The Christian Life and the Battle with Temptations.

Sunday 1^st March 2020. Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7, Psalm 51, Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11.

_“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  2 And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.” *(Matthew 4:1-2)*_ 

The practice of Lent takes its origin from the forty days and forty nights Jesus spent in the wilderness just before He began His public ministry. The whole essence of Lent, therefore, is for us to journey with Jesus in the wilderness, hence, it is fitting that on this first Sunday of Lent, we examine the temptations of Jesus and its lessons for us.

*1. Why do we Face Temptations?*

Matthew tells us that “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” thus giving the impression that the reason Jesus went to the wilderness was just to experience these temptations. Can we say temptations are necessary? Again, why did God plant the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden at all when He as God knew that Adam and Eve could be tempted?

Asking if the temptations are necessary is just like asking if examinations are necessary for students in school. In other words, temptations are good for us in the sense that they help us know where we really stand with God, they help us know what our true convictions are and the depth of our knowledge and understanding of God. If we must grow spiritually, we must face temptations.

It is easy to boast about our love for God, our high moral standards, our holiness and so on, but it is not until we successfully pass through temptations and come out without falling that we actually know who we are. In the three temptations of Jesus, we find a summary of all the temptations we face as humans which as St. John puts it are: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.” (1 John 2:16).

*2. How to Overcome the Lust of the Flesh. (First Temptation).*

Jesus was hungry, his body craved for food. Behold the devil said: “If you are the son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Adam and Eve wandered about the garden, they had tasted everything else but the forbidden tree. Behold the devil came around saying: “You will not die…your eyes will be opened, you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” In both instances, the devil sought to use the lust of the flesh, that is, our natural bodily craving for carnal satisfaction; fun, food, drinks, sweet things, sexual pleasure and other material comforts.

As St. Paul puts it: “The works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit,  envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God…. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:19- 24). Adam and Eve fell because they could not resist the urge to satisfy their flesh but Jesus was willing to crucify the flesh (to deny himself), despite his legitimate hunger. The lust of the flesh is usually the first temptation, it is our basic temptation as humans.

The secret of overcoming the lust of the flesh is to be grounded in the word of God. In the case of Adam and Eve, the devil twisted the word (instruction, command) of God making them believe God did not really say they were not to eat of any tree they wanted. Meanwhile, Jesus overcame by pointing out the importance of the word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In this way, Jesus undid the mistake of Adam and Eve as St. Paul explains in today’s second reading. This was truly a great victory. Make God’s word a priority and you will find the strength to overcome your flesh.

*3. How to Overcome the Pride of Life (Second Temptation).*

Somehow, we all long to lord it over others; we long to make ourselves gods in the eyes of others; we want people to praise us, clap for us and even worship us. We all crave for power. The devil sought to exploit this particular human trait when he took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and asked him to jump down so that people would see it and think Jesus came down from heaven.

The devil even went as far as quoting the Bible to convince Jesus. It is interesting to note that in all of these three temptations, the devil was trying to make Jesus misuse His power as God in human flesh. Just as Jesus would not use his power selfishly to turn stones to bread, Jesus refused to use his power to draw praise and attention to himself. This explains why Jesus warned those he healed not to broadcast it. Jesus never sought the applause of people unlike our modern-day healers (miracle workers) who even ascribe all the glory to themselves. (One said recently that he is going to China to destroy the coronavirus).

Jesus knew how wonderful it would be to be praised by people yet Jesus realized that by jumping down, He would be putting God to the test. He said to the devil: “You shall not tempt the Lord Your God.” The secret of overcoming this temptation is prayer. This is because prayer reminds us of our nothingness before God, it helps us to humble ourselves and conquer our pride. Also, prayer helps us develop a deep trust in God such that we no longer need God to prove Himself to us by signs and wonders.

*4. How to Overcome the Lust of the Eyes. (Third Temptation).*

The devil then showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, the palatial mansions, lands, cars, gold and silver, in short, all the beautiful things in this world saying they would be given to Jesus so long as he worships the devil. Think of the many lies we tell, the figures we falsify, the various ways we steal, the evils we do and so on just to become rich, just to show off in the best, the latest and the cosiest.

St. John calls these things the lust of the eyes because they are simply for the looking, they never bring us any true satisfaction deep within. No wonder Adam Smith describes the human creature as an insatiable being. We just can’t get enough of this world’s riches.

The secret of overcoming this temptation is making God our priority, seeking first God’s kingdom and its righteousness, worshipping God and not the things created by God. Very often, we fall for this temptation because we make money, riches and fancy things our gods. Jesus said to Satan, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.”

*Conclusion (Use the Three Keys of Lent).*

While prayer helps to check our pride, fasting helps us control the flesh and almsgiving prevents us from being carried away by the desire for riches. Above all, use this season of Lent to improve your study of the word of God. Be alert to temptations. Be on your guard and be quick to call on God for help whenever you feel lured or enticed to sin.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, endow me with the grace to overcome temptations. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (First Sunday of Lent. Year A. Bible Study: Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7, Psalm 51, Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11).

Focus on the Log in Your Eye, Not the Speck in Others.

Saturday 29^th February 2020. Read Isaiah 58:9-14, Psalm 86, and Luke 5:27-32)_

_“If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” *(Isaiah 58:9-10)*_ 

It is so easy to notice the speck in my neighbours’ eye but somehow, I have come to love the log in my own eye. It is so easy to preach to others but I find it extremely difficult to examine my conscience. I may be a very good doctor, but if I never admit my own sickness, I could die without medical attention.

Isaiah mentions the pointing of the finger and speaking of wickedness among the sins which God hates, sins which nullify our fasting and prayer. This was the sin of the Pharisees who not only accused Levi of being a sinner but accused Jesus of doing what was evil by eating with sinners.

The Pharisees failed to realize that in converting a sinner, showing them love works magic. And this is exactly what Jesus was doing. Isaiah tells us this morning to: “pour ourselves out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted that our light my rise in the darkness.” Do you know that you could convert more souls by showing them kindness than by judging and condemning them?

Like Levi, Jesus is inviting us to dine with him this season of Lent; to leave our past behind, to restore all that we have stolen, to return all that we have defrauded, to rebuild the bridges we have burnt, to cease from the bad habits we have formed; to bring our friends to Jesus.

As we say in the Stations of the Cross, “no matter what my past has been, I can begin anew.” Go for confession. Receive the love that Jesus is offering you. Begin afresh. Question for today: “What are those things I can do to restore my friendship with Jesus?”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I wholly follow you leaving sin behind. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Isaiah 58:9-14, Psalm 86, and Luke 5:27-32).*

Fr. Abu

The Fasting That Pleases God.

Friday 28^th February 2020. Read Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51, and Matthew 9:14-15)_

_“Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?” *(Isaiah 58:4-5)*_

The disciples of John asked Jesus: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” It is possible that the disciples of Jesus were fasting but did not show it. As Jesus told us in our Gospel passage on Ash Wednesday: “When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. … When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

However, even if the disciples of Jesus were not fasting, there was no need to fast because Jesus, the bridegroom, was right there. We should not fast because it is a fasting season or because everyone around us is fasting. Our fasting must have a genuine purpose and must be done according to the mind of God.

Fasting is not merely a deprivation from food or other pleasurable things, it is a spiritual exercise that involves our whole being. If fasting, we are engaged in quarrelling, fighting or acts of wickedness, Isaiah says these things will prevent our fasting from reaching heaven.

If you must fast, let not your hunger become an occasion for anger, fighting or bitterness. It is better to eat well and control your temper than to allow your hunger to push you into sin.

The type of fasting that pleases God is: “to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, to break every yoke… to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him” (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Fasting is good but your fasting is useless if nobody benefits from it. Fast from selfishness, fast from self-centeredness, leave your comfort zone, visit the poor, the lonely, the oppressed, those who have nowhere to stay or cannot afford to buy clothes and help as much as you can.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, may my fast find favour in your sight. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51, and Matthew 9:14-15).

Choose Wisely.

Thursday 27^th February 2020. Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1, and Luke 9:22-25.

_“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.” *(Deuteronomy 30:19)*_

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses tells us the God has set before us life (good) and death (evil), blessings and curses. God who made you without your cooperation will not save you without your cooperation.

God will never force His way on us. It is always going to be up to us to decide what becomes of us through the choices we make on a daily basis. We are free to choose but we are not free to avoid the consequences of our choices.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends out an open invitation to us, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me for whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.”

Note that Jesus began with the word “If”. This no one is forced to follow Jesus. It is a decision that has to come from your heart, a choice to deny yourself, to take up your cross every day and follow behind Jesus.

The best choice in this season of Lent is self-denial. We are called to fast (deny ourselves from pleasures), pray (deny ourselves from pride) and give alms (deny ourselves from greed and selfishness).

We live in a world where no one wants to hear about self-denial. Everyone seeks the easy way, the path of pleasure and comfort but Jesus says: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Question for today: “From what can I deny myself today as an offering to God?”

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, save me from wrong choices. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1, and Luke 9:22-25).

The Best Time to Repent is Now.

Wednesday 26^th February 2020. Read Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 50, 2nd Corinthians 5:20-6:2 and Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18)_

_“Yet even now,” says the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” *(Joel 2:12-13)*_

According to Pope Francis: “Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God “with all their hearts” (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive.”

The summary of our readings today is: “no matter what the past has been, now is the time to return back to God and this return must be real not a mere an external show.”

Every year, the voice of the Prophet Joel ushers us into the season of Lent with a beautiful message of hope that begins with two powerful words: “EVEN NOW”. If you are alive today and are able to read or listen to this message, it means God has given you another chance. It is not too late to return with all your heart to him.

St. Paul in our second reading adds: “Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Procrastination, they say is the thief of time. Never keep until tomorrow whatever good you can do today because you do not know what day would be your last day on earth.

This very fact is what is symbolized by the ashes we receive today. “Remember that you are dust and unto dust, you shall return.” Ashes remind us of our own death; the fact that one day, we shall become dust, the fact that we profit nothing if we gain the world and lose our souls.

Make the most of this Lent. Apply yourself fully to all the spiritual exercises with sincerity and a genuine purpose. Do not show off. As Joel says: “Rend your heart, not your garment.” And as Jesus says: “Beware of practising your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for you will have no reward in heaven.”

During this Lenten season, the church offers us certain great keys to aid our return to God. These include prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Fasting from food helps to discipline the flesh and put its desires to check but it must be accompanied by more time devoted to prayer. Secondly, if we must fast from food, we must feed the hungry. Your fast will not be complete without charity and almsgiving.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, grant me the grace of genuine repentance. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 50, 2nd Corinthians 5:20-6:2 and Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18).*

Our Love for the Things of the World is the cause of all our Troubles.

Tuesday 25^th February 2020. Read James 4:1-10, Psalm 55 and Mark 9:30-37.

_“Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.” *(James 4:7-8)*_

The greatest enemy of any man is himself; that is, his desires and ambitions for material greatness and worldly success. This is the root cause of all our problems. It is what brings division and quarrels among people and as James says, it is the reason why our prayers are not often answered.

In our Gospel passage, we see this play out as the disciples of Jesus were arguing among themselves who was the greatest. Jesus had just told them how he would be delivered into the hands of men and killed but instead of reflecting on this this, their ambition for greatness was almost tearing them apart.

If Jesus had not intervened by using a child to illustrate the true meaning of greatness, this would have been the beginning of bitter quarrels and fights among the disciples. St. James goes straight to the point when he said:

“What causes wars and what causes fighting among you? Is it not your passions at war in your members? You desire (to have, to be a leader, to drive the biggest car, to own the most expensive home, etc. etc.) and you do not have; so you kill. And you covet (envy the rich and powerful) and

cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war.” (James 4:1-2).

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said: “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Today, we who claim to be Christians seek first the things of this world while our aspiration for God’s kingdom and righteousness is only secondary. Check out any church banner today and you will see things like: “come and receive your miracle,” “God will do it for you” “it is your time for prosperity.” Etc.

Our worship of God today has been reduced to our quest for material goods and God sees our heart, he knows what we are really after when we come to him. As St. James says this is the reason why our prayers are not granted. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions… do you not know friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:3-4).

If the only reason why I remember to pray is to have my fill of the world’s goods, then I do not actually worship God, I worship what I think God can give to me. Our psalmist puts it clearly: “Entrust your cares to the Lord and he will support you.” Let God know your needs but know that your greatest need is God himself. There will never be a time that you will be satisfied completely with what this world has to offer. It is always going to be one achievement after another.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, purify my intentions; free me from the love of this world; teach me to love my neighbour as myself rather than engage in wars over material desires. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: James 4:1-10, Psalm 55 and Mark 9:30-37).

Wisdom From Above Versus Devilish Wisdom.

(Monday 24^th February 2020. Read James 3:13-18, Psalm 19 and Mark 9:14-29)_

_“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. *(James 3:16-17)*_

In his letter to the Corinthians which we read yesterday, we heard St. Paul say: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). St. James seems to reiterate this point when he speaks of wisdom from above as different from wisdom from below.

While the wisdom from above is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, mercy, steadfastness and truthfulness, the wisdom from below is earthly, unspiritual, devilish characterized by selfishness and all kinds of evil practices. The question is: “What kind of wisdom do I operate with?” As Jesus would tell us, we cannot serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13).

If I choose to tell lies thinking I am such a smart person, I am operating by the devilish wisdom which is from below. My telling of lies may land me into a lot of wealth but by so doing, I would be worshipping to the devil the father of all liars. Recall that the devil promised Jesus all the riches in the world if only Jesus agreed to worship him. (Luke 4:5-7).

When we operate by devilish wisdom, we find ourselves in constant competition with others and we are always thinking of all kinds of evil ways to outsmart them. Instead of loving our neighbours as ourselves, treating others as we would like to be treated, devilish wisdom fuels selfishness in us, it brings about disorder in society and man’s inhumanity to man.

You are not being smart or clever when you speak ill of another person, (character defamation) just to climb or advance in your career or business. No, you are just being devilish. While wisdom from below seeks the downfall of others, wisdom from above seeks the wellbeing of others; it is pure, kind and merciful.

The disciples of Jesus are embarrassed that despite all their efforts, they could cure a boy who had a mute and deaf spirit. Jesus referred to them as a “faithless generation.” The question is if the disciples had no faith at all, would they have attempted to cure this boy? Secondly, we recall that in Mark 6, Jesus sent out these same disciples on mission. They “went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. (Mark 6:12-13). Meaning that this was not their first attempt at curing the sick. 

Firstly, this episode also teaches us never to allow pride to get into us. The fact that you have been laying your hands on the sick and they recover, the fact that you have even raised the dead to life before does not make you “Deputy Jesus.” Do not begin to beat your chest because without God’s power working through you, you are nothing.

Secondly, we learn from these disciples was the humility they displayed by going to ask Jesus in private what went wrong. Develop the practice of going to meet Jesus quietly every day. Dedicate time for personal prayer and meditation. Some persons spend one hour daily before the Blessed Sacrament.

Thirdly, Jesus told them that “this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” That is to say, there are different categories of evil spirits and some require serious preparation on our part to cast them out. The disciples could not have prayed and fasted at that very moment so what Jesus was saying, in essence, is that they should always be prepared ahead of time.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, infuse into me wisdom from above. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Monday of the 7th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study:  James 3:13-18, Psalm 19 and Mark 9:14-29).

Always Aim for Perfection.

Sunday 23^rd February 2020. Read Leviticus 19:1-2.17-18, Psalm 103, 1st Corinthians 3:16-23 and Matthew 5:38-48.

_“If you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” *(Matthew 5:46-47)*_

Last Sunday, Jesus taught us that if our righteousness does not exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees, we would not enter heaven. We cannot afford to be average Christians, in fact, Jesus admonishes us to be perfect just as God our Father is perfect. As the saying goes: “Mediocrity is the killer of genius but the struggle for perfection brings out the real star in you.” How can we become perfect Christians? Jesus answers this question by outlining various lessons for us today.

*1. To be Perfect, Love Those Who Hate You.*

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:38-41)

To be perfect like God, we must learn not to retaliate when we are hurt. As our Psalmist reminds us, “it is he forgives all your sins, who crowns you with mercy and compassion… he is slow to anger, he does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults….” Think of the many times we sin against God. Imagine that everything we offend God, he immediately retaliates by sending one or two calamities our way. How many of us would still be alive today?

Forgiveness is the heart of Christian perfection. Peter once asked Jesus: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22). To forgive, you must have an ample dosage of meekness; the willingness to overlook the faults of others, willingness to make sacrifices and willingness to surrender our rights.

*2. To be Perfect, Help Those Who Beg from You.*

Generosity to the poor is an indispensable aspect of perfection. As St. James would teach us, our faith is useless if we cannot put food on the hungry stomachs around us. (Cf. James 2:15-17). When Jesus talked about giving to those who beg from us, he was speaking from the context of helping those who may have hurt us repeatedly in the past but are now coming to ask for our favours. “Do not refuse him who will borrow from you” even when he or she has refused to pay the past debt.

This is a very difficult thing to do but as Isaiah says, “… Share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, cover him, and do not to hide yourself from your own flesh… Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’” (Isaiah 58:7-9)

*3. To be Perfect, Pray for Your Enemies.*

As Jesus puts it, if we love our friends and family members, we are not different from the unbelievers. If we claim to be children of God, we must behave like God who “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45). If we are really children of God, we would not keep malice with people, we would not carry grudges in our heart, we would show kindness even to our worst enemies, we would wish well for those who have done us great harm.

You may wonder, when Jesus says we should pray for our enemies, what kind of prayer was he talking about? Is it the prayer we hear in our churches today? Did Jesus ever ask us to pray for the death of our enemies? Did Jesus ever ask us to call “Holy Ghost fire” to burn our enemies? Come to think of it, how did Jesus pray for his own enemies? “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34).

When next you find yourself in a gathering where everyone is excitedly pouring forth curses upon their enemies, just know you are not in a Christian gathering. God is not and can never become a weapon for fighting our enemies. I enjoin our prayer warriors in the church to stop behaving like juju priests (babalawos, witch doctors, etc.) and learn to bless rather than curse our enemies.

*4. To be Perfect, Start Thinking like God.*

Perfection begins from the heart which is the cooking pot that produces our day to day activities. To achieve Christian perfection, we must go beyond conventional wisdom. The fact that “everybody is doing it” does not make it right. As St. Paul explains in our second reading, the wisdom of the world is foolishness in the eyes of God and if we must be Christians at all, we must become fools to the world.

For instance, in the eyes of the world, forgiveness is foolishness. There have been a lot of debate in our country as to the rationality of releasing 1400 “repentant” Boko Haram members back to society. Even a wild spread outrage was sparked when the Senate proposed (not yet passed) a bill to create an agency for repentant Boko Haram members. I saw a picture trending on social media which quoted the President of Russia as saying: “It is God’s job to forgive terrorists but it is my job to send them to meet God.” Can we say we are Christians if we cannot forgive?

Secondly, in the eyes of the world, our bodies are simply designed for pleasure and we are free to do whatever we so desire with it meanwhile as St. Paul tells us today, “you are God’s temple.” Do not be surprised that in your efforts to stay pure and keep away from immorality, people (even fellow Christians) will laugh at you, call you names and make you feel like a looser. Remember the words of Jesus: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19) 

*Conclusion: Love Your Neighbour As Yourself.*

Our first reading today beautifully sums everything for us by concluding with “you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.” For the sake of the God that you serve, start treating people exactly the way you would love to be treated even if the people in question do not deserve it. Be Nice, don’t hate, wish people well, forgive and just let it go.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, I realize I am so far from perfection, help me to start loving my enemies, help me to forgive and let go when I am hurt, help me to pray good prayers only for those who hate me, help me to remain undefiled by the world. Amen.

*Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: Leviticus 19:1-2.17-18, Psalm 103, 1st Corinthians 3:16-23 and Matthew 5:38-48).*

Fr. Abu

Leadership Requires Knowledge.

Friday 21^st February 2020. Read James 2:14-24&26, Psalm 112 and Mark 8:34-9:1.

_“Blessed are you, Simon Barjona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.” *(Matthew 16:17-18)*_

The saying remains forever true that: “Leaders are Readers.” To be a leader at all, one must have some amount of knowledge but to be a good leader, one must have the right kind of knowledge. Furthermore, to be a spiritual leader, one must know God; that is, one must have the capacity of hearing from the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus asked his disciples about his identity in Matthew 16, Jesus was basically testing the disciples. He wanted to know which of them the Holy Spirit would minister to. Up till that moment, Jesus was just a mystery to his disciples; a puzzle they couldn’t crack.

In Mathew 8:27, we see how the disciples in their confusion and utter amazement wondered aloud: “What sort of man is this, that even winds and the sea obey him?” For Peter to have given the right answer, Jesus knew it wasn’t just Peter speaking, it was the Holy Spirit. “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 16:17.

By displaying his ability to hear from God the Father, Jesus immediately made Peter the visible head of the church. Jesus was confident that the same Holy Spirit that spoke to Peter that day at Caesarea Philippi would continue to speak to him to make the right decisions, to say the right words and carry out the right actions to move the church forward.

As a man, Peter was weak, often frightened, erratic, quarrelsome and faithless; he tried to dissuade Jesus from the way of the cross, he cut off someone’s ear, he denied Christ three times after boasting, he went back to fishing even after the resurrection of Christ. But as Pope, God used him perfectly to set the standards of church leadership.

Like Peter, we priests and religious are not free from weaknesses and often embarrassing shortcomings. In his first letter (which we read in today’s first reading), Peter himself pointed out some of these weaknesses while admonishing the elders (presbyters) of the early church.

These weaknesses include an unwillingness to tend the flock from one’s heart, serving for the sake of personal gain, having a domineering attitude rather than serving the people of God, and not showing good examples to the flock. (Cf. 1st Peter 5). As we honour the Chair of St. Peter today, we pray for the Peter of today’s world, Pope Francis – that God would continue to lead the Church through him.

Dear friends, in whatever position of leadership you find yourself, one question you must not fail to always ask is: Do I have the right kind of knowledge required for the job? In other words, “Am I in tune with the Holy Spirit as Peter was?” Am I leading for the sake of personal gain? And above all, “Do I even know Jesus?”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, bless our dear Pope Francis and all the leaders of the church, despite their shortcomings, use them daily to uplift humanity integrally. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Bible Study: 1st Peter 5:1-4, Psalm 23 and Matthew 16:13-19).