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 MAKE A DIFFERENCE

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Mar 26, 2024
  • 3 min read
 

Today’s Readings:

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Psalm 95:1-2,6-9;

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Mark 1:21-28

 

There was once a little boy who loved to play along the seashore whenever his parents took him to the beach. As the waves crashed to the shore some fingerlings would find themselves washed ashore, unable to return to the water. Although they were many, this little boy would go and pick them one after the other and throw them back into the water, hoping to save them. One day, a passer-by noticed this boy running to pick fish and throw them back in the water and said, “There are so many of them. How many can you possibly save?” The boy looked at the passer-by, picked up another fish threw it into the sea and said, “For that fish, it made a difference”. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who sit back and complain and those who stand up and do something about the problem. Which group do you belong to? Are you making a difference, or have you imbibed the vice of complaining about everything?


Moses tells the Israelites that God will raise for them a prophet who would lead them to the promised land after his passing. God will put His word in the mouth of this prophet and whoever disregards the words of this prophet shall suffer condemnation. And if anyone speaks a word which God has not commanded, such a person shall die. Scary as this sounds, it is addressed to you. In baptism, you were anointed as God’s prophet. The priest, touching the mouth and ears of the newly baptized person says: “ephphatha”, praying that he or she may soon hear the word of God and profess the faith. May your ears be opened to hear God’s word today. May God soften your heart to receive the Good News of salvation and give you courage to show forth God’s word in your way of life through Christ our Lord. May God deliver you from condemnation for promoting unchristian values and spreading falsehood in Jesus’ name.


What must we do to promote Gospel values and make a difference in our world today? St Paul, writing to the Church in Corinth advises us to be free from anxiety, fear and falsehood. Anxiety cripples our commitment to God and fills our time with so many distractions and unnecessary activities. Fear steals our confidence and trust in God. Falsehood robs us of the true Christian teaching by filling our minds with ideas that are contrary to our faith. May God replace your anxiety with whole-hearted commitment, replace your fear with courage and strengthen you with the authentic teaching of Christ our Saviour.


How can you make a difference?

  • Volunteer your gifts in the Church and the society.

  • Educate yourself about the teachings of the Church.

  • Use your platform (on social media) to promote the right values.

  • Be detached from the things of this world and use them as a means of attaining eternal salvation.


What do we stand to gain by making a difference in the world?

  • We earn our salvation.

  • We help others achieve theirs.

  • We dispel darkness and evil by our holiness and faithfulness and bring about light and the presence of God.

  • We are bringing healing to those who are hurting as a result of their sins and the actions of others.

  • We restore peace to troubled souls and bring joy to the lives of others.

  • God is glorified in all our actions and blesses us without measures.

 

When is the best time to start making a difference?

  • Today— O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

 

Let your heart be connected, first and foremost to God and rooted in grace and you shall do great things. St Catherine of Siena once said, 'Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.' May the Holy Spirit move your heart in a new way today and use you as an instrument to make a difference in the world, through Christ our Lord. 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 believe and 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 above short prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.


Prayer:

1.      Jesus, I love You. Help me by Your grace to make a difference in the world.

 
 
 

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