THE UNVEILING OF DIVINE WISDOM

Reflection for 25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 

 (Is 55:6-9; Phil 1:20-24,27; Mt 20:1-16)

Whenever we compare what we have with that of others, we discover that either we do not have enough or we need more to remain on top. Often times our way of counting progress is when we achieved that which others have or do not have. Human mind and logic is awesome, but its ways of reasoning cannot be compared to divine wisdom. The Lord declares through the Prophet Isaiah, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Therefore, human reasoning becomes sublime when it accommodates divine wisdom through faith. Faith and reason are no more opposing each other but they work together to inspire the believer to action. This is so because the immeasurable wisdom and knowledge of God is revealed to us in Christ Jesus (Rm 11:33).  

Hence, the human person must commit his reasoning to divine wisdom. If not, it will be locked up in self-pity, the agony of its limitedness and diminish itself in competitiveness. That is why Isaiah cries out, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” And the Lord God had taken His abode among us in Christ Jesus; our human mind can reach out to Him. The ways of God that was formally far removed from us can now be followed through Jesus Christ. That is why St Paul, in the second reading, urges us to center our reasoning to ‘honour’ Christ. “Christ is to be honoured in my body, whether by life or death.” St Paul demonstrates how he battles between different life options. Yes, our minds remain restless in its reasoning and struggles for choices in life. We cannot stop the mind from thinking. But our choices and responses to situations must be to the honour of Christ and according to the manner worthy of the Gospel.

And the manner worthy of the Gospel is clearly demonstrated in the parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The householder hired the first set of labourers in early morning and agreed to pay them one denarius a day. From the third hour to the eleventh hour, he saw other idle labourers and sent them to his vineyard but did not agree on any pay. “You go into my vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.” At the close of work, he began payment first from those he hired on charity, and gave them the same amount that was due to the first set of labourers by justice. The first of labourers were not happy because, according to human reasoning, they ought to receive more since they worked all day. Their grumbling was not because the householder treated them unjustly, but because they did not want to ‘share their glory’ with those who did labour with them! They wanted the lowliness of the others to express their exaltation. But they forgot that the householder reduced their task by hiring more hands, such that even the one denarius was more than the task initially agreed and was equally given in charity.

Yes, generosity, mercy and compassion are the Gospel patterns of reasoning we must adopt in order to unlock divine wisdom. Though divine wisdom may appear hidden, distant from human logic and a mystery, charity makes it shine out. The householder answered, “My friend, I am doing you no wrong...take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give you...Do you begrudge my generosity? So the last will be first, and the first last.” It is by charity that justice reaches those who cannot purchase it. Charity is that platform, which human logic understands and divine wisdom prescribes. Whenever we act in charity, our logical reasoning surrenders to divine wisdom. While our minds are burning with thoughts in the face of diverse life options, let our primary intention be to the honour of Jesus Christ and let our guiding principle be generosity of heart. In this way, Divine Wisdom will locate us, and engage us in its vineyard, such that Divine providence will bless us and we shall labour for eternal life, Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday September 20^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE DANCE OF LOVE

Reflection for Wednesday of the 24^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(1 Cor 12:31-13:13; Lk 7:31-35)

1.0.  The Gift

Long before our present battle with love and relationship, St Paul had given an explanation of love that remains a solution to most of the problems we encounter with love. St Paul’s teaching is based on his understanding that LOVE IS A GIFT. This is the departure point of his teaching. It is not just a gift, love is the highest, the most sublime of all gifts; it is love that renders other gifts meaningful. Think about the love you have today, do you feel it as a gift? True love is given freely and received freely. And where love genuinely exists, other gifts will begin to germinate. Among others, faith (trust) and hope are the most intimate gifts that arise from love. Then, other spiritual gifts will begin to grow. That means love does not leave us stagnant or retard our lives. It roots us firmly in God with the gift of faith, such that we confidently entrust ourselves in the arms of the one we love, and match forward with joy to conquer the future. “Love never ends” It leads us into the future of God, who Himself is Love.

2.0.  Characteristics of Love

Because love can be confused with our momentary sentiments, St Paul lists out the distinguishing characteristics of love. These qualities, at the same time, reveal the opposing negative sentiments that often tend to mingle with love. “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

3.0.  The Dance of Love

The rhythm of love is rolling, let us step forward in line and join the dance of love. The tune of love we hear from St Paul is clear and direct. If we internalize it and dance to this tune, no one can deceive us with fake love. But if we go off-track, we shall be tossed through and fro and be easily heartbroken. Such experience can make one cold and withdrawn like the children in the story Jesus told in the Gospel: “We piped for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.” But the love of God has been poured into our hearts through Jesus Christ (Rm 5:5). If we focus on Him and love Him back, we shall win the battle of love and continue in the dance of love, a dance of joy and victory. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday September 16^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Today we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary as our Lady of Sorrows. Mary’s sorrows flowed intimately from the life and passion of Jesus Christ. As the Mother, her life was ‘mingled’ with that of her Son, such that she participated in her life, suffering and glory. Her privileged choice as the Mother of Jesus did not save her for the sorrows that came with it. Of course, this qualified her as the Mother of all Believers to be our model and to help us in our every sorrow.

Meditating on her life as Our Lady of Sorrows, imagine the surprise visit of the Angel and the message that shook her so much that Gabriel had to calm her down not to be afraid. Think about the emotional trauma she went through as Joseph contemplated whether to ‘expose’ her or send her packing quietly. The birth time was not easy at all as she battled with labour pains while Joseph looked for any available space in the inn. Think about the moment of the presentation in the Temple as their joy was swallowed up in Simeon’s prophecy. The words of the old man sounded like arrows in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She indeed was bathed with sorrows as we see her on the painful escape journey to Egypt. But the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple exposed in a more concrete way the extent of her sorrows for the Child Jesus (Lk 2:34-35; Mt 2:13-14; Lk 2:43-45).

The birth of Jesus was not the end, but just the beginning of Mary’s motherhood. All through Jesus' public ministry She continued to care for Him as she would travel far to look for Him. The passion of Jesus marked the height of Mary’s sorrows. Think about the meeting of Jesus and Mary as He made His way slowly to Calvary. The hitting of the nails during the crucifixion of Jesus sounded like sharp arrows in the Heart of Mary. The taking down of Jesus’ body from the Cross and the burial brought unimaginable sorrows to Mary (Mt 12:47;Lk 23:27; Jn 19: 18, 25-27; Mk 15:43-46).

Our Lady of Sorrows, the Sorrowful Mother—Mater Dolorosa—is no less the joyful Mother. Her sorrows did not silent the echoes of her magnificat. Her soul continued to magnify the Lord even as she matched from one sorrow to another. This is because she embraced her vocation and whatever unfolded from within it as the will of God. ‘Let it be to me as you have said’ is the ultimate disposition that kept her going until she stood at the foot of the Cross of Jesus. Let us learn from Mary, and lean on her as our Model and Mother. With her motherly help, we shall triumph over all our sorrows. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday September 15^th, 2020.
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE HINGE OF FORGIVENESS

Reflection for 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Sirach 27:30-28:7; Rm 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35)

1.0.  “Anger and Wrath, these are abominations”

Have you ever regretted being angry? Anger is one emotion we do not like but it comes up once in a while. Its frequency and degree varies from person to person. Also, the things that provoke our anger and the way we express it varies too. The things that rouse our anger reveal a lot about the values we cherish. If those values are selfish and wrong, the anger they evoke will leave behind a lot of negative side effects. Today’s first reading looks at anger as a means of effecting vengeance and unforgiveness.

Sin and selfishness are the soils in which anger germinate from and grow. Then, forgiveness will release us from the grip of anger and wrath. “Forgive your neighbour the wrong he has done and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.” Sirach presents forgiveness of neighbour as a pre-condition and necessity for receiving God’s mercy, forgiveness, healing, and answered prayers. In other words, ‘anticipation’ of God’s goodness and judgement should inspire one to be true to the commandments, control anger and overlook the weakness of his neighbour. Therefore, it is the man who expects nothing from the Lord that holds anger and wrath, and seeks vengeance.

2.0.  “None of us lives for himself”

While the Book of Sirach draws us forward into the ‘future of God’ to learn how to overcome anger and forgive, St Paul in the Second reading invites us to look inwards and examine our present life. According to him, we should relocate the centre of our lives away from ourselves and others and establish it in the Lord Jesus Christ. “None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord.” It is often when we make ourselves the standard and determinant of ourselves and things around us or when we place certain expectation on others that we easily get hurt and burn with anger and unforgiveness if they fail us.  Thus, What are you living for; what is it you value so much, and what gives your life meaning? Christ Jesus died and rose again that He might be the reason for our existence, the Lord of the living and the dead. So, if ever we want to be angry, it must be to the glory of God.

3.0.  “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you...”

In the Gospel, Jesus tells the story of the unforgiving servant to show that forgiveness has no limit. This servant received abundant mercy from his master but he refused to forgive his fellow servant who pleaded with him. The story gives us the ‘reason’ to forgive continuously and unconditionally. Forgiveness issues from God; God is the source, He is the first to forgive us. ‘Forgiveness’ comes to us as a gift, as an unmerited grace. Thus, we look ‘backwards’ at what the Master had done, we ought to be appreciative of His generosity. Then, we approach our neighbour’s offences with the grateful disposition the Lord gives.  In other words, the forgiveness we render to those who offend us is a concrete expression of the gratitude we owe to God.

But the unforgiving servant disqualified himself of his master’s mercy. Instead of looking back at his master’s love and generosity and drawing inspiration from there, he made himself the standard of judgement, his pride took hold of him and his anger became his inspiration. As his anger raged, vengeance became his only option for justice. He was described as a ‘wicked’ servant because he hid the gratuitous gift of God from his fellow servant. Yes, this is true, anytime we prevent God’s blessings on us from reaching others, we become ‘wicked.’ The master reversed his mercy on him and treated him with the same standard he applied to his fellow servant. At the end Jesus said, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Where your treasure is there will your heart be; and where your heart is, from there shall you be provoked. If we look back with gratitude at the love and mercy of God upon us, and hinge all our hope for the future, with all its anticipations and aspirations in divine providence, and at present, locate the centre of our being in Christ Jesus, who died for us, then, anger will never be our habit. At least, the anger that is fuelled by unforgiveness and seeks vengeance will have no place in our hearts. Whatever stirs you to anger and wrath indicates a certain disposition of your heart that is not rooted in Christ Jesus. The Ocean of mercy, the unfathomable Divine Mercy is gushing forth to envelop you and the whole world. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos,
Sunday September 13^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com 

THE WATCHMAN OF FORGIVENESS

Reflection for 23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Ezekiel 33:7-9; Rm 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-20)

How often do we take responsibility for the life of others? Many a times, we are concerned for our well-being and the protection of our comfort zones, which may include the few individuals within our circle. The common trend today is to exclude or ‘walk away’ from those who disagree with us or who corrects us. So people these days form ‘uniformity’ and flock around those who will tell them what they want to hear.  Even when we hear admonitions from the word of God, we tend to select what we want to hear and respond to, especially if the message is to our advantage. Still, the messenger must deliver the message God gave him.

This is the instruction the prophet Ezekiel got in the first reading of today. His prophetic mission included delivering God’s message of repentance to the sinner. Yes, the sinner is free to repent or not, but the prophet must take responsibility to ensure that God’s message gets to man. Here, the salvation of the sinner is indirectly hinged on the prophetic mandate. Therefore, if the prophet fails to carry out his duty, God would hold him accountable for the death of the sinner. But if he delivers his message, whether the sinner repents or not, the prophet would have saved his life.

In the Gospel, Jesus stands before us as the fulfilment of the law and the prophets. He has won the forgiveness of our sins so that sinners may be reconciled with God. And he established in His Church the ministry of reconciliation; “God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18). So, we have a new ‘prophetic mandate’ issuing from Jesus as He says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens, you have gained your brother.” Like Ezekiel the watchman, Jesus placed the care of the soul of our brother in our hands. We must take responsibility by taking every step necessary to be reconciled with him. The new prophetic watchman looks for every possible means to heal wounds and restore unity.

What are the reasons to seek for forgiveness and reconciliation? Jesus answers that it is to gain your brother back. This unity is answered prayer; unity of intention wins us God’s favour. And the Lord dwells among us when we are united. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Grudge, unforgiveness and disunity are serious obstacles to prayer. Everyone wins when we are reconciled to each other. Healing the wounds of disunity is part of the ‘prophetic mandate’ we received at baptism. Thus, if we want to be reconciled with Christ Jesus and be saved, we too must be reconciled with one another.

