May 13, 2021
(Dem dey use the reflection wey dey below when dem move the Solemnity of the Ascension go the Sunday wey dey come.)
Thursday for Wik Six for Easter
Our Lady of Fatima—Memorial wey Person Fit Choose to Celebrate
Listen for English
So some of His disciples tell one another, “Wetin this thing wey He dey tell us mean: ‘Small time, una no go see Me, and after another small time, una go see Me,’ and ‘Because I dey go meet the Father’?” So dem talk say, “Wetin be this ‘small time’ wey He dey talk about? We no know wetin He mean.” John 16:17–18
How about you? You know wetin Jesus mean? Abi wetin He talk dey confuse you just as e confuse these disciples? Even though pride fit tempt you to claim say you understand everything wey Jesus teach finish, the humble and honest truth be say you probably resemble these disciples well well for the way dem no understand. And that one no necessarily mean say your condition bad.
First, the way these disciples no understand show say dem take Jesus serious. Dem no just act as if the matter no concern dem. Dem care, dem get interest, dem want understand, and dem must don get some faith in Jesus. If no be so, dem for no pay attention to Him. But no be so dem do. Dem listen, try to understand, discuss wetin He teach, think about His words and humbly agree say dem no understand.
Jesus no condemn dem because dem no understand. He see say dem dey try and say dem get some faith. And even though these disciples no understand, Jesus continue to use figurative language talk to dem instead of to talk straight and clear. One reason why Jesus dey use figurative language na because the message wey He dey teach get deep meaning well well. No be something wey person fit understand quick and easy, and come know am finish. The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven deep, wide and full of spiritual wonder so tey, the only way to begin understand dem na to first get faith. Faith no mean say you understand everything finish. Faith na gift wey pass human power, wey dey make you believe even when you never fully see and understand. Na God dey give this certainty, no be your own power to reason things out. But faith always dey lead person to understand more deeply. So, as these disciples profess their faith, dem come understand too. And even though Jesus dey talk this figurative way, these disciples finally choose to believe. Later for this chapter, dem conclude say, “Now we don know say You know everything and say You no need anybody to question You. Because of this, we believe say You come from God” (John 16:30).
If you see say different matters about faith, God, how person suppose live and other things like these dey confuse you, or if the different mysteries of life itself, or your own life in particular, dey confuse you, no fear to admit say you no understand. To admit say you no understand na to humbly accept the truth, and this humility go be one helpful step towards the gift of faith.
Today, think well whether you dey struggle at all with the attitude say the mysteries of life no concern you. If na so, make up your mind to resemble these disciples more, as dem deliberately try hard to understand everything wey Jesus talk. No fear to admit say you no understand, and to carry wetin dey confuse you come before our Lord. Try hard to receive the gift of faith, and allow that small spark of faith become the road wey go lead you to understand the many mysteries of life more deeply.
My Lord wey full of mystery, You and all the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven deep so tey nobody go ever fully understand how deep, how wide and how beautiful dem be. Abeg, my dear Lord, open my mind make I understand You more deeply, so that I fit profess my faith in You and in everything wey You don choose to reveal. I truly believe, my God. Help me where I no believe. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today – Our Lady of Fatima
