Celebrating Mary; Queen and Patroness of Nigeria.

Tuesday 1^st October 2019. Read Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72, Ephesians 2:13-22 and Matthew 2:13-15.19-23.

_“Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” *(Matthew 2:13)*_

In Nigeria, October First is the day we as a country marked our “freedom” from British Colonial Rule, thereby transcending into self-rule. It is almost six decades now but it is quite clear that things are far from being at their best given the great potentials we see every now and then. While individual Nigerians are doing great exploits in almost all fields of life all over the world, Nigeria as a country suffers from a very bad reputation internationally.

One thing is clear; not many Nigerians today are proud of being Nigerians and if given the chance, over half of our population would prefer to become citizens of other countries. This includes those agitating for self-rule (such as Biafra) which is not surprising for a country that was created by the British primarily to serve British colonial interests. A day like this provides another opportunity to pray and hope for a better tomorrow.

It is in the light of this hope that our first reading today is taken from a portion of Isaiah that speaks of a time when things would be well. Re-reading this passage in Nigerian terms, it would appear like this: “On that day, there shall come forth, a leader and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord… He shall not steal our money… he shall not be an ethnic bigot… he shall decide with equity for the meek… he shall not tell us lies… righteousness shall be the belt of his waist…”

In fact, when this God-appointed leader comes, the Psalmist sings: “In his days, shall justice flourish and great peace forever.” He shall save the needy when they cry, the poor, and those who are helpless, he will not send EFCC after his political enemies while the real thieves walk freely, he will not go on months of medical tourism while our hospitals have become dignified mortuaries, he will not send his children to school abroad while our universities lie in shambles, he will allow free and fair elections, he would use monies meant for Nigeria for the good of all Nigerians.

We know that this shoot from the stump of Jesse as prophesied by Isaiah is Jesus Christ who came in the fullness of time to make all things right. Just as Mary was instrumental to the coming of Jesus, Nigeria as a country is dedicated to our Mother Mary in the hope that she would plead with God on our behalf to give us such a leader who will bring peace. A leader like Jesus Christ who as our second reading says, destroyed the hostility among men through the Cross. We need a leader who will not encourage division by making certain persons feel like they have no share in the commonwealth of Nigeria.

We are so assured that things will be well for this country as we ask Mary’s intercession. Apart from the fact that she quickly intervened at the wedding feast at Cana, Mary is a woman who understands the meaning of hardship. Our Gospel passage today tells us how Joseph had to wake Mary up in the middle of the night (a few days after she delivered the baby Jesus) to run to Egypt. Mind you, Mary was already stressed up from the journey they embarked upon to take a census. They had nowhere to stay other than a manger where animals were kept and Mary, just like a majority of Nigerian women (not minding its two thousand years after) gave birth without professional medical care.

Our Gospel passage today ends by telling us how Jesus became identified as a Nazarene simply because upon their return from Egypt, Joseph and Mary settled in a city called Nazareth. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Nigeria. A person is not considered a native of a place even if he was born and brought up there. Ethnicity is one big problem that has prevented Nigeria from moving forward. If for instance, my parents are from the south and I was born and brought up in a place like Kano, (up north), I am never identified as a native of Kano and no matter how good I am, I cannot become the governor of Kano. What parable can I use to describe Nigeria? We are like people living in the stone age but want to enjoy by all means the facilities of the twenty-first century.

Time has come for us to drop our ethnic baggage behind. Time has come for us to stop putting people in boxes just because of where they come from or the language they speak. Let us love our fellow Nigerians. Let us begin to think of what we can do for Nigeria and not be solely concerned about how to eat from the National cake.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, your mother understands hardship, as we honour her today as Queen of Nigeria, may she intercede for us. Amen.

Happy Independence Day. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria. October 1st. Bible Study: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-17, Ephesians 2:13-22 and Matthew 2:13-15.19-23).

The Sin of Indifference (I-Don’t-Care Attitude).

Sunday 29^th September 2019. Read Amos 6:1-7, Psalm 148 1st Timothy 6:11-16 & Luke 16:19-31.

