Season of Christmas

All di 4 volume dem dey available as paperback & eBook!

Di Greatness Wey Dey for Humility

January 2, when e fall before Epiphany

“Na water I dey use baptize; but one person dey among una wey una no recognize, the person wey dey come after me, wey I no worthy even to untie the strap of His sandal.” John 1:26–27

Now wey our Christmas Octave don finish, we don begin look ahead straightaway to di ministry wey our Lord go do. For our Gospel today, na Saint John the Baptist dey point us to dat ministry wey Jesus go do. E acknowledge say im mission to baptize with water na for some time, and na only preparation for di One wey dey come after am.

As we see for plenty of our Advent readings, Saint John the Baptist na man wey get deep humility. As e admit say e no even worthy to loose di straps of Jesus sandal, dis one show say na true. But di surprising thing be say, na dis humble thing wey e admit make am so great!

You want be great? Deep inside, all of us want am. Dis desire dey go together with di desire for happiness wey dey inside us by nature. We want make our life get meaning and purpose, and we want make our life bring change. Di question na “How?” How you go do dis thing? How you go become truly great?

For di way di world dey see things, to be great fit often mean to get success, riches, power, admiration from other people, and other things like dat. But for di way God dey see things, person dey become great by humbly using im life give God di greatest glory wey e fit give.

To give God all di glory get two effects for our life. First, e dey allow us live according to di truth about life. Di truth be say na God, and only God, deserve all our praise and glory. Every good thing dey come from God, and only God. Second, as we humbly give God all di glory and acknowledge say we no worthy of Him, God in turn dey reach down and lift us up to share for His life and His glory.

Today, think deeply about di call wey you get to follow di humility of Saint John the Baptist. No ever draw back from humbling yourself before di greatness and glory of God. To do so no go reduce your worth or stop you from becoming great. Instead, na only when you get di deepest humility before di glory of God, God fit draw you enter di greatness of His own life and mission.

Lord, I give all glory and praise to You and You alone. Na You be di source of every good thing; without You, I no be anything. Help me make I continue to humble myself before You, so that I fit share for di glory and greatness of Your life of grace. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Hear God Dey Speak

January 3, when e fall before Epiphany

John still give testimony, as he talk say, “I see di Spirit come down from di sky like dove and remain upon am. I no know am, but di one wey send me to baptize with water tell me say, ‘Anybody wey you see di Spirit come down upon and remain, na im be di one wey go baptize with di Holy Spirit.’ Now I don see am and don give testimony say na im be di Son of God.” John 1:32–34

One thing wey interesting to notice be say, for di Gospel of John, Saint John di Baptist no baptize Jesus, as di Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke show. Instead, for di Gospel of John, John di Baptist only see di Holy Spirit come down from where he dey for some distance, and then he talk di words wey dem quote above. Di next day, di Baptist point to Jesus as di “Lamb of God,” and two of his own disciples leave di Baptist to follow Jesus.

Why e come be like say di Gospel of John and di three Synoptic Gospels no agree for this matter? Even though e hard to give answer wey we fit sure of, one thing wey di Gospel of John make especially clear be say di Father give di Baptist special spiritual knowledge say Jesus na di “Lamb of God.” For this Gospel, di way God reveal Who Jesus be no be something wey everybody wey dey there hear and see. Instead, John’s Gospel focus on di understanding wey di One wey send John di Baptist give am deep inside. And di One wey send am na di Father for Heaven.

One spiritual truth wey worth to think deeply about from di account for di Gospel of John wey we read today be say, di conviction and certainty wey di Baptist receive about who Jesus be strong so much that he know Who Jesus be without any doubt at all. This personal revelation wey di Baptist receive change his life. From that moment onward, all wetin he do na to direct people to Jesus.

As you dey think deeply about this spiritual revelation about Jesus wey di Baptist receive from di Father for Heaven, ask yourself which one go convince you more. Na to hear one voice from Heaven wey your ears fit hear, as e declare Who Jesus be, go convince you more? Or na to receive this same knowledge through wetin di Father communicate to your spirit deep inside you? If you believe say di first one, di voice wey come from outside and wey your ears fit hear, go convince you more, then e good make you pause and think again. Di truth be say, di clearest way wey God dey communicate with us, and wey give us di greatest certainty, na from inside us. And even if voice wey people fit hear speak from Heaven, as di Synoptic Gospels show, faith for di hearts of di people wey hear am still need to confirm that Voice inside dem, so that e go convince dem reach di deepest part of their being.

Today, think deeply about this spiritual truth: God di Father want speak to you for di deepest part of your own soul, so that you go get certainty about Himself and about everything wey He don talk as true. You dey hear God dey speak? You don allow His Voice convince you? Listen to Am today, and allow everything wey He tell you become di source and goal of everything wey you talk and do for life.

