The Role of Christians In Electoral Process
Joseph O. Akharumere KSP
INTRODUCTION
It is remarkable to note that throughout all recorded history of independence agitations, civil societies have always played a vital role in mounting pressure on the ruling class to effect the desired change. Worthy of note is the clash of a hierarchy of values against the expectations of a traditional population and post colonial state seeking to modernize through politics and the attendant frustration meted out on the progressives. There cannot be a strong and vibrant democratic structure without an active and vibrant civil society. The historical profile and the indispensability of civil societies and pressure groups and the role they have played in the establishment and enthronement of democratic values and culture in Nigeria need be examined in the light of electoral process.
2. The electoral process include the following:
a. Registration of political parties
b. Conducting congresses to elect credible party leaders at ward, Local Government, State and National levels.
c. Election at primaries (and not selection of candidates) for elective positions in the tiers of Government namely Local Government, State Government and Federal Government respectively
d. Registration of voters
e. Campaign in order to sell manifestoes, which the candidates represent to the voters
f. The election proper and defending one's vote based on one man, one voter.
3. As a domestic observer of elections since 1999 under the auspices of JDPC (Justice Development and Peace Commission, Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City) I have observed that rigging of election starts with registration of voters.
It is at this stage that the electoral system is hijacked by holding to one's chest voters' register and cards which are freely used and votes no longer count. While many voters were indifferent, these muster-riggers were busy casting votes with names of others who refused to vote. At times, the vote cast is well above the number of those that registered for the exercise.
It is recalled that parties of the first and second Republics had manifestoes which guided the choice by voters in the elections to various posts of governance. For instance, N.C.N.C (National Council of Nigeria Citizen) focused on building nationalism whereby any Nigerian resident in any part of Nigeria could vote and be voted for. Chief John Umolu, a native of Agenebode (Etsako East LGA) who resident in the South Eastern part of Nigeria won election in that part of Nigeria without asking where he came from. Merit and credibility were some of the considerations for voting in his favour. A.G (Action Group) of the Western Region had in her manifesto, free education, free health among other amenities for the people.
In the present dispensation, there are sixty-two registered parties. There are no discernible manifestoes which should guide the voters in electing candidates to fill posts in Government. Such slogans as “power to the people, Democracy for Justice”, lets get it done, “One man, one vote etc are no manifestoes.
Almost all the political parties in Nigeria have ripples of crisis from founding fathers of parties resisting party congresses to elect credible leaders, at ward, Local, State and National Levels. If this structure is sound, the party will be sound. We must not allow this structure to be a private affair for selfish gain. Nigerians must confront these so-called godfathers who bestride the gates to government houses like the medieval caesar's statue under whom all must pass into the city of Rome. These are the same people who exercise power by proxy and control our treasury from a distance. This they do by insisting on their choice of candidates which usually range from the sick and over-pampered son or daughter, a favourite wife or concubine whose relevance is that he/she must never forget that he/she got to office as a god father's representative in power. All these impunity must stop! The wind of change is blowing and we all must follow this trend of our historical development.
At the election proper, the party agents should eschew sharing food and money with other party Agents under the veil of friendship for such money and food are Greek gifts.
Indeed, the already identified priority of the Church and hence the JDPC should include dismantling obnoxious political, economic and social policies and structures to free our men and women from insecurity, joblessness, abject poverty, dehumanizing laws, tribalism, ethnicity, bribery and glaring indiscipline. These citizens are looking forward to a Catholic Church (and a growing JDPC) that witness to justice even in her internal structures, as well as being in the forefront in the promotion of human rights and the establishment of an egalitarian society. This challenge of keeping hope alive among our distressed and dehumanized people should embody the social transformation that denies the oppressors the continued freedom to parade their exploits. But the Christian faithful who see themselves as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, must acknowledge that freedom is not without a price. They must recognize that true freedom does not come on a platter of good. In this regard, they must be thoroughly schooled to: See what our surrounding shows Judge them as they ought to be
Act in the way Christ wants us to in truth and love of God and love of our neighbours.
CONCLUSION
In all the electoral process which are highlighted in the above paragraph 2, the role of Christians is to resist Oath- taking (there are so many likes of Okijia shrines in Nigeria), joining secret cults etc in order to acquire power and money to the detriment of soul, conscience, love of God and love of neighbours.
Service, unreserved service then becomes the guide to the Christian conscience. When Christians and all concerned with the welfare of a transparent society live by this rule, he or she becomes an apostle of justice and ambassador of God's kingdom here on earth. Christian politicians are called upon to be enlightened on the need to enter into politics to show forth the light of the Lord amidst a people of evil intent and selfish motives.
William Barclay Succinctly writes, “Because the Christian is a man of honour, he must be a responsible citizen; failure in good citizenship is also failure in Christian duty, untold troubles can descend upon a country or an industry when Christians refuse to take their part in the administration and leave it to selfish, self-seeking partisan and unchristian men.”
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Politics Without Principle
Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Okafor
Among the deadly sins named by Mahatma Ghandi is Politics Without principle. This is exactly the situation in Nigeria. Politics in Nigeria is devoid of basic principles and morality. When the basic principles of service to the people and respect for the human person are dethroned, then we can expect anything. In Nigeria, it is possible for a blind man to lead a two eyed man. If a prisoner has the wherewithal, he can become the president of this nation, after all, some have been made president after they had been imprisoned. Beside, most of our leaders deserved to be in jail if not for the level of injustice we have assumed in this country. Some of them are worse criminals than those who are serving jail terms. Nigerian Politicians are bereft of morality, human compassion, respect for the human person and initiative. These are people who are not even respected in their families and villages, people who have no integrity but want to be recognised as national icon by imposing themselves on the masses.
Political position ought to be a medium of service to the people. When the masses say they do not need your service, why then should one impose himself on them through violent means and by rigging his way to the political position of his choice? One wonders the motive behind this political syndrome. No doubt, it is because politics is the easiest way to become rich and lord it over others. This accounts for why the different parties' primary election was marred with death and threat. Those who claimed that when they secure the people's mandate to serve in the political position of their choice they would ensure the security of the people, were involved in hiring thugs and cultists to terroise the masses so that they could win their way through. What sort of security and services will such a person provide? Even some powers that be have devised sophisticated means of ringing elections. To ensure that they fix the persons of their choice into political position of their interest, they tactically delayed elections till night and ensured that there was total blackout in the voting arena till they were through with their evil intentions. If they could do this at the primary level, what will they not do on the very day of election? Wonder shall never end! Any political aspirant who is desperate for power has evil agenda; he does not have the interest of the people at heart. If all those in the political positions should be made to receive the same salary and insecurity like the civil servants, how many will be desperate so serve?
When we tune our radio and television sets we hear politicians uttering promises they will never think of fulfilling. Even the president is asking for mandate to consolidate what he has started. In the first instance, what has he done? Eight months in office we are yet to feel the SMS of positive change. Morning shows me day. What kind of development will he initiate when the lives of the citizens are not secured, no creation of job opportunities for the teeming youths, and most federal roads especially in the south are not motorable? How can he change the country for better when he has surrounded himself with sycophant advisers who will continue to sing his praise and are interested in what they can get? I perceive deceit in most of the political aspirants. Now that the ruling party has failed in its Seven Points Agenda, it has now come again with Consolidation, Appeasement and Reconciliation (CAR). Where are we heading to?
Some Senators who for the past four to eight years in office have not thought of something good for their people, are again coming forward to ask for mandate for second and third terms so that they can continue to represent themselves and their family. The so-called Legislators who are worse hardened criminals instead of making legislations to meet the demands of the masses, end up legislating and securing their future well being and that of their families, without securing the future of the average Nigerian; so that even when they leave their political positions, they will continue to enjoy enough benefits which even the civil servants can never enjoy; yet we complain that there is no money in the country.
In a bid to secure a second term appointment for themselves some Senators and Governors have spent millions of Naira to bribe their way through, when such money could have been used to initiative projects that would be of benefit to the common citizens. Oh Mr. Senator and Governor! Why not win the masses over by investing such amount of money on projects that will be of benefit to them. Now I am fully convinced that in his riches, man lacks wisdom, he is like the beasts that are destroyed (PS. 49:12, 20).
The questions our leaders should be asking themselves is: what have I done so far with my time in office? How many lives have I been able to touch? If you are effective as a leader, you do not need to campaign, the masses on their own, will vote for you.
Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Okafor
Among the deadly sins named by Mahatma Ghandi is Politics Without principle. This is exactly the situation in Nigeria. Politics in Nigeria is devoid of basic principles and morality. When the basic principles of service to the people and respect for the human person are dethroned, then we can expect anything. In Nigeria, it is possible for a blind man to lead a two eyed man. If a prisoner has the wherewithal, he can become the president of this nation, after all, some have been made president after they had been imprisoned. Beside, most of our leaders deserved to be in jail if not for the level of injustice we have assumed in this country. Some of them are worse criminals than those who are serving jail terms. Nigerian Politicians are bereft of morality, human compassion, respect for the human person and initiative. These are people who are not even respected in their families and villages, people who have no integrity but want to be recognised as national icon by imposing themselves on the masses.
Political position ought to be a medium of service to the people. When the masses say they do not need your service, why then should one impose himself on them through violent means and by rigging his way to the political position of his choice? One wonders the motive behind this political syndrome. No doubt, it is because politics is the easiest way to become rich and lord it over others. This accounts for why the different parties' primary election was marred with death and threat. Those who claimed that when they secure the people's mandate to serve in the political position of their choice they would ensure the security of the people, were involved in hiring thugs and cultists to terroise the masses so that they could win their way through. What sort of security and services will such a person provide? Even some powers that be have devised sophisticated means of ringing elections. To ensure that they fix the persons of their choice into political position of their interest, they tactically delayed elections till night and ensured that there was total blackout in the voting arena till they were through with their evil intentions. If they could do this at the primary level, what will they not do on the very day of election? Wonder shall never end! Any political aspirant who is desperate for power has evil agenda; he does not have the interest of the people at heart. If all those in the political positions should be made to receive the same salary and insecurity like the civil servants, how many will be desperate so serve?
When we tune our radio and television sets we hear politicians uttering promises they will never think of fulfilling. Even the president is asking for mandate to consolidate what he has started. In the first instance, what has he done? Eight months in office we are yet to feel the SMS of positive change. Morning shows me day. What kind of development will he initiate when the lives of the citizens are not secured, no creation of job opportunities for the teeming youths, and most federal roads especially in the south are not motorable? How can he change the country for better when he has surrounded himself with sycophant advisers who will continue to sing his praise and are interested in what they can get? I perceive deceit in most of the political aspirants. Now that the ruling party has failed in its Seven Points Agenda, it has now come again with Consolidation, Appeasement and Reconciliation (CAR). Where are we heading to?
Some Senators who for the past four to eight years in office have not thought of something good for their people, are again coming forward to ask for mandate for second and third terms so that they can continue to represent themselves and their family. The so-called Legislators who are worse hardened criminals instead of making legislations to meet the demands of the masses, end up legislating and securing their future well being and that of their families, without securing the future of the average Nigerian; so that even when they leave their political positions, they will continue to enjoy enough benefits which even the civil servants can never enjoy; yet we complain that there is no money in the country.
In a bid to secure a second term appointment for themselves some Senators and Governors have spent millions of Naira to bribe their way through, when such money could have been used to initiative projects that would be of benefit to the common citizens. Oh Mr. Senator and Governor! Why not win the masses over by investing such amount of money on projects that will be of benefit to them. Now I am fully convinced that in his riches, man lacks wisdom, he is like the beasts that are destroyed (PS. 49:12, 20).
The questions our leaders should be asking themselves is: what have I done so far with my time in office? How many lives have I been able to touch? If you are effective as a leader, you do not need to campaign, the masses on their own, will vote for you.
Kids Having Kids: Issues And Perspectives In Teenage Pregnancy
Rev. Fr. Francis Ikhianosime
Youth is an exciting time, a time of awakening to maturity. Full emotional maturity is a life long process. It begins in babyhood when a little child learns to love someone other than himself. The first sign of emotional growth is being concerned about other people.
-Leonie McSweeney
If one understands the evolution surrounding the term ‘sex’ one probably would have a better appreciation why the act has been grossly misconstrued, heavily experimented upon and in fact being an object of division rather than unity especially when done outside of its primarily designed context. The Latin derivation is sexus which simply means to divide rather than to unite. The word’s first occurrence in English was in the year 1382 in Wycliffe’s translation of the Bible. Then, the word lay dormant until the year 1735. It didn’t really become common usage until 1799 when the term sexual intercourse first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary. The next term to come into use, four years later, was sexual function, then sexual organ in 1828 and sexual desire in 1836. Sexual instinct appeared in 1861, sexual act in 1888 and sexual immorality not until 1911.
