Silent Encounter

Reflection for Monday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time Year I
(1Th 4:13—18; Lk 4:16—30)
St Paul welcomes us this day with comforting words about our final encounter with Jesus Christ. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep”(1 Thes 4:14). Thus Jesus is that Centre of contact between the living and the dead. So at the rapture, the living and the dead shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.

It becomes necessary, therefore, that our faith-journey, which looks towards the rapture, must allow Jesus to occupy a central stage. We cannot relegate Christ Jesus to any particular corner of our lives. With Jesus at the centre, sickness and health, poverty and richness, single or married, life and death, now have a common reference! Opposing questions of life have one answer in Christ Jesus.

Jesus steps into his home town of Nazareth. After reading from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah about preaching the Good news to the poor, and setting captives free, “And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him” (Lk 4:20). Silence reigned! It was such a powerful moment of pause that arrested the attention of all in the synagogue. It was like the moment of rapture that St Paul described above, in which all would be caught up with Christ Jesus in the air. Their silent gaze upon Jesus exposed their yearning to have the good news to the poor fulfilled. But the silence of Jesus held the suspense!

The quiet expectations of the congregation had its satisfaction right before them, but they did not know. Had they known, there would not be need for Him to speak at all. So Jesus broke the silence... “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Surprisingly, they rejected Him saying, “Is this not Joseph's Son?”

Clearly they did not understand His silence, that was why they could not accept His words! The silence of Jesus summons us to deep personal encounter, in which Jesus becomes the centre of our being, and His words will take root in our hearts. It is as if rapture is already taking place in the depths of our hearts as we constantly struggle to sustain a silent gaze upon Him at the centre of our hearts.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy,
Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.
Monday September 2, 2019.

HUMILITY IS GRACIOUS

 Reflection for the 22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“My Son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” This is how the book of Sirach introduced the first reading of today. The readings for this Sunday exalt humility. It is the most excellent virtue. It makes us loved my men, and favoured by God. Humility is the ladder with which we climb to greatness: “The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself” (Sirach 3:18). The mysteries of God are revealed to the humble (Lk 10:21).

In the Gospel Jesus observed how those invited were placing themselves at positions of honour. He told them a parable to show that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. It is a natural instinct for man to seek his own glory, or at least to impose it on others. It gives a momentary euphoria of victory over a competitive society. That is equally why we tend to associate with people who give us this sense of achievement.

The sound of Silence reveals that pride is noisy—it does not produce authentic sound. It feeds on external show, and its weak integrity is sustained on the shoulders of others. So the proud man rushes to the high table to be seen, and gets angry if not recognized. He thirsts for acclamation. If he calls for a party, he invites only those who would boost his ego. But soon the noise dies down...

Silence dawns, and takes the proud man unawares! Like in the parable of Jesus, suddenly the proud man is asked to give up his seat for the humble man who was seated at lower end. Blessed are the gentle; they shall inherit the earth (Mt 5:4). Imagine the shame and disgrace of the man as he moves from the place of honour to the lower seat, while the humble man is graciously exalted. He pulled down the proud from their seats and raised up the lowly (Lk 1:52).

So we come to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant. In Him we are all raised up to the status of “First Born” of the City of the living God. We have all been bestowed honour in Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself for our sake. “Humility towards one another must be the garment you all wear constantly, because God opposes proud but accords his favour to the humble” (1Pet 5:5).  Humility is as strong as silence! It has its roots in Christ Jesus. Humility is the step we must take in order to climb the heights we aspire.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,

Abule-Oshun, Lagos.

September 1^st, 2019.

Purify the Energy Within

THE BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

(Mk 6:17-29)

It is all red today as we celebrate the heavenly birthday of John the Baptist. While heaven received him with great acclamation, the echo of his last cry continues to sound in all generations, broadcasting with deep silence the ugliness of sin, grudge, pride, etc.

“And Herodias had a grudge against him.” Like a little drop, grudge sneaks into the heart almost unnoticed. It emits negative charges that becloud the heart and unsettles the silence within. The bearer then begins to blame his victim for the internal discomfort. This in turn makes him feel that the absence of the victim would restore silence and peace in his heart...Thus, grudge, hate and unforgiveness produce such negative energy that is blood thirsty, secretly seeking the elimination of its victim.

This was the energy Herodias incubated within. At the slightest opportunity she snapped the platter off the rack and handed it to her overly excited daughter...The hidden energy of grudge in Herodias manifested its force in the hand of the soldier as he raised the sharp sword and with a heavy thrust beheaded the Baptist.

His deep last cry and the innocent blood that covered the floor continue to expose the lies that grudge whispers to those who harbour it. As his blood flowed down, and his last cry continues to resound, they reveal the strength of virtue; that truth cannot be silenced!

Love and truth instill a greater energy in the heart and secures the silence within. Those who harbour love and truth know freedom and peace. The force of this energy brings people closer; it is life-giving.

John the Baptist had no grudge in him but love and truth. He was a victim of the negative energy of grudge, but the truth in him, like his blood that flowed over the prison floor, spread through all generations and overcame the grudge that tried to silence him. Therefore, we must constantly examine ourselves to ensure that the energy that beclouds our hearts is fuelled by love and truth.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R.

Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Thursday August 29, 2019

Memorial of the Beheading of John the Baptist

My Neighbor, My Eternal life

REFLECTION FOR 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDIANRY TINE YEAR C
(Deut 30:10-14, Col 1:15-20, Lk 10:25-37)

1.0. “The Word is very near you”
Moses encouraged the people to keep the commandments of God. “And turn to the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul.” He reminded them that these commandments are within their reach. What God commanded is within human will and intellect to observe. The divine laws are neither inhuman nor antihuman. Instead they bring order to humanity, and enhance our lives while drawing us close to God.

2.0. The Pre-eminent
“Christ is the image of the invisible God.” If God who gave the law to Moses now dwells among us in Jesus Christ, then the nearness of the divine law has its locus in Christ Jesus. Thus, Jesus becomes the fulfilment of the law, and the One through whom we draw near to God and offer Him our whole heart and soul. The commandments of the Lord are no more external words written on tablets of stone, but the condition of a heart that has accepted Christ Jesus. “He is the beginning, the First-born from the dead, that in everything He might be pre-eminent.”

3.0. “What shall I do to inherit eternal Life?”
This is the question that formed Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel reading today. Only Jesus who came near us from His Heavenly Kingdom can lead us to Heaven. As He directed the lawyer back to the law, in the same way the love of Jesus impales us to observe the commandments, i.e. we approach God’s commandments with the love of Jesus.

To love God with all one’s heart, soul, strength, and mind is nothing else than to love God with the whole of one’s self. God demands our total all time response without any reservations. If all of oneself is given to God, what is left for the neighbor? The law commands that we love God totally with every aspect of ourselves, and practice that in our neighbor. This is what must be done to inherit eternal life. Thus the means of eternal life is as close as our neighbor.

4.0.  “Love your neighbor as yourself”
Our ungraced nature is brutally selfish and predatory. A heart that is not touched by divine love can hardly love genuinely and sacrificially. Thus God demands all our heart, soul, mind and strength that He might create within us the capacity to accommodate our neighbor. Only God can create! When the whole self is dedicated to God, the individual is blessed with the internal capacity to equally dedicate himself to others. This is how we can love without segregation; neighbors without fences, and still remain safe.

People often experience heartbreak in relationships because they give their hearts to people without first giving it to God. The neighbor ought to receive our emotions, strength and care as sanctified by grace. In this way no one can break your heart!

5.0. The Samaritan Comes to Town
The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us that we do not know who is our neighbor until we are in need of help. At such difficult moment, the priest and Levite whom the Jew considered neighbors disappointed him. A good neighbor; a good friend, partner, etc comes as a gift. The meeting of the wounded Jew and the good Samaritan was an act of divine Providence. That is why in giving God all our heart, soul, mind and strength we will never lack good friends…

The Samaritan shows us how we are to regard our neighbor in order to earn eternal life. He took care of the injured man as if that was the destination of his journey. He gave him his time and attention, poured oil and wine. Having revived the man a bit, he exchanged positions with him by setting him on his horse and took him to an inn. Now this Samaritan sacrificed his own journey and diverted to the inn as if that was his destination. The money he paid in the inn was the least cost of all he spent on the man. The time, attention and gift of his presence he showered on the Jew was priceless.

The love and care of a good neighbor is endless. The caring man deposited two denarii to the innkeeper on trust to cover any extra expenses he might incur. We see here that a good neighbor not only offers his help but equally attracts further graciousness from others. Thus the Samaritan involved the innkeeper in caring for the beaten Jew.

After disrupting his journey for a whole day, he now set out on his trip, but promised to come back to pay any extra charges. That means while he was away on his journey, he would continue to 'contemplate' on the welfare of the beaten man. Thus, out of sight is never out of mind for the one who loves genuinely. Being a good neighbor is not reduced to physical proximity. Through prayer and contemplation we can become good neighbors to people, even in far away places.

6.0.   “Go and do likewise”
The authentic model of a Good Samaritan shines out in Christ Jesus. He branched off His Heavenly Kingdom to attain to us who were wounded by sin. He poured out His Blood and exchanged positions with us on the Cross. Jesus paid our debt of sin, left a deposit of grace in the sacraments entrusted to the Church, which is symbolized by the inn. And promised to come back...

Thus Jesus answered the Lawyer, “Go and do likewise.” What we must do to earn eternal life is to love our neighbor as the good Samaritan did to the beaten Jew. The work of salvation is as near as the other person nearby who is in need. As Moses said earlier, the commandments of God are within reach. Now my neighbor has become my means of salvation.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Martin of Tours Catholic Church,
Mabushi, Abuja.
Sunday July 14, 2019.

THE BREAD AND WINE GIVEN FOR YOU

Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

(Gen 14:18-20, 1 Cor 11:23-26, Lk 9:11-17)

1.0.         Prelude

Today we celebrate Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (The Eucharist). We gather in thanksgiving to celebrate Jesus’ offering of Himself in the form of Bread and Wine for our salvation. From the onset, the Eucharist has always been subject of controversy (Jn 6:58-62). Still, it has never failed to be a source of strength, joy and love for those who believe and receive worthily. Briefly, we shall draw some Eucharistic inspirations from the readings today.

2.0. The Priestly Offering

“Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High” (Gen 14:18). Unlike what was obtainable in the Old Testament where priests offered animals, Melchizedek surprisingly offered bread and wine. It was a thanksgiving offering for Abram, who in turn committed himself to the sacrifice by presenting a tenth of everything he got.

Notice that when the Levites made their offering, the person for whom they performed the sacrifice presented the animal that was slaughtered (Lev 1:2-5). But it was the Priest of Salem who brought out the bread and wine that was offered to God for Abram. This priestly offering prefigures the Eucharistic offering of Jesus for us. Corpus Christi is now and always a thanksgiving offering, no matter the intention of the faithful, and must be offered by a priest in the order of Melchizedek (Heb 7:1-28).

3.0.         Bread and Wine Sacrificed

Yes, it is a sacrifice! St Paul in the Second reading talks about the sacrificial dimension of the Eucharist. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1Cor 11:26). Jesus is the Victim, i.e. He is the object of the sacrifice as well as the Priest who offered Himself for our salvation. Like Melchizedek of old, Jesus brought bread and wine and, offered Himself through them. The ‘offering’ of the bread and wine becomes the same ‘offering’ of Himself at Calvary. “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the Chalice.

Thus the merits of the Cross of Christ are ever re-enacted—conferred anew—in the Eucharist. Like Mary and the beloved disciple at the foot of the Cross, we gather before the Altar, wrapped in resigned silence as our hearts are lifted up with the Bread and the Chalice... “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself” (Jn 12:32 ). The silence of self-abandonment floods the Church as the serene and sacrificial words of Jesus pierce through the sacred space! The Body and Blood of Christ—the Bread and Wine—is sacrificed.

4.0.         “And all ate and were satisfied.”

The Gospel of today narrates how Jesus fed the five thousand men with five loaves and two fish. The people were hungry. It was such a lonely and deserted place. Surely, the soul feels lonely, abandoned and wearied if its deepest yearnings are elusive.

