Today’s Readings:
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23
Psalm 117:1-2
Mark 16:15-20
If I were to choose the readings for my funeral (and canonization) it will be today’s readings.
1 Corinthians 9:16 — “I do not boast of preaching the gospel, since it is a duty which has been laid on me; I should be punished if I did not preach it!”
Psalm 117 — "O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!”
Mark 16:15 — “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned.”
These passages all have one message and it is what we are put in this world to do; we are here to preach Christ. We are called to lead others to Christ by all we say and do. Saint Paul says, “I made myself all things to all men in order to save some at any cost; and I still do this, for the sake of the gospel, to have a share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:23). May God bless you as you look for creative ways to spread His message of love through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Leading others to Christ is the summary of our purpose on earth. But often we monetise our gifts and insist on being paid in cash or kind for our services. Yes, look for your daily bread but if what you are doing right now does not lead others to God, you are doing it wrong. If you fail to see how your choices create scandal, spread misunderstanding, deepen conflict, entrench vices, open doors to evil, you need to seriously carry out an examination of conscience and seek spiritual direction because you are unconsciously knocking on the gates of hell (God forbid!). Will others mock and tease you for choosing to stand out and identify with Christ? Yes, they will. Will they sometimes deny you your rights or overlook you for promotions and favours? Of course, they will. But we answer to a higher authority and Jesus assures us: “In my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover” (Mark 16:117,18). In simple terms, no one can touch you if you stand faithfully and trust in God. Do you believe this? You are the real gift from God. Your abilities and actions are simply the ways you express the gift which you are. If you do your work with excellence, it gives glory to God in itself. I pray that you will use that which God has given you to lead people to Him. Share this reflection with someone today in order to remind them of why they are on earth.
As I celebrate the anniversary of my birth, I want to bless you and I pray that God will meet you at your points of need:
May the Lord bless you and keep you, in Jesus’ name.
May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord favour you, protect you and grant you peace, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Your light must shine before people, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven and His favour will be upon you always through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Comments