What is the foundation of your life? What is the principle
from which you draw inspiration to act? We all have a certain backup plan, which
silently gives us certain moral, mental or emotional courage to push forward.
Ordinarily, it is expected that one’s faith should be his source of inspiration
and the foundation of his existence. Often times, wrong approaches to faith and
inordinate human desires tend to land us on false foundations of life. Moments of
tribulation expose the hidden foundations of our life, and test their
durability and authenticity. People of this generation seem to be in a hurry to
achieve success and greatness, such that they do not create time to build
capacity and enduring foundation for their lives and wellbeing. Jesus said that
a foundation not laid on the rock collapses (Lk 6:47-49).
As part of His farewell message, Jesus prepares a solid
foundation for His disciples. In today’s gospel reading, He anchored their hearts
and minds on love, the Holy Spirit and peace. He says, “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.” That means, Jesus is always present to
those who love Him. And those who make this love the foundation of their
lives will always stand secure in Christ. To make the love of Jesus the
foundation of our lives is to put His words to action. We see this love in
action in the first reading, as the apostles removed unnecessary burdens from
the Gentile believers, and allowed them to maintain their unique identity.
Another foundation Jesus laid for us is the gift of the
Holy Spirit. He said, “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all that I have said to you.” The departure of Jesus would not create a vacuum
because of the coming of the Holy Spirit. He will become the living memory of
believers, prompting and inspiring them to live out the words of Jesus. This inseparable
bond between the Church and the Holy Spirit is a principle of life for every
believer. Addressing the Gentiles about the issue of circumcision, the apostles
said, “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no
greater burden than these necessary things.”
Thirdly, He gave them the gift of peace, saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” The life and ministry of believers must be rooted in the peace of Christ. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). In the first reading, we see how the apostles quickly resolved the misunderstanding about circumcision, and restored peace. This action is a clear indication that Jesus laid for them a solid foundation of peace. A religion with a violent foundation will always promote violence! The peace of Christ is rooted in the heart, and it germinates with the life of believers.
Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be
troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The body of Christ, the foundation of
our lives is laid on a solid rock. Meditate on the city of God, the new
Jerusalem described in the vision of John in the second reading. This heavenly
city is filled with the glory of God, radiant like rare jewel and clear as
crystal. It is well protected with a high wall, with twelve gates and twelve
angels. “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the
twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” The Lord Himself was the
temple of that city, and the glory of God was the only light that brightened
the place. This vision of the new Jerusalem captures the life of a believer,
who laid the foundation of his life in Christ Jesus, and walks in the Holy
Spirit. He will have no cause of shame, and he will overcome every fear. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa
Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter
& Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo,
Lagos.
Sunday May 22,
2022.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
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