November 23, 2021
Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr—Memorial wey No Be Must to Celebrate
Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr—Memorial for USA wey No Be Must to Celebrate
Saint Columban, Abbot—Memorial wey No Be Must to Celebrate
Listen for English
As some people dey talk about how dem take costly stones and offerings wey people give to fulfil their vows decorate the Temple, Jesus talk say, “All these things wey una dey see here—time go come when no stone go remain on top another stone; dem go pull all of them down.” Luke 21:5–6
This prophecy of our Lord happen exactly as He talk am. For 70 A.D., dem destroy the Temple wey the people dey talk about. After Jesus give this prophecy, He come warn the disciples say plenty confusion go come. False prophets, wars and rebellions, strong earthquakes, famine and plagues go dey, “and things wey go make people fear and mighty signs go come from the sky.” Why Jesus prophesy all these things?
The answer simple. No be to frighten them He dey try do. No be just to satisfy their desire to know wetin go happen. Instead, He dey warn them and prepare all of us so that nobody go lead us astray and fear no go overwhelm us when these things come. He talk say, “Make una take care so that nobody go deceive una” and “make una no fear.”
As one old saying talk, “Life no be only enjoyment.” As we dey live for this world wey sin don spoil, disorder, confusion, deceit, abuse, scandal, conflict and things like these go dey all around us. And when we face any of these difficulties, temptation fit come to make us fear, vex or lose hope. Whether na family conflict, trouble for society or even division inside the Church itself, God want make our mind dey at peace and make we always trust Him.
Take Jesus own life as example. Dem arrest Him, accuse Him of things wey He no do, sentence Him to death and nail Him to the cross. Through all these things, His mind remain at peace, because He know say His suffering go become the very source of new life. God fit use everything bring good for people wey love and serve Him.
Today, think well about this truth wey nobody fit deny: difficulties go dey for your life. Sometimes, na you bring the difficulty upon yourself because of your sin, and sometimes, na another person sin make you suffer wetin you no deserve. To talk true, na our own sin suppose concern us. If other challenges wey you no fit control come your way, use them as opportunities to trust God. Put everything for God hand: every suffering, every persecution, every tragedy, every struggle—everything. If God the Father fit bring the greatest good wey anybody don ever know out of the cruel murder of His own divine Son, then surely He fit do the same with everything wey you trustingly put for His hand. Trust Him every time and for every situation, and our Lord wey get all power go bring good out of everything.
My Lord wey get all power, You warn us about the plenty hardships wey go come our way before You return in glory. You do this to help prepare us and make us strong for those times when trials go come. Abeg, give me the grace wey I need to always trust You and put every cross wey I carry for Your hand. My dear Lord, I truly believe say You fit bring good out of everything, even the things wey hard pass for life. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Saints for Today –
Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr
Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr
