By Olivia Obijiaku
The Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Rev Fr Sebastian Vincent has called for an imitation of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi who made good use of the opportunity at his disposal.
The clergyman made this call at the Mass he celebrated in the parish on the Feast Day of the first beatified Nigerian, Blessed Tansi on Saturday, 20th January 2024. Leaning on the day’s first reading, the priest tasked them to journey in unity and love for the common good of the Body of Christ. He acknowledged challenging but surmountable experiences on their journey of faith but proffered putting others before themselves like Jesus who came for their salvation. “Today we celebrate Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi.” He told them. “He got this opportunity and he grabbed the opportunity.
He lived his life as a monk in monastery in England and today we celebrate him. Opportunity comes in different forms and at different times. As we progress, opportunity will come. Some of us will seek the opportunity but opportunities will come to some of us. One example of such opportunities came to the thief at the crucifixion scene. He got the opportunity and he utilized it. We too can do that. Utilize the opportunity that comes to you. The opportunity we have today is now.
I pray that as you seek God now, you may find Him. As we find Him, may we cherish Him and serve Him so that we all may benefit in knowing Him. Friends in Christ, if we see ourselves as one, the task will be easy for us. If you journey alone, you will not see the need to do anything that will benefit the other because you are not in agreement with the other. So, we must come together in order to make progress.”
