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REFLECTION

Words to open closed minds is the theme for our reflection. A closed-minded person is a person who is not willing to consider different ideas or opinions. In our reflection, closed minds or close-minded persons are people who are unrepentant hence they do not obey the Scriptures nor listen to the Salvation message of Jesus and live accordingly to be saved. Jesus used the story of Lazarus and the rich man to explain the fact that we have only one life to live on earth and after which we shall appear before the Lord to be rewarded with eternal life or punished with eternal torment for remaining unrepentant and closed- minded to His Word while on earth. Jesus explained what it means to have a closed mind when He said that “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:27-31). In other words, closed minds are people who are unrepentant and will not listen nor obey the Scriptures and anyone who preaches to them.

Dear friend, we are being invited today to have an open mind like the prodigal son who realised that he had sinned against God and his father, repented and returned home to be forgiven and reconciled to his father. Unfortunately for us, like the rich man in today’s story, we cannot have an open mind after death, it can only be before death. Those of us alive now have the opportunity to have an open mind by repenting from our evil deeds and obeying the voice and will of God through the reading and studying of Scripture and by the help of the Holy Spirit live a life worthy of our calling as disciples of Christ and children of God. Beloved in the Lord, do you have a close or open mind anytime you hear or read the Word of God? Let us examine ourselves and do the needful. “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.  As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:12-15). Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to remain open-minded and repentant through the reading of Scripture and the hearing of your Word. May we always do the will of God and not have sin render us closed-minded and deaf to the voice of God. Amen.