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AWAKE TO TRUTH

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • 13 minutes ago
  • 3 min read
 

Today’s Readings:

Acts 22:3-16

Psalm 117

Mark 16:15-18

 

Have you ever been in a situation where you were so sure that what you were telling others was the truth? Only for you to find out, moments later, that what you were so sure was true is not the case? You will discover that the longest distance to walk is going back to tell those you have spoken to before that, “Ah, what I told you earlier, I just found out that it is not true”. Often the humiliation that attends the retraction of our statement discourages us from going back to correct what we have said. But Truth is greater than any of us. This is why we need to consider the conversion of Saint Paul as an instruction for how we ought to carry ourselves and carry the message that has been entrusted to us.


The Catholic Church celebrates the conversion of Saint Paul because he stands as proof that we can do the right thing for the wrong reasons. The dramatic incident of his conversion shows us that God is always working out the details of our conversion in the decisions we make and actions we take. So, a person may be doing wrong, but their wrong actions are setting them up for the truth that will be revealed to them in due time. Saint Paul was so sure that he was doing the right thing by persecuting Christians, sending them to prison and killing them. But when he confronted the truth, it humbled him. In time, he realised that what he was so sure of was not the case. But when the conviction of the truth grew in him, Saint Paul resolved to stand for truth—along with the attending consequences of persecution and eventual martyrdom.


We all need to wake up to the truth; we need a spirit of ongoing conversion. Conversion is a process and not a one-time event. We must also fight against the obstacles to conversion. The greatest of them is pride. It can make us obstacles to the truth. We can sometimes become so engrossed with what people will say of us if we shift grounds to what is true. People’s perception of your weakness is not as important as God’s approval when you say the truth in humility and charity.

Besides, let us focus on the beautiful promises which Christ makes to us for speaking and standing for the truth:

“These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover” (Matthew 16:16-18).

These are the mighty deeds that God desires to do through you. But the biggest obstacle is you, yourself. Conversion means “getting out of your way.”  The truth is bigger than you. God’s message is so important that you have to get out of the way and allow Him to have His way in your life.

                                                                                                JUDE-MARY OWOH


 

To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.


 

Prayer:

  1. Eternal Father, give me the humility you gave to Saint Paul so that I flee from spreading prejudice and falsehood.

  2. Help me to acknowledge the truth and become your chosen instrument of grace through Christ our Lord. Amen.

  3. Lord, reveal Your truth to me. Let it burn in my heart like fire.

  4. Deliver me from hidden faults and the misfortune of spreading error and falsehood.

  5. Make me a dispenser of your grace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

  6. Lord, I bless everyone who is not afraid to share Your word with the world. 

  7. Bless them and their families. Prosper the work of their hands. Preserve them from the eyes of the evil one. Protect them from evil friendships and relationships.

  8. May they know Your will and pursue it with all their heart. Love them forever, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 
 
 

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