THE TRUTH-BREAD

Meditation for Tuesday of 3^rd Week of Easter

(Acts 7:51-8:1; Jn 6:30-35)

It is commonly said that ‘truth is bitter’. It is so not just in uttered words, but also in lived experience. That we know healthy foods does not imply we readily eat them. Good and honest people have fewer friends, and are rarely voted into offices, even by their friends and family. We all claim to hate lies, but we secretly admire the glamour of deception. There is no doubt that education is the key to success, but we prefer to work with those we can easily manipulate! Think about another irony: while we worship God as Almighty, we often place our personal needs over His demands on us!

So the Jews preferred signs that would be within their control and manipulation to the signs that Jesus gave, and the ultimate SIGN that is Jesus Himself. They asked Jesus to give them bread as Moses gave their fathers manna in the desert. For them, Moses was the miracle worker who commanded bread down. That means, the miracle came from WITHIN but through a powerful man, Moses. And this was the image of a miracle worker they tried to impose on Jesus. And this seems to be the prevalent image of Jesus our present day miracle seekers continue to impose on Him! Jesus corrected them immediately, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” This response appealed to their desire for bread so they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

Then, Jesus drew them to the deeper truth, where the authenticity of their acclamation would be tested and verified. He said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” This is that juncture where Truth leads and we follow; it the point where truth exposes our hidden desires and tests our resolutions. This is where we begin to feel truth as confrontational, and our choices may begin to contradict our profession of faith and popular maxims. It is this point of ‘confrontation of truth’ that led the elders and scribes to stone Deacon Stephen in the first reading of today. But Stephen’s gaze on the Truth, Jesus Christ, remained unshaken: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” Yes, the gates of heaven will always remain open upon you as you carry out your affairs in truth and integrity. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday, April 19^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

LABOURING FOR THE FOOD THAT ENDURES

Meditation for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Easter
(Acts 6:8-15; Jn 6:22-29)

It is not always easy to focus on the things that really matter. Sometimes the things we presume to be urgent and important end up not having lasting value. Momentary and exuberant pleasures and entertainment have certain compelling force that tends to bend us to their side. It takes grace and a resolute mind to train oneself to learn discipline and patiently pursue true and lasting values. Think about the Jews looking for Jesus from Tiberias to the other side of the sea at Capernaum, only to be told by Jesus that their intention was misplaced. “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on Him has God the Father set His seal.”

We see then that if we often follow the lead of immediate satisfactions, we may end up misguided. We must have a far-reaching sight by placing eternal life ahead of all. If we order our affairs in such a way that our salvation in Christ Jesus is our number one target, then it becomes easier for us to place other enduring values, such as love, peace, unity, etc in line. This brings development and growth, for if we pursue enduring values, then we shall endure too. But if we labour for food that perishes, we bring destruction and perish at the end of the day.

Imagine the destruction targeted at St Stephen out of mere jealousy and pride. Those men were working to protect their self-image for the moment. They had to heap up lies against St Stephen, but he continued to radiate beauty and glory since eternal salvation in Christ Jesus was his ultimate target. And such is the angelic face radiated by all who carry out their daily responsibilities without pursuing vanity, but labouring for the food which endures, even to eternal life. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday April 19^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE MARK OF THE RESURRECTIOIN

THE MARK OF THE RESURRECTIOIN
Meditation for 3^rd Sunday of Easter, Year B
(Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 Jn 2:1-5; Lk 24:35-48)

The readings of today talk about forgiveness of sins as the grace of the Resurrection. In the first reading, Peter explained the Resurrection as the work of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The children of Abraham rejected the one whom the God they claim to worship anointed! That means their mindset, ways of life, choices, etc are in opposition of the God and that of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, they followed the wrong track in ignorance but that brought suffering to Christ. Nevertheless, the prophets foretold that the Christ should suffer. The resurrection conquered the suffering caused by their ignorance and at the same time fulfilled the promise of God since Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”

In other words, the sufferings of the Cross reveal the ugliness of sin; the resurrection exposes its ignorance and uselessness. Accepting the good news of the Resurrection implies leaving behind the ignorant and useless sinful ways follow Jesus as the right way. The grace of the resurrection gives us opportunity to change our ways and be counted anew as Children of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That is why the second reading talks about how we are to remain as those who have accepted this message of the resurrection and know Jesus. “And this is the way to be sure that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”

In the Gospel Jesus appeared to the disciples to clear their doubts and prove to them that He has risen. The resurrected body is really human, yet he passes through closed doors in His divinity. He explains that His resurrection fulfils the law and the prophets, which includes that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. “And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations.”

If the wages of sin is death, it means victory over death that is caused by sin cancels out the effects of sin, and at the same time, reveals its worthlessness. The resurrection is the ultimate call to repentance. It is an invitation to participate in the righteous life of Jesus, with the power to live fully human and enjoy divine graces. Repentance removes the obstacle of sin so that we live out fully the life of the new man, Jesus Christ. It is the mark of the resurrection we touch today. Repentance makes us feel the healed scars of sin on the Body of Christ, the Church. Alleluia, Christ is risen as He said, Alleluia!

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Mother’s Day
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE TRIAL

Meditation for Passion Sunday, Year B

The Pharisees and the Elders made several efforts to arrest Jesus. His ministry was punctuated by these ‘attacks’ to bring him down. Most times, the fear of the crowd who rallied around Him scared them away. The more He escaped, the more the opted their game. Towards His passion they became more direct, having convinced the people that Jesus was blaspheming by calling Himself the Son of God, the Messiah (Jn 10:33-36). The more Jesus explained through His teaching that the Scriptures witness to Him as the Son of God, the more they found Him ‘guilty’. The more He performed miracles to show that He and the Father are one, the more their fury boiled because more people were beginning to believe Him! The Chief priests and the Elders had already condemned Jesus but looking for whatever pretence they could to justify their plot against Him (Mk 14:1). Finally, their opportunity came when Jesus was arrested at the garden of Gethsemane.

“They led Jesus to the High Priest; and all the Chief priests assembled, with the elders and the teachers of the law” (Mk 14:53). What kind of trial did they organize for Jesus since they had already made up their minds? They started digging out for evidence to support the accusations, even those that came up to speak defeated themselves by conflicting witnesses (Mt 14:55-59). What next since all the evidences could not convict Him? They High Priest and the Elders were at the verge of self-defeat and shame! Then the High Priest stood up in the midst of the crowd and questioned Jesus. First, he asked Jesus to comment the allegations brought against Him. But those allegations conflicted themselves and failed! So Jesus was silent. Secondly, he asked Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus answered, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Most Powerful, and coming with the clouds of Heaven around Him. The High Priest pretended to be shocked at the answer, tore his garments to stir up the people against Him. And it worked. They began to spit on Jesus and beat Him (Mk 14:60-65).

The High Priest and the Elders were put to trial by their own jealousy and hatred; their gang up against Jesus exposed their wicked hearts. When they taught they had gotten what they wanted, they realized immediately that they had no power to sentence Jesus to death, only the civil authorities could do so. Therefore, they took Jesus to Pilate. But Pilate was a Roman Governor, who cared less about issues of Jewish religion. He was only interested in collecting taxes and maintaining order. The issues tabled by these religious leaders had no legal relevance, not to talk of death sentence! In his mind, Pilate had already set Jesus free but was looking for whatever pretence he could use to allow Jesus to go.

