Jesus, Our Passover Lamb Teaches Us Humility.

Thursday 1st April 2021. Read Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 116, 1st Corinthians 11:23-26 and John 13:1-15

“You call me Teacher and Lord-- and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:13-14) 

Today’s celebration goes way back to the Old Testament. Today we commemorate that day that the children of Israel, our ancestors in the faith, were spared from the death of their firstborn males. Moses had instructed every family was to gather to eat a lamb whose blood will be sprinkled on the doorposts of their houses. They were to eat the flesh that night roasted with unleavened bread, loins girded; sandals on their feet and in haste.

As God said to Moses: “For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you.” (Exodus 12:12-13).

This event, known as the Passover, was the last straw that broke the camel’s back – Pharaoh had to let the people go. After four hundred years of slavery, the people finally got their freedom. Indeed, they were not going to forget this in a hurry; year after year, they celebrated this feast as one of the most important Jewish festivals recalling their miraculous victory from the hands of Pharaoh.

Nevertheless, one may wonder, “was it just the blood of mere lambs that saved them from captivity?” The answer to this question becomes clear when we consider today’s Second Reading. While Jesus and his disciples were gathered in the upper room to eat the Passover meal, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).

By giving His disciples His own flesh to eat and His blood to drink, Jesus practically showed us that He himself is the Lamb whose blood saved the children of Israel from Egypt. We no longer need to smear our doorposts with the blood of animals because now we have the real deal; the body and blood of Jesus Christ in Holy Eucharist. No wonder Jesus himself said in John 6:53, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

Tonight, we are not just celebrating Jesus as our Passover, we are also celebrating the anniversary of the priesthood. By adding the words; “Do this in remembrance of me”, Jesus basically empowered the disciples, giving them the grace and power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. Knowing that this enormous power freely given to the disciples could lead to pride and self-aggrandizement, John tells that on this same night, Jesus practically taught them a lesson in humility by washing their feet.

Washing one’s feet was a task allotted to slaves in the Jewish culture, it was the most humiliating task anyone would do for another. The disciples were shocked. Peter even tried to protest Jesus’ action but Jesus explained: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15). Jesus wanted his disciple to know that in their exercise of priestly power, humility and service are all-important. Without a desire to stoop so low as to wash the feet of others, priestly ministry falls apart.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you willing offered your life to save me from destruction, teach me to sacrifice for the wellbeing of others and to do with all humility Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Maundy Thursday - Evening Mass. Bible Study: Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 116, 1st Corinthians 11:23-26 and John 13:1-15).

And They Paid Him Thirty Pieces of Silver.

Wednesday 31st March 2021. Read Isaiah 50:4-9, Psalm 69 and Matthew 26:14-25 

“What will you give me if I deliver him to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:15-16)

If Judas had not gone to the Jews, they would have on their own found a way to arrest Jesus. Judas only made it easy for them. This is why Jesus said: “The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24)

I can only imagine the pain Jesus felt in our Gospel passage knowing that someone who shared the same plate with him was going to betray him. This is the pain Jesus feels when we Christians take exploit our closeness to Him for personal gains.

At the home of Martha and Mary, Judas Iscariot protested the expensive ointment Mary used in anointing Jesus’ feet. He said: “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (John 12:5). In other words, Judas gave the impression of one who deeply cared for the poor meanwhile all he cared for was the money. 

The question is: “Was Judas Iscariot always like this?” Perhaps, he started very well but along the line began to deviate. In one of His parables Jesus describes the good seed that fell among thorns saying: “This is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.” (Matthew 13:22)

As men and women of God, it is very easy for us to fall into this situation. This is one reason the church demands the vow of poverty from its clerics and religious. Without a sense of detachment, we could become like seeds sown among thorns; we could become like Judas Iscariot.

In today’s first reading, Isaiah prophesies the fate of Jesus – one who betrayed by a trusted friend. He is silent, He turns not backward, He gives His back to those who strike Him and His cheeks to those who pulled out the beard. He does not hide His face from shame and spitting.

