October 19, 2023
Thursday for Week 28 for Ordinary Time
Di Readings for Today
Saints Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, Priest dem and Martyr dem; and their Companions, wey be Martyr dem—USA: Memorial
Listen for English
When Jesus comot, the scribes and Pharisees begin treat am like enemy and dey question am about plenty things, because dem dey plan how dem go catch am with something wey e fit talk. Luke 11:53–54
For these past few days, we don dey read how Saint Luke write the way Jesus take rebuke the scribes, Pharisees and experts for the Law with the words, “Wahala dey for una.” Today Gospel end these corrections wey come from love by showing say these religious leaders no turn from their sin to God. Instead, dem begin plan against Jesus so that dem go “catch am with something wey e fit talk.” Na wetin dey happen when people use God holy Law as weapon to attack others be this.
Normally, we dey get good inspiration from Holy Scripture as we dey reflect on Jesus words and actions and put them into practice for our lives. But we fit also learn from the evil wey other people dey do, and allow their actions move us to avoid their sin. For today Gospel, dem invite us to think deeply about how these religious leaders no fit stop to dey plan evil, so that we go consider whether we too get guilt for the same sin.
First, notice say when Jesus finish to rebuke them, these religious leaders “begin treat Jesus like enemy.” Normally, when we treat another person like enemy, we dey do am with the mind say na we dey right and na the person do something wrong. We dey point to wetin we think say na the person sin to justify the way we dey treat am. But we must understand say every time we treat person like enemy, e dey clearly show say we don start to follow the road of sin, and nothing justify the way we no fit stop to dey dwell on the matter.
Notice too say these religious leaders show their enmity towards Jesus by questioning Am. This mean say, for their anger, dem continue to ask Am questions so that dem go find fault with Am. Dem try to deceive Am and use their words set trap for Am, as dem dey use the very Law of God wey come through Moses and the prophets. But dem twist that Law to justify their enmity and, because of pride, to accuse Jesus falsely.
Think about any time for your life when you find say your mind dey dwell too much on wetin you judge as another person sin. For this kind matter, person fit hide the enmity: you fit appear kind outside, but inside your mind, you no fit stop to dey think about how you go condemn the person. Many times when this happen, we fit feel say we dey right, because we don convince ourselves say justice must happen and na we go carry out that justice. But if na God dey control our lives, E no go call us to dey plan against another person without rest. Instead, when we dey follow God will, we go sense say E dey move us to act without delay, with calmness, joy, kindness, honesty, and freedom from all anger and thoughts wey no gree leave our mind.
Today, reflect on any way wey you don see this wrong tendency for your own life. If you fit remember one time when you struggle with enmity towards another person, look at the fruit wey e bear. Your actions give God glory? The matter leave you with peace or e disturb your mind? You consider everything fairly, without letting your own feelings control your thinking? Answer these questions honestly, and you go begin discover the road to freedom from this kind thinking wey no gree leave your mind. God want make you get peace. If injustice dey, trust say our Lord go settle am. For your own part, you must continue to work to forgive, act with love, and turn your attention to God will as E gently dey show am to you.
My Lord we get patience and kindness, many of di religious leader dem for Your time accuse You with lie and condemn You because You talk di pure truth with love, clearly and boldly. When I treat another person with hostility and anger, help me turn away from these sins so dat I no go ever condemn anybody, judge anybody or twist Your divine Law to suit my own purpose. Fill me with only Your peace and love, my dear Lord. Jesus, na You I trust.
Novena to Saint Jude
For Situations and Cases wey don reach Desperate Stage
Person fit pray am any time for di year, especially October 19–27
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Saint of Today – Saints Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, Priest dem and Martyr dem; and their Companions, wey be Martyr dem
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