DAILY CHEWING STICK FOR TUESDAY OF THE 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, 1ST MARCH 2022(1 Peter 1:10-16; Mark 10:28-31)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good Morning and Happy New Month of MARCH My Dearest FRIENDS.
As we begin this 3rd Month of the Year, the BLESSINGS and FAVOUS of the BLESSED TRINITY, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit SHALL DWELL AND ABIDE IN YOU AND YOURS. AMEN.
Our help is in the name of the Lord…
Who made HEAVEN and EARTH.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
LET US PRAY: God of love and mercy, the night has passed and A NEW DAY AND A NEW MONTH have begun. As we begin, we come to You for STRENGTH, DIRECTION AND BOUNTIFUL FAVOURS.
Give us strength to love our friends and enemies alike.
Give us strength to give a helping hand when and where it is needed ESPECIALLY AS WE GO INTO LENTEN SEASON TOMORROW.
Give us strength to tell the truth even when it is difficult to do so.
Give us strength to do our best in our work.
Give us strength to see you and serve you in our neighbour this day.
God of love and mercy, we hope in you for success. Grant that this FIRST DAY OF THE NEW MONTH WHICH WE BEGIN IN YOUR NAME, MAY THROUGH YOU BE BROUGHT TO A HAPPY END. AMEN.
Dear Lord, in this New Month, we beg you to HEAL our sick ones, grant SAFETY to travellers, provide for the NEEDY, grant success to all who will write one exam/interview or the other, Have Mercy and Bless us in Nigeria, Restore Peace in Ukraine and Russia, Console and Comfort the SORROWFUL and those living in Fears and grant SUCCESS TO THE WORKS OF OUR HANDS. Amen.
My Dear Friends, let me begin by asking us this question please.
A DAY before any special event or occasion in your life, HOW DO YOU FEEL AND HOW PREPARED ARE YOU?
For instance, a DAY before your Wedding or Ordination, Anniversary, Graduation, Birthday, Exam/Promotional Interview, etc!
TWO THINGS at least cut across almost everyone if I’m not mistaken: ANXIETY & PREPAREDNESS.
Am I right? If Yes, then, let me ask again: TODAY is a DAY before ASH WEDNESDAY, the beginning of LENTEN SEASON 2022; HOW ANXIOUS AND PREPARED ARE YOU?
Brethren, today’s DAILY CHEWING STICK should be part of our PREPARATIONS and it could better be called EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE DAILY CHEWING STICK!
We can take a little time out to ask ourselves:
1. IS THERE ANY BIG DEAL ABOUT LENT FOR ME AS A CHRISTIAN/CATHOLIC?
2. SO MANY LENTEN SEASONS HAVE COME AND GONE, YES, IT’S AN ANNUAL THING; BUT HOW HAVE I BEEN SPENDING THESE HOLY AND SACRED 40 DAYS OF PRAYERS, FASTING AND ALMS GIVING?
3. HAVE I EVER TAKEN IT SERIOUSLY AND DID IT IMPACT SOMETHING NEW IN MY LIFE?
4. IS LENT FOR ME ONLY GOING TO CHURCH TO RECEIVE THE ASH ON ASH WEDNESDAY AND COMING BACK ON GOOD FRIDAY TO WATCH THE DRAMA OF HOW “MY SINS” KILLED AND NAILED JESUS ON THE CROSS?
5. AM I REALLY SORRY NOT TO HAVE TAKEN THE PAST LENTEN SEASONS SERIOUSLY BUT WANT TO DO MY BEST THIS YEAR BY HIS GRACE?
Dearly Beloved Family of Daily Chewing, Our Gospel Raading today talks about SACRIFICES AND REWARD. And incidentally, LENT IS A TIME OF GREAT AND MEANINGFUL SACRIFICES WHICH SURELY WILL BE REWARDED BY GOD.
Do you know that ALL THE APOSTLES made huge sacrifices because of REWARD?
MATTHEW was slain by a sword.
MARK expired in Alexandria after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that city.
LUKE was hanged.
JOHN was put in a cauldron of boiling oil.
PETER was crucified.
JAMES THE ELDER was beheaded.
JAMES THE YOUNGER was thrown from the lofty Pinnacle of the temple.
BARTHOLOMEW was flayed and and beheaded alive at the command of the Armenian king Astyages.
BARNABAS was stoned to death.
PAUL was tortured and beheaded.
ALL OF THEM GAVE THEIR LIVES BELIEVING IN THE REWARD OF ETERNAL LIFE CHRIST PROMISED THEM AS SEEN IN THE GOSPEL OF TODAY (Mk 10:30).
My Dear Daily Chewing Family, What about YOU and ME, do we also believe in REWARD?
DO YOU KNOW THAT FOR EVERY PRAYERS YOU OFFER THIS LENT, YOU WILL BE REWARD?
DO YOU KNOW THAT THOSE MOMENTS OF YOUR LENTEN FAST WILL NOT GO UNREWARDED?
DO YOU ALSO KNOW THAT FOR EVERY ACT OF CHARITY AND ALMS YOU DO THIS PERIOD ATTRACTS HANDSOME REWARD FROM GOD?
Don’t you know that after the Cross comes the Crown; after Weeping comes the Song of Thanksgiving; after the Night of Sorrow follows a Glorious Dawn?
The Lord will REPAY us in SEVENFOLD. The number SEVEN refers to PLENITUDE.
Reflect on this while I wish you Happy Ash Wednesday in advance!!!
1. WITH GREAT SACRIFICE COMES GREAT REWARD.
2. NEVER FORGET WHO HELPED YOU OUT WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS MAKING EXCUSES.
3. SWEAT PLUS SACRIFICE EQUALS TO SUCCESS.
4. AS WE GIVE, WE FIND OUT THAT SACRIFICE BRINGS FORTH THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN. AND IN THE END, WE LEARN IT WAS NO SACRIFICE AT ALL.
5. MAKE A SACRIFICE TO THE LORD…AND THEN BE PREPARED TO BE SURPRISED.
GOD IS A GREAT COMPENSATOR.
Note Please: Have you gone to drop the DRY PALMS used on PALM SUNDAY in Church? Remember that you took them home, so take them to Church today for burning to be used for the ASH tomorrow.
THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW MONTH OF MARCH.
Rev. Fr. Francis Uchechukwu Onugha
(Fada Kosi Much)