_“Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall… who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!” *(Amos 6:4-6).*_

Last Sunday, we heard Jesus say to us: “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.” (Luke 16:9) Jesus went as far as using the story of a dishonest steward to teach us the need to prepare for the day of judgment. Today, Jesus employs His powerful storytelling technique again to deliver a message that has remained consistent Sunday after Sunday. What is this message?

*1. Indifference is a Sin.*

The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus is very similar to the story of the Rich Fool whose lands yielded in abundance but the difference is that while the latter ends with sudden death, the former tells us how the rich man ended in hellfire after his death. The question arises: “Is it a crime to be rich?” What exactly did the rich man do to deserve eternal punishment?

Amos answers this question in today’s first reading. Recall that last Sunday, we heard Amos speaking against social injustice and inequality; how persons cheat others by changing the scales, how they end up selling the poor for a pair for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. Today, Amos continues his lament; he describes the lavish lifestyle of the super-rich who can afford the best of all that life could offer but “are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!”

The sin of the rich man in today’s Gospel passage is not in how he made his money (Jesus did not specify) but about his indifference to the poor and suffering. The rich man had enough money to host parties daily and feast sumptuously. Lazarus was attracted to his gate in the hope of feeding on the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table but sadly, no one gave him anything instead Lazarus’ sores became chocolate for the rich man’s dogs. One great man once said: “Evil triumphs in the world not because there are so many bad people but because of the indifference of good people.”

*2. Indifference is Blindness.*

Indifference to the plight of others is one of the great evils afflicting our world today. It is asking “what is my business?” when we can do something (no matter how little) to change another person’s story. Indifference is a form of blindness. Unlike the rich fool, God did not take the rich man’s life immediately. He had several opportunities to catch a glimpse of Lazarus but was technically blind to him. Sometimes, we get into useless competitions with those we think are richer than we are that we fail to notice the poor around us. We find it very hard to count our blessings because instead of taking into consideration those in far worse conditions, we keep comparing ourselves with those we think are better.

The truth is that there are billions of poor people in the world; billions suffering from all kinds of circumstances. Even Jesus (responding to Judas Iscariot concerning the woman who anointed his feet with costly ointment), noted that: “you will always have the poor with you.” (Matthew 26:11 & Mark 14:7). When we consider the enormity of poverty around us, we are tempted to ask; “What can I do? What difference can I even make?” These questions should not make us more indifferent, rather they should spur us to action. Jesus is not asking you to solve world poverty, instead, Jesus tells this story today so that we can open our eyes to see what is in our power to do. It wouldn’t have taken much from the rich man to help Lazarus but he was too blind to notice.

*3. God Hates Wastefulness.*

In as much as riches are blessings from God who gives to his children in abundance, God hates wastefulness. Therefore, after working the miracle of the loaves, when the multitudes had eaten enough, Jesus ordered his disciples to gather the scraps left over. (Cf. Mt. 14:20, Mk. 6:43, Lk. 9:17) Jesus tells us that the rich man wore purple clothes and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. It is one thing to be properly dressed, but a different thing to wear the most expensive clothes in the world. Again, it is one thing to have three square meals a day but a different thing to throw a feast (party) every single day.

One of the reasons we fail to help the poor is because we like to think of ourselves as poor when in fact, we do not notice our wastefulness. Rather than go for designer clothes, why can’t I go for the cheaper ones and use what is left to help one poor person who has no clothes to wear? Rather than cook a single pot of soup with fifty thousand naira, why don’t I cook the one of ten thousand and use the remaining forty thousand to help someone who has not eaten for many days now? As a girl for instance, rather than buy and fix human hair running into hundreds of thousands, why don’t I just plait my natural hair and use that money to buy sandals to poor school children who go to school barefooted daily. God is asking us today: “Where are your leftovers?”

*4. Be Good to People Especially When You Do Not Stand to Gain from Them.*

Why is that we humans treat people well when we consider them as beneficial to us and we treat others like flies when we feel they are useless to us? Let something bad happen to you and you will be shocked that even your friends who once licked the dust of your shoes will not even pick your call let alone respond to your message. This rich man who never gave Lazarus a cup of water to drink was asking for a little drop when he recognized Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. So he even knew that someone like Lazarus was in existence!

Once upon a time, I saw a short video clip. Every morning, there was this destitute beggar at the entrance of the shop of a successful trader. To drive him away, the trader would pour a bucket of water on this beggar’s body but the beggar kept using the place as his bedroom. One day, the trader opened his shop, he had his bucket of water in hand but the beggar was not there. He became worried and for the first time decided to review his CCTV camera. The trader discovered that all that time he was maltreating the beggar (never for once did he give him anything to eat), this destitute beggar was always helping to fight off a group of armed robbers who come at night trying to burgle his shop. That night, they had stabbed the beggar to death and that was why he didn’t have anyone to pour water on. What a pity!

The fact that you feel someone is useless to you does mean you have the right to treat him or her like garbage. The poor, dirty, smelly human being you see and ignore daily is Jesus and if you do not recognise Jesus in him/her, you would not recognize Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

*5. Lazarus Has Come Back to Warn us.*

The principal lesson of our Gospel passage today is found in the lips of the rich man. When he realized he could not get a drop of water, he cried: “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” (Luke 16:27-28). This is where the story becomes a living reality in our lives. In truth, we are hearing this message are the brothers of the rich man and Lazarus is here already and he is warning us. Are you going to listen? Or are you going to prove Abraham right that even if someone rises from the dead, we would not repent?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, break my cold heart of stone and teach me to recognize you in the poor. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C. Bible Study: Amos 6:1-7, Psalm 148 1st Timothy 6:11-16 & Luke 16:19-31)

Fear Not, You are Under the Shepherd’s Hands.

Friday 27^th September 2019. Read Zech. 2:5-9,10-11, Jer.31 & Luke 9:43-45

_“He who scattered Israel will gather him and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.” *(Jeremiah 31:10).*_

As this week comes to an end, the words of the Prophet Zechariah are worth holding on to. They are words of hope and encouragement spoken at a time of fear and despair. Zechariah says: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD.  And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of you.”

And to add to this, our Psalmist says: “The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.” In the midst of life’s challenges, it is easy for us to be overcome by fear. What is Fear? False expectations appearing real. It is normal and okay to be afraid; it is the body’s way of warning us against danger. However, it is not our fears that count but what we do despite these fears.

The man of faith has fears but he is not controlled by them. He is not moved by what his physical eyes see but what his spiritual eyes envisage. The man of faith remains calm and consistent not because he lacks any fear but because he knows he is under the shepherd’s hands. Like Jesus, he can afford to sleep soundly in a boat while the disciples were panicking for their lives. He can afford to sleep because he knows that God guards His children as a shepherd guards his flock.

The man of faith will continue doing what is right regardless of threats that come from different sides. Like Daniel, he would not just pray but even open his windows to pray despite hearing the decree from the king stating that no one should pray in the land. (Daniel 6:6-10).

Being humans, we cannot stop ourselves from being afraid, but we can decide to take our eyes off our fears; we can take our minds away from what we see on the national dailies; we can tune off the television and go offline on social media so that we can deliberately focus on the greatness of the God that we serve. It pays to count your blessings and recall the goodness of God in the past. It pays to retell your testimony because it reminds you that despite what your fears are right now, God is still in charge. He will not leave you forsaken.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus repeats the same sad news as we read yesterday, telling His disciples of His imminent death which would be followed by betrayal, agony, rejection and shame. Jesus’ disciples could not understand because they were taken over by fear. No one had ever risen from the dead before so it was too difficult for them to imagine that anything good would follow the death of Jesus. It was only after the resurrection that they understood what Jesus was saying. The reason you feel paralysed with fear now is that you find it hard to imagine a better tomorrow, you still cannot see any light at the end of your tunnel but know this, that if Jesus rose from the dead, your faith will never be in vain.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, my shepherd, teach me to remain strong despite my fears. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Zech. 2:5-9,10-11, Jer.31 & Luke 9:43-45)

Take Courage, Nothing Good Comes Easy.

