“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. . . . . . . . . . . . Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. . . . . . . . . . . . Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Excerpts, Gospel Reading, Friday 1st November 2024 – MATTHEW 5:1-12.
So, today, the Church has set aside as a solemnity to commemorate the ‘Church Triumphant’. These are people who were once like us. However, after they transitioned from to the hereafter, they made it to heaven. These are the saints.
From today’s teaching, we must take away these three things – the poor in spirit, the pure of heart and those reviled and persecuted for righteousness sake.
To be poor in spirit means to acknowledge our deepest human need for God and to grow in that longing and that dependence on a daily basis.
A certain ‘keke’ operator in Kano who returned $10,000 someone mistakenly left inside his vehicle (and many more involved in similar incidence) is a shinning example of one who is pure in spirit.
Another perfect example of one with a pure spirit can be observed in children. Children, until adulthood comes to corrupt their innocence, have the purest of spirit. – And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. – MATTHEW 18:1-3.
It is the pure in heart that would be poor in spirit. Unfortunately, such a one would be reviled and persecuted by the world for the sake of their righteousness.
Nevertheless, my counsel to you this day my dear friend, is, despite the wrath of the world, we must hold on tightly to our faith and righteousness. That, it will be that shall decide our fate and destination when we too transition from this life.
May God avail us His grace to permit His will to be realised in our life.
Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.
#SAINT_AGABO! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
-Akase F. Agabo
01 Nov. 2024.