Today’s Readings:
Wisdom 2:12,17-20
Psalm 54:3-6,8
James 3:16-4:3
Mark 9:30-37
Something really amazing happened during my last road trip to Delta State. I have never really driven for that long before, so I was looking forward to that experience with a mixture of excitement and fear. Not the fear of stopping halfway on my journey. But the fear of the unknown—the things that I shall encounter along the way. And so, we set out on this journey at almost 7am. The first belt of the journey was smooth (the Lagos belt). But when we entered into the road that would lead us through Ogun state unto Ore, the journey became rough due to bad roads. The journey was slow and winding. By the time we got to the Ore belt of the trip, it was free-flowing and smooth because the roads were good. But it had a lot of obstacles in the name of police check points.
Every one kilometre, we were stopped by policemen who wanted to check and collect money from us. I did not travel in my clerical wear, so they would stop me first, interrogate me and then some would notice the purple stole sitting on my dash board and then ask, “Are you a priest?” And when I say “Yes”, some asked for prayers, others still insisted on collecting something from me. And some were outright stubborn and detained me for minutes on end. And so, a journey that was meant to last six to seven hours stretched to 10 hours. Finally, we got to our destination. And as much as we rued all that took place, we were so happy to have gotten through it and learnt some valuable lessons along the way. And these lessons are not so different from the ones in the readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary time. People are going to test your PATIENCE to see if you will crack under pressure. If you say you are a Christian, you have made yourself a target.
The first reading states it well; “Let us see if what he says is true, let us observe what kind of end he himself will have. If the virtuous man is God’s son, God will take his part and rescue him from the clutches of his enemies” (Wisdom 2:17). Make PRAYER the cornerstone of your life. The Psalmist says: “But I have God for my help. The Lord upholds my life. I will sacrifice to you with willing heart and praise your name for it is good” (Psalm 54:8). Do not rough and rugged your way through life. Rather, learn to consciously place yourself in God’s hand. In all that you get, get WISDOM. Wisdom from God is the only thing that will carry you through the difficulties of life. When life does not make sense, when things become difficult, turn to God. In fact, if you are already turned to God things will begin to make sense. “The wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it” (James 3:17).
Finally, SERVE God in all that you do. Jesus says: ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all’ (Mark 9:35). Remember that you are here on earth to know, love and serve God. In your service, you will find fulfilment in the different ways and places God ordains for you. You are specially blessed by God because 'dem carry God matter for head'.
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 pastor, priest, or reverend.
Prayer:
God, You have called me through the Gospel, to give you glory by my life of love and service. Fill me with the joy that only You can give, bless and crown my good actions, forgive my shortcomings and break protocols in my favour, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
God shall break protocols for you and grant you boundless favours as you move in faith in Jesus' name. Amen.
May God strengthen you for the new week and bless you abundantly.
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