The real trial was now between Pilate and the Sanhedrin, each struggling to outwit the other and have the upper hand! Pilate was shocked to discover that Jesus was not interested in the ‘freedom’ he was offering, neither was He interested in the ‘condemnation’ the Sanhedrin was pushing for. Pilate found himself losing the battle, his authority had no relevance to Jesus, and the crowds and Sanhedrin were rejecting his power too. Pilate made a last minute attempt to win the favour of the crowd, since it was obvious that Jesus would not answer him, and the High Priests and Elders had made up their mind. He offered to sentence Barabbas, the man who had hurt the people, and set Jesus, the King of the Jews, free. Seeing that Pilate wanted to outsmart them by having the crowd to his side, the Chief priests blackmailed him and stirred up a riot. Now, Pilate’s position as governor was on trial, while the pride of the High Priest and the Elders were on trial! The crowds always follow what appealed to them as the ‘popular demand’ for the moment.  But Jesus remained silent and calm; He was making a free offering of Himself to the Father (cf. Mk 15:1-20).

In life we go through this kind of trial. We may be drawn to follow the path of Pilate, conscious of our ego, power and influence, thinking we have power to give freedom to others. We may be on the path of the jealous Sanhedrin, being selfish, lustful, competitive, greedy and unsatisfied. At times we want to cheer the crowd with no responsible conscience, and no personal commitment. Oh, how easy it is to hide under the ‘crowd’ to commit evil without being personally accountable for it. However, we still have Jesus standing quietly, innocent and free, knocking at the doors of our hearts, inviting us to His wounded side, where we freely offer ourselves to the Father through Him, with Him and in Him, forever and ever! Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday March 28^th, 2021.
Palm Sunday
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

ST JOSEPH, MOST OBEDIENT & PILLAR OF FAMILIES

ST JOSEPH, MOST OBEDIENT & PILLAR OF FAMILIES
 Retreat talk to Satellite Denary CMO
(Mt 1:16-25, 2:13-23; Lk 1:26-27, 2:1-7, 21-28, 41-52)

1.0.         OBEDIENCE OF ST JOSEPH

St Joseph was an excellently obedient servant of God. His form of obedience is not just in mere observance of the law; he shares in Mary’s form of obedience of to God. St Joseph is an epitome of obedience because he gave way for the will of God in his life, i.e. he did all he could never to obstruct the will of God. While Mary totally surrendered herself the will of God, Joseph totally gave way for what God had pre-destined to happen. Joseph appeared like resolute man, who knew what he wanted; a determinate man, who was strong enough to execute his plans and bring about his desired result! He was a man of action, who spoke by his works. Yet, he was a man of God, who would never resolve what would displease God, and was ready to execute what God commanded. Thus, his virtue of obedience lies in his faith and relationship with God.

St Joseph was a faithful son of King David’s lineage. He seemed to have embodied the hope of an eternal dynasty from the house of David; he was duly recognized as ‘of the house of David.’ He was a worthy son, a man that was down to earth with his family heritage, and was found worthy to stand in the name of his ancestor, David! Where David was recognized as a man after God’s heart, his lineage son, Joseph grew to become ‘father’, a man who dwells with God! So Joseph was faithful to the great virtues that characterize the hope of an eternal dynasty in the house of David. He was a chaste man, just, hardworking carpenter, quiet man, respects women, fears God, sensitive and attentive.

St Joseph was obedient even to civil authorities. He obeyed the directive of Emperor Augustus Caesar to go to his native town of Bethlehem for census. Despite the inconveniences of making the long journey since Mary was due for delivery, Joseph obeyed the civil directive. It appears he travelled at the very dateline because of his low financial status and the inconveniences of travelling with a pregnant woman. That was why he could not get accommodation in the inn. He was also obedient to the religious laws of the time. This is obvious as he went with Mary to dedicate the Child according to the temple rules. And every year, he would lead Mary and Jesus for an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

St Joseph’s act of obedience shines out the most in his encounter with the angel, through a dream. He obeyed the message of the angel to take Mary home as his wife. He obeyed when the angel told him to name the child, Jesus. He obeyed when told in a dream to escape with the child to Egypt, even without any definite time-frame to return. He obeyed when asked to return. These were no easy moments for him, but he obeyed. Surprisingly, he even obeyed promptly and completely! Such level of humble and unreserved response can only come from a man who lives under God’s commandments.

