My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, my junior ones, my elder ones, my beloved Awunka’a/ BO-BE-NKA’A, greetings to you all. Hope each and every one of you is doing good in your various places. I just want to say, I still have you all dearly in my heart and I have been thinking, reflecting, and looking up to God for inspiration on how to push forward our beloved Process, the BO-BE-NKA’A Process that we enjoyed and cherished some years back. Come to think of it, we have gone a long way in age and in some way in the BO-BE-NKA’A Process. It is true that many of us were members of this wonderful Process and then dropped out at one point or the other because of further education or other commitments.

As the days are passing I keep seeing the fruits of the great impact this group imprinted in my life and I can hear the cry of many who also had the opportunity of passing through the BO-BE-NKA’A Process from Awunka’a s up to a certain stage. Remember our motto” BO-BE-NKA’A, Nwa’a Adi’i Ntseme” (Children of the Light, shine everywhere). With this in mind, I think it is our duty and will be our joy to see that light of ours that we received on our BO-BE-NKA’A Basic Promise Day, shine continuously, no matter how we are and where we are at the present. That is why I say, I’ll like us to think together, re-visit our most cherished BO-BE-NKA’A Process together, share together and continue to grow together by the grace of God.

Remember “Our hearts are restless until they rest in the Lord.” (St Augustine of Hippo) A good Christian Life continues to seek the face of God, continues to pray unceasingly, Continues as a branch to unite with Jesus the Vine, and to be with him always, bearing fruits, so long as we live.

Our Founder, Fr. Juan Yzuel, in his inspired mind had the vision of BO-BE-NKA’A Process quite clear in mind as he stratified it into five stages; AWUNKA’A, NGWE, NSANG, NIKONG and ABI. Looking back on how far we went, we can say many of us passed through these stages even up to the Nsang or Nikong stages, though the few who were to form the Nikong stage were barely introduced to it. At present, Since many of us have advanced in life and are scattered all over the world, I think it would be good for us to form the ABI stage online and continue the Process from somewhere, maybe firstly by reviewing our past formation and then get into what was suppose to be formation at the ABI stage. Our Founder did put up some guidelines on the ABI stage of the Process. He picked as a symbol for the “ABI” stage, “House and Compound.” Spirituality; “The world of the warriors and defenders“. The Pedagogy or content of this stage to be centered on ten Spirits or themes that follow the works of “Mercy and ones function in Church Ministries.” Entrance to this stage was to be acknowledged by a “Basic Promise or ABI Initiation.” He presented the guidelines as follows: Stage 5: ABI – Compound, House

• Symbols: house and compound
• Spirituality: the world of the warriors and defenders.
• Pedagogical way: Nine Spirits which follow the works of Mercy and introduction to ministries.
• Initiation: Basic promise, Abi initiation
• Age: Youth II; 19 – 25 years
• Duration: 1- 2 years

As I’ve mentioned earlier, for us to get to know what the guidelines or formation of this stage 5 actually mean to us, I think we should begin firstly by reviewing the past, beginning however from the AWUNKA’A stage, through to the NIKONG stage before embracing all that is about the ABI stage. we can pick one formation topic a week or so and share it. By this, we continue to grow together. For example, the Awunka’a stage had the following guidelines.

• Symbols of this stage: the bag or the basket
• Spirituality: the world of the disciple, the apprentice.
• Pedagogical way: Five steps: (Self, group, Jesus, life, Bo-Be-Nka’a), Basic review of Christian life
• Initiation: Initiation Sacraments, Group Life
• Age: Children; 11 – 16 years
• Duration: 2 years

To review or refresh ourselves on this stage we will focus on the third point, “Pedagogical way: Five steps: (Self, group, Jesus, life, Bo-Be-Nka’a).” We calve out topics from this formation theme and treat once a week or longer depending on the topic.

This is my view or dream or goal of what I think we can do now. If you are with me, then, we can begin by sharing a topic once a week, beginning every Monday. Thanks for understanding. Questions and contributions are welcomed.

A REVIEW OF THE BO-BE-NKA’A STAGES

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, warm greetings to all. Today is Monday, and here comes our first topic of review. We will start by refreshing our minds with the definition of the AWUNKA Stage, and its guidelines, and then proceed with our review on this stage.

Stage 1: AWUNKA 

DEFINITION

“Awunka” in Nkwen language means; “Candidate,” “Apprentice,” or “Aspirant.” It is the first step of the BO-BE-NkA’A Process through which the candidates or Awunka are initiated into the BO-BE-NKA’A (BBN) spirituality and lifestyle. At this stage, the children prepare themselves to make the Basic Promise and to become full members of the BO-BE-NKA’A (BBN) Process.

The following guidelines give an overview of this stage:

Stage 1: AWUNKA (Apprentice, Aspirant, Candidate)

• Symbols of this stage: the bag or the basket
• Spirituality: the world of the disciple, the apprentice.
• Pedagogical way: Five steps: (Self, group, Jesus, life, Bo-Be-Nka’a). Basic review of Christian life
• Initiation: Initiation Sacraments, Group Life
• Age: Children; 11 – 16 years
• Duration: 2 years

Our review on this stage will be focused on the Pedagogical way, which is in five steps: Self, group, Jesus, life, Bo-Be-Nka’a. So we shall calve out formation topics from each of these, beginning with “Self.”

Stage 1 Topic 1: SELF

Points for reflection and sharing

1. The good old days in the Awunka’a and BO-BE-NKA” A Process as a whole, and its impact on me as an individual.
2. Tribute to our fallen ones.
3. The many ways God has blessed me as a Moo Nka’a (Child of the Light) so far. (Counting your blessings)
4. Acknowledge moments of difficulties, trials, and temptations I have passed through so far and trying to see God’s hand in them.
5. Try to answer this question again; “In this present moment, Who am I?”
6. Moments of Repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and Prayers, marking the end of the review on the theme, SELF.

The above points will be shared and interacted on in five weeks or more depending on the content. Point 5 alone can give us two or three sessions to be treated for two or three weeks.

For this first week, our topic will be on point one above “The good old days in the Awunka’a and BO-BE-NKA” A Process as a whole, and its impact on me as an individual.”

Topic 1 SELF: Session 1: The good old days in the Awunka’a and BO-BE-NKA” A Process as a whole, and its impact on me as an individual.

Within this first week, let us reflect and share on the impact Awunka’a, and BO-BE-NKA’A as a whole has on us individually. When we created this Facebook group, we brought up and shared some good memories. Let’s pick up from there. We can share personal experiences and pictures if available.

Points to note

• Bear in mind that Jesus still loves you personally. He wants to be your personal friend always, and nothing can separate you from his love.
• If you have a personal prayer time and place already, fine, if not, do well to schedule one and endeavor to have 20, 30 or more minutes of daily Prayer or encounter with God. At this time, recite our weekly Prayer (as stated below) and add your individual Prayer. Remember “Prayer is the key.” . Each week will have a different prayer.
• Consider the necessity of pleasant language when sharing and interacting, for as brothers and sisters in Christ; the BO-BE-NKA’A (Children of the light) who we are; it is our duty to be Christlike and fraternal towards one another like our friend and Master, Jesus Christ himself.

Daily Prayer for the week

God our loving Father, we praise, worship, and glorify your holy name. It is your will that we still are alive to experience your love to this day and forward. We surrender this initiative into your hands. Help us to renew our love for you by the same power of your great love for us. Jesus, our Lord, and best friend be with us at this moment that we want to refocus on your friendship and love for us in a special way. Holy Spirit, our helper, inspires each one of us and unites us more and more with the Father and the Son. We pray through Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Add your personal intention)

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… a decade (10) of “Thank you, Jesus,” Glory be…

Sharing

My memories

• As I reflect and look back on my days in the Awunka’a and Bo-Be-Nka’a Process as a whole, I feel joy flowing like a river in my soul. When I recall the activities of the Beli group, the formation we had, and how sincere and committed we were, I’m so so marveled because it continues to give me firm support in my spiritual life today. As Beli, we went through the formation topics ourselves before going out to present them to the youths, which entails we were supposed to be the first Children of the Light ourselves bearing the light to others. of course, you cannot give what you don’t have. This was a beautiful experience that left a deep mark on me.
• I feel so happy now, When I think of how I worked with innocent young people who loved and trusted me so dearly and depended on me for clarification of their doubts and answers to their many questions as they seek to discover their self-identity. When I see some of them now, like you in this group, in Religious and Formation houses, Married and singles, who are still longing and seeking the face of God, oh, I feel so proud of my God for rewarding me this much.
• If I’ll always want to spend time with Jesus before the blessed sacrament now, it is because of motivation coming from the spiritual activities we had then. The Nkungse, Big games, end of Spirit retreats and recollection and pilgrimages; where we will go on solitude and meet Jesus one on one. The adoration moments when I shared with the Awunka’a/Bo-Be-Nka’a in my group, so openly in front of Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, were wonderful ones and had long-lasting effects on me.
• Dear friends, there is just too much to share. I can go on and on. As we journey together, we’ll continue to share.

Now the floor is open. You are free to commend what I have shared, share your experience, and ask questions. Do it at your own time; our sharing continues until next Monday when we move to the next topic (Point 2 above). If you feel to meditate silently without putting up something here for others to share, feel free, but it is always good to be open to sharing with others, so we grow together.

Topic 1 SELF: Session 2: Tribute to our fallen ones.

This week we want to honor our late brothers and sisters, who were once part of us and who had gone before we marked with the sign of faith. We remember late Cyprian, Sister Ben, Edwin, Jude, and others. If it were our wish, we would have loved them still be here with us, but it was all the will and plan of God. It could have been you or me, but that wasn’t God’s plan for us. We believe they are now in heaven, in their rooms, enjoying the heavenly feast with our Lord and best friend Jesus Christ as He promised, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2. As we pray this week for their souls, we should also believe that they are interceding for us, and we are united in our Lord Jesus, for not even death can separate us from Him.

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: Rom. 8:35-39

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[a]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus, our Lord, and Savior, you are the resurrection and the Life. By your cross and resurrection, you set us free. You are the Savior of the world and our special friend. You know us by our names and have a perfect plan for each one of us, always for our good. This week we ask you to bless the souls of your beloved children and friends whom we believe are with you in heaven because nothing even death can separate us from you. They were once our friends whom we journeyed with, we loved them, but you loved them better because they are so dear to you too. May you continue to bless their souls and bless us, too, as we continue this earthly pilgrimage. (Add your personal intention)

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… a decade (10) of “Eternal rest grant onto them o lord…..” Glory be…

There is this song that I sang in Mass with a choir group I’ve joined here, and the lyrics so touched me. It talks of the second coming of Jesus and how we shall all be reunited one day. Let’s honor our late friends as we listen and pray with this song, hoping we shall be reunited in our Lord Jesus Christ one day. 

I hear the sound, of a mighty rushing wind.
And its closer now, than it’s ever been.
I can almost hear the trumpet, as Gabriel sounds the call.
At the midnight cry, we’ll be going home.
Ref: When Jesus, steps out, on the cloud to call his children.
The dead in Christ shall rise, to meet Him in the air,
And then those that remain, shall be quickly changed.
At the midnight cry, when Jesus comes again.

I look around me. I see prophecies fulfilled.
And the signs of the time, they’re appearing everywhere.
I can almost hear the Father, as he says, “Son, get your children.”
And at the midnight cry, the bride of Christ will rise.”
We shall arise.. Ref:

https://youtu.be/BAiej0h71Iw

This coming Sunday, Sept. 6th, 2020, a Mass will be said for the souls of our friends to complete session 2 of our review.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily prayer for the week and add your personal intentions. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do.

Topic1 SELF: Session 3: The many ways God has blessed me as a Moo Nka’a (Child of the Light) so far. (Counting your blessings)

Having paid homage to our late friends in the past week, I wish to appreciate all of us who did it sincerely. During this new week, which is the 3rd; of our review on SELF, let us individually reflect and thank God for His many blessings upon each one of us since we knew Him as Bo-Be-Nka’a. Let’s now focus only on blessings, from the least to the greatest, and on God’s love for you. This is a great moment to thank God for your life. Most of the time, we tend to focus only on our difficulties, failures and are blind to see the many blessings or achievements we’ve got. I have this experience to share.

On my first day in school at one of the Leprosy camps of Big Mbingo, where recovered Leapers are settled, I met with children of Lepers for the first time. During morning assembly, they sang this song that changed my life.

I was crying when I have no shoes.

I saw someone without legs.

I started asking why should I be crying,

The Lord has given me joy in my heart.

Behold, looking at these children, I saw that many of them were still moving bear footed to school. They had no shoes actually. These handsome and beautiful kids were so contented with their state of life, so joyful and cherished their moving bear footed than having no legs. Living with their parents, some of who had no legs and hands, these children understood clearly what they were singing and how it was a big blessing for them. They made me realize that moving on bare feet is far more a blessing than having no legs, which means counting my blessings doesn’t mean I have to focus only on great things but the little things that make me happy. Many don’t have what we have. Just being alive to see many of you, whom I helped in the BO-BE-NKA’A Process, in schools, still bearing the fear of God in you, is a wonderful blessing to me. The greatest of my blessings as a Moo Nka’a is that I am still a happy Christian despite all oughts. I read this from one book;

“But how do I learn to be thankful?
The answer is simple:
developing a historical memory
of everything that is part
of the best that I am today”

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: Psalm 138: 1-3

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; in the presence of the angels to you I sing. I bow low toward your holy temple;I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness.

For you have exalted over all your name and your promise. On the day I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, my friend, and Master, how can I repay you for your goodness to me. You have been my special friend and shepherd from the day I pronounced my BO-BE-NKA’A Promise till today. Even in those moments, I thought you were not there, you were, without my knowledge, directing and strengthening, for your love and know me through and through. Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings upon me. (Add your personal intention)

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… a decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, you are so good to me”, Glory be…

Sharing

Now the floor is open. You are free to commend what I have shared, share your experience, and ask questions. Do it at your own time; our sharing continues until next Monday when we move to the next session, (Topic one session 4). If you feel to meditate silently without putting up something here for others to share, feel free, but it is always good to be open to sharing with others, so we grow together.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily prayer for the week and add your personal intentions. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do.

