TRUST IN GOD

Meditation for Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

(Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31)

The words of the prophet Jeremiah in today’s first reading are at the heart of Christian spirituality. His message is like the ladder on which we step on to climb to the heights of faith and total surrender to the will of God. The prophet declares, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” He described the person like a tree planted in a salty desert land. The good it longs for will not come, and the tree will dry up. On the other hand, he says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” Such a person is like a tree planted by the waterways; its roots receive nourishment, and its leaves are evergreen. “It is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

How easy it is for us to idolize ourselves or others! Once our ultimate trust in not in God, we shall be floating around our emotions and sentiments, people’s promises and goodwill, etc. Sometimes we engage in tedious tasks, undertake spiritual exercises, but all for people to applaud us and for us to gain material things. When we judge God’s grace by human or material standards, that could be a sign that our trust is in the flesh. The disastrous end of the man who trusts in possessions and in pleasure is clearly demonstrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

 

The man who has climbed the heights of spirituality and placed his trust in God will go out of his way to care for his neighbor. He will not be attached to wealth, but will be charitable. Since his heart is rooted in God like the tree that is planted by the waterways, he will always be evergreen and flourish. That means as we practice almsgiving this season of Lent, we thereby deepen our trust in God. The Lord says through the prophet Jeremiah, “I the Lord search the mind and try the heart, to give go every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Thursday March 9^th, 2023.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
16^th Lenten meditation 

THE VICTORY OVER EVIL

Meditation for Wednesday of the second Week of Lent

(Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28)

The real battle of life is between good and evil. Evil jealously plots against the light of the good, hoping to cast its darkness over the illumination from this bright light. In the sight of evil, good stands as the victim and the condemned. Just as darkness is defined as the absence of light, so does evil gain relevance by raising its jealous head against good. That means without the good, evil heads to self-destruction. That is why when evil men gather against the righteous, they appear to be succeeding. But when the good man is no more within their reach, they turn against each other.

The prophet Jeremiah was under attack from the evil men, who plotted against him, saying, “Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not heed any of his words.” Jeremiah cried to God, asking the same question that we often come out our mouth in the face of evil: “Give heed to me, O Lord, and listen to my plea. Is evil a recompense for good?” Like the prophet, we sometimes find ourselves helpless in the face of evil. But thanks be to Jesus Christ, who silenced the empty noise of evil by conquering the suffering it imposes on the righteous ones.

 

So, the battle between good and evil has been won in Jesus Christ, and His victory is made available for us. The question Jesus askes us is: “Are you able to drink the chalice that I am about to drink.” In our daily struggles in the face the evils that threaten us, we claim the victory of Christ, especially as we share in His passion through our Lenten observances. Therefore, each day we confront evil with the victory of Christ, for darkness cannot overcome the light. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Wednesday March 8^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

15^th Lenten Meditation

THE INVITATION TO REPENTANCE

 Meditation for Tuesday of the second Week of Lent

(Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1-12)

The prophet Isaiah addresses the leaders of Israel, who were soaked in iniquity. He called them, “rulers of Sodom’, while addressed the people as “People of Gomorrah!” From the midst of their evil, he invites them to learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression and defend the weak. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

 

This invitation to repentance is given to us anew through our Lenten observances. In silence and serenity, the Lord speaks to our hearts as we take up fasting, prayer and almsgiving. He shows us through our regular meditation on the Cross of Jesus this season the evil that has ruled us like the rulers of Sodom, and the sins that have colored our hearts like crimson. The Lord has pledged to wash us clean like wool, but we must be willing and obedient to Him.

 

The strength of this divine invitation to a new life must now rule our hearts and mind. Religious leaders and political leaders, who ‘sit on Moses’ seat’ may fail us or scandalize us, but our willingness to do good and obedience to God’s call will carry us onward. Every leader must lead us rightly to obey the Lord, not to be an obstacle like the rulers of Sodom. Such hypocritical leaders are often full of themselves, reigning in their pride. Thus, humility is our escape route from our present-day scribes and Pharisees, and at the same time, it is the way forward to responding to the divine invitation to repent of our sins and be cleansed. At the end Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday March 7^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

14^th Lenten meditation

FORGIVENESS OF SINS

 Meditation for Monday of the second week of Lent
(Dan 9:4-10; Lk 6:36-38)

We begin our Lenten journey on this day with the humble and contrite prayer of Daniel. In this prayer, he acknowledged God’s greatness, and extoled Him as one who keeps covenant and shows merciful love to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Then Daniel began to confess their sins, acknowledging that they had turned away from God’s commandments, and turned deaf ear to the warning of the prophets. He prayed thus: “To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us confusion of face…” This was because of the treachery which the people committed against God. However, Daniel acknowledged that it belongs to show mercy and forgiveness.

 

Such an honest and humble confession is part of what is expected of us this Lenten season. At the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we come before God, who is rich in merciful love and forgiveness. At the same time, acknowledge our sins and apply ourselves to God’s mercy.

 

As we receive mercy from God, we internalize the experience and show me to others. Jesus said, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” The mercy and forgiveness of God, which is communicated to us in a concrete way through the Sacrament of Confession, becomes our life journey as we forgive those who sinned against us. “Forgive, and you will be forgiven…for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” The way we forgive others will indicate the extent we have assimilated the Lenten observances.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday March 6^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

13^th Lenten Meditation

 

STEPPING FORWARD INTO DIVINE GLORY

Meditation for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year A

(Gen 12:1-4; 2 Tim 1:8-10; Mt 17:1-9)

Let us meditate on the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. The apostles, Peter, James and John were overwhelmed as Jesus unveiled His glory in their presence. Their joy and fulfilment at that glorious moment reminds us how much the heart of man yearns for glory. Man was created to share in the life of God. from the beginning of creation, man lived in serenity and peace in the Garden without the interference of fear, death, and other human problems until the enemy deceived them. In the mystery of the transfiguration, God has unveiled His glory in our midst through Jesus Christ. We are invited to step forward and experience a glory that is greater than that which existed at the beginning of creation.

Think about how God called Abraham from his own country, his kindred and from his father’s house. He had to step forward and move out of his ‘domain’, and embark on a journey to become a great nation, and a source of blessing for generations to come. It was not an easy journey for Abraham; it was like climbing a high mountain in order to experience the glory of the transfiguration. Though our hearts yearn for glory, but we are so tied down by self-consciousness that we find it difficult to step out of our familiar domain, make the journey of faith, and experience the glory that awaits us in Christ Jesus.

 

However, St Paul gives us a guide on how we can overcome this obstacle that is preventing us from stepping forward in faith like Abraham and climbing the mountain ‘side by side with Jesus’ like Peter, James and John. He says, “Take your share of suffering for the Gospel in the power of God.” Thus, in any area of life we expect to experience glory, we should be ready to accept ‘suffering for the Gospel’ as the key to unlock glory. In our vocations, relationships, family life, work, etc, we shall experience suffering in one way or the other. As we accept the suffering in the name of Jesus and to the glory of God, we are stepping out of our ‘domain’, and climbing the mountain of faith, we enter under the canopy of divine glory. That is why Lent is a glorious moment, for as we take up bodily discipline, our hearts find peace and joy.

 

Meditate on that glorious moment of bliss when the apostles saw the dazzling face of Jesus, His sparkling garments shining like the sun. Think about how all their human weaknesses, fears, ego, possessions, attachments, melted away into the cloud of glory. How powerful and consuming is this glory that Peter said, “Lord, it is well that we are here, if you wish, I wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Yes, whoever steps into this glory, his heart shall be a home for Jesus, where the law and the prophets are fulfilled! And the voice of the Father speaks from this peaceful and overpowering cloud of glory saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

 

Let us listen to what the Lord God has to say, He speaks peace to His people and to His faithful ones (Ps 85:8). As we experience that silent gentle touch of a spark of divine glory, and hear that powerful but assuring cool voice of divine presence, we shall eagerly step out of our selfish domain, and walk along with Jesus like the apostles. Then, our lives and actions shall bear witness like St Peter that we have experienced the divine glory (2 Pet 1:16-18). Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday March 5^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

DETAILS OF THE LAW

 Meditation for Saturday of the First Week of Lent

(Deut 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48)

Moses urged the people to be detailed in keeping the statues and ordinances of the Lord. “You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.” Having declared that the Lord is their God, Moses insists that they must not neglect any of the commandments of the Lord. And the Lord declared that if they keep His word, they shall be people of His own possession, “That He will set you high above all nations that he has made in praise and in fame and in honor, and that you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.”

 

“You see, anyone who keeps the whole of the law but trips up on a single pint, is still guilty of breaking it all (James 2:10). And St Paul explains that the whole Law is summarized in the one commandment: “You must love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal 5:14). So, we cannot be selective in keeping the law. Through Jesus Christ, the commandments are written in our hearts (Rm 2:15). Thus, we ‘live out’ the new law of love, thereby fulfilling every detail of the law and deepen our relationship with God as His sons and daughters. This is how we fulfill the injunction of Moses that we should be detailed in keeping the statues and ordinances of the Lord.

 

Therefore, Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good.” This is the crossroad at which our ability to be detailed in keeping the commandments is tested. Like Jesus who prayed for His executioners, we should salute and pray for our enemies. Since we are children of God, we should be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Saturday March 4^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

11^th Lenten Meditation

THE HIGHER RIGHTEOUSNESS

Meditation for Friday of the First Week of Lent

(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26)

Let us meditate on the message from the prophet Ezekiel that if a wicked man turns away from his evil ways and begins to do what is lawful and right, he shall surely live. “For the righteousness which he has done he shall live.” On the other hand, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does the same abominable things that the wicked man does, he shall die. So, the choice of life or death is within our reach. And this Lenten season, we are urged to repent of our evil ways, choose righteousness and live. Moreso, we should deepen our choice and commitment to righteousness through our Lenten observances.

In gospel, Jesus talks about that level of righteousness which exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. These men were known for their hypocrisy; they were inconsistent and dishonest in their practice of righteousness. A righteousness that is practiced for people to see, which is selective and selfish, cannot bring life. A man who has chosen to serve the Lord and live a righteous life, should allow every aspect of his life, and all his life, to be soaked in righteousness. Thus, to avoid shifting from righteousness to wickedness, man must aim at the higher righteousness centered on Christ Jesus. From within, in the silence of his heart, a man inclines his heart and mind to righteousness, obeys the law and does the right thing. This too is how a wicked man can be pulled out from his wickedness to righteousness.

 

In the higher righteousness, obeying the law and doing the right flows from within, and it is not externally influenced. It becomes part of one’s life. So, where the law says, “You shall not kill”, the higher righteousness inclines you to be reconciled with one another always and live in peace. This higher righteousness is heavenly; it unlocks the kingdom of heaven for us, bringing among us the reign of God and leading us to heaven. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Friday March 3^rd, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

10^th Lenten meditation