THE OBJECT OF CONTEMPLATION

Reflection for Wednesday of the 23^rd Week in Ordinary Time I

(Col 3:1-11; Lk 6:20-26)

“Set your minds on thing that are above, not on things that are on earth.” The human mind is naturally reflective, with an object in view. What makes the difference is the specific object of contemplation. On the other hand, whatever appears to be beautiful, true or beneficial presents itself as an object of reflection to the human mind. If not directed, the wandering mind can easily rest on its immediate perceived beauty, truth, etc. And our words and action will automatically flow from where the mind takes recourse.

As we journey through St Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he advices us strongly on where to set our minds. “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” If the mind is set on Christ Jesus as its object of contemplation, then the individual cannot live sinful life. If our minds are in Christ Jesus as its object of Beauty and Truth, then our lives will be hidden with Christ in God.

However, the human mind is often burdened with thoughts as it reflects to find solution to life challenges. These difficulties, such as poverty, hunger, pain, rejection, hatred, etc can drag the mind down to earth as it worries to escape them. But Jesus steps in as our ultimate guide and presents the Beatitudes. Here He announces the blessedness that counteracts and supersedes our particular misfortune in life. “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God...”

As we listen to the words of the beatitudes, our minds are directed to that blessedness which cannot be reduced by any earthly event, no matter how unfortunate they might be. And as our minds are set on this cloud of glory, and the strength to conquer poverty, hunger, mourning, persecution, etc floods our souls. The result of this is that our lives will begin to produce the blessings that have become the objects of our contemplation: satisfaction, joy and laughter, etc.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu,C.Ss.R
Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday September 11th 2019.

THE HILLS OF PRAYER

Reflection for Tuesday of 23^rd Week in Ordinary Time Year I

(Col 2:6-15; Lk 6:12-19)

         

Now, we are getting deeper into Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The reflections are getting more interesting but climbing the heights of thought. In today’s reading St Paul warns that we should not fall prey to anything that is not according to Christ. “For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” In Christ Jesus, we are like in the apex of the mountain of life. While we are alive, we die to sin in Him; when we die, we live with Him.

The Gospel narrates how Jesus climbed the hills to pray. He spent all night in prayer. Up on the hill of prayer is the will of God imbibed; there wisdom and vision are acquired. And after that, he came down to the low ground to attend to the people.

However, in-between the hill of prayer and the low ground of action is decision-making! This is where one begins to adjust his ideology of life, and plan of action, to align with the wisdom from the hills. Here Jesus chose His twelve apostles. It was a great choice that shaped our salvation. We should not take it for granted that simply because we spent all night in prayer our actions will automatically reflect the will of God. Choice is free! We must consciously choose rightly. The formation received from the height of prayer supplies the courage and promptness to choose thus.

“And He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people...And all the crowd sought to touch Him for power came forth from Him and healed them all.” Then, Jesus became for the people the Height of Blessedness; for the fullness of divinity dwells in Him. We ascend to Jesus as up the hills of prayer to receive vision for the mission, and courage to choose the will of God.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday September 10^th, 2019.

The Joy of the Cross

Reflection for Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Year I
(Col 1:24-2:3; Lk 6:6-11)

A sadist is one who takes pleasure in the pains of others. By nature we all have this inclination to be sadists if not the grace of God. That is why often times we rejoice, not exactly in what they possess, but that others do not have the same thing as we do. The ironic joy of the Cross is a mystery that saves us from being sadists and transforms us to joy-givers.

St Pauls talks about his joy in suffering for the sake of the people of Colossia. This is not to exalt suffering for its sake, but taking up pain so that others might be free. The joy of suffering that others might not suffer earns one a place in the cross of Christ. “I carry in my body the scars of Christ” (Gal 6:17). In this way, the believer becomes a means through which the grace of Christ Cross is extended to all. “And in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His Body, that is, the Church.” It is in joyful view of the healing that bearing such suffering would bring that encourages one to endure the pain. But the greatest joyful hope that urges us on is the eternal life we have in Christ Jesus.

The Cross often meets opposition because there selfishness is conquered. The Pharisees and Scribes lurked by the corner like a hungry lion going after its prey! They watched Jesus closely to see if He would relieve the sick man of his pain on the Sabbath. They were indifferent to the suffering of the man. But Jesus took pity upon him. The man was healed, but the Scribes and Pharisees were filled with anger.

Genuine love for God and neighbour makes the difference. Love endures all things, even to the point of the Cross; love seeks the good of the other. The rejection of the Cross creates space for the dark cloud of embitterness to envelop the soul, where one becomes numb to suffering of others. Now we can escape being sadists! Bearing cross for the good others gives joy beyond measure. St Paul confirms it.

 
Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,
Abule Oshun, Lagos.
Monday September 9th, 2019.
Memorial of St Peter Claver.

Discernment for Discipleship

Reflection for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
(Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10,12-17; Lk 14:25-33)
1.Discernment
“Who can discern what the Lord wants?” The first reading exposes the limitations in human reasoning. The proper use of our imaginative power or intentionality  is the true test of human intelligence. Still the most intelligent minds struggle to discern and grasp natural things. “We can hardly guess at what is on earth.” Why is it so? The Book of Wisdom says it is because “the perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthly tent burdens the thoughtful mind.” Thus if the desires of the body overshadows the individual,  he cannot make proper and lasting discernment. A wise counsel must discern the will God. Such is given by the Spirit from on High. This is how we learn God's will, and make the right choices on earth.

2.0.  Paul vs Philemon
Philemon, a devout Christian, had a servant, Onesimus who squandered his master's property. In order to punish him and recover his wealth, this young man was imprisoned.  This is a typical example of human calculation, which tends to project itself for our well-being but is often short-sighted.

While in prison, Onesimus met St Paul, who loved him and converted him to Christ Jesus. Paul secured the young man's release and sent him back to Philemon. He urges this man to receive this servant back, “no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother...so if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.” According to the wisdom of Paul, Philemon should strip himself of the status of “master” and assume that of a “brother” over Onesimus. This is an uncommon wisdom.

3.0. The Wisdom of the Cross
It takes great discernment to unravel the wisdom that leads to discipleship. Jesus is the Incarnate Wisdom. To follow Jesus as His disciple is to unlock such wisdom that cannot fail in every situation. The standard of discernment for discipleship is the Cross of Jesus Christ. “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

At the moment of silent meditation on the cost of discipleship, one sees through the Cross of Jesus what it would take thereof. The feedback of such discernment would be: “Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” Then we begin to take the proper steps accordingly to answer the call to follow Jesus. If not, we would be like the man that left behind an uncompleted building,  or the King that was defeated at war for his lack of foresight.

It is as if we climb the wood of the Cross to peep into the future...From that Height we see the will of God for us and abundant harvest for our labours. The projection of human mind from below cannot perceive the eternal horizon the wisdom of the Cross opens up for us. In silence we nail our daily choices to the Cross, and empty them of all selfishness.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday September 8th, 2019.

The Pre-eminent

Friday of 22nd week in Ordinary Time Year I
(Col 1:15-20; Lk 5:33-39)
Today, Paul's letter to the Colossians introduces Jesus to us in an excellent way. This poetic rendition of Jesus is full of meaning and ever alive. It draws one to deep meditation.

“Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation...” St Paul explains that Jesus is pre-eminent over everything created, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities. Thus, “in Him all things hold together”, such that whatever does not find reference in Jesus is like a branch that is cut off. In Jesus the fullness of God dwells in our midst, and through His Cross we are reconciled to God.

It is only by revelation that one can grasp the mystery of Jesus as God among us. Faith is the key! Little wonder the Pharisees complained that Jesus' disciples were not seen fasting. He answered them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the Bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the Bridegroom is taken away from them,  and they will fast in those days.” In order words, Jesus is the reason we fast; we fast to be with Jesus. He is the pre-eminent; the answer to our prayers. This understanding is new and foreign to the Pharisees. 

“And no one puts new wine in old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.” A new order has dawned. Jesus Christ is the new way. He has been introduced to us perfectly as God in our midst, such that He is above all and leads all to God. “Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). The new wine of love and grace that Christ pours into our hearts as the pre-eminent and first born of all creation cannot be contained in the old wineskin of the Pharisees, which places external legal observances above all others.

Thus we gather around the Eucharistic table, where Jesus is above all, the priest and victim, to offer ourselves and to receive Jesus as the answer to our prayers. In Him all things hold together.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy,
Trade Fair Complex,  Lagos.
Friday September 6th, 2019.

The Inheritance in Light

Thursday of 22nd week in Ordinary Time Year I
(Col 1:9-14; Lk 5:1-11)
St Paul was full of joy for the Colossians for their love, and he prayed that God sustain them in spiritual wisdom and understanding. He glorified God, “who has  qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” God delivered us from wasteful life—the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

In the Gospel, Peter and his companions had a wasteful night as they toiled through the sea but caught no fish. After using his boat to teach in the morning Jesus said to him, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” They did this and caught great shoal. This was an awesome experience for them. Jesus filled their emptiness; He transformed their labours to fruitfulness. But it was just a sign. There was still a greater inheritance He would invite them to share...

Peter got the sign. In a swift of reflection on the sudden catch, he got the message hidden in the sign. He fell at the feet of Jesus saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” It takes a humble and reflective person to allow his encounter with Jesus Christ to reveal and heal his hidden self. Now Peter offered himself not just his boat to Jesus. So from transforming his labours, Jesus would transfer him from the dominion of darkness to the Kingdom of Light through the forgiveness of his sins.

Finally, Jesus qualified them to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” Jesus became their ultimate inheritance! They laboured all night trying to catch fish, but the giver of fish offered Himself freely for them. Therefore, “They left everything and followed Him.”

Thus we need to grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we can recognise the signs each day and locate ourselves in Jesus, to bear fruit in every good work. Then Jesus will qualify us, and transfer us to inherit His Kingdom of Light as we follow Him wholeheartedly.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy,
Trade Fair Complex,  Lagos.
Thursday September 5th, 2019.

Alone with Jesus

Wednesday of 22nd week in Ordinary Time Year A
(Col 1:1-8; Lk 4:38-44)

Today we begin a journey into St Paul's letter to the Colossians. Our reflection each day will try to link the message in this letter with the Gospel of the day.

“...We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven”(Col 1:4-5). The faith exhibited by the Colossians moved Paul and Timothy to give gratitude to God. Faith gives us unique identity.

In Gospel, Jesus moved from the public arena to the private home of Simon's mother-in-law who was sick. After healing her, people brought more sick people and He cured them. We can imagine the magnitude of the demands made on Jesus.

“And when it was day He departed and went to a lonely place” (Lk 4:42). We see here that solitude is a need not a leisure. So we step in with Jesus to the lonely place to regain focus and renew our inner strength. And whenever we locate that place of solitude within our heart, we perceive Jesus. He has gone ahead of us to the lonely place. Where is this place of solitude?

Any quiet place is preferable. This quickness the recollection and encounter. However, the lonely place, which enriches the soul is the place where we meet Jesus! Thus our Catholic faith becomes a kind of place where we have a deep personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Thus, faith makes us “a people set apart” (Cf. 1Pet 2:9). The place of faith—the heart—becomes the place of solitude. Therefore,  no matter how noisy the environment might be or how busy we are, if we recollect into faith, we can be alone with Jesus.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy,
Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.
Wednesday September 4th, 2019.