May 29, 2021
Saturday for the Eighth Week for Ordinary Time
Saint Paul VI, Pope—Memorial Wey No Be Must
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“I go ask una one question. Make una answer Me, and I go tell una the authority wey I take dey do these things. John baptism come from heaven, abi na from human beings? Make una answer Me.” Mark 11:29–30
Na this answer Jesus give the chief priests, the scribes and the elders when dem come meet Am for the Temple area and ask Am the authority wey E take dey do the things wey E do. And wetin Jesus do? The day before, Jesus enter the Temple and drive the people wey dey change money comot. E tell dem, “Dem no write am say: ‘Dem go call My house house of prayer for all peoples’? But una don turn am to thieves den.” This one vex the religious leaders well-well, and dem begin discuss at once how dem fit kill Jesus.
First, think about the tension wey dey there. Dem really dey plan to kill Jesus, the Son of God. Hatred and jealousy fill their heart, and dem refuse to believe in Am. Jesus see how their heart hard, so E put dem for corner: dem must first answer His question before E go answer their own. Why Jesus do this kind thing?
The question wey Jesus ask dem na really act of great mercy from Him. E give dem chance to repent. If to say dem just answer His question with humble faith and honesty, dem for fit save their lives. Instead, dem discuss His question among themselves and give the answer wey no go cause trouble for dem. If dem talk say John baptism come from human beings, no be from God, dem fear say the people go turn against dem. So dem just talk say, “We no know.” But imagine if to say dem give the correct answer. What if dem discuss am among themselves and agree say John baptism truly come from God and say dem suppose don believe am? If to say dem just humble themselves and admit say dem don make serious mistake about John, Jesus for answer their question, and their life of true faith for fit begin. But dem no do am. Dem remain stubborn. Dem no fit admit say dem wrong.
Stubbornness na one of the sins wey dangerous pass. Na sin wey no fit get forgiveness because, for wetin e really mean, na to refuse to change. And when person refuse to admit im sin and refuse to change, God no fit help am. E remain lost inside im sin and suffer wetin follow am.
You dey struggle with stubbornness for your life? E dey hard you to admit when you wrong? E dey hard you to apologise to another person and try to change?
Today, think deeply about anything wey you still dey stubborn about. Any matter of faith dey wey you refuse to believe? Any relationship wey scatter dey wey you refuse to humble yourself repair? You dey give excuse for your sin and refuse to admit say you guilty and need to change? Pray to our Lord make E give you the gift of humble heart. For many ways, humility no be anything other than to dey completely honest with yourself and other people before God. No follow the example of these religious leaders. Humbly try to remove all stubbornness from your heart so that Our Lord fit enter and bring His mercy into your life.
My Jesus wey dey stand firm, You dey confront people wey proud, wey dey carry shoulder and wey stubborn, with plenty strength and love. You dey do so to help dem overcome their stubborn heart. Give me the grace of humility, dear Lord, so that I go always fit admit my sin and turn to You with love. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of the Day – Saint Paul VI, Pope