Topic 1: Session 4: Acknowledge moments of difficulties, trials, and temptations I have passed through so far and try to see the hand of God in them.

We are all welcome to the fourth session of our review on SELF. Having acknowledged our blessings last week, we cannot pretend this week to say that since our days of Awunka’a up till now, we have not experienced moments of difficulties, trials, failures, and temptations. You might have experienced situations like poverty due to unemployment, sickness, broken relationships, difficult relationships or marriages, injustice, immoralities, frustrations, persecutions or betrayals, and what have you. Such situations may have broken your heart or brought complications in your life in some ways. Let’s take time this week to reflect on such moments and when they surface, remember, God our loving Father was always there. He says, “I have made you, and I will carry you;” (Is 46: 4)

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: Is 46 : 3-4

“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,
    all the remnant of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
    and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

God, our Loving Father, you have been by our side from the time you created us in our mothers’ womb. You promised to be with us always, to sustain, rescue, and carry us all through our lives. You will never abandon us for you have good plans to prosper us. Father in you, we will not fear, for you are always there in times of difficulties. You are our refuge and stronghold in times of trial and persecution. Do not allow us to go out of your presence due to trials and hardships, but live with you all the days of our lives. (Add your personal intention) We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, I surrender to you”, Glory be…

God’s promises for us are numerous, and He will never fail us. He says,

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Iss 41:10

Maybe you have passed through difficulties and fallen into obstacles placed on your way, but not harmed, as you are still living anyway. Yes, God will not allow evil to harm his child.

 “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

2Tim 4 :18

Were you betrayed by someone close to you? He was betrayed by one of his disciples, who walked, eat, and even slept with him, to the point that he was crucified.

 “While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,  but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Lk,. 22:47-48

Have you discovered, and are afraid you have gone way too immoral? Are you carrying a heavy load? Are you bearing a secret they have promised you that you will die if you ever say it? Remember, nothing can separate you from the love of God. His hands are always outstretched, waiting for you. So, going confidently before God’s throne will enable you to find grace and a way out of your situation.

“Cast all your burdens on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Heb 4 : 16

Have you failed again and again and are frustrated or about to despair? Seek His advice.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32 : 8

Aristotle said that:
“A life not reflected
is not worth living. “

Self-reflection leads me
to self-knowledge.
This process begins
with an act of humility.”

So, this week, my brothers and sisters, in humility and sincerity, let us reflect on the difficulties, failures, disappointments, trials, persecutions, betrayals we have passed through and present them all to our Lord and friend Jesus. He is always there to take us back as His wounded sheep and heal us. God has written your name in the palms of his hands. He will never abandon you. He has plans for everyone, plans to prosper you, and never to destroy you. If you open up and let Him work, he will make a masterpiece of your life.

Sharing

There are moments when I look back and see the difficulties I’ve encountered in life, the only thing I could do is to find a time and meet Jesus one to one in Adoration chapel or during my personal prayer time, in front of his picture or crucifix, and pour my heart to him as I am. I explain in detail what happened or is happening. If there are moments I think I was wrong, I tell Him I’m sorry and beg for forgiveness, and if there are persons I need to forgive, I asked for the grace to forgive them. If there are questions to ask, I ask. For those beyond my comprehension, I merely tell Him, Lord, I surrender to you, you know all. I believe, trust, and hope in your promises. After such an encounter, I come out refreshed and stronger.

Now the floor is open. You are free to comment on what I have shared, share your experience, and ask questions. Do it at your own time; our sharing continues up till next Monday when we move to the next session, (Topic 1 SELF Session 5). If you feel to meditate silently without putting up something here for others to share, feel free, but it is always good to be open to sharing with others, so we grow together.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily prayer for the week and add your personal intentions. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do. Above all be ready to let go and forgive.

God loves you and is very close to you listen to this song.

https://youtu.be/hhw6cXRM6o4

Topic 1 SELF Session 5: Try to answer this question again, “In this present moment of my life, Who am I?”

Warm greetings once more dear friends. Congratulations on your efforts over the past week. I’m happy you did your best.

After taking a flashback and reflecting on your life for the past three weeks, bringing to light your good moments and difficult moments, how do you see yourself now? Who are you? A friend of Jesus? A lost Christian? A despaired Judas who has given up. A courageous Peter who will want to start it all over again? A doubtful Thomas who now believes that indeed Jesus is still alive and still a true friend? A Good Thief asking Jesus to remember you? A possessed one who is saying to Jesus, I know who you are, don’t destroy me but deliver me? Who are you? Dear friends, no matter what the answer is, do not be afraid. The good news is that we can always fix our life in Christ, no matter how crooked we have been. Remember, Heb. 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

So, dear friends, let us take time this week to reflect more and sincerely on who we are and check the physical, spiritual, Social, Emotional, and economic dimensions of your life to know more about yourself and your self-dignity.

Daily Prayer for the week.

Scripture Reading: Gen 1: 27, 31

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

Prayer

God, our heavenly Father, you created us, males and females, in your own image and saw that we are very good. No matter how we are, we are very good in your eyes. We are the apple of your eyes. We are your princes and princesses. Father, we offer you our weaknesses, trials, and temptations, and plead that you help us rediscover our self-dignity as creatures after your own image, who should resemble you. Send us your Holy Spirit to help us genuinely realize our self-dignity and that our bodies are temples where you should dwell. (Add your personal intention) We ask this through Christ, our Lord Amen. 

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Father, I know you love me.”, Glory be…

Reflection

Self-identity can be a life-long process; people can change the way they think about themselves when they experience physical changes in life. Changes that may be good or bad, like starting a new job, becoming a parent, married or single life, a broken relationship, loss of loved ones or property, sickness, and suffering. All of these can play a lot on our self-worth.

Socially, we can identify with lots of different groups, like gender, race, nationality, or political party but our personal identity is a cohesive sense of self. You develop your self-identity in two ways; a) Exploration; which involves trying out different roles, and asking many questions to the right people. b) Commitment to a good group, and practice good behaviors.

Some time back, as Awunka’a we had worked so hard to develop our self-identity. As time passed, maybe we have found ourselves in some of the situations listed above, which have affected our self-dignity in one way or the other. This week, let us take the challenge, commit ourselves to overcome traits, and rebuild our self-identity and dignity.

We should know that we are valuable for who we are, not what we do. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing money, status, and popularity—especially when these things are highly valued by those around us and by society in general—but make an effort to take a step back and think about what truly matters when determining people’s worth: their kindness, compassion, empathy, respect for others, and how well they treat those around them.

“When you learn to love yourself, you become better able to love someone else. People with high self-respect tend to have more satisfying, loving, and stable relationships than those who do not, precisely because they know that they need to first find their worth, esteem, and happiness within themselves.” (Grande, 2018). This means we cannot anchor our self-worth to someone or something else like to our job or wealth, or partner, we have to build it within ourselves in good values. When we fail to build this inner person, the results when we find ourselves in difficulty are anger, hatred, despair, frustration, violence, revenge, and other evil acts.

As noted earlier, your job is one thing that doesn’t define you or your worth. There’s nothing wrong with being proud of what you do, finding joy or fulfillment in it, or letting it shape who you are; the danger is in letting it define your entire sense of self. You may one moment have to quit the job, take a new job, be fired, replaced, take some time off, or retire—all things that are life transitions, but that can be unnecessarily difficult if you base too much of your self-worth on them.

Sharing

When someone sees me or my photo and comments, “You are beautiful,” I will appreciate it anyway, but then silently, I ask myself, “Where, inside or outside?” These comments are always like a challenge for me to think of my self-worth and an assignment to work on my self-dignity. After much reflection, I’ve seen that it’s worthless having physical beauty with no corresponding inner beauty. I would see the need to work more on my inner beauty so as to have self-worth, for I should not be what people say I am, but who I know I am.

So, my dearest ones, let us take time this week to fix our inner person that truly defines who we are. Let’s do this by loving ourselves and others, being honest with yourself and others, always giving good reasons for what you do and how you do it, being patient, humble, caring, and kind to yourself and others.

Now the floor is open. You are free to comment, share your experience, and ask questions. Do it at your own time; our sharing continues until next Monday when we move to the next topic (Topic 1 SELF; Session 6). If you feel to meditate silently without putting up something here for others to share, feel free, but it is always good to be open to sharing with others, so we grow together.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily prayer for the week and add your personal intentions. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do. Above all, be mindful and work on your self-dignity.

Topic 1 SELF: Session 6: Moment of Repentance and Forgiveness

So far, I can say we are making great efforts to come back to ourselves as BO-BE-NKA’A; Children of the light whom we are. Despite what we have encountered in life. Having searched ourselves, seeing our weaknesses and strengths, let us take time this week to call to mind our failures, be sorry for them and ask God to forgive us and for the grace to avoid sin. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and gives them up will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

Daily Prayer for the week

Scriptures: Galatians 5:19–21

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Prayer

O, Merciful Jesus, you know us through and through. You know that we have all sinned and fallen short of your love and the glory of God. Our sins have carried us away from you. On our knees, we come to you with hearts broken by sins, asking for your forgiveness and love. By your cross and resurrection Lord, you saved us from everlasting death. You instituted the Sacrament of confession as a means for our continuous cleansing and union with you. You did not shed your blood in vain, O Lord, but for our salvation, forgive us our sins, wash us with your precious blood and make us clean from all stains of sins. Make us your friends again, Lord. (Add your personal intention) Amen. 

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Lord have mercy on me.”, Glory be…

Reflection

Because of Christ, our sin does not have to separate us from God. In fact, when we confess it and believe in him, we are cleansed from our unrighteousness. By His death and resurrection, Jesus saved us and sets us free from :

Original sin: We were born into a world of sin; thank God, by our Baptism, we were cleansed from original sin, and we become members of the family of God. This entails that even our forefather’s or ancestors’ sins cannot harm us if we denounce them, cling to our new family, and not give the devil a chance. Maybe we still carry some of the ancestral sins and need to confess them and give them up to be saved from their effect on us.

Our personal sins: We are all weak beings and we have all sinned and are short of the glory of God. If you say you have never sinned, then you are a liar. Because of our sins, Jesus had to suffer and died on the cross to set us free. So, there is no cause for us to remain in sin. Since we cannot completely stop sinning because we are weak, Jesus gives us a way out of this by instituting the Sacrament of confession. This Sacrament is a big gift for us always to keep ourselves clean. We bathe and our bodies get dirty, and we do it, again and again, to stay clean, so do the Sacrament of penance. We need to take our spiritual baths always by frequenting the Sacrament of confession so as to keep ourselves always right with our God and maintain a firm union with Christ, who is the vine and we the branches. our scripture reading above from Galatians 5:19-21 tells us what personal sins are. “Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.”. If we are guilty of any of this, then we need to confess them and give them up to reunite ourselves with our God. 

The sins of others: Most of the time, we sin not by our own fault but because of others’ sins towards us. In our attempt to revenge, we become even worse sinners, more evil than those who hurt us. So, that is why, as children of God, we should never revenge evil for evil but always give back goodness and forgiveness for evil towards us. The sins of others often lead us to the sin of unforgiveness, which is such a terrible sin that eats us up and never those who sin against us. It stands as a barrier or wall between you and God, making you unable to pray as Jesus taught us, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” This sin of unforgiveness implants grudges, bitterness, and heart-heartedness in a person and opens him/her up for the devil to have his chance. We should confess this sin and try to avoid it as much as possible to be saved, or else we are dead while living or, as they say, “a living corpse.”

He saved us from curses, bondages, and from the power of all evil. The world now is full of evil. It is uncommon to see Christians fall into the temptation of eating at the table of God and also at the table of mammon. They consult the evil one and worship him in search of wealth and fulfill the terrible conditions given to them. They collect malicious or dangerous charms and objects from the evil ones such as rings, bangles, money, and even clothing, wear on their bodies or keep in their houses and compounds. They enter pacts and pronounce evil vows just to have money, power, or wealth. Our Lord Jesus faced this same temptation, and what did he do? He rebuked, “Go away Satan”.

 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

Matthew 4:8-10

Even with all these, nothing is above God’s saving power if we are open to it. Our Lord Jesus cast out demons, drove out evil spirits, and saved lives. He will do the same to you if you firmly unite yourselves with him. You just need to go to him with a repentant heart to claim your forgiveness, healing, deliverance, and the grace to forgive others and be saved.

So, dear brothers and sisters, what are your personal sins? Do you still bear some ancestral sins in you by still practicing the evil acts of your forefathers? What have you done wrong as the consequence of the sins of others towards you? Have you eaten at the table of God and also at the table of mammon by consulting other gods? Are you in any way made vows or in possession of the devil’s property like rings, bangles, chains, or even clothing due to your search for money, power, or wealth? God is inviting you today to make peace with him. “Though your hands are as red as blood……. come let us settle the matter.”

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Isaiah 1:18

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

Proverbs 28:13

Let us then take time this week to do what God is asking of us, to come to settle the matter with him. So, let us call to mind our sins, be sorry for them, and confess them. Look for a time within this week and go for sacramental confession. If for some reason you cannot celebrate Sacramental confession, visit a chapel or kneel before a crucifix and make a good confession face to face with Jesus. Seek Spiritual Counselling from a Priest you trust or any prayer group that does Listening Counselling and Prayers. Remember it was our tradition as BO-BE-NKA’A to end each SPIRIT with a moment of recollection and sacramental confession. I hope this is not strange for us.

Now the floor is open. You are free to comment, share your experience, and ask questions. Do it at your own time; our sharing continues until next Monday when we move to the last session one SELF; (Topic 1 SELF; Session 7). If you feel to meditate silently without putting up something here for others to share, feel free, but it is always good to be open to sharing with others, so we grow together.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily prayer for the week and add your personal intentions. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do. Above all, be mindful and work on your self-dignity.

Below comes memories of the Great Jubilee Pilgrimage to Shisong in Kumbo 2000, a moment of great repentance, indulgence, and renewal of our spiritual life.

Topic 1 SELF: Session 7: Moment of Reconciliation and Prayer, marking the end of the review on the Topic, SELF.

This is a moment of trying to make amends; put ourselves right with God, that is, make peace with God, ourselves, and our neighbors. As we pray daily, I will like us to do a kind of Lectio Divina Prayer with our scripture text below. Try to put yourselves in every sentence, phrase, word, and try to see what it truly means to you as an individual.

