COMFORT THEM WITH YOUR PROTECTION HERE, TO LEAD THEM GRACIOUSLY TO GIFTS ON HIGH. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Jer 18:18-20; Ps 30:5-6,14-16 and Mt 20:17-28.
“Nimiyuo” (Lit. “Eye open”) and “Nimikpe” (Lit. “Eye enter”) are two expressions among the Dagaaba (The Frafras could give us their versions of these terms). These terms are expressed in modern ‘Dagaare-English-jargons’ as “Nimiyuolism” and “Nimikpeilism”. These are sins in themselves and at the same time they lead to other sins. The two expressions concern people who do things for selfish gains, fame, honour, admiration and for personal gains and interests, not regarding other people in the group or in the society. This easily results in, among many others, chaos, arguments, quarrelling and fighting, as well as destruction in the group, family, workplaces, politics, in the Church and in society at large.
This is the picture we have in the portion of Matthew’s Gospel we are reflecting on (Mt 20:20-28). This was the attitude of the ZEBEDEE among the apostles, James and John. They wanted places of honour and fame in the Kingdom of God. They wanted to occupy places of honour and authority, to be in charge in the Kingdom of God. No wonder they did not fully understand the implications of being disciples of Jesus. Of course, the other ten disciples were upset with these two brothers. Jesus seized this opportunity to once again teach them that the famous one, the greatest and the honourable in the Kingdom of God is the person who is the servant. Authority is given not for self-importance or self-aggrandisement, ambition and self-respect, but for useful service to God and humankind. This cannot however be achieved on a silver platter. It must be achieved through hard work, selfless service, sacrifice, suffering and sometimes, persecution.
Indeed, those who are the ‘Honourables’ and the ‘Famous’ in Christianity are the people who suffer during their earthly lives in their faith, as well as those who, without fear or favour, led people during their earthly lives amid pain, suffering, persecution and martyrdom. These are the Prophets of old like Jeremiah, Elijah, Ezekiel, as well as the Saints of old like Peter, Paul, etc. Jesus himself suffered pain and persecution and was eventually crucified on the Cross (the ‘Cut’ and the ‘Baptism’). Anyone, who is ready and willing to serve God and humanity, despite the suffering, disappointments, pain and persecutions that the person encounters, is a modern Saint or Prophet in the making.
We pray that during this Season of Lent, we may endeavour to avoid or eliminate all tendencies and attitudes of ‘Nimiyuolism’ and ‘Nimikpeilism’ in us to use our positions to serve God and humanity and one day be esteemed and raised higher in the Kingdom of God among the Prophets and Saints in heaven. By this, we shall be one day counted among the ‘Spiritual Honourables and Famous ones’. Let us pray for the spirit of humility to do that. Stay blessed and may your Wednesday be blissful.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, WEDNESDAY, ON THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES: ‘THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION, THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE ASSUMPTION, AND THE CORONATION’. (WE PRAY FAITH, HOPE, LOVE OF GOD, GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH AND TRUST IN MARY’S INTERCESSION) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “GRANT, WE PRAY, O LORD OUR GOD, THAT WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US AS THE PLEDGE OF IMMORTALITY MAY WORK FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
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