Journeying with Christ
July 6, 2021
Genesis 28:10-22a, Matthew 9:18-26
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Jacob experiences Yahweh’s presence as he says, “Yahweh is in this place.” He then decides to take Yahweh as his God in today’s Gospel, the official whose daughter had just died and the woman who was suffering from hemorrhage also experienced in Christ the true presence of God. They knew he had the power to change their miserable conditions.
They manifested extraordinary faith in the power of Christ. He rewarded the official by raising her daughter from the dead, and the woman by healing her of her hemorrhage. God is in this place, God is in our hearts, as Jacob experienced. The powerful presence of Christ is in us, in the sacraments especially in the Holy Eucharist and in the sacrament of reconciliation. May we today experience a new his power and be transformed, no matter what sufferings assail us
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
June 29, 2021
Acts 12: 1- 11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17- 18, Matthew 16:13-19
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The feast of the apostles Peter and Paul is a reminder that God doesn’t choose perfect persons to be His apostles. Jesus gives Simon the name ‘Peter’ (Rock), and makes him the leader of the twelve and his vicar. He is a weak and impetuous man, yet Christ invests him with the authority to guide and govern his church. Saul persecuted the early Christians, believing that he was rendering service to God. Jesus appears to him on the road to Damascus and transforms his life radically. He will, by God’s grace, become the apostles to the nations.
Like Peter and Paul, if we allow Jesus to touch our lives despite our imperfections, fears and doubts, he can transform us into his witnesses and make us instruments of salvation for others.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
June 20, 2021
Job 38:1, 8-11, 2 Corinthians 5 :14- 17, Mark 4:35-41
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
YOU ARE IN-CHARGE
“The misfortune hardest to bear are those which never come.” (James Russell Bowel) Every misfortune that decides to come your way is clearly aware that you can handle it. Difficulties proved your worth before it decided to visit you. But for those hardest to bear, they will never come. The ones around are not difficult to handle. You can look beyond their difficulties and see yourself moving unto greater achievement. You are in charge of that difficult circumstance!
And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” and he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Jesus was asleep on the cushion, but He was still in charge of the heavy storm. When he woke up He was not afraid because it was so clear to Him that He is in charge of the situation. He merely gave a command and there was a great calm.
No matter the storm, you are passing through now, I want to announce to you that by your divine connection, you are in charge of that situation. By the power of God residing in you, you are on top of the situation, in charge of the environment and can take charge with a command.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
June 14, 2021
2 Corinthians 6: 1- 10, Matthew 5:38-42
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Martin Luther King Jr. said that “returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”
Contrary to popular thinking, non-violent responses to injustice aren’t signs of weakness. Christians must be peacemakers. Reacting in a spirit of vengeance wastes time and resources; it distracts us from focusing on the pressing needs of those who might lash out in hostility and frustration.
To engage in the work of peace, we must be bold in seeking understanding and justice. Let us pray for the grace and patience to find non-violent means to heal troubled human relationships.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
June 1, 2021
Tobit 2:9-14, Mark 12: 13-17
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
To give Caesar what belongs to Caesar does not advise us to separate our political and civic life from our faith. Our civic responsibilities and religious obligations are not intrinsically opposed to each other. Our Christian faith must permeate everything we do, including our lives and duties as citizens.
Our faith requires that we be responsible citizens. The Lord is reminding us that we do have civil obligations. And we must perform them with the same care that we give to our religious duties. How we serve the state is a way of witnessing to the kingdom.
We give thanks to God for giving us this new month and for making it possible for us to see the light of the day. May his name be praised and exalted forever more. Amen.
My dear friend, as Abraham was blessed in the book of Genesis 18 so shall you be blessed by the Lord and your joy and happiness shall be restored in full measure. This month shall be a month of kindness for us. Be kind to people as much as you can as Abraham did to the angels of the Lord and you will in turn receive blessings from God.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 30, 2021
Deuteronomy 4:32-34.39-40, Romans 8:14-17, Matthew 28 :16-20
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
GOD OF SURPRISES
Ours is a God of surprises. He has a record of marvelous things that He unravels to humanity every moment. His wonders and miracles are unending.
Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Most Holy and Ineffable Trinity; that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each, equally and eternally, the one true God. It is the central mystery of the Christian faith and life. The baptismal formula given to us in the Gospel by Christ is Trinitarian. Thus we are all baptized into the Trinitarian life of love, communion, and unit.
The Church receives this mandate and acts according to the Spirit’s direction. The unity of the Trinity is the most perfect paradigm for every human family and community. This unity invites us to give up dehumanizing racial differences and inhuman cultural affiliations. The Spirit of love calls us to appreciate and promote our oneness in God, despite our various religious and societal inclinations. May the undivided unity of the Trinity be our guide as we foster communion as true children of the One God!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 18, 2021
Acts 20: 17-27, John 17:1-11a
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
In his farewell discourse, Jesus acknowledges that he has accomplished the work given to him by the Father. He now waits for the manifestation of the Father’s glory.
Paul also acknowledges in his last testament that he has carried out the whole of God’s purpose entrusted to him, in the midst of difficulties and trials, without faltering. Discover God’s purpose you are called to accomplish on earth. When you finish your work, you receive the crown of glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, fill our heart with your love as you did for your mother the Blessed Virgin Mary. May we give more love to the world as you gave to us and in the end may your love conquer every evil. Amen. *And May the Almighty God bless us: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 17, 2021
Acts 19:1-8, John 16:29-33
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
UNCTION FOR THE SUPERNATURAL
The anointing of the holy spirit opens us up to the realm of the supernatural where the impossible becomes possible.
The Psalmist speaks of God as “the Father of the orphan and the Defender of the widow.” This beautiful designation is in consonance with the very essence of God, whose love for us is truly indescribable, for He can never disappoint those who place their trust in Him.
There are troubles, conflicts, oppressions, hunger, insecurity and all forms of inhumanity in the world, but in all these the Lord Jesus, who is the visible face of the invisible Father, says that we must be of good cheer and remain brave, for He has conquered the world. Send forth Your Spirit on us, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 15, 2021
Acts 18:23-28, John 16:23b-28
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Anyone who loves Jesus and believes that he came from the Father to save the world has access to divine provisions through the name of Jesus. Any disciple of Jesus is entitled to anything he asks in the name of Jesus. However, entitlement does not automatically mean possession.
Jesus tells us that we are entitled to have anything if we ask. We shall possess whatever we ask the Father in the name of Jesus because we are entitled to ask and receive. Paul, Apollos, and many others were answered prayers of the disciples of Jesus. Let us ask God for the grace to be, to have, and to love in the name of Jesus.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 12, 2021
Acts 17: 15.22-18: 1, John 16:12-15
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Natural reason can lead men to the knowledge of God, but the self-revelation of the Triune God is made more concrete by the gift of faith. According to Pope St John Paul II: “Faith and reason are the two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.”
Paul discovered that the Athenians in their philosophical investigation did have this idea of God, though it was unclear to them. On seeing the altar to “An Unknown God,” Paul brilliantly tries to convince them of the existence of the one true God, who is not the work of any human hands but He created us and redeemed us in Christ Jesus. For in Him we live, move and have our being. May the Paraclete lead us to the complete truth!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 10, 2021
Acts 16:11-15, John 15:26-16:4a
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
When our mission on earth comes to an end we must definitely return to the one who has made us come into this world to present our report card, Jesus finished his work and returned back to the Father (Ascension) and He received the reward to take His place at right hand of the Father at the end of His mission.
Our Mother Mary also at the end of her earthly existence was also assumed into heaven and she received her reward. Let us learn from our Mother Mary to do good with all we got here on earth so that at the end heaven will be our reward.
May our Lord Jesus help us to carry out our mission here on earth well as our Blessed Mother did, so that in the end we will come to live with him in heaven. Amen_
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 8, 2021
Acts 16: 1-10, John 15:18-21
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
In his missionary journey St Paul takes Timothy as a travelling companion, as he believes wholeheartedly in collaborative ministry; he does not do it all alone. He trains the younger ones to walk in his footsteps, since Christ said, ‘The disciple will grow to be like his Master.’ This points to the fact that everyone has a role to play in the Church, which the Holy Spirit makes possible.
In the Gospel Jesus makes known to us the cost of being a faithful disciple: “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you too.” We need not be afraid to stand firm, for there is joy in the end. May Jesus give us the grace to truly serve Him and not count the cost!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 7, 2021
Acts 15:22-31, John 15:12-17
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
FORCE OF PRAYER
Lasting achievement on Earth is not an outcome of human effort. Outstanding impacts in the world have a secret greater than mere human striving. Real success happen in the invisible.
Jesus testified to this when he uttered: you did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruits should abide; so that whatever you ask the father in my name, he may give it to you.
Every situation we experience in life whether good or bad should be one that will make us to praise the name of Jesus and to witness for Him. We see how Stephen was stoned to death, Paul and Silas were beaten mercilessly and incarcerated into the prison. However, they channeled their pain into Joy and began to pray and sing and the Lord delivered them.
The power of Jesus can unbind and set free whoever is bound by any negative force in this life. All you need to do is to declare for Jesus and believe in Him and you will be saved. Whether in Joy or pain, make sure you are proclaiming Jesus and He will definitely make a name for Himself through your situation and can touch the lives of those who listen to you.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 5, 2021
Acts 15:1-6, John 15:1-8
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“Paul and Barnabas made it clear to all that in Christ there is no superiority of one race over the other. We are one despite our cultural differences. Christ, the true Vine, is the one Mediator and Redeemer of humankind. In Him we live, move and have our being. May we promote that oneness, knowing that we share the same origin in God, who is the Father of all”
“Abide in me, and I in you”
Our Mother Mary opened her heart to the Holy Spirit and He worked in her and became her guide throughout her life.
We cannot do God’s will and follow His path without the help of the Holy Spirit. Infact, the Holy Spirit should be our guide and companion on a daily basis, and when that is the case we will be able to fulfil our God given mission and purpose here on earth. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit this day as our Mother Mary did and you will definitely hit your mark and target in your spiritual Journey.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 4, 2021
Acts 14: 19-25, John 14:27-31a
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
AN IMPOSSIBLE CASE!
Divine security and the presence of God with us make an impossible case for the destruction of evil forces. With the presence of God in our midst , we are covered from the onslaught of the forces of evil and human wickedness. In his company, we are secured from the terrible and hazardous happenings in this life . In his friendship we are shielded from every principality and powers of darkness.
St. Paul allowed nothing to deter him from preaching Christ, the Prince of Peace. Persecutions and trial were nothing compared to the love he had for Christ. He stood his ground and remained faithful to the Gospel. Today Jesus reminds us that He is the Author of peace and that we are called to be His instruments of peace.
Immediately after the ‘Pater Noster’ in the Holy Mass, when the priest invites us to offer one another the sign of peace, the question is: Do we really understand what we do, and mean what we say? May we bring an end to hatred, conflict and violence in our world by fostering peaceful co-existence among human families!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
May 2, 2021
Acts 9:26-31, 1 John 3 : l b-24, John 15: 1-8
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The risen Lord made Saul, once a persecutor of Christians, the apostle of the nations. This is the story of a tyrant oppressor turned into a loving follower. In this is Scripture fulfilled that ‘with God, all things are possible’ (Matt 19:26).
We can observe how great things happen when God mixes with us. It is not surprising that the disciples were afraid of Saul and, because of his former way of life, doubted the possibility of him becoming one with them. Barnabas instead makes himself a bridge of reconciliation between Paul and the disciples, which is the attitude of a true Christian.
Forgiveness, rooted in love for one another, is one of the good fruits we have to bear if we are to remain as branches of the true Vine. May we not allow the past lives of others to determine our present relationship with them.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 30, 2021
Acts1:12-14, John 2:1-11
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
We glorify God for the gift of our Heavenly Mother whom we honour today as our Lady Mother of Africa. Her role on our continent cannot be overemphasized. She reigns as a caring and an observant Queen of every Continent, at the side of her Son the King of the World.
She is for the reason a credible intercessor for all our needs here on our Continent. We acknowledge her position as Our Lady and Mother and beseech her intercession for all her distressed and anguished children dispersed all over the African landscape and beyond and for countries hijacked by bad leaders and torn apart by hate, anger and dishonesty. Mary Our Lady, Mother of Africa pray for us.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 29, 2021
Acts 13:13-25, John 13: 16-20
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Paul and Barnabas on mission first go naturally to Jewish communities in the Gentile world. As did the apostles in Jerusalem, they use the sound method of proclaiming to the people that Jesus is the fulfilment of their messianic hopes.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that their happiness and success will depend on their remembering and living by the examples He personally has given them. The Gospel is from John 13, where Jesus proves Himself the disciples’ servant by washing their feet. Acceptance of little ones in Jesus’ name teaches one to imitate Him, our master. These readings emphasize the importance of being connected to God’s promises in Christ. They also draw our attention to the need for child protection.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 23, 2021
Acts 9:1-20, John 6:52-59
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.” God deserves all glory at all times. We are all instruments in the hands of God, and whatever good we achieve is contingent upon the grace of God.
This implies recognition and gratitude; we recognise God as the source of the grace and we give him thanks for the blessings. This Christian response of recognition and gratitude to divine benevolence does not add to the greatness of God but only makes the subject more worthy of receiving greater blessings.
We should always know that, no matter what our situation is, it could have been worse if not for the grace of God. As such, in all situations, we must give thanks to God.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 21, 2021
Acts 8: 1b-8, John 6:35-40
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
To believe in Jesus is to see who he really is. It is the Father’s loving initiative that enables human beings to attain salvation through the Son.
St Augustine of Hippo says that they enter where enters the good and faithful servant to whom the Lord will say, “Enter into the joy of your Lord” and where they will be fully satisfied. But the crowd that saw him did not recognize him as the Son of God and did not believe in him.
Often our seeing is similar; our fleeting look fails to see in depth, and so we do not grasp the real meaning of what we see. Jesus who “alone has seen the Father” (Jn 6:47) has come to enable us to see God. Those who are pure of heart see God in him, and he guarantees that they will be raise to eternal life.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 19, 2021
Acts 6:8-15, John 6:22-29
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
We must aim at the imperishable nourishment Jesus speaks of and believe in the one whom God has sent. The people had gone in search of Jesus not because of faith but because of utilitarian and materials motives.
St Augustine of Hippo says, “How many are those who search for Jesus only to have from him temporal favours…! Rarely do we meet someone who looks for Jesus for Jesus.” Jesus is not demanding from us a series of activities but only faith in him.
Faith is not a single action; it is a life to be lived in the varying experiences of daily life. In the measure we abandon our temporal and selfish motives in our search for Jesus, we fulfill the work of God, not our own.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 16, 2021
Acts 5:34-42, John 6: 1- 15
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The multiplication of bread and fish is a preparation for the gift which God gives in Christ at the Eucharistic banquet.
The Paschal feast is near; the atmosphere is one of expectation, wonder and peace.
The people had come a long way to listen to Jesus; they needed rest and food. All the suffering, pain and anguish of our life’s journey seem to disappear in the serene presence and peace of Christ. He knows what he is going to do. He takes bread and fish, offers them to the Father and gives thanks.
Thus nature is brought back to the Creator; human work is referred to God who grants him to do it. Our efforts and our fatigue are offered to the love of God who grants him to do it. Our efforts and our fatigue are offered to the love of God. Our little offering is multiplied and returned to us; our fatigue is lightened. The bread Jesus offers is a sign and guarantee of eternity.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 13, 2021
Acts.4:32-37, Jn.3:7-15
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*The Apostles continues to testify to the resurrection of Christ with great power…*
The Apostles continue to experience and to witness to the resurrection power. This witness is seen in the unity, love and concern for each other that exist among the believers.
They were of one mind and heart, no one is ever in want, those who have use to share with others what they have.
We are the current Apostles of Christ and the supposed witnesses to His resurrection. But are we faithful to that mission? Do we even experience the resurrection power in our lives? If no, Why? If yes, then let us arise and witness to this great event by our way of life.
Let us live like those who are born from above, those who are born of the spirit. For unless we are born from above, understanding the mystery of resurrection will be difficult for us as it is for Nicodemus.
Dearly beloved, we have died and risen with Christ let us set our hearts on the things of heaven.
Let us bear witness to that event like the Apostles by our way of life. By sharing with others our time, talents, encouragement, good advice, prayers and good moral life. As we do this, may we be richly blessed through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 12, 2021
ACTS 4:23-31, John 3 :1-8
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The sacraments of Christian initiation are Baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. In the time past this was the order of receiving them. These sacraments are what make one fully incorporated into the mystical body of Christ. Jesus underscores the importance of the first two sacraments for eternal life.
Baptism cleanses us of all sins, both Original sin and actual sin. Confirmation (the receiving of the Holy Spirit) empowers us to be bold in defending the faith even in the midst of difficulties.
The apostles were not deterred by the warning from the chief priests; rather, the more they were threatened the greater their effort. The spirit given us is not the spirit of timidity but of courage, which leads us to bear genuine witness to the risen Lord.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 11, 2021
Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 5 : 17, John 20: 19 – 31
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
. In one of the visions of Saint Faustina Kowalska, Jesus said to her, “Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy.” We see traces of this Divine Mercy in the gospel reading of today.
Jesus appears to the disciples and appoints them to become agents of his mercy. The most practical way of showing this mercy is in the forgiveness of sins. This is at the heart of the Easter message. Jesus died and rose again that he may take our sins away. “Divine mercy becomes the Easter gift the church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity.
“Jesus forgives our sins, but also empowers us to forgive others the peace with which he greeted his disciples will reign in our lives and society if we all have this mind of Jesus in forgiving one another.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 5, 2021
Acts 2: 14.22-33, Matthew 28:8-15
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The resurrection of Christ is a sign of contradiction; it produces joy in its witnesses, but in those who are hard of heart, falsehood. Peter’s message, full of joy and exultation, is addressed to all people.
All of us are called to listen to and make our own his words: “God raised this Jesus to life; we are all witnesses to that.” This witnessing springs from an experience of the Risen Lord who meets and greets us on the way. The death of Christ is in fact birth; it is liberation and recovery of all that is human which, passing through death, arrives at the fullness of perennial vitality.
In the resurrection humanity is saved in a unique and definitive way. Whatever is human has been received and renewed by the living God through Christ. This inexhaustible mystery is revealed to those who are sincere and free from falsehood
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 3, 2021
Genesis 1:1-2:2, Gen 22:1-18, Exodus 14:15-15:1, Isaiah 54:5- 14,Isaiah 55:1-11, Baruch 3:9-15.32-4:4, Ezekiel 36: 16-17a.18-25, Mark 16:1-7
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The enemies of Jesus put him to death unjustly. They thought they had seen the end of him. He would no longer cause them sleepless nights. They were wrong. On the third day, he came charging from the grave, alive. He had risen! His body was not in the grave.
This time around, he would never die again. Death had no power any more over him. He would live forever. He had gained definitive victory over death. But the victory was not his alone. It was also that of his follows. Just as he died and rose from death, and because of that, they too would rise from death, never more to die.
His resurrection was the pledge of their own resurrection. “Dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life.”
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
April 2, 2021 – Good Friday
Isaiah 52: 13-53: 12, Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5 :7-9, John 18: I-19:42
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The Servant of God in Isaiah’s prophecy would suffer untold persecution and death, although he had done no wrong himself to deserve such treatment. His suffering would be a vicarious one for others.
When Jesus was tried, tortured and crucified, he did not suffer and die in vain. His suffering was for sinful humanity, who should have suffered and died for their transgressions. It pleased God that his own Son, like the Suffering Servant, should suffer and die in place of humanity.
Thanks to the suffering and death of the Son of God, humanity has been spared. He won salvation for us by this suffering and death. He is the throne of grace for anyone who draws near to him. Such a person will receive mercy and grace in time of need. He will receive salvation, and never see death.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 30, 2021
Isaiah 49: 1-6, John 13:21 – 33.36-38
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Jesus had twelve companions, carefully chosen, after a long night of prayer (Luke 6:12). For three years, he formed them to become Apostles, men who would continue his mission after him, only for one of them to go and “sell” him to his enemies for thirty pieces of silver.
Even when Jesus gave him a chance to withdraw from his evil intent by revealing that he knew what Judas was planning, he did not take it. Another one was a loud mouth. He boasted that he would lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus predicted correctly that he would do not such thing. Indeed, before daybreak the next morning, he would have denied him three times.
If the friends of Jesus could do that to him, should it be any surprise if some of our friends do the same to us?
May the Lord give us the grace to love our friends and not deny them amidst challenges. Amen!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 29, 2021
Isaiah 42: 1-7, John 12.1-11
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The mission of prophet Isaiah would be to bring justice for the poor and the marginalized. Somehow, that was in line with the complaint of Judas about the ointment that Mary “wasted” on Jesus, when it could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor.
The response of Jesus implies that the poor could still be taken care of even after the ointment had been poured on him. Pouring the ointment on him did not stop anyone from caring for the poor if they wanted to. People should not use the excuse of doing one good to avoid doing another equally important good.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 26, 2021
Jeremiah 20:10-13, John 10:31-42
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*I have done many good works for you to see, works from my father, for which of these are you stoning me?* Note that Jesus did not say, “I’ve spoken beautiful words to you,” or “I have spoken eloquently to you.” But “I have *done* many good works for you to see….”
Action rather than words is the primary. Jesus would again tell the Jews “believe on the evidence of the works I do..” It is actions that speak, not words. It is what we do rather than what we say that counts. Even in the first reading, Jeremiah has heard the conspiracies if his so-called friends. He now desires to see the action of God on them, since he is working for God.
He believed more strongly in the action of God rather than human pride and wickedness. “My enemies will stumble, confounded. Unforgettable disgrace will be their….” Child of God, if you are sincerely working for God, God will always take your part.
If your whole desire is seeking and doing the will of God, God will always shame your enemies. Commit your course to the Lord, trust Him, abandon all your worries in His care and see how He takes up your course and defends you. Our problem is lack of trust, confidence and patience.
We always want it quick. We rarely ask God, “Is this your will for me?” Brethren, let us so live our lives that our actions will be in agreement with the faith we profess through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 25, 2021
Isaiah 7:10-14; 8-10, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-28
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“*Then Mary said, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me according to your word*”
Today we celebrate the Annunciation of our Lord or better still, the conception of our Lord Jesus. Nine months from today will be Christmas. Mary, the humble handmaid of the Lord consented to God’s will, God’s approach and the word immediately became flesh. God immediately took the form of man; He took flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary.
The same Virgin prophesied or showed in the first reading that she will conceive and bear a son. All of us in our various capacities can bear Christ, the Word can still take flesh in us and produce the fruit of salvation. When the Word becomes flesh in us, we can easily say like Mary, “…be it done to me according to thy Will.” We will delight in saying to the Lord, “Here am I; send me.” When we allow the Word to take flesh in us, our lives will change for better, there will be transformation and glorification.
Let us earnestly pray that the Holy Spirit will sanctify us, renew us and re mould us so that we may be worthy bearers of Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 24, 2021
Daniel 3:14-20.24-25.28, John 8:31-42)
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The Jews in the Gospel were suffering from self-delusion. They claimed that they had never been in bondage to anyone.
That was a lie. All through its history, the Jewish nation had been in bondage to one foreign power after another: the Egyptians, the Philistines, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians and the Greeks. At the very time they were speaking to Jesus, their country was in bondage to the Romans. What they did not know was that they were even in bondage to a far greater power than them all, Satan.
Jesus had come to free them and all humankind from the bondage. But if they insisted that they were free, he could not help them. Only those who admit their need to be freed from the yoke of Satan can benefit from the freedom that Jesus brings.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 23, 2021
Numbers 21:4-9, John 8:21-30
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The Israelites were at it again. They rebelled against God and his servant Moses. They were duly punished with an invasion of serpents. God directed Moses to make a bronze replica of the serpent to save those who looked at it after being bitten.
In the Gospel, the Jews were again at war with Jesus. They would not accept him for who he said he was. They asked him pointedly, “Who are you?” Jesus told them that they would know who he was when they would have lifted him up as Moses did the serpent in the wilderness.
Through his crucifixion, Jesus would accomplish the salvation of the entire human race, including those Jews who refused to accept him.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 22, 2021
Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, John 8:1-11
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Light is an important symbol in the celebration of the Feast of Terbernacles or Booths. By proclaiming that He is the light of the world, Jesus declares Himself to be the true fulfilment of the Tabernacles of Joy and hope.
The lights at the feast illuminate only the city of Jerusalem, but Jesus illuminates the whole world. The response to this light can be one of two: One can opt to follow the light and so have the light of life, or choose to walk in darkness. The choice between light and darkness exists even today.
There are numerous times when we, too, choose darkness over light because it is more appealing and convenient, as Jesus’ opponents did. If, like Jesus, we are able to see beyond the merely physical and recognize light for what it is, we will always opt for the light. How will you show today that you have opted for light and not darkness?
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 19, 2021
2 Samuel 7:4-5a.12—14a. 16, Romans 4: 13.16-18.22, Matthew1:16.18—21.24a
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Whenever we take a closer look at the person of Joseph, the husband of Mary, we soon realize that we tend to take St. Joseph for granted not because we like to ignore him but because we naturally assume Jesus being God deserves all the attention.
There are lot of lessons to learn from this great man, Joseph, some of which we would now try to itemize:
St. Joseph was a just man.
The Bible refers to Joseph as a just man. This means he was a man of integrity. He was well respected in the community. He had a good name. He was a man of justice. He was not a wayward person and he believed in doing what is right at all times. Can it be said about me that I am a just person? Do I practice selective integrity?
It takes great faith to believe that what we see in our dreams is not simply a figment of our imagination. It takes Faith to believe that a young woman would actually conceive without knowing a man. Do I put a limit in my mind to what God can do? Do I really believe that with God, all things are possible? Am I willing to act based on what God reveals to me daily through my study of the scriptures?
May the Lord always give us the grace to do His will at all time.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 18, 2021
Exodus 32:7- 14, John 5:31-47
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
WINNING THROUGH SERVICE
The desire for praise and glory in the things we do and the life we live has been a reason for many of the ill behavior and response exhibited in our society. Praise( vain glory), has propelled many into different derogatory places and ideas in which many of them have died and the few that have survived initially do not even last enough to see such vain-glory sustained.
In our actions , or services , what is propelling you? Is it a desire for service to humanity? Is it an ambitious quest to arrive at a level of show -off or a point of being reckoned with? Watch the root of our actions.
The praises of men are vain and sometimes leads to vanity . The applaud of men has not really succeeded in making us pleasant before God.
Dear brethren If we are doing God’s work, and people fail or refuse to show us recognition, it should not disturb us. It is enough that we have recognition from God whose work we are doing.
Lord Jesus, may we seek your approval only in all we do!!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 17, 2021
1 Peter 4:7b—11, Luke 5:1-11
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Simon and his companions were professional fishermen. They knew that the best time to catch fish was during the night. That was what they had tried to do all night without success. When it was daylight, a man who was not a fisherman but a carpenter told them to go out fishing again. The fishermen did not think it was a good idea, but they did not want to disrespect Jesus.
Their compliance brought in a miraculous haul of fish beyond their imagination. That was enough for them to leave everything and follow Jesus to become fishers of men. Countless men and women since that time have left everything to follow Jesus and become fishers of men.
We remember St. Patrick today, a man who like Peter fully explored his spiritual potentials making such a huge catch of souls in Ireland. So much so that the faith was firmly established in that country. Virtually every family had a priest or sister.
And by extension, we are eternally grateful to the Irish missionaries who evangelized our country Nigeria. Through one man St. Patrick, millions have been touched.
Do you know what you are capable of doing if you just let your light shine?
You must not travel far to touch lives . You can touch lives from the comfort of your home. You are called today to be a missionary. By supporting a mission you are changing lives and calling people to Christ.
May God help us to see his love in our neighbors through Christ our lord .
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 16, 2021
Ezekiel 47:1— 9.12, John 5: 1 – 16
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Next to air water is the element that living organisms most need to survive and thrive. Human beings, animals and plants can only go for so long without water before they die.
Communities, nations have been known to go to war in order to secure access to water. Today’s readings speak of the healing power of water. Today, as a result of human error, numerous communities across the globe are experiencing water shortage. Humans, animals and plants in those places are threatened with extinction.
We may not be able to do much to solve the water problems of the world. But we can at least do all in our power to meet the water needs of those around us – “I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.”
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 15, 2021
Isaiah 65:17-21, John4:43-54
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The Israelites had been hurting under multiple afflictions. The prophet Isaiah foretold their healing and the restoration of good times from the Lord. Similarly, the son of the Capernaum official was ill and close to death.
Jesus decreed his healing even without seeing him. But the Father had enough faith to take Jesus at his word. His faith was duly rewarded. Not infrequently, God’s children experience trials of different kinds, some self-inflicted, the result of their own folly, like the case of the Israelites.
But if they have faith like that of the official to take their case to the Lord, he has both the power and the will to bring them solace.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 14, 2021
2 Chronicles 36:14-16.1923, Ephesians 2:4-10, John 3:14-21
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
God in His mercy redeems and sanctifies us although our sin condemns us. In the first reading, God’s agent of salvation for the Jews is the Persian King Cyrus; God uses different agents in His plan of salvation.
The Gospel reminds us that Christ will be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him will be saved. When we see the symbol of a serpent on a staff in hospital signposts, it takes our minds back to the scriptures (Number 21:8-9).
So too the crucifixes we see around us should take our minds back to the love of God and His generous mercy in giving up His only Son for our healing and redemption. It is up to us to believe in Him and be saved.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 11, 2021
Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, for I am gracious and merciful. “(Joel 2:12-13)
Listening is a virtue in itself, for it is only when we listen that we can learn and understand. Listening to the voice of God keeps us informed, wise and safe.
Rebellious people never listen because they are stubborn. The Lord rejects those who harden their hearts and rebuff His voice but He blesses those who listen and adhere to His voice.
Today God calls us to believe in Him and to gather with Him. Let us therefore heed the voice of God and lead holy lives as a people. “O that today you would listen to His voice harden not your hearts!
*Happy day Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 8, 2021
2 Kings 5:1-15a, Luke 4:24-30
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“I wait for the Lord, and in his word I hope; with him is mercy and plenteous redemption”
When you are doing well, and you have won the approval of many people, the expectation is that the people closest to you, your kith and kin, will be among them.
According to Jesus in today’s Gospel, that expectation is not always met. As a matter of fact, your own people can be offended by your very success.
More often than not, it is because they know you only too well. As the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” The lack of recognition by his people did not deter Jesus from carrying on with his mission of salvation.
The lack of recognition by people should not stop a disciple of Jesus from doing whatever good he has been sent to do.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 5, 2021
Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28, Matthew 21:33-43.45-46
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The Patriarch Joseph was a dreamer. He incurred the wrath of his brothers by telling them his dreams and because their father showed him greater love than he showed them.
They retaliated by selling him into slavery. Jesus incurred the wrath of his fellow Jews because he was the Son of God and told them so. They retaliated by getting him crucified. Great good came out of the evil done to Joseph and Jesus. God used Joseph to save his people from famine. The same God used the death of Jesus for the salvation of the world.
That is what always happens when we are made to suffer unjustly, and we refuse to respond with hatred or bitterness. God always writes straight on crooked lines.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
March 3, 2021
Jeremiah 18: 18-20, Matthew 20: 17-28
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Jesus is going to Jerusalem where he will accomplish his mission. He has been through all the surrounding districts of Jerusalem and especially in his native Galilee whence he began his ministry. He also preached outside of Jewish cities such as the Decapolis, Tyre, and Sidon. Everybody comes to know about him. Now it is time for Jerusalem where he will be crucified.
And he intimates his disciples about that. Those teachers of the Law and the Pharisees he denounced would be the ones to condemn him and hand him over to foreigners (Roman authorities) for torture and eventual death. But, for the mother of James and John, the opportunity for elevation of her sons had come.
So she made the demand that they both sit by his side, one at his left and the other on his right. This is raw ambition. The other disciples were but naturally indignant. However, this provided Jesus the platform to talk about Christian leadership, which he summed up as service. If you are a leader, serve.
*Happy Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 27, 2021
Deuteronomy 26:16-19, Matthew 5:43-48
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
LEARN TO BE CHRIST-LIKE
God’s vision of us is packed with many great things. You are simply somewhere on top ! Exalted above our circumstances and lifted beyond your environment, we are really somewhere on top. Once we start to walk in his ways , and keep His statutes and His commandments and his ordinances, and begin to obey His voice, we will see us high above all things that are troubling or disturbing our health, business and home.
We say we are Christians, yet we fight each other just as non-believers do, sometimes even bloodier than non-believers. We drag ourselves to law courts. We even present our cases before traditional rulers some of whom do not share our faith. In truth, if the people of that community at Antioch behaved like us, they wouldn’t have been called Christians but simply church-goers.
What makes us Christians? It is our ability to rise above the traditional church-goer mentality. It is doing more than the tax collectors who love only those that love them. It is doing more than the Gentiles who greet only those that greet them. It is stepping out of the box, is acting in a manner that is really different from what our society regards as normal. It is doing thing just as Jesus would do if He were to walk this earth again.
Being a Christian is practicing what I would call non-selective goodness. It is being kind to people not because they deserve it but because of who you are; a child whose Father does not discriminate who to benefit or not from his rain.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 26, 2021
Ezekiel 18:21-28, Matthew 5:20-26
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, says the Lord, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. “
The Gospel of today is a challenge to the conventional understanding of the Commandments of God. The Jews held tenaciously to the letter of the law.
Jesus, however, throws more light on the commandments, speaking more on the spirit of the law than the letter. Thus anger, insult and humiliation of another, all these are not listed in the law, but are offences against the commandments of God, and have dire consequences.
For the Christian faithful, Jesus’ directives are a revolution on the law. His advice is that one should be willing to reconcile with his/her neighbour, no matter what. And that worship without love is a dirty practice before God.
Love, though not mentioned in this text, is the basis for the worship of God. Sins against love are unnecessary anger, backbiting, insult, humiliation of another, blackmailing etc. Accordingly, all these constitute the murder of another. Shun them!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 25, 2021
Esther 14:1.3-4.11.13-14, Matthew 7: 7- 12
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*prayer is the key*
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
As a reciprocal, communicative event, prayer is an expression of our trustful relationship with God. It is predicated on God’s love and fidelity to His creation, His care and His providence. In her “mortal peril” Esther presents herself to God with total self-abandon:
“I am alone and have no one but You, Lord. “
In the Gospel, Jesus encourages us to dare to present ourselves and our needs to God (ask, seek, knock), trusting that God gives good things to those who ask Him! What God gives in response to our prayers is what is good for us – and He alone knows what is ultimately good for us.
God does not always give us what we want, but what we need – and He knows what we really need.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 24, 2021
Daniel 3:14-20.24-25.28, John 8:31-42
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The Jews in the Gospel were suffering from self-delusion. They claimed that they had never been in bondage to anyone. That was a lie. All through its history, the Jewish nation had been in bondage to one foreign power after another: the Egyptians, the Philistines, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians and the Greeks.
At the very time they were speaking to Jesus, their country was in bondage to the Romans. What they did not know was that they were even in bondage to a far greater power than them all, Satan.
Jesus had come to free them and all humankind from the bondage. But if they insisted that they were free, he could not help them. Only those who admit their need to be freed from the yoke of Satan can benefit from the freedom that Jesus brings.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 23, 2021
Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 6:7-15
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*Pray without ceasing*
Prayer is a way of establishing a relationship with God. It is a dialogue with God. Through prayer we talk to God. Here Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. There is a proper conduct for prayer.
However, certain patterns of prayer, which he attributes to the Gentiles-here people who do not know God-are bad. The Gentiles use so many words, thinking that by being verbose and flowery in the use of words, their needs. And so, he taught them how to address God their father in prayer.
God is really in heaven but very close to us. We should give God due respect, but could as well ask for God’s assistance. God sustains us, so we, like children, should ask for our daily bread. Above all, we should ask for forgiveness provided we are willing to forgive those who offend us. Lastly we pray to God against temptations. Draw up your prayer plan.
O Lord, grant us the grace to pray well according to your divine will in Jesus name.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 22, 2021
1 Peter 5:1-4, Matthew 16:13-19
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*The guidance of the Holy Spirit*
Peter was clearly under the guidance of holy spirit when he made the utterance. And Jesus answered him.” Blessed are you Simon of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
From constant leadings of the Holy Spirit, one can rightly be referred as someone under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. From day to day leading, a Spirit-filled believer can be taken to be under the regulation and control of the Holy Spirit.
Once the Holy Spirit becomes your manager, then you are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of thy love.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 21, 2021
Genesis 9:8-15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:12-15
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*You are not alone!!*
Angles at our service. Christ has not left us, he operates among us through the ministry of his angels. The angels that ministered unto Him during His Earthly sojourn are still with us.
Among us here are Divine helpers; our guardian angels are Divine servants. Their mission is to help us in the vale of tears till we meet the Father face to face.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus goes into the desert. Lent, a desert experience, revives our Christian life through traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. During these forty days, returning to basics, we make a fresh start to breathe new life into our Christian identity.
Our Sundays this Lent centers on covenant. In the Old Testament the old covenant was made and renewed. Now, in Christ, a new covenant is given to us; we were made part of it at baptism. Christ’s covenant, like that of a faithful spouse, is for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health.
Can we say this of our response? Sometimes, drifting from the Lord, we look for love in the wrong places and are inevitably disappointed. Prayer, fasting, and acts of charity are ways of assessing and reviving our fidelity to Christ. The Lord is faithful to us. Are we faithful to Him?
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 20, 2021
Isaiah 58:9c-14, Luke 5:27-32
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord, but that he turn from his way and live.”
Living in denial is a terrible misfortune. No Christian should be there. The scribes and Pharisees in their holier than thou attitude categorized the tax collectors and others as sinners undeserving of the company of Jesus. Jesus however retorts that it is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick.
The church is both a gallery of saints and a hospital for sinners. Am I so wrapped up in my virtue that I feel I do not need Jesus? Do I feel I do not need to go to confession? Am I resolved to be less judgemental of others who sin differently? Am I resolved to respond more promptly to the invitation of Jesus to follow him?
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 19, 2021
Isaiah 58:1-9a, Matthew 9:14-15
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and the Lord will be with you”
There is no doubt that fasting is a form of self-denial. It is willful refusal to eat food for the sake of a cause. Religious fasting is abstaining from food to show piety and commitment to God.
Christian fasting however, should be borne out of love for God, and has to be accompanied with prayer. The disciples of John were used to fasting but were surprised that those of Jesus were not fasting; hence, they asked why they and the Pharisees fast, but not Jesus’ disciples. Jesus answered them in a dismissive way indicating a tone that there is a fundamental difference between his disciples and the rest.
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, we have a little time to stay on this earth and if we do not make use of our opportunities in the best possible way positively, we may leave the earth sad and unfulfilled. The essence of life is not what you own or have acquired, but how well you use what you have which is given to you by God to add value, inspire, enrich and empower others positively as you do to yourself.
Learn to share this season !!!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 18, 2021
Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Luke 9:22-25
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“Whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.”
The greatest victory a man can have is to conquer himself. Often times we look to the external battles while the real ones lie within. The struggle with pride, lust, greed, slothfulness, envy, and jealousy; all these demand some measure of decisiveness from us to choose life or death, prosperity or disaster.
If we are courageous enough to live in the light of God’s ways by keeping his commandment it does not add to God’s glory; instead, it helps us to live liberated from the clutches of sin and enter into the glory of God’s children. But first, deny yourself! Are you ready to do that? Choose life and you will live and increase.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 17, 2021
Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 6:2
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Leave your comfort Zone!
Pleasure, instinct, and emotion are forces which tend to make us comfortable in our comfort zones. But they often function as saboteurs to our destiny. The thought of our mind and the desire of our flesh may weigh us down .
This period is a moment to leave that comfortability. This is the right time to work on ourselves through fasting and prayer.
Today’s Gospel is appropriate for Lenten observances. It touches on three important religious practices, namely: almsgiving, fasting and prayer. All these practices are very important for a deeper spiritual communion. However, Christians should not be showy in observing any of these. Any form of attention-seeking behavior contradicts true piety.
True piety is secretly practicing these acts, acknowledging God who sees in secret. Desist from unnecessary attention. Be humble.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 16, 2021
Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10, Mark 8:14-21
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my father will love him, and we will come to him”
Yeast is a powdery substance that is used as a rising-agent in the baking of bread. Just a little quantity can have a tremendous effect on the dough.
Jesus warns against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod. That is, the narrow-mindedness of the Pharisees and the immoral pleasure seeking attitude of the Herodian’s. But the disciples were with their lack of bread.
Jesus scolds them for their lack of perception and forgetfulness. We are sometimes like the disciples, we get distracted when conversion sermons are preached. We get so worried and preoccupied with material needs and forget that we have been there before; that the same Jesus, can do it again. Am I still without perception? Is my mind closed?
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 15, 2021
Genesis 4:1-15.25, Mark 8:11-13
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Anger is the closest neighbor to danger. It is neither strength nor a sign of greatness. It is more of a misdemeanor or weakness! People who fly into a rage always make a bad Landing . The fuss of anger leads to life’s regrettable mistake.
The story of Cain and Abel shows us how original sin can spread like a virus. But Jesus, the ‘New Adam’, is the leader of a new creation; those living by His truth and grace. The blood of Abel still flows in places of conflict all over the world.
We continue to hear God ask; “Where is your brother?” where is that brother or sister on a sick bed; that brother or sister who is hungry; that brother or sister who has no house to live in; that brother or sister who lives away from the Church? Perhaps we can try in some small way to break the cycle of division, resentment and revenge. Our embrace of Christ’s truth can bring peace to our soul and to our life. We can be a sign of peace in a violent and troubled world.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 7, 2021
Job 7: 1-4.6-7, 1 Corinthians 9:16-19.22-23, Mark 1:29-39
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Job laments: “My pain is more than I can bear. I can’t sleep at night. I shall not see happiness again.” This is a cry we all feel within ourselves at some time or other in life. Maybe our hurt is not physical but emotional, such as a marriage in distress, a child’s rebellion or a friend’s betrayal and so on. When we feel pain, regardless of its sources, we want to join Job and say, “I shall never see happiness again.” This is a crisis of faith. Jesus comes into our world of suffering, takes us by the hand like He did with Simon’s mother-in-law, and heals us. Jesus sees that the deepest healing we all need is spiritual. It is in this context that we can best understand the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick that bring us spiritual healing, strength and peace. We must constantly ask of the grace to bear suffering patiently.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 6, 2021
Hebrews 13:15-17.20-21, Mark 6:30-34)
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The Apostles came back from their mission and briefed Jesus about all they taught and did. Jesus wanted them to go to a lonely place and have some rest as they were tired. But the crowd reached the destination before they could. This is typical of people. They are eager to make sacrifices and take risks to get whatever they dearly cherish.
This they did and deprived the apostles of their rest. Jesus, who wanted to have privacy with them, rescinded his decision. He had compassion on the crowd and began to teach “for they were like sheep without a shepherd”.
Sometimes we have to set aside our programs and schedules to reach out to humanity or to God. For in giving we receive, and with the Lord by our side, we can rest assured of our strength being renewed. Don’t lose hope.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
February 4, 2021
Hebrews 12:18-19.21-24, Mark 6:7- 13
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*What you have come to is nothing known to the senses, not a blazing fire, not thunder……* As I was going through the first reading, I just remember those of us, I mean some Christians who think that their prayer will be answered or that they can command God by shouting.
I encourage you, Child of God, to meditatively read that passage again. What we have is not what is known to the senses. What is it then? *What we have come to is Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the home of peace, where millions of Angels have gathered…..*
What a privilege, what an assurance. Erect an altar in your heart and worship God there in your heart. He has called and chosen us, and today just like Apostles in the Gospel, He is sending us out to bear witness to Him. We are not to shout, force, or intimidate those we are sent to, rather by our lives, by our commitment to God, and devotedness to His work we will convert many and even the devil will submit to us. May we realise our position in God and live our lives accordingly through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 27, 2021
Hebrews 10:11-18, Mark 4: 1-20
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“God’s vision of us is packed with many great things; we are simply somewhere on top! Exalted above our circumstances and lifted beyond our environment, we are really somewhere on top! Once we start to walk in His ways, keeping His statutes and his commandments and His ordinances, and also beginning to obey his voice, then we will see ourselves high above all nations.”
The incomparable and most efficacious nature of Christ’s priesthood is a strong pillar of our faith. He did what no priest of old could do. Repetition of the sin offering of old shows that what was done in the past was not perfect. It is only the sacrifice of Christ that achieved eternal perfection and needed no repetition. In the Sacrifice of the Mass we commemorate what Christ has already finished and need not be repeated.
His sacrifice made the devil a footstool and assured our salvation. As we come to Jesus in to liturgy, let us allow the word we receive to bear good fruit. May we work to remove any form of inhibition to yielding of the desired fruit.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 26, 2021
2 Timothy 1: 1-8, Titus I: 1-5
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus who were close associates of Saint Paul in his various missionary journeys. Through his pastoral letters to these two, Saint Paul shows that affirming the lives of his followers and associates usually brings out the best qualities in them. Even the best needs encouragement, renewal, prayer and perseverance. Today’s lesson to all Christians is that each of us should be source of inspiration to others.
Today we honour two close collaborators of Saint Paul. It is good to see that Paul did not carry out his ministry alone. Rather he surrounded himself with several co-operators, both men and women. Timothy and Titus are among the most outstanding of these collaborators. They accompanied Paul in some of his missionary journeys, preached the Gospel with him and helped in the establishment and strengthening of several new Christian communities. *Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus”
January 22, 2021
Hebrew 8:6-13, Mark 3:13-19
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“”No one encounters God and remains the same . When Abraham encountered Him , he was changed from Abram to Abraham; Sarai was changed to Sarah( Gen 17:1-16)””
In the ministry of Christ, He is the Mediator between us and God. He is the one who corrected the deficiency of the old sacrifice that was obsolete. Jesus, who ministers to us in this new era of our worship, has changed the old order that was not efficient. He gives us a very promising and efficient yet effective worship. In our worship, He does everything well in us by living in our conscience and mind. He is the reminder of what is good in us, who leads us to a life of perfection. Let us allow His grace to enlighten our spirit, reminding us of what is true and good and leading us to effective worship of God.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 21, 2021
Hebrews 7:25 – 8:6, Mark 3:7-12
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
Jesus leaves the synagogue to meet the common people who have need of him. The “great number of people” who followed him came from the pagan nations. Jesus offered himself to the chosen people, but it was the pagans who accepted him.
Where do you belong? I will accept him too because he is all that I need. He heals my sickness and prevents the devil from taking hold of me. More importantly, he laid down his life that I might be saved.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 20, 2021
Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 13:44-46
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The author of our resources is the most high God. The authentic and most lasting help for you comes from God. Divine aids assure you of both provision and security of mind. The help of God provides and brings peace within.
In the First Reading of today, we are taught that humility exalts a person while pride humiliates a person. Hence, God exalted Jesus above all else because of his humility and obedience. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us that the ultimate goal is the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, everything we do should be geared towards attaining this heavenly kingdom. Today, as we celebrate the feast of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi who humbles himself and sought God through his austere life and mortification to attain the heavenly kingdom and the crown of glory, may his intercession make us humble Christians who sincerely and genuinely desire the kingdom of God.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 19, 2021
Hebrews 6:10-20, Mark 2:23-28
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
In God, nothing about us is forgotten, except our sins, through His mercy. This is why the Book of Hebrews tells us that our good efforts and deeds can never be forgotten. Our every good deed for God and His Church will be repaid. This is how God repaid Abraham, fulfilling the promises He had made him. It is not our past good deeds that gives our present blessings but the good deeds we have continued to do in perseverance. The good deeds of David that were sustained gave him and his followers the privilege to eat the meal of the High Priests. God can waive laws in order to see us saved. We in turn must not be inhumanly strict.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 17, 2021
1Sam.3:3-10,19, 1Cor.6:13-15, 17-20, Jn.1:35-42
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*Speak Lord, your servant is listening*
The first reading and the Gospel emphasize listening, while second reading gives us the reason and importance of listening. The boy Samuel listens, although at first couldn’t understand but once directed, he got the message and became great prophet of God most high. The disciples of John listened and their level changed, they became disciples of Christ.
When we observe well, we realise that they don’t just listen. They listen and take action immediately and that brought about a change in their lives. What about you and I? How often are we stepping up to the word of God we are hearing everyday? It is our lack of listening that makes us to sin against our own body, it is same lack of listening that makes us fail to realise that our body is the temple of the holy spirit.
Let us arise, let pray him with humble hearts, ”Lord teach me your ways, open my ears that I may do your will” and may his will be our peace both now and forever. Amen
*Good Morning Digest 🍵 @Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 15, 2021
Hebrews 4:1-5, 11, Mark 2: 1- 12
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
“It takes higher wisdom to stop your stoppers. It takes higher knowledge to move beyond those who want to hinder you from moving forward. It takes supernatural wisdom to be unstoppable on Earth.”
The First Reading of today shows us that the Israelites made a choice of being ruled by a human being rather than having God as their king. However, they have to bear the consequences of such a demand.
The four men in the gospel manifested their trust in Jesus and brought a paralytic to his side hoping for a cure. Jesus manifested his divinity as he forgave the sins of the paralyzed man and cured him of his ailment.
The message of today’s readings is that we should be ready to face the consequences of the choices we make in life. Hence the need to trust in God rather than on our own strength and thus make the right choices so that the paralyzing situations of our life can be cured and our sins forgiven by God.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 13, 2021
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
What is that tempest shaking your life? What is that difficult situation tussling your existence and joy? What is that problem quaking your peace of mind?
Do not be afraid I say to you for the Lord is with you. He knows your situation and he is ever ready to help you in all ramifications. Only believe and it shall be well.
Today’s First Reading opens our eyes to the reality of helping others to discover their vocation in life. Equally, the Gospel shows Jesus as having concern for our physical wellbeing and the growth of God’s kingdom here on earth. Therefore, as parents, guardians, teachers, formators, or elders, we should help the young ones and those confused in discerning their vocation in life just as the priest Eli did to Samuel. Additionally, just like Jesus we should care for the sick and the dejected in society and assist in the establishment and spread of God’s kingdom on earth.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 12, 2021
Hebrews 2:5-12, Mark l: 21b-28
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Today we are reminded of the fact that what is in us is greater than what is in the world. And that: “We are from God and have overcome all things.”
Often, man does not recognize the power that God has bestowed on him. We allow fear to take the best from us. This truth, spoken by the psalmist, is echoed in the first reading: that God made man higher than the angels and placed all things under his authority. This is what we have inherited through our adoption in Christ Jesus. This authority issues from CHRIST, who puts fear into evil forces and they obey Him. We must remain attached to Jesus to do greater works that HE did. Amen!!!
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 11, 2021
Hebrews 1:1-6, Mark 1:14-20
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servant and followed him.
The exalted place of Jesus Christ in our time is highlighted today. Jesus is all that matters in our life now, because He has replaced the intercessory roles of the judges and prophets of old. He is the choice of God and the Son the Father has begotten. He ranks higher than the angels. He is the brightness of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s own being sustaining the universe with His powerful Word. Jesus is the One that the Father told the world to listen to. This is why He called the apostles to follow Him. We must in all things cling to Jesus, who is all that we need, and follow Him in all His ways.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 10, 2021
Isaiah 55:1-11, 1 John 5:1-9, Mark 1:7-11
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
After the Lord was baptized, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
After the Christmas festivities, the liturgy presents us with the public life of Jesus, which begins with his baptism by John. The first reading describes the call, the gift of the Spirit and the mission of the “servant of the Lord.” The Gospel shows that Jesus is this faithful “servant” of the Father. The word of God this Sunday invites all Christians to follow Jesus who is about to begin a journey that will take him to death and resurrection.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 9, 2021
1 John 5:14-21, John 3:22-30
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Confidence in God makes one unstoppable on Earth! Reliance on supreme God makes one supreme over most situations on earth. Those who trust in God are like mount Zion that cannot be shaken (PS. 125:1)
If we allow God to take his proper place in our lives, we shall discover that he can be more generous than we can ever ask (1 John 5:14-15). Unfortunately, often we prefer worshipping of idols to focusing on God. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives or takes priority over God at any time in our lives. Pride is a form of idolatry. It makes us assume a position that God has not given us and sometimes makes us want to assume the position of God. John the Baptist teaches us that we can get nothing if it was not given to us from above. Hence, our positions and possessions must make God increase in us (John 3:27, 30). Otherwise they become idols for us.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 8, 2021
1 John 5:5-13, Luke 5:12-1 6
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Winners have their own line of thought . It is not based on the level of affliction and failure that comes their way. The very substance that made win dwells in them. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the son of God? This is he who came by water and blood .
