“Do not set your heart on your wealth, nor say, “I have enough.” Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart. Do not say, “Who will have power over me?” or “Who will bring me down because of my deeds?” for God will surely punish you. Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Most High is slow to anger.”
Excerpt, First Reading, Thursday 27th February 2025 – SIRACH 5:1-8.
So, very often we blatantly commit sin and since nothing happens to us immediately afterwards, we feel that we supposedly go away with it. Therefore, over time, we have been emboldened.
We have even witnessed situations where people who are outrightly bad, yet they keep prospering.
My dear friend, today’s teaching is cautioning us never to get comfortable in sinning.
As rainfall do not discriminate where it falls but falls on every roof and every farm land, so, all farms are nourished with enough water.
Some of us may so foolishly come to the assumption that God is oblivious of our sinful ways. So, we become comfortable in them.
Remember what the scriptures say about sinning, that no sin goes unpunished” meaning, every wrongdoing will eventually face negative consequences, implying that no bad action will go without some form of retribution, whether in this life or the next. “Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished.” – PROVERBS 11:21.
Take a look at this, no matter how much God loved King David and declared that David is a man after his heart, when David sinned, God sent Prophet Nathan to tell him of his coming retribution. All happened to David and his family as God instructed Nathan to tell him.
My dear friend, though, God is patient and slow to act, we mustn’t glory in sin and get comfortable in it.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
27th February 2025.
Who Am I
“Who do men say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Thursday 20th February 2025 – MARK 8:27-33.
So, before attempting to answer the question Christ put to his apostles or getting to ask the same question about ourselves to our friends, we must first ask ourselves the same question, “Who am I?”
The “Who am I” question is a very pertinent one.
This is very crucial because, some of us have several personalities, such that, sometimes they tend to even confused us.
A man who is not only revered but equally feared by is loving family would outside be called baby by some little girl about the age of his last child or even younger. Such a girl would be rubbing her hand on his head and ordering him around like some puppet master.
Only for the same man to return home and continue assuming that tough, stern faced husband and father.
Look at the former CBN Governor, while not saying he is guilty of the charges levelled against him in the courts of law, however, who ever knew that he also has the personality he now displays whenever it is his day in court?
Dude now clutches a very big book that looks like the Holy Bible.
If one tenth of the charges brought against him in court are true, then one will have cause to doubt if the book he clutches were a Bible.
And, if it truly were the Holy Bible, one would be compelled to ask if he has always had that personality of reading the Holy Bible, or, he only gleaned it in the course of his incarceration and trials?
My dear friend, if while at home, at the church, on the street, at the places where we earn our livelihood we maintain the same personality, then, we know who we are.
Then, we can also proudly and confidently say who Christ is, at least even if not to the world, but to us.
Dear friend, when in your closet today, ask yourself , “Who am I” and be sincere to yourself in giving the answer.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
20th February 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Thursday 20th February 2025 – MARK 8:27-33.
So, before attempting to answer the question Christ put to his apostles or getting to ask the same question about ourselves to our friends, we must first ask ourselves the same question, “Who am I?”
The “Who am I” question is a very pertinent one.
This is very crucial because, some of us have several personalities, such that, sometimes they tend to even confused us.
A man who is not only revered but equally feared by is loving family would outside be called baby by some little girl about the age of his last child or even younger. Such a girl would be rubbing her hand on his head and ordering him around like some puppet master.
Only for the same man to return home and continue assuming that tough, stern faced husband and father.
Look at the former CBN Governor, while not saying he is guilty of the charges levelled against him in the courts of law, however, who ever knew that he also has the personality he now displays whenever it is his day in court?
Dude now clutches a very big book that looks like the Holy Bible.
If one tenth of the charges brought against him in court are true, then one will have cause to doubt if the book he clutches were a Bible.
And, if it truly were the Holy Bible, one would be compelled to ask if he has always had that personality of reading the Holy Bible, or, he only gleaned it in the course of his incarceration and trials?
My dear friend, if while at home, at the church, on the street, at the places where we earn our livelihood we maintain the same personality, then, we know who we are.
