ỌNWA DECEMBA!

Human beings are very astonishing. I drew this comment from the very fact that the differences entrenched in their lives give great meanings to them in their particularity. This is the very reason why a particular thing is understood differently and used as such in different places. Even when there seems to be a universal meaning behind a thing, it must have differences of understanding and attitudes towards it according to different peoples. Based on this I continue to praise the Manufacturer of all beings.
 

December is the last month of the year according to the disciplinary matrices we are using in our epistemic community. And according to my great mentor Richard Rorty (heavily influenced by Kuhn) December shall continue to be so until an anomaly comes up causing a sense of burgeoning crises among us. Thus, by December, one’s mind flashes to the 31-day month that ends of the year. December has always been very exceptional among all the months of the year. I must point out here that these attitudes or associations of December were not given to us by December itself; rather we are the creators of the nature of December. In other words, human beings have given several natures to this month making it unique through their different practices and cultures. 

The Christian community in the world of human beings have taken December to be the month when they remember the birth of their greatest hero Jesus Christ who came so many years ago to redeem mankind. Principally on 25^th of the month, they celebrate without a finish the memorial of the birth of Jesus Christ. While they will go visit the churches for the religious aspect of the celebration, the social aspect will never cease to have visitors like fowls (which according to my friend are now for sale in their community), meats of domestic animals and wild animals for those who are strong, rice of various clothes such as stewed, jollof or fried. And of course drinks are not left out. Although some of the Muslims celebrate with their Christian colleagues, they themselves take it as an ordinary day. But within those who celebrate this period, the celebration will never end until the first week of the New Year.

As I said earlier, Christmas and December are understood slightly differently by a special group of people. This people are not special because of any ontological supreme quality. They are special simply because they interpret things specially and differently too. This people describe the last month of the year not just as “December” but as Ọnwa Decemba. You may know this people but you may not know why they prefer this description than the general one. This people are the IGBOS! IGBO KWENU! HEI! KWEZUONU! HEIIIIIIIII! This is just them. Citeris Paribus,, they are always happy and celebrative. Because I want to tell you why and how they regard this month as Ọnwa Decemba, just check what follows here.

Ọnwa is the Igbo word for month. Hence, we have Ọnwa January, Ọnwa April, etc. But the Ọnwa of Decemba is very different in the whole “Ọnwas” according to the Igbo’s understanding of the calendar. Ọnwa Decemba is a period of rest just as others see it. For the Igbo, it is primarily a time when people cease from work and rejoin with their families extended and nuclear but more of the extended. To this effect, there is usually a visit paid to the village and other places where one will reunite with the people he or she has not met with since Ọnwa January as the case may be.

In the meeting with friends and relatives, the Igbo consider it very necessary to visit the church for thanksgiving to God for all his blessings. This is mostly done by those who have the mind and power. In doing this, the whole family and all relatives will accompany the person to Church for Thanksgiving which will terminate in the house for the second part of the celebration. In the churches, there is usually the fund-raising program where the rich will tell those around that they have indeed arrived home for the Christmas.

Also, Ọnwa Decemba is highly treasured by students and workers because during this period, academic work is suspended for another time in Ọnwa January. Serious students will never abandon their works completely as some of the still give some time to their studies. But majority of them make sure that the books are locked very well in school and will be seen after resumption by Ọnwa January.  

A very significant event that makes this Ọnwa Decemba unique is the social activities that take place in the communities. One of them is the usual community’s football competitions which usually bring people together in the football field as they come to feed their eyes with the events. I must say that this social event is the basis of all other social life that takes place during this period. With the football competition bringing people together, there is this desire to “show off”. This is the desire to publicly display one’s wealth and riches. Particularly done by the youths, they have their expensive cars and wears paraded in such an arena. Although they do this in other social gatherings even in the church, the one exhibited during the football competition is more. With their late arrival and the loud tones of their records, they draw people’s attention to themselves. 

The desire to show off and display one’s wealth has regrettably contributed to some decadence in the society. The youths pursue the wealth to be displayed end up involving themselves in crimes. This is the case with incessant kidnappings, armed robbery, and ritual killings during this period of Ọnwa Decemba.

Before I drop the pen, I want to say that the poor in the society long for Christmas when people of goodwill will remember them. Thanks to such people. While this period is aimed at arriving at a joyful experience and holiday, some people make it unfriendly for others. But over and above any Igbo person wherever he or she may be longs for Ọnwa Decemba.

Nwanyanwu  Chris

LIFE AS A GIFT

 

A gift is something received from another with little or no qualification for it. That is, gifts are usually received not as a right but as a privilege from the giver. And there is usually an end in view for which such is given. Another thing about gifts is that the nature of the gift is determined solely by the giver. This is not to say that there are situations where an expectant receiver of gifts demands that the gifts to be given be in a given nature. But make a removal of some of these situations; gifts are the presentations of the giver freely given without the right of the receiver for a particular purpose. Hence, we can have many kinds of things presented as gifts according to the wish of the donor.

However, there has been a controversy over the nature of gifts. This controversy though more implicit than explicit stems from the very saying that Life is a gift. This saying wherever it must have emanated from has caused so many problems in the human society such that only a critical examination of it may be a rescue to the human society. The implicit controversy stems from the very fact that most people in the way they live their lives do not see life as a gift. In fact, they see it as their right to be alive. And so with this orientation which has influenced their life styles, the other group in the controversy have tried to assert that life is a gift.

Life being a gift or not being a gift may not be a problem here provided there is an adequate justification of any position taken in this matter. Hence, that is why proponents of the case that life is not a gift say that Life is personal and as such it cannot be a gift. On the contrary, proponents of the view that life is a gift have produced many arguments to support their stand. And so the essence of this literary labour is to add sugar to the pot of wine that says that Life is a gift with the aim of refuting the claim that life is not a gift.

Biologically, human life is a product of the matrimonial act done with the aim of giving life to some non-existent body and in the words of beloved Plato, was still in the world of forms. Now, one can argue that this act in some case is carried out without the intention of producing life and at times too, it is done out of wedlock. In any case, suffice it to be said that under normal circumstance, the whole thing is done within the wedlock. Now, the non-existent body never had the right to possess life. This is because where it to be so, it will come at any time and place as it wishes. Instead, through the powers of the natural forces, the body begets life courtesy of the parents. For those who may add that delay in accepting the life is a form of decision, I still want to say that acceptance presupposes a gift; for if nothing is being given, nothing is being accepted and delayed. Therefore, life is a gift to a body willing to have it.

Man is a social being by nature. For my good friend Aristotle, man necessarily lives in the human society or he is either a beast or a spirit.  To some extent, humans can live alone; but when a visit is made to the ever-lonely Robinson Crusoe, such a claim may be slumped. Humans can always received everything about their lives implicitly or explicitly free from other people. Consider the time of birth and childhood days.  From birth, humans have been beneficiaries of different gifts from people. The first beneficiary of the child is the parents who brought him or her into the world and continue to care of him/her. As a child, his being bathed, fed, clothed, etc. As he continues to grow, he is assisted to be socialised in the society and in other ways, he continues to enjoy the assistance of others as he attains growth and development.

Moreover, as he grows (the child) he receives some gifts from people in terms of services he receives. Although at a certain point, he may begin to finance those services, the fact remains that he still relies on others to provide those services for sales and until these services are provided, the man and his finance may not have been valued. That is why without the sellers in the market, the rich man cannot see food to buy citeris paribus; which means that the availability of those goods and services are products of the gifts of others.

Besides these gifts humans received from others to aid their growth and development in many aspects of human life in the society, there is another superior gift that humans enjoy from beginning to the end unless when the natural time calls for us home-coming. This superior gift is ever-given to humans from an ever superior being. From birth this Supreme Being taken to mean God from the Christian point of view continues to give humans the gift of life. He guards human while they travel, provides him with rain and sun that will help improve the ecosystem and so enhance the “good health” of the society by implication. 

More so, God is ever generous in giving gifts. To all human beings, God gives the gift of talents. We all have received many talents from God except those who have failed to discover and develop theirs. Some are given the gift of riches and wealth; some are given intelligence, some are given the gift of speech; some are given the gift of teaching and counselling etc. Each of these gifts is given for the purpose of making life and existence very comfortable especially as humans pull their natural resources together. That was why the missionary St Paul will say that there are many spiritual gifts as there are many parts of the body. Though separate, they are united in making the body of Christ-the Church complete.

Thus, in all these cases, we can see that life and all that sustains it are gifts. No one deserves them and no one can boast to have got them by his natural prowess without the input and impact of the Supreme Being and others. Hence life or existence is a cobweb of gifts, where there is sharing and reception of gifts from the top and at the bottom level. It is only in this light following from our observation above that we can understand that life is really a gift from God and those around.

In the controversy between those who believe that life is a gift and those who do not, when there is claim that life is really a gift, the question that follows it becomes; what is the essence of such a life that is simply a gift.

The essence of life as a gift lies in the very fact that it is called to be gift to other human lives. Since each life is a gift from God Ultimately, human lives should, be lived for others as gifts to them so that through them and in them God continues to present gift to people. Since human life is an expression of benevolence from God and others, charity demands that the same acts of benevolence be extended to others in dire need of it.

In the society there are those who are suffering and lack the basic needs of life. The task of he who has been helped is to reciprocate that same act of assistance to others. The poor and needy greatly need the gift of the wealthy for them to enjoy for a moment the joys of existence as God as really made the wealthy man so.

There are many people who are in need in the Academia. Charity demands that those who have received the gift of knowledge and understanding help the “young”  ones in that aspect. This will clearly be shown by when students sacrifice their leisure just to help their colleague. This will be shown when students share materials among themselves; because in one way or the other that material has been received as a gift. The different places and areas we find ourselves should be places we share our gifts with those around; so that what we enjoy could be enjoyed by others as well.

Is there anything that humans have that does not have the trace of the divine in it? If is wealth which was possible got through hard work, was it not possible through God’s kindness? If it is intelligence, was not given as a talent and the strength to develop it too? What can one claim to have that does not ultimately lead to God as the originator? NONE! In other words, all gifts possessed by humans came from God as gifts. Their essence is not for personal use alone, but for the public too.

Unfortunately the reverse has been the cases in the human society as people hoard these gifts from the consumption of others. In fact what happens today is that people have become too selfish and wicked to the point that after hoarding their gifts, they still come directly or indirectly to sap those of the others. Of course we cannot claim that this is not the case; for it is not the case, why has the human society lacked growth and development especially within our immediate society? We see situations where students cheat themselves by rejecting to help their fellows or to help them very minutely. Or have we not find those who are too proud of their gifts and at that they cannot listen to anyone neither can they come together to better the society? Our intelligence, wealth and talents are gifts. The life itself that harbours all these talents is a gift from God. If that is the case, should we not reciprocate these gifts by sharing them with others? The giver of these gifts has an end in view and when one tries to thwart it either by selfishness or non-challancy, he or she may lose it; for pride they say appears before a good fall.

Life is a gift from others and meant for others. This is the meaning of life as a gift.

Nwanyanwu Chris

HEROES AND HEROINES OF CHRIST: MODELS FOR FAITH AND EVANGELISM TODAY

Through the baptismal seal, one wears the character of a Christian; which includes him/her into that set of people specially called by Christ to carry out a fundamental task- the task of preaching Christ to people. Christians by the virtue of their calling have the fundamental task of spreading the Word of God to the ends of the earth as commanded by Christ when he told them to go into the world and teach people everything he has taught them (cf. Matthew 10:7, 28:16-20 and Mark 16:15-18). With this injunction received from Christ, every Christian is called not only to follow Christ but also to spread Christ to all the ends of earth.

