Week wey Ash Wednesday Dey

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Lent—To Become “Secret” Christian

Ash Wenesde (Yia A)

Jesus tell Im disciples: “Make una careful, so that una no go dey do righteous deeds just for people to see; if una do so, una no go get any reward from una Father for heaven.” Matthew 6:1

One thing wey dey give us worldly satisfaction na when people praise us for public. We often want make other people notice us because of wetin we don achieve. We want make people admire us, and many times we fit put extra effort just to make others know how much good we dey do. How about you? You dey always try to make yourself look greater for other people eye?

For the Old Testament, e common for people to seek worldly honour. In fact, the Law of Moses even call these things “blessings” wey people go receive because dem obey God (See Deuteronomy 28). But one main teaching of Jesus New Law of grace be say earthly honour no suppose be wetin we dey pursue for life again. Instead, we suppose focus on the treasures of holiness wey dey inside us and the riches wey we store for Heaven. Today Gospel warn us say if we dey seek praise from people, we go lose the reward from our Father for Heaven. E best to give alms, fast and pray for secret, so that “your Father wey dey see wetin dey happen for secret go reward you.”

As we begin our Lenten journey, this na good time to look honestly at the intentions and goals wey dey behind how you dey live your life of faith and love for God and neighbour. One goal we must get na to live this life of faith and love without showing off. Some part of our life of faith must remain for secret. This no mean say we go behave as if we no be Christian or as if shame dey catch us because of our faith. Instead, to practise our faith in this “hidden” and “secret” way mean say we dey pray, serve, fast and grow for our relationship with God because we love God and want do Im will. E mean say our greatest reward na the blessings wey we go receive inside us through our relationship with God. We must look inside ourselves and discover God wey dey dwell there. We must get deep closeness with God inside us wey na only us dey see. And this love for God wey dey secret, deep inside us and close to our heart must change us and fill our whole life. How alive this relationship with God wey dey inside you dey for your life?

The good news be say, when we enter into deep, close relationship with our loving God for the secret depths of our souls, God go use us touch other people life. We no go become people wey others dey envy, and to make others admire us no go be our goal. We no go become the people wey everybody dey focus on. Instead, God go use us help others look inside their own souls, so that dem go discover the love wey God get for dem. In one sense, we go disappear as we remain hidden like this, and na God go use us change other people life. Na this be true faith. Na this be true holiness. Na this be true love for God and neighbour. Na this be why we dey pray, fast and give ourselves to others. No be to get praise for ourselves, but because of love for God, the holiness of our souls and the salvation of others.

Today, think well about this simple truth: God want come meet you for way wey hide well-well, wey other people no go notice, for this Lent. E want show you His love, to you personally. No be so that you go fit tell everybody how holy you be. Na so that you go know the love of God inside you. Think about this holy relationship wey God want get with you for secret, and know say if you allow am grow, God go also fit touch other people through you for ways wey pass wetin you fit understand.

My Lord wey dey hide, You want come meet me for the deep secret place inside my soul and show me Your love. Make I meet You there every day and grow more and more for close relationship with You. As You dey come meet me this Lent, abeg, also use me for many ways wey people no go notice, to carry Your love reach other people. All praise and glory na Your own, O Lord. Jesus, na You I trust.

Lent—To Remove the Mask

Ash Wednesday (Year B)

“When you give alms, no blow trumpet announce am before you, as hypocrites dey do…
When you pray, no be like hypocrites…
When you fast, no make your face look sad like hypocrites…” Matthew 6:2, 5, 16

Hypocrisy na ugly sin. The main thing be say, to be hypocrite na to be person wey dey deceive. The word itself come from one Greek word wey mean mask wey actors dey wear to show the character wey dem dey act. The person behind the mask go pretend say na im be the person wey the mask dey show. So, hypocrite na person wey dey pretend to be wetin e no be.

For today Gospel, Jesus condemn people wey dey give alms, pray and fast for wrong reasons. Dem no dey give alms because of love or because dem want help, but because dem want make other people praise dem. Dem dey repeat plenty words for prayer for street corner to make other people think say dem holy. And when dem fast, dem dey make sure say their face look “sad” so that other people go admire dem. To do works of love, to pray and to fast na good things, no doubt. But these actions must come from true heart. If no be so, dem no be wetin dem look like, and the person wey dey do dem no be anything pass actor wey wear mask of good character.

