THE HIGHEST VALUE

 Meditation for Friday of the 4^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 13:1-8; Mk 6:14-29)

After weeks of journeying with the Letter to the Hebrews, we are now at the concluding section. We are reminded of the values we must cherish and sustain. These include, brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, visit to prisoners and care for the less privileged. “Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous.” Further, we are advised to avoid greed for money, rather we should be content with what we have since God does not forsake those who put their trust in Him. And we should remember the men and women of faith, who preached the word of God to us.

Yes, these values will give meaning to our lives and keep us secure in Jesus Christ. Imagine such a shallow and negative life Herod and his household soaked themselves into as they pursued vanity! They tried to satisfy their empty lives and secure relevance at the expense of John the Baptist’s life! This is the kind of wasteful living the Letter to the Hebrews wants us to avoid. As the message and works of Jesus brought to life the ‘voice’ of John the Baptist, so also the life of Jesus keeps alive those who live for Him. Therefore, let us abide in Jesus, and hold on to Him as our highest value. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday February 5^th, 2021.
Memorial of St Agatha.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE CITY OF GOD

Meditation for Thursday of the 4^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

(Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Mk 6:7-13)

As we are gradually rounding up our meditations on the Letter to the Hebrews, it is important to reflect on the great mystery of Christ we are being called to. Looking that the trials and discipline we are expected to embrace in faith, one may begin to wonder if it is worth it at all! But whatever we endure here now cannot be compared with the glory to be revealed for us. “You have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire...But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...” What a glorious presence! Imagine you being found worthy to be invited to enter such a beautiful and awesome presence? Your soul would rise to its highest contemplation and be suspended in the bright glorious presence of God.

What we are called to participate in faith is a festal gathering of innumerable angels; an assembly of those enrolled in heaven, where everyone is a first born. Yes, it is a coming together of the spirits of just men and women made perfect; a place where God Himself is the judge. We are being called to Jesus, “The mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.” What then can delay our response? What obstacle, trial or discipline can we not overcome to dwell in this glorious presence of God, where the Blood of Jesus bleeds for us!

In the Gospel, Jesus sent out His disciples two by two to spread this good news. Think about how He ‘stripped’ them of every distraction; such that the meditations of their hearts should not be on bread, bag, money, clothing, accommodation, relationships, or people's praises or rejection. The ultimate contemplation of their hearts must be on the Word of God and its authority. This, too, is how we move forward in faith, despite all challenges, to enter Mount Zion, the city of God, and abide in His glorious presence. Amen.    

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday February 4th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE DISCIPLINE IN FAITH

     Meditation for Wednesday of the 4^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Mk 6:1-6)

We have seen how our participation in the merits of the one sacrifice of Jesus requires faith. We saw the practical example of faith demonstrated by Abraham and the great men and women of old. Their trials, resilience, and achievements under the authority of their faith were presented to us to emulate. It appears that faith exposes us to trials and discipline. Why is it so?

The first reading of today explains that it is because we have been adopted as children of God. This comes with certain implications and responsibility, which includes fatherly discipline. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” As parents discipline their children so that they can imbibe the moral of the home, the way does God allow us to pass through ‘faith-trials’ so that we can be moulded into the image of Jesus Christ. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Therefore, we should not be faint-hearted, but through prayer, remain firm in faith.

The discipline our faith brings nurtures peace of soul and peace with our neighbour. It helps us to strive for that holiness of life, without which no one will see God. As God trains us in faith, we learn to root out every bitterness and things that may defile us. Then we are ready to obtain every grace, especially the merits of the one sacrifice of Jesus, our High Priest. Ironically, the ones Jesus came to as ‘His people’ rejected Him. Because of their unbelief, Jesus could not offer them the healing mercies of the Children of God. The discipline and trials we undertake in faith make us responsible children of God, and unlocks for us the great merits of our High Priest, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday February 2^nd, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

A NEW SPRING

Meditation for Monday of the 4^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 11:32-40; Mk 5:1-20)

We have come to the last week of our spiritual journey with the letter to the Hebrews. So far, we have been travelling down the path of FAITH as the sure pathway to receiving the merits of the one sacrifice of Jesus, our High Priest in the highest heavens. We saw how the practical faith of Abraham was ‘institutionalized’ in his household, and how this faith became strength with which he overcame adversities. Today, we see how this faith of Abraham has grown to become the FAITH OF ISRAEL, handed on down the ages. As the faith travelled down, it passed on to them its great promise and strength. So Judges, priests, kings and prophets, through the generations of Israel shared in this faith and testified to its mighty power.

However, the great men and women of Old, despite their achievements, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better and perfect. Thus, Jesus offers the one perfect sacrifice, which fulfils the hope of the faith of Abraham and his descendants, and offers the merits of the resurrection. That means the faith that drives us forward should be more perfect than that of Israel of old; a new spring of faith is needed. Our faith in Jesus can break more barriers and conquer more fortresses than the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, Samuel, etc. That is why the untouchable and unrestrained demoniac of the Gerasenes was liberated of the legion of demons at the command of Jesus.

Imagine the great and total transformation of the demoniac! Our faith in Jesus can bring forth a new spring of life in us. “And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marvelled.”

