Miracle Dem and Story Dem Wey People Don Dey Tell
Lesin 37—Penance Wey Go Deep Well-well
Lesson: Francis dey holy so much that plenty people see am as another Christ, because Christ truly dey live inside am and through am. E give im whole self to wetin God want. People fit notice this for the way e dey relate with others every day, for im preaching, for the plenty miracle dem wey happen, and for plenty other part of im life. For example, e and im first companion dem reach twelve, just like the Twelve Apostles. E carry the wound mark dem of the stigmata for im body, like the wound dem of our Lord. And for at least one Lent, e fast for one place wey nobody dey live for forty days, as our Lord do.
Dem record am say one year, for the night of Ash Wednesday, Francis ask one of im friend dem to carry am for boat go one island wey nobody dey live, for Lake of Perugia. Na only two small loaf of bread e carry go. As nobody dey live for the island, no shelter or other things wey e need dey there. But one small area dey with tree dem and thorn dem, where Francis fit spend im Lent for prayer and fasting without stopping.
When Francis reach the island, e ask im friend make e no tell anybody about im Lent fast, and make e leave am there until Holy Thursday. The friend do as Francis ask, and when e come back to the island for Holy Thursday, e see Francis dey wait. Later, the friend remember say when Francis comot from the island, no be the two small loaf of bread e carry, but na one and half. So, na only half loaf of bread Francis chop take survive all those days. Dem talk say e chop that half loaf to overcome any pride wey fit rise inside am if e no chop anything at all. E decide say, since our Lord no chop anything for forty days, e, as sinner, no suppose dare to copy im Lord fully. So, as e chop half loaf of bread, e show imself say e no worthy to do the full fast wey Jesus do.
As time dey go, when people come hear about how Francis go that island to spend Lent for fasting and prayer, dem begin go there in plenty because of their devotion to am. Some build house dem, and later dem build one hut for Friars Minor so that dem fit live like Francis, wey live like Christ. Dem don talk say plenty miracle happen for the life of people wey go that island because of their love and devotion to God and Francis.
Reflection: Fasting dey hard for most people. But Saint Francis discover say fasting get great value, so e embrace am with im whole self, reach level wey pass wetin people normally dey do. Since no doubt dey say na through miracle e fit complete the very strict fast wey dem talk say e do during Lent for the Island of Perugia, na only very few people God dey call to that kind fast. Even so, we suppose learn from the strong example wey Saint Francis show during that Lent, as e hold nothing back.
You dey fast? Any particular day dey every week when you dey try avoid some kind food, or you dey try chop far less than you normally dey chop for other days? If you no dey do am, e good make you consider to start. Scripture talk clearly about fasting, and plenty saint dem, apart from Saint Francis, testify to the value wey e get.
When person dey fast and avoid some kind food with prayer and sacrifice, this fit greatly deepen im prayer life and bring am into very deep union with God. Fasting na one way to overcome our appetite dem wey no dey in proper order and the desire dem of the flesh. When you deny yourself like this, your will dey freer to hold tight to wetin God want. E dey easier to overcome the things wey we hold too tight wey no good for us, and we dey find plenty freedom.
Today, reflect on fasting and abstinence as spiritual discipline. If you notice say you dey use different reason to dismiss the wisdom for this practice, ask yourself why you dey do so. The most important question wey you suppose ask yourself na whether you want grow closer to God or not. If you want am, know say this spiritual practice get great value. In fact, plenty saint dem point to am as spiritual discipline wey dey necessary and wey we suppose dey practise regularly. Think deeply about how you dey practise this kind self-denial, and try work through any difficulty wey dey stop you from embracing am. Follow Saint Francis example, and your soul go receive plenty grace.
Saint Francis, your love for God great so much that, through miracle, you fast for forty days and na only half loaf of bread you chop. I pray make your example, wey show how you hold nothing back, inspire me to copy your love for fasting every week. Abeg, pray make I know how and when God want make I fast and abstain, so that I go begin share for the spiritual freedom wey you experience so fully. Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
Lesin 38—How Saint Peter and Saint Paul Appear
Wetin We Learn: Near the beginning of im life as Friar Minor, Francis choose to follow Christ example as e send im followers out two by two to preach. Francis choose Brother Masseo as im companion, and dem start journey go France. Since this call to live for poverty wey go reach every part of their life still new to all of dem, God use miraculous signs during that journey to confirm say na Him call dem.
