God Disciplines Those He Loves

Wednesday 1st February 2023. Read Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15, Ps. 103:1-2,13-14,17-18, Mark 6:1-6 

“The Lord disciplines those whom he loves and chastises every child whom he accepts. Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:6-7)

As children of God, the book of Hebrews today tells us that God disciplines, that is, chastises us, not out of hatred but just because he wants us to learn. The saying goes thus: “Never regret a day in your life: good days give happiness; bad days give experience and worst days give lessons.” Truth be told, we learn more from our painful moments than our happy ones. Every sad event is a blessing in disguise.

The story is told of a man who while travelling with his son, visited a very poor couple whose lives were entirely dependent on the only cow they had. The cow was their source of milk, their means of transportation and their tractor on the farm. Despite their poverty, they were quite content with their lives. While the man was leaving, he told his son to lead the cow to a steep hill and allowed the cow to fall. The son protested “what will happen to this poor couple?” The man said: “Just do it.”

Many years passed and this boy was now a grown-up man. It was time for him to get married and he accompanied his fiancé to her parent’s home. Upon getting there, he recognized her parents were that poor couple whom he killed their only cow but to his utter amazement, they had become the wealthiest family in that village. He could not contain himself so he confessed his crime of years ago and said that he wanted to know how the couple managed to survive afterwards.

With a huge smile on his face, the girl’s father got up from his seat and hugged the boy thanking him profusely for what he did many years ago. According to him, the death of their only cow was very painful at first but it forced him and his wife to look beyond that cow. The man also added that when they found the cow at the bottom of the hill the next morning, they wanted to cut the meat for sale only to realize that the cow had been very sick all along. If they had continued drinking its milk, they would have died themselves.

Indeed, we cannot but agree with St. Paul that all things actually work for good for those who love God. (Romans 8:28). Never get angry with God for allowing painful things to happen to you. Like the boy who did not understand why his father told him to kill the couple’s only cow, there are so many things we do not understand about God. We just have to trust Him.

Jesus experienced something painful among his own people when he went there to preach. They looked down on him. In fact, they took offence at Jesus because they felt he was claiming to be something other than the ordinary carpenter they knew him as. Jesus did not get angry with them, he did not curse them, instead, He simply said: “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country and in his own house.”

To this day, those who believe that Jesus is only a human being continue to quote this passage as a justification for the fact that Jesus had biological brothers and sisters. Anyone who truly believes Jesus is God would know that for God, nothing is impossible. If God could take flesh in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a man, do we say God wasn’t also capable of giving Mary the grace of preserving her virginity even after the birth of Jesus? 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help me look beyond my pains that I may see your hand in them. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 4 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15, Ps. 103:1-2,13-14,17-18, Mark 6:1-6).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Put Aside the Weight of Sin, Fear & Doubt

Tuesday 31st January 2023. Read Hebrews 12:1-4, Ps. 22:26-28,30-32, Mark 5:21-43

“When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was.” (Mark 5:39-40)

There are three things we need to get rid of in other for us to attain the blessed and happy life that God so designed for us; sin, fear, and doubt.

The word sin comes from a Greek word meaning “to miss the mark.” Like in the game of archery, each time we sin, it means we throw the arrow off course. No player is happy when he constantly misses, so he disciplines himself; he spends long hours in training to master how not to miss the target.

Sin (missing the mark, the ideals God has set for us) is a weight. It prevents us from being at our best. Dropping this weight requires discipline, constant meditation on God’s word, and self-mastery (that is, saying no to yourself; resisting your own urges, and fighting your thoughts and desires). No wonder the book of Hebrews says: “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:4) It is truly a battle but not one that is beyond you.

Another weight to drop is fear. Like the woman with the issue of blood, we must learn to drop our fears and stick to our convictions, we must overcome the crowd to touch the helm of Jesus’ garment. Fear protects us from taking risks but by so doing, they also protect us from victories, breakthroughs, and new discoveries.

Closely related to fear is doubt. It is a state of uncertainty about our faith in God. It is relating to God as though God is just a human being. Doubt is a heavy weight that we must drop. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus told the mourners in Jarius’ house that the little girl was only sleeping but as a result of their doubt, they laughed at Jesus. To them, Jesus was simply out of his mind to suggest the girl was sleeping.

Jesus did something very instructive. Just before raising the girl from the dead, Jesus put out all those who doubted. When we begin to doubt God, we prevent ourselves from receiving His miracles, and even when we see the extraordinary happen, we begin to rationalize, and we begin to explain things away.

The easiest way to drop the weights of sin, fear, and doubt is to remove yourself from the midst of people who tend to carry these weights. You must put certain persons out of your life; those who constantly lure you into sin, those who inspire fear in you always, and those who downplay the importance of God. Everybody cannot be your friend. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, take away from me any weight that pulls me down. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. John Bosco, Pray for us. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint John Bosco, Priest, Bible Study: Hebrews 12:1-4, Ps. 22:26-28,30-32, Mark 5:21-43).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Faith Does Not Mean There Will Be No Pains

Monday 30th January 2023. Read Hebrews 11:32-40, Ps. 31:20-24, Mark 5:1-20 

“They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood.” (Mark 5:15-17)

That we have faith does not mean we shall not suffer; that we are people of faith does not translate to a life of luxury, or a life free from pains. Yes, Jesus said if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain: ‘move’ and it will obey you. (Matthew 17:20). But this does not mean that once we have faith, all the mountains would disappear.

The book of Hebrews speaks of the heroes of our faith in today’s first reading. It says: “Some were tortured, refusing to accept release that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated…

And all these, well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised.” (Hebrews 11:35-39). I like to think of faith not as a passport to keep bad things from happening to us but as a shield that prevents us from crumbling into depression when bad things happen.

Faith is praying to God for item A and getting item B (the opposite), yet you still find the courage to say “Thank you, God.” Jesus cured a demoniac but in the process, the villagers lost their entire herd of swine. The size of their economic loss was too huge to notice that a man had been set free from demon possession. All they could see was the loss of their source of livelihood. So they begged Jesus to go away.

I wonder how many times I have pushed God away simply because all I could see was a loss. Faith does not mean there will be no pain, it is steadfastness in the midst of pain. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, strengthen my faith in good times and in bad. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of week 4 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hebrews 11:32-40, Ps. 31:20-24, Mark 5:1-20).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Don’t Give Up: There is a Reward for Goodness

Sunday 29th January 2023. Read Zephaniah 2:3,3:12-13, Ps. 146:6-10, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 5:1-12

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord’s wrath.” (Zephaniah 2:3)

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Word of God. There are so many benefits of having a daily personal study and meditation of God’s word so much so that Jesus Christ himself said that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4).

You cannot be a committed Christian, especially in today’s world without the daily habit of studying God’s word. Like one trying to find a needle amongst piles of junk in a dark room, you would have a very hard time living true to your Christian faith without a daily personal meditation on God’s word. Let us now consider the lessons contained in today’s selection of the ever-flowing treasures of God’s word:

1. Don’t Give Up: There is a Reward for Goodness

In John’s Gospel, Jesus Christ declared: “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world-- therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19). To be a Christian is living in the world, yet, not being of the world; operating by principles that are higher, and, to some extent, opposed to the values of the world – choosing to be a light in the midst of total darkness.

This may sound crazy but we must get used to the fact that as Jesus puts it, the world literally hates us just for being good. The devil is not happy when we let our light shine, hence, he does everything to make us blend in with the world. Are you being unfairly treated? Have you been deprived of your rights for the sake of your Christian faith? Jesus says you shall be comforted, that is, your patience would earn you a greater reward. Is the whole world against you? Jesus says, just rejoice and be glad.

Consider yourself blest when you suffer injustice for God’s sake, when people insult you and maltreat you for choosing to stand by what is right, God is on your side. Do you remember Joseph? When he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife and refused to give in to her sexual advances, it seemed as though his world had ended. Joseph had no one to defend him. In fact, no one was willing to listen to his side of the story. Joseph was severely beaten, stripped of his duty post, and thrown into prison.

Dear friends, if we really want to live as God’s children, we must get ready to suffer a lot of things. There is always a bitter price to pay for goodness. However, in the midst of all that may come your way, bear in mind that God never sleeps. The same Joseph that was so unfairly treated would eventually become Prime Minister of Egypt. It may even be that your own reward will not come in this life, don’t give up, just keep being good. Your efforts will never be in vain.

2. God Always Favours the Humble

In today’s first reading, we hear Zephaniah saying: “seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord’s wrath”. Coming to our Gospel passage today, Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:3-5). What does this tell us? God is particularly attracted to those who humble themselves, those who are poor in spirit, those who are oppressed, and those who chose to be meek.

The world may look down on you but God will surely exult you. In her song of thanksgiving, Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord … for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. … He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the pride in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.” (Luke 1:46-52).

This is exactly the message St. Paul drives home in today’s second reading when he stated: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). What do you have that you were not given? Why do you act as if you are a god; as if to say, without you, the world would cease to exist?

Do not get carried away with the praises you are receiving from people around you today. Remember that the same people who sang “Hosannas”, spread their clothes on the ground, and cut palm branches for Jesus to walk on were the very same people who shouted: “Crucify Him” when He was brought before Pilate.

Someone once said: “Be humble, once the food finishes, the plate suddenly becomes ‘dirty plate’.” You brought nothing to this world and soon, you would have to leave with nothing and when that day comes, the world would only pretend to miss you. The speed at which you will be forgotten will shock you. You are not a god; you are just dust.

3. If You are Hungry for Righteousness, you will never be disappointed

One of the greatest lies of the devil is: “Relax, everybody is doing it.” Everybody is not doing it; you just haven’t searched enough. Jesus says to us today: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” The question is, how hungry am I for righteousness? In other words, how zealous am I to ensure the right thing is done?

I often laugh when I meet a Nigerian comparing our country to first-world countries and then complaining about the quality of our leaders, yet that same person cannot even obey a simple traffic sign. Are we expecting angels to drop from heaven to rule over us? I also laugh when I hear Christians who live as if there is no God talking about the planned Islamization of our country. When you are not even convinced about your own faith; when you cannot show good examples to your children, do you think your children’s children will be willing to defend the faith?

Dear friends, do not become overwhelmed by evil. Be good. Continue on the path of righteousness. It may seem as if you are the only one left standing right now but don’t worry, righteousness will win in the end. Soon, those laughing at you for your so-called “strange behavior” will soon begin to emulate you.

4. Forgiveness is Hard yet Highly Rewarding

While teaching us to pray, Jesus said: “If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15). In another passage, Jesus added: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25). In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”  (Matthew 5:7)

Forgiveness is not easy. This is because, when we are hurt, we tend to hold on tightly to it thereby building a wall of defense to avoid being hurt again but by so doing, we end up locking ourselves in a kind of mental prison. We carry the hurt in our heads all day depriving ourselves of the joy that each day brings and even at night we simply cannot rest because we thinking of what to do to revenge. Like a cassette, we replay the hurt over and over again and we narrate the story to virtually everyone we meet. We even feel angrier when those we tell do not seem concerned or show pity.

Dear friends, let us face the truth – forgiveness is therapeutic. To forgive is to swallow a bitter pill. It is very bitter in the mouth but it brings us healing. When I was much younger, each time I sustained a wound, my mother would boil water, then take a napkin dip it into the very hot water, and massage the wound. The whole neighborhood would hear my voice. I so dreaded this hot-water massage that one day I fell while running and sustained a wound but decided not to tell my mum. When I woke up the next day, my leg was swollen, I became scared that I was going to die, and I had to confess. Forgiveness is like pouring hot water on a wound. It is painful yet ultimately liberating.

5. Do You Want to See God? Be Pure in Heart

The book of Proverbs says: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) What becomes of your life is largely a product of the kind of thoughts that occupy your mind daily. There is nothing you can ever achieve physically without first achieving it in your mind. The mind is not a dustbin, it is the powerhouse of your life. If you don’t select your thoughts, you can never accomplish your vision for the future.

St. Paul would tell us: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8). If your thoughts are clean, you will begin to see more clean things in your life. If your thoughts are holy, you will be attracted to holy people and you will always find yourself in holy places.

