I AM DRAWING CLOSE TO YOU, O LION OF JUDAH
An African Christian reflection on faith, kingship, strength, surrender and the search for God in reference to the isiXhosa or isiZulu song/chorus: "Ndisondela/Ngisondela Kuwe Ngonyama."
Introduction: The journey towards God
There are moments in life when words become more than words. They become prayers. They express what the heart has been carrying for a long time but has struggled to communicate. Sometimes a person does not have the language to explain what is happening within them. They may have experienced disappointment, survived difficult circumstances, lost people they love, struggled with unanswered questions or simply reached a point where they long for something deeper than what everyday life offers.
In such moments, a simple declaration can carry the weight of an entire life's experience:
"I am drawing close to You, O Lion of Judah."
These words are not merely a religious expression. They speak of a journey, a decision and a relationship. They express the desire to come closer to God, to seek His presence and to place one's life under His care.
There is something particularly meaningful about this expression when it is considered from an African Christian perspective. The lion is an animal that occupies a special place in the African imagination. It is associated with kingship, courage, strength, dignity and authority. It commands respect. It is not easily intimidated. Its presence speaks of power.
For generations, African communities have used the language of animals, nature, land and the environment to express wisdom, identity, leadership and the mysteries of life. The lion appears in stories, traditional praise poetry, proverbs and royal symbolism. It is often associated with the qualities expected of a leader.
When an African Christian calls Jesus the Lion of Judah, therefore, the image has a familiar cultural meaning. It speaks about approaching a King whose authority is greater than that of earthly rulers, whose strength is beyond human strength and whose protection is not limited by the difficulties of this world.
But there is something even deeper. The Christian who draws close to the Lion of Judah is not approaching a king who rules through fear. We are approaching Jesus Christ, whose kingship is revealed through love, humility, sacrifice and service.
This is the beauty of the Christian understanding of the Lion of Judah. He is also the Lamb of God.
To draw close to Him is to seek strength without becoming arrogant, courage without becoming violent, authority without becoming oppressive and victory without losing compassion.
It is a journey towards the God who knows us, understands our struggles and invites us into a relationship with Him.
1. The Lion of Judah: Understanding the biblical roots
The expression Lion of Judah has its roots in the Old Testament.
In Genesis 49:8–10, Jacob gathers his sons and pronounces blessings over them. When he comes to Judah, he uses the image of a lion. Judah is described as a lion's cub, and the blessing associates his descendants with authority and kingship.
This passage becomes particularly important in the history of Israel because the royal line of David comes from the tribe of Judah. The expectation of a Messiah, a King who would come from David's lineage, becomes part of the great biblical story.
Centuries later, the Book of Revelation brings this expectation to fulfilment in Jesus Christ.
In Revelation 5:5, one of the elders tells John:
"Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered."
The words are spoken at a moment when John is distressed because no one seems worthy to open the scroll. The announcement of the Lion of Judah brings hope. The promised one has come. The one who has conquered is worthy.
For Christians, Jesus is this Lion. He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the King whose victory over sin and death brings salvation to humanity.
It is important to understand that the title does not simply mean that Jesus is strong. It tells us something about His identity and His mission. He is the fulfilment of God's promise. He is the one through whom God brings salvation.
When we call Him the Lion of Judah, we acknowledge His authority over our lives. We recognise that there is a King greater than ourselves, greater than our fears, greater than the powers of this world and greater than the circumstances that sometimes seem to determine our future.
For an African believer, this can be particularly significant. Our history has taught us much about the abuse of power, the consequences of unjust leadership and the suffering that comes when human beings place themselves above others.
Jesus offers a different understanding of kingship. His authority is not built on the suffering of the people. He does not become King by taking away the dignity of others. He restores dignity. He brings people together. He welcomes those who have been rejected. He stands with the poor and gives hope to those who have lost their way.
This is the King to whom we draw close.
2. The lion in the African cultural imagination
To understand the expression more deeply, we must appreciate the place of the lion in African life and imagination.
The lion is not simply another animal found in the African wilderness. It has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the continent. Its image appears in traditional stories, national symbols, royal emblems, works of art, literature and popular culture.
Different African societies have their own stories and interpretations of the lion. It would be wrong to suggest that all African communities understand it in exactly the same way. Nevertheless, across many parts of the continent, the lion is associated with courage, strength, leadership, authority and royalty.
The lion commands attention. Its presence is respected. Its strength is recognised. It is often described as the king of the jungle, although lions naturally live in savannah and grassland environments rather than jungles.
In traditional African societies, the image of the lion has sometimes been used in praise poetry to describe a chief, a king or a person of exceptional courage. The animal becomes a symbol through which human qualities are celebrated.
A person may be praised for having the courage of a lion, the strength of a lion or the heart of a lion. Such expressions are not necessarily about physical strength. They may refer to the ability to face difficult situations, defend others, stand firm in the face of injustice and remain courageous when circumstances become threatening.
The lion also reminds us of responsibility. Strength is not simply something to admire; it is something that must be used wisely.
A leader who possesses authority but does not protect the people entrusted to him has misunderstood leadership. A person who has influence but uses it to humiliate others has misunderstood power. Someone who is physically strong but takes advantage of the vulnerable has failed to understand the purpose of strength.
This is where the African cultural appreciation of the lion meets the Christian understanding of Jesus.
Jesus is the Lion of Judah, but His strength is not used to intimidate the weak. He does not use His authority to make people feel small. He uses His power to restore those who have been broken, to lift those who have fallen and to bring hope to those who have been forgotten.
The lion, therefore, becomes more than an image of power. In the Christian understanding, it points us towards the kind of kingship that protects, serves and gives life.
There is a lesson here for African leadership, families, communities and the Church. True leadership is not measured by how many people fear us. It is measured by how many people find dignity, security and encouragement in our presence.
If we are to draw close to the Lion of Judah, we must also learn something about the way He exercises His authority.
3. Drawing close: More than a religious activity
What does it actually mean to draw close to God?
It is possible to spend many years attending church and still struggle to develop a personal relationship with God. One can know the prayers, understand the liturgy, participate in church activities and even hold a position of responsibility without necessarily allowing God to enter the deeper parts of one's life.
Religious practice is important. The Eucharist, the sacraments, prayer, Scripture and the life of the Church are essential to Christian living. But they are not meant to become empty routines. They are meant to bring us into communion with God.
Drawing close to Jesus means allowing our relationship with Him to become personal.
It means moving beyond knowing about Him to wanting to know Him. It means speaking to Him honestly, listening to His Word and allowing His presence to influence the way we think, speak and treat other people.
Consider the difference between knowing about someone and knowing that person personally. We may read books about a person, hear others speak about them and know many facts about their life. Yet we may never have experienced a personal relationship with them.
The same can happen in our relationship with God. We can know religious language without allowing the Gospel to shape our lives.
The words "I am drawing close to You" suggest that something is changing within the person who prays them. There is a desire to move beyond the surface. There is a longing for a relationship that is deeper than appearances.
Perhaps the person has reached a point where success, possessions, recognition and the approval of other people no longer provide the satisfaction they once promised.
Perhaps there is a realisation that one can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. One can be busy and still feel spiritually empty. One can have responsibilities and still wonder whether life is moving in the right direction.
In such circumstances, drawing close to God becomes an act of faith.
It is saying:
Lord, I want to know You more deeply.
I do not want to spend my life simply talking about You. I want to experience Your presence in my everyday life.
I want my decisions to be guided by Your Word. I want my relationships to reflect Your love. I want to find the courage to live according to the Gospel, even when it is difficult.
I am not coming to You because I have everything figured out. I am coming because I need You.
This is the beginning of a deeper spiritual life.
4. The African understanding of belonging and relationship
African spirituality has traditionally placed great importance on relationships. Human life is understood within a network of relationships involving family, community, neighbours and the wider human family.
The philosophy commonly expressed through the word Ubuntu reminds us that our humanity is connected to the humanity of others. We become ourselves through our relationships with other people.
The expression "I am because we are" is often used to communicate this understanding.
Although African cultures and philosophies are diverse, the importance of community and belonging is a recurring feature of many African societies.
A person is not simply an isolated individual. We are born into families, grow within communities and inherit languages, customs, memories and responsibilities. Our lives are connected to those who came before us and those who will come after us.
This understanding can enrich our appreciation of the words "I am drawing close to You."
In prayer, we approach God personally, but we do not approach Him as people who have no connection with anyone else. We bring our families, our communities, our country and the suffering of humanity into His presence.
An African mother who prays may mention each of her children by name. A father may ask God to protect his family and provide for their needs. A grandmother may pray for grandchildren whom she has not seen for many years. A young person may ask God to guide the choices that will shape the rest of their life.
A priest may bring before God the people entrusted to his pastoral care. A person without employment may pray for an opportunity to provide for those who depend on them.
These are not insignificant prayers. They are expressions of love and responsibility.
Drawing close to God means bringing our whole lives into His presence. We do not have to separate our spirituality from the realities of our homes, workplaces, communities and daily struggles.
The God whom we worship in church is also present in the ordinary experiences of life.
He is present when a mother prepares food for her family. He is present when a father works to educate his children. He is present when neighbours support one another during a funeral. He is present when people forgive one another after years of disagreement.
He is present wherever love, justice, compassion and human dignity are respected.
The Lion of Judah is not a King who asks us to abandon our humanity. He calls us to live it more fully.
5. Coming to God with the burdens of life
There is a particular kind of prayer that comes from experience. It is not necessarily long or beautifully expressed. Sometimes it is simply a sigh. Sometimes it is a tear. Sometimes it is sitting quietly before the Blessed Sacrament because there are no words left.
Life has a way of bringing us to such moments.
There are people who have spent years looking after others while neglecting their own needs. There are parents who have sacrificed almost everything to give their children a better future. There are people who have worked hard but have not received the recognition they deserve. There are those who have been betrayed by people they trusted.
Some have lost loved ones and are still trying to understand how life can continue without them. Others have experienced rejection, broken relationships, financial difficulties or the disappointment of dreams that never came to pass.
There are also people who carry wounds that cannot easily be seen. They may appear cheerful, successful and confident, yet privately they are struggling.
The invitation to draw close to the Lion of Judah speaks to all these experiences.
It reminds us that we do not have to pretend before God. We can come as we are.
We do not have to manufacture happiness when we are sad. We do not have to pretend to be strong when we are exhausted. We do not have to hide our questions because we are afraid that asking them will make us appear less faithful.
The Psalms are full of people who bring their distress, anger, disappointment and fear before God. Their prayers teach us that honesty is not the opposite of faith. Sometimes honesty is where faith begins.
The psalmist cries out for help, asks questions and expresses deep longing. Yet even in distress, the psalmist continues to turn towards God.
This is an important lesson for anyone drawing close to the Lion of Judah.
God does not ask us to bring Him an edited version of our lives. He invites us to bring our real lives.
We can tell Him about the disappointment we have carried for years. We can speak about the relationship that has caused us pain. We can admit that we are tired. We can ask for guidance when we do not know what decision to make.
And we can remain before Him, even when the answer does not come immediately.
Faith does not mean that we will never experience difficulties. It means that difficulties do not have to separate us from God.
Sometimes the greatest movement in our spiritual lives takes place when we stop pretending that we can manage everything on our own.
6. The Lion of Judah and the experience of African suffering
The African continent has a long and complicated history. Its people have experienced colonialism, slavery, land dispossession, racial discrimination, political oppression, poverty, conflict and exploitation.
In South Africa, the wounds of apartheid remain part of our national memory. Many families continue to live with the consequences of forced removals, economic exclusion, broken communities and unequal opportunities.
The struggle for freedom was not simply a political struggle. It was also a struggle for dignity, recognition and the right of every person to live as a human being.
Many people prayed during those difficult years. They prayed in churches, homes, informal settlements, mission stations and places of exile. They sang hymns and spiritual songs that gave them courage when circumstances offered little reason for hope.
Faith helped people to endure. It reminded them that injustice was not the final word and that human dignity could not be permanently destroyed by the actions of those in power.
For Christians, the image of the Lion of Judah can speak powerfully to this history.
It reminds us that no earthly power is absolute. Political authority, wealth, military strength and social status are temporary. God's justice is greater than the systems human beings construct to oppress one another.
However, we must be careful not to turn Jesus into a symbol of revenge or political domination.
The Lion of Judah does not give us permission to hate those who have hurt us. He calls us to work for justice without losing our humanity.
Forgiveness does not mean pretending that injustice never happened. Reconciliation does not mean asking victims to remain silent. Peace cannot be built on the denial of truth.
The Christian understanding of the Lion of Judah calls us to have the courage to speak against injustice, protect the vulnerable and defend the dignity of every person.
It also challenges us to examine our own conduct.
It is easy to condemn oppression when it comes from someone else. It is more difficult to recognise the ways in which we may misuse our own positions of authority.
We may not control governments or institutions, but we have influence in our families, workplaces, parishes and communities.
Do we use that influence to build people up or to discourage them? Do we listen to those who have no voice? Do we defend people who are treated unfairly? Do we make room for others to participate?
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah must make us more sensitive to the suffering of others.
A person who claims to follow Christ cannot be indifferent to the hunger of a neighbour, the humiliation of a worker, the exclusion of a child or the suffering of a family living without hope.
The strength of the Lion must be seen in the courage of those who stand for what is right.
7. The Lion who is also the Lamb: The mystery of Christian strength
One of the most remarkable features of Revelation 5 is the relationship between the Lion and the Lamb.
John hears the announcement that the Lion of Judah has conquered. But when he looks, he sees a Lamb standing as though it had been slain.
This is one of the central mysteries of the Christian faith.
The victory of Jesus is not achieved in the way people might expect a powerful king to win. He does not conquer through violence, revenge or the destruction of His enemies. He gives Himself.
The Lamb reveals the nature of the Lion's victory.
Jesus is King, but He is also the suffering servant. He has authority, yet He chooses humility. He possesses power, yet He welcomes children, touches the sick, eats with sinners and washes the feet of His disciples.
His strength is not diminished by His compassion. His greatness is not threatened by His willingness to serve.
In fact, it is precisely through His self-giving love that we understand the depth of His kingship.
This has important implications for our understanding of Christian life.
We sometimes think that being strong means never apologising, never admitting mistakes, never showing emotion and never allowing anyone to see our vulnerability.
We may believe that forgiveness is a sign of weakness or that asking for help means we have failed.
The life of Jesus teaches us something different.
He wept at the death of Lazarus. He experienced rejection. He was troubled in Gethsemane. He asked His disciples to remain with Him during His hour of anguish.
His humanity was not an obstacle to His mission. It was part of the way He revealed the love of the Father.
The Christian who draws close to the Lion of Judah must therefore be prepared to learn from the Lamb.
We need courage, but we also need tenderness. We need determination, but we also need patience. We need the ability to confront wrongdoing, but we must not lose respect for the dignity of those with whom we disagree.
The world does not need Christians who are merely loud about their faith. It needs Christians whose lives make the love of Christ visible.
A strong Christian is not someone who defeats everyone in an argument. It is someone who can disagree without hatred, forgive without humiliation and stand firm without becoming cruel.
This is the strength of the Lion who is also the Lamb.
8. Drawing close to God without fear
There is a difference between approaching someone because we are afraid of them and approaching someone because we trust them.
The image of a lion can sometimes create an impression of danger. A lion is a powerful animal, and one would not approach it carelessly in the wilderness. Yet when we speak of Jesus as the Lion of Judah, we are not suggesting that God is a threat from whom we must run away.
We are speaking of reverence, not terror.
The Christian understanding of God holds together two important realities: God is holy and greater than anything we can comprehend, but He is also loving and invites us into a relationship with Him.
In the Old Testament, Moses encounters God at the burning bush and is asked to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). The encounter reminds us that God's presence deserves reverence.
Yet throughout the Scriptures, God also reveals Himself as a Father who listens to His children.
Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Our Father." This is remarkable. The God who created heaven and earth invites us to approach Him with the confidence of children approaching a loving parent.
When we say, "I am drawing close to You, O Lion of Judah," we are therefore expressing both reverence and intimacy.
We acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, but we also recognise that He welcomes us.
We do not have to earn His love before approaching Him. We do not have to become perfect before beginning the journey. We come because He has already loved us.
This is particularly important for people who have grown up with difficult experiences of authority. Some have experienced fathers who were absent, leaders who abused their positions, or people who used religion to frighten and control others.
It can sometimes be difficult for such people to trust. They may associate authority with punishment, rejection or humiliation.
Jesus presents a different face of authority.
He does not break the bruised reed or extinguish the faintly burning wick (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20). He seeks the lost sheep. He welcomes the prodigal son. He restores Peter after his denial.
His authority does not destroy the person. It brings the person back to life.
This is the King we are invited to approach.
9. The courage to come closer, even when we feel unworthy
One of the greatest obstacles to a deeper relationship with God is the feeling that we are not worthy of His presence.
We remember our mistakes. We think about the people we have hurt. We recall opportunities we wasted and promises we failed to keep. Sometimes we carry guilt for many years.
We may tell ourselves that we will return to God when we have sorted out our lives.
But this is not how God's invitation works.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). The younger son takes his inheritance, leaves home and wastes what he has received. When he eventually finds himself in desperate circumstances, he decides to return.
He prepares a speech. He does not expect to be received as a son. He is prepared to ask for a place among the servants.
But while he is still a long way off, his father sees him, runs towards him, embraces him and welcomes him home.
The father does not wait for the son to prove that he has changed before showing him love.
This is a powerful picture of God's mercy.
Sometimes we imagine that God is standing at a distance, waiting for us to make another mistake. We forget that the Gospel reveals a Father who longs for His children to return.
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah means finding the courage to return to God, even when we are ashamed of our past.
It means accepting that our mistakes are part of our history but do not have to determine our future.
We must not use God's mercy as an excuse to continue doing wrong. Genuine conversion requires repentance and a willingness to change. But we should never allow shame to convince us that we are beyond God's love.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a beautiful expression of this mercy within the Catholic Church. It allows us to acknowledge our sins, receive forgiveness and begin again.
There is no need to spend the rest of our lives running away from the very God who wants to heal us.
Sometimes the most courageous prayer is simply:
"Lord, I have made mistakes. I have hurt others and I have hurt myself. I cannot change the past, but I want to live differently. Help me to begin again."
That is what drawing close can look like.
10. The Lion of Judah and the search for identity
Africa has often had to struggle with questions of identity. Our languages, traditions, histories and ways of understanding the world have not always been respected.
Colonialism and apartheid attempted to define African people through categories that served the interests of those in power. Many communities were separated, labelled and treated as though their cultures and histories were inferior.
The struggle for dignity has therefore included the struggle to reclaim identity.
For an African Christian, the title Lion of Judah offers an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between faith and cultural identity.
Christianity is rooted in the history of a particular people and place. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, lived in Nazareth, ministered in Galilee and died in Jerusalem. The Christian faith emerged within the Jewish religious and cultural world.
Yet the Gospel is not the possession of one nation, race or culture. It is proclaimed to all peoples.
The Church is called to recognise the richness of the cultures in which the Gospel takes root.
An African Christian does not have to abandon being African in order to follow Jesus. Nor does becoming Christian mean rejecting one's language, music, family traditions or cultural heritage.
At the same time, every culture must be open to the light of the Gospel. Cultural practices that undermine human dignity, promote injustice or deny the equality of people must be examined and challenged.
Faith does not require us to despise our African identity. It calls us to bring the best of our humanity, culture and traditions into a relationship with Christ.
There is something beautiful about praying in one's mother tongue. There is something deeply moving about hearing Scripture proclaimed in Sepedi, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Setswana, Tshivenda or any of the other African languages.
There is something special about African hymns, the rhythm of traditional instruments, the movement of the body in worship and the participation of the whole community in prayer.
These expressions can become genuine ways of praising God.
When we sing about the Lion of Judah in an African language, we are not simply translating a biblical title. We are allowing the Word of God to speak through the language of our homes, our childhood, our memories and our communities.
