October 6, 2023
Friday for Week Twenty-Six for Ordinary Time
Reading dem for Today
Sent Bruno, Fada—Ncheta wey no be iwu
Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Vajin—Ncheta for USA wey no be iwu
Listen for English
Jesus tell dem, “Wahala dey for you, Chorazin! Wahala dey for you, Bethsaida! Because if na for Tyre and Sidon dem do the mighty works wey happen among una, dem for don repent long ago, wear sackcloth sidon for ash.” Luke 10:13
You don ever wear sackcloth sidon for ash? For the Gospel passage wey dey above, Jesus show clearly say to do this kind thing na holy sign say person dey respond to His preaching. He talk say the towns of Tyre and Sidon, wey no dey worship the true God, for surely don wear sackcloth sidon for ash if dem get the privilege to see the mighty works wey happen for the Jewish towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida.
“Sackcloth and ash” na common sign wey people dey use show the repentance and sorrow for sin wey dey inside their heart. This thing happen plenty times for the Old Testament. Remember, for example, say when Jonah preach to the people of Nineveh, everybody, from the king reach ordinary person, respond by showing their repentance like this (Jonah 3:5–7). Sackcloth na rough material wey no dey comfortable for body, and dem usually dey use black goat hair make am. E dey stand as sign say person reject the false comfort wey sin dey give. Ash dey stand as sign of the emptiness and destruction wey fire wey dey purify don leave behind. Of course, all of us dey sidon for ash every Ash Wednesday, as outward sign say we want repent. And even though to wear real sackcloth as cloth today fit no be wetin we dey actually practise, e good make we see the spiritual fruit wey these actions dey produce, and think about ways wey we still fit do these things for this our time. How you fit wear sackcloth sidon for ash today? Which practical thing you fit do to show everybody say you want turn from sin face the Gospel?
First of all, to answer this question well, e important make we recognise say to turn from sin no suppose be only personal thing wey happen inside our heart; e must also show for outside so that other people fit see am. Sin no only dey harm each of us personally; e dey also harm other people, some more than others. So, if your sin don clearly harm other people, e important make you understand say no be only to repent before God you need; you must also repent in a way wey other people go see your repentance and sorrow.
So how you fit repent with sackcloth and ash today? Plenty ways dey to do this. The main thing about this kind action na say e go clear to other people say you dey sorry for your sin and say you dey try to change. If the sin wey you commit against another person serious, then the repentance inside your heart must match how serious your sin be, and the way you show that repentance for outside must match am too.
Today, think deeply about some practical ways wey God dey call you to show everybody your “wearing sackcloth and sitting for ash,” as sign of your sorrow to the people wey you don sin against. For example, if your sin na anger and you don dey harm another person often through that sin, no only repent before God; also look for outward ways to show the person say you dey sorry. Maybe do some service for the person wey the person go fit see. Or do one act of penance for everybody to see, like fasting, as way to show the person say you dey sorry. Good works of love wey people fit see, service, prayer, penance for everybody to see, and other things like these na ways wey you fit spiritually and practically “wear sackcloth sidon for ash” today.
My Lord wey get mercy, You dey call me make I turn from my sin come back to You every day, and make I show am with clear signs as I sit down “for sackcloth and ash.” Give me the grace to truly feel sorrow for my sins, and help me make I turn from sin come back to You with all my heart as I dey trust Your mercy. As I dey do so, abeg, guide me too make I humble myself and show my sorrow clearly to the people wey I don sin against. Make this humble action bring healing and unity inside You. 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 –
Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin
Main picture wey dey up: Judgement Day, from flickr
