STANDING FIRM IN GOOD TIMES AND IN BAD

 Meditation for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
(Job 9:1-12, 14-16; Lk 9:57-62)

On this third day of our meditation on the Book of Job, we reflect on Job’s response to his friends. We recall that when disaster befell on him, Job surrendered himself to God saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Satan must have been so disappointed that this faithful man neither denounced God nor even gave him some credit for the evil he brought to his household. Job gave Satan no recognition since he accepted all that happened to him as the will of God for him. But the anguish was much upon him that he wished he was never born. Satan continued to tempt him in subtle ways; whatever Job loved became a source of temptation for him.

His beloved friends came to sympathize with him. They spoke at length to convince Job that what befell him was a punishment for sin. For them, no innocent man would experience such disaster (Job 4:7-8). Even if Job claimed to be faithful, they argued that no mortal can be upright before his Maker (Job 4:17). Job felt hurt that his friends who were supposed to comfort him were indirectly mocking him (Job 6:13-15). He said to them, “Put me right, and I shall say no more; show me where I have been at fault” (Job 6:24). What would have been the implication of Job admitting that he was suffering because of his sin? Job would have lied against God, and he would have felt unjustly treated. Then, God would have appeared to be wicked, and deserved to be denounced. In that case, it would be difficult to surrender to the will of God since evil had caught up with him. In other words, by admitting what his friends proposed, it would have been that, either evil was stronger than the goodness of God in his life, or the will of God produced the evil. Job did not fall to this trap of Satan. Think about how many of us fall to this trap…

Job explains to his friends that, while it is true that man cannot be just before God, it means man cannot be equal to God in holiness. He is the creator and all power belongs to Him. God can make and overturn things as He pleases; “Who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens…who does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things without number.” Job insisted that, though he was innocent, he could not claim right before God, but only to appeal for His mercy. Thus, he acknowledged that it belongs to the almighty God to give and to take, to make and to overturn. With this strong act of faith, Job continued to worship God and surrender all to Him.

The faith of Job is the disposition we should have as we go about our daily activities. This will help us to see through the good things or bad things that come our way the mighty hand of God at work. Sometimes we may desire so much, wishing to do great things for God, but He directs us to the little things, saying, “foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.” At other times we may be over burdened with many cares, lots of bills to pay, or so many pleasures to enjoy, but the Lord calls from the depths of our hearts saying, “Follow me…Leave the dead to bury their own dead…” If we follow the example of Job, our hands shall remain firm on the plough of the kingdom of God; we shall continue to move forward. Amen.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday September 28th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE FREE FLOW OF GRACE

 THE FREE FLOW OF GRACE
Meditation for Tuesday of the 26^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Job 3:1-23; Lk 9:51-56)

Job lost all he had; evil had befallen him. The design of Satan was to get the man of faith to join him and rebel against God. If Job were worshipping God because of the good things of life he enjoyed, taking those things away would make him to withdraw his steadfastness in God. In the face of suffering and pain, man turns to himself, which was the basic trick the serpent used to get Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. When man no longer relies on God but looks up to himself for answers, Satan will begin to proffer quick and easy solutions, without regard to God’s will. Remember the temptations of Jesus, how Satan tempted Him to eat stone as a quick remedy for His hunger. Satan taught it would be easy for Job to reject God, ‘mold his own golden calf’, and offer allegiance to a god that cannot save him!

 

“Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” This was not the reaction Satan projected. He expected Job to think highly of himself, his ego and status, and denounced God for allowing such injustice on him. But, no! Job taught less of himself, saying, “Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?” When a man humbles himself, especially in the face of suffering, and not project himself as a ‘necessity’, he becomes available for the free flow of grace. This disposition is foreign to proud Satan, he will only remain restless around such a humble man.

 

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose hearts are the roads to Zion” (Ps 84:5). Such are the men who seek the Lord, who seek the face of the God of Jacob (cf. Ps 24:6). Now, reflect on Jesus making His way to Jerusalem, and some Samaritans would not allow Him pass through their village. The disciples James and John burned with anger, and asked Jesus to allow them to send down fire on those Samaritans. But Jesus rebuked them. Think about how hatred and anger block our hearts from the free flow of grace, and make us act like Satan by inflicting pain on others. Jesus went up to Jerusalem, humbled himself on the Cross, took our sufferings and pains upon Himself. From His wounded side the free flow of grace gushes forth upon us. Unlike the Samaritans, we must open our hearts to Him by humbling ourselves like Job in the face of life situations, so that there will be a free movement of His grace in our hearts, to nourish and to heal us; flowing through us to our neighbor. Then, every plan of Satan will come to nothing. To God be the glory! Amen.

 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday September 27, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

The Satanic Trap

Meditation for Monday of the 26^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Job 1:6-22; Lk 9:46-50)

This week we shall be reading from the Book of Job. The man Job is popularly known for his suffering. Today’s reading reveals the background of the story behind Job’s suffering. As we meditate on the beginnings of his ordeal, we come understand deeper how Satan operates.

 

When God asked him where he went, Satan answered, “From going back and forth on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” He wanders everywhere, prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is restless, unstable and inconsistent. You cannot fully master his tricks. He tries to lure us to be restless and unstable too. That is why we must be watchful of impulsive behavior or that irresistible pump to act, especially when it involves actions that are inconsistent with our commitments or purposes in life.

 

God praised Job for his uprightness and faithfulness; a man who turns from evil and would not fall for the tricks of Satan. Imagine how hurtful this would be to the proud evil spirit! He felt humiliated, and answered God immediately, saying, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth your and now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” You see how Satan convinced himself that all men are under his control, and that men worship God for their own benefits, and not for God’s own glory. Think about how this satanic understanding of faith for personal gains has eaten deep into our society. It is this false approach to faith that is motivating the current quest for miracles. This kind of practice has made many Christians restless and unhappy.

Then, God said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand.” The devil went forth to strip Job of all his possessions and all the good things of life that made his life worthwhile. Imagine if Job was attached to any of things he owned. It would have been easy for Satan to lure him away from God. But, while Job prospered, he saw all he had a God’s gratuitous gift, unmerited favor. Whatever we are attached to, or whoever we are attached, becomes a weak link for us to be trapped by Satan. On the other hand, if we worship God and follow Him like little children, in humility and total abandonment to His will, there is no evil we cannot overcome. Even if misfortune befall us, God will surely raise us up. That is why at the end of all the attack of Satan, Job worship God and said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Amen.  

 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday September 26, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE VICTORY OF THE SUFFERING SERVANT

Meditation for the 26^th   Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Tim 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31)

As I was meditating on the readings, the opening phrase of the gospel caught my attention; “Jesus said to the Pharisees…” This group were known for their love of money and honor (Lk 16:14-15). Jesus continued to correct their wrong idea of wealth as the ultimate sign that one is standing right before God. The message of prophet Amos about those who indulge themselves with pleasure, “And anoint themselves with finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph”, is further elaborated in the gospel. As those blinded by pleasure to the ruin of the house of Israel would go to exile, so did the rich man who neglected Lazarus ended in hades. This parable is relevant to us today as the pursuit of wellbeing in the midst of economic hardship has become our most re-occurring prayer point, and even the reason we pray.

Think about the life of affluence that brought the rich man to hades. He had all he needed and more, and he enjoyed his wealth to the fullest. His problem was not that he had wealth, but how he used it. Also, he went to hades not because he enjoyed himself, but because he neglected the poor man at his gate, and valued his dogs more than Lazarus! There are times we fall into this temptation, placing more value on things than human dignity. Think about the times when we value our personal gains and pleasure over truth, love, peace and unity. In each of these cases, there will always be a ‘poor Lazarus’ at our gate dying of hunger. To such people, Amos says, “They shall now be the first of those to go into exile.”

 

Meditate on the sufferings of Lazarus. Poverty, hunger and wounds became his identity. We see in him the image of the suffering servant, who shares in the sufferings of the Messiah. Lazarus did not go to Heaven because he was poor, but because of the messianic dimension of his suffering. Lazarus at the gate mirrored the life of Jesus, who came to his own and his own people rejected him (Jn 1:11). He became a reflection of Jesus, who had nowhere to lay his head (Mt 8:20), and was hungry and worn out (Mk 11:12; Phil 4:12). Lazarus humbled himself like Jesus, who emptied Himself and took the form of a slave, and without complaint and bitterness, “Desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table.” As Jesus was humbler even below the standard of a slave (Phil 2: 7-8), Lazarus was reduced to a lower value in the eyes of the rich man as the dogs licked his wounds…! In addition, the wounds of Lazarus became a participation in the wounds of Jesus, of whom it was said, “Through His bruises you have been healed” (1 Pet 2:24).

 

Think about the agonizing and shameful death of Jesus on the Cross, and see through it the death of Lazarus in such a pitiable state. Therefore, as Jesus Christ rose from the dead, triumphing over all the sufferings and death, so did Lazarus find victory in the bosom of Abraham. Our journey to eternal life begins now, to the extent that we live out in our mortal bodies the life of Christ. That is why St Paul tells us in the second reading to, “Aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” We do not need anyone to come back from the grave to tell us to, “Fight the good fight of faith”, and to be committed to our baptismal promises. The Cross of Christ is the ladder with which we climb to victory and to eternal life. The rich man, in his enjoyment and attitude to Lazarus, rejected the ‘way of the Cross’, which is the only way we truly enjoy life, and live to the fullness of life. Amen.

 

 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday September 27, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

“THE ACCEPTABLE TIME”

Meditation for Friday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Eccl 3:1-11; Lk 9:18-22)

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” Let us meditate on these words so that we can have the right disposition towards our daily responsibilities and faith journey. The two-way dynamics of time given in the first reading is a deep reminder that we should not be consumed by any one side of the coin of time; we should not dwell on any side in isolation of the other. For example, if we are sweating at the time of planting, we should at the same time remember the joy of the time of harvesting. That means if we accept the time of birth, we should be ready to accept the time of death.

Think about how wise and strong we will be if we approach life with this consciousness of the two-way dynamics of time. Time is constantly unfolding. On whatever side of the coin we are now, a new dawn is unfolding. This awareness will make us battle-ready; hardly will we be thrown off balance when the odds are against us, for there is time for everything. It will help us to apply discipline and moderation in life. Thus, this wisdom is indeed the right disposition we need to live a happy life, for it humbles us, giving us stability and constancy even in the face of the changing times.

 

Meditate on such sweet and beautiful stability and constancy that is not ‘owned’ by one season or the other; it keeps us firm in good times and in bad, in silence and in speech, in abundance and in lack, in time of health and in time of sickness, etc. It means we live, no longer for anything happening under the earth, for such a life will flourish at one season and dry off at another season. However, as Christians, “Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's” (Rm 14:8).

 

In the gospel, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” Jesus instructed them that He would go through the time of suffering, the time of rejection, the time of death, and rise on the third day. Therefore, Jesus is for us the Lord of all times, the Alpha and the Omega (Rev 22:13). “Besides, you know the time has come…” (Rm 13:11-14). All times and seasons are now God’s time (Kairos), since Jesus Christ has won for us eternal salvation in time. That means all times and seasons are nothing but opportunities for us to be saved. So, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). Amen.

 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muow, Lagos.

Friday September 23, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

FROM VANITY TO GRACE

Meditation for Thursday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Eccl 1:2-11; Lk 9:7-9)

“Vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” This popular quote opens up our meditation today. The passage from Ecclesiastes explains how human efforts, with all its weariness, ends up in vanity; a chase after the wind! Does it mean that human life has no value? But the insatiable appetite in man implies that a chase after those appetites cannot give man relevance or value. Another pointer to the vanity of things is the cyclic repetition of events. “And there is nothing new under the sun.” Think about how vain it may be that a lofty human action ends up as a mere repetition of what had been done in the past. Also, imagine how miserable it can be for one to commit his life to achieve something, hoping to derive satisfaction therein, only for that achievement to increase his hunger and restlessness!

 

If we want to go with the flow, we chase after the wind and our lives will have no bearing. If we want to repeat the past, we will be wearied out and become irrelevant to the present. Unless we experience newness and satisfaction, we shall live in terror of the unfolding future. Think about the horrors of Herod as given in the gospel. He beheaded John the Baptist, and did not show any remorse for his evil ways. Something new was happening and the King started shivering because he was still living in his old ways. Herod was perplexed and said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he desired to see Jesus.

 

Without the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, human actions alone will be a repetition of the old, and cannot bring satisfaction and newness. This is vanity! That is why Herod and those like him, who refuse to repent of their ‘old ways’, will always live in fear of the new things to come. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Is 43:18-19). Jesus is the First Born of all creation (Col 1:15). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). So, Jesus is the center of our lives; it is in Him that our lives have bearing, and from Him we derive value. “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

 

Hence, instead of ‘vanity of vanities’, from Jesus we have all receive grace upon grace (Jn 1:16). Our life is new every day; we live, not to chase after wealth or pleasure, but we live to FOLLOW JESUS. No more shall we live with the weariness and horrors of Herod, but we shall know contentment, newness and peace. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muow, Lagos.

Thursday September 22, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE LIGHT OF GOD’S MERCY

Meditation for the Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

(Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Mt 9:9-13)

We celebrate the feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. He was Jew and wrote his account of the life of Jesus in Hebrew. Before his conversion, he worked in the tax office, collecting tax for the Roman government. Tax collectors were known to be public sinners because they dubious in the amount they collected from people. That was why they were rich. Let us meditate on the mystery of Matthew’s conversion.

“As Jesus passed on, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed Him.” This encounter is like the meeting of light and darkness; love and selfishness. Matthew was sitting comfortably in his office, making gains out of people for himself. He used the tax law to trap people and hold them in bondage. The life and mission of Jesus was in total opposition to that Matthew. As Jesus steps in, we see immediately that the love in Him is stronger that the selfishness of Matthew; the freedom He offers is more overflowing than the dishonesty and bondage the sinner ties around people. As Jesus was going around, His sacrifice for the salvation of souls gives more joy than any earthly wealth. Thus, His thirst for the soul of the sinner cancels out every lust for wealth, which tends to value riches more than human dignity and salvation.

 

Matthew left behind his secured source of income and followed Jesus. It was not an easy decision, but it was an immediate and decisive one. He was overjoyed and welcomed Jesus to his house with party, inviting his friends to share in his joy. His joy was more than one who recovered from a terminal sickness, which is a testimony that he got a hidden treasure that money cannot buy!

 

As we celebrate St Matthew, we hear once more the invitation of Jesus, “Follow me.” Sin and temptation might try to make their office in our hearts. The conversion of the Apostle Matthew testifies that there is no depth the mercy of God cannot reach. The light of Christ dispels every darkness, heals every wound, conquers every fear, and ignites our hearts with such joy that the earthly riches and pleasure cannot give. Then, like Matthew, we gather around the Eucharistic table in thanksgiving and dine with Jesus. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday September 21, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

PROMPTNESS TO CHARITY

Meditation for Monday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Proverbs 3:27-34; Lk 8:16-18)

As we go about our activities this week, let us bear in mind the message from the Book of Proverbs today. It reminds us of the urgency of charity; that we should be prompt and decisive about rendering help to our neighbors. Charity is practical love. It is probably the most challenging virtue, and the very one that testifies to the existence of other virtues. How can one judge promptly and accurately whether to perform a certain act of charity? The Book of Proverbs says, “My son, do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it…when you have it with you.”

 

Think about such a man who is prompted to perform an act of charity. Such a person must be ready to give, in fact, he ought to desire to give even before the demand is made on him. For such a person, charity becomes the satisfaction of a hidden hunger for the good of others. Sometimes, it comes like an irresistible urge. In a way, we can say that the ‘demand for charity’ is itself equally in the heart that gives. This is where charity can be prompt and satisfactory, and bringing joy to both the giver and the receiver.

 

Such promptness to charity is timely and timeless. As light shines out at the same time it is ignited, so is the promptness to charity that the Book of Proverbs teaches. Charity is a light to the soul. Hence, the first reading warns against obstacles to charity, which includes hatred, envy, desire for violence. But uprightness and humility make the light of charity glow. As we go about our activities, let us be on watch out for moments when the urge for charity will pop up, and respond promptly. It brightens and uplifts the heart. To achieve this, we must avoid lifestyles that tend to obstruct the illumination of charity, for they also slow down its promptness. Jesus said in the gospel, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday September 19, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

Genuine Self-Examination

Meditation for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

(Amos 8:4-7; 1 Tim 2:1-8; Lk 16:1-13)

One of the requirements for a good confession is examination of conscience. This is important, not only for receiving the sacrament of Confession, but for a healthy living and productive life. One of the importance of prayer is to supply us the grace to always have a genuine self-examination. This can explain why meditation is the most effective form of prayer that can aid personal transformation. The practice self-examination through the word of God opens up the mind and heart to divine wisdom, and synchronizes our inner energy with the sanctifying power of grace.

The importance of self-examination is underlined in the parable of the dishonest servant. The master found out that this servant was wasting his goods, and said to him, “Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.” The young man made a self-examination, acknowledged his weaknesses, and weighing the options, saw a bleak future ahead of him. Unfortunately, he made more dishonest decisions in an attempt to secure himself in the nearest future. Jesus told this parable to show that the children of light ought to be smart and wise, not in dishonest gains, but in truth and charity.

 

The dishonest servant was selfish in his thinking; in his self-examination, he thought of using others as an end for his own wellbeing. And that was why he lost out. Our self-examination should open us to God and to our neighbor. Jesus said at the end of the parable, “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal habitations.” This is what prophet Amos referred to in the first reading. He condemned those who trampled on the needy, who dealt deceitfully in their businesses and sold fake products. They would be found out like the deceitful servant and dismissed from the presence of God. “The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: ‘Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.’”

 

However, the second reading tells us that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Thus, our self-examination should help us imitate the life of Christ, “Who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony of which was given at the proper time.” That is why we should avoid greed, which makes us dishonest in handling earthly riches and moves us to take undue advantage of others. On the other hand, if we constantly examine our consciences, balancing our inner selves with the life of Jesus, then we shall treat others with the love of Jesus. This is how we can be faithful in handling every little gift God has given to us, and offer our undivided devotion to Him. Jesus says, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday September 18^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS

Meditation for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

(Num 21:4-9; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17)

Today we celebrate the feast of the exaltation of the Cross. This feast celebrates the discovery of the true Cross by St Helena in the fourth Century, and the return of the Cross by Emperor Heraclius in 629AD. The celebration brings to our consciousness the great triumph of the Cross for our salvation. Think about human life without the Cross of Christ! It would be likened to the Israelites being bitten by fiery serpents without the uplifted bronze serpent. We would have been defeated by suffering even before it came. Without the Cross, the most exalted action of man would be to avoid death, yet, death itself would be the end of our aspirations and an unbearable burden on our lives.

Jesus humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. His victory over death has become his victory over suffering. His victory over suffering gives new meaning and vision to life. “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds, you were healed” (1 Pet 2:24). In itself, the Cross represents everything the natural man is afraid of. But Jesus mounted the wood of the Cross and triumphed. The very thing that ought to bring us shame has become a symbol of victory through Jesus Christ. So, “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which lay ahead of Him, He endured the Cross, disregarding the shame of it, and has taken His seat at the right of God’s throne” (Heb 12:2).

 

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself” (Jn 12:32). “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” It is by the Cross that we are given opportunity to share in the life of Christ. The miracles and teachings of Jesus inspire and nourish us. But the ultimate way we are drawn to share in the life of Jesus is through His Cross. It is from the Cross that the miracles and teachings receive their efficacy. What would Christianity be if we are consumed by pursuit of miracles but neglect to carry our cross daily and follow Jesus?

 

You see now the reason we celebrate the Triumph of the Cross. In the Cross of Christ, we are lifted above our daily challenges. In the Cross of Christ, we are exalted though the battle still rages. In the Cross of Christ, that which the enemy planned to be our downfall has become the source of our exaltation (cf. Rm 8:28). Therefore, we carry in our bodies the imprint of the Cross of Christ through the sufferings that come our way each day, so that the life of Christ may be revealed in us (cf. 2 Cor 4:10). Amen.

 

Happy feast day.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday September 14^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

THE SEED OF UNITY

Meditation for Tuesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
(1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31; Lk 7:11-17)

Wherever there is disunity, hardly anyone will claim responsibility for it. Family tussle is on the increase in our society today. Election time in most countries exposes the deep-rooted division that contradicts the National Anthem of that country. The Church, the body of Christ, seems to be the most wounded by this wave of division. We all claim innocence and deny we are not to blame for the lingering mark of disunity in every aspect of our lives. Obviously, the desire for unity is as strong as the desire for happiness and life itself. That is why, while we talk so much about promoting peace and unity, we may get so intoxicated about it that our actions prove otherwise.

If we listen to St Paul’s message in the first reading, we shall get an insight that can help us promote unity. He says, “Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” Unity comes when we work together as members of the one body. This can only be possible when we respect and accommodate the uniqueness of each member. To live in unity, therefore, implies to share life with others. But who actually wants to share life with others? We hardly have enough time and resources for ourselves. Online connection, technical unity cannot make us ‘one body.’

St Paul recognizes that the unity that makes us ‘one body’ is the work of the Holy Spirit. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” The same Spirit working in the different members is the principle of unity. Each member is expected to cooperate with the Holy Spirit within him. The different gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifestations of each person’s cooperation with the Sprit. Thus, living out the gifts of the Holy Spirit testifies that one is in union with the Spirit. In turn, these gifts and responsibilities help to build up and strengthen the Body of Christ. On the other hand, if we withdraw our attentiveness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the seed of disunity will begin to germinate.

Disunity is as cold as death; it renders our lives dry and isolated. In the house of disunity, the beauty of variety fades away, creativity becomes vague, life becomes monotonous and revolves round the same circle of ideology. Then, we point fingers, denying responsibility and hoping to derive justification from the guilt of others. But all we need is to allow the grace of God to carry us to meet Jesus. As He restored life to the young man at Nain, so He will revive us again in the Holy Spirit. Think about the spiritual revival you need today; that is where unity germinates. Unity is the testimony we bear, that is how we proclaim in the words of the people of Nain, “God has visited His people!” Amen.  

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday September 13th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE EUCHARISTIC DISPOSITION

Meditation for Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

(1 Cor 11:17-26, 33; Lk 7:1-10)

The readings of today are so beautiful to begin the week. St Paul gives instructions about the Eucharist, while the gospel contains one of the popular acclamations we render during the Mass. The Apostle Paul explains that the Eucharist should be received with utmost reverence and a sense of charity. “The Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is my Body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” The Eucharist is the self-offering of Jesus Christ for us, and given to us that we might receive and participate in that mystery. St Paul says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.” By receiving and living out the mystery in our lives, we proclaim and bear witness to the Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross. Thus, those who receive must do away with selfishness and pride.

