Week Twenty-Two for Ordinary Time

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Fear of the Cross

Sunday 22 for Ordinary Time (Year A)

“Anybody wey want follow me must deny imself, carry im cross, and follow me. Because anybody wey want save im life go lose am, but anybody wey lose im life because of me go find am. Wetin person go gain if e gain the whole world but lose im life? Or wetin person fit give in exchange for im life?” Matthew 16:24–26

Just before Jesus give this teaching, E tell the Twelve for the first time wetin go happen to Am: E go “suffer plenty for the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes; dem go kill Am, and on the third day, E go rise from the dead.” Fear make Peter object, as e talk say, “God forbid, Lord! This kind thing no go ever happen to You.” Jesus answer Peter firmly say, “Go behind me, Satan! You be obstacle for my way. You no dey think as God dey think, but as human beings dey think.” E go don hard well well to hear this kind thing from Jesus!

Jesus dey ready and willing to suffer and die for the salvation of the world. E know say through Im death, E go change death itself to the very means of eternal salvation. E know say to lay down Im life like this na the greatest act of love wey E fit offer; so Jesus no hesitate at all. E dey ready and willing to give Im human life so that we fit live.

To understand this, we must recognize three things. First, as Jesus take our human nature, E form bond between God and humanity. Second, as E share in our death, E make am possible for us to hold on to Am when we too dey die. Third, as Jesus rise from the dead, E make am possible for those wey hold on to Am in death to share in Im Resurrection too. Even though na only for Heaven we go fully understand this great mystery of redemption, we must try hard to understand am as much as we fit here for earth.

Peter no understand this, at least no be for that moment when Jesus first reveal am. Peter allow fear to tempt am to interfere with Jesus’ glorious act of salvation. Na why Jesus rebuke am so strongly. Na rebuke from love, to free Peter from im fear and give am courage to embrace the Sacrifice wey Jesus dey about to offer.

The passage wey we quote above follow the rebuke wey Peter receive, and na Jesus’ instruction on how all of us go share for His gift of salvation. For us to rise with Christ, we must use our own free will agree to die with Him. We must deny ourselves, wey mean say we must reject every kind of selfishness and sin, and imitate the great courage wey Jesus show as He offer His life as sacrifice. The result go be say we go join with Him for His death and for His Resurrection to new life.

Fear fit make us no fit do anything. But for this matter, the fear na response wey come from wrong understanding. We accept that wrong understanding when we act with selfishness. Each of us go die. Na fact be that. The question na how we go die. We fit die with selfishness, as we dey see our life for this earth as the centre of everything. Or we fit die with our Lord as we dey give ourselves, by joining ourselves to the way He show love through sacrifice. We dey do this when we stop to focus on ourselves and look for every way wey we fit imitate Jesus’ death. We must make serious effort to serve, live life of sacrifice, put God’s will first, join ourselves to Christ, and make love for our neighbour our mission for life. Na this Jesus do. When we do this, we dey carry our cross, follow Him, die with Him, and get ready to share for His Resurrection. Na only this way dey lead to eternal life.

Today, think deeply about these words: “Carry your cross and follow Me.” Na Jesus’ most holy instruction to all of us on how we suppose live and how we go share for His gift of eternal life. Which cross for your life you dey fear? Which act of sacrifice you dey avoid? True love dey bring pain because e no dey seek its own interest at all. We must die to ourselves. Think deeply about any way wey you dey fail to do this, and allow the rebuke wey Jesus give Peter to rebuke you too, so that you go dey free from fear of this holy love wey dey give itself as sacrifice and wey go join you to our Lord.

My Lord wey offer Yourself as sacrifice, You no fear to lay down Your holy life for all of us. You fully accept Your mission of love as You enter death itself, so that we fit die with You and so share for Your Resurrection. Abeg, free me from every fear of the crosses for my life, and help me to accept with all my heart a life of love wey dey give itself as sacrifice. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Reject Accusations Wey No True

Sunday Number Twenty-two for Ordinary Time (Year B)

When the Pharisees and some scribes wey come from Jerusalem gather around Jesus, dem notice say some of His disciples dey chop with hand wey no clean, that is, hand wey dem no wash. Mark 7:1–2

See the foolish thing wey these Pharisees and scribes dey worry about! Dem dey for the presence of the Son of God, the Saviour of the World, a man wey get perfect virtue and pure goodness, but all wey dem fit do na to notice say some of Jesus’ disciples no follow the strict teaching on how dem suppose wash their hands before dem chop. Na their pride cause this. These teachers of Israel don make plenty detailed human laws wey dem no write down, and dem treat them as laws wey bind people just like the Law of Moses wey dem receive from God. But the human traditions of the scribes and Pharisees no come from God; na set of rules wey come from their desire to act as interpreters of the Law because dem see themselves as righteous. So, anytime person no follow the traditions wey the Pharisees and scribes teach say everybody must obey, dem take am as personal insult and judge the person.

