The Key to Prosperity is Obedience

Wednesday, 31 January 2024. Read 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:7-13

“Keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.” (1 Kings 2:3)

Today’s first reading chronicles the end of David’s life. God chose David for leadership as a young man by asking Samuel to anoint him. Unlike Saul, David struggled for years before ascending the throne. After forty years of kingly reign, David, now on his dying bed, called Solomon, his heir, to advise him. As the saying goes: “Experience is the best teacher.” David’s advice to Solomon was born out of his painful experiences, and this advice remains valid today.

1. Be Strong and Show Yourself a Man: To be an effective leader, you must avoid timidity (no gree for anybody). Writing to his spiritual son, Timothy, St. Paul notes: “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). David recalled that it was his battle with Goliath that brought him to glory. Leadership is not for you if you are too scared of confronting Goliath.

2. Put God First: David must have observed that all the problems he faced during his reign as king resulted from ignoring God’s commandments. Having painfully learnt his lessons, David concluded: “Keep God’s commandments, and everything will go well for you.” One mistake we often make is thinking we can disobey God without suffering the consequences of our misdeeds. The truth is that God’s commandments are a covenant. If we want God to do his part, we, too, must do our part. To get a good meal, you must follow the rules of cooking. In the same way, to enjoy prosperity as a leader, you must never ignore God’s words.

3. Proper Parenting - Raise God-fearing Children: Proper parenting is always a problem for many leaders. Eli failed in this. Samuel failed as well. David also failed. You are in charge of thousands as a leader, but don’t be too busy to neglect your home. Raising God-fearing children is a full-time ministry. You must be close to God and exemplary in conduct because children learn by observation. They know when you don’t practice what you preach. David said to Solomon: “If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and soul, there shall not fail you a man on the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 2:4).

4. Authority Comes With Responsibility: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus empowered the Twelve by giving them authority over unclean spirits before sending them in pairs to preach the Good News. A leader without authority is like a car without an engine. However, never forget that power comes with responsibility – there are terms and conditions. Jesus said: “Take nothing for your journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in your belt; do not put on two tunics.” To exercise authority over unclean spirits, we must avoid greed because it is a form of idolatry. You cannot serve both God and mammon. Many leaders have failed today because they saw leadership as an opportunity to amass wealth.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, make me an exceptional leader. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 4 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:7-13).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Who is to Blame? Leaders or Followers

Wednesday, 31 January 2024. Read 2 Samuel 24:2,8-17, Ps. 32:1-2,5-7, Mark 6:1-6

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us? And they took offence at him.” (Mark 6:3)

In today’s first reading, David ordered a national census. When the number was given to him, his conscience struck him; he realised he had done something God forbade. David begged for mercy, but despite his plea, seventy thousand innocent souls perished. This is a clear example of how bad leadership can destroy the people.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus visits his home town, Nazareth, where he grew up and spent almost three decades. He goes to their synagogue on a Sabbath day and begins to teach, but those who knew Him as “the carpenter’s son” take offence because He revealed his identity as God. Jesus did no mighty work there except to lay his hands on and heal a few sick people. This shows that sometimes, the followers are to blame for their misfortunes. What lessons do our readings teach us today?

1. Leadership is Delicate: As a leader in any capacity, know that the lives of so many are in your hands. What you do or refuse to do could have either positive or negative consequences on others. Do not get carried away by the glories of that leadership position (the power, the fame or the financial benefits). Be concerned about the welfare of the people lest you become a tool of destruction. If you want to be a leader to escape poverty, please reconsider. The blood of innocent lives will be demanded of you if you fail. On the other hand, let us pray for our leaders. (Cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-4). Even though their office resembles God's, they are still humans capable of making mistakes.

2. No Matter How Bad Things Become, Take Responsibility: David did not resign to fate when the pestilence began. He continued praying until something happened (P.U.S.H). David took full responsibility for the deaths of the people; he did not go about pointing fingers or blaming the victims. As a leader, accept your faults, take responsibility, and find a solution when things get bad. Do not be like leaders who blame their predecessors even after years of assuming office.

3. Familiarity Breeds Contempt: A few days ago, we heard Jesus say that all those who hear His word and keep it are His mother, brother and sister. This means that Jesus regards us as a family; He wants us to be familiar with Him and to see Him as a friend rather than a police officer. Familiarity draws us to God. However, it can also lead to contempt.

The problem with the Nazarenes was not familiarity but contempt; they were angry with Jesus. They expressed this anger by claiming to know the so-called brothers and sisters of Jesus. When we fail to accept the truth about Mary, we indirectly deny Jesus’ divinity. To say Jesus had biological brothers and sisters is to align with those who do not believe Jesus is God. Jesus’ power was not reduced in his home town; instead, their anger shielded His blessings. Could it be that my anger with God is blocking my miracles?

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, deepen our faith and grant that we may never suffer for the sins of our leaders. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint John Bosco, Priest. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 24:2,8-17, Ps. 32:1-2,5-7, Mark 6:1-6).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Lessons from the Fall of Absalom

Tuesday, 30 January 2024. Read 2 Samuel 18:9-10,14,24-25,30-19:3, Ps. 86:1-6, Mark 5:21-43

“The king asked the Cushite, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ And the Cushite answered, ‘May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you for evil, be like that young man.’” (2 Samuel 18:32)

As with Saul, David did not lift a finger before gaining victory over Absalom. David fought this war on his knees; with a humbled, contrite heart, he cried for mercy, and God gave him a second chance. Once again, we learn that not all battles require physical fighting. There is nothing wrong with being security-conscious (or putting systems in place to protect oneself); we must not forget to add God to our security checklist by being on good terms with Him. Physical weapons are required for protection, but they are not enough.

Goliath approached David with a sword, a club and a spear (coupled with the advantage of his size, years of experience and physical strength), but his weapons were not enough. Saul went out with three thousand trained soldiers to capture David, but his weapons were insufficient. Absalom approached Jerusalem with an army of soldiers only to be caught hanging in a thick oak tree. His weapons also failed him. What do we learn from this young man’s fall?

1. Avoid Dirty Politics: In your desire for power, remember that the position you seek is not worth one person's life. Absalom had all the physical qualities for kingship, but he lacked one thing – a solid relationship with God. In his quest for power, Absalom did a lot of terrible atrocities. Actions have consequences. You don’t have to offend God to get into any position. Remember that all power belongs to God. If that seat is meant for you, it will come to you.

2. Learn to Evaluate Every Advice: Absalom’s greatest mistake was assuming that all surrounding him were loyal to his cause. It is not all those who are singing your praises and cheering you on that mean well for you. Absalom had the privilege of hearing Ahithophel’s wise counsel but ignored it and chose to go by Hushai’s advice because it seemed more pleasing in his ears. Absalom did not know that Hushai came from David’s camp.

3. Speed Kills - Drive with Care: The remote cause of Absalom’s death was over-speeding. One common behaviour of youths is over-speeding coupled with a lack of concentration. Absalom was driving his mule at a top speed but failed to see the oak tree ahead of him. Even those riding with him (his fellow youths) did not notice he was gone; they kept going as though it was race. Recently, I saw a viral post by the Federal Road Safety Corps about certain hymns we should sing at certain speeds. At 160km/hr, the best song is: “Nearer my God to thee, nearer to thee…” At 180km/hr, sing: “I come to thee my Lord my God…” Beyond driving, learn to take life easy. As a youth, remember that the race is not always for the swift, and the battle is not always for the strong. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 9:11).

4. The Power of a Father’s Love: Even though David knew Absalom’s intentions, he wept for him profusely upon hearing about his death. No father will hear about the death of a child and rejoice. This brings us to today’s Gospel passage. A synagogue official, Jarius, met Jesus, knelt before him and begged him to heal his daughter, who was at the point of death. This is what every responsible Father should do.

5. Faith in God Moves Mountains: The woman with the issue of blood in today’s Gospel passage had explored all known medical remedies to no avail. She touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, fully convinced it would work. There are some Christians today who refuse to visit the hospital or take drugs when they are sick in the name of “God will heal me.” This is very wrong. Faith is not opposed to medicine; rather, it complements it. God wants to heal you, but this healing will not happen in a vacuum; don’t neglect your drugs.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, free me from pride and over-ambition. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 4 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 18:9-10,14,24-25,30-19:3, Ps. 86:1-6, Mark 5:21-43).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Lessons From David’s Humility and Contrition

Monday, 29 January 2024. Read 2 Samuel 15:13-14,30,16:5-13, Ps. 3:2-8, Mark 5:1-20

“Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord has bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on my distress, and the Lord will repay me with good for this cursing of me today.” (2 Samuel 16:11-12)

In today’s first reading, David is on the run again, this time from his son, Absalom, who was determined to kill him and enthrone himself as king of Israel. How did things get this bad? Why was Absalom not afraid to challenge David? After David’s affair with Uriah’s wife and his subsequent murder, David loses moral authority in his household. One of his sons, Amnon, felt that since David could afford to take another man’s wife, he too could have his half-sister, Tamar. Shocked that David refused to punish Amnon for his, Absalom, Tamar’s sister, orchestrated revenge and had Amnon put to death.

Absalom fled to Geshur, and upon his return, he obtained David’s pardon by trick. Surprised again that David did not punish him, Absalom was convinced that David had become weak. Pretending to be David’s Minister of Justice, Absalom garnered political support and then declared himself king at Hebron. When David heard that Absalom had declared himself king, he knew what would come next, so he fled. Rather than wage war against Absalom (as Saul did against him), David cried to God for mercy. What does this teach us?

1. David Applied Wisdom by Begging for God’s Mercy: Saul and David offended God, but the difference is that while Saul tried to justify himself (give excuses for his disobedience), David wept profusely. David got a second chance at the throne, but Saul never did. It is bad to fall into sin, but it is even worse when you refuse to admit your fault or beg for mercy. Heaven is full of sinners who begged for mercy (for instance, the thief who asked Jesus to remember him in paradise), but hell is full of self-righteous persons who felt they were too holy to say, “I am sorry.” Perhaps it has been a while since you had a good confession; don’t end up like Saul; learn from David to beg (cry to God) for mercy.

2. Not all Battles Require Physical Fighting: As St. Paul would say, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.” Guns and cutlasses can never win certain battles; they could worsen the situation. David (who defeated Goliath as a teenager) understood the game of battle very well; he knew that taking up physical weapons when God was angry with him would be futile. While David fled, Shimei came out to rain curses on him. David did not allow Abishai to strike Shimei. Instead, David prayed that God would convert these curses into blessings. You don’t have to respond to every insult. If God is on your side, He will fight for you. Ensure you are on good terms with God.

3. Not all Sicknesses are Physical: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus cures a demoniac living among the tombs. No one could bind him, not even with chains. He was ostracised from the community and considered dead (even while alive). This demoniac represents a heart hardened by sin, a dead conscience, one who sees nothing wrong with whatever he does, one who cannot say “I am sorry”, or one who refuses to take instructions (cannot be bound by chains). This condition is worse than any physical sickness. If you believe you are perfect or that you don’t know anyone, know that you are not different from this demoniac; you need healing. Jesus wants to free you, but you must beg Him like David.

4. Human Life is Precious: Jesus did not mind the loss of an entire herd of swine to save one man. We live in a world where people are killed in exchange for cows (and other livestock). We have become like those who sent Jesus out of their community because they feared that if Jesus cured more demoniacs, they would suffer more economic loss. Do not value money more than a human being. To do this is to lose your humanity.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant me a humble and contrite heart. Through Jesus 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: 2 Samuel 15:13-14,30,16:5-13, Ps. 3:2-8, Mark 5:1-20).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

What is the Devil doing in Church?

Sunday, 28 January 2024. Read Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Ps. 95:1-2,6-9, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Mark 1:21-28

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1:24)

Our Gospel passage today is a direct continuation of that of last Sunday. Jesus is at the beginning of his public ministry. He sets out to fulfil His prophetic mandate: “to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-20).

From Last Sunday’s readings, we heard Jesus proclaiming the Gospel – the good news of God’s kingdom at hand, the message of repentance and the fishermen's call. Today, Jesus is at the Synagogue, where he meets persons held captive by ignorance, demonic oppression and false religion. When we reflect deeply on this passage, as well as the other readings of today, we cannot but note some vital lessons:

1. The Church is Home to Both Saints and Sinners
One of the accusations against Jesus by the Jewish authorities was His open association with those they considered sinners, such as tax collectors, prostitutes and their friends. Jesus often responded by saying: “I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32). Jesus even gave a parable that before trying to remove the speck in someone’s eye, we should take out the log in ours. (Cf. Matthew 7:3-5). While the religious leaders were pointing fingers at Jesus, they were too blind to realise their faults, not to mention the fact that in their midst were persons who were possessed by demonic spirits.

Just as everyone present at the Synagogue was shocked by the display of the demon-possessed man, it will shock you to realise that even today, there are many demon-possessed persons in our congregation, among the lay faithful, religious and clergy. To assume that everyone you see well-dressed and sitting calmly in the Church is perfect and holy is to forget that Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). Demonic possession does not show in a person’s face but as Jesus said: “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16).

To assume that everyone who is a leader in a church assembly (or who performs signs and wonders or makes prophetic utterances) is truly from God is one great mistake. In today’s first reading, God, speaking through Moses, warns us of false prophets that would come telling lies and claiming to be who they are not. “The prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.” (Deuteronomy 18:20). The truth is that there are many of such prophets today and it is not so easy to tell the wheat from the weeds (Cf. Matthew 13:25-30)

2. What is the Devil doing in Church?
The question which readily comes to mind now is: “If someone knows he or she is not clean (that he or she is a witch, belongs to a secret cult, partakes in human sacrifices and rituals, etc.), what would such a person be doing in the House of God?”

One, to steal and kill and destroy (Cf. John 10:10) by distracting the flow of worship in the Church (indecent dressing, noise-making, use of phone, quarrelling, gossiping, etc.), by outright spiritual attacks, by recruiting more members in the name of friendship which is often defined by immorality and so on. Be careful! It is not all that glitters that is gold. In the name of “my church member, my church member”, many have walked into serious darkness and sold their souls to the devil. Many are in church, but not all are genuine Christians. This is why God revealed to Isaiah: “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13).

Two, as darkness attracts light, such persons come to church seeking salvation and deliverance from their bondage; they know how bad they are but desire to be free. This is why Jesus was not angry with the man himself but spoke directly to the demon: “Be silent and come out of him.” This was why Jesus went to that Synagogue – to set at liberty those oppressed. If Jesus knew there were such persons there and did not shy away from the synagogue, the fact that we know demons amongst us should not discourage us from going to Church.

When you hear of scandals breaking out in the church, when things begin to go viral on social media about this pastor, that priest, that bishop and so on, don’t allow such things to discourage you from going to church. Yes, we have sinners amongst us; we have demoniacs holding strategic positions in the church and society, but should you then throw away the baby and the bathwater? Remember the words of St. Paul: “We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

3. Hardness of Heart is the First Sign of Demonic Possession
Our responsorial psalm today contains a very strong message: “Oh, that today you would listen to his voice! Harden, not your hearts.” They often say that a dog that would soon get lost stops listening to the voice of his master. Jesus also noted: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28). The sheep of Jesus hear His voice, come to tears over their sins, and repent. Of course, not those who assume they are holier than everyone else, and the message does not apply to them.

Hardness of heart expresses itself either in self-righteousness or in the form of despair – that is, the feeling that “no matter how I try, I can never amount to anything good.” It gives up the struggle against sin and concludes that all hope is lost. Unlike the people of Nineveh who made frantic efforts to repent, as we saw in our first reading last Sunday, those whose hearts are hardened do not bother to lift a finger. They are like stones; no matter how much water you pour on it, the stone cannot absorb it. Jesus Christ told us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34).

When we are neck-deep in sin, the devil makes us believe there can be no redemption; our recurrent sinfulness becomes a form of demonic possession, and our refusal to come out of it due to our hardness of heart keeps us going deeper and deeper into evil. Today, as you hear this message, God calls you out of that vicious cycle. You cannot remain a slave forever. Jesus added: “The slave does not continue in the house forever; the son continues forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:35-36). You are not a child of the devil; you are a child of God. You were not born like this. There was once upon a time when you were not committing that sin. You can still return to that state. Embrace Jesus today and ask Him to deliver you.

4. If you are Not Married, You Shouldn’t be having Sex.
If you want to get the full gist of St. Paul’s message in today’s second reading, read that of two Sundays ago and last Sunday. We live in a time in history where immorality has become the order of the day, and St. Paul’s words are ignored even by those who should be examples in our churches and the larger society. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. If you cannot hold your flesh, then get married and be faithful to your spouse; if God blesses you with children, don’t kill them. Whatever pushed you to sex should push you to take care of your children. If you are not ready for the responsibilities of marriage or having to take care of children, then take your mind away from sex.

Stop watching pornography, stop being friends with people who are constantly pressuring you to have sex or who are constantly talking or making jokes about it. As an unmarried person, St. Paul says your only concern should be “about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit” (1 Corinthians 7:32-34). Let me tell you a secret: by asking us to be holy in body and spirit, St. Paul is not placing a burden on us. Rather, he gives us the surest ticket to freedom and peace of mind. You need to read from verse 35 to the end. St. Paul says: “I am saying this for your benefit not to lay any restraint upon you…”

Having a boyfriend or girlfriend, one you are sleeping with but not married to, is not enjoyment; it is a heavy burden; it is self-punishment; it is misery and pain; it is a restraint to spiritual growth and self-development. In verse 40, St. Paul says: “In my judgment, she (that is the unmarried person) is happier if she remains as she is.” There is great joy and peace in not being sexually involved with anyone when you are not married. This is the joy of celibacy, and an enormous power comes with it. Only those who are faithfully keeping themselves can understand its bliss. Let us not forget that celibacy already existed in the Jewish religion. Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, St. Paul and many others were celibates.

Conclusion: Exercise Your Authority as a Christian.
Jesus did not teach like the scribes; He taught as one with authority. Jesus taught as God because He knew who He was. When we don’t know who we are, we behave like slaves and allow others to push us around. More still, when in the name of sexual pleasure or the quest for material riches, we sell ourselves to the devil, we become so entangled in sin that our hearts become hardened and we feel hopeless. Do not remain in darkness if you hear God speaking to your heart today. Come out of that cult, out of that relationship, out of that dungeon, and out of that possession. Let your life henceforth become a proclamation of God’s kingdom.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, fill me with the Holy Spirit, cast away from me any attachment to evil, any sinful habit, and demonic possession. Through Jesus 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: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Ps. 95:1-2,6-9, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Mark 1:21-28).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

The Danger of the 11th Commandment

Saturday, 27 January 2024.

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-7,10-17, Ps. 51:12-17, Mark 4:35-41

“As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” (2 Samuel 12:5-6)

Many Christians today live by the eleventh commandment: “As long as no one is aware of my sin, I am a saint.” Instead of working on ourselves, we do everything possible to hide our sins from the public. A group of psychologists conducted an experiment where participants were given a simple task to do and report their scores. Each participant was put in a room alone in the first session, but in the second session, there was an observer. It was discovered that many participants inflated their scores when they did the task alone but reported exact scores when they saw the observer.

Like David, we even take the moral high ground when we hear of others’ faults without realising we are attempting to fight the same demon we possess. When David heard Nathan’s story, he was furious and proclaimed death on the culprit; little did he know that he had just passed judgment on himself. What does this teach us?

1. Nothing is Hidden Under the Sun: You may have heard this saying: “Live a good life so that no one has to lie about you during your funeral.” The fact that no one has confronted you yet does not mean that your sins are secret. David thought that by killing Uriah, people would think he married Bathsheba out of pity. I often wonder why those who hold powerful positions in society think they can fool the common man.

