WORD OF LIVING WATER DAILY INSPIRATION. By:Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew

WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Monday,25th May, 2026.
Theme: Don’t Despise People in Their Moments of Tribulations
( Gen 3:9-15,20,Ps 121, Jn 19: 25-34)

The Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church is always celebrated the Monday after Pentecost Sunday. At the feet of the cross, Jesus gave her mother to the beloved apostle and symbolically to the entire Christendom. She has since journeyed with the church. She was with the disciples as they waited in the upper room for the descent of the Holy Spirit. Therefore Mary has truly been a mother to the church, because she has always promoted the interest of the Son.

I would like us to reflect on how she journeyed with the Son during the difficult moments in his ministry.The bible admonishes us to rejoice with those rejoicing and mourn with those who mourn ( Romans 12:15). The Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Savior did exactly that. She didn’t only journey with her son in joyful moments, but also in the son’s sorrowful moments. She stayed with him from the beginning of his suffering till his death on the cross. She stood at the foot of the cross with some of Jesus’ disciples, who also journeyed with him till the end. Peter and some of the key followers of Christ couldn’t journey with him to Calvary because of fear of the Jewish leaders and the Roman soldiers.Mary had her own version of the passion. As a mother, it wasn’t an easy thing to witness the unjust treatment of her own son. It should be a very traumatizing experience for her. Another mother or woman would have abandoned his child, and we are seeing it happening each day in our society. We must learn this from our mother who is still interceding on our behalf during difficult moments in our lives.

Some of us identify with people in moments of their joy, but we despise them when misfortunes befall them. We are not different from Peter and the others who couldn’t stand by their master till the end. When it is time for enjoyment we are quick to be all around the person, but easily run away to avoid sharing in the pain and suffering of the person.

The saying that ” A friend in need is a friend indeed” is a very true statement. If you want to know people who really care about you, then check those who are able to stay with you till the end of your difficult moments. Some are only interested in your material possessions and the other benefits they get from you. Once those things cease to come, then your friendship also ends. Please these are not true friends whom you should entertain around you.

Some of our friends, brothers and sisters, co-workers, church members, and others can equally find themselves in traumatizing situations, through false accusations, misfortunes in life and other unfortunate situations. Sometimes it can be true that they are guilty of the offenses levelled against them. But in such moments, we need to still journey with them till the end. This is the moment that such people need our support most. Some of us easily dissociate ourselves from people in such situations, but we want others to do the opposite for us when we are facing it. What comes around goes around . As Jesus said, we should do unto others what we want done to us. That’s the golden rule.

Ask yourself when was the last time you checked on that friend of yours or that person who has been going through trauma for sometime now? Have you ever visited that friend or person in prison to check on him or her? That church member or co-worker who has been sick for sometime now, have you thought of him or her? Or because you are strong and active so you careless about the welfare of others. Make time for people because life is full of surprises. Today it is me , but tomorrow it can be you. So care for people.

May God grant us the grace to always journey with people in difficulties till the end. Amen .
Have a Blessed Week. Shalom.
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew

WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Memorial of Philip Neri
Tuesday, 26th May,2026
THEME: There is Reward in Serving God Faithfully
(1 Pet. 1: 10-16, Ps 98, Mk 10:28-31)

Peter asked Jesus whether there is a reward for all their toiling for the spreading of his kingdom. These were people who have left everything to follow Jesus. Everything means, work, family, relations and so forth. Jesus assured them that their hardwork would never be in vain. Jesus has promised eternal life to those who serve him faithfully. He said he is going to the father to prepare a place for us, and he will come back and take us there. Where he is his servants must also be there.

Again, we enjoy his reward even on this earth before going to heaven. His blessings, protection, love and care are all available to us on this earth. No body serves God faithfully and goes unrewarded. There is joy in serving God. Never be discouraged for giving your life to Christ. Our ultimate reward is in heaven, his eternal abode.

I know sometimes the difficulties and troubles we go through make us doubt his promises. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Remain focused and serve your God.

May God strengthen us to always serve him faithfully. Amen.
Have a blessed day.
Shalom 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew

WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Wednesday, 27th May,2026.
Theme: Be a Servant Leader
(1 Pet. 1: 15-25, Ps 147, Mk 10:32-45)

Beloved in Christ, leadership is all about service. In the gospel of today, the request by the sons of Zebedee brought power struggle among the apostles.Jesus had earlier told his disciples about the fact of his death and resurrection. This is what informed the sons of Zebedee to look for positions before Jesus leaves them.The twelve began to argue among themselves who will be their next leader. But they were not looking at how this new leader will be a servant to all but rather how this person will be considered the greatest among them. So it was not about serving but rather greatness. Of course in other texts, Jesus used the symbol of a child to teach them about his type of leadership. A symbol of humility, service and sacrifice .

Jesus said that he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a random for many. Leadership is all about sacrifice. A good leader lays down his life for his subjects no matter the difficulties that he has to face. The difference between a Christian leader and a worldly one is that, the worldly leader lords it over their subjects, but the Christian one serves them in humility. They want to be worshipped like gods. We want the people to rather serve us always.

