PREPARATION FOR THE LORD

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD

Meditation for Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

(Baruch 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6.8-11; Lk 3:1-6)

The readings today invite us to prepare for the Lord. PREPARATION is an important step we must take if we are to succeed in every undertaking or situation in life. We prepare for exams, for work, for sports, for marriage, etc. Preparation shows how important something is to us or how committed we are to it. If we fail to prepare, then we have ‘prepared to fail.’ To avoid such failure, the Book of Baruch and the message of John the Baptist call on us to “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

 

A valley ‘swallows’ one, and keeps him running round within the enclosure instead of moving forward. Think about that ‘valley of anger’ that swallows up every drop of joy and peace. It could be a valley of laziness that encloses our good intentions to work hard and make progress. Imagine a valley of compulsive expenditure or live of addictions that swallow up our finances and render us financially sterile! Do you identify any kind of ‘valley’ in your life? If we must meet the Lord, and enjoy the favor He brings, these valleys must be filled up. 

A mountain is a huge ‘obstruction’ on our way. When we pile up sins, adding one bad behavior upon another, soon a huge blockage rises in our hearts and we feel cut off from the way to salvation. The voice cries in the wilderness as we prepare for the Lord that every mountain must be levelled. Sometimes we find ourselves on crooked ways, adorning our words and actions with lies and deceit. At times inconsistence and instability become our swing of life! That is why we should be watchful when every little choice before us is attacked by indecision. The way of the Lord is straight! Every crooked way must be straightened if we are to meet Jesus. And the rough edges of our lives must be smooth; those aggressive ends, selfish and stubborn must be smoothen with a touch of love and kindness. 

Therefore, Saint Paul urges, “That your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” On his part, Baruch says, “Put on the robe of righteousness from God.” This is how we arm ourselves to fill up every valley that prevents us from seeing the salvation and glory of God, level every mountain that block our way to reaching God’s blessings and answers to our prayers, straighten crooked ways that divert our lives from the right path, and smoothen the rough edges that render us inefficient. Then our hearts shall be ready, and our song shall ever be, “Come Lord Jesus, do not delay.” Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday December 5th, 2021.

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PLENTIFUL HARVEST

 Meditation for Saturday of the First Week of Advent

(Is 30: 19-21, 23-26; Mt 9:35-10:1, 5-8)

In our advent meditation today, we are caught up in the beauty and strength of Jesus’ compassion for helpless humanity. As the crowds gathered “Like sheep without a shepherd”, Jesus indicated that there is much work to be done. His compassionate work of healing and redeeming humanity needs to be extended. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send our laborers into his harvest.” The laborers are to continue the compassionate work of Jesus, which Isaiah prophesied, “He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you.”

 

“And He called to Himself His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.” The authority was given to them freely to carry on Jesus’ compassionate work of healing and redeeming wounded humanity. It was not meant for their own selfish gains. The laborers of the Kingdom act on behalf of Jesus; they carry on with ‘delegated’ authority, thereby representing Jesus before the people. This is how they bring Jesus’ compassion to the people. Such laborers are good shepherds who gather the people for Christ.

 

The harvest is plentiful; there is a lot of work to be done! We need more laborers filled with the authority of Jesus, and touching lives with His compassion, and gathering people for the Kingdom of Heaven. Wounded humanity is waiting and yearning for the healing and liberation of the children of God (Rm 8:19-23). But God has also answered our prayer by bring closer to us the Kingdom of God we are praying through the laborers He called. “And preach as you go, saying, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay.” Therefore, Heaven is waiting to receive plentiful harvest, for salvation is nearer now (Rm 13:11). Amen

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Saturday December 4^th, 2021.

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“DO YOU BELIEVE THAT I AM ABLE TO DO THIS?”

 Meditation for Friday of the First Week of Advent

(Is 29:17-24; Mt 9:27-31)

In the Gospel of today Jesus asked the two blind men a direct and touchy question: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” This question was directed not to two causal blind beggars by the roadside, but two blind men that made stringent efforts to get to him for healing. They followed Him along the way, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” Even when Jesus entered the house, the men still made there way to get to Him. If they did not believe, why would they go through such stress to get to Jesus?

