From the Depths of the Heart

                             Reflection for Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Year A

                                                            (1Sam 9-20; Mk 1:21-28)

From the depth of her sorrows, Hannah prayed to the Lord. Though in agony, she was positively minded. Hannah did not blame anyone for her situation, neither was she seeking revenge for the one that taunted her. She was specific in her request: ‘give to your maidservant a son.’ Surprisingly, she vowed to give back to God what He would give her. Here she made total commitment to God, and self-detachment from her request, such that at the end, only the glory of God would remain. 

This kind of prayer of self-surrender is uncommon. “Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard.” She was lost in deep contemplation. The sound of her silence caught the attention Eli, the priest, who thought she was drunk. “From the depths I call to you, O God: Lord hear my cry” (Ps 130:1-2). We must extol the silence of the heart in our prayers. Eli blessed her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you made to Him.” She believed and left the temple happy. “Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called him Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked him of the Lord.’”

What a liberation, and the transforming of her sorrows to joy! It was marvellous. Such awe was felt around Jesus among those who listened to Him at Capernaum. Such fire of glory and power is often felt by those who, in silence listen and speak to the Lord from the depth of their hearts. It creates inner freedom and peace, and neutralizes negative energies and influences. This is seen in the Gospel of today as Jesus silences the demonic, and casts out the unclean spirit.

Jesus is the new High Priest, our Mediator, who hears even the silent petitions of our hearts (cf. Heb 4:14-16). He is the new Temple (In 2:21), where we enter to have divine encounter. Sorrows and failures of life can accumulate into negative energies within, breeding hate, revenge and depression. These, like the Demoniac that interrupted Jesus, can destroy our inner serenity and contemplation,  leaving behind chaos. But we match like Hannah, bearing our sorrows and brokenness, to pour out our hearts to Jesus. He blesses us through the action of the priests. With Him every pain and sorry becomes an opportunity for new grace and favour to the glory God. 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R 

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 

Tedi-Muwo,  Lagos. 

Tuesday 14th January, 2020.

TRANSFORMING HURT TO POSITIVE ACTION

                 Reflection for Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Year A

                                                      (1Sam 1-8; Mk 1:14-20)

We begin this first Week with the First Book of Samuel. It began by introducing the family of Elkanah, which is rooted in the tribe of Ephraim. “Ephraim” means “Fruitfulness.” This was the name Joseph gave his second son in Egypt to indicate that God had prospered him in the land of his sojourn (Gen 41:52). But this man from the ‘tribe of fruitfulness’ had a wife, Hannah, who was barren! Then he got a second wife, Peninnah, who had children. Again, Elkanah was faithful to God in offering annual sacrifices at Shilo yet Hannah remained childless. 

There was a problem. Peninnah stood upon her gracious position as the fruitful wife and taunted Hannah. She had enough and more, but saw herself in competition with the woman who had little and less. Probably she was jealous of the one thing that Hannah had: the love of her husband. Since Peninnah was not satisfied with the extra allocation given to her, she sought to tap secret joy from the sorrows of Hannah!  Unfortunately,  her name would not go beyond the sorrows she had caused, and so are all who lock themselves in jealousy and hate. Elkanah continue to love and support Hannah as her streams of tears flowed. 

In Gospel, the arrest of John the Baptist broke the heart of Jesus so he decided to move into Galilee. He felt the pain of John who was hit by the wickedness and jealousy of Herod and Herodias. As He mournfully stepped into Galilee, He began to preach repentance and proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand. And while at the shores of the sea of Galilee, He called His first apostles. Jesus utilized the unfavourable circumstance created by human wickedness to do the will of God.

In Christ Jesus we have a gracious capacity to transform our tears of sorrow to tears to joy! Like Hannah, we may have many things to complain about to God and to man. But if at the end nothing positive comes out of our stream of tears, it implies we are merely celebrating and exalting the hurt instead of accepting the situation as our sharing in the Cross of Christ. Something good can come from every odd situation. “By His wounds we are healed” (1Pet 2:24).

Fr. Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R h

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church 

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday, January 13th, 2020.

THE HEAVENS ARE OPEN

REFLECTION FOR THE FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD YEAR A

(Is 42:1-4.6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17)

Last week we celebrated the manifestation of Jesus to the whole world with the visit of the Magi. It was through a natural sign—the sign of a star—that they were able to locate Jesus. Today, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, which marks the beginning of His public ministry. Once again, Jesus is introduced to us but this time through the voice of the Father and the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The greatest testimony for Christ Jesus is unveiled as He stepped out of the water; “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

In the beginning of creation, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters (Gen 1:2). Jesus steps into the waters of Baptism to inaugurate the new creation—the new order of grace. “So there are three witnesses: the Spirit, water and blood; and the three of them coincide” (1Jn 5:7-8). Jesus is the source; from His wounded side flows the grace of sanctification and incorporation into the new order of grace. He needed no baptism since He is the son of God and has no sin in him. He enters the waters ‘to fulfill all righteousness’, i.e. to submit himself entirely to the Father’s will (CCC 536), to show us the way, and sanctify the waters of baptism. Already He was anticipating the “Baptism” of the Cross (Lk 12:50).

“At his baptism ‘the heavens were opened’—the heavens that Adam’s sin had closed…” (CCC 536). Thus Jesus’ public ministry, which the Church continues today, announces that the Kingdom of God is near (Mt 4:17). Participation in the life of the Kingdom of God and its righteousness will require incorporation into Jesus Christ. It is by Baptism that we are born again in Jesus as children of God. We become God’s adopted children in Jesus Christ. This makes us co-heirs with Him of the Kingdom of God (Rm 8:17). “So by our baptism into His death we were buried with Him, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glorious power, we too should begin living a new life” (Rm 6:4).

Since we are assimilated to Jesus through our Baptism, we must see ourselves as being dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus (Rm 6:11). The heavens are open; we are living under grace. Sin must not rule our lives so that we would not shut ourselves off the new order of grace. The Voice of the Father and the descent of the Holy Spirit indicate that in Jesus dwells the fullness of divinity, and we who are assimilated to Him receive divine favor and fulfillment through Him (cf. Col 2:9).

How beautiful are the waters of the Jordan that stood for all waters of Baptism! The flowing waters, gentle and steady, received from Jesus the grace to wash away the original sin and keep us clean as new creatures for the Kingdom of God. The heavens are open! So the divine unction of the Holy Spirit descends anew in the oil of chrism. Like Jesus, we step out of waters of Baptism, full of grace and newness, with the Holy Spirit and power, preaching the good news of peace of Jesus Christ, doing good and freeing the captives (Acts 10:34-38). This is the responsibility to which baptismal grace summons us to. We cannot receive the grace of God in vein (2Cor 6:1). If we want to live with Him, we must also die with Him (2Tim 2:11; Rm 6:8). By our Baptism, the Mission of Christ Jesus becomes ours too. The heavens are open; God is with us.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos

Sunday, 12^th January, 2020.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

"WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR"

Reflection on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

(Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12)

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Today we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus to whole world. It was quite dramatic as the wise men spotted the star, and courageously traced its movement to meet the Baby Jesus. All humanity is summoned to the Salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the light (Jn 8:12). Man would have remained in darkness, imprisoned in his own natural inclinations, if not that Jesus dwelt among us. The remarkable light of the star scattered the darkness of the sky as it announced with serene silence that the Living Light is born.

 

The greatest mystery of all time left its concrete witness in nature as the star descended. “Ever since the creation of the world, the invisible existence of God and his everlasting power have been clearly seen by the mind’s understanding of created things” (Rm 1:20). The birth of Jesus sanctified the order of nature, such that God’s presence can be perceived therein. Now all the ends of the earth, every culture and society, can now discover God who is within (cf. Ps 98:3). The human mind, which is part of nature, can rise to contemplation of the truth of God. Scientific knowledge and common sense can perceive God’s presence if they are open to the truth. So the Wise Men, the Magi, who committed themselves to the study of nature and the search for truth, discovered the sign that points to Jesus Christ. These Men were open-minded, asking questions and ready to surrender to the revealed truth. Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord, who seek the God of Jacob (Ps 24:3-6).

The star continued to move but the Wise Men branched off to Herod’s palace. Experts were consulted; even those who hated the Messiah-King helped them! However, the most sublime of human thinking, cannot fully comprehend the fullness of Divine Revelation. The star halted over where the Baby Jesus was; its light must give way to the true Light of the World. God has taken His position among us; Nature has encountered its creator. The Wise Men now pay homage to the Incarnate Wisdom. The thinking mind searching for truth now meets the revealed truth. Reason serves faith; faith enlightens reason. In paying homage to Jesus, the Wise Men surrendered all their intelligence to divine illumination. Now they could properly interpret, not just the signs in nature, but even dreams. “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” Those who live only according to human inclinations, who rationalize everything instead being open to revealed truth, cannot redirect their lives to the path of life (cf. Rm 8:5-8).

Therefore, St Paul in the second reading exalts the ‘stewardship God’s grace’ that was given to him by revelation. In carrying out this apostolic mandate, those who live by their natural selves, the Gentiles, are to be brought into the divine promise in Christ Jesus. “The natural person has no room for the gifts of God’s Spirit; to him they are folly; he cannot recognise them, because their value can be assessed only in the Spirit” (1 Cor 2:14). There is joy when we sincerely search for the truth with openness to God’s revelation.

The star of salvation continues to rise, summoning people of sincere heart to divine encounter. If we are Wise, we will perceive God’s presence within and in the events that occur around us. From the order of nature His star breaks forth and shines! Thus, we have seen His star anew in the Eucharist as it rises above us who are bent in adoration, paying homage. The ‘natural signs’ lead us to deeper divine encounter. Like the star that halted over Jesus, the Eucharistic signs lead us to communion with Jesus. Yes, we have seen the signs; we have seen His star. Let us arise and match forward. He awaits us.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday, January, 2020.

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Throwback: Click below to previous Epiphany reflections in 2012 and 2013 respectively

https://nwachinwe.blogspot.com/2012/01/arise-and-pay-homage.html

https://nwachinwe.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-gifts-to-pay-homage_23.html

The Hour of Jesus is our Time

                                                             (Reflection for NEW YEAR 2020)

Time is on the move. The disappearance and emergence of years—the numbering of time—is more than mere mathematical calculation. The dawn of new calendar year is loaded with great opportunities as well as uncertainties. The unfolding of time gradually and steadily reveals what we make of life in time. The reference and relevance of each year to our lives draws from the value we acquire therein. Fear, joy or hope can be the inclination of our hearts as we look into the New Year. Still, time moves on! Thus, awareness of this constant flow of time, challenges us to work hard to achieve great value within the time available, at each moment. This is how we escape the depressing sense of nothingness that can come with the passing of years. 

I wish you a happy New Year because we now have an opportunity to achieve great value in time. The value we aspire today comes from beyond time. The eternal God, who created time, has become Master of our time in Jesus Christ. Jesus is now the “Beginning”, the “First Born of all creation.” All that live draw life and value from Him. He becomes the ‘reason’ for our lives and the destination of our life journey in time. So Jesus is the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. All times and seasons belong to Him. The hour of Jesus has become our time. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (Jn 12:23). Therefore, this day, this year, is the real time of favour, now the day of salvation (cf. 2Cor 6:2). We are happy for the New Year because it is now a new opportunity in grace through Jesus Christ.

Let us match in to the Year 2020 with great plans, resolutions and actions. Jesus is at the centre of our counting of years. Let the inspiration and motives of our New Year commitments flow from the grace and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any step we take this year that cannot be referenced to Jesus Christ will expose us to the nothingness side of time; it will definitely diminish our value in time. We might not be faithful or consistent in our resolution, but Jesus is ever faithful (cf. 2Tim 2:13). So we must constantly renew our commitment as the year unfolds. The hour of Jesus is our time, i.e. the time of salvation.

Be grace-filled and be grateful for the year 2020. Happy New Year!!!

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

January 1, 2020.

Behold His Glory

Reflection for Christmas 2019

 

Our Celebration

The annual celebration of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ is such a great event that keeps the end of every calendar bubbling with freshness. “The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we saw His glory, the glory that He has from the Father as the only son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). Our celebration today, with its glamour and excitement, is a testimony of this ‘taste’ of Jesus’ glory we have experienced but yearns for more... All the messianic prophecy, and our advent celebration, now disappear into this one joy that ‘God-is-with-us.’

Whom we Celebrate

This is a mystery but a reality in our eyes! It summons us to silence that we might behold his presence within us and break forth with joy, for He comes to comfort and redeem His people (cf. Is 52:9). God who is outside of time and above all time, today has become the Master of our time, ‘The Beginning’ of everything that has ‘Being’, everything that exists. “Not one thing came into being except through Him” (Jn 1:3). Thus, whatever has value for life flows from Christ Jesus. Today we joyfully celebrate because He who is the source of life is now among us. “What has come into being in him was life, life that was the light of men” (Jn 1:4). What a supra-abundance of life we have in Jesus. God has given ‘His final Word’ in Jesus Christ (Cf. Heb 1:1-6).   

Who Celebrates

At Bethlehem, in the manger, we see Baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes (Lk 2:7). The cold dark and silent place had no beauty for humans but reserved its comfort for animals. But there lay the King, almost having no space in humanity. Mary and Joseph welcomed the Baby with awe and admiration as Angels broke the silence of the night with joyful acclamation. While the Angels appeared to the shepherds, the Magi went to the glamorous palace of Herod. The proud and ambitious Herod had no place for Jesus, just like the busy and flushing Inns at Bethlehem. The shepherd followed the path given by the faith-laden angelic message to pay homage (Lk 2: 15-20), while the Magi, with lots of common sense, followed the insight given in nature to pay homage (Mt 2: 1-12).

‘Bethlehem’, the city of David, was the least among the clans of Judea (Mt 2:6). Mary described herself as the lowly handmaid of the Lord (cf. Lk 1:38). Joseph was popular for being a mere carpenter (Mt 13:55). The simple birth of Jesus was the greatest and sanctifying moment in human history. And the simple hearts welcomed Him. Those truly celebrate and make room for Jesus as He comes must be humble. He comes anew but in humble hearts.

Today as we bend in silence and gaze on the crib, we contemplate the lowly place where Jesus Christ chose to be born. And let our hearts be so simple, available, and containing no beauty of its own except the beauty of the glory of Jesus within it.

Happy Christmas!!!

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday 25^th December, 2019.

Christmas Day.

OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

Reflection for 4^th Sunday of Advent Year A

(Is 7:10-14, Rm 1:1-7, Mt 1:18-24)

      The Sign

Judah was being invaded by Syria and Ephraim. Ahaz seemed to have made up his mind to align with Assyrians, their long time enemy in order to survive. Isaiah came to reassure him that God will not allow the City of David to be taken over, and the Davidic dynastic truncated. He persuaded King Ahaz to ask for a sign that God will deliver Judah. The King was adamant. Then the Prophet himself gave him a sign from the Lord: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Thus, the virgin birth became an immediate and concrete sign of the coming of the Messiah.

 Obedience of Faith

Despite assurances from Prophet Isaiah, King Ahaz allowed fear to rule his life. He refused to submit to messianic prophecy. He took refuge in Assyria and served their gods (2 kg 16:5-18). But now that we have the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is God-with-us, “Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name…” (Rm 1:5). Total submission or total surrender is required of us since God has given His all to be ‘with us.’ He is here! His grace impels us from within such that our free choice reflects our choice for the Messiah, and our being with Him. Obedience of faith is the free submission to what is proposed in faith because its truth is guaranteed by God Himself.[1] Example of this seen in Abraham, St Joseph, The Blessed Virgin Mary, etc, and the Church venerates in Mary the purest realization of obedience of faith.  

              Fear Not

The Gospel of today opened up certain events leading up to the birth of Jesus. One would expect such most holy birth to be surrounded with serene and peaceful circumstances. But immediately a crisis situation of introduced. Joseph had hard times believing that Mary conceived of the Holy Spirit. He feared the consequences thereof for himself and for Mary especially. A divorce was imminent. It was similar to the crisis situation Ahaz found himself before Isaiah approached him.

Joseph was consumed by thinking; he was worn-out by reflection. The unfolding scenario was completely opposite of all that he planned and hoped for. Judging from his human and ‘righteous’ mind, he made the hard choice! Still, fear surrounded every step he humanly judged to be fair. Suddenly, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”

Yes, Joseph was asked to surrender even his most righteous thoughts to the plan of God. In so doing, he became part of the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy of which the sign of the ‘virgin mother’ was its immediate realization. “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” His fears disappeared and he regained confidence. Obedience of faith conquers fear.

 ‘He will save His People’

God who created out of nothing can bring order from chaos. The Son of God came forth within the internal crisis and struggle of Joseph and Mary, and the external socio-political tension at that time. Our weaknesses and failings cannot truncate God’s design, but He demands our cooperation and participation through obedience of faith. The fact that God’s salvation in Christ Jesus shines out despite the internal and external crisis around us, is itself a guarantee of victory over every difficulty we encounter. This is the great hope of Christmas, that He will surely save us only if we cooperate through obedience of faith.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,

Abule-Oshun, Lagos..

Sunday, December 21, 2019.   

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[1] CCC 144-149