Father for Heaven, You don show me who You be and the plan wey You get for my life for plenty ways. And even though You dey always speak to me, I admit say I no dey always listen. Abeg, open my soul to You more fully, so that I go get faith and dey sure of Your love and Your perfect will for my life. Jesus, na You I trust.

Come, and You Go See

January 4, when e fall before Epiphany

Dem tell am, “Rabbi” (wey mean Teacher), “where you dey stay?” He tell dem, “Make una come, and una go see.” So dem go see where He dey stay, and dem stay with am that day. John 1:38–39

This conversation really make person think. Andrew na one of the two disciples of John the Baptist wey hear John talk say Jesus na the “Lamb of God.” Because of this, Andrew and the other disciple leave John the Baptist and begin walk behind Jesus. As dem begin follow Jesus, He turn face dem and ask dem wetin dem dey find. Their answer, and the invitation wey Jesus give dem after, na wetin dem write above.

The invitation wey Jesus give dem dey special: “Make una come, and una go see.” With that invitation, these two disciples go stay with Jesus that day. But no be only that one happen. The passage wey follow show clear say, as these two disciples spend the day with Jesus, dem come get faith in who Jesus be. Later for the passage, Andrew go meet im brother Peter tell am, “We don find the Messiah.” Wetin happen for the day wey dem spend with Jesus wey convince dem of who He be?

Even though the Gospel no give the details of their stay with Jesus, e look clear say just to dey for Jesus presence na all wey these disciples need. Think again about the two parts of Jesus invitation: “Make una come…” and then “and una go see.”

When our Lord speak to each of us, the invitation wey He dey give us dey very much like this one. First, He go invite us to come with am. We suppose come to the place where Jesus dey stay. Where be that place? For us, no be must say na physical place; instead, first and above all, na place of prayer. We must hear Jesus as He dey invite us to come meet am through the journey wey we dey make inside our soul through personal prayer. Na there, deep inside our soul, we go rest with our Lord. He dey invite us just to dey there with am for His divine presence.

When we come meet am and rest with am for His presence, another thing go happen: “and una go see.” We go see am, come know am, receive light from am and come get faith in am. At first, this dey happen through His Word wey He speak. In the end, e dey happen through something wey He reveal deep inside us, wey na only for prayer we fit receive am.

Today, think deeply about this gentle invitation wey our Lord give these disciples. As you dey reflect on these words, hear am as words wey He dey speak to you too. First, take time reflect only on the word “come.” Allow am enter deep inside your soul. Allow am touch you deeply and personally. Know say na real invitation from Jesus, wey full of love. After that, try take time reflect on the words “and you go see.” Wetin God want make you see? Wetin God want reveal to you personally about faith? “Come, and you go see.” Allow these words change your life, just as dem change the lives of these first disciples of our Lord.

Lord, You dey always invite me to come meet You, to dey with You and to sit with You for Your divine presence. Abeg, help me hear this gentle invitation wey come from Your love. As I dey hear am, abeg, open the eyes of my soul make I see You, know You and love You more fully. And as I dey see You, give me grace and strength to follow You anywhere You lead me. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Turn to God Dey Spread from Person to Person

January 5, if e fall before Epiphany

Jesus decide to go Galilee, and He find Philip. Jesus tell am, “Follow me.” Philip na from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip find Nathanael tell am, “We don find the person wey Moses write about for the law, and wey the prophets write about too: Jesus, Joseph son, from Nazareth.” John 1:43–45

Remember say for the passage before this one for John Gospel, Andrew don go meet im brother Peter tell am say e don find the Messiah. Because of this, Peter go see Jesus and become His disciple too. For the Gospel passage for today, we get story wey resemble that one, wey happen shortly after that story for John Gospel. After Jesus call Philip to become disciple, Philip immediately go find im brother, Nathanael, to tell am the good news. Because of this, once Nathanael meet Jesus for a short time, Nathanael turn to am with faith and talk say, “Rabbi, na You be the Son of God; na You be the King of Israel.”

For one way, we fit talk say change of heart to follow God fit spread from one person to another. Once God call person wey good and humble to follow Am, and the person answer, almost every time, the person go feel strong need to share this change of heart with other people wey e love. And when e share how im heart don change with another person, the person wey e love go often begin get interest too, and e fit even turn to God.

Change of heart to follow God truly fit spread from one person to another! Na because when we come know God, begin love Am deeply and choose to follow Am, the joy and strong conviction wey come with our change of heart na things wey we naturally want share with other people. We want make other people discover Christ together with us, so dem too go experience the spiritual peace and joy wey we don find.

So this one bring this question: Your love for God don touch other people for your life? If the answer na “Yes,” then na something wey you suppose thank God for. But if the answer na “No,” then e fit good make you think well about why e never happen. Even though e fit no be your fault at all, e good make you check whether you first allow yourself truly experience deep change of heart to follow Christ, and then think about whether you don dey open to share wetin dey your heart with other people.

So start with the first question. You don allow yourself truly pass through change of heart to follow Christ? This change of heart fit reach different levels. For beginning, e dey change the direction of our life as e open our eyes to see wetin truly matter for life. We dey discover God glory and the fulfilment wey dey come when we accept Im will with all our heart. When this one happen, the person wey im heart first change go often begin turn away from every serious sin, pray, read the Scriptures, and show other people these changes through im life.

But change of heart no be something wey dey happen only once. For example, Saint John of the Cross explain for great detail say, as person dey grow for life of holiness, time go reach when e must pass through another whole new change of heart. As e dey follow Christ, Christ go draw am enter another change for im life wey go deep pass the first one. No satisfy with only the first change of heart. Still seek the continuous change wey commitment to follow Christ require.

As for the second question, whether your own change of heart don inspire people wey you love to follow Christ or not, just pray make God use you as E want. Dey open to Am, no fear to share wetin dey your heart, and make effort to allow the joy of following Christ shine out from your own life. If other people dey open, then God go touch dem through you.

Today, think deeply about these two basic questions for spiritual life, and commit yourself again to continue to change all through your life, and to dey open to allow God touch other people through you. For the end, na these two things really matter for life and for eternity.

Lord of all holiness, abeg, continue to draw me closer to You. Help me make my life change, make I turn away from every sin and choose to follow You with all my heart. Help me too make I dey open for my journey of faith, so other people go see everything wey You dey do inside me and, through me, receive Your invitation to follow You. Jesus, na You I trust.

Jesus Family Line

January 6, if e fall before Epiphany

When Jesus begin im ministry, e dey about thirty years old. As people think, na Joseph be im papa; Joseph na Heli son, and Heli na Melea son… Luke 3:23–24

One of the two options for today Gospel na Jesus family line according to Saint Luke. Remember say Matthew Gospel too give Jesus family line. People fit know Matthew own pass because e dey for the very beginning of im Gospel. Even though the two family lines different well-well for different reasons, both of dem get the aim to trace Jesus ancestry. Luke put Jesus family line for Chapter Three of im Gospel, after Jesus receive baptism and just before E begin im public ministry. Luke arrange the family line from Jesus back to Adam, and e list seventy-seven generations. Matthew arrange the family line from Abraham come down to Jesus, and e list forty-one generations.

As Saint Augustine dey comment on the family line wey Luke give, e point out say Luke list seventy-seven generations because Jesus talk say we must forgive seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21–22). On top of that, since Jesus just enter the water of baptism, Augustine see this one as way to talk say the Sacrament of Baptism dey offer all people for every age the gift of forgiveness of sins wey no get limit.

Perhaps one of the most important things wey we fit think deeply about from any of the two accounts of Jesus family line na say He come give us the gift of new life as the new Adam. His gift of Baptism na way to start afresh with human beings wey don fall into sin. From the time wey God create us, we don sin. Adam and Eve sin. And all the generations wey follow don sin too. So, inside Christ, through Baptism, we fit start again, be born again, and change from the natural order wey don fall into sin to the supernatural order of grace.

We go soon celebrate Epiphany and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord. After that, we go enter the beginning of Ordinary Time, when we dey think deeply about Jesus public ministry. As we dey do this, we must dey remind ourselves regularly why Jesus come. He no come just to inspire us or teach us His wisdom. Instead, He come to save human beings wey don fall into sin, according to the Father perfect plan. The Father plan start for the beginning of time, when human beings fall from grace. From there, the Father prepare the world for His divine Son to come, through generation after generation of prophets, priests and kings. Small-small, He reveal His plan of salvation until the plan come to fulfilment and perfection in the Person of His Beloved Son.

Today, think deeply about the Father eternal plan to save us from sin by sending His divine Son as our Saviour. This plan, wey cover plenty generations from the beginning of time, go continue to unfold until the end of time, when Jesus go return in splendour and glory. Take time think deeply about this wonderful plan and the wonderful gift wey you don receive. As you dey do so, try make the deepest gratitude grow inside your heart.

Jesus, my Saviour, I truly thank You for the gift wey You don give me, wey pass wetin person fit fully understand. You take on our human nature wey don fall into sin, and You transform am through this union of Your divinity and humanity. You die for my sins and the sins of everybody wey turn to You, and You open the doors of Heaven. Make I always grow deeper in gratitude for everything wey You don do for us. Jesus, na You I trust.

Command of Love

January 7, when e fall before Epiphany

His mother tell the people wey dey serve, “Do anything wey he tell una.” John 2:5

This short statement, wey dey inside the story of the Wedding Feast for Cana, give us plenty things to think deeply about. Na command of love wey our Blessed Mother give the servants for the wedding. And even though she first speak these words to those servants so that Jesus first miracle and sign of His divinity go happen, we fit dey sure say our Blessed Mother dey speak the same words to each one of us too.

“Do anything wey he tell una.” This command of love beautiful well-well! When we hear these words as words wey she dey tell us, we must receive them as our Blessed Mother perfect guidance wey dey continue. Plenty times for life, na wetin we want we dey do. Our strong feelings and desires wey no dey in proper order dey pull us here and there. We dey struggle with selfishness, and plenty times, we dey make bad choices for our lives. Na this simple reality of sin we dey struggle with every day. But if we fit follow our Blessed Mother words, and hear them as words wey come from her heart to our own hearts, then our lives go get new direction.

To do wetin God want, we must first listen to God voice. We must listen as our Lord dey speak to us. How well you dey do this? Plenty thoughts dey often fill our minds, and many things dey easily influence us. No be only our strong desires wey no dey in proper order, our feelings and our emotions dey sometimes confuse us; plenty different voices wey dey confuse person dey inside our world too. The people wey we dey meet every day dey influence us for good or bad. The mass media, the things wey we dey read or watch, and even the evil one himself dey influence us, as he dey tempt us day after day.

If we fit try every day to remove the plenty voices wey dey mislead us for our lives, and pay attention to God voice wey simple, clear and deep, then we don take good first step. But from there, we need to “do” wetin God ask us to do. To hear God as He dey speak fit hard, but to do wetin we hear from God fit even hard pass. People don talk say na good intentions dem take pave the road to hell. Good intentions alone no reach. The answer na to do God will with all our strength.

Today, take time think about these two questions. First, I fit hear wetin God dey ask me to do every day, or plenty other voices dey lead me astray and influence me? Second, how well I dey put wetin I know say God dey ask me to do into action? “Do anything wey He tell una.” Think well about these words, and hear dem as true command of love from our Blessed Mother.

Mother wey I love so much, abeg speak these words to me every day. As you dey do so, abeg pray for me make I listen to everything wey your Son dey ask me to do, and obey His voice with all my heart. Thank you for your perfect “Yes” and for how you obey God for everything. Make I learn to follow your example more fully every day. Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, na You I trust.

The Gift of Life

Second Sunday after Christmas
(When dem no move Epiphany go the Sunday after January 1)

For the beginning, the Word don dey, and the Word dey with God, and the Word na God. He dey with God for the beginning. Everything come to exist through Him, and without Him, nothing come to exist. Wetin come to exist through Him na life, and this life na the light of all human beings; the light dey shine for darkness, and darkness never overcome am. John 1:1–5

“Wetin come to exist through Him na life…” These words really get deep meaning! Even though plenty things dey for the opening part of Saint John Gospel wey we fit think about with prayer, this short line wey dey for the middle of that opening part give us plenty things to understand and meditate on.

The “Word” na the Son of God. The Son dey from eternity, and He don dey with the Father from all eternity. Na through Him, together with the Father, dem create Heaven and Earth. And this Eternal Word become flesh for the Person of Jesus, the Christ.

Start by thinking deeply about this truth: the Son of God dey from eternity, and everything come to exist through Him. Then think about His greatest gift. Na the gift of life itself. “Wetin come to exist through Him na life…” When we think deeply about the word “life,” and we see say e no only come from the Son together with the Father, but e still be His main gift to everybody, then we go fit see who God really be more clearly, so that our wonder and deep reverence for Him go grow.

“Life” na everything. Without life, nothing dey. And the life wey come from the Son of God na pure gift. As we receive the gift of life, the first thing we dey consider na say God create us as human beings. But the life wey God don give us pass our human life by far. The gift of life still point to how God make us new creation through grace. Our life with God for all eternity. Our happiness and holiness. Na this be life to the full, and na why the Son of God come meet us.

As we dey prepare to enter Ordinary Time, we go begin think deeply about the plenty teachings and actions of our Lord as Scripture record dem. As we dey do so, we must see everything wey He be, everything wey He don talk, and everything wey He don do as ways wey He take give us the new life of grace.

Life for this earth short. Compared with eternity, e no pass one small moment. But too many times, we dey live our life here and now as if na only this life matter. We dey chase wealth for this world, honour, enjoyment and plenty other things wey go pass away. But if God greatest gift to us na eternal life, life of everlasting joy for Heaven, then this new life of grace must be the main purpose of everything wey we dey do here for earth.

Today, take time think deeply about eternity. This way of looking towards eternity must become the main focus of everything wey we dey do, day after day. If e dey hard you to keep your mind on the new life for Christ wey no get end, and instead, everyday distractions dey carry you away too much, then try to change how you dey look at things. Heaven na the life wey the Son of God come give us. Keep your eyes firmly on this gift, and work to reach am with all the strength of your soul as you dey live for earth.

Eternal Word of God, You don dey with the Father from all eternity. Everything wey dey exist come to exist through You. Help me especially to see the gift of eternal life wey You don call me to receive. Make eternal life be the one and only focus of my life for earth. Jesus, na You I trust.

Wen E Show Imself to di World

The Epiphany of the Lord
January 6, or the first Sunday after January 1

When Jesus born for Bethlehem for Judea, during di time of King Herod, see, some wise men from di east reach Jerusalem, dey ask, “Where di newborn king of di Jews dey? We see im star as e dey rise, and we don come to honour am.” Matthew 2:1–2

Di Magi most likely come from Persia, wey be Iran today. Dem na men wey dey regularly study di stars. Dem no be Jewish people, but dem most likely know about di belief wey common among di Jewish people, say dem go born one king wey go save dem.

Na God call these Magi to meet di Savior of di World. Di interesting thing be say, God use something wey dem know well as di means to call dem: di stars. One of di things wey dem believe be say, when dem born person wey get great importance, one new star go appear with di birth. So when dem see dis new star wey bright and dey shine well, dem really want know more, and dem get hope. One of di most important parts of dis story be say dem answer di call. God use one star call dem, and dem choose to follow dis sign, as dem begin one long journey wey hard well-well.

God dey often use those things wey we know well, wey be part of our everyday life, to call us. Remember, for example, say plenty of di Apostles na fishermen, and Jesus use their work call dem, as E make dem “fishers of people.” E especially use di miracle wey make dem catch plenty fish to show dem clearly say dem don get new calling.

For our own life, God dey always call us to look for Him and worship Him. E go often use some of di most ordinary things for our life to call us. How E dey call you? How E dey send you one star to follow? Plenty times when God talk, we no dey pay attention to His voice. We must learn from these Magi and answer His call with care and commitment whenever E call. We no must hesitate, and every day we must try pay attention to di ways wey God dey invite us to trust Him more deeply, surrender to Him and worship Him.

Today, think deeply about God call for your life. You dey listen? You dey answer? You ready and willing to leave every other thing for life so you fit do His holy will? Look for Him, wait for Him and answer His call. To do so go be di best decision wey you ever make.

Lord, I love You, and I pray make I open my heart to di way You dey guide my life. Make I always pay attention to di countless ways wey You dey call me every day. And make I always answer You with all my heart. Jesus, na You I trust.

Turn From Sin Go Meet God With All Your Heart

First Weekday for Christmas Season after Epiphany
Monday after Epiphany or January 7

From dat time, Jesus begin preach and talk say, “Make una turn from sin go meet God, because di Kingdom of heaven don near.” Matthew 4:17

Now wey our Christmas Octave and Epiphany celebrations don finish, we don begin turn our eyes to di public ministry of Christ. Di line above from today Gospel give us di main summary of all di things wey Jesus teach: Turn from sin go meet God. But no be only to turn from sin E talk; E still talk say “di Kingdom of heaven don near.” And na dat second statement be di reason why we must turn from sin go meet God.

For im well-known spiritual book, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola explain say the main reason why we dey alive na to give God the greatest glory wey we fit give Am. For another way to talk am, na to make the Kingdom of Heaven show forth. But e still talk say we fit only achieve this when we turn from sin and all the things wey we hold on to for wrong way for our lives, so that na only the Kingdom of Heaven go be the focus of our lives. Na this be the aim of repentance.

Soon, we go celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and after that, we go return to Ordinary Time for the Liturgical Year. Throughout Ordinary Time, we go reflect on the public ministry of Jesus and focus on the many things wey E teach. But all Im teachings, everything wey E talk and do, dey ultimately point us to repentance: to turn from sin and turn towards our glorious God.

For your own life, e dey very important make you keep the call to repentance for your mind and heart. E dey very important make you hear Jesus dey tell you these words every day: “Turn from sin come back to God, because the Kingdom of heaven don near.” No only think about how E talk this thing many years ago; instead, hear am as something wey E dey tell you today, tomorrow and every day of your life. No time go ever dey for your life when you no need to turn from sin come back to God with all your heart. We no go ever reach perfection for this life, so repentance must be our mission every day.

Today, reflect on this strong call from our Lord make you turn from sin come back to God. Do am with your whole heart. To examine the things wey you do every day dey very important for this mission. See the ways wey your actions dey keep you away from God, and reject those actions. And look for the ways wey God dey work for your life, and welcome those works of mercy. Turn from sin and turn towards the Lord. Na this be Jesus’ message to you today.

