Tuesday 21st April 2020
Second week of Easter
Acts 4:32-37, John 3:7-15
It is very important for us to ask ourselves sometimes, the difference between us who claim to be Christians and those who are not. We carry the Christian name on our heads, but are not ready to live as one. If you read the early chapters of the book of the Acts of the Apostles which chronicles the life of the early Christians, you will get an image of what it means to be a Christian.
In some places in our world, including some parts of Nigeria, especially in the core North where the Christian faith is not tolerated, the Christians in those areas suffer a lot. This was the same situation in the early Church. All those who listened to the preaching of the Apostles and became Christians were segregated and discriminated. For them to survive therefore, the early Christians had to support themselves, put what they had together and lived like one big family. Those who had brought out what they had, some sold their lands, just to make sure they survived together as Christians.
Do we still have such attitude today? Are people not thinking more of themselves rather than the good of others? The first reading is a challenge to every Christian today, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic. Many people are suffering around us, what efforts are we making to support them? Are we even making life more difficult for others this period?This is a time for us to put our faith into practice and witness to the risen Lord. People do not need to worship you before you give to them, you do not need to make them feel inhuman with your statements before assisting them. Generosity is a virtue that does not go unrewarded. We will either survive together as concerned Christians, or perish together as selfish Christians.
I'm very sure this Corona virus pandemic has proved to us that money and material needs are nothing but vanity. Many of those who have died are very well to do.
Jesus tells Nicodemus in the gospel reading of today, that if he wants to understand the things of the world, he should pay attention to what is happening around him. Reach out to someone today and see how happy and blessed you will be. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP.
Second week of Easter
Acts 4:32-37, John 3:7-15
It is very important for us to ask ourselves sometimes, the difference between us who claim to be Christians and those who are not. We carry the Christian name on our heads, but are not ready to live as one. If you read the early chapters of the book of the Acts of the Apostles which chronicles the life of the early Christians, you will get an image of what it means to be a Christian.
In some places in our world, including some parts of Nigeria, especially in the core North where the Christian faith is not tolerated, the Christians in those areas suffer a lot. This was the same situation in the early Church. All those who listened to the preaching of the Apostles and became Christians were segregated and discriminated. For them to survive therefore, the early Christians had to support themselves, put what they had together and lived like one big family. Those who had brought out what they had, some sold their lands, just to make sure they survived together as Christians.
Do we still have such attitude today? Are people not thinking more of themselves rather than the good of others? The first reading is a challenge to every Christian today, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic. Many people are suffering around us, what efforts are we making to support them? Are we even making life more difficult for others this period?This is a time for us to put our faith into practice and witness to the risen Lord. People do not need to worship you before you give to them, you do not need to make them feel inhuman with your statements before assisting them. Generosity is a virtue that does not go unrewarded. We will either survive together as concerned Christians, or perish together as selfish Christians.
I'm very sure this Corona virus pandemic has proved to us that money and material needs are nothing but vanity. Many of those who have died are very well to do.
Jesus tells Nicodemus in the gospel reading of today, that if he wants to understand the things of the world, he should pay attention to what is happening around him. Reach out to someone today and see how happy and blessed you will be. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP.
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