CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE

Meditation for Monday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time
(1 Thes 4:13-18; Lk 4:16-30)

As we draw close to the end of the month and St Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he begins to instruct them about death and the end times. About those who died, “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.” With hope in the resurrection in Christ Jesus, we should not grieve over the dead like those who do not have faith. The life of the Christian is not a death-burdened life, rather, it is a Christ-centered life; he does not live merely to escape death, but he lives to the glory of God in Christ Jesus. This is the hope the Christian ought to bring into his daily activities.

So, we gaze our eyes of meditation on Jesus as He reads from the Prophet Isiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” A great sound of silence resounded over the people as He closed the book and sat down. The powerful words He read continued to re-echo within that ‘sound of silence’ and vibrate in their hearts! And their attend was focused on Him. This is how a Christian ought to center his life around Jesus. From within that silence, He said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Now, the words that touched their hearts would not remain a mere imagination of their hearts, but it has taken concrete root in the Person of Jesus!

That is why those who has issues with the personality of Jesus and rejected Him lost the blessings and hope He assures. They became angry, restless and bloodthirsty. Their frustration is boldly on their faces as they attempted to throw Jesus off the brow of the city hill. “But passing through the midst of them He went away.”

 

St Felix, pray for us! Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Monday August 30^th, 2021.
www.soundofsilence.ng
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

“ASPIRE TO LIVE QUIETLY”

Meditation for Saturday of the 21^st Week in Ordinary Time
(1 Thes 4:1-8; Mt 25:1-13)

After instructing the Thessalonians to abstain from immorality and live for sanctification and holiness, St Paul begins to exhort them on love for one another. According to St Paul, it is taken for granted that the person who believes in God has learnt from Him how to love one another. “But we exhort you, brethren, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you.” Let us meditate on the words of St Paul to deepen our love for one another, and clothe ourselves with the garments of silence and serenity
. This enables us to stay focused and carry out our works diligently.

In the parable of the talents, the master entrusted to each of the three servants according to their individual capacity. While the first two servants doubled what was given to them, the low-capacity unproductive servant had much to complain about his master and the task ahead! Did he wish to be given five talents like the other servant? He would have complained of being overstressed! Now, the master loved him and gave him one talent according to his capacity, still, he grumbled and accused him of stinginess! His tongue was swift to vomit excuses for being unproductive and acting wickedly. This is what happens when someone’s tongue is busier than his hands! Since such a servant proved himself unworthy of the favor shown him, “Even what he has will be taken away.”

To avoid such a regrettable end, let us follow the path of humility that St Paul taught the Thessalonians to carry out our duties in silence and love. Then, with our commitment and focus, the Master Jesus will double the fruits of our labors. “For everyone who has will more be given, and he will have abundance.” Amen.

 

St Augustine of Hippo, pray for us! Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Saturday August 28^th, 2021.
www.soundofsilence.ng
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com