Elected to Serve in Love

 Reflection for Thursday of the 5^th Week of Easter

Feast of St Mathias

(Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Jn 15:9-17)

 Today we celebrate the feast of St Matthias. The name means, “Gift of God.” He was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot among the apostles. His election highlights the distinction between the individual apostle and the office he occupies. And the same applies to the different offices we occupy as children of God. Sometimes it is difficult to make this distinction, and the person occupying the office is tempted to identify himself as the office! Then humility vanishes, the Judas in him will begin to manifest. However, the election of Matthias was not as easy as it might seem.

Peter had about 120 disciples to select from. First the motive was made clear: to fulfil the word of God. Once the intention is found to be rooted in the will of God, the qualification of the person to occupy the office was outlined. “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us...” This qualification describes the task ahead: to witness to the resurrection! It was not attached to culture, colour or any human status. Imagine if this election were to be done today! At the end, only two people out of the one hundred and twenty met the criteria, Justus and Matthias. Then they prayed, and the method of election was by casting lots. “And the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles."

What Judas lost by withdrawing his love from Jesus and diverting it to money, Matthias gained by his steadfastness and love for Jesus from the beginning till the resurrection. That is why Jesus said in the Gospel of today that we should abide in His love. “As the Father has loved me, so I love you; abide in my love. Think about the tribulations of Jesus Christ and the journeys He made from the beginning, and how Matthias remained with Him, following in silence, almost unnoticed. Today he is counted among the foundation stones. If we remain in His love, our time of elevation will surely come.

But how are we to abide in His love? It is to keep His commandments. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” And how are we to love them so? It is by laying down our lives for others, to make sacrifices for them. Jesus laid down His life for us, His friends. We too, in the name of Jesus, must lay down lives for others, and not be like Judas who laid down his life for material gain but lost out. The love of Jesus has elected us like Matthias to go forth and bear fruit. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” We must not forget that each of us is occupying an ‘office’ in the love of Jesus. Therefore, He assures us, “Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Amen!

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Thursday May 14^th, 2020.

Feast of St Matthias (Apostle).

He is the patron saint of carpenters, tailors, those with smallpox, and in prayers for perseverance and for hope.

THE FAMILY TREE

Reflection for Wednesday of the 5^th Week of East  

Memorial of our Lady of Fatima

(Acts 15:1-6; Jn 15:1-8)

Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Today Jesus used the imagery of a tree and its branches to describe our relationship with Him. We are not left hanging, at the mercy of any wind that blows. No, we have a foundation, structure and way of sustenance in Jesus. The branches are meant to bear fruit and showcase the beauty of the tree. The tree trunk supplies the stamina and nutrients to the branches. A branch can be separated from the tree in two ways; if it cut itself off or if the Father cuts it off on grounds of unproductively. “Abide in me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” Our life will be useless, pain and empty living, and at last it will dry off, if we do not draw nourishment from Jesus.

The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of men can become children of God. So by faith we are replanted into the family lineage of Jesus Christ. “He gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God Himself” (Jn 1:12-13). The rebirth we have in Christ Jesus gives us new identity and produces new fruits for the Kingdom of God (Jn 3:5-6). We have a new family ancestry, of which Jesus is the Head of the lineage! We no longer think or act from the old lineage of human birth, rather we model ourselves according to the new blood bond we share in Jesus Christ. If we remain hanging on the family tree of Jesus, the old human stock, with its burden of sin and brokenness, shall not affect us (Eze 18:2-4). So do not let any fake pastor deceive you that they are going to cleanse your family tree, unless you have cut yourself off from Jesus the Vine.  

“He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” And Jesus Himself hung on the tree of the Cross as the first fruit—“the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20). Thus, “The earth has yielded its fruit” (Ps 67:6). The fruits we produce today testify on which tree our life is hanging! “By their fruits we shall know them. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?” (Mt 7:15-20). If our lives abide firmly on the family tree of Jesus, we shall produce fruits of forgiveness, love, peace, self-control, piety, humility, etc.

Today, we learn from the example of disciples as they gather around the 12 Apostles and elders to deliberate and ensure that their teaching was firmly rooted in Christ Jesus, and not on some human exuberance. Also we remember the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, who surrendered her life totally to the will of God, and became the Mother of the Saviour. Her apparition in Fatima brought peace to the world and deepened faith in God. 

Abide in Jesus; let Him be the stronghold of your life. Your prayers will be answered, and God will be glorified in you. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday May 13^th, 2020.

Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima.

SPIRITUAL PRIDE

Reflection for Monday of the 5^th Week of Easter

(Acts 14:5-18; Jn 14:21-26)

Many people want to be celebrities; to be popular and powerful. But only few people have the capacity to bear the consequences of popularity. Accumulating popular acclamations that does not correspond to one’s personal integrity and qualifications can be disastrous. Worse still, when such popularity and power come suddenly, they become more difficult to handle...Such was the kind of temptation that Paul and Barnabas faced at Lystra.