The Gospel must be heard in the languages of the people.
It must speak to the grandmother in the village, the young person in the township, the farmer in the countryside, the professional in the city and the family struggling to make ends meet.
The Lion of Judah is not distant from the African experience. Christ belongs to all peoples, and all peoples are invited to belong to Him.
11. Drawing close in the midst of everyday responsibilities
It is easy to imagine that drawing close to God requires leaving ordinary life behind. We sometimes associate spirituality with monasteries, retreats, pilgrimages, long periods of prayer and quiet places away from the noise of society.
These practices have their value. The Church has always recognised the importance of silence, contemplation and retreat.
But a relationship with God cannot be confined to special religious occasions.
Most of our lives are lived in ordinary circumstances. We wake up, prepare for work, attend to family responsibilities, travel, deal with people, make decisions, encounter difficulties and return home.
This is where our faith must become real.
A mother draws close to the Lion of Judah when she patiently cares for her children, especially when she is tired.
A father draws close to Him when he works honestly to provide for his family and refuses to compromise his values.
A young person draws close to Him when faced with peer pressure and chooses not to follow a path that will destroy their future.
A teacher draws close to Him when treating every learner with dignity, including those who struggle academically or come from difficult homes.
A priest draws close to Him when he remembers that ministry is not about personal recognition but about serving God's people.
A person in business draws close to Him when conducting business honestly and refusing to exploit others.
A person who has been hurt draws close to Him when choosing to seek healing rather than allowing bitterness to consume their life.
These are not insignificant acts. They are expressions of Christian discipleship.
We cannot spend Sunday speaking about the Lion of Judah and spend Monday humiliating the people who work for us.
We cannot sing about God's love while refusing to speak to a family member with whom we have disagreed.
We cannot pray for peace while contributing to gossip, hatred and division.
The relationship we have with Jesus must influence the way we live when nobody is watching.
The true test of drawing close to God is not simply how we behave in church. It is also how we behave outside the church.
12. The Lion of Judah and the wounds we carry
There are wounds that take a long time to heal.
Some come from childhood. Others arise from broken relationships, family disagreements, betrayal, rejection or the death of someone we love.
Some people have spent their lives trying to be accepted. They have worked hard to please others, to prove their worth and to receive recognition. Yet they still feel that they are not enough.
Others have been judged by their mistakes. They may have changed, grown and become different people, but those around them continue to remind them of their past.
There are also wounds that come from the Church itself. People who expected to find acceptance have sometimes experienced judgement, exclusion or disappointment.
These experiences can affect a person's relationship with God.
When we are hurt by people who claim to represent God, it can become difficult to separate their actions from the God they profess to serve.
Yet the failures of human beings do not cancel the goodness of God.
Jesus understands human suffering. He knows what it means to be rejected by those who should have welcomed Him. He knows betrayal by a friend, abandonment by companions and injustice at the hands of people who held authority.
At the Cross, He entered deeply into the suffering of humanity.
This does not mean that every wound disappears simply because we pray. Healing is sometimes a long process. It may require time, counselling, medical assistance, honest conversations and the support of trustworthy people.
Prayer and practical help are not enemies. We can seek God's grace while also seeking the assistance we need.
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah means allowing ourselves to be loved even when we are wounded.
We must not allow the painful experiences of yesterday to become the only story we tell about ourselves.
We are more than the people who rejected us. We are more than the mistakes we made. We are more than the opportunities we lost.
Our lives remain open to God's grace.
Sometimes the journey towards healing begins when we stop asking why we were not loved by certain people and begin recognising that our worth does not depend on their approval.
We are loved by God.
And that is a truth worth holding on to.
13. The Lion of Judah and the courage to face tomorrow
One of the most difficult things about life is that we cannot always see what lies ahead.
We make plans, set goals and prepare for the future, but circumstances can change without warning.
A person may lose employment. A business may fail. A relationship may come to an end. A family may receive unexpected news. Someone who appeared healthy may suddenly become ill.
We cannot control every event that comes into our lives.
Yet we can decide how we respond to what happens.
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah is an expression of confidence that God remains present even when the future is uncertain.
It does not mean that everything will happen according to our wishes. It does not mean that Christians will never experience failure or suffering.
Rather, it means that our hope is not dependent on everything going according to plan.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:34 remind us not to be consumed by tomorrow's worries, because each day has its own concerns.
This is not an invitation to irresponsibility. We must plan, work, prepare and make wise decisions. But we should not allow fear of the future to steal the peace we can experience today.
There are people who spend so much time worrying about tomorrow that they forget to live today.
They are unable to appreciate the people around them, the opportunities before them and the blessings they already have.
The Lion of Judah invites us to place tomorrow in God's hands while remaining faithful to the responsibilities of today.
If there is work to be done, let us do it.
If there is an apology to make, let us make it.
If there is a relationship that needs attention, let us attend to it.
If there is an opportunity to help someone, let us not postpone it unnecessarily.
If there is a dream worth pursuing, let us take the first step.
Faith is not simply waiting for God to do something. It is also responding to His grace through the decisions we make.
