“What were you discussing on the way?” But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the Twelve; and he said to them, “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Tuesday 21st May 2024 – MARK 9:30-37.

So, a man who has got a family (some men, to be precise), allows his needs to take the backseat and put forward the needs of their family as a priority.

Such men can manage a pair of shoes for upwards of five years without changing them.

Even their inner wears like vests and boxers are mostly worn. Yet they still manage them, washing them carefully by themselves so that another person may not tear them in the name of washing.

Nevertheless, their children still have the best of their required needs.

The children’s school shoes and uniforms are always usually complete and in perfect order.

Each child with neat set of new inner wears for each day as well as quality and good looking church clothes.

Even when he may just manage two meals per day, he would always ensure that other members of the family have at least three meals each day, together with in-between snacking.

He could even be the family laundry man and some how the barber as well.

Not forgetting that he would also be expected to do some bit of carpentry, electrical and plumbing works at home.

Also taking up other tasks like a massager, First aid, impromptu cook and the likes.

When he has a car, it automatically becomes the family’s own and he unofficially becomes the family driver.

Tasks like school runs, refilling cooking gas, market and hair dressing shop drop off automatically will be part of his chauffeuring assignments. Else, he may have to surrender his car for the family.

Even when he gets another car for the family, he will constantly be constrained to sometimes hop on a commercial motorcycle because his car was used to go out as fuel was completely used up in the other car.

Yet, with all these, he is still expected to remain a superman who never falls sick and an emotional masseur of the family.

That,☝️ my dear friend, is what it takes to be the greatest of all, the leader and the head. It is the service and servant of all Christ Himself makes reference to in today’s teaching.

Therefore, to those of us who are presently caught in such labyrinth, rest assured, we are just being leaders in the true sense of the word.

Have a fantastic day folks.

#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! ##Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo

“Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, . . . . . . . . . . . .When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed; but they had certain points of dispute with him about their own superstition and about one Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

Excerpt, First Reading, Friday 17th May 2024 – ACTS 25: 13b-21.

So, things, issues, just like people that will turnout big, huge, largely enormous, usually begin small.

“It all starts with a spark” as the saying goes,l as we all must have heard.

Take for example a neem (dogon yaro) tree, its seed that is planted that grows into that giant of a tree is as small as a groundnut’s single cotyledon – the main inner edible part.

Naturally, creation always favours small and humble beginnings.

Conception of a human person happens immediately at the mingling of the sperm with an ovum(egg).

Now, it may interest us to know that the length of the human sperm is around 55-65 µm, while the size of an ovum(egg) is approximately 0.12mm.

And at the time of fertilisation, the size of the zygote (the union of the sperm and egg) is about 0.7 mm in diametre.

Simply put, the size of the human sperm and that of an ovum as well as the zygote are each like the size of a seed of millet grain.

Suffice to say, that was you and I, until we grew to our present sizes.

So, it was in today’s teaching, though, Jerusalem was a Roman colony and rulers such as Festus were supposed to be abreast with all that happen in all Roman colonies, the name Jesus Christ was yet to make an impression with Festus and his guests.

Remember that was how it was too, with the Ethiopian eunuch that the Apostle Philip preached to,
““Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” ACTS 8:30-35.

The fire about Jesus Christ was flaming up gradually and spreading effectively like a tiny seed that grows into a gigantic tree, until it reached our part of the world.

And, it has been preserved and sustained from then until now.

Dear friend, the name and the story of Jesus Christ may seem strange to Festus and the Ethiopian eunuch of that era, nevertheless, it is and should no longer be strange to the ‘Festuses’ and the Ethiopians of today’s world.

My dear friend, know Christ Jesus and have life and have it in abundance.

No Jesus, no life! Know Jesus, know life!

Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.

#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo

“Desiring to know the real reason why the Jews accused Paul, the tribune unbound him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and resurrection of the dead I am on trial.”

And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.”

Excerpt, First Reading, Thursday 16th May 2024 – ACTS 22:30; 23 :6- 11.

So, at one point or the other, we must have heard the expression, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. So, it was the case☝️above in today’s teaching, between the Sadducees and the Pharisees who despite their differences, united because of a perceived foe who they found in the Apostle Paul.

