February 5, 2021
Friday for the Fourth Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Agatha, Virgin wey be Martyr—Memorial
Listen for English
Herod dey fear John, because e know say John na righteous and holy man, and e keep am for custody. Anytime e hear John dey talk, wetin John talk dey confuse am well-well, but e still like to listen to am. Mark 6:20
As e suppose be, when dem preach the Gospel and another person accept am, joy, comfort and desire to change suppose fill the person heart. The Gospel dey change the life of people wey truly listen and respond with open heart. But wetin about people wey no respond with open heart? Wetin the Gospel dey do for their life? Our Gospel today give us the answer.
The verse above come from the story of how dem cut off Saint John the Baptist head. The people wey do evil for this story na Herod, Herodias wey no be Herod lawful wife, and Herodias daughter (wey tradition call Salome). Herod don put John for prison because John tell Herod, “E no lawful for you to take your brother wife.” But the thing wey draw attention pass for this story na say, even as John dey prison, Herod still dey listen to am preach. But instead of the preaching to make Herod turn to God, wetin John preach leave am “confuse.”
To “confuse” no be the only way people respond to John preaching. Herodias own response na hatred. E be like say the way John condemn her “marriage” to Herod really pain her reach her heart, and na she later plan how dem go cut off John head.
So, this Gospel teach us about two other common ways wey people dey respond when dem preach the Truth of the holy Gospel. One na hatred, and the other na confusion. E clear say hatred bad far pass just to confuse. But none of the two na the right way to respond to the words of Truth.
How you dey respond when dem preach the full Gospel? Any part of the Gospel dey make your mind no settle? Any teaching of our Lord dey confuse you or make you vex? First, look inside your own heart to see whether you dey struggle with the same kind response wey Herod and Herodias get. Then think about how the world dey respond to the Truth of the Gospel. E no suppose surprise us at all say plenty people like Herod and Herodias still dey alive today.
Today, think deeply about any way wey you see people dey reject the Gospel, whether for one level or another. If you notice this thing inside your own heart, repent with all your strength. If you see am for another place, no let the hostility shake you or worry you. Keep your mind and heart on the Truth, and stand firm no matter the kind response wey you meet.
My Lord of all Truth, na Your Word, and only Your Word, dey bring grace and salvation. Abeg, give me the grace wey I need to always listen to Your Word and respond with all my heart, without holding anything back. Make I repent when Your Word show me my sin, and make I return to You with my whole heart. Give me courage when other people reject Your Truth, and wisdom to know how to share that Word with love. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of Today – Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
