Today’s Readings:
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
Psalm 145:8-14
Luke 4:31-37
Today, we celebrate Pope St Gregory the Great (540-604). He was notable for his humility and his zeal for the moral and spiritual care of the Church. Most people today are out of touch with their spiritual life and this gives me concern. Why? Saint Paul says, “Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:11).
Most of us do not understand that:
We dwell in God - “In Him we live and move and have our being” [Acts 17:28].
To dwell outside of God is to be under demonic influence.
We cannot do as we please with our lives (You belong to God, 1 Cor. 6:19).
We need to consciously hand ourselves and our concerns to God.
Our preoccupation with money hands us over to spiritual decay and death.
It is dangerous to suspend prayer until something evil begins to manifest around us. By which time, it is too late.
Creation is spiritual at its core. Jesus’ presence provoked the reaction of unclean spirits and he dispelled them with authority, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” (Luke 4:35). It is dangerous to walk about without the necessary spiritual protection that secures us in a world where you either belong to God (filled with the Holy Spirit) or you are the play-thing of demons. “An unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: (s)he sees it all as nonsense” (1 Corinthians 2:14). As a believer, a child of God, you are different; because you have within you the mind of Christ, you walk in faith and live differently (1 Corinthians 2:16).
We act differently when:
We pray and consciously carry God’s presence as we go through the day.
We bless ourselves, our homes and our loved ones with holy water.
We install an altar in our homes, dedicate it to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and daily call down God’s presence upon our family.
We call genuine ministers of God as led by the Holy Spirit, for spiritual matters and not some “roadside” man of God.
We steer clear of places that create the occasion of sinful and unchristian behaviour.
We forgive our offenders, refuse to keep malice and wish them well.
We show people that Christ is alive by our way of life.
We pay attention to your spiritual life.
We always pray divine protection and safety over our families, friends and loved ones.
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 report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, let your Holy Spirit fill me and my home.
Lord, may I never submit to the influence of evil.
Lord, protect my loved ones from the power of the enemy.
Lord, may I never dwell in the company of the ungodly.
Lord, lead me to persons who will draw me closer to You.
Lord, through me draw others close to You. Amen.
May evil be far away from our homes and our lives in Jesus' name. Amen.
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