As hunger dey catch Francis and Masseo well well for the journey, dem reach one town and each one go im own way to beg for food. Later, dem meet for the edge of the town to sit down chop wetin people give dem. Even though the place no get people at all, dem come see one fine stone wey dem fit use as table, and dem discover one spring where dem fit drink water. When Francis see say Brother Masseo get more food from begging pass am, Francis rejoice because of the great “treasures” wey dem don receive. Brother Masseo no understand, because na only small pieces of food dem get to chop, and dem no even get proper table or things to take chop. But Francis explain say, since na inside their complete poverty dem receive the food, the stone and the water as gift from the great King wey dey provide for dem, wetin dem get na great treasures.
Later, to confirm say these treasures come from God, and say this kind life of poverty wey no hold anything back na God will for dem, God give dem two miraculous signs. First, as Francis dey pray inside one church nearby, love for God fill im heart like fire so much that e call Brother Masseo. When Brother Masseo come meet am, Francis breathe on am. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, im breath lift Masseo from ground and carry am go several feet away. Masseo later remember say, for that moment, God give am comfort wey sweet so much that e no resemble anything wey e don ever experience before. This comfort from Heaven move dem to travel go Rome to beg Saints Peter and Paul to pray for dem, so that dem go live this holy life of poverty more fully.
For Rome, after Francis don pray with all im heart inside the Church of Saint Peter for the gift to live for poverty, e see Saints Peter and Paul for vision. Dem speak to am and confirm say God don give am and im companions the gift to live for poverty. For the vision, the saints talk say na Christ Himself send dem to tell Francis say this most precious gift of poverty, wey follow Christ and the Apostles while dem dey Earth, don now become gift for Francis and im followers. After the vision, this revelation fill Francis and Brother Masseo with joy so much that, instead of dem to continue go France, dem return to the Valley of Spoleto to share the good news with the other brothers.
Wetin to Reflect On: Even though we no need supernatural visions and miraculous signs before we fit receive salvation, God still use dem for Saint Francis life to confirm His holy will, especially about the special call wey e receive to live for complete poverty without holding anything back. God first speak to Saint Francis heart and move am to love the gift of poverty. Then, God use miraculous signs to confirm this call wey e receive inside im heart.
Wetin God don tell you deep inside your heart? For which ways God dey call you to accept holy life? Even though your vocation fit different from Saint Francis own, God truly dey speak to you, dey call you to holiness. And the more you fit hear wetin E dey talk, the more the call wey you receive go touch every part of your life.
For beginning, when we answer God voice and choose to follow His will, spiritual comfort fit confirm inside us say our holy obedience dey right, and help us know say we dey the right road. The more fully we answer God call, the more we go need things to clear for us, to confirm say we dey do God will. Even though na only few people go receive visions of the saints wey confirm their vocation, know say if you need this, God go provide am. But even without these supernatural signs from Heaven, make you get confidence say if you give yourself to obey God will, God go help you dey more and more sure say you dey fulfil His will.
Today, reflect on anything wey you don sense say God dey tell you during your prayer before now. You don obey with joy and fully accept wetin E ask you to do? If na so, God don give you any further confirmation inside your spirit say you don do wetin E ask? If no be so, then start from the beginning and seek His will. When you hear God dey speak deep inside your heart, listen to Am, and obey Am with all your strength.
Saint Francis, for your life, you give yourself completely to wetin God want. Di call wey you receive to live for complete poverty no follow di wisdom of dis world. But as you hear God speak to you, you agree. Because of dis, God confirm your vocation through miracles. Abeg, pray make I too hear God speak to me, so dat I go get di courage and strong conviction to answer Him, no matter wetin He ask me to do. Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
Lesin 39—How Christ Imself Appear
Lesson: No be only Saints Peter and Paul appear to Francis; Christ Himself, di Blessed Virgin Mary, other saints, and angels appear to am and even to im companions too.
One time, Francis gather with some of im brothers, and e order three of dem make dem speak about God one by one, freely, without any text wey dem don prepare, as di Holy Spirit inspire dem. Di first one speak beautifully and with fine words about di deepest mysteries of God. Francis then tell am make e stop, and e ask di second and then di third make dem do di same thing. Each of di brothers, as dem dey obey Francis and as di Holy Spirit inspire dem, speak about di deep and holy mysteries of di Almighty. When dem finish, Jesus Himself suddenly appear to all of dem as a Child. He bless dem and then disappear. When dis happen, all four of dem enter deep spiritual ecstasy for some time. When dem come out of am, dem wonder at di divine wisdom wey come out of their mouth as dem follow Francis command in holy obedience and as di Holy Spirit inspire dem.