One lesson wey we fit learn from these religious leaders na say we no suppose ever take things as personal insult. In fact, when we allow anything at all to offend us personally, na our own pride we dey show. We need to feel sorrow for the sin wey we see, but that one different from allowing am to offend us personally. For example, even if na the very Law of God we teach and somebody reject that teaching, our response must be to feel sorrow for the person as we reject the wrong thing wey the person believe.

Jesus continue to answer the Pharisees and scribes as He quote Prophet Isaiah to them: “These people dey honour me with their lips, but their hearts dey far from me; na for nothing dem dey worship me, as dem dey teach human rules as doctrines” (See Isaiah 29:13). Wetin dey interesting na say Jesus no really enter discussion with them about this matter to defend Himself or His disciples before them. Instead, He rebuke the Pharisees and scribes in a general way to show say their criticism no true, then He turn away from them and speak to the crowds.

All of us go sometimes face condemnation wey no just. If na we dey wrong, then we must accept the condemnation as if na from God e come, and repent. But if the condemnation come from person pride wey dem don wound or from mistake, then Jesus don show us example of how we suppose respond. The best way to respond na to reject the person mistake and then refuse to continue the talk. Too many times, when people criticize us unjustly, we dey take am as attack against our person. We dey tend to fight back and defend ourselves, as we dey try prove say the other person dey wrong. But when we do like that, e most likely mean say na our own pride wey dem don wound dey move us. This one go make us vex, keep malice, and suffer the oppression wey the evil one dey bring upon us. The example wey Jesus give na to reject the lie and then refuse to follow the matter further. The reason na say the unjust condemnation na actually seed wey the evil one plant. The person wey talk am na only instrument. So we rebuke the lie of the evil one and refuse to enter personal fight with the person wey bring the lie. When we do like this, we dey get freedom from oppression, and our hearts fit remain for peace, no matter wetin we endure.

Today, reflect on any way wey you don take some talk as personal attack, allow am weigh you down with anger, and begin defend yourself or argue. Know say anytime this kind thing happen, na attack from the evil one, as e dey try oppress you. No accept that abuse. Wetin suppose guide each of us na the peace and joy wey dey come from the Holy Spirit. Even the greatest martyrs remain for peace and feel joy as dem dey suffer persecution. Reflect on any way wey you don allow the evil one stir your mind and leave you upset because dem don wound your pride. No fall inside im trap. Hold on to the truth and remain for peace, and that one go be all the defence wey you need.

My Lord wey suffer persecution, You endure plenty criticism for Your life, but You no ever allow am steal Your peace. You remain completely strong, as You reject the lies and turn away from them. Abeg, give me the grace wey I need to always turn away from the lies of the evil one and listen only to Your clear and gentle voice. Jesus, na You I trust.

Love as Wetin Dey Move Us

Sunday Nomba Twenty-two for Ordinary Time (Yia C)

“When you arrange afternoon or evening meal, no invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbours, so that dem no go invite you back and repay you. Instead, when you arrange big feast, invite poor people, people wey get disability for body, people wey no fit waka well, and blind people; you go truly receive blessing because dem no fit repay you. For you go receive your reward when the righteous rise from the dead.” Luke 14:12–14

This Gospel passage reach the very heart of wetin dey move us for life. Because our human nature don fall through sin, e easy for us to do wetin we dey do for selfish reasons. We want payment for our work, and we want make people recognize the good things we do. We want progress for life and dey try raise ourselves above other people. But Jesus make am clear say the only things wey must move us for everything we do na to give God glory and to love other people.

