Oseloka Obaze*
Monday
30 April 2012
The Love of the Unloved
Sr.
Carina Maris Okeke
(ISBN:978-1-469199917;
Bloomington, IN, Xlibris Publishers,
2012;
Pp. 68; Price, $24.99)
Available at: www.Xlibris.com
Sr.
Carina Maris Okeke’s forthcoming book,
The Love of the Unloved, seeks to take the faithful reader back to the
basics and underpinning ethos of the Catholic faith and teachings; redemption
through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
In a world increasingly bereft of belief and weary of faith, the arrival
of this book is most propitious. As
the author of this work (which is due out in mid-May), avers, she undertook this
scriptural task due to the “indifference and rejection suffered by our
Eucharistic Jesus in the hands of his creatures in the tabernacle of his Divine
Love particularly in the ungrateful tabernacles of human hearts.”
Such indifference has been amplified by
mushrooming of latter day churches that continually undermine the theological
doctrine of Catholicism.
Call this
pithy work an endeavour in epistemology, philosophy or strict theology; it
delves into one of the core challenges confronting the Catholic Church --the
erosion of the understanding and belief in the redemptive love and sacrifice
that led to the crucifixion and the eventual manifestation of that love in the
transubstantiation, represented by the Holy Eucharist.
The
motivation for this work is the recognition that increasingly, “People often
doubt the teachings of the Church”, even those who profess to believe.
In so doing, they fail to recognize the mystical component and nexus
between the promised redemption and the death on the cross, which is the
fulfilment of that promise. While
this book may be of little interest to non-Catholics and the sceptics; even as a
historical treatise its essence and thesis are easily validated by eloquent
Biblical citations and common sense logic.
It is argued
that the human failure to grasp the mystery of redemption as represented by the
Holy Eucharist is attributable to the Eucharistic process being
“incomprehensible and unexplainable to human intellect.” Hence, the proposition:
“To understand the mystery of the Holy Eucharistic, you must first develop an
intimate relationship with Jesus, because he is the only person that would
explain the mystery to you.”
The Love of
the Unloved
is divided into eleven chapters; namely, The Eucharist: The Sacrament of Life
and Love; The Wounded Lover; The Unconditional Lover; He Waits for Your Love; A
Friend in Need; The Sweet Voice of the Beloved; Jesus Can Do All Things; New
Life with New Beginnings; Living our Faith in Christ; The Ultimate Mandate; and
Living a Life of Gratitude and Love.
The book,
inter alia, investigates why the relationship between the redeemer and his
flock, which should be one of unrequited love, is skewed.
Christ did his part, loving His beloved people unconditionally and
sacrificing his life for them. Yet,
“Jesus is the wounded Lover abandoned by his beloved in the tabernacle of his
divine love” (p.14). The author explains this disconnect in lay human terms,
noting that while “what prompts the sacrifice of Jesus transcends human
understanding” his actions were akin to that of a lover; “he can do anything to
make his love known to me”(p.16).
Two key
points are used to anchor the premise of the love between Jesus Christ and his
beloved. “He called us his own and his friends (Jn 15:15). He laid down his life
for us. Like a Great Shepherd he took upon himself our infirmities, our
condemnation and our death (Is 53:4; Matt 8:17).”
Beyond
reciprocal love, Love of the Unloved
is also about trust and faith, both common, but inevitably tasking virtues. In
this context, the author asserts; “Jesus needs trustworthy friends that will
continue his mission on earth. He needs friends who can stand up for him in good
and in bad times. …. But without faith it is impossible to please him, for
anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those
who seek him.”(p.38) Valid as this
assertion is, doubt and lack of faith are inevitable human foibles. They are not
so much physiological as they as mental and indeed, to some degree, their origin
is inexplicable. Hence, it is
understandable that those who believe must walk by faith, as “walking by faith
encourages us to confide in the revelation of God. In fact, walking by faith
simply means living our life according to God’s word”(p.45).
Love of the
Unloved
is about
relationships and abiding faith.
Clearly, some who vouchsafe to be Catholics have abandoned or totally rejected
the very basis of their faith – unfettered belief.
They do so, utterly unmindful of St. Paul exhortation to Timothy to “. .
.fight the good fight by having faith and a good conscience. Some, by rejecting
conscience, have made a shipwreck of their faith.” (p.49)
Sr. Carina
Maris Okeke has written a book of spiritual companionship, which explains the
teachings in the Bible in synoptic but illuminating forms and offers those
wavering in their faith, a basis to rekindle their beliefs.
The book bridges the concept of agape love and unrequited love; and both,
like faith, doubt and belief, are hardly radical thoughts.
As Sr. Okeke disclosed, the book was
“inspired by her love for the Eucharistic Lord who lives in the tabernacles of
the world particularly in the tabernacles of human hearts in a simple but
mystical way.”
Love of the
Unloved
is well written, elegant in form, factual and more importantly, not geared
towards proselytization of non-Catholics.
Rather, it will serve as useful tool in the hands of those doubting
Thomases most in need of succour; and provide to others who have remained
fervently steadfast in their religious belief, especially in the dogma of
redemption and life hereafter, an affirmation of being on the right course. The
love will find a well-deserved place in any worthy Christian family library.
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Mr. Oseloka Obaze
is the co-founder of the
Kwenu.com Book Review Forum,
which is dedicated to the promotion of books with Igbo
and Afrocentric themes. He is also a supporting Member of the African Writers
Endowment (AWE). From 1999 to 2005, he served on the editorial board of
INYEAKA,
the journal of Songhai Charities, Inc., a
New Jersey community-based charity founded and run by Nigerians based in New
York Tri-state area in the United States, first as its founding Publisher and
later as the Editor-At-Large. He is also on the editorial board of
The Amaka Gazette,
journal of the Christ the King College,
Onitsha Alumni Association in America. He is the co-author of a forthcoming
book, Joe Garba’s Legacy
(Xlibris) due out
in June 2012. His collection of
poems, “Regarscent Past:
A Collection of Poems”
(Ben Bosah
Books), will be published in the fall. He is working on a novel titled
“Happy Eulogy”.
He reviews books and arts strictly as a hobby.
© Copyright 30 April 2012.