(Homily for April 30, 2016. Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter)

THIS WORLD IS NOT OURS.

Bible Study: Acts 16, 1 to 10 and John 15, 18 to 21.


Just recently, someone sent me a very gruesome video of the violent killings of some Christians by fellow human beings. With shock, I watched how human beings were being slaughtered in a manner even less dignifying than cows. The even went as far as removing parts of their bodies and were laughing along. All this in the name of religion.

We have read stories of how Christians were persecuted in ancient times but to see the same thing happen right before our very eyes by our fellow Nigerians is just the height. Jesus said it all: “If the world hates you, realize it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you from the world, the world hates you.”

This hatred is real and we can see it with our eyes. We do not hate anyone, we are always very accommodating and expecting the best of people even from other religions. Yet some religions are taught and groomed to feel nothing other hatred for us Christians and each day part of their prayer fuels that hatred even more. It feels as if we are placed in an unfortunate situation. Do we begin to hate them back? No!

The whole essence of being in Christ is the realization and understanding that the world in which we live in is not our final destination. We must tell ourselves that we are hated because we are not at home. And so we must strive to live each day in preparation for our departure home. Rather than hate people or think of ways to fight back, we must as a matter of priority weed out everything and anything that could prevent us from reaching our final destination; luxury, sinfulness, lust of the eyes, lust of the senses, pleasure, materialism, etc.

What profit would it be to gain the world, make the world love us and then loose what is most precious? Which is our very souls.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, in the face of this persecutions, help me to remain focused on reaching my final destination with you. Amen


God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. Have a prayerful weekend and happy end of the month.

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