Catholic faithful have been admonished to seek Jesus if they desire personal growth in life. Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun made the admonition on Sunday 8th September 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Reflecting on the drama in the day’s Gospel reading (Mark 7:31-37) where Jesus Christ took the deaf and dumb privately to a corner to perform miracle, the Parish Priest of St. Anne Parish said it is a lesson to all that there are somethings one could do publicly and also somethings to done privately.

Making reference to another miracle in the Scripture of a paralyzed man, who was brought and lowered through the roof and the miracle in the day’s Gospel in which the friends of the deaf and dumb brought him to Jesus, Fr. Balogun stated that it is a great lesson for all Christians to examine whether they are also bringing or carrying someone to Jesus for healing. 

He advised that Christians need not pray only for their families alone but should also pray for others as prayers said for them by those they might have helped are what is upholding them too in life, especially whenever they could not pray for themselves.

The CAN Coordinator in Ona Ara LGA of Oyo State added that Christ does everything good and can still do for all if they have faith, for we worship a mighty God who is not a magician but God. “He is not a wonder worker but a God that came in flesh to teach us how to make sacrifices in life and gain eternal life.”

The Priest enjoined parents to train their children in the ways of God rather than keep raising property for them; as such property might not last but the fear of God, put in their minds will be everlasting and see them through in life.

Fr. Balogun therefore cautioned Christians against taking God for granted and against allowing fear to take greater part of their lives but rather should pray and work at it like the first reading enjoined (Isaiah 35:4-7a). “There is no food, there is sorrow and pain in the land. Many have died but here we are. Let us not take God for granted.

Sometimes, we allow fear to take greater part of our life, worrying about tomorrow. Instead, pray and work at it and appreciate God for the little you have.”

The Parishioners at the Mass also rejoiced with Bro. Stephen Igwe, CSJ, who celebrated his birthday the previous day in a birthday thanksgiving. In the same vein, the Parish’s Legionaries also cut a cake after Mass to celebrate the birthday of our Mother Blessed Virgin Mary which falls on Sunday this year.