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THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUE MESSAGE By: Rev Fr Victor Ibiyemi


JULY 15, FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME- AMOS 7:12-15, PSALM 84:9-14, EPHESIANS 1:3-14, EPHESIANS 1:17,18, MARK 6:7-13. 

In a society where there are so many vendors speaking the “word of God”, where there are so many persons selling different messages in the name of Christ, where there are so many prophets and evangelists exploiting people in the name of Jesus, we must be very careful to examine what we hear and accept so as not to fall prey of deception and eventual condemnation.

 In the first reading, Amos was condemned and expelled by Amaziah because Amos preached the authentic message of God and that became a threat to Amaziah who was a paid prophet of the King, preaching lies to the king and the nation. God’s word was rejected because it was the truth and Amaziah feared the truth! The Psalmist encourages us all to hear what the Lord God has to say, not what others want to say for God or what we like to hear.

 A summarised truth of God’s message is contained in the second reading, that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be pure and holy, he has chosen us for his purposes, to praise the glory of his name and to bring all things under Christ when the fullness of time had come. It is only when we hear this message of truth, and believe it that we will be stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit- the pledge of our inheritance which brings authentic freedom for those who are in God. In the Gospel, the Apostles teach us what the true message of Christ is.

 1) The Apostles brought the message of Jesus not their own message 2) The Message of Christ must bring about change and because it must bring about change, it will never be pleasing 3) The message they brought was about God’s mercy not destruction or demanding burdens. Dear brothers and sisters, St. Paul has warmed us already about the popularity of lies in this age (2 Timothy 4:3-4), we must be careful of the messages we hear and accept, we must always harken to hear the Voice of God alone. Remember, only those chosen and sent out by God have authority to speak God’s message. May we never be deceived and misled to our destruction through Christ our Lord. Amen.

on behalf of the parish priest: Rev Fr victor Ibiyemi, we wish you a very wonderful week.

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