Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

Catholic faithful have been admonished to be true disciples, who must be merciful just like our God is merciful. The Parish Priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun gave this admonition in the parish during the Divine Mercy Sunday celebration on 27th April, 2025.

According to Fr. Balogun, ‘just like yesterday we started Lenten season but today, Second Sunday of Easter. If not for His mercy, where will I be? Where will you be? Some have gone through a lot but the mercy of God is still there for us.’ He therefore called on all to reflect on the infinite mercy of God like the Psalmist says: “Give thanks to God for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.”

The priest also enjoined all to share the mercy of God they have received freely with others, for the one who is merciful is the one who loves. Love of God, he added, is unconditional love and mercy and so charged all to be truly merciful.

The parish priest also tasked the parents, especially, the Mothers to correct their children at tender age before it will be too late and to always pray to God for His intervention when things become difficult and hopeless.

The cleric encouraged all to be people of hope, like the year has been declared the year of hope by the Late Pope Francis, because of the hope he had in God. “We are pilgrims of Hope. True disciples must live a life of love, mercy, service not only to themselves but also to others.”

Fr. Balogun called on all to always forgive from their heart and not just from their mouth for if God forgives, He forgets. Hence, Divine Mercy Sunday is to emphasize the importance of the mercy of God and that this should not end on this Sunday but continues.

The CAN Coordinator in Ona Ara LGA of Oyo State also warned the parishioners against being doubtful like Thomas in the day’s gospel, whose doubt disappeared seeing Christ and professed, ‘My Lord and my God.’ “God is in charge, he controls all things. He is a merciful God. Not having hope in Him is more terrible than not having food and water. The risen Lord is still with us. He will surely make a way for us, no matter how small the way may be.”

Fr. Balogun appreciated Rev. Fr. Gabriel Anekwe, who joined the Mass for his presence and efforts on the parish. Fr. Anekwe, who now works at St. Albert the Great seminary, Abeokuta also appreciated the parish priest, the parishioners for the development so far in the parish and also congratulated Catechist Elizabeth Ibimiluyi who had a special birthday thanksgiving at the day’s Mass.