The Lumine News

Category: Opinion

  • When It Is Time To Give Ticket, We Know Those Gov Otu Will Rely On To Give Him Undiluted Feedback To Enable Him Take Informed Decision – Richie Romanus

    When It Is Time To Give Ticket, We Know Those Gov Otu Will Rely On To Give Him Undiluted Feedback To Enable Him Take Informed Decision – Richie Romanus

    Apparently they agreed in their WhatsApp group last night to fly a narrative this morning. Almost all of them posted the same thing though in different words and at the same time. This to them is supposed to be a strategy to dissuade the APC from giving the incumbent Senator, Eteng Williams return ticket for fear that he would be defeated at the polls by the ‘Spirit’ the Wike backed PDP is preparing to field.

    Let’s assume without conceding that Senator Eteng Williams is indeed as unpopular as these people would want us to believe, who is the popular person they want APC to give their ticket? The Ugep returnee who wants to be everything? Funny how BLACKMAIL seems to be his only strategy for every office he has ever coveted since his friend introduced him to Cross River State politics in 2022.

    Shortly after he found his way to join the incumbent Governor’s team, the primaries and the general elections was eventually won, he plotted to be Chief of Staff. He didn’t see anybody worthy enough around the Governor-Elect as he then was to fit into the role of Chief of Staff. As usual he blackmailed every single person that was rumored for the top job including the incumbent. When he loss out in the Chief of Staff position, he had his eyes on Commissioner of finance. Again he loss out and was eventually assigned his current role. Meanwhile, as he was busy struggling for every juicy government role that was available in the State, he was also busy trying to stop Senator Eteng Williams who was still trying to settle in from Chairing any important committee at the Senate. We know how broken he was when he heard the Committee that was assigned to the Senator. Meaning, he had his eyes on the Senate right from day one. Why does one man think that he is better than everyone else simply because they say he has money? Which money? Where is the money?What kind of desperation is this?

    Even now, he is banking all his hopes on a Governor from the South East State to make him a Senator. Nothing has not be said and done to discredit the incumbent Senator yet this Senator has remained unfazed. This Senator as at today has 3 Colleagues who are Governors today. The Governor of Ebonyi,Delta and Edo State but he has played his politics as though he knows nobody that can talk to his Governor on his behalf depending solely on the Governor but this guy would pay a few people to blackmail this Senator while projecting him as popular. Popular where? Among his colleagues in the State Exco, who is with him? Has he not noticed that everybody around him has one aspiration or the other or should I tell him why it is so?

    When it is time to decide who gets which ticket, we know the people the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, will depend on to give him unbiased and unadulterated feedbacks to help him take informed decision. Who goes to the Senate will certainly not be as a result of the noise from Biko Biko or the loud noise on Facebook.

    RR

  • Witnesses of the Resurrection: A Sermon by Rev Fr Emmanuel Ebong

    Witnesses of the Resurrection: A Sermon by Rev Fr Emmanuel Ebong

     

    I am grateful to God for making me a witness of the Resurrection. I don’t know about you. Dear friends in Christ, Saint Peter preached about the crucified Christ. Everywhere he went, he did good, and even today, Christ continues to do good through His Church.

    Dear friends, Jesus was killed because of His goodness. Yet, He rose from the dead. When Pontius Pilate asked what crime He had committed, they answered that He called Himself the Christ. He was crucified for doing good and for being a good man. Yet He was crucified, died, and after three days, He rose again.

    From the Gospel, the first witness of the resurrection was Mary Magdalene, who went and told the apostles. The disciples ran to the tomb. But Peter went inside; he saw and believed.

    We also remember Thomas the Apostle, who doubted. When Jesus showed him His wounds, he declared, “My Lord and my God.” And Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

    Even before His Passion, when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus blessed him, saying, “Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” That is why Peter is regarded as the first Pope, and all Popes succeed him.

    Dear friends in Christ, as we prepare to celebrate Easter, we are among the most fortunate people, we are witnesses of the resurrection. Though we did not see Him physically, we are even more blessed than Thomas because we believe. We are called to be living witnesses of the risen Christ. The empty tomb is a sign, it confirms that Christ is risen. But our lives must also confirm it.

    Our lifestyle has great influence, in our workplaces, in our homes, and in our daily encounters. Our lives must reflect the risen Christ in all that we do. People should see Christ living in us. The Holy Mother Church challenges us today: Are we ready to keep our Lenten promises? Are we ready to embrace a new life? After forty days of fasting and prayer, do we truly want to change, or remain the same?

