On the second day of Kwanzaa, we celebrate the principle of Ujima, which means "Collective Work and Responsibility" in Swahili. This principle emphasizes the importance of working together as a community and taking shared responsibility for the well-being of each other. The principle of Ujima is based on the idea that we are all connected, and by working together, we can build and maintain a stronger and healthier community. It encourages us...
Ziad K. Abdrlnour's saying is a great conversation starter for exploring the Second Kwanzaa principle, Kujichagulia. Ziad says, “For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.” However, when it comes to Kwanzaa, it's not about whether an explanation is possible, but rather about the need for one. This is even interesting on this second day of Kwanzaa when we celebrate the self-determination...
Depuis que j’ai fait la connaissance de la spiritualité autochtone du Canada, je n’ai jamais cessé d’être émerveillé par la profondeur de l’expérience spirituelle de mes amis du nord. Au début, ce n’était pas du tout facile. Pourtant, grâce à mes expériences antérieures, je suis devenu très familier avec certains de leurs concepts spirituels.
Today's Gospel presents a revolutionary Mary who defied the odds of her religious tradition and emerged victorious. How can this come about since I am a virgin? If Mary lived in the present-day religious setup, she would have been condemned by all the bishops' conferences and Christian religious traditions. We don't see this point clearly today because, for some reason, Christian tradition has transformed Mary's FIAT into a mere wish, disempowering women...
As the social media buzzes with Pope Francis’s reform of the Church, I am reminded of the words of Gamaliel, a wise man: “But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:39). The Wisdom of Gameliel Indeed, when the new community of Jerusalem was challenging the beliefs of their faith community, Gamaliel, a learned doctor of...
Have you heard of the Igbo tradition that if cows are not given during the burial ceremonies of our ancestors, they might take revenge against their offspring? I find this tradition ridiculous. Hear me out! If you have the financial means, you could even kill elephants for your ancestors. This would allow the whole village to come together and celebrate with a feast while passing down our culture and traditions to the...
As we celebrate Christ the King, we should reflect on what it means for Christ to be the King of the universe today. What does it mean for Christ to be a king when today’s kings and political leaders no longer stand in the gap between God and men? On the contrary, kingship has become a symbol of everything Christ opposed: Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean all their predecessors were better Kings. While...
Nigerian politicians should be grateful to Christianity, Islam and our modern traditional religious practices that promise people hope for a better life or heaven after enduring the sufferings of present-day Nigeria. The reality is that the current state of the country calls for a revolution, but many Nigerians are too optimistic to challenge the status quo. No one thinks we may be smelling some hellfire in this nation. Youths graduate regularly, work...
What if Nero didn’t fiddle while Rome Burned? Some critics contest the famous saying that while Rome burned, Nero fiddled, but the real question is not whether Nero fiddled or not, but where he was when Rome was on fire. Nigerian society is today at the edge of collapse, with many citizens attempting to commit suicide. Where are the religious leaders? The government, as we know, is only a rubber stamp, for...
When I contemplate our present-day religious leaders, I am reminded of the lamplighters of the Little Prince. Although our religious doctrines and laws were initially created to help us grow, explore the world, and worship God, we must remember that they are not meant to be eternal. Rules that once made sense can become outdated and require adjustment to align with the changing times while still retaining their essence. Unfortunately, some religious...
