Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Fifth Sunday of Lent Year, A – March 29, 2020

Readings: Ezekiel 37:12-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 130:1-2.3-4.5-7a.7b-8.(R.7b); 

Rom. 8:8-11 & Gospel Jn. 11:1-45.

Theme: Resurrect that Dream!

Sunday Synopsis

Today, the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:12-14) encourages the remnant of Yahweh by assuring that God will restore their land. In the second reading (Rom. 8:8-11), St. Paul distinguishes between Sarkinos and Pneumatikos - flesh and Spirit while warning: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” The Gospel (Jn. 11:1-45) presents us with the raising of Lazarus to life after four days of being in the tomb. It narrates how many of the Jews who witnessed the extraordinary event believed in Jesus. In summary, our liturgy reveals Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life (Jn.11:25) who is able to do much more than we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20).

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, as we gradually draw close to Easter, God invites us to a spiritual renewal. Today’s liturgy calls us to reverse from a life of sin to the life of the spirit. It indicates that this requires a requisite faith on our part to hear Jesus speaking to us through the daily events of our lives. St. Paul indicates that: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Interestingly, in the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Mary and Martha brought their sadness to the Lord who transformed it into a faith-experience. Our reflection presents us with Mary and Marta who knew that they could not do anything about their brother’s death except bringing the matter to Jesus who did the extraordinary, to do same.

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Ezekiel 37:12-14) tells us about the Prophet Ezekiel, a priest of the temple of Jerusalem. History reveals that he lived around 597 BC and was deported from Babylon with King Joachim alongside the first deportees. The prophet sings redemption song as the people count their blessings wrought about by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ezekiel encourages the remnant of Yahweh by promising them that God will restore their land: “Behold I will open their graves and raise you from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you home into the land of Israel” (Ez. 37:12). This message of hope is even clearer in Verse 25 of Ezekiel 37. The message is a prelude to the gospel narrative wherein Jesus restores Lazarus to life as we shall soon discover.

In the second reading (Rom. 8:8-11), St. Paul distinguishes between Sarkinos and Pneumatikos - flesh and Spirit. This resonates with what he lists elsewhere as the works of the flesh - immorality, impurity, and shamelessness; idol worship and magic, hatred, jealousy and violence; anger, ambition, division, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the rest (Galatians 5:19-21). It surmises that those who dwell in the flesh cannot please God. Conversely, in Galatians 5:22-23, he gives the fruits of the spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.

The Gospel (Jn. 11:1-45) presents us with the story of the raising of Lazarus after four days of being in the tomb. It relates that Lazarus who was ill had two sisters, Mary and Martha. Recall that Jesus was a family-friend. John proves this point when he said that Jesus loved them but did not come immediately when he learnt about the young man’s illness – he stayed two more days. By the time he showed up, Lazarus had passed on. He had told his disciples that Lazarus was resting and assured that he was going to wake him up. It relates that both Mary and Martha believed that if Jesus were there, their brother would not have died. It also reveals that although Jesus cried at the dead of Lazarus, he led his family to believe so as to see the glory of God. After he told the people around to remove the stone, he prayed and called Lazarus out; the dead man came out. He ordered those present to unbind the bandaged man and let him go. We are told that many of the Jews who witnessed the extraordinary event believed in Jesus.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Rely on God’s Spirit: Do not spend your life in the graveyard of quilt dealing with the corpses of the past – instead, rely on God’s Spirit to help you know when things are dead in your life so as to know when to release them.

2. Bury the Past: Chances are that if you continue to work with the dry bones of dead issues like self-doubt and guilt of the past, you too, will begin to decay – since no amount of work can resuscitate a corpse, all you need to do is to sign the dead certificate of those issues; bury the past and let it rest in peace.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A (Laetare Sunday) – March 22, 2020

Readings: 1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13a; Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6(R.1);

 Eph. 5:8-14 & Gospel Jn. 9:1-14 Or Jn. 9:1.6-9.13-17.34-38.

Theme: God Chooses the Weak to Shame the Strong!

Sunday Synopsis

Laetare (rejoice) Sunday is considered as a day of relaxation from the normal rigors of Lent as Easter is insight. The first reading (1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13a) recounts how God shows preference for the youngest son of Jesse, David amidst his older siblings. In the second reading (Eph. 5:8-14) St. Paul urges the faithful to be to be sons and daughters of light through living in complete goodness. The gospel (Jn. 9:1-14) tells how Jesus turned the darkness of lack of sight suffered by the blind man, Bartemaeus into a life-changing experience. Our liturgy urges us to rejoice as the Easter Season approaches.

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today is Laetare or Rejoice Sunday. The fourth Sunday of Lent is referred to as Laetare Sunday because the Latin words of the Introit “Laetare Jerusalem” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem) from Isaiah 66:10 appears in the entrance antiphon at Mass in the Western Christian Liturgical Calendar. As we continue our annual Lenten Observances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the Church bids us rejoice because our redemption is near. Laetare Sunday is considered as a day of relaxation from the normal rigors of Lent as Easter is insight. Traditionally, weddings which are usually discouraged during the period of Lent are performed on Laetare Sunday. To further authenticate “Rejoice Sunday,” servants were released from their Master’s Service to visit their mothers which is why in some Churches, Mothering Sunday is held on this day.

Background and Summary of the Readings 

The first reading (1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13a) recounts how God shows preference for the youngest son of Jesse, David amidst his older siblings. The favour God shows to David is also demonstrated in the lives of the Israelites who despite being a small nation enjoyed divine blessings to the dismay of Gentile nations like Egypt and Babylon (Deut 7:7-8). In the end, we are told that the boy of fresh complexion with fine eyes and pleasant bearing was anointed with the horn of oil where he stood with his brothers and the spirit of God rested upon him from that day forward.

In the second reading (Eph. 5:8-14), St. Paul urges the faithful to be to be sons and daughters of light through living in complete goodness, right living and truth. He encourages believers to discover what is right and keep at it even as they avoid the futile works of darkness. He also invites them to expose evil and stop doing things in secret as these are things that people are often ashamed of. He notes that anything that is exposed by light is illuminated and anything illuminated turns into light. Paul surmised thus: “Wake up from your sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”  

The gospel (Jn. 9:1-14) tells how Jesus turned the darkness of lack of sight suffered by the blind man, Bartemaeus into a life-changing experience. His disciples had insinuated that the man was born blind because he or his parents had sinned. Jesus rebuked them and indicated that he is the light of the world. he then went ahead to make paste with his spittle to put into the man’s eyes with the order: “Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam.” The text disclosed that the man obeyed and came back with his sight restored. It also revealed how the man born-blind, first referred to Jesus as “the man” (Vs11) then, “Prophet” (Vs17) and “man of God” (Vs33) before he finally called Him “Lord” (Vs38). Apparently, the blind man’s faith grew from the ordinary to the extraordinary because he knew what he wanted and he went for it believing that he would get it - he also knew he was a no-body but Jesus was going to make him whole again.

Pastoral Lessons

1. God Chooses the Weak to Shame the Strong: God’s preference for the youngest son of Jesse, David amidst his older siblings demonstrates that God has a way of making small things great and the fact that sometimes he chooses the weak to shame the strong.

2. God Looks at the Heart: We must realize that “God does not see as human beings see; humans look at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam.16:7).

3. God Loves Children of Light: In the second reading, Paul challenges us to wake up from our sleep; rise from the dead and let Christ shine on us for God loves children of light. 

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Third Sunday of Lent, Year, A – March 15, 2020

Readings: Ex 17:3-7; Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2.6-7abc.7d-9(R7d,8a); 

2^nd Rom 5:1-2.5-8 & Gospel Jn. 4-5-42 Or Jn. 4:5-15.19b26.39a.40-42.

Theme: Be Marketers of the Kingdom!

Sunday Synopsis

In response to the grumbling of the Israelites at Massah and Meribah about physical thirst, God provided them with water as our first reading (Ex 17:3-17) indicates. In the second reading (Rom 5:1-2.5-8), St. Paul suggest that the theological virtues of faith, hope and love can quench the thirst of any soul that longs for God. While Moses gave the Israelites physical water, Jesus promised the Woman of Samaria “Living Water.” Our liturgy indicates that both Moses and Jesus want us to be marketers of God’s love and mercy to a troubled world.

Introduction

Friends in Christ, our readings today present Jesus as a marketer per excellence who invites us to be marketers of the kingdom. From the grumbling of the Israelites about physical water in the first reading, our liturgy takes us through the promise of the “living water” by Jesus to the woman of Samaria at Jacob’s well. In a society where Jews and Samaritans, men and women don’t easily mix, an exciting encounter turns a supposedly wayward woman into the first herald of the gospel in her city. We shall scan through the readings for the requisite pastoral lessons. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Ex 17:3-17) relates the story of the grumbling of the people of Israel over water. In fact, it narrates that they almost stoned Moses. They quarried why God brought them out of Egypt. Moses responded by asking God to provide them with water. We are told that God ordered Moses to take some elders of Israel and move to the fore front of the people and with the staff in his hands at Horeb, strike the rock. At that, water gushed out and the place was named Massah and Meribah because it was there that the Israelites grumbled against God and tested him. 

In the second reading (Rom 5:1-2.5-8), St. Paul tells us that by faith, we are judged righteous and are at peace with God. He stresses that hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by his Spirit. He maintains that while we were still helpless, Christ died for sinful humanity even as he discloses that it is not easy to even die for a good man. He surmises that what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.  

In a society where Jews and Samaritans, men and women don’t easily mix or relate with each other publicly, the gospel (Jn. 4:5-15.19b26.39a.40-42) reveals the story of the woman of Samaria who went in search of water and met a stranger (Jesus) who took her through the worship of the true God in Spirit and in Truth. He also tells her all that she has ever done; at the jaw-breaking encounter, she throws her jar of water and goes to the city to give a testimony of her experience. We are told that many people from that city believed in him not only on account of the woman’s testimony but based on their eye-witness account.

AIDA Model of Marketing as Recipe for Our Liturgy

Awareness, Interest, Desire and Action (AIDA) is a marketing strategy that advertisers use as a bait to entice customers to purchase their products.

1. “A” stands for Awareness: According to this theory, one has to be aware of a product before he thinks of buying it.

2. “I” means Interest: This means that one has to develop an interest in a certain product before one patronises it.

3. “D” represents Desire: Here, a person ought to desire goods before he or she acquires them.

4. “A” denotes Action: This is the main or actual action of buying the item.

This principle fits into our liturgy because the encounter between Jesus and the woman of Samaria presents a scenario which brings out the AIDA principle. Jesus was aware of all this woman had gone through; he became interested in saving her and he ignited the desire for “living water” in her. The good news is that she fell for his “product” because we are told, she left her water-jar and ran back to the village where she told the people: “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” Therefore, she became the first herald of the gospel in her town. 

Pastoral and Practical Lessons

1. Be Marketers of the Kingdom: While Moses gave the Israelites water at Massah and Meribah, Jesus promises the woman of Samaria Living Water which shows that both Moses and Jesus teach us to be marketers of God’s love, mercy and hope who are charged to recruit others for kingdom like the woman in the gospel.

2. Practice the Theological Virtues: In the second reading, St. Paul encourages us to embrace the theological virtues of faith, hope and love bearing in mind that hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by his Spirit.  

3. Desire the Water of Life: Jesus asked the woman of Samaria for a drink in order to ignite the desire for God in her soul, as such, we are charged to always desire the Living Water which wells up to eternal life.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Second Sunday of Lent, Year, A – March 8, 2020

Readings: Gen 12:1-4A; Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:4-5, 18-10, 20, 20, 22; 

2^nd Tm 1:8B-10; Gospel Mt 17:1-9.

Theme:  Arise, Do Not Be Afraid!

Sunday Synopsis

Today’s first reading (Gen 12:1-4A) reveals how Abram responded to the call of God by overcoming fear to travel to an unknown country.  In the second reading (2^nd Tm 1:8B-10), St. Paul urged Timothy his son in the faith to bear with hardships for the sake of Christ. The gospel reveals how the apostles Peter, James and John fell on their faces overcome with fear at the transfiguration experience. Amidst palpable insecurity, unemployment and extreme poverty Jesus assures: “Arise, do not be afraid.”

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, as a people, we are living in precarious times in Nigeria. The International Crisis Group captured the grim scenario in our country thus: “Confronted by multiple security challenges, notably the resilient Boko Haram Islamist insurgency in the north east, long-running discontent and militancy in the Niger Delta, increasing violence between herders and farming communities spreading from the central belt southward, and separatist Biafra agitation in the Igbo south east. Violence, particularly by the Boko Haram insurgency, has displaced more than two million people, created a massive humanitarian crisis, and prompted the rise of civilian vigilante self-defence groups that pose new policy dilemmas and possible security risks.” It is in this kind of situation that the theme of our reflection for the second Sunday of Lent, “Arise, Do Not Be Afraid” comes in handy as a soothing balm.

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Gen 12:1-4A) reveals the call of Abram/Abraham. It discloses that Abram was not afraid of following God’s instruction to leave his father’s house to an unknown destination. By courageously taking a leap of faith, he was not afraid of losing his father’s heritage. He believed that God had a better offer for him. God promised to make of him a great nation even as he blesses and makes him famous. The Lord also assured: “I will bless those who bless you…curse those who slight you” while surmising: “All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves in you.” 

In the second reading (2^nd Tm 1:8B-10), St. Paul urged Timothy his son in the faith to bear with hardships for the sake of Christ. He called on him to rely on the power of God who saved us and called us to be holy for his own purpose and by his grace. Paul maintained that it was the appearing of Jesus that abolished death and proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News. 

