Ogubuike Emmanuel Uche after reading the article and the responses on ONANISM, A CONSCIOUS RENEWAL OF THE ACT IN OUR CONTEMPORARY WORLD, A DAILY GUILT OF OUR TIME BY PAUL IKECHUKWU OGUN, commented and said:  Thanks once more Fr. Bro Ogoke and Ernest seemed to have asked the most sensitive part of the question. This therefore calls for proper introspection. But my question is this, many a time, we the youths who are determined to live a good life are usually caught in this trap. Is it then totally possible for the youths to remain sinless?

Response No. 3 Our response always have its root and exordium from the Book of Books, ipso facto, let us meditate with the Psalmist:

{B#} βηθ ἐν τίνι κατορθώσει ὁ νεώτερος τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ φυλάσσεσθαι τοὺς λόγους σου ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου ἐξεζήτησά σε μὴ ἀπώσῃ με ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ μου ἔκρυψα τὰ λόγιά σου ὅπως ἂν μὴ ἁμάρτω σοι εὐλογητὸς εἶ κύριε δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου ἐν τοῖς χείλεσίν μου ἐξήγγειλα πάντα τὰ κρίματα τοῦ στόματός σου ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ τῶν μαρτυρίων σου ἐτέρφθην ὡς ἐπὶ παντὶ πλούτῳ-Beth. In quo corrigit adolescentior viam suam? in custodiendo sermones tuos. In toto corde meo exquisivi te; ne repellas me a mandatis tuis. In corde meo abscondi eloquia tua, ut non peccem tibi. Benedictus es, Domine; doce me justificationes tuas. In labiis meis pronuntiavi omnia judicia oris tui. In via testimoniorum tuorum delectatus sum, sicut in omnibus divitiis-How can the young remain pure (sinless)? By living according to your word. I seek you with my whole heart; let me not stray from your commands. In my heart I have kept your word, that I may not sin against my Lord. Praise to you, O Lord; instruct me in your statutes, that with my lips I may declare all your spoken decree Ps.119:9-14.

With God all things are possible. This possibility depends on us regarding our disposition, docility and availability with ourselves whole and entire, with a sincere effort and resolution not to be spiritually and morally debased, hence we can find fulfillment in keeping to what the Book of Books advised us to uphold. We ought to be aware of this fact that:  ὅτι πᾶν τὸ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς σαρκὸς καὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν καὶ ἡ ἀλαζονεία τοῦ βίου, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀλλ' ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου ἐστίν-quoniam omne quod est in mundo, concupiscentia carnis est, et concupiscentia oculorum, et superbia vitæ: quæ non est ex Patre, sed ex mundo est-What does the world offer? Only gratification (concupiscence) of corrupt nature, gratification (concupiscence) of the eye, the empty pomp of living; these things take their being from the world, not from the Father 1Jn.2:16. Therefore, looking at the root of the word Possible, we see POTEN, POTES & POSSE meaning POWER. They come from the Latin posse, potesse & possessus. The most important qualities of a person are his potentialities. Very few of us take the trouble to explore our real potential. In this ambient, our spiritual cum moral potential is based on our style of life and what we deem necessary for us as an individual, though we might have received a sound training from our families or wherever we might have found ourselves in a particular home. Many a time we blame the society but in real sense we are to be blamed ourselves because we are the constituents of the society, which comes from a nuclear family or home. Therefore, the greatest blame ought to go to the nuclear family of which we are the members, before ever blaming the gregarious macro family, that is society. Furthermore, picking your word Emmanuel: ‘This therefore calls for proper introspection’, from the 17^th century Latin etymology of the word introspection, intrōspicere to look within, from intro- + specere to look, this means the examination of one's own thoughts, impressions, and feelings, especially for long periods. Ipso facto, the issue of Onanism vis-à-vis Is it then totally possible for the youths to remain sinless?, calls for an individual and strictly personal examination of one’s thoughts, impression, and feelings which demands the virtue of continence, even in speech through talking to people especially among friends of opposite sex. It is good to note that there is nothing wrong or sinful in having friends from opposite sex, the problem is what you do with such friends when you are solely alone without the presence of others? A very saintly and high spiritual advice comes from the Book of Books regarding friendship; Non te reputes in multitudine indisciplinatorum. Memento iræ, quoniam non tardabit. Humilia valde spiritum tuum, quoniam vindicta carnis impii ignis et vermis-Do not join the company of sinners (make friend with sinners), remember that the wrath of God will not be delayed (cf.Gen.38:10). Remain humble, because the godless are punished with fire and worms Sirach 7: 16-17. Therefore, WHAT IS TRUE FRIENDSHIP? Friendship in the real sense of it is a way towards sacrificing your time, talent, energy and the whole self for the goal and happiness of others through their spiritual and moral growth, hence FRIENDSHIP means:

F – FOCUSING your mind towards making others happy.
R – REACHING to others as to make them feel well always.
I – INSISTING on the things that glorifies God in your relationship with friends.
E – ENDURING things on behalf of others.
N – NEVER to give the devil opportunity between your relationships with friends (cfr.1Peter 5:8-9).
D – DOING everything to bring nearer your friends to God.
S – SHAPING your personality from the virtues of your friends and they in return increasing their virtues from yours.
H – HOLINESS of life is a key to true friendship.
I – INSTRUCT your friends well whenever they err.
P – PUT all efforts to help you grow positively for the sake of knowing others.

 

SACRATISSMO CORDE IESU – MISERERE MEAM (MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS HAVE MERCY ON ME) BY IKECHUKWU OGUN P

Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me a poor and wretched sinner. Wash, sanctify and purify me of my obstinate and stagnant life full of incoherency, insensitivity, insensibility, deceitful state even to my poor nature and self.

Oh Scared Heart of Incarnate Word, fill my spiritual and moral lacuna, emptiness, vacuum and gap with your words that enriches and strengthens my laziness.

Oh Sacred of Heart of Calvary-Victim, make me aware that I ought to represent you always as a victim that draws power from the Eternal Calvary-Victim, hence not to be a scandal.

Oh Sacred Heart of Sacrifice of the Altar, pardon me and accept the sacrifice of the altar which I celebrate In You, With You and For You.

Oh Sacred Heart of Crown-Giver, burn off in me the spirit of tepidity that I may totally trust and hope in you, looking forward to the beatific vision which you promised to those who are virgin and immaculate in heart thus: μακάριοι οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ, ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὸν θεὸν ὄψονται-Beati mundo corde: quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt-Blessed are the clean (pure, in) of heart; they shall see God Matt.5:8.

ON THIS FRIDAY 7^TH JUNE 2013, FEAST OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS.

Eke Ernest said: The words which flows from your mouth is true and shows the wisdom of God, but Fr coming to talk now because most of the time we say “I” will not do it again after confession but when you leave or find yourself in the midst of friends you see yourself doing it again. Secondly, be specific on the types of word for us to avoid thank you Fr, with regard to ONANISM, A CONSCIOUS RENEWAL OF THE ACT IN OUR CONTEMPORARY WORLD, A DAILY GUILT OF OUR TIME BY IKECHUKWU OGUN

Response No. 2

The power of sexuality (onan) in man is that which is very vibrant and goes with a spend like that of infra-rays radiation once there is a communication between two people, more especially when they engage themselves on talk even from a distance without seeing each other. That is from the etymology of the Hebrew name ohnuhm [Onan], it means vigour, power and wealth, it connotes generative or reproductive power. Some have the notion that the name connotes wicked or sinful. “The purpose of levirate marriage is expressed by Deut.25:6: “that his name [the name of the dead brother] may not be blotted out of Israel.” Onan obeyed his father; however, he was unwilling to fulfill his responsibility [the meaning of this responsibility is expressed by the Hebrew word yabam, “the husband’s brother”] (The Latin translation of the OT rendered the Hebrew word as levir, “brother” from which comes the concept of levirate marriage) toward his deceased brother. Whenever he had sexual relations with Tamar he would let the semen fall to the ground (Gen.38:9), thereby avoiding giving a child to Tamar. This action of Onan probably was a  reference to coitus interruptus, but Onan’s conduct has produced the word “onanism,” which has come to be a reference to masturbation.” Cf. CLAUDE F. MARIOTTINI “Onan” in Freedman Daniel Noel (ed.), The Anchor Bible Dictionary Vol. V, p. 21.

 

Obscenity is from the adjective obscene meaning offensive to the senses, or to the taste and refinement. It is from the Middle Age French obscene of (16^th century) and from Latin obscenus which is originally offensive to modesty or decency. Again, from French obscénité, from Latin obscenitatem (nominative obscenitas) this implies inauspiciousness, filthiness, from obscenus- offensive. There is need for responsibility when an act is deliberate and consciously conscientious when completed. Therefore to avoid such talk, we go over to the Word of Life thus: aut turpitudo, aut stultiloquium, aut scurrilitas, quæ ad rem non pertinet: sed magis gratiarum actio. -No indecent (immodest) behaviour, no ribaldry or smartness (foolish and coarse joke) in talk; that is not your business, your business is to give thanks to God Eph.5:4. Therefore, Nemo vos seducat inanibus verbis: propter hæc enim venit ira Dei in filios diffidentiæ-Do not allow anyone to cheat you with empty promises; these are the very things which bring down God’s anger on the unbelievers Eph.5:6. That is why Manifesta sunt autem opera carnis, quæ sunt fornicatio, immunditia, impudicitia, luxuria-φανερὰ δέ ἐστιν τὰ ἔργα τῆς σαρκός, ἅτινά ἐστιν πορνεία, ἀκαθαρσία, ἀσέλγεια-It is easy to see what effects proceed from corrupt nature; they are such things as adultery, impurity, incontinence, luxury Gal.5:19. Therefore, the idea of deliberateness rest solely on (myself as an individual) a man or a woman that the aftermath ought to be embraced with the dictates of the Holy Writ (cf. Sirach 15:11-20). In view this, regarding our discussion avoidance and resistance of the talk is of utmost importance. Indeed, the Word of God is always our point of reference: A man used to indecent talk will never be reformed in his lifetime. Two kinds of people multiply sins and a third attracts the Lord’s anger: A blazing passion which burns like fire will not extinguished until it burn itself up. A man who seeks pleasure from his own body, he will not give up until he catches fire; to the indecent man, all food tastes sweet and he will not be satisfied until death Sirach 23:15-16. Oh Lord ever Merciful pardon our sensitivity and scandals which we have in no small measure immersed ourselves into, but give us the grace as to rise quickly whenever we see ourselves into such spiritual and moral cancer, that our whole personality may be fitting and ready to grow in your sanctity.

Luke 9:11-17 YEAR C THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY & BLOOD OF CHRIST 2ND JUNE 2013 BY REV FR PAUL IKECHUKWU OGUJIOFFOR

Luke 9:11-17 YEAR C THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY & BLOOD OF CHRIST 2^ND JUNE 2013 BY REV FR PAUL IKECHUKWU OGUJIOFFOR

 

11οἱ δὲ ὄχλοι γνόντες ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτοὺς ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ τοὺς χρείαν ἔχοντας θεραπείας ἰᾶτο. 12ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤρξατο κλίνειν: προσελθόντες δὲ οἱ δώδεκα εἶπαν αὐτῷ: ἀπόλυσον τὸν ὄχλον, ἵνα πορευθέντες εἰς τὰς κύκλῳ κώμας καὶ ἀγροὺς καταλύσωσιν καὶ εὕρωσιν ἐπισιτισμόν, ὅτι ὧδε ἐν ἐρήμῳ τόπῳ ἐσμέν. 13εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς: δότε αὐτοῖς ὑμεῖς φαγεῖν οἱ δὲ εἶπαν. οὐκ εἰσὶν ἡμῖν πλεῖον ἢ ἄρτοι πέντε καὶ ἰχθύες δύο, εἰ μήτι πορευθέντες ἡμεῖς ἀγοράσωμεν εἰς πάντα τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον βρώματα. 14ἦσαν γὰρ ὡσεὶ ἄνδρες πεντακισχίλιοι. εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ: κατακλίνατε αὐτοὺς κλισίας ὡσεὶ ἀνὰ πεντήκοντα. 15καὶ ἐποίησαν οὕτως καὶ κατέκλιναν ἅπαντας. 16λαβὼν δὲ τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους καὶ τοὺς δύο ἰχθύας, ἀναβλέψας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εὐλόγησεν αὐτοὺς καὶ κατέκλασεν, καὶ ἐδίδου τοῖς μαθηταῖς παραθεῖναι τῷ ὄχλῳ. 17καὶ ἔφαγον καὶ ἐχορτάσθησαν πάντες, καὶ ἤρθη τὸ περισσεῦσαν αὐτοῖς κλασμάτων, κόφινοι δώδεκα.

11 But the multitudes heard of it, and followed him; so he gave them welcome, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who were in need of healing. 12 And now the day began to wear on; and the twelve came and said to him, Give the multitudes leave to go to the villages and farms round about, so that they can find lodging and food; we are in desert country here. 13 But he told them, It is for you to give them food to eat. We have no more, they said, than five loaves and two fishes, unless thou wouldst have us go ourselves and buy food for all this assembly. 14 About five thousand men were gathered there. So he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by companies of fifty; 15 and they did this, bidding all of them sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looked up to heaven, and blessed them, and broke, and gave them to his disciples, to set before the multitude. 17 All ate and had their fill, and when what they left over was picked up, it filled twelve baskets.

