Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, one of the dangerous PRESUMPTIONS of a number of Christians is that with Baptism, they have already secured a permanent position in heaven which nothing would ever take away from them. The above presumption can only lead to an unfortunate end.
Now, with BAPTISM, we have actually secured an initial position/ticket to Heaven but so long as we still live in this world that is full of sins, we are expected to continuously RENEW this initial position through DAILY CONVERSION (i.e. rejection of sins and practice of virtues). It is in explaining the above that the Catechism talks about: ‘The WATER of Baptism and the TEARS of Repentance. While the former is once and for all, the latter is ONGOING (cf. CCC n. 1429). Thus, the Catechism affirms: “Christ’s call to CONVERSION continues to resound in the lives of Christians. This SECOND Conversion is an UNINTERRUPTED task for the whole Church…” (cf. CCC n. 1428, Mk 1:15).
What the above reminds us is simply this: You and I should NEVER RELAX in our daily struggle to enter through the narrow gate that leads to Life/Heaven (cf. Matt 7:13-14). Again, pastors, ministers, evangelists, etc. should not continue to give the people FALSE hope of ARRIVAL. Instead, like Jesus Christ, they should always call the people to a DAILY CONVERSION, without which, no eyes shall see God (cf. Mk 1:15, Lk 13:3, Jonah 3:1-5.10).
We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼
(cf. CATECHESIS ‘NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE’ FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME (SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (B);
READINGS: R1: Jonah 3:1-5.10, R2: 1 Cor 7:29-31, Gosp. Mk 14-20)
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Do you still have and study your HOLY SCRIPTURES/BIBLE? Remember the words of St. Jerome thus: “IGNORANCE of the Scriptures is ignorance of CHRIST.”
Happy Sunday and remain blessed!
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