…As KSJI holds Thanksgiving Mass
Catholics have been tasked to be poor in spirit, and not to fall into the common temptation of people who forget God, and behave as if they themselves were God when they become rich, as they are admonished to realise that everything they have comes from God. The charge was given by Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu, Vicar General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, and representative of Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, while delivering the homily during the Thanksgiving Mass of Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and Ladies Auxiliary Supreme Subordinate Nigeria, held recently at Catholic Church of Ascension, Airport Road, Lagos.
Msgr. Aniagwu urged the Knights and Ladies to uphold the ideals of the Church and Order, as he tasked the leaders to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, in enforcing discipline, and accomplishing tasks in positions God chose and entrusted them with. Speaking on the gospel reading of the day, Msgr. Aniagwu noted that the striking thing about the Eight Beatitudes is that it locates happiness where people do not normally expect, adding that in spite of poverty and other adversities, those who have God in their life will be happy, even if they have nothing else.
He said rich and powerful people often believe that because they have everything, they do not need God in their lives, stating that those who recognise that all they have comes from God are the ones that Jesus calls the poor in spirit. According to him, “The poor in spirit can be very rich. But they know that they depend entirely on God, and that without God, they have nothing at all. What that means is that they are rich, all right, but they do not allow their riches to go to their head.” Speaking on the occasion, Major Gen. Joachim Chuks Amamgbo, the new Supreme Subordinate President KSJI Nigeria glorified God, as he disclosed that discipline, spirituality of members as well as charitable activities and physical development will be core areas the new Exco intends to improve on.
Urging Catholics to keep the faith, Amamgbo said the Knighthood is all about defending the Catholic faith, supporting the Church, and evangelising to win souls for Christ. For her part, Lady Nonye Okafor, Supreme Subordinate Ladies’ Auxiliary President, said she and her team plan to reach out to the grassroots and build spirituality of the members. “What is happening now is so much. So, we want to reach out through catechisation, seminars, going deep down and praying with our Rosary, be at Masses and Novenas”, she said. She urged the Ladies to support the Church with their prayers, talent, time and treasure. “You have time, you bring it. Your talent, you bring it, and your treasure, your money, you bring it together to work for the Church.”
The immediate past Supreme Subordinate President, Major Gen. Remy Uche, advised the new officers to see the Order as a religious organisation built on charity and love of God and neighbour, and be prepared to sacrifice their pleasure for the spread of the gospel. He urged the members to key into the rules and regulations of the Order, obey the laws, pay their dues and be respectful to the leaders.