I have encountered some bishops who will rather prefer to serve you at table when you visit them. In fact, they are down to earth and very humble. A servant leader is always humble. It takes humility to serve people under you.

A servant leader also comes to the level of the subjects but do not see himself to be above them . You identify yourself with them. It is only by doing this that you can smell of your sheep. This is very unique of children. They relate with everybody, irrespective of your status or background in society. Children can really teach us a lot about leadership qualities. Learn from them if you want to become a true leader of your people.

May God make us servant leaders as we learn to imitate his Son Jesus Christ. Amen. Have a blessed day.
Shalom🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew

WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Thursday, 28th May,2026.
Theme: Be Healed of Your Blindness
(1 Pet. 2:2-5, 9-12, Ps 100, Mk 10:46-52)

Beloved in Christ, the Lord Jesus healed the blind Bartimaeus and he restored his sight once more. You and I are also blind both physically and spiritually, and we need the touch of Jesus to be healed.

Sin has blinded us so we are not able to perceive things clearly according to the ways of God. Some of us our conscience are either dead or so weak that sinful acts are now normal for us. It is also true that some of us are also suffering from all forms of physical sight problems. In all these situations, we need the touch of Jesus to be healed.

It was Bartimaeus who called on the Lord for help in his distress. The Lord also responded and answered him. In moments of difficulties, let’s look up unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Again, the blind man Bartimaeus didn’t allow himself to be discouraged. People tried to stop him from reaching out to Jesus. Don’t allow people to frustrate and discourage you in your situation. As if to say that there is no hope for us. When Jesus is in the boat, then we shouldn’t give up , because he will act at the right time. It is a matter of time, Jesus will act in your favour.I pray this day that Jesus will heal all our blindness and restore us to full sight again.Amen.
Have a blessed day.
Shalom 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew

WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Friday, 29th May, 2026.
Theme: Strong Faith can move Mountains
( 1 Pet 4: 7-13,Ps 96, Mk 11:11-25)

In the gospel of today, Jesus is encouraging us to develop strong faith in him. After cursing a fig tree it got withered, and the disciples were surprised. The fact that the words of their master has had effect on the fig tree. And he made them to understand that it is all about faith. When a child of God utters a word or prays, and doesn’t doubt in his mind but believes strongly in it, will surely have effect as wanted. In other words, they can also curse the fig tree and it will wither as was his case.

Strong faith in Jesus is capable of doing greater things in our lives. A prayer made in faith does impossible things in our lives. It is true that some of us have little faith in Jesus. In fact, I will say that we are babies in the faith. I invite you to grow in your faith in Jesus. We need to mature to the point when we believe in the transcending power of Jesus. The fact that he has the power to do everything.

Jesus is saying that if we have faith like the mustard seed, we can speak to mountains to move and they will obey us. He said nothing will be impossible for us to do.

Some of us have become doubting Thomases in our Christian life. We doubt almost everything in our lives. The very things we are praying for, we are doubting it. Then how can we experience the power of God in our lives? No wonder we don’t see any result in our prayers. It is not only our priests and pastors who can pray for an effect to place, you can equally also do that. Jesus says if we believe and have faith in him, we can do greater things than him. He has given us the power and authority to overcome all situations in life. In Christ, nothing is impossible.

We have some Christians and even some men of God who do not believe in miracles. Some of the things seems impossible for God to do according to them. But the point is, if Satan can give people power to work miracles, then how much more our God, who is powerful than Satan? Yes it is true that there are fake pastors who are not using the power of God to work these miracles. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t have genuine pastors or people who are using the power of God. Jesus can heal all forms of diseases, he can change all situations in our lives. Those who have faith in him are truly experiencing his wonders in their lives. You are not seeing anything because you are doubting too much.

May the Holy Spirit help us to always grow and mature in our faith. Amen.
Have a Blessed day.
Shalom🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew

WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Saturday, 30th May,2026.
Theme: You shall Always Prevail over the Enemy
(Jude 17,20-25, Ps 63, Mk 11:27-33)

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law tried everything possible to test Jesus, but in all they couldn’t withstand his wisdom. Their intention was to find fault from his responses and use it against him. But they never succeeded. In the gospel of today, again he prevailed against them through their discourse with him.

God will never give us as prey to our enemies. They will try to entrap us in order to put us into trouble. But believe me our Lord will always fight on our behalf. Even if it is a fight in the spiritual realm , he is always there to battle on our behalf. If the Lord is on our side who can be against us. No matter the evil plans against our lives, Jesus will always defend us.

Sometimes he even gives us the words to speak in order to overcome our adversaries,who wants to overcome us by their wisdom. Remember God will never abandon you in the hands of people who are always looking for your downfall. Even if they succeed, it will be a short while. Your God will come to your rescue. Continue to trust in the power of Jesus, the Lord of your life. Remember some people will always hate you but you should always show them love.

May the Holy Spirit grant us the strength to always stand firm to overcome our foes. Amen.
Have a blessed Weekend.
Shalom 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew