April 15, 2023
Saturday for Easter Octave
Readings for Today
Listen for English
After Jesus don rise from death, early for the first day of the week, na Mary Magdalene He first appear to. Na from her He don drive seven demons comot. Mark 16:9
The first person wey Scripture record say Jesus appear to na Mary Magdalene. One important thing be say na from her Jesus drive seven demons comot. The understanding wey tradition don give about these seven demons wey possess her be say dem possess her completely. Before Jesus free her, satan and im demons don take over her will completely because she freely surrender herself to evil. Even with all this, na she, one woman wey get this kind terrible past, Jesus choose to honour with His first appearance. This truth really dey amazing!
Everybody get past. Some people don commit very serious sins. Others, like Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, never commit any mortal sin. E clear say the beauty of soul like Saint Thérèse own deserve deep admiration, and this kind soul go get great reward for Heaven. But wetin about person wey don commit very serious sins? Wetin about people like Mary Magdalene wey don live life wey full of terrible sins? Wetin our Lord think about dem?
As Mary Magdalene be the first person wey Scripture record say see the Lord wey don rise from death, this suppose tell us plenty about how Jesus dey see person wey don struggle plenty with serious sin, but later overcome that sin and turn to our Lord with all im heart. Sin dey weaken person spirit. When person no repent from am, e dey leave the person without dignity and integrity. But even after person don repent, some people go still dey struggle with guilt and shame wey no dey good for dem. And for some people, these struggles fit become weapon wey the evil one dey use to discourage dem, so dem no go feel say dem worthy to serve our Lord with zeal and strong devotion.
But the truth for God mind be say sinners wey don repent na real precious jewels, and dem beautiful for our Lord eye. Dem deserve the greatest honours. God no dey keep His mind on our past sin. Instead, when we don repent from our past sin and God don forgive am, that sin go be sign of God love and mercy forever.
How you dey handle your past sin? First, you don fully admit am, repent from am and ask our Lord for forgiveness? If you don do so, e still dey trouble your mind? The evil one still dey try to remind you of your past and take away your hope for God mercy?
Today, think deeply about the most serious sins wey you don commit before. If you never confess dem, do so as soon as you fit. If you don confess dem, try to see your soul as God dey see am. God no dey look your past sins with anger and disgust. Instead, na only how deep your turning back to Him, your sorrow and your repentance be, He dey see. And for Him, this na holy and beautiful thing. Think deeply about the beauty of your heart wey don repent, and know say, as you dey do so, you go dey see your own heart as God dey see am.
My God wey full of mercy pass all, You love the sinner and hate the sin. You love me for ways wey pass wetin I fit understand. Help me understand how deeply You love my heart when I repent completely. And help me see my heart only as You dey see am. I thank You for Your love and mercy, dear Lord. Help me love You more and more. Jesus, na You I trust.
Day Nine: Novena to prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday
Scripture Meditations for Easter Season
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
