Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year, C – October 16, 2016.
Readings: Ex 17:8-13; Responsorial Psalm Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 2 Tm 3:14-4:2; Gospel Lk 18:1-8.
Theme: Perseverance in Prayer & the Need to Never Grow Weary
Dearly beloved in Christ, our readings this Sunday challenges us on the need for perseverance and synergy in prayer as necessary ingredients of faith. Our liturgy focuses on perseverance as a recipe for petitioning heaven for our needs and the needs of the world. In the first reading (Ex 17:8-13), we are told that as long as Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands up, God granted victory to his people.                                      
What does this mean for contemporary Christians? Well, friends in Christ, it is time we drew lessons from the intercessory role of pastors of souls in intervening for the flock especially at a time of crisis.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Twenty-eightSunday of the Year, C – October 9, 2016.

Readings: 2 Kgs 5-14-17; Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 2 Tm 2:8-13; Gospel Lk 17:11-19.

Theme: Offering thanks & the Blessing of Giving 

Our readings today centre on the theme of giving. In the first reading (2 Kgs 5-14-17), Naaman, the Syrian army General returns with his whole retinue to offer thanksgiving to God for cleansing him from leprosy. Coincidentally, only one out of the ten lepers who were cured by Jesus return to give thanks to God. 

The action of both Naaman and the Samaritan was an indictment on the people of Israel who often failed to thank God for his numerous blessings in their lives.                                        By singling out the Samaritan for praise, Jesus was presumably directing his rebuke to the sons and daughters of Israel for embarrassingly failing to offer thanks to God.

Elisha, the prophet of God, would reject the gifts offered by Naaman as an example for men of God to work for the Lord out of an ardent desire for saving souls not for sordid gain. In a society that is crazy with donor fatigue occasioned by tithes for blessings, giving for promotion and threats to unwilling givers, pastors of souls must re-access their vocation on the attitude of Elisha bearing in mind the words of ordination: “Work not for sordid gain...” and “Model your life according to the mystery of the Lord's cross.” 

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year, C – October 2, 2016.
Readings: Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14; Gospel Lk 17:5-10.
Theme: Faith that Moves Mountains
Our Sunday liturgy centres on the theme of faith which the penny catechism defines as "the supernatural gift of God which makes us believe without seeing whatever God has revealed."               The Letter to the Hebrews (11:1) lends credence to this definition when it says: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
The conceptions above confirm the biblical dictum, "For we walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Over the years, I have settled for the definition of faith which describes it as, “the coat that warms us of the cold of unbelief."                                        
The gospel (Lk 17:5-10) starts on a note of requisition. The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. The reason is not farfetched - in previous chapters of Luke, Jesus had laid  before them the cost of discipleship and implications of scandalising little ones.
By so doing, they knew that following him was not by power or might (Zechariah 4:6). They needed Jesus to consolidate their faith - A requisition that becomes a reference point for would be disciples.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Twenty-sixth Sunday of the Year, C – September 25, 2016.
Readings: Amos 6:1a,4-7; Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6c-7,8-9a,9bc-10(R.v.1b); 1 Tim 6:-11-16; Gospel Lk 16:19-31.
Theme: The Parable of Reversal & a Call to Charity
Most scripture scholars agree that the whole of chapter 16 of Luke’s Gospel revolves around the central theme of material possessions. The chapter is structured into three parts which we have read recently namely, the story of the unjust steward (Vv. 1-13), the Pharisees’ (who loved money) protest and Jesus’ response (Vv. 14-18) and now, the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Vv. 19-31). The entire chapter, talks to the heart of issues surrounding one’s attitude towards material possessions.
On this Sunday, we are presented with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 19-31). It is important to note that the rich man referred to in the gospel is a symbol of the Jews who had been blessed by God as the chosen people but took the graces of God for granted.                                         Let us consider the following points in this reflection:

