THE GREAT RETURN

Meditation for Saturday of the 4^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Mk 6:30-34)

In conclusion, the letter to the Hebrews draws our attention back to Jesus, from whom we began this journey, and who was at the centre of the message of this letter. “Brethren, through Jesus let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.” To remain focused on Christ Jesus, we must be men and women of sacrifice here below. And we make this sacrifice by performing good works, sharing what we have with others, and by being obedient and submissive to our leaders.

Let us meditate on the return of the apostles from their missionary journey. Jesus sent them forth two by two, and they came back to Him to render account of all they did and taught. This is a sign of obedience and submissiveness. Sometimes we channel the energy of our obedience and submissiveness in the wrong direction, i.e. to persons and situations that will exhaust and misuse them. This can only happen if we do not first surrender them to Jesus. He alone will renew and refill us, such that in submitting to Him, we do not ‘diminish.’ That is why when the apostles came back to Him, He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.”

Finally, we learn from the example of the Apostles and the Letter to the Hebrews to ensure that our inner energies, intentions and actions are channeled back to Jesus and that they remain submissive to Him. The letter concluded with a prayer: “Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever...Grace be with you all.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday February 6^th, 2021.
Memorial of St Paul Miki & Companions.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com