WHY MUST I BE GENEROUS TO OTHERS?

I can sense that a lot of people would be happy about this topic while some others will not. Whatever the case, go down with me to the end. Did you have a good night rest? Did you pray before you sleep last night? How are you feeling at the moment? Aren't you happy to see this day?

Obviously, any shrewd person who has read about the parable in Luke 19, 11-28 will certainly have some questions to ask, like: Why must that servant be punished for not making more money out of that one pound? Anyhow, the master should be happy enough to get his money back, isn't it?😜😜

From the logical point of view, we can say yes. But if we apply this premise to our lives and to our dealings with others, then this world would be a very selfish place. This is because we will become very calculative and ask questions like: why must I waste my time for the benefit of others, or why must I be generous to others...

My most cherished friend(s), whatever we have, be it our time, our resources, our money, talent, beauty, all that we have, is a gift from God. And you know very well that if gifts are not shared, then this world would indeed be a very poor and sad place😁😁.
And if gifts are not shared and used, then those gifts will also deteriorate and be wasted😜.

Think of putting a smile on someone's face today.. I trust you. Have a good day!

Rabbi 👍🏻

GOD WILL COME AND SAVE YOU.

My dear ladies and gentlemen, how are you doing at the moment? Did you have a good night rest? What are your plans for this new week? Do you think you can break barriers and do the impossible? Well, I like your determination. 

Let me ask you: Have you ever found yourself in a hopeless situation and it seems there was no headway? How did you handle the situation? Did you just give in like that? It always seems impossible until one tries something new. 

Beloved, the story of the paralyzed man on a bed in the gospel of Luke 5, 17-26 is a clear example of faith and determination. His friends tried to bring him before Jesus, but

the crowd made it impossible for them to find a way of getting in. The crowd was simply not going to make way for the paralyzed man and his friends.

What or who is(are) the crowd preventing you from receiving your healing and breakthrough? Is it your spouse, children, colleagues in the office, classmates, roommates, schoolmates, Church members, etc

Remember, the crowd did not stop them from thinking of another way to access Jesus. Are you giving in so soon? Can't you push yourself forward one more time? Because they didn't allow the crowd to defeat them, Jesus had compassion on him. 

When we are faced with a great difficulty and a hopeless situation, like childlessness, delayed marriage, unemployment, no school admission, visa problem, health challenge, etc, the prophet Isaiah tells us: "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." (Isaiah 35, 4).

Today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, I pray for you, whatever that is blocking your way to see Jesus, it shall crumble in Jesus name. Amen

Time for breakfast. Wow.. Coconut rice is served.. Join me if you're around my neighbourhood 😜

Good morning 

Rabbi

JESUS CHRIST: OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

(2nd Sunday of Advent, A)
Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12

Just last Sunday, we began the season of advent in the Catholic Church. A season of preparation for Christmas, the coming of Christ. It will not be out of place to think that a lot of families have already made an arrangement to beautify their houses.

Obviously, one of the things that is very prominent in this season among other things is the Christmas tree. Many people spend money to purchase many Christmas trees to be put on strategic places in their compounds. Sometimes, in our life situations, challenges and crisis that we face in our businesses and careers, we distract ourselves with putting up the festive decorations.

Now, let us pause and ask ourselves: What is really the hullabaloo about Christmas tree?  What is the hype and uproar that is associated with it? Is there any biblical or religious importance attached to it?

Well, the answer is already found in the first reading of today. Jesus is the Christmas tree. "He is the shoot that  springs from the stock of Jesse, a new shoot that grows from its roots" (Isaiah 11,1).

In the oracle of Isaiah, in the tree imagery, the branches would be historical kings, whom he had written off in favour of a return to the very source of the dynasty. The prophet Isaiah mentioned Jesse who was the father of King David, whose reign brought about the golden age of Israel.

Unfortunately, after the reign of king David, the kingdom of Israel was split and was eventually taken over by her enemies. Also, in their captivity in Babylon, one of his descendants became an obscurity. As a result, the prophet Isaiah wrote this oracle, that one day a shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse and bring about Israel’s glory.

Today, Jesus is that shoot that sprang into a tree of life and hope. And that is why the Christmas tree is an appropriate symbol for the season. Jesus Christ is indeed our Christmas tree.

In the gospel pericopee, John the Baptist made mention of an axe. This is actually one of those items that we cannot find near the Christmas tree, but today, John the Baptist is on standby and combat ready to cut down our Christmas tree should it doesn't represent our Christian belief and way of life.

John is warning us today that our beautifully decorated Christmas trees and houses without a corresponding good and charitable heart is a sure sign of celebrating the externalism associated with Christmas, and not the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Just like the star on our Christmas tree is a symbol of the star of Bethlehem that led the wise men to find the infant Jesus. May our lives lead others to Christ. May we project Christ and not ourselves, just like John the Baptist projected Him when he said: "Ecce Agnus Dei" (Behold the Lamb of God).

May our lives be like the light on the Christmas tree that brings warmth, joy and peace. And as we await the coming of Christ on earth, may justice flourish and great peace for ever. Amen.

Happy Sunday!

STOP THIS VICIOUS CYCLE OF SPITTING

I'm sure you may be wondering why this reflection is coming at this time of the day. Well, at last I am here with it. Thanks for always being there for me... 👍🏻

You remember when Jesus was suffering for us, he underwent some forms of torture. Some were physical like the scourging, beating, crucifying, etc, while some were psychological like, spitting. All the beatings were to inflict bodily wounds on him, but the spittle was not intended to hurt the body, but to degrade him and insult his dignity😳😳.


However, by doing that to Him, the soldiers felt big by making Jesus look small😭😭😭. My beloved, as Christians, we may be spared of physical torture, but definitely, we shall surely have our share of the spittle🙊.
It can come in different forms and shapes like,  gossips, back-biting, slandering, lying, accusations, character assassination, etc.

Interestingly, Jesus says in Luke 21, 16 "you will be betrayed even by parents, and brothers, by relatives and friends..." When this happened, how and what can we do? Jesus did not retaliate, but prayed for his enemies. Let us stop this vicious cycle of spitting at each other by heeding what Jesus told us in the gospel: Your endurance will win you your lives (Luke 21,19).👍🏻👍🏻

Others may spit at us, but we don't have to spit back. Jesus didn't. In fact, He endured the spittle all the way to the cross, and there He won life for us.

I'm sure I have put smile on your face today.

Enjoy the remaining part of the day..

Rabbi

Good afternoon!
Rabbi

DO YOU BELIEVE I CAN DO THIS?

 Before you continue, please do me a favour. Can you read Matthew 9, 27-31? I will be happy if you do, so that you will follow my reflection here. By the way, hope you had a nice night rest.. 👍🏻👍🏻

Won't you rather think that Jesus would be very quick in attending to people's request because He came for this purpose, especially manifested in His healing ministry? Well, God's ways are not our ways and vice versa.. 😁😁

My beloved, am sure you have read the passage I gave you earlier and have heard that two blind men were following Jesus shouting: "Take pity on us, Son of David!" Good! 👍🏻👍🏻

Surprisingly, have you noticed that it was only when Jesus reached the house (verse 28) that the blind men came up to Him?😳😳 Now, ask yourself: Why didn't He attend to the two blind men immediately as He would usually do? Why did He make them  to follow Him all the way to the house even with their difficult condition?

Was Jesus being wicked to them? Did he just wanted to punish them? Was he enjoying the sound of their screaming? Was He a sadist?😳😳😭

Now, let me ask you this question: Have you ever passed through some challenges in life and you prayed to God to intervene immediately, and He delayed in answering your prayers? 😁😁😁

Don't worry, the experience of the two blind men would tell you that for prayers to be answered, it requires a combination of faith, perseverance and persistence. You're happy now! 😁😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😘

Today, as you prepare to begin this new day and to end this week, Jesus is also asking you this question: "Do you believe that I can do this?"😜

I want to hear your answer as

Today will be better for you. I love you from my heart😘😘😘

Rabbi