We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can choose to walk into it with faith.
14. Drawing close through prayer, silence and the Eucharist
For a Catholic, drawing close to Jesus has a special meaning because Christ has given Himself to us in the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is not simply a religious ceremony or an obligation to be fulfilled on Sunday. It is the celebration of the presence of Christ, who gives Himself to His people.
At Mass, we gather as one family. We listen to the Word of God, bring our prayers and offerings, celebrate the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection, and receive Him in Holy Communion.
The person who says, "I am drawing close to You, O Lion of Judah," may find a particularly meaningful expression of this desire in Eucharistic adoration.
There is something beautiful about sitting quietly before the Blessed Sacrament.
You do not always need to say anything. You do not need to prepare an impressive prayer. You can simply be there.
Sometimes silence allows us to recognise what the noise of everyday life has prevented us from hearing.
We spend so much time talking, explaining, defending ourselves and responding to the demands of others. We rarely give ourselves an opportunity to become still.
In silence, we begin to recognise the things that are happening within us. We become more aware of our fears, our hopes, our disappointments and our desires.
We also become more attentive to God's Word.
The prophet Elijah discovered that God was not revealed to him in the strong wind, the earthquake or the fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11–13).
This reminds us that God does not always speak through dramatic experiences. Sometimes His presence is encountered in the quietness of the heart.
Prayer should not become another burden we carry. It should be a place where we bring our burdens to God.
We can pray while walking, working, travelling or preparing a meal. We can pray in the morning before the demands of the day begin and at night when we reflect on what has happened.
We can pray the Rosary, read the Scriptures, attend Mass and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament.
The important thing is to keep returning to God.
A relationship grows through time, attention and trust. Our relationship with Jesus is no different.
15. The Lion of Judah and the responsibility to protect others
There is another dimension to the image of the lion that deserves attention.
The lion is often associated with the protection of its pride and territory. While the behaviour of lions in the wild is more complicated than human symbolism sometimes suggests, the image can help us reflect on our responsibility towards those entrusted to our care.
In the African context, family and community responsibilities are often deeply valued. People may sacrifice their own comfort to ensure that children receive an education, elderly parents are cared for and relatives have something to eat.
The Christian understanding of strength should reinforce this responsibility.
If we draw close to the Lion of Judah, we must become people who protect rather than exploit, encourage rather than discourage, and build rather than destroy.
A father must understand that his authority is not a licence to frighten his children. A mother must be respected not simply for what she sacrifices but for who she is. A leader must remember that the people he leads are not his possessions.
A priest must remember that the Church belongs to Christ, not to him. A manager must understand that employees are human beings, not merely instruments of production.
We must ask ourselves an uncomfortable question: Do people experience something of God's love when they encounter us?
Do our families feel safe in our presence?
Can people speak honestly to us without fearing humiliation?
Do we make room for those who are different from us?
Are we willing to stand with someone who is being treated unfairly, even when doing so may cost us something?
These questions are important because Christian faith cannot be separated from the way we treat other people.
Jesus tells His disciples that whatever they do for the least of their brothers and sisters, they do for Him (Matthew 25:40).
This means that our relationship with Christ is closely connected to our relationship with those who are vulnerable.
We cannot draw close to the Lion of Judah while deliberately turning away from the suffering of others.
The strength we receive from Christ must become a blessing to those around us.
16. A word to the African young person
Young people today are growing up in a world full of opportunities but also enormous pressures.
They are expected to succeed, compete, make money, establish careers, maintain relationships and present successful versions of themselves to the world.
Social media can make it appear that everyone else is living a better life. People display their achievements, possessions, holidays and celebrations. Those who are struggling may begin to feel that they are falling behind.
There is also pressure to conform. Young people may find themselves doing things they do not believe in simply because they want to be accepted by their friends.
Some struggle with unemployment and the uncertainty of their future. Others are trying to complete their studies while dealing with financial difficulties at home.
There are young people who have grown up without the presence of a father or mother. Some carry family difficulties that they rarely discuss with anyone.
To such young people, the words "I am drawing close to You, O Lion of Judah" can become a declaration of identity and hope.
You do not have to become someone else to be accepted by God.
You do not have to measure your worth against the achievements of your friends.
You do not have to destroy your future in order to enjoy the approval of people who may not even be there when you need help.
You have a life to live, gifts to develop and responsibilities to embrace.
God has given you dignity. Do not allow other people's opinions to determine your entire understanding of yourself.
Jesus calls you to a life of purpose. He invites you to use your talents, pursue what is good and become a person who contributes positively to society.
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah does not mean running away from the world. It means entering the world with a different spirit.
It means having the courage to say no when something is wrong, the humility to seek advice when you need it and the determination to keep going when the road becomes difficult.
You are not required to have all the answers today. You are required to take responsibility for the life you have been given.
17. A word to those who have grown tired along the journey
There are people who have been strong for so long that they have forgotten what it means to be cared for.
They have always been the ones who solve problems, organise things, encourage others and carry responsibilities.
When family members are in difficulty, they are called. When the community needs help, they are approached. When there is a crisis, they are expected to find a solution.