    In a world threatened by apathy and evil, can we bear true witness to the Resurrection? The truth is, we can no longer live for ourselves. As Paul the Apostle wrote to the Colossians, we must seek the things that are above. We must live in such a way that those who do not know Christ may come to believe in Him through us, that He is truly risen.

    Let us pray for renewal, that our lives may give powerful and convincing testimony to the resurrection. May the peace, joy, and love of the risen Christ fill your hearts. May His light shine upon you wherever you go.
    Peace be with you. Amen

  • Rise And Shine, Jesus Is Alive: Being Easter Sunday Sermon by Rev Fr Felix Ekpe

    Rise And Shine, Jesus Is Alive: Being Easter Sunday Sermon by Rev Fr Felix Ekpe

     

    My dear friends, death is a great teacher, yet many of its students are either too afraid or too distracted to pay attention in its classroom.

    I once attended a funeral. Almost everyone looked frightened. People were eager for the burial to end; they could not wait for the grave to be covered. But after the burial, at the reception, everything changed people were eating, laughing, and celebrating as though nothing had happened. Then I asked myself: Is this how I will be forgotten when I die?

    That day, death taught me a powerful lesson, when we die, life goes on. People mourn, yes but often, they mourn not just the loss, but what they themselves have lost. For example, when parents die, some children cry not only because they loved them, but because they have lost their defenders and supporters.

    In today’s Gospel, even Saint Peter, a close companion of Jesus, denied Him three times. Lent is over, no more fasting, no more intense prayers. Many have already moved on. But not Mary Magdalene. She refused to move on like the others. She could not even sleep. Early in the morning, she went to the tomb in furtherance of the love she had for Jesus. What motivated her? What made her love Jesus so deeply? How Do We Love Jesus Like Mary Magdalene?

    First, we must truly believe that Jesus has risen from the dead. Anyone who does not believe in the Resurrection is simply wasting time in church. Many of us claim to believe, yet we still act as though everything is impossible. But with Jesus, what seems impossible becomes possible. No matter your situation, there is always a turning point.

    If we truly believe in the Resurrection, we should be filled with joy, not fear. Why are we still afraid? We stand before the One who conquered death and there is no need for us to be doubtful about the supremacy of Jesus in handling our situations.

    As the Psalmist says: “I shall not die, but live, and recount the goodness of the Lord.” Today is not a day for long speeches, it is a day for joy, dancing, and celebration. What began in sorrow has ended in victory.

    But what does it truly mean to rise with Christ? Some people mistakenly think that Jesus died to give us a license to sin. No! He took on our flesh so that we might understand how to live rightly. We must rise from evil and shine as the salt of the earth. Jesus taught that evil comes from within. Therefore, we must lift our thoughts from the grave of sin.

    As Scripture says in Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Anyone who refuses to change their thinking has not truly risen with Christ. Living as Witnesses of the Resurrection.

    In today’s first reading, Saint Peter reminds us that we are witnesses to the Resurrection. But if we refuse to change our ways, we are no different from Peter who denied Jesus or Judas who betrayed Him.

    To make our belief real: Prioritize Jesus Christ over wealth. Do not “sell” Jesus for worldly gain, like the thirty pieces of silver. Avoid dishonesty and manipulation. Do not build your faith only on signs and wonders
    Choose righteousness over convenience

    May the God who conquered death on this glorious day dwell in us. May we, as witnesses of the Resurrection, find true peace in Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

    Compiled By Elijah Ugani

  • From Darkness To Light Being Easter vigil Sermon delivered by Rev Fr Felix Ovai Ekpe

    From Darkness To Light Being Easter vigil Sermon delivered by Rev Fr Felix Ovai Ekpe

     

    My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today is a very unique and sacred day. The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. A day of silence, a day of waiting, a day that carries both the weight of sorrow and the promise of joy.

    We began the Lenten season in a solemn mood through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It was a season that demanded sacrifice, discipline, and reflection. But tonight, everything changes. Tonight, we move from sorrow to joy because Christ is risen. At the beginning of this Vigil, we gathered in darkness. And then, a flame was lit. That flame is not just ordinary fire, it represents Christ, the Light of the world. A light that no darkness can overcome.

