“THAT THE SECRET THOUGHTS OF MANY MAY BE LAID BARE”

 “THAT THE SECRET THOUGHTS OF MANY MAY BE LAID BARE”

Meditation for Passion Sunday, YEAR C

(Lk 19:28-40; Lk 22:14-23:56)

Today’s liturgical celebration ushers in the holy Week. Our celebration begins with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We gather outside the church with palms, and from there make a solemn procession into the Church, while chanting ‘Hosanna’, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” Jesus was welcomed into the great city of Jerusalem with so much acclamation and joy. He marched with dignity and royalty, and the people welcomed Him as a King. What a beautiful way to step into the great hour of His suffering and death for our salvation.

 

But the praises roused up jealousy and anger from the Pharisees, who told Him to rebuke his disciples. Jesus answered them, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Nothing can stop the praises and glory due to God. If man refuses to worship God, other creatures will manifest His glory!

 

As our celebration traces the Passion of Christ, we meditate on how the secrete thoughts of those around Him were silently revealed. At the presentation of Jesus in the temple, Simeon said to Mary, “Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed—and a sword will pierce your soul too—so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare” (Lk 2:34-35). At this hour, the greed of Judas and his fake love for Jesus, which he nurtured for him for years, is now exposed and it worked against him. Peter appeared like a resolute apostle, who would stand with Jesus at all times. But at this hour, his weakness in prayer was revealed as he slept off at the mount of Olives. Above all, Peter’s lack of courage at the moment of trial, and his denial of Jesus at the slightest inconvenience and for comfort was laid bare. Peter was healed of these because he REMEMBERED the words of Jesus and turned his heart back to his Master, and wept bitterly in repentance (Lk 22:61-62).

 

The hour of Jesus laid bare for all to see the secret thoughts of the Pharisees and the elders. The bitter heart and jealousy they nurtured for years could no longer be hidden. The calmness and silence of Jesus exposed their restless hearts as ran around looking for false accusations. Their hypocrisy was self-evident. The Pharisees relied on the strength of the soldiers to catch Jesus and crucify Him. But when the heavily armed army approached Jesus, their weakness was clear for all to see! How can you carry arms to arrest a man who has no arms, and whose offense was what he said and the miracles he performed on the Sabbath? (LK 22:52-53).

 

Pilate and Herod were great leaders, respected and feared. But the trial of Jesus exposed them and rendered them powerless! In making fun of Jesus, Herod exposed his foolishness, and is always portrayed as a clown. Pilate was tormented by his own trial of Jesus, and he ‘washed off’ his power; he surrendered to the voice of the crowd even against his conscience, set the guilty man free, and gave away the innocent Jesus to be crucified!

 

The hour of Jesus, the hour of the cross, always lay bare the secret thoughts and hidden behaviours of our lives. It is also the moment of healing and testimony, for as Jesus died, the Centurion praised God and said, “Truly, this was an upright man” (Lk 23:47). The same praise that the Pharisees tried to suppress at His great entry into Jerusalem is now echoed at His death. No one can stop the praise of God. Let us connect our hearts to the Cross of Christ that our secret thoughts may be laid bare and be healed. Then, our lives will testify and proclaim the glory of God, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday April 10^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE HEALING WATER FROM THE SANTUARY

 THE HEALING WATER FROM THE SANTUARY
Meditation for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Lent
(Ezk 47:1-9, 12; Jn 5:1-16)

Prophet Ezekiel narrates his vision of the water issuing from the temple. “And the water was flowing down from below the right side of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar towards east.” The water rose to a deep river, impossible to cross over. This river flows down into the Arabah, and when it enters any stagnant waters of the sea, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes every living creature which swims will live, and there will be many fish. On the banks of this river, all kinds of trees will grow, and their leaves will not wither for they will be fresh every season since the water from the sanctuary flows down to them. “Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

The pool of Bethzatha in Jerusalem resembles the river in the vision of Ezekiel. It was said to have healing powers, and many sick people gathered around it. A man was there for thirty-eight years but could not get chance to throw himself inside the pool when it is stirred. Jesus said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” For the man the answer was so obvious. And he poured out his frustration at Jesus, detailing all his efforts and commitment to receive healing but was not able to make it. I guess he probably hoped that Jesus might help throw him inside the pool, for that was what he said he needed. But he got more than he bargained for...

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And he was healed instantly! Meditate on how Jesus did for the man what Ezekiel saw in the vision of the water flowing from the sanctuary, and what the man hoped for in the past 38 years! Think about the fountain of life that flowed from Jesus and healed the man; He is the living water (Jn 4:13-14). From His pierced side on the Cross flows that healing fountain that refreshes all touched by it. That is why this Lenten season, we position ourselves beside this living pool as we fast, pray and perform almsgiving.

The vision of Ezekiel is here fulfilled. We are watered by the fountain of grace flowing from Jesus Christ; Blood and Water flowing from His side, and gushing forth to us from God’s sanctuary through the Eucharist. So we shall have fullness of life, in season and out of season—in sickness and health, in poverty and richness, single or married, in life or death—and we shall always be fruitful. Amen

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday March 29th, 2022.

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A NEW LIFE IN FAITH

 A NEW LIFE IN FAITH
Meditation for Monday of the 4^th Week of Lent
(Is 65:17-21; Lk 4:43-54)

The message from the prophet Isaiah makes a good start for the week. The Lord says, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Is 65:17). Within this new life, they prophet says, everyone shall live out the fullness of his days, and enjoy the fruits of his labour.

This prophetic message finds its living fulfilment in the encounter between Jesus and the official. The man believed in the power of Jesus to heal his son, who was at the point of death. This man was burdened and heartbroken, almost at the point of hopelessness. He was so desperately in need of solution that he cornered Jesus along the road in Galilee. In the face of such overwhelming problems, a new day quickly ages out, and we look forward in hope to another day in which the problems are no more!

 

And the official looked up to Jesus for this new dawn; a new life for his son. However, at this point his faith was suffocated with problems. His desire for miracle was stronger than his love for Jesus. Therefore, Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” But the man’s immediate response shows where his heart was attached to. He said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went home in hope of a new life for his son.

 

After the son got well, this official and his household believed. This is a more purified faith. His faith at this time is no more choked by problems nor conditioned by miracles. He believed in Jesus Himself. Such a faith is filled with love and joy. This is the faith that uplifts the heart, even above every problem. It is within this Christ-centered faith that the prophetic message of Isaiah is fulfilled. From there, a new spring of life gushes forth. “So for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old order is gone and a new life is there to see” (2 Cor 5:17). Then, we shall live out the fullness of our live at each moment, and enjoy the fruit of our labours. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday March 28th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

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.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

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.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

“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