- Archbishop Martins urges Knights, Medalists to embody Christ-like mindfulness and embrace authenticity
In a recent homily, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos tasked the Knights and Medalists in Nigeria to cultivate a profound awareness of their identity and embrace a Christ-centred mindset in all aspects of their lives. He emphasised that this spiritual consciousness is essential for genuine discipleship and effective service to the Church and humanity as he also charged them to embrace a life of authenticity and faithfulness to their Catholic heritage.
He made this assertion at the Opening Mass of the 4-day conference of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN) on Friday at the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (EHJ) Centre, Lagos.
The Archbishop stressed that the awareness of their identity should shape every aspect of their lives. “Brothers and sisters, I believe that the Lord is speaking to us. What the Lord is giving to us today as our mantra is being aware of who you are every second of every minute, every minute of every hour, every hour of every day, every day of every week, every week of every month and every month of every year.
“But then, who are we? What are we to be aware of? First of all, that we are made in the image and likeness of God; that we are followers of Christ. We are a people striving to become more and more like Jesus, our master, Jesus, our Lord and saviour.”
The Archbishop’s words served as a powerful reminder to the Knights and Medalists to stay true to their faith and embrace challenges and opportunities that come with living an authentic Catholic life in Nigeria. He urged them to be ambassadors of Christ.
“In all circumstances and in all areas of our lives, we deal with the challenges of living the reality of life. We must think like Christ. We must talk like Christ. We must act and behave as Christ would act and behave so that anyone who sees us will see Christ, anyone who hears us will be satisfied that Christ is speaking to them. And when we take action, it should be seen as the action that Christ will take.
“And our behaviour and pattern of our behaviour will be the behaviour and behavioural pattern of Christ.
“Of course, it’s a tough call to be all of these every single second, every single moment.
“It’s a tough call to be as Christ, to be like Christ. But in spite of the temptation and the ridicule, and all other things that we face, we should attempt to be like Jesus every moment.
“That is what Christ expects of us. But we are flesh and blood that are infused with grace. We are flesh and blood that are infused with the means of obtaining grace in the word of God and in the sacraments.
If there is any consolation at all, we must realise that it was tough for the saints who have lived in this world like us but were able by the grace of God to live like Christ.
“The charge I believe the Lord is giving to us as we navigate the different dimensions of the theme of your 16th annual national conference, is the ultimate charge is to be like Christ.”
Speaking on the theme of the Conference entitled, “Living an authentic Catholic life: Challenges and opportunities in Nigeria,” Archbishop Martins challenged the Knights and Medalists to embrace a life of authenticity and faithfulness to their Catholic heritage. He emphasised the importance of living a genuine Catholic life, marked by deep commitment to a Christlike life.
“A truly authentic Catholic life is a life that is lived in union with Christ. Live in union with Christ in obedience to the instruction which was first of all given to the Israelites by God in Leviticus 19 :2.
“That was repeated by the Lord Jesus himself in Matthew 5:48. “My dear brothers, dear
sisters-in-Christ, what the Lord calls you to as you gather at your convention this year is to seek ways of attaining holiness of life as you navigate the waters of life, often very muddy waters in our world but particularly in our country.”
In conclusion, the prelate implored the Knights and Medalists to allow God’s word to transform them and to strive to become the persons God is challenging them to be. According to him, with the encouragement of God’s word, they can face any challenge that comes their way.
He added, “Our country is so blessed but we are beset with all kinds of challenges, economic, political and lots more.
“We are faced with the realities of the challenges of living authentic Catholic lives.
“Daily, we come face to face with these difficulties as we live the reality of day-to-day life in Nigeria, in our homes, in our schools, our places of work, on the street. Wherever we go, we face the reality of the challenges of daily living, of the challenges of living authentic Catholic life.
“It is necessary for us to live authentic Catholic lives to navigate the slippery grounds of our world, the slippery grounds of our country.
“We are given a mandate today. The scripture and teachings of the Church indicate that as we strive to to attain and achieve our goals in this world, there must be the desire to become more like Jesus, become Jesus whom we receive every time we receive the Holy Eucharist; every time we listen to the word of God, let us strive to become that which the word of God challenges us to be.”
Photos: Oluchukwu Edwin