Jesus had the power to stop Judas Iscariot but He didn’t. Jesus only tried to speak to Judas’ conscience by revealing that one of them would betray Him but Judas hardened his heart. God speaks to our conscience, He does not force His way on us. This way, we become completely responsible for our choices in life.

Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Every time we fail to let our light shine as God’s children for the sake of money, we are literally betraying Jesus. We don’t have to disobey God’s commandments, lie, steal, kill etc. for the sake of money. Jesus said, whatever you want, just ask, seek and knock and it would be provided. (Matthew 7:7). 

God owns everything in this world and He knows we desire to live a good life. He is not an irresponsible Father who would let His children have a snake when they ask for fish. Trust God to provide what is needed in His own time. Do not turn money into your god.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, free me from greed that I may truly worship you. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the Holy Week. Bible Study: Isaiah 50:4-9, Psalm 69 and Matthew 26:14-25).

There is always the Last Chance to Repent.

Tuesday 30th March 2021. Read Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 71 and John 13:21-38

“So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified.’” (John 13:30-31) 

One thing that is so clear from today’s Gospel passage is that God sees our hearts. Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.” Judas ought to have asked himself: “How did he know?” He did not realize this was his last chance. He joined in the chorus of denials. “Is it I, Master?” 

John tells that as soon as Judas ate the morsel of bread, Satan entered him, meaning that his mind was made up. He had chosen money over God. He had literally bowed to Satan for the glories of the world. Indeed, there is no amount of worldly riches that can satisfy us; the more you get, the more you crave. Judas had been helping himself all along with the moneybag but it just wasn’t enough. He couldn’t resist the temptation of an extra 30 pieces of silver.

The moment Judas walked out, Jesus knew exactly what would happen next. Instead of crying over the lashes, blows and insults, Jesus decided to focus on the brighter side: “Now, the Son of Man is glorified and in him, God is glorified.” Jesus remained positive. He wasn’t bitter because he considered the glory awaiting him.

Jesus told his disciples that he was going somewhere but they could not come immediately. Peter began to boast: “I will lay down my life for you.” It was only after the cock crowed that Peter remembered what Jesus predicted. Talk is cheap. Have you made vows to God in the past? Do not let your actions betray your words.

Dear friends, there is always the last chance to repent, the last chance to reconsider and to retrace your steps. Judas had his last chance when Jesus only declared that one of them would betray him. You never can tell if this is your last chance. If you choose not to repent today, you might never get this opportunity again. In truth, great battles are won by very small victories.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to re-write my destiny by making the right choices. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the Holy Week. Bible Study: Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 71 and John 13:21-38). 

Love, Thanksgiving, Greed, and Hate

Monday 29th March 2021. Read Isaiah 42:1-7, Psalm 27 and John 12:1-11 

“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:6) 

As Lent gradually draws to a close, we are presented with very significant events of the last moments our Lord Jesus spent on earth. Jesus loved Lazarus as well as his sisters, Mary and Martha but stayed behind when he was told of Lazarus’ illness. Jesus had a plan for Lazarus.

Mary and Martha must have felt betrayed when Lazarus died but in the end, they had cause for rejoicing. Today, Jesus was again in Bethany to celebrate what we would call a ‘Thanksgiving.’ Lazarus is back to life. People come from all over the place to eat and drink to the new life of Lazarus.

As her thanksgiving, Mary brought out a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus wiping his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. Mary’s action was motivated by her love for God. Indeed, if we love God, nothing would be too much to give to Him. Mary is a kind of Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his only son Isaac for God’s sake.

Judas Iscariot felt Mary was wasting the oil. He protested the thanksgiving not because he cared for the poor but because as John puts it: “he was a thief.” We are not who we say we are, we are what we do. Greed makes us place money above God and when money becomes more important to us than God, we are ready to disobey and even sell God.

The chief priests who were at the party started plotting how to kill Lazarus because, on account of him, Jesus was gaining more followers. This is what hatred does to us; it prevents us from thinking straight. Once we hate, we are ready to do anything to bring people down. Hatred is poison.