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year, C – September 18, 2016.
Readings: Amos 8:4-7, 13-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 113: 1-2.4-8.R.v.17); 1 Tim 2:-1-8; Gospel Lk 16:1-13.
Theme: The Scandal of Padding & a Call to Faithfulness
Nigerians recently woke up with a new vocabulary in the news namely, “padding.” For the purpose of this homily, padding is inflating or removal of entries in a financial account. The alleged padding of the 2016 appropriation bill has left our country in economic comatose as implementation is way out in the woods.
While Nigerians are waiting for the outcome of the purported budget padding and perhaps bringing the culprits to book as President Muhammadu Buhari has promised, this Sunday, we are presented with the story of a servant who padded his Master’s accounts for future favours.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year, C – September 11, 2016.
Readings: Ex. 32:7-11, 13-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:3-4, 12-13,17&19(R.cf.Luke15:18); 1 Tim 1-12-17; Gospel Lk 15:1-32.
Theme: The Scandal of Working for Reward and a Call to Repentance
Beloved in Christ, the parable of the prodigal son once again calls us to reflect on God’s mercy and forgiveness while soft-pedaling on working only for reward. Our reflections on this parable have customarily being surrounded around the sin of the younger son. Conversely, I would like us to look critically at the scandal of the eldest son. A survey of his attitude reveals the following:
1. Instead of going into to house to get first hand information about what was going on, he resorted to getting his news from the grapevine – a gossip that would later trigger anger in him.
2. For allowing what was supposed to be good news, the safe return of his kid brother, to become bad news, he became a victim.
3. His anger and refusal to go in was a huge scandal – a time-bomb waiting to explode.
4. This bad attitude interrupted the party in honour of his brother which made his father to come out of the house.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-third Sunday of the Year, C – August 4, 2016.
Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18B; Responsorial Psalm Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17; Phmn. 9-10, 12-17; Gospel Lk 14:25-33.
Theme: Are you possessed by your possessions? A reflection on detachment!
We live in a society where market forces determine prices of goods and services. On daily basis economists and business moguls unleash upon us a society which maximises profit. The rat race of survival of the fittest and the elimination of the unfit make the world a profit-oriented globe which places high premium on material possessions.
Sadly, we are caught up in the quagmire of a society that “objectifies” and “commodifies” human beings. The commercialisation of relationships based on utility friendship further worsens the situation.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-First Sunday of Year, C – July 21, 2016.
Readings: Is 66:18-21; Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1, 2; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Gospel Lk 13:22-30.
Theme: The Narrow Gate: Point of Entry!
Our liturgy today draws our attention to enter through the narrow gate. In the gospel (Lk 13:22-30). Some scripture scholars suggest that what Jesus meant by that statement is twofold. First, that salvation requires our earnest effort because the door is narrow and exclusive, not wide and all-inclusive and second, that  salvation requires our most urgent attention.
Other scholars suggest that the saying was directed at the Jews who felt that as the chosen people, they had the exclusive ticket to the joys of paradise.                                              
 In Jewish practice, a rabbi often punished his disciple by way of shutting down the door when the disciple arrives late. The disciple could be told not to come back for a week.That way, the disciple is expected to resume early and remain faithful henceforth.
By answering the question someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” with the statement “strive to enter through the narrow gate..." Jesus prepared the minds of his audience that: First, being a Jew is not a criteria for making heaven and second, faithful gentiles would make heaven and stand in judgement against the Jews.

Shikrot Mpwi - Assumption Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Solemnity Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary - Mass During The Day: Year, C – July 14, 2016.
Readings: Rev. 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB; Responsorial Psalm Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16; 1 Cor. 15:20-27; Gospel Luke 1:39-56.
Theme: Going Up with Mary
Today we celebrate the Glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, BVM into heaven. The assumption of the BVM is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. A dogma is the official teaching of the Church proclaimed by the Magisterium (the teaching body of the Church). Dogmas are lights along the path of faith; they illuminate and make faith secure (Jn 8:31-32). Built upon divine foundations, dogmas are firmly rooted in scripture as evident in Matthew 18:18 & 16:18-19, John 21:16 & Luke 10:16.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twentieth Sunday of Year, C – July 14, 2016.
Readings: Jer. 38:4-6, 8-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2, 3, 4,18 (R.14b); Heb.12:1-4; Gospel Luke 12:49-53.
Theme: The Cost of Discipleship
Dearly beloved in Christ, today’s gospel contains one of the most misconstrued words of Jesus. Those who take on Christianity use this scripture as basis for accusing Jesus for calling for a bloody revolution. That is not all, they conclude that he cannot be the Prince of Peace he claims to be since he said: “I have come to bring fir to the earth ...”  
Far from it – to understand what Jesus said in context, we must realise that sacred texts can either be taken connotatively or denotatively. While connotation refers to the suggestive or associated meaning of words, denotation refers to their literal or actual meaning.