    As that light spread from one candle to another across the church, it became a powerful reminder: that even the smallest light can overcome great darkness. In our world today, there is darkness, in our leadership, in our communities, in our homes, and sometimes even within our hearts. But the message of tonight is clear: The fire of Easter must not be extinguished.
    That light must continue to burn in our lives, in our families, in our businesses, and in everything we do.

    The Easter candle itself speaks to us: The Flame (Light) Symbolizes Christ as the Light of the World. It represents hope, victory over darkness, and the Resurrection. As the light spreads through the church, it shows how Christ’s light spreads to all believers.

    The Cross on the Candle, represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. A reminder that through His death comes our salvation
    The Five Grains of Incense inserted into the candle in the form of a cross represent the five wounds of Christ (hands, feet, and side), which also symbolize His suffering and love for humanity.
    The Alpha and Omega. First and last letters of the Greek alphabet mean that Christ is the beginning and the end of all things.
    The Year Inscribed on the Candle
    Shows that Christ is present today, not just in the past.
    The Wax of the Candle represents the body of Christ as it melts, it symbolizes Christ giving Himself for us.

    Dear friends, no matter what situation you are facing, God always makes a way. We are reminded of the children of Israel at the Red Sea. They were trapped, fearful, confused, and uncertain. Before them was the sea, behind them was danger, but God showed up. Through Moses, He made a way where there was no way. The sea parted, and His people walked through on dry ground.

    If God has done it before, He will do it again. Sometimes in life, things may seem confusing. Sometimes the people around us may not understand us. Sometimes even those who laugh with us may secretly wish for our downfall. But tonight is not a night of fear. It is a night of victory.

    The Scripture tells us: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” What was rejected has now become essential. What looked like defeat has become victory. So today, we rise with confidence and declare: I shall not die, but live, and proclaim the goodness of the Lord. And you too will live to recount His goodness in your life.

    Tonight, we bless water reminding us of our baptism. We are reminded that just as Christ died, we die to sin. And just as He rose again, we rise to new life. This is not just a ritual it is our identity. The bells ring again. The Alleluia returns.

    For a long time during Lent, we kept silent. But now, the Church bursts into joy: Alleluia! Christ is risen! The women went to the tomb looking for Jesus… But they were told: “He is not here. He is risen.”

    My brothers and sisters, this is the foundation of our faith. The Resurrection is the reason we are here. Without it, there is no Christianity. But because He lives, we have hope. Because He lives, we have victory. Because He lives, we have life.

    As we celebrate this Easter Vigil, let us carry the light of Christ wherever we go. Let us be bearers of truth in a world of falsehood. Let us be light in places of darkness. Let us be hope where there is despair. We are not people of defeat. We are an Alleluia people, people of joy, people of victory, people of the new covenant.

    May the light of Christ shine in your life. May every darkness around you be overcome. May God make a way for you where there seems to be no way.

    And may you win all your battles. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
    Amen.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Rev Fr Felix Ovai Ekpe, and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.

  • COME OUT Being A Sermon By Rev Fr Sylverus Ulem

    COME OUT Being A Sermon By Rev Fr Sylverus Ulem

     

    I titled this reflection Come Out. It would have been fitting to call it Lazarus, but the time of Lazarus has passed. I leave the title open, so that you can come out yourself.

    When Jesus called Lazarus, His mission was specific: “Lazarus, come out.” But today, from this pulpit, that same call is extended to everyone. Whenever you hear the words come out, it is both an invitation and a command. It may mean: come out and effect change. It may also mean: come out from where you are not supposed to be. There are places we find ourselves that are not meant for us, places of sin, compromise, and moral confusion. When God says “come out,” He is calling us away from those places. The phrase come out involves two people, the one who calls, and the one who responds. It is a command you cannot command yourself. God is the one calling, and we are the ones invited to respond. My dear people of God, the Word of God speaks directly to our situations. It carries the power to bring life where there is decay.

    In today’s Gospel, Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. According to Jewish belief, there was still hope within the first few days of death, but after four days, all hope was gone. Yet Jesus came at that moment to show that even when human hope ends, divine possibility begins. That is why Martha said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection.” And Mary and Martha wept bitterly. When Jesus saw them, He wept.
    Jesus did not weep because death existed, but because of the depth of human pain and struggling faith. His tears show that He shares in our suffering. Death, in itself, is not the ultimate problem, it is a necessary passage of life. But God’s power goes beyond even death.

    In the first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, the dry bones represent a people who had lost identity and hope. God asked: “Can these bones live?” He brought the prophet to a valley, a place of depression, a low point, to show that even from the lowest place, restoration is possible. No matter your situation, you too will rise again.

    In the Gospel, we see another form of “dry bones” a family that had lost their only hope. Lazarus was everything to Mary and Martha. When he died, it felt like everything was lost. They said, “Lord, if you had been here, our brother would not have died.”

    We can say the same today, Lord, if you had been here, our nation would not be like this. Lord, if you had been here, insecurity would not be rising. Lord, if you had been here, things would be different. But even in that pain, we remember the shortest verse in Scripture: “Jesus wept.” This shows that God is not distant, He suffers with us.

    Today, however, we see confusion even in the Gospel being preached. Some preach for gain, turning the altar into a marketplace. Truth is fading, and hope seems buried. But the message remains simple, the God who raised Lazarus can restore us. However, there is a condition, we must surrender to Him. Before Lazarus came out, people had to roll away the stone. Jesus performed the miracle, but human beings removed the obstacle.

    So we must ask ourselves: what are the stones blocking us today? In our nation, injustice, bribery, and corruption. In our personal lives, hatred, jealousy, gossip, addiction. After Lazarus came out, Jesus said, “Unbind him.” Again, it required community effort.

    Transformation is both divine and human. God raises but we must cooperate. Come out of sin. Come out of hatred. Come out of addiction. Come out of hopelessness.

    Even when it feels like God is late as it seemed with Lazarus remember this. He is never late. He works beyond human timing.
    He loved Lazarus, yet He delayed so that a greater glory could be revealed. Your life is not too late. Your purpose is not lost.

    Your situation is not beyond restoration.
    When God calls, respond.

    Come out and live again.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Sylverus Ulem and does not represent Theluminenews, or its agent or the organisation the author works for/with

  • Between Jarigbe And Ayade, The Story Of Light And Darkness BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    Between Jarigbe And Ayade, The Story Of Light And Darkness BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    Put away the tough talk and bombast, the flash champagne and glitterati. Forget the tokunbo cars and the usual motorcycles for a moment.

    Just place Senator Jarigbe Agom and Senator Ben Ayade on a fair and square scale and tell yourself what you see. Can you not see a community asset and a fast guy? Can you not see a genuine leader and a dramatic gooble the gook?

    Or just imagine for a moment that the universe forces you to make a compulsory choice between Jarigbe and Ayade, and you are blind from birth like a bat. So you run your fingers through their faces and bodice. Who would you chose, because blind eyes can also verily see.

    Some choices are like day and night. Not really difficult to make. Even a thoroughly reformed and rejigged Ben Ayade, will still be Ben Ayade. Fast talk. Big grammar. Tall promises. A new dance style or two. Even a drop of tear or two as well. And the curtain is drawn on the stage.

    All these would be farce. Just melodrama, to hoodwink and to befuddle. By far the biggest apple on the political dinning table is state governorship. If you couldn’t do anything with it, you couldn’t do anything with God’s throne either. Just take a frech leave and stay in bed forever. Because, as Nyesom Wike has taught us, if it didn’t de, it didn’t de.

    In political office, what you really need is genuine desire and passion to assist, to change lives and to impact. If all you genuinely and passionately care about is the enrichment of yourself and your family, then, brother-man, you are at the wrong address. Just keep moving.

    See what difference Governor Bassey Otu has made in just under three years as governor! Not show business, but real, purposeful grinding work at the forge. Dead bodies and tragedies have come back to life. Hope is restored and all his promises are steadily being kept. This is leadership.

    Ayade left a gargantuan behemoth of dead projects behind his unfortunate reign. Broken promises still litter the floor of Cross River State as he faded away from the stage. Governmental systems and conventions were blatantly trampled upon until the locusts left the city.

    What else does Ben Ayade want? By Jove this man has a lot of courage to still be able to do the double-shuffle and show his face around! Is he not the man who shut Cross Riverians out of the stadium for Governor Otu’s inauguration because he felt unsafe? When a leader begins to hide from the people then he has himself passed the verdict on his own reign.