But who looks after the person who looks after everyone else?
Who listens to the person who is always expected to listen?
Who encourages the person who spends so much time encouraging others?
This is a question worth asking in our families, communities and Church.
Even Jesus withdrew from the crowds to pray. He understood the need for solitude and communion with the Father.
We must not confuse constant activity with faithfulness. Sometimes we need to stop, rest, reflect and allow God to renew us.
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah can mean admitting that we are tired.
It can mean stepping away from unnecessary noise and giving ourselves time to recover.
It can mean allowing others to help us rather than feeling that we must always be in control.
There is no shame in being human. We are not machines, and our worth is not determined by how much work we accomplish.
Sometimes God invites us to serve. At other times, He invites us to rest in His presence.
Both are important.
Remember the words of Jesus:
"Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
This is not an invitation reserved for people who have failed. It is an invitation to everyone who carries the burdens of life.
Come closer. Bring what you are carrying. Allow God to renew your strength.
18. When the Lion of Judah calls us to change
There is a danger in approaching Jesus only for what we want Him to do for us.
We may ask Him to solve our problems, protect our families, provide employment, restore our health and open doors of opportunity.
These are legitimate prayers. God invites us to bring our needs before Him.
But a genuine relationship with Jesus also requires us to listen to what He asks of us.
Sometimes we want God to change our circumstances, while He is also asking us to change our attitudes.
We pray for peace in our homes, but perhaps we need to become more patient.
We pray for unity in the Church, but perhaps we need to stop spreading gossip.
We ask God to bless our work, but perhaps we need to become more honest and responsible.
We ask for forgiveness, but perhaps we are unwilling to forgive someone who has hurt us.
We ask for opportunities, but perhaps we are afraid to take the steps necessary to make use of them.
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah means allowing the Gospel to challenge us.
Jesus does not simply comfort us in our present condition. He also calls us to conversion.
The encounter with Christ should change something in the way we live.
It should make us more truthful, more generous, more patient and more concerned about the dignity of others.
We cannot claim to have drawn close to Him if we deliberately refuse to allow His teachings to influence our decisions.
The Christian journey is not about becoming perfect overnight. It is about remaining open to God's grace and being willing to begin again whenever we fall.
Every day presents another opportunity to become more like Christ.
19. The Lion of Judah and the hope of Africa
Africa needs hope. But hope must be accompanied by responsibility, courage and action.
Our continent has enormous human and natural resources. It has rich cultures, languages, traditions, music, knowledge and creativity. It has young people with remarkable talents and communities that continue to demonstrate resilience in difficult circumstances.
Yet we cannot ignore the challenges.
Poverty, corruption, unemployment, violence, inequality, poor service delivery and the exploitation of vulnerable people continue to affect millions.
In South Africa, many communities still struggle to access decent housing, reliable water, quality education and meaningful employment.
The Christian faith cannot remain indifferent to these realities.
When we call Jesus the Lion of Judah, we are proclaiming that His kingdom is not built on corruption, greed, exploitation or the humiliation of others.
His kingdom is a kingdom of justice, peace and truth.
The Church must therefore be a place where people learn to live differently. It must be a community that forms responsible citizens, encourages ethical leadership, protects the vulnerable and gives a voice to those who are often ignored.
Our faith must influence the way we conduct public life.
We need leaders who understand that public office is a responsibility and not an opportunity for personal enrichment.
We need communities that reject violence and find ways to resolve their differences peacefully.
We need families that give children a sense of belonging and responsibility.
We need young people who understand that their future is worth protecting.
We need Christians who are prepared to work for the common good, even when nobody is applauding them.
The Lion of Judah calls us to courage. But courage must be expressed in the daily work of building a better society.
We cannot pray for a better Africa and remain comfortable with dishonesty.
We cannot ask God to bless our country while remaining silent when people are robbed of their dignity.
We cannot sing about the victory of Christ and ignore the suffering of our neighbours.
Our prayer must become action.
Our worship must inspire service.
Our faith must give us the courage to build the Africa we want our children to inherit.
20. Drawing close is a lifelong journey
The words "I am drawing close to You" suggest movement.
They do not say, "I have arrived." They say, "I am coming."
There is humility in that expression.
Faith is a journey. There are days when we feel close to God and days when He seems distant. There are moments when prayer comes easily and others when we struggle to find the words.
There are seasons of spiritual enthusiasm and seasons of dryness.
Even people who have served God for many years continue to discover new things about His love and mercy.
We should never imagine that we have reached a point where there is nothing more to learn.
The saints teach us that holiness is not reserved for a few extraordinary people. It is a calling for every Christian.
It is found in the ordinary decisions of daily life: choosing honesty, practising forgiveness, caring for the sick, helping the poor, respecting others and remaining faithful to God.
Drawing close to the Lion of Judah is therefore not a once-off religious experience. It is a decision that must be renewed.
Today, I choose to come closer.
Tomorrow, I will need to make that choice again.
When I succeed, I will give thanks.
When I fail, I will seek forgiveness.
When I am strong, I will help others.
When I am weak, I will ask for help.
When I have something to share, I will share it.
When I have nothing to offer except my presence and my prayer, I will still come before God.
The important thing is not to stop walking towards Him.
21. A prayer: I am drawing close to You, O Lion of Judah
Lord Jesus Christ,
Lion of the tribe of Judah, King above all kings, I come before You.
I come with the life I have lived, the experiences that have shaped me and the memories that I continue to carry.
You know where I have been. You know the roads I have travelled, the people I have encountered and the battles I have fought.
You know the moments when I was strong and the moments when I almost gave up.
You know the prayers I have spoken aloud and those that have remained in the silence of my heart.
I am drawing close to You.
Not because my life is perfect, but because I need Your presence.
Not because I have all the answers, but because I trust You with my questions.
Not because I have never made mistakes, but because I believe in Your mercy.
O Lion of Judah, be my strength when I am weak.
Give me courage when fear takes hold of my heart. Give me wisdom when I do not know which direction to take. Give me patience when things do not happen according to my plans.
Teach me to recognise Your presence in the ordinary moments of life.
When I am tempted to become bitter, teach me to forgive.
When I am tempted to give up, remind me of the reasons to keep going.
When pride takes hold of me, teach me humility.
When I become too concerned about what people think of me, remind me that my worth comes from being loved by God.
When I have the opportunity to help someone, do not allow me to turn away.
Bless Africa, Lord.
Remember our families, our children, our young people and our elderly.
Remember those who are unemployed, those who have lost hope, those who are sick and those who have nobody to care for them.
Bless our leaders with wisdom and integrity. Give our communities the courage to reject violence, corruption and injustice.
May our churches become places of welcome, healing, truth and genuine fellowship.
Teach us to appreciate our African heritage while remaining faithful to the Gospel.
May our languages, music, traditions and gifts become instruments through which we praise You and serve one another.
O Lion of Judah, teach me to understand the strength of the Lamb.
May I never use power to humiliate others. May I never mistake arrogance for courage or domination for leadership.
Give me the courage to stand for what is right and the humility to admit when I am wrong.
When the journey becomes difficult, walk with me.
When I cannot see the way forward, guide me.
When I am tired, give me rest.
When I fall, help me to rise.
And when I reach the end of my earthly journey, may I have the grace to meet You face to face.
Jesus Christ, Lion of Judah and Lamb of God, I place my life, my family, my past, my present and my future in Your hands.
I am drawing close to You, Lord. Keep me close to Your heart.
Amen.
Conclusion: The King who invites us closer
"I am drawing close to You, O Lion of Judah" is a declaration of faith, but it is also a declaration of trust.
It is the prayer of someone who understands that life is not always easy, that human strength has its limits and that there are questions to which we do not always find immediate answers.
It is the prayer of someone who has decided not to allow disappointment to have the final word.
It is the prayer of an African Christian who recognises the image of the lion as a symbol of strength and kingship, yet discovers in Jesus a King whose authority is expressed through love.
We draw close to Him because He is greater than our fears, but also because He understands our humanity.
We draw close because He is victorious, but also because He knows what it means to suffer.
We draw close because He is King, but also because He kneels before His disciples and teaches them to serve.
And perhaps this is the most important lesson: the closer we come to Jesus, the more we should become like Him.
If we draw close to the Lion of Judah, we should become courageous people. If we draw close to the Lamb of God, we should become compassionate people.
Our strength should give hope to others. Our faith should make us more understanding. Our presence should bring encouragement rather than fear.
We should become people who stand for justice, defend human dignity, forgive those who have hurt us and care for those who are struggling.
The African continent does not need people who speak loudly about strength but have no compassion for the weak. It needs men and women whose strength is accompanied by wisdom, whose leadership is accompanied by service and whose faith is visible in the way they treat others.
The Church does not need Christians who are simply proud of their religious identity. It needs disciples who allow the Gospel to change their lives.
And each one of us needs to discover that our relationship with God is not measured by how impressive our prayers sound, how many religious activities we attend or how much recognition we receive.
It is measured by our willingness to walk with Christ and allow Him to lead us.
So, when the burdens of life become heavy, draw closer.
When people disappoint you, draw closer.
When you have questions, draw closer.
When you celebrate a victory, draw closer.
When you have nothing left to say, draw closer.
When you feel that you have wandered too far, remember that God's mercy is greater than your mistakes.
The invitation remains open.
Come closer to the Lion of Judah.
Not to become powerful over others, but to discover the strength to love.
Not to escape the realities of life, but to face them with faith.
Not to become someone you are not, but to become the person God created you to be.
And when you find yourself standing before Him, may your prayer remain simple:
"Lord Jesus, I am drawing close to You. I have come a long way, but I still have a long way to go. Walk with me. Teach me. Heal me. Strengthen me. And never let me lose sight of You."
For the Lion of Judah is also the Lamb of God, and His love is the reason we can approach Him with confidence.
Scriptural foundations: Genesis 49:8–10; Isaiah 42:1–4; 1 Kings 19:11–13; Luke 15:11–32; Matthew 6:25–34; Matthew 11:28; Matthew 25:31–46; Revelation 5:1–14.
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