Today is another day the Lord has made. You are alive all because He loves you dearly. You see the last Sunday in August 2016 because He cares. Sing:"O seun laye mi o Baba(x3), Oluwaseun laye mi o jare"/ "A a ope loye, mo wa laye, mo wa laye...a ope loye!"

My dear friends, "Our religion transcends all others, for it is founded on the experience of God in Christ and his church", says Antony Kolencherry.

My question for today is, "How strong is your faith, to accommodate Christ's teaching on 'humility'? Ecclesiastics 3:17ff tells us, "...The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then, you will find favour with the Lord. There is no cure for the proud man's malady, since an evil growth has taken root in him". Feed your faith daily through good works done in love and your doubts will starve to death. Sing: "In the presence of God, Alleluia joy!"

 It is a popular saying that, "There is time for everything". Hence, to be at the right place at the right time is wisdom. All we need is patience and humility. No wonder St Augustine wrote, "Streams of grace flow not towards the mountain of pride, but into the valley of humility."

Note: There is no better place like enjoying God's presence! A day in your house is better than a thousand elsewhere. Psalm 68:4ff tells us, "The just shall rejoice at the presence of God, they shall exult and dance for joy...God gives the lonely a home to live in...In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor".

 According to Adel Bestaures, "Patience with others is love, patience with self is hope, patience with God is

faith, and patience with life is peace". Let us wait patiently for our time. God's time is indeed the best. "Good things come to those who wait in faith". Sing:"I can see everything turning around for my good."

 When a chick is out of the shell; it doesn't return but seeks to move forward to greatness. You too can learn humility and begin to live.

Nothing is impossible for God to do. Ask God to take away your pride and install unto you the humility to enjoy each day in God's presence. It is not late; it is only late in the grave. Jesus tells us in Mt.11:29, "Learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart" (Jesus is our model of great humility).

 Therefore, He/She who kneels before God can stand before anybody. Allow God to move you up higher Himself and nothing can ever pull you down. He is God and you are not! Stay Humble with living faith intact. Lk.14:11 says, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted". Don't end up embarrassing yourself by sitting at the empty seat in the front pew at a wedding, when your lateness is already obvious, the seat may be the one reserved for the bride's father/mother...you will still have to stand up in shame. Humble yourself jeje o! Lol

Sing:"Lord for tomorrow and its needs I do not pray...help me to mortify myself, just for today". Take life one day at a time! Happy Sunday in advance.

Fr. Balogun Stephen

Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan