Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27
Matthew 7:21,24-27
Let your life reflect your words. When the priest says at the end of Mass, “Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life,” he is telling you to put God’s word which you hear into practice. Keeping God’s word is at the heart of our Christian faith. It is not enough to say that you are Christian and you go to church. If you do not keep His word, you are as good as those who never come to church or who lack the gift of faith. Worse still, you are an obstacle to others who wish to know Jesus. The world does not require those who say they believe in something. The world is hungry for witnesses, those who show evidence of their faith in God and bear the fruits of the Spirit.
Do what Jesus says: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on a rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock’ (Matthew 7:21,24-25).
Practical ways to put God’s word into practice and touch more lives include:
Love your family.
Honour your spouse.
Love yourself and do not endanger your life.
Do your work excellently well.
Speak well of others.
Be a patriotic citizen.
Avoid fraud.
Flee bad company disguised as friends.
Be generous with your time, talent and treasure.
Be dependable.
Be truthful.
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:
Ever-provident Father, You have given us the gift of faith in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and shown us that the only way to truly impact the world is by following His footsteps. Strengthen us, Lord, to follow Him faithfully, to see Him and serve Him in one another, in Jesus’ name.
May we never be derailed by the workers of iniquity who spite You by their wrongful actions, in Jesus’ name.
May the birth of Christ which we experienced at Christmas, prepare us to receive the fullness of His blessings. Amen.
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