Therefore, we do not live a self-enclosed life that bears no responsibility for others. Our Christian life overflows in love to care for our neighbour. “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law.” Yes, the command to feed the hungry and clothe the naked includes reaching out the hand of forgiveness to those hungry for reconciliation. You have been positioned as a watchman, hanging with Christ on the Cross of forgiveness. There we crucify our pride, forgiven, nourished and fed by the Body and Blood of Christ, we are strengthened to raise up the fallen. The power of the Cross is manifested in forgiveness. “We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rm 15:1). May God give us the grace to heal the wounds that divide us. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday September 6^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE NEW WINESKIN

Reflection for Friday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(1 Cor 4:1-5; Lk 5:33-39)

 The human mind is the seat of judgement. While the intellectual mind is actively engaged in judgement of things and human affairs, true wisdom is to know the limit. Often times we overstep our boundaries and become judges of persons. This happens when we decide the fate of others, even before God. While we readily judge others, no one likes to be judged and condemned as such. Hence, St Paul tells the Corinthians that God alone is the ultimate judge. “It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.”

But in the Gospel of today, the self-righteous Pharisees accused the disciples of Jesus of not fasting along with others. Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” The over-zealous Pharisees crossed their boundary and made themselves the determinant of who was at good standing with God. Indirectly, when we judge people thus, we secretly wish that they should act to please us. That is why it is dangerous for one to think he is better than others. He who thinks he is standing, let him be careful lest he fall (1 Cor 10:12).

Of Course, Jesus reminded the Pharisees that they were ‘old-fashioned.’ God is doing something new; a new cloth, a new wine! Something more beautiful and tastier comes forth from the Children of God when we gather around Jesus. So, whoever makes himself a judge ‘on behalf of the Lord’ and sets to condemn others automatically makes himself ‘old-fashioned.’ “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rm 8:1). So, according to St Paul in the first reading, as ‘servants of Christ’ and ‘stewards of the mysteries of God’ we are required to be trustworthy, bearing in mind that the Lord will hold us accountable.

Imagine the new wine poured into old wineskins, which bursts the skins and pours away. Oh what a waste! This is how we waste away when we over step our boundaries of thought and begin to judge and condemn others. Instead, let us empty ourselves into Jesus, the ‘New Wineskin’ that He may preserve our inner peace and sustain us in ‘freshness of taste’ each day as we remain ‘contained in Him.’ Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday September 4^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

SURRENDERING TO DIVINE WISDOM

Reflection for Thursday of the 22^nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year A
(1 Cor 3:18-23; Lk 5:1-11)

Sometimes, when people climb some height in academics, they gradually become lukewarm or drop their faith. Of course, St Paul had a hard time arguing with the Greeks, who were known for their intelligence, about faith in the resurrection (Acts 17:16-34). Today there is more of ‘social knowledge’ than deep intellectual knowledge. In other words, we are more exposed to knowledge about the ‘use of things’ than the ‘Being of things.’ But listen to what St Paul says as we continue to journey with him this Week: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.”

Therefore, those who have human wisdom should not boast about it, for all wisdom belongs to God (Prov 2:6), and all things are under Him. It becomes self deception, as St Paul said, for one to hold his human knowledge as the ultimate and disregard divine wisdom. That is why Christ’s faithful surrender their hearts, knowledge and possession to God through Jesus Christ. Go, sell all you have, come and follow me (Cf. Mt 19:21). Example of this is what Simon Peter did in the Gospel, where he gave up his empty boat for Jesus to use. The fishermen were washing their nets when Jesus requested for the boat. They sacrificed their time and waited for Jesus to round up. At the end, Jesus sent them back to the sea to search for fish. As a professional, with long time knowledge of fishing, Peter answered him, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” However, he surrendered his human knowledge to that of Jesus and said, “But at your word I will let down the nets.”

The catch was amazing! The empty boats were now at sinking point, full of fish. Peter was astonished. He ran to Jesus and surrendered his heart to him, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Jesus invited him to greater self-offering: “Do not be afraid; henceforth, you will be catching men.” Interestingly, they left everything and followed him.

As we are exposed to knowledge in the social media, academics, etc, we must be ready to surrender to the Divine Wisdom that supersedes. As we offer up the little we have, God draws us to greater heights, which in turns demands greater self-surrender till we achieve perfect union with Him. Peter offered his empty boat, left behind the boat full of fish, offered his heart to Jesus, then he followed him completely with total commitment. Whatever we know or have that cannot be offered to God is an idol. May the Lord Jesus bless our labours today that they may bear fruit, so we may follow Him wholeheartedly. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Thursday September 3^rd, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com