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WHAT SHOULD YOU SEEK THIS MONTH?

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Sep 20, 2023
  • 4 min read

Today’s Readings:

Exodus 33:7-11,34:5-9,28

Psalm 103:6-13

Matthew 13:36-43

“Father, do you see God and speak to Him face to face?”


This was the question I was greeted with by a family friend whom I visited just a few weeks after my priestly ordination. I just felt she was describing the events that happened to Moses in the Book of Exodus where it says that at the tent of meeting, “The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” And the truth is yes, I see God but not in the sense of one person standing in the presence of another person. I see God in my relationship with Him and I see and touch Him in the Eucharist.


The word “Relationship” has been overused but it holds the key to a true and lasting encounter with God. To relate with another person is to allow yourself to be seen and known by them. It is a vulnerable act. It is a trusting act and a loving one as well. It is only through a relationship with God that we can truly know Him. It is only through openness to Him that we know who He is and what He wants from us and for us. If you seek a relationship with someone, you have to expose yourself to places with the possibility of meeting people. Then you get into the talking stage and then ask questions and be more aware of aspects of them they do not share with just anybody. This could lead to courtship and finally marriage. Otherwise, you remain close friends and assist each other as needs demand. This also applies to our relationship with God. He wants to know you and reveal Himself to you, so that You are at home with Him and enjoy the benefits of a relationship with Him.


How do we come to this face-to-face encounter with God? Here are five helpful tips:

  1. First, openness to the divine – Make prayer an indispensable part of your life. Pray in the morning. Pray as you go through the day. Pray at night before you go to bed. Prayer is a compass that guides us through the challenges and difficulties of each day. Without prayer, you are going to drift throughout the day. With prayer you have a sense of direction, flee from temptations and live as a child of God, striving for salvation and happiness.

  2. Secondly, make good friends and respect others – Many times we are circled by people who just want gossip and gist. But can we talk about our faith and spiritual life with them? Can we talk about our struggles with sin and temptations with them? Have people who share your desire to grow, your passion for career, family and future plans and who are praying for you. Your friends should be genuinely interested in your holistic well-being and not just certain aspects of your life. Learn to see God in others and respect them (respect their opinions, and their good name and treat them with dignity).

  3. Thirdly, stay close to the Sacraments – It is the wisdom of God that we should not journey through life alone. The sacraments (outward signs of inward grace) are there to assist us so that we are not overcome by temptation and evil. Frequent the sacraments of confession and the Eucharist. These will purify and strengthen you against sin and temptation and allow you to hear and see God in the events of each day.

  4. Fourthly, stay away from temptation – Stay away from people, places and things that will choke out the life of God (sanctifying grace) in you. Flee from persons who want to corrupt the good ideas that God is nurturing in your life. Limit contact and interaction with people who are there to lead you into sin or derail you from your mission. They are the weeds that are spoken of in the Gospel (Matthew 13:36-43). Identify them, isolate them and move on with your life.

  5. Finally, seek spiritual direction – Most people do not realise how much they need a connection with God. They wait until the rot of their spiritual life begins to affect every other aspect of their lives (finances, relationships, family and so on). Go to your priest today and have the talk that will help him assist you to get back on track and fulfil God’s wonderful plan for your life.

JUDE-MARY OWOH



Prayer:

  1. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight;

  2. My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdue my people under me.

  3. May God grant you grace and blessings, continue to shield you from all evil and bless you in every way that you need Him this month through Christ our Lord.

  4. Lord give us Christian homes, where the Father is true and strong

  5. Homes that are free from the blight of wrong

  6. Homes that are joyous with love and song, in Jesus' name.

  7. Lord unite Your Church with Your love and help her to fulfil her divine mandate, in Jesus' name.

  8. Thank You Lord, for moving our nation forward, in Jesus' name. Amen.

 
 
 

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