The gospel (Mt 17:1-9) tells the story of the transfiguration of Jesus at mount tabor. It relates how Jesus took his close allies, Peter, James and John to the mountain of transfiguration. It reveals how his face was transfigured in their presence and his clothes became dazzlingly white. Just then, we are told, Moses who represented the law and Elijah, the prophets appeared and were speaking to him.  At that, Peter asked Jesus if they could build three tents – one for him, another for Moses and a third for Elijah. The gospel further discloses that as they were still talking, a great cloud covered them with a shadow and a voice was heard: “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.” At that, the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear. Jesus then touched them saying: “Arise, do not be afraid.” When they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were going down the mountain, he warned them to tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man is risen from the dead. 

Pastoral and Practical Lessons

1. Take a Leap of Faith: In society where many young people are caught up in the web of astrology, horoscope or zodiac signs to know their fate, we are challenged to imitate Abram who undertook the risk to go to an unknown destination by taking a leap of faith trusting that the will of God will not take us where his grace cannot sustain us.  

 

2. Dispel Fear: By telling the three apostles, “Arise, do not be afraid,” Jesus invites us to the mountain of faith where we would be emboldened to overcome every kind of fear and face life issues headlong.

3. Have a Divine Encounter: Like the apostles Peter, James and John, Jesus calls us to leave our comfort zone of sin and complacency for a divine encounter with him.

4. Trust God: Rather than trusting in our wimps and caprices, we are urged to emulate the apostles who trusted in the Lord by following Jesus to the mountain. 

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

First Sunday of Lent, Year A – March 1, 2020

Readings: Genesis 2:7-9;3:1-7; Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:3-4.5-6ab12-13.14 and 17(R.3a); Romans 5:12-19 or Romans 5:12.17-19 & Gospel Matthew 4:1-11.

Theme:  Fighting Temptations!

“My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing” (Sirach 2:1).

Sunday Synopsis

Friends in Christ, today’s first reading (Genesis 2:7-9;3:1-7) discloses the story of the abysmal fall of man. In the second reading, St. Paul reassures that although sin came to the world through one man, Adam salvation has been brought through one man, Jesus. The gospel (Matthew 4:1-11) amplifies the message of the two readings by inviting us to emulate Jesus, the bearer of the New Covenant who although was subjected to testing by Satan was able to give faith a fighting chance through wrestling the devil with the four interior empires of mindset, heartset, soulset and healthset to demonstrate that he is truly the Son of God.

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, Ash Wednesday ushered us into another Lenten Season – a Holy Season which invites us to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Our liturgy presents us with the fall of Adam and the temptation of Jesus. The two narratives indicate that there are four interior empires which we must use wisely if we want to succeed in our spiritual journey. These are - mindset, heartset, soulset and healthset. Titled “Fighting Temptations,” this reflection shall scan through the readings for appropriate pastoral lessons. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Genesis 2:7-9;3:1-7) discloses the story of the abysmal fall of man. It narratives how Adam and Eve were deceived by the devil to eat the forbidden fruit. It also narrates how the tempter misled Eve who in turn convinced her husband to eat from the tree of life. Because they saw that the tree was pleasing to the eyes, they eat it. The text further reveals that they soon realized that they were naked and sewed fig-leaves to make lion-cloths for themselves.    

In the second reading (Romans 5:12-19), St. Paul reassures that although sin entered the world through one man, Adam, salvation has been brought through one man, Jesus. He emphasized that   Jesus will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. He surmised that just as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.  

In today’s gospel reading (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus the bearer of the New Covenant is being subjected to testing in the desert. Jesus is given three tests. In the instance, the devil tempted him to turn stones into bread but Jesus responded that “Man does not live on bread alone but by everyone word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” In the second test, Jesus was tempted to prove that he is God’s son by jumping from the pinnacle of the Temple because it is written that his angels would guard him lest he dash his foot against a stone (Cf. Psalm 91/90:11). Jesus replied: “You must not pit the Lord your God to the test.” In the third temptation, the devil promised Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth if only He would worship him. We are told that Jesus stood his ground by saying “You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.” At that, he gave the enemy a good fight through the four interior empires to demonstrate that he is truly the Son of God.

Four Types of Interior Empires

The cerebral author of the blockbuster book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin Sharma tells us that there are four Interior Empires wherein lies the DNA of greatness. These are:

Mindset (Psychology): This has to do with how we dispose our minds psychologically to what happens to us on the inside. This relates to our readings today because the mind is the epicenter for temptations. That is where we can either nurse or fight temptations.  

