Wenesde, March 6, 2019
Have mercy on us, O Lord, because we don sin. Psalm 51
Mercy. Na wetin all this be about. As we dey begin Lent, one good place to start na to understand mercy better.
Many times when we think about Lent, we dey fear am small. “I must give up something,” na wetin we dey often think. But if na so we dey think, then we no understand the main point. I “must” give up something? Well, yes and no. Na true say na wetin God want, and through His Church, He don tell us to dey deny ourself some things and discipline ourself. Na true. But e be invitation to receive grace far more than burden wey dem force put for our head.
To give up something really mean to enter deeper into God mercy wey full ground. Na about to become free from everything wey dey tie us down, and e dey help us experience the new life wey we dey long for well-well. To give up something fit mean something as simple as to fast from one kind food or drink. Or e fit be any action wey we choose to do, wey go require us to deny ourself something. But this one good! Why? Because e dey strengthen our spirit and our will. E dey strengthen our mind to stand firm and say yes to God with our whole self.
Many times for life, na our feelings and desires dey control us. We go suddenly want this or that, or want to do this or that, and many times we dey allow those sudden urges or desires to control us. As we begin practise how to deny ourself some things, e dey give us strength to control those tendencies wey no dey follow the right order, instead of to let dem control us. And this one concern far more than just food and drink. E concern plenty things for life, including how we dey live with virtue, especially our love for God and our neighbour.
Mercy na all about charity. Na to love the way God want make we love. Na to dey free to allow love fill us and take over our whole life, so that, for the end, all we go want do na to love. E fit hard to make this kind practice part of our life, but na from there our joy and fulfilment dey come.
Mercy, especially, na act of love wey, for one sense, another person no deserve. Na free gift wey person dey give only because of love. And na exactly this kind love God dey give us. God love na mercy all through. And if we want receive that mercy, then we too must show mercy. And if we want show mercy, we need prepare our heart well to show am. Our small-small acts of denying ourself some things na part of wetin dey help us do this.
So make this Lent be one wey go really bear fruit, but no let your mind remain for the thought say the sacrifices of Lent na heavy load. Dem be one important part of the road wey lead to the life wey God want give us.
Lord, make this Lent truly bear fruit for my life. Make e be grace and joy for me to welcome everything wey You want give me. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Introduction: 40 Days for the Foot of the Cross: A Look of Love from the Heart of Our Blessed Mother
