Bible
Study: Isaiah 40, 25 to 31 and Matthew 11, 28 to 30.
Somehow,
it is when we are least ready that life teaches us its greatest lessons. Within
the last few months, life has taught me some very bitter lessons and I just wasn’t
prepared for the shock which came with them. One of such lessons is this: IT IS
PRECISELY WHEN YOU NEED THEM MOST THAT YOUR BEST AND MOST TRUSTED FRIENDS FAIL.
When you think people can be trusted, then get ready for some shock. Why? Human
beings will always be human beings. God did not create us to be Angels. Angels
do not have flesh, they are incapable of sin and as such incapable of
disappointment. As for human beings, we must surely disappoint.
Even as I write
this reflection, I do not exclude myself because it has suddenly dawned on me
that just as I have experienced disappointment from others, I too may have
greatly disappointment many even unconsciously! I have come to realize that no
matter how good we think we are, no matter how we try not to disappoint others,
we still fail. Why? We are limited beings. We are not capable of being trusted
completely! Even Jesus was betrayed by a man who ate from the same plate with
him. Humans are just like that; weak creatures – easily moved by emotions,
greed and pride. There has never been a love story between two humans that did
not eventually turn sour! Today, they are love birds, tomorrow, they are worst
of enemies. Why? Humans are weak creatures.
Against
this background, today’s readings beckon on us not to trust in fellow humans
but to direct our trust only to God. It is quite an irony that even though we
know human beings are so capable of failing and disappointing us, even though
we have experienced pain in the past, we still trust people more than we trust
God. We still believe more in having people around us than in going down on our
knees to pray.
How else
could Isaiah have put it? In fact, we must praise Isaiah for being so
articulate in telling us of the need to trust God rather than human beings. “The
Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth… Even youths
shall faint and be weary, and young men shall be exhausted; but they who wait
for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like
eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” People
may fail you, rather, people must fail you. But, God will never fail you. Never.
Coming down
to the Gospel passage, Jesus said: “Come to me all you who labour and heavy
laden, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls.” Note that Jesus did not say, “Go to this man or
that woman.” He said: “Come to me!” Please come to Jesus, He will never fail
you. Never!
Jesus did
not fail us on Christmas day. He agreed to come and be born among us. He knew
our situation was bleak and dark. He also knew that no man, no Pharaoh, no
Donald Trump, no Buhari could save us. He came because he knew that He alone
could save us. And on top of all that, Jesus is saying: “Come to me!” what is
the burden in your heart? Have you gone to Jesus?
Sing: What
a Friend we have in Jesus.
all our
sins and griefs to bear!
What a
privilege to carry.
everything
to God in prayer!
O what
peace we often forfeit,
O what
needless pain we bear,
All
because we do not carry
everything
to God in prayer.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, I trust you and I know you will never fail me. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu.
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