Another time, one young boy join di friar dem. Dem dey stay for one small hut wey no get separate small rooms. When evening reach, Francis lie down for ground and sleep, with di intention to wake up for night and climb one nearby hill to pray. Di young friar want follow Francis when e go pray, so e tie im own cord join Francis own, and e sleep near am so dat e go wake when Francis rise to pray. When Francis wake, e see say dem tie di cords together, and e untie dem before e go outside to pray. When di young friar later wake and discover say Francis don go, e stand up and climb di hill to look for am. When di young friar come near, e see from far say Francis dey pray, light surround am, and e dey talk with Christ Jesus Himself, di Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Evangelist, and one whole host of angels. Di boy faint. When Francis finish to pray, e find di young friar and carry am go house. When di boy wake, Francis tell am make e no talk anything about di vision as long as Francis still dey alive. Di young friar keep dis promise, but di experience touch am so much dat e become very holy and devoted to God, and e live one glorious life as a Friar Minor.
Reflection: Di saints really dey. Our Lord and His Blessed Mother really dey, and dem dey speak to us all di time, dey call us make we come closer and unite with dem. For these reasons, e no suppose surprise us say person wey dey close to God like Saint Francis go dey talk regularly with our Lord, His mother, and di saints and angels, as clearly as we fit talk with one another. Too often, we dey see God as One wey only dey far above everything and far away for Heaven. But He also dey very near, and He want dey close to us and get deep friendship with us. Na so e still be with all di saints and angels.
Even though we no suppose ever seek vision of Jesus, our Blessed Mother, di saints, and angels wey our physical eyes fit see, to communicate with all of dem inside our heart dey very important. We must know dem as our closest friends.
How you dey see God and di host of angels and saints for Heaven? E be like say dem dey far from you? Or e be like say dem dey very close? If dem seem far, know say God want change dat situation. If dem seem close, then rejoice say dem dey close, and talk to dem as you go talk to your closest friends.
Even though Francis receive di gift of visions, wetin dey more usual na to dey aware of God and His angels and saints inside our heart. Seek dis kind awareness. Seek dem. Pray to your guardian angel. Dey do so throughout di day. Keep our Lord and His mother for your mind all di time. Know say their spiritual closeness to you na by far di most important gift wey you fit receive. Part of why Francis receive these real visions wey im physical eyes see na for im own holiness. But e also receive dem to teach each of us how God and di hosts of Heaven dey close, so dat we go learn to dey talk with dem regularly for our everyday life.
Saint Francis, you be true friend of Christ and true son of the Mother of God. Your companion dem, the saint dem and angel dem, dey with you always, dey pray for you, dey inspire you, and dey make you know wetin God want. Abeg, pray make I too fit dey close like this to our Lord and all Im saint dem and angel dem, and know dem well. Make I hear dem for my heart and see dem through the gift of faith, so that I go always waka with dem all through my life. Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
Lesin 40—The Wolf of Gubbio
Wetin We Fit Learn: For the town of Gubbio, people talk say one very fierce wolf dey live for the edge of the town, and e dey cause serious harm to the people wey live there. The wolf fierce so tey e dey regularly chop the animals wey the people dey rear, and e even kill some of the people themselves. This one make the people for that town fear well-well, so tey dem even fear to travel go outside the town.
Francis, wey dey live for the town that time, get compassion for the people, and e decide to go face the wolf, so that e go change im ways and stop to dey attack people and animals. As Francis comot from the town, plenty people for the town dey watch from far. Na so e see the wolf dey run come meet am with im mouth open. As soon as Francis see the wolf, e make the sign of the Cross over am and gently command am make e no harm am or any other person, but make e come meet am so that e fit talk with am. As soon as Francis do this, the wolf close im mouth, stop to dey run towards am, and instead come meet Francis like gentle lamb, come sit down for Francis feet.