Although the term didn’t gain early entry into regular English vocabulary, the acts represented above far backdates to a time one could easily describe as the ‘civilization of the senses’. The impulse toward sex is both natural and an overriding impulse in man and overtime is highly regulatory of man’s actions. Just in the evolution of different phrasal formation with sex, so also was the evolution with the effects of the consequences of the unbridled involvement with it, since in the appearances of those vocabularies each time widened the frontiers of sexual experimentation and immorality. Of a global issue and epidemic in the evolution of sexual escapades is that of teen pregnancy. This is precisely what this paper will dedicate attention to.
Teen pregnancy as the term suggests is the procurement of pregnancy outside of wedlock by teenagers or youths. Teen pregnancy is not an issue that involves females alone as pregnancy cannot possibly be a self-contingent action. The cooperation of the inexperienced male counterpart is equally involved in the issues of teen pregnancy. Statistics reveal that over 80% of teens who get pregnant have their pregnancies from boys who are their peers or a little older than them.
Teen pregnancy has become a global tragedy and it is a fate or stage many young girls stumble though in their experimenting age of sexual maturation, although not many also bring these pregnancies to term, the effects on both parties (the teen boy and girl) are devastating and have become an issue no more than an optional extra.
Stark findings in the United States for instance, have the following grim facts about teen pregnancy: 4 in 10 girls become pregnant before age 20- over 900,000 teen; about 40% of teen mothers are under 18years of age; nearly 80% of fathers do not marry the teen mothers of their children. Albeit, these statistics represent the situation in the United States, the same or more devastating conditions abound in third world nations like Nigeria. With the development in reproductive technology, teen pregnancy seem to be reducing but the rate of girls who get pregnant at least once before they reach 20 not withstanding whether they bring the baby to term or not is put at 5 out of every 10 girls. This finding stiffens the probe into the cause and possible solutions of this global tragedy less talked about. This brings us to a more psychological evaluation of teenhood.
EVALUATING TEENHOOD
Leone McSweeney in her book, The Facts of Life, has a penetrating and water-tight analysis on teenhood. She espoused that at our teen, we are at a stage of awakening. Awakening to : (1) Freedom (II) one’s physical powers and especially to sexual desire (III) personal values which enables young people to decide for themselves what they want to do with life. This period of awareness is a very delicate one. Once teens are not properly guided through it, they will gamble through by their equally inexperienced peer and make many mistakes they will be shy to identify with publicly. A progressive characterization of this stage is that of aggression, fear and compulsion. At the teen formative stage, teens are usually aggressive to parents, authority and anything religious; exercise fear of disgrace, of others and of failure. Equally characteristic is the compulsion towards drinks, drugs, money and sex. This progression of aggression, fear and compulsion culminate to what makes radical the drive for adventure and rebellion. They thus would want to like Biblical Adam know why God (now their parents) said they should not eat of that fruit. ‘They know when we eat it we will become as wise as them’, they are quick to delude themselves, playing for themselves the devil’s advocate. Thus they would play their female counterpart to some scintillating and sugar-coated but convoluted logic in advocacy for the demystification of sex and its subsequent unbridled engagement.
Nevertheless, readings in sexology and teen psychology reveal that many teen girls are not as excited into sexual involvement like their male counterparts who have an almost unrepentant desire toward sex. Girls get involved with sex out of pressure of their loved male friend, fear of losing him, fear of being seen as ‘old-schooled’ and as still mummy’s puppet. This latter point is more compelling toward sexual debut of many girls and boys. Sex like nicotine in cigarette is addictive. Many get fixated to sex after their sexual debut and to the particular boy. This is what railroads to the usual waterloo of unfortunate teen girls- teen pregnancy.
Teenhood is thus a very volatile period that deserves close attention on teens and sympathy for them. Biology reveals too that this is the time hormonal formation reaches their peak, and the bloom of their sexual energies and powers as well as the formation of the organs of maturity. This is the time too they have their first taste of independence. It is alleged that in the US, many teen let hell loose on their Eighteenth birthday and imprudently celebrate canality on that day since by law they are free from the stringent whims and regulation of their parents. This is the psychological appreciation of Teenhood as a period.
TEEN PREGNANCY: ANALYSING THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Although, Africans extol fertility and children, it does not conversely encourage unwanted pregnancy, as it will be an act against her moral heritage. Many a reason accounts for the rampart pregnancy amongst teens. It should be borne that these factors do not evenly cut across the different ages of the teen period. While some of the reasons for teen pregnancy especially for girls below 15 years may be influenced by factors resulting from inexperience, the late teen years may be influenced by more compound reasons. Nevertheless, it should be noted that there are varied reasons, which cause teen pregnancy. We may not be able to exhaustively talk about them; however, we shall spotlight those salient points, which for the most are highly influential factors.
Teens that are unguarded at their age are likely to develop what can conveniently be called the ‘adolescent’s sexually-active’ traits. Teenhood is a period when young people are vibrant and sexually active. Those with a malformed view of sexuality have their ill-notions of sexuality experimented. Teens are more sexually active at this period and they are precariously inexperienced too. This is what worsens their dilemma. At their age, they feel a high pressure to have sex particularly from their counterpart. It must equally be borne in mind that this is the time teens get involved and sometimes too fixated in drugs and alcohol. These get their inhibition reduced that what they would otherwise made a decision in the reversed, they will freely give in to. Like I have said in some other works, drugs and alcohol coupled with a crescendo of emotional tickles send teens’ brains to a ‘French leave’. Their decision thus very often would be bereft of rationality and sanity. At this time, they throw overboard the implication of their act and it is at such instances, teens get pregnant.
Speculations have it too that inexperience is a root reason for teenage pregnancy. Many teen girls are not aware of their sexual rhythms or even lack adequate knowledge of adequate sex education. And that they are in a time of experiment, they are more likely to get pregnant. According to a UNESCO report on teen pregnancy in Britain, "There are four main reasons why girls in Britain become pregnant. We don’t give children enough information; we give them mixed messages about sex and relationships; social deprivation means girls are more likely to become pregnant; and girls whose mothers were teenage mums are more likely to do the same. While other points stand true of situations of teen pregnancy in Nigeria, the first and the third points are more influential reasons than the others proffered. Many young girls are very often impregnated not by young men of their age bracket but much older men. Findings put it that teenage girls are more likely to engage in romances and kisses with their peer than sex. Very often, older men who shower teen girls with gifts and a promise to quench their material want get teen girls hooked to them and very often when these teen girls get pregnant, they are more likely to bring it to term than for their peer.
Other viable opinions put causes for teen pregnancies at peer pressure, poor parental guidance, influence of the media, the starvation of love, the use of contraceptives and the like. Top ranking of these is the influence of the media. The dysfunctional censorship system in Nigeria has allowed the exaltation of sex as a standard of civility and maturity. Thus many teens in other to breakaway from what seem to be a degrading status for them, being addressed as youngsters, will want to immediately identify with sex. This only gives a make-belief of maturity and not actuality or a reality of the situation. Equally instrumental is the native family system background in Africa . The exaggerated gulf created between parents and children makes children find it difficult to confide in their parents. Many parents too sadly lack good parental skills. Girls very often thus will go through the volatile teen period experimentally and for the unfortunate group their lot may just be teen pregnancy.
There is yet another interesting contributing factor which seems to raise the stake of teen pregnancy and this is environmentally influenced. Many adolescents are victims of violent childhood. Admittedly, the experiences of a particular stage of development have effects either positively or negatively on the consequent stage of development. Adolescents with violent and love-bereft childhood are more likely to be pregnant at adolescence. This is so because, their childhood experience will tell on their way of thinking and behaviour at adolescence. Tamkins, T. (2004) opines when the family environment does not include adverse childhood experiences, becoming pregnant as an adolescent does not appear to raise the likelihood of long-term, negative psychosocial consequences.
The question of poverty cannot be discussed in low keys when analyzing teen pregnancy in our milieux. Poverty is an overriding problem in Nigeria. The capitalist trend which seems to be favoured by stiff spices of corruption and repressive injustices has continually put the common man at the mercy of the rich. For survival therefore, many resort to the unwritten thesis of ‘using what you have to get what you don’t have’. Many teen who may have been hostile victims of the lousy hand of fate and misfortune usually would submit themselves at whatever cost to the vain pleasure of a man who promises them even a flicker of material sustenance not minding the cost and consequences. This is a major reason for teen pregnancy in Nigeria. Of an insignificant few are those who get pregnant by the dying culture of rape.
It should be borne in mind once again that our analysis of pregnancy is exclusive of the fact whether the baby is brought to term or not. For the most however, these are the conspicuous contributing factors.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PARTIES
On a face look, the issue of teen pregnancy may just seem a case for young girls alone but one must be quick to know that the factors that influence teen pregnancy in the female folk are the same that affect the teen boy as well and equally the issue of teen pregnancy is not a self-indulged accident. There is always the male party be he a young man or not. The implications to be considered at this section will not limit its ambit to the accidented girl alone but to both immediately and remotely concerned parties: the teen mother, the father, child and family of the teen.
Report reveals that many teen mothers are likely to bring about premature birth with low birth weight. The inexperience and circumstance of birth of the teen mother would make her pay less attention to prenatal care. A gruesome consequence thus will be that the preceding years will be marked with experiment as was the case with the grounds for pregnancy. Similarly, teen mothers are more prone to be poor dieting or nutritional deficiency. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy is its counter effect on the child too and the complete formation of the child. Teen mothers are likely to suffer in the area of medicare than for more mature women. During delivery, they are more likely to be vulnerable to eclampsia, infant mortality and maternal death. By the same token, they run the risk of other complications resulting from underdevelopment.
There is a disheartening lot that awaits teen mothers. Conspicuous among others is the drop out of school by teen mothers. If one takes a painstaking probe at most teen mothers one may find interestingly true that most teen mothers do not otherwise pay hard interest to academics. Dropping out of school may not matter to some in any case. What may matter for them more is the shame they may have to contend with that is associated by them not going to school. The correlation between early childbearing and not finishing school as at when due affects career opportunity for the teen mother at the long run.
Teen pregnancy is a course that determines to a negative turn the life and future of a younger other. The child is more likely to be a greater sufferer of the indecorous mortgage of the mother. The first obvious point is that the child will be impaired in psycho-social development. The teen child will be bereft of the hands of the ripe warmth of a mother. Since teenage pregnancy is a consequence of an enfeebled growth, the child thus will consequently grow with developmental disabilities. The child is most likely to become a tout, a rascal and a rebel. The child will be a direct recipient of the pent anger of the teen mother, whose presence of the child is a souvenir of an ugly past. She will more likely to be eccentric in behaviour to the child. This ultimately counts on how the child eventually will behave. It is speculated that a son born to a young woman in her teens is three times more likely to serve time in prison.
In addition, children of teen mothers are likely not to perform well academically and not only that but may also have low intelligent quotient (IQ). This will tell at once the level of success of the child in future. This is so because, poor academic performance always beget low self-esteem amongst youths. This low self-esteem will if not tamed tell on how the child will evaluate things and even order his priorities. The consequences chain is virtually endless.
The implication of teen pregnancy extends its lousy hands to family members. Logic as well as studies reveals that siblings of teen mothers are more likely to exalt permissive behaviour and are likely to accept sexual initiations, parenthood and early marriages. Very often too, the teen mother who otherwise would have been a moral stalwart for the younger ones will all at once be reticent on moral issues. Again in some cases, those with an older sibling who is a teen parent often end up babysitting their nieces and nephews and that young girls placed in such a situation have an increased risk of getting pregnant themselves. One devastating effect of teen pregnancy is that the ugly implications are almost unending. Teen pregnancy has effect for the grandparents of teen mothers who at their age will very often not be too old. Their teen children becoming pregnant give them a sense of parental failure and very often loose their will among other parents. They thus will lack the actuation to speak on ill among children of other parents.
