Jesus touched my life and I became a brand new person. He called me back when he said “Come all you who are overburdened and I will give you rest.” I saw my life situation and zeroed unto this wonderful statement of Jesus. I took a brave and bold step and cling to what Jesus had said. I began to invite him into my life, I began to meditate on what he said and I was overpowered by the sincerity of the word streaming from Jesus who promises but never fails. His words touched me. Jesus has touched my personality. I am no longer the man with many hang ups. Always postponing things without knowing that today will not come again or wearing two different persona while presenting only the one that will be accepted by the world and leaving the other behind because of rejection.
Man plays the game that he will not win. It is a bad contract. Jesus is the mirror that sees everything. He penetrates the hidden dimensions of our lives. Jesus has helped me to be refocused. He has helped me to discipline myself and plan my day to avoid crisis because of lack of planning and procedures. Now my personality can shine because what I do reflects who I am. I can now thank Jesus for touching that aspect of my life that has been waiting for Jesus’s touch. Jesus touched me and I became my real self. When Jesus really touches one, one’s life will never be the same again. We cannot thank God enough for sending him into our world. Today the world technology is changing everything, changing the way we live, eat and think. Jesus comes into every human’s life.
He comes into our life-situation. Once he comes we are no longer the same again. Our spiritual life is enhanced when we follow his instructions. He enters our life to transform what he sees that do not want us to be ourselves. He has power to destroy what is not meant for our spiritual growth. He is the owner of our life. He knows what is good for us. We, ourselves, have no power to allow what is not good for us to be part of us, even when those things appear to be good. From our infancy we know that what appears to be good has hidden meanings and may have been seduced for not critically examining such packaging. Many marriages today have hit the rock because of what appears to be good.
At the initial stage of encountering a person everything may appear to be good but there must be a follow up to un-package what is hidden. What appears to be good has led many people astray in this technological age. We need Jesus touch to un-wrap what threatens “Who we are.” Constant question, probing and mature reflection will help us know that technology is on a different mission, the mission to change our lives not for better but for what it is meant for; Seduction of our life. A good number of our youth have not known what technology is meant for. Apart from its marvels, it has created a consumer society and there is no end to buying its products and we are becoming a victim of buying and buying. It makes us sharpen our appetite for every new technological product.
Only God knows what will happen when we do not have money to buy again. You can see a young girl carrying four flashy phones as if it is a sign of wealth and civilization. We need Jesus to touch us to know the misuse of technology in this new world. It takes a man touched by Jesus to know that all that glitters is not gold. Now, don’t shop around looking for Jesus in different churches. Jesus is in the Church where there is a communal spirit and extension of Jesus’ life to others. We should not put our faith in jeopardy or put our faith on empty phrases. We should not be carried off by sudden impulses of heart, nor allow ourselves to be seduced by plausible eloquent and sugar coated speeches of pseudo pastors.
Because Jesus touched us in our present Church, we are meant to remain there and share the fruit of his healing touch. We should touch people’s lives by helping them and not putting conditions that they must come and be member of our church. That is a wrong Socio-religious construct. Jesus touched peoples’ lives and solved their immediate needs without any condition. Let my brothers and sisters make themselves available to receive the healing touch of Jesus. When Jesus touches you, try to let others to be touched by Jesus through your good actions and by telling them your story because your story can open a new dimension in their lives.
• Monsignor Livinus Ukah is a Catholic Priest, Author of several books and Social Justice Advocate