    So what has now changed outside his feeling of deja vu for the bright lights and awe that power brought him which he must now rue in many a lonesome night. All he ever wanted was money and he now should have it. If he wanted relevance then he should have tried to be a better governor. Be careful what you ask for, because you might just get it.

    The people of Cross River North are not daft or ignorant. They will take the cars and bikes with a wry smile and move along, because they know on what side their bread is buttered. Senator Jarigbe Agom is the bread of life that every zone is praying to get a semblance of. He is the real deal. Don’t we know the contenders, pretenders and revisionists?

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Dominic Kidzu, and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for with.

  • The Man Called Jesus. A sermon Delivered By Rev Fr Felix Ovai Ekpe at Holy Trinity Parish, Ogboja-Ogoja

    The Man Called Jesus. A sermon Delivered By Rev Fr Felix Ovai Ekpe at Holy Trinity Parish, Ogboja-Ogoja

     

    Jesus said to the blind man, “Go and wash yourself and receive your sight.” The man obeyed, washed himself, and he received his sight.

    The identity of God is hidden in complete mystery. God cannot be fully understood by human beings. The more you try to understand Him completely, the more you realize how deep and beyond comprehension He is. God is the only one who can make the impossible possible. When human beings say something cannot be done, God can turn it around. He can transform nothing into something. He can take a rejected stone and make it the cornerstone. He can also transform a rejected family into an accepted and honored one.

    The same God who controls our lives healed the man who was born blind. When the miracle happened, many people gathered, including the Pharisees, and arguments began. The Jews did not believe the miracle. When the disciples asked Jesus, “Was this man born blind because of his sin or the sin of his parents?” Jesus answered that it was not because of sin, but so that the glory of God might be revealed through him.

    When you depend only on human beings, you will often be disappointed. But when you depend on God, you will find fulfillment.

    In the first reading, we hear about the sons of Jesse. At first, nobody paid attention to the one whom God had chosen. Yet there was a king in that house..When the prophet Samuel went to Jesse’s house, the first son appeared strong and impressive, and Samuel thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here.” But God told him, “This is not the one. Look further.”

    The Scriptures remind us. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. All seven sons passed before Samuel, yet none of them was chosen. Samuel became confused and asked, “Are these all your sons?”. Jesse had forgotten about David, who was in the bush tending sheep. While David was in the wilderness, God was preparing him. It was in that bush that he learned courage and strength, which later enabled him to defeat Goliath.

    Sometimes God allows us to remain hidden so that we can prepare ourselves. Many young people today are in a hurry to reach the top of life. If you find yourself in a difficult or humble situation, stay there and prepare yourself. Do not rush. David prepared himself in the bush. Young people should use this period of their lives to prepare for the future, instead of moving from place to place searching for quick wealth.

    When David eventually became king, he wrote in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” He also said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” David could say this because he knew that God had prepared him and had prepared a table before him in the presence of his enemies.

    It is only those who have enemies that God prepares a table for in their presence. David became a testimony of God’s mercy. He said, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” God chose David and showed him great mercy.

    The Scriptures encourage us to come boldly into the presence of God. When you dwell in the house of the Lord, extraordinary things happen. David once said, “How can I live in a house of cedar while the Ark of the Lord remains in a tent? I will build a temple for the Lord.” But God told him that one of his sons would build the temple.

    David was forgotten in the bush. Your parents may forget you. Your brothers and sisters may forget you. Friends and society may forget you. But God will never forget you. Just as David was not forgotten by God, you too will not be forgotten.

    When it is your turn, protocols will change for you. When David finally came before Samuel, God said, “Arise and anoint him; this is the one.” David had been misjudged by his father and even by Samuel at first. Yet God chose him.

    May the Spirit that came upon David come upon you. And when the day comes for God to announce you to the world, it will not take two days.

  • Why Senator Jarigbe Is The Strong Choice For Cross River Northern District BY PETER AGI

    Why Senator Jarigbe Is The Strong Choice For Cross River Northern District BY PETER AGI

     

    Now that the political landscape of Cross River State is buzzing with anticipation as the next elections approach, Jarigbe appears to me matchless. Amidst the array of candidates, Senator Jarigbe stands out as a formidable contender for the Northern District seat. His track record, leadership qualities, and vision for the district make a compelling case for why he’s the best fit.