Teen mothers are sometimes impregnated by their teen counterpart, while some others by older men. The men who impregnate these teen girls sometimes take up responsibilities of their actions and may eventually wed the teen girls. This kind of marriage is what has come to be know as shotgun marriage. This kind of marriage is often not well planned for and so it operates outside of responsibility. Such marriage is thus fraught with virtually all possible constraints. For men whose responsibility does not culminate into marriage with the teen girl contend with social maladjustment. He is often hunted by the mistake of his past and may even disrupt the regularity and rationality of his thought. It must be admitted here that teenage father is often a misnomer. Nevertheless, men who put teenage girls in the family way are more likely to be promiscuous and also lack firm parental skill and will in their subsequent family.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY: TOWARD A HEALTHY REDUCTION
The issue of teen pregnancy is still pertinent and seasonable. Many people would think that as many teen girls have become well-schooled in the acts counter acts of sexual adventurism, especially in halting pregnancy via contraception and abortion, then the issue of teen pregnancy is as stale as day-break manna, No! the very issues which may count for the untimeliness of our discussion are the precipitate for a germane review. Many teen girls have developed more accultural and felonious ways of coping with teen pregnancy without the corresponding evaluation of both the immediate and remote consequences. To continue with the issues which tie around teen pregnancy and its related issues will make our work one chunk of interwoven moral aberrations. The more important discussion at stake knowing the precarious stead the issue purports is on how teen pregnancy can be healthily reduced. My emphasis is on a healthy reduction.
One viable option is the issue of sex education. Many teens and lamentably enough, some adults have an impoverished understanding of their sexuality. This is why an attempt to understanding it leads to experimentation and thus to a waterloo. Sex education should be taught is schools and there should be a matron for girls is schools whether a boarding or a day school. This will help demystify the whole conundrum called sex. Teenage pregnancy agreeably cannot fall consistently in every region but local government and health care workers should be ever conscious of this problem and note particular contributing factors and work assiduously to dwarf such. I am strongly of the opinion that poor censorship of movies has spiraled factors aiding teen pregnancy and as such the movie industry should work toward an ethics of entertainment.
Be that as it may, there should be an emphasis by religious bodies and other media functionaries on abstinence. Many youths do not see reasons for abstinence because of the exaltation of premarital sex in many shows. Similarly, healthy sexual behaviour should be encouraged. One point that must not be allowed to silence is the issue of female literacy. Young girls must begin to have a positive image about themselves and gradually free themselves from the tough-ridden snare of patrilineal society and male chauvinism. A handsome percentage of teen girls who fall into the dilemma of teen pregnancy were victims of their own gullibility and weak will. This however must not be treated in isolation; it is merely the hangover of a slipshod literacy and a reckless self-esteem. I equally concur with the option of male involvement in teen pregnancy reduction. They must be treated with care, love and patience at teenhood. Thus, gainful involvement and other means that are culturally relevant may be highly constructive.
Teen pregnancy is a case not for the concern of teens alone. It is a social menance and a cultural freak. It is a situation that needs a prompt redress because the issues and related issues that lace around teen pregnancy are those that fast deaden our moral edifice. The teens will not be the sufferers only but all and sundry. Teen pregnancy threatens the structure of our age-old morality with some arrogant temerity and poke further to ask: what do you have to say? We must talk, we must fight, and we must win. That is the climax of the crusade against teen pregnancy. I dare to ask: which vanguard do you belong?
Rev. Fr. Francis Ikhianosime
Youth is an exciting time, a time of awakening to maturity. Full emotional maturity is a life long process. It begins in babyhood when a little child learns to love someone other than himself. The first sign of emotional growth is being concerned about other people.
-Leonie McSweeney
If one understands the evolution surrounding the term ‘sex’ one probably would have a better appreciation why the act has been grossly misconstrued, heavily experimented upon and in fact being an object of division rather than unity especially when done outside of its primarily designed context. The Latin derivation is sexus which simply means to divide rather than to unite. The word’s first occurrence in English was in the year 1382 in Wycliffe’s translation of the Bible. Then, the word lay dormant until the year 1735. It didn’t really become common usage until 1799 when the term sexual intercourse first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary. The next term to come into use, four years later, was sexual function, then sexual organ in 1828 and sexual desire in 1836. Sexual instinct appeared in 1861, sexual act in 1888 and sexual immorality not until 1911.
Although the term didn’t gain early entry into regular English vocabulary, the acts represented above far backdates to a time one could easily describe as the ‘civilization of the senses’. The impulse toward sex is both natural and an overriding impulse in man and overtime is highly regulatory of man’s actions. Just in the evolution of different phrasal formation with sex, so also was the evolution with the effects of the consequences of the unbridled involvement with it, since in the appearances of those vocabularies each time widened the frontiers of sexual experimentation and immorality. Of a global issue and epidemic in the evolution of sexual escapades is that of teen pregnancy. This is precisely what this paper will dedicate attention to.
Teen pregnancy as the term suggests is the procurement of pregnancy outside of wedlock by teenagers or youths. Teen pregnancy is not an issue that involves females alone as pregnancy cannot possibly be a self-contingent action. The cooperation of the inexperienced male counterpart is equally involved in the issues of teen pregnancy. Statistics reveal that over 80% of teens who get pregnant have their pregnancies from boys who are their peers or a little older than them.
Teen pregnancy has become a global tragedy and it is a fate or stage many young girls stumble though in their experimenting age of sexual maturation, although not many also bring these pregnancies to term, the effects on both parties (the teen boy and girl) are devastating and have become an issue no more than an optional extra.
Stark findings in the United States for instance, have the following grim facts about teen pregnancy: 4 in 10 girls become pregnant before age 20- over 900,000 teen; about 40% of teen mothers are under 18years of age; nearly 80% of fathers do not marry the teen mothers of their children. Albeit, these statistics represent the situation in the United States, the same or more devastating conditions abound in third world nations like Nigeria. With the development in reproductive technology, teen pregnancy seem to be reducing but the rate of girls who get pregnant at least once before they reach 20 not withstanding whether they bring the baby to term or not is put at 5 out of every 10 girls. This finding stiffens the probe into the cause and possible solutions of this global tragedy less talked about. This brings us to a more psychological evaluation of teenhood.
EVALUATING TEENHOOD
Leone McSweeney in her book, The Facts of Life, has a penetrating and water-tight analysis on teenhood. She espoused that at our teen, we are at a stage of awakening. Awakening to : (1) Freedom (II) one’s physical powers and especially to sexual desire (III) personal values which enables young people to decide for themselves what they want to do with life. This period of awareness is a very delicate one. Once teens are not properly guided through it, they will gamble through by their equally inexperienced peer and make many mistakes they will be shy to identify with publicly. A progressive characterization of this stage is that of aggression, fear and compulsion. At the teen formative stage, teens are usually aggressive to parents, authority and anything religious; exercise fear of disgrace, of others and of failure. Equally characteristic is the compulsion towards drinks, drugs, money and sex. This progression of aggression, fear and compulsion culminate to what makes radical the drive for adventure and rebellion. They thus would want to like Biblical Adam know why God (now their parents) said they should not eat of that fruit. ‘They know when we eat it we will become as wise as them’, they are quick to delude themselves, playing for themselves the devil’s advocate. Thus they would play their female counterpart to some scintillating and sugar-coated but convoluted logic in advocacy for the demystification of sex and its subsequent unbridled engagement.
Nevertheless, readings in sexology and teen psychology reveal that many teen girls are not as excited into sexual involvement like their male counterparts who have an almost unrepentant desire toward sex. Girls get involved with sex out of pressure of their loved male friend, fear of losing him, fear of being seen as ‘old-schooled’ and as still mummy’s puppet. This latter point is more compelling toward sexual debut of many girls and boys. Sex like nicotine in cigarette is addictive. Many get fixated to sex after their sexual debut and to the particular boy. This is what railroads to the usual waterloo of unfortunate teen girls- teen pregnancy.
Teenhood is thus a very volatile period that deserves close attention on teens and sympathy for them. Biology reveals too that this is the time hormonal formation reaches their peak, and the bloom of their sexual energies and powers as well as the formation of the organs of maturity. This is the time too they have their first taste of independence. It is alleged that in the US, many teen let hell loose on their Eighteenth birthday and imprudently celebrate canality on that day since by law they are free from the stringent whims and regulation of their parents. This is the psychological appreciation of Teenhood as a period.
TEEN PREGNANCY: ANALYSING THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Although, Africans extol fertility and children, it does not conversely encourage unwanted pregnancy, as it will be an act against her moral heritage. Many a reason accounts for the rampart pregnancy amongst teens. It should be borne that these factors do not evenly cut across the different ages of the teen period. While some of the reasons for teen pregnancy especially for girls below 15 years may be influenced by factors resulting from inexperience, the late teen years may be influenced by more compound reasons. Nevertheless, it should be noted that there are varied reasons, which cause teen pregnancy. We may not be able to exhaustively talk about them; however, we shall spotlight those salient points, which for the most are highly influential factors.
Teens that are unguarded at their age are likely to develop what can conveniently be called the ‘adolescent’s sexually-active’ traits. Teenhood is a period when young people are vibrant and sexually active. Those with a malformed view of sexuality have their ill-notions of sexuality experimented. Teens are more sexually active at this period and they are precariously inexperienced too. This is what worsens their dilemma. At their age, they feel a high pressure to have sex particularly from their counterpart. It must equally be borne in mind that this is the time teens get involved and sometimes too fixated in drugs and alcohol. These get their inhibition reduced that what they would otherwise made a decision in the reversed, they will freely give in to. Like I have said in some other works, drugs and alcohol coupled with a crescendo of emotional tickles send teens’ brains to a ‘French leave’. Their decision thus very often would be bereft of rationality and sanity. At this time, they throw overboard the implication of their act and it is at such instances, teens get pregnant.
Speculations have it too that inexperience is a root reason for teenage pregnancy. Many teen girls are not aware of their sexual rhythms or even lack adequate knowledge of adequate sex education. And that they are in a time of experiment, they are more likely to get pregnant. According to a UNESCO report on teen pregnancy in Britain, "There are four main reasons why girls in Britain become pregnant. We don’t give children enough information; we give them mixed messages about sex and relationships; social deprivation means girls are more likely to become pregnant; and girls whose mothers were teenage mums are more likely to do the same. While other points stand true of situations of teen pregnancy in Nigeria, the first and the third points are more influential reasons than the others proffered. Many young girls are very often impregnated not by young men of their age bracket but much older men. Findings put it that teenage girls are more likely to engage in romances and kisses with their peer than sex. Very often, older men who shower teen girls with gifts and a promise to quench their material want get teen girls hooked to them and very often when these teen girls get pregnant, they are more likely to bring it to term than for their peer.
Other viable opinions put causes for teen pregnancies at peer pressure, poor parental guidance, influence of the media, the starvation of love, the use of contraceptives and the like. Top ranking of these is the influence of the media. The dysfunctional censorship system in Nigeria has allowed the exaltation of sex as a standard of civility and maturity. Thus many teens in other to breakaway from what seem to be a degrading status for them, being addressed as youngsters, will want to immediately identify with sex. This only gives a make-belief of maturity and not actuality or a reality of the situation. Equally instrumental is the native family system background in Africa . The exaggerated gulf created between parents and children makes children find it difficult to confide in their parents. Many parents too sadly lack good parental skills. Girls very often thus will go through the volatile teen period experimentally and for the unfortunate group their lot may just be teen pregnancy.
There is yet another interesting contributing factor which seems to raise the stake of teen pregnancy and this is environmentally influenced. Many adolescents are victims of violent childhood. Admittedly, the experiences of a particular stage of development have effects either positively or negatively on the consequent stage of development. Adolescents with violent and love-bereft childhood are more likely to be pregnant at adolescence. This is so because, their childhood experience will tell on their way of thinking and behaviour at adolescence. Tamkins, T. (2004) opines when the family environment does not include adverse childhood experiences, becoming pregnant as an adolescent does not appear to raise the likelihood of long-term, negative psychosocial consequences.
The question of poverty cannot be discussed in low keys when analyzing teen pregnancy in our milieux. Poverty is an overriding problem in Nigeria. The capitalist trend which seems to be favoured by stiff spices of corruption and repressive injustices has continually put the common man at the mercy of the rich. For survival therefore, many resort to the unwritten thesis of ‘using what you have to get what you don’t have’. Many teen who may have been hostile victims of the lousy hand of fate and misfortune usually would submit themselves at whatever cost to the vain pleasure of a man who promises them even a flicker of material sustenance not minding the cost and consequences. This is a major reason for teen pregnancy in Nigeria. Of an insignificant few are those who get pregnant by the dying culture of rape.
It should be borne in mind once again that our analysis of pregnancy is exclusive of the fact whether the baby is brought to term or not. For the most however, these are the conspicuous contributing factors.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PARTIES
On a face look, the issue of teen pregnancy may just seem a case for young girls alone but one must be quick to know that the factors that influence teen pregnancy in the female folk are the same that affect the teen boy as well and equally the issue of teen pregnancy is not a self-indulged accident. There is always the male party be he a young man or not. The implications to be considered at this section will not limit its ambit to the accidented girl alone but to both immediately and remotely concerned parties: the teen mother, the father, child and family of the teen.
