How We Dey Respond to the Gospel
Sunday 28 for Ordinary Time (Year A)
“Some no mind di invitation and dem go their way, one go im farm, another go im business. Di rest catch im servants, treat dem badly, and kill dem.” Matthew 22:5-6
This passage come from the Parable of the Wedding Feast. E show two sad ways wey people dey respond to the Gospel. First, some people dey ignore the invitation. Second, some people dey respond with hostility when dem proclaim the Gospel to them.
If you commit yourself to preach the Gospel, and you don dedicate your whole soul to this mission, e dey likely say you go meet these two kinds of reaction. The King na image of God, and God call us to be His messengers. Na the Father send us make we go gather other people come the wedding feast. This mission get great glory, because we get the privilege to invite people make dem enter joy and happiness wey no go ever end! But instead of this invitation to make dem really glad, plenty people wey we meet no go care, and dem go continue their daily life without interest for wetin we share with dem. Others, especially when e concern the different moral teachings of the Gospel, go react with hostility.
To reject di Gospel, whether na because person no care or because person dey openly oppose am, na action wey no follow reason at all. Di truth be say di message of di Gospel, wey for di end na invitation to share for di Wedding Feast of God, na invitation to receive life for all im fullness. Na invitation to share for di very life of God. Wetin a gift! Still, some people no dey accept dis gift from God because e mean say dem must surrender completely to di mind and will of God for every way. E require humility and honesty, conversion, and life wey no be only self person dey think about.
Today, reflect on two things. First, reflect on how you yourself dey respond to di Gospel. You dey receive everything wey God dey tell you with heart wey open completely and with zeal? Second, reflect on di ways wey God dey call you to carry Im message go di world. Commit yourself to do am with great zeal, no matter how other people respond. If you fulfil these two responsibilities, you and many others go receive di blessing to share for di Wedding Feast of di Great King.
Lord, I give You my whole life. Make I always dey open to You for every way, as I dey seek to receive every word wey come from Your merciful heart. Make I also seek to let You use me to carry the invitation of Your mercy go meet the world wey dey in need. Jesus, na You I trust.
Good Intentions No Be All
Sunday 28 for Ordinary Time (Year B)
As Jesus dey set out for journey, one man run come, kneel down before am, and ask am, “Good teacher, wetin I must do to inherit life wey no dey end?” Mark 10:17
Dis story start for way wey look very good. One young man wey get plenty wealth come meet Jesus with question wey get faith as im foundation. As e ask Jesus wetin e must do to inherit life wey no dey end, e dey very likely say di man believe say Jesus get di answer. And because of im excitement, e want make Jesus show am di way.
Jesus tell am say e must keep di Commandments, and di young man answer say e don dey keep dem since e young. But then Jesus talk something wey dis young man no ever expect make E talk. E say, “One thing still remain wey you lack. Go, sell wetin you get, and give to di poor, and you go get treasure for heaven; then come, follow me.” Chai! Dis one must don really pain dis rich young man for heart. Di passage continue say di young man waka comot with sadness because of wetin Jesus talk.
Di young man start with good intentions; dat one clear. But good intentions no enough. To follow Jesus and gain life wey no dey end require say we commit every part of our life completely and without holding anything back. E no enough to tell Jesus say we go keep di Commandments, but na only dat one we go do. True, dat fit carry us enter Purgatory, but wetin we suppose desire na Heaven! So how we go reach Heaven?
Na only through life of perfection we fit reach Heaven. Yes, na true. If we want Heaven, we must finally become perfect for every way. Everything for this world wey our heart cling to must go, and we must overcome every sin. Our good intentions must turn to giving ourselves fully and completely to Jesus, as we dey seek Him and only Him.
Di rich young man waka comot with sadness because e no realise say Jesus’ invitation make e give everything away na actually act of love. E no understand say e go find happiness if e commit himself to follow Christ without holding anything back.
Today, think deeply about how Jesus dey call you to give yourself completely to Him for your life. Na every part of your life He want. You fit get good intention to try to do good, but you ready to follow Christ reach di end, with your whole self and without any limit?
Lord, I love You and I want love You more. I want love You with my whole being. Help me understand say to follow You mean say I must give myself fully and completely to You. Make I dey ready and willing to let go of anything wey my heart cling to for this life wey dey stop me from following You. Jesus, na You I trust.
Di Healing Balm of Heart Wey Dey Thank God
Sunday 28 for Ordinary Time (Year C)
“No be ten people become clean? Where di other nine dey? Na only this stranger come back to thank God?” Luke 17:17-18
Na Jesus talk these words after He heal ten people wey get leprosy, and na only one of dem, wey be stranger, come back to Jesus to thank Him. All ten get healing for di leprosy wey dey their body, but na only one receive healing wey deep pass that one. When this man come back to Jesus with heart wey dey thank God, Jesus tell am, “Stand up and go; your faith don save you” (Luke 17:19).
