Ambassadors of Reconciliation

 Ambassadors of Reconciliation
Meditation for 4^th Sunday of Lent
(Joshua 5:9, 10-12; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32)

The beautiful parable of the prodigal son highlights the story of a man who was free in his father’s house but he did not know it. He thought that living within the reference of his father restricted his freedom. He had abundance to eat in his father’s house, yet he was hungry! He had a family, companions and servants around him, still he was lonely. His father provided all he needed, still he made more demands. All he wanted was to be the center of his own world; he wanted to become his own reference for freedom, and to have freedom without accountability and responsibility.

 

His generous father would not deny his son what belonged to him. So, this young man gathered all he got from his father and travelled into a far country—far away from the reign of his father. In this long distant country, selfishness is the principle of life, while momentary emotion is the operational law. This is our journey into the land of sin! Insatiable and uncontrollable desires lure us far away from the state of grace, where God reigns and watches over us. Like the prodigal son, we soon discover that life outside the reign of grace is expensive, exhausting and unsustainable. The clamour it brings soon gives way to emptiness, pain and misery. Then, the prodigal son realized that his human smartness failed him, and that he hungered for the wrong things, and abandoned the ones that truly loved him. He realized that his father’s love and generosity cannot be found elsewhere, except within his father’s presence. So, he began the journey home!

 

On getting home, the young man said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father’s love and generosity were deeper than the man’s contrition, for he restored him to his dignity as ‘son’, and even adorned him with greater glory. Imagine the prodigal son wearing the gorgeous robe, the sparkling ring, the polished shoes, and being served the delicious fatted calf…! Even the elder son could not understand this level of forgiveness. This is the mystery of God’s love and mercy shown to us sinners in Christ Jesus, for in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor 5:19). The image of the merciful father comes alive in Jesus, since He is the image of the unseen God (Col 1:15).

 

Jesus takes upon Himself, the waywardness of God’s prodigal children to lead us back home like the good shepherd. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is 53:6). This restored sonship is the new life we have in Jesus Christ, in whom we are forgiven and qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Col 1:12-14). So, like the Israelites in the first reading, set free from the far away land of slavery in Egypt, and who gathered to eat the fruits of the land of freedom at Canaan, we gather around Jesus at the Eucharistic table. He has become for us the First Born among many brothers and sisters (Rm 8:29).

 

Therefore, “Whoever is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). In Jesus, our desires have me their satisfaction; our hunger is quenched. No more shall we make our feelings and ego the center of our lives, instead, Jesus is our reference point. In Him we enjoy the freedom of God’s children. “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin…but if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn 8:34-36). We are ambassadors for Christ, bearing within us the good news of God’s mercy and forgiveness. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Act 17:28). Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday March 27th, 2022.

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Uprooting Self-righteousness

 Uprooting Self-righteousness
Meditation for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
(Hosea 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14)

In the gospel of today, Jesus warned against self-righteousness. The self-righteous are those who trust in themselves that they are upright and despise others. Such a person sees morality as competitive, comparative and for to show off. A self-righteous person sees himself as the reference point, from which he not only exalts himself, but mostly to condemn others. His goodness is seen from the point of view of the failings of others! And he expects reward for every good gesture since he qualifies himself before others.

 

Surely, such a person cannot genuinely accept corrections. And surprisingly, he is sad to see others climbing higher on the ladder of morality, for his joy and relevance is in the downfall of others. The weeds of self-righteousness are rampant in the Lord’s vineyard. They are difficult to identify because they often enjoy popular acclamation. However, we can perceive its presence when one is quick or harsh in condemning others without mercy.

 

The beautiful parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector shows the emptiness and useless end of self-righteousness. To avoid such wasted life, we are urged to learn from the humility of the tax collector, who bowed his head and prayed to God, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” This man found justification, not in himself or his works, but in God, who forgives sins. Henceforth, he will choose God over and above himself and his desires. Every good work he performs becomes the triumph of grace in his life (cf. Eph 2:8-9). At the end Jesus says, “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Saturday March 26th, 2022.

