Advent—December 17–24

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To Accept the Mysteries of Life

Fourth Sunday for Advent (Year A)

“Joseph, son of David, no fear to take Mary your wife enter your house. Na through di Holy Spirit dis pikin take begin life inside her belle. She go born one son, and you go name am Jesus, because na im go save im people from dia sins.” Matthew 1:20–21

As we dey begin the Fourth Week of Advent, we dey focus more and more directly on the miracle wey happen over 2,000 years ago. The passage wey dem quote above give us the words of the angel of the Lord wey speak to Joseph for dream. This na one of the four dreams wey Joseph get, where angel speak to am about the Christ Child.

For Matthew Gospel, dem describe Saint Joseph as “a righteous man” wey no want expose Mary, the wife wey dem don promise am for marriage, to shame. We sabi the story well. Mary get belle after dem don promise her to Joseph for marriage, but before dem begin live together, and Joseph no understand how this thing happen. Because of Mary virtue and goodness, e for seem to Joseph say she no fit get belle for that time. Joseph dey plan to do wetin e think say go preserve honour. E decide to divorce her quietly so that she no go suffer public shame.

But God plan far greater pass wetin Joseph fit first understand. To understand how the Son of God take human nature inside the womb of the woman wey dem don promise am for marriage, e need understanding wey pass natural human ability. And na this understanding God give Joseph. Even though e get dream where angel speak to am, the dream alone no enough. The dream still need to come with the gift of knowledge wey pass natural human ability. Joseph listen for the dream, and through the revelation of faith wey God give am inside im heart, e believe say this reality wey hard to imagine na true. Na truly through the Holy Spirit this Child take enter the womb of the woman wey dem don promise am for marriage, even as she remain virgin, and Joseph accept the responsibility wey God give am.

Joseph witness na something we suppose think deeply about and draw inspiration from. First, e dey very important make we think deeply about the story as e happen and draw inspiration from God plan wey no other plan be like, the plan wey E use take our human nature. But Joseph still dey give us inspiration for the work wey God call each of us to do for life. Joseph dey inspire us to face every mystery wey we meet for life with complete trust in God. God wisdom and ways always far pass our own. Many times for life, God go call us to follow road wey we no know and wey full of mystery. Life no dey always make complete sense if we look am only with human reasoning. Many times, we must allow God plan wey pass natural human understanding to teach and guide our human reason. This mysterious road go different for each of us. But if we want live by the same faith wey Saint Joseph get, then we must always dey ready to accept the deepest and most exalted mysteries of life, and allow God Word wey dey reveal truth to make dem clear.

Today, take time think about any way wey the things wey dey happen for your life dey challenge you. Wetin dey tempt you to doubt, to confuse, or to no dey sure? Wetin you need knowledge wey pass ordinary human understanding before you fit accept am? If God the Father choose to bring His divine Son come this world for this kind mysterious way, then make e no surprise us when God call us to accept mysteries like this for life. Let faith guide how you dey live. Let Saint Joseph inspire you. Talk “Yes” to wetin God dey ask you to do. As you dey do so, you go discover say you don begin follow the most glorious road wey you fit follow.

Saint Joseph wey get glory well-well, you be man wey truly live upright life and get integrity. You open your heart to the gift of faith wey God inspire, and you choose to let that faith guide you as you face the greatest mysteries. Abeg, pray for me make I fit learn from you and get inspiration to imitate the life wey you live. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Gaze on the Mother of God

Fourth Sunday for Advent (Year B)

God send angel Gabriel go one town for Galilee wey dem dey call Nazareth, go meet one virgin wey dem don promise to give one man wey im name na Joseph as wife. Joseph come from the house of David, and the virgin name na Mary. When the angel come meet her, e talk say, “I salute you, you wey full of grace! The Lord dey with you.” Luke 1:26–28

This experience go don dey wonderful well-well. Archangel Gabriel visit this humble servant of God, one young girl, and greet her say, “I salute you, you wey full of grace! The Lord dey with you.” Try imagine wetin she experience. Her humility pass wetin person fit understand, she full of every heavenly virtue, she love God with all her heart, and suddenly she come face-to-face with this glorious archangel wey get great splendour. And this visitor from heaven pour the deepest praise on this lowly servant of the Lord.