Heartset (Emotionality): Like the mind, the heart is the engine room for good or bad. It is therein that we either nurture positive or negative emotions.  

Soulset (Spirituality): This pertains to our spirituality. The soul is what would account for our lives on earth. As such, how we feed it matters. The food for our souls include reading the Word of God, daily reception of the Holy Eucharist, patronizing the sacrament of reconciliation, prayer, fasting, almsgiving et al.     

Healthset (Physicality): This is where the battle of life is fought and either won or lost. All the other sets depend on healthset. You have to enjoy good health to have a sound mind, guided emotions and strong spirituality. As such, during this Lenten period, disciplining the body in terms of food and drink, exercise and leisure is crucial to fighting temptations. After all, experts have suggested that cutting down on sugar, dairy products and meat is key to living a healthy life. We have to be alive to worship God.  

Pastoral and Practical Lessons

1. Have Custody of the Eyes: The temptation of Adam and Eve in the first reading and that of Christ in the gospel urges us to fight the lust of the eyes towards material possessions and other mundane-goodies of this world which often puts us in trouble.

2. Avoid the Sins of the Flesh: The temptation of Eve in the Garden and that of Christ in the wilderness challenges us to guard against the passions of the flesh such as gluttony, masturbation, fornication, adultery, bestiality, homosexuality and lesbianism.  

3. Resist the Pride of Life: Just as the devil wanted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit to become like God, Satan wanted Jesus to demonstrate his power by jumping from the pinnacle of the Temple – this calls the Christian to reject anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, presumption and useless boasting.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Seventh Sunday of the Year, A – February 23, 2020

Readings: Lev. 19:1-2, 17-18; Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 

1^st Cor. 3:16-23 & Gospel Mt 5:38-48.

Theme:  Being Paradoxical Heroes!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, in our society today, instead of entrenching the New World Order (NWO) of love inaugurated by Christ, some Christians have joined ranks with forces of evil in the world to propose a conspiracy theory of a secularist NWO which defers in intent and content with what Jesus offers us in the gospel. The current worldly NWO is the emergence of a totalitarian world government pioneered by a powerful elite which is secretive pushing a globalist agenda of eventually ruling the world. What is even more worrisome is that those behind it are a cabal which orchestrates important political and financial conspiracy policies in the world. 

Their aim is to cause systemic crises at both national and international levels with a ploy to achieving world domination through a secularist agenda of exaggerated feminism, celebration of man’s passions, unwarranted support for gay rights,  recruitment of others as illuminati, targeted persecution of Christians  and their values as well as the destruction of man’s body and soul. It is in the midst of these that Jesus calls us to be paradoxical heroes who would upturn the values of the world by going the extra mile to establish the NWO of love. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

In our first reading (Lev. 19:1-2, 17-18), the Lord instructs Moses to relate to the people of Israel his message of love, anchored on holiness. He notes that this call to holiness has the appeal of loving kindness which eschews hatred for one’s brother or sister from the heart. The Lord goes ahead to prescribe fraternal correction, taking revenge, holding grudge against anyone and loving a neighbour as one’s self as prerequisite for holiness. 

In the second reading (1^st Cor. 3:16-23), St. Paul insists that we are God’s temple and his Holy Spirit lives amongst us. He also discloses that God would destroy anyone who destroys his temple (us) because we are sacred. The text charges the faithful to first of all try their best in preserving the body while allowing the owner (God) to do the rest.

Jesus reinforces the message of the first reading in the gospel (Mt. 5:38-48) wherein he upturns the thinking of society. In an unparalleled way, he entrenches a New World Order (NWO) which goes against the normal Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth. He insists that we should offer no resistance to the one who is evil, turn the other check to one who strikes us, offer our cloak to anyone who intends to go to law with us over our tunic, go two miles with a person who invites us for one, give to those who ask and never turn our backs on those who intend to borrow.     

Pastoral and Practical Lessons

1. Do Not Hate: In a society where there is escalation in the formation of political, economic, cultural and intellectual jihad through strategic and systemic government policies against Christians, the first reading urges us to bear no hatred against our brothers and sisters but openly tell them their offense noting that this way, we will not take a sin upon ourselves.

2. Exact No Vengeance: In a world where Open Doors reported in 2019 that Christians are the most persecuted religious groups in the world who are oppressed in at least 60 countries, our liturgy reminds us that vengeance is the Lord’s.  

3. Bear No Grudge: Our liturgy calls us to emulate God who lets his sun to shine on both the good and the bad by bearing with the wicked until the end of time when God would reward good and punish evil.