July 14, 2023
Fraide for Wik 14 for Ordinary Time
Di Readings for Today
Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest—Memorial wey No Be Must
(For United States, dem shift this memorial go July 18)
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin—Memorial for USA
Listen for English
“When dem hand una over, make una no worry about how una go talk or wetin una go talk. For that very moment, una go receive wetin una go talk. Because no be una go dey talk, but na di Spirit of una Father go dey talk through una.” Matthew 10:19–20
Dis lesson easy to understand, but e hard well-well to put am for practice. Jesus give dis teaching as E dey tell Im Apostles say, as dem go out to preach di Gospel of di Kingdom, dem go hand dem over to courts, flog dem for synagogues, and carry dem go before governors and kings. Dem go persecute dem from one town to another because dem dey share di Gospel. Even though dis kind “talk to give courage” fit no look like wetin go encourage person at first, di Gospel passage wey we quote above suppose give dem plenty courage. Dat na if dem fit follow Jesus advice with faith.
When people condemn us, judge us, misunderstand us and do things like dat, e common well-well for us to begin arrange how we go defend ourselves inside our mind sharp-sharp. We dey justify wetin we do, set up court inside our mind where na we dey act as judge and jury for di other person, dey find dem guilty and dey give dem punishment. Di sin wey dem don dey call “love for yourself” na sin wey come from pride, and e no be love at all. E dey tempt us to defend ourselves with our own human wisdom and advice.
If we take time consider Jesus teaching wey dey above, most people go see say na teaching wey hard well-well to accept and follow. Di main thing be say, when another person condemn you or treat you badly, make your heart remain quiet. No begin dwell on di wound wey dem give you sharp-sharp. No let di injustice wey you dey see take over your whole mind. No worry or let fear fill your mind because of di persecution wey you feel say you dey face. Instead, turn your eyes to Jesus; put your mind only for Im Voice and Im Truth. And instead of looking at di wound wey dem give you, look at di person wey dey wound you. And look at dem with love. No be dem be di enemy; na inside dem di battle for Truth dey happen, and your mission na to help dem hear God truth. So how you go do dat? Jesus answer clear. “For dat very moment, una go receive wetin una go talk.” On top of dat, Jesus make am clear say na di “Spirit of una Papa” must speak through you for dis kind situation.
To live according to dis kain teaching, you especially need two things: humble heart and trust. Humble heart go help you put aside di tempteshon to put yourself first (pride). Dis one dey necessary if you wan hear di Voice of God as E dey speak to you and, in di end, allow Am to speak through you. Secondly, e dey necessary make you trust say wetin Jesus talk na true. You must trust say, if you humble yourself and open your heart to His Voice, E go give you His words when E want make you speak dem. Dis one hard, because many times we dey want talk far more than wetin God choose to talk. Many times, God dey call us to keep quiet when we face injustice. Na silence wey love for di person wey dey persecute us still full inside. Dis one need plenty trust in di grace of God, and dat trust go make love full your own heart well-well.
Today, reflect on dis teaching of our Lord. Think about how you dey react when somebody condemn you or judge you. How you dey respond to dis kind persecution? Start with silence, turn your eyes to di other person because of di love wey you get for dem, then listen and wait for di Lord. Wait until E give you di words to talk. To do like dis no only good for di person wey dey persecute you; e still good well-well for your own soul and for you to live holy life.
My Lord wey get patience, You wey be di Savior of di World and di God of everybody, You allow people accuse You falsely, judge You and condemn You. Through all of am, You remain quiet and speak only when di Papa speak through You. My dear Lord, help me become free from every pride, so dat I go speak only Your holy words, think only di thoughts wey You inspire, and act only as Your holy command of love direct me. 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 Camillus de Lellis, Fada
(For di United States, dem dey move dis memorial go July 18)
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin—Memorial for USA
Di main picture wey dey above: Tribute Money wey Masaccio paint, through Web Gallery of Art