On seeing the miracle Paul performed, the people began to acclaim them to be gods. The priest of Zeus prepared to offer sacrifices to them. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude...” This was great temptation for the two apostles as they humbled themselves and rejected the popularity. While persecution and death cannot stop the spread of the Gospel, pride can dry up and quench the fire of the missionary. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

Spiritual pride is more deadly than a virus. It enters in the name of self-justification, and uses the name of God to destroy. It comes like a trap. It is very easy for one working for God to take the glory from the work of grace! That is why we need the Holy Spirit to teach us how to be meek and humble, giving God what is His due. “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things...”  The Holy Spirit becomes our new rule of life; He guides our spiritual and physical actions. It is the Spirit of Truth that leads us to fulfil all the commandments, including overcoming spiritual pride. It is in keeping His commandments that we show our love for Jesus and attract the love of the Father.

Therefore, like Paul and Barnabas filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, we must live so as to sustain the fire of the Spirit burning in our hearts. This is the one step that will keep us in friendship with Jesus and in communion with the Holy Trinity. “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” So today let us pay extra attention to that inner still voice of the Holy Spirit within, to avoid thoughts and actions that might grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30). Undue desire for popularity and power makes one claim for himself the glory and allegiance due to God. This is what Paul and Barnabas rejected. Let the Holy Spirit lead us this week so that we can enjoy the Communion of the Trinity, and be successful in our endeavours. To God be the glory!  Amen.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday May 11^th, 2020.

The Way and the Truth to Resolve Conflicts

Reflection for 5^th Sunday of Easter

(Acts 6:1-7; 1 Pet 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12)

1.0. The Conflict

An internal conflict broke out among the early Christian community! This was scandalous looking at their profession of faith and history. The Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. This misunderstanding arose from innate human sentiments of favouritism, jealousy, etc. This sort of scandal has been in the Church, which also is seen in Christian homes. Every church community is marked with one internal struggle or the other. The effect of this is that it disrupts the preaching and spread of the word of God—the assimilation of grace and the practice of virtue. How did the apostles resolve the conflict?

2.0. Conflict Resolution

From the wisdom of the apostles we have the best method to resolve conflicts. First they recognized the bone of contention and the parties involved. Secondly, the identified the cost effect of the conflict i.e. the pending implications that will affect their core values. “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” Thirdly, they avoided allotting blames i.e. identifying who was guilty and who was innocent. Instead they decided to allot responsibilities. So they selected seven representatives from the interest groups, and delegated their powers to them. By so doing, these representatives would no longer represent their groups to the apostles; instead, the seven deacons would represent the apostles to the whole people. In a family or group, where there is too much centralization of power, there will mostly be inefficiency and looming conflict. Thus the apostles would now have more time to promote their core values: prayer and preaching the word of God.

3.0. “To see me is to see the Father”

If we allow conflicts to tear us apart, how can our hearts ascend to Jesus? It is mostly worries and dragging of things of this earth that bring misunderstanding. Here, our minds and emotions are buried in human gain and pleasure, then jealousy and division set in. But Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms...” Our secret thoughts and emotions—the contemplation of our hearts—should not lose sight of the real treasure in Heaven. The friendship and treasure we have in Jesus must form our core values, such that whatever distracts us from Him should be treated as a conflict to be resolved! Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” If our hearts are not resolved in Christ Jesus, then our conflicts cannot be resolved! If we follow our own way, and try to promote our self-defined truth, and preserve our life, at most, we get a compromised agreement, which does not give lasting peace and eternal life.

Therefore, Jesus becomes the living stone, chosen and precious, in which we build our lives, family and Church. Then we are “built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Sometimes when we have internal struggles and conflicts, we do not want to involve Jesus. But the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Like the apostles, Jesus must the reason, for He is the king of peace. He is Kingdom of God in our midst. He said to Philip, “He who has seen me has seen the Father...” So our hearts need not worry who is for us or against you. The foretaste of the Kingdom of God we enjoy now in Jesus will keep us secure. As St Peter said in the second reading, we become “A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday May 10^th, 2020.

A HUMBLE TWIST

Reflection for Thursday of the 4^th Week of Easter

(Acts 13:13-25; Jn 13:16-20)

Could this be a sign of growth in the mission of the early Church? A new trend evolved today!  At Pisidia, the synagogue of officials invited Paul and his companions to address the people. This is a surprise twist since before now they were being sent out of the synagogues and persecuted. Paul zealously grasped the opportunity; he would never miss a chance to proclaim Jesus Christ. He narrated to them the history of salvation beginning from the Patriarchs down to John the Baptist. He showed how the events of their history pointed to Jesus Christ and gave way for Him. So Jesus became the highest point and the one in whom the journey of the Israelites drew its meaning.

