JUSTIN THE MARTYR (MEMORIAL)
OPEN OUR EYES
ECCL.42:15-25; PSALM 33; MARK 10:46-52
“The work of the Lord is full of his glory”. With these words Ben Sirach the Writer of the first reading presents a song of praise to God for the beautiful works of creation. Similarly, the Psalmist says “Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. O sing him a song that is new, play loudly, with all your skill.”
Beloved, let us learn to be grateful to God for the wonders of our being and the beauty we enjoy in creation. In fact, I constantly thank God that politicians are not in charge of our breath because if they were, we would have been paying excessive prices for it.
The Gospel speaks of the restoration of the sight of Bartimaeus. We all need the restoration of our sights in this country; physical and spiritual. Imagine Children’s Day that used to be a beautiful ceremony in this country is now a ridicule. The president is starting out on a bad note – “Subsidy is gone” but queue returned to filling stations. Inasmuch as the move is encouraged we are sad that the plight of the masses were not considered. Measures would have been put in place to ease these burdens.
Once more, it is clear that followership is just as much of a problem in Nigeria as leadership. The president just issued a statement, but immediately afterward, some marketers increased the price of fuel; while others are hoarding it. We make life difficult for ourselves! God has blessed us but we have refused to bless ourselves. May the Lord restore our sights and fill our lips with songs of praise.
The Church gives us the example of St. Justin the Martyr today. He was particularly celebrated for the two Apologies which he was courageous enough to address in succession to the persecuting emperors Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius. He courageously stood against the might of the emperors; defended the faith and died for it. He was beheaded in Rome in 165.
LET US PRAY
Father, thank you for all the graces and blessings you have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal. Enlighten our minds and open our eyes to see what must be done and the courage to do it. Amen.
