No Do Wetin Go Offend Another Person

August 8, 2022
Monday for the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

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“But so that we no go offend dem, go sea, throw hook inside, and take the first fish wey come up. Open im mouth and you go find one coin wey worth two times the temple tax. Give dem that one for Me and for you.” Matthew 17:27

This matter dey interesting. The people wey dey collect temple tax come meet Peter and ask am why Jesus no dey pay the normal temple tax. Peter come ask Jesus this question, and Jesus make am clear say, because of who He be, He no suppose pay the tax. Still, He send Peter make e go get one coin through miracle from fish mouth, so that dem no go offend other people.

One thing wey this story show na say, sometimes, the foolish concerns of other people wey no too matter (like to collect tax) no worth to fight about. This basic principle fit apply to plenty other situations for life. E easy to allow matters wey no important block our service to God. E dey happen often say people go turn small matters to big issues. As Christians, we need to keep our eyes on wetin matter for life and no allow anybody drag us enter these foolish battles.

When we accept to dey truly humble with all our heart, e go help us avoid to “offend” people, even when na we dey right. As we see for this matter with Jesus, humble spirit dey help us see say some battles no worth to fight. True true, we no fit bend the truth, but we fit, and we suppose, give way for the small-small demands of other people wey no too matter, instead of allowing quarrel to start because of foolish reasons.

Today, think well about those “matters” for life wey people dey give more attention pass wetin dem deserve. Think about how you fit calm these situations down by humbling yourself before other people. Sometimes, God fit call you to accept small injustice because of something wey matter pass. Look at wetin these things fit be for your life, and ask the Lord to give you the grace to follow His example.

My humble Lord, fill my heart with true humble spirit. Help me turn away from quarrels for life wey no important, even if e mean say I go accept injustice as sacrifice. Make I no ever put the demand for my rights above the joy of accepting to dey deeply humble. Jesus, na You I trust.