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CHRIST OUR BEGINNING

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Jun 7
  • 3 min read

Today’s Readings:

Acts 2:14,22-33

Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11

Matthew 28:8-15




Christ is our beginning. We thank God for seeing us through the Lenten period of 2025. When we go through the Lenten season, we are able to picture Jesus as the inspiration for our Lenten observances. Just as He fasted and prayed for forty days, we do the same. Just as he went about doing good to the poor and needy, we also offer almsgiving to the needy (Acts 10:38). But when we speak of the Paschal mystery, it is hard to pin it down to one thing.


The Paschal mystery refers to Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is the inspiration for our Easter observance and our whole life. We are the Easter people. Our life, which is hidden in Christ, is a manifestation of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, instantiated in your unique journey of faith and in my unique expression of the same faith. How do I express the Paschal mystery today? Jesus meets the women who journeyed with him throughout his ministry as they were returning from the tomb and says to them: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there” (Matthew 28:10). Galilee was where Jesus began his ministry: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:15,16). This message must have made sense to the disciples when the women delivered it because it could only mean one thing.


Jesus wants you to begin where you are because He is there with you. The Paschal mystery is lived out through the lived experiences of every disciple wherever they may be, in whatever life circumstances they find themselves, in whatever occupation they are involved, in the different towns, cities and villages, with their unique personality traits and characters, their tastes in food and fashion, their passion and sexual inclinations, their dreams, hopes and aspirations. Every aspect of your life should reflect the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. Otherwise, you cannot claim to be his disciple. He says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Where has Jesus placed you? Where is your Galilee? For me, it is in the religious life, in the Order of Preachers, living out my vocation as a Catholic priest, serving God’s people by preaching God’s word and offering for them the sacrifice of the Mass and prayers daily. It is in opening myself to the realities of daily struggle and listening for the signs of the times to help others make sense of their journey of faith, even as I strive to work out my salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

JUDE-MARY OWOH



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.



Prayer:

  1. Eternal Father, Your only begotten Son, came into this world, lived an exemplary life, suffered and died and offered up His life as the pattern for my journey with You. Help me to see that all of my experiences (both pleasant and unfortunate) are meant to align with the Paschal Mystery, so that I am conformed daily to the image of Your Son. Amen.

  2. Christ be my beginning, be my inspiration and my goal, my shield, my shepherd and my Lord. Be my resting place and my strength when I labour for Your love. Every day of my life, be my all in all. Amen.

  3. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed us from sin, Satan and death, and You have set us free. Set me free forever. Thank you so much, Lord. Amen.

 
 
 

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