July 19, 2023
Wenesde for Week 15 for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Listen for English
For that time, Jesus call out say: “I dey praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because even though You hide these things from people wey wise and people wey get book knowledge, You don show them to people wey be like small pikin.” Matthew 11:25
This passage different well-well from the passage just before am, where Jesus rebuke the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because dem no turn from sin and believe in Am. As soon as Jesus finish to rebuke dem, E look up to Heaven and praise the Father because E don show the hidden mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to people wey dey “like small pikin.”
One of the biggest things wey fit threaten pure faith wey be like small pikin own na pride because of the sense and knowledge wey person get. People wey see themselves as people wey “wise and get book knowledge” often dey face temptation to depend on their own power to reason, to decide wetin dem go conclude and believe about life. The problem be say, even though the things wey our faith teach us fully agree with reason, dem pass wetin human reason alone fit reach. We no fit understand God by ourselves. We need the gift of faith for that, and the gift of faith dey begin when God communicate with us for spirit, and through this, E show us Who E be and wetin be true. Na only people wey dey like small pikin, that na, people wey humble, fit hear this kind communication from God and respond.
This passage still show us say Jesus dey rejoice with all Im heart for this kind humble faith. E dey give “praise” to the Father for Heaven as E see this kind faith, because Jesus know say na from the Father this kind faith dey come.
For your life, e important make you dey regularly think deep about whether you resemble people wey wise and get book knowledge pass, or people wey dey like small pikin. Even though God na mystery wey no get limit and wey we no fit fully understand, we must know Am. And the only way we fit come know God na if E show us Himself. And the only way God go show us Himself na if we remain humble and like small pikin.
As we come get faith like small pikin, we must still follow Jesus example as E praise the Father for the faith wey E see for the lives of Im followers. We too must turn our eyes to people wey clearly show this pure knowledge of God through the gift of faith. As we see how dem dey live out this faith, we must rejoice and praise the Father. And no be only when we see faith dey alive for other people we must give this praise; we must still give am when we see the gift of faith dey grow inside our own soul. We must nurture holy wonder and reverence for wetin God dey do inside us, and we must rejoice as we experience am.
Today, think deep about Jesus as E dey praise the Father when E see faith dey spring up for the hearts of Im followers. When Jesus look at you, wetin E dey do? E dey rebuke you? Or Im Sacred Heart dey rejoice and give praise for wetin E see? Give the Heart of Christ joy: humble yourself reach where you too go join people wey dey like small pikin, wey truly know and love God.
My Lord wey dey rejoice, You dey pay attention to how grace dey work for every human heart. As You see say the Voice of the Father dey speak to Your children, wetin You see dey make You rejoice. Dear Lord, I pray make my own heart be wetin go bring You joy and make You praise the Father for Heaven. Abeg, speak to me and help me believe with all my heart. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
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