THE PROPHETIC AUTHORITY

Meditation for the 4^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Deut 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1-21-28)

We are easily swayed by the loudest voices! The popular and trending ideas are usually those that dominate the air wave. In our society today, even in the church, you only need to be bold and loud to have your way, and aggressively sell your point. Often times, those who fly on these wings have less truth in their content. So, evil and negativity often push their way to dominate the narratives. Think about the loudest voices we hear today about human relationships, family, wealth, politics, etc. The silent and powerful voice of TRUTH is the only nightmare these ‘noises’ do not want around them.

THE PROPHET

Therefore, we need the true prophet, who cannot be taken over by the loud voice of lies and deceit, and who in turn will declare the word of God. A prophet speaks the truth. He is aware of himself as chosen by God to do so. He speaks with his words and actions, such that his life stands out to silence the loud voice of deceit. In the first reading, God promised to raise a prophet for His people.

AVAILABILITY

The prophetic gift of God, which is fulfilled in Christ Jesus (Mt 5:17), is given to the faithful through baptism (CCC 904-907). This participation in Christ’s prophetic office can be fulfilled through evangelization and the testimony of a holy life. In this way, the light of truth will continue to dispel the darkness of negativity and deceit. Thus, there is no need for us to be anxious or afraid; what is required of us is to make ourselves available for the grace of our baptism to flow! Hence, the second reading emphasizes on our undivided devotion to the Lord, which we are called to do through our different states of life: the married, through the obligations of their marriage, and the single, through their undivided commitment to the affairs of the Lord.

THE AUTHORITY

In the Gospel, the teaching of Jesus impressed the people, “For He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” The teaching of the scribes was like a reported speech. But Jesus ‘owned’ the word; the authority of the word of God is in Him. Imagine the great influence of Jesus, and how the people were caught up in His mighty power! Before this could sink in their hearts, the evil spirit in the possessed man began to cry out. He tried to distract them, and divert attention to himself by positioning himself as one who 'knows' Jesus, and who, therefore, would have to ‘approve’ Him for the people. Notice that the evil spirit yielded like the spokesman for the good of the people. Evil and negativity, with all their noise, always seek attention and to dominate the ‘narrative.’

“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’” And all the noise disappeared. The cool breeze of truth spread across. After this, the people were more amazed at the authority of Jesus. Thus, if we make ourselves available to Jesus, maintain our undivided devotion to Him, every mountain of deceit before us will crumble; the empty noise of negativity and evil shall be silenced. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday January 31^st, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE ASSURANCE OF FAITH

Meditation for Saturday of the 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Mk 4:35-41)

 Drawn by the great promise in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, we continue our journey to participate in the awesome merits from our High Priest. Faith becomes the most important vehicle that will drive us to this destination. Keeping our faith alive and applying it in our daily lives becomes an unavoidable solemn duty for all who look forward to the great promise in the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ. Hence, today’s reading explains faith and backs it up with the practical example of Abraham.

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to go to a place he did not know to receive an inheritance. Think about how Abraham’s faith became a strength that made him to persevere even when he encountered difficulty in the land of his sojourn, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob. Again, let us reflect on how beautifully the faith of Abraham ‘permeated’ throughout his household. Sarah’s faith was described in the same way as that of Abraham. The endurance of Abraham in faith cannot be separated from that of Sarah, Isaac and Jacob.

Abraham’s faith was so secure; his conviction was unshakable, such that he was ready to offer back to God the immediate answer to his prayers in order to keep his faith in God intact. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only-begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.’” He believed that God was able to raise men from the dead. It was on the authority of this faith that he got Isaac back. 

This, too, is the authority of the faith we have in the resurrection as we battle the storms of life. This is the great faith expected of us as we continue to rove over the waters of life. The assurance of faith we have in Christ Jesus, our High Priest, is stronger than hunger, health, sickness, poverty, wealth, and  even death itself. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday  January 30^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

RICH HARVEST

Meditation for Friday of the 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 10:32-39; Mk 4:26-34)

We are on the down turn of our meditations on the Letter to the Hebrews after climbing the ‘Highest Heavens’, where Christ Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, and offers the one eternal sacrifice for us. The merits of this priestly offering flow to us through the working of the Holy Spirit. But we cannot receive this utmost grace of salvation in vain (2 Cor 6:1). We need the appropriate disposition and responsibilities to this effect.

