Thursday, February 22, 2024
Oche of Saint Peter, Apostle—Feast
Readings for Today
Listen for English
“And so I dey tell you, you be Peter, and na on top this rock I go build My Church, and di gates of di world of di dead no go fit overcome am. I go give you di keys to di Kingdom of heaven. Anything wey you bind for earth go dey bound for heaven; and anything wey you loose for earth go dey loosed for heaven.” Matthew 16:18–19
This passage above dey teach us several truths wey be foundation. One of those truths na say “di gates of di world of di dead” no go ever defeat di Church. That truth give us plenty reason to rejoice.
Think about di many institutions wey human beings don establish throughout di centuries. Di governments wey get power pass don come and go. Different movements don come and go. Organisations wey person no fit count don come and go. But di Catholic Church still dey, and e go remain till di end of time. Na one of our Lord promises wey we dey celebrate today be that.
No be just because of good leadership throughout all these years di Church still dey. In fact, from di beginning, corruption and serious quarrel among Church members don dey clear for people to see. Popes don live lives wey no follow God law. Cardinals and bishops don live like princes. Some priests don commit serious sins. And many religious orders don struggle with serious division among their members. But di Church itself, this Bride of Christ wey dey shine, this institution wey no fit teach error, still dey and go continue to dey because Jesus don guarantee am.
With di modern media wey we get today, wey fit broadcast every sin of every Church member to di whole world at once, temptation fit dey to look down on di Church. Scandal, division, controversy and other things like these fit sometimes shake us reach deep inside, and make some people begin ask whether dem suppose continue to take part for di Roman Catholic Church. But di truth be say every weakness among Her members suppose actually make us renew our faith in di Church itself and make that faith deep pass before. Jesus no promise say every Church leader go be saint, but He promise say “di gates of di world of di dead” no go fit overcome Her.
Today, reflect on how you yourself dey see di Church now. If scandals and divisions don weaken your faith, then turn your eyes to our Lord and to His holy and divine promise. Di gates of di world of di dead no go fit overcome di Church. Na truth wey our Lord Himself don promise. Believe am and rejoice for that glorious truth.
My Bridegroom wey glory full, You don establish di Church on top di rock foundation of Peter faith. Peter and all im successors na Your precious gift to all of us. Help me make I look beyond other people sins, di scandals and divisions, and make I see You, my Lord, as You dey lead all people to salvation through Your bride, di Church. Today, I renew my faith for di gift of this One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Jesus, na You I trust.
Meditations for Day Eight:
40 Days for di Desert & 40 Days for di Cross
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Scripture Meditation Dem for Lent
Read More – Chair of Saint Peter
Main picture wey dey above: Di Sacrament of Ordination by Nicolas Poussi, through Wikimedia Commons
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