Through the collaboration of His disciples, Jesus provided food for the multitude. “And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd” (Lk 9:16). Thus through the priests—successors of the apostolic college—Jesus continues to nourish the faithful with the His Body and Blood in the form of Bread and Wine, in the order of Melchizedek (Heb 7:15-19) “And all ate and were satisfied” (Lk 9:17). The grace that flows from the Eucharist is supra-abundance! Here we encounter the purifying Blood of Jesus, which pleads more insistently than Abel’s (Heb 12:18-24).

As they ate and were satisfied, the collected what was leftover. God’s gift cannot be wasted. The grace of God cannot be received in vain (2 Cor 6:1). We must apply this nourishment to its proper use: a life of holiness.

    5.0.         Bread and Wine given for You

At the Eucharist, as we kneel in silent adoration, our hunger meets God’s yearning for us. He satisfies our every desire with the power of His love, which transcends all our needs and hunger. Thus, we approach this altar, loaded with human problems, but offering the sacrifice in thanksgiving. The Eucharist announces that satisfaction which does not await all our problems to be solved.

Unfortunately, there is high level of dissatisfaction in our society today. Some people soak themselves in all sorts of addiction just to ‘create’ certain sense of satisfaction. The joy and peace that the Eucharist gives, nourishes and strengthens us in body and soul, and heals our wounded emotions. Restlessness must surrender to the Eucharist, where silence speaks. The Bread and Wine is given for us; let us eat and be satisfied.

Fr Jude Nwahcukwu, C.Ss.R

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,

Abule-Oshun, Lagos.

Sunday 23^rd June, 2019.

Corpus Christi

God is One and Trinity

God is One and Trinity
Almighty, all perfection for eternity
Three Persons in perfect Unity
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit

To us this Mystery is due
The wondering mind gets no clue
But faith to this mystery glue
God is One and Trinity.

The Three Persons in perfect community bound
In this Unity is our freedom found
That love and freedom may bond
God is One and Trinity.

Selfishness is here displaced
Man to his brother can love and ‘ve peace
An oblation of love is our price
For God is One and Trinity

Written by:
Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Solemnity of Holy Trinity
June 16, 2019

IN PRAISE OF THE MYSTERY OF THE TRINITY

(Reflection for Trinity Sunday)

   “The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the ‘Consubstantial Trinity’” (CCC 253). God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one God but in the three persons. In the Old Testament God addressed Himself in plural (Gen 1:26; Gen 11:7, Is 9:5-6). Jesus Himself based His teachings on the Three Persons in one God (Mat 28:19; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:1,14; Jn 10:30), and the writings of the apostles throw more light to this Mystery (Col 1:16-17, Col 2:9,  1 Pet 1:1-2, Eph 4:3-6). But here we are today, not explain or argue about it, but to celebrate the Trinity.

God, in His Trinity of Persons, is all round perfection in Himself. So He alone exists of Himself. He is perfect love; perfect unity...Our love and worship adds nothing to His greatness! However, He freely wills to communicate His life and glory with us. He made us in His own image and likeness. Such is the plan of His loving kindness, conceived by the Father before the foundation of the world, in His beloved Son: He destined us in love to be His sons and daughters, and to be conformed to the image of His Son, through the Spirit of sonship (Eph 1:5; Rm 8:15,29).    

Therefore, the mystery of the Holy Trinity is the highest of all mysteries; the source and end of all mysteries! It is like a closed and open door... “closed” since God is complete in Himself and cannot be penetrated upon by human mind. “Open”, since God has come to dwell among us in Jesus Christ, we can know Him through His self-communication. Thus this mystery draws us to contemplation...

But as the heart and mind climb the height of contemplation in deep silence, there seems to be a tick cloud of unknowing on the way. The Trinity is also the end of contemplation. Before the Trinity, words are not enough; powers surrender. Before the Trinity, silence finds words but speaks no more! Still, only faith has the final word, and supplies that which the mind cannot understand.

God is Trinity of Persons. If not, we would have a God that is dependent on his creatures, and who ends up being a burden on his worshipers! So we celebrate today that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Eternal Godhead is perfect relationship; perfect love, unity and peace. This is what He shares with us. And this is our inherent makeup. What the Trinity communicates to us we return to Him in worship, and we equally share with one another in companionship.

Fr Jude Nwachukw, C.Ss.R

Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday 16^th June,  2019.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.