2. The Power of Storytelling: Stories have the power of penetrating our subconscious thoughts. The beauty of a good story is that it is easily remembered; this way, one must remember the message. Jesus Christ explored storytelling as a communication tool during his public ministry, and the stories He told thousands of years ago continue to strike our hearts today. Through storytelling, Nathan successfully delivered an uncomfortable message to David.

3. Learn to Package Value: It is one thing to tell someone their mouth is smelling, but there is a way to say it so they don’t feel insulted. Your manner of delivery (packaging) matters a lot. This is why a plate of rice sold for N1,500 in a local restaurant goes for N25,000 in a five-star hotel. You may have good intentions and plans (content), but you fail to achieve results without proper packaging. In other words, don’t rush. Think carefully before you speak and act. Do you think shouting (and raining insults) on your husband will stop him from cheating on you?

4. There are Consequences for Sins: Before Nathan came to David, he (like many of us today) was living in denial, clapping for himself for being a smart guy. David expressed contrition the moment he realised his faults, but this did not stop the consequences of his actions. Some of us take the sacrament of penance for granted. “Let me just do it… after all, I can always go for confession.” From David, we learn that we are not the only ones who suffer for our sins; our loved ones and family members are also affected.

Today's responsorial psalm says: “Create in me a pure heart.” David fell because he lusted after another man’s wife. This was not the first time David saw a beautiful woman having her bath, but unlike other occasions, he failed to take off his eyes because his heart was no longer pure. This is the same David who saw Saul sleeping and refused to kill him. It is easier to resist temptations when your heart is pure.

5. You are Afraid Because You Have No Faith: Although Nathan carefully packaged the message, it took great faith to confront David with the ugly truth. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sleeps in a boat while the disciples panic due to the storm. Life is full of ups and downs. It may just be your season of storms. Don’t give up yet. Avoid making permanent decisions in moments of temporary crisis.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, remove any timidity from me. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 3 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 12:1-7,10-17, Ps. 51:12-17, Mark 4:35-41).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

No Gree For Anybody This Year

Friday, 26 January 2024. Read 2 Timothy 1:1-8, Ps. 96:1-3,7-8,10, Mark 4:26-34

“Rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

Today, the church celebrates Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops in the early church. We believe they were among the seventy that Jesus sent out in today’s Gospel passage into various towns and villages to spread the Good News. In today’s first reading, St. Paul writes Timothy: “No Gree For Anybody.” This shows that there is also a spiritual dimension to the motto many Nigerians have adopted for this year. Why must we refuse to “gree” for anybody?

1. We Have the Spirit of Power; No Gree for Bullies: God has not given us the spirit of timidity (or cowardice). Timidity (bowing to pressure from others, failing to take a stand for God, being afraid of the devil and his agents) is not a virtue. St. John would say: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).

Just as a single candle is never intimated by the darkness of an entire room, “No gree for anybody” means that we must never be intimated into sinning (even if this entails suffering). Some Christians are so timid of proclaiming their faith in public. Who says we have to blend in with the culture of immorality? Jesus said: “Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)

2. We Have the Spirit of Love; No Gree for the Devil: Amid our struggles and hardship, it is very easy for us to slide into selfishness, that is, thinking only of ourselves rather than working for the good of others. St. John teaches us: “Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8).

Jesus sent out the seventy in today’s Gospel passage in the spirit of love. Matthew tells us, "He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36). When there is love in our hearts, we reach out to others physically and spiritually.

3. We Have the Spirit of Self-Control; No Gree for Yourself: Do you know you are your greatest enemy? It is easy to say no to others. It is even easier to say no to the devil, but when it comes to myself (my cravings and desires), I often realise it is a very difficult battle. If we lack self-discipline (if we ‘gree’ for ourselves), we can never grow, and we become obstacles to the spread of the Gospel. This is why Jesus gave stringent rules to the seventy in today’s Gospel passage: “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road… remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide… do not go from house to house.” If you succeed in conquering yourself, you have conquered the world.

In conclusion, though we may all have God’s spirit in us, we would not progress spiritually without fanning this spirit into flames. From the stories of Saul and David, we have already learnt that anointing without hard work is a failure. Talent is never enough. God, who made you without your cooperation, will not save you without your cooperation.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, remove any timidity from me. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. 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 4:26-34).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

The Second Chance

Thursday, 25 January 2024. 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 are celebrating a conversion story. People repent every day. Hardened criminals become pastors, evangelists and bishops. What is so special about one man’s conversion that the Catholic Church set aside a day in the liturgical calendar to celebrate it? This is the question we shall answer in today’s lessons:

1. No Human Being is Beyond Redemption: St. Paul’s conversion story is special because it teaches us that God can call anybody. Today, we are not just celebrating St. Paul; we are celebrating hope for humanity; we are celebrating a God whose mercy knows no bounds, who can see good even in something considered detestable by human beings. We serve a God of second chances.

2. Stop Hiding Your Sins: I once heard a medicine man on the radio saying: “If you hide sickness, sickness will hide you.” In the same way, if we hide our sins, we cannot overcome them. The day you can handle a microphone and confess your sins in public (as St. Paul did in today’s first reading) is the day you will be free. As long as we keep pretending to be saints in public while indulging in evil behind closed doors, repentance continues to elude us.

You might say: “But I don’t want people to laugh at me.” This means you are yet to face the truth; you are living in denial (lying to yourself and trying to believe the lie). Whatever you deny, you cannot treat. In my primary school days, I remember a teacher calling on me to answer a question, and I gave the wrong answer, only for my classmates to laugh. I hated being that guy who doesn’t know the answer. Before that day, I didn’t see myself as an “olodo” but when I saw them laughing, I realised I was one. By accepting the truth, I developed a hatred for that version of myself; that was the day of my conversion.

3. To Repent is to Encounter God: Homilies don’t convert people; even our best efforts at evangelisation do not bring about repentance – God alone can break into peoples’ hearts. The story of St. Paul shows us that conversion occurs when a person encounters God, which may not even happen within the church premises. Many Christians claim to be born again (baptised) but lack this personal encounter with God. They live recklessly because they have only heard about God but have never had an experience (like that which brought St. Paul to his knees on the way to Damascus). Pray to have an experience of God that would show you that God is not just a figment of imagination.

4. Every Sinner Needs an Ananias: By commanding us to go and preach to the whole world, Jesus is asking us to become Ananias to many Sauls in our world. Ananias was not responsible for Paul’s conversion but became the living image of God to Paul, the messenger of God’s mercy and pardon. Ananias told Paul that God had called him to be a witness. Ananias did not condemn Paul but served as a spiritual guide, teaching him until Paul got back on his feet.

