🎤A CELEBRATION OF GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

⏰Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) - 11 Sept 2022

📖Exod 32:7-11,13-14; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17 and 19 (R. Luke 15:18); 1Tim 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32

🎤A CELEBRATION OF GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

The three readings that we have in our Liturgy of today point out, in a very clear manner, the imperfection of man and God's unconditional love towards man. In the First Reading, the people of Israel deserted God and chose to worship a molten calf. Worst still, they ascribed to the molten calf, the glory which ought to be given to God, saying: _These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt._ This action angered God a great deal but even before they repented, God forgave them based on the promise he made to Israel's ancestors (cf. Exod 32:13-14).

That attitude of God is equally symbolised in the Gospel, in the characters of the shepherd who went after the strayed sheep, the woman who searched for the lost coin and the Prodigal Father that welcomed the Prodigal Son. In the eyes of the world, the action taken by these different characters might seem foolish but that is exactly how far God can go in bringing a sinner back under the canopy of his love. 

Last Sunday, we were warned against using human wisdom to judge the things of heaven. Today, the Pharisees and the elder brother of the prodigal son used human wisdom to interpret the action of God's love. But as the saying goes, God's foolishness is wiser than any human wisdom. Notice that the story did not end by telling us what became of the Pharisees or the brother of the prodigal son – whether they were able to accept God's love for what it is or not. That could be a challenge for us. We can choose to embrace God's love or keep ourselves outside of it.

The most striking thing about this love of God is that it is an unmerited love. God does not love us because we are good or because we merit it. It would infact seem that he loves us more in our fallenness. That could be what St. Paul makes reference to in the Second Reading, "I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life" (1Tim 1:15-16). He would say in another place, "See how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8).

However, we should be careful not to take God's love for granted. Even with this knowledge of God's abundant love in our weakness, St. Paul asks, "Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may come more abundantly?" (Rom 6:1). The answer is no. Note what was said of the prodigal son, when he came to himself or in other words, when he came to his senses. Even though God's love is unconditional, it is important that we make a decision to seek to be one with him. He is a merciful but equally a God of justice who would repay each man according to his deeds. 

There are many positions we could take from the readings. We can try and emulate God who loves unconditionally. We are called to embrace the position of the repentant prodigal son but must be discouraged from taking the position of the Pharisees and the brother of the prodigal son who could not come into terms with the nature of Gods love. God is love. He who abides in love, abide in God and God in him (1John 4:16).

May the love of God never depart from you in all things. Amen

Have a lovely Sunday. Peace be with you.

https://www.fadajbcezeonwumelu.com/a-celebration-of-gods-unconditional-love/

Hopeful every moment

How can we remain hopeful every moment of life?

All days are not the same. This very moment you might find reasons to be happy, the next moment you might find reasons to feel sad. 

Different phases of life are a part and parcel. It doesn't matter which phase of life you experience as long as you don't let any phase take control over you. Most of the time, it is the dark and dull moments of life that make some people so disappointed they don't see any worth in their lives. 

Don't lose heart in the hard times of life.  Remember those happy times when you look forward to the next moment of life. They were also the moments you have experienced. It won't be long before those moments will come back and you will rise and shine again. 

Dr. Bhawna Gautam 

#shine #life #sparkle #days #positivity #experience

🎤A CELEBRATION OF GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

⏰Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) - 11 Sept 2022

📖Exod 32:7-11,13-14; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17 and 19 (R. Luke 15:18); 1Tim 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32

🎤A CELEBRATION OF GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

The three readings that we have in our Liturgy of today point out, in a very clear manner, the imperfection of man and God's unconditional love towards man. In the First Reading, the people of Israel deserted God and chose to worship a molten calf. Worst still, they ascribed to the molten calf, the glory which ought to be given to God, saying: _These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt._ This action angered God a great deal but even before they repented, God forgave them based on the promise he made to Israel's ancestors (cf. Exod 32:13-14).

That attitude of God is equally symbolised in the Gospel, in the characters of the shepherd who went after the strayed sheep, the woman who searched for the lost coin and the Prodigal Father that welcomed the Prodigal Son. In the eyes of the world, the action taken by these different characters might seem foolish but that is exactly how far God can go in bringing a sinner back under the canopy of his love. 

Last Sunday, we were warned against using human wisdom to judge the things of heaven. Today, the Pharisees and the elder brother of the prodigal son used human wisdom to interpret the action of God's love. But as the saying goes, God's foolishness is wiser than any human wisdom. Notice that the story did not end by telling us what became of the Pharisees or the brother of the prodigal son – whether they were able to accept God's love for what it is or not. That could be a challenge for us. We can choose to embrace God's love or keep ourselves outside of it.

The most striking thing about this love of God is that it is an unmerited love. God does not love us because we are good or because we merit it. It would infact seem that he loves us more in our fallenness. That could be what St. Paul makes reference to in the Second Reading, "I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life" (1Tim 1:15-16). He would say in another place, "See how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8).

However, we should be careful not to take God's love for granted. Even with this knowledge of God's abundant love in our weakness, St. Paul asks, "Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may come more abundantly?" (Rom 6:1). The answer is no. Note what was said of the prodigal son, when he came to himself or in other words, when he came to his senses. Even though God's love is unconditional, it is important that we make a decision to seek to be one with him. He is a merciful but equally a God of justice who would repay each man according to his deeds. 

There are many positions we could take from the readings. We can try and emulate God who loves unconditionally. We are called to embrace the position of the repentant prodigal son but must be discouraged from taking the position of the Pharisees and the brother of the prodigal son who could not come into terms with the nature of Gods love. God is love. He who abides in love, abide in God and God in him (1John 4:16).