At first, for her humility, Mary just take time think deeply about this greeting. She think deeply about am for her heart through prayer and faith. Then the archangel talk more: “No fear, Mary, because you don find favour with God. See, you go conceive for your womb and born one son, and you go name am Jesus. E go great and dem go call am Son of the Most High, and the Lord God go give am the throne of David im father, and e go rule over the house of Jacob forever, and im kingdom no go ever end.” Even though Mary ask more about how this one fit happen, she quickly agree: “See, I be the Lord female servant. Make e happen to me as you don talk.” And na these words wey this young woman talk continue to echo for her heart throughout her life.

Mother Mary great for many reasons. She be the Immaculate Conception—na only she dem conceive without sin for her own mama womb. Na she the Father choose to bring the Saviour of the World come as her only Son wey she born. But na especially for the way she continue to submit to God will we dey see her greatness. “Make e happen to me as you don talk.” Na wetin she talk again and again throughout her life. This na her perfect “fiat” to her God. All wey she know na to surrender and submit to everything wey God ask of her. And na this, pass every other thing, make her the worthy Mother of God.

Even though dem no conceive any of us without original sin for our mama womb, and none of us don remain without sin throughout our life, all of us must try make this holy woman inspire us. All of us must think deeply about her deep humility and how she willingly accept God will for her life. And all of us must try to imitate her fiat and her perfect virtue.

To imitate our Blessed Mother, we must first come to know her, understand her and love her for who she be. When we gaze on the beauty and holiness wey dey inside her, we dey see the perfection wey God call all of us to reach. As we dey gaze on her heart with prayer and come to understand her virtues more clearly, we go get inspiration to open our own hearts so that, by God grace, we fit imitate her. This prayerful practice na one of the best and quickest ways to reach the high level of holiness wey God don call us to.

Today, take time think deeply about this holy daughter of the Most High. She no be person wey we fit “understand finish.” Instead, na through prayer and God inspiration we fit come to know her. Think deeply about her with prayer. Open your heart to the inspiration wey she dey give. And allow the Holy Spirit to also overshadow you, so that you go fit imitate her holy virtues more closely.

My Mother wey I love pass, you live life of perfect virtue and holiness. You continue to dey think deep about God mysteries for your heart, and you always surrender yourself completely to wetin God want. Abeg, inspire me so that no be only to learn from you, but make I fit also share for the covering wey Holy Spirit give you. Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, na You I trust.

Wonder and Holy Fear

Fourth Sunday for Advent (Year C)

“You get blessing among women, and the fruit of your womb get blessing. How this kind thing take happen to me, say the mother of my Lord come meet me?” Luke 1:42–43

Elizabeth show beautiful humility for this statement. The Blessed Virgin Mary just travel long journey to stay with Elizabeth for the last months of her pregnancy. As soon as our Blessed Mother greet Elizabeth, Elizabeth pikin, Saint John the Baptist, jump for joy inside her womb. Elizabeth acknowledge this thing, then with humility she talk say she get very special blessing because Mary, the mother of her Lord, come visit her.

Plenty things dey for this visit of our Blessed Mother wey worth to think deep about. But try focus on how Elizabeth marvel with humility and deep reverence. “How this kind thing take happen to me, say the mother of my Lord come meet me?” E clear say Elizabeth dey grateful for Mary visit. But e be like say wetin she feel pass gratitude alone. She receive the gift to marvel with deep reverence. She clearly know say she get blessing wey pass wetin person fit imagine, because both the Mother of God and her Lord Himself now dey with her inside her house.

This gift to marvel with deep reverence wey Elizabeth experience na one of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Na gift wey dey enter humble heart, wey go first help the heart see say e no worthy of the special grace wey e receive. But then, this humble soul receive the special grace and respond with wonder wey fill the whole heart. So, no be only gratitude dey there; this holy wonder dey there too, and e dey lead person to praise God.

For our own lives, we don receive plenty wonderful graces from God. But too many times, we no dey recognise them for wetin dem really be. We no dey see the wonderful graces wey God don give us, and because of this, we no dey experience the wonder wey God gifts suppose make us feel.

As you look your own life, which graces God don give you? You dey see them? You dey grateful for them? And if na so, you fit go beyond gratitude, to marvel with holy wonder and deep reverence at God goodness and blessings for your life? Even though e fit hard to reach this level of wonder, na true gift wey all of us must try to receive and experience every day of our lives.

Today, think deep about this holy gift of the Holy Spirit wey Elizabeth experience. Put yourself for that place. Try see wetin happen inside her heart. Try feel wetin she feel. Try sense the praise wey come from am. And try open yourself more fully to receive this same gift of the Holy Spirit for your life. The Lord dey always come to you through grace, especially every time wey you receive Am for Holy Communion. Because of this, all of us must try to live every day of our lives with holy wonder and deep reverence.

My Lord wey get glory pass all, You dey bless me with grace wey pass wetin I fit imagine. Too many times, I no dey feel the gratitude, wonder and deep reverence wey suppose follow. Abeg, first help me see the countless blessings of Your grace and presence for my life. And as I dey see them, abeg, fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I too fit continue to sing the praises wey You deserve. Jesus, na You I trust.

Amazing Thing Wey Really Happen

December 17, Weekday for Advent

Eleazar na Matthan papa, Matthan na Jacob papa, Jacob na Joseph papa, and Joseph na Mary husband. Na Mary born Jesus wey dem dey call Christ. Matthew 1:15–16

The last line for the Gospel passage wey dey above give us plenty things to meditate on today and throughout the week wey dey come. “Na Mary born Jesus wey dem dey call Christ.” This thing wey really happen, wey we dey celebrate, amazing well-well! God Himself take our human life, experience how person dey begin life for belle, how dem dey born person, life as small baby, life as pikin, and other things. As human being, He still experience hatred, abuse, persecution, and how dem murder am. Again, this thing wey really happen, wey we dey celebrate, amazing well-well!

For the next eight days, the readings for Mass go focus more directly on this amazing thing wey really happen. Today, we dey reflect on the family line of Christ Jesus, and we see say He come from the line of Abraham and David, and say the great Judges, Kings and Levitical Priests dey among His ancestors. For the days wey dey come as we dey prepare for Christmas, we go reflect on the part wey Saint Joseph play, how our Blessed Mother answer the angel, the Visitation, how Zechariah no get faith, and the perfect faith of our Blessed Mother.

As we enter this octave of preparation just before the celebration of Christ birth, make we truly use am as time to prepare our spirit. Even though the whole Advent na season of preparation, these last days suppose focus especially on the great mysteries wey surround the Incarnation and the birth of the Christ Child. We must reflect on the people wey God choose to get close part for these things, and we suppose think deep about even the smallest details of how this miracle wey pass all miracles take happen.

Today, reflect on the true reason for Advent and Christmas. This last week before Christmas fit plenty times full with busy activities and other kinds of preparation, like shopping, cooking, travelling, decorating, and other things. Even though all these other preparations get their place, no neglect the preparation wey matter pass—the spiritual preparation of your soul. Spend time with the Scriptures this week. Take time enjoy the story well. Think about the amazing thing wey really happen, wey we wan celebrate.

My precious Lord, I thank You because You come dwell among us, and I thank You for this Advent season wey I fit use prayerfully think deep about everything wey You don do for me. Abeg, make this last week before Christmas be time of true preparation, when I go prayerfully think deep about the wonderful reality of how You become human. Make this last week of preparation no waste; instead, make e serve as foundation for glorious celebration, full of prayer, of the holy gift of Christmas. Jesus, na You I trust.

