September 28, 2021
Tuzde of di Twenty-Sixth Week for Ordinary Time
Di Readings for Today
Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr—Ncheta Wey No Be Iwu
Saints Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs—Ncheta Wey No Be Iwu
Listen for English
When di time reach for dem to take Jesus go up, He make up His mind firmly to travel go Jerusalem, and He send messengers make dem go ahead of Him. Luke 9:51–52
Small time after Jesus tell His disciples about di suffering, death and resurrection wey dey come for Him, we read say Jesus “make up His mind firmly to travel go Jerusalem.” Plenty things dey inside dis short statement wey we fit think deeply about.
First of all, na Jerusalem di Temple dey, where dem dey offer animal sacrifices for di Old Testament as sign wey point ahead to di one final sacrifice wey go come. Jesus come dis world as di Lamb of God, di One wey dem go offer as Sacrifice, wey go die for our sins. He know how His life for dis world go end, and He know say plenty suffering go dey inside. Na dis knowledge of di suffering wey dey come for Him be di foundation wey go help us understand dis passage today.
As Jesus’ suffering and death dey come near, He dey use His human will make up His mind more and more to do di Father’s will by giving up His life. True true, Jesus always do di Father’s will, but small small, di way He show dis strong decision as human being come dey clearer and clearer. Di particular human virtue wey begin show small small na courage. Spiritual courage na ability wey come from God to accept di Father’s will when His will lead person enter life of sacrifice. Because our human nature don fall through sin, we dey tend to avoid sacrifice. Plenty times, we dey try avoid quarrel and suffering, and choose di easy way for life. So, when we face suffering wey dey come, temptation to fear fit rise—and we need courage to overcome dat fear. As His suffering dey come nearer, di temptation to fear come stronger, and because of dis, His perfect courage come show more clearly. Notice say Jesus no just decide to go Jerusalem to offer His life as sacrifice; He “make up His mind firmly” to do am. He no waver, He no doubt di Father’s will, He no hesitate, and He no fear. His perfect love wey dey give itself as sacrifice come show small small for everybody to see.
Another reason why Jesus stand firm for His decision to travel go Jerusalem na to show His disciples His love. Dem too need courage. So, as dem listen to Jesus talk about wetin dey come for Jerusalem, and as dem see how He stand firm for His decision, dem too get encouragement and strength to overcome di temptations to fear. True true, na later for their lives dem come perfect dat virtue, when dem too follow our Lord’s footsteps and give up their own lives as martyrs.
Today, think deeply about wetin dey cause fear and worry for your own life. If na you cause dat suffering, then try put am right. But if dat suffering na cross wey our Lord dey call you to accept with love, then accept am with spirit of sacrifice and firm mind. No let di weight of di cross wey dem give you for life make you lose heart. Di crosses wey God dey call us to accept fit always turn to grace. Allow courage grow inside you, and allow di example of our Lord encourage you as you dey try imitate His love wey dey give itself as sacrifice.
My Lord wey get courage, You face Your suffering with plenty courage, strength, surrender and hope. You see di value of accepting Your suffering freely, and You choose am with all di strength of Your soul. Give me di grace wey I need, dear Lord, make I too make up my mind firmly to journey towards di cross wey You dey call me to accept for life, so dat as I freely accept my cross, I go join more fully with You. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Di Saints for Today – Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr—Ncheta Wey No Be Iwu
Saints Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs—Ncheta Wey No Be Iwu
