January 16, 2021
Satide for di First Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
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As Jesus dey pass, E see Levi, Alphaeus son, wey siddon for di place wey dem dey collect tax. Jesus tell am, “Follow Me.” And e stand up follow Jesus. Mark 2:14
How you go take know wetin God want for your life? For im well-known spiritual book, Di Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola explain three ways wey we fit take know wetin God want. (See mycatholic.life/ignatius for more.) Di first way na di one wey clear pass and wey give di most certain answer. Na time wey person receive “clear understanding wey no leave room for doubt” because of one special grace from God. As Saint Ignatius dey describe this experience, e mention di passage wey dey above as example of this experience.
Di Gospel of Mark no talk plenty about how Jesus call Levi, and di Gospel of Matthew record am too (Matthew 9:9). Levi, wey people also know as Matthew, dey do im work of collecting tax for im tax post. E be like say na only these two simple words Jesus tell Levi: “Follow Me.” Because of these two words, Levi leave im former life and become person wey dey follow Jesus. Why Levi go do this kind thing? Wetin convince am to follow Jesus? E clear say na more than just di two-word invitation from Jesus convince am to answer di call.
Wetin convince Levi na one special grace from God wey bring “clear understanding wey no leave room for doubt” inside im soul. Somehow, Levi just know say God dey call am to leave im former life and accept this new life. No long discussion dey, e no weigh di advantages and disadvantages, and e no spend long time dey think about am. Levi just know, and e answer di call.
Even though this kind clear understanding no dey happen often for life, e important make we know say sometimes God dey act this way. Sometimes God dey speak so clearly that we dey completely sure, and we know say we must act. When this one happen, na great gift! And even though no be every time God dey speak to us with this kind deep understanding wey come at once, e important make we recognise say sometimes God dey speak to us this way.
Today, reflect on how Jesus call Levi. Think deeply about this certainty wey e receive inside im heart that moment. Try imagine wetin e experience and wetin other people fit don think about im choice to follow Jesus. Open your heart to this same grace; and if you ever feel say God dey speak to you so clearly, make you ready and willing to answer without hesitation.
My dear Lord, thank You as You dey call all of us to follow You without hesitation. Thank You for di joy of being Your disciple. Give me di grace to always know wetin You want for my life, and help me to answer You as I surrender my whole self and trust You completely. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Di main picture above: How Jesus Call Saint Matthew, by Giovanni Paolo Panini
