THE SOUND OF TRUTH

Reflection for Pentecost Year A

(Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23)

“When Pentecost day had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind...And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them.”

Today we meditate on the beauty of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. The immediate symbol of His coming was a loud sound that filled the house like a rush of wind. It was a sound that shattered the silent cold hand of fear that gripped them. They regained their courage and freedom. Before now they lost their voices through fear of the Jews, now they spoke in different tongues.

The first and immediate manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit was the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. They proclaimed the one message but to different tongues. Now the different people can find their unity in the one Gospel message. The sound of the truth of the gospel is the voice of the Holy Spirit. It is loud and clear, moving us from within to order and unity. Uniformity is false; unity is true. The truth of Christ is instilled in our lives as power and wisdom by the Holy Spirit (cf Jn 14:16-17).

Because what the Holy Spirit teaches is true, it leads to deeper freedom and greater self-discovery. Whatever is not true, in words or action, cannot be of the Holy Spirit, and they diminish us. That is why the Holy Spirit leads us to discover our talents, and empowers us to exercise them to achieve personal authenticity and to enrich the variety of our common humanity. Hence St Paul says in the second reading that the one Spirit inspires variety of service to the one God. The Holy Spirit grows variety to unity, destroying the cold hand of competition among individuals, cultures, etc.

Jesus appeared to His disciples, showed His hands and feet, bestowed His gift of peace, and He sent them forth to proclaim the gospel. Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit...” So the Spirit issues from the Father and the Son. Therefore, anytime we listen to Jesus, meditate on His words, etc, we open our heart to filled by the Holy Spirit.

Veni Sante Spiritus! Come Holy Spirit, we need to hear the great sound of your truth. We need to feel the warmth of your outpouring. Ignite your tongues of fire upon us anew! The cold hand of division is trying to silence our voice to witness to Jesus. See how many families are shattered. The beauty of our individual differences is being covered by competition. Adulterated belief is trying to sweep through the Church. Come Holy Spirit, Come! Your fire cannot be quenched; your sound cannot be silenced! Let this sound of your truth fill every heart and every home that invoke you today. Your warmth is life to our souls.

 Veni Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita (Come creator Spirit, and in our souls take up your rest). Amen.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday May 31^st, 2020.

Pentecost Day.

THE HOUR OF GLORY

Reflection for 7^th Sunday of Easter Year A

(Acts 1:12-14; 1 Pet 4:13-16; Jn 17:1-11)

1.0. The Cenacle

It was almost a tensed moment as the apostles watched Jesus Ascend. After Jesus’ Ascension, they returned to the upper room (The Cenacle) where they were staying. It was a solemn gathering as they devoted themselves to pray together with Mary the Mother of Jesus. Thus prayer became a way they expressed their hope in Jesus and His promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. By uniting in prayer, they expressed their unity in faith in Jesus Christ. This also deepened their hope and love.

Furthermore, the beauty of this Cenacle of prayer shines out as the apostles gathered around Mary the Mother of Jesus. She became for them the most living memory of Jesus. How can you behold the face of Mary and not remember Jesus? The glory of Jesus is alive in her!

2.0.  The Hour of Jesus

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.” Jesus prayed to the Father that the hour to send down His glory has come. Let us meditate on the timing of the glory! Think about how God who dwells in eternity has subjected His glory to time in Christ Jesus. The glory of God is greater than time, but in Jesus time can now contain God’s glory! Thus, at the appointed time, at the hour of salvation, Jesus invokes the glory of God. All flesh will share in this glory and eternal life, and return to God the glory that is His through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Jesus is that locus in time through which we receive the glory of God. It is the hour of Jesus and the glory of Jesus that we are called to share. “Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made.” 

3.0.  The Hour of Glory

The hour of glory for us, therefore, is not in clock-time. It is the time of our encounter with Jesus; the time we hear His words and obey his commandment of love, the time we confess our sins and begin a new life, the time we receive Him warmly in the Eucharist, the time we endure wrongs and forgive others, etc. This hour of Jesus in our lives is equally the time we return glory to God. It is the moment we witness to Christ. In fact, it is the moment we proclaim through our endurance Jesus’ witness to the Father on the Cross. “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do.”