Winners are believers. They believe that Jesus is a winner.
Consider briefly the experience of the leper in the Gospel. According to the law, he is to be isolated from the people like an Ebola patient (Lev. 13:1 – 46) but he ignores the barrier and the associated stigma to approach Jesus. His story changes to a testimony.
We may have different forms of leprosy today; it may be in the form of a grave sin that has kept us away from the sacraments for a long time. Jesus is not interested in what it is; he is only inviting you to come for perfect cleansing (Isa 1:18). Even if your case is worse than that of a leper, he is ready to make you fresher than a newborn. Approach him with faith and you shall overcome any situation (1 John 5:5).
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 7, 2021
1Jn.4:19-5:4, Lk.4:14-22
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*we cannot claim to love God whom we cannot see if we fail to love our fellow human beings whom we can see*
Jesus our light has come to practicalise the acts of true love for us. His love is not mere words and so, our own shouldn’t be mere words. Our love for God is measured based on our love for our neighbours. We cannot boast of loving God too much because He loved us first and loved us unconditionally. He took on our human nature in order to liberate us. He set the captive free, brought good news to the poor and those in darkness, true light has shone.
What about us Christians, His followers? Is there anyone still in bondage under us? The poor still growing or those in darkness still without light? If so, then we are not living our Christian vocation, we are not fulfilling our duties. Let us imitate Christ, let us live in love, let us love for Christ first loved us. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen
*Good Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 6, 2021
1 John 4.11-18, Mark 6 :45-52
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The wind was against them. Both the sea and the wind were totally against the apostles. The situation and environment were fiercely against their lives. Challenges that were meeting them Jesus commanded the apostles to look triumphant because they cannot be defeated by the Storm.
Sometimes life becomes warfare. Your existence on Earth begins to look more like a battle field. Difficulties, troubles, and problems may await you in this vale of tears . Your life is sometimes constantly being challenged by difficult situations. You just have to look triumphant over the situation because you cannot be defeated.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is always ready to stop the Storm. Just believe and it will happen in your life .
May the Lord bless his word in our heart through Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 5, 2021
1 John 4:7-10, Mark 6:34-44
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
You will always find reason why you will not give . Your excuses will often try to hinder you from giving a helping hand. The circumstances and time will point to the impossibility of not giving out something good to somebody. But Jesus was unstoppable in giving.
While we may use the miracle of the multiplication of loaves to show that, with God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37), it equally reminds us of the miraculous effect of love and compassion. As Jesus went on His mission of revealing the mysteries of the kingdom of God, he chose to show compassion by feeding the flock that was following him (Mark 6:34-44). Hence, since it was out of love that God sent his only son into the world (1 John 4:9-10), to love is to reveal the face of God to the world. In the Gospel of John (John 6:5-15), through the generosity of a little boy, a miracle was performed. If we can show a little love to people around us, the world can miraculously be turned into heaven.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
January 4. 2021
1 John 3:22-4:6, Matthew 4:12- 17.23-25
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Jesus is the light of the world. His mission in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali indicates the fulfilment of a prophecy of restoration made in Isaiah 9:1-2. The place is known as the Galilee of the Gentiles. Jesus took the light to the heathens in their own land. He does not just wait for us to come to him; he comes to us because he loves us and wants to save us. He stands now at the door of your life waiting to dispel whatever darkness, sin, sickness, poverty, restlessness – that threatens you, if only you will let him in.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 28, 2020
1Jn.1:5-2:2, Lk.2:13-18
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖🔥
Today is the feast of Holy Innocent, the Church celebrates the death of innocent children who lost their lives for the sake of Christ.
Even today, the church and her children still suffers the tyranny of the oppressors. Christian faithful still suffers the cruelty of proud and arrogant rulers. Herod refused to accept the truth that a new king is born, and this led him exercising an act of wickedness on innocent children.
We, too, should be very careful, we should curb our pride and accept the will of God in our lives. Let us be wise to follow the star, Christ is our star. Let us submit to the divine will of God, because whether we like it or not, God’s will is the ultimate and must come to fulfilment. My prayer is that God will always provide an escape for us from our enemies. He will confuse our enemies and make us victorious over them. This is my prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Morning Digest 🍵 @ibekwe chinonso*
December 26, 2020
Acts.6:8-10;7:54-59, Mtt.10:17-22
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Yesterday we celebrated the Birthday of a great King. People always wish/want to identify with great men and nobles. But since the kingship of Christ is not of this world, our identification with Him must surpass the one of this world. The proof and example of it is what we are celebrating today in the life of St.Stephen.
St Stephen was described as man full of holy spirit and faith. He bore witness to Christ even to the point of death, even at death he forgave his murderers just as Christ forgave His executioners.
The Gospel encourages us not to give up. Yes, the going may be tough, that friendship with Christ may prove hard and demanding BUT the end is glory, joy and never ending praise.
Let us not worry once we have declared for Jesus, He will be always there to help us. He will bless us with wisdom that none of the rulers of this world can withstand. But then, we must completely, committedly and devotedly commend ourselves soul and body into His loving hands. May we never get tired of praying for grace of perseverance and will of God in our lives both now and always. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 23, 2020
Mal.3:1-4;4:5-6, Lk.1:57-66
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
*Behold l am sending my messenger ahead to prepare a way before me…..before the terrible day comes…..*
Surely the day of the Lord’s coming in fact is near, very near. This will either bring us joy or sorrow. Yes! It depends on our preparation and disposition.
The Lord is always warning us through His prophets, through our daily events, circumstances and occurrences. Are we obedient to the gentle voice of the Lord?
His messengers are with us, are we ready to allow our hearts to be touched? John the Baptist brought joy to his parents and neighborhood because they are already living in the fear of the Lord. How are we living our lives today? It always pain me like St Paul that most of us Christians live like enemies of the Cross. May God forgive us, visit us with His mercy, and turn our hearts back to Him through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Morning Digest 🍵 @Ibekwe Chinonso Linus*
December 22, 2020
1 Samuel 1:24-2b, Luke 1l:46-56
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Do you think that God has done any great thing for you? Have you thought of giving something to him in appreciation? Learn something from Hannah and Mary today, and see for yourself how you cannot outdo God in generosity! Hannah gave Samuel her only son back to God and became a mother of more children. For her part, Mary gave God her time in service to the needy and all generations calls her blessed.
What have you given back to God for your life? It is not late yet to begin – and could start now. Do not look for him in faraway places. He is right beside you in the faces of the poor and the less privileged. As you do that, may you also have the cause to sing out in praise like Hannah and Mary! Amen.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 20, 2020
2 Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16, Romans16:25-27, Luke1:26-38
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Jesus, the Promised Messiah. There have been, and still are, many people who profess to be “messiahs” and “saviours” of humanity. The readings today tell us that there is only one true Messiah: Jesus, the son of Mary.
In the first reading we have seen in the prophecy of Nathan that the descendants of David will inherit an eternal kingdom. In the gospel Jesus is presented as the Messiah. He is the king who will sit on the throne of his father David for ever. The second reading is a song of praise to God for his wonderful works.
God made a promise through the prophet Nathan to build an eternal dynasty for David and that his son would sit on the throne of that dynasty. The angel tells us in the Gospel that that son of David who would sit on his throne forever is Jesus (cf Lk 1:31-32). It is a great privilege for David and Mary to participate in bringing God to the world as man. Three qualities of faith, generosity and selflessness in them disposed them for that privilege.
We too need to embrace those qualities in this season so as to make the face of Jesus more visible to the world in need of salvation. May God grant us the grace to persevere in faith, generosity and selflessness and so gain Christ in our life. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 19, 2020
Judges 13:2-7.24-25a, Luke 1:5-25
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Dear brothers/sisters in Christ. Have you read the account of the announcement of the birth of Samson (Judg 13:2-25) or that of John the Baptist (Lk 1:5-25)? Did you not observe that even God declared a knowledge of the predicaments of their parents (cf. Judg 13:3; Lk 1:13)?
God also knows of whatever is happening to you now. He is going to visit you at the right time. He visited the parents of Samson and John when it was time for the children to be born to them to work for the glory of his name. He will surely visit you to bless you also for the glory of his name. God does not fail his people and he will not fail you! Amen
*Let Us Pray*
Dear lord Jesus Christ come to visit us this Christmas .
“O my Lord and my God, take from me all that keeps me from you! O my Lord and my God, give me all that brings me nearer to you! O Lord my God, take myself from me and let me possess only you.”
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 18, 2020
Jeremiah 23:5-8, Matthew 1:18-24
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The prophet Jeremiah was speaking to a people who no longer found meaning in God and in their religious worship because evil kings have been misleading them. So after his oracles against the kings (Jer 22:10-30), Jeremiah gave the people a message of hope that God was going to raise a new king from the house of David who would lead the people in wisdom, justice, and righteousness.
Are you also waiting for the Lord’s coming? Are you waiting in righteousness? Are you ready to let go of any deal of darkness? May the Lord give you the grace to uphold righteousness and shun darkness now and forever. May he also give you hope when things seem not to be falling into their rightful place in your life. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 17, 2020
Genesis 49:2.8-10, Matthew 1 : 1-17
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Right from the beginning, after the fall of man, God had a plan for his salvation. That plan found its fulfilment in Jesus. The most joyous thing is that everyone is covered in that plan; the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew tells us as much. That account made mention of both saints and sinners as well as the strong and the weak of the society. Nobody is indeed excluded and no one is destined to perish (2 Pet 3:9) except the one who chose to get lost (cf Jn 17:12). Are you going to make that choice too? May it never be your portion to get lost – through Christ our Lord. Amen
* *Good Morning Ibekwe chinonso Linus**
December 16, 2020
Isa.45:6-8.18.21-25, Lk.7:19-23
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
It is not always easy to follow the Lord, but it pays when we do so. If only we can be able to withstand the troubles and persecutions. He said through the prophet today that He is the God who created everything; nothing in existence was made without Him. He alone is God unrivaled; He created both good and bad. Nothing happens without His knowledge, even when we think that everything has turned against us, even when the devil is trying his best to destroy us, we should not be discouraged for God is with us.
John was in the prison, the same John who shows Christ to the people, who testifies openly that he John is not worthy to untie his sandals, now feels forsaken, seems to have some doubts, becomes afraid whether Christ is really the person he takes him to be.
John the Baptist was in prison probably expecting the Lord to come and free him, but his expectations seemed to fail. He began to doubt his faith, and sent his disciples to Jesus to inquire if he is really the Messiah. Remember Jesus is his relative, and also a friend. Still he did not answer him directly. He instructed his servants to tell him what they saw and heard. As Christ exclaimed, *Happy are those who did not lose faith in me,* He knows that such a thing will happen and many may lose faith in Him because of their situation.
No matter what you may be passing through now, this message is for you: don’t lose faith in God. He is still God. He will deliver you at his appointed time. Keep persevering in prayer; He must surely answer you.
I pray for you as I pray for myself as we are waiting for Christ’s coming that we may be among those who will experience His mercy and deliverance through Christ our Lord Amen.
Keep working hard in your field. He will crown your effort with success very soon. Keep the faith alive.
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 15, 2020
Zephaniah 3:1 -2.9-13, Matthew 21:28-32
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Today, the prophet Zephaniah invites the defiled, rebellious and oppressing city to change her ways so that, “On that day [she] shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which [she has] rebelled against [God]” (Zeph 3:11).
We are that defiled city, and the spirit of this season invites us to repentance, as we noted at its beginning some weeks ago. We are called to follow the footsteps of the first son of a man who was rebellious at first but changed later to do his father’s will. As we turn to seek his face therefore, we pray that he may look upon us with mercy, hear our prayers and heal us, our families and our land. Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 14, 2020
Numbers 24: 2-7, 15-17a, Matthew 21:23-27
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Once God is with you, you really have nothing to fear. Do you see the confusion that the pride and wickedness of the chief priests and the elders of the people threw them into while they were trying to trap Jesus (cf Mt 21:23-27)? So shall the confusion be in the camp of any evil group that is gathered now to discuss your downfall. Again, those who labour to pull you down shall only be laboring in vain and working for your good because, just as God changed the evil mission of Balaam for the good of his people (see Num 24:2ff), so shall the curses they project against you turn to blessings for you. Only make sure that you are for God in all things and all will be well with you. Amen
*Let Us Pray*
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, in the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose thee this day for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, and to thy Immaculate Heart, as thy child and slave of love, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity. Amen.
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 13, 2020
Isaiah 61:1-2a.10-11, 1Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8.19-28
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Today is traditionally called “Gaudete Sunday,” a special day in which we are reminded that Christianity brings joy to all things. With less than two weeks to the proper celebration of Christmas, this reminder is important to keep our minds focused on the real things that matters in this season and the real attitude we ought to embrace.
Christianity is a vocation of Joy. Hence, St. Paul, in the Second Reading, encourages the people to rejoice always. But he added other responsibilities which could be summarized as doing good and shunning evil. In doing that, we will see that we will be spreading the joy of Christ’s coming to the ends of the earth! May the joy of the Lord follow you all the days of your life as you make your effort to follow Jesus faithfully by doing good and shunning evil. Amen
*Let Us Pray*
Thanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given me, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
December 12, 2020
Sirach 48:1-4.9-11b, Matthew 17:10-13
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Truly the human life has the character of perpetuation and auto-transendence by which individuals strive to outlive their short life span, by leaving legacies and memories for which they will be remembered when they are no more. This partly informs the drive to give birth to offsprings who will take after someone; the drive to publish books and generate other products that will continue to help the society to grow, etc.
In the first reading of today (Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12) we see the prophet Elijah come back in the odes of memories he left by his wonderful works during his lifetime.
In the Gospel pericope too (Mtt 17: 10-13) we see him come back in the person of John the Baptist, as Jesus Christ himself insinuated in his explanation of the scriptures to his disciples on their way down the mountain. This is not as a way of reincarnation because as the Church teaches, there is no reincarnation (cf. CCC No. 1013), but as a way of perpetuation of the necessary Spirit, needed for the work of God to continue in the human society.
The insights we therefore get from the above episode is *self-examination*, the questioning of ourselves about the memory we are leaving behind by our acts and conducts. What shall people remember us for, when we leave the face of this Earth?
Secondly as the lunar year is winding down, it is a moment to take stock of our dealings with our fellow human beings. We ought to take care lest we loose by our own carelessness, our Divine messengers who have been sent to make everything right for us.
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 9, 2020
Isa. 40:25-31, Mtt. 11:28-30
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Today the Lord, in His infinite mercy and love, gives us the message of hope. He demonstrated His might through the prophet, Isaiah, who is like God, who made the whole universe, who created all the stars of heaven and knows them by name.
Could you imagine His mighty strength? He only needs us to trust totally in Him. He does not want to share His glory with any man; He alone is God. If we trust in Him, He will always renew our strength; we will not grow weary. Even if we grow weary, He is there to renew us. Jesus made this clear to us. He invites us to come to Him if we think that our burden is heavy for us to bear. Let us run to Him for He will make it light for us.
Is it hardship, barrenness, problems in our marriage, or disappointments? He is calling us to come to Him. Do we want to live a holy life? He is the only one to help us. No matter how long we think we have gone far away from Him, He still love us.
Brethren let us return to the Lord. Let us make up our mind. He is the only source of our joy and strength. We pray for the grace to accept His invitation so that He will change our life for good through Christ our Lord Amen
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 8, 2020
Genesis 3:9-15.20, Ephesians1:3-6.11-12, Luke 1:26-38
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
In our celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the focus is on God who preserved Mary from Original Sin. The greeting of the angel to Mary, “Hail, full of grace” (LK 1:28) is an indication of that. Adam and Eve were created in precisely that state of grace (cf Gen 1:31), but by the abuse of their free will, they fell out of that grace. Mary on the other hand chose to cooperate with God (Lk 1:38).
We too can choose either to cooperate with God and strive after holiness in life or remain and perish in sin. That decision is for everyone to make individually. May the spirit of God inspire and sustain in you the decision to follow him faithfully in holiness of life. Amen
Let us pray meditatively and praise God in the words of Mary:
“My soul now glorifies, the Lord who is my saviour, rejoice for who am I, that God has shown me favour, the world shall call me blessed, and ponder on my story, in me God manifest His greatness and His glory. For those who are His friends and keep his laws most holy, his mercy never ends, and He exalts the lowly. But by his power, the great, the proud, the self-conceited, the kings who sit in state, are humbled and defeated. He feeds the starving poor, he guides his holy nation, fulfilling what he swore, long since in revelation. Glorify with me, the Lord who is my Saviour, one Holy Trinity, forever and forever.
*Good Morning Digest 🍵 Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 7, 2020
Isa.35:1-10, Lk.5:17-26
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
God in His mercy and love continues to reassure us of His care and concern towards us. As step into this new working week, the Lord wants us to renew our faith in Him. He wants us to courageously surmount every obstacle by the power of His forgiveness and love. And so He presents before us the faith of the paralytic and his friends. The crowds are there, the Pharisees are there, but these obstacles did not discourage them.
There may be numerous crowds in our lives obscuring the design of God for us. There may be complaining and accusing voice of Pharisees all around us. Let us be courageous in approaching the seat of Mercy, knowing that our God is mighty to deliver; He will see that all is well again. So strengthen those feeble hands, and steady those trembling knees, for our God is coming to save us. I declare today unto you, that those crowds in your life, in your businesses, in your family, in your office, in your education, in your vocation will give way to God’s miracle in your life. STEP OUT IN FAITH RISE AGAINST THEM IN FAITH FOR GOD IS WITH US. AMEN
*Good Morning Digest 🍵 Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 6, 2020
Isa.40:1-5.9-11, 2Peter.3:8-14, Mark.1:1-8
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
The message of Isaiah in the first reading of today is quite encouraging. Our world today is in a serious captivity, in a serious bondage. We need freedom, we need restoration, and so this season renews our hope and rekindles our faith. Christ is coming to liberate us, to set us free. But as St Peter admonished us in the second reading, there is no need for us to be counting days because His coming will happen like a birth pang. The only thing that will profit us is living a Godly life. Renouncing our bad behaviours and once living holy and religious life. This attitudinal change, this inward conversion was echoed by John the Baptist in the Gospel.
Beloved, let us make our Hearts ready, let us strengthen our rugged ways and level our mountain of pride, so that when Christ comes He will find us living sincere and honest lives wholly dedicated to His service.
May His name be praised both now and forever. Amen
*Good Morning Digest 🍵 Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 5, 2020
Isa.30:19-21.23-26, Mtt.9:35-10:1.5.6-8
🔥📖📖🔥📖📖🔥
Despite our unfaithfulness, God is always faithful. He never abandons His flock no mater their weaknesses and failings. This theme is depicted in the two readings of today. God is ever compassionate, so merciful and not cherishing anger forever. His promises is everywhere around us, though we may not see or believe it because we are still enveloped in sin. Labourers are needed for the work of God, to spread His love and compassion to all.
Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart. Let us in faith and in obedience to God’s call, step out to heal, to forgive, to raise the downtrodden, to free the captives and give hope to the hopeless. Let us bear in mind that the will and power comes from above. That we received without charge, we are demanded to give without charge. As we do this, may our darkness turn to light, may disappointment turn to appointment, may our sorrows turn to joy, and may we never be a victim. Instead we shall be victorious both now and forever in the Holy, powerful and Mighty name of JESUS. Amen.
Let us pray
Numbers 14:28 says, “So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say.” Job 22:28 says, “You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.” With faith in His name, issue decree in accordance with His will concerning those conditions of disgrace in your life, let them be replaced by divine grace in the name of Jesus our Lord
*Happy Morning Digest 🍵 @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 4, 2020
Isaiah 29: 17-24, Mathew 9:27-31
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
Much despair grows everyday in our neighborhood. This may emerge from lack, fear, defeat among other things. But our lives in the 21st century need hope to be sustained and the Prophet Isaiah in the First reading of today (Is. 29:17-24) offers us that hope which materializes when the Lord comes.
*However, hope needs power to be activated and sustained till the actualization of what is hoped for. This activation power of hope is Faith and that is the fundamental condition for hope not to be denied in hopelessness.*
Jesus required this activation power (faith) from the two blind men he healed in the Gospel Pericope of today (cf. Mtt 9:27-31) before the miracle of restoration of their sight could happen.
Dearest friend, let us not lose our activation power on the altar of despair. It is time to pick up our shattered hope and begin to hope again for a better tomorrow, the coming of the Lord by doing the right work today with faith.
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 3, 2020
Isaiah 26:1-6, Matthew 7:21.24-27
🔥📖📖🔥🔥📖📖🔥
The essence of spreading the Gospel of Christ is to bring the renewal in the lives of men and women of the society, so they can live out in their lives the precepts of Christ, given long ago by God. This practical reason informs the words of Christ in the Gospel Pericope of today (Matthew 7:21,24-27) that not those who profess the Lord’s name shall enter the kingdom of God but those who practice what the Lord requires.
We are blessed to be among those chosen by the Lord, right from our Christian initiation and Profession. We live in the height, that strong and lofty city which God is it’s Everlasting strong hold (cf. First reading Isaiah 26: 1-6). It is not enough to profess but moreso to practice what we profess, lest we be thrown down.
This season of Advent is a golden opportunity for us to practice better, the Lord’s requirements which include mercy and Charity among others. Let us reach out more to the poor and share our goods with the needy.
**Let Us Pray**
God of justice and mercy, open our eyes to see you in the face of the poor. Open our ears to hear you in the cries of the exploited. Open our mouths to defend you in the public squares as well as in private deeds. Remind us that what we do to the least ones, we do to you. In the name of Jesus – Amen.
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 2, 2020
🍇🕯📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
Our God is so caring and compassionate towards His people. We are most often the very opposite of our father God. God is generous but we are stingy, He cares but we don’t care. We may have helped or cared before, let us continue, let us not give up. Since God never gets tired of blessing us. He keeps giving us life and health free of charge without getting tired, why must we get tired in helping people?
Today after Jesus finished healing the sick, restoring sight to blind, healing the crippled He still felt for them, He still realized that they never ate anything for days. It touches His heart, though they have gotten healing they still need nourishment too, less they faint on the road. Jesus showed them compassion, and provided for their needs, He fed them.
What matters is our intention while helping people, do we help people because their condition really touch us? We really feel their pains? Or just for people to see us and clap for us? 🤦♂️
Jesus is telling us today to follow His steps. Christmas is approaching, some of us don’t even have hope of eating yam and oil that day, you that have let us try and Share with those we are better than, even visiting those we know that society have forgotten let us remember them, those poor in our villages.
Through us may the Lord prepare a rich banquet for them so that the Lord Himself will prepare a banquet for us. He will bless us, whether those we do good to remember us or not. The Lord Himself will prepare a great banquet for us and wipe away the tears in our eyes. Just think of how the banquet that the Lord will prepare for us will look like.
We pray for the grace to do good no matter what it will cost us through Christ our Lord Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
December 1, 2020
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
Isaiah reminds us again today about the coming of the Lord, *a shoot shall spring from the stock of Jesse.* He enumerated the blessings that those who acknowledged Him as their king will enjoy; Lion and lamb will lie together and eat together. This is how it will be when we welcome Jesus in our heart, we will have rest of mind, no more fear or anxieties.
The word of God is calling us for proper preparation. When Christ becomes the Lord of our life there will be no more bitterness, criticism, jealousy and slandering. We will behave like His subjects and peace will be our portion. That is why Jesus gives praise to His father for revealing these things to the poor, for allowing us to know that welcoming Christ as a Child in our hearts will make things better for us.
If Peace is what we can purchase with money, you and I may not be able to afford it. Peace is a gratuitous gift of God; money cannot buy it. If you think that you can have peace of mind based on your financial strength, I bet you, you are heading to frustration. Why? You did not welcome Jesus in your heart.
Jesus is our prince of peace, we may not understand it fully until we taste and see that the Lord is good. Since we say that we belong to Jesus let us prepare our heart and make it clean for Him to come and dine with us, so that we can have peace of mind and free from the powers of evil one through Christ our Lord.
May the Messianic era prophesied in Isaiah 11:1-10, envelope in our Christian era by the proper incarnation and indwelling of the Gospel discipline within us.
May peace and tranquility, order and discipline, protection and provision be our lot this season, so that blessed indeed shall our eyes be for beholding the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Amen.
Happy New month.
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 30, 2020
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
Responding to the call of God with all our our heart without delay is for all of us. Today we see how Jesus called Peter and his brother Andrew and they left whatever they were doing and followed Him without delay. He called them while they were in their office, the sea, because they were fishermen.
Sometimes it is hard for us to answer God’s calls like that. Our offices maybe our bad habit, or where we are doing something against our neighbor. Jesus is calling us today, to leave our sinful ways, our gossip, our sexual irresponsibilities, theft and every other vice and follow Him so that He can make us His disciples.
Sometimes we answer God’s calls but for a short while we go back to our office of sin. We see how these disciples left everything and followed Christ. Christ needs people He can send to go out and preach the good news. As the first reading tells us, if we refuse to answer the call, who will preach the good news to the brethren who are still living in sin? That is why it is necessary that we should answer God’s call so that we can help in spreading the gospel. Andrew answered His call well. That is why we are remembering him today. We pray for the grace to answer our calls without looking back, through Christ our Lord Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 28, 2020
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
The first reading of today paints for us a picture of a beautiful garden, a beautiful city with fruit laden tree whose leaves is also medicinal. I believe that all of us will want to be in that city, where the glory of God shines day and night. For the meantime, we are still in this cruel world where money and material wealth are being enthroned and worshipped, sadly, even by us Christians.
