Today’s Readings:
Rev 5:1-10
Psalm 149:1-6,9
Luke 19:41-44
It is never too early to teach your children your faith. Start early. As early as today. Oh, you're not married and you don't have any children? So, you want to wait until you have children before you start teaching them about God? Let me ask you first of all: how important is your faith to you? Very important, right? Is it evident in how you live each day? If you are not consciously living your faith today, you will never actively hand it on to the people who are important to you. The most important person in your life is you and your relationship with God ought to be the core of your life. Without Faith in God, life is empty, meaningless, directionless and an aimless endeavour.
You were born into a faith environment but you no longer find it useful? This one is strong! But it is not hopeless. If you stumbled on this reflection, trust me it is no coincidence. We can lose faith. You will never treasure your faith if you have never risked losing it. So, what are those things that are shaking your faith?
Is it the poor attitude of people who claim they know God?
Is it betrayal or abuse from someone you trusted?
Is it the fact of unanswered prayers?
Is it the reality of pain and suffering?
Is it the seeming injustice for good people while evil people prosper and flourish?
These and more can test our faith. And I'll be lying to you if I say that I don't question the absurdity of these anomalies. But one thing that keeps me going is the thought that God must love all of us so much that He does not treat the evil person as his deeds deserve, hoping that they will realise their sins and repent. And when I look into my own life, that evil person is me. I just sin differently than the people I condemn. I have hurt people, I have disrespected authority, I have failed people who reposed confidence in me. But God has been gracious to give me many second chances. And I wish the same for others who are struggling with one vice or the other. It is by conquering my vices daily that I truly live out my faith. And by this constant working out of my faith, I show others what being a Christian means. If my struggles and victories are not evident to the people I live with and interact with daily, then I am an inauthentic witness and it is only a matter of time before I am exposed as a fraud.
So, in order to hand your faith to your children (biological or spiritual), this is what you must do daily:
Commend yourself daily to the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to take perfect control of your life.
Conquer your vices. If you don't, your children will have to struggle with them. Every vice you kill is one less struggle your children will have to deal with. My dad struggled to give up smoking and fiery anger so that I never had to hold a cigarette or weed. Also, I am a more controlled person because of him.
Make every moment of your life a time of prayer. Pray as you walk, be conscious of God as you scroll through your phone. Make the sign of the Cross as you step into a vehicle or an office. Bless your meal before you eat. Bless the name of Jesus as you stretch from tiredness. Do you get the point?
Think of God as you make every decision. It is a red flag when people suggest that you should not think through your decisions.
Hang out more with persons who take their faith seriously. Their positive vibes will rub off on you.
Affirm others more. Condemn less. Never be indifferent.
Share your story with close friends and family. Let them know the ways God has come through for you.
Live life one day at a time. For all you know, today is all you have.
Sharing your faith has to consider every aspect of your life and impact every relationship you are involved in, including your unborn children.
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:
Loving Father, You have consecrated us to yourself in Baptism. We are washed in Your Son's blood and filled with the Holy Spirit.
May we walk always in the light of Your grace and defeat every obstacle in our way by the power of faith in You. Amen.
I am consecrated to God and destined for greatness. I will neither stumble nor fail in Jesus' name.
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