Light for the Living

  LIGHT FOR THE LIVING FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A (Genesis 2:7–9; 3:1–7; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11) My beloved in Christ, In a lakeside community in Oguta LGA of Imo State , there once lived a fisherman called Nwokoma . Nwokoma loved roasted fish—especially the ones he did not catch. Whenever his neighbour’s fish smoked sweetly over the fire, he would mysteriously develop “friendship visits.” One evening, as his neighbour’s wife stepped away briefly, Nwokoma looked at the golden fish on the tray. He whispered to himself, “Just one piece. After all, we are all one community.” His hand stretched forward. His stomach agreed. His conscience protested. His eyes admired. His mouth watered. Just as he touched the fish, the woman returned and shouted, “Nwokoma! Is your house on fire?” Embarrassed, he replied, “No… I was only testing whether it was properly cooked.” The whole village laughed for weeks. An elder later told him gently, “My son, temptation alway...

  LIGHT FOR THE LIVING SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A (Sirach 15:15–20; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10; Matthew 5:17–37) My beloved in Christ, In Umuezegwu community in Imo State , there once lived a palm wine tapper called Okenna . Okenna had one weakness—he never liked to decide quickly. If two paths led to the farm, he would stand in the middle scratching his head until the sun rose high. One day, while going to tap palm wine, he reached a junction. One path was clear and smooth; the other was bushy but shorter. Villagers warned him, “Okenna, choose wisely!” Instead of deciding, he stood there arguing with himself until goats began passing him. Finally, in frustration, he said, “Let my legs choose.” He stepped carelessly into the bushy path, slipped into a muddy ditch, and returned home covered in shame—and mud. The elders laughed and said, “A man who refuses to choose has already chosen.”   Freedom to Choose That village lesson mirrors today’s First ...

 LIGHT FOR THE LIVING FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A (Isaiah 58:7–10; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Matthew 5:13–16) My beloved in Christ, In a small rural community in Abia State, there lived a woman popularly known as Mama Nnu. She sold food in the market and was famous for one thing—she cooked without salt. When customers complained, she would reply confidently, “Salt is expensive; hunger is not.” One afternoon, a visitor tasted her soup, dropped the spoon, and exclaimed, “Madam, this soup needs baptism—water and salt!” The entire market burst into laughter. From that day, Mama Nnu learned a painful but useful lesson: food without salt is visible, but not useful. Salt That Loses Its Taste Jesus uses that same common-sense wisdom in today’s Gospel: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?” (Matthew 5:13) Salt does not shout; it works quietly. Yet without it, food becomes tasteless. In the same way, Christians are not called to make...

 LIGHT FOR THE LIVING FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12–13; 1 Corinthians 1:26–31; Matthew 5:1–12a) My beloved in Christ, In a rural community in Abia State, there lived a man popularly known as Pa Maduabuchi. Pa Maduabuchi was not the richest man in the village, but he behaved as if the village existed because of him. Anytime he donated even one bucket of garri, he would cough three times and announce loudly, “Let it be recorded that I have helped!” One day, the village well collapsed, and everyone contributed according to ability. Pa Maduabuchi brought the smallest amount but insisted his name should be written first on the list. When the village children laughed, the eldest man replied calmly, “My son, water does not ask who dug the well before it quenches thirst.” Everyone laughed—including Pa Maduabuchi, though he did not fully understand the lesson. God’s Choice of the Lowly That village proverb speaks directly to today’s First Reading. The prophet ...