    Senator Jarigbe has demonstrated his ability to deliver on campaign promises, with notable efforts in improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education in Cross River North. His legislative achievements are a reflection of his commitment to the region’s development. He’s known for being accessible and responsive to his people’s needs, bridging gaps between government and community. This connection with the grassroots has earned him the trust and admiration of the people.

    Jarigbe’s focus on sustainable development, agricultural growth, and youth empowerment aligns with the district’s needs. He emphasizes unity among diverse communities, fostering peace and cooperation. His leadership style is inclusive, ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed. Born and raised in the region, Jarigbe understands the local context and challenges, making him uniquely positioned to drive progress.

    The people of Cross River North have taken notice of his efforts. Today, Senator Jarigbe received a significant endorsement from indigenous people of Cross River Northern District residing in Abuja, gathered at Millennium Park. This show of support underscores the impact of his work in the region. The endorsement reflects their trust in Jarigbe’s vision for sustainable development and unity in Cross River North.

    Compared to other candidates, Jarigbe’s legislative experience gives him an edge in navigating governance. While others may promise quick fixes, Jarigbe offers sustainable solutions. His focus on innovation, education, and healthcare positions Cross River North for growth.

    Jarigbe’s policies are centered around boosting local farming and food security, improving schools and scholarships, and enhancing healthcare facilities and services. These initiatives are designed to uplift the community and drive economic progress.

    In conclusion, Senator Jarigbe’s combination of experience, vision, and commitment to Cross River North makes him the standout choice for the district. The people’s endorsement is a testament to his dedication and impact. He’s the leader Cross River North needs to move forward.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Peter Agi, and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.

  • From Thirst To Testimony. Being A Sermon By Rev Fr Felix Ovia Ekpe At Holy Trinity Parish Ogboja-Ogoja

    From Thirst To Testimony. Being A Sermon By Rev Fr Felix Ovia Ekpe At Holy Trinity Parish Ogboja-Ogoja

     

    My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

    Today’s readings speak deeply about thirst. But the thirst we are talking about is not only the thirst for water. It is the deep hunger and longing within the human soul. Those who truly desire a testimony must be willing to listen to the Word of God.

    In the first reading, the children of Israel found themselves in the desert without water. Their thirst became unbearable, and they began to complain against Moses. They said. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?”

    In that moment, they forgot how God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt. They forgot His power and His faithfulness. Moses cried out to God in distress. “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” Their stubbornness and lack of trust became a problem even for Moses. Their attitude of disbelief ultimately contributed to Moses not entering the Promised Land.

    You can stay without food for a long time, but you cannot stay without water. However, the thirst we speak about today goes beyond physical water. It is the deep craving in the human heart, the longing for something that will make life complete.

    Many people try to satisfy this thirst with different things: Material possessions, relationships, pleasure, alcohol, food. But none of these things can truly satisfy the emptiness in the human heart. You may drink alcohol, but once the effect fades, you return to the same emptiness. Material things cannot guarantee lasting peace.

    In the Gospel, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman believed that her fulfillment would come through relationships with men. She had five husbands and was living with another man who was not her husband. Yet she still lacked fulfillment. She came to the well at a time when no one else was there perhaps to avoid judgment, shame, or embarrassment. The jar she carried was symbolic of the burden and emptiness she carried in her life. But that day, she encountered Jesus.

    Jesus offered her something greater than ordinary water. He said:
    Whoever drinks the water that I give will never thirst again. This was the living water, the grace, peace, and fulfillment that only God can give.

    Many of us think our identity or validation must come from other people. Some think they can only become what God wants them to be through another person. But God has given each person a unique gift and purpose. There is something inside you that God has placed there, a calling, a mission, a purpose that no one else can fulfill.

    After her encounter with Jesus, the Samaritan woman experienced transformation. She left her water jar behind and ran back to the town to tell others about Jesus. From her test, she received her testimony. The woman who once hid from people became an evangelizer. She became a witness to the Gospel. Perhaps she could not find fulfillment in marriage because God had prepared her for something greater, to become a messenger of the Good News.

    Human beings constantly desire more. When we pray for something and receive it, very soon we begin praying for the next thing. This shows that material things cannot satisfy our deepest desires. Our true satisfaction can only come from our Master, Jesus Christ. No living thing can survive without it. Even industries cannot operate without water. Many conflicts in parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, are connected to access to water. But even more important is the spiritual thirst of the human soul.

    The Psalmist says, “My soul thirsts for God.” Like the Samaritan woman, we too must cry out, “Lord, give me this water, so that I will not thirst again.”

