March 21, 2024
Thursday for di Fifth Week for Lent
Readings for Today
Listen for English
Jesus tell dem, “Amen, amen, I dey tell una, before Abraham come dey, I DEY.” So dem pick stones to stone Am; but Jesus hide and comot from the Temple area. John 8:58–59
When Moses meet God for the bush wey dey burn, God reveal His name: I DEY. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teach say this way wey God reveal His name “na both name wey He reveal and something wey be like say He no gree give name.” E show say God dey “far above everything wey we fit understand or talk, without any limit.” Na Him be the “God wey dey hidden.” He still be “God wey dey bring Himself close to human beings” for each and every moment of our life (See CCC #206).
For our Gospel today, Jesus show say na Him be this God wey dey hidden. He talk say na only Him know His Father, and say the Father dey glorify Am because na Him be the great I DEY. For the people of that time, this revelation shock dem—at least, e shock those wey no understand this truth through faith. But this name wey carry mystery no only reveal who God be; e still reveal how we suppose relate with this God wey no get limit, wey dey hidden, wey dey exalted and wey get glory.
As Jesus reveal who He be, He no talk say, “before Abraham come dey, I bin dey.” He talk say, “I DEY.” This one reveal say no be only say Jesus don dey before Abraham, but say His existence pass all time. He DEY always and everywhere. Even if some people fit feel say this matter too enter philosophy, na important truth wey we need understand for two important reasons. First, e help us understand God better. Second, e reveal how we suppose relate with God every day.
God no be God of only the past. He no be God of only the future. Na God of this present moment He be. If we wan enter relationship with God, we must understand say na only for this present moment we fit meet Am. We fit talk say na Him be the Here and Now. And na here and now we must look for Am, for this present moment alone.
Sometimes, we dey find ourselves dey dwell on the past. As far as wetin happen for our past dey help us or hurt us for this present moment, we need face am. But the way to do this na to seek God’s grace wey dey heal today, and allow the past disappear inside His mercy wey full well-well. Other times, we dey try live for the future, and we dey worry about wetin go happen. But God no dey dwell for the future, because for Him, all time na here and now. So we no suppose dey anxious about the future, worry about am, or try live inside am now. Na only this present moment we get, and na for this moment God dey come meet us. He dey here, and we must meet Am here, as we turn to Him and His grace today.
Today, think deeply about this revelation from our Lord wey deep and carry mystery. Think about who He be as the great “I DEY.” Ponder this name. Ponder wetin e mean. See am as one way wey Jesus dey invite you to meet Am for this present moment alone. Live for this moment. The past don go; the future never reach. Live where God dey, here and now, because na only there you go meet our Lord.
My Lord, na You be the Great I DEY. You pass all time. Help me make I meet You today, make I let the past go, make I look forward to the future, and make I live with You for this moment alone. As I dey meet You here, dear Lord, help me make I love You with all my heart. Jesus, na You I trust.
Day Thirty-Two Tins to Think Deep About:
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
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