A WORD FOR TODAY 20 JANUARY

A WORD FOR TODAY 20 JANUARY


Hhhhhhh

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*LEAVE THE WORLD AND FOLLOW JESUS*

_“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."(Matthew 13:44)_

_*Today we celebrate the feast of Blessed Cyprain Michael Iwene Tansi. He is the first Nigerian to be raised to this state in the journey of sainthood. He is our very own and we are proud of what he represents for us and the inspiration his life has continued to give to us in the journey of life.*_

_Blessed Tansi was born into a humble family in Aguleri, although his parents were not Christians, he was allowed to go on to become a priest, although not without some initial efforts to stop him from choosing that path. He was introduced into the Christian faith by the early missionaries and he will go on to become a teacher, a priest and a monk. He worked tirelessly as a priest to teach others the way of Christ and to bring them up in the faith as he was brought up also._

_*Just like Jesus who in humility took the form of a servant and gave his life on the cross for our sake as the first reading of today tells us, Blessed Tansi also in humility followed the way of Christ and rejected the attractions of the world. God called him and he chose the way of God over the way of the world and he poured out his life for the good of souls and today he is enjoying the beatific vision of heaven.*_

_If we are going to follow Jesus in Spirit and in truth we must reject the attractions of the world. We must get rid of its grip on us and walk in the path of righteousness. The road may be rough and narrow, but it is the only way that leads to the true and everlasting treasure that we seek._

_*When Blessed Tansi found this treasure, he sold everything he had and possessed it. This is what the Lord is telling us in the gospel reading. You must give up everything in order to possess the kingdom of God.*_

_We must have the mind of Christ in us. He was humble, he was simple, he was compassionate, he was selfless and he was generous. Let us always try to be like Christ in the journey of life, live for Him and die for him and in the end you will be welcomed into eternal life._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a blessed day. May Jesus give you the grace to leave the world and a it's attractions and follow Him till the end. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Philippians 2:1-11/Psalm 12:2-6/Matthew 13:44-46

*Watch-Word:* At the mention of the name of Jesus every knee should bow

*God's seed is sown in you, let it germinate and use every opportunity you get to sow good seeds in others.*

(Thursday of the second week in the ordinary time. Feast of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi.)