By Olivia Obijiaku
The Parish Priest of Immaculate of Mary Parish, Fegge Onitsha Rev. Fr Sampson Ogbuebuna has called on the faithful people of God to go after the most important things in life so that the coming of the Lord will not take them by surprise. Fr Ogbuebuna who delivered the homily at the Mass presided over at the parish by the vicar, Rev Fr Peter Areh on Saturday, 2nd December, 2023 told them that the Church’s year came to an end on that day even as he reminded them of how special the day was for those who believe in the faith of the apostles, as handed over by Jesus Christ.
“You die the day you stop praying according to the will of God.” He told them. “You may be alive physically but dead spiritually. Your ambition must begin from the very foundation that you must become what God has created you to be. So, when you are enjoying all the breakthroughs in our world today, do not go astray forgetting the coming of the Lord, the one most important thing. Do not forget that all these things will end one day and the Lord is coming sooner than we expect.
You have something to contribute no matter your condition. In that condition, do not forget that we draw closer to the grave each day. This is what will help us to prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do not allow the worries of this world to make you forget the most important things. The Lord is asking us today to be contented. There will always be new needs. There is a difference between positive and negative ambition. Be contented with what the Lord has given to you. It is another way of keeping watch. With this, no weapon fashioned against you will work.
Remember, whether you are keeping watch or not, whether you are sick or healthy, rich or poor, when your time comes, you will die. These are the secrets to keeping watch.”
Fr Ogbuebuna told them that greed is one of the ways the ways the devil gains access into their lives pointing them to the miracles of God that come to light every day, like such that will happen the following day, the New Year. He prayed that their faith and hopes may not be thwarted in spite of the negative happenings of the day, as they march towards the New Year.