The poor people, people wey get disability for body, people wey no fit waka well, and blind people for this passage stand for those wey need our love. Friends and family certainly dey among them. When we meet people wey dey in need, we must show them love, no be because we go gain something from am, but because na the right thing to do. The reward wey we receive for this case dey come directly from God alone. No be reward of recognition or praise from society. No be reward of material things. No be reward wey go help us progress for life. Na reward of grace wey dey make us holy. This na the only reason wey suppose move us for life—to become holy by giving God glory through our love for Him and for other people.

Think about wetin dey move you for life. Why you dey do wetin you dey do every day? E clear say all of us get some responsibilities wey we must carry out, like to work for wetin we need to live, care for our home and family, make our relationships strong, and other things. But why you dey do these things? Where the desire wey dey move you dey come from? Na pure love dey move you?

When our love pure, wetin dey move us to act one way or another na because we see say na our holy duty to God, or na something wey go benefit another person. For example, papa or mama wey get love and holiness go work hard to earn wetin the family go take live, no be because e wan rich so e go fit enjoy the things of this world anyhow, but because e love and care for im family and wan provide wetin dem need for body. Or person go try dey there for im friend and listen to am, no be because e go gain anything, but because e love im friend and wan listen when the friend need person to listen. True love dey always look for wetin go good for the other person. E dey look for the ways wey the person dey talaka, dey cripple, dey limp and dey blind for spirit, so e go fit help am as God want. True love dey always try fill any empty space with wetin the person need for that moment.

The good news for us be say, when wetin dey move us pure and no get selfishness, and na only to glorify God and care for others we dey seek, God go pour eternal rewards give us in abundance, and these rewards go begin now. We go grow rich for good character and for the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We go get joy, peace, strength, courage, love, goodness and plenty more. Na these good things be the true riches for life, and na only God fit give dem to soul wey wetin dey move am for life pure, no get selfishness, ready to sacrifice and full of mercy.

Today, think well about wetin dey move you every day. When you dey act, na yourself you dey think about pass, or na God and other people? I hope say you go discover strong desire wey dey burn inside you to serve others and glorify God for everything wey you dey do. But wherever you see selfishness, know say that kind thing wey dey move you no fit ever satisfy you fully. Humble yourself: turn your attention to the love of God and wetin other people need, and make to serve dem your only mission. If you do so, God go pour more blessings give you than wetin you fit ever imagine.

My merciful Lord, You come this earth to serve, no be make people serve You, and to give Your life for others through love wey pure and holy pass all. I open myself to that gift of Your divine love, and I pray say, as I receive Your love, make I love You and others with that same love wey no get selfishness. Jesus, na You I trust.

Reaction to Jesus Wey Come from Strong Feelings

Monday for Week 22 for Ordinary Time

When the people for the synagogue hear this, all of them vex well-well. Dem stand up, drive am comot from the town, and carry am go the edge of the hill wey dem build their town on top, so dem fit throw am down head first. But e pass through their middle and go im way. Luke 4:28–30

E hard to believe say those people wey know Jesus, the people from the town where He grow up, react to our Lord with this kind serious anger. Jesus just enter the Synagogue and read from Prophet Isaiah, wey talk say “the Spirit of the Lord” dey upon am and say e don come to “announce freedom for people wey dem hold captive.” Jesus mission clear. Na Him be the Messiah wey the Father send, to fulfil wetin the prophets teach. Yet, the people reject Jesus reach the point wey dem drive Am comot from the town and try push Am down from the edge of one high rock near the town to kill Am. Again, e hard to understand how people feelings about Jesus take strong reach like this. Some come love Jesus with all their heart, while others vex for Am well-well and want kill Am.

One thing wey these very strong feelings wey plenty people get suppose teach us be say, when we truly listen to Jesus words, we no fit remain as people wey no care about Am. Na when people ignore Jesus dem dey behave as if He no concern them. But when dem hear and understand Am, e clear say His message need response. If we no fully accept Am as we dey listen to His message, temptation go come make us reject Am and everything wey He talk.

Jesus want do the same thing with us. He want make we respond to Am. First, He want make we hear Am, understand how His message dey call for complete change, and then make our choice. He want make we follow Am with all our heart and zeal, believe everything wey He teach, and change our life completely because of am. And if we no gree change, Jesus words go challenge us and make us respond.