Francis then explain the things wey dem accuse the wolf of, and e describe all the harm wey the wolf don cause for the town. When the wolf hear this, e bow im head to show say e accept say e don cause harm. Francis then promise the wolf say if e stop to dey chop the animals wey the people dey rear and stop to dey attack the people, dem go give am food for the rest of im life. When Francis ask the wolf whether e go agree to this, e nod im head to show say e agree. The wolf even put im paw for Francis hand to confirm the promise.
After this, Saint Francis ask the wolf make e follow am enter the town. The people for the town wonder as dem see the wolf dey follow Francis gently. When Francis and the wolf reach the centre of the town, Francis use the opportunity preach. E talk say the people fear the harm wey the wolf fit do their body, but dem suppose fear eternal death wey sin dey bring pass that one. So, Saint Francis first call the people make dem turn from sin come meet God. E then explain the promise wey e make to the wolf, and ask the people make dem promise to dey give the wolf food. Dem agree, and dem do am for the next two years, until the wolf die natural death. The wolf dey regularly waka round the town, and the people dey take good care of am. Even the dog dem no dey bark at am. Anytime the people see the wolf, e dey inspire dem and remind dem of the witness wey Francis bear through the power of God.
Wetin to Reflect On: Even though some people fit question whether this story really happen, the fact say e true no suppose surprise us or make us doubt. Saint Francis dey so close to God that miracle dem like this become normal part of im life. Even though these miracle dem no be ordinary things—meaning say dem no dey happen every time, even when person truly holy—God choose to give these extraordinary signs through Saint Francis, so that we fit learn the lessons wey dem carry.
We suppose learn plenty things from this story. One of dem be say na God dey control everything, and E go take care of everything if we trust Am completely. We suppose see the wolf, before e “change im ways,” as any kind of evil wey dey trouble us. The evil fit come from outside us, like other people wey dey harm us for one way or another. E fit dey inside us, like when the strong feelings and desires wey we get don pass our control. So, one main lesson wey we suppose learn from this story be say God fit tame any “wild animal” and bring any “evil” wey dey give us trouble under control.
Once God work like this for our life and set us free from some evil, the next lesson wey we fit learn from this story be say our freedom and protection must continue to bear witness to the power of God. As the wolf dey waka about peacefully for two years after e meet Saint Francis, e continue to be sign to the people of God power and the way E dey provide and care for dem. In the same way, if God set you free for any way, that freedom wey continue must remain sign to you and other people of the power of God.
Today, take time think deep about this story. Read am as parable wey God dey tell you to show you spiritual truth. As you dey think deep about this powerful story, think about your own life and try find out wetin the wolf stand for in your life. Something dey wey dey cause serious trouble for your life? As you dey find out wetin e fit be, pray to Saint Francis and ask am to pray for you, so that God go come tame that wild animal and free you from fear. From there, as God dey work, no ever forget the good wey God don do for you.
Saint Francis, God use you work in powerful way for the town of Gubbio. Through you as mediator, God bring peace and freedom to the people of that town. Wetin even matter pass be say God show dem say He fit also work inside their souls, to free dem from everything wey dey trouble dem spiritually. Abeg, pray make I too find freedom from the evil things for my life. As God power dey set me free, I pray make I always rejoice and remain thankful forever. Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
Lesin 41—Healing from Leprosy for Body and Soul
Lesson: Francis miracles plenty well-well. In fact, dem plenty so tey dem become normal part of im life, just as miracles be normal part of Jesus Himself ministry. And just as Jesus miracles no only heal body but also heal soul, na so e still be with Francis miracles.
Remember say one of the first things wey Francis do to show love after e turn to God na to care for people wey get kuturu near Assisi. Throughout im life as Friar Minor, e continue this mission, and e always see the care wey e dey give people wey get kuturu as way to love Christ Himself.
One hospital dey for people wey get kuturu, and the friars dey care for dem regularly. Among dem, one man dey wey no get patience at all and wey hard to put up with, so tey e dey scold and rebuke anybody wey try care for am. E even dey talk words wey insult Christ and His Mother regularly for everybody front. Because of this, plenty people think say devil possess am. The brothers vex so much because of the words wey the man dey use insult Christ and His Mother, so dem go meet Francis tell am say dem no fit endure to listen to the man again.