As we dey begin our Lenten season, God dey invite each of us to remove the masks wey we dey wear, so that who we really be go show clear. E dey call us especially to fight any hypocrisy for our spiritual life wey we dey struggle with, for two important reasons. First, when people wear mask of holiness, dey pretend say dem get better character pass as dem really be, sometimes dem go end up dey deceive even their own self. Just as actor fit enter the character wey e dey act so much that, for some time, e go begin think and feel like that character, na so the truth about who we be fit also blind us when we make am our habit to wear mask of holiness. When that one happen, we no go dey see clearly who we be, where we need to grow, wetin we need to change, or even the good wey dey inside us. Lent na important time to know our true self again, so that we go fit grow for good character.

E also important to remove the mask so that other people go benefit from who we really be. Person wey dey pretend to get love, or dey pretend to pray, or dey pretend to be holy, no fit benefit other people. God no fit work through hypocrite for true way. Even though the holiness wey person dey show for outside fit first attract people, the truth be say na the real you, the true you, other people want know, and na from that person dem go benefit pass. Even your weaknesses and failures, when you face dem with honest heart, go become source of strength and blessing for other people.

Today, think well about who you be. As your soul stand naked before God face, wetin God dey see? Who you be? Which masks you dey wear? Wetin dey behind that mask? Use this Lent to look deeper inside your soul so that you go discover who you really be. No fear to discover your sins and weaknesses. And no fear to see the true goodness wey dey inside you. Try to be your true self this Lent, and God go fit shine more brightly through you.

My Lord wey be true, You no dey wear mask, You no dey pretend for outside. As You dey walk for this Earth, the purity of Your divine Person shine through Your human nature, and now You dey call me to share for that purity. Abeg, help me see the ways wey I dey hide behind fake good character, so that I go fit discover my true self. As I dey do this, abeg, change me and shine through my soul for everybody to see. Jesus, na You I trust.

Lent—To Use Good Character Fight Sin

Ash Wednesday (Year C)

“But when you give people wey dey need help, no let your left hand know wetin your right hand dey do…
But when you pray, enter your inner room, close di door, and pray to your Father for secret.
But when you fast, rub oil for your head and wash your face…” Matthew 6:3; 6; 17

One of di Fathers of di Church explain say to give people wey dey need help, to pray and to fast na three things wey dey help us fight di three temptations wey Jesus overcome for desert. First, our Lord overcome di desire to chop pass wetin person need when di evil one tempt Am to turn stones to bread to satisfy His hunger after E don fast for 40 days. Second, our Lord overcome di desire for empty praise when di evil one carry Am go di high edge of di temple roof and tempt Am to throw Himself down so dat God angels go save Am, to prove say E be God. Third, our Lord overcome greed when di evil one carry Am go on top one high mountain and show Am all di kingdoms of di world, and promise to give dem to Jesus if E worship am.

Di Gospel for today show di three ways wey we fit overcome these same temptations: to chop and drink pass wetin person need, to chase empty praise, and to get greed. To give people wey dey need help, or to get generous heart, na di cure for greed. Prayer inside di “inner room” of your soul na di cure for di desire for empty praise. Fasting na di cure for di desire to chop and drink pass wetin person need.

As Lent dey start, God dey invite us too to enter desert for 40 days. E dey invite us to face di plenty temptations wey we dey go through for life, so dat we go overcome dem through God power. If you dey struggle with one of these temptations wey we don mention, all of dem, or another temptation wey resemble dem, you go find di cure when you recognise di temptation and embrace di good habit wey dey oppose am.

You dey struggle with greed? If na so, think about how you fit get generous heart this Lent. God don promise to provide wetin you need. E no promise you wealth for this world, but E don promise to care for you. To believe dat promise dey bring great freedom. One way to trust more fully say God go provide na to freely give some of your money to people wey dey need help. No hesitate to do so if na greed you dey struggle with.

