Dear Team,
I learnt about the sad passing of our brother, friend and colleague today.
It is the most painful experience I have had, and I am still honestly too shocked to process it. I can only imagine what his family will be going through.
I am writing you because it is my way of grieving, and remembering him. Whichever way you prefer to grieve, please do.
This experience brings to the fore, the fragility of life, and our responsibility to make sure our actions and words stand true.
Every engagement I had with Matthew always ended with a reassuring statement from him. He lived beyond his years. Sometimes, like today, nothing makes sense. But I am honored to have known him, and I will keep his memory alive, always.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.
– Osasu Oviawe
Day: December 23, 2020
A name
Luke 1:57-66
Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechari’ah after his father, but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your kindred is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Homily:
Every name a child is given holds a promise that connects the past to the future.
A name is both a journey and a destination.
What story does your name tell?