One example wey common today na the strong reaction wey teenager or young adult sometimes get when papa or mama wey love am call am to order as e begin go astray. When person use love and truth call another person to order, e often dey stir up strong feelings. But that one no always bad. The temptation for the papa or mama na to withdraw and bend the truth to please the pikin. But no be wetin Jesus do with the people of His town be that. He speak the truth with love and accept how dem respond. Na so e still be with the people for our life. Sometimes, we must speak the truth wey others need to hear, even when e hard, but with love, even if we know say dem go react with anger. For the end, to challenge them with compassion and truth fit later win them over. We no know wetin later happen to those people of the town wey try kill Jesus that day because of anger, but e really possible say the very strong feelings wey dem get later lead them to the truth.

Today, reflect on the courage and love wey Jesus get as He face the people of His own town directly and challenge them because dem no get faith. Try understand say, as Jesus challenge them, na mercy He dey offer them, to move them comot from their attitude of not caring. For your own life, e get ways wey you need make person challenge you? E get things wey you don react to with strong feelings and even serious anger? Try see yourself as one of those people of the town wey vex well-well because of our Lord. Be ready to recognise any way wey you don react badly to wetin Jesus don tell you. Also think about any way wey Jesus fit want use you to speak His clear message of love to another person, even if you know say the person fit no accept am immediately. Pray for courage, compassion, ability to speak clearly, and love, so that you go fit imitate Jesus as He try move the people of His own hometown comot from their attitude of not caring.

My Lord wey dey challenge me, You want make all Your children turn to You with all their heart. The punishments wey You dey use correct us na acts of mercy wey suppose move us comot from the attitude of not caring. Abeg, tell me the truths wey I need to hear today, and use me to share Your holy word with others, especially people for my own family. Jesus, na You I trust.

Authority and Power

Tuesday for Week 22 for Ordinary Time

All of them surprise well-well, and dem tell one another say, “Wetin dey inside his word? Because with authority and power, he dey command the unclean spirits, and dem dey comot.” And news about am spread everywhere for the area around there. Luke 4:36–37

Jesus just face the serious anger of plenty people for Nazareth, His hometown, so He leave there travel about 30 miles go Capernaum, one town wey dey just north of the Sea of Galilee. Na this place go become His new home during His public ministry. The way people for Capernaum respond to Am different well-well from the way people for Nazareth respond to Am. As He dey teach for the Synagogue for Capernaum, one man wey demon dey inside come meet Am. Jesus rebuke the demon and drive am comot, and the people surprise well-well. News about Jesus spread quick-quick. After this, Jesus do plenty other miracles, and the people continue to get deep wonder and reverence for Am.

Wetin make the people of Capernaum marvel like this? One reason na the “authority and power” wey Jesus take dey speak and act. But no be only this, because Jesus don do the same thing for Nazareth, where the people no believe in Am. For Capernaum, no be Jesus different; e be like say na the people different. Jesus win many people heart for Capernaum because dem open their heart to receive the gift of faith. In fact, when Jesus dey prepare to leave Capernaum, the people beg Am make E stay. Even though Jesus go later face resistance from the people for there too, their first response na faith.

You want make Jesus work with power for your life? You want make E use Im authority and power work for your life? From time to time, many people fit feel as if dem no too get control over their life. Dem dey experience weakness, confusion, lack of direction and other things like that. Na why dem dey welcome true spiritual “authority and power” well well. Which kind authority and power you need make Jesus use for your life today?

Think about one small pikin wey fear dey catch. When this kind thing happen, the pikin dey turn to papa or mama wey love am, to get comfort and feel safe. Once papa or mama hug the pikin, e dey help drive away the pikin fear and worry. Na so e be with us too. We must see Jesus as the source of calm for our life. Na only Him fit put our life in order, free us from the attacks of the evil one, bring peace and calm to our feelings wey scatter, and make our questions and doubts clear. But this one go only possible if we open our heart. Im power no dey ever change, but e fit enter our life only when we change, when we recognize our weakness, and when we recognize say we need Am to take control.

Today, reflect on the spiritual authority and power of our Lord wey no get limit. Na power wey pass anything we fit imagine. Because of love, E want use this authority for your life. Wetin dey stop Am from taking more control of your life? Which sin or temptation Jesus want rebuke for your life? Which oppression E want free you from? Reflect on yourself as one person for the town of Capernaum wey welcome Jesus with all im heart, wey dey marvel at Am, and wey want Am for im life. How E go work for your life depend on you and how you respond to Am. Call on Am and let Am enter.

My Lord wey get power pass all, na You and only You fit take authority over my life and bring order and peace. Abeg, remove every doubt and stubbornness from my heart, so I go fit open myself to You and Your grace. Take authority over my life, dear Lord, and lead me enter Your will wey holy pass all. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Lay the Foundation

Wenesde of Week Twenty-Two for Ordinary Time

After Jesus comot for the synagogue, E enter Simon house. Simon wife mama dey suffer from strong fever, and dem beg Jesus on her behalf. E stand near her, command the fever to comot, and the fever leave her. She get up at once and serve dem. Luke 4:38–39

If you wan share one important message with one group of people, you go first need to make dem pay attention to you. You fit do this through different ways, like character wey dey draw people, story wey dey deeply touch people heart, act of virtue wey show great courage, or any other thing wey go impress people or even make dem wonder. Once dem don give you all their attention, you fit share the message wey you wan share. Na this Jesus do for today Gospel.

Jesus begin Im public ministry for Nazareth, but the people of Im hometown reject am and drive am comot from their Synagogue. So, E immediately trek about 20 miles go Capernaum, one town just for the north side of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus go spend plenty of Im time. For this first visit to Capernaum, when E just begin Im public ministry, Jesus teach for their Synagogue, drive one demon comot, then go Simon house (na this Simon dem later give the name Peter) to do the first healing for body wey Luke Gospel record. E heal Simon wife mama, wey dey suffer from strong fever. Then, later that evening, plenty people bring sick people and people wey evil spirits dey control come meet Jesus, and Jesus “Put Im hands on each of dem and heal dem.” E surely make dem pay attention to am. The next morning, as Jesus dey prepare to leave Capernaum after this first visit during Im public ministry, the people try persuade Jesus to stay. But Jesus tell dem, “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns too, because na for this purpose dem send Me.”

Jesus don ever get all your attention? Even though you most likely never see healing through miracle with your own eyes or see as dem drive demon comot from person wey evil spirit dey control, Jesus still want all your attention. E want make you wonder at am and make wetin E do touch you so much that you begin look for am, so that Im divine teaching go feed you more fully.

Some people dey give our Lord all their attention after one powerful experience for retreat. One powerful sermon dey deeply touch other people. And plenty other ways dey wey Jesus don use get your attention, so that E go fill you with the desire to listen to am and dey with am. This kind experience dey lay wonderful foundation wey dey continually invite us to turn to our Lord. If you never get this kind experience, then ask yourself, “Why?” Why you never wonder at our Lord reach the point wey you dey eagerly look for am, so that you go listen to Im Word wey dey nourish you?

Today, reflect on this first way wey our Lord use get the attention of the people of Capernaum. Even though some later turn away from am, plenty become faithful followers because of these personal experiences. Reflect on any way wey you don personally encounter our Lord in one powerful way before. You don allow that experience to become something wey dey continue to move you to look for am? And if you no fit point to any experience like that, beg our Lord to put strong desire inside you to want more of am and to receive nourishment from Im holy Word and divine presence.

My Lord wey dey work miracles, I know say You want make I give You all my attention for life. And I know say plenty things wey dey compete with You for my attention dey often distract me. Give me the grace wey I need to marvel at You and wetin You dey do for my life so much that I go dey seek You with all my heart, so Your holy Word and Your divine presence for my life go dey continue to nourish me. Jesus, na You I trust.

To Personally Encounter the Lord

Tosde of Week Twenty-Two for Ordinary Time

When Simon Peter see this, e fall down for Jesus knees and talk say, “Lord, comot from me, because I be sinful man.” Luke 5:8

Think well about this action of Simon Peter wey dey deeply touch person heart. Jesus just begin Im public ministry, and the healing of Simon wife mama na one of Im first miracles. After that, Simon see as Jesus heal plenty other sick people and drive plenty demons comot. Then, shortly after these first miracles, Jesus enter Simon boat and tell am, “Go where the water deep and lower una nets to catch fish.” As soon as Simon obey, e catch so many fish that dem need another boat to come help dem. Na how Simon respond to this other miracle dem record above.