Then, we can also proudly and confidently say who Christ is, at least even if not to the world, but to us.
Dear friend, when in your closet today, ask yourself , “Who am I” and be sincere to yourself in giving the answer.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
20th February 2025.
Are We Not All Disabled?
“Jesus and the disciples came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man, and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Wednesday 19th February 2025 – MARK 8:22-26.
So, today’s teaching underscores yet again the need to have and maintain cordial interpersonal relationships.
If one has a form of disability and they depend on others for their sustenance, it is foolhardy for such a person to be a harsh and difficult person to be with.
Just assuming the blind man in today’s teaching were some kind of a toughie, is it very likely that he would have had people who will graciously agree to lead him to Christ?
Assuming again, that this blind was very wealthy, however, he was also a bad and difficult person, despite his money, wouldn’t people be weary of wanting to associate with him?
Funny enough, thinking about this, who among us doesn’t have one form of disability or the other?
Since no man is an island, do we not all have one need or another that we require each other for something?
Even with all our wealth, once we are blind, we yet need someone who will hold us by the hand.
One who has a very expensive car, but the tempo of work or the exigencies of life make it inconvenient to drive that car and they require a driver, as far as that aspect of their is concerned, they are disabled (blind) and they need someone (a driver) to hold them by the hand. We must treat that driver well.
My dear friend, having and maintaining a cordial interpersonal relationship with each other is worth very much more than having all the money in the world.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
19th Feb. 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Wednesday 19th February 2025 – MARK 8:22-26.
So, today’s teaching underscores yet again the need to have and maintain cordial interpersonal relationships.
If one has a form of disability and they depend on others for their sustenance, it is foolhardy for such a person to be a harsh and difficult person to be with.
Just assuming the blind man in today’s teaching were some kind of a toughie, is it very likely that he would have had people who will graciously agree to lead him to Christ?
Assuming again, that this blind was very wealthy, however, he was also a bad and difficult person, despite his money, wouldn’t people be weary of wanting to associate with him?
Funny enough, thinking about this, who among us doesn’t have one form of disability or the other?
Since no man is an island, do we not all have one need or another that we require each other for something?
Even with all our wealth, once we are blind, we yet need someone who will hold us by the hand.
One who has a very expensive car, but the tempo of work or the exigencies of life make it inconvenient to drive that car and they require a driver, as far as that aspect of their is concerned, they are disabled (blind) and they need someone (a driver) to hold them by the hand. We must treat that driver well.
My dear friend, having and maintaining a cordial interpersonal relationship with each other is worth very much more than having all the money in the world.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
19th Feb. 2025.
God Sees Beyond the Outwards
“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought some of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.”
Excerpt, First Reading, Monday 17th February 2025 – GENESIS 4:1-15.25.
So, today’s teaching is about giving, charity and thanksgiving.
God doesn’t see the way we mortals do, He sees the heart.
Two people could come for thanksgiving, one would come with a cow and the other with a chicken.
It is only God Who sees and knows the heart of these two individuals that can tell and bless accordingly.
Now, lets look at these situations and juxtapose them one to another.
The man bearing a cow, he could be capable of presenting 100 cows and he wouldn’t be shaken as God has so blessed him.
Therefore, he comes to the altar joyfully presenting one cow to God with all good intent, purpose and sincerity. He may have set aside a fraction from his abundance to positively impart other people’s lives away from the church.
Alternatively, the man’s aim of presenting a live cow in thanksgiving to God could be just to flaunt the wealth freely given to him by God. This may be just so that anyone who cares to notice may realise that he has arrived.
The man who presents a chicken in thanksgiving to God may be doing so with all good intent and purpose.
With the way prices of items have so increased in the market, the cost of buying that chicken could be a good fraction from his monthly income.
The chicken may even possibly be the man’s only domestic animal at home that he has taken to offer to God.
Alternatively, that man can afford a whole poultry farm of chickens to offer to God in thanksgiving.
However, the man could be giving so niggardly because he doesn’t want anyone who cares to notice that he has very much.
His purpose may just be so that those who took notice of his quantum of gift may not come begging at the gate of his house.