Report reveals that many teen mothers are likely to bring about premature birth with low birth weight. The inexperience and circumstance of birth of the teen mother would make her pay less attention to prenatal care. A gruesome consequence thus will be that the preceding years will be marked with experiment as was the case with the grounds for pregnancy. Similarly, teen mothers are more prone to be poor dieting or nutritional deficiency. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy is its counter effect on the child too and the complete formation of the child. Teen mothers are likely to suffer in the area of medicare than for more mature women. During delivery, they are more likely to be vulnerable to eclampsia, infant mortality and maternal death. By the same token, they run the risk of other complications resulting from underdevelopment.
There is a disheartening lot that awaits teen mothers. Conspicuous among others is the drop out of school by teen mothers. If one takes a painstaking probe at most teen mothers one may find interestingly true that most teen mothers do not otherwise pay hard interest to academics. Dropping out of school may not matter to some in any case. What may matter for them more is the shame they may have to contend with that is associated by them not going to school. The correlation between early childbearing and not finishing school as at when due affects career opportunity for the teen mother at the long run.
Teen pregnancy is a course that determines to a negative turn the life and future of a younger other. The child is more likely to be a greater sufferer of the indecorous mortgage of the mother. The first obvious point is that the child will be impaired in psycho-social development. The teen child will be bereft of the hands of the ripe warmth of a mother. Since teenage pregnancy is a consequence of an enfeebled growth, the child thus will consequently grow with developmental disabilities. The child is most likely to become a tout, a rascal and a rebel. The child will be a direct recipient of the pent anger of the teen mother, whose presence of the child is a souvenir of an ugly past. She will more likely to be eccentric in behaviour to the child. This ultimately counts on how the child eventually will behave. It is speculated that a son born to a young woman in her teens is three times more likely to serve time in prison.
In addition, children of teen mothers are likely not to perform well academically and not only that but may also have low intelligent quotient (IQ). This will tell at once the level of success of the child in future. This is so because, poor academic performance always beget low self-esteem amongst youths. This low self-esteem will if not tamed tell on how the child will evaluate things and even order his priorities. The consequences chain is virtually endless.
The implication of teen pregnancy extends its lousy hands to family members. Logic as well as studies reveals that siblings of teen mothers are more likely to exalt permissive behaviour and are likely to accept sexual initiations, parenthood and early marriages. Very often too, the teen mother who otherwise would have been a moral stalwart for the younger ones will all at once be reticent on moral issues. Again in some cases, those with an older sibling who is a teen parent often end up babysitting their nieces and nephews and that young girls placed in such a situation have an increased risk of getting pregnant themselves. One devastating effect of teen pregnancy is that the ugly implications are almost unending. Teen pregnancy has effect for the grandparents of teen mothers who at their age will very often not be too old. Their teen children becoming pregnant give them a sense of parental failure and very often loose their will among other parents. They thus will lack the actuation to speak on ill among children of other parents.
Teen mothers are sometimes impregnated by their teen counterpart, while some others by older men. The men who impregnate these teen girls sometimes take up responsibilities of their actions and may eventually wed the teen girls. This kind of marriage is what has come to be know as shotgun marriage. This kind of marriage is often not well planned for and so it operates outside of responsibility. Such marriage is thus fraught with virtually all possible constraints. For men whose responsibility does not culminate into marriage with the teen girl contend with social maladjustment. He is often hunted by the mistake of his past and may even disrupt the regularity and rationality of his thought. It must be admitted here that teenage father is often a misnomer. Nevertheless, men who put teenage girls in the family way are more likely to be promiscuous and also lack firm parental skill and will in their subsequent family.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY: TOWARD A HEALTHY REDUCTION
The issue of teen pregnancy is still pertinent and seasonable. Many people would think that as many teen girls have become well-schooled in the acts counter acts of sexual adventurism, especially in halting pregnancy via contraception and abortion, then the issue of teen pregnancy is as stale as day-break manna, No! the very issues which may count for the untimeliness of our discussion are the precipitate for a germane review. Many teen girls have developed more accultural and felonious ways of coping with teen pregnancy without the corresponding evaluation of both the immediate and remote consequences. To continue with the issues which tie around teen pregnancy and its related issues will make our work one chunk of interwoven moral aberrations. The more important discussion at stake knowing the precarious stead the issue purports is on how teen pregnancy can be healthily reduced. My emphasis is on a healthy reduction.
One viable option is the issue of sex education. Many teens and lamentably enough, some adults have an impoverished understanding of their sexuality. This is why an attempt to understanding it leads to experimentation and thus to a waterloo. Sex education should be taught is schools and there should be a matron for girls is schools whether a boarding or a day school. This will help demystify the whole conundrum called sex. Teenage pregnancy agreeably cannot fall consistently in every region but local government and health care workers should be ever conscious of this problem and note particular contributing factors and work assiduously to dwarf such. I am strongly of the opinion that poor censorship of movies has spiraled factors aiding teen pregnancy and as such the movie industry should work toward an ethics of entertainment.
Be that as it may, there should be an emphasis by religious bodies and other media functionaries on abstinence. Many youths do not see reasons for abstinence because of the exaltation of premarital sex in many shows. Similarly, healthy sexual behaviour should be encouraged. One point that must not be allowed to silence is the issue of female literacy. Young girls must begin to have a positive image about themselves and gradually free themselves from the tough-ridden snare of patrilineal society and male chauvinism. A handsome percentage of teen girls who fall into the dilemma of teen pregnancy were victims of their own gullibility and weak will. This however must not be treated in isolation; it is merely the hangover of a slipshod literacy and a reckless self-esteem. I equally concur with the option of male involvement in teen pregnancy reduction. They must be treated with care, love and patience at teenhood. Thus, gainful involvement and other means that are culturally relevant may be highly constructive.
Teen pregnancy is a case not for the concern of teens alone. It is a social menance and a cultural freak. It is a situation that needs a prompt redress because the issues and related issues that lace around teen pregnancy are those that fast deaden our moral edifice. The teens will not be the sufferers only but all and sundry. Teen pregnancy threatens the structure of our age-old morality with some arrogant temerity and poke further to ask: what do you have to say? We must talk, we must fight, and we must win. That is the climax of the crusade against teen pregnancy. I dare to ask: which vanguard do you belong?
Mubarak's Woes: A Lesson for Looters
Rev. Fr. Leonard O. Anetekhai
I prefer to die as a martyr rather than quit as a leader”. No doubt, it is only a dictator, who will utter such words in the face of crisis, even when the nation he is leading is crumbling. This is a clear manifestation of greed. Come to think of it, the happenings around the Arab world suggest that they are just waking up from a deep catnap. Before now, they have watched the resources and wealth of their countries being handed out to foreign corporations and squandered by their corrupt leaders. They have watched as these same brood of vipers who call themselves leaders, supported the invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003. They have watched as Israel has oppressed the Palestinians with the help of their governments, they have watched as Lebanon was attacked in 2006 with the tacit blessing of their regimes, they have watched as the Gaza Strip was re-invaded in 2008 by the Israeli military, and they have watched as the Egyptian regime has helped Israel starve Gaza.
However, some persons believe that the Arab World is not just waking up, but they have been watching in anger and frustration, and now like the immune system of a body, are combating the diseases that have contaminated their World , the siphoning of local wealth and resources by the ruling class on behalf of their neo-colonial masters the so called developed countries.
The revolution that began in Egypt on January 25, 2011, which was characterized by a series of street demonstrations, marches, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, riots, labour strikes and violent clashes, did not just begin on that day, though the date was selected to coincide with the National Police Day. In the minds of numerous Egyptians, it was time for CHANGE. All they needed was the resignation of the President Hosni Mubarak, an end to corruption and police repression, and democratic reforms of the country's political system.
The cry for an end to corruption and the birth of a functioning democratic reform in the structure of governance has spread like wildfire, and one cannot deny the fact that citizens from other neighbouring countries will buy the ideal and fight for their own rights to reclaim the dignity and respect of their nation just like Arab people. It is time that even the West and the United States in particular have to learn to deal with the Arab people with the same level of respect they deal with their own people, because one cannot preach respect which is the very essence of 'diversity, pluralism and universal values' if one walks on the wrong part to peace.
Mubarak, never thought that all the glories of being in-charge will one day come to a close. The control of various institutions both political and social and even the means of the general population's livelihoods for thirty years is now a thing of the past. Our Nigerian politicians may laugh at the woes of Mubarak, but the lesson is NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT.
If we place the Egyptian revolution that is - as being peaceful and purposeful peaceful in the sense that the number of deaths was very minimal, considering the number of people who were involved in the march for change - side by side with the series of crisis around Nigeria, it will not be out of place to say we are heartless and even sometimes inhuman in the way we treat our fellow brothers and sisters. It is shameful that in less than a week 200 to 300 people (recorded figures) are killed in a mere riot. What happens at the other end? I am proud that as Africans we can stand and ask for our right. Those who kill in Nigeria do so not in the name of Islam, but in the name of whoever sent them.
Those who continue to make our educational system miserable and send their children abroad are the killers. Now, it is time for elections and their children are away, who will rig for them? Who will steal ballot boxes for them? Certainly those who make themselves available; a dictator can no longer suppress, a determined people for a long time in the present-day world as it was before. What other African especially Nigerian leaders should know is that, it is imperative with happenings around the Arab world for leaders not to overstay their tolerance in office and to determine the mood of the people they govern and respect their wishes and legitimate aspirations.
Mubarak's woes can happen anywhere, anytime, even if it takes time to materialise. For many politicians and even the federal government, the Egyptian type revolution is impossible in Nigerian. Yes, it is impossible, because Nigerians now worship looters and criminals like gods, majority are easily brainwashed, they fear the authority like GOD. According to Fela of blessed memory, Nigerians fear what they see and what they don't see. It is painful that Nigerian leaders are exploiting the same aspect of our country that the British exploited; we are slaves even in our own land - with hunger, poverty and disease taking their turns in the face of plenty.
Nobody ever thought that Egypt and other nations will rise to challenge of change. Nigerians are not cowards. We have our rights. Our present set of leaders should not think they have instilled fear into the Nigerian people with their show of looted wealth. For a revolution to materialize, the people do not necessarily have to be brave. They only have to be agitated enough against a few individuals. The lesson we learn from this should make us wise and not foolish and obstinate. As lead citizens in Nigerian, we must realize that, the dreams of Martin Luther king Jr did not come in a flash, but today, the blacks in America can vote and be voted for. Their rights stand when they fight for it. Democracy is our right for it is the “rule of the lead” and not of the leaders. So, lets enjoy its dividends.
Rev. Fr. Leonard O. Anetekhai
I prefer to die as a martyr rather than quit as a leader”. No doubt, it is only a dictator, who will utter such words in the face of crisis, even when the nation he is leading is crumbling. This is a clear manifestation of greed. Come to think of it, the happenings around the Arab world suggest that they are just waking up from a deep catnap. Before now, they have watched the resources and wealth of their countries being handed out to foreign corporations and squandered by their corrupt leaders. They have watched as these same brood of vipers who call themselves leaders, supported the invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003. They have watched as Israel has oppressed the Palestinians with the help of their governments, they have watched as Lebanon was attacked in 2006 with the tacit blessing of their regimes, they have watched as the Gaza Strip was re-invaded in 2008 by the Israeli military, and they have watched as the Egyptian regime has helped Israel starve Gaza.
However, some persons believe that the Arab World is not just waking up, but they have been watching in anger and frustration, and now like the immune system of a body, are combating the diseases that have contaminated their World , the siphoning of local wealth and resources by the ruling class on behalf of their neo-colonial masters the so called developed countries.
The revolution that began in Egypt on January 25, 2011, which was characterized by a series of street demonstrations, marches, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, riots, labour strikes and violent clashes, did not just begin on that day, though the date was selected to coincide with the National Police Day. In the minds of numerous Egyptians, it was time for CHANGE. All they needed was the resignation of the President Hosni Mubarak, an end to corruption and police repression, and democratic reforms of the country's political system.
The cry for an end to corruption and the birth of a functioning democratic reform in the structure of governance has spread like wildfire, and one cannot deny the fact that citizens from other neighbouring countries will buy the ideal and fight for their own rights to reclaim the dignity and respect of their nation just like Arab people. It is time that even the West and the United States in particular have to learn to deal with the Arab people with the same level of respect they deal with their own people, because one cannot preach respect which is the very essence of 'diversity, pluralism and universal values' if one walks on the wrong part to peace.
Mubarak, never thought that all the glories of being in-charge will one day come to a close. The control of various institutions both political and social and even the means of the general population's livelihoods for thirty years is now a thing of the past. Our Nigerian politicians may laugh at the woes of Mubarak, but the lesson is NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT.
If we place the Egyptian revolution that is - as being peaceful and purposeful peaceful in the sense that the number of deaths was very minimal, considering the number of people who were involved in the march for change - side by side with the series of crisis around Nigeria, it will not be out of place to say we are heartless and even sometimes inhuman in the way we treat our fellow brothers and sisters. It is shameful that in less than a week 200 to 300 people (recorded figures) are killed in a mere riot. What happens at the other end? I am proud that as Africans we can stand and ask for our right. Those who kill in Nigeria do so not in the name of Islam, but in the name of whoever sent them.
Those who continue to make our educational system miserable and send their children abroad are the killers. Now, it is time for elections and their children are away, who will rig for them? Who will steal ballot boxes for them? Certainly those who make themselves available; a dictator can no longer suppress, a determined people for a long time in the present-day world as it was before. What other African especially Nigerian leaders should know is that, it is imperative with happenings around the Arab world for leaders not to overstay their tolerance in office and to determine the mood of the people they govern and respect their wishes and legitimate aspirations.
Mubarak's woes can happen anywhere, anytime, even if it takes time to materialise. For many politicians and even the federal government, the Egyptian type revolution is impossible in Nigerian. Yes, it is impossible, because Nigerians now worship looters and criminals like gods, majority are easily brainwashed, they fear the authority like GOD. According to Fela of blessed memory, Nigerians fear what they see and what they don't see. It is painful that Nigerian leaders are exploiting the same aspect of our country that the British exploited; we are slaves even in our own land - with hunger, poverty and disease taking their turns in the face of plenty.
Nobody ever thought that Egypt and other nations will rise to challenge of change. Nigerians are not cowards. We have our rights. Our present set of leaders should not think they have instilled fear into the Nigerian people with their show of looted wealth. For a revolution to materialize, the people do not necessarily have to be brave. They only have to be agitated enough against a few individuals. The lesson we learn from this should make us wise and not foolish and obstinate. As lead citizens in Nigerian, we must realize that, the dreams of Martin Luther king Jr did not come in a flash, but today, the blacks in America can vote and be voted for. Their rights stand when they fight for it. Democracy is our right for it is the “rule of the lead” and not of the leaders. So, lets enjoy its dividends.
What Is Lent? How Did It Originate? What Is Its Significance?
And How Should It Be Observed?
Rev. Fr. Stan-William Ede
Lent is the period of the Church's liturgical year made up of 40 days, including Ash Wednesday, leading up to Easter. The six Sundays in this period are not counted because each one represents a “mini-Easter”, a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death. The six and a half weeks (40 days) preceding Easter Sunday known as Lent, hold significant meaning in the Christian faith and are considered the centerpiece of Christian religion.
The number forty (40) is a particularly meaningful one for Christians and it has many Biblical references: the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 24:18); the forty days and nights Elijah spent walking to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8); the forty days and nights God sent rain in the great flood of Noah (Genesis 7:4); the forty years the Hebrew people wandered in the desert while traveling to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33); the forty days Jonah in his prophecy of judgment gave the city of Nineveh in which to repent (Jonah 3:4).
Jesus retreated into the wilderness, where he fasted for forty days, and was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2). He overcame all three of Satan's temptations by citing scripture to the devil, at which point the devil left him, angels ministered to Jesus, and he began his ministry. Jesus further said that his disciples should fast “when the bridegroom shall be taken from them” (Matthew 9:15), a reference to his Passion. Since, presumably, the Apostles fasted as they mourned the death of Jesus, Christians have traditionally fasted during the annual commemoration of his death and burial.
Where did this practice come from or rather, when did it all begin? In other words, what is the Origin of Lent?
First, let us consider the origin of the word or term, “Lent”. The Teutonic word, Lent, which we employ to denote the forty days' fast preceding Easter, originally meant no more than the spring season. Still it has been used from the Anglo-Saxon period to translate the more significant Latin term “quadragesima” meaning the “forty days”, or more literally the “fortieth day”.
Yes, in Latin the term quadragesima (translation of the original Greek tessarakoste, i.e. the “fortieth day” before Easter) is used. This nomenclature is preserved in Romance, Slavic and Celtic languages (for example, Spanish cuaresma, Portuguese quaresma, French carême, Italian quaresima, Croatian korizma, Irish Carghas, and Welsh carawys. In the late Middle Ages, as sermons began to be given in the vernacular instead of Latin, the English word “Lent” was adopted. This word initially simply meant “spring” (as in German language Lenz and Dutch lente) and derives from the Germanic root for 'long' because in the spring the days visibly lengthen.
Next, or rather, secondly, after the above consideration of the origin of the word, Lent, we move now to the origin of the custom.
There have been divergent views in Church History regarding the exact origin of the practice and observance of Lent, but a critical analysis of the respective views summarily point to the Apostolic period, but care must be taken to note that, at that time, there was little emphasis on the number of days and less observances. Most of what we have today evolved through the course of time.
Some 5th-Century Historians and Fathers of the Church are of the view that this forty-day's fast was of Apostolic institution. For example, St. Leo (d. 461) exhorts his hearers to abstain “ut apostolica institutio quadraginta dierum jejuniis impleatur” (“that they may fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of the forty days”); and the historian Socrates (d. 433) and St. Jerome (d. 420) use similar language, suggesting that it was a practice that commenced during the time of the Apostles.
Lent probably originated with the pre-Easter baptismal rites of catechumens as far back as the Apostolic era, although the number of days set aside for fasting varied according to region and through time. St. Irenaeus (AD 180) testifies to the variety of durations of pre-Easter fasts in the second century. Tertullian (AD 200) suggests that Catholics fasted two days prior to Easter, but that the Montanists (a heretical sect that Tertullian later joined) fasted longer. However, the number forty, hallowed by the fasts of Moses, Elijah, and especially Jesus, probably influenced the later fixed time of 40 days. The Canons of Nicaea (AD 325) were the first to mention 40 days of fasting. Initially the forty days Lenten fast began on a Monday, and was intended only for those who were preparing to enter the Church at Easter. Lent still begins on a Monday in many Eastern Orthodox Churches. Eventually the West (Roman Catholic Church) began Lent on Ash Wednesday, and soon the whole Church, and not just catechumens, observed the Lenten fast.
The earliest fasts of Lent tended to be very strict, allowing one meal a day, and even then meats, eggs, and other indulgences were forbidden. The Eastern Orthodox Churches follow this practice to this day. Now, in the Roman Catholic Church, only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are enjoined as strict fast days, although all other days especially Fridays are recommended, but Fridays are set aside for abstinence from meat. Sundays are not a part of the Lenten fast, because Sunday is always a feast of the resurrection. However, the Sundays of Lent are still a part of the Lenten liturgical season in the Western Church (Roman Catholic), and the worship services tend to be more simple and austere than normal. They lack the Gloria, and the joyous “alleluias” of the Easter season.
The liturgical color of Lent is violet, symbolizing royalty and penitence. Like Sundays, other major solemnities, such as St. Joseph and the Annunciation, take precedence over Lenten observances in the Church's calendar. These days provide a break from the Lenten fast. However, Lent nearly always trumps the observances of minor feast days. Certain devotions and liturgies have developed during the Lenten season, including the Stations of the Cross.
The significance of Lent somehow flows through all afore-stated aspects of this write-up. However, we must still cue it up in plain terms and also note that the purpose and significance of Lent which we shall now examine run side by side with how Lent should be observed or celebrated.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “the real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God's will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.”
Ultimately, the purpose of Lent is to afford a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent is a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begins with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes on one's head or forehead. However, we must remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit. Our Lenten disciplines are supposed to help us become more like Christ. This is what St. Athanasius aptly describes as “becoming by grace what God is by nature.”
The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbour). Christians are expected to give up a vice or all of their vices, and add something to their life, virtues that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations. In addition, reading the Scriptures and the Church's Writings can help one grow during Lent.
Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily Prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient practice of praying throughout the day, is a good place to start. Contemplative prayer, based around the idea of silence or listening for God, is also well suited to Lent. There are also many excellent forms of prayers that reflect the penitential mood of Lent. The Litany of the Precious Blood, The Divine Mercy Devotion, etc, are very appropriate for the season. We can also find many excellent prayers for Lent from the Scriptures. The Seven Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) are excellent for prayer. Praying The Rosary throughout Lent can be rewarding too. Many excellent poems (i.e. Catholic Hymns) and Lenten Canticles emphasize Lenten themes. Theology and Liturgy should always be prayer, so a good discipline for Lent would be to make an effort to attend worship services whenever possible. Participating in daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, Adoration and other community prayers would be very rewarding.
As for Fasting, the Catholic Church requires her members aged 18 to 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, unless a physical condition prevents otherwise. This means only one full meal is permitted. It must be noted that even though the emphases are on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, other days of Lent are also recommended. The Fridays of Lent are days of required abstinence, meaning that, meat and soups or gravies made of meat, are not permitted. Abstinence is required of those aged 14 and older.
Next is Almsgiving. While Lent is about giving something up (i.e. fasting), it is also about putting something positive in its place. The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them. Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbors out of tight situations or being more generous to hired help. However, one of the best ways to give alms is to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, maybe by volunteering for a charity or a shelter.
Very important also is Scripture Reading. When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil. It is a formidable weapon for us as well. Biblical illiteracy among Christians, especially Catholics is rampant and, quite honestly, shameful. Lent is an excellent time to remedy this problem. One way to read Scripture is to use the lectionary of the Liturgy of the Hours. This will get you through most of the Bible in two years. The Lectionary of the Mass too is equally rewarding. Besides Liturgy of the Hours and the Mass, it may be helpful to promise to read two chapters a day of a particular book or maybe finish a medium sized book by Easter. Reading the writings of the Church Fathers and the Catechism of the Catholic Church can also be helpful to spiritual growth.
Beyond Lent, Easter Sunday is the most joyous and anticipated day of the year for Christians. Easter is a time to celebrate our victory over sin and death, won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ through his death on the Cross and his resurrection from the dead. We must take this chance and make the most out of this year's Lenten season so as to fulfillingly embrace the Easter joy with the truest and most convincing taste of victory, spiritual upliftment and divine blessings.
And How Should It Be Observed?
Rev. Fr. Stan-William Ede
Lent is the period of the Church's liturgical year made up of 40 days, including Ash Wednesday, leading up to Easter. The six Sundays in this period are not counted because each one represents a “mini-Easter”, a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death. The six and a half weeks (40 days) preceding Easter Sunday known as Lent, hold significant meaning in the Christian faith and are considered the centerpiece of Christian religion.
The number forty (40) is a particularly meaningful one for Christians and it has many Biblical references: the forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 24:18); the forty days and nights Elijah spent walking to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8); the forty days and nights God sent rain in the great flood of Noah (Genesis 7:4); the forty years the Hebrew people wandered in the desert while traveling to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33); the forty days Jonah in his prophecy of judgment gave the city of Nineveh in which to repent (Jonah 3:4).
Jesus retreated into the wilderness, where he fasted for forty days, and was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2). He overcame all three of Satan's temptations by citing scripture to the devil, at which point the devil left him, angels ministered to Jesus, and he began his ministry. Jesus further said that his disciples should fast “when the bridegroom shall be taken from them” (Matthew 9:15), a reference to his Passion. Since, presumably, the Apostles fasted as they mourned the death of Jesus, Christians have traditionally fasted during the annual commemoration of his death and burial.
Where did this practice come from or rather, when did it all begin? In other words, what is the Origin of Lent?
First, let us consider the origin of the word or term, “Lent”. The Teutonic word, Lent, which we employ to denote the forty days' fast preceding Easter, originally meant no more than the spring season. Still it has been used from the Anglo-Saxon period to translate the more significant Latin term “quadragesima” meaning the “forty days”, or more literally the “fortieth day”.
Yes, in Latin the term quadragesima (translation of the original Greek tessarakoste, i.e. the “fortieth day” before Easter) is used. This nomenclature is preserved in Romance, Slavic and Celtic languages (for example, Spanish cuaresma, Portuguese quaresma, French carême, Italian quaresima, Croatian korizma, Irish Carghas, and Welsh carawys. In the late Middle Ages, as sermons began to be given in the vernacular instead of Latin, the English word “Lent” was adopted. This word initially simply meant “spring” (as in German language Lenz and Dutch lente) and derives from the Germanic root for 'long' because in the spring the days visibly lengthen.
Next, or rather, secondly, after the above consideration of the origin of the word, Lent, we move now to the origin of the custom.
There have been divergent views in Church History regarding the exact origin of the practice and observance of Lent, but a critical analysis of the respective views summarily point to the Apostolic period, but care must be taken to note that, at that time, there was little emphasis on the number of days and less observances. Most of what we have today evolved through the course of time.
Some 5th-Century Historians and Fathers of the Church are of the view that this forty-day's fast was of Apostolic institution. For example, St. Leo (d. 461) exhorts his hearers to abstain “ut apostolica institutio quadraginta dierum jejuniis impleatur” (“that they may fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of the forty days”); and the historian Socrates (d. 433) and St. Jerome (d. 420) use similar language, suggesting that it was a practice that commenced during the time of the Apostles.
Lent probably originated with the pre-Easter baptismal rites of catechumens as far back as the Apostolic era, although the number of days set aside for fasting varied according to region and through time. St. Irenaeus (AD 180) testifies to the variety of durations of pre-Easter fasts in the second century. Tertullian (AD 200) suggests that Catholics fasted two days prior to Easter, but that the Montanists (a heretical sect that Tertullian later joined) fasted longer. However, the number forty, hallowed by the fasts of Moses, Elijah, and especially Jesus, probably influenced the later fixed time of 40 days. The Canons of Nicaea (AD 325) were the first to mention 40 days of fasting. Initially the forty days Lenten fast began on a Monday, and was intended only for those who were preparing to enter the Church at Easter. Lent still begins on a Monday in many Eastern Orthodox Churches. Eventually the West (Roman Catholic Church) began Lent on Ash Wednesday, and soon the whole Church, and not just catechumens, observed the Lenten fast.
The earliest fasts of Lent tended to be very strict, allowing one meal a day, and even then meats, eggs, and other indulgences were forbidden. The Eastern Orthodox Churches follow this practice to this day. Now, in the Roman Catholic Church, only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are enjoined as strict fast days, although all other days especially Fridays are recommended, but Fridays are set aside for abstinence from meat. Sundays are not a part of the Lenten fast, because Sunday is always a feast of the resurrection. However, the Sundays of Lent are still a part of the Lenten liturgical season in the Western Church (Roman Catholic), and the worship services tend to be more simple and austere than normal. They lack the Gloria, and the joyous “alleluias” of the Easter season.
The liturgical color of Lent is violet, symbolizing royalty and penitence. Like Sundays, other major solemnities, such as St. Joseph and the Annunciation, take precedence over Lenten observances in the Church's calendar. These days provide a break from the Lenten fast. However, Lent nearly always trumps the observances of minor feast days. Certain devotions and liturgies have developed during the Lenten season, including the Stations of the Cross.
The significance of Lent somehow flows through all afore-stated aspects of this write-up. However, we must still cue it up in plain terms and also note that the purpose and significance of Lent which we shall now examine run side by side with how Lent should be observed or celebrated.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “the real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God's will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.”
Ultimately, the purpose of Lent is to afford a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent is a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begins with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes on one's head or forehead. However, we must remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit. Our Lenten disciplines are supposed to help us become more like Christ. This is what St. Athanasius aptly describes as “becoming by grace what God is by nature.”
The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbour). Christians are expected to give up a vice or all of their vices, and add something to their life, virtues that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations. In addition, reading the Scriptures and the Church's Writings can help one grow during Lent.
Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily Prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient practice of praying throughout the day, is a good place to start. Contemplative prayer, based around the idea of silence or listening for God, is also well suited to Lent. There are also many excellent forms of prayers that reflect the penitential mood of Lent. The Litany of the Precious Blood, The Divine Mercy Devotion, etc, are very appropriate for the season. We can also find many excellent prayers for Lent from the Scriptures. The Seven Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) are excellent for prayer. Praying The Rosary throughout Lent can be rewarding too. Many excellent poems (i.e. Catholic Hymns) and Lenten Canticles emphasize Lenten themes. Theology and Liturgy should always be prayer, so a good discipline for Lent would be to make an effort to attend worship services whenever possible. Participating in daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, Adoration and other community prayers would be very rewarding.
As for Fasting, the Catholic Church requires her members aged 18 to 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, unless a physical condition prevents otherwise. This means only one full meal is permitted. It must be noted that even though the emphases are on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, other days of Lent are also recommended. The Fridays of Lent are days of required abstinence, meaning that, meat and soups or gravies made of meat, are not permitted. Abstinence is required of those aged 14 and older.
Next is Almsgiving. While Lent is about giving something up (i.e. fasting), it is also about putting something positive in its place. The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them. Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbors out of tight situations or being more generous to hired help. However, one of the best ways to give alms is to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, maybe by volunteering for a charity or a shelter.
Very important also is Scripture Reading. When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil. It is a formidable weapon for us as well. Biblical illiteracy among Christians, especially Catholics is rampant and, quite honestly, shameful. Lent is an excellent time to remedy this problem. One way to read Scripture is to use the lectionary of the Liturgy of the Hours. This will get you through most of the Bible in two years. The Lectionary of the Mass too is equally rewarding. Besides Liturgy of the Hours and the Mass, it may be helpful to promise to read two chapters a day of a particular book or maybe finish a medium sized book by Easter. Reading the writings of the Church Fathers and the Catechism of the Catholic Church can also be helpful to spiritual growth.
Beyond Lent, Easter Sunday is the most joyous and anticipated day of the year for Christians. Easter is a time to celebrate our victory over sin and death, won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ through his death on the Cross and his resurrection from the dead. We must take this chance and make the most out of this year's Lenten season so as to fulfillingly embrace the Easter joy with the truest and most convincing taste of victory, spiritual upliftment and divine blessings.
Graceful Living
Prof. Michael Ogunu
The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (6th edition) defines 'graceful' as: 1. 'Moving in a controlled, attractive way or having a smooth attractive form'; 2. 'Polite and kind in your behaviour, especially in a difficult situation.' The word connotes beauty, ease and elegance. In this article, 'graceful living' is described as life that is led at moderate pace, living every day as it comes unhurried, composed, attractive and lovable. From this description it can be inferred that the twin enemies of such a pattern of life are chronic hurrying and worrying.
We shall first examine both types of behaviour and suggest remedies as basis for the cultivation of a truly graceful life.
Sister M. Melannie Svobodia, S.N.D. in an article titled "BUSY, BUSY, BUSY," with the subtitle 'why do Christians run' published in the Catholic Digest of September 1981 observes that wherever she went, she saw people rushing; rushing to work, rushing home from work, rushing through meals, rushing into church, rushing out of church. "Why are we Christians all rushing around?" she asks.
Rushing is incompatible with graceful living - a life that is calm and collected. To break the habit of immoderate haste, Sr. Svobodia recommends that first, we must become aware of our rushing. How fast do we walk? How fast do we drive? How many times a day do we look at the clock? Once we have become aware of our hurriedness, we can take steps to rectify it. With reference to the work of salvation (perhaps with priests and religious in mind), she says that an important consideration to help us slow down is to remember that it is Jesus who saves. "Although we have been given the task of proclaiming the Good News to the world, we must never forget that, in the long run, it is Jesus who saves. We help, but it is still He who redeems. This thought should give us pause, so to speak. Salvation is not dependent upon our speed. Slowing down may actually be a virtue if it is an outgrowth of a deep humility and trust in the Lord.”
Human beings stand up well to restrainable strain. But when the pace of life quickens in the sense of trying to do too much, too quickly, and for too long, we become overstretched.
Obviously, there are times when we have to hurry. What we need to watch is the tendency to allow hurrying to become a habit until we reach a state of not being able to remember a time when we were not in a hurry.
"What is this life," wrote the poet, W H. Davies, "if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”
Chronic hurrying can stem from a desire to be important, to increase our status in the eyes of other people. We may be trying to impress them with the fact that we are as busy, or busier than they are, and equally sought-after. We may want to show the people we know that we have so much to do, and we are in such demand, that they can count themselves fortunate to be spared a little of our valuable time.
It can also stem from our dabbling into too many things with the result that most of our free time is spent rushing about from one thing to another. In the end our health begins to suffer.
Chronic hurrying habit can be a result of personality disorder characterized as 'Type A' behaviour. A priest psychologist, James J. Gill, SJ after many years of clinical and research experiences, listed the common symptomatic behaviour of "Type A" personality. They include the following:
1. Polyphasic activity (doing several things at the same time), for example, reading a newspaper while watching television, or brushing one's teeth while showering, dressing and preparing a meal, etc.
2. Walking fast, eating fast, and quickly leaving the table after eating
3. An exaggerated need to be always on time under all circumstances
4. Difficulty in relaxing and enjoying leisure
5. Facial tautness expressing tension
6. Rapid eye blinking (over forty per minute)
7. Knee juggling or rapid, emphatic taping of fingers when sitting
8. Head nodding vigorously when he or she is speaking
9. Tense posture as if getting set for a race
10. Expiratory sighs
11. Interruption of the speech of others
12. Impatience when kept waiting for any reason
13. Irritability when encountering the driving errors of other vehicle drivers
14. Aggressive and hostile appearance of eyes and jaw
15. Harsh and unpleasant laugh
A carrier of "Type A" behaviour can be assisted to restructure his or her cognition (belief system, habit, reasoning, assumptions) and other behaviour that burden him or her with sense of chronic urgency and the proneness to be quick tempered, upset and angry over even trivial things and family experiences. How this can be done is outside the scope of this article.
Last but not least, we can get into the habit hurrying because we are too anxious to please, and too keen to avoid criticisms "I really haven't the time" we say, "but they want me to do it and I don't like to refuse." A firm line is essential. Say "No" and mean it. Busy people leading genuinely busy lives need to be firm about their leisure, rest, and relaxation. Never live only for the job. Never allow yourself to believe that work is all that matters. Have other interests, including an interest in other people, their work and well being.
Closely allied to the habit of hurrying is the habit of worrying. In his excellent book titled Towards Better Living, Sumbbye Kapena defines worry as "the introspective fear or anticipated fear of a possible danger whose nature is known. This might be a real danger that might actually occur in the future or it might be an imaginary danger that cannot possibly occur. It is an abnormal fear because it is not short and sudden but is prolonged." In the following section, some practical and effective ways of dealing with worry are recommended.
One of the most effective antidotes to worry is to have a religious outlook on life, a deep abiding faith in the providence of God. If we can take everything to God in prayer instead of trying to fight all our battles alone, we will be happier and more fulfilled.
Dr. Carl Jung, the famous psychologist said: "During the past thirty years, people from all the civilized countries of the earth have consulted me. I have treated many hundreds of patients. Among all my patients in the second half of life - that is to say, over thirty-five - there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life. It is safe to say that every one of them fell ill because he had lost that which the living religions of every age have given to their followers, and none of them has been really healed who did not regain his religious outlook.”
William James - the father of modern psychology - wrote to his friend, Professor Thomas Davidson, saying that as the years went by he found himself "less and less able to get along without God.”
incere abandonment of ourselves to God is the only real remedy for human fear, says Henry Brenner, author of The Art of Living Joyfully.
In speaking of abandoning ourselves to God's providence there are three angles to be considered; first the angle of the past; then that of the present; finally that of the future. As for the past, we must avoid living in it; for this prevents us from living in the present and appreciating new things as they come along. As to the angle of the present, it is good to be like persons who ride on the airplane. It is true, accidents happen; but being in the care of a good pilot gives assurance. Now when it comes to God, we know that He is a pilot absolutely trustworthy, both as to His knowledge and power, as also to His intention and desire. We are in His hands, and therefore cannot suffer evil. We glide along, enjoying our ride to the utmost like little babies, worrying over nothing. As to the angle of the future, a person accustomed to abandonment or trustful surrender to divine providence avoids too great a care. This pervades his entire life. His actions
are measured and natural, not a hastening hither and thither, a knocking down this thing and that, a slamming of doors, a cyclonic upheaval. He abandons himself to the future in peace and joy, breathing each breath as it is given to him a perpetual example of the old saying, "All things come to him who wait." He is calm and collected, knowing that he is in the hands of the Divine Lover, who will take care of him, bringing him safely through life's vicissitudes to the last day of his journey, and transport him safely to the great beyond.
Another way of keeping ourselves from worrying is to get interested in helping others. A third of the people who rush to psychiatrists for help could probably cure themselves if they would only do as Margaret Yates did: get interested in helping others. Thinking of helping others will not only keep you from worrying about yourself; it will also help you to make a lot of friends. Forget yourself by becoming interested in others. Do every day a good deed that will put a smile of joy on someone's face.
