of the world. A lot of us have become hinderances in the plans and purposes of God because we lack the humility to accept God's blessings and favours on other people's lives.

God does not do one course. That people are blessed does not mean that God does not have other role for you to play.

Also, not having the primary role does not imply that you cannot make an impact in the role that you fulfill. You can still stun your beauty as the chief bridesmaid (even if you are not the bride!). It is even better to be an excellent Sergeant than to be a terrible General.

Try and be in church this Sunday as God blesses his people.

Happy Sunday from
Revd Innocent Ikwu'oche Atama

THE MANIFESTATION OF THE ROYALS

This Sunday is known as Epiphany (Greek word for 'manifestations'). Manifestation, according to the Advanced Learners' dictionary, is to 'show clearly'.

The narration is about three groups of Kings. The first set of Kings are three who came from the East by the guidance of a star, the second is a mediocre King who remains in his territory and because he isn't moving, he has the draining job of protecting his reputation and throne. The third King is both the destination of the star and the star and the eternal king unfolding more glaring in the eyes of men.

Like the first Kings, we all journey towards Jesus, our guilding light. Not by popular opinion, not by our desires, ego or wants, not by our battles and struggles. But following yonder star.

These three kings decided to bond with their fellow king not knowing that he was of a different calling, purpose and approach. It is not good for a man to be alone but some social connections drain the star in your life. Choose your friends carefully. Some friends are not really propellers. They rather slow you.

Many Christians have lost their faith in God because of their need to relate and bond. Not every successful and popular person is good and upright. So many narcissists are in power today who manipulate and control narratives about themselves that what you hear is always not what is the case.

Herod is the type of those kings who keep the form of religion but deny its power. So many Herods are heading nations, societies and institutions today. Even churches today are being headed by many narcissists whose only administrative policies are to avoid scandals and manipulate the system so that only sycophants can be heard and seen.

Herod is a shrewd gossip who wouldn't consult his books and experts until he had gossiped with his clique first. He is ready to kill to maintain his position and massage his ego. Many of us have become Herods who are living in past glories and wouldn't tolerate any younger person to break that record. Most Nigerian politicians do exactly that and unfortunately, men of God are falling into this too.

The three kings came to the place where baby Jesus was laid. There and then, they realized that they should not have sought Herod's help in the first place.

I pray this Sunday that God should filter those who give us counsel. May we not fall to Herod. May we also not become Herods seeking to protect our past glories without making any effort to move forward and dealing with people who challenge us.

I wish you on this very first Sunday of the year a Very rewarding year that will manifest all the blessings and gifts of God in you even when people try to hold you down.

Happy New Year, Happy New Month
Happy Sunday
And happy new You

From Revd Fr Innocent Ikwu'oche Michael Echetehe Atama

THE END FROM THE BEGINNING

In our major seminary days, a lot us were in the choir including Revd Fr Francis Atama PhD and a lot of other colleagues. We were preparing for the Christmas Carol pageant and we put in a lot of preparations and rehearsals to make a very captivating outing.

When all the work was completed, we remembered that we hadn't gotten a marching in song. We got a popular gospel acclamation (Gospel bells). Fr Victor Jamahh did a wonderful harmony and it became so beautiful and still hits the mark each time. Choresters were heard rendering this beautiful harmony.

On the day of the presentation, as we matched in, Gospel bells was so powerful that the audience stood up in appraisal and awe at such magnificence of beautiful music by an all male choir. By the time we reached the podium to sing, the worshippers clapped for a long time with the spirit of expectation.

When the hysteria had died down, we got down to business proper. I hate to remember what happened next. The experience was so disgraceful. The choir was as if we were disconcordant frogs croaking in a funeral home. Some choristers scampered through the side doors. The few brave ones still marched painfully to the back in humiliation and shame. As soon as we exited the hall, Fr Francis just passed a comment that I will never forget! He said, ' _if you had gone up the way you came down, you would have come down the way you went up!"_ (Please read it carefully again)

This Sunday marks a new begining of another liturgical year in the catholic church - the first Sunday of Advent. Ironically, the readings are talking about the end from the very beginning. Isn't that confusing?

The Gospel of this Sunday from
Matthew tells us to prepare for the end by being vigilant and ready. He says, "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life" (Mathew). In Nigeria, we know how easy it is to get distracted by the worries of this life. We worry about fuel scarcity, inflation, genocide, Trump's invasion and political instability. But Jesus is telling us to focus on what really matters - our relationship with Him.

Not to derail in our purpose, As we begin this Advent journey, we must keep in permanent view that Jesus is coming soon at an unknown time. Let us prepare our hearts and minds to receive Him. When we fail to prepare, we prepare to fail. There is no last hour crashing.

If we always remember how the end will be from the beginning, we will end with joy.

For if we go up the way we were to come down, we will come down the way we were to go up

Happy advent preparations and a refreshing Sunday

Revd Innocent Ikwuoche Atama

*As the subject becomes the Object*

The parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee is full of several ironies and twists.

The way the Pharisees are presented in the Gospels wasn't exactly how the Jews of JESUS's time saw them.

They were regarded as Sacred elders sworn to uphold the religion and laws of the Jews. They were the elites and custodians of the religious practices and teachings.

Here is presented a religious leader who actually practiced what he preached. He kept the law. He wasn't lying!

His error was the negative comparison. Firstly, 'I' dominated his prayer (at least 5 times). He became the subject of the prayer! This was not supposed to be just a prayer. A Jew could prayer on the roof of his house, mountain tops, desert or open space . But to go to the temple or even a synagogue is for the purpose of worship. In worship, God is the Subject. The worshipper is the Object in the accusative as the tax collector.

Many Christians today have become the subject of worship. They want to determine how they worship. Too many 'i' condition their worship! "I don't tolerate long preaching!" 'the choir is too dull!" "I don't have clothes to wear so I can go to church"

So many only go to church not to worship God but to celebrate an event or honour self or another. They draw strength from condemning other people and showcasing those people's faults.

A lot of these religious people go home who are not at peace with God or justified by him. A true Christian is humble enough to admit his or her own blames and faults.

When you go to church this Sunday, make sure that God is the subject so that you come back home at right with God and enjoy his peace

Happy Sunday from
Revd Innocent Ikwu'oche

Fear God and regard Men

Although our focus this Sunday should be persistence in prayer, a little confusion in the parable brings out a lot to learn.

Why would the judge's no-nonsense stance not take the pride of place?

The objectivity and rigidity of the law applies to the administration of justice and not to the attitude of the judge. Every principle requires strict adherence but we must always remember that we deal with human beings and not machines. Anyone who fails to look at the application of administration without the milk of human kindness is a narcissist. We have a lot of these narcissists in our society today who pride themselves that they don't fear God or regard men.

But God always has their match. Normally, it's someone who don't seem capable or able.

Finally and most important, We must remember that persistence guarantees results.

I pray that every new day brings it's new opportunity.

Happy Sunday from Fr Innocent