REPENT BE BAPTISED AND BE FRUITFUL
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- May 9
- 3 min read
Today’s Readings:
Exodus 3:1-8,13-15
Psalm 103:1-4,6-8,11
1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12
Luke 13:1-9
The purpose of human life is growth in relationship with God and fruitfulness in every aspect of life. This is beautifully captured in the answer to the Catechism question “Why did God make you?” To this question we answer, “God made me to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven”. To know God is to understand his identity as the “I am”, the one who is always present to us and never turns His back on us. God says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you", a promise of His unwavering presence and support (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). To love God is to understand that holiness is God’s love language. Holiness is freedom from the slavery to sin, Satan and eternal death. To embrace God is to desire Him above all the works of iniquity which tempt us in the world.
1 John 2:16,17 (Amplified Bible) – For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever. Service to God is the fruit we bear in our interactions with people. They are evident in works of mercy by which we see and serve Christ in others. Matthew 25:34-40 – ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
More than once, we abandon our purpose for a life of sin and rebellion. But God never abandons us. In the burning bush, He invites us constantly into His presence. In the sacraments, He invites us to encounter his mercy and love. Through the sacraments, He preserves us in grace. Through the tragedies in the world, He invites us to repentance because there is no better time for salvation than now. The parable of the fig tree reminds us that bearing fruit takes time, and God is patient with us. The Master Gardener trusts in our potential, nourishing us with love and mercy, encouraging us to become who we were created to be. The parable also carries a challenge: we must respond to God’s care. A tree does not bear fruit by neglect but by receiving nourishment and growing in the right conditions. In the same way, we must cultivate our faith through prayer, reflection, and action, allowing the grace of God to shape us.
During this season of Lent, we have the opportunity to renounce and cast out any spirits of fear, anger, and despair that live in our souls, and with courage to offer our sins to the Lord for His mercy. This is true repentance: to trust in God’s power to save, and to set aside whatever keeps us from receiving his care. If we can do this, comforted by Christ’s gentleness and emboldened by his concern, then we will not perish, but we will walk the road to eternal life in heaven.
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 into the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, I repent of my sins, fix my heart and give me strength to overcome all temptations. Bless all I do and make me fruitful through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We are put in this world to grow our relationship with God and to bear fruit in our interactions with others (and bless them by our presence in their lives). May God grant you the grace of repentance and make you fruitful through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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