Belle Wey Be Mystery and Wetin Look Like Scandal

December 18, Weekday for Advent

Na so the birth of Jesus Christ take happen. When His mother Mary don enter marriage agreement with Joseph, but before dem begin live together, dem discover say she get belle through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, as e be righteous man and e no want expose her to shame, decide to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18–19

Mary belle truly be mystery. In fact, the mystery deep so tey even Saint Joseph no fit accept am at first. But, if we wan talk for Joseph side, who go fit accept this kind thing? The situation wey e face fit really confuse person. The woman wey dem don promise am for marriage suddenly get belle, and Joseph know say no be im be the papa. But e still know say Mary na holy and pure woman. So, if we look am as human beings, we fit understand why the matter no clear to am straightaway. But na there the main point dey. “If we look am as human beings,” the matter no clear straightaway. The only way to understand how Mary suddenly get belle na through something wey pass human power and understanding. So, one angel of the Lord appear to Joseph for dream, and that dream na all wey e need to accept this mysterious belle with faith.

E amazing to think say the greatest event wey ever happen for human history happen under wetin look like scandal and confusion. The angel reveal the deep spiritual truth to Joseph secretly, for dream. And even though Joseph fit don tell other people about the dream, e most likely be say plenty people still believe the worst. Most people for don assume say na either Joseph or another person give Mary belle. The idea say na the work of the Holy Spirit make this life begin for her belle for be truth wey pass wetin their friends and relatives fit ever understand.

But this one teach us big lesson about how people dey judge and how God dey act. Examples no dey finish for life when God and His perfect will dey lead to judgment, wetin look like scandal, and confusion. Take any martyr of old as example. Now, we dey look the many times wey people die as martyrs as acts of great courage. But when dem actually kill those martyrs, plenty people for don feel deep sorrow, anger, shock wey shake their faith, and confusion. For the time wey dem dey kill person wey dem love because of the faith, plenty people for face temptation to ask why God allow this kind thing.

The holy act of forgiving another person fit still bring some people to one kind “skandal” for life. Take, for example, how dem nail Jesus for cross. From the Cross, E cry out, “Father, forgive dem…” No be plenty of the people wey dey follow Am confuse, and their faith stumble? Why Jesus no defend Himself? How the authorities take find the Messiah wey God promise guilty and kill Am? Why God allow this?

Today, reflect on the mystery of how God dey act for life. Things dey for your own life wey hard you to accept, welcome, or understand? Know say no be only you dey face this kind thing. Even Saint Joseph experience am. With prayer, commit yourself to deeper faith in God wisdom, no matter the mystery wey you dey struggle with. And know say this faith go help you live more fully according to the glorious wisdom of God.

Lord, I turn to You with the deepest mysteries for my life. Help me face all of dem with confidence and courage. Give me Your mind and Your wisdom so that I go fit waka each day with faith, as I trust Your perfect plan, even when that plan look like mystery. Jesus, na You I trust.

Faith or Doubt?

December 19, Weekday for Advent

“Na me be Gabriel, wey dey stand before God. Dem send me make I talk to you and announce this good news to you. But now, your mouth go close and you no go fit talk until the day wey these things go happen, because you no believe my words, wey go come true for their proper time.” Luke 1:19–20

Imagine say Archangel Gabriel appear to you. How that one for be? This particular Archangel dey stand before the beauty and splendour of the Most Holy Trinity wey pass wetin person fit understand, and e dey bring messages wey get the highest importance. Gabriel na God messenger wey people know pass. Take small time reflect on how this kind glorious appearance for be.

For the passage above, this glorious Archangel appear to Zechariah as e dey do im priestly duty to burn incense before the Lord inside the Holy of Holies. As Zechariah enter the sanctuary while all the people remain outside dey pray, e suddenly see the Archangel for vision. The Archangel tell am say im wife Elizabeth go born pikin, even though she don old. But even as Zechariah hear this message from Gabriel, the Archangel wey dey stand before God, e doubt wetin dem dey tell am.

If na you be Zechariah, you for believe Archangel Gabriel? Abi you for doubt? Even though we fit no get any way to know the answer to that question, e good make you humbly think about this truth: you too fit don doubt. E take true humility to admit say this one fit happen. Like Zechariah, all of us weak, and all of us na sinners. We no get the perfect faith wey our Mama wey God don bless get. And if you fit humbly admit this one, then you don dey good position to overcome the weakness for your faith wey you dey struggle with. Zechariah suffer well-well because e lack faith, but that suffering lead am to get renewed faith when e obey the Archangel and name im pikin John.

Today, think about how well you dey listen to everything wey God dey tell you. You dey listen, believe and obey? Abi you dey question and doubt God voice? Know say God dey speak to you every single day. Admit the ways wey your faith never perfect, and allow this humble admission to strengthen you for where you need help pass.

Lord, I know say my faith never deep reach the perfect faith wey I really desire to get. I know say You dey speak to me day and night, but I dey fail to listen and obey. As I humble myself before You and confess say my faith weak, strengthen me make I dey respond more fully each day to everything wey You tell me. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Run Go Do Wetin God Want

December 20, Weekday for Advent

And the angel answer her say, “The Holy Spirit go come upon you, and the power of the Most High go cover you like shadow. So the pikin wey you go born go dey holy, and dem go call Am the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

Try put everything wey you know about Jesus for one side, and just think deep about these words of Archangel Gabriel as if you dey hear dem for the very first time, just as our Blessed Mother hear dem. Dem tell her say she go get pikin, even though she never sleep with man. Dem tell her say this belle go happen as the Holy Spirit cover her like shadow. And dem tell her say her Pikin go be the Son of God. Wetin Mary go think about these wonderful revelations wey this most glorious archangel give her?

Ordinary person go most likely conclude say na one kind hallucination, and say wetin dem dey see and hear na because their mind get one problem wey no go last. Maybe she dey dream? Or maybe na something wey she eat or drink without knowing wetin e be cause this experience?

But our Blessed Mother no be ordinary person, and her mind no be ordinary mind. Her mind sharp perfectly because her nature no get any stain of sin. And her mind dey continually “full of grace,” as Gabriel talk when e greet her. She know God voice, and she know say this archangel dey give her message from above. Because of this, she listen, accept, believe and agree.

We fit still conclude say Mary do pass just to agree. The love wey she get for God and for wetin E want go don strong so tey, immediately, strong desire to carry out this command of the archangel go don fill her heart like fire. Holy desire to do everything wey she fit do to fulfil this miraculous calling wey she receive go don fill her heart. And this calling go don become the main purpose of her life immediately.

Even though none of us don receive the special and glorious vocation wey God give our Blessed Mother, na sure thing say God don give all of us mission. Sometimes, we dey listen and think about am. Sometimes, we dey choose to accept am with all our heart. But the best thing na to follow our Blessed Mother example and run go meet am. No be only to open our heart. No be only to submit. We must also allow every desire inside our soul, everything wey our heart dey burn for and everything wey we dey long for to work together so that we go fulfil God will.

Wetin God dey call you to do for life? Wetin be your purpose? Wetin be your mission? If e hard you to answer these questions, then you fit start by praying for deep, holy desire wey go fill your whole heart to fulfil wetin God don choose for you. If na only to fulfil God will you dey desire, then when God show you His will, e go easier for you to fulfil am, and you go fit do am more quickly.

Today, think deeply about the special mission wey God don give you. Anything wey He don call you to do with your life na call wey He give only you. No run from am. No accept am with reluctant heart. Instead, run go meet am with your whole being and allow God to do great things through you.

Most holy Lord, I know say You get perfect plan for my life. I know say You don give me mission wey You never give any other person. Abeg, fill my soul with holy desire to fulfil Your will completely, and to do am with all the devotion and strength wey I get. Me too na Your servant, O Lord; make e happen to me according to Your will. Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Bring Christ to Other People

December 21, Weekday for Advent

For those days, Mary set out and hurry go the hill country, to one town for Judah. There, she enter Zechariah house and greet Elizabeth. Luke 1:39–40

Today, we hear the glorious story of the Visitation. When Mary belle don reach about two months, she travel go stay with her cousin Elizabeth, wey go born within one month. Even though we fit talk plenty about how this visit show the love wey Mary get for Elizabeth as her family member, the precious Pikin inside Mary womb immediately become the main focus.

Picture wetin happen. Mary don just travel about 100 miles. E very likely say she don tire well-well. When she finally arrive, she for feel relief and joy say she don finish her journey. But Elizabeth talk something wey really inspire for that moment, and e increase the joy of everybody wey dey there, including Mama Mary. Elizabeth talk say, “Because the very moment wey the sound of your greeting reach my ear, the baby inside my womb jump for joy” (Luke 1:44). Again, picture wetin happen. Na this small pikin inside Elizabeth womb, John the Baptist, immediately sense say the Lord dey there and jump for joy. And na Elizabeth immediately sense the joy of her pikin wey dey live inside her womb. As Elizabeth tell Mary this thing, Mary, wey already dey happy say she don finish her journey, suddenly get even greater joy as she realize say she don bring the Savior of the World, wey dey live inside her womb, come meet Elizabeth and John.

This story suppose teach us plenty about wetin matter pass for life. Yes, e important to show love to other people. E important to care for our relatives and friends when dem need us pass. E important to sacrifice our time and strength for the good of other people, because through these acts of humble service, we surely dey share God love. But the thing wey matter pass na say we must bring Christ Jesus Himself to other people. The first and main reason why joy fill Elizabeth no be say Mary dey there to help her as she get belle. Instead, the main reason why she get so much joy na say Mary bring Jesus, her Lord, wey dey live inside Mary womb, come meet her.

Even though we no dey bring Christ the same way wey our Mama wey God don bless bring Am, we must still make this one our main mission for life. First, we must grow love and devotion to our Lord wey deep so much that He truly dey live inside us. Then, we must bring Am wey dey live inside us to other people. Without any doubt, this na the greatest act of love wey we go ever fit offer another person.

Today, no think deeply only about your mission to invite your Lord to live inside you as our Blessed Mother do. Think also about your duty as Christian to then carry Him wey dey live inside you go meet other people. When other people encounter Christ wey dey live inside you, dem dey feel joy? Dem dey sense His presence for your life and respond with thanksgiving? No matter how dem respond, give yourself fully to this holy call to carry Christ go meet other people, as act of the deepest love.

Lord, abeg, come live inside me. Come change me through Your holy presence. As You dey come to me, help me to become missionary of Your divine presence by carrying You go meet other people, so that dem fit experience the joy of Your presence. Make me pure instrument, dear Lord, and use me to inspire everybody wey I meet every day. Jesus, na You I trust.

Proclaim and Rejoice!

December 22, Day for Week wey dey Advent

“My soul dey proclaim the greatness of the Lord; my spirit dey rejoice in God my savior.” Luke 1:46–47

One question don dey for very long time: “Which one come first, the chicken or the egg?” Well, maybe na “question” wey don dey for very long time because na only God know the answer to how He create the world and all the creatures inside am.

Today, this first line from the glorious song of praise of our Mama wey God don bless, the Magnificat, dey put another question before us. “Which one dey come first: to praise God or to rejoice in Am?” Maybe you never ask yourself that question, but e good to think deeply about both the question and the answer.

This first line of Mary song of praise show two things wey dey happen inside her. She dey “proclaim” and she dey “rejoice.” Think about those two things wey she dey experience inside her. We fit ask the question more clearly like this: Mary proclaim God greatness because joy don first fill her? Abi joy fill her because she first proclaim God greatness? Maybe the answer get small of both, but the way this line dey arranged for Holy Scripture suggest say she first proclaim, and because of that, joy fill her.

Dis reflection no be just about philosophy or theory; instead, na reflection wey we fit put for practice, wey dey help us understand our everyday life well. Plenty times for life, we dey wait make God “move our heart” before we thank and praise Am. We dey wait until God touch our heart, fill us with joy, answer our prayer, before we come thank Am. Dis one good. But why we go wait? Why we go wait before we proclaim how great God be?

We suppose proclaim how great God be when life hard? Yes. We suppose proclaim how great God be when we no dey feel His presence for our life? Yes. We suppose proclaim how great God be even when we face the heaviest crosses for life? Yes, without any doubt.

No be only after we receive some powerful inspiration or answer to prayer we suppose proclaim how great God be. No be only after we experience how close God dey to us we suppose do am. To proclaim how great God be na duty of love, and we must always do am, every day, for every situation, no matter wetin happen. The main reason why we dey proclaim how great God be na because of Who He be. Na God He be. And for that reason alone, He deserve all our praise.

But one interesting thing be say, when we choose to proclaim how great God be, both for good times and for hard times, e dey often bring joy too. E be like say the main reason why Mary spirit rejoice for God her Saviour na because she first proclaim how great He be. Joy dey come when we first serve God, love Am and give Am the honour wey His name deserve.

Today, think deeply about these two things wey dey follow each other: to proclaim and to rejoice. To proclaim must always come first, even if we feel say nothing dey to rejoice about. But if you fit give yourself fully to proclaiming how great God be, you go suddenly discover say you don find the deepest reason for joy for life: God Himself.

Mother wey I love so much, you choose to proclaim how great God be. You acknowledge the glorious things wey He do for your life and for the world, and as you proclaim these truths, joy fill your heart. Pray for me make I too seek to glorify God every single day, no matter the challenges or blessings wey I receive. Make I follow your example, dear Mother, and share for your perfect joy too. Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.

Zechariah Victory

December 23, Day for Week wey dey Advent

At once, him mouth open, him tongue free, and e begin speak dey bless God. Luke 1:64

Dis line show the happy ending of how Zechariah first fail to believe wetin God reveal to am. Remember say nine months before, as Zechariah dey carry out him priestly duty to offer sacrifice inside the Holy of Holies for the Temple, the glorious Archangel Gabriel, wey dey stand before God, come visit am. Gabriel reveal the good news to Zechariah say him wife go get belle for her old age, and say na dis pikin go prepare the people of Israel for the Messiah wey dey come. Wetin a great privilege dis one for be! But Zechariah no believe. Because of dis, the Archangel make am no fit talk for the nine months wey him wife carry belle.

The punishments wey the Lord dey give na always gifts of His grace. God no punish Zechariah out of bad mind, or just to make am suffer punishment. Instead, dis punishment be more like penance. For one good reason, God give am the penance wey go humble am: e no go fit talk for nine months. E be like say God know say Zechariah need nine months to reflect quietly on wetin the Archangel talk. E need nine months to think deep about the miracle of him wife belle. And e need nine months to think deep about who dis pikin go be. And those nine months bring the result wey God want: him heart change completely and turn to God.

After dem born the pikin, people expect say dem go name dis first son after him papa, Zechariah. But the Archangel don tell Zechariah say dem go name the pikin John. So, on the eighth day, the day wey dem circumcise him son and present am to the Lord, Zechariah write for writing tablet say the baby name na John. Dis na action wey show faith and na sign say e don turn completely from unbelief to belief. And na dis action of faith clear the doubt wey e get before.

