Tuesday 21st January 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk 2:23-28)

Tuesday 21^st January 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk 2:23-28)

In the gospel reading, the Pharisees were scandalized to see Jesus’ disciples pluck grains on a Sabbath and they came to confront Jesus. In their encounter with Jesus, Jesus justified the action of his disciples and made it clear to them that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. He also told them that the Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.

There are two lessons we can draw from this passage today. The first is that religious laws should not prevent us from performing acts of charity whether to ourselves or to others especially when the recipient is in serious need. Since only the living can praise God, we have to take care of ourselves first. For example, on our way to Church, we are obliged to assist a victim of accident first before going to Church. Secondly, that Christ justified the action of his disciples is not a reason to justify ourselves when we breach the law. For example, we cannot steal items dedicated to the Church because we are hungry neither do we try to justify ourselves when we fail in our religious obligations through our own faults. Therefore, as you go about your endeavour today, be more concerned about the needs of your neighbor than about religious practices and observances.  

Monday, 20th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 2:23-28) - Feast

Monday, 20^th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 2:23-28) - Feast

Today, the Church in Nigeria celebrates the feast of Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi. The Gospel reading proper to this feast describes the Kingdom of heaven as a treasure hidden in a field which a man found with joy, sold all he had and bought that field. How happy this lucky man would be for possessing what he truly desired. In the open fields of the Scriptures, we find the message of salvation hidden under the lofty words contained in the Bible. It only takes a wise man who is currently trading on the paths of the Sacred Scripture to discover this hidden treasure. He goes back home to give up all he had just to find the room for this greater treasure. How happy he would truly be on possessing it.

Our brother Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi found this hidden treasure, gave up all he had including his career as a teacher and catechist and embraced this message of salvation in the religious life. Today, he is moving towards the sainthood. All the while we walk on the paths of the Scripture have you discovered any hidden treasure? Have you found any virtue to practice? Can you give up your evil ways to enable you do with is morally right? You may need to give up smoking, gambling, cheating, etc just to find space and time for God. As you go about this today, may the Lord grant you the vision to recognize this hidden treasure when you find it. Good day and Happy Monday.

Sunday, 19th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (John 1:29-34)

Sunday, 19^th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (John 1:29-34)

In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist reveals the identity and mission of Christ as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. Before Christ, lambs were special animals usually slaughtered at the temple for the remission of sins. Christ appeared not as a lamb or one of those lambs but as “THE LAMB” indicating a definite identity and as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” indicating a divine mission. Thus, the identity of Christ becomes that of an innocent victim and his mission is to be sacrificed for the forgiveness of our sins. 

On the cross, this Lamb slaughtered himself for the forgiveness of our sins and the effect of this self-sacrifice is the reconciliation between God and man. The blood of this lamb smeared on our souls identifies us as the chosen people of God and protects us from the angel of death. Since the purpose of this Lamb is for sacrifice, this Lamb continues to sacrifice itself daily on our altars bringing us divine forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, favours and protection. How well and how often do you partake in this sacrifice? 

Saturday, 18th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 2:13-17)

Saturday, 18^th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 2:13-17)

In the gospel reading, we see the calling of Levi an apostle. As we learnt, Levi who is popularly known as Mathew was a tax collector, a group of people generally identified as great sinners. They exploited their people by inflating the tax and for this reason all tax collectors were regarded as evil people. Yet, Jesus saw in Mathew a candidate for a radical conversion though the Scripture did not make it categorically clear if Mathew was that bad as an individual.

There are two lessons we can learn today. The first is that Jesus does not treat people as stereotypes. Because most tax collectors are bad and Mathew is a tax collector does not make him necessarily bad. He saw something good in Mathew and called him despite his previous occupation. For us, let us not treat people based on the principle of general association. There might still be good persons even in the midst of that group you dislike be it lawyers, medical doctors, politicians, etc. Give people room to prove themselves individually.

Friday, 17th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 2:1-12)

Friday, 17^th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 2:1-12)

The Paralytic was in a terrible condition where he could not help himself. But he had good friends who knew what he needed and how to go about it. They took him to Jesus and when they encountered difficulties getting to him through the large crowds, they had to go through the roof. We see in these four friends, a desperate need to assist their friend in difficulty and Jesus as master confirmed their faith. At the end, the paralytic received both the forgiveness of his sins and the restoration of his health.

Today, most people around us are like this paralytic who because of their terrible state cannot help themselves. They have friends who sometimes neglect them. Unfortunately too, some friends make their conditions worse by the kind of treatment they give them often times by attributing their conditions to be the consequences of their previous actions. Do you have such people in terrible conditions among you? They could be drug addicts, sinners, patients of terminal illnesses, the ignorant, etc. What effort do you make to assist them? You can assist the medically ill receive adequate medical attention, instruct the ignorant, convert sinners, counsel addicts, etc. As you move about your endeavour today, do not forget those you are obliged to assist. May the Lord bless you as you do this. Good morning and Happy Friday.

Thursday, 16th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from Today’s Gospel (Mk. 1:40-45)

Thursday, 16^th Jan., 2014: Inspirations from Today’s Gospel (Mk. 1:40-45)

The leper in the Gospel reading believed he could be healed and so approached Jesus with faith. He may have entertained some initial fears going to Jesus because the Law prohibits them from appearing in public. But he was courageous to take the bold step of approaching Christ and at the end of the day, his story never remained the same. He thought within himself “I can be healed” and thought of Christ “He can heal me” and his optimism brought him healing.

Today, you may be confronted with several challenges. What is your disposition towards them? Are you always optimistic? Do you explore every opportunity set before you or do you conclude “this may not work out well”. Never be pessimistic in life. Let the Gospel reading inspire you to be optimistic and always try to take the required bold step. It could be going back to studies, it could be abandoning a relationship which is not beneficial to you, it could be making a request for help, etc. It is better to fail than never to attempt a solution. You might be lucky. May Jesus always give you the courage to seek that which your heart desires and may you find it today. Good morning and Happy Thursday.

Wednesday 15th Jan, 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 1:29-39)

Wednesday 15^th Jan, 2014: Inspirations from the Gospel (Mk. 1:29-39)

Mediocres do not achieve success in life because they are comfortable where people celebrate their half measures. Wise men do not relax where they are tolerated, they go to where they are celebrated. Those who influence the world positively do not remain only where they are celebrated, instead they explore other places and avenues. Success for them is an endless journey and what keeps them going is the determination to impact on many lives as possible.

In the gospel reading, Jesus did not relax in Capernaum where he was celebrated as a great healer and messiah. Instead, he wanted to make impact in the lives of other people in other places. Our goal in life should transcend becoming a local champion. Let us be innovative, dynamic and transcultural in our goals and aspirations. How many lives have you impacted positively on? Do you concentrate only on your family, friends, kinsmen in your effort to make the world a better place? Today is an opportunity to reach out to more people especially those who have less people to assist them. Come out of your comfort zones and where you are appreciated for other places where your services are needed. As you do this today, may the Lord grant you the energy and the means to make the world a better place through your little contributions. Good morning and happy Wednesday.