Come to Jesus with expectations– Fr. Akema tasks faithful

By Olivia Obijiaku
A Visiting priest to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, Rev Fr. James Akema celebrated the first Mass in the parish, Sunday 8th September 2024. Reflecting on ‘The Divine Touch that Changes Everything,’ the priest leaned on the Gospel reading, (Mk.7:31-37) on the healing of the deaf and mute in charging the faithful to approach Jesus with expectation.
He referenced the man whom Jesus healed in assuring them that no one who goes to Jesus goes back the same, even as charged them to balance their expectations with corresponding actions.
“There is always an integral change in the lives of those who come to God.” The priest assured them. “In other words, you cannot come to Jesus and go back the same way you came. Those who encounter God, those who come in contact with God always have a significant change in their lives. This change is sometimes spiritual that it can be manifested even physical. This change is also beneficial to the individual and the people around him. So, if you come to Jesus, expect that you are not going back the same way.”
“This man was deaf and dumb. To human perception, it was impossible for him to hear again or talk again. But when he encountered Jesus, the impossibility became possible. Jesus touched his tongue and his ear – He diagnosed him. After all the diagnosis, Jesus now made the spittle. Medication is now prescribed and He administered it to this man. Jesus did not do anything in vacuum. He used physical touch and natural resources to heal this man. It is rather unfortunate that when some people become sick, they only pray and neglect medication. Prayers alone cannot do everything. Let prayer be accompanied by good works.”
Fr. Akema pointed out that the man’s restoration empowered him to communicate well with others. He asserted that communication is the life wire of every individual or people who live in a society. “The Blessed Trinity communicates.” He referenced. “There is communication and interaction between them. You cannot live in a society without communicating with others. God communicates to us directly because we are all one. As children of God, we are one. We should not discriminate among ourselves. We must learn to interact with one another, as brothers and sisters.”