By Olivia Obijiaku
The Parish Priest of St Ann’s Catholic Church, Zango Tama and Supplying Priest to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, Rev Fr Patrick Atama has charged the faithful to handle their blessings with care so that they do not lose them.
The priest gave this charge in Our Lady’s on Tuesday, 12th March 2024, leaning on the day’s Gospel in Jesus was criticized for healing someone on a Sabbath Day.Charging them to be good, merciful and kind towards others irrespective of what day of the week it is, he told them to identify more with people when they are in need rather than wait for a time when such assistance may no longer be needed nor valued.“Be careful with your blessings!” He cautioned. “Some people may not be happy with the blessings that God has given you.
Jesus was criticized because He cured this man on a Sabbath Day. I believe they have been seeing him suffering for thirty-eight years but they questioned his healing on a Sabbath Day. We see this type of people around us. They are not happy whenever God is doing something extraordinary in your life. Such people want to know your secret in order to destroy you.
I believe that those asking the man who healed him on a Sabbath day did not give him food on ordinary days. But it is was when he was healed and got ready to search for his daily bread that they began to feel somehow.
That is why, my dear brothers and sisters, it is not every time that God blesses you that you should announce your blessing. You may be inviting troubles for yourself. There are things you need to keep between you and your God.”Fr Atama reminded them that Sabbath was made for man even as he cautioned against imitating the Jews who always did things to protect their interest.