By the way, who were even these peoples?

Sadducees were upper-class wealthy men mostly from Jerusalem who made up the Jewish aristocracy. Pharisees came from all economic classes but were distinguished by their rigid adherence to specific behaviour prescriptions arising from their interpretation of the ambiguities in the Torah. – SOURCE: Sturdy.com

Okay, from the reference☝️above, it’s quite evidence that these are a people that have their very distinct differences and nothing would easily unite them safe for a common cause like getting rid of the Apostle Paul.

It’s just like how politics temporary bridges the schism between the upper class and the peasants during political campaigns.

At such a time, those who fly in planes and ride in darkly tinted 4wheel drive vehicles will suddenly flood our neighbourhood and start pretending to be trekking around on our streets and pretending to eat roasted corn as they walk on the road, just like we do.

However, in today’s case☝️with Apostle Paul, they weren’t pretending.

Now, here once again is the efficacy of prayer. Though Paul may have prayed all night for God’s intervention, nevertheless, when he got to the Tribunal and his eyes beheld those seated there, he quickly prayed an arrow prayer to God for Divine intervention . Hence, his wisdom of bringing up the dissenting issues that divides these peoples.

Dear friend, even if it is just a matter of seconds grace that is available to us, we can still pray the arrow prayer as did Paul in today’s teaching and miracles would still spring on in our favour.

My fear friend, it is true, prayer changes things.

Have a fantastic day folks.

#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo

“Paul said to the elders of the Church of Ephesus, “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the Church of the Lord which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

Excerpt, First Reading, Wednesday 15th May 2024 – ACTS 20:28-38.

So, parents, particularly the man of the house is responsible for the right moral and spiritual care and upbringing of the family, especially the children.

This gives fact to the saying, “An apple doesn’t fall far away from its tree.”

As a man is, so very likely is his child/children going to turn out to be.

Notwithstanding, as parents, we could strive assiduously and bring up our children as uprightly as demands the society and God, but once we lose guard for a breath’s moment, fierce wolves in man’s disguise will quickly swoop on them for their nefariously corrupt purposes.

The ‘yahooboy’ who butchered his supposed girlfriend sometime ago in Rivers State, Nigeria comes from a home.

The youths that incinerated Deborah in Sokoto State, Nigeria for supposed blasphemy very likely come from homes, each with a father figure.

The youth who falsified her JAMB examinations scores and corruptly accepted prize money for making the highest score also comes from a home with a father and a mother.

The parents of Awwalu Salisu the ‘keke’ (tricycle) rider in Kano State, Nigeria who returned the N10 million someone forgot in his keke would certainly be very proud of him.

As parents, when we do our lot in bringing our children rightly without loosing guard even when they may be temporary away from our immediate reach or environment, we would still be mindful of our responsibilities and obligations toward them.

After doing all we should do and could do, we will commit all others into the care of the Almighty God, just as was with Judas Iscariot whom despite dwelling in the presence of Christ couldn’t be contained.

This is equally akin to a shepherd and members of his congregation.

The chief shepherd is to justly care for the spirituality of his flock, feeding them with what rightly is, what should and what is supposed.

This is the thrust of today’s teaching ☝️above as instructed by Saint Paul to elders of the Church at Ephesus.

Little wonder, members of a particular fellowship or congregation suddenly begin mimicking or outrightly doing as the chief shepherd does.

As parents, the type of influence we weigh on our children, so, it is, with the chief shepherd/Pastor with members of his congregation.

And as children are gifts from heaven, given to us freely as blessings from God, just so, the Apostle says of the congregation in the care of Pastors, as ransomed by the blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

So, my dear friend, as the Apostle Paul sounds today’s warning to Pastors, it shouldn’t also be lost on us as parents, as well as siblings, friends, colleagues at work, business partners, also to teachers, coaches, instructors, etc.

Dear friend, we must take heed to care for whomever God has put in our life as they didn’t occur in our life by mistake.

Have a fantastic day folks.

#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo

“And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.”

Excerpt, First Reading, Tuesday 14th May 2024 – ACTS 1:15-17, 20-26.

So, some of us that indulge in gambling, when we pick our betting numbers, we would go back home, put the ticket inside the Holy Bible and pray on it for about three days. Then, we would return the ticket and play our bet.

On such days that we are lucky enough to be part of the one millionth person to so win, we would quickly attribute such winnings to the supposed prayer ritual that we undertook. It could or couldn’t be true.

Then, we would also supposedly attribute it to the aspect of casting lots in today’s teaching☝️above from the Scriptures.

Nevertheless, some of us would agree that the act of putting our betting ticket in the Bible and praying over it is just an exercise in futility.

God cannot be bottled up and used whenever and however at our whims and caprices just as if we like some magician. God is bigger than such rituals.

Nevertheless, casting lots was a way of life during the time of Christ’s earthly life.

The Roman soldiers that crucified Christ Jesus also cast lots to decide who shall take his inner seamless garment – “so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” – JOHN 19:24.

So, my dear friend, casting lots is not a completely prohibited issue, neither is it somewhat of an exclusive practice of pagans.

Christians too, still cast lots. Just as it was🔺️above with the apostles of Jesus Christ in today’s teaching.

When we are faced with the situation of making a choice out of the remaining best, like the early Church did. We too, must pray fervently about it.

When the Holy Spirit ministers to us on the best choice, then, good. However, if not, and, when we run against time, after our prayer, we can, and we should cast lots.

By the way, haven’ we been doing that already?

When we are going to fill vacant office(s), having prayed and possibly fasted about it, don’t we go ahead to conduct election to elect people into the office(s)?

That is it! It is equally akin to casting lots.

Casting lots, notwithstanding, the cardinal point to note is PRAYER. First, we must pray about it. This is very, very important. As matter of fact, it is more ‘importanter’ that election or casting lots.

The Apostle Matthias, the second twelfth apostle, the subject matter of today’s teaching therefore, wasn’t a product of casting of lots, rather, he was a product of prayer.

My dear friend, that thing we want to do, or are doing right now, or that which distresses us, we should pray about it. prayer changes things. Prayer is the key.

#SAINT_MATTHIAS! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

-Akase F. Agabo.

“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Monday 13th May 2024 – JOHN 16:29-33.

So, what really is TRIBULATION?

Various dictionaries have almost the same or very similar definition of the word TRIBULATION, viz:

Distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution. Also, a trying experience. – MERRIAM-WEBSTER – online.

Grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering. – DICTIONARY.COM – online.

Problem or difficulty. Difficult situations and unpleasant experiences. – CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY – online.

Meanwhile, the synonyms or another word for TRIBULATION are: affliction, agony, anguish, distress, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), torment, torture, travail, woe, adversity, hardships, suffering, etc.

TRIBULATION is therefore, something terribly unpleasant and uncomfortable.

We’ve got to find peace in the Lord Jesus if we must ‘untribulate’.

In today’s teaching, Christ Jesus tells us that, in him, we will have peace, but in the world we will have the unpleasantness we are labouring to define☝️above. TRIBULATION!

However, one may ask, where then should one be or go if not in the world?

It is supposed that in heaven, one would have peace but mustn’t one die first before going to heaven?

Of course, it is true, nevertheless, Christ told us already that he has overcome the world. Therefore,” My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” – JOHN 17:15-16.

My dear friend, though we are still in the world, since we have been ransomed by Christ, all we need to do to save ourselves from tribulation is to believe in Christ Jesus. That’s all.

Dear friend, once we believe and we are convinced that we really do, the Holy Spirit immediately takes over from there. Things will never be the same again.

All we hence, need to do, is to become very purposeful in our everyday life. Remember, God is more persuaded by our deliberate positive efforts to become better.

Have a fantastic day and a fulfilled week ahead folks.

#OUR_LADY_OF_FATIMA! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo.

“But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, I should have reason to bear with you, O Jews; but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I refuse to be a judge of these things.” And he drove them from the tribunal.

And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to this.”

Excerpts, First Reading, Friday 10th May 2024 – ACTS 18:9-18.

So, do we believe that an honest man cannot be cheated?

Okay, let say one boards a vehicle going from point A to B. Then suddenly one of the passengers inside the vehicle starts with this age old scam, “I serve my oga for good 12 years him no gree settle me, so I thief him money.”

