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Chaplain To Catholics: Where’s Your Upper Room?
By Patrick Wemambu
Chaplain of St. Paul’s Chaplaincy, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka in Delta State, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) James Urien, has inquired from Practising Catholics where their Upper Room is located within their residential quarters.
Posing the question in a sermon he delivered in his mission on the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A, the cleric asserted that most homes often have rooms designated for specific purposes. This is even as the Upper Room is typically expected to be reserved for prayers. Although while some households include a chapel or altar, others may choose to pray in any available space, Fr. Urien argued.
He explained; “In the Old Testament, Upper Rooms were found in the homes of kings and the wealthy (Jer.22:13-14). Over time, these rooms became associated with privacy and special gatherings.
In the Gospel context, the Upper Room represents a space for connection between the divine and humanity. Do you have a dedicated place to meet with God?”
Describing the Church as Upper Room, the Chaplain pointed out that in 1 Chronicles 28:11-12, the said entity is viewed as an essential part of the temple. Similarly, in Acts 1:12-14, the Upper Room represents a place of privacy and fellowship, the congregation was informed.
“We need a place of prayer and the Church affords us that atmosphere. Today, the Upper Room symbolises the Church, serving as a place for retreat, renewal, reflection, worship, prayer, and communion. The Church originated in the Upper Room and relies on the experience, which is the presence of the Holy Spirit… We encounter God in the Church, a community of believers united with Christ,” Fr. Urien added.
Addressing the topic of remaining in the Upper Room, the preacher reminisced that the Disciples’ period of waiting was marked by fear, anxiety, unity, prayer, and reliance on God’s promise. Such times are said to be difficult with the characteristic of a feeling of abandonment by God, especially during hardship. However, this may not be the case as waiting on God can be reassuring. According to Fr. Urien, Number 23:19 says that God is not a man that He should lie nor a son of man that He should repent. If He speaks His word, it must surely come to pass.
Whereas the Disciples did not know when or how the Holy Spirit would come, nor what to expect, as they had never experienced this before – the St. Paul’s Chaplaincy learnt that they simply waited. This is because God’s faithfulness to His promise does not depend on the faithfulness of mankind as all are called to trust and wait on Him.
The homilist gave his parting shots; “Seek strength from the Holy Spirit. Stay connected with people of faith. Be consistent in your prayers. Be open-minded in your expectations. Be obedient to God’s Word. Get spiritual guidance to discern God’s messages. Be active in witnessing to the Gospel. Be courageous and trust God for the best.”