Fr Ogundipe Sdv

 GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR FAMILY God’s plan for mankind is well spelt out in the book of Jeremiah 29:11 when he said: “for I know what plan I have for you. Plan for peace and not for disaster, plans to give you hope and a future.” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church Mankind was made for the glory of God to love and to serve God in this world, and to be with him in the world to come. St. Bonaventure explains that God created all things "not to increase his glory, but to show it forth and to communicate it", for God has no other reason for creating than his love and goodness: "Mankind came into existence when the key of love opened his hand."  The First Vatican Council explains: This one, true God, of his own goodness and "almighty power", not for increasing his own beatitude, nor for attaining his perfection, but in order to manifest this perfection through the benefits which he bestows on creatures, with absolute freedom of counsel "and from

  One of the traditional acts of Christmas is to abstain from meat on Christmas Eve, 24th December.  I could still remember the temptation from the aroma of the fried chicken from my Mama Lucy's kitchen when I was 7 years old. I asked her for a bite and she shouted “Agbedo" meaning never!!! “Why grandma?” I asked, she took me by hands to the Church manger and showed me the animals in the crib: “Yes, Olu, we cannot eat meat on Christmas Eve because the animals were the ones who kept Jesus company at his birth, so we must respect them today''. “Waoo!” I exclaimed, “So that's why I cannot eat meat today...” I held unto this tradition until I entered Seminary only for us to eat plenty meat on the Christmas Eve. Then I asked: “Why are we not respecting the animals today?” And my brothers laughed at my ignorance.  Why then should grandma stop me from eating meat? According to Wikipedia, the Catholic Church historically observes the disciplines of fasting and abstinence a

  No other element in the bible was used for such a wide variety of purposes as was oil. Listed below are only some of them.  Oil was used in cooking and baking.  In particular, the loaves offered in sacrifice were to be made with oil (Ex. 29:2).  Oil was often mixed with perfumes and used to make oneself more beautiful and attractive (Ruth 3:3; Jdt.16:2).   As such it was also used to honor guests.  Anointing them with perfumed oil was a sign of great honor and respect, as well as a way of offering refreshment after a journey ( Lk. 7:37-38, 46; Ps 23:5).  Perhaps for this same reason it was often referred to as an “oil of gladness,” bringing joy to the heart (Ps. 45:8; Is. 61:3; Heb 1:9).   Oil too was a source of light, being used in lamps both in homes and in the temple (Ex. 27:20; Mt. 25:3).  The flame thus kindled likewise became a symbol of the Holy Spirit, whose fire purifies and enflames us with love and zeal (Acts 2:3).  The healing properties of oil were also recognized (Ez.1