By John Dike Osogbo
…Says true worship goes beyond outward appearance, calls for regular confession, Holy Communion
As, Catholics all over the world celebrate the solemity of All Saints day, the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr John Oyejola, has urged Christians to pursue holiness, remain focused on their relationship with God and avoid worldly distractions capable of derailing their journey towards eternal life.
The solemity of All Saints is celebrated on November 1 and followed by celebration of All souls, and on November 2,a day catholic used to pray for those who have departed from this sinful world
The bishop gave the admonition while delivering his homily during the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints in a holy Thanksgiving mass he celebrated at St Benedict catholic Cathedral Osogbo on Sunday
The local ordinary of osogno Diocese reminded the faithful that the ultimate goal of every Christian should be to see God face to face and behold Him in His true glory.
According to him, the celebration of All Saints offers Christians an opportunity to reflect on their lives, examine their relationship with God and understand the spiritual demands of attaining sainthood.
Oyejola cautioned against placing excessive importance on outward appearance, particularly among worshippers who prioritise expensive clothing and dressing to attract attention in church, stressing that God is more concerned about the condition of the heart than physical appearance.
He said worshipping God was not about making noise, showing off or impressing fellow worshippers but about genuine devotion, humility and a sincere desire to live according to God’s commandments.
The bishop reminded the congregation that human beings were created in the image and likeness of God and must therefore prepare themselves spiritually to return to their Creator.
Reflecting on the day’s readings and the Gospel ,Matthew 5:1-12a he drew attention to the multitude of people dressed in white robes, explaining that they represented those who had passed through great tribulations and remained faithful to God.
He said their experience demonstrated that attaining holiness required perseverance, commitment and the willingness to remain steadfast in faith despite the challenges of earthly life.
Describing the world as a marketplace where people could easily lose their direction amid competing interests and distractions, Oyejola urged Christians to remain focused and determined, making use of every available means of salvation.
He specifically encouraged regular participation in the sacrament of confession, punctuality at Mass and a more meaningful commitment to the spiritual activities of the Church.
The bishop also challenged Catholics to examine their attitude towards the Holy Eucharist, questioning why some faithful attend Mass without receiving Holy Communion.
He urged them to reflect on the importance of Jesus Christ in their lives, reminding them that Christ is the source of life and that Christians must make deliberate efforts to maintain a close relationship with Him through prayer, worship and regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
According to him, every action and decision taken by Christians should be directed towards the glory of God and the salvation of their souls.
Oyejola further explained that holiness did not mean that a person would never commit sin, but rather that Christians must constantly strive to draw closer to God, acknowledge their weaknesses and approach Him with sincere and repentant hearts.
He called on the faithful to open their hearts to God through genuine prayers, humility and wholehearted commitment, rather than allowing religious practices to become mere outward displays without corresponding spiritual transformation.
The bishop also warned Christians to be mindful of the choices they make daily, particularly in selecting their friends and associations, noting that the company people keep could influence their conduct, values and relationship with God.
He urged Catholics to take the lives of the saints as examples worthy of emulation, stressing that their faith, sacrifices, perseverance and commitment to God should inspire Christians in their own journey towards holiness.
He called on the congregation to make conscious efforts to live saintly lives, insisting that the celebration of All Saints should go beyond remembering those who had attained sainthood to challenging every Christian to pursue the same heavenly reward.
The Solemnity of All Saints is an annual celebration in the Catholic Church dedicated to honouring all saints, known and unknown, who have attained the glory of heaven.
