By Olivia Obijiaku
A one-day Lenten retreat was held in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Saturday, March 21, 2026. Anchoring the retreat which featured the Holy Mass; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; Stations of the Cross; Sacramental Confession; among others, the Chaplain of St Luke’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Rev. Fr. James Akema leaned on the topic, ‘A Life Pleasing to God’ in charging participants to seek God’s approval in all that they do, so that their lives may be pleasing to Him.
He implored them to see God as their Father and not to see themselves as His slaves, so that their relationship with Him may be that of a father and his children, even as he reminded them to align their thoughts and choices with the will of God, so as not to displease Him. He pointed to sin and attachment to sin; pride and self-sufficiency; and spiritual laziness, as some of the obstacles to living a life that is pleasing to God, advocating living a morally upright life and striving daily to grow in virtue, as some of the ways to overcome such obstacles.
“Our spiritual activities should be pleasing to God.” The priest taught. “God is looking for a sincere heart and willing souls. A contrite heart is a sacrifice that is acceptable to Him. Try to live a life that is pleasing to God, not what pleases the world. To live a life that is pleasing to God means to seek His approval above all things. A life pleasing to God is not achieved in one day. It is a daily journey. A life pleasing to God must be rooted in love. Every good action lose their value without love.”
“We encounter many things on this journey. Sometimes, it is very difficult to align with the will of God. Sometimes, dry moments, sometimes situations, make it look like God has abandoned you or everybody is against you. But you are safe when your life falls in line with the will of God. We must align our thoughts, choices with God’s will. Faith enables us to rely on God alone, not on ourselves or those around us. It is one thing to know the will of God and another thing to follow and do it. Obedience means doing what is right even when it is hard.”
Itemizing faith in God; obedience to Him; surrendering oneself to Him; humility; holiness of life; and love of God and neighbour as the foundations of living a life that is pleasing to God, the clergyman nudged them to keep trusting God, even when it is difficult and becoming challenging. He catechized that holiness is built on small daily choices, admonishing them to make daily or short resolutions; live one day at a time; and set their goals one day at a time.
On humility he said that, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility means realizing our dependence on God, avoiding self-righteousness and being open to correction. Some people left the Church and some associations in the Church because they were not corrected charitably. Be open to sincere correction. Do not correct to humiliate.
Noting that Lent in not only about giving up things, but also about becoming the people whose lives are really pleasing to God, Fr. Akema reminded them that there is always a resultant consequence in any choice one makes; proffering daily prayer; reading the Word of God; allowing God’s Word to guide one’s decisions; living a sacramental life; and helping the poor as some of the practical ways to live a life pleasing to God.
He then tasked them to respond to the following questions as a way of examining their consciences and making amends where necessary: (i.) Is there any sin you need to repent of? ; (ii.) Are you growing spiritually or are you stagnant? ; and (iii.) Is your life centered on God or on yourself?