Friday 27^th September 2019. Read Haggai 2:1-9, Psalm 43 and Luke 9:18-22.

_“The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” *(Luke 9:22)*_

When you begin a race, a journey or perhaps a new virtue, it is usually sweet and interesting at first, but as you get along, going forward becomes difficult, tough and even unbearable. You soon begin to feel as though you have no other option but to give up. The irony of life is that It is precisely when things become difficult that we must push forward, this is because that is when we are closest to victory. As the saying goes, the darkest part of the night is just before daybreak.

Nevertheless, what would keep you going is not merely hope but courage. To be courageous is going to knock on the same door you have been kicked out several times. To be courageous is to refuse to drop the cross you are carrying even when it seems your very life is at stake. Those who win in life are those prepared to die trying.

Addressing the leaders and people of Israel, Haggai in today’s first reading says: “Yet now TAKE COURAGE, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; TAKE COURAGE, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; TAKE COURAGE, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit abides among you; FEAR NOT. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.” (Haggai 2:4-6).

Courage is not merely the absence of fear, it is the knowledge that God is alive and He is with you always. The road to success is never smooth and easy, it is never broad and comfortable. As Jesus would say: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). These words of Jesus apply correctly to every aspect of our lives.

Nothing good comes easy. There would be hurdles along the way, tough sacrifices to be made, hard choices to be made. Jesus knew that achieving salvation for mankind was not going to happen on a platter of gold. He knew what was ahead and prepared himself mentally and adequately.

At a time Jesus’ popularity had grown (even Herod got to hear about Jesus and was expecting to see Him as we read in yesterday’s Gospel passage), just when his disciples felt nothing could possibly go wrong especially when Peter correctly identified Jesus as “The Christ of God”, Jesus announced: “The Son of man MUST SUFFER many things, and be REJECTED by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be KILLED, and on the third day be RAISED.” (Luke 9:23). This was a moment of glory for Jesus’ disciples yet Jesus punctured their joy and amazement by telling them of tough days ahead. No wonder, Peter tried to protest.

One lesson we learn from Jesus is the need to always tell ourselves the truth. It makes sense to say to myself “suffering awaits me but Glory will come” than to tell myself “I reject suffering, it shall be glory to glory.” It is better for us to tell ourselves the truth; nothing good comes easy and be courageous than for us to feel disappointed with God when things become tough.

Faith in God is not a shield against tough times; it is rather a defence that keeps us going in tough times. Everything you desire is on the other side of your fears, get up today and face them squarely. Take courage, you are closer to daybreak than you think. Take courage, God has not given up on you yet. You have tried and failed many times, go and try again.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus my big brother, grant me the grace of Courage especially when it matters most. Amen. St. Vincent De Paul, Pray for us.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Haggai 2, 1 to 9, Psalm 43 and Luke 9, 18 to 22)

Building the Family House.

Thursday 26^th September 2019. Read Haggai 1:1-8, Psalm 149 and Luke 9:7-9.

_“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” *(Haggai 1:4)*_

A few days ago, we read of how Jesus said that his mother and his brothers were those who hear the word of God and keep it, thereby making us part of his one family. The church can be likened to a family house; a place where we can rightfully call home, a place we look forward to always, a place to find forgiveness, redemption and calm after the world has dealt with us, a place to connect with family (the most important people in our lives).

The church is more than just a building; it is home yet like any home, care must be taken to maintain the physical structure and preserve it so that there is a constant longing to visit this house. As the Psalmist would sing: “I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:1-3). Is there a longing in you, a sense of joy when you are going to the house of God? If not, then there is a problem.

David asked the prophet, Nathan, an important question, one that we must ask ourselves too: “How can I be dwelling in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent?” (2^nd Samuel 7:2). Even though David had the money and resources, God did not permit him to build but showered countless blessings on him for merely indicating to build. Whenever we have the resources, we should consider it the greatest privilege of our lives to partake of the building (and maintenance) of the house of God. it is our duty to ensure that the house of God remains a place of deep longing; a place that merely thinking of going fills our hearts with joy.

