A WORD FOR TODAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE TO THOSE AROUND YOU*

_"Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him"(Luke 8:1)_

*LEAVE A POSITIVE MARK*

_*We meet people on a daily basis and our interaction with them leaves a mark on them which could be either positive or negative depending on what we have done and what our intentions are.*_

*WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO*

_Our life definitely must influence others for good or bad depending on the motive behind why we do what we do. A positive influence, however, is highly recommended to anyone who follows Jesus._

*JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE*

_*The life of Christ and the things He did robbed off on His apostles, disciples and those who came in contact with Him to the extent that they followed Him everywhere and collaborated with Him in the work of the proclamation of God's kingdom.*_

*HAVE RESPECT FOR PEOPLE*

_The most strinking thing about it is that His influence cuts across every group, young and old, male and female. In the Jewish culture where women were not given a place, Jesus treated them with respect and provided them with the platform and opportunity to proclaim the good news through their support and encouragement to Him and the other disciples._

*A POSITIVE INFLUENCE HELPS IN COLLABORATION*

_*When you influence people positively, you sow the seed in them that will germinate someday and which will also make them to become positive influence to others and collaborate with you in raising up good people for God.*_

*A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IS A SEED OF MOTIVATION*

_A positive influence on people is simply a motivation that drives people to doing good and living well for God and humanity. We must strive to influence others positively in our homes, work places, schools, church, business places, in the streets and our neighborhood and in the society. People are looking up to us and what you do could inspire them to do good or to do evil._

*BE TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST*

_*When we come close to Jesus, our life is transformed, the old things pass away and we become new and we will now go out everywhere to show the world the face of Jesus who has made us His disciples. Our encounter with Him makes us who have been dead to sin to rise to newness of life and become the light of the world.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a beautiful day. May Jesus give you the grace to be a good influence to those around you. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* 1 Corinthians 15:12-20/Psalm 17:1,6-8,15/Luke 8:1-3

*Watch-Word:* If Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith is futile.

_*Follow Jesus well and you will have the capacity to lead others well and inspire them to do good.*_

(Friday of the twenty-fourth week in the ordinary time. Year II. Memorial of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian.)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*