Professor William Lyon Phelps offers us these five ways in which he banished worry.
1. Live with gusto and enthusiasm. "I live every day as if it were the first day I had ever seen and the last I were going to see."
2. Read an interesting look: "When I had a prolonged nervous breakdown ... I began reading ... The Life of Caryll ... and became so absorbed in reading it that I forgot my despondency" (for Christians, the Bible is most highly recommended).
3. Play games: "When I was terribly depressed, I forced myself to become physically active almost every hour of the day.”
4. Relax while you work: "I long ago learned to avoid the folly of hurry, rush, and working under tension."
5. I try to see my troubles in their proper perspective. I say to myself, "two months from now I shall not be worrying about this bad break, so why worry about it now? Why not assume now the same attitude that I will have two months from now?"
Prof. Michael Ogunu
The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (6th edition) defines 'graceful' as: 1. 'Moving in a controlled, attractive way or having a smooth attractive form'; 2. 'Polite and kind in your behaviour, especially in a difficult situation.' The word connotes beauty, ease and elegance. In this article, 'graceful living' is described as life that is led at moderate pace, living every day as it comes unhurried, composed, attractive and lovable. From this description it can be inferred that the twin enemies of such a pattern of life are chronic hurrying and worrying.
We shall first examine both types of behaviour and suggest remedies as basis for the cultivation of a truly graceful life.
Sister M. Melannie Svobodia, S.N.D. in an article titled "BUSY, BUSY, BUSY," with the subtitle 'why do Christians run' published in the Catholic Digest of September 1981 observes that wherever she went, she saw people rushing; rushing to work, rushing home from work, rushing through meals, rushing into church, rushing out of church. "Why are we Christians all rushing around?" she asks.
Rushing is incompatible with graceful living - a life that is calm and collected. To break the habit of immoderate haste, Sr. Svobodia recommends that first, we must become aware of our rushing. How fast do we walk? How fast do we drive? How many times a day do we look at the clock? Once we have become aware of our hurriedness, we can take steps to rectify it. With reference to the work of salvation (perhaps with priests and religious in mind), she says that an important consideration to help us slow down is to remember that it is Jesus who saves. "Although we have been given the task of proclaiming the Good News to the world, we must never forget that, in the long run, it is Jesus who saves. We help, but it is still He who redeems. This thought should give us pause, so to speak. Salvation is not dependent upon our speed. Slowing down may actually be a virtue if it is an outgrowth of a deep humility and trust in the Lord.”
Human beings stand up well to restrainable strain. But when the pace of life quickens in the sense of trying to do too much, too quickly, and for too long, we become overstretched.
Obviously, there are times when we have to hurry. What we need to watch is the tendency to allow hurrying to become a habit until we reach a state of not being able to remember a time when we were not in a hurry.
"What is this life," wrote the poet, W H. Davies, "if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”
Chronic hurrying can stem from a desire to be important, to increase our status in the eyes of other people. We may be trying to impress them with the fact that we are as busy, or busier than they are, and equally sought-after. We may want to show the people we know that we have so much to do, and we are in such demand, that they can count themselves fortunate to be spared a little of our valuable time.
It can also stem from our dabbling into too many things with the result that most of our free time is spent rushing about from one thing to another. In the end our health begins to suffer.
Chronic hurrying habit can be a result of personality disorder characterized as 'Type A' behaviour. A priest psychologist, James J. Gill, SJ after many years of clinical and research experiences, listed the common symptomatic behaviour of "Type A" personality. They include the following:
1. Polyphasic activity (doing several things at the same time), for example, reading a newspaper while watching television, or brushing one's teeth while showering, dressing and preparing a meal, etc.
2. Walking fast, eating fast, and quickly leaving the table after eating
3. An exaggerated need to be always on time under all circumstances
4. Difficulty in relaxing and enjoying leisure
5. Facial tautness expressing tension
6. Rapid eye blinking (over forty per minute)
7. Knee juggling or rapid, emphatic taping of fingers when sitting
8. Head nodding vigorously when he or she is speaking
9. Tense posture as if getting set for a race
10. Expiratory sighs
11. Interruption of the speech of others
12. Impatience when kept waiting for any reason
13. Irritability when encountering the driving errors of other vehicle drivers
14. Aggressive and hostile appearance of eyes and jaw
15. Harsh and unpleasant laugh
A carrier of "Type A" behaviour can be assisted to restructure his or her cognition (belief system, habit, reasoning, assumptions) and other behaviour that burden him or her with sense of chronic urgency and the proneness to be quick tempered, upset and angry over even trivial things and family experiences. How this can be done is outside the scope of this article.
Last but not least, we can get into the habit hurrying because we are too anxious to please, and too keen to avoid criticisms "I really haven't the time" we say, "but they want me to do it and I don't like to refuse." A firm line is essential. Say "No" and mean it. Busy people leading genuinely busy lives need to be firm about their leisure, rest, and relaxation. Never live only for the job. Never allow yourself to believe that work is all that matters. Have other interests, including an interest in other people, their work and well being.
Closely allied to the habit of hurrying is the habit of worrying. In his excellent book titled Towards Better Living, Sumbbye Kapena defines worry as "the introspective fear or anticipated fear of a possible danger whose nature is known. This might be a real danger that might actually occur in the future or it might be an imaginary danger that cannot possibly occur. It is an abnormal fear because it is not short and sudden but is prolonged." In the following section, some practical and effective ways of dealing with worry are recommended.
One of the most effective antidotes to worry is to have a religious outlook on life, a deep abiding faith in the providence of God. If we can take everything to God in prayer instead of trying to fight all our battles alone, we will be happier and more fulfilled.
Dr. Carl Jung, the famous psychologist said: "During the past thirty years, people from all the civilized countries of the earth have consulted me. I have treated many hundreds of patients. Among all my patients in the second half of life - that is to say, over thirty-five - there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life. It is safe to say that every one of them fell ill because he had lost that which the living religions of every age have given to their followers, and none of them has been really healed who did not regain his religious outlook.”
William James - the father of modern psychology - wrote to his friend, Professor Thomas Davidson, saying that as the years went by he found himself "less and less able to get along without God.”
incere abandonment of ourselves to God is the only real remedy for human fear, says Henry Brenner, author of The Art of Living Joyfully.
In speaking of abandoning ourselves to God's providence there are three angles to be considered; first the angle of the past; then that of the present; finally that of the future. As for the past, we must avoid living in it; for this prevents us from living in the present and appreciating new things as they come along. As to the angle of the present, it is good to be like persons who ride on the airplane. It is true, accidents happen; but being in the care of a good pilot gives assurance. Now when it comes to God, we know that He is a pilot absolutely trustworthy, both as to His knowledge and power, as also to His intention and desire. We are in His hands, and therefore cannot suffer evil. We glide along, enjoying our ride to the utmost like little babies, worrying over nothing. As to the angle of the future, a person accustomed to abandonment or trustful surrender to divine providence avoids too great a care. This pervades his entire life. His actions
are measured and natural, not a hastening hither and thither, a knocking down this thing and that, a slamming of doors, a cyclonic upheaval. He abandons himself to the future in peace and joy, breathing each breath as it is given to him a perpetual example of the old saying, "All things come to him who wait." He is calm and collected, knowing that he is in the hands of the Divine Lover, who will take care of him, bringing him safely through life's vicissitudes to the last day of his journey, and transport him safely to the great beyond.
Another way of keeping ourselves from worrying is to get interested in helping others. A third of the people who rush to psychiatrists for help could probably cure themselves if they would only do as Margaret Yates did: get interested in helping others. Thinking of helping others will not only keep you from worrying about yourself; it will also help you to make a lot of friends. Forget yourself by becoming interested in others. Do every day a good deed that will put a smile of joy on someone's face.
Professor William Lyon Phelps offers us these five ways in which he banished worry.
1. Live with gusto and enthusiasm. "I live every day as if it were the first day I had ever seen and the last I were going to see."
2. Read an interesting look: "When I had a prolonged nervous breakdown ... I began reading ... The Life of Caryll ... and became so absorbed in reading it that I forgot my despondency" (for Christians, the Bible is most highly recommended).
3. Play games: "When I was terribly depressed, I forced myself to become physically active almost every hour of the day.”
4. Relax while you work: "I long ago learned to avoid the folly of hurry, rush, and working under tension."
5. I try to see my troubles in their proper perspective. I say to myself, "two months from now I shall not be worrying about this bad break, so why worry about it now? Why not assume now the same attitude that I will have two months from now?"
The True Meaning of Lent
Lent for us Catholics, is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. During this period also, we are expected to fast for a period of forty (40) days, in which we are to abstain from all excesses, try to improve our spiritual diet and do some meaningful spiritual exercises to strengthen the muscles we call “virtues”
While we are encouraged to give up something for the Lord as a sacrifice during lent, perhaps, our favourite foods and drinks that gives us so much pleasure, dedicate more of our time to the service of the Lord by regularly attending Mass, stations of the cross and making a weekly holy hour before the Blessed sacrament, the true observance of lent forbids us from going about it like the Pharisees do, who go about the physical and outward aspects of it and thinks nothing about the spiritual aspect.
Lent is not the time to look unkempt and haggard because we are fasting, which is one of the traits of the Pharisee who believes that inorder for their fasting to be acceptable to God, they must let all know about it through their unkempt appearances, loud prayers and public almsgiving that will attract praises from men.
Rather, in this period, our almsgiving and fasting should be a means of evangelism as all Catholics are called to evangelize in both deed and word. We must tell others about Jesus through our conduct. There may be a family in your neighborhood in need of clothing and food, show them the true meaning of lent by sorting through your wardrobe and giving up part of your food to assist them. By so doing, you have not only helped someone in need, but you have also shown that Christianity is about loving and caring for others just as Christ did.
More, reach out to those who have no one to talk to or care for them; that old lonely woman down the street, the dirty street boy/girl or the quarrelsome man in your neighbourhood needs your love and smile to make their day. Besides, not only would you have gained a soul for Christ, but you have also shown that person how to relate with others who may be in need someday.
As we all in this period endeavour to repent of our sin, renew our faith and prepare to celebrate joyfully the mysteries of our salvation, let us ask for the intercession of our blessed Mother Mary to help us fully understand and appreciate the true meaning of this valuable and precious aspect of our liturgy which makes our faith unique.
Lent for us Catholics, is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. During this period also, we are expected to fast for a period of forty (40) days, in which we are to abstain from all excesses, try to improve our spiritual diet and do some meaningful spiritual exercises to strengthen the muscles we call “virtues”
While we are encouraged to give up something for the Lord as a sacrifice during lent, perhaps, our favourite foods and drinks that gives us so much pleasure, dedicate more of our time to the service of the Lord by regularly attending Mass, stations of the cross and making a weekly holy hour before the Blessed sacrament, the true observance of lent forbids us from going about it like the Pharisees do, who go about the physical and outward aspects of it and thinks nothing about the spiritual aspect.
Lent is not the time to look unkempt and haggard because we are fasting, which is one of the traits of the Pharisee who believes that inorder for their fasting to be acceptable to God, they must let all know about it through their unkempt appearances, loud prayers and public almsgiving that will attract praises from men.
Rather, in this period, our almsgiving and fasting should be a means of evangelism as all Catholics are called to evangelize in both deed and word. We must tell others about Jesus through our conduct. There may be a family in your neighborhood in need of clothing and food, show them the true meaning of lent by sorting through your wardrobe and giving up part of your food to assist them. By so doing, you have not only helped someone in need, but you have also shown that Christianity is about loving and caring for others just as Christ did.
More, reach out to those who have no one to talk to or care for them; that old lonely woman down the street, the dirty street boy/girl or the quarrelsome man in your neighbourhood needs your love and smile to make their day. Besides, not only would you have gained a soul for Christ, but you have also shown that person how to relate with others who may be in need someday.
As we all in this period endeavour to repent of our sin, renew our faith and prepare to celebrate joyfully the mysteries of our salvation, let us ask for the intercession of our blessed Mother Mary to help us fully understand and appreciate the true meaning of this valuable and precious aspect of our liturgy which makes our faith unique.
Stay Awake And Stand Ready
Mr Francis A. Omokhogie
To begin with, let us first of all ask ourselves what does “stay awake”, mean? It is not the natural slumber that overtakes us every night when we go to bed, nor is it siester (afternoon sleep) that is being referred to as “stay awake”. But stay awake implies living free from sin, living a life that is no longer under the dominion of sin. What is sin? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (ccc), it describes sin as an offence against God, by thought, word, deed or omission against the law of God. Furthermore, stay awake is a rebirth, a reawakening, a revival, a repentance that is integral renaissance. To crown it all, letting old things to pass away and then become a new man in Christ Jesus. This is what is referred to as stay awake and stand ready until the coming of the Son of man.
