November 7, 2021
Sunday Number 32 for Ordinary Time, Year B
Readings for Today
Listen for English
“Beware of di teachers of di Law, wey like to waka about with long robes and receive greetings for marketplaces, seats of honour for synagogues, and places of honour for feasts. Dem dey swallow di houses of widows and, to pretend, dem dey recite long prayers. Dem go receive condemnation wey very severe.” Mark 12:38–40
E important to note here say Jesus talk say, “Dem go receive condemnation wey very severe.” Na Him wey be di source of mercy and grace talk these words. Kindness and compassion full His heart, E gentle and E dey forgive, and di only thing wey E want na our eternal salvation. Still, Jesus make am clear say di teachers of di Law go receive severe condemnation.
Di first thing we suppose think na say we no want be like di teachers of di Law! We no want receive di same kind of condemnation. So, we suppose avoid di sinful condition wey dem dey. This one bring di question, “Which sin di teachers of di Law commit wey make dem deserve this severe condemnation?”
Di main truth be say dem na people wey dey deceive others. Desire for “places of honour” don take over dia heart. E clear say dem dey treat other people badly: “Dem dey swallow di houses of widows.” Wetin even worse be say dem dey present demself as people of prayer, when e clear say dem no be so. Because of this, Jesus condemn dem strongly.
So wetin we learn from dia mistakes? At least, we suppose learn these two lessons:
1) Di true “place of honour” na di place where person humble pass. For God’s eyes, we dey find true honour when we serve without anybody noticing us and give without anybody recognising us. This way, na only love dey move us to give and serve, no be any plan to benefit ourself. Person wey get humble heart no dey look for praise and honour because of di love wey e show. Di act of giving and serving na itself di gift wey di person receive.
2) To recite long prayers no be di same thing as to pray. Prayer na about one thing. Na to enter into close communion with God. Na to build relationship with Am wey deep, beautiful and go last. Na about love. Prayer no be for show or to make other people admire us.
Today, think deeply about di strong judgment wey Jesus pronounce against di teachers of di Law. Know say one reason why E do this na to teach us wetin we suppose avoid for life. Avoid every kind of pride wey dey make you think only about yourself. Seek humble heart and true prayer, and you go receive plenty blessings.
Lord, help me make I be person of true prayer and worship. Help me make I remain humble and sincere. Help me make I love You just because I love You, and no be for any other reason. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Di main image above: Christ and di Pharisees, by Lawrence W. Ladd, through Wikimedia Commons
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