That is why the second reading says, “Rejoice in so far as you share in Christ’s suffering, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” Hence, we must dispose ourselves as in the Cenacle of prayer. Like the apostles gathered with Mary, we should constantly invoke the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our daily prayers. When the appointed time came, God sent His Son through a woman (Mary) (Gal 4:4). With the present challenges in our family and social lives, we are hungry for a taste of God’s glory. If we continue to devote our time and energy to prayer, our hour of glory will come. In fact, it is already here as we move to encounter Jesus today. AMEN.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday May 24^th, 2020.

THE VISION OF THE ASCENSION

 

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year A

(Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20)

 “And after He had said this, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.”

Today we celebrate with great solemnity the ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Heaven. He had prepared the minds of His disciples for this moment, though they wished He stayed with them. Jesus told them that it was necessary and for their own good that He Ascended. “If I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you” (Jn 16: ). He insisted that His Ascension is not to abandon them, “Behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” When the hour came, He gave them missionary mandate and authority, and instructed them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Before their eyes, He was lifted up and ascended into the Heaven! It was a touchy moment as they continued to gaze into the clouds for their Master.

As their eyes hit the wall of the clouds, their hearts could not let go! Their legs remain fastened on the ground as their hearts beat faster, racing after the Lord. The silence around them was so loud that we could hear the vibrations of their inner fear. Then the Angels appeared! “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Within this longing for the Master who warmed their hearts with unimaginable love, His presence remained with them. Thus, their hearts were ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As their hearts raced for Jesus, the covering of the cloud unlocked faith and love as the new location points where they could encounter His abiding presence. Thus their hope in Jesus can now go beyond space and time. That is why the waiting for His coming again is as fresh as on the day of Ascension. Faith is the new eyes with which believers behold Him; love is the new hand with which we touch Him.

Therefore, the Ascension of Jesus opens a new horizon of vision for His faithful. We remember Jesus’ statements, “Wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6:21). “In my Father’s house there are many rooms...I am going to prepare you a place”.(Jn 14:2-3). So the followers of Jesus live with a vision that locate heaven! That is why those who contemplate Jesus Christ, who feel the warmth of His love, do not lack vision and hope in every aspect of their lives and in every situation. No earthly cloud can cover the vision of faith we have in Christ Jesus. There is no more room for despair or frustration. Let us stretch forth our arms of love and eyes of faith in Jesus to see through the challenges we face today, “the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and...the immeasurable greatness of His power...” Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu,C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Thursday May 21^st, 2020.

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

Throw back: You can also read our previous meditations on Ascension by following the links below:

The Beauty of Ascension (2019): https://nwachinwe.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-beauty-of-ascension.html 

The First Fruit of the Ascension (2015):     https://nwachinwe.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-first-fruit-of-ascension.html

DIVINE MANIFESTATION

Reflection for Tuesday of the 6^th Week of Easter Year A

(Acts 16:22-34; Jn 16:5-11)

1.0. The Divine Absence

Have you ever felt the absence of God? It comes like the silence of a dark night. At such moments, fear, doubt, despair, etc and all the negative sentiments that oppose faith would begin to surface! Now think about the experience of Paul and Silas. The Philippians joined forces with the Jews to attack them, and they were beaten with rods. “And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into the prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.” The man decided to put them at the inner most, the darkest end of the prison and chained their feet. Paul and Silas suffered physically, psychologically and emotionally. It seemed like a total moment of abandonment as the darkness of the prison swallowed them up! This feeling of divine absence hits harder at that moment we cry to God for help as our only hope but nothing happens... A painful silence, when hardships and struggles from different angles gang up against us and divine intervention seems uncertain.

Jesus prepared the minds of His disciples about persecution and His departure. He told them that His ascension is not abandonment. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” Then they would begin to learn how to relate to Him by faith and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Yesterday Jesus said the Holy Spirit will come to bear witness to the truth as the Counsellor. Today He says the Holy Spirit is coming to convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgement. So from that inner darkness where the world and its strokes lock us up, the Holy Spirit comes as our light and freedom.

