Tuesday, 1 October 2024. Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps. 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17, Ephesians 2:13-18, Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
“With righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth… Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.” (Isaiah 11:4-5)
Nigeria is ranked as one of the most religious countries in the world. However, Isaiah’s prophecy about Isreal is true of Nigeria – “these people draw near with their mouths and honour me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13). Nigeria is a nation badly in need of repentance.
If Jonah were to visit Nigeria today, his message would be simple: “Forty days more, and Nigeria shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). This is a message we must hear as we celebrate our independence today. Let us now consider the various dimensions of the repentance required to make our nation great again, as contained in our readings today:
1. Protect Your Children from Evil
In today’s Gospel passage, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and ordered him to take the baby Jesus and flee to Egypt. Jesus is God, yet he needed Joseph and Mary to take him away from danger as a baby.
Parents, it is time to rise, take your children and flee from immorality, corruption, insincerity, indecency, drug abuse, and other vices. How do we protect our children? Be a light to them. Lead by example. Stop teaching your children how to tell lies, how to cheat in exams or prostitute themselves. Secondly, spend time with your children. Do not leave them at the mercy of helpers, domestic staff or others who may harm their spiritual and moral development.
Thirdly, make prayers and the reading of the Bible compulsory. Read the Bible to them and make them understand the need to live a virtuous life. Fourthly, censor their entertainment. Whether on social media or mainstream media, we must ensure our children are not feeding on poisonous content.
As Herod was planning to kill the child Jesus, the devil was searching to take hold of the souls of our children. Just as Joseph did not wait for God to make them disappear to safety, we must stop hoping that angels will save us; don’t leave the morality of your children to chance.
2. Destroy Tribalism from the Roots
In our second reading today, St. Paul tells us: “Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility… that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace...” (Ephesians 2:14-16). Tribalism (hating people because they come from a particular part or section of the country) is evil. United, we stand, but divided, we fall.
Our lack of unity contributed to our colonisation. The British easily conquered us because we hated each other. We even sold our children as slaves. Has this hatred of one another stopped? No. How can we be an oil-producing nation without an active refinery? How can imported petroleum products become cheaper than locally refined products?
3. Train Yourself for Leadership
Our first reading today contains Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus Christ, the shoot of the stock of Jesse. We are all leaders; we influence one another continuously daily. Some leadership qualities highlighted by Isaiah are:
- Spirit of Wisdom and Insight: Leaders are readers who seek the right knowledge and apply it wherever necessary. Develop the habit of reading. Never assume you know it all. Hosea 4:6 says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Spirit of Counsel and Power: Learn to seek counsel and understand the dynamics of power. Power is not just about having money. Power is about connecting to God, who is the source of all power.
- Spirit of knowledge and the fear of God: To fear God is to be wise. “Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10).
- Spirit of Impartiality and Integrity: Become a leader who cannot be bought with money. Learn to be a truthful person. When we lie, we behave like the devil, the father of lies. (Cf. John 8:44)
October is a month devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and since our independence falls on the first of this month, Mary is considered Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. As we remember her, let us not forget her Gospel: “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:6). We have not been doing what Jesus told us, so our problems are increasing. Feel free to point fingers at our leaders, but unless you and I repent and allow our light to shine, things will only get worse.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, be merciful to us as a nation and make us better citizens. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria – Solemnity. Bible Study: Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps. 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17, Ephesians 2:13-18, Matthew 2:13-15,19-23).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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