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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www.soundofsilence.ng

 

IN HOPE WE WERE SAVED

Meditation for Tuesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Rm 8:18-25; Lk 13:18-21)

Why is it that things do not always go the way we want? Even as children of God, and despite our detailed plans and visions, we often encounter obstacles along the way of life. And these restrictions come to us as suffering! In itself, suffering speaks the language of hopelessness, which is where its pain bites the more. We want to be healthy, but sickness comes as obstacle; we want to live, but death restricts our life, etc. And these restrictions are there in every aspect of our lives. St Paul answers this troubling question by welcoming suffering into creations itself. Since suffering has entered creation through the fall of man, God, the author of life, did not remove the suffering, but changed its hopelessness with hope.

God placed a greater glory at the end of suffering! “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” The obstacles and restrictions in life are no more ends in themselves, but the processes of revealing the glory of God and the manifestation of the victorious children of God. In other words, those obstacles turn our minds to God and increase our hunger for His glory. “For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage of decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

God does not allow human will to prevail; if we always get what we want then we do not need His grace to live. And man will be worshiping himself and his achievements. St explains that the whole creation is groaning in labor pains, and even the children of God groan inwardly as they await the redemption. This is the will of God since He used these inward groanings to retain us to Himself, and to reveal His greater glory, such that we always look forward in hope for His grace and redemption. “For in this hope we were saved.” This living hope becomes the energy with which we confront the obstacles and restrictions of each day. This hope is sown like a little mustard seed, which grows to yield the Kingdom of God; “And birds of their made their nests in its branches.”

St Evaristus, pray for us.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday October 26th 2021.
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DIVINE ‘DEBTORS’

Meditation for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

(Rm 8:12-17; Lk 13:10-17)

“Brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.” St Paul makes this beautiful distinction between living in the flesh and living in the Spirit. He sees the difference between them as that between life and death. To be led by the flesh means to have the desires and satisfaction of the flesh and the self as the pre-dominant principle of influence and choice. Here, self-preservation is idolized. Such excessive quest for self-satisfaction and self-preservation strips one of spiritual favor, and leads to slavery and death-end.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” This is when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to the truth that is Jesus Christ; we surrender ourselves and desires, and let the Spirit have the final say. He becomes our principle of choice and action. What is the benefit then? St Paul says all who are led by the Spirit receive freedom from fear, and are given the status of ‘children’ to call God, “Abba! Father!” “It is the Spirit Himself bearing witness with our Spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”

In the Gospel, Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the Sabbath law by healing the woman with infirmity; He brought divine touch to humanity! But the ruler of the synagogue ‘weaponized’ the sabbath observance for his selfish ego, stripping it of divine favor and even the common good of humanity. The synagogue official became an example of one led by the flesh, who is noisy and confrontational, but at the end he was silenced by Jesus, who stood firm in Spirit and in truth. All who are led by the flesh will fade away; it is only what is done in Spirit and truth that endures. So, we remain ‘debtors’ to the Holy Spirit.

Sts Chrispin & Chrispinian, pray for us.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday October 25th 2021.
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THE GOD OF MISSIONS

Meditation for 30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Jer 31:7-9; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:46-52)

1.0.         THE GOD OF MISSIONS

Happy Mission Sunday! It is a bright day as celebrate our call to share in the mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed God’s salvation to Israel as He brought them back from exile. The good news of this journey back home is that even who on their own could not make it, were all brought back home and resettled. Among these includes the lame, the blind, the pregnant women, etc. “With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back.” We celebrate the God who goes forth to lead His back home, where there is freedom, peace and progress. Above, He resettles His people, even the helpless, where they can worship Him, “For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born.”

Jesus, the First-Born of God became our high priest, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you…You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In Jesus, God is on a mission to bring salvation to the world and raise up adopted children for eternal life. So Jesus comes as our High Priest to be our mediator; to bring answers to our prayers, to strengthen us in our weakness, to heal our ignorance and waywardness, and to offer the one sacrifice for our sins.

We see this missionary journey of Jesus fulfilled in His encounter with the blind man called Bartimaeus. He called the man out from the lonely roadside, healed his blindness. Imagine such a turnaround for Bartimaeus; it was for him a new life! With his new sight he could see the beauty around. But with the eyes of his faith, he saw that Jesus was his new place of resettlement. The fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah that He would bring His people home was fulfilled as Jesus becomes that NEW HOME, where believers are resettled and they find freedom, peace, progress and worship God in spirit and truth. In Jesus as the Mediator, we offer the perfect sacrifice that is pleasing to God, and through which we are offered to God.

2.0.         NO ONE TAKES THIS HONOUR UPON HIMSELF

We are called to share in the mission of Jesus Christ. “And one does not take the honour upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.” Every encounter we have with Jesus carries with it at the same time an invitation to the mission, to witness and bring others to salvation. When Bartimaeus realized the new life that Jesus can give, he could not remove his eyes from Him, and he followed him on the way! He became a missionary. The greatest vision he had was the eyes of his faith that saw Jesus deeper than those who even lead him to meet Him. Our participation in the Mission of Christ is our joyful response to the divine touch we received through the grace of Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday October 24th 2021.
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www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com