As we meditate on St Paul’s teaching about the proper disposition necessary for reception and proclamation of the Eucharistic sacrifice, we see a good example in the life of the Centurion. Being a Roman, this man sent the Jewish elders to appeal to Jesus to come and heal his servant. These elders spoke to Jesus about the man’s selfless service, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” Think about the movement of Jesus towards the house of the Centurion, and the ‘Eucharistic movement’ that brings Jesus and the mystery of the Cross to us…

The disposition of the man was indeed ‘Eucharistic.’ As Jesus drew near the house, he sent message to Him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore, I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” The man was not only loving and charitable, he was equally humble and had strong faith in Jesus.

Jesus praised the Centurion, saying, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” This is the kind of joy with which the Lord embraces us if we receive Him in the Eucharist with similar dispositions. As we plan our activities this week, let us be more conscious of those moments that demand love, charity, humility and faith. If we can sustain and prolong such awareness, these virtues will become part of our disposition. Then, our lives and activities will silently but loudly “Proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday September 12th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

INTO A FAR COUNTRY

Meditation for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

(Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32)

Today we meditate on the depth of God’s mercy and how far it can go to save us. The first reading narrates how God reacted angrily when the Israelites worshipped a molten calf and sacrificed to it as their god. While Moses was far away up the mountain in the presence of God, the people down below lost patience and decided to make their own god. Moses interceded for them, invoking the merits of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

 

In the second reading, we see how the merits that saved the Israelites through Moses’ intercession is now given to us in a perfect way through Jesus Christ. St Paul says, “I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Jesus is the mediator, who climbed mount Calvary and offered up Himself to the Father for us sinners. The merits of this one perfect offering for the forgiveness of sins are made available and accessible to us through the sacraments of the Church.

 

The great outpouring of God’s mercy is demonstrated in the parables in the gospel. As the one sheep strayed far away from the sheepfold, and disappeared into the wilderness, so did the one coin fall off and uselessly hid in an unknown corner of the house. In both parables, the shepherd and the woman went in search of their sheep and coin respectively. In the parable of the prodigal son, “The younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.”

The far country is in contrast to his home. At home, under his father’s care, the young man had abundance, companionship, rights and privileges. But in the far country, he was under his own authority. He spent all he had, looking for fulfilment, still he ended up wretched and hungry. The people in this far country lacked compassion and generosity; they are cold-hearted. Those who turn away from God and turn to themselves equally isolate themselves from others. It is interesting that citizens of the far country have no respect for human dignity. Think about that state of mind that accommodates abortion, adultery, indecency, divorce, lies, corruption, etc.

 

The good news is that the goodness of the Father is far-reaching. Even in the far country, the prodigal son was still touched by the ‘grace’ of his Father’s love, and he testified, saying, “How many of my Father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger!” The Father’s love goes farther than the ‘far country.’ The influence of this love and mercy was strong enough to pull the prodigal son back home. In the process of making amendments, while on his way back home, but yet at a distance, “His father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Think about the depth of the Father’s love; that excessive and unmerited love that can transform a slave to a son!

 

Such is the unmerited love that reconciles us with God; the excessive mercy that awaits us at the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is through the merits of Jesus Christ that we receive such embrace and kiss of love, though we are unworthy. At home with the Father, we enjoy the freedom of God’s children and live out our full potential. We live no longer for ourselves, but the grace of God upbraids us. Therefore, we renounce every step towards the ‘far country.’ Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday September 11^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

PRAY AND ACT

Meditation for Tuesday of the 23^rd Week in Ordinary Time
(1 Cor 6:1-11; Lk 6:12-19)

Let us meditate on Jesus who went into the hills and prayed all night. We must take not of His choice of the hill top, in the dark silent night. The time and environment points to the sacrifice of prayer. To commune with God is a spiritual act, which requires certain bodily discipline. Such discipline could be the timing or the location of the place of prayer. Every discipline is targeted at reducing distractions and uplifting the heart and mind to God.

 

Jesus is the master of prayer! That He spent all night in prayer shows importance of prayer; no matter how busy we might be, we must set aside quality time to pray. Thus, the plan of each day must include prayer time. At dawn, Jesus came down from the hill, and chose the twelve apostles.

 

From the hill of prayer, He moved down to the ground, where human choices and actions were carried out. These dynamics are important for us today. When the human action is powered by a heart and mind sanctified in prayer, it becomes a contemplative action. The action becomes a manifestation of the will of God. Sometimes when people want to make important decisions, such as choosing a life partner, they may rely on their human calculations alone. Some others may rely on extraordinary divine manifestations to make such decisions. This is where fake prophets and visionaries cash out from such gullible people. Action without prayer is dry; prayer without action is empty and mere euphoric!

 

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Rm 8:26). The choice of each of the apostles was the fruit of an all-night prayer, still Jesus chose them after working closely with them as his followers. Prayer supplies the inspiration without which we cannot promptly act according to the will of God. “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the in the Spirit of our God.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday September 6^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

The Disciple and the Wisdom of the Cross

Meditation for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

(Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33)

In our meditation today, the mood of the message in the three readings is greatly captured by the opening sentence of the gospel. It says, ‘Great multitudes accompanied Jesus, and He turned and said to them…” That He paused His journey, turned and faced the crowed shows that He was going to say something important. This action indicates that what he was going to say was important and urgent. The promptness with which He delivered the message must be noted, for the messaged demands prompt response too.

 

Jesus turned and said to them, “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even His own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” The way Jesus delivered the message underlies its preeminence and urgency. The message of the Cross is at the center of the Christian life; it a defining mark of every Christ faithful.  “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Cor 4:10). The crosses we bear make us personally responsible and committed to the Body of Christ. And the immediate and prompt Cross each person is summoned to carry is detachment from the most intimate natural attachments of our life. This detachment comes by placing the love of Jesus above love for oneself and love of father, mother, wife, brother, sister, etc. It becomes a cross to give preference to Jesus and to His glory over and above one’s self-preservation or honor to those we have filial bonds with. In this way, our very selves are offered up to the Father through the passion of Jesus. “When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself” (Jn 12:32).

 

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24). “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). So, the hidden wisdom of God, which the first reading talks about, is revealed to us through the Cross of Christ. For by our prompt response to the invitation to carry our cross and follow Jesus, we live, not by human reasoning, but by ‘the mind of Christ’ (1 Cor 2:7-16). This is how we can understand the mysteries of God, and live uprightly.

 

We see a demonstration of the wisdom of the Cross as St Paul appeals to Philemon to receive back his former servant, Onesimus, and to regard him as a brother! St Paul saw through his encounter with the young man in prison as divine plan to set Onesimus free and established him as a beloved brother. The second reading displays humility, brotherly love, forgiveness and reconciliation. These are external manifestation of the internal mark of the Cross in the hearts of the faithful. That is why the message of the Cross is urgent and prompt!

 

Therefore, Jesus explains further that the wisdom of the cross is necessary for us to succeed in life, and it is an important technique for us to conquer every opposition. Think about the planning and gathering of resources needed to build a tower, or, the preparations and training a king needs to put in place for his army to win? The wisdom employed in each of these cases must be deep and far-sighted. That is how far-sighted, urgent and prompt the wisdom of the cross is for our well-being and for our salvation. We must begin today to discover our most hidden and intimate attachments, whether persons or possessions, and begin to offer to Jesus a love greater than those attachments. With this we shall defeat every enemy or opposition and succeed in our endeavors. Above all, we shall excel as His disciples. Jesus said, “Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday September 4^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com