Shik Rot Npwe – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk: Pentecost Sunday

Year C - May 15, 2016.
Readings: Acts Acts 2:1-11; Responsorial Psalm Ps 104:1,24,29-30,3134; 1st Cor. 12:3B-7, 12-13 or Rom. 8:8-17; Gospel John 20:19-23 or John 14:15-16,23B-26.
Theme: Let the Fire of the Holy Spirit Come Down Again 
Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of thy faithful…
Pentecost
Beloved in Christ, today is Pentecost Sunday. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek Pentekoste which means fiftieth. It was the second of the 3 most important annual feast in Jewish calendar which occurred 7 weeks after the Passover and was primarily a feast of thanksgiving for harvest; first fruits of wheat crop were offered to God on that day. It later came to be associated with the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. All Jews at home and in the diaspora were expected to attend. Thus, there was no fitting day for the descent of the Holy Spirit than this. The dramatic event our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 recounts, became the birthday of the Church.
Holy Spirit

Of Friends- Justine Dyikuk

Morning friends are also called sunrise or breakfast friends.  Often, they spice up your life – they bring sunshine to your life. You would be glad you had them. Like tea, their steam evaporates your life to the envy of all.  Morning friends are always at the breakfast table of your life – as a very curious set of creatures, they are quick to browse through the menu of your life in terms of lunch and dinner to ascertain if your life is going to be promising or not. These are often childhood friends. You have the right to choose your morning friends.

Shik Rot Npwe – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Seventh Sunday of Easter & World Communication’s Day: Year C - May 8, 2016.
Readings: Readings Acts 7:55-60; Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 &Gospel John 17:20-26
Theme:  Communicating God's Mercy and Unity!
Dearly beloved in Christ, today is the seventh Sunday of Easter. Incidentally, today is also World Communications Day (WCD). You would recall that the Pontifical Council for Social Communications earlier this year announced the theme for the 2016 WCD as  “Communication and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter” through the Vatican Radio. It is important to note that the Holy Father's message for WCD is traditionally published in conjunction with the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers (January 24).

Six Years After: Former President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Lives On By Justine Dyikuk

  It is six years since the demise of former President, Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Nigerians and notable citizens across the country have bared their minds concerning the legacies of "the rule of law apostle."                                                              
The President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said: "It is exactly six years ago since you bid us good bye but it is just like yesterday. Your selflessness, patriotism, integrity and legacies make your memory indelible in our hearts."                                          
Recounting Yar'Adua's legacies, Saraki added: "We remember you now and always as a worthy family man, public servant, Governor and President. May the Almighty Allah continue to grant you peace till we meet to part no more."  

Shik Rot Npwe - Synopsis of the Ascension of the Lord with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: Year C - May 5, 2016.
Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3,6-7,8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23, 22-23 Or Hebrews 9:24-28,10:19-23; Gospel Luke 24:46-53.
Theme: Ascension: The Power of Goodbye
"Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear. Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near. Someday you'll say that word and I will cry. It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye" - Celine Dion                                        
The opening statement above from the lyrics of the timeless "Goodbye's (the Saddest Word)" by the queen of R and B, Celine Dion brings to the fore the power of goodbye.                  
Perhaps a list of scenarios would help us to better understand the power that lies in the words "Good-Bye."  

Shik Rot Npwe - Sunday Synopsis With Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Sixth Sunday of Easter: Year C - May 1, 2016.
Readings: Acts 15:1-2.22-29; Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3,5,6 & 8 (R.v.4); Revelations 21:10-14, 22-23; Gospel John 14:23-29.
Theme: Suing for Peace through Conflict-management
Conflict in human society is old as man himself. From the days of Adam and Eve through the early Church to contemporary times, conflicts have reared their ugly heads in both the Church and secular society. Since it is a given that tensions and conflicts are part of human existence, it is necessary for us to learn how to manage conflicts and sue for peace. But first, let us take a look at how the early Christian Community was able to handle complaints, tensions and conflicts.
The first reading (Acts 15:1-2.22-29) recounts the issue of circumcised and uncircumcised Christians. There was an agitation from some people who came from Judea who insisted that circumcision was a prerequisite for salvation. Paul and Barnabas had a fierce debate with those who held this view. Since they refused to listen to the two apostles, the elders appointed Paul and Barnabas to go to Antioch and have the matter sorted out.

Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk:

Shik Rot Npwe - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk                                                                 Fifth Sunday of Easter: Year C - April 24, 2016.

Readings: Acts 14:21b -27; Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:8-13 (R.v.1); Revelations 21:1-5a; Gospel John 13:31-33a, 34-35.

Theme: Lessons of love 

This Sunday’s liturgy calls us to seek ways of making the love of God and neighbour come alive in our families, places of work/business, church and larger society. The love of God was made visible in Christ, Jesus – Little wonder, after eating with his disciples, Jesus invited them to embrace a new commandment of love as we read in the gospel (John 13:31-33a, 34-35). Like a seed of mustard, this love is supposed to spread its tentacles to people of every tribe, people and nation under the earth. 

This new commandment is free and penniless. It is a call to break down the barriers that divide humanity in terms of race, colour, sex/gender or nationality. By insisting that we should love as he has loved us, Jesus introduces us into an mutual covenantal-relationship with him. The only prove that we love God whom we cannot see is that we should love him in our brothers and sisters especially those at the margins of society – the sick, the aged, refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) et al. 

Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk: "Of a Shepherd and his Sheep."

                                   
Fourth Sunday of Easter: April 17, 2016.                                        
Readings –  Acts 13:14, 43-52; Responsorial Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5;  Rev. 7:9, 14B-17 & Gospel Jn 10:27-30.                                            
Dearly beloved in Christ, today is Good Shepherd Sunday or Vocation Sunday - a day in which the Church encourages priests, religious and lay faithful to offer special prayers for vocations to the priesthood and religious life especially during the general intercessions at Mass.The Church equally expects ministers of the word to give a special homily on vocations to encourage young men and women to take to the priestly and religious life, as well  as for parents to willingly offer their children to work in God's vineyard.