Francis then go speak to the man wey get kuturu by imself. When e meet the man and greet am with peace, the man talk words wey insult God because of im sickness and suffering. E talk say e no fit ever get peace because of wetin God don do am. After Francis pray alone for some time, e come back and offer to care for the man by imself. The man agree and ask Francis to wash im body wey dey terrible condition and dey rot. Francis agree and begin wash the man wey im body dey smell and sores cover with warm water wey dem mix with herbs. Anywhere Francis wash, the kuturu heal. As the man dey watch and see how the kuturu dey wash comot small-small, e begin cry. As e dey cry, no be only im body become clean; im soul too receive healing. E begin admit how e don sin and how e don treat the people wey dey care for am with wickedness. E acknowledge say e deserve hell. After fifteen days of tears and sorrow for im sins, e go Confession and receive complete spiritual cleansing.
Some weeks later, after the man wey get kuturu don fully return to God grace and mercy, another sickness catch am, and na that sickness lead to im death. When the man die, e appear to Francis, wey dey another city. Francis ask who e be, and the holy soul tell Francis say na im be the man wey get kuturu wey receive healing for body and soul. With great joy, the man thank Francis and tell am say e dey go Heaven now to share for God glory forever. E also praise Francis and prophesy say through Francis and im friars, plenty souls like im own all over the world go receive salvation from the fire of hell.
Reflection: Miracles dey amaze plenty people, but miracle no get value unless e also change people hearts. As Scripture show, Jesus Himself no usually perform plenty miracles where faith no dey. Instead, the main time wey E dey perform dem na when E know say the miracle go stir up faith and make am deep pass before.
Saint Francis close to God so tey God use am perform plenty miracles. But like Christ miracles, Saint Francis miracles too get close connection with faith. Na deep faith dem come from, and dem help people faith for God grow.
For our lives, we must know say the value of faith pass the value of miracles by far, beyond wetin person fit measure. Even though every change wey grace dey work inside our soul na true miracle, physical miracles wey go beyond the laws of nature good, but dem no be something wey must happen before we fit change for Christ.
Which one dey amaze you pass? Na the spiritual change for your soul? Or na to fit see some physical miracle? If God give you physical miracle, know say the only purpose na to draw you nearer to Am. So, the main focus of our relationship with God must be the change for our souls, no be physical miracles. If God grant those physical miracles, make we praise Am! If E no grant them, make we still praise Am just as much.
Today, reflect on wetin you desire pass. As you dey do so, think well about the value wey no get limit of the change wey grace dey bring to your soul. Seek to grow for faith, hope and love. If other miracles happen for your life, rejoice and allow them to make your faith grow. If dem no happen, try your best to still rejoice just as much, as you know say to dey united with God must be your main goal for life.
Saint Francis, God use you for powerful ways to change plenty lives. E choose to do plenty miracles through you when E know say those miracles go change hearts. Abeg, pray make Christ change me, and make my main goal be to grow for holiness. Make I always rejoice and praise God for everything wey E choose to do to me. Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
Lesin 42—How Three Robbers Wey Dey Kill People Turn to God
Lesson: One young and holy friar wey dem call Brother Angelo na the person wey dey in charge of one hermitage wey dem call Monte Casale. One day, three robbers wey dey kill people knock for the door of the hermitage and ask for food. Brother Angelo, wey know who these men be, rebuke them harshly. E tell them say dem no get right to ask for the food wey the friars beg for, because of the evil wey dem don do. The three men leave, and dem feel shame because of how e reject them.
Shortly after, Francis arrive for the hermitage, and Brother Angelo tell am wetin happen. When Francis hear this, e rebuke Brother Angelo, tell am say e suppose show mercy and compassion to these three robbers wey dey kill people, for the good of their souls. Francis then give Brother Angelo one loaf of bread and some wine wey e just receive as e dey beg. E order Brother Angelo make e search well for those three men, beg them to forgive am, give them the bread and wine, and tell them say if dem abandon their life of stealing and killing—turn to God with faith and prayer—Francis himself go promise to care for them and continue to give them food. Brother Angelo do as e tell am, and as e dey do so, Francis begin pray, beg God to turn their hearts to Am.
The humble way wey Brother Angelo beg them for forgiveness and the promise wey Francis make touch the men so much that dem go meet Francis and tell am say dem go repent and follow im example. Francis preach to them and receive them into the religious order, and dem begin live life of penance for everything wey dem don do. Two of the men die shortly after, but one of them live for fifteen years, spend im days for constant prayer and penance. Near the end of im life, e see one powerful vision wey reveal plenty truths from God to am about im life and the penance wey e don do. For that vision, Francis himself—wey don die some years before—tell the man say e go die in eight days, and say Francis go come carry am. And na so e happen: after seven days of serious sickness, the man die, and Francis come carry am with plenty saints and angels, welcome am into the glory of Heaven.