Daily Prayer for the week.

Scripture Reading Lk. 6:27-38

“But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Prayer

Merciful Father, in many ways, we have sinned and fallen short of your blessings. You love us so much, but we have failed to love and see you in our neighbor. Father, with a sorrowful and repentant heart, we come to you begging for your Forgiveness and the grace to forgive and reconcile with our neighbors. Forgive our carelessness, ignorance, negligence, and all our sinfulness toward you, our God, others, and forgive those who have sinned against us. Please, Father, give us the grace to make amends, to forgive ourselves, and to make peace with those I have hurt or who have hurt me in any way. (Add your intention) We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Lord have mercy on us.” Glory be…

Reflection

The Sacrament of confession is also known as the Sacrament of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Penance. It is called – Confession because after self-examination, we have to confess our sins with our own lips. – Forgiveness, because you have to forgive those who have hurt you, then beg for God’s Forgiveness for yourself. – Reconciliation because after reconciling yourself with God, you need to reconcile with those you have hurt and who have hurt you too. -Penance, because we do some physical or spiritual assignment given to us by the Priest to show we are sorry for our sins.

From our past reflections and review on SELF, you must have seen the need for reconciling with God, someone, or yourself, which is a beautiful thing to do. Let us always create time to celebrate this Sacrament. We need reconciliation when we bear grudges, bitterness, and unforgiveness in us against someone. Remember that all these harms only you more than those who have hurt you.

These steps could be helpful in the process of reconciliation.

• Present your situation to Jesus sincerely in detail, in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or during your personal prayer time. Tell Jesus you are sorry and beg for Forgiveness and the grace to forgive and reconcile.
• Forgive the person in your heart.
• Go for sacramental confession if you are eligible to do so.
• Pray for the person.
• If possible, meet the person face to face and tell him/her you are sorry and ask for Forgiveness.
• If difficult, continue to pray for the person and act lovingly towards him/her.

A beautiful Story

There lived two neighbors; one of them had a dog. The other family had one little child that they loved so much. Unfortunately, one day their neighbor’s dog cut off its chain, ran into their house, and ate up the little child who was asleep. It was a big loss and pain for the child’s parents, and they stayed home for some time mourning. The dog owner was so frightened that he stayed trembling, waiting for the worst to come on him from the child’s family. It was planting season, and the bereaved family, after the incident only had to go late to plant their farm. There, they saw that every other farm had been planted but for theirs and their neighbors whose dog ate their baby. They planted their farm and also that of their neighbor. After some weeks, someone congratulated the dog owner that his farm is doing well. He was surprised and replied he never planted his farm. He only found out that his farm was planted by the family whose child his dog ate. This man was so touched to realize that the child’s parents have forgiven him that much. It was only then that the dog owner gathered the courage to go to his neighbor’s house, begged Forgiveness, and thanked them for forgiving him greatly. They continued to live as good neighbors.

Yes, this is the beauty of Forgiveness and reconciliation. It heals you and the other person.

If you were the child’s father or mother, what will you do? Remember

• There is no hurt too deep to forgive. “Come now, let us settle the matter, …” Is. 1:18
• We must leave vengeance to God.
• “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.”
• Forgiveness heals both parties.
• Remember our round song” Love, love, love, love. Christians, this is your call, love your neighbor as yourself for God loves us all.” We should put love first in every situation.

Wao! Congratulations to all of us. From your responses, I can say we have done so well during this first Topic, SELF. We can now sing with confidence that we are Priestly people, Kingly people, God’s chosen people.

Next week, we shall then move to the second Topic on Awunka’a, which is GROUP. Thanks so much for your participation.

Thanks also to this Trinitarian Team below who brought us the Good News.

Stage 1 Topic 2:GROUP

Happy Monday to all. We thank God for this new week and the beginning of our next topic, “GROUP,” which we shall discuss from now. The BO-BE-NKA’A Process is a well-organized program of formation that puts us in well-defined levels or stages and groups. The stages had groups, following well-structured formation. We can recall how we functioned in our different groups and carried out activities like group games, formation, singing, visits, pilgrimages, recollection, retreats, Nkungse, etc. We also did the sociogram that showed us who were our first friends or those we were very close to in the group. This actually worked so well when we were all on the ground. Now that we have advanced in life and live in different places, we can only discuss thanks to social media and then do what is necessary where we are. In our various locations, we must have met other friends, joined different groups, and seen many groups functioning around us. On this topic GROUP, I’ve proposed the following points or sessions for us to share on.

Points/Sessions for reflection and sharing on “GROUP“.

1. Observe groups found around you and try to find out their reasons for formation.
2.  Reasons Why Every Christian Should join a church Group.
3. Which are my groups, or how many groups do I belong to, and how are they influencing my life?
4. Who are my friends now?
5. A Moment of Prayer to end this second formation theme; GROUP.

The above points will give us five sessions to be discussed in five weeks.

Topic 2, GROUP Session 1: Observe groups found around you and try to find out their reasons for formation.

If we look keenly around us, there are many groups, and maybe we even belong to some of them. People come together for many different reasons. This week, let’s take time to make a general observation of the various groups found around us and how they function, members’ behavior, interests, time of the meeting, influence on society, etc.

A daily prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: Mt. 18:19-20, Hebrews 10:25

 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you said when two or three are gathered, there you are in their midst. We thank you, Lord, for the gift of this group, which is a means for us to continuously come together, listen to your voice, and grow in your love. We ask you, Lord, to continue being our partner in this journey. As we seek to know you more and more as a group, o Lord, do not hide your face from us. We offer you all the groups that exist in our society and those we belong to. May you bless them and help us to act as good examples and Christianize them. (Add your intention) Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, bless our group.” Glory be…

Reflection

Generally, a Group refers to two or more persons who share a common interest and come together to achieve common goals and objectives. The groups can be formal and informal; formal groups are created by an organization with the intent to accomplish its objective, while informal groups get created spontaneously as soon as the individuals interact with each other.

There are many formal and informal, or interest groups around us, such as Business groups, workers groups, Church groups, thrift and loan groups, social dance groups, ex-pupils/student groups, social media groups, clubs, Associations, cults, etc. Each of these groups has its interest and reason for creation. The most common reasons why groups are created are:

Personal Characteristics: Individuals with similar beliefs, attitudes, and values are more likely to form groups. E.g., Cultural groups, development associations, retailers, cults, widow’s groups, a group of harlots, Game clubs, quarter women, etc. All these groups have personal characteristics that positively influence their members’ lives and, in some cases, negatively. They are all found around us, and maybe we belong to some of them. Let’s focus more, and keenly observe their ways this week.

Opportunity for interaction: This is common among employees of an organization who have many things similar. E.g., A school staff, Employees of a specific department in a company, a group of doctors. They come together to discuss their work and, at times, to relax socially together. Maybe some of us belong to such groups. Let us also have an overview of them.

Interest and goals: When individuals share common interests and goals, it requires cooperation and coordination for their achievement, which also results in the formation of groups. E.g., We want to grow in our spirituality by reviving and continuing in our BOBENKA” A Process of formation. We need to cooperate and coordinate to achieve this goal. This is possible only when we form a group like this. This holds with other groups. As the saying goes, “birds of a feather fly together,” so groups formed around common political and cultural philosophies, ethnic and religious affiliations and such factors as age, sex, intelligence or similar social interests and hobbies such as playing cards or going to fun games, drinking, singing, dancing, etc

Influence and power: A group has more influence and power than an individual, which also promotes its formation. A government or an organization would prefer to give grants or aid to a trusted group and not individuals. People join associations to fight for their rights, which individually is difficult. Some people would want to influence or expose their status to outsiders as significant, e.g., a group of professors or doctors who wish to be seen and heard. A Jumbo jet cannot be built by one person alone; it requires a group’s efforts to make a plane. Spiritually, we can’t work for our salvation alone; we need our fellow Christians or the Church as the family of God.

In general, groups are created out of individual need satisfaction, which can be personal, social, or economical, which means that the members need to associate with the group in order to fulfill their basic needs.

So, as we move around this week, let us be more conscious to observe some of these groups found around us and even those we belong to and try to understand their reasons for formation, watch members’ attitudes, and influence on society. We can do this by mere observation and reflecting and asking simple questions to people around us.

Remember the groups of SETEM Volunteers who had been of great help to our Parish. They were interested in evangelization, so they came together, contribute money to a common fund, helped the poor, and even visited them. Let’s remember them also in our prayers this week.

Topic 2: GROUP Session 2 Reasons Why Every Christian Should join a church Group. (Catholic Church)

Having observed different groups around us, some of which we belong to, it will be good for us as Catholics to reflect in a specific way on why every Christian should join a Church group.

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, source and summit of our life, you are the head, and we are your body the Church. If we are firmly united with you, we will bear fruits, fruits of love. Please help us to understand that you are the reason for our coming together in groups like Christians. Your mission is to make disciples of all nations. Help us to fulfill this great mission through our various Christian groups. (Add your intention) Amen.

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, bless our group.” Glory be…

Reflection

The Catholic Church is a well-organized institution having many structures to ensure perfect evangelization. She has a good organigram that carters for Christians from the individual up to the Pope, and the family to the Gospel sharing groups, on to the universal Church. The Church’s evangelization program gives every Christian room to function as there are many Prayer and Action groups, associations, and commissions within it. There are many reasons why Christians should join groups, some of which we will discuss here.

1. To Fulfill the Vision or Mission of Christ for the Church, to make disciples of all nations so that we become one big family of God. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matt 28:19-20

 This great commission has been given to us, and it can better be achieved when all believers become disciples themselves and function in groups. 

2. To Reach Out To The Lost

The real work of evangelism belongs to every believer. The only proven method to evangelize is the one-to-one communication of the Gospel by all. We are called and commanded by God to share the good news with our friends, neighbors, and relatives. Most people commit to Christ because of the witness of someone they know. Groups can penetrate every part of the city: schools, offices, businesses, universities, and homes. Buildings do not limit a church group, and so the whole town can be impacted by the Gospel through groups. They pay visits to places like prisons, orphanages, seminaries, street children, etc.

3. To Nurture New Believers

 New believers must be made firm in their faith so that they will not slide back into unbelief but become disciples of Christ. This connection is best achieved through the group. We do experience this in our AWUNKA’A stage. In groups, new believers receive the level of formation that nurtures their needs. They will be surrounded by people committed to growing in faith and cooperating in a practical way (The Beli in our case). Without groups, evangelism’s joy is easily lost, and a Christian struggling alone may easily fall back.

4. To Become A Disciple 

 Every believer is called to become a “true” disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus puts it this way: “if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

   The cost is everything, but you don’t have to go through this alone. You are a disciple in a group with people who are disciples themselves with a clear link to the Church as a whole. Therefore, Watch out for anyone trying to “disciple” you without being accountable or linked to the Church. Group leaders are accountable to their Parish. They are also subject to the Church’s training and discipline, which means leaders themselves have to be formed. Some of us are leaders of other groups, which is why we should also try to receive continuous formation. The BOBENKA” A Process provides so well for this as we move in stages, from AWUNKA’A to ABI. Before we halted, we were even thinking of making the process more complete by adding a Pre-Awunka’a Stage, which would involve Primary School kids.

5. The Call To Be The Church

 The Church is more than a building and more than church meetings. We don’t merely go to Church, but we are the Church. The Church is our daily relationship with Jesus and other believers. Mid-week group meetings help us more to be the body of Christ, the Church.

“They all met together and were constantly united in prayer…” Acts 1:14

6. To Fulfill Jesus’ Commands on Love for one another. “This is my command: Love each other.” (Jn 15:17)

    There are many passages in the New Testament that speak specifically about our responsibility for each other. We are called to “love one another,” care for,” “teach,” encourage one another,” “exhort,” “admonish and “restore one another.” The only practical context to achieve this is in groups. Large Sunday gatherings are good, but an individual can be lost in a crowd. In a group, everyone counts and is important. Groups enable us to break a big task of “winning the world” for Christ into smaller, manageable, and realistic units.

“So, my friends, when you come together to the Lord’s Table, be reverent and courteous with one another.” 1 Corinthians 11:33 

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

In one of our diocesan leadership training, we were told everyone in the group is important and has different reasons why they join the group. E.g. That some people join because once in a while they will have good food to eat. To such a person, when you are sharing a loaf of fufu each, give him/her two. Their commitment and transformation may begin from there, for they feel cared for. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” 1 John 4:11-13

7. To Exercise your Talents

  Every believer is called to live life in the Spirit, and God has given him special abilities. We are to use our gifting to serve Christ and to build and strengthen each other. Most Christians never get to discover their ministry. The Church creates commissions and groups where individual Christians should exercise their talents.

 Groups help to focus on reaching our goals. We are working together; we can’t be doing it alone. To be a Christian means to be part of the body of Christ. You benefit from the strength, wisdom, encouragement, and support of the group. Again, groups enable us to break the big task of winning the world for Christ and help us not to fall quickly to different temptations.

8. To Become Fruitful

We have been called to be fruitful. Every covenant God made with man comes with a promise of fruitfulness. The groups are the place of blessing. It is where you experience multiplication and where you begin to enter into the joy of fruitfulness. As you fulfill God’s call upon your life, the blessing begins to flow. God says He will bless you and cause you to prosper in life. You cannot say you have succeeded in life if you are not fruitful or cannot touch other people’s life. That is the thrill of walking in agreement with God. If you are in an action group that does not give enough room for prayers, then join a prayer group also where you will get the nourishment to be fruitful.

 John 15:5,16: “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit….. go and bear fruit, fruit that will last (remain).”

“Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.” 1 Corinthians 14:26

 John 15:5,16

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily prayer for the week and add your personal intentions. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do.

Topic 2: GROUP Session 3 Which are my groups, or how many groups do I belong to, and how are they influencing my life?

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading Matt 5: 13-16

 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, our Friend, and our King, you want us to be salt and light of the earth. That we should shine like a city on a hill to give light and taste to the world for others to see and taste, then glorify our Father who is in heaven, please do not leave us in any way lose this dignity in you but give us the grace of self-control to achieve it. May we exercise self-control in the decisions and choices we make about the groups we belong to. (Add your intention) We ask this through the same Christ, our friend, Amen.