If your thoughts are pure, you will see God face-to-face. This is the promise of Jesus Christ in today’s Gospel passage. This is exactly what became of the saints who had visions and apparitions of God in their lifetime. Do you remember how Samuel heard the voice of God calling while he was lying down close to the ark of God? How come God did not speak to Hophni and Phineas, the two sons of Eli who were much older? Do you want to see God? Start by preparing a heart worthy enough for Him. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to remain steadfast as I carry the daily crosses so that I may not miss the reward of my sacrifices. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Zephaniah 2:3,3:12-13, Ps. 146:6-10, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 5:1-12a).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Use Your Faith to Cure Your Fear

Saturday 28th January 2023. Read Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19, Mark 4:35-41

“Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

Are you scared? Can you take a piece of paper to write down your fears? Now consider what you have written and ask yourself why you are having these fears? What if I tell you that your fears are your greatest treasures. Are you wondering how?

Life is a classroom, and your fears are the examination scripts. Naturally, we humans love the place of comfort, we would rather skip the exam and remain where we are but the truth is that if we truly desire to move to the next level, we have to write our exams; that is, we have to face our fears; we must attempt to see what becomes of us when that which we fear happens.

Abraham had every reason to fear when he was told to sacrifice Isaac but he went ahead to tie the boy up on the altar. He wanted to see what lies on the other side of his fear. Do you realize that everything you seek is on the other side of your fears? If you really want to achieve something great in life, you have to face your fears squarely like David who ran towards Goliath.

Of course, David
was fully afraid when he faced Goliath. It is normal to be scared when you face one who appears to be stronger than you but like David, the key to success is to hang on to faith. David was scared but he kept reminding himself of what God did for him in the past. David kept telling himself that God who saved him from the mouth of the lion will save him again.

David continued this self-talk even while he picked up stones and ran towards Goliath and when Goliath threatened David, David uttered a statement of faith: “come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45) A child of God must never stop declaring faith in the power of God even when he or she is afraid.

In today’s Gospel passage, the disciples of Jesus had every reason to be afraid because they faced a great storm but instead of declaring faith in God, they expected the worst to happen. They were so frightened that they almost forgot God was physically present with them in the boat. The moment they remembered Jesus, He woke up and rebuked the sea. Never forget that God is with you.

No matter what you face, call on God first and keep reminding yourself of what God has done in the past. You may not delete fear from your mind completely but you have to allow your faith to overpower that negative voice within you. Use your faith to cure your fear.

We remember St. Thomas Aquinas today. He was a man gifted with intelligence and wisdom, a scholar to the core, a philosopher to philosophers, and a theologian of great magnitude. Thomas Aquinas is to the Church what the seminary is to a priest. He was not just an intellectual, he was also a deeply spiritual person – qualities you hardly find combined in a single person.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may my faith be like that of Abraham. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor, Bible Study: Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19, Mark 4:35-41).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Don’t be discouraged by Little Beginnings

Friday 27th January 2023. Read Hebrews 10:32-39, Ps. 37:3-6,23-24,39-40, Mark 4:26-34 

“With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32) 

The kingdom of heaven is like a little seed, perhaps the smallest of all seeds. The size of the seed does not matter rather it is its potential that matters. That little insignificant seed when planted or even when accidentally spread on the ground begins to grow little by little.

Its growth rate can be so slow that no one even takes notice of it. But when its potential fully manifests, it becomes the biggest of all shrubs. People soon begin to wonder how that little seed was able to produce such a big tree.

There are over one billion Christians in the world today yet at a point Christianity was just a tiny seed in the hands of just thirteen men; Jesus and his disciples. Who would have imagined that there would be so many Christians in the world today?

Again, the book of Hebrews reminds us of how Christians were made to face serious persecution in the early days of its history. Even to this day, the world’s hatred for Christianity has not ceased. The fact that the Christian faith continues to blossom remains a mystery.

Like the Christian faith, beginning a new habit is like planting a seed. When we decide to change from our sinful ways and devote ourselves to becoming more serious with God, we have just planted a small seed.

The beginning may be rough, very rough. We may even face great temptations; so great that we may attempt to give up; progress may be slow; people may mock us because they wouldn’t see any change in us. But we should never be discouraged.

Keep moving on. One day, that good habit you just began will become part of you and like a shrub that attracts birds of the air, people will come to ask you: “how did you become so successful?”