 

Another meditative question is: why did Jesus suspend His response to them but delayed and “dragged” them along? Their desire to be healed, if it were coming from Faith, must include the freedom of Jesus to answer them at His own pace and according to His will! Though they were crying aloud, their faith silently followed Jesus and ‘dragged’ the men along, despite the inconveniences. Having arrived at the feet of Jesus, their faith had been purified of selfishness such that even their desire to be healed was recognized as freely in the arms of Jesus. In other words, imagine the faith of a blind who believes that Jesus has the power to heal him though he still remains blind before him! He continues to believe even when that healing is delayed or denied…

 

Thus, when Jesus asked the above question, the men quickly answered, “Yes, Lord.” Then Jesus touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done for you.” What a divine touch on those who had touched Jesus in faith! A lively faith, fused with divine favor that becomes answered prayer to those who posses it. As we approach Jesus with a renewed faith this Advent, may we feel His healing touch on us. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Friday December 3rd, 2021.

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THE ROCK OF SALVATION

Meditation for Thursday of the First Week of Advent

(Is 26: 1-6; Mt 7:21, 24-27)

Advent celebrates the past, present and future of our faith in Jesus Christ. We recall Israel’s expectation at the coming of the promised Messiah. He is with us now even as we pray for and await His divine touch of grace at every moment of our lives. And we look forward to His second coming, for the fullness of salvation. The influx of time through future, present and past leaves a ‘residue’ of actions that constitute ‘history’ or human behavior. For the dynamics of time to leave behind a predictable action implies that there is a CONSTANT that flows through and withstands the constant movement of time. The same applies to our faith! In the one season of Advent, we celebrate with a singular acclamation the past, present and future of our faith in Jesus Christ. There is a ‘constant’ that makes this possible.

The prophet Isaiah announced, “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.” Within the secure gates of this strong city, the righteous that enter in are kept in perfect peace. We know that peace is not easy to come by, and much more difficult to sustain. The prophet made us understand that the Lord is that strong wall of salvation that keeps His people in perfect peace. “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” 

Yes, it is obvious that there cannot be peace without STABILITY, durability or constancy. A faith that looks forward to its unfolding future but still stands secure in its present reality, while remaining true to its past must be standing on a solid rock that gives it such stability and constancy. In fulfillment to Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus says in the gospel of today, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the wind blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

So, let the word of God be the rock on which we stand, and from which our every word and actions receive support. From this ‘rock’, our future is secure, our present is sustained and our past does not draw us backwards. And the word of God is given us as a solid rock of salvation in the Sacraments. From here flows the spiritual nourishment that gives our lives stability, durability and constancy, which the peace that endures, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Thursday December 2nd, 2021.

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THE FAVOURABLE ADVENT RESPONSE

Meditation for Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

(Rm 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22)

Today we celebrate St Andrew the Apostle, brother of St Peter. He was going through the normal daily struggle for survival until Jesus stepped in. Since then, fishery is still not one of the top most courses of study in our institutions, and fishing is still a simple man’s occupation! But Jesus’ call of the fishermen of Galilee has made fishing a symbol of the gathering of the people of God through the Gospel.

 

“As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.” There is dynamics in this encounter that is very relevant for our Advent Season. As Jesus came down to the sea side, He anticipated a favorable response from Andrew and his companions. This ‘coming down’ to meet the ones He has chosen is in line with His Christmas decent at Bethlehem, and His coming again at the end of time. Jesus’ ‘Advent’, His longing and waiting for a favorable response from those He comes to and communes with, gives rise to our own Advent! Andrew answered because Jesus called; he followed because Jesus came down to him and showed the way.

 

In this Advent, we long for Him who longs for us; His presence now deepens our yearning for His coming again in glory! Andrew and his companions were able to abandon their nets because Jesus abandoned His high level to be with them. The mystery of Christ’s Advent inspires us, and adorns this solemn season with glory and power. In our meditation, we look up to Jesus; He inspires our hope, and leads us along the way to become fishers of men. Our celebration today testifies that Jesus awaits our favorable response. Amen.

 

St Andrew the Apostle, pray for us.

 

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday November 30^th, 2021.

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“COME, LET US WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD”

 

“COME, LET US WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD”

Meditation for Monday of the First Week of Advent

(Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11)

In this Season we celebrate our waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the SOUND OF SILENCE, this holy ‘waiting’ shall be the lens through which we reflect on the readings. In ‘waiting’ for a good to happen, we, at the same time and by that singular act, become conscious of the absence of that good, and the consequences thereof! So, as the Centurion desired healing for his servant from Jesus, he was equally burdened by the consequences of that sickness. As he came forward to Jesus to beg Him to heal the servant, His hope in the healing power of Jesus included his desire to get off the burden of the sickness.

 

What if he came to Jesus only because he wanted to be freed of the burden of the sickness? His waiting and longing for Jesus would not be an ‘Advent.’ But the Centurion acted differently! When Jesus agreed to come and heal the servant, the man humbly replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” By this act of humility and expression of faith, the Centurion demonstrated he was mostly attracted by the PERSON of Jesus, His holiness and power. This attraction and humble surrender to the person of Jesus ranked higher for him than the self-compelling push to be freed from the burden of the sickness. Thus, the yearning of this man for the Mighty Jesus to come down to his lowly state and heal his servant is an ‘Advent’, for he ‘waited’ on the Lord Jesus in His power and righteousness.

 

The Centurion ‘waited’ on the Lord; he received Jesus in his heart, and not just to ‘received’ Him in his problems. This is because he saw his life through the holiness and power of Jesus. Thus, in his ‘Advent’, the Lord visited him and answered his prayers. “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Though we may have many personal problems pushing us to long for solutions, let us allow the power and righteousness of Jesus to attract us to His person. He will surely answer us as He did to the Centurion, “I will come and heal him.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday November 29^th, 2021.

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THE VICTORY OF ADVENT

 

THE VICTORY OF ADVENT

Meditation for First Sunday of Advent, Year C

(Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28, 34-36)

Today we begin a new liturgical with the season of Advent. This season prepares us for Christmas. As such it is the season we “celebrate” our longing and waiting for the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. Within the Mass readings of this season, we shall recall the hope of ancient Israel as they waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise of the Messiah through the prophets. Then, we shall trace events leading to the birth of Jesus, and the manifestation of the glories of Jesus as He lived among His people. Further, Jesus continues to talk again His coming again. He who is to come is present, that those who experienced His presence will continue to long for Him in fullness!

 

The solemn season of Advent keeps us focused on Jesus, and gives us a new insight into the present tribulations and challenges we face each day as a pilgrim people waiting to meet their Savior. Think about this: from the midst of the injustice, unrighteousness, and insecurity at that time, the prophet Jeremiah announced that God was coming to fulfill His promise, and cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for Israel; “And He shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely.” And Jesus talked about His second coming as germinating from the midst of great tribulations and distress that would affect the sun, moon, stars and the whole earth! Such untold fear and perplexity would give way to the coming of the Son of man in a cloud with power and great glory.

 

Thus, our redemption sprouts out like a germinating seed from the ground of tribulations, fear and distress. These perplexed situations in themselves aim to burry us underground and keep our hearts away from Jesus the source of life. Tribulations of life have weighed many people down and rendered them hopeless. This has brought all forms of self-destruction to those who have lost faith. But this season Advent reawakens our hope and celebrates our longing for the sprouting out of redemption. Advent assures us that tribulations will not have the final word; Jesus is the beginning and the end! With our eyes of faith gazed on Jesus, who shall come in glory and power, the present tribulations become necessary stepping stones to reaching our destination in Christ Jesus.

 

‘Advent’ becomes our attitude as we commune with Christ today, and long for the fullness of Redemption. Hence, every tribulation we face today deepens our ‘Advent’ as we yearn more eagerly for the destruction of evil and germination of salvation in Christ Jesus. Therefore, Advent calls for prayer and life of holiness. “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men.” This is how we are established in holiness before God till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday November 28^th, 2021.

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