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, help in my decision.” Glory be…

Reflection

In our first session under GROUP, we saw why people join formal, informal, or interest groups. What are your reasons for being in the groups you are with now? Are you meeting your goals? We earlier discussed and reflected on our self-dignity. Now turn to all the groups you belong to and evaluate their influence on your personal life and self-dignity. Ask yourself, “How is my character, emotions, reactions, social life, etc., since I joined this group?”

As Christians, our spiritual life is not something we should joke about or take for granted. We have to keep our baptismal promises to reject Satan and all his works and empty promises. We have to keep our Baptismal candles together with our BO-BE-NKA”  Basic Promise candles burning to “Shine Everywhere,” as our motto says. Are my groups helping me fulfill this dimension of my life, or is my Christian life tempered because of the groups I belong to? How is my commitment to the Church as my bigger and most important family having Christ’s vision to draw all men to himself? Presently, are I an active Christian or a lost Christian?

One’s family/community is his/her first source of joy and happiness. What brings this joy and happiness is a cordial relationship with your spouse, children, or community members where you belong. Having quality time with our family/community is a beautiful way of becoming a Christian family. If you have billions and a lot of material wealth without joy, happiness, and peace coming from your immediate family, you can never be happy in life. To enjoy life is to have self-dignity, sweet love, and care from your spouse/community members, loving and friendly kids, for happiness is where you are and what you want to be. Make your family/community “heaven here on earth,” our prolonged absenteeism often influences this family joy from home, maybe due to our involvement in many groups. That is why this week, we should take a keen evaluation of our family life concerning the groups we belong to.

Our work or what we do to earn a living is something to cherish and be committed to. We tend to be distracted from this, maybe due to our involvement in too many social groups. Let us check this week for where your heart lies your treasure. If your heart is in your business or work, and you dedicated enough time to it, you will surely succeed. Many don’t succeed in their endeavors because they are distracted and lack focus and determination in what they do.

After reflecting on the points above, this week, take some time to answer these questions. Is there a necessity to reduce the number of groups I belong to, to create more time for myself, family, spirituality, and work? What can I do to improve my commitment to the groups I’ve decided to remain in?

My Experience

My experience here is that spiritually my action group is the Choir, and my prayer group, is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Because each Christian in the Diocese must belong to a Church commission, my commission is the Biblical Apostolate. Through its leadership, I find myself in the Parish Pastoral Council, which led me to be the Deanery Chairperson and also to serve as Diocesan Financial Secretary of the Laity Council. The good thing here is that at the Deanery level, you have to hand over powers at Parish Level to another person and the deanery meets once a year, the Laity council thrice twice except for exco and extraordinary meetings like to plan the funeral of a Priest or religious if any. In my case, I was the founding chairperson of the Bambui Deanery when deaneries were first created, and when my term of service was over before I became the PPC Chairperson. The laity council is made up of all the Parish Chairs, so that’s how I find myself there. So, being fully committed to my Christian Life, I decided to free myself as much as possible from involvement in groups around my local community, thus,

I joined only my quarter women’s group. However, my membership in the Nkwen Language Committee at the village level is still coming from my spiritual life as I was trained by the Church to translate Bible text into the Nkwen language. Later on, the Catholic Church handed this committee to the Nkwen People at Palace Level. I had friends who belonged to more than five social groups around the village. When there are many celebrations around the village, they are in trouble trying to meet up financially and physically as they will need to dance from one place to another. Most of the time, they cannot provide food for their families because they had many “Njangis” to contribute. I was scared about how they managed it because just attending our quarter women’s group once a week, I would come back home with a headache either from uncontrolled talking, little conflicts among members, or my trying to reconcile one member with another or pleading for peace. Maybe they loved what they were doing and had time for it since they were not that committed to the Church, but I loved and cherished my life as a Christian more. At times they would mock me that I am not a villager but a religious. Haha! What a mockery.

You are free to share your experience and ask questions.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily Prayer for the week and add your intentions. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do. Above all, check your commitment to groups. You are free to ask questions and share.

SETEM VOLUNTEERS, A GROUP OF FRIENDS

Topic 2: GROUP Session 4 Who are my friends now?

Who are my friends now?

Dears Friends welcome once more to yet another week. I’m grateful for your participation. For those who always share in writing, I say thanks a lot. Some of us, if not all, have gained much from your sharing. For those who reflect and take personal decisions silently, I say thank you too. For those who just glance through, maybe because you think you have other groups that uphold your spiritual life, I’m equally grateful. For those who have been touched and have used it or part of the content to share with other persons or groups, still, I’m very much delighted for one thing I know is, that the Holy Spirit is at work. Let us answer this question this week, “Who are my friends now?”

When I look back on the Sociogram we drew in our various groups; I could see Roland Afuongang, Gilbert Tanwie, Pascal Nkwanzi, and the late Jude Anyechu closely together. Immaculate Nde, Delphine Ngufor, and Linda Ngelo are always together. Ngebi, Beti Anyechu, and late Felicitas Nkwenti closely together. Frinwie Geraldine, Rose Ngemekong, and Acho Nelson were also close. It was the same with many others in the groups moving so close to one another always in joy and happiness, a mark of the BO-BE-NKA’A. Do we still experience this kind of joy with friends where we are now?

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Text: Job 9: 1-8 (Part of Job’s reaction when his friends advised him to curse God and die instead of suffering.)

Then Job replied, “Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God? Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand. His wisdom is profound; his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble. He speaks to the sun, and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars. He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.”

Lord Jesus, in the Gospel of John 15:15, you said, “I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.” What a trust you have in us o lord, to have given us this privilege. Thank you for choosing us to be your special friends and teaching us everything you heard from your Father. Teach us to be like you in choosing our friends too, and act like you towards them. (Add your intention) Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, bless my friends.” Glory be…

Reflection

My husband has been sick for six years now and is not able to do anything by himself. I start caring for him very early in the morning each day. In our home, we call him the “Big Baby.” So, whenever I start my morning duties, I’ll tune on Rev, Fr Blessed Ambang Njume’s YouTube channel, and listen to his Catholic morning devotion while I’m working, and after that to EWTN or one Canadian channel that I love so much for the Morning Mass. On this day, Fr. Ambang’s reflection was about “The friends of Job,” and he had this to say as I listened keenly. He was exalting from Job 9: 1-12 and 14-16;

“What kind of friend are you to your friend in their troubled times? Dear friends, we return to our story about Job. In today’s part of the story, Job is met by his wife and his friends to play the role of the devil’s advocate, trying to influence Job negatively and persuading him to curse God and die. Why would God do such a thing to him? He job, who all his life had been nothing but faithful and loyal to God. Was that the reward one could get from God for loyalty and faithfulness? Therefore. His friends visited him, looked at his trouble, and ask him to curse God. If God truly loved him, God would not have permitted this to happen to him. So they invited Job to curse God and die. Despite all the oppression, Job did not give in to their bad advice to their bad canceling and wish. He rather tried to justify God’s action. Who was he to question God? Job said he could not be justified before God. Even if he were innocent, God had a reason. Who was he to stand before God and query God?

Beloved of God, in our own journey, we too, would have come across friends like jobs. All they think is evil. All they propose is evil. They will push you to places and to do things you would never have wanted. They claim to be good friends to offer solutions because they care and watch your back. But be careful. They are rather pushing you into your grave. Are you that kind of friend who has taken your friend to a soothsayer? Are you the kind of friend who shows your friend to an abortion clinic? Are you the kind of friend who provides charms to your friends to do evil? Are you that kind of friend whose advice is always negative and evil? Are You that kind of friend who pulls your friend’s way out of the church to go see fake pastors and prophets in the name of powerful men of God? Are you the kind of friend who runs away from your friends in their moments of trouble? Or do you rather strengthen them and give them hope? It is said, “A friend in need is a friend, indeed.” But not any kind of friend and not that kind of friend who would rather offer only negative energy.

Be mindful of the kinds of friends you have. For those devoted, loving, and true friends who are always there to encourage with wise and Godly words, encouraging us in trouble to stand firm, they are rare. When you find one, please treasure them. Lord, we beg of you. Bless such friends. For those friends like those of Job, whose work is always to pull us in the negative direction, Lord, may we be very sensitive, which would mean avoiding such friends and letting your Holy Spirit transform them to always think good and propose well to others? And finally. For those in trouble or hardship of any kind like Job. That amidst their trouble. They should not give in to confusion and fear, which leads them to welcome any and any kind of proposal and solutions from any and just everyone. Rather that they may remain calm and positive as Job. That they may think more, calm down, and be slow to act. That they may mind the kind of friend, they talk to and from whom they listen to advise.

Beloved in the Lord, This is the lesson that Job teaches us today in our time of trouble. Mind those with whom you share. And those from whom you listen to advice. Not all who stand as friends are really friends. Some lead us to our graves, just like the friends of Job. But there are others who are always sincere. Who stands by us in our moment of trial and would give us words of encouragement? Pray to have such friends, they are rare to find, and they are few. Through the intercession of St Jerome, may we be lovers of God’s word and always remain true friends to our friends in times of trouble.”

I was so touched by this exaltation that I decided to write it and share with you this our third topic on Group “Who are my friends now” After reflecting on it, we should be able to make a decision that will improve our lives concerning the friends we have.

As Christians, we are all friends in the Lord Jesus, brothers and sisters of Christ. Having close friendships with particular people is a good thing, but beware that, either friend would make you better, or they would make you worst. There is a saying that, if you have one BEST FRIEND, you are lucky. If you have two, you are very, very lucky. If you have three, you are a fool. In a family milieu, your husband and children, close family/community members, should be your first best friends before any other ones out there. Let’s take time this week to reflect on this.

Topic 2: GROUP Session 5 A Moment of Prayer to end this second formation theme; GROUP

Following our tradition of ending a spirit or them with an activity, this week I will like us to end this theme GROUP with intercessory prayers. Let’s pray for our group, and our friends and also find time to listen to God. The points below will guide us.

1. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 Let us pray for our Group that we may continue to grow as true friends as we journey together as BO-BE-NKA’A on this earthly pilgrimage. That this mustard seed that was planted many years ago may continue to grow and one day become a big fig tree where many birds will come to live and build their nest. (Add your intention)

2. Let us pray for our colleagues and friends, BO-BE-NKA’A who are not in this group that the Holy Spirit should continue to inspire them and let their candles continue to shine wherever they are.

3. Let us pray that God will continue to give us the grace to make good decisions in our life, especially concerning the groups we are involved in and also the friends we have. That we may love our friends and also be good friends to our friends. (Add your intention)

4. Let us pray for our founder and his family and all the priests and leaders who worked with us in the BOBE-NKA’A Process, that they may receive abundant blessings and God’s continuous guiding care throughout their lives. (Add your intention)

5. As a group let us also intercede for our country Cameroon and the whole world during this hard time of conflicts and epidemics that our Lord and friend may give a solution to.

6. In the silence of your heart, choose one member of this group and pray for it.

7. Let us all ask our Blessed Mother and model to take our prayers to her son our friend Jesus as pray, “Hail Mary…

Remember to respect your daily personal prayer time. Pray for the above intentions daily or once each day. Check your relationship with Jesus and consider taking a spiritual bath (go for sacramental confession) or take a moment of adoration and presentation of self before the Blessed Sacrament or a Crucifix.

Congratulations once more for your participation. Having done with SELF and GROUP, Next week we shall begin the 3rd theme of our review still on Awunka’a which is “JESUS“

Stage 1 Topic 3: JESUS

Dear friends, welcome to yet another Monday, a moment I would always like to reach out and share with you. This week we are beginning a new theme or topic for review on AWUNKA’A which is JESUS. If Jesus is the reason why we are here, the center of our life, the best friend we claim him to be, then let us once again examine our relationship with him. We would have five weeks to go with this theme as follows;

Points/Sessions for reflection and sharing

1. Who is Jesus to me? Discipleship
2. How can I make Jesus my best friend? 
3. Jesus Prayed, what about me?
4. Jesus’ work
5. How can I honor Jesus?

Stage 1 Topic 3 Sessions 1 Who is Jesus to me? Discipleship

Jesus asked his Apostles in Matthew 16:13-16, “Who do you say I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. You and I will also have our personal answers to this question. Some of us would say Jesus is my friend, Savior, Master, Lord, etc. All these answers are quite right if we truly recognize our position as disciples of Christ. In the topic “Discipleship” that we treated in our days of AWUNKAA, we were made to understand our relationship with our Lord Jesus as our friend and Master. This week let us take time to review what our relationship with our Master is all about.

A daily prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: John 13:14-16

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

Prayer

Jesus, our Lord, and Master, we long to know you more. Reveal yourself more and more to us and teach us how to be your disciples. You gave us an example to do as you have done to us. Dear Lord, fortify us that we may be your true friends. (Add your intention)

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, you are my Master.” Glory be…

Reflection

Our relationship with Jesus is different from that of a student and teacher. In a teacher/student relationship, the teacher shows the book and the student learns it while in a disciple/Master relationship the master presents himself to the disciple and the disciple learns the Master. The student develops his mental abilities more while the disciple has holistic growth. The student is not obliged to be like the teacher but the disciple is obligated to be like his Master in everything. “If I, your Lord and Master have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Jesus teaches by example and so his disciples are expected to be. The disciple is expected to see as Jesus sees, think as Jesus thinks, hear as Jesus hears, speak as Jesus speaks, and act as Jesus acts so that others may be transformed by their impact on them.

If Jesus is our Lord and master, our friend, then we should be true disciples of his. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. The value of knowing Christ so far excels the value of anything in this world that we are willing to suffer the loss of all else in order to “gain Christ and be found in Him. In our own context, some truths about discipleship are:

• Discipleship is about a Relationship with Christ, an intimate one.
• Discipleship is enabled and empowered by the work of the Holy Spirit who transforms us into the image of Christ.
• Discipleship is grounded and guided by the Word of God when we read reflect, understand and live the Good News.
• Discipleship is nurtured in a community, in a group like ours.
• Discipleship is a continuing process of being transformed from the inside out, a process like the BO-BE-NKA’A Process.
• Discipleship is a Life-long Journey, we are on it.
• Disciples Must Count the Cost. That is letting go of your will and seeking the will of God in all things. Letting nothing to take the place of Jesus.
• Disciples are called to share in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. They must take up their crosses and follow Jesus. A good christian life should have Good Fridays and Easter Sundays; a time to mourn and a time to rejoice and celebrate.
• Discipleship produces spiritual fruit, fruits that should be seen by all and which should touch the lives of others.
• Let us strive to learn our Master and be like him and not just have a mental awareness of him.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily Prayer for the week and add your intention. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do. The floor is open, you can share and ask questions.

