THE GOSPEL ON THE ROCK

 Meditation for Wednesday of the 27^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Gal 2:1-2, 7-14; Lk 11:1-4)

Like a man defending his case in a courtroom, St. Paul continues to argue in defense of the true gospel. It is important we listen to him because there are so many fake preachers and prophets among us. Earlier, St. Paul had explained how he received the gospel he preached by revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. In today’s defense, St. Paul narrated how he travelled to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas and Titus, to lay before Peter, James and John, the respected Church leaders, the gospel he was preaching to the gentles. This act of submissiveness and obedience to Church authorities is a distinguishing mark of a true preacher of the gospel. Beware of that preacher who is answerable to no one, and who has no one to call him to order.

 

“And when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James, Cephas and John, who were reputed pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” Jesus built his Church on St. Peter as the rock, that on this rock (Mt 16:18), it shall withstand every opposition and remain firm. The transmission of the good news, and the administration of the Sacraments as necessary means of salvation, are under the authority of the Church. Individuals, called by God, must work under the authority of the Church. The chain of authority that Christ bestowed in the Church is part of the good news of the gospel, and in turn, the gospel sanctifies and gives life to the authority of the Church. Therefore, any gospel message that cannot accommodate the divinely instituted authority of the Church becomes “Another gospel.”

 

As human, the man who occupies the position of authority in the Church may have his personal struggles, as we see in St. Peter, when he was in Antioch, where he tried to please the circumcision party and separated himself from the Gentiles. But St. Paul realized that the action of Peter was not in line with the gospel, and corrected him. That is why we must always call to the Lord, saying, “Lord, teach us to pray.” By submitting to prayer, we learn to be humble and submit to the authority of the Church, despite the revelation or vision we must have received. By prayer the Church authorities can discern properly and direct the people of God aright. Then we shall pray in the words our Savior taught us, saying, “Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come…” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday October 5, 2022.

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