Shikrot Mpwi- Sunday Synopsis With Fr. Justine

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C - June 12, 2016 Readings: 1st Read: Wis. 18: 16-9; PS responsorial Psalm 33: 1, 12, 18-19, 20-22; 2nd Read: Heb. 11: 1-2, 8-19; Gospel Lk. 12: 32-48. Theme: A Call to Faithful Stewardship Beloved in Christ, our readings call us to be faithful stewards of God's promises. Time and time again, Christians Have Been Reminded That ours is a call to be faithful, not successful. That is why the first reading from the book of Wisdom (18: 16.09) tells the story of fidelity of the sons and daughters of Israel to the tradition of the Passover meal. In obedience, the children of Israel kept track of God's miraculous deeds to Their fathers. The Passover was a memorial of God's saving work in Their Lives - It was a tradition That was meant to be passed on. As an act of faith, the Israelites made it a point of duty to to recall God's faithfulness to His people. Little wonder then a, the second reading from the letter to the Hebrews (11: 1-2, 8-19) charges us to emulate the faith of the ancients obedient to God Were WHO. Particularly since the reading mentions Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we are not surprised That These names are Invoked During our time in prayers for God to These friends of interceding for us.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Seventeenth Sunday of Year, C – July 24, 2016.
Readings: Gen. 18:20-32; Responsorial Psalm PS 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8; Col. 2:12-14; Gospel Lk 11:1-13.
Theme: On Persistence & Not Giving Up On God      
Dearly beloved in Christ, on this Sunday, we are presented with Jesus' teaching about prayer and persistence. As a response to a question one of his disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (11:1) Elizabeth Johnson opines that Jesus  offers a three-part teaching which includes: A model prayer, a parable about prayer, and some sayings about prayer. It is essential to understand the gospel reading (Lk 11:1-13) in the light of these three points earlier referred to:                                              
   1. A Model Prayer: It was St. Augustine who once said, "there is no human petition which the, Our Father does not take cognizance of." As a model prayer, the Lord's Prayer contains the four traditional formats of Catholic prayer namely: Adoration, thanksgiving, supplication and petition.                          (a). Prayer of Adoration: The words, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name" constitute the prayer of adoration. This prayer calls us to the solemn worship, adulation and adoration of God's awesomeness. It is also a call to keep the first two of the Ten Commandments of God: "I am the LORD your God" (Cf. Ex. 20 2-17) and "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" (Deut. 5:6-21). How many times have we violated this injunction by putting other things like money, selfish desires and vain ambition, before the worship of God?

Krakow, Poland 2016: Anxieties and Expectations of Team-Nigeria!

Young Catholic Student's representative, Augustine Abba, Bauchi Diocesan Chaplain and CYON President, Fr. Justine Dyikuk and Ali Michael Oduka after the Abuja WYD orientation programme

All is now set for the World Youth Day (WYD) celebration slated for Krakow, Poland from July 25 to 31, 2016. Team-Nigeria has been prepared socially, intellectually, spiritually and otherwise for the trip.
To ensure that the WYD does not become a mere social event, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) organised a 3-day orientation programme at the Daughters of Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre (DRACC), Aco-Estate, Abuja from June 14 to16, 2016 to prepare the Nigerian contingent fully for the celebration.                                                  

At the orientation programme, the intending pilgrims were urged to consider their trip as a pilgrimage of faith. This message was contained in a paper delivered to the youth by the former National Youth Animator, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubisi at the event.
"This pilgrimage is a pilgrimage of faith, for a people of faith, in a country of faith for the purpose of faith" Ndubisi stressed, noting that the protagonists of the WYD are "Christ and the Youth."                                              
He further disclosed the theme of the 2016 WYD celebration as "Blessed are they merciful for they shall obtain mercy" while urging all to embrace God’s mercy.                                
Ndubisi used the occasion to unveil information about group itinerary, reception of delegates, pilgrims' kit, days in the diocese also known as missionary week and details of accommodation.                                                
He also said the Nigerian contingent will do their days in the diocese in the diocese of Gliwice where they will be hosted by various families.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Sixteenth Sunday of Year, C – July 17, 2016.
Readings: Gen. 18:1-10A; Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5; Colossians 1:24-28; Gospel Luke 10:38-42.
Theme: Learning from the School of Martha and Mary      
Friends in Christ, that our gospel reading (Luke 10:38-42) for this Sunday is coming after the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is no mistake. Last Sunday, the Priest and the Levite shunned the man who fell into the hands of brigands because they wanted to demonstrate “the love of God” but they ended up neglecting “the love of neighbour.”
On this Sunday, Jesus’ encounter with Martha and Mary during a remarkable visit bridges the gap between the love of God and the love of neighbour. To be sure, Martha was busy with her culinary services trying to demonstrate “the love of neighbour” that she overlooked “the love of God” while Mary’s focus was on “the love of God” which made her pay less attention to “the love of neighbour.” The point that Jesus wants us to take home is that both “the love of neighbour” and “the love of God” are important aspects of christian discipleship.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Fifteenth Sunday of Year, C – July 10, 2016.
Readings: Deut. 30:10-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 69:14 & 17,30-31,33-34,36ab & 37 (R.v.33) or Ps 19:8,9,10,11(R.9ab); Colossians 1:15-20; Gospel Luke 10:25-37.
Theme: Mercy through Charity As Recipe for Us Vs them Stereotype      
Today’s gospel (Luke 10:25-37) presents us with the challenge of stereotype in society. We live in a society where people tend to treat us based on our sex, religion, race, social standing or political affiliation. Sadly, these stereotypes have sent many innocent people to their early graves.
In Nigeria, the Us Versus them stereotype takes the form of Muslim Versus Christian, Catholic Versus Protestant, Protestant Versus Pentecostal, Hausa Versus Igbo, Yoruba Versus Ijaw, North Versus South to mention just as a few. We are easily divided along religious, regional and ethnic lines. This ugly mentality blinds our sense of patriotism and nationalism. The situation gets worse to the extent that some cultures see themselves as superior to others - Just so, the Jews saw themselves in relation to others in Jesus’ time.