Thus, our first reading today reminds believers of their endurance and compassion, which was based on the assurance of hope they had of an abiding great reward. “For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.” And the great promise of God we have is Christ Jesus our High Priest. Therefore, our endurance and compassion become living expressions of our faith and hope in the merits of Jesus. “But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” It is our duty to abide in faith and apply it in our lives; the evidence of this is the endurance and love we show.

If we keep this faith and hope in the merits of Jesus alive, we shall grow to produce rich harvest of righteousness. While we own the duty to nurture faith, the growth and fruit it produces is beyond us. A little seed of faith sown in action, grows like the mustard seed to become the greatest shrub, with extended branches, so that birds of the air can make nests on it. As you go about your activities today, think about persons, situations, etc that demand your endurance or compassion, and areas of your life where you need to apply more faith! As you do so, a rich harvest awaits you. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday January 29^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD

Meditation for Thursday of the 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 10:19-25; Mk 4:21-25)

Up until now, we have been meditating on the priesthood of Jesus Christ as given in the Letter to the Hebrews. We saw how the nature of His priesthood is more excellent, glorious and effective than the priesthood of old. Yesterday we saw how this priesthood that is offered once for all in the highest heavens is made effective in our times during the working of the Holy Spirit. Now, attention has shifted to us for whom Christ made His one offering and to whom this ministry is given in the Church. Our participation in this mystery summons us to responsibility.

Our gaze at Jesus the High Priest, seated at the right hand of God, fills us with confidence “To enter the sanctuary by the Blood of Jesus.” Since we have a great High Priest, who has removed the curtain that separated us from God’s throne of grace, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full ASSURANCE OF FAITH.” We must ensure that we are pure in body and soul, removing every evil conscience. Since God is faithful to His promises, we hold fast to our confession of hope, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and do good works, not neglecting to meet together.” If we keep these responsibilities towards our participation in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, we shall shine like light placed on the lamp stand.

God has given us the highest and most efficient means of salvation. We cannot receive this grace in vain; more responsibility is expected of us towards this great mystery. This is how we sustain the confidence and freedom with which we approach this throne of grace. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday January 28^th, 2021.
Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas, OP
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

THE ONE SACRIFICE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

Meditation for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 10:11-18; Mk 4:1—20)

Welcome back as we continue our meditations on the Letter the Hebrews. How often does Christ offer His sacrifice? The priests of Old offered daily sacrifices, which could not take sins away. But Jesus Christ offered for all time, a single sacrifice for sins; He paid the debt due to our sins. As our High Priest, He took His position “At the right hand of God”, dwelling in an ‘Eternal Tent’ from which His offering is accepted. The one sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, began in time but was completed in eternity; He died in time but rose in eternity. Yes, Jesus died in the flesh, but rose with a glorified body! Thus, there is no need to repeat the sacrifice since eternity is One, where there is neither succession nor repetition! Thus, the priesthood of Jesus is above all, “For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” How does this one sacrifice apply to us today?

“And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us.” Yes, the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts ‘activates’ the grace of the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us. By the working of the Holy Spirit, the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ is ‘activated’ in the Catholic Church, by which the merits of the one and eternal sacrifice is ‘re-enacted’ such that the Church ‘participates’ by sharing in the merits of the eternal offering. Here time ‘disappears’; space is ‘conquered’, and our hearts are lifted up, and our lives are ‘soaked’ in the grace of the resurrection! From here we ‘germinate’ and grow...

Nourished in the One Sacrifice of Jesus through the working of the Holy Spirit, we grow to bear fruits of righteousness like the seeds of the sower that fell on good soil. That is why we must not quench the fire of the Holy Spirit in us through immoral living. As we continue to meditate on the priesthood of Jesus Christ, let prepare our hearts for the Holy Spirit that we may participate worthily in the One Sacrifice, given to us in the Eucharist. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday January 27^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

MESSENGERS OF MERCY

  Meditation for the 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

(Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20)

“After John was arrested”, Herod and Herodias thought they had silenced the voice of truth as they tried to bury their conscience in the false life they created for themselves. The roaring voice of John disappeared from wilderness and his baptism was halted. Human wickedness germinates in the secret of the heart but spreads to overshadow the light of truth. In the face of this hanging gloom as John was suddenly plucked off, Jesus appeared in Galilee, “Preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, ‘the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.’”

The message of Jesus declares the nearness of the Kingdom and at once invites people to it. Those who tried to silence the voice of truth by arresting John would discover that they wasted their time, for, not only is truth consistent, but it grows and spreads! As John’s arrest opened the way for Jesus to declare the Gospel, so the wickedness of the people of Nineveh necessitated the call of Jonah. He became his mission with a sadist heart and gloomy face by being judgmental against the evil in Nineveh. But he learnt in a hard way that He was called to evoke repentance and open them up to God’s mercy. Through Jonah’s prophetic mission, the wickedness of Nineveh gave way to God’s showers of mercy!

Thus, we cannot separate hearing of the word of God from accepting the invitation it immediately offers. As Jesus called Peter and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, so he calls us each time we hear His word. In the face of the evils of our society, God is calling men and women through whom His mercy will supersede. Jonah learnt to drop his pride and prejudice behind, the fishermen brothers of Galilee abandoned their trade and family to answer the call. The quick spread of evil reminds us of the urgency of the call: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” For us to be available and effective voices of truth, we must detach ourselves from earthly values and things of this world by focusing on the nearness of God’s Kingdom and the urgency of the call of the Gospel. “For the form of this world is passing away.”

May the mercy of God be upon us this day; as we place all our trust in Him. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday January 24^th, 2021
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

UNVEILING THE CURTAIN

 Meditation for Saturday of the 2^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

(Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Mk 3:20-21)

At the end of our second week of journeying with the Letter the Hebrews, we meditate on how excellent and effective is the priesthood of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament temple, there were two divisions, separated by a curtain: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. ‘The Holy Place’ was the outer area where the lamp stand and the bread of offering were kept. ‘The Holy of Holies’ was the inner chamber where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. When Jesus died on the Cross, this temple curtain was torn in two (Mk 15:37). Thus, by Jesus’ priestly offering of Himself, there are no more barriers between ‘the place of sacrifice’ and ‘the dwelling place of God.’ Jesus, the High Priest, who offers our sacrifice, now dwells in the highest heavens.

What is more excellent is that Jesus performs His priestly ministry, not in man-made tents like the priests of Old, but He enters God’s dwelling place, “Taking not the blood of goats and calves but His own Blood, thus securing and eternal redemption.” Think about how great and effective is the offering of Christ. If the sprinkling of the blood of animals in the priest of old purified the flesh of defiled persons, “How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

In our society today, people hardly pick interest in anything that does not benefit them directly. The prevailing attitude is for us to turn every opportunity for potential benefit, even if it requires ‘harnessing' the potentials of others. That is why miracle-seeking faith is echoing in our churches, even calling on Jesus, who gave Himself as an unblemished sacrifice for us. In the Gospel, He so dedicated His time to the crowds that He could not eat. Let us learn from His example, and through His grace, live for others since Jesus has removed the ‘curtain’ that separated us from God’s throne of grace. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday January 23^rd, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

THE PERFECT COVENANT

 Meditation for Friday of the 2^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 8:6-13; Mk 3:13-19)

Today’s reading from the Letter to the Hebrews started off where we ended yesterday, reminding us again that the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ, which He obtained for the Church, stands secure on better promises than the priesthood of the old! That means it is more effective. The author explains that the covenant of old that God entered with the house of Israel was not perfect enough, and they were not faithful to it. “For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord.”

