THE CORNERSTONE

Meditation for Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Tobit 1:3; 2:1-8; Mk 12:1-12)

After narrating the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus concluded by saying, “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” The ‘builders’ who are supposed to be professional in their work ought to know the cornerstone and build on it. Why did they act so unprofessional and reject the cornerstone, which was for their good? The answer is found in the bad choices made by the wicked tenant against their master, who loved them and had good plans for them. In their greed and selfishness, they rejected their master's goodwill and all the efforts he made to forgive them and make peace with them, which included sending down his son as the final saving grace for them. But they rejected the Son, the Cornerstone, and followed their selfish and greedy desires. This brought them to destruction.

 

In the first reading, as Tobit lived for the love of his people and attended to the victims of persecution, his neighbors laughed at him. Here is an example of a man, who followed not his selfish inclinations, but denied himself food to bury the man that was killed. Such a man is true ‘builder’, who establishes his house on the cornerstone. Think about how people want to build lasting and strong family ties, peace, unity and progress without the sacrificial love that Jesus laid down for us. But how can we imbibe this love that binds all things together (cf. Col 3:14) when we do not welcome Jesus in our lives as the wicked tenants did? Imagine the wasted effort, wasted opportunity and resources when we do not build on the Cornerstone, which Jesus Christ. God will do marvels for us if we act professionally and build on the Cornerstone. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday, June 5, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE MYSTERY OF MYSTERIES

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
(Ex 34:4-6, 8-9; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18)

The mystery of God is greatly captured in the mystery of the Trinity. This is the highest and most subline of all mysteries. The mystery of the most Holy Trinity states that there are three Persons in the one God, that is, God the Father, the God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God is One, and the One God is unity, not unitary. If God were unitary, He would have fitted into the categories of the human reasoning pattern and man would have exhausted the knowledge of God. But God is Unity, perfect and complete in Himself. He is perfect love. He does not need nor depend on anything outside of Him, including our worship and praises. He reveals Himself, yet remains a mystery beyond our comprehension.

 

The first reading tells us how Moses encountered God on mount Sinai. The Lord God gave Moses His word in the form of the tablet of stone. And His glory descended in the form of the cloud. Then, God proclaimed to Moses, saying, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” The living word, the glory of the Holy Spirit and the voice of the Father make up this one divine encounter of Moses. In the second reading, St Paul described God as the God of love and peace. This is what He bestows on us, we are urged to live out these qualities. St Paul offers the trinitarian blessing, saying, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” In the gospel, we learn that God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus came to save us and reveal the knowledge of God to us. Thus, through Jesus we understand that God is Trinity of Persons. Jesus is God among us; in Jesus, humanity and divinity have found a common abode. He is the Way, and leads us along as the Good Shepherd. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us; the Holy Spirit is God within, who inspires us, sanctifies us, and appropriates to us the saving grace of Jesus Christ to the glory of God.

 

Let us meditate on how the sublime mystery of the Trinity has become our living experience. As we appreciate and accept the Mystery of mysteries, the Most Holy Trinity, we come to understand how human life, made in the image and likeness of God goes forward with a spark of mystery around it. Our appreciation of this mystery helps us to acknowledge that ‘mystery’ itself has become part of our knowledge, since in faith we know God as that which cannot be fully known. Our connection with the Mystery of mysteries makes it possible that human mind cannot exhaust its knowledge about human life and anything that has reference to God. Thus, we cannot know everything about human relationship, marriage, life and death. Even in science, there will always be new discoveries and new understanding about reality. God, who is the highest and source of mystery, continues to reveal Himself to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 

Therefore, faith in the Trinity strengthens us to continue to match forward in life despite the rising smoke of uncertainty that spreads discouragement. So, we plan for tomorrow though we do not know what tomorrow holds; we continue to love even when we are not trusted; we continue to live fully and happily even the news of death is everywhere. Our hope does not diminish for we embrace life with faith not by sight (cf. Rm 5:5; 2Cor 5:7). God, in His Trinity of Persons, who is perfection in Himself, in revealing Himself to us through Jesus Christ, has given us opportunity to participate in His own divine life. The love of the Father, given to us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is now spread around as we fellowship with the Holy Spirit. That is why believers are urged to love all peoples, live in in in peace and unity, and radiate the joy of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.

Sunday June 4^th 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

“MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE”

Meditation for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 11:19-26; Jn 10:22-30)

The first reading narrates how the persecution that arose after the death of Stephen scattered the believers and brought them to many cities including Antioch. The Holy Spirit continued to manifest the divine presence wherever they went. The Church leaders in Jerusalem heard about the great works those who escaped persecution were performing in the name of Jesus, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Barnabas was glad, and he encouraged them to remain steadfast to the Lord. He went to Tarsus and brought Saul. “For a whole year they met with the Church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.”

 

We see how the spread of the Christian faith was made possible first by the action of the Holy Spirit working through human efforts. The believers were surprised how their little efforts brough so much impact and won many souls for the Lord. But those whose hearts were hardened denied what they experienced through the believers and refused to believe. That was why when the Jews kept asking Jesus if He were the Christ, He answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.” Those who are on the side of truth are the sheep that belong to Jesus; “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.”

 

The freedom, peace and love with which Christianity spreads, and steps on persecution to grow, testifies to the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is the unseen hand that moves us forward. It takes a humble man, who is honest and open to truth to perceive this silent divine presence and accept the faith. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday May 2, 2023

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

STANDING RIGHT WITH GOD IN OUR LABOURS

Meditation for Memorial of St Joseph the Worker
(Gen 1:26—2:3; Mt 13:54-58)

Happy Workers Day! The Church entrusts all workers to the patronage of St. Joseph the Carpenter. We thank God for the gift of creativity and inventive skill. God created man with the inherent capacity to work, and gave him the mandate, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” That is why for a person not to have work or to lose the capacity to work through sickness, old age, etc, is never a good experience. Hence, it is popularly said that THERE IS DIGNITY IN LABOUR. The human person is dignified in the outcome of his labors; there he finds joy and fulfilment, and derives meaning in life. That is why we pray for workers, for those looking for work, and for those facing all sorts of challenges in their work.

 

Therefore, let us meditate on St. Joseph the Worker, the patron of workers. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955. St Joseph was so dedicated in this work as a carpenter that it became his identity. To be so recognized and identified in that singular work is a sign of lifelong persistence and perseverance in the business. This enduring capacity of St Joseph is an example for us to emulate today. St Joseph was known to be an UPRIGHT man (Mt 1:19). An ‘upright’ man can be described as ‘one who is standing right before God.’ WITHOUT HONESTY THERE IS NO DIGNITY IN LABOUR! We cannot derive meaning and joy if we are dishonest in our work.

 

Meditate on how Jesus was identified through the work of Joseph as the Carpenter. They said, “This is the Carpenter’s Son, surely?” (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3). As the chosen one of God for the Holy Family, Joseph was chosen even in his work as a carpenter. Thus, his humble labors became means of serving God, and contributing to the work of our salvation. In the same way, if we ‘stand right before God’ in our labors, they will become means of serving God. That means we can win grace for ourselves and for others through our work. In this way, Jesus can be ‘recognized’ in our labors. That is why our great patron St Joseph was a silent man, but spoke eloquently through his work. Let us reduce the noise that fuels laziness and embrace the committed silence that fuels creativity and productivity. Our labors shall never be in vain, for through St Joseph, God has given a deeper meaning to the work of our hands as means of working out our salvation in Christ Jesus (cf. Phil 2:12-13).

 

May St Joseph the Worker intercede for us as we work. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday May 1st, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

“By His wounds you have been healed”

Meditation for Good Shepherd Sunday, Year A

(Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 2:20-25; Jn 10:1-10)

Let us meditate on the mystery of vocations as we celebrate vocation’s Sunday today. The holy Catholic Church looks at vocation through the eyes of Jesus the Good shepherd. The shepherd leader is humble and makes sacrifices for the good of the ones under his care. Such a leader does not grab power by force or through bad ways, but he goes through the right process. Vocation begins with God’s call.

 

St Paul says that God “chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Eph 1:4-5). Created in God’s image and likeness, we are called to live in love with God and one another. And God gave man the mandate to increase and multiply, and to work and conquer the earth. All these must fulfill God’s plan for us in Christ even before the foundation of world. Every vocation germinates from our vocation in Christ to be holy and spotless.

 

Therefore, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers…I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” So, Jesus is the way… (Jn 14:6). In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). He has given us the pattern of how to lead and carry out our vocations. That is why when they asked Peter in the first reading, “What shall we do?” He said, “Repent, and be baptized every oneof you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Thus, the Holy Spirit, working through faith in Jesus Christ, leads us forward to discover our vocations and to carry them out diligently and humbly like the good shepherd.

 

The second reading describes how Jesus leads us as the Good Shepherd, leaving us an example to follow in His steps. The first quality mentioned there is innocence. The Good Shepherd must be upright. He does not take revenge nor threaten anyone; “But He trusted to Him who judges justly.” Thus, He does not waste time judging or condemning anyone. He endures suffering for the good of others, creating opportunities for them to flourish, even to eternal life. “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday 30, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

Meditation for Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

(Acts 9:31-42; Jn 6:60-69)

Our Easter meditation today captures the raising of Tabitha to life. This lady was known for her kindness and acts of charity among the believers at Joppa. But she fell sick and died. They laid her in the upper room and sent Peter to come over immediately. Tabitha’s good works were so great that death could not destroy the imprints she left in their hearts. Charity performed with the grace of the resurrection comes alive; it carries the impact of such force that can conquer the grave. That is why the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit are given to us, to nourish us and inspire us from within, so that our lives and actions will have an eternal impact. Jesus says, “It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

 

When Peter arrived, “All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing coats and garments which Tabitha made while she was with them.” Peter went in, knelt down and prayed, “Then turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, rise.’” She opened her eyes and sat up. Seeing this miracle, many believed in the Lord. The raising of Tabitha led to the raising of many to faith in Jesus Christ. And the raising of Tabitha was achieved through the intervention of believers who were inspired by her good works. Thus, Tabitha’s kindness and charity in faith, working through her sufferings and death, became for her a deeper participation in the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, and brought saving grace to her and to those who believed through her.

 

Therefore, Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” The silent touch of the Holy Spirit makes the difference: a little word or action that springs up from the prompting of the Holy Spirit, sprouts out like the tiny mustard seed that grows to become a mighty tree of salvation. Hence, we echo the words of Peter and say to Jesus today, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Amen

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Saturday 29, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE RESPONSE OF FAITH THAT OVERCOMES PERSECUTION

Meditation for Friday of the Third Week of Easter

(Acts 9:1-20; Jn 6:52-59)

Let us meditate on the conversion of St Paul. It was an extra ordinary event, when Jesus intervened, breaking through his ideologies and prejudices against Christians, and restoring him to a new life of faith in Jesus Christ. He became blind to old ways, staying three days without sight. It was as if he died with Christ but on the third day his sight was restored for the new life in Jesus Christ. St Paul’s experience was both a conversion and a commission for the mission to the Gentiles. On behalf of the Church, Ananias led hands on him saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

 

The words of Ananias and how the Christian community welcomed him in the name of Jesus Christ, made St Paul to realize that the Christian faith was not an imposition on their Jewish culture or on any culture; Christianity does not drag authority and relevance with any other religion and culture. It is about OBEDIENCE OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (Rm 1:4-5). Despite knowing Saul to be a persecutor of the Church, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, they responded to him and welcomed him with love.

 

That hidden power that enables a believer to act in the name of Jesus and under the prompting of the Holy Spirit comes from communion with Jesus through the word of God, the Eucharist and regular prayers. This is the Christian life in action; it is gentle but firm, hidden but overshadowing, patient but never passive, silent but speaks truth. That is why Jesus reminded us again today, saying, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day…He who eats me will live because of me.” Hence, the believer responds with obedience of faith over and above his natural inclinations and personal ideologies. This is how he survives every persecution and overcomes every trial. That is why persecuting Christians as Saul did is always a lost battle since the Christian faith has life in itself, and is never against anyone.  Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Friday April 28, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com