For every one of us, times go dey for our life when we go fail to believe for the deepest level of faith. Na why Zechariah be example for us of how we suppose handle the times wey we fail. We dey handle dem by allowing the consequences of our past failures to change us for good. We dey learn from our mistakes and move forward with fresh, firm decisions. Na wetin Zechariah do be dis, and na wetin we too must do if we want learn from him good example.

Today, reflect on any sin wey you don commit wey don bring painful consequences for your life. As you dey think deep about that sin, the real question na which way you go follow from here. You dey allow that past sin, or lack of faith, to rule and control your life? Or you dey use the times wey you fail before to make fresh, firm decisions for the future, so that you go learn from your mistakes? To follow Zechariah example need courage, humility and strength. Try make these virtues become part of your life today.

Lord, I know say my faith no reach as e suppose be for my life. I no dey believe everything wey You tell me. Because of this, many times I no dey put Your words into action. Dear Lord, when I suffer because of my weakness, help me to know say this suffering and every other suffering fit bring glory to You if I renew my faith. Help me, like Zechariah, to always return to You, and use me as instrument to make Your glory show. Jesus, na You I trust.

The Change Wey the Holy Spirit Dey Bring

December 24, Day for Week wey dey Advent

The Holy Spirit fill Zechariah, wey be im papa, and he prophesy, say: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel; because He don come meet His people and set dem free…” Luke 1:67–68

Our story about the birth of Saint John the Baptist dey end today with the song of praise wey Zechariah speak after him tongue free because of the change wey happen for him faith. Before, e doubt wetin the Archangel Gabriel tell am, but later e come believe and obey the Archangel command to name him first son “John.” As we see for yesterday reflection, Zechariah na model and example for people wey lack faith, wey suffer the consequences of their lack of faith, and wey change because of wetin dem suffer.

Today, we see one example wey show us even more fully wetin dey happen when we change. No matter how much we don doubt before, no matter how far we don turn away from God, when we turn back to Am with all our heart, we fit get hope say we go experience the same thing wey Zechariah experience. First, we see say Zechariah “full with the Holy Spirit.” And because of this gift of the Holy Spirit, Zechariah “prophesy.” These two things wey God reveal get deep meaning.

As we dey prepare to celebrate the Birth of Christ tomorrow for Christmas Day, God dey also call us to “full with the Holy Spirit” so that we too fit serve as the Lord messenger wey dey prophesy. Even though Christmas concern the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Christ Jesus our Lord, the Holy Spirit (the Third Person of the Holy Trinity) get role wey important just as much for this glorious event, both that time and today. Remember say na through the Holy Spirit, wey cover Mother Mary with His power, she conceive the Christ Child. For today Gospel, na the Holy Spirit make Zechariah fit proclaim how great God action be, as God send John the Baptist ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for Am. Today, na the Holy Spirit must fill our lives so that we go fit proclaim the Truth of Christmas.

For this our time, Christmas don become celebration wey many people for plenty parts of the world dey do without much thought of God. Na only few people dey take time for Christmas to truly pray and worship God for everything wey E don do. Na only few people dey continue to proclaim that glorious message of the Incarnation to family and friends during this most solemn celebration. How your own be? You fit be true “prophet” of the Most High God this Christmas? The Holy Spirit don cover you with His power and fill you with the grace wey you need to point other people to this glorious reason for our celebration?

Today, think deeply about the role wey the Holy Spirit dey play for your life this very day. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, inspire you and strengthen you, and to give you the wisdom wey you need to speak about the glorious gift of the birth of the Savior of the World this Christmas. No other gift wey you fit give other people fit important pass this message of truth and love.

Holy Spirit, I give You my life, and I invite You to come to me, to cover me and to fill me with Your presence as God. As You dey fill me, give me the wisdom wey I need to talk about Your greatness and to be instrument wey go draw other people enter the celebration wey full of glory for the birth of the Savior of the World. Come, Holy Spirit, fill me, take over my whole being and use me for Your glory. Jesus, na You I trust.