Abobi, God no force anybody make e give am anything o. God no go hungry if we no give am. Him no come down from heaven come beg anybodi make dem give am.
Come to think of it, whatever we have or we think we possess has been given to us freely by God.
Then again, if we think we now have so much and we want the world to know and acknowledge us, then we can go and be like Aliko Dangote.
Dangote conquered the business in cement, sugar and went into petroleum and conquered it too. Just as if that’s not enough, he ventured into automobile manufacturing.
Dangote Peugeot Automobile (DPAN) has commence manufacturing Peugeot 3008 GT SUV as well as pickup vans and other vehicles in Kaduna.
My dear friend, the only way that people will know that you have arrived and they will feel the impart of the arrival of your wealth is when such wealth positively impart their lives. Just like Dangote.
Well, that is why God looked favourably at the offerings made by Abel and looked down on that made by his brother Cain.
Have a fantastic day and a fulfilled week folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
17th February 2025.
Excerpt, First Reading, Monday 17th February 2025 – GENESIS 4:1-15.25.
So, today’s teaching is about giving, charity and thanksgiving.
God doesn’t see the way we mortals do, He sees the heart.
Two people could come for thanksgiving, one would come with a cow and the other with a chicken.
It is only God Who sees and knows the heart of these two individuals that can tell and bless accordingly.
Now, lets look at these situations and juxtapose them one to another.
The man bearing a cow, he could be capable of presenting 100 cows and he wouldn’t be shaken as God has so blessed him.
Therefore, he comes to the altar joyfully presenting one cow to God with all good intent, purpose and sincerity. He may have set aside a fraction from his abundance to positively impart other people’s lives away from the church.
Alternatively, the man’s aim of presenting a live cow in thanksgiving to God could be just to flaunt the wealth freely given to him by God. This may be just so that anyone who cares to notice may realise that he has arrived.
The man who presents a chicken in thanksgiving to God may be doing so with all good intent and purpose.
With the way prices of items have so increased in the market, the cost of buying that chicken could be a good fraction from his monthly income.
The chicken may even possibly be the man’s only domestic animal at home that he has taken to offer to God.
Alternatively, that man can afford a whole poultry farm of chickens to offer to God in thanksgiving.
However, the man could be giving so niggardly because he doesn’t want anyone who cares to notice that he has very much.
His purpose may just be so that those who took notice of his quantum of gift may not come begging at the gate of his house.
Abobi, God no force anybody make e give am anything o. God no go hungry if we no give am. Him no come down from heaven come beg anybodi make dem give am.
Come to think of it, whatever we have or we think we possess has been given to us freely by God.
Then again, if we think we now have so much and we want the world to know and acknowledge us, then we can go and be like Aliko Dangote.
Dangote conquered the business in cement, sugar and went into petroleum and conquered it too. Just as if that’s not enough, he ventured into automobile manufacturing.
Dangote Peugeot Automobile (DPAN) has commence manufacturing Peugeot 3008 GT SUV as well as pickup vans and other vehicles in Kaduna.
My dear friend, the only way that people will know that you have arrived and they will feel the impart of the arrival of your wealth is when such wealth positively impart their lives. Just like Dangote.
Well, that is why God looked favourably at the offerings made by Abel and looked down on that made by his brother Cain.
Have a fantastic day and a fulfilled week folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
17th February 2025.
Steer Clear
“Did God say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Friday 14th February 2025 – GENESIS 3:1-8.
So, my dear friend, today’s teaching is a fine example of what is said in the Holy Bible, “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” – PROVERBS 9;17.
However, in the secular world, the above Bible verse is corrupted to read, “Stolen kisses, just like stolen bread, are said to be the sweetest.”
There are over 2,000 fruit bearing trees and shrubs in the world.
Apple alone is said to have a range of over 30,000 varieties.
Now, there’s also mango, cashew, pomegranates, etc.
Each of these fruits have their different species and varieties.
So, if a man lives to be 150 years old. If as a child of 7 years old he decides to start tasting a variety of a particular fruit daily. Tasting each variety a day. That man would not have tasted all the fruits before passing away.
Nevertheless, at the end of such a wonderful exercise, it would amaze him to find out that all the variety of each of the fruits either taste the same or almost the same.
Now, imagine the above scenario and juxtapose it with what played out between the serpent and Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
There are all these trees, each in different shapes, forms, colours and several varieties. However, it is only the very single one that does not have any variety, fenced away with deathly prohibitions around it that became the most alluring to taste. After all, have we not said, stolen kisses, just like stolen bread are the sweetest?
The world population is estimated to be about 8 billion people, this is as of 2023. Of this estimate around the world, 4.05 billion are men and 4.01 billion are women existing on Earth.
Of this population estimate, there are more men in prison than women. There are more men at war front than women. Also, there are more celibate religious who are males than females.
Nonetheless, the humongous population, for those destined for marriage, a woman is destined for a man. Almost at par of one man to a woman.
Therefore, no matter how alluring, enticing and gracious another man’s woman or a woman’s man may be, they have since become that forbidden fruit fenced away.
Despite their availability, they have been consecrated to a particular woman or man. Steer clear!
My dear friend, the worse harm one can do first to themselves, second to themselves and thirdly to themselves is seeking someone else’s wife.
Dear friend, be wise!
Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
14th February 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Friday 14th February 2025 – GENESIS 3:1-8.
So, my dear friend, today’s teaching is a fine example of what is said in the Holy Bible, “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” – PROVERBS 9;17.
However, in the secular world, the above Bible verse is corrupted to read, “Stolen kisses, just like stolen bread, are said to be the sweetest.”
There are over 2,000 fruit bearing trees and shrubs in the world.
Apple alone is said to have a range of over 30,000 varieties.
Now, there’s also mango, cashew, pomegranates, etc.
Each of these fruits have their different species and varieties.
So, if a man lives to be 150 years old. If as a child of 7 years old he decides to start tasting a variety of a particular fruit daily. Tasting each variety a day. That man would not have tasted all the fruits before passing away.
Nevertheless, at the end of such a wonderful exercise, it would amaze him to find out that all the variety of each of the fruits either taste the same or almost the same.
Now, imagine the above scenario and juxtapose it with what played out between the serpent and Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
There are all these trees, each in different shapes, forms, colours and several varieties. However, it is only the very single one that does not have any variety, fenced away with deathly prohibitions around it that became the most alluring to taste. After all, have we not said, stolen kisses, just like stolen bread are the sweetest?
The world population is estimated to be about 8 billion people, this is as of 2023. Of this estimate around the world, 4.05 billion are men and 4.01 billion are women existing on Earth.
Of this population estimate, there are more men in prison than women. There are more men at war front than women. Also, there are more celibate religious who are males than females.
Nonetheless, the humongous population, for those destined for marriage, a woman is destined for a man. Almost at par of one man to a woman.
Therefore, no matter how alluring, enticing and gracious another man’s woman or a woman’s man may be, they have since become that forbidden fruit fenced away.
Despite their availability, they have been consecrated to a particular woman or man. Steer clear!
My dear friend, the worse harm one can do first to themselves, second to themselves and thirdly to themselves is seeking someone else’s wife.
Dear friend, be wise!
Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
14th February 2025.
To Be Discerning
“Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Thursday 13th February 2025 – MARK 7:24-30.
So, did Christ really made reference to the Syrophoenician woman to a dog?
Christ referencing her to a dog (as that was how Gentiles were called then) is equally offensive to a Caucasian in present day USA calling someone from African American descend a nigger.
Yet, she remained resolute and restrained herself from getting into a tirade of rants.
Some of us would be like, “Abeg! Abeg! Abeg! Make you match break there. Wetin dey worry you sef? No this small miracle wey I beg you to work for my pikin nahim go make you to come dey insult me any how. This foreigner like you.”
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” – PROVERBS 15:1.
The woman was persistent, wise, discerning, gentle and humble. And upon all, she was trusting and believing.
At the end, did she get what she wanted? Of course she did.
Christ Jesus was impressed by her sterling qualities including her faith and persistence.