What are the vices or sins we should stay awake from? Such vices or sins include Murder, Kidnapping, Theft, Arm-robbery, Immorality, Abortion, political thuggery and intricacies, negligence of orphans, widows and handicap, untruthfulness, infidelity to God, Idolatory, gossip, hatred, Pride, dishonesty, and lots more. Let us look at Genesis 7:23. Noah was an upright man who served God faithfully and diligently. And God was so pleased with him that he and his family, eight (8) in number, were the only human survivors of that great flood that destroyed the entire world at that time. The people were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage, buy and selling in the market, Judges, Magistrates were executing judgement in the court. There were politicians that looted money and forgot the poor masses. They never knew when the great flood came and swept them away. Why? Because they spearheaded and indulged themselves in sins and atrocities that angered God the Most High.
Similar catastrophic destruction will take place in this very world we are in. Not of water again, but of fire. (2 Peter chapter 3) Let us all stay awake and stand ready in order to avert the doom that will ensue at the coming of the Son of MAN.
The consequence of not staying awake. In Genesis 19:24-26. The Lord suddenly rained burning sulphur on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them, and the whole valley, along with all the people there and everything that grew on the land. But lots wife looked back and was changed into a pillar of salt.
Reward for staying awake from sin
Lot and his two daughters escaped for safety. Let us examine Psalm 24 where a question is asked: who has the right to go up to the Lord's Hill? Who may enter His Holy temple? Verse 4 says; Those who are pure in hear and in thought, Who do not worship idols or make false promises. (Verse 5,) the Lord will bless them and save them, God will declare them innocent. (Verse 6,) such are the people who come to God, who come into the presence of the God of Jacob. Seek first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto you.
The consequences of sin: sin brings punishment, destruction and death. Acts 5:1-11 says; “Ananias and Sapphira died because they were dishonest, fraudulent and lied to God over the money they realized from the sale of their own piece of land. The whole sum of the money had to be sent to the Church. But they kept a part and sent the remaining part to Peter which resulted to their imminent death and they were instantly buried. They did not stay awake from their avariciousness and they met their doom. So it shall be when the Lord the Son of MAN shall come and did not find you awake and stand ready without faith, holiness and righteousness in you. He will say to you, “Away from Me, you evil doer. I do not know you. Go and join the faithless who are where there is weeping and grinding of teeth. (Hell fire) Matthew 25:41.
Let us therefore embrace the virtues that qualify us to stay awake and get ready for the coming of the Son of MAN. Such as faith, love, hope, generousity, humility, peace, goodness, kindness, mercy, holiness, meekness etc. You must be sacramentally pure that is, you must be baptized, be a communicant, have regular confession as a good Christian. Let us strive to be righteous because Matthew 25:34 says, “Then the king will say to the people on His right hand” come you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the foundation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you received me in your houses; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; in prison and you visited me. The righteous will then answer Him: When LORD did we ever see you hungry and fed you? Thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcomed you in our homes? Or naked and clothed you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visited you? The king will reply, I tell you; whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did this for Me.
The righteous are the people who stay awake and stand ready for the coming of the SON of MAN. Let us pray unceasingly through Mother MARY the Medriatrix of all graces for the grace to stay awake at all times because we do not know the hour when the SON of MAN is coming.
Mr Francis A. Omokhogie
To begin with, let us first of all ask ourselves what does “stay awake”, mean? It is not the natural slumber that overtakes us every night when we go to bed, nor is it siester (afternoon sleep) that is being referred to as “stay awake”. But stay awake implies living free from sin, living a life that is no longer under the dominion of sin. What is sin? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (ccc), it describes sin as an offence against God, by thought, word, deed or omission against the law of God. Furthermore, stay awake is a rebirth, a reawakening, a revival, a repentance that is integral renaissance. To crown it all, letting old things to pass away and then become a new man in Christ Jesus. This is what is referred to as stay awake and stand ready until the coming of the Son of man.
What are the vices or sins we should stay awake from? Such vices or sins include Murder, Kidnapping, Theft, Arm-robbery, Immorality, Abortion, political thuggery and intricacies, negligence of orphans, widows and handicap, untruthfulness, infidelity to God, Idolatory, gossip, hatred, Pride, dishonesty, and lots more. Let us look at Genesis 7:23. Noah was an upright man who served God faithfully and diligently. And God was so pleased with him that he and his family, eight (8) in number, were the only human survivors of that great flood that destroyed the entire world at that time. The people were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage, buy and selling in the market, Judges, Magistrates were executing judgement in the court. There were politicians that looted money and forgot the poor masses. They never knew when the great flood came and swept them away. Why? Because they spearheaded and indulged themselves in sins and atrocities that angered God the Most High.
Similar catastrophic destruction will take place in this very world we are in. Not of water again, but of fire. (2 Peter chapter 3) Let us all stay awake and stand ready in order to avert the doom that will ensue at the coming of the Son of MAN.
The consequence of not staying awake. In Genesis 19:24-26. The Lord suddenly rained burning sulphur on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them, and the whole valley, along with all the people there and everything that grew on the land. But lots wife looked back and was changed into a pillar of salt.
Reward for staying awake from sin
Lot and his two daughters escaped for safety. Let us examine Psalm 24 where a question is asked: who has the right to go up to the Lord's Hill? Who may enter His Holy temple? Verse 4 says; Those who are pure in hear and in thought, Who do not worship idols or make false promises. (Verse 5,) the Lord will bless them and save them, God will declare them innocent. (Verse 6,) such are the people who come to God, who come into the presence of the God of Jacob. Seek first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto you.
The consequences of sin: sin brings punishment, destruction and death. Acts 5:1-11 says; “Ananias and Sapphira died because they were dishonest, fraudulent and lied to God over the money they realized from the sale of their own piece of land. The whole sum of the money had to be sent to the Church. But they kept a part and sent the remaining part to Peter which resulted to their imminent death and they were instantly buried. They did not stay awake from their avariciousness and they met their doom. So it shall be when the Lord the Son of MAN shall come and did not find you awake and stand ready without faith, holiness and righteousness in you. He will say to you, “Away from Me, you evil doer. I do not know you. Go and join the faithless who are where there is weeping and grinding of teeth. (Hell fire) Matthew 25:41.
Let us therefore embrace the virtues that qualify us to stay awake and get ready for the coming of the Son of MAN. Such as faith, love, hope, generousity, humility, peace, goodness, kindness, mercy, holiness, meekness etc. You must be sacramentally pure that is, you must be baptized, be a communicant, have regular confession as a good Christian. Let us strive to be righteous because Matthew 25:34 says, “Then the king will say to the people on His right hand” come you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the foundation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you received me in your houses; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; in prison and you visited me. The righteous will then answer Him: When LORD did we ever see you hungry and fed you? Thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcomed you in our homes? Or naked and clothed you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visited you? The king will reply, I tell you; whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did this for Me.
The righteous are the people who stay awake and stand ready for the coming of the SON of MAN. Let us pray unceasingly through Mother MARY the Medriatrix of all graces for the grace to stay awake at all times because we do not know the hour when the SON of MAN is coming.
The Greatest Of These Is Mercy (Almsgiving)
Most Rev. (Dr) G. G. Dunia
God our father, in his infinite love and goodness has shown us in the scripture and through the fathers of the Church that: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are remedies for our sins particularly and sin in general (cf. conclusion to evening prayer one week three of lent in the Divine Office, Volume two and Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) number 1434).
These three religious practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, amongst many and various others, express interior penance of the Christian. By interior penance we mean the spiritual change of heart which enables the sinner to turn away from sin and further urges him to return to God whole-heartedly.
Penance as a virtue, that is, a good Habit of the intellect or will, enables the human beings to acknowledge their sins with true contrition and a firm purpose of amendment. It generates and establishes an unreserved confidence in God for his mercy and forgiveness which confidence is traditionally fundamental to the Christian virtue of penance.
According to Saint Peter Chrysologus the three religious practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as forms of penance, are a unit. The reason is that they give life to one another. Hence, fasting gives soul to prayer, while mercy (almsgiving) gives life to fasting. On this understanding no one should tear them apart in as much as they are inseparable. In order to achieve a qualitatively acceptable penance a person must possess these three forms of penance simultaneously, otherwise if a person possesses only one of them, or fails to possess all the three simultaneously, he possesses nothing, at all.
To possess true penance, he who prays must also fast; he who fasts must also give (show mercy) alms.
The inseparable or unit necessity of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is comparable to the conditions necessary for the germination of the seed: warmth, air and water. Prayer is comparable to warmth (warm soil), fasting is comparable to air; almsgiving (mercy) is comparable to water. All three are necessary for the germination of penance. Fasting like air makes warmth (prayer) healthy, while almsgiving (mercy) like water, gives wetness to fasting from which true penance (life) results (germinates). Even though all the three forms of penance are equally necessary, without almsgiving (mercy) after all said and done: warmth (prayer) and air (fasting) that are already put in place suffer dryness and drought respectively, consequent upon which there will be no germination, no life. In this understanding, it can be said that the greatest of these three is MERCY, which is almsgiving. Hence, Cervantes holds that: “among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliancy than justice”. In fact, “mercy is the fulfilment of justice, not its abolition” (St. Thomas Aquinas). “Mercy is a greater thing than right” (Chaucer). “Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan” (St. John Chrysostom).
So, let everyone pray with humility for the humble man's prayer pieces the skies. (cf. Ps 34:6). Fast if you are neither below nor above the ages and conditions of fasting. Give alms from all you genuinely possesses, because giving inordinately whereby injustice is done to others, such as wife, children, dependent parents is a violation of mercy.
We are to give alms according to our means. “If thou have much, give abundantly, if thou have little, take care…willingly to bestow a little” (Tob. 4:9).
In any case, mercy can always overuled, hence, the greatest of these is mercy (almsgiving).
Most Rev. (Dr) G. G. Dunia
God our father, in his infinite love and goodness has shown us in the scripture and through the fathers of the Church that: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are remedies for our sins particularly and sin in general (cf. conclusion to evening prayer one week three of lent in the Divine Office, Volume two and Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) number 1434).
These three religious practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, amongst many and various others, express interior penance of the Christian. By interior penance we mean the spiritual change of heart which enables the sinner to turn away from sin and further urges him to return to God whole-heartedly.
Penance as a virtue, that is, a good Habit of the intellect or will, enables the human beings to acknowledge their sins with true contrition and a firm purpose of amendment. It generates and establishes an unreserved confidence in God for his mercy and forgiveness which confidence is traditionally fundamental to the Christian virtue of penance.
According to Saint Peter Chrysologus the three religious practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as forms of penance, are a unit. The reason is that they give life to one another. Hence, fasting gives soul to prayer, while mercy (almsgiving) gives life to fasting. On this understanding no one should tear them apart in as much as they are inseparable. In order to achieve a qualitatively acceptable penance a person must possess these three forms of penance simultaneously, otherwise if a person possesses only one of them, or fails to possess all the three simultaneously, he possesses nothing, at all.
To possess true penance, he who prays must also fast; he who fasts must also give (show mercy) alms.
The inseparable or unit necessity of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is comparable to the conditions necessary for the germination of the seed: warmth, air and water. Prayer is comparable to warmth (warm soil), fasting is comparable to air; almsgiving (mercy) is comparable to water. All three are necessary for the germination of penance. Fasting like air makes warmth (prayer) healthy, while almsgiving (mercy) like water, gives wetness to fasting from which true penance (life) results (germinates). Even though all the three forms of penance are equally necessary, without almsgiving (mercy) after all said and done: warmth (prayer) and air (fasting) that are already put in place suffer dryness and drought respectively, consequent upon which there will be no germination, no life. In this understanding, it can be said that the greatest of these three is MERCY, which is almsgiving. Hence, Cervantes holds that: “among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliancy than justice”. In fact, “mercy is the fulfilment of justice, not its abolition” (St. Thomas Aquinas). “Mercy is a greater thing than right” (Chaucer). “Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan” (St. John Chrysostom).
So, let everyone pray with humility for the humble man's prayer pieces the skies. (cf. Ps 34:6). Fast if you are neither below nor above the ages and conditions of fasting. Give alms from all you genuinely possesses, because giving inordinately whereby injustice is done to others, such as wife, children, dependent parents is a violation of mercy.
We are to give alms according to our means. “If thou have much, give abundantly, if thou have little, take care…willingly to bestow a little” (Tob. 4:9).
In any case, mercy can always overuled, hence, the greatest of these is mercy (almsgiving).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)