From Nothing to Something

Reflection for Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
(Gen 1:1-19; Mk 6:53-56)
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This week we start reflecting on the book of Genesis. We see how God called things into being by the authority of His word; from nothingness to something! From void and formless He place orderliness. It interesting to note that everything He created has certain responsibility or purpose to achieve. He Himself certifies His own creation as good. “And there was evening and there was morning the fourth day.”

Jesus came to restore order in creation. Sickness is a disorder in the Body. The authority of Jesus to heal disordered nature is seen in the Gospel of today as He heals the sick. “They laid the sick in the market places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were made well.”

The human person called from nothingness to orderliness has an inherent tendency to return to nothingness I.e. he can feel empty, lonely, bored, etc. We might not anticipate these feelings but confronted by them we need a touch of the authority that can create and re-create. A faith encounter with Jesus, no matter how brief or imperfect it might be, can transform us to wholeness and orderliness.

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu,  C.Ss.R
Immaculate Conception Parish,
Iba Estate,  Lagos.
Monday 11th February,  2019.

Vocation Movement!

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
(Is 6:1-2, 3-8; 1Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11)
Vocation comes, sometimes, through the most unlikely circumstances. This Sunday we heard about the call of Isaiah,  Peter and Paul. We want to highlight the progression or growth in answering one's vocation. However, it is God who takes the initiative. And it is only when God takes the initiative can the vocation be genuine.

Simon Peter and his companions laboured all night but caught nothing. As he was warming up to go, Jesus made a demand of his boat. This is no small sacrifice but it's just the beginning of the encounter. Peter waited patiently, tired and disappointed. At the end of His preaching, Jesus said to him, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” There was much certainty in His voice, but that did not stop Peter from expressing his frustration. “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” The external act of donating his boat and time opened up the next level of encounter with Jesus.

At this second level, Peter is being asked to make an internal commitment. Jesus' request for Peter to go back to the waters would require him to change his mind, give up his convictions and rely on the authority of Jesus. This demand is the hinge. It is at the centre of every authentic vocational response. It is easier for one to give up his “boat”, money, time, etc than offer his mind, sentiments, etc. “But at your word I will let down the nets.” With these words, Peter submitted his inner dispositions to Jesus—total abandonment to the will of God. And he netted such huge blessings that was overflowing!

Peter's immediate response to the shoal of fish was humility. The same with Isiah and Paul. “For I am a man of unclean lips...for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” “He appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles...” “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, o Lord.” Humility is the gateway through which we pass from self-abandonment to the will of God, to total dying to self.

Finally,  all is now set for Peter to be invited to follow Jesus along the pathway that would lead to the Cross and Resurrection. “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” Having submitted his will, it became easier for Peter to answer this third demand. “And when they had brought their boat to the land, they left everything and followed Him.” Then he lives for Christ and Christ lives in him.

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Arch Angels Parish
Satelite Town, Lagos.
Sunday 10th February, 2019.

The Sacrifice of Success

Reflection for Saturday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year C
(Heb 13:15-17, 20-21. Mk 6:30-34)

“Through Jesus let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God...”(Hen 13:15). Jesus is the epitome of self-sacrifice. As the Good Shepherd, He abandoned His relaxation time and set out to attend to the crowd...Making such sacrifices is pleasing to God.

We connect our little discomforts to  God through the Sacrifice of Jesus. In this way we contribute to the building up of the Body of Christ. Sacrifice is the secret of success. If we have nothing to suffer, we have nothing to offer! It is through endurance, self-denial, that marriages last, businesses sustained, knowledge acquired, etc. Even leisure and relaxation draw their joy and value from Labour.

But the ultimate sacrifice has been offered. That is why we are enjoined to unite our sacrifices with that of Jesus. Then our little efforts would have an eternal value.

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu,  C.Ss.R
Arch Angels Parish
Satelitetown, Lagos
Saturday   February 9th 2019.

THE PRICE OF SELFISHNESS

Reflection for Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year C
Heb 13:1-8, Mk 6:14-29
Today we heard about the touching story of the beheading of St John the Baptist. One thing led to another, at the end, the great Precursor of Jesus Christ was martyred. Selfishness grows to be bloodthirsty!

Hero’s selfish desire for the beautiful wife of His brother Philip, met the ambition of Herodias to be First Lady of Kingdom. The show of glamour at the birthday party set Hero’s pride on fire, which led him to make unnecessary utterance, and a careless and hasty vow. Pride often leads to hasty commitments with regrettable consequences. The undecided girl found her self challenged. Imagine, she was big enough to entertain the guests but too little to decide for herself what she wanted! There's indication that she was pampered and trained to be selfish, instead of being responsible. Grudge and lust have something in common : they seek for opportunity! In Herodias, both found a common home. Hence, she would not miss this opportunity. Thus she swiftly responded to her daughter,  “The head of John the Baptist.”

A little seed of selfishness can grow into a giant murderous tree. The innocent always pays the price! However, the most innocent Blood had already been shed for our every selfishness. The Blood of Jesus has been poured out to satisfy for our grudge and selfish desires. Therefore,  we have not reason to be selfish. In other words, selfishness can no more grow in us since the blood it yearns for has been poured out.

That is why the first reading urges us, “let brotherly love continue.” There should be no restrictions to our charity and hospitality. We should avoid those selfish desires that build up lust, greed, grudge and fear. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and fore ever.”

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Arch Angels’ Parish
Satelite Town, Lagos.
Friday 8th February, 2019.

Two to Witness

Reflection for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year
(Heb 12:18-19, 21-24. Mk 6:7-13)
Jesus sent out the Twelve on mission two by two. He gave them specific instructions and authority. Sending them out in twos shows that He did not subject the missionary mandate under an individual's personal and subjective determinations. Instead, He inserted the missionary message between two people. This has specific implications the apostles and their successors.

Having the missionary mandate inserted between two people implies that the message would carry them along. Each of them would have to respond accordingly by subjecting his personal sentiments and preferences to the demands of the missionary journey. Thus the message draws them into a communion—yes, a communion of witnesses. The two preachers, therefore, embark on the missionary journey as witnesses. Then, it became necessary that their external live style must be adjusted for them to fit in as witnesses. That is why nothing should obstruct the flow of the mission; not rejection, not even demons!

The Apostles were sent out two by two to witness “...to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel” (Hen 12:24). Let us go about our activities this day with this deep sense of communion, allowing the Word and Eucharistic we have received to carry us along...

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Arch Angels' Parish
Satelite Town, Lagos.
Thursday Feb 7th, 2019.