Remember my dear friend, a gentle answer turns away wrath.
Although, to some, we may come across as cowards or easy pushovers.
Nevertheless, it must not be lost on us that, more often than not, it is mostly deep thinking and discerning people who are capable of returning a gentle answer even to the most gross provocations.
Dear friend, be suitably and properly informed.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
-Akase F. Agabo
13th February 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Thursday 13th February 2025 – MARK 7:24-30.
So, did Christ really made reference to the Syrophoenician woman to a dog?
Christ referencing her to a dog (as that was how Gentiles were called then) is equally offensive to a Caucasian in present day USA calling someone from African American descend a nigger.
Yet, she remained resolute and restrained herself from getting into a tirade of rants.
Some of us would be like, “Abeg! Abeg! Abeg! Make you match break there. Wetin dey worry you sef? No this small miracle wey I beg you to work for my pikin nahim go make you to come dey insult me any how. This foreigner like you.”
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” – PROVERBS 15:1.
The woman was persistent, wise, discerning, gentle and humble. And upon all, she was trusting and believing.
At the end, did she get what she wanted? Of course she did.
Christ Jesus was impressed by her sterling qualities including her faith and persistence.
Remember my dear friend, a gentle answer turns away wrath.
Although, to some, we may come across as cowards or easy pushovers.
Nevertheless, it must not be lost on us that, more often than not, it is mostly deep thinking and discerning people who are capable of returning a gentle answer even to the most gross provocations.
Dear friend, be suitably and properly informed.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
-Akase F. Agabo
13th February 2025.
To Mind Our Thoughts
“What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and they defile a man.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Wednesday 12th February 2025 – MARK 7:14-23.
So, while growing up, we go from one mango tree to another. When we pluck the mangoes, the most we do if the fruit is dusty, we will just wipe it with our shirt and immediately start consuming it.
Who even thinks of washing the fruit first before consumption, to ever think that we will also have to first wash our hands.
If we eat food without washing our hands, worst case scenario, one will get stomach ache for a bit which can be possibly cured by taking ampicillins if at all.
Now, if someone sitting or standing closer to us, while trying to open a sachet of table water mistakenly spills the water and part of it spills on us. We may react differently. Some of us may blurt out and say, “What the hell!” Someone else may say, “Are you blind or something.”
Subsequently they may calm down, especially when the offender shows remorse.
Whereas, some of us may just wave it away knowing very well that it wasn’t deliberate.
However, if one looks at a fellow human being, created in the image and likeness of God and says to them, “You fool” irrespective of whether they offended us or not. Then, we are guilty of terribly sinning.
In the first scenario, though still not excusable, our actions could be explained away as reflex action to a sudden occurrence.
However, in the second scenerio, we looked the person in the face, evaluated our words and chose those that would be most hurting and insulting enough before blurting them out.
Dear friend, our action above is not different from one who inflated a budget, took the extra funds and pocketed them. Neither is it different from one who took their pen and wrote a libellous account of another.
This is so because, we first carefully considered what we want to do before going ahead to do it. That is why Christ in today’s teaching says such is unclean.
It is only from an unclean heart that such a vile can proceed. It is like a society where everyone is corrupt, from among them also will there leader proceed. Would he be otherwise?
Therefore, we must watch our thoughts, because, they become words. Words become actions. Our actions become our habits and habits become character. Character they say, forms our destiny.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
12th February 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Wednesday 12th February 2025 – MARK 7:14-23.
So, while growing up, we go from one mango tree to another. When we pluck the mangoes, the most we do if the fruit is dusty, we will just wipe it with our shirt and immediately start consuming it.
Who even thinks of washing the fruit first before consumption, to ever think that we will also have to first wash our hands.
If we eat food without washing our hands, worst case scenario, one will get stomach ache for a bit which can be possibly cured by taking ampicillins if at all.
Now, if someone sitting or standing closer to us, while trying to open a sachet of table water mistakenly spills the water and part of it spills on us. We may react differently. Some of us may blurt out and say, “What the hell!” Someone else may say, “Are you blind or something.”
Subsequently they may calm down, especially when the offender shows remorse.
Whereas, some of us may just wave it away knowing very well that it wasn’t deliberate.
However, if one looks at a fellow human being, created in the image and likeness of God and says to them, “You fool” irrespective of whether they offended us or not. Then, we are guilty of terribly sinning.
In the first scenario, though still not excusable, our actions could be explained away as reflex action to a sudden occurrence.
However, in the second scenerio, we looked the person in the face, evaluated our words and chose those that would be most hurting and insulting enough before blurting them out.
Dear friend, our action above is not different from one who inflated a budget, took the extra funds and pocketed them. Neither is it different from one who took their pen and wrote a libellous account of another.
This is so because, we first carefully considered what we want to do before going ahead to do it. That is why Christ in today’s teaching says such is unclean.
It is only from an unclean heart that such a vile can proceed. It is like a society where everyone is corrupt, from among them also will there leader proceed. Would he be otherwise?
Therefore, we must watch our thoughts, because, they become words. Words become actions. Our actions become our habits and habits become character. Character they say, forms our destiny.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
12th February 2025.
Let Love Lead
“Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. ’ You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Tuesday 11th February 2025 – MARK 7:1-13.
So, at Mass, while the lector was taking the first proclamation for that day, one of the women in the choir, her baby suddenly started crying. Albeit, quite loudly.
The officiating Priest at that Mass, who also happens to be the Parish Priest, wasted no time, he charged from his seat like a vexatious wounded lion.
There was fire brimming from his eyes and his voice shrieking, betraying a venomous countenance. The whole scenario was quite damning.
He bellowed from his position at the sanctuary, ordering the woman, “Take that child out of the Church!”
These women, when the sing with their piercing enlivening voices and play their local musical instruments, with the way they gesticulate, even if one does not understand a single word from the language they sing in, one would not help but be equally enchanted.
Their singing and music is capable of bringing back life to a drooping spirit.
To one who is encapsulated by the worries of this world and is only bodily present at Mass, the music and singing of these women are enough to jostle such a soul back to reality.
One will hardly be at Mass and not be positively imparted by the Zumuntan Mata Choir.
It is the vivacious spirit of an equally vivacious soul that was going to be quenched just for the wailing of what is in actuality a blessing from God. Her child.
Granted, the shrieks of a baby at that part of the Mass could be so frustrating. But if we tend to be that mad at it, then, it would be rather that babies are not brought to church.
The rule stipulated at most of our worship centres is that, when children are crying, they should be taken outside. This is just so that other worshippers will not be distracted.
Nevertheless, the primary and most important reason for the convening of a worshipping community is for love and to share and participate in the outpouring of the unmerited love of the Almighty Father unto us.
Therefore, if not less a person, than the chief shepherd of such a congregation is so angered and left at the mercies of his emotions, even rudely interrupting the ongoing proclamation, what would the sheep take home? He should and must be empathetic and be the foremost in showing good example.
It is such encapsulating uncontrollable cease of emotions that cause most free-for-all and jungle justice.
My dear friend, we must learn to take charge of our emotions.
Before the Almighty Father, we are all one. It is just posterity and the privileges of society that temporary place one ahead of another. We must respect humanity and let love lead.
Dear friend, there is a difference between criticism and criticising. There is also a wide gap between correcting and attacking. There is also a difference between approach and confrontation. Just like there is a difference between advice and order and mocking.
Granted, rules and regulations are for us and for our good, but we must implement them with a human face.
Sometimes, we lie to ourselves that some people, that is the only language they understand.
Well, it will remain quite pleasing to us treating others as such, while we also enjoy seeing them been yelled at like animals until the tables turn on us.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
11th February 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Tuesday 11th February 2025 – MARK 7:1-13.
So, at Mass, while the lector was taking the first proclamation for that day, one of the women in the choir, her baby suddenly started crying. Albeit, quite loudly.
The officiating Priest at that Mass, who also happens to be the Parish Priest, wasted no time, he charged from his seat like a vexatious wounded lion.
There was fire brimming from his eyes and his voice shrieking, betraying a venomous countenance. The whole scenario was quite damning.
