Truth & Mercy Series - June 21st 2026

Truth and Mercy series (Thankful in June)

The month of June properly called the one dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is so important to us. This is the month we enjoy the green grasses in our yards and football pitches, the beautiful flowers, the bright sun, and the birds singing for joy. We cannot forget the fact that life seems to return to us from the dryness of winter and the little hope of life that comes with spring. This is the time families and friends try to get out on vacation and do stuff together. It is a time for renewal and getting together. Who will forget in a hurry the grillers come out, we have all the block parties and all. 

Listening to the weather, the climate, listening to the beauty around us is to give thanks as well for the Creator who made all things beautiful for us to enjoy. Fr. Bill has one more favorite quote from Holy Scriptures, which is “We live in a land flowing with milk and honey.” And so today during breakfast I asked him, how many people connect that quote to giving thanks to the God who made this happen or simply to celebrate America of the farmer who grew the cow or the bee? While we remember, of course, the hard work of the farmers, we cannot deny the great providence of God of giving us good weather, rain and sunshine for all to come together. Giving thanks is so important that Jesus enjoins us to do so often. The acknowledgement of God in all things is so important or else we begin to make ourselves into gods. We begin to suggest that what we have today is because of our creativity or ingenuity not giving God His rightful place in the scheme of things. 

God is the source of our lives and all that supports that life here on earth. “I need no bullock from your house, no goats from your fold. For every animal of the forest is mine, beasts by the thousands on my mountains. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.” (Psalm 50: 9-11). God goes further to say, “Offer praise as your sacrifice to God.” (Psalm 50: 14). God desires thanksgiving and praise as a way to show acknowledgement of all His loving gifts to us. In psalm 116, God says very clearly, “How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of the Lord…I will offer a sacrifice of thanks giving and call on the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116: 12-14, 17). 

How may I give thanks this month? How may I give thanks this day to God? How may I offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for me? Or am I the eternal complainer? The one who always finds what is not going well or seeing through all that God is already placed before me? Gratitude brings JOY! Thanksgiving increases joy and energy around us. Ingratitude is a sore stuff I do not want to be associated with. How about beginning my day with? “Thank You, Jesus!” How about completing the day with another, “Thank You Jesus”! Check out how you feel in one week. 

In union of prayers,

- Fr. Nicholas Akindele, JCL, Pastor