Or, with another popular line, “Abeg make we just help am, but all of us go follow share the money.”

Or, this one of their ‘usuals’, my oyinbo oga send me to buy one chemical wey dem sell 1 kilo for N359,000. But somebodi come tell Me say, I go get am for Berger yard as low N50,000.

For an honest person, none of all such talks would interest them.

Nevertheless, for those of us who have ‘longa throat’ once we hear something that has to do with money, our ears will just open wide like radio antenna.

Then, the ‘jigbiti’ guys will capitalise on our greed to scam us.

Or, for men who have cause to stay outside way into the night and have to pass through or transact at busy hubs during these hours of the night.

It always takes an absolutely disciplined fellow to keep a straight face from those ‘daughters-of-jezebel’ (still not meaning to take a swipe on women) crawling the night that time.

As a matter of fact, even when one maintains composure even to the high heavens, some of them would still dare to yell at you, “Uncle, you wan fvck?”

Similarly, a new antics by kidnappers was recently uncovered.

People driving in a rickety car would deliberately brush a posh car. This happens mostly at usually isolated places. When the owner stops and comes out fuming, a gum will be pointed at him. Then, he and his posh car would be whisked away.

In another, instance, it could be a nagging and quarrelsome wife (not taking a swipe on women, though). She would nag, and quarrel and even stand in the way of her husband when he wants to depart the scene for a breathe of some fresh air outside.

If he dares raise his hand to brush her aside, she change gears into another realm, “If know that you’re a real man and your mother born you well, just dare touch me or even lay a single finger on me.”

Dear men, do not ever betray the ‘brotherhood’ and fall for such antics.

Rather, find a away to go out without touching her. However, if that isn’t possible, just sit back and soak in all the vituperations. She go taya. She must to taya, den she go stop. Den una love go continue.

In today’s teaching, we noticed that when Gallio the Proconsul dispersed the Jews on account of the frivolity of their accusations against Paul, in anger, they seized Sosthenes (the keeper of the synagogue) and beat him up inoder to anger Gallio.

Nevertheless, what did Gallio do? Dude kept a straight face.

Just like the honest man in the vehicle from point A to B who never heeded to those scammers and the correct brother man who didn’t lay a finger on his dear wife as challenged, Gallio also didn’t give a damn about their shenanigans.

Dear friend, when by the grace of God, when we have reached that Gallio-s level of ‘straightness’, nothing fit shake person again o!

Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.

#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo.

“So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, . . . . . . . . . . . .”

Excerpt, First Reading, Wednesday 8th May 2024 – ACTS 17: 15.22-18: 1.

So, while the Apostle Paul was walking along the streets of Athens and was gazing at different shrines and sacrifice offerings made at those shrines to idols, he possibly did not mince his face in disgust at such idolatrous people.

Rather, he was captivated with their impressive acts of religiosity.

It was with such positive outlook that he possibly saw clear enough to discover among those many shrines a few other ones that were dedicated to an ‘unknown god’.

This supposed ‘unknown god’ became the subject upon which he could have easy access to preach to the Athenians.

Dear friend, when we mince our face in disgust at a person, people or at something, we tend to have already taken our decision about it or them.

This is by no means stating that one mustn’t be disgusted by what disgusts. Nevertheless, we must yet keep an open mind even when we mince our face in disgust.

Keeping an open mind helps us to keep our emotions in check, so as to think straight and clear.

This is an indication that, no matter what the situation may be, one is still capable of making some good out of it. All depends on how one reacts to it.

For example, most of us are currently groaning under the economic crunch, especially the hyper inflation in the cost of food items.

Nevertheless, such times are when those of us who are frivolous with our resources would be compelled to learn to manage the now meagre resources to meeting our teaming needs.

That most of us have since not crumbled is an indication that we too have learnt ways and means to overcome the times.

My dear friend, we must always endeavour to keep an open mind both in pleasant and otherwise situations.

Have a fantastic day folks.

#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo

“The crowd of Philippians joined in attacking Paul and Silas; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. . . . . . . . . . . .“Men, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him . . . . . . . . . . . . and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.’

Excerpt, First Reading, Tuesday7th May 2024 – ACTS 16:22-34.

So, sometimes, one person’s travesty becomes another one’s gain.

When a big animal dies and starts to rotten, birds come and perch on the carcass to feed on the worms and maggots there.

Only recently in Ondo State of Nigeria, when the former Governor got ill, despite all the hurdles, the then Deputy Governor ensured that he to duly became the Acting Governor and indeed, he did become it.

Subsequently, when the ailing state chief executive eventually passed on, he was immediately sworn in as the substantive Governor.

Similar scenerio has happened before in Yobe State Nigeria as well to a man whose name has followed him favourably as has never known before in history. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Once as a Deputy Governor then, to Governor. Also, from been the Vice President to becoming the President.

Both in the cases of Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as well as the former Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, it was never planned. It was neither their doing or even their intentions, posterity just happened. They were just lucky to be the ones rightly available.

Such, to some extent was also the case of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, Nigeria, how he emerged as the Governor in His first term.

These are clear examples of one person’s travesty becoming another person’s gain.

So it is also in today’s teaching. The travesty of Paul and Silas who were beaten with rods and thrown into jail became the gain of the jailer and his family who through them gained salvation.

However, such gain as experienced by the jailer and his household was only possible because Paul and Silas did not allow their harrowing situation and condition to get them embittered and recalcitrant to their cause.

Therefore, they were still sober enough to think clearly with straight heads and preach the word of God to the jailer and his household and get them to be saved.

Dear friend, we too, must watch it. The travesty we are presently experiencing now may be a set up for someone else’s gain.

Therefore, we mustn’t allow the anguish, pain and bitterness to blind us from the overall good that God is trying to use our situation to engender.

Though, we may be going through our own pains, when we choose to also pray for another brother who is equally going through some challenge, then, we have taken the hero course and the cause of good.

This comes about only when we have a positive attitude toward all that happen to us.

As ransomed children of God, it mustn’t be lost on us that adversities will not assail us. Nevertheless, God has made us a promise that, when they do, He will see us through all of them.

Therefore, my dear friend, just so that it may not be two zero for us, we must look on the positive side of our current situation and adequately so utilise them.

Have a fantastic day folks.

#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

– Akase F. Agabo

“ I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them.”

Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Monday 6th May 2024 – JOHN 15:26-16:4.

So, how can man, a creation of the Creator arrogate on to himself the onerous rights, task and privileges to think for and act on behalf of the Almighty God.

But, isn’t it already happening?

When ‘Boko Haram’ insurgents besieged a girls secondary school in Dapchi, Yobe State and kidnapped over a hundred girls, the brave Leah Sharibu was one of them. This is what one of the girls who later regained her freedom said of her:

“One of the freed girls, Khadija Grema, confirmed that the terrorists decided to continue to hold Leah because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.”

In our various neighbourhoods, what happens when some of us accost minors in unusual behaviour? We quickly attribute such attitude to witchcraft and pass a summary judgement on such little children.

So, also it is with some church leaders, especially (but not only them) of the women folk. When their daughter gets pregnant out of wedlock, they insist and ensure and abortion, just so as not to bring the name of the church and of their supposed ‘god’ in disrepute.

When someone eminently qualified for a position is denied such job, in favour of another who is supposed that is of the same religion with us, then, we have ‘killed’ that person to supposedly impress our supposed ‘god’.

Whenever we jettison the competence of people vying for elective positions but rather dwell on their religion, then we have taken a position to supposedly impress our ‘god’.

Some of us have unfortunately fallen victims of such attitude. Some unfortunately fatally and otherwise are lucky to tell their tales of woe.

I must assure us that, so long as we still draw breathe, we are bound to still have such bitter experiences at some point in our life, in one way or another.

This may not necessarily be life sentence or life threatening. Even when one is discriminated upon or treated unjustly on account of religion, then, we too, have become victims of such ill practices.

Nevertheless we have solace in the Scriptures – “Do not be afraid of what will happen to you. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you and there will be ten days of trials. Remain faithful even to death and I will give you the crown of life.” – REVELATION 2:10.

Have a fantastic day and a fulfilled week ahead folks.

Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!

• Akase F. Agabo