By Olivia Obijiaku
Rev Fr. Patrick Atama of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria has revealed that false prophets are on the increase because of the material gains and fame they receive. The priest who made this known in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on Sunday 3rd March 2024 also revealed that the prophets also capitalize on the expectations of the people to exploit them.
Hinging his homily on the Gospel reading of the day in which Jesus chased exploiters out of the temple, the priest explained that some pastors are similar to those Jesus chased out of the Temple even as he cautioned followers against the dangers associated with such followership.“Many churches have become a business venture.”
He observed. “They know what you want and they give you what you want. That is why people capitalize on those things to cheat you. At the end, they will cash out from your wealth because they have given you what you want to hear. Some people receive powers from the dark world to perform miracles because that is what the people want. They turn the message of God upside down just to collect money from people even in the altar of God today.
If not that they cash out, will they be able to do all these things? No, but because we give them room and avenue.”Fr Atama lamented that many people reject the message of the Cross and reminded them that like the Church, their bodies are God’s Temple which should be properly cared for at all times.
