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Father Pius Ajaba page This is a media outreach under Fr. Pius Ajaba a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja

11/07/2026

TOPIC: SOWING THE WORD

BY: REV. FR. PIUS AJAGA AJABA

TEXTS:
* First Reading - Isaiah 55: 10-11
* Psalms - Ps 65:9-13 (R. Lk 8:8a)
* Second Reading - Romans 8:18-23
* Gospel Reading - Matthew 13:1-23

√ OPENING INSIGHTS

* Today is the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

* Today Jesus presented to us The Parable of the Sower.

* This parable of Jesus is found in Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15 and the extra-canonical Gospel of Thomas.

* It is a story in which both failure and success feature.

√ THE THREE BIG S(S) IN TODAY'S REFLECTION!

~ In every sowing, the following Three Big S(s) must be present; The Sower, The Seed, and The Soil.

1. THE SOWER: This is Jesus himself.

* Jesus casts the seed of the gospel liberally.

* He scatters the gospel of God’s unconditional love in the way the sower scatters the seed. Even unpromising surfaces received the seed.

2. THE SEED: The seed is the Word of God. It is described in the first reading as the rain that brings life.

NOTE: I. The Word of God often refers to itself as a seed.

II. The Greek word for seed here is σπέρμα (s***ma). There are a total of forty-four verses in the New Testament where the Greek word "s***ma" was translated "seed." So s***ma means Seed, offspring and source of life.

III. This is the same word from which we derive our English word "s***m."

IV. The same way that conception cannot take place without first planting the seed, that is how spiritual conception cannot take place without the implantation of spiritual seed in you.

3. THE SOIL: The different types of soil refer to the condition of the person’s heart who is hearing the words.

~ In this parable, there are 4 types of heart soils;

* Roadside Soil
* Rocky Soil
* Thorny Soil
* Good Soil

I. THE ROADSIDE HEART-SOILS: This is he who hears the word of the kingdom but do not understand it, then the evil one comes and sn**ches away what is sown in his heart.

2. THE ROCKY HEART-SOIL: This is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

3. THE THORNY HEART-SOIL: This is he who hears thec word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

4. THE GOOD HEART-SOIL: This is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

NOTE: The varied results show the different responses to the Word of God.

The Big Question: where do you belong?

√ HOW TO BECOME A FERTILE HEART-SOIL

I. Endure The Sufferings of the Present Time.

* The Second Reading tells us; "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

* REMEMBER! Tribulation/persecution on account of the word accounted for the unproductivity of the second soil. It means that you need endurance.

II. Be Set Free From Creation's Bo***ge to Decay.

* The Second Reading says "... the creation itself will be set free from its bo***ge to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God."

* REMEMBER! the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the third word, and it proves unfruitful. It means that you need freedom from bo***ge of the world - freedom from the corruptible.

III. Exercise Spiritual Groaning.

* The second Reading tells us "but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."

* REMEMBER! the evil one could sn**ch away what was sown on the first soil because of lack of understanding of the word. This is why Spiritual groaning is necessary. It takes one to that place of indepth understanding of the word which will bring about fruitfulness like the fourth soil.

√ FINALLY:

* The first reading says; "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I intend, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

* Open up for the Word of God to bear fruit in you.

* Your type of soil will determine, your fruitfulness.

* There are times in life when we need to keep sowing even in the face of unfavourable odds.

* Happy Sunday!
________________________
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12/06/2026

Happy Weekend 🙏

9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST DAY 7: CHRIST JESUSINTRODUCTION:...
21/05/2026

9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST

DAY 7: CHRIST JESUS

INTRODUCTION:
Christ is the one anointed by the Spirit. Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of the Father". That is the sign of the Anointed One, the Messiah. It was his life's work, which He brought to perfection on the Cross, when He said, "Father into Your hands I commend my spirit". At our Baptism we have been given a share in the same anointing of the Spirit, yet how often we fail to do the will of God! By our sins we go against the anointing of the Spirit given to us. Hence we begin today by asking pardon for our failures in obedience and in love from God and from our neighbour.

PRAYER POINT
Dear Lord, as I look at my life, I realize I am not as on fire for you as I should be. Help me to see the true state of my heart and attitude, so that I will be moved to action. Show me the need to fan into flame those things you have given me, so that I can be of greater benefit to my fellow human being. Forgive me for allowing the fire of the Holy Spirit to burn low in my life. From this prayer on, I am going to stir myself, to stir up the gift of God to fan into flame the things you have given me. I want to be a greater blessing in your Kingdom! Thank you, Lord, for helping me to be just that. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

1. OPENING (Hymn to the Holy Spirit)

INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created

R. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let Us pray:
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, Through Christ Our Lord.

R/. Amen

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST: (To be recited daily during the Novena)

O LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who before ascending into Heaven didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, Dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples, and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.

4. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Breathe into me Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit that my work too, may be holy.
Attract my heart Holy Spirit that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit that I may always be holy.

9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOSTDAY 6: EXPECTATION OF THE MESSIAH ...
20/05/2026

9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST

DAY 6: EXPECTATION OF THE MESSIAH AND HIS SPIRIT

INTRODUCTION - In the Old Testament we find the people waiting in expectation of the promised Messiah but ignoring the Word of God. This led them to frustration, disappointment and exile. A few like Simeon and Anna wait in hope for the "consolation of Israel" (Lk2:25) and "the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk 2: 38). During Jesus' public life even His own disciples were looking forward to a political figure who would bring the kind of freedom and fulfillment they longed for. In this age of technology and material progress, what are our expectations? In what do we place our hope? Our experience tells us that violence and injustice still flourish. In whom do we trust to rid us of all these troubles? They cannot lead us to fulfillment. Do we not have to ask ourselves whether there is any difference between us and those who do not believe? Today we begin by asking pardon for our lack of faith and trust in God and His Word.

PRAYER POINT
- Ask for the grace to nurture your spiritual gifts

- Pray against spiritual luke-warmness, unbelief, doubt, unforgiveness, intimidation and attacks of the enemy that will hinder us from worshiping God the way he demands of us.

- Pray for spiritual revival and divine harvest in the area of evangelization.

1. OPENING (Hymn to the Holy Spirit)

INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

V/. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created

R/. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let Us pray:
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, Through Christ Our Lord.

R/. Amen

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST:
O LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who before ascending into Heaven didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, Dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples, and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.

4. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Breathe into me Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit that my work too, may be holy.
Attract my heart Holy Spirit that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit that I may always be holy.

5. BIBLE READING: Isaiah 11:1-2 and Luke 4:16-21

6. CONCLUDING PRAYER

LET US PRAY:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I know that my body is Your Temple. I believe and trust that You are the source of life, Almighty God, our Creator. My whole body is filled with Your life and love. Lord Jesus, touch me with Your Precious Blood and wash away all my sins.

I ask Your forgiveness for every sin of mine. Heal me of all the hurts, anger, guilt feelings and all painful memories that linger in my deepest being. I have sinned, Lord, against You and against my neighbour. Jesus, You are present in the Eucharist. Lord, do come into my heart. While You are in my heart, I have nothing to fear, for You are the Son of God, and in my heart You are near.

In You is life, and in Your life, Lord Jesus, I find life. You touched the bleeding woman and healed her. Have mercy on me, Lord. It is You Who guide me with Your strength and make me righteous in Your presence. Lord, God, You are almighty. You are merciful. You have touched me and healed me of all my ailments of soul, mind and body. I thank You specially for bringing me closer to You, for loving and protecting me and for healing me completely. With deep faith in my heart, I adore You my loving Jesus Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are God for ever and ever. Amen.

9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOSTDAY 5: THE MANIFESTATION OF THE HO...
19/05/2026

9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST

DAY 5: THE MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

INTRODUCTION:
We find in the Old Testament, the promise of a Saviour made by God was repeated by the Prophets, but repeatedly the people fell away. Their leaders depended not on the Law given them by God but on making alliances with foreign powers and the people followed the example of unbelieving people around them in adoring false gods. He sent His Prophets to speak in His name. The many appearances of God to these men were reminders of His presence and of His love for His people. Moses keeps reminding the people of this through the verses in Deuteronomy 7: 7-8. Today, through our faith we know that God has already sent us the promised Saviour - but still we are tempted in the same way. Our inclination is to run after materialism and individualism of the society in which we live, to put our hope of a good life in wealth and self-indulgence and greed for power. Selfishness is the cause of constant tensions in our families, among our neighbours, the cause of bloodshed between nations and communities. The remedy lies in our turning to God. Let us

PRAYER POINT
- Ask God’s mercy for the times you used spiritual gifts for selfish gains.
- Surrenders your life anew to the Holy Spirit

1. OPENING (Hymn to the Holy Spirit)

INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

V/. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created

R/. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let Us pray:
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, Through Christ Our Lord.

R/. Amen

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST: (To be recited daily during the Novena)

O LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who before ascending into Heaven didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, Dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples, and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.

4. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Breathe into me Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit that my work too, may be holy.
Attract my heart Holy Spirit that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit that I may always be holy.

5. BIBLE READING: Gal 3:24-28 and Matthew 17:1-9

6. CONCLUDING PRAYER

LET US PRAY: (To be recited together by all)
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I know that my body is Your Temple. I believe and trust that You are the source of life, Almighty God, our Creator. My whole body is filled with Your life and love. Lord Jesus, touch me with Your Precious Blood and wash away all my sins.

I ask Your forgiveness for every sin of mine. Heal me of all the hurts, anger, guilt feelings and all painful memories that linger in my deepest being. I have sinned, Lord, against You and against my neighbour. Jesus, You are present in the Eucharist. Lord, do come into my heart. While You are in my heart, I have nothing to fear, for You are the Son of God, and in my heart You are near.

In You is life, and in Your life, Lord Jesus, I find life. You touched the bleeding woman and healed her. Have mercy on me, Lord. It is You Who guide me with Your strength and make me righteous in Your presence. Lord, God, You are almighty. You are merciful. You have touched me and healed me of all my ailments of soul, mind and body. I thank You specially for bringing me closer to You, for loving and protecting me and for healing me completely. With deep faith in my heart, I adore You my loving Jesus Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are God for ever and ever. Amen.

09/05/2026

TOPIC: ANOTHER COUNSELLOR

BY: REV. FR. PIUS AJAGA AJABA

TEXTS:

* 1st Reading - Acts 8:5-8.14-1
* Psalms - Ps 66: 1-3a.4-5.6-7a.16 and 20
* 2nd Reading - 1 Peter 3:15-18
* Gospel reading - John 14:15-21

√ OPENING INSIGHTS:

* Today is the Sixth Sunday of Easter, A.

* Today’s message is about the promise of the Holy Spirit.

* It is to prepare us for pentecost experience.

* It is meant to bring us to the place of the knowledge of what we’re looking forward to receiving at pentecost.

* It is to make us to anticipate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

* It is a message that assures us of the ever presence of Jesus during our difficult moments.

√ CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS:

* There are two key words in this topic; Another and Counsellor.

1. ANOTHER
~ There are two Greek words for another; ἕτερος (Heteros) and ἄλλος (allos)
I. Heteros means another of different kind; opposed to some former person or thing. That is, one not of the same nature, form, class, kind, different.

II. Allos means another of the same kind; another of a similar type. That is, one of the same nature, essence, form, class and kind.

NOTE:

I. Allos (ἄλλος) as compared with Heteros (ἕτερος) denotes numerical in distinction from qualitative difference, i.e. Allos expresses a numerical difference and denotes another of the same sort, while Heteros expresses a qualitative difference and denotes another of a different sort.

II. Allos adds (one besides), Heteros distinguishes (one of two)

III. Every Heteros (ἕτερος) is an allos (ἄλλος), but not every ἄλλος is a ἕτερος

IV. The word used in today’s Gospel is ἄλλον (ἄλλον Παράκλητον - allon Paraklēton) and ἄλλον comes from ἄλλος allos which generally denotes simply distinction of individuals, rather than Heteros (ἕτερος) which involves the secondary idea of difference of kind.

V. This shows that the Holy Spirit would be a separate comforter, but of the same nature, essence, form, class and kind as Jesus. He will do what Jesus did. The Holy Spirit would continue the very ministry of Jesus Himself.

* The disciples were afraid of losing Jesus physically, but Jesus reveals that the Spirit would be His divine continuation among them.

* So the Holy Spirit is not merely a force or abstract power.

* He is presented as One who carries the presence, character, voice, comfort, guidance, and help of Christ.

2. COUNSELLOR

* The Greek word used by Christ in this text is parakletos.

* The Greek word Jesus used here, was used to refer to a person who came alongside during a time of legal difficulty.

* It has been variously translated as counselor, advocate, comforter, intercessor, strengthener, and standby.

* This Word was never used in reference to any spiritual reality. It was rather used to refer to a:
A. Lawyer
B. Motivator
C. Counsellor

* Jesus used it here for the first time to refer to something spiritual - The Holy Spirit.

~ IMPLICATIONS: It means that:
* when you need a lawyer, the Holy Spirit will defend you.

* When you need a motivator, the Holy Spirit will motivate you.

* When you need a counsellor, the Holy Spirit will counsel you.

√ FURTHER INSIGHTS INTO THE GREEK PARAKLETOS

* The word Parakletos is a combination of two Greek words; para and kletos or kalein

* Para means beside, alongside, by the side, and closeby.

* Kalein means ‘to call.’

* However, Kletos is the “past tense” of kaleo which means:

a. to call aloud.
b. to invite
c. to give a name or title
d. to salute one by name

~ klētos

a. called, invited (to a banquet)

b. invited (by God in the proclamation of the Gospel) to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom through Christ.

c. called to (the discharge of) some office.

d. divinely selected and appointed.


NOTE:

* He won’t come unless you call or invite him.

* The words used by Christ here; ‘Allos Parakleto’ show what the Holy Spirit will do in our lives.

* When the Holy Spirit comes, he will be by our sides, alongside, beside, and close by to call, to invite, to give a name, to salute you.

* He will be our Helper, advocate, adviser, counselor, teacher, strengthener and standby.

* Are you in difficult situation? You need the Holy Spirit.

√ PREREQUISITES TO THE RELEASE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

* Love of God (Gospel reading)

* Receiving of the Word (First reading)

* Keeping of the commandments (Gospel reading)

* Reverencing Christ as Lord (Second reading)

* Keeping your conscience clear (Second reading)

√ CHANNELS FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - ANOTHER COUNSELLOR

* Laying on of Hands (First reading)

* Direct impartation (Acts 2)

FINALLY:

* Get ready for pentecost is coming.

* Get ready for another counselor

* He (Holy Spirit) is our Helper, advocate, adviser, counselor, teacher, strengthener and standby.

* Jesus assures us “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you….”(Gospel reading).

* Happy Sunday!
______________________
∆Kindly like and share, and Follow on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube . Pius Ajaba.

29/04/2026

The Word and the Eucharist

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St. Benedict Cathedral
Ogoja

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