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help me realize my full potential. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 3 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hebrews 10:32-39, Ps. 37:3-6,23-24,39-40, Mark 4:26-34).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Light Needs No Permission to Shine

Thursday 26th January 2023. Read 2 Timothy 1:1-8, Ps. 96:1-3,7-8,10, Mark 4:21-25 

“Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?” (Mark 4:21)

Timidity is not a virtue. Paul advises Timothy today that God did not and will never give anyone a spirit of timidity, but rather a Spirit of Power and Love and Self-Control. Hence there is no room for being ashamed of testifying for the Lord. Even though this faith entails suffering, we should not be afraid of identifying with it.

The key to conquering timidity is a constant reminder that we are lights. And light cannot be put under a bed. If we really allow our lights to shine, we cannot be put down, ignored, or hidden. The world may laugh at us or try to make us look stupid for not blending but in time our goodness will bring us out.

“Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not come to the light.” Those who once laughed at you will come to ask: “how did you do it?”

Timidity and goodness do not go together. If we are truly what we say we are, then acting as though we are ashamed of our identity is a betrayal of our goodness. For instance, some Christians are so shy when they dress properly but they feel extremely comfortable and proud when wearing indecent clothes.

Some of us are too scared of preaching in a public place yet we do not mind talking about American politics just to show we are very current. I have seen Catholics so ashamed of bringing out their rosaries while on a bus or even along the street because they don’t want to look strange.

Dear friends, if we don’t believe in ourselves, how do we convince the world that we are lights? Why are we constantly trying to blend into the world and its standards? We should only be timid when it comes to evil not when it comes to letting our light shine. A minimal Christian is as good as a non-Christian. Sand is sand and sugar is sugar. If sugar now begins to behave like sand, what good is it?

 Let us pray: Heavenly Father, take away any timidity from me. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops. Bible Study: 2 Timothy 1:1-8, Ps. 96:1-3,7-8,10, Mark 4:21-25).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

The Second Chance

Wednesday 25th January 2023. Read Acts 22:3-16, Ps. 117, Mark 16:15-18

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)

Today we celebrate the fact that God looked around all the men living in the world and decided to give a second chance to the very man who was all out to destroy Christianity. The same man who went about from house to house dragging Christians to jail, the same man who supervised the stoning of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, the same man whose zeal for the destruction of Christians would put him on a missionary journey with letter of permission, became the greatest missionary to promote the Christian Faith. That is God for you.

The beauty of St. Paul’s conversion was that the moment he rose from his feet, he never went back to his former ways. From that day, he saw himself as a completely different person. According to St. Peter, if we repent, there should be no going back otherwise, we become worse for it. 

2nd Peter 2:20-22 states: “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘The dog turns back to its own vomit,’ and, ‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’”

May we never return to our vomits in Jesus' Name! As some people would say, no matter how you wash a pig, it will look for mud again. My thinking is that the kind of washing a pig requires is not the washing of the outer skin but the washing of the heart, the washing of that which makes the pig love mud. 

This is what true repentance means. It means changing your heart, changing the things that give you joy, and changing the things you love and desire even in secret. Repentance is changing the things that make you love to dance in the mud, changing your belief in yourself, it is telling yourself that you can do without sin and that you will not die if you let go of those past behaviors.

When Saul fell to the ground, he heard the voice of Christ saying: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Let us always remember that when we face persecution for the sake of our faith, Jesus Christ himself shares in our pain. We do not even need to cry because Jesus himself feels our sorrow. When we are dragged off, lied upon, insulted, or given names, it is Jesus himself who is dragged, it is Jesus who is insulted. 

On the other hand, just as Jesus feels our pain when we are persecuted, he also feels it when we who carry his name on our lips disappoint him by sin. He is always with us! We can never hide anything from him. Conscious of his presence in us, we would not only stay away from sin, but we would also make use of His Power working through us. 

As Jesus told us in today’s Gospel passage, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18).

As far as you repent today, your past does not matter anymore. Once you drop the old ways, do not go back again. Invite Jesus into your heart and believe in his presence with you always, believe you have the power to overcome sin, the power even to raise back to life those aspects that were dead as a result of bad habits.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, give me the grace of total repentance today. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (The Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle – Feast. Bible Study: Acts 22:3-16, Ps. 117, Mark 16:15-18).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

We are the Family of Jesus

Monday 23rd January 2023. Read Hebrews 10:1-10, Ps. 40:2,4,7-8,10,11, Mark 3:31-35

“Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:34-35)

Someone sent me a music video recently titled: Family. It was a song by Dolly Patton. It was quite inspirational. Your family members are people in your life that you did not select and yet you can’t say ‘no’ to them. They are a mirror of the worst and best in you. They will always put you to the test and you will for their sake do your best.

