John ESENE

     The Catechism in a year (67) answered the question, “For what purpose did God create man and woman?” It says, “God has created everything for them, but He has created them to know, serve and love God, to offer the entire world in thanksgiving back to Him and to be raised up to life in heaven. Only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of the human person come into true light. Man and woman are predestined to reproduce the image of the Son of God made Man who is the perfect ‘Image of the invisible God.” Col. 1:15.   

      “No matter how generous a man may be, God remains even far more generous and benevolent by giving mankind His Only Begotten Son as a sacrificial lamb. We should cultivate the habit of giving thanks to God through Christ” says, Msgr. Peter Otubusin. But rather than thanking God daily, we complain bitterly as we worry unnecessarily because of our challenges.

 

      Peter Anyaora in his opinion said, “Put your trust completely in God and His word.  Submit totally to the will of God. Have a good personal relationship with God and he will direct you where and how to go if only you have confidence in Him. Then, make peace with everybody!” So, are you ready? He said further that we should look beyond our suffering and material things and focus on Jesus who cares for us.  “In the face of unjust and painful situations, faith brings us light which scatters the darkness” says Pope Francis.

 

       Our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us how to submit to the will of The Father when taking a decision. “Father, if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.” And He told us in Mt 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” So, worry no more for Jesus Our Redeemer is ready to free us from our burden.

 

     Put your trust and faith in Jesus who came to do the will of His Father for our sake. John 6. 37 says, “Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me”. If you don’t know Him, how will you recognize His voice and follow Him? He waits anxiously for us to come to Him to enjoy eternal life but most times, we allow things of this world to distract us. “I have food to eat of which you do not know. My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work.” Jn 4:32, 34.

      Bartimaeus was physically blind but was not ignorant of the power in Jesus and more so, he had faith in Jesus. Hence, no one could stop him from calling on Jesus. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47-48.  Bartimaeus also taught us that success does not come to us, we go for it.

     Know this today, that if you have been doubtful of the power in Jesus, His love for you and His eagerness to show you His mercy and bless you, then love and follow Him like Mary Magdalene in John 20:14-18 and you will not regret it. Doubt no more if Jesus cares for you, knowing too well that He died to bring us life, to lead us to the Father whose plan for us is to grant us eternal life through His Only Begotten, Jesus Christ!

     Today, let us seek the Divine mercy of God for the number of times we have doubted Jesus like Thomas doubted His resurrection.  Let no fear, circumstance, discomfort, insecurity, kidnapping, economy, etc. compel us to doubt the goodness, power and mercy of God. The fact that we are followers of Christ does not exempt us from suffering. If it is God’s will to remove our suffering from us, He will do so but if it will fulfill His purpose for us, let His will be done.  Jesus has made us Alleluia people. Let us be glad and rejoice in it!

       We are conscious of the fact that God has done great things for us irrespective of our sins. Hence we do not have to join the crowd and wonder away from God. If you can’t beat them, must you join them like they did to Jesus on Good Friday? Let us identify with Jesus Christ Our Savior who was wounded for our transgressions, bore our infirmities, paid in full our penalty to ransom and redeem us. Yes! He took the form of man and died for us to lead us to His Father, Our Father.

      In appreciation for what God has done for us let us truly repent for the sins we have committed and wait anxiously to meet Jesus during His second coming. As we wait on Him, let us love one another as He loves us. “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jn 15:12. The earlier we change for good the better because no one knows the end of time: it could be today or tomorrow!

      Like the prodigal son, let us return to God who has been so good to us.  The prodigal son was shocked when his father warmly received him. If we know the shortness of our lives we will not delay in changing from our wicked ways and live as true Christians. Let people see in us, the attitude of Christians to attract them to us and enable us lead them to Christ like John the Baptist in Jn 1: 6-8, 19-20.

     Those who have formed the habit of communicating with God regularly knowing fully well that they cannot do anything good without God’s grace will surely do the needful and be victorious.  If on the other hand, you go to God only when you have problems you are not likely to conquer your fears, overcome temptations and be victorious.

      Our economic and insecurity situations should not distract us from following Jesus! In John 14:1-3 Jesus said “Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.” Dear Mother Mary, counsel us in our doubts when our faith in God becomes weak and lead us to Jesus Christ your Son.