Thursday, May 19, 2022
Monday, May 16, 2022
"PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU"
"PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU"
Meditation
for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
(Acts 14:19-28;
Jn 14:27-31)
‘World peace’ is still an idea that is far from reality. While
we face many conflicts and terror, beginning from the family to the larger
society, the human heart yearns for peace! Sometimes violence erupts in the
name of peace making! Without peace, man cannot live out his full potentials,
and human dignity can easily be trampled upon. Despite the increasing noise of
violence, the silent voice of peace continues to survive. Peace has a hidden
strength and weight that disgraces the empty uproar of conflict.
Now, think about the experience of St Paul in today’s Mass
reading. The Jews stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that
he was dead. But he survived. The next day he continued his mission in another
city, accompanied by Barnabas. His experience became a message of encouragement,
for he said to the people, “Through many tribulations, we must enter the
Kingdom of God.”
It is obvious that St Paul found peace despite the violence
that was projected at him. Maybe we need to review our idea of peace from this
example. And listening to Jesus in the gospel of today, we get a new and deeper
understanding of peace. He said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” We see now that
peace is a divine gift, which are asked to be open to, and receive freely. So,
a world that shuts God out of its affairs cannot know peace! A heart that is
not attuned to God cannot be open to peace.
The peace that Jesus gives is different from the worldly
understanding of peace. The peace the world gives is that of ‘convinence.’ Sometimes,
here peace is reduced to mere tolerance and absence of conflict. The world applauds
itself of having achieved peace where peoples’ lives are not in touch with one
another, and individuality reigns. At the end, survival of the fittest becomes
the order of the day, and the temporary peace vanishes. But the peace that
Jesus gives is different.
Jesus offers us a peace that goes to the human heart, and
conquers hatred and division. A peace that is received as a gift, uplifts the
hearts and reaches out to the neighbor. Thus, the peace of Christ is the fruit
of love and justice. Such a peace does not hide from my neighbor, but it overcomes
the barriers of division. This peace that is stronger that human hatred can
only come from our union with God.
The silent voice of peace pierces through with great might,
yet it conquers hatred, division and violence with calmness gentility. Therefore,
peace is a major part of our prayer this day, since we look up to Jesus to bestow
it upon us as individuals, in our families, our country, and in the world at
large. And peace is still our answered prayer today, for Jesus Christ has
already given it us, though we are yet to receive its fullness. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwac Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Tuesday May 17th, 2022.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS
Meditation for Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
(Rm 2:1-11; Lk 11:42-46)
Focusing on the failings of others
is a lot of distractions and unnecessary burden. It makes one a hypocrite. That
is why Jesus condemned the Pharisees who focus on external religious shows but
neglect justice and love. “Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in
the synagogues and salutations in the market places.” The Pharisees and the
Jews who received this good news of God’s salvation first ought to lead by
example, and also to those who have received this message of grace; they are
expected to manifest the kindness and patience of God to others. That is why we
must not allow external practices distract us from the person of Jesus Christ,
whom we are called to imitate and follow. Once we divert from the right
spiritual road to take, we shall be wallowing the wrong path of impatience,
judging others and over conscious of what others are saying about us.
St Edward, pray for us. Amen.
Fr
Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints
Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo,
Lagos.
Wednesday
October 13th, 2021.
www.soundofsilence.ng
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 14, 2022
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Meditation
for Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C
(Acts 14:21-27;
Rev 21:1-5; Jn 13:31-33, 34-35)
Meditating on the readings of today, we see that the divine intervention that uplifts human love comes as an injunction: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” So, the love of God comes, not nullify human love, but to draw it out of itself to a greater outreach, to reach everyone. The love of God as a commandment becomes the guide and motivation of human love; it is the ‘reason’ and energy that powers the love of believers. To love even as Jesus loved means He had laid down the example to follow, and the principle of love.
Jesus’ love for us defined His words and actions, and
ministry on earth. Love conquers the self; it overwhelms and consumes the
lover. It becomes part of the person, an inseparable identity. Hence, Jesus said
to the disciples, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you
love one another.” Since love becomes the ‘life’ of the lover, whenever love is
reciprocated, a bond is formed. Thus, the divine love that goes ahead of the
lover establishes this bond between the believer and God.
“The love of God urges us on” (2Cor 5:14). Therefore,
the Christian, who goes forth to love his neighbor and to love everyone, comes
as one who is already in love (with Jesus), and not as one who comes to
discover love in his neighbor! He goes forth as one already trained and empowered
by the love of Jesus. This is how believers can love one another and at all
times. And this is how they bear witness that they belong to Jesus, for the
effects of their love and lives will always be greater than what human love can
offer.
This bond with Jesus that encounters one another in love is
exemplified in the life of Paul and Barnabas, as given in the first reading. These
two disciples travelled through many cities and villages, especially in Gentile
territories, establishing new churches, and strengthening believers, despite
many tribulations and persecutions. Their love for the gospel conquered every obstacle
on their way, as the Gentiles appreciated the love shown them.
This newness of life that love for one another in Jesus
Christ brings is a foretaste of heavenly glory on earth. It is our sharing in
the glory of Jesus, in whom the Father is gloried. The world is full of hatred
and division; worldly love is myopic, selective and selfish. Jesus has planted His
love among us that with Him we can conquer the world, and love everyone and
love to eternity. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday May 15th, 2022.
Monday, May 9, 2022
DISCERNING VOCATION
DISCERNING VOCATION
Meditation
for Monday of the 4th Week of Easter
Discerning God’s call and discovering one’s vocation in
life is not usually easy and straight forward. Being close to God or living a
righteous life does not automatically imply one can be flawless in interpreting
God’s call. If it is so for the righteous, what will become of the ungodly and
the sinner? (Cf. 1 Pet 4:18). Some people have taken up ministries, marriages,
etc, only to discover along the way that they did not interpret the ‘signals’
properly. This issue is far from being solved since there is no one perfect
method to unlock all vocations. Nevertheless, though each call has its unique
identity and approach, considering the person and the circumstances involved,
the readings of today lay down some principles that can guide one to discern
God’s call properly.
The first reading tells us how God called Peter to minister
to the Gentiles and dine with them. While at Joppa, he saw a vision where a voice
asked him to eat animals, reptiles, etc that Jews ordinarily would not eat.
Peter tried to resist but the voice said to him, “What God has cleansed you
must not call common.” Coincidentally, three men appeared at that very moment
from Caesarea. This was a PHYSICAL manifestation that God was calling Peter to preach
to the Gentiles in that town. Deep within him, he perceived at once that the
spirit was URGING him to follow those men.
Having a dream or vision is strictly a private experience;
it is not enough for one to conclude and act on the message therein as God’s
will. Apart from the physical manifestation and the strong urge, Peter had
another signal: Cornelius’ vision was in line with that of Peter. This helped the
apostle to discern in favor of the vision since the experience is now more than
a private issue. He discovered that God was calling him out of his myopic
understanding of salvation. God’s call always takes us out of ourselves; it is
never selfish. Having discerned in favor of God’s will, Peter began to preach
to the Gentiles. However, he continued to discern even in process of his
ministry.
Peter saw the hand of God at work as he carried out his
vocation. He said, “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as
on us at the beginning.” This was the final signal that convinced him that he
was on the right path. Peter described his work as cooperating with God, and
allowing God’s grace to flow through him. So, in discerning our vocation, we
think in favor of God’s will, His glory and Kingdom. And the will of God comes
alive in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, our vocation becomes our way of following Jesus,
the Good Shepherd. Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep…if any one enters by
me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture…I came that they
may have life, and have it abundantly.” The choices we make to fulfil our destiny
in life should be weighed through the righteousness of Christ, and be carried
out in favor of His glory. Then, we shall find fulfillment and be fed in
greener pastures. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday May 9th, 2022.
Saturday, May 7, 2022
“My Sheep hear my Voice”
“My Sheep hear my Voice”
Meditation
for Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C
(Acts 13:14,
43-52; Rev 7:9, 14-17; Jn 10:27-30)
Today, we celebrate the mystery of Christ as the Good
Shepherd. The first reading exemplifies how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, silently
leads His flock through the ministry of the Church. Paul and Barnabas met strict
persecution in Antioch among the Jews, who became jealous of the Gentiles that
gathered to hear the good news. But the two would not give up the mission Christ
had called them to; no opposition would discourage them. As Jesus said in the Gospel
of today, “My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Paul
and Barnabas held firm to the word of God, and to the mission that was
entrusted to them. Paul described this mandate as to bring the good news to the
Gentiles, and to bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. By being
obedient to the word of God, and following Jesus as their Good Shepherd through
their commitment to the gospel, the opposition against Paul and Barnabas even
helped them to achieve their mission since they travelled down to Iconium, filled
with joy and the Holy Spirit.
The revelation of John in the second reading gives us the
vision of the great multitude who listened and followed Jesus as their Good
Shepherd. This vision indicates the direction to which the Good Shepherd is
leading us to. Thus, to follow Him requires that we align our steps towards
that heavenly destination. The great multitude is described as coming from every
nation, language and people. They all gathered before the throne and the Lamb,
who is their only focus. United under the Lamb, they all wore white robes and
held palm branches. Their radiant beauty speaks of their victory over tribulations;
“They have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Unlike Paul and Barnabas, who suffered persecution, those
who have reached the heavenly destination around the throne shall bear no more
suffering and pain. At this time, the fullness of the Lamb as the Good Shepherd
shall be revealed upon them. “He will guide them to springs of living water;
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
That is why it is important for us today to listen to His
voice. He promised to lead us on the pathway of life, and to fullness of life.
Jesus indicated that the sheep might face threat to life; an attempt to snatch
them away and be destroyed. However, those who listen to His voice, and follow
Him cannot be misled; they are secure in the Father’s hand. Therefore, through
the words of Jesus, the strong arm of God leads us forward over and above every
difficulty and life challenges.
Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice.” Like Paul and
Barnabas, and the Saints in Heaven, we contemplate the face of Jesus through
the Gospel. In this way, our minds are fed with His word, and our will is
strengthened to follow where He leads. This is how we persevere in our vocation
and in good works despite opposition and tribulations along the way. This, too,
is how we reach our eternal destination. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday May 8th, 2022.
Good Shepherd Sunday