When the Senior Youth Group existed in Futru Parish.

Stage 1 Topic 3 Session 2 How can I make Jesus my best friend?

We thank the Holy Spirit for doing his work in our midst. Our sharing this week will be focused on how to make Jesus our best friend.

Daily prayer for the week

Scripture Text: John 15: 12-14

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, the zeal for friendship with you burns in our hearts and souls, and so we continue to seek your face. We will not sleep nor rest until we make a place for you in our lives. Teach us how to be your best friends o lord. (Add your intention)

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, you are my friend.” Glory be…

Reflection

To make Jesus your best friend is to know him, love him, serve him and seek to be with him forever in heaven. This is the reason why God created us. There are many ways to make Jesus our best friend which include these ones:

1. Scriptures: It is not easy to love and trust someone you do not know. We can easily trust and love people we know well. To be a friend of Jesus is to know him, and to know him is to read and reflect on the scriptures, especially the Gospels. Dei Verbum – Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation in Chapter 5 under the heading “The New Testament”, the Constitution states among other points, “It is common knowledge that among all the Scriptures, even those of the New Testament, the Gospels have a special preeminence, and rightly so, for they are the principal witness for the life and teaching of the incarnate Word, our savior.” To know all about Jesus, his birth, life, work, and death, we should read the Scriptures, especially the Gospels in the NT. To be friends of Jesus our Master, we need to know him well, and it is through the scriptures that we can do this.

2. Faith Professed: To make Jesus your best friend is to believe in him, trust him and profess him; deny Satan and all his works and empty promises and embrace Jesus as your Lord and Savior at all times. We have to do this not only in words but also in our acts, without fear no shame for Jesus said, “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:33)

3. Sacraments: The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives a basic definition of sacraments. It says, “The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.” We become friends of Jesus when we take part in these outward signs of grace which bring us in direct contact with our friend Jesus himself. Our Catholic Church has seven holy sacraments that are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ through which he meets and sanctifies his friends. We come into direct contact with Jesus when we celebrate the sacraments faithfully.

4. Living the commandments and the Beatitudes. Jesus loves us so much that he wouldn’t want to see us his friends go astray or lose our souls. That is the reason why he gives us the commandments which are statements of love not of punishment, and the beatitudes, statements of assurance in times of pain, frustration, depression, persecutions, and suffering as a whole. If we keep the commandments and live the beatitudes we are best friends of Jesus. He said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:14). When we keep the greatest commandment of loving God with all our minds, with all our hearts, with all our souls, and love our neighbors as ourselves then we will enjoy Jesus as a best friend.

5. Prayer: We make Jesus our best friend when we meet him often in prayers for he himself teaches us to pray. To grow in our intimacy with Jesus we have to cultivate the habit of praying unceasingly; talking and listening to Him at all moments of our lives. He says that he is the vine and we are the branches. One of the most important ways to keep ourselves as branches firmly united to Christ our vine is to constantly talk and listen to him in prayers.

So, brothers and sisters, this week, let us be open and explore the different ways of making Jesus our best friend so as to get more close to him and feel the divine presence of a wonderful friend like him in our lives.

NB: Remember to respect your daily prayer time. Pray our daily Prayer for the week and add your intention. Be nice to yourself and others in everything you do for we often see Jesus, as the best friend we want to have in others. The floor is open, you can share and ask questions.

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. (John 6:56)

Stage 1 Topic 3 Session 3 Jesus Prayed, What about me?

The disciple came to Jesus and asked, “Lord teach us to pray,” because they had seen him praying most of the time. It was a marvelous decision. If our Lord and Master could pray, what about you and me?

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: Matt 26: 36-38

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane “Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, by your example, you thought us how to pray, when to pray, and what to pray for. As weak as we are, come and renew your gift of prayer in us this week, so that we may be able to pray unceasingly and in all situations to maintain our friendship with you and to remain strong always. (Add your intention) Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, teach me how to pray.” Glory be…

Reflection

When Jesus Prayed

The Bible tells us that Jesus usually left the house to go and pray early in the morning, in the evening, all through the night, before a great occasion, before meals, and many other times for different intentions and in different ways.

• Luke 6:12. “In those days, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.”
• Luke 6 12 Jesus prayed all night.
• Mk 1 35 Jesus prayed early in the mourning.
• Jesu takes time to pray alone. The Gospels, and those of St. Mark and St. Luke, in particular, take note of Jesus going off for private prayer: After the multiplication of loaves —Mark 6:46: “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.”
• Luke 5:16: When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened.
• Luke 6:12-13: Jesus prays all night before choosing twelve key leaders from among his disciples to give a special name and role as apostles.

How Jesus Prayed

• Jesus Thanked God: In praying before meals, we are following the example of the Lord Jesus, whose prayers on several occasions are our model. In the two instances where Jesus miraculously fed multitudes of people with a few loaves and fish, He “gave thanks” (Matthew 14:19-21; 15:34-36). In both these accounts, before Jesus “broke the bread” (started the meal), He gave thanks to God for it (14:19). Apparently, giving thanks before a meal was Jesus’ customary practice. In Luke 24:13-35, on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, two of His followers travel to the village of Emmaus. They realized he was Jesus when at the table, he took the bread in the same way, thanked God, and broke it.
• Jesus Glorify God: Matthew 6:9 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name …” Luke 10:21 “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”
• Jesus Prayed with great power: Jesus prayed in the desert and other lonely places (Luke 5:16), and he often prayed all night long (Luke 6:12). His prayers were with such intensity of focus that at the end of His life He even sweat great drops of blood when He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44).
• Interceded for others: Jesus is Interceding for Us. Hebrews 7:25 says, “He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf”

What Jesus Prayed for

• For his Disciples and Himself: Jesus could have prayed this particular prayer in John 17 privately. But he wanted his disciples to hear his high priestly prayer, so he prayed it out loud. First Jesus prayed for himself. He told the Father that his work on earth was finished ( verses 1–5). Secondly, he prayed for his disciples. He prayed for wisdom and guidance in His earthly ministry. He prayed for others to come to know Him as Savior and Lord. He prayed for the twelve Apostles, that God would protect them from “the evil one.” Jesus prayed for God to strengthen their ministry once He departed from them. He prayed with honesty and reverence.
• Jesus Prays for Peter. Praying for Peter Here in Luke 22, however, we see Jesus on his knees before his Father, pleading urgently for a beloved disciple who is about to face his greatest challenge. During his passion, Jesus will not be with Peter; he will not be able to help his friend. So Jesus turns and begs for his Daddy to help Peter in his stead.
• Jesus Prays for All Believers (John 17: 20) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
• Jesus prays for unity: In John 17, Jesus prays for his disciples in the first century, and for future disciples after his death and resurrection. One feature of his prayer was unity amongst his disciples (John 17:11, 21-23). Because they had been entrusted to Him by His Father (John 17:9). They belonged to His Father, but they had been entrusted to Jesus and He was responsible for them. Therefore, He had to pray for them, that His Father would give them strength in the coming days. “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.” Jesus’ Prayer for Unity “That they may be one.” These words were spoken by Jesus.
• Jesus prays for healing and deliverance: In John 11 38-44, Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead. He prayed and with a loud voice called Lazarus out of the tomb. He delivered Lazarus from untimely death.

Jesus teaches us to pray

• Jesus taught the Our Father immediately after an occasion of private prayer when his Apostles ask him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1-4) and after his instruction for his disciples to pray alone (Matthew 6:5-13)
• Matthew 6:6-7 “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
• Luke 18:1 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”
• Jesus told His disciples to pray. He did not ask them to pray for Him. Instead, He told them to pray for themselves – that they would not fall into sin ( Luke 22:40 ).

Dear brothers and sisters, the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. If Jesus our Lord and Master, the Son of God who is God himself, sinless as he is, could pray, then as weak as we are, should we not double again and again our efforts in prayers? Should we not pray unceasingly and in all circumstances, not forgetting to pray for others too? From His examples in prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray at all times, morning, afternoon, evening, night, even all through the night, before meals, and in taking decisions, asking God for our needs and most especially that we may not fall into temptation. He teaches us to praise and worship God, pray with intensity and authority, and also intercede for others. Can we imitate our friend to be like him? Let’s turn over a new leaf about prayer beginning this new Advent season.

We can now ask questions, comment, and share. Happy New Year!

Stage 1 Topic 3 Session 4 Jesus’ work

Scripture Reading: Matt. 4:23-25

 “Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.  Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And He healed them.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you loved us so much that in the fulness of time you revealed yourself to mankind and served us in different ways. As you preached, taught, and healed your people in the past, do the same for us today and all our lives for you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Add your intention). Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus, thank you for your love.” Glory be…

Reflection

Our Scripture Reading brings out the mission of Jesus; to preach, teach, and heal. When Jesus began His ministry on earth, while in the synagogue in Nazareth, he read the Scriptures and outlined His mandate “to preach good news to the poor….to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…”

Preaching: He often used catchy sayings and plays on words or exaggerated the truth to emphasize His point. This made it much easier for his listeners to remember what he said. He used shocking statements. For example, Jesus didn’t really mean we have to pluck out our eyes and amputate our hands for causing us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30), or else all Christians would be blind amputees. He simply meant we should avoid; run away from all tempting situations that may lead us to sin.

Jesus preached in parables, that is he told stories to enable us to learn many lessons about life. Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son, he told a story instead of just saying, “God loves you so much that He will welcome you back to Him no matter how far you have wandered away.” Amongst his numerous preaching, Jesus taught us to have childlike faith and trust in God. (Matthew 18:1–4). To serve others after his example. (John 13:3–17), and many other lessons.

Teaching: Knowing and obeying the key teachings of Jesus Christ will lead us to eternal life. Obedience to His teachings will save our souls from the fire of hell. In addition, they’ll lead us to the presence of God where we shall dwell forever. These points can be supported by John 14:6 where Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me”. This is why every Christian must learn and master Jesus’ teachings as well as obey them. We can not understand or obey the chief teachings of our savior without the help of the Holy Spirit. It is for this reason that He pointed out in John 14:26 that “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom my Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you” Some key teachings of Jesus were that –

• We should acknowledge our sins, repent, and be baptized for he came to call sinners.
• We should take up our crosses and follow him. “Anyone who wants to come with me must forget self, take up their cross every day, and follow me” – Luke 9:23. This has to do with forgoing the evil desires of your body and obeying His teachings daily.
• That we should love God with all our might and our neighbors too. Love is the one word that summarizes the whole teachings of Jesus Christ. Matthew 22:36-39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: Love your neighbor as you love yourself“. Jesus’s teachings on Earth were all centered on the Love of God and the Love of Men.
• That we should be sincere before God and man as he condemns hypocrisy. “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Matthew 6:1-8.
• He taught us to forgive others by his example. Even after being false-fully accused, tortured, disgraced, and hanged on a tree like a thief, he demonstrates forgiveness.
• He taught us that he is one with God the Father. “Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” John 14:8-11.
• That we should do his work and he will be with us forever.” Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:19-20

Healing: The healing ministry of Jesus was clear evidence that He is the Christ, the Son of God (John 21:30-31). He healed all kinds of diseases, drove out demons, and saved or delivered the possessed (saved the captives, and freed the prisoners). We can also observe the importance of faith in the healing ministry of Jesus (Matthew 9:22). Faith is the link between you and your cure. Faith is what brings God to the scene to accomplish the impossible. That’s why Jesus says in Luke 17:6 that if you have faith, you can accomplish the impossible. Jesus Christ performed miracles by touching, healing, and transforming countless lives. These divine acts led people to him and opened their hearts, which was the aim of his healing miracles.

Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus is also calling us to continue this great work he started on earth. His death and resurrection never ended his work as he handed over his duties to us and even said we could do more if we believe in him. John 14:12: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” Note that Jesus is the head of His body, the church. As His body, we are to carry on the works that He did when He was on earth. Let us be open to the help of the Holy Spirit as BO-BE-NKA’A to continue the Preaching, Teaching, and Healing Ministries of our Lord Jesus wherever we find ourselves. Let us mind what we think, say, and do for it all contribute to this mission.

Let us comment, share our opinions, and ask questions.

https://youtu.be/5DCzqHV-Xns

Stage 1 theme 3 Session 5 How can I honor Jesus?

Dear brothers and sisters, greetings once more and welcome to this last session of theme 3; “JESUS” on our review of the Awunka’a stage. This week we have this question to reflect on; “How can I honor Jesus?” As an answer to this question many would say, “by praying, praising, thanking, worshiping and adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” Yes, this is very true but it is also much more than this.

Daily Prayer for the Week

Scripture Reading: John 4:23-25

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Prayer

Our Lord and our God, Jesus our Savior, the eternal begotten Son of God. We approach Your Heavenly Gates with a grateful heart. We bless Your Holy Name and submit the honor and praise that is due unto You. Beautiful Lord, We were created in your image, fearfully and wonderfully made to be the light in this dark world. Lord! Show us how we can best honor you! We give you everything. Use us as you please. (Add your intention) Amen.

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “ Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.” Glory be…

Reflection

There are so many ways to give honor or worship to Jesus, and praying is one of them. By Praying

• I worship Him through music – both listening to it and singing along. Even raising my hands at times.
• I worship Him through praise and thanksgiving. He is good and has done good things for me. I praise him for all, both successes and failures.
• I worship Him by praying His Word back to Him and expecting great answers. That is by quoting scriptures.
• I worship Him by spending time in His presence, listening to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit.
• I worship Him by enjoying the world He created and glorifying Him for it.
• Worship through Confession of Sin. Sin breaks the heart of our Father. He weeps to see us in sin. We worship him when we repent.
• I don’t only do the above but also listen to him, gaze at him and seek his face. So honor Jesus by Praying to him… asking him to receive your prayers… give him glory… give him honor…. give him thanks… listen to him and he will bless you and your future generations.

Praying is not the only way to honor Jesus. We can also glorify Jesus by whatever we do and exalt Him in our bodies by our acts of obedience, our selfless acts of service, our willingness to witness, and our actions. When our bodies labor to do service to Him we glorify Jesus and exalt His name. Our labors of love must be aimed at glorifying Him.

How do we worship Jesus by our bodies and our acts?

• Dedicate your life to Jesus Christ. A good prayer life is in everything we do and throughout ones day.
• Dedicate yourself to the church. We are the body with one head; Jesus.
• Read your Bible and pray the Rosary, they are our bow and arrow.
• Spread the Good News. This is our mission as Christians.
• Obey Jesus’ commandments and do what he teaches.
• Become baptized and a confirmed Christian.
• Celebrate the Sacraments, especially Holy Communion.
• Reverence of holy objects/figures. That is, our attitude before the Blessed Sacrament, Crucifix, in Mass, towards Bishops, Priest and Religious should be of high integrity and respect and never for granted.
• Honor Jesus in your home. Honoring Jesus in your home children means obeying your parents, and doing what they say without arguing; it means giving them the respect they deserve. After all, they are God’s representative in your life. For Couples, it is expressing mutual love and understanding towards each other and loving your children.
• Honor God with your time –How are you using the precious time you have been given to glorify God? In a day of twenty-four hours given to you for free by God, how many minutes do you give back to him in prayers?
• Honor God with your talents – These are your God-given gifts and abilities not only for your good but for the good of others too.
• Honor God with your temple – This means your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. Our bodies are temples where Jesus and his Spirit dwell, so our self-dignity worships him.
• Honor God with your treasure – This means your finances. (Matthew 6:21) Give to the Church and the poor and God will bless you a hundred full.
• Honor God with all your heart involves loving Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The only obstacle to the act of giving honor or worship to Jesus is sin. True worship of God is distinguished by the following criteria: first, it comes from the repented heart of a man or woman who has been justified before God by faith and who is trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins. Distractions during prayers most of the time are promptings brought to us by the Holy Spirit that also needs to be prayed or interceded for. When they happen the best solution is to bring them to Jesus in prayers. Meanwhile, the only bad distraction in prayer is sin that separates us from God unless we confess them and give them up so as to be in the state of grace when honoring Jesus.

My dear brothers and sisters, when we worship Jesus we worship God. We must never rest until everything inside us worships God. In worship, God imparts himself to us. Worship is the believer’s response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does. Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Try to be in a state of grace when doing this.

With the pandemic many haven’t got opportunities to go to confession as often as necessary, also many of us are in situations that can’t permit us to celebrate the sacrament of confession which purifies us to honor Jesus. While praying, trying, and waiting to rectify our situations, let’s follow this Priest in the video below who offers us another option for now. Try to follow the video to the end for self-purification, to unite ourselves with a clean conscience with our Lord and God, and worship him in truth and in spirit. You may go to direct confession if possible and then honor and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with confidence. My experience is that due to the pandemic before the health minister comes to administer communion to us at home on Mondays, I make sure I follow this method so as try to encounter Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in a state of grace.

https://youtu.be/VQtDh6Kh-CY

Stage 1 Topic 4: LIFE

God created us in his own image and saw that we are good to live and enjoy life; all that he created, and Jesus says He came that we may have life and life to the full. (John 10:10) This week my dear brothers and sisters we are beginning a new topic or theme “LIFE” still under the first stage AWUNKA’A. This is our fourth topic so far out of the five we are to review on this stage, (Self, Group, Jesus, Life, Bo-Be-Nka’a). This theme will take us five weeks as follows:

Points/Sessions for reflection and sharing

1. The Physical Dimension of our life
2. The Intellectual Dimension of our life
3. The Social /Emotional Dimensions of our life
4. The Spiritual/vocational Dimensions of our life
5. The Financial Dimension of our life

Stage 1 (Awunka’a) Theme 4 (LIFE) Session 1 The Physical Dimension of our life

Life is the period between the birth and death of any living thing, and life includes the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death: This week we will focus on the physical dimension of our life.

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: John 10:10-13

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired man is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.”̧

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you came that we may have life and have it to the full. In you, we live move, and have our being for you are the vine and we the branches. Thank you for offering us your life. In our journey with you o lord may we grow in all dimensions. May we be able to associate ourselves physically well with the beautiful creation of God the Father. (add your intention) Amen.

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Thank you Lord for my life” Glory be…

Reflection

The Physical dimension of our life is the dimension of the body and personality; family, biology, heritage; needs, and food. It is also the dimension of action and work. Here we learn to agree to live, to accept its processes, and build in it. 

Body: This has to do with our physical look, size, height, or skin color. These need particular attention and care. We human beings are accountable to God for how we care for our bodies as it is often said cleanliness is brother to holiness and our bodies are temples where God dwells.

Personality here has to do with our character, how we bear witness to Christ in the midst of others, in front of our kids, at our job sites, and wherever we find ourselves, which is our mission as Christians. The center of our character should be love as God is love. This love should be seen in our words and acts wherever we are physically present.

Family is one component of our physical growth as we were born, live, and continue to grow as members of our family. Our relationship with our parents, brothers/sisters, and relatives also contributes to our physical life. When we work for peace, collaboration, care, and love amongst our family members we are securing our physical health, and our relations for healthy relationships will always bring happiness in our lives.

Biology/Heritage: This has to do with our sexuality and some of our built-in materials inherited from our parents. Our sexuality here simply means being male or female and the changes involved as we grow up. We are now men and women who have passed through childhood and adolescence, and now living in adulthood. It’s like a miracle we have so developed in size and have experienced great changes in life as compared to the days of the Awunka’a stage. Some of the formations we had as theory had gradually become realities. This gives us reason to continue taking up our rules as responsible men and women, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, and religious, wherever applicable.

Some of us may have inherited or developed some qualities or health situations that affect our physical self due to our inheritance. You may be tall, short, fat, thin, or have some inherited sicknesses like hypertension, diabetes, etc., due to inherited genes from your parents. In such cases, we should accept ourselves to continue taking prevention and care for ourselves and our springs, and also treating any physical ailments we have developed due to our biological inheritance.

Needs and food: Our needs and the food we eat matter a lot to our physical growth. It is good to make efforts to provide what your body needs physically and eat well and on time. This habit ensures good health. “Health is wealth” This phrase would sound so normal to those of us who are healthy now, but those who have difficult health situations would understand it better. It is an intense warning to all of us to take care of our physical health because life is never the same when getting into a serious health situation, let’s say losing our mobility or being placed on permanent treatment although life. Thus, avoiding things like too much alcohol, smoking, bad drugs, and exposing our bodies to harsh climate situations is a wise thing to do by everyone.

Action and work: Our physical life is also the dimension of action and work. Exercising ourselves and doing our daily jobs would also improve our physical life. It is often said “laziness is the devil’s workshop. You must have run away from temptations when you make a good plan of activities for yourself daily. The habit of drawing up a yearly, monthly, or daily program of activities for oneself will help us to be stable and focused in life.

This dimension also links to our Environment by understanding how your social, natural, and built environments affect your health and well-being. Being aware of the unstable state of the earth and the effects on your daily habits, e.g. the seasons and climate change, weather conditions, and even physical activities of our environment have an impact on our physical characteristics or behaviors. We should always strive to adjust and fit well in our evolving environment.

So, dear friends in the lord, to live life to the full is to do our own part physically and all-round to fit well both in the Church and society as good Christians. This week, let us take a look once more at our physical selves and take a more concrete decision on how to proceed in life.

Here I present to you some memories of our past in a video form, wishing all of you and your families a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2021, Hopping that we shall continue to journey together as Children of the Light (BO-BE-NkA’A).

https://youtu.be/QHR81S15aGM

Topic 4 LIFE Session 2 Intellectual Dimension of our life

Daily Prayer for the Week

Brothers and Sisters, Christmas greetings once more and welcome to this second session of our theme, “LIFE”. This week we will reflect on our intellectual growth, how to continue growing, and building our mental capacities.

Scripture: John 14:5-6

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus give us wisdom” Glory be…

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we do not know the way unless you lead us. On our own we can’t do anything, we go astray; For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. We come to you for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Our great teacher and friend, you are all-knowing, teach us to think as we think. ( add your intention) we ask this through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.

Reflection

The Intellectual Dimension of our life involves Growing intellectually, maintaining a curiosity about all there is to learn, valuing lifelong learning, and responding positively to intellectual challenges. Expanding knowledge and skills while discovering the potential for sharing your gifts with others. The following guidelines will help us grow intellectually.

• Enrich your mind: Be proactive, curious, conscious, and informed about the world.
• Use your brain more often by doing brain exercises.: Activities like doing puzzles, playing games, solving numerical problems, studying difficult topics, and challenging your reasoning and logic exercise the brain.
• Avoid foods that are harmful to the brain; alcohol, smoking, bad drugs, etc
• There is a strong indication that education and learning yield positive changes in the brain. If you continue to learn and experiment, your brain continues to grow, whether it is knitting, baking, computer programming, marketing, etc. We never stop learning.
• Think critically. When we hear, read, or work on something, it is very important that we question everything and pay attention to details. Such an approach can improve our thinking ability because it requires more brainwork than mere observation.
• The mind of Christ: the mind of Christ is something all believers have, as the Apostle Paul said, when speaking to the Christians in Corinth, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Those who have the mind of Christ are able to discern spiritual things that the natural man (or the unbeliever) cannot understand or see. 1Cor. 1:25 also says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. when we seek the mind of Christ we can develop the charisms of the mind i.e., wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
• Get better sleep and take naps. This refreshes the brain and brings it energy.
• Laugh more, it relaxes our memories, heals them, and makes us lively.
• Get rid of bad habits that hurt your confidence. Negative thinking, evil plans, lies telling for one lie demands another to cover it up and all these ruin our confidence.
• Start your day by thinking about one good thing you can do. Good deeds bring happiness and joy.
• End your day by thanking God for the great things you have done.

Let us take time this week to reflect on our intellectual growth and try to make concrete decisions. Consider buying some reading material, furthering your education, stopping negative behavior, thinking critically and asking questions regarding your future plans, thinking to do good always, thinking as Jesus thinks, and also being open to knowledge about what is happening around the world.

Stage 1 Theme 4 LIFE Session 3 Emotional/Social Dimensions

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Prayer

Lord when we come to you we have life to the full. You are our Divine Providence. In you, we have all we need, all we want. Without you, we labor in vain. We come to speak and listen to you this week on the emotional and social dimensions of our lives. Come to us and help us feel as you feel. (Add your intention) Amen.

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus teach us to love ” Glory be…

Reflection

Social Dimension: This includes Maintaining healthy relationships, enjoying being with others, developing friendships and intimate relations, caring about others, and letting others care about you, contributing to your community. the dimension of relationships, emotions, and striving for unity. It is also where the meaning of human life is most easily known through our heart desires.

n this case, I would like us to recall our formation on the different relationships we talked about during our Awunka’a days; Friendship, infatuation, Exploitation, and love relationship. In our Awunka’a formation we learned about these relationships as follows;

1. FRIENDSHIP:  Normally, we need friends at every stage of life. Some need many, some a few but one cannot have more than one true friend. People make friends of all ages, different backgrounds, religious values, ideas, and sex.
2. INFATUATION  – On this, we learned it was Love at first sight. A stage of being temporally filled with intense unreasonable love emotions for a person. Common with teenagers because of their growing strong emotions. The strong emotional feelings here float i.e. they are strong and move from desiring one person to another. All these are normal and sincere expressions of what teen boys and girls go through but can be dangerous if they are too preoccupied with it and forget their other responsibilities, or fail to channel this energy to the right ways. Young boys and girls confuse this strong emotional feeling for love and thus go astray. The consequences of the wrong use of emotions here are pregnancy, abortion, difficulties to have a future husband, prostitution, masturbation, etc. We can now ask ourselves whether we had been victims in this regard and what is our efforts to readjust our lives
3. EXPLOITATION: When you use someone for your own interest or purpose you exploit that person. The practice of sugar mummies and sugar daddies. Deceiving young boys and girls with little gifts or big money to flirt with them. A selfish relationship in which you use somebody and get what you want to get without any respect for the person’s self-dignity or gratitude for the person. It leads to rape, pornography, prostitution, child abuse, etc. Such sexual abuse leaves deep emotional wounds.
4. LOVE RELATIONSHIP: Love is a deeper relationship not floating from one person to another. Many love relationships are without sexual intercourse, e.g. parents and children, brothers and sisters, true friends, honest and holy teen boys, and girls. Love is the most beautiful of all human relations. The Bible defines it so well for us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Love is God himself because God is Love. True love is ‘giving’ (caring) and false love is ‘taking’ (exploitation). In true love, I would always want to help the one I love to grow and be a better person than when I met him/her. Much of our happiness depends on the depth and constancy of our love relationship. We spend our whole life learning to love truly.

As adults now, we should ask ourselves how far have we lived these formation points. Have we been victims or victors of these relationships? Is there a need to correct our lives; make amends, reconcile or adjust our ways? In which relationship are you at present? Are you/your partner giving or taking?

Emotional Dimension: This involves feeling positive and enthusiastic about your life and managing your emotions in constructive or meaningful and just ways. Emotions like joy, anger, worry, anxiety, sadness, love, fear, and fright are external manifestations of the functional activities of the body. Emotions are a combination of different feelings. Emotions can be very strong in adolescents since they are still developing at this stage and is part of their growth. Some main human emotions are 

Happiness: Happiness is often defined as a pleasant emotional state that is characterized by feelings of contentment, joy, gratification, satisfaction, love, and well-being. Happiness has been linked to a variety of outcomes including increased longevity and increased marital satisfaction, while unhappiness has been linked to a variety of poor health outcomes. Stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Sadness: Sadness is characterized by feelings of disappointment, grief, hopelessness, disinterest, and dampened mood. Like other emotions, sadness is something that all people experience from time to time. In some cases, people can experience prolonged and severe periods of sadness that can turn into depression. The type and severity of sadness can vary depending upon the root cause, and how people cope with such feelings can also differ. Sadness can often lead people to engage in coping mechanisms such as avoiding other people, self-medicating, and thinking deeply about negative thoughts. Such behaviors can actually provoke feelings of sadness and prolong the duration of the emotion. That’s why we should always try to come out of sadness as soon as possible.

Fear:  Fear is a powerful emotion that can also play an important role in survival. When you face some sort of danger and experience fear, you go through what is known as the fight or flight response. To control fear we should gradually expose ourselves or our children to the things that frighten them. This is known as exposure therapy.  

Disgust: This sense of revulsion can originate from several things, including an unpleasant taste, sight, or smell. Researchers believe that this emotion evolved as a reaction to foods that might be harmful or fatal. For example, when people smell or taste foods that have gone bad. Disgust is a typical reaction. People can also experience moral disgust when they observe others engaging in behaviors that they find distasteful, immoral, or evil.

Anger: Anger can be a particularly powerful emotion characterized by feelings of hostility, agitation, frustration, and antagonism towards others. Like fear, anger can play a part in your body’s fight or flight response. When a threat generates feelings of anger, you may be inclined to run off the danger and protect yourself.

While anger is often thought of as a negative emotion, it can sometimes be a good thing. It can be constructive in helping clarify your needs in a relationship, and it can also motivate you to take action and find solutions to things that are bothering you.

Anger can become a problem, however, when it is excessive or expressed in ways that are unhealthy, dangerous, or harmful to others. Uncontrolled anger can quickly turn to aggression, abuse, or violence. This type of emotion can have both mental and physical consequences. Unchecked anger can make it difficult to make rational decisions and can even have an impact on your physical health.

Surprise: Surprise is usually quite brief and is characterized by a physiological startle response following something unexpected. This type of emotion can be positive, negative, or neutral. An unpleasant surprise, for example, might involve someone jumping out from behind a tree and scaring you as you walk to your car at night. An example of a pleasant surprise would be arriving home to find that your closest friends have gathered to celebrate your birthday. The immediate reaction is that you may fight or flee.

 Love: Love consists of secondary emotions, such as affection and longing. The secondary emotion of affection includes tertiary emotions, such as liking, caring, compassion, and tenderness.

Other Types of Emotions: The basic emotions described above are just a portion of the many different types of emotions that people are capable of experiencing. These core emotions are universal throughout cultures all over the world but there are many others such as; Amusement, Contempt, Contentment, Embarrassment, Excitement, Guilt, Pride in achievement, Relief, Satisfaction, Shame

 One of the most important ways that we express emotion, however, is through facial expressions. The good thing is that we can control our emotions and we have the power to channel them in purposeful ways. Purposeful ways here involve engaging in meaningful activities that help us to release our emotions. For example, instead of a boy and a girl sitting idly in a room by themselves all day, it would have been better if they go for a walk, did sports, swam, gamed, sightseeing, danced, studied, worked together, etc.

So dear friends let us spend this whole week reflecting on our Social and emotional life and try to strengthen our relationship with our God in these dimensions.

Stage 1 Theme 4 LIFE Session 4 Spiritual/Vocational Dimension

Dear brothers and sisters welcome to yet another new week. Remember we are on topic 4 LIFE and this week we will focus on the Spiritual and vocational aspects of our precious life. Welcome and congratulations for following up.

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 15-17

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.”  Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Prayer

Holy God, Holy immortal God, we worship and glorify your holy name. You are our God whom we trust. Without you we are nothing but in you, we live move, and have our being. Lord, draw us closer to you this week and teach us to be holy as you are holy. (Add your intention) We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord and Friend. Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus teach me to be holy ” Glory be…

Reflection

Spiritual Dimension: This dimension has to do with finding purpose, value, and meaning in your life. Participating in activities that are consistent with your beliefs and values or your religion. For us Christians, it also portrays the gifts of the Holy Spirit. – wisdom, knowledge, understanding, piety, fortitude, fear of God, and self-control. Exercising God’s “Call to Holiness” which is for all; both religious and lay, in all aspects of life. Here we are called to be pure and chaste in all aspects of life, both lay and religious.

The Vocational Dimension includes preparing for and participating in work that provides personal satisfaction and life enrichment that is consistent with your values, goals, and lifestyle. Contributing your unique gifts, skills, and talents to work that is personally meaningful and rewarding. Bringing Christian values in anything you do and everywhere you are. We can transform the world if we all live our vocations well as lay and religious alike.

PURITY AND CHASTITY IMPORTANT VALUES FOR our spirituality and vocation.

Reflection

 Remember we dwelled much on the virtues of purity and chastity during our Awunka’a formation. now let us refresh ourselves on the meaning of these words again and try to compare our present life to whether this formation had been of any help or is still supporting our lives now.

Bearing in mind that we are all called to holiness; “Be holy as I am holy”, there is a necessity to work towards it in purity and chastity. We need to understand that we have an important call to emulate the example of Jesus and Mary our mother and model. Thus we need to be pure in thoughts, hearts, and words, and also be chaste in all our ways.  The virtues of purity and chastity are very important in our vocation as friends of Jesus, in our call to holiness.

• Purity is essentially the quality of the heart. It is related to the interior attitude of love and it is a reflection of God’s holiness in us. So, to be holy as God is holy we need to be pure.
• Purity and love are closely linked; without love, the virtue of purity has no meaning. Love can overcome everything that may disturb us in our efforts for purity.
• Purity is not a normal way of self-control but a way of expressing love. Giving God to others for God is love.
• Purity brings you closest to God. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Mt. 5:8.
• To be pure is not that you should neglect your physical appearance and stop being well-groomed. Our bodies reflect our hearts. We said earlier that cleanliness (and modesty) is brother to holiness.
• The virtue of purity implies the attitude of chastity.
• Chastity has to do with the body and sexual behavior as a whole and not only to genital activities. Thus,
• A person is said to be chaste when his/her social behavior shows concern and respect for others. It is not shying away from men and women.
• If you learn how to love with all your heart you will grow chaste in joy. True love is not aimed at hurting but seeing into it that the other person grows in holiness too.
• Thus chastity is a wealth that is derived from an abundance of love and not shying away from love.
• It is developing your potentialities or talents and putting them at the service of others.
• For boys, the main demand of chastity is to learn how to channel their energy and intergrade their instincts into love. Doing this in purposeful ways. (engaging in open and pure activities)
• For girls, the virtue of chastity is an invitation to become aware of their ability to show love and care in the most acceptable ways.
• “Do not say that you have chaste minds if you have unchaste eyes because an unchaste eye is a messenger of an unchaste mind.” (St Augustine)
• There is this story of two Monks. Once there were two monks who arrived at a river where the bridge had been swept away. this pretty woman was standing there not knowing what to do to cross the river without getting her pretty shoes and clothes wet. One of the monks decided to carry the lady across the river. As they continued their journey his other brother kept saying that it was good for his brother to help the lady but that was like against the norms of their call. He kept repeating this. Then his brother said, “I carried the lady, put her across the river, but you are still carrying her.” From his response, it is clear that the monk who helped had chaste eyes and a chaste mind.
• We are called to be chaste because our body does not belong to us; it is part of Christ’s body and the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, having this formation, can each one of us now say. “Holiness is my job this year 2021”? Let us work hard for it trying to strike a balance in our life in the area of our spirituality and vocation. Once more happy New Year.

Memories: Entrance procession to Father Mark Ndifor’s first Mass in Futru at the ceremonial ground.

https://nwufortherese.education/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/80001-3-e1600835125178.jpg?w=1024

Laity Anthem to St Joseph Calasanz by the Lay Piarists of Bamenda Cameroon.

By T. Theresia

1. Joseph Calasanz our founder, we come to you in the pious schools oo We’ve heard your call, we’ll follow you with all hearts throughout our lives x2. Ref…
2. You saw the lord in the poor Children who were in Rome and in the world .. You taught knowledge and piety as basic needs for all the youths x2. Ref…
3. You call the young to the pious schools, you call the Lay to the pious school .. O patron Saint of Christian Schools We offer you the poor children. x2. Ref…

Refrain:

Joseph Calasanz x2

we come to you x2

Joseph Calasanz x2 we hear your call,

Joseph calasanz we need your help, pray for us today

we’ll follow you x2

Listen to this anthem on Spotify.

Stage 1 Theme 4 LIFE Session 5 Financial Dimension

Dear friends, here comes the last session on our theme LIFE on Awunka’a Evaluation. So far we have reviewed and reflected on the topics Self, group, Jesus, and life which we are concluding this week. Thereafter as from the next week, we will begin the last topic on Awunka’a which is “Bo-Be-Nka’a.“

Daily Prayer for the week

Scripture Reading: Is 55: 1-2

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
² Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Prayer

Our Lord and our God, we thank you for your divine providence. Thank you for the great care that has brought us this far in life. How can we repay you for your goodness to us, for you are our Mighty provider, our Good Shepherd who leads us to fields of green grass and pools of fresh waters? In you, we lack nothing but have all we need as you will always furnish our tables and fill our cups to overflowing in the presence of our foes because we trust in you our Divine providence. Father, bless the works of our hands. (Add your intention) We ask this through Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd. Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus bless the works of my hands ” Glory be…

Reflection

Financial Dimension: This has to do with what we earn and how we manage and spend it.

• Being contented with what we have, manage it well while trying to have more. Good spending is when we spend only within our earnings, spending more when we earn less is taking a risk in life and thus we need to be very careful.
• Managing your resources to live within your means. Not wanting to spend what you don’t have. Plan well with what you have.
• Making realistic financial decisions and investments, setting realistic goals, and preparing for short-term and long-term needs or emergencies. Work, spend, and save, should be our financial goals in life.
• Being aware that everyone’s financial values, needs, and circumstances are unique. No comparison for comparison can lead us astray. Many people because of comparison have ended up doing money rituals and may be deceived by friends or by their being money mongers.

• Some best ways to spend our money are
• Spend it on your family. Provide food, clothing, shelter, and other needs.
• Spend it on education and learning. Invest in your children’s education and think of furthering your own education.
• Give to the Church. Remember the measure you use to give is the measure God will use to give you back several times more.
• Give to the poor.
• Save for the future.
• Take a holiday, etc.

• So my dear brothers and sisters, take time this week to evaluate your financial life and make concrete decisions. Draw a realistic weekly or monthly budget depending on what you have and try to look for other sources of income to improve this dimension of your life.
• Remember to respect your daily prayer time, be nice to yourselves and others and be honest financial wise.

Stage 1 Theme 5: BO-BE-NKA’A

Greetings to all and welcome to our new topic. The topic BO-BE-NKA’A in the Awunka’a Stage is a preparatory stage towards the BO-BE-NKA’A Basic Promise. The Adultescent here has been well-formed following the Awunka’a (Apprentice or Aspirant) Program and is now ready to become a full member of the BO-BE-NKA’A Process. Thus, this theme concludes with the pronunciation of the BO-BE-NKA’A Promise and the Youths would then move to the NGWE (SEED) Stage of the BNN Process. So, on this topic BO-BE-NKA’A, I have proposed the following points for reflection which will take us about five weeks. 

Points/Topics for reflection and sharing

1. Qualification to become a full Moo-Nka’a
2. The BO-BE-NKA’A Motto; Motto
3. The BO-BE-NKA’A Anthem
4. BO-BE-NKA’A Basic Promise

Stage 1 Theme 5 BO-BE-NKA’A Session 1 Qualification to become a Moo-Nka’a

Scripture Reading: L1 Thes 5:5

“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.“

Dearest Father, let me get up each day with an open heart and mind, ready to embrace any opportunity that would make me shine and be happy. Help me to make good plans and live an organized life so as live in the light. I offer you all that may distract me from being a child of the light and let nothing hide in the dark to deceive or destroy your child’s happiness o Lord, for you are light and in you, there’s no darkness. Open my eyes and make me wise to see the right part that leads to you for I am a child of light and day never of darkness and night. (add your intention) Thank you, Father.

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus help us to be children of light ” Glory be…

Reflection

The basic requirements for an Awunka’a to become a member of the BO-BE-NKA’A Process (Moo-Nka’a), are to follow the formation fully and to have received some of the Sacraments of the Church. The Adultescent must have followed the Awunka’a formation strictly without skipping any sessions. In case of absenteeism from certain sessions, the Ndi must make efforts to follow up on the ones concerned individually to catch up. By the time the Youth completes the Awunka’a Stage, he or she must have received the sacraments of Initiation, that is Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, and also Confession.

• The formation that has got so much to do with the member’s relationship to Self, group, Jesus, and life, as we have reviewed, becomes the basis of a good Christian Life that the Moo-Nka’a is supposed to live the rest of his/her life, thus must be handled radically or very strictly without a lapse.
• The Sacrament of Baptism as we know cleanses us from original sin and makes us members of God’s family, the Church. Thus the Aunka’a must be baptized before pronouncing the Basic Promise in order to enter this life-long journey as God’s own.
• Having received formation on being friends of Jesus they should be able to enter into a deeper relationship with him and that can’t be possible without the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that nourishes our souls and enables us to encounter Jesus both physically and spiritually. Thus, A Moo-Nka’a must be able to receive Holy Communion.
• Of course, before we receive our first Holy Communion we need the Sacrament of Confession. They are no more babies but have grown to a stage where they experience sin in their lives. So, there is the need for frequent spiritual baths to keep clean before God and man always. Thus this sacrament of Penance is a pre-requisite to becoming a Moo-Nka’a. They would have to make a good confession before the Basic Promise and would continue as a lifelong obligation like all Catholic Christians.

So, dear brothers and sisters, let us reflect on the above points again after a long time we had our formation on this and see whether they still mean anything in our life and whether we are still in this lifelong process. Remain good.

Stage 1 Theme 5 BO-BE-NKA’A Session 2 The BO-BE-NKA’A Motto

Scripture Reading: Matt. 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus help my light to shine ” Glory be…

Prayer

Dearest Father, no matter how dark our world may be seen today, there is no darkness that can overtake the Light who is Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. One little tiny speck of light received from Him will break through the darkness in even the darkest of places and nights. Help our little lights to continue shinning. Father, in the beginning, you said, “Let there be light.” Your word o God is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. If there was ever a time in our world when we needed to be reminded to BE LIGHT, it is today. It is now. Father help us be the lights of the world. (Add your intention). We ask this through Christ our Light.