As the Prophet Isaiah mentions in our first reading, God has called us to righteousness and we are the light to the nations. To succeed in this special calling, we must be willing to give our very best to God, be content with what we have and remove hatred from our hearts.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to love you above all that this world has to offer. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of Holy Week. Bible Study: Isaiah 42:1-7, Psalm 27 and John 12:1-11).

The Passion of Jesus Christ Tells the Human Story.

Sunday 28th March 2021. Read Isaiah 50:4-7, Psalm 22, Philippians 2:6-11 and Mark 14:1-15:47 

“The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:5-6) 

Dear friends, I welcome us to Holy Week. This week is called holy because in it we shall be re-enacting the greatest event of history since the creation of the world: the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We have just read the Passion Narrative according to Mark, let us now put ourselves into the characters of this story and watch how it relates to us today.

1. The Passion is a Story of Betrayal.

Our people say that it is the rat inside the house that goes to inform other rats outside that there is food in the house. The enemy outside cannot succeed without the cooperation of the enemy inside. This boils down to the person of Judas Iscariot. Nevertheless, let us look inwards: “Haven’t I betrayed my close friends in the past?” Dear friends, if it happened to Jesus, it can happen to you. Those you consider as your best friends and trusted allies today can turn their backs on you. Trust only in God.

2. The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil (1 Timothy 6:10)

What was Judas’ motivation for selling Jesus? Money. The greatest commandment is to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. (Mark 12:30-31). When our love for money becomes greater than our love for God and neighbour, we become worse than Judas Iscariot. Remember Job 1:21 – “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there.” All your efforts to grab, accumulate and possess things becomes useless if we lose our soul in the process. (Matthew 16:26). Judas sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver; an amount he never got to spend.

3. The Passion is a Story of Giving.

The woman who anointed Jesus with her expensive ointment teaches us the need to give God our very best. Am I using my talents for the glory of God? Or am I like Cain who offered that which is only good for the dustbin? In the Passion, we find the greatest act of giving anyone could do – Jesus gave us his very body and blood in the Holy Eucharist. 

At the beginning of Lent, we said the three pillars of this season are fasting, prayer and almsgiving. How well have I fared in terms of giving during this period? Remember on the last day, we shall be judged based on how well we give or refused to give. “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Matthew 25:41-43.

4. The Passion Questions our Prayer Life.

Jesus took the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray but instead, they started sleeping. How deep and serious is my prayer life? How come I am able to watch a movie or a football match for over two hours but I consider it a punishment to pray for one hour?

How did Jesus pray? Did he try to command God? NO. He said: “Abba Father … remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36). In my prayer, do I ask for God’s will to be done or my own will?

5. The Passion teaches us to Avoid Boasting.

The disciples all promised to remain with Jesus. When they were eventually faced with Roman soldiers, they all took to their heels including Peter who boasted: “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” (Luke 22:33). Am I like Peter whose action betrayed his words when faced with danger? A Christian who is not ready to suffer for Christ’s sake is not yet a true follower of Christ. Jesus said: “whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38) 

6. The Passion teaches us to please God rather than men.

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent “for he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.” (Mark 15:10). Pilate, like Aaron who made a golden calf for the people, was more interested in appeasing the crowds than following his conscience. If I was Pilate, what would I have done differently? Many joined in shouting “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” just because others were doing so. Am I a crowd-pleaser?

7. The Passion teaches us Humility.

In our Second Reading today, we heard Paul writing to the Philippians saying: “Though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8). The Passion celebrates the deep-seated humility of Jesus.

In conclusion, the Passion Narrative teaches us a lot about ourselves. The bitter truth is humanity has not changed at all since the time of Jesus. We are still ruled by money, we still betray one another, we are still stingy, we do not pray well, and we often act to please the crowd. Let us learn from history and avoid making the mistakes of those who killed Jesus.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from the love of money and the desire to please people. Increase my love and devotion to you especially during this holy week. Amen.

Welcome to Holy Week. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Palm Sunday. Year B. Bible Study: Isaiah 50:4-7, Psalm 22, Philippians 2:6-11 and Mark 14:1-15:47).

Fear Makes Us Take Wrong Decisions.

Saturday 27th March 2021. Read Ezekiel 37:21-28, Jeremiah 31 and John 11:45-56 

“What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on thus, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” (John 11:47-48)

The chief priests and the Pharisees with their scribes were thrown into a panic when they heard that many people had come to believe in Jesus. What was their fear? If everyone comes to believe in Jesus as the Messiah (the King of the Universe), the Romans would consider it as an act of rebellion and come to destroy their nation.

This fear is concretely summed up in John 19:12 “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; everyone who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar.” Note that the Romans were their colonial masters at that time. The Jewish leaders were ready to do anything just to maintain peace with Rome.

Like Herod who killed all the male children born at the time for fear of a rival king, the Chief priests and Pharisees were shaken with fear. Caiaphas speaking prophetically as High Priest noted: “It is expedient for one man to die than for a whole nation to perish.” Little did Caiaphas know that he had just summarized the entire mission of Jesus Christ on earth – “The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28).

For the Jewish authorities at that time, Jesus needed to die to save Israel from destruction by the Romans. In reality, Jesus died not just to save Israel but mankind as a whole from destruction. But for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, none of us would have had any hope of being reunited with God in heaven.

The action of the Jewish leaders teaches us that fear is such a dangerous thing. Have you ever wished evil for someone just because you fear that he or she is better, richer or more popular than you? If only the Jewish authorities knew Jesus was not seeking after earthly power, they would have understood that and their fears were completely unfounded. Jesus would later say to Pilate, “My kingship is not of this world…” (John 18:36).

Fear is often caused by a lack of faith coupled with our ignorance of the truth. The bad news is that fear paralyses us leading us to very bad decisions. The good news however is that ninety-nine per cent of our fears would never happen. When afraid, we always seem to know exactly what would happen next but the fact is that only God can predict the future. At best our fears are merely clever guesses. Just when you think that all hope is lost, God can still show up to turn things around in your favour.

Our first reading and our responsorial psalm today teach us to place all our trust in God’s protection especially when we feel threatened. Indeed, when you consider how close God is to you, like a mother holding her baby in her arms, you would wonder how you manage to accommodate so many fears in your heart. Our Psalmist sings: “The Lord will keep us, as a shepherd keeps his flock.” Do you sometimes think of yourself as a sheep led by God, the Good Shepherd? Fear Not.

After prophesying to the dry bones as instructed by God, Ezekiel was shocked to see them receive flesh once again. God told Ezekiel that like these bones, He would gather His people again. “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will bless them and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Ezekiel 37:26-27).

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save me from falling into sin as a result of my fear. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Ezekiel 37:21-28, Jeremiah 31 and John 11:45-56).

How to Respond in Moments of Adversity.

Friday 26th March 2021. Read Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 18 and John 10:31-42 

“The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone me?’” (John 10:31-32)

Jesus Christ was working miracles and people were happy to receive theirs. For them, Jesus was one great miracle worker, they could not read between the lines, they could not perceive that the miracles were signs; pointers to a greater reality – God in the midst of men. When Jesus eventually revealed his divinity, they picked up stones to throw at him.

It is funny. When people start fighting you, they suddenly forget all the good you have done for them. Even those who received the miracles joined in shouting “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Moments like this are sure to come. Such moments are tests to us. 

If you want to know a man’s true character, watch the way he behaves in times of adversity, in moments of anger, provocation or failure. For most of us, the animal in us comes out. We begin to say things and behave in ways that are, to say the least, totally unchristian. Both Jeremiah and Jesus were provoked in our readings today and we have a lot to learn from their reaction.

Jeremiah prayed a prayer of surrender. He asks God to fight on his behalf: “O Lord of hosts, who test the righteous, who see the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them for to you have I committed my cause.” (Jeremiah 20:12). He even goes on to sing despite the pains in his heart: “Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.” (verse 13)

The singing of Jeremiah reminds me of Paul and Silas who sang praises to God while in prison. Unlike the Israelites, Paul and Silas did not complain. Sing praises to God even when things are rough and watch what happens. Surrender to God and Let Him Fight for you.

Jesus had the power to call down fire to burn down those who were exchanging words with Him but he simply “escaped from their hands and went away across the Jordan.” Jesus did not use the power he had to fight back his enemies. Secondly, Jesus reminded them of the good he had done for them in the past. “I have shown you many good works from the Father, for which of these do you stone me?”

Are you going through adversity? Do you find yourselves surrounded by enemies? Relax, sing praises to God and allow Him fight on your behalf.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, in my anguish I call to you, save me lest I perish. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 5th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 18 and John 10:31-42). 

Powerful Things Happen when we Say “YES” to God

Thursday 25th March 2021. Read Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Daniel 3:14-28 and John 8:31-42 

“And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38) 

Today is March 25. It is exactly 9 months before Christmas. On this day, Mary gave her consent, her fiat, her “I do” to God’s Divine Proposal. On this day, that great miracle happened; through the powerful overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, the baby Jesus, the word of God, became flesh right inside Mary’s womb.

Today’s feast is a reminder that God does not force his way in our lives. He works in us only with our consent. As one Saint said, God created us without our consent but He will not save us without our consent. We always have a choice either to say “Yes” or “No” to God’s plans for our lives.

Great things happen when we allow God to have His way in our lives. The book of Hebrews says: “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, burnt offerings and sin offerings you take no pleasure but Behold, I have come to do your will.” Nothing makes God more pleased than seeing His children doing His will.

“You shall conceive in your womb and bear a Son and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” How happy God must have been when Mary said “Let it be done!” Mary’s acceptance became the beginning of the fulfilment of God’s promises to the people of Israel which the prophets all spoke about.

Mary is that Virgin Isaiah spoke of as a sign to the people of Israel that God has finally sent them the Saviour they have been expecting. Yet, God requested her consent. God wants to do great and wonderful things through you but He needs you to say “Yes.” Yes to righteousness, yes to the will of God.

Another lesson we learn today is that we are not merely products of biology. God knew us before we were formed in our mothers’ womb. Respect life. Respect the unborn.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, use me like Mary to bring your word to life. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Bible Study: Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10, Psalm 40, Hebrews 10:4-10 and Luke 1:26-38).

Do not be enslaved by Fear: Trust God Even in Bad Times.

Wednesday 24th March 2021. Read Daniel 3:14-28 and John 8:31-42

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)

As we gradually draw closer to Holy Week, our readings especially our Gospel passages recant the hostile exchanges between Jesus and the Jews. It is no longer a secret that they were plotting to kill Jesus. Why were they determined to eliminate Jesus? The same reason why King Nebuchadnezzar was determined to eliminate Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

Jesus said to his persecutors: “If God were your Father, you would love me.” John 8:42. Put simply, the world hates us because we are children of God and we do not belong to the world. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego incurred the wrath of Nebuchadnezzar because they would not serve his idols and his golden image (which are symbolic of the material things of this world).

Most of us Christians today worship idols. How? As Jesus would say: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples… (but) … everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:31&34). Say, for instance, you know that by telling the truth, you stand to lose millions of naira, would you rather tell a lie? Your fear of losing money makes you a slave to sin. Freedom is not a matter of doing whatever I like, it is being able to do what God wants of me.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego proved that were free by telling Nebuchadnezzar that even if God decides not to save them from the blazing furnace, they would never worship his idols. Their love for God was not conditional, they were not like most of us who worship God simply because of what we can get from Him.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not have a mercantile attitude to God. They were the type who go to church for the sake of money, for the glories or for the blessings. They were not the types who would jump from church to church or from pastor to pastor when prayers are not answered fast and according to their specification. They were prepared to remain with God through thick and thin.

Until we attain this height in our faith, we would remain baby-Christians, moved by fear and slaves to sin. Going back to the earlier example I gave above, a Christian who truly trusts God will never lie even when it seems telling a lie is the only way to make millions. He or she would continue to serve God by being truthful believing that God provides in His own time or that the essence of life is not in how rich a person is.

At the end of the day, God stood for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, not even a strand of hair was burnt despite being thrown into the blazing furnace. Their persistence paid off. In the case of Jesus, God willed that he should die. At times, God shows up as the fourth man in the fire but at other times, God leaves us to burn. We must have the type of faith to take whatever God so wills.

Jesus loved life. That was why he tried talking sense to his persecutors. He tried to defend himself, he tried to dissuade them for killing him. Nevertheless, as much Jesus loved life, he did not run away, he did not deny God. The passion of Christ teaches us that the path to heaven is not a smooth one but a rocky way.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, let not my love for life enslave me to sin. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Daniel 3:14-28 and John 8:31-42).

Be Thankful Instead.

Tuesday 23rd March 2021. Read Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 102 and John 8:21-30)

“And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” (Numbers 21:5)

Our first reading today takes us back to our forefathers in the faith. God was leading them on a journey to the Promised Land. They saw the mighty deeds God did for them in the land of Egypt especially how he delivered them mightily from their pursuers when they were about to cross the Red Sea.

The same people who once rejoiced exceedingly at the sight of manna now had the effrontery to refer to it as “worthless food.” Is this not the same thing that happens in our own lives when we become dissatisfied with what God has done for us in the past?

When we start complaining, we soon fall into the temptation of speaking against God like these Israelites. The inability to count our blessings and believe God is leading us somewhere makes us talk about our situation as if God is some irresponsible father who doesn’t care. This was the attitude that merited the appearance of fiery serpents in the Israelite camp. 

Our ancient ancestors soon realized their error and repented. They cried to Moses: “We have sinned…!” God pitied them and asked Moses to make a bronze serpent as a SIGN. Although the bronze serpent cured the plague, it was only a sign.

The real deal would come later when Jesus himself would be hanged upon a cross for our salvation. As Jesus reveals in today’s Gospel passage: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.” (John 8:28).

Keep a Crucifix in your home, keep one in your car, keep one in your office, carry one with you wherever you go. Whenever you are feeling ungrateful or unlucky, whenever you catch yourself complaining or feel like shouting at God, bring out the Crucifix and remember the Israelite-experience.

Look at the Crucifix and tell yourself that God has already done so much for you by letting His Son die on your behalf, that you really have no reason to complain. Look at the Crucifix and from the depth of your heart, just say “THANK YOU.”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my trust in your love and provision for me. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 102 and John 8:21-30).

When there is No One to Defend You, God Steps in For Your Sake

Monday 22nd March 2021. Read Daniel 13:1-62, Psalm 23 and John 8:12-20

“When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) 

The story of Susana is a very touching story; a story that teaches us how God will never abandon His children who remain faithful and upright regardless of the temptation they face in life. It is a true-life story that tells of the courage of a well-trained innocent woman who preferred to die rather than consent to sin. 

The judges felt they could blackmail her into giving in to their inordinate desire but she said something that is real food for thought: “I am completely trapped. For if I do this, it will mean death for me; if I do not, I cannot escape your hands. I choose not to do it; I will fall into your hands, rather than sin in the sight of the Lord.” (Susanna 1:22-23 or Daniel 13)

Dear friends, it is always better to die for God’s sake than to live in sin. Nevertheless, when we stand for God, God never turns a blind eye to us. Our Psalmist today sings: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want… He is true to his name if I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil will I fear… You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.”

When all hope was lost for Susanna, God sent Daniel and endowed him with such wisdom and eloquence that no one could withstand him. The same judges who confessed to seeing this woman with a man gave conflicting answers when asked the name of the tree under which they saw the woman proving they were telling lies.

Every time we lie, we make the devil our father. This is why Jesus warned us today: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has nothing to do with the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44).

Always say the truth to shame the devil. Never allow evil to fester in your heart. Keep your mind pure from all lustful desires and immoral thoughts. Even if there is no one to defend you, God, who is your true shepherd will not forsake you.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, clean my heart from all impurity. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 5th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Daniel 13:1-62, Psalm 23 and John 8:12-20).

Suffering teaches us Obedience.

Sunday 21st March 2021. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrew 5:7-9 and John 12:20-33

“Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9) 

One of the greatest benefits of Lent is that it gives us the opportunity to take a closer look at the price that Jesus Christ had to pay for our salvation and by so doing helps us to understand our own lives better. In summary, the season of lent provides answers to some of life’s toughest questions, one of which is: “Why do I have to suffer?”

If God is good and He is my father and He loves me so much, why then does He allow even the tiniest amount of suffering in my life? Can anything good come out of suffering? Before we answer these questions, let us first answer some other questions. Was Jesus the Son of God? Yes. Was Jesus loved by God? Yes. Did Jesus and God at any point ever quarrel? Of course, NO. So why did Jesus suffer?

Now, get the point. *The only reason why suffering should exist in our lives at all is the same reason why it was absolutely necessary for Jesus to suffer.* In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus said: “WHEN I AM LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, I WILL DRAW ALL MEN TO MYSELF.” (John 12:32). This statement of Jesus provides the answer. The success of Jesus in saving the world was not a product of his miracles or his preaching but a product of his suffering (death).

It was the lifting up of Jesus on the cross, the painful, shameful and agonizing crucifixion that brought us all to him. Christianity as a whole owes its existence to the cross. This is why the Cross is at the centre of our church, why we carry the cross on our necks everywhere and why the cross itself is a symbol of our Christian faith. So when you want to understand suffering in your life, it will do a lot of good to just sit down and look again at the cross.

The cross represents shame, it represents pain, it represents all the ugly circumstances that we have to go through in life, it represents unanswered prayers. Recall how Jesus prayed: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39). The cross represents events in our life that we never wish for ourselves. *The cross represents the death of the grain of wheat that is planted so as to yield much fruit.* The cross teaches us that all suffering in our lives is a blessing in disguise.

*In moments of suffering, let us remember that God still loves us deeply.* Suffering is not a sign of God’s rejection or weakness, rather it is a necessary path we must follow in other to experience the good things God has prepared for us. There is a story of two men who were given a cross to carry. Along the line one of them took a cutlass to reduce the size of his cross but upon reaching the finish line, the one who cut his cross could not cross over because his cross was too short to act as a bridge while the other one went through successfully because his cross was long enough.

Jesus says: “He who loves his life loses it (meaning, he who seeks comfort, he who reduces his cross by going against God’s commands will never attain eternal life) but he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.” (John 12:25). *There is a sense in which we must hate our life by embracing suffering in other to attain true life in heaven.* For instance, a student has to “hate his life” by staying up late to study in other to pass examination. A businessman has to “hate his life” by restraining himself from eating up his profits so as to reinvest them. A workman must “hate his life” by stretching his muscles so as to finish his task on time to get paid. In the same way, it follows that a Christian must “hate his life” by restraining from sinful pleasures so as to treat the body as temple of the Holy Spirit.

*No one ever attained glory without a story.* The best things in life are kept at the other end of our suffering. Suffering is a great teacher. We learn more about life in tears than in joy. As the book of Hebrews says in today’s second reading, “suffering taught Jesus how to be obedient.” Suffering made Jesus perfect and a source of perfection for all men.

Suffering basically humbles us. *Suffering teaches us that we are not masters of the events in our lives; that it is not everything we want that comes to us; and that we must accept the things we don’t want.* Suffering teaches us to surrender, that is, to be obedient. By bringing us pain we do not wish for ourselves, suffering teaches us that God’s will is more important than my own will.

Embrace suffering. Never fall into the temptation of taking the easy path. In life, there are no short-cuts. Can you imagine being operated upon in a life or death situation by a doctor who cheated his way through school? Just as there is always a price to pay, there is a prize (reward) that comes with every suffering we face in life.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, you suffered to be my redeemer, help me to suffer rightly that I may be a co-redeemer of my fellow brothers and sisters. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Fifth Sunday of Lent. Year B. Bible Study: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrew 5:7-9 and John 12:20-33).