Ciwa Chaplaincy

Ciwa Chaplaincy The Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) is a higher Ecclesiastical Institute of the Catholic Church in the West African Sub-region.

Reflection for Wednesday, 2 September 2026Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time — Cycle IIReadings: 1 Cor...
02/09/2026

Reflection for Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time — Cycle II
Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:1–9; Psalm 33:12–13, 14–15, 20–21; Luke 4:38–44.

Let Christ Be the Centre

In the First Reading, St. Paul warns the Christians at Corinth against jealousy, rivalry, and division. Their attachment to particular leaders was preventing them from growing spiritually. Paul reminds them that ministers are only servants; God is the one who gives the growth.

In the Gospel, Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law and many others who are suffering. Yet, after a time of intense ministry, Jesus withdraws to a deserted place to pray. When the people want Him to remain, He tells them that He must go to other towns to proclaim the Good News, because this is the purpose for which He was sent.

Today, we are reminded not to make ourselves, our achievements, or even our favourite personalities the centre of our faith. Christ must remain at the centre. We are called to serve, to heal, to encourage, and to proclaim the Gospel, but we must always remember that God is the source of every good work.

Jesus also teaches us the importance of prayer. Even when there are many demands upon Him, He makes time to be alone with the Father. Our lives can become busy with work, family, ministry, and responsibilities, but without prayer, we can easily lose direction.

May we serve without seeking recognition, love without rivalry, and work without forgetting God. May Christ increase in us, and may everything we do give glory to Him.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep me humble in service and faithful in prayer. Remove every spirit of jealousy, rivalry, and pride from my heart. Help me to place You at the centre of my life and to become an instrument of Your love and healing. Amen.

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 — Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle IIReadings: 1 Corinthians 2:10b–16; Psalm 145:8–1...
01/09/2026

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 — Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle II

Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:10b–16; Psalm 145:8–14; Luke 4:31–37.

“The people were astonished at his teaching because his word was with authority.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus enters the synagogue and teaches with authority. His words are not empty promises; they carry the power to liberate and transform. Even an unclean spirit recognizes who Jesus is and must obey His command.

The first reading gives us the key to understanding this authority: the Spirit of God enables us to understand the things of God. Human wisdom alone cannot fully reveal God's truth. We need hearts that are open to the Holy Spirit.

This is a challenge for us today. We may hear God's Word regularly, but the question is: Does God's Word have authority over our lives? It is easy to listen to Scripture without allowing it to change our attitudes, relationships, decisions, and priorities.

Jesus does not merely speak to us; He wants to set us free. He wants to remove whatever keeps us from living in the fullness of God's grace fear, hatred, pride, unforgiveness, addictions, selfishness, and anything that possesses our hearts more than God does.

Today, let us invite Jesus to speak into every area of our lives. Where Christ is welcomed, darkness loses its power and freedom begins.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, speak your word into my heart today. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and free me from everything that keeps me away from you. Give me the grace to listen to your Word, trust it, and live by it. May your authority guide my thoughts, words, and actions. Amen.

Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time — Cycle II 31 August 2026Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Psalm 119:97–1...
31/08/2026

Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time — Cycle II 31 August 2026

Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Psalm 119:97–102; Luke 4:16–30.

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to Nazareth, the place where He grew up. In the synagogue, He reads from the prophet Isaiah and announces His mission: to bring good news to the poor, freedom to captives, sight to the blind, and liberty to the oppressed.

But instead of receiving Him with faith, the people begin to question Him. They know Jesus as someone from their own community, and familiarity becomes an obstacle to recognizing who He truly is.

This challenges us to examine ourselves. Sometimes we can become so familiar with God that we stop allowing Him to surprise us. We may hear the Gospel every Sunday, attend Mass regularly, and know many prayers, yet still resist the transformation Christ wants to bring into our lives.

St. Paul gives us another important lesson in the first reading. He says that his preaching did not depend on impressive human wisdom but on the power of God, so that people's faith would rest on God rather than on human abilities.

Today, Jesus invites us to open our hearts and recognize His presence, even when He comes to us in familiar ways. He sends us, too, to become instruments of liberation: to encourage the discouraged, forgive those who hurt us, assist the poor, defend the vulnerable, and bring hope to those who feel forgotten.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to recognize You. Remove from my heart every pride, prejudice, and familiarity that prevents me from receiving Your word. Fill me with Your Spirit and make me an instrument of Your good news, healing, freedom, and hope. May my faith rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. Amen.