Reflection

I want you to read the verses of the above reading carefully. Pay especially close attention to the words “you are”, “in the same way”, “let your light shine”, and “that they may see”.

Our title BO-BE-NKA’A means CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT and our motto demands us to shine everywhere (Nwa’a Adi’i Ntseme!) Thus our motto is written as BO-BE-NKA’A NWA’A ADI’I NTSEME! (CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT, SHINE EVERYWHERE!) How do we do this? How does it mean to shine everywhere? All it means is exactly what the wordings say. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, a light that shines in the dark, and no darkness can deem it. So as His friends, brothers, sisters, and children of God, we have to be like him; shinning everywhere. In our reading for this week, he does not ask us whether we want to be light but commands us that we are the light of the world, cities build on a hill that is supposed to shine for everyone to see, lamps that are supposed to be placed on a lampstand for all to see and not hidden under a shelf. That we should let our lights shine before men and show our good works so that people will see and glorify our heavenly Father. Thus, Our motto is aimed at guiding us throughout life, reminding us to always shine.

“Being a light” sounds great, doesn’t it? But it’s also a little abstract. How exactly do you become this brilliant beacon to people around you? Here are some 6 practical tips:

• Be careful what you say. Say the truth always. Let your yes be yes and no be no for only the truth proves the true light. The Bible calls the tongue “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). This is serious. And that’s how we should take our speech—seriously. Maybe a parent once told you, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” It’s not bad advice, even as an adult. Words are powerful and can be used for good or bad. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
• Consider your entertainment. Where do you go for fun? What shows or movies do you watch? What kind of music do you listen to? Would you go to the same places, watch the same things or listen to the same music if Jesus were sitting next to you? Or would you be embarrassed? It might sound silly, but asking those questions is a good way to keep yourself in check, whether you’re alone or with others and shinning.
• Use social media wisely. People are watching what you post, whether they interact with your posts or not. Think about the things you’ve posted recently—articles, comments, photos, and so on. Could they be seen as prideful? Self-centered? Rude? What’s your motive? To put others down or make them jealous? All this contributes to the impact of our light on others.
• Think of others. Consider other people’s needs and help meet them. Encourage instead of criticizing. Be patient. Give others the benefit of the doubt. If you hear gossip, distance yourself from it or change the subject. When you encounter a difficult person, remember that they were made and are loved by God. Above all, “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you” (Luke 6:31).
• Know and live God’s Word. The same is true when it comes to being a light for Jesus. You can’t be his light if you don’t know him… really know him. You might be able to fool people for a while, but your light won’t stay lit once you run out of people to fool. If you don’t truly know who Jesus is, what he expects, how he thinks, what is his truth, your light won’t stay lit. You can’t claim to be the light of Jesus if you don’t use Jesus to fuel that light.
• Share your light. To be the light of Jesus means we light the way for others by sharing the truth of the Gospel with as many people as possible. By living life with a genuine Christ-like attitude, by supporting missionaries, and by treating the world around you as your mission field, you will be the light Jesus has called you to be.

So my dear friends, If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Light then being light isn’t an option. It is a command. So… get out there and shine! BO-BE-NKA’A, NWA’A ADI’I NTSEME! (CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT, SHINE EVERYWHERE!)

Stage 1 Theme 5 BO-BE-NKA’A Session 3 The BO-BE-NKA’A Anthem

Hello friends, welcome to our new week, the third session on theme five; BO-BE-NKA’A. We shall focus on, reflect and share on our Motto.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:5-8

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Heavenly Father, make us ever-mindful that we are the light of Christ. It’s a responsibility as your ambassador, but also a gift and privilege. Teach us to walk in goodness, righteousness, and truth, to be aware of such things. We want to walk in the light as You are in the light. We want to walk with You, to be used by You. Set our hearts on fire, Lord. Cause them to burn with passion for Your people, Your church, Your world. Kindle the flame afresh. (Add your intention) Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Lord Jesus help us keep our light shinning ” Glory be…

Reflection

The BO-BE-NKA’A Anthem

Ref: Let the BO-BE-NKA’A prosper and grow, like the sun, moon, and the stars, that we’ll always be united, that is our goal. x2

1. Love will be strong and peace when things go down. Joy will be ours in Jesus’ light we shine, so Ref…
2. Walk in the light, stand firm when things go wrong, let the Spirit ignites the fire again, so ref…

• The refrain of our anthem goes, “Let the BO-BE-NKA’A prosper and grow, like the sun moon, and the stars, that we’ll always be united, that is our goal.” If we let our light shine we will surely prosper and grow for no darkness will be able to deem it. The sun shines, the moonshine and the stars shine and no darkness prevails when they are on. So due us, children of the light, our light should shine always. By this we will be united wherever we are, enjoying the glimpse of that full glory of God awaiting us when we shall finally gather as a big family of God in the heavenly Paradise, which is our goal.
• “Love will be strong and peace when things go down. Joy will be ours in Jesus’ light we shine.” is the wordings of verse one assuring us of the advantages of living as lights. We will know true love, peace when things go down and joy will be ours when we shine in Jesus as our light.
• “Walk in the light, stand firm when things go wrong, let the Spirit ignites the fire again” is a message of courage, asking us to continuously walk in the light and stand firm when things go wrong. Life is made up of ups and downs, difficulties, trials, and temptations and if for any reason our light is lost, then we should always turn to the Holy Spirit of Jesus to ignite the fire again. Of course, He will do it for he will never fail us. We will do this when we kneel down and pray, take a good spiritual bath by confessing our sins so as to “always be united, that is our goal”

Having got the meaning of our anthem, let us sing it and do what it says. I’ve tried to sing and record it by myself. You will do it better. I could only do it via YouTube. Hope we will all be able to reach it.

https://youtu.be/YCsZMCFkVDA

Stage 1 Theme 5 BO-BE-NKA’A Session 4 The BO-BE-NKA’A Basic Promise

A happy new week to my dear brothers and sisters of this precious group. This week let us recall one glorious moment we ever lived as BO-BE-NKA’A that was so significant in our lives. That was the time we graduated as Awunka’a, had our Basic Promise, and became BO-BE-NKA’A (Children of the Light). This is the last week of our brief review on the Awunka’a Stage, then from next week, by God’s grace, we shall start reviewing Stage two of our Process “NGWE” which many of us also went through.

Daily Prayer for the Week

Scripture: Ephesians 4 : 1- 3 & 22-28

“1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[ a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a chance. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Prayer

Blessed Spirit of Holiness, possess my heart, incline it to true faith in God as a child of the Light, to a holy love of God the Father, the Son and you, my Helper, that with my whole soul I may seek the Light of God and find. Blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart that I may be mindful of the Promise I made as a Child of the Light and keep to it. Make me fly from sin, and give me intense reverence for God and for my fellow men who are made in God’s image, so that my light may continue to shine before men for them to see my good works and glorify my Heavenly Father. (Add your intention) Amen

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary… A decade (10) of “Blessed Spirit of Holiness renew us” Glory be…

Reflection

Let us take a short moment to immerse ourselves once more into the joy of what actually brought us together as children of the light and is still keeping us together this far. We would recall that in those days, the Basic Promise Ritual demanded a lot of preparation to give the dignity it deserved. After the Awunka’a formation period which was the long-term preparation for this initiation, we got into the immediate preparation that led us to the BO-BE-NKA’A Basic Promise. This was usually on the weekend leading to the Sunday of the Basic Promise.

After all the catch-up lessons had been given to all those who deserved it, a retreat or recollection was then organized to mark the end of this first stage (Awunka’a) and to prepare us for the Basic Promise. There, we had a good self-examination and sincere confessions, and the meaning and procedure of the Basic Promise were explained to us. This made us the Awunka’a to be aware of the new stage of life in the BO-BE-NKA’A Process we were about to start or enter into.

There was usually a meeting with the Parents of the candidates beforehand, to talk and explain things to them such as to appreciate their all-time assistance to their children and the Movement as a whole, the program, and their assistance to get the “Alense” (symbol) and food, on the day of the Basic Promise, etc. We also had joint choir practice sessions to prepare for the Basic Promise Mass. The Processions (Entrance, Lectionary, Offertory, Exit), Readings, and Prayer of the Faithful with symbols were also prepared. Different groups had also prepared other activities like choral music and sketches to present on the day of celebration.

The day of the Basic Promise was then a great Ceremony that would begin with the well-prepared Mass, with all the Beli, BO-BE-NKA’A and their parents gathered together with the Church Community to witness.

During the Mass, Candidates were then called to the front of the alter after offertory for the BO-BE-NKA’A initiation; that is to pronounce their Promise. The Beli served us with a candle each and help us light it from the Easter Candle. They then lined behind us while we respond to the Priest and as he invites us to recite our Promise. We Promised to be the lights of the world, to shine everywhere, to be obedient to God and Parents, to be pure and chaste in our thoughts, words, and acts, to be of a good example as Mary our Mother and Model, above all to shine everywhere. The Priest pray and blessed the Alense (Scalfs or symbols) and handed it to each of us. The Beli then help to put them on us (round our shoulders) We then raised our candles up three times responding to the Priest;

Priest: “BO-BE-NKA’A

All: “Nwa’a Adi’i Ntseme.”

From thence we became full BO-BE-NKA’A owning our own ALENSE (scalf or symbol of recognition) and the whole movement gathered in Church would then sing any joyful Light song like “Jesus People come together, let your light shine”

It was usually a beautiful, significant, and touching occasion. It was also a good moment to invite other adolescents to form new Awunka’a groups. It also marked the beginning of the NGWE STAGE by those who have graduated from the Awunka’a (Aspirant) stage.

Yes, we all made this Promise. Having reviewed all these let each and every one of us ask how far we have gone in keeping our promise. What are our limitations or weaknesses as Children of the Light that we promise to be and how are we trying to overcome them in order to continue shining? Remember it was a life-long promise we made to God. Our Scripture reading for this week above tells us about this. So, wake up if you are down. Let the Spirit Ignite the fire again so we may continue to prosper and shine like the sun, moon, and stars, that we’ll always be united – that is our goal.

Valentine’s greetings to us all. On any valentine’s day, I usually pray in a special way for our late brother Jude Anyenchu. Let’s remember him and all our deceased brothers and sister BO-BE-NKA’A in our prayers. We’ll always be united – that is our goal.

Below is a sketched program of the other stages of the BO-BE-NKA’A PROCESS to be reviewed in different posts as we continue the Journey.

Stage 2: NGWE (Seed)

See: http://nwufortherese.education/?p=8418

Definition

Stage 2: NGWE (seed)

• Symbols: cutlass, hoe, and shepherd staff
• Spirituality: the world of the farmers and shepherds.
• Pedagogical way: Ten Spirits which follow the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
• Initiation: Basic promise, Ngwe initiation
• Age: Adolescent I; 13 – 18 years
• Duration: 1- 2 years

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. … http://nwufortherese.education/?p=8418

Stage 2 Theme 1 LOVE

Stage 2 Theme 2 JOY

Stage 2 Theme 3 PEACE

Stage 2 Theme 5 PATIENCE

Stage 2 Theme 6 KINDNESS

Stage 2 Theme 6 GOODNESS

Stage 2 Theme 6 FAITHFULNESS

Stage 2 Theme 7 GENTLENESS

Stage 2 Theme 8 SELF CONTROL … http://nwufortherese.education/?p=8418

Stage 3: NSANG (Arrow)

Definition

Stage 3: NSANG (Arrow)

• Symbol: bow, arrow, and fishing net
• Spirituality: the world of the hunters and fishermen.
• Pedagogical way: Ten Spirits which follow the Cardinal virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Initiation: Basic promise, Nsang initiation
• Age: Adolescent II; 15 – 20 years
• Duration: 1- 2 years

The cardinal virtues

The cardinal virtues in philosophy are the quality of good in human conduct. The cardinal virtues, as presented by Plato, were wisdom (or prudence), courage, temperance, and justice. They are to be interpreted as descriptive of conduct rather than innate qualities and are achieved through proper training and discipline. Together with the three theological virtues (faith, hope, charity), they compose what is known as the seven virtues.

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

Stage 3 Theme 1 WISDOM

Stage3 Theme 2 UNDERSTANDING

Stage 3Theme 3 COUNSEL

Stage3 Theme 5 FORTITUDE

Stage 3 Theme 6 KNOWLEDGE

Stage 3 Theme 6 PIETY

Stage 3 Theme 6 FEAR OF THE LORD

Stage 4: NEKONG (Spear)

DEFINITION

Stage 4: NEKONG (Spear)

• Symbols: spear and shield
• Spirituality: the world of the warriors and defenders.
• Pedagogical way: Ten Spirits which follow the Beatitudes.
• Initiation: Basic promise, Nekong initiation
• Age: Youth I; 17 – 22 years
• Duration: 1- 2 years

The Beatitudes are eight blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew. Each is a proverb-like proclamation, without narrative. Four of the blessings also appear in the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke, followed by four woes that mirror the blessings.

 

The ten beatitudes :

Stage 4 Theme 1: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

⁵Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they will be filled.

⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.

¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Stage 5: ABI – compound, House

DEFINITION

Stage 5: ABI – compound, House

• Symbols: house and compound
• Spirituality: the world of the warriors and defenders.
• Pedagogical way: Nine Spirits which follow the works of Mercy and introduce to ministries.
• Initiation: Basic promise, Abi initiation
• Age: Youth II; 19 – 25 years
• Duration: 1- 2 years
•  

The seven Spiritual Works of Mercy are: Admonish the sinner. Instruct the ignorant. Counsel the doubtful. Comfort the sorrowful. Bear wrongs patiently. Forgive all injuries. Pray for the living and the dead.

Stage 5 Theme 1 Admonish the sinner.

Stage 5 Theme 2 Instruct the ignorant.

Stage 5 Theme 3 Counsel the doubtful.

Stage 5 Theme 4 Comfort the sorrowful.

Stage 5 Theme 5 Bear wrongs patiently.

Stage 5 Theme 6 Forgive all injuries.

Stage 5 Theme 7 Pray for the living and the dead.

Points/Topics for reflection and sharing

Related:

https://youtube.com/c/TaminangThereseN

Children of the Light! Shine Everywhere!

BO-BE-NKA’A! Nwa’a Adi’i Ntseme!

To God be the Glory!