11 Quod cum cognovissent turbæ, secutæ sunt illum: et excepit eos, et loquebatur illis de regno Dei, et eos, qui cura indigebant, sanabat. 12 Dies autem cœperat declinare, et accedentes duodecim dixerunt illi: Dimitte turbas, ut euntes in castella villasque quæ circa sunt, divertant, et inveniant escas: quia hic in loco deserto sumus. 13 Ait autem ad illos: Vos date illis manducare. At illi dixerunt: Non sunt nobis plus quam quinque panes et duo pisces: nisi forte nos eamus, et emamus in omnem hanc turbam escas. 14 Erant autem fere viri quinque millia. Ait autem ad discipulos suos: Facite illos discumbere per convivia quinquagenos. 15 Et ita fecerunt: et discumbere fecerunt omnes. 16 Acceptis autem quinque panibus et duobus piscibus, respexit in cælum, et benedixit illis: et fregit, et distribuit discipulis suis, ut ponerent ante turbas. 17 Et manducaverunt omnes, et saturati sunt. Et sublatum est quod superfuit illis, fragmentorum cophini duodecim.

Reflection/Meditation

Oh Blessed Gift Most Holy, Oh Blessed Food that came down from Heaven, Oh Blessed Victim Ever Holy Sacrifice which sacrificed Himself at the Cross and continues to re-represent Himself In and Through the Holy Priesthood thereby giving to the Catholic priests the authority and privilege of offering Himself continuously because of his Mercy and Love on the Sacrifice of the Altar (Holy Mass). In this mystery we appreciate Him as in Ps.110:4 Tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech, who serves In Him, With Him and For Him as He said: Hoc facite in meam commemorationem Lk.22:19; cf. 1Cor.11:25. Before these words of Institution, Christ taught the crowd through Lectio Divina and they in turn received healing and purification through the Word in their heart (cf. v.11). For their sustenance of healthy body as to portray a graceful face always, Christ never wanted to send them home tired and hungry, because being the desert place it implies that at Mass we ought to maintain the decorum which is silence and prayerful nature of the Holy Mass. (cf. v.12). Christ taught us that the priesthood is not only prophetic but as well a dora [a gift and an act of giving], hence he insisted that the Apostles should not dismiss them just that way without offering themselves represented by the bread and fish symbolically (cf. v.13). Christ’s presence among us is a fraternal unity and community of believers who when present at Mass ought always to stay quiet, calm and still because we are in the presence of Him Who  nourishes our existence spiritually and corporeally as well (cf. vv.14-15). The mystery observed through Faith by the Words of Consecration over the Bread and Wine brings into immediate effect the Real Presence Jesus Christ as the Body and Blood, symbolically mystical. This is done by the priestly elevation of eyes in prayer to heaven calling down Christ to come and make Himself simply Present in the work of human hands, after which the apostles as ministers distribute same to those who are present in the Christian assembly after the Lectio Divina with the entire Holy Eucharist Celebration (cf. v. 16). For those who were not to attend the Holy Mass because of grave reasons which are also a form of participation in the Cross of Christ, the consecrated bread are also reserved for such people in the Tabernacle in the case of emergency (Viaticum or Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick) or in the Holy Mass either (cf. v.17). Jesus Christ is truly hidden in the Body and Blood of the Most Holy Sacrament that is why He said: Μὴ δῶτε τὸ ἅγιον τοῖς κυσίν, μηδὲ βάλητε τοὺς μαργαρίτας ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν χοίρων, μήποτε καταπατήσουσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν καὶ στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς- Nolite dare sanctum canibus: neque mittatis margaritas vestras ante porcos, ne forte conculcent eas pedibus suis, et conversi dirumpant vos- You must not give that which is holy to dogs. Do not cast your pearls before swine, or the swine may trample them under foot, and then turn on you and tear you to pieces Matt.7:6. For this reason the Mother Church according to St. Thomas Aquinas in the Sequence of Corpus Christi said: Ecce panis Angelorum, factus cibus viatorum: vere panis filiorum non mittendus canibus-Lo the angel’s food is given To the pilgrim who has striven; See the children’s bred from heaven, which on dogs may not be spent. Ipso facto, Christ insisted that: ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ἄρτος ὁ ζῶν ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς: ἐάν τις φάγῃ ἐκ τούτου τοῦ ἄρτου, ζήσει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα: καὶ ὁ ἄρτος δὲ ὃν ἐγὼ δώσω ἡ σάρξ μού ἐστιν ὑπὲρ τῆς τοῦ κόσμου ζωῆς- Ego sum panis vivus, qui de cælo descendi. Si quis manducaverit ex hoc pane, vivet in æternum: et panis quem ego dabo, caro mea est pro mundi vita- I myself am the living bread that has come down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever. And now, what is this bread which I am to give? It is my flesh, given for the life of the world Jn.6:51-52.