Through the prophets, God promised a new covenant, which will be perfect and unbroken. In describing the new and perfect covenant, He says, “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...For all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” And the new covenant requires a new priesthood to ‘administer’ its graces. Jesus, in whom this new covenant is established, becomes also the perfect High Priest for it. The failure of this new covenant would imply that Jesus failed Himself, which is not possible.

Finally the author explains that the establishment of the new covenant, with its ministerial priesthood, automatically closes up the old priesthood founded on the old covenant. That is why we are called up to Jesus the Perfect High Priest, in whose one perfect sacrifice our sins are forgiven and our cries are heard. “And Jesus went up on the mountain, and called to Him those whom He desired; and they came to Him.” Let us go up to Him; lifting up our hearts and minds to Him in meditation and prayer that the graces of His one perfect sacrifice will fill our day. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday January 22^nd, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE MOST EXCELLENT PRIESTHOOD

 THE MOST EXCELLENT PRIESTHOOD

Meditation for Thursday of the 2^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

(Heb 7:25-8:6; Mk 3:7-12)

 Welcome back to our meditations. We took a day off to celebrate Blessed Iwene Tansi. On today’s reading from the Letter the Hebrews, the author continues to explain the assurance of hope we have in Christ Jesus and gives more reason why we should draw close to Him. “Brethren: Jesus is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Jesus’ intercession as our High Priest does not fail because He is holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens! Thus, He does not need to repeat His sacrifice, but offered it once for all. He was made the perfect High Priest forever.

“Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.” The priesthood of Jesus is different from the hereditary priesthood of the law. Hence, Jesus Christ has obtained for us a ‘ministry of priesthood’, which is more excellent than the priesthood of old, since the covenant which this new priesthood mediates on is established on better promises.

Therefore, we should more eagerly keep Jesus in our view as the crowds did in the Gospel. Hearing all the miracles He performed, just as we heard how excellent His priesthood is, the crowds would not let Jesus get off their sight; anywhere He went, they followed. The sick were healed and evil spirits were cast out. Such are the graces the one sacrifice of His priesthood bestows. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu,C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday January 21, 2021.
Memorial of Saint Agnes.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

ASSURANCE OF HOPE

 Meditation for Tuesday of the 2^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 6:10-20; Mk 2:23-28)

 “Brethren: God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do.” We reminded today that God has pledged to reward our good works. With this FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE before us, we should be more eager to show love and perform good deeds. The author draws example from the promise God made to Abraham. To give him assurance, God backed it up with an oath. “Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.” But since God has no greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” Thus, Abraham believed with full assurance.

Now, God’s pledge that gives us full assurance of hope is in Christ Jesus, who has gone to highest heavens, “behind the curtain”, as our mediator, “Having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Therefore, He is the ‘sure and steadfast’ anchor of our soul; the living and assurance hope we have in doing good and showing love. Even if our good works and love are unrecognized or unappreciated, we shall never give up because in Jesus is the hope that drives us forward. In fact, Jesus becomes the reason we act, and in Him lies our justification, for “The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachuwku, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday January 19^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE HIGH PRIEST

 Meditation for Monday of the 2^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 5:1-10; Mk 2:18-22)

Welcome to the second week of our journey with the Letter to the Hebrews. Today the author extols the priesthood of Jesus Christ by examining it in relation to the nature of priests in general. “Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” Being one of them, he is familiar with their weaknesses. A normal priest offers sacrifices for the sins of others as well as his own sins. And every priest is called by God, no one takes this honour upon himself.

“So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him who said to Him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’...You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” As one among us, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears to God on our behalf. When the priest of old made their sacrifices, the loud cries of bulls, sheep, etc was heard. But Christ our High Priest offered Himself for us. And God heard His cries and received His perfect sacrifice. “He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by God a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”

In the Gospel we see Jesus speaking up for the disciples against the Pharisees who accused them of not fasting. This is how He defends us and mediates for us as our High Priest. And being the source of every grace, He brings answers to our prayers and shows us the right way to live and to worship God. Therefore, let us not put new wine into old wine skins; let us not approach the priesthood of Christ with the old pharisaic mind of self-exaltation. But let our fasting and sacrifices be signs of our participation in the one sacrifice of Jesus, our High Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday January 18^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

A CALL FROM THE TEMPLE

 Meditation for 2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
(1 Sam 3:3-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42)

The readings of today talk about God’s call and our response. In the first reading, “Samuel was lying down within the temple of the Lord, where the Ark of God was. Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’” Through the directive of Eli, Samuel answered the Lord. Imagine beautiful place they boy Samuel was lying down: before the Ark of the Covenant, which was the closest point of contact with God at that time.

The second reading talks about the call to personal holiness, which can only be achieved when we shun immorality. Moral living is hinged on the personal responsibility and discipline we take for our bodies. According to St Paul, this is because our bodies are destined for the resurrection in Christ Jesus, since our bodies are also members of Christ. Sexual immorality of any kind is the greatest dishonour anyone can give to his/her body. Further, St Paul explains that since our bodies are redeemed by Christ, they are now TEMPLES of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us.

As Samuel goes up to the Ark of God to lie down, so the Holy Spirit comes down to our bodies to dwell and calls us from within the silence and depths of the heart. If we abuse our bodies and dishonour it through sexual immorality, how can we hear and discern what the Spirit is prompting us to do. Sexual immorality is like shutting the Holy Spirit off His temple. Through the bodily resurrection of Jesus, we have been redeemed even in our bodies, therefore, we are no longer our own; we live no longer for ourselves. “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Then, we can constantly respond to the Holy Spirit in the words of Samuel, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

In Gospel, we see John the Baptist directing his two disciples to Jesus just as Eli guided Samuel to hear the Lord, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” This title already introduces Jesus as the Messiah, who offers His Body as the Temple of sacrifice on the Cross. As Samuel took his abode before the Ark, so the two disciples stayed with Jesus. Afterwards, Andrew in turn called his brother to meet Jesus.

The Holy Spirit instils the life of Christ in us that we might hear and put into action the righteousness of Jesus. That is why we must keep our bodies pure so that the Holy Spirit will find His abode in us. Then we can go forward and bring others to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who redeems us, even in our weak mortal flesh. Hearing God's call is no more just avoiding immorality, it is now stepping forward like the disciples to encounter Jesus and to stay with Him. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday January 17^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

WORD AND PRIESTHOOD

 Meditation for Saturday of the First Week of Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 4:12-16; Mk 2:13-17)

At the end of the first week of our meditations on the Letter to the Hebrews, the author talks about the strength of the word of God and the quality of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. He says, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit...discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” This description points to the fact that we are called to have a strong RELATIONSHIP with the word of God. And when we do so, we shall feel its strength like a double-edged sword, piercing through and discerning the secrets of the heart.

As earlier stated, Jesus is the Word of God among us, the one through whom God now speaks to us. He addresses us in words and silence as people who are attentive and in relationship with the word of God. Also, he speaks FOR us as our ‘brother’ before God. That is why the author calls Him ‘our High Priest.’ “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning.” Therefore, we should relate to Him with confidence, “That we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The strength of His word and the quality of His priestly mediation are immediately evident in the Gospel as He calls the sinful Levi from the tax office, “Follow me.” The word pierced his heart, discerning his secret corrupt work, and pulled Levi to make a choice for Jesus over and above the wealth he was accumulating there. He invited Jesus to his house and called a feast to celebrate the new RELATIONSHIP he discovered. As our high priest, Jesus assures the Scribes and Pharisees, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Think about how the word of God, in its power, meets us at our weaknesses. Alive and active, sharp and piercing through, the word of God draws us to that strong relationship with God where Jesus sympathizes and mediates for us as our High Priest. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday January 16^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

ENTER HIS REST

Meditation for Friday of the first Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

(Heb 4:1-5, 11; Mk 2:1-12)

Today, the Letter to the Hebrews continues to emphasize on the REST, which God prepared for us. The Israelites of old missed it because they hardened their hearts against the word of God. The author began to highlight the importance of this ‘rest’ by saying, “Brethren: While the promise of entering His rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it.” Then the author raised a deep theological thought: God’s rest was initially numbered on the 7^th day, and the command for us to rest on the Sabbath day was to the glory of God. Later through their disobedience He said, “They shall never enter my rest.” The REST here is more than abstaining from work on the Sabbath day; it comes through obedience to His Word.