Most of us remember God only when they meet difficulties, when they are in a sad situation, and once they are out of it they forget God. Some treat others as nobodies, oppressing the weak and maltreating the orphans and widows. In the midst of all these happenings, a true child of God will not fail to cry ”Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.”
May God come to renew our lives and world through Christ our Lord. Amen *Good Morning of a Favoured Weekend Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 26, 2020
Rev.18:1-2.21-23;19:1-3.9, Lk.21:20-28.
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
It is always a thing of Joy for us Christians and indeed for everyone when our enemies or oppressors are brought low and defeated. Such was the case of the saints in the first reading. Babylon, which signifies immorality, sin, and oppression was thrown down.
Now what a joy to know and strongly believe in Christ love for us, in Christ redeeming power in our lives. How glorious to know that we are cleansed with a spotless blood of the innocent lamb, Christ Himself.
Many of us take all these favours for granted. If we really know what a sacrifice, what a price Christ paid for us, even here we will be singing a song of Joy; Hallelujah will ever be on our lips. If we know all this and strongly believe in it, no matter the difficulties, no matter the shout of wars, killings, persecutions, we will hold our heads high. Why? Because our salvation is assured, to God be the glory forever and ever. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 25, 2020
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
To be a true follower of Christ is not easy, surely there will be persecution, all kinds of ill treatment, even to the point of dragging you to court, to taking your life.
Jesus is giving us expo today so that when it starts to happen we should not be discouraged, don’t be surprised if your fellow brothers/sisters in the church begin to hate you because you are saying the truth. They will try to lure you to their evil ways and refusal is not going to be easy. But Jesus is telling us not to be discouraged, it is a sign that you are on the right track.
We should not expect everybody to like or love us because we are Christians. The people that John saw singing the song of Moses after they fought with the beast and won the battle are those endured to the end.
When we are passing through those hard times let us be aware that we are fighting with the beast, and we can only win when we stand firm in God and with God. By constant prayer and holiness of life, we pray for the grace to stand firm so that by the special grace of God we will be named among the saints through Christ our Lord Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 24, 2020
Revelation 14:14-19) (Luke 21: 5-11)
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
The readings of today talk about the end time. It is because we are approaching the end of the liturgical year. This reminds us that we are pilgrims on earth. Our true home is heaven. So we have to be prepared and not frightened.
There are many who predict the end time in our world today. Some even go as far as to say that they are the Christ. History has proved them wrong.
Jesus said that there would be wars, calamities, and cosmic signs but they are not meant to make us gullible in believing fake men and women of God who would use the opportunity to confuse us and deprive us of our valuables. We are expected to be alert in faith and good works, doing the will of God.
*from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 22, 2020
Ezek.34:11-12.15-17, 1Cor.15:20-26.28, Mat.25:31-46.
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
Today in Nigeria we celebrate the kingship of Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of the whole universe. He is a King who lives forever, King who is kind and compassion, slow to anger and whose other name is LOVE.
It is this love that compelled Him to come down to our world and die for us, His sinful creatures. Same love is inspiring Him in the first reading to make sure He loses none of His sheep, to make sure no sheep is left behind or neglected.
He makes it clear for us in the Gospel reading and the second reading that love is not mere words but ACTIONS; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, vising the sick and those in prison etc. And doing all for God and in God. Christ died for love, the first Adam that He might bring us to God. He is the king, the leader who leads by example.
Beloved in Christ, let us live love, let us practice love, for love is of God and from God. Let us be our brothers/sisters keeper. Helping as much as we can in Christ. May God be praised both now and forever. Amen
*Good Sunday Morning of Christ the King of Love. @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus 🙏🏼*
November 20, 2020
The word of God is not always sweet to hear and digest. Sometimes it is hard and difficult. But if we persevere and cooperate with God’s grace, we can accept it.
We always easily forget the words of the Master *carry your cross and follow me.* Yes there is always a cross before a crown and sometimes the cross may seem to be very heavy for us to lift. That is why we must always ask for the grace to follow.
Cross is one of the criteria of following our Christ, and that is why many of us are running away in following the footsteps of Christ. The grace is there already and He is willing to give us more, but we must be determined and ready. That is why He told John in the first reading to chew the scroll. It was sweet in his mouth but sour in the stomach.
Sometimes when we are told of the blessings in serving the Lord, we rejoice but decline once there is a cross. The cross we meet is the sourness in the stomach.
So if you are already on the line and it seems to you that things are hard for you, your friends are rejecting you, even family members, please dearest one don’t give up. Keep on asking God to be with you, even if they are making a mockery of you, even calling you names – that is the cross. Don’t give up; they must surely come back to you. It is a training that you are going through. Even if they are saying that you are not genuine and within you, you are sure that you are sincere. Don’t worry. You will still overcome; that is the sour part of it.
Even Jesus in the gospel, when He was healing people, they were praising Him. But today, without fear or favour, He drove out those selling in the temple. The leaders are plotting to do away with Him. Did He gave up? No, because He knows that what He is doing is the right thing.
Sometimes when we declare for truth, people will hate us, even planning evil against us. Please stand firm. Don’t give up. It is one of the processes in following Christ.
May the Lord give us the grace to stand firm no matter the challenges in following Him through Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 19, 2020
🍇🕯️📖📖🔥📖📖🕯️🍇
We have every opportunity to accept the gospel and worship God in Spirit and in Truth now, because we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Jesus is giving us a message of peace this time and a call for conversion. Jesus shed tears over Jerusalem, because they don’t understand nor accept His message of peace. He cried because He knew that it is only this message that will give them security over the forces of the enemy, but as they didn’t accept it He felt disappointed because without the message having root within them the enemy will crush them in the future.
How about us today? How do we accept the message of Christ? The message we are hearing today will be our security tomorrow, it will be our peace tomorrow, the message will set us free. What is the message? To do good not evil, to believe in Christ with all our hearts, as He is the one who opens the seal of the book in the first reading, the seal that hold us bondage He opened for us, the seal of good health, the seal of progress, let us accept His message so that we may be fully set free and enjoy our peace, may He bless His word in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Beautiful Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 15, 2020
Proverbs 31:10-13. 19-20.30-31) (1Thessalonians 5:1-6) (Matthew 25:14-30)
The theme of today readings is industry and accountability.
A hard-working wife is used in the first reading to illustrate the theme. The responsorial psalm echoes the Divine blessing and prosperity that follow the God-fearing who faithfully labour with their hands. The gospel throws light that God apportions every human being with some capital to develop, respecting each person’s ability. While the adventurous trade with their own shares and return profits, and so are abundantly blessed and rewarded , the lazy and disgruntled one is not only timid but rude and insulting , and hence thoroughly punished . The second reading cautions about the day of reckoning that will suddenly erupt , when the majority of people are likely to be wanton and conceited . Christians are called as sons of light and of the day to be awake and persevering in their duties.
May God help us to always be accountable and industrious in anything we do . May our talents be known and shared to people through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 13, 2020
As we approach the end of both calendar and liturgical year, Christ also is calling our attention to our own individual end. Two will be in bed one taken and the other left, two women will be at the mill one taken another left. Why, why take one and leave the other? The first Reading gives us the answer. Love!! It is only love that will guaranteed our entry in heaven. It is love that will help us to follow Christ without complaining or arguing. It is only love that will help us to lay down our life for Him. In the evening of our lives, we shall be judged on love.
I pray for you as I pray for myself that we may price Christ’s love above every other thing both now and forever. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 10, 2020
In the first reading of today, St Paul is giving us what we may call the ” *the code of Christian conduct”* He enumerates how a good Christian should conduct Himself.
As Christ followers, our Character matters. There must be a difference between us and an unbelievers. Christ in the same vein reminds us in the Gospel that in living out our Christian call, we should not be bent on expecting rewards. Our good works, our good lives, our services should all be for the glory of God. We are mere servants, unworthy of God’s favours although so much loved by Him. Let us appreciate that love by living and serving Him selflessly always, this is my wish this is my prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 7, 2020
*If you cannot take care of what is not your own, who will give you what is yours.* This saying of Christ holds true in our everyday lives. If you cannot respect others, how can you expect respect from them? If we refuse to be generous, how can we expect generosity from people? If we cannot forgive, how can we expect forgiveness? So it reiterates the sayings of Christ that whatever we give is what we will receive. Serving two masters will even worsen the matter because it will only divide our attention.
What Christ is calling our attention today is to be faithful even in little things, even in that thing we may say ”it doesn’t concern me” or it doesn’t matter” let us have feeling and compassion for others.
Let us support especially the missionaries. Paul thanked and praise the Philippines for their generous support to him in his missionary work. Even the missionaries too should learn how to manage, not to load it over others.
May God help us in this selfish world to spread His light and bear authentic witness to Him our only Master through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 6, 2020
*The Children of this world know how to deal with their own kind than the children of light* Our lives as Christian are supposed to be the Gospel people should read even before they read the written copy. But sadly as St Paul says, some of us Christians are living as enemies of the cross. Why? Because most of us Christians are living contradictory lives. We profess Christ yet we don’t want to live like Christ. We don’t want to work or are we ready to beg just like the steward in the Gospel.
The master commending the steward does not mean he praised dishonesty No, it simply implies that if a dishonest steward should gives so much attention to his material gain, what about the Children of light? And so, let us heed the exhortation of St. Paul, let us live for Christ who will transfigure this lowly body of ours into copies of his own glorious body, for in the house of God we all shall be happy for all eternity. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 4, 2020
Today, our Holy Mother Church remembers Charles Borromeo. He is a canon and civil lawyer; he was from a powerful family too. But all these earthly benefits did not separate him from God. Rather than using them for the glory of God, he used them to win heaven. He fulfilled the Word of Jesus who said …”hate yourself and carry your cross and follow me and you will enter the kingdom of God.”
If we refuse to use everything within us ,our gifts and talents, to work for God what shall we use them for? Paul advises us in the first reading today to emulate him and do as he did. As a proud teacher he is sure of what he taught his followers – not only what he taught them but also his actions. He uses everything he has, even his own blood, to work for God. And so, he encouraged them to do the same.
The same applies to us. Let us know that whatever we are doing, we are doing it for God. Whether people see us or not, God who sees even our secret thought is aware of them. Charles Borromeo who died many years ago is still remembered today, because he worked for God with all his heart and now he is enjoying the Beatification in heaven. We pray for the same grace to work for God with all our hearts through Christ our Lord Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 2, 2020
Wis.3:1-9, Rm.5:5-11, Jn.6:37-40
Most often when we talk of God’s love, it sounds like mere talk. Some of us has even grown so used to it that we just say it without proper reflection on it.
St Paul assures us in his letter to Roman that what proves God’s love for us is Christ died for us even while we sinners. But the Gospel takes it a step higher. Not only that Christ died for us sinners BUT He wants us to be saved. He wishes to bring to the father all that He has given Him. This love of Christ for sinners defines the feast we are celebrating today. That all who believe in Christ will not perish forever, Yet, nothing defile will enter the kingdom of heaven, and so the need for purification.
For Catholics, today’s memorial holds importance because, the souls in purgatory need our prayer, hope on our prayer and desire our prayer. God is so merciful and loving, but we should not take that mercy and love for granted. Let us strive for heaven, let us commit our lives in the hands of Christ that He may raise us up on the last day. Remember to pray for the dead. God bless you
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
November 1, 2020
Rev.7:2-4.9-14, 1Jn.3:1-3, Mtt.5:1-12
All the qualification we need for heaven is well listed in the Gospel of today. Not only that it is listed but also today we have the cloud of witnesses who have lived that blessedness and today is with God in heaven.
The saints by faith conquered kingdom, wrought justice and obtain promises. They are marked with the seal of the lamb, they the multitude impossible to count.
We too are saints in making. We have been called and chosen BUT what we shall be in the future I will say lies in our hands. We shall be like Christ, if we live like Christ, if we imitate Christ. We shall receive the seal if we prove ourselves to be servants of our God.
The saints in glory are waiting for us, they are beckoning us not to grow weary. Let us as their brothers and sisters, the saints in making, harken to their voice and seek their intercession so that where they are now we too may be at last through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Happy Feast of All Saints. Remain blessed from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 31, 2020
Today Christ is teaching us both self discipline and proper etiquette.
Sometimes we like to show up, we like to assume positions of authority and want everyone to bow before us. Most often, all these turn to our own dismay and frustration, and a frustrated and unhappy person cannot glorify God, it is impossible.
As Christians who are following the footsteps of Christ, we should be self abased in all we do. No presumption or presenting ourselves as more important than others, no presuming the place of authority. Even when such is given to us, it was given on trust and its purpose is service NEVER for self glorification *but* Gods glorification.
The desire of St Paul in the first reading should be our utmost desire ”that Christ should be glorified in our body whether by our life or by our death”.
With the psalmist, our souls should be thirsting for God so that at the end of our life He will say to us ”Come up higher my friend” to Him be glory forever and ever. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 30, 2020
Nothing gives joy like when you noticed that your work is bearing fruit.
Paul praised the Philippians today because of their progress in spiritual life and faith in the Lord. Even in his chains he still has time to check on them and encourage them, that shows a real fatherly affection. He reminds them of his love and affection for them and how he missed them, and has never stop praying for them.
We are the Philippians of today. How do we progress in our spiritual life? Can those who brought the gospel to us be proud of us? Can we in all honesty say that we are progressing in our faith, that we are following their footsteps? If not, what is the problem? We need to retrace our steps and commit our lives to the grace of God so that He can help us to progress in the spirit.
Let us continue to do good. Let us not look back in doing what is right just as Jesus did in the Gospel of today. He did not mind the presence of the lawyers or their critics. He was bold in doing what’s right and He expects us to do the same. He always wants us to be happy, let us do good to all and Gods face will shine on us through Christ our Lord Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 26, 2020
Jealousy is a very bad disease, it blinds us both spiritually and physically. Such is the case of the synagogue official and us too. He is well aware that what Jesus was good, but instead of giving glory to God, he resorted in twisting everything to confuse the people.
Are we different? Most of us knows how to get and give good things to ourselves, but when it comes to giving to others, dem!!! We remember mortification and sacrifices, we give all kinds of excuses beautiful excuses why we will not help the poor and the helpless.
St Paul is exhorting us in the first reading to live in love, to turn away from immorality. True, we are once darkness, but God in His mercy has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Let us live as Children of light, bearing fruits of kindness, generosity, mercy and love. Praise be to our lord Jesus Christ both now and forever. Amen
*Happy Morning of a New week from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 25, 2020
Exo.22:21-27, 1Thes.1:5-10, Mtt.22:34-40
What is the the greatest commandment? For some people in our world today it is having a heavy bank account, for some good health, yet for some others progress in whatever they are doing. All these things are good, perfectly good BUT are they the greatest commandment?
Christ told us in the Gospel of today that the greatest commandment is LOVE. Speaking about that love He adds ”All” in it, meaning that our love should be all-embracing, unconstitutional, untainted.
This is a true Christian love as we see it in second reading. It is other people who will marvel and speak about our love for each other as Christians, not we bragging and making show of ourselves. The first reading reminds us that that love should extend to strangers as well, to the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that a true Christian should love until it hurts. This will show you that love is not easy, but that’s our Christian character. Jesus we are following loved and died for Love and we claim to be His followers, His disciples.
That’s good but the readings of today is challenging us to live the life of love, the highest commandment. We pray that we be animated by the spirit as to answer fully our upward call in Christ both now and always through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Happy Sunday Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 24, 2020
Jesus continues to call us to repentance, yes an inward and sincere examination of conscience. It is not for us to go about looking for who is not doing well, who is a sinner or why and reason such befall some people. No! Unless we repent sincerely and honestly, we are no better than those we are criticizing.
Instead of criticism and name calling, let us heed the admonition of St Paul. Let us build the body of Christ, let us help each other until we all realise our common unity in Christ. It is this unity, this oneness, that will help us to bear fruit, fruit that will last.
And this is my prayer for us, that we should bear abundant fruit in Christ both now and always through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 23, 2020
In the first reading of today, Paul in his prison is admonishing the Christians to fight the good fight of faith. He listed the virtues that befits our noble vocation as Christians. Patience, kindness, forbearing one another in love. It is these virtues when practiced well, will help us to be wise and interpret the signs of our time well.
We are now in a critical condition in our country, no one knows what will happen next. Let us begin now to put our lives in order, let us settle whatever we may have with anyone, but above all, let us settle with God because here in this life we are enjoying His Mercy; there we will experience His justice. May God give us the wisdom to read the hand writing on the wall and courage to act accordingly through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Good Morning, Stay blessed, Stay safe. Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 22, 2020
Today’s gospel shocks the mind with utter bewilderment concerning the personality of Jesus. Is the Prince of Peace now an entity of confusion and contradiction? No! Fire purifies and Baptism washes anew.
When the truth of the gospel is proclaimed, righteous hearts are at peace but the heart of the wicked is in trouble with divisions, confusion, fire and rancor. Indeed, Jesus has brought everlasting peace and truth! We do not seek the word of God to comfort us as it is preached. It should be an arrow shooting on us, our heart, and it always sinks in some heart and at the same time a confusion in the midst of many or some individuals. The question I ask myself /Pastor/brethren and you is: are we ready to accept any gospel even in the midst of law or human right? (A priest can easily condemn an act in the church because it’s not the right thing to do in the presence of God. But do we feel it’s against the acclaimed societal norm? We tend to condemn the priest or pastor for speaking out. We even call police for him or her just because he or she condemned an act).
I pray for you as I pray for myself to always seek God more and more amidst any inner war or confusion. May we seek more of the things of God than the things of man through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Good morning and God bless you today!
Ibekwe chinonso Linus
October 20, 2020
In the first reading of today, St Paul reminds us that we are no longer aliens or foreign visitors, rather we are fellow citizens with the saints in God’s dwelling.
But as we suppose to know, every right has a responsibility attached to it. The Gospel reminds us of that responsibility. As citizens, we must have our lamps lit, our loins girded and ready for action. The Gospel assures that blessedness will be ours if God finds us at our duty post, if He finds us faithful when He comes.
Dearly beloved, let faith be that loin around our waist; let righteousness be our lamp. Let us always be ready and eager to perform our duty sincerely and humbly. Let us work so faithfully and devotedly as true citizens of heaven so that when the Master comes, He will admit us to sit at the table with Him. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen
*Good Morning. Remain blessed from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 18, 2020
Isa.45:1.4-6, 1Thes.1:1-5, Mtt.22:15-21.
Jesus instructed us to always be wise as serpent and gentle as dove.
Today on the cause of His teaching the Pharisees was angry and jealous of Him, they plot on how to set a trap for Him and kill Him, because He was preaching with authority and without fear of anybody. Why? because He is He knew He was offering the people the word of truth.
It is a warning to us to always be careful in everything we are doing, especially when we think that people are praising us. We must not forget that the enemy is looking for an opportunity to strike us and bring us down, let us always be watchful for the tactics of the enemy.
Paul told the Thessalonians today that he is always praying for them, let us always pray and ask God for the grace to always be watchful, because the enemy can try us through what we cherish most, it may be our colleagues or friends, let us always commit our life and ways to the Lord so that He will always protect us through Christ our Lord Amen
*Happy Sunday Morning of glorious encounter. @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 17, 2020
Today we celebrate a renowned follower and sincere proclaimer of Christ, Ignatius of Antioch. On his way to Rome to be martyred, he wrote seven letters to the Churches encouraging them to stand firm in faith and love of Christ.
It is a personality like St Ignatius that Christ promised to acknowledge before the Angels. Why? Because Ignatius tirelessly and sincerely proclaims him by his word, his life and his death. He even pleaded with the Churches to allow him to be crushed by the lions that he may became a pure wheat for Christ.
He (Ignatius) experienced the same Joy that Paul shared in the first reading and used his heavenly gifts and blessings for the glory of God. We are challenged today, let us try, let us struggle to proclaim Christ by our words and by our deeds that He may acknowledge us before His Angels in heaven, to Him be glory forever and ever. Amen
*Good Morning of a promising Weekend from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 16, 2020
We are encouraged today to go on doing good. We must not be blind or ignorant of the works of the evil one, as Jesus advised his disciples to be careful of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. We should not copy them because everything we do in secret today will one day come to light, and everything we whispered today will one day be heard on the mountain top.
We need to be careful of our actions and words, no matter the situation we must always be the people of truth, speaking the truth without fear or fervour, because Christ encouraged us to only be afraid of God who can kill both body and soul, not human being who can only kill the body without touching the spirit. Speaking the truth and living the truth is the only thing that will prove us as Christians who have the seal of the spirit. It is then that we will be free from every bondage.
The scripture said wherever the spirit of God is, there is liberty. Only the spirit of God can set us free, we pray for the courage to always live for and speak the truth no matter the situation we may find ourselves without fear or fervour, because He who is in us is greater than the world and everything in it through Christ our Lord Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 13, 2020
Paul told the Galatians that since Christ has set them free, there is no need of going back to their old way of living again, but should hold firm to the faith they have received. Likewise for us today, since we are called Christians we should behave like Christians (Christ bearer).
Our life does not base on our righteousness but on Christ who died on the Cross to set us free. As such, there are many traditions we should not involve ourselves, especially living double life, lying, jealousy, idolatry of any kind. We should endeavor to be what we are called, the Followers of the truth. Truth will always be on our lips.
Jesus went to the house of Pharisees on invitation, and the Pharisees was busy watching Him and His disciples, he noticed that the disciples did not wash their hands as the tradition demands before eating. Jesus use that opportunity to teach them ”no need of Washing outside of the cup while the inside is very dirty” we must work on ourselves, Our inner selves, not to please humans but to please God in everything. It is the heart that matters, our inner conversion, our inner freedom.
We pray for the grace to be faithful, free and firm in our faith in our Lord Jesus because that is the only thing that will set us free both now and forever. Amen
*Good Morning @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 12, 2020
Gal.4:22-24.26-27.31-5:1, Lk.11:29-32
True wisdom and sincere repentance is a must tool for every Christian.
Christ condemn His generation for forsaking these noble gifts and looking for external signs. But the question is, are we not doing the same thing? How many of us Christians today seek God for God alone?
The first reading assures us that we are the children of a free woman, But are we really free?. Sincerely brethren, if we tell ourselves the truth, we know that many of us have conditions for seeking God. Many of us have allowed the challenges of this life to blur our vision of God. God is our provident father. He knows what we need and the best way to give it to us.
Let us be patient with God. Let us desist from looking for a sign before we could believe. Let us trust God and surrender to Him and He will take care of us both now and forever. Amen
*Good Morning of a NewWeek and Columbus day
October 11, 2020
Isa.25:6-10a, Phil.4:12-14.19-20, Mt.22:1-14
The banquet of the kingdom of heaven is free But not without preparation.
Prophet Isaiah in the first reading reminds us that on this mountain the Lord of host will prepare the banquet of great feast, there will be no more weeping nor sadness because it is the banquet of the Lord.
Jesus in His parable in the gospel, speaks about the same banquet. We all have been invited for free, but we need to cleanse ourselves, we need to prepare our ourselves. Let us not be among the guests who gave excuses that they can not attend. Jesus is inviting us always to Himself through His word.
We hear His Word everyday, both in the church, on the radio even on social media. He is calling us to come to Him, come and eat the finest meal, come and eat without paying anything. But are we responding to the call or are we still giving excuses? Only preparation is what He demands from us, to listen and obey His Word, to live a holy life, to love ourselves and neighbors, and to help those we are better than, that’s the only thing it will cost us to attend the banquet. No discrimination, He invites people everywhere and every tribe.
We pray for the grace to listen to God’s word and obey them so that we can attend that banquet of rich food through Christ our Lord. Amen
*Happy Sunday Morning. Remain blessed from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 9, 2020
Faith qualifies us to be children of God; while unity, proves we are not only God’s children, but heirs of the Kingdom of God.
Faith wins for us, the blessings of God and Unity protects the foundation of our faith. Our faith is shown by our good works of Mercy. This is why in the Christian fold, division is a weapon, the devil is using against us; and, sometimes, the people of the world can easily contend with us and win; because they believe in the slogan, that says “if the center can not hold, things fall apart”.
This is applicable in a family setting; because of our lack of unity, the stronger man, attacks us and defeats us. The Lord said “if we are not for Him, we are against Him”. Let us try to be as the Lord says, by having faith and believing in God, so that the blessings of God concerning our lives, can only come through faith in the Lord. The law has nothing to offer, when we have faith in the Lord, that we will continue to please God in everything we do.
Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ, both now and for evermore.
*Good Morning, Remain blessed in the Lord @ Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 8, 2020
One of the basic or distinctive mark of a Christian is Faith. Faith alone help us to believe all that God has revealed. One of His revelations is His unconditional love towards us His creatures. If God has loved us so much, why do we still doubt? Why so much impatient? Why so quick in abandoning the way of truth?. Let us not be quick in deserting the way of the Lord. Yes, the journey may be tough, hard and tiresome, but if we persist in our knocking through prayer, He will unfailingly supply all our needs. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen
*Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus*
October 7, 2020
Good Morning from Ibekwe chinonso Linus
Sometimes to speak out boldly, sincerely and truthfully can really be challenging. More especially when it involves our close colleagues, associates or friends. But that’s what Paul did in the first reading, he spoke out sincerely without compromising.
What about you and me? To what extent do we bend the truth because ‘he’ is my colleague, ‘she’ is my friend. The only thing that will help us to stand firm as Christians, especially in the face of oppositions is prayer and truthfulness.
Christ prayed and also taught us how to pray. Prayer is the only and best asset we have in our struggles in this life. Let us draw close to God in prayer; let us seek His wisdom and strength in prayer.
In this month of October, let us endeavour to increase our prayer life.
May God help us to be more close to Him through prayer in this month and forever more though Christ our Lord. Amen.