Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, the Prayer that our Master, Jesus Christ said in the Gospel (cf. Jn 17) is what has been identified by Christian Tradition as the ‘Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ‘. This prayer is all encompassing and defines a lot about what ought to be the *IDENTITY* of his followers (Christians) in their dealings with the TEMPORAL World (cf. CCC n. 2748).
👉🏼Among the important contents of this Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ is a reminder to his followers that: *‘They are NOT of the WORLD’* (cf . Jn 17:14,16). The above is as important as anything you and I can imagine. *Indeed, a CHRISTIAN loses his/her IDENTITY and begins to face CRISIS immediately he/she loses the consciousness that ‘He/she is NOT of the WORLD’.* The MORAL confusion and DISUNITY we have in Christianity today is because a number of Christian leaders, ministers and their followers *want to BELONG to the WORLD*; which is contrary to what Jesus Christ wants from us. *Truly, the WORLD offers pleasures that are CONTRARY to heavenly aspiration* (cf. 1 Jn 2:15-17).
But what do we mean when we talk about *‘the WORLD?’*
The Catechism gives us a beautiful answer to the above thus:
By the WORLD I mean the FALSE maxims of the world and the society of those who love the VANITIES, RICHES and PLEASURES of this world better than God (cf. CCD n. 350).
Jesus himself gives us a serious warning against the WORLD thus: “For how does it benefit a man, if he GAINS the whole WORLD, yet truly SUFFERS damage to his soul?…” (cf. Matt 16:26).
We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼
Happy Sunday and remain blessed!
(cf. CATECHESIS “NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE”FOR THE 7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER (B)
READINGS: R1 Acts 1:15-17, 20a.20c-26, R2 1 Jn 4:11-16, Gosp. Jn 17:11b-19)