Na only this one person wey get leprosy, the one wey return with thankful heart, hear our Lord talk these words: “Your faith don save you.” This show say to thank God no be only our duty; e still dey bring blessings wey we fit see for our lives. When we sincerely thank God for everything wey He don do, we dey show great faith in God through this thanksgiving. We dey point to Him and His goodness as the source of our blessings, and na faith we need to see this and declare am.
Na for wetin you need to grow for thanksgiving for your life? Wetin you fit dey take as ordinary thing, wey you never properly return to God to thank Him for? The truth be say everything for life na gift. Everything. Even the struggles wey you dey endure fit turn to blessings. In fact, na exactly wetin happen for this story be that. The terrible suffering of leprosy turn to grace from God.
Today, think deeply about everything wey God don do for you. Pray make you understand all di countless ways wey God dey bless your life with His grace. As you dey see dem, think deeply about those blessings, count dem, and thank God for dem. And from that grateful heart, thank God with joy. As you do this, your faith go still save you.
Lord, I truly thank You for the countless blessings wey You don give me throughout my life. I thank You for the ways wey You don give me grace, lead me and heal me. Help me see clearly everything wey You don do and still dey do for me. As I dey see these blessings, help me show my thanksgiving with faith every day. Jesus, na You I trust.
To Dey Look for Signs
Monday for Week 28 for Ordinary Time
As more people still dey gather for di crowd, Jesus tell dem, “This generation na evil generation; e dey look for sign, but dem no go give am any sign except di sign of Jonah.” Luke 11:29
You don ever wish say God go give you sign from Heaven to give you guidance or direction for life wey clear and sure? You dey look for signs from God and depend on dem?
If God give us clear sign for life wey show us wetin He want, we suppose receive am as gift and thank Him for am. But to receive sign from God different from to dey look for sign from God. For di passage above, Jesus strongly condemn di people wey dey come dey look for signs. Why e be like that? Why Jesus speak so strongly against to dey look for signs? One major reason na say He want make we seek Him through di gift of faith.
Jesus talk say no sign go come except the sign of Jonah. The “sign of Jonah” mean Jesus’ Crucifixion, death, three days for tomb and Resurrection. Jonah spend three days inside the whale belle. Jesus dey tell dem say He go spend three days for tomb.
But di main point be say na Jesus’ death and Resurrection BE di sign wey dem go give. We no suppose look for anything apart from this mystery wey dey di centre of our faith. Every question, problem, worry, confusion, and so on, fit get answer and solution if we enter into di great mystery of how Christ redeem us, by entering into di life, death and Resurrection of Christ. To look for another sign apart from this one go dey wrong, because e go be like to talk say di death and Resurrection of Jesus no enough.
Today, think deeply about the greatest “sign” wey God don ever give. And if you dey struggle with questions about life, turn your eyes to this one sign wey give the final answer. Turn your eyes to the mystery wey dey the centre of our faith: the life, death and Resurrection of Christ. Na there every question fit get answer and God dey give every grace. We no need anything pass this.
Lord, Your life, death and Resurrection na everything wey I need to know for life. Your perfect sacrifice dey give me every answer and pour out every grace. Make I always turn to You as the sign wey I need every day. Jesus, na You I trust.
To Make Your Heart Clean
Tuesday for Week 28 for Ordinary Time
The Lord tell am, “Ah, una Pharisees! Even though una dey clean the outside of cup and plate, inside una full of things wey una rob from people and evil. Una fools!” Luke 11:39-40a
Jesus dey always correct the Pharisees because dem put all their mind for how dem look outside, but dem no care about the holiness of their souls. E be like say one Pharisee after another fall for this same trap. Their pride make dem care too much about how dem go appear righteous for outside. Sadly, the way dem appear for outside na only mask wey cover the “things wey dem rob from people and evil” wey don take over their inside. Na why Jesus call dem “fools.”
This direct challenge from our Lord clearly na act of love, because He really want make dem look at wetin dey inside dem so dem fit clean their hearts and souls from every evil. E be like say, for the Pharisees, e dey necessary to confront dem directly about their evil. Na only this way dem go get chance to repent.
The same thing fit be true for all of us sometimes. Each of us fit struggle with caring far more about how people see us than about the holiness of our souls. But wetin matter pass? Na wetin God dey see inside us matter. God dey see our intentions and everything wey dey deep inside our conscience. He dey see wetin dey move us to act, our virtues, our sins, the things wey our heart cling to, and everything wey hide from other people eye. God dey invite us too to see wetin Jesus dey see. He dey invite us to look at our souls for the light of truth.
