Monday, August 12, 2019
Monday for di nineteenth week for Ordinary Time
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious – Memorial wey No Be Compulsory
Listen for English
“But so that we no go offend dem, go sea, throw hook inside, and take the first fish wey come up. Open im mouth and you go find one coin wey worth two times the temple tax. Give dem that one for Me and for you.” Matthew 17:27
This matter dey interesting. The people wey dey collect temple tax come meet Peter and ask am why Jesus no dey pay the normal temple tax. Peter come ask Jesus this question, and Jesus make am clear say, because of who He be, He no suppose pay the tax. Still, He send Peter make e go get one coin through miracle from fish mouth, so that dem no go offend other people.
One thing wey dis story show us be say, sometimes, e no worth am to fight over di foolish matters wey other people dey worry about and wey no too important (like collecting tax). Dis basic principle fit apply to plenty other situations for life. E easy to allow matters wey no too important to block di way we dey serve God. E dey happen often say people go turn small matters into big issues. We, as Christians, need to keep our eyes on wetin really matter for life and no allow anybody draw us enter dis kind foolish fights.
When we accept to dey truly humble with all our heart, e go help us avoid to “offend” people, even when na we dey right. As we see for this matter with Jesus, humble spirit dey help us see say some battles no worth to fight. True true, we no fit bend the truth, but we fit, and we suppose, give way for the small-small demands of other people wey no too matter, instead of allowing quarrel to start because of foolish reasons.
Today, think well about those “matters” for life wey people dey give more attention pass wetin dem deserve. Think about how you fit calm these situations down by humbling yourself before other people. Sometimes, God fit call you to accept small injustice because of something wey matter pass. Look at wetin these things fit be for your life, and ask the Lord to give you the grace to follow His example.
Lord, fill my heart with humility wey be real. Help me turn away from fights over matters wey no too important for life, even if e mean say I go accept to suffer injustice as sacrifice. Make I no ever put claiming my rights above di joy of accepting deep humility. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today – Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