30/08/2026

Twenty-Second Sunday | The Cost Of Discipleship | Ordinary Time | Year A 2026

Saturday, 29 August 2026 — Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the BaptistReadings: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31; Psalm 33; M...
29/08/2026

Saturday, 29 August 2026 — Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31; Psalm 33; Mark 6:17–29

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

Today, the Church remembers St. John the Baptist, a man who refused to compromise the truth, even when speaking the truth placed his life in danger. John confronted Herod because Herod’s actions were contrary to God’s law. He could have remained silent to protect himself, but his commitment to God was greater than his fear of suffering.

Herod, however, allowed pride, pressure, and the desire to please others to overcome his conscience. Although he knew John was righteous, he ultimately chose the approval of his guests and the satisfaction of a rash promise over what was right. John lost his life, but Herod lost something even more important: the courage to stand for truth.

The first reading reminds us that God does not measure greatness as the world does. God chooses what appears weak to reveal His strength. John appeared powerless before Herod, yet spiritually, John was the stronger man because he remained faithful to God.

Today, we are challenged to ask ourselves: Where am I being tempted to compromise my faith because of fear, money, friendship, position, or people's opinions? Sometimes we know what is right but remain silent because speaking the truth may cost us something.

St. John teaches us that faithfulness is more important than popularity. Being a Christian does not mean telling people only what they want to hear; it means having the courage to witness to the truth with love and humility.

May the Lord give us the courage of St. John the Baptist: to speak the truth, defend what is right, remain faithful in difficult moments, and never exchange our conscience for the approval of the world.

Prayer:
Lord, give me the courage to stand for truth even when it is difficult. Keep me faithful to You when I am pressured to compromise. Through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, strengthen my faith and make my life a faithful witness to Christ. Amen.

Friday, 28 August 2026 – Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the ChurchReadings: 1 Corinthians 1:17–25; Ps...
28/08/2026

Friday, 28 August 2026 – Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:17–25; Psalm 33; Matthew 25:1–13

Today, the Church celebrates Saint Augustine, a man who spent years searching for truth and happiness in many places before finally discovering that his restless heart could find peace only in God.

In the first reading, Saint Paul teaches us that Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God. The world may consider the Cross foolishness, weakness or failure, but for those who believe, the Cross is the greatest revelation of God's love.

The Gospel presents the parable of the ten virgins. All of them had lamps. All were waiting for the bridegroom. But only five brought extra oil. When the bridegroom finally arrived, the wise virgins were prepared.

The oil in our lamps can represent our daily prayer, faith, charity, forgiveness, good works and relationship with God. We cannot wait until the last moment to build a relationship with the Lord. A lamp without oil may look beautiful, but it cannot give light.

Saint Augustine reminds us that a brilliant mind and worldly success are not enough to satisfy the human heart. His life teaches us to seek true wisdom not merely in knowledge, wealth or human achievement but in Christ.

Today, ask yourself:
Is my lamp filled with the oil of prayer and love? Am I spiritually prepared for the coming of the Lord?

May Saint Augustine pray for us, that our hearts may always seek God and our lamps may remain burning brightly until we meet the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with true wisdom and keep the flame of faith burning within us. Through the intercession of Saint Augustine, may we always seek You and remain ready for Your coming. Amen.

Memorial of Saint MonicaReadings: 1 Corinthians 1:1–9; Psalm 145; Matthew 24:42–51.Today, we celebrate Saint Monica, a w...
27/08/2026

Memorial of Saint Monica

Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:1–9; Psalm 145; Matthew 24:42–51.

Today, we celebrate Saint Monica, a woman remembered for her deep faith, perseverance in prayer, and unwavering hope in God. Her life teaches us never to give up on the people and situations we place before God.

In the Gospel, Jesus says: “Stay awake! … you also must be prepared.” This invitation to watchfulness is not about living in fear but about living each day faithfully. We do not know when the Lord will come, but we can prepare by being faithful in the duties and responsibilities entrusted to us.

Saint Monica is a beautiful example of this faithfulness. She persevered in prayer through many years of difficulty, especially for the conversion of her son, Augustine. Her prayers teach us that God’s silence is not necessarily God’s absence. Sometimes we must wait patiently and trust that He is working in ways we cannot yet see.

St. Paul also reminds us that God is faithful and will strengthen us to the end. Even when our faith is weak, God remains faithful.

Reflection

Today, the Lord invites us to pray without giving up, remain watchful, and trust His timing. Like Saint Monica, may we continue to pray for our families, our loved ones, and those who seem far from God. Never lose hope. A prayer offered with faith is never wasted.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give us the persevering faith of Saint Monica. Teach us to remain faithful in prayer, patient in trials, and hopeful in Your promises. Strengthen us to live each day prepared and ready to meet You. Amen.

Saint Monica, pray for us.

Highlight | Children Harvest | Party 2026
27/08/2026

Highlight | Children Harvest | Party 2026

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