A WORD FOR TODAY 5 March, 2023

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*LISTEN TO JESUS AND FOLLOW HIM*

_"He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”(Matthew 17:5)_

_*The gospel reading of today focuses on the transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ at mount Tabor. Jesus took Peter, James and John and went to the mountain and there He was transfigured before them.*_

_God revealed His glory in Christ and His disciples saw a glimpse of who He is and they were awestruck and Peter wanted them to remain on that mountain._

_*Jesus was on His way to Calvary, He was going to suffer and die. It was a message that did not sit well with the disciples. He needed to show them who He really is so that they will understand that after His suffering, a time of joy and glory will come.*_

_The voice of the Father from the cloud vouched for Him and instructed His disciples to listen to Him. They were to follow His guide and obey His instructions if they were going to please the Lord as His children._

_*We are pilgrims here on earth and we have a mission to fulfill, however, if we are going to do it well, we must fix our gaze on Christ and strive to do His will. We must carry our cross and follow Him till the end.*_

_Just as Abram heard the voice of the Lord in the first reading and obeyed Him, we must listen to Jesus and follow Him and He will guide us and help us to actualize our goals in life._

_*If we listen to the Lord and do what He commands, we shall not be led astray or be deceived. We will follow the path that leads to life. Even when we experience the cross and suffer for His sake, we shall not be confounded, because our time of glory and honour will surely come.*_

_The way of Christ is the way of the cross, therefore, if you choose not to walk with Him bearing your cross here on earth, you are simply giving up on the reward of the crown of glory that will come to those who endure until the end. May your focus continue to be a movement to the mountain of the Lord where His glory will be manifested, your sorrows be wiped away and your joy restored with all other blessings you desire._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a fantastic Sunday. May Jesus give you the grace to follow Him without doubt. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Genesis 12:1-4/Psalm 33:4-5,18-20,22/2 Timothy 1:8-10/Matthew 17:1-9

*Watch-Word:* This is my beloved Son, listen Him.

*No one who follows the voice of the Lord will be lost. Choose the way of Christ and live.*

(Second Sunday of Lent. Year A)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*