Light for the Living

LIGHT FOR THE LIVING THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER – YEAR A (Acts 2:14, 22–33; 1 Peter 1:17–21; Luke 24:13–35) My beloved in Christ, In a lively community in Ikwuano, Abia State , there once lived two close friends— Okoro and Kelechi . These two were known for one thing: whenever there was trouble, they would abandon the village square discussion halfway and continue arguing on the road. One market day, after a heated village meeting, they left angrily, grumbling as they walked home. “This village is finished!” Okoro said. “Nothing good can come out of that meeting,” Kelechi added. As they walked, an elderly stranger joined them quietly and asked, “My sons, what is making your faces look like people who swallowed bitter leaf without soup?” They began to narrate everything—how their expectations were shattered, how nothing made sense anymore. The old man listened patiently. Then he began to explain things to them in a way they had never heard before. He connected events, reminded them of f...

LIGHT FOR THE LIVING SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER – YEAR A (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY) (Acts 2:42–47; 1 Peter 1:3–9; John 20:19–31) My beloved in Christ, In a peaceful community in Ngor Okpala, Imo State , there once lived a young man called Ifeanyi , well known for his stubbornness and occasional trouble-making. One day, he offended the entire kindred by taking what did not belong to him. When the elders confronted him, fear gripped him, and he ran away from the village. Days turned into weeks. Ifeanyi hid in a nearby farm settlement, restless and afraid. He wanted to return home, but shame held him captive. Each time he thought of facing the elders, his heart would beat like egwu drum in a festival. One evening, an elderly man from the village, Pa Nnanna , went in search of him. When he found Ifeanyi, he did not shout. He did not condemn. He simply said, “My son, why are you punishing yourself when the elders are waiting to forgive you?” Ifeanyi was shocked. “Forgive me? After what I did?” Pa...