Dear brethren, do you even take some moments to ask yourself, why you even worship God? Why do I spend some moments in His presence? What impact is His presence creating in my life and through me influencing others? Often

times, the noise of this world, the distractions around us make us take for granted who Jesus is to us!!! Do you mean after all this years since your

baptism till now, you still don't know Me (Jesus)- Paul, Nneka, Nkem, Dapo etc.? Sing:

  "I will enter his gate with thanksgiving in my heart, will enter his court with praise..."/"Take glory Father, take glory Son, take glory Holy Ghost now & forever more"/"Ore bi Jesu ko si laye yi..."

 One thing is certain; even when we tend to leave/neglect Him. He will never leave us or forsake us, because of his "mark of ownership" on us, given

through baptism. No wonder, Gal.3:26ff says, "You are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All baptised in Christ, you have all

clothed yourselves in Christ...".

 Hence, people should see the image/acts like that is of a loving, caring, merciful and stable Father in us Christians.

Let your soul thirst for d good God, let all your being worship and give him praise. Ps. 63:4 tells us, "So, I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift u my hands". Can you worship and praise him, if you don't know Him?

The song of Ron Kenoly comes to mind here: "I will worship the Lord for he is worthy, I will lay down my sword, the prince of peace is His name, king

of the flood, the lord is mighty, the Lord can quench the evil flame...Peace, when trouble blows...Fill the presence of God upon the water, hear the voice of the Lord, within the thunder hat rolls...The Lord can calm d troubled soul..." We need to pay more attention and worship him in spirit and in truth. Though not easy o!

 Dear friend, the more troubled the situation of the world today, the more the need to create and realise the awareness of His presence as the King of Peace. Everyday on news, there is always bad, breaking news: Niger Delta

bombings, Orlando Massacre case, 2years old boy Florida Alligator case, UK killing of innocent 41 year old political activist; mourning here and

there.

 We need to know Jesus and follow in His way of love!  Who is Jesus to you? Let us remember to pray in season and out of season. "Adura lebo,

Adura lebo mi". Zech.12:10ff says, "Over the house of David the the citizens of Jerusalem, I will pour out my spirit of kindness and prayer." So, why are we so far from God and prayer all the more today? If they were not in the Gay club Saturday night, but preparing for Mass of Sunday, would they have been killed that night? Just thinking aloud!!! What impact is God's presence making in your life with others?

 In the Gospel today, Lk.9:18-24, Jesus was compared with great people, but He is indeed greater than hem all, because He is God - our hope and salvation.

Sing:

"I know his name; his name is king of kings...wonderful...marvellous". Finally, if anyone wants to be a true follower of Christ, surrender all to

him, carry your cross daily and follow Him. "Mo fi gbogbo re fun pata pata lai ku, igbagbo mi ro mo, oba tabi si aye". Note: only a freed man can

commit himself to God and others! Don't be self-centred.

 Make Jesus your friend, and all will be well again! "A true friend is not one who has answers to all your questions/solutions to all your problems, but the one who stays by you, even when there is no solution". His name is Jesus! He is saying to you today, "I can't promise to fix all your problems, but I can promise you won't have to face them alone". Let God take Charge. 
All is well.

Rev Fr. Stephen Balogun
Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan