By Val Obienyem
He woke me up at 3 a.m. One reality of working with Mr. Peter Obi is that time is rarely sacred – you must be prepared to receive a call at any hour, even when one might reasonably expect to be cuddling one’s wife in peaceful and amorous companionship. I recall a story once shared by Chief Chuks Iloegbunam: Mr. Obi had called him at 2 a.m. and asked, “Oga Chuks, are you awake?” With diplomatic yet sarcastic speed, Chief Iloegbunam replied, “Yes, sir – I’ve been awake, waiting for your call.” Today, at 3 a.m., it was my turn. Mr. Obi’s voice came through: “Val, are you where you can write?” I was sorely tempted to respond, “Yes, sir – I’m on my bed, sleeping, with a Bic in my hand, waiting for your call.” But of course, I did not. He concluded our discussion with a reminder: “I hope you know that today is Ascension.”
The Mass was celebrated by our Chaplain, Fr. Jidere Chigozie. As he preached, I found myself smiling mischievously and pondering whether we should begin calling him Fr. Oji Nwayo – a name that suits him perfectly. He does things with measured deliberation, never in haste, yet always with purpose. His homilies begin so softly that one might wonder where he is headed. But “nwayọlly nwayọlly,” with calm assurance, he arrives – delivering a feast of insights for the thoughtful mind.
Being the Feast of the Ascension, Fr. took time to explain the Church’s understanding of holy days of obligation, exploring both the theological and canonical dimensions. He highlighted the significance of the Ascension, reminding us that it reaffirms the Christian journey: always heavenward. Life may be littered with stumbles and setbacks; we may falter or even fall. But like Christ, who fell three times on the road to Calvary and yet rose each time, we are called to keep our eyes on Him and press forward.
Yes, today is Ascension Day – a celebration rich with meaning. It is one of those beautiful reminders of the depth and continuity of Catholic tradition. In the Catholic Church, every major event in Scripture is not merely remembered but re-lived through the liturgy, for the spiritual nourishment of the faithful. As Fr. announced, the May Devotion will conclude on Saturday, and today we begin the Novena to the Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost. What a Church – steeped in and defined by profound spirituality. I shudder when the ignorant claim they only began to pray after leaving the Church that is, in itself, the very embodiment of prayer.
Ascension is also a day that quietly underlines shared reverence between Christians and Muslims. The Church of the Ascension in Jerusalem, built on the Mount of Olives, is currently under Muslim custodianship for reasons we shall look at another day.
Interestingly, Muslims honour Jesus (Isa) as a great prophet who, according to the Qur’an, was taken up to heaven – a belief that parallels the Christian doctrine of the Ascension. Thus, though administered by Muslims today, the site remains open to Christian worship, particularly on this sacred feast, reflecting Jerusalem’s complex overlapping religious traditions.
Understanding such intersections of faith has always been part of sound Catholic priestly formation. I recall, as a young seminarian in 1984, our Rector and Religion teacher, Fr. Joseph Nwanna, introduced us to a topic titled “Introduction to Islam.” At that age, we were surprised. Many of us had come to the seminary imagining we’d simply be taught how to pray and say Mass. Yet here we were, learning about an entirely different religion, amidst a clearly defined secondary curriculum. I remember that lesson vividly.
Fr. Nwanna taught us that: “Islam means submission to God. A Muslim is one who submits to God.” He described how the call to prayer is made by the muezzin, who chants: “Come to prayer, come to good… Prayer is better than sleep.”
He also introduced us to the Five Pillars of Islam, and that early exposure sparked in me a lifelong interest in comparative religion. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to study Islam more deeply, appreciating its profound call to discipline, devotion, and reverence for the Divine.
So today, as we mark the Ascension, we do not only look upward in hope but also outward in understanding – recognising that in God’s vast design, even our differences can become starting points for dialogue, respect, and shared reflection on the mystery of the Divine.
Leave a Reply