December 11, 2020
Friday for Second Week of Advent
Readings for Today
Saint Damasus I, Pope—Memorial Wey No Be Must
Listen for English
Jesus tell the crowd dem: “Wetin I go take compare this generation? Dem be like children wey sit down for market and dey call one another, ‘We play flute for una, but una no dance; we sing song of mourning, but una no mourn.’” Matthew 11:16–17
Wetin Jesus mean when E talk say “We play flute for una…” and “we sing song of mourning…?” The Church Fathers make am clear say this “flute” and “song of mourning” na the word of God wey the prophets of old preach. Plenty prophets come before Jesus to prepare the way, but plenty people no listen. John the Baptist na the last prophet and the greatest, and e call people to turn from sin come back to God, but na only few people listen. So, Jesus point out this sad truth.
For this our time, wetin we get pass wetin the prophets for Old Testament get by far. We get the wonderful witness of the saints, the teaching of the Church wey no fit lead us into error, the gift of the Sacraments, and the life and teaching of the Son of God Himself as dem write am for New Testament. But e pain say plenty people still refuse to listen. Plenty people no “dance” and “mourn” as response to the Gospel.
We must “dance” because the gift of Christ Jesus, through His life, death and resurrection, suppose make us rejoice with all our heart and adore God forever. People wey truly know and love the Son of God dey full of joy! We must also “mourn” because of the sins wey nobody fit count for our own lives and for the lives of people all around us. Sin dey real and e dey everywhere, and holy sorrow na the only response wey fit am. Salvation dey real. Hell dey real. And these two truths need response from us with our whole life.
For your own life, how much you don allow the Gospel to touch and change you? How well you dey pay attention to the voice of God as E don speak through the lives of the saints and through our Church? You dey pay attention to the voice of God as E dey speak to you deep inside your conscience when you dey pray? You dey listen? You dey respond? You dey follow? And you dey give your whole life to serve Christ and His mission?
Today, reflect on the words and presence of the Savior of the world: dem dey clear, person no fit mistake their meaning, dem dey change person and give life. Think about how well you don pay attention for your life to everything wey E don talk clearly and to His very presence. If you no see yourself dey “dance” for God glory and dey “mourn” because of the sins wey dey clear for your life and for our world, then commit yourself again to follow Christ with your whole life, without holding anything back. For the end, na only the Truth wey God don speak throughout all the ages and His holy, divine presence really matter.
My glorious Lord Jesus, I acknowledge Your divine presence for my life and for the world all around me. Help me make I pay more attention to the countless ways wey You dey speak to me and come to me every day. As I dey discover You and Your holy word, fill me with joy. As I dey see my sin and the sins of the world, give me true sorrow so that I go work without getting tired to fight my own sin and carry Your love and mercy go meet people wey need am pass. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of the Day – Saint Damasus I, Pope
Picture wey we feature for up: Saint John the Baptist wey Titian paint
