February 27, 2021
Saturday for First Week of Lent
Readings for Today
Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot wey be Doctor of the Church—Memorial Wey No Be Must
Listen for English
“But I dey tell una, make una love una enemies, and pray for people wey dey persecute una, so that una go be children of una Father for heaven, because He dey make His sun rise for both bad people and good people, and He dey make rain fall for both righteous people and people wey no dey righteous.” Matthew 5:44–45
For the end of today Gospel, Jesus talk say, “So make una dey perfect, just as una Father for heaven dey perfect.” This calling high well-well! And e clear say part of the perfection wey God call you to reach need make you love with open heart and without holding anything back, even people wey you fit see as your “enemies” and people wey dey “persecute” you.
When we face this kind high calling, the first thing wey we fit feel na discouragement. With this kind command wey hard to follow, e no strange if you feel say you no fit love like this, especially when another person still dey hurt you. But another way to respond dey wey possible well-well, and na that one we suppose aim for. That response na to dey thankful from deep inside our heart.
The reason why we suppose allow our heart to dey thankful na because our Lord want make we share for His perfect life. And as He command us to live this life, e show us say e possible well-well. This na wonderful gift! Na great honour for our Lord to invite us to love with His own heart and to love reach the way He dey love everybody. As God call all of us to this level of love, our hearts suppose thank our Lord deeply.
But if discouragement na the first thing wey you feel when you hear this calling from Jesus, try to look other people with fresh eyes. Try to hold back from judging them, especially people wey don hurt you pass and still dey hurt you. No be your place to judge them; your own na only to love them and see them as the children of God wey dem be. If you keep your mind on the things wey another person do to hurt you, angry feelings go surely rise. But if you try to see them only as children of God wey God call you to love without holding anything back, even feelings of love go rise inside you more easily, and this go help you obey this glorious command.
Today, reflect on this high calling to love, and work to make thankfulness grow inside your heart. The Lord want give you wonderful gift: to love everybody with His heart, including people wey dey tempt you to vex. Love them, see them as God children, and allow God to draw you reach the high level of perfection wey He call you to.
My Lord wey perfect pass all, I thank You because You love me despite my many sins. I thank You because You also call me to share for the deep love wey You get for other people. Give me eyes to see everybody as You dey see them and to love them as You dey love them. I truly love You, Lord. Help me to love You and other people more. Jesus, na You I trust.
40 Days for di Foot of di Cross – Reflection Ten – Di Sword of Sorrow
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Scripture Meditation Dem for Lent
Saint of Today – Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot wey be Doctor of the Church
Main image wey dey above: The Good Samaritan Wey David Teniers the Younger paint