2.0.  The Divine Manifestation

Therefore, Paul and Silas still believed that God was not silent; He never abandoned them. Instead of crying for their pain, they raised their voices in songs of praise to God! “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s chains were unfastened.” They were set free though they were still in prison; in the darkness around them they had the light of the Holy Spirit. The jailer who guarded the gates got the message clearly: He realized he was the real prisoner and begged Paul and Silas for the freedom of the Children of God. Though they were wounded by the beatings, he asked them for healing of his soul! He accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized, with all his family. The man was filled with a joy he never experienced before.

The moment we thought God was absent, He was silently manifesting His power in Paul and Silas. Such moment, dry and painful it might be, is always a moment of our sharing in the Cross of Jesus through which the exonerating power of the Holy Spirit shines out in us. Let us hold firm to the string of faith no matter how tough the situation might be. Instead of complaining how bad things are, let us learn from Paul and Silas and offer fitting praise to God upon that very situation.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday May 19^th, 2020.

   

ON FACING PERSECUTION

Reflection for Monday of the 6^th Week of Easter

(Acts 16:11-15; Jn 15:26—16:4)

Have you ever felt persecuted? This may happen where someone is on the lookout for your faults, or dislike your personality. It can come when someone is angry when you are happy and happy when you are sad! Persecution often comes when people want to impose their religion, ideologies and ways of life on others. Jesus tells us in the Gospel that those who persecute others do so from strong conviction. “Indeed the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” Yes, most abuse of power comes in the name of fighting corruption, correcting wrong, protecting common interest, etc. Those who hate you do so in the name of something else they love!

At what point does one’s good intention for the service of God or the good turn out to become persecution? This is when one acts in the name of God but not of God. Such action is not inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit. That is why we need the Holy Spirit to discern deeply, for good intention is not enough; we must choose our actions wisely and timely.

The Holy Spirit comes to bear witness; to witness to the truth that is Jesus. Today Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “the Counsellor” and “the Spirit of truth.” He takes our faith to that depth where persecution cannot reach. Since persecution is not of God, it cannot hurt that which is kept secure in the Spirit of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mt 5:10). “But I say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked...” (Mt 5:38-42).

We cannot stand for the truth of Jesus Christ without some opposition. By promising us the Counsellor, Jesus teaches us that persecution is an opportunity to bear witness. Hence, persecution makes the believer stronger not weaker. So whoever is alive in the Holy Spirit will always produce positive actions even in the heat of persecution. That is why our intentions and actions must be of God. We must remain focused on our vocation and daily responsibilities, just as Paul and his companions did despite the persecutions they faced. There is no time for grudge or revenge. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to the complete truth. Amen. 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday May 18^th, 2020.

ALIVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Reflection for 6^th Sunday of Easter Year A

(Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Pet 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21)

1.0.  "They Laid Hands on them"

From the first reading we hear about the Mission of Philip to the Samaritans. He was very successful as multitudes got converted and baptized, and the city was filled with joy. Then the Church authorities in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. How come Philip performed miracles, converted souls and baptized but could not confer the Holy Spirit? These days anyone who exercises any spiritual gift assumes all authority unto himself! The first reading clearly demonstrates the structure of the sacrament of Confirmation.

There is order of procession in the coming of the Holy Spirit. God loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son. Before His Ascension, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. So, Confirmation cannot be administered on one who is not baptized into the Body of Christ and nourished by the Eucharist. Thus, Peter and John came afterwards, “Laid their hand on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” In the stretching forth of hands, we see the proceeding, the descending, the gentle movement with which the Holy Spirit carries us deeper into the truth of the Word. The Holy Spirit keeps us ever in motion in living out our baptismal grace! He gives us the unction to order our lives according to the will of the Father through Jesus Christ.

2.0.  Alive in the Spirit

In the Second reading St Peter says Jesus died in the flesh but was made alive in the Spirit. It is this new life in the Spirit we are called to share in our human flesh. Our faith in Jesus opens the doorway for this spiritual life. So if we reverence Jesus in our heart, it becomes a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. There will be a spiritual movement within, which inspires us to stand for Christ Jesus and endure persecution. That is why we must keep a clear conscience, which comes from observing the commandments.

Therefore, Jesus said in the Gospel of today, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counsellor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth...” The Holy Spirit brings divine motion; divine unction to hearts that love Jesus. The worldly minded opposes the working of the Spirit. So life in the Spirit opens up when we keep the commandments and do away with worldly attachments. Then we will enjoy a Trinitarian communion, and the life of Jesus Christ will begin to manifest in us.

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7). He is the power with which we live! The order of His motion brings orderliness to our lives. If we are not alive in the Spirit, chaos will rule our hearts. So to be alive in the Spirit, we must reverence Jesus in our hearts as the people of Samaria did after Philip preached to them. And to love Jesus so, we must keep His commandants, which is summed up in love for one another. And since the law is within our reach (Deut 30:11), our movement to obey God’s will surely shall lead to a divine encounter.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday May 17^th, 2020.

Elected to Serve in Love

 Reflection for Thursday of the 5^th Week of Easter

Feast of St Mathias

(Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Jn 15:9-17)

 Today we celebrate the feast of St Matthias. The name means, “Gift of God.” He was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot among the apostles. His election highlights the distinction between the individual apostle and the office he occupies. And the same applies to the different offices we occupy as children of God. Sometimes it is difficult to make this distinction, and the person occupying the office is tempted to identify himself as the office! Then humility vanishes, the Judas in him will begin to manifest. However, the election of Matthias was not as easy as it might seem.

Peter had about 120 disciples to select from. First the motive was made clear: to fulfil the word of God. Once the intention is found to be rooted in the will of God, the qualification of the person to occupy the office was outlined. “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us...” This qualification describes the task ahead: to witness to the resurrection! It was not attached to culture, colour or any human status. Imagine if this election were to be done today! At the end, only two people out of the one hundred and twenty met the criteria, Justus and Matthias. Then they prayed, and the method of election was by casting lots. “And the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles."

What Judas lost by withdrawing his love from Jesus and diverting it to money, Matthias gained by his steadfastness and love for Jesus from the beginning till the resurrection. That is why Jesus said in the Gospel of today that we should abide in His love. “As the Father has loved me, so I love you; abide in my love. Think about the tribulations of Jesus Christ and the journeys He made from the beginning, and how Matthias remained with Him, following in silence, almost unnoticed. Today he is counted among the foundation stones. If we remain in His love, our time of elevation will surely come.

But how are we to abide in His love? It is to keep His commandments. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” And how are we to love them so? It is by laying down our lives for others, to make sacrifices for them. Jesus laid down His life for us, His friends. We too, in the name of Jesus, must lay down lives for others, and not be like Judas who laid down his life for material gain but lost out. The love of Jesus has elected us like Matthias to go forth and bear fruit. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” We must not forget that each of us is occupying an ‘office’ in the love of Jesus. Therefore, He assures us, “Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Amen!

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Thursday May 14^th, 2020.

Feast of St Matthias (Apostle).

He is the patron saint of carpenters, tailors, those with smallpox, and in prayers for perseverance and for hope.

THE FAMILY TREE

Reflection for Wednesday of the 5^th Week of East  

Memorial of our Lady of Fatima

(Acts 15:1-6; Jn 15:1-8)

Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Today Jesus used the imagery of a tree and its branches to describe our relationship with Him. We are not left hanging, at the mercy of any wind that blows. No, we have a foundation, structure and way of sustenance in Jesus. The branches are meant to bear fruit and showcase the beauty of the tree. The tree trunk supplies the stamina and nutrients to the branches. A branch can be separated from the tree in two ways; if it cut itself off or if the Father cuts it off on grounds of unproductively. “Abide in me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” Our life will be useless, pain and empty living, and at last it will dry off, if we do not draw nourishment from Jesus.

The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of men can become children of God. So by faith we are replanted into the family lineage of Jesus Christ. “He gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God Himself” (Jn 1:12-13). The rebirth we have in Christ Jesus gives us new identity and produces new fruits for the Kingdom of God (Jn 3:5-6). We have a new family ancestry, of which Jesus is the Head of the lineage! We no longer think or act from the old lineage of human birth, rather we model ourselves according to the new blood bond we share in Jesus Christ. If we remain hanging on the family tree of Jesus, the old human stock, with its burden of sin and brokenness, shall not affect us (Eze 18:2-4). So do not let any fake pastor deceive you that they are going to cleanse your family tree, unless you have cut yourself off from Jesus the Vine.  

“He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” And Jesus Himself hung on the tree of the Cross as the first fruit—“the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20). Thus, “The earth has yielded its fruit” (Ps 67:6). The fruits we produce today testify on which tree our life is hanging! “By their fruits we shall know them. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?” (Mt 7:15-20). If our lives abide firmly on the family tree of Jesus, we shall produce fruits of forgiveness, love, peace, self-control, piety, humility, etc.

Today, we learn from the example of disciples as they gather around the 12 Apostles and elders to deliberate and ensure that their teaching was firmly rooted in Christ Jesus, and not on some human exuberance. Also we remember the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, who surrendered her life totally to the will of God, and became the Mother of the Saviour. Her apparition in Fatima brought peace to the world and deepened faith in God. 

Abide in Jesus; let Him be the stronghold of your life. Your prayers will be answered, and God will be glorified in you. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday May 13^th, 2020.

Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima.

SPIRITUAL PRIDE

Reflection for Monday of the 5^th Week of Easter

(Acts 14:5-18; Jn 14:21-26)

Many people want to be celebrities; to be popular and powerful. But only few people have the capacity to bear the consequences of popularity. Accumulating popular acclamations that does not correspond to one’s personal integrity and qualifications can be disastrous. Worse still, when such popularity and power come suddenly, they become more difficult to handle...Such was the kind of temptation that Paul and Barnabas faced at Lystra.

On seeing the miracle Paul performed, the people began to acclaim them to be gods. The priest of Zeus prepared to offer sacrifices to them. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude...” This was great temptation for the two apostles as they humbled themselves and rejected the popularity. While persecution and death cannot stop the spread of the Gospel, pride can dry up and quench the fire of the missionary. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

Spiritual pride is more deadly than a virus. It enters in the name of self-justification, and uses the name of God to destroy. It comes like a trap. It is very easy for one working for God to take the glory from the work of grace! That is why we need the Holy Spirit to teach us how to be meek and humble, giving God what is His due. “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things...”  The Holy Spirit becomes our new rule of life; He guides our spiritual and physical actions. It is the Spirit of Truth that leads us to fulfil all the commandments, including overcoming spiritual pride. It is in keeping His commandments that we show our love for Jesus and attract the love of the Father.

Therefore, like Paul and Barnabas filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, we must live so as to sustain the fire of the Spirit burning in our hearts. This is the one step that will keep us in friendship with Jesus and in communion with the Holy Trinity. “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” So today let us pay extra attention to that inner still voice of the Holy Spirit within, to avoid thoughts and actions that might grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30). Undue desire for popularity and power makes one claim for himself the glory and allegiance due to God. This is what Paul and Barnabas rejected. Let the Holy Spirit lead us this week so that we can enjoy the Communion of the Trinity, and be successful in our endeavours. To God be the glory!  Amen.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday May 11^th, 2020.

The Way and the Truth to Resolve Conflicts

Reflection for 5^th Sunday of Easter

(Acts 6:1-7; 1 Pet 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12)

1.0. The Conflict

An internal conflict broke out among the early Christian community! This was scandalous looking at their profession of faith and history. The Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. This misunderstanding arose from innate human sentiments of favouritism, jealousy, etc. This sort of scandal has been in the Church, which also is seen in Christian homes. Every church community is marked with one internal struggle or the other. The effect of this is that it disrupts the preaching and spread of the word of God—the assimilation of grace and the practice of virtue. How did the apostles resolve the conflict?

