THE WATCHMAN

Reflection for the 23^rd Sunday in ordinary time Year A

(Eze 33:7-9, Rm 13:8-10, Mt 18:15-20)

1.0. PRELUDE

The first reading introduces Ezekiel as a watchman to Israel. He must warn the wicked to change his ways. Ordinarily, this was to get the sinner to be saved. But the Lord emphasized that the election of Ezekiel as watchman was for his own salvation. “...But you will have saved your life.”

In the second reading, St Paul reminds us that love is the fulfillment of the law, and it is the basic thing we owe one another. Love ought to be the driving force. It does no harm to anyone.

Jesus tells us in Gospel of today that we should be like watchmen over each other. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” This gesture is to win the brother back, to save him and maintain the common brotherhood. “If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” If this initial dialogue fails, others can be involve or even the church. This extra effort is to highlight the importance of reconciling with the erring brother. When we agree together as one, God dwells in our midst. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

2.0.  THE WATCHMAN

The task of being a watchman is the work of grace. It is a divine call and a divine mandate. It is God who takes the initiative. “Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me” (Eze 33:7). And Jesus, the Word made Flesh, has been given to us, He directs us to go and be reconciled with the one who offended us. We receive this instruction from Jesus as a prophetic responsibility for the salvation of all.

The watchman is presumed ‘innocent’ in this case, and is being sent to the ‘guilty’ one. This mandate calls for a change of approach when we are victims of an offence. Instead of waiting for the person to come and apologize, Jesus says, “...go and tell him his fault...take one or two others along with you...tell it to the Church...” The motive here is not to convict but to save the offender—to win the brother back. So the watchman does not enter the dialogue like a policeman or a judge. This is not to water down nor deny the truth, but to heal the wounds of division. He comes as a healer—a wounded healer! This is the only way one who was hurt can be the agent of reconciliation with the brother that offended him.

It is obvious that the key virtue of the watchman is patience. Jesus alludes that winning a brother back might take several efforts and different tactics. Words must be chosen carefully. Too much talk and anger easily ruin reconciliation and deepen the wounds.

3.0.  WHEN THE TWO GATHER TOGETHER

“Behold, how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to dwell in unity...for in that place, the  Lord has commanded a blessing, and life, even unto eternity” (Ps 133:1-3). The one who reconciles with his brother equally reconciles with God. In watching over our common brotherhood, one wins God’s favour. “Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9). When we agree and gather together as brothers and sisters, the Lord is in our mist. It is answered prayer in itself. So the watchman gains Heaven. So maintaining a healthy communion with our brothers and sisters is one way we get our prayers answered. We have received this prophetic mandate from Jesus to watch over the love that binds us together.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

St Mary’s Catholic Church,

Egbeda, Ibadan.

10/9/2017  

THE HEALING WATER

Thursday of the 4 week of Lent

Eze 47:1-9, 12, Ps 46, Jn 5:1-16

The Prophet Ezekiel narrates his vision of the life-giving stream. “And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.” A similar water is found in the pool of Bethzatha, where many sick people gathered to receive healing. The Gospel of today tells us about one at this pool, who had been sick for 38 years. He was so sick that he needed help to access the water when it was troubled before any other jumped in...Then Jesus stepped in.

He said to the sick man, “Rise, take up your pallet and walk.”  Jesus offered the man the healing he was hoping to get from the pool. Here is the fulfilment of the vision of the prophet. Jesus is that living fountain that gives life and brings healing. “Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty...” (Is 55:1). And Jesus Himself declared, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me!” (Jn 7:37).

Now Ezekiel’s life-giving river that flows into the Arabah is here. We need not look elsewhere. Jesus confers on us the promises hidden in the ancient vision of the fountain of life.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church,

Amowo-Odofin, Lagos.

28^th March, 2017.

FAITH UPGRADE

Monday of the 4^th week of Lent

(Is 65:17-21, Ps 30, Jn 4:43-54)

“Go, your son will live.” This is what Jesus told the Official who approached him at Capernaum, begging him to heal his son. The man accepted the words of Jesus, relying on the authority behind them. He believed Jesus was capable of healing his son, and even so, through words uttered from such a distance. “The man believed the words Jesus spoke to him and went his way.” This sort of faith has self-interest attached to it. It can be exuberant, as we see the man trekking long distance looking for Jesus.  In the long run, such faith might not survive the ups and downs of life, especially when the prevalent self-interest is continually defeated. That is why there is need for an upgrade.

After the son was healed, the man believed for the second time. “He himself believed, and all his household.” This is a deeper and purer belief. This time, he believed not for anything that he would benefit, but he believed simply for Jesus’ own sake. A faith motivated by his interest in the one he believed in. This second level of faith comes as a testimony from the first level of belief. At this level, faith is recognized as a divine gift. And one learns total abandonment to the force of faith. Once ferried on the boat of faith, without anchoring our life journey on any prevalent self-interest, we must get to our ultimate destination.

Yes, there is growth in faith. But a testimony of faith is often necessary to push us forward. Nevertheless, if we remain only at the quest for testimony, our faith will shrink. So we begin by accepting the Word of God for what it is, and channelling our attention on Jesus. Then, the growth in faith will continually happen.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church,
Amowo-Odofin, Lagos.
27th March, 2017.

Overcoming the Ancient Trick

First Sunday of Lent

(Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7, Ps 51, Rm 5:12-19, Mt 4:1-11)

Today we celebrate Jesus’ victory over temptation and sin—the defeat of the ancient serpent! In His triumph is our hope of overcoming the devil.

The first reading narrates the origin of sin. The ancient serpent tricked our first parents. How did he succeed? He did not command them to eat the forbidden fruit. But he subtly diverted their attention from God and made them turn to themselves. He presented himself as one who knows God, and he tried to make them see God as a liar and not caring enough for them. Now they should take their future into their hands and emancipate themselves outside of what God planned. The trick worked: Eve began to see the fruit from her own perspective other than that of God. She had to act as it appealed to her regardless of what God said. They chewed humanity out of grace! “Then their eyes were both opened, and...” they saw themselves.    

Unfortunately, there is only one “I am”, God who Himself. “I am He who is...This is my name for all time...” (Ex 3:14,15).The withdrawal of the self from God and turning to oneself becomes an exit road to death. Man discovers from his fallen state that God is true...

Jesus’ victory becomes our recipe for overcoming the tempter. “For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abound for many”(Rm 5:17). He got this victory by rejecting the selfish proposals of the tempter. This He did by focusing on the will of God, and by refusing any suggestion for His own emancipation or clamour. The turning of stone to bread, the jumping from the pinnacle of the temple and the worship of Satan, were all targeted at pulling Him away from relying on God’s will and providence to immediate self actualization. There is only one I AM.

The greatest temptation might not be to commit any particular sin, but to sow the seed of sin—to dispose the will to sin. That is when the will is no more submissive to God; when the will is turned to self for its own emancipation. Here we become our own standard of life. Hence, the tools against self-indulgence are ready weapons against temptation and sin. These are prayer, fasting and Charity. These spiritual exercises help us to transfer our will power from our emotions to the will of God.  And they are links through which we arm ourselves with the victory of Jesus.

Fr Jude C. Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

MaterDomini Novitiate Community,

Enugu, Nigeria.

March 5, 2017.

God blesses us in Secret

Ash Wednesday 2017

Joel 2:12-18, Ps 51, 2Cor 5:20-6:2, Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Welcome to Lent 2017! It is often described as a time of favour. It is a time we put in extra effort to draw close to God. This season is characterized by prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We thank God we have such opportunity in the Church, and we embrace it with joy. Let us participate actively in this year’s Lenten campaign. Lenten season can be calmly exciting, serenely strengthening and secretly rewarding!

Once more, let us usher in this year’s lent by taking a brief look at the Gospel of today. Jesus recognizes the struggle we go through of not making a show of our piety. “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them...” The temptation for human approval and immediate glory is high. Anticipating and accepting human recognition is dangerous for spiritual growth. Jesus does not want us to miss the reward. Hence He gives us a way out...

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” This implies that God bless us in secret. He who sees in secret awaits us with His blessings in that secret place. Therefore, our fasting, prayer and almsgiving in secret prepare us, and take us into that secret place where God’s blessings await us.

Our heart is that secret room of blessing. “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning; and tear your hearts and not your garments,” says the Lord. To God alone belongs our Lenten observances; human approval is not necessary. In this way we give God our hearts, and draw closer to His love. What we bring “before men” is the fruit of the blessing, like “ambassadors for Christ.”

Lent is a favourable time. The silence of Jesus’ forty days in the desert confronts us! As we relive that experience, we reactivate its blessings. Happy Lent 2017!

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Mater Domini Novitiate Community,
Enugu.
March 1, 2017.

THE LOVE THAT FEEDS US

                                              Reflection for 8^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

(Is 49:14-15, Ps 62, 1 Cor 4:1-5, Mt 6:24-34)

In brief, the first reading gives us the image of God as a mother—a breastfeeding Mother. “Can a woman forget her sucking child...even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” This is a very strong image of God; that God determines our needs and attends to them like little babies in His arms. It gives us the assurance that we are secure if we rely on Him like suckling babies.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on.” Jesus explains that human life has a greater value than these. God anticipates our needs and attends to them, even without our knowing. So, we cannot be worrying about our needs and the future as if we owe ourselves or as if God cannot take care of us. It is those who do not know God that behave like this. “For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” We are like suckling babies in God’s arms!

“But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Yes, if God is attending to us like a mother to her helpless baby, ours is to focus on the love that feeds us. This is where we owe God a unilateral devotion and adoration. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” So we hunger for God’s righteousness—that perfection of God that dandles us! Hence, time for worry is taken over by prayer and thanksgiving to God.

It is only Jesus who alone knows the Father that can give us this kind of assurance in God’s providence. We can feel the strength and confidence He communicates about God. We should focus on Jesus and take His words to heart. This way the care of life will not coarse our hearts, and we, as servants of Christ, can spread the mysteries of God—his Kingdom and righteousness. The message of Jesus deepens in our hearts the love that feeds us.

Fr Jude C. Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

All Saints Catholic Church,

Agip Estate, Port Harcourt.

26/02/2017

THE FAITHFUL FRIEND

Reflection for Friday of the 7^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Sirach 6:5-17, Mk 10:1-12)

The first reading of today gives a detailed insight into friendship. It is so interesting to read from the sacred Books such issue that revolves around our daily life—a common experience. It talks about how to make friends, how we should relate with them and different kinds of friends that might come our way. In all, a faithful friend is scarce! Then he goes ahead to describe the qualities of a faithful friend. How do we find one? “A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him.”

Here is the guiding principle. God is our ultimate friend. He has made friends with us in Christ Jesus. “I call you friends because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father (Jn 15:15). A faithful friend is a gift from the Lord; a fruit of our friendship with Jesus. “Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbour also.” A faithful friends becomes that person who communicates to us the righteousness of Jesus. This is the ultimate proof of friendship. A good friend leads us to Jesus.

Friendship grows and transforms into family. Here it is institutionalized. Ordinarily, it is taken for granted that one who is adjudged a spouse already qualifies for a faithful friend. Anything less would be a disrespect to the institution of marriage. Thus, the family becomes the zenith of friendship. That is why the question of divorce presented to Jesus in the Gospel cannot hold. The family is the base and highest point of faithful friendship. Couples should be best of friends after God. Parents should be friends with their children, so also among siblings. Thus we learn friendship from the home. Divorce becomes a serious betrayal of this friendship. It does no one any good.

Therefore, Jesus answered them, “For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female…” Divorce is the outcome of a hardened heart—a heart that is not in friendship with God. It is a heart that does not obey the commandment of God. “You are my friends, if you do what I command you (Jn 15:14). Such a hardened heart cannot establish faithful friendship, and in marriage, it would always be asking for divorce. Following the words of Jesus, we can describe such heart as “adulterous.”

Now we can appreciate the beauty of friendship. It leads to family, and from the family springs friendship. And if we follow the principle above, then we are one family with Jesus. No divorce! Let us therefore, thank God for our friends. And work hard to bring to them the righteousness of Jesus. We must always remember that the best way to avoid bad companions is to remain in friendship with Jesus. He is the ultimate faithful friend.

 

Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

All Saints Catholic Church,

Agip Estate, Port Harcourt.

24/02/2017