Fr. Richard OMOLADE

 

We are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart and mind and strength.  In other words, total commitment is expected of us, not half measure. A Catholic cannot be a nominal member. He must be fully sacramentalized, that is, receives all sacraments available to him or her. Be a man or woman of prayer, not just when at Mass.

 

Regular attendance at Mass is highly recommended, or how do you deepen your spiritual life? Going to confessions regularly is not optional but beneficial, just as weekday Mass is not optional for a true Catholic, it is something they do freely because they are in love with God. It may not be required, but it is a proof of one's genuine love and commitment to the faith. What you do occasionally does not capture your attention and grow your love, but what you do frequently does.

 

Attending Mass is good, but participating at Mass is even better and far more rewarding.  Are you just there or you are participating fully and consciously? Are you singing and standing and kneeling, knowing you are doing all these in honour of God and for your own good or you are just following the motion? Commitment demands conscious effort and it must be free and total. Is this the way you are committed to your faith? Commitment is a form of dedication to a cause and God is deserving of our commitment. If you are not committed to God, what are you going to be committed to? Since God is our creator, He deserves our total commitment. The more we are committed to the course of our faith, the more the faith burns in us. Some of the saints have been noted to have exclaimed “God or nothing” In other words, only God is to be given the highest honour.

 

What is there in your life that you are giving God because he is your God? It is in this sense that we say, we should use of our time, talent and treasures to serve God. When we spend time for God or doing God’s work, it shows that we recognize his value in our life and are committed to show gratitude. The same is true of using our talents in the service of God.  We acknowledge that it is God who has blessed us with our various gifts, and talents and there is no better place to use them than in the service of God. These days, Churches have needs to be met, especially caring for the needy and the resources can only come from the people of God and all those committed to God and their faith.

 

Because the Church is a community of faith, and the household of God, we must do everything necessary to keep the community functioning and effective. This is where the financial commitment is necessary. When we give in Church, we give for the sake of our community so that it may do the work of God effectively and efficiently. This giving must be sacrificial to be salutary. Our giving may be measured, but it must be generous and not forced. If you are not willing to give to your faith, maybe something is wrong? Maybe you do not love God enough or if you love God, maybe you do not love his Church. We must give God without counting the cost.  There are testimonies of people of faith who have willed their property to the Church or included the Church in their behest for execution at the end of their life. This is indeed a noble gesture that others should emulate.  We can provide for the Church in our will and expect that they will be put to good use particularly if we specify what we want our donations used for, such as scholarships for indigent students, or gifted scholarships, to provide funding for widows and orphans. This gesture ensures that even after our demise, we can continue to do good on earth like St. Therese of Lisieux who pledged to spend her heaven doing good upon earth.

In the final analysis, then, while we still have life, let us do all the good we can muster. Time will not always be there, and the resources may fade away. Let us begin to store up treasures for ourselves in heaven where moth does not attack it. The New Testament is filled with noble examples to guide us.

In the infant Church people sold their property and brought the proceeds to the apostles for the use of the community. Wealthy men and women catered for the apostles likewise. Others have helped missionaries to build Churches, schools and hospitals from their resources. These are good gestures showing their commitment to God and the faith.  These gestures will be praised for all eternity. So, in the practice of our faith, there is always room for faith and action, for prayer and good deeds. Today, let us translate our faith into concrete deeds by committing more resources to the mission of the Church.