2.0.  ST JOSEPH, PILLAR OF FAMILIES

Pope Leo XIII declared St Joseph the patron and protector of the universal Church, the earthly family of God, in his encyclical, “Quamquam Pluries” on August 15^th, 1889. God found him worthy to preside over the household that the Saviour would come from. St Joseph became an essential link through which the hope of Israel in general, especially the hope of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the hope of an everlasting dynasty in the name of David, would be find their fulfilment. Thus, he became the PILLAR by which the hope of Israel towers to its fulfilment in Christ Jesus. In turn, St Joseph stood firm like the PILLAR by which the Holy Family is rooted in socio-cultural and religious life of Israel. In other words, he gave the divine Son his cultural identity and upbringing; he gave him a ‘take off point’ to begin His ministry. Jesus would be called, ‘The Son of Joseph’ (Mk 6:3). And ‘Son of David’ (Mt 15:22, 21:9; 2Tim 2:8) became a messianic title for Jesus. “How can the Scribes maintain that the Christ is the son of David?” (Mk 12:35).

According to Pope Leo XIII in ‘Quamquam Pluries’ No. 3, “Hence it came about that the Word of God was humbly subject to Joseph, that He obeyed him, and that He rendered to him all those offices that children are bound to render to their parents. From this two-fold dignity flowed the obligation which nature lays upon the head of families, so that Joseph became the guardian, the administrator, and the legal defender of the divine house whose chief he was. And during the whole course of his life he fulfilled those charges and those duties. He set himself to protect with a mighty love and a daily solicitude his spouse and the Divine Infant; regularly by his work he earned what was necessary for the one and the other for nourishment and clothing; he guarded from death the Child threatened by a monarch's jealousy, and found for Him a refuge; in the miseries of the journey and in the bitternesses of exile he was ever the companion, the assistance, and the upholder of the Virgin and of Jesus. Now the divine house which Joseph ruled with the authority of a father, contained within its limits the scarce-born Church. From the same fact that the most holy Virgin is the mother of Jesus Christ is she the mother of all Christians whom she bore on Mount Calvary amid the supreme throes of the Redemption; Jesus Christ is, in a manner, the first-born of Christians, who by the adoption and Redemption are his brothers. And for such reasons the Blessed Patriarch looks upon the multitude of Christians who make up the Church as confided specially to his trust - this limitless family spread over the earth, over which, because he is the spouse of Mary and the Father of Jesus Christ he holds, as it were, a paternal authority. It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.”

As the pillar, St Joseph was not an absentee father. He was readily available, both in the difficult times and joyous times. His fatherhood was concretely expressed in his having made his life a service to the mystery of Incarnation and to the redemptive work connected with it. His devotion to his family is a model for fathers today, who are easily tempted towards allowing disordered attachments to pleasure distort and hinder their dedication to their family. St Joseph was a reliable and trustworthy guardian of the holy Family. According to St Francis de Sales, St Joseph was the custodian of the hearts of Jesus and Mary, the grace of love that he received from the Holy Spirit makes him a participant of all the goods Mary possessed, and which made them grow marvellously to perfection.

The Church continues to recommend St Joseph as patron of fathers. Family life today appears to be threatened. We have more things to tear us apart than to unite us; there are several forces battling against unity in the home.  Many fathers are gradually losing their capacity to make binding commitments. We see from St Joseph how a person’s virtuous and spiritual life translates into a pillar that supports others. Joseph is like a mustard seed sown that grows into a big shrub (Mk 4:30-32). Let us embrace St Joseph today; seeking his intercession and learning from his example. Our families shall stand secure on Jesus Christ, who is the Cornerstone from which we rise as supporting pillars of God’s household. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Ann Catholic Church,
PPL, Okokomaiko, Lagos.
CMO DENARY LENTEN RETREAT
March 27^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

VINDICATION FROM TERROR

Meditation for Friday of the 5^th Week of Lent

(Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42)

The tension is rising! The hour of Jesus is closer at hand, and the gang up against Him is thickening. The prophet Jeremiah captures the mood of the moment in the first reading. “I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! ‘Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.” Jeremiah’s ordeal was fulfilled in Jesus, who faced such fierce opposition from the Jews. The prophet entrusted the situation to God, who vindicated him and his accusers ended up in dishonour.

