Juliana Uzoka

The Catholic Archbishop of Jos Archdiocese, Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu, has urged Christians to prioritize their spiritual lives, emphasizing the importance of intentional prayer as the foundation of a fulfilled life.

Delivering a homily at the 10th Archdiocesan Conference of the Catholic Biblical Movement of Nigeria (CBMN) in Jos, with the theme “Fulfilling Divine Purpose,” Archbishop Audu lamented the tendency of many Christians to neglect their spiritual growth in favor of worldly pursuits.

“The faithful will suffer spiritual dryness if the soul is not nourished,” the Archbishop warned. He stressed that a life without God’s presence is vulnerable to immorality, adding, “While we allocate substantial resources for personal comfort, we often fail to invest in the growth of our souls.”

Drawing from the parable of the rich man and his steward (Luke 16:1-8), Archbishop Audu acknowledged the necessity of money for basic needs like food, shelter, and education but cautioned against excessive attachment to wealth. “Money is a good servant but a bad master,” he noted, urging Christians to guard against materialism, which he described as a potential obstacle to eternal life.

He further contrasted the care people devote to their physical well-being with the neglect of their spiritual life. “When our worldly goods are threatened, we rush to doctors, but our spiritual health is often ignored,” he said, citing Jesus’ words: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”

The Archbishop also highlighted the prevalence of dishonesty, describing the steward in the parable as being in the “career of embezzlement.” He drew parallels to modern society, warning against the love of money and dishonest living.

He encouraged the faithful to prepare their souls for eternity with the same dedication they apply to earthly goals. “Give more time to preparing your soul as you prepare for this life on earth,” he said.

The CBMN conference, held at its newly commissioned Secretariat on Busa Buji Street, Jos, is an annual program aimed at deepening the spiritual growth of the faithful. This year’s event featured a lineup of speakers addressing themes such as “Knowing/Discovering His Purposes,” “Fulfilling Divine Purposes,” and “The Glory of the Latter Shall Be Greater than the Former.” The sessions emphasized the urgency of understanding and fulfilling God’s divine plan.

In his welcome address, Uche Okonta, the CBMN leader for Jos Archdiocese, expressed gratitude to the association’s elders for laying a strong spiritual foundation. Reflecting on the conference theme, he remarked that a life without purpose is wasted. “Discover what God wants you to achieve, for death robs us of such opportunities,” he urged.

Bro. Matthew Atonko, the National Leader of CBMN, challenged Christians to avoid living aimlessly. “God did not bring you into this world just to populate it. Each of us has a purpose to fulfill,” he said. He encouraged self-evaluation and reconciliation with God, stressing that everyone would ultimately account for their lives before Him.

The CBMN leaders highlighted the purpose of the conference, in a statement, emphasizing the importance of aligning with God’s will. The movement noted, “It is imperative to understand that God has needs too. There is a tendency for people to live entirely for themselves, without knowing or attempting to fulfill God’s will.”

The group further explained that God dictates the needs, selects whom He wants to use, and provides specific instructions on how to accomplish His purpose. “In God’s Kingdom, we do not act impulsively or seek out tasks on our own; we wait for instructions from God,” the statement added, citing Luke 1:19. It concluded that a purpose is truly divine because it originates from God and is carried out in the way He intends.

High points of the conference included the commissioning of the CBMN Secretariat, an awards ceremony honoring over ten recipients—including Rev. Fr. Stephen Akpe, a former CBMN Chaplain—and the unveiling of Sisters Wrappers.

In conclusion, the group advised the faithful that: “Fulfilling divine purpose requires denying ourselves, carrying our cross, and following in Jesus’ footsteps.”