Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, one of the unfortunate things that has befallen some Christians in some parts of the world today, especially Africa, is the DELUSIONAL preaching/belief that everything good (including HEAVEN) would come to them only by shouting AMEN or I CLAIM it in JESUS NAME. Such belief can be best termed as LAZINESS. Indeed, things do not really work out that way. God HATES laziness. He wants us to be BUSY with positive WORKS; which, when we do that very well, with the love of God and neighbour, then we would not only be successful in this world but it would also fetch us HEAVEN at last.
Now, in case you do not know, the Church’s teaching lists LAZINESS (i.e Sloth) as one of the Seven Capital Vices (Sins). The other six are: Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Lust and Gluttony. To further explain how seriously SINFUL Laziness and the other six are, the Church teaches that: “They are called ‘Capital’ because they engender other SINS, other VICES” (cf. CCC n. 1866).
Remember that Jesus himself, in the parable of the TALENTS (Lazy Servant), told us how the master rewarded the hardworking servants and then PUNISHED the LAZY one (cf. Matt 25:14-30). The Catechism affirms the above teaching of Jesus Christ against laziness thus:
We know neither the moment of the consummation of the earth and of man, nor the way in which the universe will be transformed… “Far from DIMINISHING our CONCERN to DEVELOP this earth, the expectancy of a new earth should spur us on, for it is here that the body of a new human family grows, foreshadowing in some way the age which is to come (cf. CCC nn. 1048-1049).
Therefore, beloved friends, say NO to any minister who would always want you to be spending your supposed time for work/business in his church or Prayer ground. Please, there is time for everything! Remember that the Scripture equally made it very clear that: “Those who refuse to WORK should not EAT” (cf. 2 Thess 3:10).
We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼
Happy Sunday and remain blessed!
(CATECHESIS ‘NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE’ FOR THE 33RD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A);
READINGS: R1: Prov 31:10-13.19-20.30-31, R2: 1 Thess 5:1-6, Gosp. Matt 25:14-30)