2.0. Conflict Resolution

From the wisdom of the apostles we have the best method to resolve conflicts. First they recognized the bone of contention and the parties involved. Secondly, the identified the cost effect of the conflict i.e. the pending implications that will affect their core values. “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” Thirdly, they avoided allotting blames i.e. identifying who was guilty and who was innocent. Instead they decided to allot responsibilities. So they selected seven representatives from the interest groups, and delegated their powers to them. By so doing, these representatives would no longer represent their groups to the apostles; instead, the seven deacons would represent the apostles to the whole people. In a family or group, where there is too much centralization of power, there will mostly be inefficiency and looming conflict. Thus the apostles would now have more time to promote their core values: prayer and preaching the word of God.

3.0. “To see me is to see the Father”

If we allow conflicts to tear us apart, how can our hearts ascend to Jesus? It is mostly worries and dragging of things of this earth that bring misunderstanding. Here, our minds and emotions are buried in human gain and pleasure, then jealousy and division set in. But Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms...” Our secret thoughts and emotions—the contemplation of our hearts—should not lose sight of the real treasure in Heaven. The friendship and treasure we have in Jesus must form our core values, such that whatever distracts us from Him should be treated as a conflict to be resolved! Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” If our hearts are not resolved in Christ Jesus, then our conflicts cannot be resolved! If we follow our own way, and try to promote our self-defined truth, and preserve our life, at most, we get a compromised agreement, which does not give lasting peace and eternal life.

Therefore, Jesus becomes the living stone, chosen and precious, in which we build our lives, family and Church. Then we are “built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Sometimes when we have internal struggles and conflicts, we do not want to involve Jesus. But the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Like the apostles, Jesus must the reason, for He is the king of peace. He is Kingdom of God in our midst. He said to Philip, “He who has seen me has seen the Father...” So our hearts need not worry who is for us or against you. The foretaste of the Kingdom of God we enjoy now in Jesus will keep us secure. As St Peter said in the second reading, we become “A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday May 10^th, 2020.

A HUMBLE TWIST

Reflection for Thursday of the 4^th Week of Easter

(Acts 13:13-25; Jn 13:16-20)

Could this be a sign of growth in the mission of the early Church? A new trend evolved today!  At Pisidia, the synagogue of officials invited Paul and his companions to address the people. This is a surprise twist since before now they were being sent out of the synagogues and persecuted. Paul zealously grasped the opportunity; he would never miss a chance to proclaim Jesus Christ. He narrated to them the history of salvation beginning from the Patriarchs down to John the Baptist. He showed how the events of their history pointed to Jesus Christ and gave way for Him. So Jesus became the highest point and the one in whom the journey of the Israelites drew its meaning.

Interestingly, the Gospel of today located Jesus at the scene of the washing of feet of the apostles. The One who was highly exalted by the Old Testament brought Himself low that He might exalt His followers. The Master took the position of a servant! He told the apostles not to seek for recognition or to be exalted. In carrying out their mission in humility, they may not be accepted. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives anyone whom I sent receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” Even when they achieve success, to God be the glory.

Fear of being rejected has led some people astray. A lot of people suffer crisis of relevance in their career and family. Sometimes a father or mother may begin to feel he or she is no more relevant, either because of loss of income, health failure, etc. You do not need to buy acceptance, thereby raising yourself up above where God has placed you. Jesus steps in with a new twist: humility. Though He was above all ages, still He had a humble beginning. Who would have believed that the disciple would be begged to come and preach in the synagogue! If we maintain a humble attitude towards others, and let our life journey move towards Jesus Christ as its destination, then He will bring that surprising twist that will uplift us and favour us. Amen!

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Thursday May 7^th, 2020.

BEARING THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

Reflection for Wednesday of the 4^th Week of Easter

(Acts 12:24—13:5; Jn 12:44-50)

Jesus is the image of the unseen God (Col 1:15). His very person is the presence of God among us (Jn 14:9).  And His works is a proof of the Father’s love and power among us. To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is the light that shines the glory of the Father upon us. Being like us in all things but sin, he has shown us the way to the Father; He has given us a living example we can adapt in every situation of our lives. It is through faith in Jesus that we enter into the relationship with Him that launches us into communion with the Holy Trinity. “He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.”

By acting on our faith, we too are to reflect the image of Jesus Christ, just as Jesus reflected the image of the Father. Over the years, the things that influence and motivate us are hidden from others, but from the sequence of actions they produce, they reflect certain images, which we ourselves may not be aware of.  The things we do and say do not come from vacuum. Let the love of Jesus be the energy within, and then our intentions will be to the glory of God. So we take example from the early Church. What did they do, in the first reading of today, to be ambassadors of Christ Jesus?

Their mission began to grow and multiply. They had to employ more hands to help out in the ministry. The different gifts and personalities were recognized. But still they maintained a common centre of authority in Jerusalem, living in obedience, and communal prayer. “Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” The spreading of the gospel became for them an answer to their prayers. Prayer is the key! That was how the disciples communed with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit directed them to do the will of the Father. If we do not pray, we cannot imitate Jesus.

What is that stuff you are known for? What is the legacy you want to leave behind for your family and society? Like the disciples, if we keep obedience to the word of God, and be consistent in prayer, we will have the light of Christ, and radiate that light to others. “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday May 6th 

"THE SHEEP THAT BELONGS TO ME"

“The Sheep that Belongs to Me”

Reflection for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Easter

(Acts 11:19-26; Jn 10:22-30)

We continue to hear about the good shepherd narrative. On Sunday Jesus introduced himself as the door through which the sheep go in and out to find pasture and eternal life. Yesterday He declared Himself as the good shepherd who lay down His life to keep His sheep secure. Today he directs our focus to the sheep, and gives us the qualities of His sheep.

“The Sheep that belongs to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”  To listen, the sheep must pay attention; and for them to be attentive, they must be silent. Interior silence, that inner stillness that waits on the Lord, a contemplative attitude, is a habit we must acquire to have Jesus as our shepherd. “Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple. The Lord God has opened my ear and I have not resisted, I have not turned away” (Is 50:4-5). In walking side by side with Jesus our shepherd, we are supposed to be passive towards Him.  Then we can follow in obedience despite the pull to act otherwise. In silence of heart we learn the act of total surrender to Jesus that we might not succumb to wolves and life problems. Lectio Divina and other forms of mediation train us to be the sheep that belongs to Jesus.

“My sheep...shall never perish, and no one shall steal them out of my hand.” Do you feel secure right now in Jesus Christ? When difficulties come, dangers arise; the sense of security your faith in Jesus gives you, is a sign to show if you have been following Jesus as your shepherd. His words are not promises relegated to an unknown future. His words are alive and active now. Take example from the first reading of today, how the early Church felt secure and continued to flourish despite the persecutions and internal organisational deficiencies among them. They knew then that the hand of the Lord was with them. Still, where they met persecution, they relocated, and where they achieved success, they rejoiced! This was how the Apostles sent Barnabas to Antioch. On seeing the work on ground, he decided to bring Paul from Tarsus to help him. “And it was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians.”

The Lord Jesus has declared Himself for us as our Shepherd. He opened the Door to pasture and eternal life. The whispers of His words are loud enough. We must take responsibility to position ourselves as the sheep that belongs to Him by being attentive to His words. He has a message for you today, and in every situation. We must learn the act of silence; remove our attention from things that do not matter and sinful acts that block our inner ear. It is a blessed day because Jesus is watching over you. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday May 5^th, 2020.

The Good Shepherd

Reflection for Monday of the 4^th Week of Easter

 (Acts 11:1-18; Jn 10:11-18)

Our religious and cultural formations provide the basis from which we view life. Thus the Jewish converts, born of circumcision, criticized Peter for interacting with the uncircumcised. Even Peter struggled with his Jewish identity before embracing the universal salvation in Christ Jesus. This is how our family upbringing and education sometimes dwarf our vision of life instead of launching us into God’s vision of life. Peter explained how he had a vision in Joppa in which the voice said to him, “What God has cleansed you must not call unclean.” That was how he went to the house of Cornelius in the gentile city of Caesarea. After he narrated how the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they were baptized, the Church glorified God saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life.”