Consequently because of the nature of this message which is divinely given, the Christians are charged with the duty of being faithful to this mission wherever they find themselves and in whatever they do in the human society. This faithfulness is fully expressed in the Christians’ spread of the Gospel not only by words but also by deeds, so that they may become examples of such teachings. Through these means, the spread of the Gospel will bear fruit in the lives of those who receive it and being constantly encouraged by the way and manner the message is lived out, they will accept it with a firm heart.

The mission of Christ is essentially to bring Christ to the people by teaching people the examples Christ has left behind so that through them, people can come to know God, believe in him, love him, serve him and be with him in the life of the world to come. Hence, there are many ways Christ is brought to people in this task of evangelism. Evangelisation is done through preaching of the Word, teaching and instructing, caring out good works of charity, leading a good life and so many other ways through which Christ could be brought to the people.

The enormity and demand of the mission of Christ make some people feel that carrying out this mission faithfully remains not just very difficult but impossible. Hence, they are weakened in the spirit to carry out this mission entrusted to each Christian. Some people have out of fear and other human elements relaxed in this mission; for they conceive that this Divine Mission cannot be faithfully carried out by mere mortals.

However, many facts abound to refute this claim and assertions of such which shows that many people recognised and unrecognised have remained faithful to the work of Evangelisation from the various professions and social statutes. These people are those who have sought the assistance of God and got it in order to spread the message entrusted to them by God. They have laid simple examples in the way they lived their lives serving the mission of evangelisation and today they are already in heaven specially prepared for all those who remain faithful to the mission. They are Heroes and heroines of Christ. They are Heroes and Heroines of Christ because they lived their lives as sacrifices for the Gospel of Christ. 

In the area of Preaching the word of God, we can never forget the Glorious Princes of the Church Sts. Peter and Paul who gave their lives for the Gospel. Some of their preachings became parts of the Bible. They travelled far places just to bring to people the Knowledge of Christ and they converted many people for Christ. They remained fearless in the face of severe persecutions and were contented with giving up their lives for the Gospel as Peter was crucified downwards while Paul was beheaded, all in the time of Emperor Nero.

As a Priest, St John Mary Vianney was very committed to his work and ministry. Subjecting himself to many forms of penance and mortification, he did penance for the conversion people he preached to so that they may accept the Gospel of Christ he brought to them. The most famous work he did in his life was the spiritual direction of souls he did in the confessional; the highest point of which was to spend several hours up to 16 hours a day irrespective of the weather. For him, when it comes to bringing people close to Christ, nothing human should come between it.

When it comes to the practice of charity as a way of evangelising people, we have the famous St Vincent De Paul and Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta. The missionary spirit of Charity in St Vincent De Paul was expressed in his care for the poor and those in need. In the various opportunities he had, he not only advocated for care of the poor, but also carried it out practically. Because of this commitment to helping the poor, people take him to be St Vincent De Poor. For Mother of Theresa of Calcutta, she was never ashamed of begging for the poor. She took upon herself the mission of going around seeking material assistance for the poor. Her care for the poor was practical and despite many difficulties and assaults, she was steadfast in her mission.

When it comes to preaching Christ in Public Office, the Church will never forget the likes of Bishop John Fisher and Lord Chancellor Thomas More. Both of them rejected the plan of King Henry VIII to make England a separate and sovereign Church upon the Church’s rejection of his attempt to take another wife. Due to their opposition to the King’s desire, they were imprisoned and killed. Pope John Paul II proclaimed St. Thomas More Patron of Political Leaders. 

The message of Christ can be preached through learning and teaching. In this regard we find the Scholastics St Augustine, St Anselm, St Aquinas, St Bonaventure, etc, who used their learning to preach the Gospel of Christ as they defended the Doctrines and teachings of the Church.

How many of us can sacrifice our lives for a fellow just like Christ did for mankind? But here is St Maximilian Kolbe who gave his life for the freedom of a family man upon whom the family depended for survival. During the Nazi regime, he substituted the man who wanted to be executed by the soldier because he better dies than for a family man to die upon whom the family depended on. What a heroic sacrifice?

The litany of these Heroes and Heroines of Christ remains very long; for it cuts across professions and social statutes. The mothers forever have the humble and praying St Monica to imitate. The youths have the chaste Maria Gorreti, Lucy, etc to imitate. The very young people will always have St Dominic Savio to imitate. This young gentleman decided during his life time to go for confessions every week and attend morning masses daily despite the distance and weather conditions. The missionaries will ever have St Francis of Assisi to imitate when it comes to embracing evangelical poverty. What about the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome and those of Uganda in Africa who were killed just because they preached Christ? The list continues.

What impact has these people on us? Public Officers today prefer their offices and its enjoyments more than the truth. Hence, they not only compromise justice but also shy away from condemning it. But here is St Thomas More who relinquished the worldly office for the sake of the truth. What about missionaries who are interested in their material gains than the mission? Here is St Francis of Assisi to look upon who abandoned his material possessions and was more concerned with his mission. What about those academicians who fight the Church with their God-given intelligence? Here are the Scholastic Fathers to imitate in defence of the Church instead of the contrary. What about the wealthy in the society who find it difficult to help the poor and those around? St Vincent De Paul and Mother Theresa of Calcutta will be perfect examples for them so that they will practically show concern for the poor in the society.

For mothers at home who find it difficult to tolerate their “erring” husbands and children, the humble and ever praying St Monica remains an example to follow. For the youths and all those who find chastity very difficult to maintain, we have the chaste Lucy and Maria Gorretti to imitate. For the young people who are shrinking from being close to Christ, the Young St. Dominic Savio is there as an example- a young teenager who vowed to attend masses daily and receive the sacrament of penance weekly. Some people find it difficult to be of help to others in any form required. The ever-sacrificial St Maximilian of Kolbe is a good example in making painful sacrifices for the good of others.

The lives of the Saints reveal the creative force that lies in religion and shows how much it can be achieved despite human weaknesses and imperfections. It indicates how the Church and the faith have again and again demonstrated an indestructible vitality in the face of the most difficult times, powerful opponents and apparently insurmountable obstacles. The serenity of their lives contrasts strongly with the often depressing background of their contemporary secular history. (Saint Companions for each day by A.J. M. and J.K. Mausolfe)

These Heroes and heroines are drawn from all walks of life. There is no single profession or vocational path in life which cannot find its pattern among the galaxy of the saints. The saints are part of our family tree-our ancestors. Each of us can have a spiritual family tree, and what is more, we could choose our own individual favourites, those that march our ideals or suit our goals.  

One unique thing about these saints is that they were human beings like us. They were Enthusiastic about Christ. They loved Christ, loved his message and were ready to sacrifice anything for its sake. They knew quite well that they cannot do it on their own. They knew that they are mere mortals. And so they never hesitated to ask for the graces which Christ offers to all. Hence, it becomes very amazing to see in how many utterly different ways one can lead a saintly life, and what great things even one single God-Loving soul can achieve with the aid of grace.

In line with St John Chrysostom, these saints are mirrors to us and they will encourage us to serve Christ in the way they have done and even better than them. The heroes and heroines of Christ are models for us in our mission of Evangelisation. They have carried out this mission differently and as such have become lights that illumine our paths in this task. They were committed and never allowed the troubles and pleasures of the world to set them back. More significantly, they were ever making significant effort when they felled in some occasions. Why not imitate them especially the Patron Saints?

Thus, as every Christian is called to this mission of preaching Christ, it must be proclaimed by words and deeds. In the midst of challenges experienced in this venture, our models remain sources of encouragement to us. All of us in whatever profession and social status we belong must preach Christ in the way and manner our models have done in line with the trend of our time. The Aged, Adults, Young people and children must evangelise the world in our respective professions. Just as we imitate these heroes and heroines, let us know that we could be one as well. It all depends on how we have carried out the mission entrusted to us in the human society. These heroes and heroines did theirs extraordinarily and in this manner can we be like them in faithfully carrying out the mission of evangelisation to the ends of the earth.

Nwanyanwu Christopher