“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.
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.
New Kind of Missionaries.
“Jesus called to him the Twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Thursday 6th February 2025 – MARK 6:7-13.
So, the instructions above☝️given by Christ to his apostles was an on advise simply on the need to travel light.
The instructions conclude by saying, Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.”
Dear friend, we too (i.e you and I), we are also on a missionary journey here on earth.
Whereas we may not be physically healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf and speech to the dumb and casting out unclean spirits, we may yet be carrying out the same feats by the virtue of our everyday life.
A kind word to someone or a heart-to-heart conversation with someone depressed with a drooping spirit on the brink of giving it all up may have them rescind their decision and want to give the ways of God some more trial.
The way we may respond to someone on any of the popular social media Apps, though, they see, but it may unblind them to get to see and discover that their ways about crawling the internet are not necessarily the only way. That there are saner, better and more effective ways of communicating and making their point that would engender a more effective understanding.
Sometimes, some people deliberately test our patience just to rile us up. However, our uncommon quietness, patience and tolerable disposition may win them over. Even if it not right there over to us. But the impression we have imparted on them may eventually win them over to God.
Therefore, today’s teaching is duly instructing us that we too, mustn’t take on our journey extra luggage that would slow us down and may derail us on our course like hatred, malice, jealousy, greed, selfishness, unsavoury desire and restlessness on the things of the groins and the likes, as well as other worldly passions.
Once we rid ourselves of all such and get focused on God and our course, we, too, may by our ways, without necessarily having to preach, restore sight to those, though seeing, but may be blind.
Our ways may also restore life to others, though alive, but may have given up on lige and are just simply walking corpses.
Then, the second instruction, not to move from house-to-house.
This simply implies that, we must watch and curb our tongue. What one did not say can never get one into trouble. We should and must be wise.
Have a fantastic day folks.
##SAINT_PAUL_MIKI_AND_COMAPNIONS! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
6th Feb. 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Thursday 6th February 2025 – MARK 6:7-13.
So, the instructions above☝️given by Christ to his apostles was an on advise simply on the need to travel light.
The instructions conclude by saying, Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.”
Dear friend, we too (i.e you and I), we are also on a missionary journey here on earth.
Whereas we may not be physically healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf and speech to the dumb and casting out unclean spirits, we may yet be carrying out the same feats by the virtue of our everyday life.
A kind word to someone or a heart-to-heart conversation with someone depressed with a drooping spirit on the brink of giving it all up may have them rescind their decision and want to give the ways of God some more trial.
The way we may respond to someone on any of the popular social media Apps, though, they see, but it may unblind them to get to see and discover that their ways about crawling the internet are not necessarily the only way. That there are saner, better and more effective ways of communicating and making their point that would engender a more effective understanding.
Sometimes, some people deliberately test our patience just to rile us up. However, our uncommon quietness, patience and tolerable disposition may win them over. Even if it not right there over to us. But the impression we have imparted on them may eventually win them over to God.
Therefore, today’s teaching is duly instructing us that we too, mustn’t take on our journey extra luggage that would slow us down and may derail us on our course like hatred, malice, jealousy, greed, selfishness, unsavoury desire and restlessness on the things of the groins and the likes, as well as other worldly passions.
Once we rid ourselves of all such and get focused on God and our course, we, too, may by our ways, without necessarily having to preach, restore sight to those, though seeing, but may be blind.
Our ways may also restore life to others, though alive, but may have given up on lige and are just simply walking corpses.
Then, the second instruction, not to move from house-to-house.
This simply implies that, we must watch and curb our tongue. What one did not say can never get one into trouble. We should and must be wise.
Have a fantastic day folks.
##SAINT_PAUL_MIKI_AND_COMAPNIONS! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
6th Feb. 2025.
That Carpenter
“Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Wednesday 5th February 2025 – MARK 6:1-6.
So, in yesterday’s (Tuesday 4th February 2025) Gospel, at the house of Jarius, the ruler of the synagogue, who came seeking help from Christ to come heal his daughter. When Christ Jesus told the tumultuous people that the girl was only sleeping and not dead, they scornfully laughed at him in disbelief.
Nevertheless, when Christ resurrected the little girl who has died back to life, the same people who laughed at him, became amazed, astonished and bewildered. They were highly shocked, at the same time, they were equally impressed, opening their eyes so wide in surprise that it seems they were going to pop out of their sockets.
Dear friend, more often than not, people create an imagery of us and conceal that creation somewhere deep in the recess of their hearts.
Some of the created imageries may be from what they themselves may have observed about us. Sometimes it could be from what they heard us say or what they may have seen us do.
Others may be where they may have seen us irrespective of what took us there and what we were doing.
The worse kind is from those people who create imageries of us based purely on what others tell them about us or what they overheard people say about us.
That is why when some of us see celebrities living usual everyday life, trekking about and shopping in the same open air markets like us, we get flustered. Reason being that we may have created a larger than life imagery of such people in our heads and we suppose that they will never get to operate in the usual everyday life like us.
Some, if not most of the uniform private security guards company, they happen to be one among the worse paying jobs in Nigeria. Therefore, it is usually a last resort to some people, while seeking to transition to other things.
Some of us, once we know anyone doing that job in Nigeria, we usually create a demeaning imagery of that person and constrain such in the abyss of our minds.
Hence, when we suddenly get to see that person some where else adorning good looking civilian clothes and operating in a more classy setting than where we may have constrained them to be, we tend to get surprised and confused.
Such, was the plight of Christ Jesus in today’s teaching. However, in Jesus’ case, his village people were not just surprised and confused, they even went the extra mile of taking offense at him. – “How dare an ordinary carpenter become so knowledgeable and powerful enough to say and perform all the works wrought by Christ? So, they became angry.
Dear friend, though, some people may have created an impression of us and stored it in their head due to some mistakes we may have made sometime in our life, we must ensure they also get to see and experience the new version of us whenever we meet again.
We certainly didn’t remain stagnant in life. It is either we became worse from persisting in our errors or we changed for the better.
Most people, in wanting to play safe around us, will choose the former. Nonetheless, that should be our opportunity to prove that we are no longer where we were at when we last met.
My dear friend, prove you’ve changed. That you’re the carpenter that has now become what you are now.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#SAINT_AGATHA! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
-Akase F. Agabo.
5th Feb. 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Wednesday 5th February 2025 – MARK 6:1-6.
So, in yesterday’s (Tuesday 4th February 2025) Gospel, at the house of Jarius, the ruler of the synagogue, who came seeking help from Christ to come heal his daughter. When Christ Jesus told the tumultuous people that the girl was only sleeping and not dead, they scornfully laughed at him in disbelief.
Nevertheless, when Christ resurrected the little girl who has died back to life, the same people who laughed at him, became amazed, astonished and bewildered. They were highly shocked, at the same time, they were equally impressed, opening their eyes so wide in surprise that it seems they were going to pop out of their sockets.
Dear friend, more often than not, people create an imagery of us and conceal that creation somewhere deep in the recess of their hearts.
Some of the created imageries may be from what they themselves may have observed about us. Sometimes it could be from what they heard us say or what they may have seen us do.
Others may be where they may have seen us irrespective of what took us there and what we were doing.
The worse kind is from those people who create imageries of us based purely on what others tell them about us or what they overheard people say about us.
That is why when some of us see celebrities living usual everyday life, trekking about and shopping in the same open air markets like us, we get flustered. Reason being that we may have created a larger than life imagery of such people in our heads and we suppose that they will never get to operate in the usual everyday life like us.
Some, if not most of the uniform private security guards company, they happen to be one among the worse paying jobs in Nigeria. Therefore, it is usually a last resort to some people, while seeking to transition to other things.
Some of us, once we know anyone doing that job in Nigeria, we usually create a demeaning imagery of that person and constrain such in the abyss of our minds.
Hence, when we suddenly get to see that person some where else adorning good looking civilian clothes and operating in a more classy setting than where we may have constrained them to be, we tend to get surprised and confused.
Such, was the plight of Christ Jesus in today’s teaching. However, in Jesus’ case, his village people were not just surprised and confused, they even went the extra mile of taking offense at him. – “How dare an ordinary carpenter become so knowledgeable and powerful enough to say and perform all the works wrought by Christ? So, they became angry.
Dear friend, though, some people may have created an impression of us and stored it in their head due to some mistakes we may have made sometime in our life, we must ensure they also get to see and experience the new version of us whenever we meet again.
We certainly didn’t remain stagnant in life. It is either we became worse from persisting in our errors or we changed for the better.
Most people, in wanting to play safe around us, will choose the former. Nonetheless, that should be our opportunity to prove that we are no longer where we were at when we last met.
My dear friend, prove you’ve changed. That you’re the carpenter that has now become what you are now.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#SAINT_AGATHA! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
-Akase F. Agabo.
5th Feb. 2025.
Why We Must Be Honest
“Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?”’ And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Tuesday 4th February 2025 – MARK 5:21-43.
So, two things come to mind in this scenario played out in today’s teaching. They are too early celebration and/or dishonesty.
What would have been the case if the woman healed of her haemorrhage had withdrawn and scampered away in celebration without any recourse of thanksgiving to him through whom she was healed?
Then again, what if she had remained quiet and refused to come clean and present herself as the one who touched Christ?
Two things it were that gave that woman her healing. It was first her faith in whom Christ is and what he represents. Then, secondly, it was her honesty.
With these, she received physical healing and spiritual cleansing.
Dear friend, it pays to be honest. In any situation or circumstance that we find ourselves, it pays to be honest, putting all our faith, hope, trust and confidence in God.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
4th Feb. 2025
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Tuesday 4th February 2025 – MARK 5:21-43.
So, two things come to mind in this scenario played out in today’s teaching. They are too early celebration and/or dishonesty.
What would have been the case if the woman healed of her haemorrhage had withdrawn and scampered away in celebration without any recourse of thanksgiving to him through whom she was healed?
Then again, what if she had remained quiet and refused to come clean and present herself as the one who touched Christ?
Two things it were that gave that woman her healing. It was first her faith in whom Christ is and what he represents. Then, secondly, it was her honesty.
With these, she received physical healing and spiritual cleansing.
Dear friend, it pays to be honest. In any situation or circumstance that we find ourselves, it pays to be honest, putting all our faith, hope, trust and confidence in God.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
4th Feb. 2025
Each Soul is Invaluable.
“And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” And he begged him eagerly’ not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him, “Send us to the swine, let us enter them.” So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Monday 3rd February 2025 – MARK 5:1-20.
So, today’s teaching displays a significant indication that a single human soul is worth more than all the wealth in the world.
In the process of cleansing the demoniac, the legion of demons rushed out of him and entered the herd of swine numbering over 2,000. And the swine subsequently rushed into the sea and they all drowned.
It mustn’t be lost on us that, these weren’t wild pigs. They were owned, as there were shepherds tending them.
Dear friend, can’t we see that it is not at all times when adversities afflict us that we should be wailing, lamenting and regretting ?
If not that we are only humans, one would be tempted to ask, should one even dare lament? But we are just mere mortals.
So, by all means, if and when we can afford material things, we should get as much as we can. However, at no time should we begin placing more value and dignity on these material things over and above our fellow humans.
Christ Jesus himself demonstrates it today that a single soul is worth more than any material possessions in the world.
In him we have our clear and perfect example.
Have a fantastic day and a love-filled February 2025 folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
3rd February 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Monday 3rd February 2025 – MARK 5:1-20.
So, today’s teaching displays a significant indication that a single human soul is worth more than all the wealth in the world.
In the process of cleansing the demoniac, the legion of demons rushed out of him and entered the herd of swine numbering over 2,000. And the swine subsequently rushed into the sea and they all drowned.
It mustn’t be lost on us that, these weren’t wild pigs. They were owned, as there were shepherds tending them.
Dear friend, can’t we see that it is not at all times when adversities afflict us that we should be wailing, lamenting and regretting ?
If not that we are only humans, one would be tempted to ask, should one even dare lament? But we are just mere mortals.
So, by all means, if and when we can afford material things, we should get as much as we can. However, at no time should we begin placing more value and dignity on these material things over and above our fellow humans.
Christ Jesus himself demonstrates it today that a single soul is worth more than any material possessions in the world.
In him we have our clear and perfect example.
Have a fantastic day and a love-filled February 2025 folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
3rd February 2025.
Keeping Faith Alive
“And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Friday 31st January 2025 – MARK 4:26-34.
So, Nik Wallenda walked across Niagara Falls on a tightrope on June 15, 2012. He was the first person to walk across the falls on a tightrope since the late 1800s.
When Mr. Wallenda conceived the idea of carrying out such a feat, he had faith in himself. And goaded by that such faith he made the move.
On that fateful day of 15th June 2012, seeing the water cascading down from the height of 167 feet (51 metres), he would have been scared and given up such deathly plans.
Nevertheless, his faith made him, gear up, grab his pole and took the first step, then the second, the third and the rest was the making of history.
As described in today’s teaching, we plant by faith and as from that time until when we put in the sickle at harvest, we really do not know what happens. As hence, we have no further contribution safe for weeding and for those so privileged, fertilising also.
Faith is likened to a mustard seed, known to be more tiny than the seed of millet. However, like the mustard grows into the biggest shrub, so does a nurtured faith gets us to accomplish feats.
Like Nik Wallenda, the idea of a tight rope walk across the Niagara Falls may have occurred to him just as an inkling. He put action to it and hence the making of history.
Faith is like planting. We put in something small, then watch it grow and blossom into plantation.
Dear friend, we only need to keep the faith alive without doubts even amidst afflictions which will certainly come.
Afflictions are just like heavy rainstorms on our plantation. They come and go, but just like the outcome of the rainstorm waters the plants and gets them stronger, so does affliction. They come to get us stronger once we hold on tightly to our faith, hope and trust in God.
Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.
#SAINT_JOHN_BOSCO! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
31st January 2025.
Excerpt, Gospel Reading, Friday 31st January 2025 – MARK 4:26-34.
So, Nik Wallenda walked across Niagara Falls on a tightrope on June 15, 2012. He was the first person to walk across the falls on a tightrope since the late 1800s.
When Mr. Wallenda conceived the idea of carrying out such a feat, he had faith in himself. And goaded by that such faith he made the move.
On that fateful day of 15th June 2012, seeing the water cascading down from the height of 167 feet (51 metres), he would have been scared and given up such deathly plans.
Nevertheless, his faith made him, gear up, grab his pole and took the first step, then the second, the third and the rest was the making of history.
As described in today’s teaching, we plant by faith and as from that time until when we put in the sickle at harvest, we really do not know what happens. As hence, we have no further contribution safe for weeding and for those so privileged, fertilising also.
Faith is likened to a mustard seed, known to be more tiny than the seed of millet. However, like the mustard grows into the biggest shrub, so does a nurtured faith gets us to accomplish feats.
Like Nik Wallenda, the idea of a tight rope walk across the Niagara Falls may have occurred to him just as an inkling. He put action to it and hence the making of history.
Faith is like planting. We put in something small, then watch it grow and blossom into plantation.
Dear friend, we only need to keep the faith alive without doubts even amidst afflictions which will certainly come.
Afflictions are just like heavy rainstorms on our plantation. They come and go, but just like the outcome of the rainstorm waters the plants and gets them stronger, so does affliction. They come to get us stronger once we hold on tightly to our faith, hope and trust in God.
Folks, have a fantastic day and a pleasant weekend.
#SAINT_JOHN_BOSCO! #Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo
31st January 2025.