Contents
Introduction
In the Gospel of last Sunday (Matt 16:13–20), Jesus’ identity (as the anointed One of God – Christos) was revealed and clarified. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus unveils the significance and content of being God’s anointed. It is not a post of honour, glory, exaltation, power, or material acquisition. It is a position of service and service alone. This is a vital point on which every religious/Christian leader should reflect. Today, it is very clear that almost 80%-85% of religious/Christian leaders are confused and do not even know what their role is. Nigeria and most West African countries are typical examples. For them, their position as Christian religious leaders is a way of power acquisition, material enrichment, recognition, honour, and vainglory. The only distinction between such religious leaders and politicians is the strategy for their consistent corruption and insensibility to the feelings of the people they are supposed to serve. Both politicians and these religious/Christian leaders have their carefully studied strategies to entice the poor and sometimes, greedy masses. Therefore, in as much as all must reflect on this Gospel passage, it is especially meant to be a serious monitor to Christian leaders.
Conclusion
Dear reader, being a child of God, a believer or a disciple of Jesus is a special privilege of which we must be grateful. However, as one song puts it: It is not always an easy road (it’s not an easy road….). It is not always without cross. And such cross is sometimes very heavy and very painful. This is because the world and especially, the Church is always full of ‘Peters’ who induce true disciples to change their identity. The selfish, greedy, godless and corrupt elders, bishops, priests and teachers of the law of the various Christian Churches, who having lost their own identity, are always ready to oppress and suppress true disciples because they have sworn never to be like them and, never to follow their evil and selfish way. They are all obstacles (Satanas) blocking the disciples’ way to success, true freedom, and salvation.
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPY OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE: SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vol. I)!! The reflection for the 22nd Sunday is found on pages 422–430. Happy reading!
For details on how to get it, contact the author on this link: https://m.me/uchennabiblia?fbclid=IwAR2yeg4a6sDGBp9QGkIvKj6FSADumMokN6lshdE0zuo-JHs6qOmlhA7jyHo or email me at: postmaster@uchennabiblia.com or simply send an SMS on 08116100926, and I will get back to you.
