Tuesday 29^th July – Memorial of St Martha

Reflection: Jeremiah 14: 17-22

OH LORD! YOU ARE OUR HOPE

A careful look at the first reading makes me wonder if the writer is familiar with our dear country, Nigeria. The exact problems lamented in the reading – killings, poverty, sickness and exploitation of the land by those in authority are the very problems that plague our land. Like the Israelites, we keep hoping for peace, for an end to corruption but all hope seems dashed. What must we do?

The Israelites recognized the source of their problems – they had abandoned God and had their fill of wickedness. Hence the only solution was to turn to God with a plea for mercy. Dear friend, you and I must also realize the root of our problems in Nigeria – selfishness and godlessness (despite the seemingly large number of religious people) has eaten deep into our nation and all we have to reap are the evils we see each day ranging from corruption to terrorism.

You and I have a role to play. If we are truly sincere in our relationship with God, God desires that we turn away from our own sins and plead for His mercy on behalf of our country. Like Israel, we must remember that God is our only hope (Jeremiah 14:22). If we look away from Him because we there is no apparent improvement in our country, then we would find ourselves in the depths of despair. God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah if there were just ten righteous people there (Genesis 18:32); if God is to spare our land because of a certain number of righteous men would you and I add to or subtract from that number? God is counting on you and I to stand in the gap for Nigeria as we call upon Him for mercy on our land.

PRAYER: Lord God, please have mercy on our country. Forgive our sins and deliver us from the evils that beset us. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 331 – Why is there nevertheless injustice among men?

All men have the same dignity, but not all of them meet with the same living conditions. In cases where injustice is man-made, it contradicts the Gospel. In cases where men have been endowed by God with different gifts and talents, God is asking us to rely on one another: in charity one should make up for what the other lacks.

HIDE A TREASURE: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Jeremiah 14: 17-22; Psalm 79: 8-13; Luke 10: 38-42