By Olivia Obijiaku
In preparation for the Feast of Pentecost, a nine day Pentecost program themed ‘The Holy Spirit the Ultimate Power’ was organized by Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in Nigeria, (CCRN) of Archdiocese of Onitsha. Ministering at parish level, in Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Fegge Onitsha during the program scheduled for Friday 10th to Saturday 18th May 2024, Bro Emmanuel Chukwuani leaned on the topic, ‘In Him is overflowing grace Titus 2:11-14’ in charging Catholics to engage the grace of God for their salvation.
The minister defined grace as riches at the expense of Christ and asserted that sons and daughters of God enjoy His grace because Jesus died for them; paid for their sins and gave them His grace which is His righteousness. He maintained that it is a misdeed for any Catholic to remain endlessly in sin since the Church possesses the instruments of salvation.“Live a life of holiness and you will be happy forever.” He challenged them.
“When you are baptized, you confirmed that you have died with Christ. In other words, the power of sin is not supposed to reign in your life. It is an error to live in sin because the grace of God came to give us power over sin. (cf. 6:7). It is an error for a Catholic to live perpetually in sin. The grace of God is meant for us to live a holy and clean life.”“Today, young girls come to the Church exposing their breasts. People come to the Church naked, living the way they like because they do not fear God.
Do not say everybody is doing it. Joseph was one man who stood for God and He blessed Him. You too can make a difference. If you want to be a Catholic, be a true Catholic. Be a Catholic in spirit and in truth. Follow the teachings of the Church.”“The grace of God has what it takes to turn your weakness to strength.
It does not matter what you call weakness. The power of God has what takes to turn that weakness to strength. Just keep coming to the altar in sincerity and with passion and desire. The grace of God will connect you to a life of dominion over sin, (cf. Rom. 6:14). It will turn your weakness to strength, (cf. 2 Cor. 9-10).”“Jesus whom we know in the Catholic Church is in the Blessed Sacrament.
So, in the Blessed Sacrament is overflowing grace. You cannot be a Catholic on your own. The grace of God is inside you to enable you to do what you cannot do and help you live a life that is pleasing to God. If you want to run the race without God you will fail because no man will prevail by the arm of the flesh. To receive overflowing grace, obey the teachings and traditions of the Church. Be obedient to God and those He has entrusted over your life.
Do not joke with authority or you may lose some blessings.”“The Spirit of God is already inside of you. You have what it takes to speak at the frequency of God. However, a child does not know his left from his right but he can grow and become a son. A child of God can mature and become is man of God and when a man of God matures, he becomes a king. So, the grace of God will push you from level to level because God wants you to grow in grace.
Do not be a Christian who is stagnated. Be a Christian who is growing from glory to glory.”Bro Chukwuani observed that bread and butter Christians abound as evidenced in increased quest for prophesy. He lamented that some Catholics patronize eze nwanyis rather than go to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with their challenges. He then proffered a return to God like the prodigal son did when he came back to his senses.