    Sometimes when life does not go the way we expect, we become restless and thirsty inside. In those moments, do not turn to temporary solutions.

    Only God can quench the thirst of the human soul. When Jesus satisfied the Samaritan woman’s thirst, she became a joyful witness to others.

    I pray for you today that God quench every thirst in your life. May He fill the emptiness in your heart. And may your struggles be transformed from thirst into testimonies.
    Amen.

    Compiled By Elijah Ugani

  • Fighting Sin And Temptation: The Fall Of Our First Parents And The Victory Of Jesus Being A Sermon Delivered By Fr Felix Ekpe

    Fighting Sin And Temptation: The Fall Of Our First Parents And The Victory Of Jesus Being A Sermon Delivered By Fr Felix Ekpe

     

    Today’s Gospel presents the story of Jesus’ victory over sin and temptation in Gospel according to Matthew. The first reading presents the fall of our first parents in the Book of Genesis.

    The victory of Jesus is our victory. In Him, we find strength to overcome. The fall of Adam and Eve teaches us how temptation works, the victory of Jesus teaches us how to conquer it.

    Likewise, Adam and Eve were created in God’s image and enjoyed His presence, yet they were targeted. Spiritual elevation often attracts spiritual opposition.

    Loneliness and Idleness: Temptation often comes in moments of isolation or spiritual carelessness. Adam drifted from God’s instruction. In the Second Book of Samuel, David fell into sin during a time of idleness. When we distance ourselves from God’s presence, we create room for temptation.

    Negative Company. Eve entered into conversation with the serpent, a company God never assigned to her. Wrong company can distort our thinking, normalize sin, lead us away from God.

    Negative Discussion. Temptation often begins with dialogue. The serpent engaged Eve in subtle conversation. The devil does not force sin immediately, he discusses it first.

    Deception Through Half-Truth “You shall not surely die.” The devil rarely presents total lies. He mixes truth with deception. He hides consequences and exaggerates pleasure. Today, sin is often rebranded: Prostitution becomes “hookup”, Immorality becomes “modern lifestyle” Pride becomes “self-expression” and Half-truths make sin look harmless.

    Seduction: Sin appeals to the eyes, the flesh and pride. Eve saw that the fruit was pleasing. Temptation often looks attractive before it becomes destructive. As warned in First Epistle of John, Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life, remains the devil’s tools.

    Consent to Sin: Temptation is not sin until we agree to it. The decisive moment is consent.
    Degeneration: Sin spreads. Eve ate and gave to Adam. Sin is contagious.

    Guilt and Shame: After sin comes shame. Instead of running to God, Adam and Eve hid. But this season calls us not to hide, but to seek mercy.

    Jesus’ Approach: Counter, Attack, Victory. Unlike Adam, Jesus resisted. When tempted to turn stones into bread, Jesus responded with Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone.” When tempted with pride, He refused to test God. When tempted with power and glory, He rejected worship of the devil.

    Jesus teaches us: Do not dialogue with temptation. Confront it with the Word. Stand firm. Even when the devil quoted Scripture, Jesus answered correctly. The devil knows the Bible, but he misuses it.

    The lessons from the temptation teaches us that: No One Is Above Temptation. If Jesus was tempted, no one is exempt.
    Temptation Often Comes at Great Heights
    Both Adam (in paradise) and Jesus (after fasting and divine affirmation) were tempted. The Book of Sirach teaches that, when you decide to serve the Lord, prepare for trials. No Place Is Free From Temptation, Garden, Wilderness, High mountain. Location does not remove temptation.

    Temptation Is Gradual: It does not happen suddenly. It follows a sequence: suggestion, delight, consent, sin, shame. Be watchful.

    The Devil Is Persistent. He left Jesus “for a time.” Temptation may return in different forms. The weapons against the Devil – Prayer, Fasting, The Word of God, Confession, Perseverance.

    Victory is possible. If Jesus overcame after forty days of fasting, we too can overcome by grace.

    The fall of Adam brought shame. The victory of Jesus brings restoration.
    Today, Jesus wants us not hide like Adam, but to run to God. I pray for you: When the devil comes looking for you, may he not find weakness, but find you soaked in prayer, strengthened by fasting, armed with the Word, and covered by grace.

    In Jesus, the victory is already won.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Felix Ekpe, and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.