Since Jesus is the Word of God, who is present among us, and through whom God speaks to us today, ‘obedience of faith’ to Jesus will bring us to God’s promise of  His rest. Imagine the moment of ‘rest’, when the paralytic, carried by four men through the roof, landed at the feet of Jesus! Their determination depicts the kind of persevering obedience we give to Christ Jesus in order to experience divine rest. “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’” Surely, hearing those words brought ‘rest’ to their souls but discomfort to the unbelieving Scribes.

Finally, Jesus said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” At the feet of Jesus is our journey’s end. In His presence, His words and silence bring healing and rest to our souls. Imagine how our endless desires and wounded hearts find peace, if through obedience of faith, our hearts can land at the ‘feet’ of Jesus. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday January 15^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

TODAY LISTEN TO HIS VOICE

Meditation for Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 3:7-14; Mk 1:40-45)

Now that we have become brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and one family with Him, the author of the letter to the Hebrews looks back at the problem that came up among the early children of God. The Israelites hardened their hearts and rebelled against God. They provoked God to anger and He swore that they would never enter His REST. This serves as an example for all generations; it is a mandate of the Holy Spirit that, “Today, when you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion...where your fathers put me to test and saw my works for forty years.” Since this “Today” is still applicable to Christ’s faithful, then God’s “rest” is readily available and awaits them. Therefore, “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

Since God now speaks to us through Jesus, who shares our life and nature, we must open our hearts to His ‘voice’ in every situation of our lives. Thus, today’s first reading concludes by saying, “For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.” That is why we must not be persistent in sin or “be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Lack of repentance or persistence in sin implies not listening to Jesus, who is present among us, and speaks from within our hearts and daily experiences.

Sin is like leprosy, which separates us from God and from the righteousness that binds us together as children of God. As the leper surrendered to Jesus in the Gospel, so we come to Him with the wounds of sin and our brokenness that He might have compassion, touch us and make us clean. As the man immediately regained his health, he equally regained his voice to praise God and to relate among his people. This is the restoration we need TODAY as we listen to His Voice, Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday January 14^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

ONE FAMILY WITH CHRIST

 Meditation for Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Year 
   (Heb 2:14-18; Mk 1:29-39)

Today the Letter to the Hebrews reflects on the fact that Jesus shares our human nature, not in a superficial way, but in reality. We now have a BLOOD relationship with Him. The implication of this is that by shedding His blood on the cross, he destroyed the devil, who had the power of death, “And deliver those who through FEAR of death were subject to lifelong bondage.” Jesus being like us in every respect except sin, He has become a merciful and faithful high priest to make expiation for the sins of the people. “For because He himself has suffered and been tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted.”

In turn, this BLOOD RELATIONSHIP gives us confidence to approach Jesus and bring Him ‘home’ as Simon and Andrew did in the Gospel of today. Imagine the freedom with which Jesus entered the house of Simon’s mother-in-law, who lay sick with fever! “And He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.” By her SERVING, she made a ‘home’ for Jesus in her house. In other words, they became ONE FAMILY with Jesus. From His ‘new home’, Jesus attended to many who were sick and cast out demons.

As our brother, the mercy and compassion of Jesus is assured. Therefore, let us make a home for Him in our hearts. Since He shares our human nature, He is in touch with our every situation, and He heals us from within...Amen!

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday January 13^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE GREATNESS OF MAN IN CREATION

 Meditation for Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 2:5-12; Mk 1:21-28)

“What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?” The letter to the Hebrews today meditates on the greatness and beauty of the human person. He is so great that God subjected the whole creation under him, and made him a little lower than angels. “You have crowned him with glory and honour, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” But when we look at human beings and the conditions of their existence, the author of the Letter frowns that we do not see man in total control of everything!

