Search This Blog

Saturday, January 2, 2021

Reflection on the Gospel of January 2nd by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh


DEFINE YOURSELF


( John 1:19-28)

Still within the celebration of the nativity of Christ, we have been launched into a brand new year of the secular calendar.

The question of identify of John is presented to us. John defined himself rightly as the voice. 

Self knowledge helps in self definition. It was Socrates that said: man, know yourself. My mum will always tell me back then as a boy: "Osy, mara onwe gi"(Osy know who you are). You're to people whom you have defined yourself to be. What aspect of yourself are you presenting to the world this year?

Who are you to God? Who are you to men? Who are you to yourself? 

John chose to be the voice, He was the voice of the voiceless, He was the voice calling people out of bad ways. He really knew his mission. He had a vision, he possessed the power of revelation. He revealed Jesus to the world when he called out: Behold the lamb of God.

What is your mission for this year? Have you any plan for this year? Define your plan and your dream for the year. Who are you going to be this year? 

We are always on the process of becoming. We continually undergo growth and maturity. These define whom we are. We are the architects of what we become. When we cooperate with God, it results to positive testimony but when we fail to do so, we have ourselves to blame. 

Single yourself out and address yourself on which way forward. Sit yourself down and advice yourself on how you have been defining yourself all along. Go through the various aspects of your life and consider if they are really what you will be proud to say: "This is me". If they fall short of what your identity before God and man should be, take a clean sheet from the Lord this new year and sit to write a definition of yourself that you will be fulfilled about at the end of this year. Take far away from your life those who will give you a bad identity. You don't need to mingle with those who will not tell you the truth, you don't need the company of those who will not build you up. You don't permit any wrong tag on yourself. 

Best way to define yourself is to hopefully tell yourself you're going to become that which you want to be. Then immediately without any waste of time, you begin to work on that new you you have chosen to become. Let the you you want to be be the you that God has created you to be. Be a happy person, be a serious student, be a responsible man, be a caring wife. Be the best.

You're the best. God wants the best from you. You can really be great. You will achieve the purpose of your calling.

LET US PRAY

Thank You dear Lord for this year.  Thank You for your word which motivates me to realize myself in you and live more consciously. May I maximise my strength this year and minimise my weaknesses.  Destroy  all forms of carelessness and those forces that have given me a false definition of myself. May I be that which you have defined me to be when you created me. Help me to make good use of the opportunities you grant me to be good in your sight through Christ our Lord. Amen

SS Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen pray for us for the release of Bishop Moses Chikwe, the auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdioces.

Happy New Year, God bless your day.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: FABER: THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (catholictradition.org)

No comments:

Post a Comment

  Solemnity of Christ the King, Year B: Homily by Fr . Isaac Chima Theme: Let's make Christ king over our lives and choices. Readi...