No matter what they do, you will always find a way to forgive them because you have no choice and then, you never stop trusting them. When it's family, you will tolerate what you’d kill others for, you find yourself even justifying their mistakes, defending their errors, and finding solutions rather than throwing stones.

Family is blood. When it comes down to nothing for us, the family still remains all we’ve got. You may choose your lovers; you pick your friends but not the family you are in. Yes, friends walk away from your life, and even your closest allies fail you but the family remains to the very end. Even when others betray and deny you, somehow you feel at peace because you know your family got your back.

Now imagine what it feels like knowing that Jesus Christ is one of your own family. However, this is not something for mere imagination, it is just reality. Jesus is family. But you may ask how come I don’t feel it? How come, Jesus, seems so far away from me? 

The answer is simple: Being a member of this family depends on how much we do the will of God. When we decide to start keeping God’s commandments diligently, only then would we begin to feel Jesus in our hearts. Sin is what makes Jesus seem far away.

Even the book of Hebrews this morning speaks of how Jesus came to do the will of God in order to abolish the old and bring about the new order of things. God does not desire sacrifices and burnt offerings of rams and bulls, all wants from us is a heart that is ready at all times to obey, a heart that wants to do God’s will.

This reading reminds me of Saul. God told him to destroy the Amalekites completely but he decided to take the best things as loot and even spared the king. When Samuel met him, Saul tried to justify himself saying he took the loot to offer them as sacrifice to God. Samuel said to him:

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

In essence, that was the end of Saul. Dear friends, Obedience is better than sacrifice. Doing God’s will should be our number one guiding principle in life.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, give us the grace to always do your will. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor. Bible Study: Hebrews 10:1-10, Ps. 40:2,4,7-8,10,11, Mark 3:31-35).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

No Divided Kingdom Can Stand

Monday 23rd January 2023. Read Hebrews 9:15,24-28, Ps. 98:1-6, Mark 3:22-30 

“How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:23-24)

In our second reading yesterday, St. Paul speaks to the Corinthian Church of the need for them to guard against any form of disunity among them. Today, Jesus having been accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub explains that such was not possible because a kingdom divided against itself can never stand. Jesus went further to say that a house divided against itself cannot stand thereby reminding us once again of the importance of unity.

One way to recognize a house or even a Church or any community that is on the verge of collapse is to study its lines of division. Wherever people are divided among themselves, they cannot make progress. Like a broom, its ability to sweep dirt depends on its ability to hold many single strands together.

Put apart, none of the sticks can achieve what the entire broom can achieve. The story of the Tower of Babel is an example of how division prevents progress. When the people could no longer speak or understand themselves in the same language, they abandoned the project that would have made them challenge God’s omnipotence. (Genesis 11:1-9).

If Satan succeeds because of his internal unity, we the body of Christ should not allow disunity to break us apart. When we are united, it is difficult for anyone to destroy us. Jesus says “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man.” Is it the case that Jesus is referring to Satan as a strong man? Of course, by strength, Jesus is referring to unity. What makes us strong is our unity.

A perfect example of unity is the three persons in one God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons are so united that even the greatest of all theologians cannot fully explain how the three persons could be different and still one at the same time. Let us be united for unity is power.

For those who accused Jesus of being possessed, he made them understand that by so doing they were blaspheming against the Holy Spirit and therefore guilty of an eternal sin. In moments of distress and sadness, let us be careful of our utterances against God lest we become guilty of the sin of blasphemy. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, teach me to love my neighbor as myself. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of week 3 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hebrews 9:15,24-28, Ps. 98:1-6, Mark 3:22-30).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

There is Power in the Word of God

Sunday 22nd January 2023. Read Isaiah 8:23-9:3, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13&17, Matthew 4:12-23

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Last Sunday, the topic of our reflection was “Be a Light; Point others to Jesus.” John the Baptist was a light to the nation of Israel by preparing their hearts for Jesus. In today’s first reading, Isaiah prophesied a great light coming upon the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. This prophecy is fulfilled in our Gospel passage with Jesus bringing light upon them by teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of God’s kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

As we celebrate today the Sunday of the Word of God, we shall be examining the centrality and power of the Word of God in our lives as Christians. Why is God’s word important? Must I read the Bible? Is the Bible still relevant today? How can I use the Bible to solve my immediate challenges? These are some of the questions we shall try to answer as we examine the lessons contained in today’s readings.

1. Ignorance of God’s Word is Darkness.

According to St. Jerome: “Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” When the Prophet Isaiah spoke of Zebulun and Naphtali being in great darkness, he meant they were yet to encounter Jesus, the Word that was with God in the beginning. (Cf. John 1:1). No doubt, the word of God brings light into any form of darkness that we may be encountering in life. 

Are you confused about a certain decision to take? Read God’s word. Are you troubled about life’s predicaments? Read God’s word. Do you wish to know what would happen in the future? Just read the word of God. Indeed, an encounter with God’s word is an encounter with Jesus our light. No wonder today’s responsorial psalm sings: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

2. God’s Word is More Important than the Preacher.

In today’s second reading, St. Paul is obviously disappointed with the Christians in Corinth because of divisions, dissensions, and quarreling among them. While some were claiming to be followers of Paul, others were taking sides with Cephas (Peter) and some others, Apollos. This quarreling among the believers was a sign of a great failure on their part to make God’s word a priority in their lives.

Many Christians today do not take their time to read the Bible for themselves, they only hear God’s word from the lips of preachers. As a result, they are more loyal to preachers than to God. Do not forget that satan quoted from the Bible while trying to tempt Jesus. Find out what is in the Bible yourself lest you become a victim. Be loyal to God’s word; not to any preacher.

3. God’s Word Demands Immediate Response.

It is never enough that we read the Bible, we must also act on it. Failure to do what the word of God demands puts us in a far worse condition than those who never had the privilege of hearing the word. 

Hence, Jesus would say: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock…(but)… everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27).

In our Gospel passage, we see how Peter and Andrew as well as the sons of Zebedee, James, and John immediately left their nets and everything they were doing upon hearing the words: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Every time we encounter God’s word, we cannot afford to remain where we are; something must change in us, and there must be a movement from our former ways to a new life; a movement from the darkness of sin to walking as children of light.

The disciples followed Jesus leaving behind their means of livelihood, they trusted in Divine Providence. At times, God’s word makes great demands on us. It seems like God is asking the impossible from us. We must learn from these disciples to just trust God and obey. 

The Psalmist sings: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Imagine what your life would be if God’s word is a lamp for your feet; imagine consulting God’s word before any decision you take in life.

4. God’s Word Brings Us Healing; Spiritually and Physically.

What happens when we create time for God’s words when we listen attentively and make bold steps to apply God’s words in our lives? Miracles follow. All through the Gospels, we notice this pattern: when a crowd gathers around Jesus, He begins with preaching and after he had spent a great deal of time preaching to them, He begins to work miracles, healing them of their sicknesses, freeing them from their burdens and casting out demons from those oppressed by the devil.

Whatever we seek from God will come to us so long as we make His Word a priority in our lives. The secret to your healing, your deliverance, and your breakthrough in life is to allow God’s word into your heart daily. Read God’s word, and use the word of God to pray. Speak God’s words over any situation you may be facing in life and watch how great things would begin to happen. 

Conclusion

Do you have a Bible? Do you really know how powerful it is? When last did you devote some hours of your day to reading and meditating on God’s word? Could it be that you really do not have the time for God’s word? The truth is that you always have time for anything you consider to be important to you. The word of God is more important than riches, fame, comfort, or anything you can think of. The word of God is life. Last Sunday, we noted that if you ever try to preach to someone only to discover you are lost for words, it means your heart is full of too much junk or you do not even know Jesus. The secret to overcoming this predicament is simple: Read God’s Word Every day.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, increase my love and appreciation for your word. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday of the Word of God). Bible Study: Isaiah 8:23-9:3, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17, Matthew 4:12-23).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu