As we reflect on the words of Jesus in John 14:15-21, I am reminded of a story of a small town that lived by a river. The town was filled with people who were kind and generous to one another, and they took great pride in being good neighbours. One day, a visitor came to the town and asked a resident, "What is the secret to your town's happiness and prosperity?"

If you grew up in the village, surrounded by livestock, you understand the significance of today’s Gospel reading from John 10:1-10. My Grandpa Atanansi Komunjara kept a few goats and knew all of them by name and took good care of them. We would take the goats to graze in the morning, constantly check on them to ensure their safety, and in the evening, bring them back. It was like a full-time job on non-school days like Saturdays and other holidays.

#Mindspark with Mr Strategy

The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us about a widow who is poor and powerless but persists in nagging a corrupt, and powerful judge to do justice for her. This parable speaks to the realities we are living in today where winning a court case is increasingly becoming less about the facts, evidence, and the law, and more about the parties, the size of their pocket and their station in life in delivering justice. The poor person without the means and money has the odds against him or her before the justice system.

#Mindspark with Mr Strategy

“This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’”

The times we are living are not easy. Each one of you reading this must be thankful for being alive. I am happy that you make time to come to Church to thank God for the blessings of life and livelihood. But do you extend a helping hand to your less fortunate neighbours and or relatives? Each one of us is climbing a hill with heavy luggage on our backs. The hill gets steeper, and the luggage heavier with each passing day. Look at the leper as someone with sins or sickness or poverty and problems. Each one of us is always looking out for a helping hand to guide us to a better route with smooth roads. To give us psycosocial support. Someone to give us a lift or to help reduce the load. Be that one person today.

Forgive me, Father, For I Have Sinned”, I looked up at the Priest as I made my over 100^th confession. Nothing good comes easy. You must act. Get up and search for it. You will be lucky to have someone pushing you to go for confession, yet penance is one such sacrament essential for your soul. In this Lent season, you have more reasons to examine your conscience and come clean with yourself.

Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But he replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-11

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learned how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for a tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away,” Matthew 5:38-48

What is your worthy cause?

If you lack clarity of a worthy cause, no matter how much success you register in terms of money, power and material wealth, it will still not be enough. The people we read about as noble prize winners, game changers and exceptional leaders dedicated their lives to something beyond making lots of money. You must have a worthy cause.

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved.” Matthew 5:17-37

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-16

“And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord…” Luke 2: 22-40