Lord, I repent of di sin for my life, and I pray make You give me di grace to become free from everything wey dey keep me away from You. Make I no only turn away from sin, but make I also turn to You as di source of all mercy and everything wey fit make my life complete. Help me to keep my eyes on di Kingdom of Heaven and to do everything wey I fit do to share in dat Kingdom here and now. Jesus, na You I trust.

Heart Wey Full of Compassion

Second Weekday for Christmas Season after Epiphany
Tuesday after Epiphany or January 8

When Jesus see the very large crowd, Im heart move with pity for them, because dem be like sheep wey no get shepherd; and E begin teach them many things. Mark 6:34

Wetin be compassion? Na the quality wey make person see another person suffering and truly feel the pain with am. This feeling then dey move the person to reach out and share for the other person suffering, to help am endure wetin e dey pass through. Na this Jesus feel inside Im own Sacred Heart as E look this very large crowd.

The Scripture above introduce the miracle wey we know well, when Jesus feed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. And even though the miracle itself give us plenty things to reflect on, this opening line still give us plenty things to reflect on about wetin move our Lord to perform this miracle.

When Jesus look the large crowd, E see people wey be like say dem don lost their way, wey dey search, and wey dey hungry for spirit. Dem want direction for their lives, and na because of this dem dey come to Jesus. But wetin go really help us na to reflect on Jesus’ Heart. The way dem continue to seek Am no vex Am, and dem no be burden to Am; instead, their spiritual poverty and hunger touch Am deeply. This move Im Heart to “pity,” wey be one form of true compassion. Na because of this E teach them “many things.”

One thing wey dey interesting be say the miracle na only extra blessing; e no be the main thing wey Jesus do because of Im Heart wey full of compassion. First of all, Im compassion move Am to teach them.

Jesus dey look each one of us with this same compassion. Anytime wey you dey confused, wey you no get direction for life and you dey hungry for spirit, Jesus dey look you the same way wey E look this very large crowd. And the way E want take meet your needs na to teach you too. E want make you learn from Am by studying Scripture, by praying and meditating every day, by reading about the lives of the saints and learning the many glorious teachings of our Church. Na this be the food wey every heart wey dey wander need to satisfy im spiritual hunger.

Today, reflect on the Heart of our Divine Lord wey full of compassion pass all. Allow yourself to see as E dey look you with the greatest love. Know say the way E dey look you dey move Am to speak to you, to teach you and to lead you come to Himself. Trust this Heart of our Lord wey full of compassion pass all, and allow Am to reach out to you with love.

Lord, help me to see You as You dey look me with love and compassion wey come from di deepest part of Your heart. I know say You know every struggle wey I dey face and everything wey I need. Help me to open myself to You and Your mercy so dat You go become my true Shepherd. Jesus, na You I trust.

Get Courage, No Fear

Third Weekday for Christmas Season after Epiphany
Wednesday after Epiphany or January 9

“Get courage, na Me, make una no fear!” Mark 6:50

Fear na one of the most painful things wey we fit experience for life, and e fit hold us down so we no fit act. Plenty things dey wey we fit fear, but most times, wetin dey cause our fear na the evil one wey dey try turn us away from faith and hope for Christ Jesus.

Dem take dis line wey dey above from di story of Jesus as E dey waka on top water go meet di Apostles for di fourth watch of di night. Dem dey row against di wind, and di waves dey toss their boat up and down. When dem see Jesus dey waka on top water, fear catch dem well-well. But when Jesus talk to dem and enter di boat, di wind stop at once, and di Apostles remain there, “surprise catch dem completely.”

According to di understanding wey don dey for long, di boat for di sea wey storm dey blow represent our journey through dis life. Di ways wey di evil one, di flesh and di world dey fight against us no get number. For dis story, Jesus see their trouble from di shore and waka go meet dem to help dem. Na His Heart wey full of compassion make Am waka go meet dem.

Many times when fear catch us for life, we no dey keep our eyes on Jesus again. We turn all our attention to ourselves and focus on wetin dey cause our fear. But wetin we suppose aim for na to turn away from wetin dey cause fear for our life and look for Jesus, wey always get compassion and always dey waka come meet us even as fear and struggle surround us.

Today, reflect on anything wey dey cause you di most fear and worry for life. Wetin dey make confusion and struggle dey inside your heart? Once you identify where e dey come from, turn your eyes from am to our Lord. See Am as E dey waka come meet you inside whatever struggle you dey face, as E dey tell you, “Get courage, na Me, no fear!”

Lord, once again I turn to Your Heart wey full of compassion pass all. Help me to lift my eyes towards You and to turn away from di things wey dey cause me worry and fear for life. Fill me with faith and hope in You, and give me di courage wey I need to put all my trust in You. Jesus, na You I trust.

Good News Dey Spread Fast

Fourth Weekday for Christmas Season after Epiphany
Thursday after Epiphany or January 10

Jesus return to Galilee with di power of di Spirit, and news about am spread throughout di whole area. E teach for their synagogues, and everybody praise am. Luke 4:14–15

Jesus don just spend forty days for desert, dey fast and pray before E begin His public ministry. Di first place wey E stop na Galilee, where E enter di Synagogue and read from di book of Prophet Isaiah. But soon after E speak for di Synagogue, dem drive Jesus out of di town, and di people try to throw Am down from di hill to kill Am.

See as things change in one shocking way! At first, “everybody dey praise” Jesus, as we see for di passage above. News about Am spread like wildfire through all di towns. Dem don hear about His baptism and di Voice of di Father wey speak from Heaven, and plenty people want know more about Am and dey excited about Am. But as soon as Jesus begin preach di pure message of di Gospel, and begin talk to dem about their hard hearts, dem turn against Am and begin look for way to kill Am.

Sometimes, we fit fall into di trap of thinking say di Gospel go always bring people together as one. True-true, dis na one of di main aims of di Gospel: to unite us inside di Truth as di one people of God. But di key to unity be say we fit only dey united when all of us accept di Truth of di Gospel wey dey save us. All of am. And dat mean say we must change our hearts, turn away from di stubborn way wey we dey hold on to our sins, and open our minds to Christ. Sadly, some people no want change, and na division dey follow.

If you notice say some parts of Jesus’ teaching hard for you to accept, reflect on di passage above. Go back to di way di people of di town first respond, when all of dem dey talk about Jesus and dey praise Am. Na so we suppose respond. Di difficulty wey we get with wetin Jesus talk and di things wey E call us to repent from no suppose ever lead us to stop believing, instead of to praise Am for all things.

Today, reflect on di teaching of Jesus wey hard pass for you to accept. Everything wey E talk and everything wey E don teach na for your good. Praise Am no matter wetin happen, and allow your heart wey full of praise to give you di wisdom wey you need to understand everything wey Jesus dey ask of you. Especially those teachings wey hard pass to accept.

Lord, I accept everything wey You don teach, and I choose to change those parts of my life wey no agree with Your most holy will. Give me wisdom to see wetin I must repent of, and soften my heart so dat I go always remain open to You. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Preach Through Example

Fifth Weekday for Christmas Season after Epiphany
Friday after Epiphany or January 11

News about am come spread even more, and plenty people gather to listen to am and to receive healing from their sicknesses, but e go leave dem go places where people no dey, to pray. Luke 5:15–16

Dis line end di beautiful and powerful story of one man wey leprosy cover im body. E come meet Jesus, lie flat before Am and beg Jesus to heal am if na His will. Jesus’ answer simple: “Na My will. Become clean.” Then Jesus do wetin nobody expect. E touch di man. At once, di man receive healing from im leprosy, and Jesus send am make e go show imself to di priest. But news of dis miracle spread fast, and because of dis, plenty people continue to come see Jesus.

E easy to picture how people dey talk about dis miracle, dey think about their own sicknesses and those of their loved ones, and dey want make dis person wey dey do miracles heal dem. But for di passage above, we see Jesus do something wey really draw attention and get prophetic meaning. Just as di large crowds gather, and just as plenty excitement dey about Jesus, E leave dem go one place where people no dey, to pray. Why E go do dis?

Jesus mission na to teach His followers the truth and lead dem go Heaven. E do this no be only through His miracles and teachings, but also by showing dem example of how to pray. As Jesus go one side to pray to His Father alone, E teach all these followers wey dey excited wetin matter pass for life. Miracles wey concern body no be wetin matter pass. Na prayer and close fellowship with the Father for Heaven matter pass.

If you don build strong life of daily prayer, one way wey you fit share the Gospel with other people na to allow dem see how you take hold prayer serious. No be so that dem go praise you, but to let dem know wetin matter pass for your life. When you commit yourself to dey attend Mass every day, dey go church for adoration, or just dey take time stay alone for your room to pray, other people go notice. This fit stir holy desire inside dem to know more, and e fit also lead dem enter life of prayer.

Today, think well about your mission to spread the Gospel to other people through the simple act of allowing dem know your life of prayer and devotion. Let dem see you dey pray, and if dem ask, share the fruits of your prayer with dem. Allow your love for our Lord to shine out so that other people go receive blessing through the holy witness wey your life dey give.

