Sunday, September 24, 2023

The Enduring Light of Truth

Meditation for Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ezra 1:1-6; Lk 8:16-18)
Welcome to the Book of Ezra. The name ‘Ezra’ is derived from the Hebrew word, “Azaryahu”, which means ‘God helps.’ Ezra was a priest and scribe during the return from Babylonian exile, while Zerubbabel led the people in the rebuilding of the temple. This was done with the support of the Persian King Darius. The Book of Ezra is divided into ten chapters, and gives an account of events spanning about 25 years, beginning with the edict of Cyrus in 538 B.C. to the dedication of the temple in 515 B.C. As a priest and scribe, Ezra helped the people in their spiritual and religious reforms by educating them on the laws of Moses, encouraged them to follow God’s commandments and to abandon the foreign lifestyles. 

In the passage we read today, the Lord inspired Cyrus, king of Persia, to make a proclamation urging the people to make contributions for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. He encouraged anyone who is willing to go down to Jerusalem and participate in the reconstruction. It is a marvel that a pagan king, who was once against Jerusalem, would suddenly support its rebuilding. God’s purpose can be achieved in any means possible, even that which was targeted to pull obstruct the will of God can turn out to promote it. The divine illumination cannot be covered!

 

The plan of God shines like light that cannot be hidden. The darkness of the world, the lies and deceit that roars around will be silenced when the light of truth appears. Jesus says in the gospel, “For nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.” Thus, we must ensure we are on the side of truth, and allow the light of truth to shine out through us. If we allow unrighteousness to cover the lamp of divine truth God has lit in us, He can still use any means possible to reveal His light and dispel the darkness, just has He use Cyrus to rebuild the Temple.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.

Monday September 25, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

               

“DO YOU BEGRUDGE MY GENEROSITY?”

Meditation for Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
(Is 55:6-9; Phil 1:20-24,27; Mt 20:1-16)

The first reading opens with a striking advice: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his ways.” In our meditation today, we see how God’s mercy and generosity are the only opportunities we have to encounter the Lord. That is why the prophet Isaiah says, “Let him return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” So, the mercy of God sustains the righteous man, and gives room for the unrighteous man to seek the Lord and to find Him.

 

The parable of the hired laborers for the vineyard demonstrates the depth of God’s generosity in showing mercy. The story shows how God, the Householder, takes the initiative to give us the opportunity to participate and contribute to His Kingdom. What would have happened to those talented and willing laborers if the Master did not find them out? It would be like laborers who came out to put their skills to use and earn a living, but they stayed idle all by themselves and went back without making any impact and gained nothing in the end! Think about what would have happened to their hunger for life and wellbeing. But the Lord has visited His people; His mercy has given us opportunity, even at the ‘eleventh hour’, to contribute and participate in the heavenly rewards.

 

The prophecy of Isiah is here fulfilled, for God can now be found since we are at the hour of His mercy. Though the ways of God are far removed from the ways of man, just as the heavens are higher than the earth, His love and mercy have bridged the gap, and justified us to receive His generosity. We do not ‘begrudge his generosity’ as the first laborers did when they complained about being paid the same amount as those who came at the eleventh hour. Instead, we rely on His generosity, and abide by it as a rule, and follow it as an example. This is how we become laborers of His Kingdom, using our gifts and talents to contribute to the Kingdom of God, and earn a living by participating in the heavenly riches and at the end, eternal life.

 

As we meditate on the parable, we marvel at such generosity that is beyond human comprehension. Those redeemed by the Master’s love and generosity ought to live in thanksgiving to Him. This is the new life we have in Christ Jesus. That is why St Paul says in the second reading, “Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” We begrudge His generosity by not looking up to His example and following unrighteous ways.  On the other hand, we acknowledge Jesus’ saving generosity by ensuring that our manner of life is worthy of the gospel. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday September 24, 2023

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com