Hear what the prophet Haggai says in today’s first reading: “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, while this house lies in ruins?  Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:4-6).

God will not hold anyone responsible if he or she does not have the means of building. Rather, God is saying: “if you can afford to build a befitting house for yourself, you should not neglect the building that houses your Father (your family building; the church).” When you do not consider it important to build the house of God, you may end up spending your money on things that bear no fruits.

As much as the church is a place where God dwells, our bodies are likewise temples of God. If we do not maintain our inner purity and sanctity, this temple that is our body would lie in ruins and what the prophet Haggai says in our first reading becomes applicable in our lives. Maintaining our spiritual selves does not require money, it demands self-discipline; being watchful of the kind of thoughts we accommodate in our hearts. As St. Peter would say: “Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary, the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).

In other words, maintaining our spiritual selves is ensuring that God has a space in our minds at all time. Do not be like Herod who was trying to see Jesus only because he wanted to see a miracle.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me how to reverence the church and bless me as I build my inner temple for you. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Haggai 1:1-8, Psalm 149 and Luke 9:7-9)

The Call to Ministry and Its Implications.

Wednesday 25^th September 2019. Read Ezra 9:5-9, Psalm (Tobit 13) and Luke 9:1-6.

_“Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.” *(Luke 9:3)*_

Going through our readings today, there is one word that seems to connect both: ministry. While our first reading presents us with the exercise of the ministry by Ezra the priest, our Gospel passage presents us the commissioning of the twelve to the ministry by Jesus Christ. To some extent, we see in these readings two major dimensions of ministry; the contemplative (or religious, as represented by Ezra praying for the people with his garments torn) and the secular (or active; as represented by the twelve going out to win souls for God).

There are two ways to serve in the vineyard of God; one by the commitment to a life of prayer (as we see practised by the secluded religious, some of whom never leave the monastery or convent) and two; by actively going out to engage the people (as we see in priests and religious involved in various aspects of parish duties, technology and media, school/medical apostolate, care-giving, religious entertainment and so on). The truth is that neither is superior to the other as both are needed for the continual spread of the Gospel to all nations.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus clearly spelt out the implications of the ministry to the twelve and this includes: a recognition of power and authority over all demons, the ability to cure diseases (the gift of healing), continuous preaching of the word of God, the spirit of poverty (taking nothing for the journey, not even a spare tunic), and above all staying with the people.

Without these core values, the work of ministry fails to serve its true purpose. For instance, without a sense of poverty (taking nothing for the journey), ministry becomes merely an occupation rather than a vocation. A few days ago, we read from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy where he warned the young Bishop against making money a god. St. Peter would clarify further saying: “Tend the flock of God that is in your charge … not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it-- not for sordid gain but eagerly.” (1 Peter 5:2).

One lesson we learn from our readings today is the need for constant prayer, especially for our nation. Just as Ezra tore his clothes (a sign of mourning/repentance) and prayed fervently to God on behalf of the nation, we are called to do the same. Nevertheless, as the prophet Joel would clarify, it is more important that we rend our hearts (repent) than our garments. “Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful.” (Joel 2:13). As we pray for our nation, let us increase our prayer for our leaders as well as our religious ministers. Prayer is the key.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, transform my prayer life for good. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ezra 9:5-9, Psalm (Tobit 13) and Luke 9:1-6)

The Special Family of Jesus.

Tuesday 24^th September 2019. Read Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20, Psalm 122 and Luke 8:19-21.

_“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” *(Luke 8:21)*_

If there is one passage of Scripture that I have heard Non-Catholics quote in the attempt to present Mary, the mother of Jesus, as an ordinary woman who had other children for Joseph her husband, it is today’s Gospel passage. I have seen books on Christian Religious Education written for school children where it is clearly stated that Mary was only a virgin before the birth of Jesus and after the birth of Jesus, she had other children who are referred to as the “brothers of Jesus.”

Unfortunately, such books with this heretical doctrine have found their way even catholic schools. Not surprisingly, I have dialogued with fellow Catholics who hold the opinion that Mary had other children besides Jesus Christ. Now, the question is: “What is the big deal if Mary had other children?” To answer this question, we need to ask, who are these other children? What does the existence of other children say about our entire Christian Faith? Is it a sin for a married woman to have children? In other words, does having other children reduce the honour we give to Mary as the Mother of God?

We begin with the last question. Now, even if it were true that Mary had other children, it would in no way reduce her status as the Mother of God. To say Mary is the Mother of God is to acknowledge that Jesus is not just a man but God himself. Anyone who denies that Mary is the Mother of God is also denying that Jesus is God and such a person cannot be a Christian. (Cf. Romans 10:9 and 1^st John 4:3).

To accuse Catholics of idolatry due to the honour (hyperdulia) we give to Mary is to indirectly accuse God of doing something wrong by making Mary the Ark of the Covenant in the new testament (that is, honouring Mary by becoming flesh in her womb). When you read the Old Testament, you cannot but notice how the children of God treated the Ark of the Covenant. For instance, would you call it idolatry when David danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it was being returned to Israel? Would you say the whole of Israel was idolatrous? Anyone who thinks Mary is nothing may as well consider the Ark of the Covenant as nothing.

Of course, it is not a sin for a married woman to have children with her legally married husband. It would never have been a sin if Mary had decided to have other children for Joseph and this would never have reduced her place in the eyes of God but truth has to be told. Mary had already taken a vow of consecrated virginity to God before her marriage with Joseph. This was why even though she was already betrothed to Joseph (Luke 1:27), she still asked the Angel Gabriel “how shall this be since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34). If she was planning to have sexual relations with the man she was already betrothed to, she would never have asked the Angel such a question. When you tell a girl whose introduction has been done that she would have a child, of course, she wouldn’t ask you how.

How can this be? What kind of marriage do people enter and yet plan not be married? This is using our modern-day mindset to read a culture that is thousands of years old. It is assuming that Mary and Joseph lived in the twenty-first century. Yes, it is possible in that culture for a woman to be under vows of celibacy and yet married. The book of Numbers states Numbers 6:2 “When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD.” Coming down to Numbers 30:6-7 we read: “And if she is married to a husband, while under her vows or any thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she has bound herself, and her husband hears of it, and says nothing to her on the day that he hears; then her vows shall stand, and her pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand.”

Going further, in Numbers 30:13-15 we read: “Any vow and any binding oath to afflict herself, her husband may establish, or her husband may make void. But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows, or all her pledges, that are upon her; he has established them because he said nothing to her on the day that he heard of them.  But if he makes them null and void after he has heard of them, then he shall bear her iniquity.” This is the reason why Joseph would not even try to have sexual relations with her after marriage. Bear in mind that as at that time, the only Bible they had was the Old Testament.

So who are these “brothers” and even “sisters” of Jesus mentioned in several places in the Gospels? This is where it becomes very interesting. First, bear in mind that the Greek terminology which translates as ‘brother’ also translates for cousin and even distant relations. Secondly, bear in mind that the same New Testament mentions another Mary (different from the Mary the Mother of Jesus) who was the mother of James and John. (Cf. Matthew 27:61, Matthew 28:1, Luke 24:10 and Acts 12:12). We also believe that this other Mary is the sister (perhaps a relative) of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. John 19:25 reads: “…standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” Thirdly, and most importantly, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus himself says: “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21). In fact, it is even clearer in Matthew 12:50 and Mark 3:35. That is to say, the existence of brothers and sisters of Jesus should never be considered as a minus as far as Mary’s perpetual virginity is concerned because we ourselves are those brothers and sisters of Jesus, we ourselves are the children of Mary.

Yes, if you are a Christian at all and you are doing the will of God, then know that you are also a member of the family of Jesus, and if you accept that Jesus has only one Mother, then you are a child of Mary. How would you treat your mother?

Again, going back to this passage, you may wonder, why didn’t Jesus leave the crowd to attend to his mother and ‘brothers’? Wouldn’t this have been a sign of honour show to his own mother? Firstly, note that Jesus has a special style of teaching. He always used graphic illustrations, parables, stories and took advantage of every situation to send a very strong message. In this case, Jesus used the occasion to teach us the IMPORTANCE OF DOING THE WILL OF GOD. If the person who interrupted Jesus to tell him about the presence of his mother and ‘brothers’ taught it was important for Jesus to stop and attend to them, Jesus was saying that it is equally important that we are not only hearers but doers of the word of God.

Secondly, note that Matthew, Mark and Luke reported this story yet none of them told us what happened after Jesus uttered this instructional statement. Why should we assume that Jesus ignored them completely and continued to teach? Note that in Matthew and Mark’s version, this story concludes the chapter while in Luke’s version, the next thing we hear after Jesus made this statement is “One day, he got into a boat….” This means that other things happened that are not reported here. Jesus would not ignore Mary and his ‘brothers’ just like that. At least the story of the wedding feast at Cana reported in John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus would not refuse a request from his Mother.

In conclusion, Mary is not just any woman in the Bible. Fine, she is the handmaid of the Lord (Luke 1:38) but she is not an envelope that was used and dumped by God. God does not use and dump human beings. And if at all, we ever think of Mary as a container, then at least, we cannot deny that she is the ARK OF THE COVENANT which of course, cannot be dumped anyhow! Mary deserves our respect. In respecting her, we are deepening our faith in the Divinity of Jesus Christ and worshipping God. There is no competition between her and God. God alone receives all the honour and glory just as a very beautiful person reminds you of the glory of God, the perfect artist, examining Mary’s place in salvation history only increases your devotion to God from whom all things come.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to remain ever conscious of my identity as a lamp and more importantly of my identity as your brother and sister. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20, Psalm 122 and Luke 8:19-21)

I am Light; I Cannot Hide.

Monday 23^rd September 2019. Read Ezra 1:1-6, Psalm 126 and Luke 8:16-18

_“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to the light.” *(Luke 8:16-17)*_

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16).

The type of light in this analogy is the oil lamp. For those who have seen an oil lamp (like the kerosene lamp we use at night), you would agree with me that any attempt to hide the lamp without first quenching it could be fatal. This means that as Christians if we are not making any impact in our society, our light has been quenched.

Jesus wants us to understand that as Christians, we are just like that lamp. We cannot hide. There should be no skeletons in our cupboards. Whatever we would not be proud of disclosing to others, we should not even partake of at all. There is no secret that ever remains a secret forever. One day, it will be exposed.

Whenever we are faced with a temptation, it will do us well to say this phrase repeatedly: “I am light; I cannot hide.” Indeed, as St. Paul says, the safest life is to “live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27).

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to remain ever conscious of my identity as a lamp. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ezra 1:1-6, Psalm 126 and Luke 8:16-18)*

Fr. Abu.

Be Wise: Prepare for Judgement Day.

_(Sunday 22^nd September 2019. Read Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 113, 1 Timothy 2:1-8 and Luke 16:1-13)_

_“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?” *(Luke 16:11-12)*_

Last Sunday, Jesus gave us three parables to illustrate the extent and power of God’s abundant mercy in response to the scribes and Pharisees who felt Jesus was doing something wrong by associating with sinners. Today, Jesus tells us a rather intriguing story about an unjust steward who was commended by his master for his rather crafty behaviour.

Unlike the parables Jesus gave last Sunday which are simple and straightforward, the parable of the unjust steward is quite confusing and crafty at face value. Is Jesus recommending dishonesty as a means of getting into heaven? Why would the master praise the steward for using his (the master’s) wealth to make friends for himself? What exactly are the lessons that Jesus seeks to teach us today?

*1. We Are all Stewards; This World Is Not Ours.*

The first lesson we learn from this parable is the fact that we are merely stewards of everything we consider to belong to us. As Job would remind us: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I shall return.” (Job 1:21). Since we came to this world naked, empty, senseless and fragile, it would amount to mere foolishness for us to assume that anything belongs to us. Like stewards put in charge of riches belonging to another person, we are just account managers and we must relinquish all that we presently control one day; a day we do not know. This calls for humility on our part.

*2. As Stewards, We Can Never Hide Anything from God.*  

Recall that Joseph was a steward in Potiphar’s house and due to his diligence coupled with God’s blessing, Potiphar’s wealth increased exponentially. (Genesis 39:2-6). Even to this day, wealthy people usually employ others to manage their funds. The truth is that having entrusted your wealth to others, it is very possible to be cheated without knowing it. (For instance, you cannot operate an account in Nigeria today without being subjected to multiple bank charges often coded with different names). As we see in this parable, a report was brought to the Master that the steward was wasting his goods. As much as humans can be deceived, God cannot be deceived. We can never hide anything from Him.

*3. The Steward is Praised Not for Dishonesty but for His Proactiveness.*

Now, we come to the crux of the matter. The master praised the steward not because of what he did but because of his prudence. The steward upon realizing when the books would be opened, there was just no way he would retain his job acted ahead. He thought carefully about what to do and decided to use his master’s money (the debt others were owing) to do charity by reducing this debt. At face value, even this action of the steward appears unlawful in that you are not supposed to do charity with money that does not belong to you. But come to think of it, is there really anything that belongs to us? Since we came naked to this world, can we claim ownership of anything?

In other words, Jesus is teaching us first to think carefully like this steward of what shall become of us after our death (when we are relieved of our stewardship) and secondly, to use “what does not belong to us now” to be charitable to others so that like this steward, we would be welcomed into Paradise. This immediately takes us back to a theme that has been recurring Sunday after Sunday; the importance of charity to the poor and needy. Recall the parable of the rich fool? In truth, on the day of judgement, it is our kindness to others that will speak on our behalf. As Jesus taught us a few Sundays ago: “Sell your possessions and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” (Luke 12:33)

On last day, Jesus would say to us: “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25:34-36). Sing: _Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto me._ Jesus says to us today: “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon so that when it fails, they may receive you into eternal habitations.” This brings us to our next lesson for today.

*4. The Evil of Social Injustice: How Do You Treat the Poor?*

As Jesus says to us, “he who is faithful in very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If you then have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust you with true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what is not yours, who will give you what is yours?” Our first reading is a perfect description of this unfaithfulness that Jesus is talking about. Amos tells of persons who, having made a god of riches, connive to dupe people by distorting the scales thereby selling the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.

We are unfaithful stewards when we tell lies to make money, when we cheat our customers when we sell fake products even for higher the price of genuine products. We are unfaithful stewards when we treat the poor and needy as though they do not exist. In a society like ours where government officials are the highest paid in the world compared to their counterparts, a society where senators and legislators are paid sitting allowances, wardrobe allowances, stress allowances, sleeping allowances where billions of naira are approved for official vehicles every four years, it is totally incomprehensible that our government cannot pay a minimum wage of just N30,000 (less than 100dollars) as monthly salary.

God speaking through Amos today says: “Surely, I will never forget any of their deeds.” As leaders in whatever capacity we find ourselves, let us always think of the poor; not just the beggars in the street, but those who, no matter how hard they work or their educational attainment cannot rise above a certain level of poverty. The level of insecurity in our land and the seeming helplessness of our security forces is already an indication of silent but dangerous revolution brewing on the way. Our leaders must wake up to this fact before things get out of hand. This again takes us the next lesson.

*5. Let us Pray for our Leaders.*

Last Sunday, we saw how Moses prayed for the Israelites when they sinned against God by erecting a golden statue for themselves as an object of worship against the first commandment that God had just given to them. God was almost at the point of giving up on them but Moses prayed and God changed his mind towards the people. Our final lesson for today comes from our second reading where St. Paul writing to Timothy encourages us to always pray for our leaders. In truth, “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” We do a great evil when we only criticise our leaders (pointing out their errors) without taking our time to pray for them.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen in me a sense of wisdom to use what appears to be mine to care for the poor and needy that I may not be turned out from the gate of heaven. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. Bible Study: Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 113, 1 Timothy 2:1-8 and Luke 16:1-13)