Three things happen for this passage. First, “Simon Peter see this…” And even though na with im eyes e see am, we suppose understand say this “seeing” go deeper pass ordinary eye. No be only the best day of fishing wey Simon Peter ever get e see. E see God grace dey work through Jesus, and wetin e see touch am deep inside im heart. Jesus use wetin be one of the main things for Simon Peter life (fishing) take show Im divine power. For one sense, Jesus use fishing take teach Simon this lesson in a way wey e go really understand.

Secondly, the way Simon respond dey perfect. As e encounter this divine miracle, Simon know im sin immediately. Even though we no know wetin Simon sin be, e clear say this encounter with our Lord make am remember immediately anything wey e don do wey e guilty of. E fit be say e don struggle for years with some sin wey e dey fall into again and again, or e fit be say e don do something very serious wey still dey trouble im mind. But all we know be say Simon encounter with this very powerful miracle wey touch im own life make am recognise im sin.

Thirdly, Simon fall down for Jesus knees and tell the Lord make E leave am. And even though Jesus mercy so great that Jesus no go ever leave am, Simon no only recognise say e no worthy to dey Jesus presence; e also show this strong belief through im humble act of repentance.

Wetin Jesus do? E talk say, “No fear…” And when these new disciples reach shore, “dem leave everything follow am.”

Each of us must encounter our Lord for this same way. We must see Jesus. We must pay deep attention to Am. We must recognise Im presence, hear Im voice and see wetin E dey do for our life. If we do this well and through faith, then our personal encounter with our Lord go shine light on the sin wey we need turn away from. No be so that we go remain inside guilt and shame; na so that we too fit humble ourselves before Jesus and admit say we no worthy of Am. When we make this humble admission well, we fit dey sure say Jesus go also tell us, “No fear.” We must then respond to Im words of comfort with the same choice wey Simon and the others make. We must dey ready and willing to leave everything behind so that we go follow Am.

Today, reflect on this picture of Simon Peter as e kneel before Jesus. See im humility and honesty. See how e dey sincere and how e recognise wetin dey inside im heart. And see how e understand the divine power of Jesus wey dey before am. Pray make you too see our Lord, feel the reality of your sin, humble yourself before Am and hear Am call you to follow Am with your whole life and without holding anything back, anywhere E lead you go.

My Lord wey dey console me, You show Simon Peter Your almighty power through the ordinary work wey e dey do every day. You allow am see Your divine power as e dey work. Help me see You as You dey work for my life too, dear Lord. And as I see You, help me humble myself before You and acknowledge say I no worthy. As I dey do so, I pray make I also hear You tell me, “No fear,” so I go fit stand up and follow You wherever You lead me. Jesus, na You I trust.

Courage to Change

Fraide of Week Twenty-Two for Ordinary Time

“For the same way, nobody dey pour new wine inside old wine akpa wey dem use animal skin make. If e do so, the new wine go burst the akpa, the wine go pour away, and the akpa go spoil. Instead, dem must pour new wine inside fresh wine akpa wey dem use animal skin make. And nobody wey don dey drink old wine dey want new one, because e dey talk say, ‘The old one good.’” Luke 5:37–39

This short parable come for the beginning of Jesus public ministry. E just call Levi, the tax collector, to become one of Im disciples, and then Levi invite Jesus to come chop for im house with other tax collectors and sinners. When the scribes and Pharisees see this, dem no gree with am, and dem challenge our Lord. To answer dem, Jesus tell this parable to explain say E come to call everybody to change and experience new transformation for their life.

The “new wine” wey this parable talk about na the grace wey pour out from the Cross. Remember say blood and water flow out from Im side as E hang for the Cross. People don understand this as a sign of the grace and mercy wey God give us from the Cross, wey we dey receive today through the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Baptism transform us into new creation, and as new creation for Christ, we must desire the new wine of the Most Holy Eucharist so that our Lord go dey transform us every day.

Plenty Church Fathers don point out say di “old wine” wey many people prefer dey refer to people wey want continue to live according to di old law. Dis one especially concern di scribes and Pharisees wey Jesus dey tell dis parable. Jesus dey bring new teaching come meet dem and dey prepare dem for new grace. But dem reject am, because dem prefer di old life wey dem dey live.

One thing wey dis one dey tell us be say, if we go receive dis new wine of God grace, we must ready and willing to leave our old self behind and become new. Change fit hard. Even as Christians wey don receive di Good News and wey already dey live in di grace of Christ, God go continue to call us to change more and more deeply for our life. Too many times, we fit easily relax and feel say di life wey we dey live don good enough. When dat one happen, e go block di way for Our Lord to continue to pour di new wine of His grace into our souls in abundance wey dey overflow.

How you dey handle change for life? If you want grow in holiness, you fit dey sure say change na di only thing wey no dey stop for life. Every single day, we must become new creations, dey grow, dey allow God transform us more fully, dey change our ways, dey leave di old things behind and dey embrace wetin always dey new. Dis one need courage as we face di need wey we get every day for grace to change us. E mean say every day, we must die to our old self and become new creation in God.

Today, reflect on di courage wey person need to change. Wetin dey your life wey you fit dey fear to change? Which “old wine” you prefer pass di “new wine” of God grace? Which old habits or things wey you hold tight Our Lord want make you let go? Face di changes wey God want for you with courage and trust, and you go truly become more fully di new creation in Christ wey God mean make you be.

My Lord wey get mercy pass all, I know say You dey call me to continue to change my life. Abeg, give me the courage wey I need to face everything for life wey I need to detach myself from, and everything wey dey stop me from becoming the glorious new creation wey You don call me to become. Pour Your abundant grace enter my life, dear Lord, and through grace, make me Your new and glorious creation. Jesus, na You I trust.

Di Divine Law of Our Lord

Satide of Week Twenty-Two for Ordinary Time

“Di Son of Man na lord of di sabbath.” Luke 6:5

Jesus talk dis short but powerful statement to answer di Pharisees wey ask Am why His disciples dey do wetin look like something wey di law no allow for sabbath. Dem dey walk through one grain farm, dey pluck grain as dem dey go, and dey chop am to get strength for their journey from one town to another.

Dis question wey di Pharisees use challenge Jesus show how dem dey follow di moral law with too much fear of breaking even di smallest rule. Remember di Third Commandment wey God give through Moses: “Remember di sabbath day—keep am holy. For six days, you fit labour and do all your work, but di seventh day na sabbath of di LORD your God. You no go do any work…” (Exodus 20:8–10). From dis Commandment, di Pharisees don develop one explanation wey get plenty complicated details about di kind work wey dem believe say person no suppose do for Sabbath. One of those rules forbid person to pluck and grind grain. So dem judge say na wetin di disciples dey do be dat, and because of dat, dem dey break di Third Commandment.

We must follow God laws exactly as God give dem. His divine Law dey refresh us, dey give us life and dey help us live in union with Am. But di Pharisees get serious struggle with their desire to control people life through their own human interpretation of di divine Law. As Jesus talk say “Di Son of Man na lord of di sabbath,” E make am clear say dis interpretation of di Third Commandment wey di Pharisees dey teach, with all their fear of breaking even di smallest rule, no agree with di truths of dat divine Law.

One lesson wey we fit learn from dis encounter be say each one of us fit easily fall inside dis kind trap. E easy to replace di true Law of God with how we ourselves see faith and wetin good or bad. We be weak human beings, and plenty things dey affect how we dey think and wetin we hold firmly as true for life. Feelings, habits, family relationships, friendships, media and plenty other things dey affect us well-well. Sometimes na for good, and sometimes na for bad. We fit easily reach some conclusions about faith and wetin good or bad wey get small mistakes, because dem stand on errors wey no easy to notice. Because of dis, our thinking and wetin we hold firmly as true fit easily begin leave di right road, and as time dey go, we fit discover say we don go far from di truths of God. When dis one happen, e fit hard to humble ourselves, admit am and change wetin we hold firmly as true.

Today, reflect on this truth wey dey teach us humility: na Jesus, and Jesus alone, be Lord of the Law of God. This mean say we must always dey ready to change wetin we think when we hear our Lord dey speak to us. Think well about any way wey you don hold too tight to your own views. If dem dey bring peace, joy, love for God and neighbour, and other things like these, then e dey very likely say dem agree with God. If dem dey weigh you down, cause confusion, quarrel or frustration, then you fit need to step back and, with humility, look again at the things wey you firmly believe, so that He wey be Lord of everything go fit speak His divine Law to you more clearly.

Lord wey get all Truth, na You and only You dey guide my life. Na You and only You be the Truth. Help me make I dey humble, dear Lord, so that I fit see any mistake for wetin I strongly believe, and turn to You and Your divine Law as the one and only guide for my life. Jesus, na You I trust.