The Missionary Childhood Association, Lagos Archdiocese recently assigned its members to share their ideas on the association’s 2023 theme – “We are children of one Father.” Read their respective thoughts.
‘We belong to one family and God is our father’
We are children of one father- God. We belong to one family and God is our father. He is our creator. God created us in His own image. He created us to worship Him and care for one another. God always wants us to love him and love our neighbours. We are expected to assist our beloved brothers and sisters that need our help because we are children of one family of God. We should encourage and help the poor. We should pray for the sick. Showing love to our brothers and sisters make them happy and give them hope.
• Deke Victor, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Aboru (Ipaja Deanery).
‘We are made out from the image and likeness of God’
God created man on the 6th day after creating all that is in the universe. God also gave authority to man to name the birds, animals and God gave power to all living things to increase and multiply. We are made out from the image and likeness of God. We are the children of God. Although, because of sin, man left God’s presence but because of the love he has for man, he brought us back into his presence through the Resurrection of Christ. As children from one Father we must love one another as God himself loves us.
• Emiri-Dumbi Ozioma Clare, St. Hilda Catholic Church, Obadore (Iba Deanery).
‘We should live in peace with one another for we are all brothers and sisters’
According to John 3:10: “God’s children are those who do what is right”. Those who listen to God and obey His commands are His children. To be a child of God you need to be steadfast in prayer, you need to help others especially children who do not have. We can share our little snacks with them or give them whatever we have such as our clothes and shoes or even our books with permission from our parents. The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver; you should be able to give from the little you have and that is how God will bless you. As children of one father – God, we should live in peace with one another for we are all brothers and sisters. God loves peaceful people and we need to make peace reign by not fighting with our brothers and sisters, by not quarreling, by not being stubborn, by obeying our parents and all the elders around us especially our teachers. We can show good behaviour of peace wherever we go and that’s why we are called children of one father – God.
• Kalu Chikaima Christabel, St. Monica Catholic Church, Maza Maza (Festac Deanery).
‘I love my heavenly Father, He’s my Friend’
I love God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit I love my heavenly Father He’s my Friend He’s my Father I love Him so much He loves me too.
• Nwakuche Ebubechukwu Pascaline, Saint Cyril Catholic Church, Okota (Festac Deanery).
‘The Bible says we are all God’s children, in return, we are to obey God, love Him, do His will and serve Him wholeheartedly’
As children of one Father, we should live in peace with one another. God is our father and we all are his children. The Bible says we are all God’s children, which is why He protects us and provides for us. So, in return, we are to obey God, love Him, do His will and serve Him wholeheartedly. Many times, we often disobey God by not keeping His laws and commandments. We are taught in the MCA to love and obey God and to love our neighbours as well.
• Sagbo Anthonette, Holy Family Catholic Church, Ajara (Badagry Deanery)
‘As God’s children, it doesn’t matter if we come from the north, the south, the east and the west’
As God’s children, we are all brothers and sisters. It doesn’t matter if we come from the north, the south, the east and the west. Whether we speak the same language or different languages, we are all created in the image of God. Even though we may quarrel, we should settle the dispute immediately to avoid holding grudges against one another.
• Kuton Monica, Holy Family Catholic Church, Ajara (Badagry Deanery).