Interestingly, the Gospel of today located Jesus at the scene of the washing of feet of the apostles. The One who was highly exalted by the Old Testament brought Himself low that He might exalt His followers. The Master took the position of a servant! He told the apostles not to seek for recognition or to be exalted. In carrying out their mission in humility, they may not be accepted. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives anyone whom I sent receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” Even when they achieve success, to God be the glory.

Fear of being rejected has led some people astray. A lot of people suffer crisis of relevance in their career and family. Sometimes a father or mother may begin to feel he or she is no more relevant, either because of loss of income, health failure, etc. You do not need to buy acceptance, thereby raising yourself up above where God has placed you. Jesus steps in with a new twist: humility. Though He was above all ages, still He had a humble beginning. Who would have believed that the disciple would be begged to come and preach in the synagogue! If we maintain a humble attitude towards others, and let our life journey move towards Jesus Christ as its destination, then He will bring that surprising twist that will uplift us and favour us. Amen!

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Thursday May 7^th, 2020.

BEARING THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

Reflection for Wednesday of the 4^th Week of Easter

(Acts 12:24—13:5; Jn 12:44-50)

Jesus is the image of the unseen God (Col 1:15). His very person is the presence of God among us (Jn 14:9).  And His works is a proof of the Father’s love and power among us. To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is the light that shines the glory of the Father upon us. Being like us in all things but sin, he has shown us the way to the Father; He has given us a living example we can adapt in every situation of our lives. It is through faith in Jesus that we enter into the relationship with Him that launches us into communion with the Holy Trinity. “He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.”

By acting on our faith, we too are to reflect the image of Jesus Christ, just as Jesus reflected the image of the Father. Over the years, the things that influence and motivate us are hidden from others, but from the sequence of actions they produce, they reflect certain images, which we ourselves may not be aware of.  The things we do and say do not come from vacuum. Let the love of Jesus be the energy within, and then our intentions will be to the glory of God. So we take example from the early Church. What did they do, in the first reading of today, to be ambassadors of Christ Jesus?

Their mission began to grow and multiply. They had to employ more hands to help out in the ministry. The different gifts and personalities were recognized. But still they maintained a common centre of authority in Jerusalem, living in obedience, and communal prayer. “Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” The spreading of the gospel became for them an answer to their prayers. Prayer is the key! That was how the disciples communed with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit directed them to do the will of the Father. If we do not pray, we cannot imitate Jesus.

What is that stuff you are known for? What is the legacy you want to leave behind for your family and society? Like the disciples, if we keep obedience to the word of God, and be consistent in prayer, we will have the light of Christ, and radiate that light to others. “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday May 6th 

"THE SHEEP THAT BELONGS TO ME"

“The Sheep that Belongs to Me”

Reflection for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Easter

(Acts 11:19-26; Jn 10:22-30)

We continue to hear about the good shepherd narrative. On Sunday Jesus introduced himself as the door through which the sheep go in and out to find pasture and eternal life. Yesterday He declared Himself as the good shepherd who lay down His life to keep His sheep secure. Today he directs our focus to the sheep, and gives us the qualities of His sheep.

“The Sheep that belongs to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”  To listen, the sheep must pay attention; and for them to be attentive, they must be silent. Interior silence, that inner stillness that waits on the Lord, a contemplative attitude, is a habit we must acquire to have Jesus as our shepherd. “Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple. The Lord God has opened my ear and I have not resisted, I have not turned away” (Is 50:4-5). In walking side by side with Jesus our shepherd, we are supposed to be passive towards Him.  Then we can follow in obedience despite the pull to act otherwise. In silence of heart we learn the act of total surrender to Jesus that we might not succumb to wolves and life problems. Lectio Divina and other forms of mediation train us to be the sheep that belongs to Jesus.

“My sheep...shall never perish, and no one shall steal them out of my hand.” Do you feel secure right now in Jesus Christ? When difficulties come, dangers arise; the sense of security your faith in Jesus gives you, is a sign to show if you have been following Jesus as your shepherd. His words are not promises relegated to an unknown future. His words are alive and active now. Take example from the first reading of today, how the early Church felt secure and continued to flourish despite the persecutions and internal organisational deficiencies among them. They knew then that the hand of the Lord was with them. Still, where they met persecution, they relocated, and where they achieved success, they rejoiced! This was how the Apostles sent Barnabas to Antioch. On seeing the work on ground, he decided to bring Paul from Tarsus to help him. “And it was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians.”

The Lord Jesus has declared Himself for us as our Shepherd. He opened the Door to pasture and eternal life. The whispers of His words are loud enough. We must take responsibility to position ourselves as the sheep that belongs to Him by being attentive to His words. He has a message for you today, and in every situation. We must learn the act of silence; remove our attention from things that do not matter and sinful acts that block our inner ear. It is a blessed day because Jesus is watching over you. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday May 5^th, 2020.