“But we see Jesus, who for a while was made lower than angels, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering and death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Thus, the greatness, beauty and glory of the human person shine out in Jesus, who is the pioneer of our salvation. So where human wretchedness tends to diminish or cover up the crown of glory God placed on man, Jesus stands out to sanctify and perfect humanity through His suffering. “Thus, we shall become the perfect man, upon reaching maturity, and sharing the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). Jesus has become the first among many brothers and sisters (Rm 8:29). “That is why He is not ashamed to call them brethren...”

Hence, Jesus stood among His people in the synagogue, but the authority of His teaching arrested the attention of the crowd! Evil spirits who tried to oppose Him could not withstand His power. Instead, the people marveled the more at His authority, and His fame spread everywhere. Thus, Jesus becomes the REASON God is mindful of us and cares for us! If we look towards Him and surrender to His authority, the greatness, beauty and glory God bestowed on us since creation will shine out. Amen.

 Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday, January 12^th, 2021
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

"FOLLOW ME"

Meditation for Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 1:1-6; Mk 1:14-20)

“In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he  appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the ages.” So God has made His ultimate STATEMENT in Jesus; He is the living Word of God. “He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of His nature.” In fact, the life of Jesus Christ, in His words and actions, stands as a DECLARATION and FULFILMENT of God’s message to His faithful. This is an act of love; God came closer to us that we might not be far from Him.

Therefore, our response to the new communication of God to us must be more than that given to the prophets. Since Jesus is the MESSAGE, we listen to Him, not just as an ‘audience’ standing at a safe audible distance. But we follow Him as the WAY and destination of our LIFE. We hear His words and understand His silence, since He speaks to our conscience and innermost heart. Now that the word of God is alive, we hear Him by living His life. Hence, Jesus calls us in the Gospel of today to repent.

“The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” As we repent of our sins, we are made available for the Kingdom of God with its joy and peace. The gospel message invites us to take this positive step towards the Kingdom that has come close to us. Thus, Jesus said to the fishermen of Galilee, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Think about the simplicity, the clarity, urgency and authority behind this divine summon! The ultimate task of the disciple is to hear when He speaks, and to follow where He leads. The response of Peter, Andrew, James and John is our model in following Jesus: “And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday January 11^th, 2021
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE SILENCE OF THE MAGI

THE SILENCE OF THE MAGI

Meditation on  the Epiphany of the Lord

Today we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus Christ as King of the universe. The salvation of the Lord has been announced to the ends of the Earth. The door of salvation in Christ Jesus is opened to both the Jews and the Gentiles. The Wise men from the East recognised the Star and followed it to pay homage.

The silent message of the star was obvious to them, but their initial interpretation and inquiry landed them in Herod's abode. Their peaceful journey brought confusion and tension to Herod's household. Those who in their authority refuse to surrender to Christ will always echo the noise and confusion of Herod in their lives. Still, the Wise who were in search for Jesus continued their peaceful journey, drawn along in silence by the bright star. 

Though it was a peaceful and bright journey, but they had hard times getting to Bethlehem. Seeing Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus they were filled with joy. Then opening their treasuries they offer Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Imagine the beauty of the wise men from the East as they payed homage to Jesus and surrendered their wisdom and authority to Him. Their individual personalities was overtaken by their difficult journey and the gifts they offered. What they did for and offered to Jesus stood up as IDENTITIES for them. They lost their voices in the silence of their journey and adoration, but their act of homage spoke for them. And we continued to perceive them in the sparkling of the Royal gold, the rising of the incense of prayer and the scent of sacrificial myrrh.

The silence of the Magi speaks to us. The exaltation of the self is foolishness. Let the good works we perform speak for us. Too much talk and projection of the ego does not last a life time. The wise ones speak the silence of Jesus as they search for Him and empty their TREASURIES before Him. Joy and peace shine like the star in the lives of the wise ones who choose to kneel before Jesus. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R 

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos. 

Sunday January 3rd, 2021.

Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord 

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