Lord, help me to give myself fully to life of true prayer and devotion every day. Help me to remain faithful to dis life of prayer and make my love for You continue to grow deeper. As I dey learn to pray, use me to bear witness to others so dat my love for You go change those wey need You pass. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Do Only the Part Wey Be Our Own

Sixth Weekday for Christmas Season after Epiphany
Saturday after Epiphany or January 12

“Rabbi, the person wey dey with you for the other side of Jordan, wey you testify about, see, e dey baptize and everybody dey go meet am.” John 3:26

John the Baptist don gather plenty followers. People continue to dey come meet am make e baptize dem, and plenty people want make his ministry grow. But as soon as Jesus begin His own public ministry, some of John followers begin jealous. But John give dem the right answer. E explain to dem say his life and mission na to prepare people for Jesus. Now wey Jesus don begin His ministry, John talk with joy say, “So this joy wey I get don complete. E must dey increase; I must dey decrease” (John 3:29–30).

This humility wey John show na big lesson, especially for people wey dey actively take part for the apostolic mission of the Church. Many times, when we join one apostolate and another person “ministry” come be like say e dey grow faster than our own, jealousy fit enter. But the key to understand our own part for the apostolic mission of Christ Church na to seek to do the part wey be our own, and only that part. We must never see ourselves as people wey dey compete with others inside the Church. We must know when we suppose act according to God will, and we must know when we suppose step back and allow other people carry out God will. We must do God will—no more, no less, and nothing else.

Also, that last thing wey John talk must always dey echo inside our hearts whenever God call us to take active part for the apostolate. “E must dey increase; I must dey decrease.” This na perfect example for everybody wey dey serve Christ and other people inside the Church.

Today, think well about those holy words wey John the Baptist talk. Put dem into practice for your mission inside your family, among your friends, and especially if you dey take part for any apostolic service inside the Church. Everything wey you do must point people to Christ. This go happen only if you, like Saint John the Baptist, understand the particular part wey God don give you, and you hold on to only that part.

Lord, I give myself to You to serve You and give You glory. Use me as You want. As You dey use me, abeg give me di humility wey I need to always remember say na only You I dey serve, and na only Your will I dey follow. Free me from jealousy and envy, and help me to rejoice for di many ways wey You dey work through other people for my life. Jesus, na You I trust.

“You Na My Beloved Son”

Di Baptism of di Lord
Sunday after January 6 (Or Monday if dem celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, January 7 or 8)

E happen for those days say Jesus come from Nazareth for Galilee, and John baptize am for River Jordan. As e dey come up from di water, e see heaven dey open wide and di Spirit dey come down on am like dove. And one voice come from heaven, “You be my beloved Son; You dey give me great joy.” Mark 1:9–11 (Gospel for Year B)

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord dey bring Christmas Season to an end for us and lead us enter the beginning of Ordinary Time. As Scripture show, this event for Jesus life also mark the change from His hidden life for Nazareth to the beginning of His public ministry. As we dey commemorate this glorious event, e important make we think deeply about one simple question: Why dem baptize Jesus? Remember say John baptism na baptism of repentance, an act wey e use invite his followers to turn away from sin and turn to God. But Jesus no get any sin, so wetin be the reason for His Baptism?

First of all, we see for the passage wey dem quote above say Jesus true identity show clearly through His humble act of baptism. The voice of the Father for Heaven talk say, “You na my beloved Son; I dey very pleased with you.” We also hear say the Spirit come down upon Him in the form of a dove. So, part of wetin Jesus baptism mean na public declaration of Who E be. E be the Son of God, one divine Person wey be one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This public testimony na “epiphany,” the showing of His true identity for everybody to see as E dey prepare to begin His public ministry.

Secondly, through His baptism, Jesus show di kind deep humility wey pass wetin person fit imagine. Na Im be di Second Person of di Most Holy Trinity, but He allow make dem count Am join sinners. As Jesus take part for one act wey focus on repentance, di action of His baptism talk plenty. He come to join Himself with us wey be sinners, to enter inside our sin and inside our death. As He enter di water, na sign say He enter death itself, wey be di result of our sin, and He rise with victory, so that we too fit rise with Am enter new life. Na for this reason Jesus’ baptism be like say He dey “baptize” di waters, so that from that moment onward, water itself go carry His divine presence, and everybody wey receive baptism after Him go fit receive this presence. So now, human beings wey get sin fit meet God through baptism.

Lastly, when we share for this new baptism, through water wey our divine Lord don now make holy, Jesus’ baptism reveal to us who we become in Him. Just as di Father speak and declare say na His Son, and just as di Holy Spirit come down upon Am, na so too, for our baptism, we become children wey di Father adopt, and di Holy Spirit fill us. So, Jesus’ baptism make am clear who we become for Christian baptism.

Lord, I thank You for di humility wey You show as You receive baptism, and through dis You open Heaven to all people wey be sinners. Make I open my heart every day to di grace of my own baptism wey too deep for anybody to fully understand, and make I live more fully with You as child of di Father, filled with di Holy Spirit. Jesus, na You I trust.