You dey struggle with di desire for empty praise, and your desire to prove your worth to other people don pass wetin e suppose be? If na so, turn to prayer. Na for personal prayer, inside dat “inner room” of your heart, God go meet you and show you your true value and worth. As you discover your dignity through prayer, you go see say you no need to use proud ways to prove dat dignity and value to other people.

You dey struggle with di desire to chop and drink pass wetin you need, and you dey try satisfy your longings by too much food and drink? If na so, you go find di cure for fasting. To deny yourself those appetites wey no dey in order get great spiritual value. Fasting together with prayer dey open your soul to seek satisfaction only for God, no be for di flesh.

Today, think deeply about wetin suppose be your main focus this Lent. Wetin dey keep you away from God? Which temptations you dey struggle with pass? Maybe greed, di desire for empty praise, or di desire to chop and drink pass wetin you need dey among your struggles. If na so, no hesitate to commit yourself to these cures this Lent. Di final result go be say “your Father wey dey see for secret go reward you.”

My Lord wey dey set me free, help me this Lent to see my greatest sins and to begin to overcome dem. Abeg, show me di good habits wey I need to embrace, so dat I go free from these burdens and grow stronger for my love for You and other people. Jesus, na You I trust.

Love Wey Deep Dey Drive Fear Comot

Tosde after Wenesde Ash

Jesus tell Im disciples say: “The Son of Man must suffer well-well, and the elders, the chief priests and the scribes go reject Am. Dem go kill Am, and on the third day, God go raise Am from death.” Luke 9:22

Jesus know say E go suffer well-well, say dem go reject Am and kill Am. How you go handle this kind knowledge if somehow you know say na wetin go happen to you for future? Fear go fill most people heart, and dem go put all their mind for how to avoid am. But no be so our Lord do. This passage above show how E set Im mind to embrace Im Cross with confidence and courage wey no shake.

This na just one of the many times wey Jesus begin tell Im disciples about wetin dey wait for Am. And each time wey E talk like this, most of the disciples either keep quiet or refuse to accept wetin E talk. For example, remember one time wey Saint Peter react like this when Jesus talk beforehand about Im Passion. Peter say, “God forbid, Lord! This kind thing no go ever happen to You” (Matthew 16:22).

As we dey read this passage above, our Lord strength, courage and firm determination dey show clear for the way E talk plainly and with certainty. And na Im love dey move Jesus to talk with this kind strong conviction and courage.

Too many times, people dey understand “love” as one strong, good feeling. Dem dey see am as something wey dey draw person to another thing, or as to like something well-well. But that no be love for im truest form. True love na to choose to do wetin go benefit another person pass, no matter wetin e go cost or how hard e go be. True love no be feeling wey dey find how to satisfy only yourself. True love na strength wey no dey shake, wey dey seek only the good of the person wey you love.

Jesus love for all human beings strong so tey e move Am with great power towards the death wey dey wait for Am. E firmly set Im mind to sacrifice Im life for all of us, and nothing fit ever make Am turn back from that mission.

For our own lives, e easy to forget wetin true love really be. We fit easily get carried away by our own selfish desires and think say these desires na love. But dem no be love.

Today, think deeply about how our Lord firmly set Im mind to love all of us with sacrificial love, by suffering well-well, enduring rejection and dying for the Cross. Nothing fit ever make Am turn away from this love. We too must show this same sacrificial love.

My Lord wey love me, I thank You for di way You stand firm for Your decision to sacrifice Yourself for all of us. I thank You for this true love wey deep pass wetin person fit understand. Give me di grace wey I need, dear Lord, to turn away from every kind of selfish love, so dat I fit imitate and share for Your sacrificial love wey perfect pass all. I truly love You, dear Lord. Help me to love You and other people with all my heart. Jesus, na You I trust.

The Power Wey Fasting Get to Change Us

Friday after Ash Wednesday

“The days go come when dem go take the bridegroom away from them, and then dem go fast.” Matthew 9:15

Our cravings and the desires of our body fit easily confuse our thinking and stop us from desiring only God and Im holy will. So, to control cravings wey no dey in proper order, e dey help to practise self-denial, like fasting. But during Jesus public ministry, when E dey with Im disciples every day, e be like say Im disciples no need to practise self-denial. We fit only suppose say na because Jesus dey so close to dem every day, and Im divine presence alone dey enough to control any desire wey no dey in proper order.