Reflection: Some people dey your life wey you believe say dem no deserve your love and mercy? We hope say nobody dey like that. The measure wey we use hold back God’s mercy from other people na the same measure wey God go use hold back Im mercy from us. But if we fit show more mercy and forgiveness to other people, including those wey look like say dem no deserve that love, then we fit dey sure say God go grant us mercy wey deep reach like that.
Saint Francis rebuke Brother Angelo because e no show mercy. The good news be say Brother Angelo quickly accept that correction and change im ways. Because of this, three sinners turn to God, and now dem dey share for the glory of Heaven.
Plenty times, we no understand the power wey our acts of mercy and forgiveness get for people wey their hearts hard. Even though e fit hard to love those wey look like say dem no fit receive our love, we must do am. In fact, the harder e be to love another person, the deeper the love wey we dey show go be. God want make we love everybody, without ever judging whether dem deserve am for our eyes.
Today, take time think about anybody for your life wey hard for you to love. If one person or even many people come your mind, know say to love them na your surest way to Heaven. Besides, to love them no go only make you join closer to God; e go also become gift of God mercy wey dem dey receive through you continually, and e fit even become the source of salvation for their souls.
Saint Francis, you love everybody with love wey dey burn like fire. You no ever take offence because of another person, and you no ever hold their sins against them. Abeg, pray make I fit show this kind deep mercy like you. Make I truly forgive everybody wey don wrong me and try to love them with all my heart. Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
Lesin 43—Saint Anthony of Padua
Lesson: Among the early friars, no be only Francis the Church later declare as saint. Brother Anthony of Padua join the Augustinian Fathers when e dey fifteen years old. Im name na Fernando Martins de Bulhões, and e come from rich family for Lisbon, Portugal. Dem ordain am as Augustinian priest when e dey nineteen years old, and later e move go one monastery for Coimbra, Italy.
When e dey Coimbra, some Franciscan friars move enter one small hut outside the town. The simple way dem dey live, their prayer life, and their spirit of spreading the Gospel really touch Fr. Fernando. One day, e watch as dem bring the bodies of five of the friars enter town. Dem don kill them for Morocco because of their faith, as dem dey try bring Muslims to the Christian faith. This one touch Fr. Fernando so much that e ask for permission to become Friar Minor. Dem give am the permission, and e join the friars for 1220. E take the name “Brother Anthony” from the name of the hermitage where dem receive am into the order.
Before long, people come know Brother Anthony as holy preacher of the Word of God. Two miraculous events especially confirm this one. One time, dem invite Brother Anthony to preach to the pope and cardinals. As e dey preach, the wisdom wey dey come from im mouth amaze everybody wey gather. But no be only that one amaze them. During that sermon, Brother Anthony also receive the gift of tongues, just as the apostles receive am for Pentecost. Everybody wey dey there hear Anthony dey preach for their own native language. The pope imself marvel at the preaching and as e witness the gift of tongues.
Another time, Anthony preach for many days to one group of people wey hold false teaching about the faith for the town of Rimini. Dem argue with am, and for the end, dem refuse to listen and turn to the true faith. Dem remain stubborn and hard-hearted. The next day, God move Anthony to go the river for that town and preach to the fish. As soon as e start to preach, plenty fish come meet am and bring their heads out of the water, as dem give am their full attention. E command the fish to praise their Creator and tell them about the many good things wey God don do for them. The fish respond as dem fit to praise God.
As Anthony dey preach, the people of the town, including those wey hold false teaching about the faith, hear about this sermon. Dem run go the river with amazement, and even those wey hold false teaching feel deep pain for their hearts because of their stubbornness. Dem fall for Anthony feet with humility, as dem repent and turn back to God. Anthony then send the fish away and turn to preach to the people. E remain there for many days, and many souls turn to the true faith.
Reflection: When love for God fill person whole heart, God fit use the person for ways wey pass wetin anybody fit imagine. The life of Saint Francis and im companions inspire Saint Anthony, and because of this, e become powerful instrument for God hand.
The miracle of preaching to the fish happen mainly because Saint Anthony deeply love those “people wey hold false teaching” wey their hearts hard. E give imself with all im heart to serve them. When dem reject im holy preaching, e no give up. God inspire am to change these hard hearts through one sign wey truly be miracle.
Too many times for life, after we try to love people wey look like say dem no fit receive love, we let frustration make us give up. If Saint Anthony for don give up on this town, the people for never turn to the true faith. Na so e still be for us. If we meet people wey remain stubborn and refuse to submit to Christ, we fit be their only hope. The way we no dey give up, our determination, and our readiness to do anything wey e go take fit be exactly wetin God need to reach them. And if God use us change even the people wey stubborn pass and wey their hearts hard pass, those people wey turn to the true faith fit also become powerful instruments of God mercy for other people.
Today, think deep about anybody wey you don give up on, as if hope no dey for am again. Anybody dey wey you don choose to condemn and judge? If na so, learn from di example of Saint Anthony, wey learn from di example of Saint Francis and im friars. Follow their example and give yourself to God afresh, so that God fit use you reach other people in di far-reaching ways wey E want.
Saint Anthony, di example of Saint Francis and im friars move you to give your life to Christ. After that, you go out to preach and teach, and you no ever give up on people wey their heart hard. Abeg, pray make I continue steady for my love and always respond to God im grace, as I offer myself make E use me any way wey E choose. Saint Anthony and Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
Lesin 44—God Creatures and Everything Wey E Create Obey the Saint
Wetin We Go Learn: Na God, and God alone, be di Master of everything wey E create. Na E dey keep all things for existence, arrange di times and seasons of nature, make di earth produce fruit, and direct every living creature with Im command.
Francis be God im friend to di highest level, and God give am many special privileges to share for Im power over everything wey E create. God do this to make di people wonder and get deep reverence for Am, so that dem go turn from sin and get faith in God.
One time, dem call doctor to check Francis im eyes as e dey lose im sight. Di treatment wey di doctor prescribe na to put hot iron for di side of Francis im forehead to burn im flesh, so that di extra water for im eyes go come out. Francis agree, bless di red-hot iron, call am “Brother Fire,” and dem burn im flesh. But through God im grace, Francis no feel any pain from Brother Fire, and everybody wonder.
Another time wey Francis dey seriously sick, e feel say e need drink small wine to get im strength back. When dem tell am say wine no dey, e ask for small water. When dem bring one glass of water, Francis bless am, and e turn to di finest wine for am to drink.
Many other miracles happen throughout Francis im life wey show say God, di Creator of everything, give Francis authority over wetin E create. E make water come out from rock. E protect crops from storms of ice wey dey fall from sky. E gather birds make dem listen to im sermons. E multiply food when food no reach to eat. E even make one dark path bright for middle of night as e dey travel. For all this, Francis use di Voice of God Himself command wetin God create, and this show say di Creator of Everything dey live inside am and dey work through am.
Wetin We Go Think Deep About: These stories and many others about Saint Francis im life show how close e dey to God di Creator. Because e dey close to God, Saint Francis receive one special share for God im power over everything wey E create. Even though God give Saint Francis this spiritual gift in one special way, plenty things dey wey we fit learn from am.
As we dey grow for holiness, make we no expect say we go fit turn water to wine, multiply food, or get authority over fire. But make we know say when we join ourselves to God, we join ourselves to di One wey get almighty power over everything. E good make we understand this, because e go help us grow for di trust wey we get for di One wey fit do everything wey dey necessary.
Among di many other lessons wey we fit learn from these stories about Saint Francis im life, one na how God dey provide and care for us. When we love God with all our heart, di One wey get All Power go take care of all our needs. E care about us and our daily needs pass how we care about ourselves. God na Person wey we fit trust, and di way E dey provide and care for us always dey perfect.
Today, think deep about any area wey e dey hard you to trust God. You dey find yourself thinking say na you alone must take care of everything for life? Even though we must do wetin we suppose do with sense, we must still see God as di main source of care and provision for everything. Think deep about di trust wey you get for God and how you dey rely on Am to always take care of you. For any area wey you see say this trust no strong enough, surrender to Am and work to make that trust deeper.
Saint Francis, your love for God complete so much that you come dey rely on Am for every condition of life. As you do so, God give you share for Im almighty power and do wonderful things for your life. Abeg, pray make I follow your example to rely on God im care and provision, and make I open myself more fully to be instrument wey God go use care for others and provide for dem. Saint Francis, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.