You dey see your soul? You dey examine your conscience every single day? You suppose examine your conscience by looking inside yourself to see wetin God dey see, as you dey pray and honestly reflect on wetin dey inside you. Maybe the Pharisees dey regularly deceive themselves to think say everything dey well for their souls. If you too dey do the same thing sometimes, you fit also need to learn from Jesus’ strong words.
Today, think deeply about your soul. No fear to look at am for the light of truth and to see your life as God dey see am. Na this be the first and most important step to become truly holy. And no be only the way to make our souls clean; na also the step wey we must take so that the life wey we dey live for outside fit shine brightly with the light of God’s grace.
Lord of holiness, I want make I become holy. I want make You cleanse me completely. Help me make I see my soul as You dey see am, and make I allow Your grace and mercy cleanse me for all di ways wey I need cleansing. Jesus, na You I trust.
Wahala Dey for You!
Wednesday for Week 28 for Ordinary Time
“Wahala dey for una! Una be like graves wey people no dey see, wey dem dey walk on top without knowing.” Then one of the scholars of the Law answer am say, “Teacher, as You dey talk this thing, You dey insult us too.” And He talk say, “Wahala dey also for una scholars of the Law! Una dey put heavy loads wey hard to carry on people, but una no dey lift even one finger to touch the loads.” Luke 11:44-46
This talk between Jesus and this scholar of the Law really catch attention, and e surprise person small. Here, Jesus dey rebuke the Pharisees strongly, and one of the scholars of the Law try to correct Jesus because His words dey offend dem. And wetin Jesus do? He no back down or apologise because He offend am; instead, He turn His strong rebuke to the scholar of the Law. This one must don surprise am!
Wetin dey interesting be say di expert for di Law point out say Jesus dey “insult” dem. And e talk am as if Jesus dey commit sin and need person to rebuke Am. So, Jesus dey insult di Pharisees and di expert for di Law? Yes, e fit well be say na so. Na sin Jesus commit by doing so? E clear say no. Jesus no dey sin.
Di mystery wey we face here be say sometimes, truth fit be “insult,” as dem dey talk. E dey insult person pride. Di thing wey stand out pass be say when person feel insulted, di first thing wey e need to understand be say na because of im pride e feel insulted, no be because of wetin di other person talk or do. Even if person talk too harshly, na pride dey make di other person feel insulted. If person truly get humble mind, e go even welcome sharp correction as something wey fit help am change. Sadly, e be like say di expert for di Law no get di humble mind wey e need to allow Jesus sharp correction enter im heart and free am from im sin.
Today, think well about whether you get humble mind enough to accept correction from another person. If person point out your sin, you dey vex? Or you dey take am as correction wey go help you, and allow am help you grow for holiness?
Lord wey humble pass all, abeg, give me true humility. Help me make I no ever vex when other people correct me. Make I receive correction from other people as gifts of grace to help me for my journey to become holy. Jesus, na You I trust.
Di Key of Knowledge
Thursday for Week 28 for Ordinary Time
“Woe to una, experts for di Law! Una don take di ki to knowledge comot. Una unaself no enter, and una stop people wey dey try to enter.” Luke 11:52
For today Gospel, Jesus continue to correct di Pharisees and di experts for di Law sharply. For dis passage above, E correct dem sharply because dem “don take di ki to knowledge comot” and dem don seriously try to stop other people from getting di knowledge wey God want make dem get. Dis na serious accusation, and e show say di Pharisees and di experts for di Law dey deliberately damage di faith of God people.
As we don see for di Scriptures for di past few days, Jesus correct di experts for di Law and di Pharisees very sharply because of dis. And no be only for their sake E give dis sharp correction; na for our sake too, so we go know say make we no follow false prophets like dem and all those wey care only about themselves and their good name instead of di truth.
Dis Gospel passage no only condemn dis sin; di thing wey matter pass be say e bring up one deep and beautiful idea. Na di idea of “di key of knowledge.” Wetin be di key of knowledge? Di key of knowledge na faith, and faith fit come only when we listen to di voice of God. Di key of knowledge na to let God speak to you and reveal His deepest truths wey beautiful pass to you. Na only through prayer and direct communication with God person fit receive and believe dese truths.
Di saints na di best examples of people wey don enter deep into di mysteries of God life. Through their life of prayer and faith, dem come know God deeply. Many of these great saints don leave beautiful writings for us, and their lives give powerful witness to di mysteries of God inner life wey dey hidden but wey E don reveal.
Today, think well about whether you don take “di ki to knowledge” and open di mysteries of God through your life of faith and prayer. Commit yourself again to dey seek God for your personal prayer every day, and to dey seek everything wey E want reveal to you.
Lord, help me make I seek You through life of prayer every day. For dat life of prayer, draw me enter deep relationship with You, as You dey reveal to me everything wey You be and wetin life really mean. Jesus, na You I trust.