While some believed Jesus, the anger of those who opposed Him superseded.  It is difficult for one to reject Jesus and still remain neutral about Him; they all end up persecuting Him. So those who would not accept Jesus as the Son of God took up stones to throw at Him. Jesus began to explain to them how the Scriptures and His works bore witness that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. He told them that if the works are not of the Father, then they should not believe him. But if they recognize the works as coming from God, even though they do not believe in Him, “Believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” By performing works that only God can do, like raising Lazarus from death, is a self-evident proof that Jesus is divine.

After all the explanations, the Jews tried again to arrest Him, but He escaped from their hands.  After this, many people believed in Him. His adversaries were covered with shame, but they continued to re-strategize on how to arrest Him. So when we are surrounded by enemies, bound tight by tension, fear, temptation and sin, let us quickly surrender to Jesus. He is our Vindicator! We do this by focusing our God-given responsibilities of the day, and living out the will of God for us in every situation. This was how Jesus conquered His adversaries by focusing on the works of the Father. In His name we too shall be vindicated. Amen.

 
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday March 26^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

HOPE IN THE ANNUNCIATION

Meditation for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Today we recall the annunciation of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate with great solemnity that moment in human history when the Divine Son of God took flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We rejoice and are glad, for the almighty has done great things for us!

The Annunciation of the Lord was faintly heard even at the dawn of creation when God announced the coming of a new order through the woman, which would crush Satan. “I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; it will bruise your head and you will strike its heel” (Gen 3:15).  The development of the Annunciation of the Lord followed henceforth throughout the history of Israel. In God’s covenant with Noah, the universal Covenant was pre-figured. When He announced His covenant with Abraham and his descendants, hope the Annunciation of the Lord was sown in the patriarchal lineage. Moses was a prominent figure whose life, and the role he played, left more to be desired for the coming generations. He became a pointer to the Holy One who mediates for His people before the Father. He was the leader, in whom was hoped for the Messiah who would lead the people to freedom in the eternal promised land. Moses, the law-giver, longed for the perfect covenant that would not be broken. “If you really believed Moses, you would believe me too, since it was about me that he was writing” (Jn 5:46).

In David, the Annunciation of the Lord began to grow as a royal dynasty that would last forever. Yes, we longed to see the everlasting sovereign dynasty for all peoples. In the prophets and the priesthood, the Annunciation of the Lord was awaited in their call for justice and righteousness; the Holy One to come, the vindicator and the Lord the righteous judge was longed for, and the great Sign of salvation was expected.  Isaiah told Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God...Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is 7:10-14). Hope in the Annunciation of the Lord came very close in Zechariah, Elizabeth and John the Baptist!

However, in the Blessed Virgin Mary the Annunciation of the Lord was no more a hope suspended in the unknown future; the Annunciation of the Lord became a reality! How glorious is Gabriel the harbinger of good news; how beautiful is Mary the receiver of good news. The moment she offered her great YES to the will of God, the Annunciation of the Lord breaks in from an unknown future into the reality of humanity. No more shall humanity hope in vain; no more shall we go without hope! (cf. Rm 5:5). How happy is the Blessed Virgin Mary who was given the most exalted honour of receiving God in such an extraordinary way. Let us echo her ‘yes’ to the will of God in our lives that the grace of the Annunciation, which Mary has in full, shall be poured into our hearts. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
March 25^th, 2021.
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com