Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Jer 17:5-10
Lk 16:19-31
A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope.
Trust is a fundamental thing — a determination levelling on confidence and proactive choice in belief and total submission. Trust is enthused by the commitment that is focused to attract cooperation. Trust works with hope to create and establish a strong bond around faith. When faith anchors its determination in God, it eliminates the fear of the unknown because knowledge of God that comes with trust in Him is overwhelming protection on its own. Trust generates faith and hope and together, they form a shield against any harm.
The rising wave of money rituals across the youth in many Nigerian cities is alarming and very injurious to the country’s moral stability. This is compelling the government to take measures to stem the tide of involvement of ritual acts in the movie and film industry. The recent case of a mother who was subjected to manipulations by her own son was of monumental bad taste. Mrs. Regina had spent her life raising her children, committing trust and faith in God, having lost her husband some years past. Her devotion to God in prayers and commitments was exemplary. But the devil was working to pull a bad one on her. Her son, John, had been away from home for five years and came back to surprise his mother and other members of the family, flaunting wealth around. He invited his mother to the opening ceremony of his new house in the city. Everyone expressed shock at the sudden richness. John had joined a group of money ritual activists and it was time to rekindle the potency of his ritual platform, time to present his mother’s blood. On the day his mother visited his home, there was ecstasy in the feelings of members of the group seeing the latest victim. And yet the spirit of God in her was waiting to expose the devil. John welcomed his mother and ushered her into a magnificent room prepared for her. As soon as his mother entered the room of slaughter, God’s grace of protection enveloped her; there was a violent agitation of the jar of death cocked in a bottle in the form of jelly in the room and the three men following her, including her son, to apply the jelly of death on her fell down in convulsion. The room was rendered in cries of confessions and pleas for forgiveness. Two days later, John’s house was pulled down for unauthorised erection.
Today, John has returned to the Church and is now serving as a catechist in his local parish. John’s mother has continued to thank God for saving John from condemnation.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Julius Otusorochukwu Dike, KSJI, KSG, JP)
Prayer: Lord, in faith and trust we anchor our protection. We believe and rely on you for protection. Help us to continue to stand on faith and trust in this life. We pray that you grant us this desire. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Our Father and Lord, we thank you for protecting us and guiding us, please help us to continue to be strong in trust and faith. Thank you, Lord, Amen.
OXYGEN 
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