January 15, 2021
Friday for First Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Listen for English
Dem come bring one man wey im body paralyse meet Jesus; na four men carry am. As dem no fit reach near Jesus because of the crowd, dem open the roof for where Jesus dey under. After dem don break through the roof, dem lower the mat wey the man wey im body paralyse lie on. Mark 2:3–4
This man wey im body paralyse na sign of some people for our life wey be like say dem no fit turn to our Lord with only their own power. E clear say the man want make im body well, but e no fit come meet our Lord with only im own power. Na why im friends carry am go meet Jesus, open the roof (because the crowd plenty well well), and lower the man put for Jesus front.
The paralysis wey hold this man na sign of one kind sin. Na sin wey person want forgiveness for, but the person no fit turn to our Lord with only im own power. For example, serious addiction fit control person life so much that the person no fit overcome the addiction with only im own power. Dem need other people help before dem fit even turn to our Lord for help.
Each of us must see ourself as one of this man friends. Too often, when we see person wey don trap inside life of sin, we just judge the person and turn away from am. But one of the deeds wey show love wey great pass wey we fit do for another person na to help provide wetin the person need to overcome im sin. We fit do this through our advice, our compassion wey no dey shake, our readiness to listen, and any way wey we stay faithful to the person when e dey in need and don lose hope.
How you dey treat people wey dey fall into sin wey everybody fit see again and again? You dey roll your eyes to show say dem dey annoy you, then turn away from dem? Or you dey make firm decision to stand by dem, give dem hope and help dem overcome their sin when the hope wey dem get for life don nearly finish or don finish completely? One of the greatest gifts wey you fit give another person na the gift of hope, as you stand by the person to help am turn fully to our Lord.
Today, think deeply about one person wey you know wey be like say no be only to dey fall into sin again and again, but e don also lose hope say e fit overcome that sin. As you dey pray, surrender yourself to our Lord and commit yourself to this deed of love: to do anything and everything wey you fit do to help the person turn fully to our divine Lord.
My precious Jesus, fill my heart with love for those wey need You pass but be like say dem no fit overcome the sin for their life wey dey keep dem away from You. Make my firm commitment to stand by dem be one deed of love wey go give dem the hope wey dem need to surrender their life to You. Use me, dear Lord; my life dey Your hands. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Main picture above: Dem dey lower the man wey im body paralyse put for Jesus front
