The Feast of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi

Phil. 2:1-11, Mt. 13:44-45. Today is a National Feast day of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Patron of Nigerian Priests. Tansi was born in 1903 and a native of Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria. He was trained as a teacher but later joined the Seminary and in 1937, ordained a Priest. In 1950 he left his Diocese in order to become a Cistercian Monk of Mount St Bernard. Tansi lived the monastic life with great faith and humility. Absorbed in prayer, he was a living example of patience and charity. Today's first reading describes such life of prayer, patience and charity as a life live in the imitation of Christ whose nature was divine yet He did not cling to His equality with God.

"The Parable of the Hidden Treasure" and "The Parable of the Pearl" in today's Gospel show the infinite value of the Kingdom of God. The farmer and the merchant found pearls of great price, took advantage of the opportunities and would not let such a rare chance pass by. To enjoy the reign of God is like a fortune of unparalleled value which is worth making any sacrifice for. Just like the farmer and the merchant took advantage of the unique opportunity, we are challenged to cease the opportunity of the 'Reign of God' found within us. This means we should immediately do all that is necessary to obtain it, abandon everything that goes against it and commit ourselves totally to it. To discover Jesus amounts to coming across the most precious of all treasures, the finest, priceless pearl. We are called to abandon everything else, risk what is so dear to us and become good follower at once.

May the Lord fill us with compassion, give us the Spirit of forgiveness and a true and consistent love which would gear us to offer our life to God wholeheartedly! Amen!! Good morning and do have a productive week!!!