Readings: Is.11:1-10, Ps.72, Eph. 2:13-22, Matt.2:13-15.19-23
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
COME LET US FIX OUR COUNTRY CONSUMED BY GREED AND SELFISH PEOPLE
The root of all the problems in our world today is the love of power. People are ready to do anything to be in power and to retain that power. This is what we see in the life of Herod in our Gospel passage today, where the Holy family of Jesus had to flee to Egypt, because Herod planned to kill an innocent child for the sake of retaining his power.
This ugly attitude is not far from us today, especially in our country, Nigeria, which is in a state of distress because of the love of power and greediness among the people in power and even the common citizens.
The fact remains that the elements of good and bad seem inherent in the human condition; it is little wonder that the world involves both good and bad mixed together. This will help us to understand the reason for the corruption, greediness, immoral and social decadence in our country today.
So, as we are celebrating our country, Nigeria, at 65 since our independence, we thank God who has made it possible for us to witness the day. But today’s celebration should plunge us into deep reflection about the ugly condition of this country. We need to ask ourselves, what have we done right? What have we done wrong? How can we do better and what will the future of this country be like?
Dear friends, the rate of corruption and greed in this country is so appalling. People are never tired of acquiring and embezzling public funds for their own selfish gain. The truth is that, we need a radical transformation. A transformation that will bring about a new outfit that makes one a new person, with a new life, a new mind and a new way of doing things.
This is possible only when we understand the shortness of this life, the emptiness of this passing world and the danger of greediness, then we will be able to do things the right way, and then our country, Nigeria, will be great again.
For this country will be transformed only when the power of love and goodwill supersedes the love of power, when justice and faithfulness become the habit of every one of us in this country. Then, we can begin to experience that peaceful coexistence and the blessings that Prophet Isaiah mentioned in our first reading.
This will bring the hostility going on in our country to an end, just like St Paul said in our second reading that we shall no longer be strangers in our own country, but true citizens with the saints not just here in our country, try, Nig,eria, but also in the kingdom of God.
LET US PRAY: Lord God, out of selfishness and greediness, we have committed a lot of crimes and injustice against one another. Grant that through the intercession of Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria, we may resolve to have genuine love and goodwill in carrying out our activities in the societies and our country. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Month, wishing you a blessed Independence Day celebration.
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