Opinion
By Val Obienyem
WHENEVER I have events to represent Mr. Peter Obi, I make it a point to attend the 5:30 am mass at St. Joseph the Worker. Today was no exception, and the spiritual experience led by Fr. Kelvin Ezeokeke left a positive impact on me. His guidance and words of wisdom during the mass truly uplifted my spirits and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
During the homily, Fr. Ezeokeke began by informing the congregation that the Feast of the Transfiguration is traditionally celebrated on the 6th of August. He proceeded to explain the significance of this feast in Christendom and touched upon the existence of two distinct rites within the Catholic Church – the Eastern (Orthodox) and the Western (Latin) rites.
While acknowledging that both rites observe some major feasts on different dates, Fr. Ezeokeke emphasized the special aspect of the Feast of the Transfiguration. He highlighted that this particular feast is celebrated on the same day by both the Eastern and Western Churches, despite their use of different calendars (Gregorian and Julian). This shared observance underscores its universal importance and serves as a unifying factor between the two rites.
As he spoke, memories of my encounters with Fr. Hilary Ekwenibe came rushing back, and I hope you’ll allow this little digression. In my earlier days as a seminarian, I had the opportunity to be taught by Fr. Hilary Ekwenibe during his one-year apostolic assignment. Fresh from the challenging study of Philosophy, most senior seminarians still carried a fervent enthusiasm for displaying their newfound scholastic knowledge. Our Auxiliary at that time, Mr. Hilary Ekwenibe (now a priest), took the chance to immerse us in advanced Church history, which felt like an intellectual challenge. It proved to be beneficial because at such an impressionable age, much of what we learned left a lasting impression in our minds.
It was through Fr. Hilary Ekwenibe’s teachings that I first learned about the early division in Christendom, led by figures like Patriarch Photius of Constantinople, and how this division escalated to its boiling point in 1054. Prior to that pivotal moment, the Christian Church stood united as one Catholic Church. However, over time, minor theological differences began to emerge, accompanied by cultural, political, and linguistic disparities, causing them to drift apart.
The decisive separation occurred in 1054 when Pope Leo IX excommunicated Patriarch Michael Cerularius, who, in return, excommunicated him. This exchange of mutual excommunications marked the formal schism between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches.
Fortunately, after centuries of division, the Catholic Church took a significant step towards healing the rift. In 1964, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I lifted the ancient excommunications, symbolizing a gesture of reconciliation and opening the door to renewed dialogue between the two rites.
Fr. Ekwenibe had a favorite expression: “Nma Ekwu be onye Ubiam, nke di nko enwe isi, nke nwe isi adi nko,” which he would use to emphasize how some of us are bundles of disappointment. When he wanted to impress it on one that a particular task must be accomplished, it was not beyond him to playfully stretch out his hand and say, “kuru,” as if to drive home the message.
I recall that he attended Bigard, Ikot Ekpene, because as the choir master, he taught the main choir “ Obong Tuanyi Mbom” which they sang at one of the feasts with cheeks bursting with pride.
During today’s mass, Fr. provided us with some insightful details, many of which were new to most of us. One such detail was the height of Mount Tabor, the site of the transfiguration. As always, he skillfully related it to our spiritual journey, emphasizing that the transfiguration exemplified the divine nature of Christ.
Fr. then delved into the moment when Peter was overwhelmed by awe and proposed building three tents. He drew our attention to the fact that Peter’s experience only allowed him a glimpse of what paradise truly entailed. This led Fr. to encourage us to imagine the complete and glorious view of paradise, setting it as our ultimate goal.
With profound sincerity, Fr. expressed his own desire to witness this full view at the end of his earthly life, and he passionately urged all of us to strive for the same goal. Subsequently, he elaborated on the steps we need to take to attain this beatific vision, guiding us on the path towards the ultimate fulfillment of our spiritual journey.
I found great delight in the insightful explanation Father gave about the East and West divisions and the geographical context of Mount Tabor. It reaffirmed my belief that priests, with their expert training, can operate on higher frequencies, guiding us in our understanding of the Church. I have always believed that attending mass is an opportunity to learn something new about the Church, and today, Fr. Ezeokeke fulfilled that expectation by expanding our knowledge without compromising the spiritual depth of his sermon. His teachings added to our understanding while enriching our spiritual experience during the mass.
A.
– Aug. 06, 2023 @ 19:02 GMT |
Tags: Fr. Hilary Ekwenibe Fr. Kelvin Ezeokeke Mr. Hilary Ekwenibe Mr. Peter Obi Val Obienyem