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday February 1^st, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE PROPHETIC AUTHORITY

Meditation for the 4^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Deut 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1-21-28)

We are easily swayed by the loudest voices! The popular and trending ideas are usually those that dominate the air wave. In our society today, even in the church, you only need to be bold and loud to have your way, and aggressively sell your point. Often times, those who fly on these wings have less truth in their content. So, evil and negativity often push their way to dominate the narratives. Think about the loudest voices we hear today about human relationships, family, wealth, politics, etc. The silent and powerful voice of TRUTH is the only nightmare these ‘noises’ do not want around them.

THE PROPHET

Therefore, we need the true prophet, who cannot be taken over by the loud voice of lies and deceit, and who in turn will declare the word of God. A prophet speaks the truth. He is aware of himself as chosen by God to do so. He speaks with his words and actions, such that his life stands out to silence the loud voice of deceit. In the first reading, God promised to raise a prophet for His people.

AVAILABILITY

The prophetic gift of God, which is fulfilled in Christ Jesus (Mt 5:17), is given to the faithful through baptism (CCC 904-907). This participation in Christ’s prophetic office can be fulfilled through evangelization and the testimony of a holy life. In this way, the light of truth will continue to dispel the darkness of negativity and deceit. Thus, there is no need for us to be anxious or afraid; what is required of us is to make ourselves available for the grace of our baptism to flow! Hence, the second reading emphasizes on our undivided devotion to the Lord, which we are called to do through our different states of life: the married, through the obligations of their marriage, and the single, through their undivided commitment to the affairs of the Lord.

THE AUTHORITY

In the Gospel, the teaching of Jesus impressed the people, “For He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” The teaching of the scribes was like a reported speech. But Jesus ‘owned’ the word; the authority of the word of God is in Him. Imagine the great influence of Jesus, and how the people were caught up in His mighty power! Before this could sink in their hearts, the evil spirit in the possessed man began to cry out. He tried to distract them, and divert attention to himself by positioning himself as one who 'knows' Jesus, and who, therefore, would have to ‘approve’ Him for the people. Notice that the evil spirit yielded like the spokesman for the good of the people. Evil and negativity, with all their noise, always seek attention and to dominate the ‘narrative.’

“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’” And all the noise disappeared. The cool breeze of truth spread across. After this, the people were more amazed at the authority of Jesus. Thus, if we make ourselves available to Jesus, maintain our undivided devotion to Him, every mountain of deceit before us will crumble; the empty noise of negativity and evil shall be silenced. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday January 31^st, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE ASSURANCE OF FAITH

Meditation for Saturday of the 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Mk 4:35-41)

 Drawn by the great promise in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, we continue our journey to participate in the awesome merits from our High Priest. Faith becomes the most important vehicle that will drive us to this destination. Keeping our faith alive and applying it in our daily lives becomes an unavoidable solemn duty for all who look forward to the great promise in the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ. Hence, today’s reading explains faith and backs it up with the practical example of Abraham.

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to go to a place he did not know to receive an inheritance. Think about how Abraham’s faith became a strength that made him to persevere even when he encountered difficulty in the land of his sojourn, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob. Again, let us reflect on how beautifully the faith of Abraham ‘permeated’ throughout his household. Sarah’s faith was described in the same way as that of Abraham. The endurance of Abraham in faith cannot be separated from that of Sarah, Isaac and Jacob.

Abraham’s faith was so secure; his conviction was unshakable, such that he was ready to offer back to God the immediate answer to his prayers in order to keep his faith in God intact. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only-begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.’” He believed that God was able to raise men from the dead. It was on the authority of this faith that he got Isaac back. 

This, too, is the authority of the faith we have in the resurrection as we battle the storms of life. This is the great faith expected of us as we continue to rove over the waters of life. The assurance of faith we have in Christ Jesus, our High Priest, is stronger than hunger, health, sickness, poverty, wealth, and  even death itself. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday  January 30^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

RICH HARVEST

Meditation for Friday of the 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 10:32-39; Mk 4:26-34)

We are on the down turn of our meditations on the Letter to the Hebrews after climbing the ‘Highest Heavens’, where Christ Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, and offers the one eternal sacrifice for us. The merits of this priestly offering flow to us through the working of the Holy Spirit. But we cannot receive this utmost grace of salvation in vain (2 Cor 6:1). We need the appropriate disposition and responsibilities to this effect.

Thus, our first reading today reminds believers of their endurance and compassion, which was based on the assurance of hope they had of an abiding great reward. “For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.” And the great promise of God we have is Christ Jesus our High Priest. Therefore, our endurance and compassion become living expressions of our faith and hope in the merits of Jesus. “But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” It is our duty to abide in faith and apply it in our lives; the evidence of this is the endurance and love we show.

If we keep this faith and hope in the merits of Jesus alive, we shall grow to produce rich harvest of righteousness. While we own the duty to nurture faith, the growth and fruit it produces is beyond us. A little seed of faith sown in action, grows like the mustard seed to become the greatest shrub, with extended branches, so that birds of the air can make nests on it. As you go about your activities today, think about persons, situations, etc that demand your endurance or compassion, and areas of your life where you need to apply more faith! As you do so, a rich harvest awaits you. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday January 29^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com