The Assistant Cathedral Administrator of St. William’s Cathedral, Lafia, Rev. Fr. Samuel Innocent Ogbole, has called on Christians to reflect deeply on their divine blessings and ensure their lives produce spiritual fruits worthy of God’s investment.
Delivering his homily during a Sunday Mass centered on the allegory of the vineyard, the cleric warned against ingratitude, spiritual pride, envy and attempts by humanity to replace God in an increasingly self-reliant world.
Drawing from the liturgical readings of Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80, Philippians 4:6-9, and Matthew 21:33- 43, Fr. Ogbole reminded the congregation that human beings are merely temporary caretakers of the talents, resources, and lives bestowed upon them.
“God has given us unique gifts of intelligence, singing, knowledge, or preaching. He has given us hope, jobs, spouses, and love. But whenever God demands good fruits like love, faithfulness, and forgiveness, what do we give Him? What good has truly come out of us?” Fr. Ogbole asked.
Referencing the First Reading from Prophet Isaiah, where a landowner cultivated a choice vineyard that yielded only sour wild grapes, the priest lamented that humanity often responds to divine generosity with disobedience and neglect, disappointing God when believers fail to live in ways that honor Him.
He urged the faithful to focus on their personal stewardship rather than coveting the progress of others.
“Today, we hear people complaining about the gifts God has given their neighbours, without searching themselves to see what gifts He has given them. He has fought so many battles for us and gave His life for us to receive salvation. What more is there that God has not done for us?” he said.
Turning to the Gospel of Matthew and the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, Fr. Ogbole explained how the tenants sought to kill the landowner’s heir to seize the vineyard, a trait he traced back to Genesis, where humanity first sought to become like God and fell into sin.
He cautioned against pride, “We are only caretakers, and God is the one in charge. Do not abuse what is given to you, and do not seek to replace God. Today, Artificial Intelligence has made people think they can replace God. But a vineyard must be useful, and if it does not produce good fruit, it is useless.”
The cleric also admonished the congregation over perpetual discontentment and a lack of gratitude.
“We are always asking God to do something for us, yet we hardly take time to thank Him. Man is always complaining, never satisfied, and constantly asking. While God never tires of giving, He is asking us today to make use of our gifts,” he said.
He reminded Christians that divine patience remains open for everyone to amend their ways.
“Every gift is a privilege. God needs us to bear fruit, and conversion is always possible,” he concluded.
