SAVED BY GRACE

Meditation for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Eph 2:1-10; Lk 12:13-21)

It is popularly said that if you do not know where you are coming from, you may not know where you are going. We do not undertake the journey of life aimlessly; to know where you are going means you know where you are coming from. St. Paul applied this in our spiritual journey too. He had explained earlier that God chose us in Christ to be holy and spotless, and blessed us with the riches of His grace in the heavenly places. From where did we make this move into the life of Jesus to become the Body of Christ? St. Paul says we were walking on the pathway of death through our trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, and obeying the spirit of disobedience. “Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” This was where we came from.

 

But God, in His rich mercy, out of the great love He has for us, gave us new life in Christ, and raised us up with Him. Thus, God qualified us in Christ to share the riches in the heavenly places, and preserved for ages to come the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness in Christ Jesus. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest any man should boast.”

 

Now, we know where we are coming from, and where we are going. God took the initiative to give us a new life in Christ. That means the journey of life that began with death is raised to new life in Christ Jesus; the disgrace that came through disobedience and sin is now turned to holiness and the gracious riches of His glory. “By grace you have been saved.” It is important for us not to forget where we came from, so that we can appreciate the more where God is leading us, where He has destined us in Christ even before we came to believe. That means we should be rich in grace, “rich toward God.” That is why Jesus warned against the distraction of greed and the uncontrollable desire to acquire more. Though human possessions and enjoyment are important, human life has a higher value than these. So, we channel our lives to the journey forward, where God has destined us to be co-heirs with Christ for the heavenly inheritance. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday October 17th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

WINNING THE TWO BATTLES

 Meditation for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Ex 17:8-13; 2 Tim 3:14-4:2; Lk 18:1-8)

Let us meditate on the teachings of Jesus about perseverance in prayer. The fact that Jesus, the master of prayer, is asking us to pray and never lose heart, reminds us of the struggle to abandon prayer. But hearing from Jesus that we should not lose heart is already a victory for us; yes, despite the numerous voices that discourage us, the one voice of Jesus is enough reason to carry on!

 

Every prayerful person will agree that prayer does not come easy. We learn it over the years, and struggle with it the rest of our lives. The battle of prayer is like the battle we read in the first reading between Israel and Amalekites. It was a battle fought with human strength and intelligence, but won with the grace that came through perseverance in prayer. Think about the resilience in battle, which Joshua and his men employed against Amalek and his men at Rephidim…Now, compare it at the same time with the resilience in prayer, which Moses, Aaron and Hur employed on the mountain. If we run away at the heat of the battle, how can the victory be won?

 

Meditate on the mingling of the battle of life and the battle of prayer… He who perseveres and wins the battle of prayer will definitely win the battle of life. This is further exemplified in the parable of the widow who required justice from the unrighteous judge. She was faced with the battle of life, where injustice was being meted out to her by her adversary. In addition, she had to confront another challenge of getting help from a judge who had no compassion and was selfish. But this widow had the gift of perseverance in battle; she would not stop confronting her adversary, and she would not give up asking for help. The unrighteous judge had to answer her so that she would not wear him out by her continual coming. Jesus said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God vindicate His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you; He will vindicate them speedily.”

The energy to hold forth in the battle of prayer comes from faith, which is built on the knowledge of God. This knowledge that strengthens faith is received through the Scriptures. That is why wrong interpretation of the Bible or lack of knowledge of it, and misplaced approach to faith, often hunt our prayer life. When Moses’ hands grew weary in prayer, they put a stone under him, and he sat upon it. That is how the knowledge of the Scriptures supplies the support we need to continue in prayer without losing heart. St. Paul says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

 

If we live by the word of God, our faith will be alive; if our faith is alive, we will persevere in prayer. And if we can conquer every obstacle and distraction and continue in prayer, then we shall win the battle of life. Therefore, to pray without losing heart means to align one’s life to the will of God. That is why meditating on the word of God is such a powerful and effective way to persevere in prayer; it helps us to be aware of God’s presence, mingles divine strength with our human efforts, and the victory is ours. Amen.

 

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday October 16th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

The Rich Inheritance

  Meditation for Saturday of the 28th in Ordinary Time, Year C

(Eph 1:15-23; Lk 12:8-12)

In our meditation today, we see how St. Paul expressed joy and gladness over the faith of the Church in Ephesus. He prayed for them that God may give them the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. He asked God to enlighten their hearts so that they may know the hope to which He called them, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power bestowed on those who believe. This is how we are equipped to live out our Christian identity. These rich spiritual inheritances were accomplished for us through the working of God’s great might in Jesus Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and made Him sit at His right hand in the heavenly places. Thus, the Christian is endowed with such blessing and power that is above every authority and dominion on earth, for God has put all things under Christ, “And has made Him the head over all things for the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

 

As Jesus has dominion over all the earth, so also those who have been chosen and blessed in Him shall manifest His life to the world. And it is by faith that we become part of His body, sharing in His life. The joy of being a Christian majorly comes from my response to what has already been given to me in faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the life a believer should be a pointer and witness to Jesus, in whom the riches of God’s grace is given. This is the joyful witness we bear even at the moment of suffering or persecution.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Saturday October 15, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

To the praise and glory of Jesus

Meditation for Friday of the 28th in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Eph 1:1-11; Lk 12:1-7)

St. Paul continues to expose the identity of the Christian believer as chosen and destined to share in the life of Christ, according to the purpose of God, who accomplishes all things. He wants us to be aware of who God has made us to be in Christ, so that we can coordinate our lives accordingly. St. Paul explains that we have been destined and appointed to live for the praise and glory of Jesus Christ. Those who have heard the gospel and believed in Jesus were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit, “Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.”

 

The ‘praise and glory of Christ’ is an intimate part of the life of the Christian; in fact, that is what we live for, it is our identity. In addition, that is the evidence we give to show that we have been chosen from eternity and grafted into the Body of Christ. That is why we must be careful where we attach our hearts, for such can determine the kind of fruits we bear. Hence, Jesus said in the gospel of today, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known.” There is nothing to fear if we remain firm as God’s chosen people. He has richly blessed us in Christ with heavenly blessings. Jesus said, “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Friday October 14, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE CHOSEN OF GOD

Meditation for Thursday of the 28th in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Eph 1:1-10; Lk 11:47-54)

From today till the upper week, our meditations shall be guided by St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. This letter is addressed to the people of God, called together as one Body in Christ, which is the Church. It is important for us today to listen to St. Paul’s teachings about the Church as the people of God, especially at this time we have numerous churches, prayer houses, miracle centers, evangelical ministries, and increasing number of non-denominational prayer ministries. The Letter to the Ephesians is a masterpiece of theology and spirituality; it will deepen your knowledge of God, the Church, and inspire you to pray.

 

St. Paul began by introducing himself, then he greeted his audience. Immediately, he started tracing the history of the people of God. With joy, he announced that God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, and chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. The people blessed and chosen in Christ are thus called to become one Body in Christ, i.e., the people of God. Meditate on this great eternal choice in Christ that made us the Body of Christ; it is a choice that pre-dates our existence since it was made before the foundation of the world. In addition, since God leads the way, my Christian journey is movement of grace.

 

God is the master planner of our lives and journey of faith. “He destined us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Now, we see how we have been grafted into Jesus Christ, and become members of His Body. The love, peace and joy of the Lord must be seen in all who have responded to this plan of God for our salvation. Above all, being part of the Body of Christ brings us redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of His grace. As God’s chosen people, He reveals to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of His will, “According to His purpose which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

 

Reflect on the mystery of our Christian life as St. Paul explained. Our life in Christ is not conditioned by problems of life or human desires. God’s graces and blessings await us in Christ; by being part of the Body of Christ, He lavishes us with His graces. Just as in the gospel of today, Jesus condemned the people of this generation, who connect themselves by their actions to those who killed the prophets; the blood of the prophets shed from the foundation of the world shall be required of them. But thanks be to God, who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we might be holy, and connected to heavenly blessings. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday October 13, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

Fruits of the Gospel

Meditation for Wednesday of the 28th in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Gal 5:18-25; Lk 11:42-46)

Finally, St. Paul talks about the fruits of a life guided by the true gospel. There is free movement of the Holy Spirit in hearts nourished by the word of God. That means those who are connected to Jesus in faith through the gospel, are led by the Holy Spirit. In other words, they live spiritual lives, and manifest the fruits of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” If one is an active Christian and these fruits of the Spirit are not within him, it implies he has either abandoned the true gospel or shifted from it.

On the other hand, those who follow the perverted gospel, who trust in their ability to keep the law, will slide away from the Spirit and end in the works of the flesh. “Now the works of the flesh are plain: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like.” St. Paul warns that those who manifest such behaviors shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

In the same way, Jesus condemned the Pharisees who made show of their practice of religion, and emphasized the external practice of the law, but neglect justice and the love of God, which are the works of the Holy Spirit. It means that if we do not allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify our inner selves, and become the internal energy that prompts our actions, we cannot produce the fruits of the Spirit. To such people who produce fruits of the flesh Jesus says, “Woe to you! For you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it.”

 

At the end, we thank God for St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians. The lessons he taught are very relevant to us today because there are so many fake preachers who go around spreading adulterated gospel messages. St. Paul had given us ways to escape their trap. The ultimate fruits the gospel bear in us are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life in God’s kingdom. That is why St. Paul concluded today’s reading by saying, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Wednesday October 12, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

Jesus set us Free

Meditation for Tuesday of the 28th in Ordinary Time, Year C
(Gal 5:1-6; Lk 11:37-41)

Having received his revelation from Jesus Christ, St. Paul begins to round up his arguments in favor of the true gospel by directing the attention of his audience to Jesus Himself. He talks about the action of Jesus in saving us, which He did to set us free. If the will of Christ, and the reason for His passion, is to set us free, then the gospel of Christ will definitely bring us freedom. This freedom comes as a gift, unmerited favor, won for us by Christ Jesus. That is why St. Paul said that it is by faith in Jesus that we are qualified to receive these graces God has destined us from the foundation of the world. In addition, this faith in Christ that unlocks heavenly blessings is open to all. That means all who share this faith are one in Christ. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.”

 

In the gospel of today, we see how the Pharisee, who believed in the external observance of the law, became judgmental against Jesus and restricted himself. Such legalistic life cannot save the whole man, and make him free. But, an act of charity inspired by faith in Jesus, and performed out of love for Him, purifies the whole person, and set him free from within. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday October 11, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com