But the day come when Jesus no dey with dem again—first through Im death, and shortly after that, through Im Ascension go Heaven. After the Ascension and Pentecost, Jesus relationship with Im disciples change. E no dey physically present with dem again in a way wey dem fit touch Am. Dem no dey see miracles wey dey inspire dem or hear teaching wey carry authority from Am every day again. Instead, their relationship with our Lord begin enter one new level, as their lives begin follow the pattern of Jesus Passion. God now dey call the disciples to imitate our Lord by turning the eyes of their faith towards Am inside their hearts, and by acting outwardly as instruments of Im sacrificial love. For this reason, the disciples need to control their strong feelings and bodily cravings. So, after Jesus Ascension and as the disciples begin their public ministry, fasting and all other forms of self-denial help dem well-well.

God call each one of us no be only to follow Christ (as a disciple), but also to be instrument wey Christ go use (as an apostle). And if we go carry out these roles well, we no fit allow bodily cravings wey no dey in proper order to block our way. We need to allow the Spirit of God to fill our whole being and lead us for everything wey we dey do. Fasting and all other forms of self-denial dey help us keep our attention on the Spirit instead of our weaknesses and the temptations of our body.

Today, think deeply about why fasting and denying our body wetin e dey crave dey important. These acts of penance no dey usually attract us at first. But na there the main thing dey. When we do wetin our body no “desire,” we dey strengthen our spirit to get more control, and this dey allow our Lord to use us and direct our actions better. Commit yourself to this holy practice, and you go wonder at how e go change you.

My dear Lord, I thank You as You choose to use me as Your instrument. I thank You say You fit send me to share Your love with di world. Give me di grace to make my life resemble Your own more fully, by denying myself di appetites and desires wey no dey in order, so dat You and only You fit take full control of my life. Make my heart dey open to di gift of fasting, and make this act of penance help to transform my life. Jesus, na You I trust.

Make the Choice Wey Go Change Your Whole Life, Today

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Jesus see one tax collector wey im name na Levi, as e siddon for tax office. Jesus tell am, “Follow Me.” Levi leave everything, stand up and follow Jesus. Luke 5:27–28

Levi dey live good life. E dey make better money, and im work as tax collector dey steady. But at once, e leave all that to follow Jesus, and im life change for good immediately.

This short story about how Jesus call Levi na something we suppose take note of. Even though e dey very likely say you don already choose to follow Christ, that choice need to dey go deeper every single day. And Levi example suppose inspire you to do so.

Many times, when we sense say God dey call us to come closer to Am and go deeper for our relationship with Am, when we sense say E want make we follow Am more fully, we fit pause and begin hesitate. People often want to think this kind decision through and weigh the “advantages and disadvantages” before dem take step with faith. But no do like that. Dem give us the example of how Levi choose immediately to leave every other thing and follow Christ, to invite us to do the same.

How Jesus dey invite you today make you follow Levi example of following Am without holding anything back? Wetin He dey call you make you leave behind, so you go fit serve Am more fully with love and with your whole self? If you no know the answer to that question, still tell our Lord “Yes”. Tell Am say you want follow Levi example and say you want use your whole heart give yourself fully to following His holy will without holding anything back.

Another thing wey worth to note be say, as soon as Levi choose to follow Jesus, e arrange dinner for im house for Jesus and other tax collectors. Levi no fear to let other people know about the choice wey e make, and e want give im friends the chance to do the same.

Think deeply today about Levi and how Jesus call am. And as you begin this Lenten season, use Levi call and the way e answer as opportunity to hear Jesus dey call you. E fit be say Jesus no dey call you make you “leave everything behind” as the words mean, but still show say you ready to do so. No put any condition for your decision to follow our Lord, and you go dey grateful for all eternity say you do so.

My precious Lord, You dey call all Your children make dem follow You without holding anything back. You dey call us make we ready and willing to leave all wetin this life fit offer, so we go fit gain much more. Give me the grace wey I need to trust You well enough to tell You “Yes” today, tomorrow and every day. My life na Your own, dear Lord. Do with me as You will. Jesus, na You I trust.