Fulfilling Our Purpose

Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday, 18th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, 7th August, 2020
Texts: Nahum 1:15;2:2;3:1-3.6-7; Ps. Dt. 32:35-36.39.41; Matt. 16:24-28
Who are those who bring good news? Who are those who proclaim peace? They are those who call us to fulfill the purpose of our being: to know, love and serve God. Prophet Nahum puts it thus: "Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah, fulfil your vows, for never again shall the wicked come against you, he is utterly cut off". The good news is that the Lord has put down the might from their thrones and the weak have been made victors.
This is a troubled time for the entire world and our nation: we are battling with kidnapping, banditry, armrobbery, terrorism, violence, etc. The good news for us is that there is a way out. The way out is to fulfill the purpose of our existence: to know, love and serve God.
The gospel tells us what it means to know, love and serve God: denying ourselves, taking up our crosses and following Jesus Christ. Denying ourselves means renouncing our wills for God's will; it is an enthronement of God's will in our lives. We deny ourselves when we live the life offered us by God. Taking up our crosses is being ready to accept the difficulties of life with joy; it is living a life of sacrifice. Following Christ is living in imitation of Christ, walking in his ways, loving and doing what he does. Following Christ is having his mind and heart. We are not to seek our lives anymore but God.

May the Holy Spirit guide us daily to fulfill the true purpose of our being. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke