Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The parish priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun has admonished Catholic faithful never to run away from their responsibilities but rather perform their roles as individuals and not hiding under groups in the Church. Reflecting on the theme “God made you worthy of His calling” at St. Anne’s on Sunday, 14th June, 2026; the priest stressed that all Catholic faithful are called like the disciples to go out and preach if they believe in Christ’s resurrection, not for what they shall get but to win souls for Christ.

         The priest, who noted that many in the society today run away from responsibilities by allowing the same set of people to be performing in the Church urged that faithful should play their roles as individuals in the congregation. He likened this to a mother, whose role it is to cook for her children at childhood and not after the children are grown up. She should be able to call her children by name and assign them responsibilities like Christ called Peter and charged him to feed His Sheep.

          Fr. Balogun also enjoined all parents to know the meaning of the names they are giving to their children at Baptism in order to encourage them as there is power in the name; hence, names should be prayerfully chosen. “As parents, you must show them the way from childhood. Some lost their parents at childhood and still do well in life, while some have their parents but not doing well.”

            The Cleric reminded all that nobody is useless or not gifted, for Christ didn’t call the qualified but qualified the called. By this, He said, leadership is not by age or size. That Christ gave power to His disciples with authority, and the faithful too have been given the same power and authority at Baptism. “What is striking in the Gospel of today (Mt.9:36- 10:8) is that the disciples were ordinary people, fishermen, tax collectors, and simple men with weaknesses and limitations. Yet Jesus chose them, entrusted them with His mission, and gave them authority to preach, heal, and serve. Only God can make you worthy of his calling. God does not call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls. The disciples were not worthy because of their talents or achievements. They became worthy because God chose them, formed them, and empowered them with His grace.”

 

             He concluded by saying the task today is not to preach Christ, but to live Christ in our daily life. “In today's Gospel, Jesus looks at the crowds with deep compassion because they are ‘harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’ His heart is moved by their suffering, confusion, and spiritual hunger. Hence, the task of the Church is not just to preach Christ to the people, but to be Christ to the people, especially the poor, the needy, and the suffering."

The parish priest therefore charged the parishioners thus: “If God has called you, He will strengthen you. If He has entrusted you with a mission, He will provide what you need to fulfill it. Do not be afraid, all you need is Grace for the mission!”