One could give Ananias the credit for opening Paul’s eyes, but we know this was God’s doing. This is the message Jesus conveys in today’s Gospel passage: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents…” Do not be scared of attempting to win a sinner for God, but remember that you are only an instrument. God will do His work in the end.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give me the grace of total repentance today. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. 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 E. Abu

Solid Faith Provokes Solid Giving

Wednesday, 24 January 2024. Read 2 Samuel 7:4-17, Ps. 89:4-5,27-30, Mark 4:1-20

“But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:20)

Having successfully brought back the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem alongside its accompanying rituals, David (out of a deep sense of gratitude to God who elevated him from the status of a shepherd boy to that of a king at just thirty) was not comfortable with the fact that he lived in a house of cedar. The Ark of God dwelt in a tent. David’s desire to build a temple was a fruit of his well-grounded faith in God. Going by Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel passage, David represents the seed that fell on good soil. Let us now examine our lessons for today:

1. Giving to God is an Expression of Faith: In a developing nation like Nigeria, many pastors and priests are burdened with raising funds for Church projects. Why must we organise special chieftaincy titles to get people to give? Why should there be a third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh collection? Why do we invite speakers or hire musicians to make people donate? In his second letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes: “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Nathan did not preach to David that “failure to tithe would make things tight for him.” The temple was not even Nathan’s idea. David felt deep within him the need to show appreciation to God. Giving to God expresses your faith. If your faith is large enough to acknowledge that everything you have comes from God, then like seeds sown in good soil, you would easily consider doing something to appreciate God.

2. Learn to Pray before Making Decisions: As King of Israel, David had all the resources to construct a temple fitting for God, but he consulted with Nathan, the priest. Immediately, Nathan gave David a green light. Nathan later discovered his mistake when God sent a message that David was not qualified to build the temple. Don’t be too quick to answer or decide. Consult with God. Even Jesus spent a whole night in prayer before selecting the apostles. Thank God Nathan was humble enough to acknowledge his mistake and politely tell David not to proceed with the plan.

3. Gratitude Opens the Door for More Blessings: Although God did not allow David to build the temple, God blessed David still to teach us that His blessings are not for sale. You don’t have to give anything. Just be grateful. Many Christians approach God with a mercantile attitude; they believe that the bigger the seed, the bigger the harvest. God is not a money doubler. If your giving is just an investment, you are wasting it. Do not be deceived by false preachers. Note that David’s blessings were not for David per se but for his generation. These blessings only began after David’s death, and part of that blessing was that Jesus Christ took flesh in David’s bloodline.

4. Same Seed yet Different Soils: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus illustrates why God’s Words do not work for some persons. The seeds sown had the potential to grow, but they needed the cooperation of the soil. Jesus did not work many miracles in his hometown because many lacked faith. Those who think the Church is a scam will always see reasons to justify their belief, yet those who believe in God deeply are never disappointed. Instead of changing the seed, we should change the soil. Instead of trying to change the Bible (or change our doctrine) to suit our modern culture, let us pray for deeper faith in God.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, create in me a pure heart – a rich soil, that I may bear abundant fruits for you. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 7:4-17, Ps. 89:4-5,27-30, Mark 4:1-20).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Lessons from David’s Ritual Dance

Tuesday, 23 January 2024. Read 2 Samuel 6:12-15,17-19, Ps. 24:7-10, Mark 3:31-35

“David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod.” (2 Samuel 6:14)

Recently, a video of some persons slaughtering two rams and then collecting the blood in a basin went viral. According to the video description, this event occurred just before construction (rehabilitation) work began on a very popular bridge in Nigeria. When a typical African reads the Old Testament, certain practices resonate because they resemble the religion of our forefathers.

In today’s first reading (and several instances in the Old Testament), animals were slaughtered for sacrifice, and their blood was collected in basins and sprinkled on the people. Another Old Testament practice that we relate to is dancing. For us, dancing is an intricate aspect of worship. David danced almost naked while bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Did David forget he was the king of Israel? Why did he have to “embarrass” himself publicly?

1. David Danced to Acknowledge God’s Presence: David’s dance is similar to the dance of little children when their parents arrive from work or on a journey. David danced out of excitement because he knew that God’s blessings would come upon Israel with the Ark in its rightful place. In 2 Samuel 6:12, we read: “It was told King David, ‘The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.’” If you believe God is with you, you will dance for joy.

2. David’s Danced to Seek God’s Pardon and Mercy: On a deeper level, David’s dance was a sacrifice of atonement. Clothes are a symbol of dignity. By covering ourselves, we cover our shame. (Do you notice that we tear off the clothes of a person caught stealing? We do so to humiliate them). David took off his clothes to humiliate himself, just as the king of Nineveh tore his clothes and sat on ashes when Jonah preached. David sought to undo Hophni and Phineas' error that led to the capture of the Ark.

3. David Restored the Priesthood by Dancing with the Linen Ephod: The only piece of clothing on David’s body was the ephod. Saul hated Samuel for anointing David. He even tried to destroy the priesthood. Luckily, Abiathar escaped, and the only object of the priesthood left was the ephod, a piece of white cloth worn by the priest over their loins, which symbolises purity (chastity, sinlessness). The ephod (now known as Alb) is still worn by catholic priests today. By wearing this vestment, David recognised that, but for Samuel’s anointing, he couldn’t have come this far.

4. Jesus Wants You to Dance with Him: Dancing is always a favourite family ritual. In the presence of your family members, there is no shyness. Jesus’ family members missed him because he was occupied with full-time ministry. They heard he wasn’t eating well (one day, He was walking through the grain fields and plucking raw grains to eat). They wanted to take Him home, but Jesus had bigger agendas. He was forming a larger family that would admit as many as possible, provided they followed the rules. There is no family without rules. In Jesus’ family, the rule is obedience, practising what the Word of God says. Do you belong to this family? Take time every evening to dance with Jesus.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant that I may never lose my connection to you. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 3 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 6:12-15,17-19, Ps. 24:7-10, Mark 3:31-35).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

With God on Your Side, Success is Certain

Monday, 22 January 2024. Read 2 Samuel 5:1-7,10, Ps. 89:20-22,25-26, Mark 3:22-30

“So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign and reigned forty years.” (2 Samuel 5:3-4)

David’s rise to the throne is a story of determination, hard work, and righteousness. As a little boy, David was anointed by Samuel, but it wasn’t until he was thirty that he became substantive King of Israel. David did not go to sleep, hoping that with the anointing he received, everything would just magically fall into place. Here are some lessons in today’s readings:

1. Anointing Without Sweat is Failure: As the saying goes: “Pray as if everything depends on God, but work as if everything depends on you.” God blesses the labour of our hands; He does not provide food straight from the sky. You may lead a horse to a river but cannot force it to drink water. Anointing leads us to the river, but God does not force us to drink. There is nothing wrong with spending long hours in prayer, but something is wrong if we do nothing afterwards.

2. Be Patient: Learn to be patient. Whatever belongs to you must surely come to you. David was never eager for the throne. When the news of Saul’s death was brought to him, David wept and fasted till evening that day. He even composed a song of lamentation for Saul and his friend Jonathan. David did not rush to wear the crown. He waited until the elders of Israel came to him at Hebron to request that he become the King of Israel.

3. Power Comes From God: Getting into a particular office (or leadership position) is just the beginning. To succeed, you must be connected to a Divine Source of energy. Our first reading today concludes with this statement: “And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.” Initially, the inhabitants of Jerusalem boasted that David would not take the city, but then David succeeded against them because God was on his side. If God is not with you, you cannot succeed in leading another human being, not to mention a large group of people.

4. Dealing with Criticism: Just as the inhabitants of Jerusalem were hostile to David, some people hated Jesus. It is said that to kill a dog, give it a bad name. Out of their hatred of Jesus, they spread false rumours about Him, accusing Jesus of being a prince of Beelzebub. Jesus pointed out the error in their thinking, showing that if the devil were to cast out the devil, his kingdom would cease to exist. Do not be shaken by criticism if your conscience is. Understand that it is just a mind game, a ploy devised to distract you from achieving your goals. We cannot stop people from speaking ills about us. However, we can always control how we react to such negative comments.

5. Mind Your Tongue: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus noted: “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” Before criticising anyone, endeavour to verify your facts. There is nothing to gain by destroying other people’s reputations just for fun. Do not be a rumour-monger.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant that I may never lose my connection to you. Through Jesus 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: 2 Samuel 5:1-7,10, Ps. 89:20-22,25-26, Mark 3:22-30).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Now is the Time to Repent

Sunday, 21 January 2024. Read Jonah 3:1-5,10, Ps. 25:4-6,7b-9, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10)

In our Gospel passage today, Mark tells us that Jesus began his public ministry by preaching, saying: “This is the time of fulfilment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” In other words, “Today is all we have; this is the time; repent now and believe the Gospel.”

In our first reading, we see a very similar message being preached by Jonah to the people of Nineveh: “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed.” In other words, there is no time; we cannot postpone repentance; otherwise, we shall be destroyed.

Our Second reading today contains the same message: “The appointed time has grown very short…” Our second reading gives us the strategy of repentance and explains why repentance is necessary: “For the form of this world is passing away.” This world will soon end; even our very life will end someday.

When we put our readings together, there are some lessons we learn.

1. There is always a Punishment For Sin.
Sin is only attractive when we turn our eyes to its consequences. If we only tell ourselves the truth that the only reward from sin is death, then we can find the courage to say “No” to the devil in moments of temptation.

No matter how small, every sin carries a punishment by its very nature. Chinua Achebe says: “One who brings in ant-infested wood into his bedroom should be prepared for lizards’ invasion.” If you put your bare hands on fire, there should be no negotiation about being burnt. Sir Isaac Newton was right when he said, “For every ACTION, there is an equal and opposite REACTION.”

2. Fasting is Essential to the Process of Repentance.
Even doctors prescribe fasting as a medicine because it helps the body physically. Spiritually, it helps your spirit regain control over your flesh. One who cannot say “No” to his flesh will never find the courage to say “No” to the devil.

Even though Jesus is God, he began his ministry with a 40-day fasting and prayer exercise. By fasting, Jesus learned to discipline his flesh, and by prayer, Jesus acquired Power. The people of Nineveh fasted, put on sackcloth, denied themselves, and changed their ways, and God was impressed at their willingness to drop in behind them.

3. To Repent is to Become Detached and Make Fundamental Changes.
To put it in pidgin, “repentance no be by mouth.” The story is about a guy who was baptised, and the priest said to him: From today, your name is no longer ‘Somebody’; you are now ‘Saint’. The young man got home and found a bottle of beer in his fridge; he took the beer, dipped it in water, brought it out and said: “From today, your name is no longer ‘beer’; you are now ‘pure water’.

Most times, when we tell ourselves we are going to repent, we deceive ourselves. Our people say one who fails to plan plans to fail. It is only a fool that would do the same thing again and again and still expect a different result. Sin never happens without our consent; 90% of the time, we make plans to sin. Let’s face it: you say, “I repent”, yet after mass, you have made plans for your friend to visit you, knowing fully well that each time that friend comes around, or you go to this person’s house, something sinful must happen.

Jesus told us in Matthew 5:29-30 “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; you should lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; you should lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” To repent is to do something drastic. It is to cut off, it is to withdraw and be detached as St. Paul says in today’s second reading: “let those who deal with the world live as though they had no dealings with it.”

Stop deceiving yourself. End that sinful relationship today. Make a fundamental change. Sin does not happen in a vacuum; some things lead to it. If sin must leave your life, then you must plan to fight it. How about if you set yourself a personal target of finishing the Bible this year? How about if you decide to pray the rosary each time you become bored, alone or idle? How about deciding to download the Lives of Saints with your phone rather than watch pornography online?

4. Repentance Requires Taking a Step Further in Our Walk with God.
In the call of the disciples, we see another dimension of repentance. As soon as Jesus said to them, “Come, I will make you fishers of men,” they left everything at once and followed him. They did not ask any questions.

Some of us are scared of what would happen to our business if we stopped telling lies to our customers. Some of us youths cannot imagine what would become of our lives if we lose our boyfriend or girlfriend, forgetting that hell is real. Some of us wonder where the money would come from if we abandon our current sinful practice that seems to be fetching us money. Don’t be scared, Jesus says: “Follow Me.” Follow me, and I will take care of you; follow me, and I will make you fishers of men; follow me, and I will take you to a higher level of prosperity and success; follow you, and I will give you true peace. Follow me, and your life will never remain the same again.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help me to repent and never return to my vomit again truly. Through Jesus 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: Jonah 3:1-5,10, Ps. 25:4-6,7b-9, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Lessons From the Life of Blessed Cyprian Iwene Tansi

Saturday, 20 January 2024. Read Philippians 2:1-11, Isaiah 12, Matthew 13:44-46

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

Born to non-Christian parents in September 1903 in Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria, Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi was sent to live with his uncle at seven. It was his Christian uncle who educated him. He was baptised at the age of 10 by Irish missionaries. Tansi was a diligent student with a precocious personality and deep piety. He worked as a teacher for three years and later served as a headmaster of St. Joseph’s school in Aguleri for one year. In those days, being a school headmaster translated to economic stability, yet at this point, Tansi opted for the priesthood. This brings us to our lessons today:

1. Be Detached: When Tansi expressed his desire to become a priest, his uncle arranged for a very beautiful lady to visit him, hoping she would make him think twice about becoming a priest. But despite several attempts to discourage him, there was no going back for Tansi. In 1925, against his family's wishes, he entered St. Paul’s Seminary in Igbariam and was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Onitsha on December 19, 1937.

2. Desire to Fulfil All Righteousness: In Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, we see a priest who lived out the selflessness required of the priestly vocation. As we read in today’s Gospel passage, Tansi “sold everything he had to purchase the kingdom of God.” Blessed Tansi was often accused of taking his Christian faith too seriously.

For a time, Tansi worked tirelessly in the parishes of Nnewi, Dunukofia, Akpu/Ajali before discerning his vocation to be a Cistercian monk at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, Leicester, England. He lived this vocation at the abbey for 14 years. Father Tansi used to say: “If you are going to be a Christian at all, you might as well live entirely for God”.

3. Be Devoted to Prayer: Pope John Paul II, in his homily during the beatification of Tansi, noted that he was, first of all, a man of God. His long hours before the Blessed Sacrament filled his heart with generous and courageous love. Those who knew him testified to his great love of God.

4. Consider Others as Better than Yourself: Pope John Paul II states, “His goodness touched everyone who met Tansi. He was then a man of the people: he always put others before himself and was especially attentive to the pastoral needs of families. He took great care to prepare couples well for Holy Matrimony and preached the importance of purity….”

This aspect of Blessed Tansi is what St. Paul speaks about in today’s first reading. When you consider others better than yourself, it will be easy to sacrifice for them. You will not think of what to gain from them but how to improve their lives.

5. Sainthood is For Everyone: Saints are not extraordinary people but ordinary people who live extraordinary lives by loving God and their neighbours as themselves. Blessed Tansi did not write an application letter to be beatified. The testimony of those who met him made the church recognise him. What will people say about you when you die?

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to trust more and live entirely for you. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Priest - Feast. Bible Study: Philippians 2:1-11, Isaiah 12, Matthew 13:44-46).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

If You Hate Your Enemies, You Are Not Better Than Them

Friday, 19 January 2024. Read 1 Samuel 24:3-21, Ps. 57:2-4,6,11, Mark 3:13-19

“Saul lifted his voice and wept. He said to David, ‘You are more righteous than I; for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.’” (1 Samuel 24:16-20)

With three thousand men, Saul went in search of David. When faced with Goliath’s threat, Saul hid in the palace (shaking with fear), but against David, Saul summoned the courage to attack. Unknown to Saul, he was attempting to fight God. In a strange twist, David had the chance to kill Saul in his sleep that night but refused. Our readings today contain a lot of lessons for our meditation.

1. Anointing Can Fail: Do you believe in the “Once saved, forever saved” doctrine? This is a lie that many Christians use to appease their conscience while they wallow in sin. You may have the gift of speaking in tongues, raising the dead, or seeing the future, but if you continue in the sinful practices that characterise the kingdom of darkness, your anointing can expire. Saul is a classic example of one whose disobedience reduced anointing to nothing. Many men of God started very well but have become shadows of themselves today. Be Careful. Work out your salvation in fear and trembling.

2. God’s Protection Supersedes All Human Protection: With three thousand trained soldiers, Saul was trying to use a gun to kill a fly. We tend to trust the latest security gadgets and weapons, but as we often see in the movies, not even the most advanced security systems in the world are tamper-free. If God is not on your side, forget it. Without fighting a single soldier, God delivered Saul into David’s hand. God’s protection is the best. As much as you try to be security conscious, ensure you live righteously.

3. If You Hate Your Enemies, You Have Become Like Them: Sometimes God tests us by putting our enemies in our hands. Revenge is not as sweet and glamorous as we see in the movies; killing your enemies makes no sense because it will not restore what they have taken away from you. If you treat your enemies the same way they treated you, it means you would have done worse if you were in their shoes? Jesus asked us: “If you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5:47)

4. There is a Reward for Kindness Shown to Your Enemies: For sparing Saul’s life, David proved that he was greater than Saul. With a heart full of shame, Saul prayed for David: “So, may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now, behold, I know you shall surely be king.” When you show kindness to your enemies, know that you are doing it for God, who will reward you. Do not assume that your kindness will change their attitude towards you (Saul would later continue his pursuit of David). Be good to them, for God’s sake.

5. Whatever Takes Your Time is What You Become: Nowadays, we spend a lot of time entertaining ourselves on social media apps, yet we complain about not having enough time for those things that add value to our lives. Whatever you desire to become tomorrow, make sure that is what occupies most of your time today; otherwise, you are just a dreamer. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus “appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out.” They needed to be with Jesus before they could be sent out; they needed to leave everything else and dedicate three full years to Jesus before they could go out. If we don’t give Jesus our time, we dare not say we know Him.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to love my enemies as myself. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 2 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Samuel 24:3-21, Ps. 57:2-4,6,11, Mark 3:13-19).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Do Not Bite the Finger That Feeds You

Thursday, 18 January 2024. Read 1 Samuel 18:6-9,19:1-7, Ps. 56:2-3,9-14, Mark 3:7-12

“Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; he said: ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousand, and to me, they have ascribed a thousand; and what more can he have but the kingdom?’ And Saul eyed David from that day on.” (1 Samuel 18:8-9)

David’s motivation for fighting Goliath was to prove God’s superiority over weapons made by human hands. When Goliath threatened David, David responded: “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s.”

Unfortunately, instead of the Israelites praising God, they praised the instrument, David. The women danced and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, David, his tens of thousands.” This is a mistake we often make. Instead of giving God glory, we worship the instruments (priests, pastors, anointed men and women), forgetting that this is a sin against the first commandment. This brings us to our lessons for today:

1. Success Attracts Enemies: Success is sweet but comes with challenges. Before Goliath, Saul regarded David as some harmless musician. Saul loved David. However, the moment Saul heard the women singing, Saul hated David. We all have people like Saul in our lives; you become a threat to them the moment you start shining. If something good comes your way, they either block it or try to eliminate you. A girl once confessed how she lied against her best friend to discourage a suitor from marriage. When her best friend was crying, she cried even louder and insulted the male gender.

2. You Are Either a Friend or a Frenemy: Am I genuinely happy for my friends when good things come to them? Do I accuse them of pride or develop hatred against them because they have become richer, smarter or successful? At first, Saul pretended to be happy with David, but he called Jonathan (David’s best friend) and tried to poison his mind, urging him to kill David. Thank God Jonathan proved to be a true friend to David. He told David his father’s wicked plan, protected him and tried to reason with Saul. What kind of friend am I? Be a Jonathan, not a frenemy.

3. Do Not Bite the Hand That Fed You: Saul’s destruction began with his desire to eliminate David. Instead of seeing David as a blessing, one whom God had sent to help fight against the enemies of Israel, Saul wanted to eliminate David. If Saul had cooperated with David, he would have been a successful king. I often wonder how persons who never went to school (or dropped out) become successful CEOs running large companies and employing PhD holders (people ten times smarter than them). You are digging your grave if you cannot afford to let others shine. Great leaders know how to leverage the abilities of others; they are wise and humble enough to realise that life is not all about competition.

4. Avoid Inferiority Complex: Saul was a people pleaser. He hated David just because he felt David was attracting more likes and followers on “social media.” David’s posts were gaining more traction than his, and it gave him sleepless nights. Don’t judge your worth as a person on the number of likes, memes or views you get. Be like Jesus Christ. In our Gospel passage today, Jesus cured many of their diseases and cast out many demons, and when the evil spirits tried to sing his praises, Jesus shut them up. Live to praise God, not for self-praise.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give me wisdom to accept my limitations and celebrate the talents of others. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 2 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Samuel 18:6-9,19:1-7, Ps. 56:2-3,9-14, Mark 3:7-12).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

How to Survive in a World of Enemies

Wednesday, 17 January 2024. Read 1 Samuel 17:32-33,37,40-51, Ps. 144:1-2,9-10, Mark 3:1-6

“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:42-45)

We live in a world of enemies; not even Jesus Christ was spared from enemies, and despite all the good that Jesus did, His enemies (Pharisees and Herodians) always looked out for what to use against Him. Even when they saw a man healed, their concern was that Jesus ‘broke’ the Sabbath law. For them, this crime deserves death. While others were rejoicing, they were plotting destruction.

Do not think that because you are a good person (one who strives to live righteously), you are free from enemies. It is possible that you are yet to know your enemies, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Some of those close to you may just be looking out for opportunities to launch deadly attacks (like the Pharisees who followed Jesus everywhere). How, then, are we to survive in this world of enemies?

1. Follow Your Conscience: Jesus knew they were watching Him. He knew it was a Sabbath Day, but seeing the man with the withered hand, He was forced to choose between ignoring the man (to please His critics) and curing the man (knowing they would use it against Him). Jesus chose the more difficult option. He preferred to offend his enemies than be a coward. Do you find yourself in a similar situation? Do the right thing. Stop trying to please everybody.

2. Understand and Trust Your Weapons: It is only fair that God has given us an arsenal of appropriate weapons in a world of enemies. David told Goliath, "You come to me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts.” Saul was afraid because he forgot an important weapon – Trust in God. He told David: “You cannot fight this Philistine because you are just a youth.” He tried to make David wear his armour (thinking it could offer protection), but it was too heavy for David.

Although David went with five smooth stones, his real weapon was “the name of the Lord.” Be wise, take precautions, carry a gun, pepper spray or hire bodyguards if you can, but know that your real weapon is your faith in God. Do you know that as a child of God, you have weapons better than those your enemies are relying upon? Carry your rosary with you anywhere you go and pray it every day. Wear a blessed scapular or a crucifix. If you think these things don’t work, how do you explain Goliath falling from the strike of just one stone?

3. Count Your Blessings; Celebrate Past Victories: Fear is a natural force. If you are scared, it means you are still alive. Don’t be ashamed of it. When faced with enemies, we cannot deny our fear, but the cure for fear is remembering what God has done in the past. David said: “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Do you believe God is still on your side? This is why we must count your blessings, no matter how small.

4. Every Calamity comes with a Prize: Approach the storms (brought by your enemies) with a positive attitude. God will not allow you to experience a trial unless He wants to use it to bless you. David had just been anointed king, yet he was just a musician in Saul’s palace, a shepherd and an errand boy. It seemed as though the anointing was a waste. Goliath became the mighty storm that would bring David to the limelight. When you face a storm, stop asking: “God, where are you?” instead, ask: “God, what do I stand to gain from this?” David asked his brothers: “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine?” Once you can see the prize, challenges transform into opportunities.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, make me like David today. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Antony, Abbot. Bible Study: 1 Samuel 17:32-33,37,40-51, Ps. 144:1-2,9-10, Mark 3:1-6).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

God Looks At The Heart

Tuesday, 16 January 2024. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ps. 891:20-22,27-28, Mark 2:23-28

“Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and fetch him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.’” (1 Samuel 16:10-11)

As a result of his disobedience, God regretted making Saul a king, yet God did not remove him immediately. By asking Samuel to anoint another king even while Saul was still alive, God was asking Samuel to take a huge risk. These events contain a lot of lessons for us today.

1. Be Humble: No matter how good you are, there is someone better than you who can take your place. Do not become intoxicated with power. Saul did not fear disobeying God’s instructions because he felt greater than Samuel. David’s anointing was to teach Saul a lesson – to show him that the same anointing that brought him to glory could function in others. Regardless of your office today, never forget you are dust.

2. Dry Your Tears and Move On: Tears can blind us; we think we have reached the end of the road, not knowing we have only hit a pothole. God said to Samuel: “How long will you grieve over Saul? Fill your horn with oil and go…” While Samuel was crying, he probably forgot that he still had the oil that made Saul a king. You might not be happy with what others have done to you, but don’t forget it is never too late to start afresh. It is often said that the best revenge is success. Instead of fighting your enemies (or crying over them), let your success bring them to tears.

3. Have a Clean Heart: Samuel was moved by Eliab’s appearance, but God told him, “I have rejected him. ... Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Looking good is good business, but just as we try to look good, ensure your heart is clean. Does my character complement my good looks? If all my secret thoughts and deeds were displayed on a large television screen for the world to watch, would I be proud of what I would see?

4. What Is Yours Will Surely Come to You: There is no need to fight over anything. You don’t have to destroy anybody’s good name or kill just to get into power. Be good at what you do; even though you are in the thickest bush in the world, your goodness will bring you to the limelight. David was not invited to the consecration ceremony because he was considered an unimportant family member, yet as the stone was rejected, he became the cornerstone.

5. Seek to Impress God, Not People: No matter how good you are, people will find fault in you. Brace up for insults and criticism, but continue to do what is right. Jesus and his disciples were hungry, and as they passed through the cornfields, they plucked and ate the grains. While the people pointed fingers at Jesus, he said: “The Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath.”

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may my worship of you come from my heart. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 2 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ps. 89:20-22,27-28, Mark 2:23-28).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu