Dear Parishioners.

The mercy of God is invoked upon all its members by the Mother Church at the begging of our celebration this week. We should in turn as Christ faithful show mercy to others.

The first reading emphasised on the need of collaboration in the mission of the Church, each and every one of us should play our own part. Our leaders or the Priests need assistance of the faithful to carry out the mission entrusted to them by Christ. This collaborative ministry is of different forms and in different stages. Some play major roles while others have minor roles to play. All hands should be on board and none of the roles is less important, for God has given us all a share in his Spirit which is greater than human regulations. We must then recognize and welcomed the Spirit of GOD wherever it is found.

James in the second reading followed the same trend in the first reading, he spoke about the need for us to know that all we have and all we are, are gifts from God. The haves should not be selfish with their resources, they should help the haves not. We should also be attentive to the need of our Church community, by contributing to the daily running of the church and supporting the works of evangelizations.   

The Gospel encourages us to see the good in others, we must accept good wherever we may find it. The Spirit of God is at work in the world, but there is need for true discernment. We must respect others who genuinely seek God and those who are doing good. In the same vein we must denounce evil and uphold goodness.

Jesus also warns us to avoid all scandals and be continually conscious of it. We should not lead people to sin or make them to sin, we must avoid occasion of sin. These we can achieve true constant prayers and by doing good works. The regular sacrament of reconciliation can also be of great help to us.

The avoidance of evil by the faithful must be taken with utmost seriousness, according to Jesus, but not to literally to the extend of self-mutilation, but we must be self-a wear to avoid occasion of sin.      

 FR. Jerome Otitoyomi DUKIYA. C.S.Sp.