We do not often have all the visions of life. Even our most pious acts, in the long run, can be misguided! We cannot go far unless guided by grace. If not for divine intervention, Peter would have remained in the prison of his Jewish ideas. We need to be guided. In Gospel of today Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd.” This imagery is so powerful and consoling. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, i.e. the life of his sheep is so dear to Him. He protects them from wolves. The sense of security the good shepherd gives cannot be compared.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep.” There is a horizon of life we cannot enter unless Jesus Christ leads the way. Most of childhood upbringing, cultural biases, ideas of life, relationship, etc are in constant need of redemption. They will not change for the better simply because we go to Church. We must consciously allow Jesus to lead us. How? By making act of total self-surrender to His will. We read and meditate on His words in the Bible, internalize them, such that they become bundles of energy within—energy of love—from which we are moved to act. This is one way, like Peter, we can act irrespective of ourselves. Regular Communion and visit to the Blessed Sacrament have proved to be effective in smoothening our wandering emotions and mind, directing them to a realm of serenity and love that nature cannot take them to. May God give us the courage to allow Jesus to Shepherd us.

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday May 4^th, 2020.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that you are really here in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world, and I hunger to feed on your flesh. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, feed my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to you now as I do when I actually receive you. Never let me drift away from you. Amen.

----St Alphonsus Liguori

THE DOOR TO ABUNDANT LIFE

Reflection for the 4^th Sunday of Easter

(Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Pet 2:20-25; Jn 10:1-10)

1.0.                     The Options

We make choices based on available options. There is practically no product we purchase today that has no alternative. Thus, alternative options compete and appeal to our freedom of choice. These competing alternatives have to re-brand and upgrade in order to become our option of choice! To win this battle, companies and marketers attract us with lofty promises. Each alternative claims to be for our advantage, reduce cost or ease suffering. This competing appeal to our freedom of choice is in religion, politics and social life. These days we see some self-acclaimed men of God in completion of prophecies and easy solutions to life problems. Every politician climbs to power by promising to bring solution to economic and social problems of the society. Betting and gambling have become huge business today because they promise so much gain with very little commitment. Defrauders succeed by selling greed; promising easy wealth. Often times, the alternative that survives is the one that most promises to take away the cross; the one that most cancels suffering!

Our human will and freedom of choice are hungry for life. Thus we are easily attracted to the gateway that promises to open the door to life.

2.0.                    The Gateway

In the Gospel of today Jesus talks about the gateway to life. And there is no alternative to it. This gateway through which we enter to find pasture and life does not admit of competition. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” We pass through the door, the gatekeeper lets us in, and we become members of the sheepfold, where we find pasture and life. There is only one doorway.

Further Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep...I am the door; if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” He assures us to ask anything in His name and it will be granted (Jn 14:14). Now we have to pass our life through Jesus as through a door. Our freedom of choice cannot unlock the life it yearns for unless we choose in the name of Jesus. So the choices we make for relationship, marriage, wealth, social life, career, etc must pass through Jesus. His promises of life in the resurrection must guide us. He is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6).

3.0.The Gatekeeper

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?” The Body of Christ, the Church acts as the gatekeeper. Through the teaching and sanctifying authority of the Church, we are welcomed into the sheepfold of Jesus Christ. “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ...”’ The Gatekeeper helps us to enter through Jesus the Door by granting us Baptism and forgiveness of sins.

4.0. The Door to Abundant life

“Beloved: if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God’s approval.” St Peter explains in the second reading that the steps with which we pass through the door of blessedness is patient-endurance. Narrow is the way that leads to life (Mt 7:13-14). “...Because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps.” Jesus has declared Himself as the Door; the Gatekeeper has opened the Door. We must take some responsibility by stepping forward. And the steps we take are the crosses we bear each day and our true repentance from our sins. “By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying life sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”

No more shall we fall in the hands of thieves; they promise us love without sacrifice, friendship without commitment, wealth without investment, pleasure without labour, education without discipline, miracles without holiness, life without dying, etc. The crowd on the broad road to death compete among themselves. Though we may face diverse options and alternatives in our choices in life, there is only one door through which we must step in to unlock the blessings we really need. Jesus is the Door; if we pass through Him we shall escape the destroyers, receive pastures and earn eternal life. As we celebrate Jesus the Good Shepherd today, we must also follow the directives of the Gatekeeper, the Church, as she opens the way for us.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday May 3^rd, 2020.

Good Shepherd Sunday.