Friday, September 24, 2021

“YET NOW TAKE COURAGE”

Meditation for Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
(Haggai 2:1-9; Lk 9:18-22)

Prophet Haggai continues to address Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. He reminded them of the former glory of the Temple before it was destroyed during the exile. Now that they rebuilt their individual homes and settled down, they should be courageous to work on the temple. “Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord…take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt.” The prophet encouraged them strongly to work on the temple, saying that God’s presence would be with them. The Lord promised to bring to them the treasures of the nations, “And I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts.” The temple shall have a greater splendor than in the former days, “And in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.”

Often times we understand and describe God according to the manifestation of His power or the blessings we have received. Those enjoyed the teachings of Jesus would compare Him to John the Baptist; those who witnessed his miracles would call Him another Elijah or one of the great prophets. But the mystery of God that saves is given by revelation. Our experiences and knowledge of God must surrender to divine revelation. At the realm of divine revelation experience becomes worship, and knowledge becomes contemplation! 

After Peter answered through revelation that Jesus is “The Christ of God”, He began to reveal to them that, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” This is the real manifestation of God that should form their knowledge of God and of the Christ. The ‘erection of the Cross’ fulfilled the promises God made through Haggai about the temple. And the knowledge and experience of the Cross encompasses and fulfills the great works of the prophets, but goes further to draw us to contemplation and worship. “Yet now take courage” and embrace the Cross of Jesus, for on it God gives prosperity and heavenly treasures. Amen.

Our Lady of Ransom, pray for us. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Friday September 25th, 2021.
www.soundofsilence.ng
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

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