By Val Obienyem
With this startling and thought-provoking question, Fr. Daniel Eduzor, Rector of St. John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha, began his homily during today’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which I had the privilege of attending alongside my wife.
He directed the question to the young seminarians before him: “Was Christ a Christian or a pagan?” The aim was not to confuse, but to stimulate deeper theological reflection. Personally, I felt the question, engaging as it was, might have been more precisely framed with a follow-up: “If He was neither, then what exactly was He?”
As the seminarians shared their thoughts, Fr. Eduzor gently led them to the conclusion that Christ belonged to the religion of His people—Judaism. Born into and formed by Jewish tradition, Jesus lived as a devout Jew. However, as Fr. Eduzor pointed out, He ultimately brought forth Christianity, not as a break, but as the fulfilment and perfection of the old covenant.
Fr. Eduzor’s homily also turned our attention to the twin mysteries commemorated on Holy Thursday: the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the foundation of the ministerial priesthood. He drew a clear and enlightening distinction between the ministerial priesthood, instituted through Holy Orders, and the common priesthood of all believers, a key theme in the Second Vatican Council’s teaching.
In his interpretation of the day’s readings, Fr. Eduzor beautifully traced the theological arc from the Jewish Passover, with its promise of deliverance, to its fulfilment in the New Covenant, sealed by Christ in love. At the centre of this New Covenant lies the “Mandatum Novum” – the New Commandment to love as He loved.
He captured the essence of the Christian faith with memorable clarity “Christianity is love, and love is Christianity. Catholicism, in other words, is love embodied; and love, in its purest expression, is Catholicism.”
Fr. Eduzor also devoted time to explaining the historical and spiritual roots of Maundy Thursday, anchoring the celebration not only in Scripture but in the unfolding tradition of the Church.
What stood out throughout was his pastoral sensitivity and pedagogical care. His words were not merely an academic exercise but a formation of hearts and minds. He is deeply aware of the weight of his role in shaping future priests – not only to understand the faith, but to live it with conviction, depth, and joy.