How God Dey Pay Attention
Friday for Week 28 for Ordinary Time
“No be five sparrows dem dey sell for two small coins? Yet, no one of dem escape God notice. Even all di hair for una head, God don count dem. Make una no fear. Una worth pass plenty sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
“Make una no fear.” Dem dey repeat these words plenty times for di holy Scriptures. For dis passage, Jesus talk say make we no fear because di Father for Heaven dey pay attention to every small detail of our lives. Nothing escape God notice. If God dey pay attention to di sparrows, E dey pay even more attention to us. Dat suppose give us some peace and confidence.
Of course, one reason why e fit still hard to believe dis be say plenty times dey when e be like say God dey very far away and E no dey pay attention to our lives. E dey important to remember say anytime we feel like dis, na only feeling; no be wetin really dey happen. Di truth be say God dey pay attention to di details of our lives far beyond wetin we fit ever understand, without any limit. In fact, E dey pay far more attention to us than we dey pay to ourselves! And no be only say E dey pay attention to every detail; E really care deeply about every detail.
So why e fit feel sometimes as if God dey far from us? Plenty reasons fit dey for dis, but make we dey sure say reason always dey. E fit be say we no dey listen to Am and we no dey pray as we suppose, so we no dey notice di attention wey E dey give us and how E dey guide us. E fit be say E don choose to keep quiet for one matter as way to draw us closer to Himself. E fit even be say His silence na very clear sign say E dey with us and sign of wetin E want.
Today, think well about this truth: no matter how we fit feel sometimes, we must dey sure say this passage wey dey above na true. “You get value pass plenty sparrows.” God don even count all the hair wey dey your head. And E know every part of your life finish. Allow these truths to comfort you and give you hope, as you know say this God wey dey pay attention to you na also God wey get perfect love and mercy, and E go provide everything wey you need for life.
Lord wey know everything, I know say You love me and You know every feeling, thought and experience wey I get for life. You know every problem and worry wey I get. Help me make I continue to turn to You for everything, as I know say Your love and guidance dey perfect. Jesus, na You I trust.
To Get Inspiration No Dey Enough
Saturday for Week 28 for Ordinary Time
Jesus tell His disciples: “I tell una, anybody wey acknowledge Me for front of other people, di Son of Man go acknowledge am for front of di angels of God. But anybody wey deny Me for front of other people, dem go deny am for front of di angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
One of the greatest examples of people wey acknowledge Jesus before others na the martyrs. Throughout history, one martyr after another show their love for God as dem hold their faith strong, even when dem persecute dem and kill dem. One of these martyrs na St. Ignatius of Antioch. Wetin dey below na part of one famous letter wey St. Ignatius write to im followers after dem arrest am and dey carry am go where dem go give am to lions to chop, so e go die as martyr. E write say:
I dey write to all the churches to make dem know say I go gladly die for God, if only una no stand for my way. I dey beg una: make una no show me kindness wey no come for the right time. Make I become food for the wild animals, because na through them I go reach God. I be God wheat, and their teeth go grind me so that I fit become Christ pure bread. Pray to Christ for me, make na through these animals I become sacrifice wey dem offer to God.
No enjoyment for this earth, no kingdom for this world fit benefit me in any way. I prefer to die in Christ Jesus than to get power over even the farthest ends of the earth. Na only the One wey die in our place I dey seek. Na only the One wey rise from death for our sake I dey desire.
Dis statement dey inspire person and e get power, but one important understanding dey inside wey person fit easily miss as e dey read am. Di understanding be say e easy for us to read am, marvel at im courage, tell other people about am, believe di witness wey e give, and so on…but still no take even one step to make dis same faith and courage become our own. E easy to talk about di great saints and allow dem inspire us. But to really follow their example hard well well.
Think about your own life with wetin di Gospel passage for today dey teach. You dey freely, openly and fully acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and God for front of other people? You no need to dey go about as Christian wey dey force im faith on people. But you need to let your faith and love for God shine out without holding back, freely, clearly and completely, especially when e no comfortable and e hard. You dey hesitate to do dis? E likely say you dey. E likely say all Christians dey. Na why St. Ignatius and di other martyrs be great examples for us. But if dem remain only examples, then their example no enough. We must live out di witness wey dem give and become di next St. Ignatius for di witness wey God dey call us to live out.
Today, think well whether na only inspiration you dey get from the martyrs, or whether you really dey follow their example. If na only inspiration you dey get, pray make their witness wey dey inspire you bring powerful change for your life.
Lord, thank You for the witness of the great saints, especially the martyrs. Make their witness help me to live life of holy faith as I dey follow the example of each one of them. I choose You, dear Lord, and today I acknowledge You before the world and put You above everything else. Give me the grace to live out this witness with courage. Jesus, na You I trust.
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