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“Behold, I come to do your will”

 “Behold, I come to do your will”
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
(Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38)

Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord—that solemn moment in human history when Angel Gabriel delivered the message to the Blessed Virgin Mary and said to her, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.” Oh! How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings news, who proclaims peace, who brings good tidings, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ (Is 52:7). This glorious moment of annunciation was prefigured in the prophetic message delivered to Ahaz, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

 

The Letter to the Hebrews highlights the end-purpose of the Annunciation, which is the self-offering of Jesus. This offering of His whole life breaks forth with the Annunciation like the rising sun. According to the second reading of today, the self-offering of Jesus for our salvation is based, not on the law, but on the will of God. “Behold, I have come to do your will.” This surrendering to the will of God even unto death becomes the greatest sacrifice that saves. “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all.”

 

Like Mary, it is in surrendering to the will of God that we share in the grace of the Annunciation and participate in the one sacrifice of Jesus. At the end of the conversation, Mary said to the Angel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Her total submission to the will of God is in line with the principle of Jesus’ self-sacrifice for our salvation. In order to receive the merits of the Cross, we must dispose ourselves in accordance with the order in which the sacrifice was offered, i.e. submission to the will of God. We must not allow our ego and insatiable desires prevent us from submitting to the will of God.

 

Therefore, we fly to Mary’s protection and seek her perpetual help as we await to receive the good news that our prayers are answered; our prayers for good health, peace and unity in the world, improved wellbeing, happy homes, etc. With Mary our model, we surrender to God’s will and relive the beautiful and joyful moment of the Annunciation. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday March 24rd, 2022.

Solemnity of Annunciation of the Lord

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UNITY AND GROWTH

 UNITY AND GROWTH
Meditation for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
(Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23)

“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid to waste.” When people are asked to maintain peace and unity, some people raise shoulders high as if some others need it more. Look around, you will see so many family feuds. And sometimes parents foolishly culture their children to maintain certain line of disunity in the family. The readings of today draw our attention to the fact that unity brings stability and progress. There hardly can be wholesome growth and stability without unity. A nation or an organization laden with internal disunity has no bright future; sooner or later, it will be laid to ruin!

Unity manifests itself as an internal attitude each person nurtures within him. A person who is not at peace within him cannot swim in the waters of unity. According to the prophet Jeremiah, it is in keeping the commandments of God that we nurture internal unity. He outlined selfishness and stubbornness of heart as obstacles that prevent us from keeping God’s commandments. “But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their hearts, and went backwards and not forward.”

Once the heart is disunited from God, our view of life will be clouded with conflict and disunity, like those that accused Jesus of casting out demon by Beelzebul. For them, a divided house was the norm! If their hearts were united with God, they would have perceived the power of God at work around them. Jesus said to them, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” Truly, the kingdom of God shines out upon every heart that is united with God by keeping the commandments. And the Kingdom of God and its righteousness never passes by every household, organization or nation that is united; it knows stability and growth, and will never be laid to waste. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday March 24rd, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

BUILDING A GREAT FUTURE

 Meditation for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
(Deut 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5:17-19)

In our quest for greener pastures and greatness, we embark on education, training, travels, etc. For this reason, do parents send their children to good schools, even at detrimental costs. After outlining our paths to greatness, we then run to the great God in prayer to grant us success. But Moses addressed the people of Israel that greatness is found in God. If we believe that God is almighty, the path to greatness becomes the path to God; in Him do we find greatness. According to Moses, keeping God’s commandments becomes a step forward in the path to a great and successful life; a righteous path full of wisdom and understanding.

Then, the commandments of God become a treasure for us; a treasure envied by those who do not have them or who do not observe them. As we plan a great future for our children, Moses insists we must hand over to them this one treasure that can make them great. “Make them known to your children and children’s children.”

In the gospel, Jesus says He came to fulfil the law and the prophets, to bring every iota of them to fulfillment. Already, the commandments of the Lord as a path to greatness has reached its completeness in Christ Jesus. Meditate on this; think about our staggering journey on the pathway of the law, and our unfulfilled desire for greatness. Now, see in Christ Jesus the gracious and holy ‘arrival’ in whom every iota of the law is fulfilled. Since the commandments lead to greatness, what a burst of greatness there is in Christ Jesus! Thus, we embrace Jesus; we listen to Him and emulate His life of sacrifice. And we teach our children the life of Jesus. No one in Christ Jesus relaxes any aspect of the commandments. “But he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Wednesday March 23rd, 2022.

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THE ASSURANCE OF FUTURE GLORY

 THE ASSURANCE OF FUTURE GLORY
Meditation for Second Sunday of Lent
(Gen 15:5-12, 17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28-36)

My late father once said to me that no teenager says, ‘when I grow up, I’ll be a drunkard’, and no one goes into marriage and says, ‘let me marry so that I can divorce my wife/husband’. Then he said to me, look around our village and see, these are rampant. We all envision good life; we make good plans for the future, but when we look around, we might not see them! Abraham was in such dilemma. He looked forward in faith to God’s promise that he would be father of many sons and daughter, but looking around he had no single child! Hence, he demanded from God ‘an assurance of faith’: “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” Hope cannot be in vain; faith must have content.

 

God told Abraham to offer a sacrifice. He cut the meat in two, and “behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.” Thus, God made a covenant with Abraham; God and man ‘shared’ one sacrifice. This one shared sacrifice between God and man was perfected in Jesus Christ, who offered Himself on the Cross as God and man. In this one sacrifice, God and man now has a single purpose; what God says shall come to pass in man, and what man wished for shall be fulfilled by God. Therefore, in Jesus is the ASSURANCE OF FAITH par excellence. In Him the good life we envision is assured.  

 

“But we do see Jesus, who was for a short while made less than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He submitted to death.” On the Cross we see all forms of human sufferings, including a failed vision of life as He bowed His head and died… However, in the gospel of today, Jesus revealed the glory behind the cross; the life behind His death! Peter, James and John could not contend the power of the transfiguration, for they saw a glimpse of the glory that is greater than any suffering. With the appearance of Moses and Elijah, Jesus brings to fulfilment the blessings of the patriarchs and the prophets.

 

A voice spoke from the cloud of glory, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!” The glory which faith assures is now revealed in Jesus. The future we envision is now connected with our present life in Christ Jesus. Thus, to envision a good life, a happy life, a happy marriage, a successful life, etc, without Christ is to build without foundation and assurance. According to the second reading, those who plan their lives around their selfish desires, who ‘walk as enemies of the cross of Christ’, shall end in shame and destruction. The grace of the transfiguration directs us to climb the mountain of prayer where we offer our daily sacrifices with that of Jesus in whom the glory we hope for is already present. The sweetness of His glory dilutes the bitterness of our pains; His glory covers us and draws us on; it is the assurance we need. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday March 13^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT

• The Most Important
• Meditation for Friday of the First Week of Lent
• (Ezekiel 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26)

Sometimes we tend to approach every issue in our lives with the same attention and energy. When we allow ourselves get entangled in this way, we may begin to lose sight of the things that are more important. Not everything carries of equal value; not every relationship deserves of equal commitment. How can we discern properly the things that are more important than the others?

The prophet Ezekiel tells us that what God wants most for His children is for them to live! Life is His first gift, and life is what God desires for us. Though we battle with sin, God does not want us to die in sin and be lost. “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” Once a wicked man repents, God focuses on what is important and forgets his sinful actions. “If you O Lord should mark our iniquities, Lord, who could survive?” (Ps 130:3).

Jesus explains deeper that the most important thing for us it to enter Heaven. So, we must strive for that height of righteousness, which exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, and which brings us to Heaven. That means we should do away with those vices that can lead us to hell, such as hatred, unforgiveness, etc. We should rather focus on the greater virtue of forgiveness and reconciliation. For example, making offering to God is good, but reconciling with and aggrieved brother is more important. Fighting for my right is good, but freedom, peace and love are more important. The more important things are those that are closer to the gate of Heaven!

The kingdom of God is the most important; eternal life is the greatest value. And this becomes for us believers a principle of life from which we discern what is more important than others. No more shall we dispense our energies and commitment equally on everything that comes our way. Instead, we give preferential place to the Kingdom of Heaven, its righteousness and all that draws us closer to it. Amen.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Friday March 11^th, 20

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