May the love of God never depart from you in all things. Amen

Have a lovely Sunday. Peace be with you.

https://www.fadajbcezeonwumelu.com/a-celebration-of-gods-unconditional-love/

Affectionate Gift

Buying something for someone is basic action of love but adding a little creativity on how it's delivered can makes the whole experience a memorable one.

 Women men love romantic gestures to oh. Because you people seem to forget 😆

 Your husband or boyfriend could be working so hard and have no time to spend on himself. 

A very powerful romantic thing you can do is to block out their calendar for a weekend, tell him to dress up that you want to spoil him with your money. (Your money oh. Not the one he gave you)

And you make the whole weekend about him. 

Do you think that guy will forget that in a hurry?

 The normal thing to do is to make breakfast and serve but the extra could be to fuel his car and also send over lunch to him or take the lunch to his office yourself.

 Being romantic is doing the normal in a special way that is memorable. 

We all have what it takes to be romantic partner, we just have to tap into that area of our life. 

And I will give you the secret soon

 It's important also to know that romance is not just about red 🌹rose. 

It could be a part of it for some people but it's not all there is to it. 

 some don't really care about flowers that will die off. 😆

 So another dimension of being a romantic partner is being truthful, transparent, trustworthy and communicating in a healthy way.

 Not stressing your partner can be so romantic. 

Not making the guess if you are happy or sad or confuses can be romantic. 

Not asking them if you are fat while you know if they say yea that it turns to world war 3 can be romantic too. 

😆

 For some people if you can love your partner right that they desire to always have you around , you are romantic.

 More on being romantic. 

Being romantic is about finding what makes your partner happy and always doing it. 

Being romantic is stopping those bad behaviors your partner is always complaining about.

 They will take good behaviour from you above flower and candles.  

They just need you to be supportive of their dreams and to know they can trust you. 

This is why I said earlier that being romantic can be relative.

 So going forward to be the best partner there is. Ask your partner, what being romantic means to them or what can you do that appear romantic to them.

 For some you might see it's as simple as sending pictures and videos of you or sending random voice messages during the day, or helping them keep track of something they usually forget.

 When you ask you get a clear picture of what you need to start doing if they are the rose and candle type or they just want you to do some basic things for them.

 Because some don't like rose and if you keep buying rose you will just be wasting money.

 You might think that makes you romantic but that doesn't because the person you are doing it for doesn't see it as romantic.

What do you teach them

 CATCH  THEM YOUNG

I  was surprised yet delighted when I entered into the sacristy for 6am mass and noticed the little boy In alter servers robe standing near the  door, patiently waiting for the priest so that he could join in  the procession for mass. I felt deeply moved and Immediately  became his biggest fan.

What really touched me was that he was very alert and ready for mass at that early hours of the morning when most of his age mates were still  tucked in and sleeping comfortably in their bed. 

My eyes were focused on him when the procession for mass began. He was so angelic, with his palms folded in supplication and his face so serious. He was the center of attraction. I could see the congregation watching him with smiles on their faces.

 When the homily was going on,I observed that he has dozed off in his seat beside the sanctuary. .i smiled. He was  only but a child.

 When I approached him after mass, his mummy told that he was so interested in serving at the altar so she has to encourage him by waking him up in the morning, bath and dress him  and then bring  him along to church. I was impressed. What do you think she was teaching him?

Seeing the little alter boy  reminded me of another family I encountered last two Sundays at Asaba during 6.30am mass. The woman who sat besides me  brought out her phone during the mass and gave it to her son who started playing  a game with it. He was so engrossed with playing the game that he never followed what was happening in the church. At a point, the woman took the phone from him, brought out biscuit and  a soft drink and gave it to the boy who quickly devoured it and continued playing his game. The boy should be around 7 years old. What do you think she is teaching teaching him?

In another event, during the project Sunday in a particular church, I noticed a man who counted   some amount of money  and gave to his 5year old son who proudly went to the alter,knelt before the priest who prayed for him and he later deposited the money into the offertory box and proudly returned to his dad. His confidence made me conclude it was not his first time of doing that. What do you think his father was teaching him?

We have responsibility to the young ones especially at home. The child first learns at home and from his parents.  Teach them young. Fill their minds with what ought to be. They will never remain young forever. One day you will wake up and realize that they have all grown up and gone. What impact did you make In their lives?

Can your child sing well ? Develop and guide  his talent from that young age.

 Can your child draw?  dance? Have you discovered a peculiar behavior in your child at such a young age? Develop and guide him.

 Expose him to the environment that will boost his talent and carefully monitor his progress.All knowledge are not obtained from the classroom. Teach them outside the classroom.  Befriend your child. It is not enough in just being parents by feeding or clothing them.

Holidays lessons is a scam. I stand to be corrected. What are the result of holidays lessons? After a full academic year,what are the benefits of another one month lesson?

 During the holidays, find out where your child can learn musical instruments like guitar,piano, trumpet or any other handwork which is not learnt inside the classroom. It is not enough to send them to learn,but carefully monitor their progress and encourage them. Make out time for them or you will one day realize that you have become a stranger to your children.

You get my point? Teach them young. 

As 8 am mass was about to begin,I discovered another young alter server and on enquiry,I was told  he was best of friends with the first one I encountered during 6am mass.

You see ehh, your circle of friends matters.

What do you know self 😂🤣😅? I know that you have known now.

PROUDLY CATHOLIC.

#OCHENDO

#FACEBOOK_PARISH

Secret of Romantic Partner

So here is the secret I promised you. 

A Romantic partner is one that does what the partner sees as romantic. 

And you can find out the bases and then do them the extraordinary way. 

What makes Chika excited might turn James off. 

This is the secret of any relationship that will last. 

Understanding that your partner is different from the rest of the world and they alone know what makes them loved.