He bellowed from his position at the sanctuary, ordering the woman, “Take that child out of the Church!”
These women, when the sing with their piercing enlivening voices and play their local musical instruments, with the way they gesticulate, even if one does not understand a single word from the language they sing in, one would not help but be equally enchanted.
Their singing and music is capable of bringing back life to a drooping spirit.
To one who is encapsulated by the worries of this world and is only bodily present at Mass, the music and singing of these women are enough to jostle such a soul back to reality.
One will hardly be at Mass and not be positively imparted by the Zumuntan Mata Choir.
It is the vivacious spirit of an equally vivacious soul that was going to be quenched just for the wailing of what is in actuality a blessing from God. Her child.
Granted, the shrieks of a baby at that part of the Mass could be so frustrating. But if we tend to be that mad at it, then, it would be rather that babies are not brought to church.
The rule stipulated at most of our worship centres is that, when children are crying, they should be taken outside. This is just so that other worshippers will not be distracted.
Nevertheless, the primary and most important reason for the convening of a worshipping community is for love and to share and participate in the outpouring of the unmerited love of the Almighty Father unto us.
Therefore, if not less a person, than the chief shepherd of such a congregation is so angered and left at the mercies of his emotions, even rudely interrupting the ongoing proclamation, what would the sheep take home? He should and must be empathetic and be the foremost in showing good example.
It is such encapsulating uncontrollable cease of emotions that cause most free-for-all and jungle justice.
My dear friend, we must learn to take charge of our emotions.
Before the Almighty Father, we are all one. It is just posterity and the privileges of society that temporary place one ahead of another. We must respect humanity and let love lead.
Dear friend, there is a difference between criticism and criticising. There is also a wide gap between correcting and attacking. There is also a difference between approach and confrontation. Just like there is a difference between advice and order and mocking.
Granted, rules and regulations are for us and for our good, but we must implement them with a human face.
Sometimes, we lie to ourselves that some people, that is the only language they understand.
Well, it will remain quite pleasing to us treating others as such, while we also enjoy seeing them been yelled at like animals until the tables turn on us.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
11th February 2025.
Created to Further Creation Cause
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”
Excerpt, First Reading, Monday 10th February 2025 – GENESIS 1:1-19.
So, the whole world was created just by the word of the mouth. It was by mere speech that the world was created by God.
The Almighty God said, let there be light. And there was light. Let be there be this, let there be that. And it was so.
Have you ever been to a wedding? Not the wedding reception. What i mean is the Church rites itself, where the man and the woman are joined together to become one.
Very well, then. That wedding rites should give us a semblance of what happened at creation.
We will notice that, during weddings, there are no actual chains that bind the couple together or threads that sew them.
It is just the mere proclamation of the words by the parties as well as the officiating minister that creates the whole institution of marriage.
We must be aware, that both or any of the parties can opt to discontinue with the planned union at any point during the marriage ceremony.
Even when the rings have been blessed and handed over to each of them.
The officiating minister as well as the sponsors/ witnesses require only two confirmations. One from each of the couples.
The confirmation is, “With this ring, I wed you.”
Now, even if there are no rings. Of course, if the couple want rings, they can get them later and have them blessed, if they want to.
The wedding will still be valid even if there are no rings. Each of the party just have to make this confirmation, “I wed you.” That’s all.
Afterwards, the minister makes the final popular proclamation, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, no man can put asunder.”
Dear friend, as we can see, they are just mere words. Nothing else.
So, it is with the words we say to ourselves and at our neighbour, which also include our children.
My dear friend, we must be careful how we use words. Words have power. Remember what the scriptures say, “We are made in the image and likeness of God.” – GENESIS 1:26-27.
The Holy Bible says, “The power of life and death is in the tongue.” – PROVERBS 18:21.
My dear friend, God spoke creation into being and saw that it was good and blessed it. We, too, should ensure that all that proceeds from our mouth is to further the cause of creation and to bless.
WE MUST CONTROL OUR EMOTIONS AND THINK FIRST BEFORE BLURTING OUT.
Have a fantastic day and a blessed and fulfilled week.
#SAINT_SCHOLATICA! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
10th February 2025.
Excerpt, First Reading, Monday 10th February 2025 – GENESIS 1:1-19.
So, the whole world was created just by the word of the mouth. It was by mere speech that the world was created by God.
The Almighty God said, let there be light. And there was light. Let be there be this, let there be that. And it was so.
Have you ever been to a wedding? Not the wedding reception. What i mean is the Church rites itself, where the man and the woman are joined together to become one.
Very well, then. That wedding rites should give us a semblance of what happened at creation.
We will notice that, during weddings, there are no actual chains that bind the couple together or threads that sew them.
It is just the mere proclamation of the words by the parties as well as the officiating minister that creates the whole institution of marriage.
We must be aware, that both or any of the parties can opt to discontinue with the planned union at any point during the marriage ceremony.
Even when the rings have been blessed and handed over to each of them.
The officiating minister as well as the sponsors/ witnesses require only two confirmations. One from each of the couples.
The confirmation is, “With this ring, I wed you.”
Now, even if there are no rings. Of course, if the couple want rings, they can get them later and have them blessed, if they want to.
The wedding will still be valid even if there are no rings. Each of the party just have to make this confirmation, “I wed you.” That’s all.
Afterwards, the minister makes the final popular proclamation, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, no man can put asunder.”
Dear friend, as we can see, they are just mere words. Nothing else.
So, it is with the words we say to ourselves and at our neighbour, which also include our children.
My dear friend, we must be careful how we use words. Words have power. Remember what the scriptures say, “We are made in the image and likeness of God.” – GENESIS 1:26-27.
The Holy Bible says, “The power of life and death is in the tongue.” – PROVERBS 18:21.
My dear friend, God spoke creation into being and saw that it was good and blessed it. We, too, should ensure that all that proceeds from our mouth is to further the cause of creation and to bless.
WE MUST CONTROL OUR EMOTIONS AND THINK FIRST BEFORE BLURTING OUT.
Have a fantastic day and a blessed and fulfilled week.
#SAINT_SCHOLATICA! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
10th February 2025.
To Be Contented.
But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. . . . . . . . . . . . “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Friday 7th February 2025 – MARK 6:14-29.
So, it wouldn’t be out of place to imply that the death of John-de-Baptist was as a result of a combination of two vile behavioural conditions.
The vile of an uncontrollable vaulting libido and that of greed. Consequently, we may even narrow the whole thing down to just one thing, which is lust.
Herod was so lustful over his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, that once he became king, he wasted no time in marrying her.
On her part, Herodias was even more lustful over material things that she too could hardly wait to dump her husband and marry his brother once he became king.
The combination of the lust for worldly passions and lust of the loins is a wicked and deadly one.
This kind of lust blinds those it so overcomes and obscures good and fair judgement.
Dear friend, John-de-Baptist who was a truthful man was unfortunate enough to be caught in the power-play of two lustful souls.
This kind of lust will get one to take decisions that once we are fortunate to live beyond that illusion, when we can now see clearly, we will definitely regret our actions.
My dear friend, we should and must be contented.
Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
7th Feb. 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Friday 7th February 2025 – MARK 6:14-29.
So, it wouldn’t be out of place to imply that the death of John-de-Baptist was as a result of a combination of two vile behavioural conditions.
The vile of an uncontrollable vaulting libido and that of greed. Consequently, we may even narrow the whole thing down to just one thing, which is lust.
Herod was so lustful over his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, that once he became king, he wasted no time in marrying her.
On her part, Herodias was even more lustful over material things that she too could hardly wait to dump her husband and marry his brother once he became king.
The combination of the lust for worldly passions and lust of the loins is a wicked and deadly one.
This kind of lust blinds those it so overcomes and obscures good and fair judgement.
Dear friend, John-de-Baptist who was a truthful man was unfortunate enough to be caught in the power-play of two lustful souls.
This kind of lust will get one to take decisions that once we are fortunate to live beyond that illusion, when we can now see clearly, we will definitely regret our actions.
My dear friend, we should and must be contented.
Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
7th Feb. 2025.