February 27, 2023
Monday for di First Week of Lent
Readings for Today
Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot wey be Doctor of the Church—Memorial Wey No Be Must
Listen for English
Jesus tell im disciples: “When di Son of Man come inside im glory, with all di angels wey follow am, e go sit for im glorious throne, and all di nations go gather for im front. E go separate dem from one another, as shepherd dey separate sheep from goat.” Matthew 25:31–32
Dis na picture wey really deserve make we think deep about am! Try picture dis scene for your mind. For one final moment wey go come for future, di Second Person of di Most Holy Trinity, wey now get human nature too as di “Son of Man,” go return to earth with glory. All di angels for Heaven go surround Am, and E go sit for Im new and glorious throne. For front of dat throne, every person from every nation wey don ever exist go gather together, and dem go judge each person according to wetin e do. Those wey serve our Lord and treat di least among Im brothers and sisters with mercy and compassion go hear Jesus talk say, “Make una come, una wey my Father don bless. Make una inherit di kingdom wey dem prepare for una since di foundation of di world.” Those wey no serve Christ and no treat di least ones with mercy go enter punishment wey no go ever end, as Jesus go tell dem, “Make una comot from my front, una wey dey under curse, enter di eternal fire wey dem prepare for di Devil and im angels.” For dat day, na only one thing go matter, because where each person go spend eternity go don settle forever. Di only thing wey go matter na whether dem go place you for our Lord right side to inherit eternal life, or for Im left side and send you enter di fires wey no go ever end.
Sometimes, as we dey journey through life, we fit forget dis glorious day. When we think about God and Heaven, e easy to just assume say Heaven don sure for us. God get kindness and mercy, and E love us. So, we dey assume say Heaven don sure and na only people wey wicked well-well go end for hell. But no be so Jesus describe di Day of Judgment.
Jesus explain say when judgment time reach, di righteous go surprise say to care for those wey hunger dey catch, those wey thirsty, strangers, those wey naked, those wey sick, or those wey dey prison, na di same as to show God love. Na so too, those wey neglect these same people go surprise say, as dem fail to love di least among Jesus brothers and sisters, dem don fail to love God. No take dis teaching as small matter. Jesus no dey hide wetin E mean. Wetin E talk clear well-well, and E talk am with certainty.
For your life, who be these “least ones” wey Jesus dey talk about? Those wey hunger and thirst dey catch no be only people wey need food and water for body, but also those wey get deep spiritual longing wey need satisfaction. Na people wey don lose road or dey confused for life, wey need person to show dem direction. Di stranger fit be anybody wey dey lonely and wey people fit easily ignore. Those wey naked fit be people wey no fit provide for their own needs. Those wey sick fit be old people or people wey dey suffer for different ways. And those wey dey prison fit include people wey sin don hold captive, wey need help to gain freedom. No fail to look for our Lord, because E dey present inside those wey surround you.
Today, think deep about di people for your life wey look like say na dem lose road pass and na dem need your compassion pass. Those wey we no feel like to reach out to na often di people wey need our compassion and mercy pass. Di “least ones” na often people wey we dey judge, condemn or ignore. Remember di person wey look like say e no deserve your love reach others, and know say Jesus dey live inside dat person. E dey wait make you love Am by loving dat person.
Lord wey full of mercy pass all, Your compassion great, and Your judgment na real. Help me make I always keep my mind on dat final and glorious day when You go return with all Your splendour and glory to judge di living and di dead. Make I truly take Your words to heart and prepare for dat day by loving You inside all people, especially those wey need help pass. Jesus, na You I trust.
40 Days for di Foot of di Cross:
A Look of Love From di Heart of Our Blessed Mother
Reflection Three – Di Thoughts of di Mother of God
(Mon. for di First Week of Lent)
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Scripture Meditation Dem for Lent
Saint of Today – Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot wey be Doctor of the Church
Two very good books for Lent:
