Let Your Faith Move You into Action
Dear Parishioners,
The proclamation of the Gospel begins with this powerful invitation to conversion: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” With these words, our Lord Jesus Christ began his public ministry, calling us to action and announcing that a new era had dawned. In this light, it is fitting to reflect on the events of the past few months in our nation. The words of Jesus speak directly to the heart of the challenges we face—if only we are willing to listen.
Fear, tension, and inflammatory rhetoric have deeply wounded the social and political discourse in our country. Ongoing tensions over immigration policies, restrictions on travel visas, the imposition of tariffs and their retaliatory effects among nations have unsettled the global market. The constant threat of terrorism, the kidnapping of schoolchildren, and the continued killing of Christians in Islamic regions—especially in Nigeria—are weighing heavily on my mind.
The growing lack of respect for the rule of law and for law enforcement officers also threatens the peace and civility of our nation. We stand in solidarity with them and prayerfully look forward to the day when our nation will rise to defend and protect life from conception to natural death. The whole world needs repentance, and without it, we all perish.
With Jesus Christ, a new light is about to shine. His light dispels darkness and gloom, brightening our lives with the gifts of hope and joy. He has come to fulfill our deepest hopes and expectations. His call to conversion of heart and to a renewed relationship with God is the hallmark of his mission. Refusal to change can be catastrophic. Yet it is never too late to turn away from evil. There is always time to do what is right. Now is the time to listen to that voice calling us to repentance and to embrace the Gospel.
Jesus tells us that God’s reign is already here, and believing the Good News is the way to enter this Kingdom. Like the Apostles, let us not hesitate to respond to his invitation. No excuses. Their response was unqualified, immediate, and total. They left everything and followed Jesus. What are you willing to leave behind in order to follow him?
Let your faith move you into action. We must remember, however, that “God’s call to discipleship and conversion is a gracious act—a way of life, a path to walk, a light in the darkness.” Jesus promises us that the power of God’s grace defies human and practical limitations. It can refashion the heart of a person, a city, and even the world. There is no limit to God’s love. There is hope for our nation if we accept the Good News. Only Jesus can make us a new people and a new nation.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
