Opinion
ENTERING St. Pio Catholic Church today, I reflected on the gift of Catholicism, thanking God for its role as both a mother and teacher, guiding humanity through millennia of ministration, consoling their bereavement, offering them the graces of the sacrament as instituted by Christ, the catharsis of the confessional, and the stability of a long-established creed. The parish church, exemplified by St. Pio, serves as a collective home, knitting individuals into a community, standing as a testament to the unity of God’s people. Life within its walls is adorned with sacred art, while religious music pours its mollifying harmony into the soul of the people.
My contemplation was interrupted by Fr.’s entrance to start the mass. Initially, he struck me as a thoughtful rebel, reminiscent of the great educationist, Fr. Augustine Oburota, in both physique and demeanor: with eyes are pinholes, a whimsical yet not entirely serious countenance, and a neatly trimmed beard. His diction, coupled with his appearance, lent him a magnetic personality.
Fr.’s sermon reflected orthodox beliefs, conveyed not only through his appearance but also through his authoritative presence and assurances of control. He began by explaining that every first Sunday of Lent, the readings focus on the temptation of Christ, with the year determining the gospel, citing Mark’s Gospel for year B. Mark is noted for its brevity, vividness, and emphasis on action. Thus, “Mark,” Fr. says, “tells us that Jesus was tempted without details as in other Gospels.” Throughout, he demonstrated his expertise as a Catholic priest, extracting messages from the readings tailored to the Lenten period.
As Father explained, in the wilderness of life we face all sorts of tribulations. We face difficulties in our vocations, as husbands and wives, in our places of work, schools – everywhere but that we should not allow those challenges to conquer us and that as long as we remember that the Angels ministered to Jesus in the wilderness, we shall know that God will not abandon us, even when surrounded by wild beasts of the wilderness.
Father delved into the significance of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, paralleling it with biblical events that took 40 days or years such as the flood, the Israelites’ wanderings, Moses’ time on Mt. Sinai, and Elijah’s journey to meet God on Mt. Horeb (Both mountains are theologically and geographical considered as one and the same- Sinai and Horeb.) He emphasized that Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, provides 40 days to draw closer to God through reflection, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and spiritual discipline.
Fr. highlighted the prevailing zealotry among Christians, citing instances of misuse of the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, where some individuals sleep or wander aimlessly while murmuring incomprehensible words. It was during this discourse that Fr. Gabriel’s reputation was cemented, as he pledged to remove anyone found engaging in such behaviour. This underscores Fr. Gabriel’s commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the chapel, which is intended for quiet prayer, with due consideration for fellow worshippers. This incident brought to mind Thomas à Kempis’ “The Imitation of Christ,” particularly Chapter Two of Book One, titled “On the Life of Solitude and Silence.” In our seminary days, we also delved into works such as the “Lives of the Saints,” read over lunch and dinner. Those inclined to express their spirituality through violence of conduct like fearful contorting of the members have ample space elsewhere on church grounds, leaving the chapel—a sanctuary for silent communion with God—undisturbed.
Despite Fr.’s compelling sermon over which I will score him an A, which reminds priests the importance of preparing for sermons as if for major examinations, I disagreed with his decision to disclose the presence of CCTV cameras to deter theft in the church. In my view, such disclosure may prompt thieves to devise ways to evade detection, leaving their punishment to the all-seeing God at the last judgment.
18th February, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: lagos St. Pio Parish Surulere
