REFUGE FROM VANITY

Reflection for Thursday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Ecclesiastes 1:2-11; Lk 9:7-9)

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” There is need to pause and reflect on the value of all we are labouring for on Earth. Life on earth is limited, and so are the works of our hands. The passing of time and the confinement of space reduce the glamour and beautiful things of this world to temporal existence, such that they do not last forever. What we admire so much today becomes old in the near future; what we labour for now is inherited by those who never worked for it. “What does a man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?”

But the soul of man is destined for eternal life; it goes beyond every material thing, no matter how beautiful they appear. That is why only God can satisfy the heart of man. ‘Vanity of vanities’ expresses the agony and uselessness man faces when he becomes simply the ‘man of earth.’ When we pursue things of this earth as the main purpose and destination of our lives, we face the regret of a wasted life. The good things of this life should be approached with moderation, such that they warm our hearts and give them boast to fly to God.

Herod the tetrarch was a good example of the vanities of the pleasures of life. Think about the wealth and power he possessed, and the arrogance he exhibited. Herod was a man of pleasure, who would do anything to get what he wanted. In today’s Gospel, we see him running from himself in fear; the vanity of his action caught up with him. This is the kind of fear and regret we shall face if we allow frivolities and vanities of this life to consume us. Therefore, let our soul take refuge in the Lord as we approach every material desire with moderation and discipline; we shall never labour in vain. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday September 24^th, 2020.
Our Lady of Ransom
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

TRUTH OF LIFE

 Reflection for Wednesday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13; Lk 9:1-6)

“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Truth is not just what we say; it is life we live. We all hate lies and love those that speak the truth. But sometimes, we accommodate false ideologies in our minds or adapt our lives to wrong lifestyles. To what extent can we find truth in within us? Most times, an honest man is one who battles with falsehoods within him, suppresses them, and painfully allows the truth to shine out. That is why a man who denies God is already standing on falsehood. Hence, the wise man reaches out to God for refuge, and calls out to Him in honest prayer, saying, “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full, and deny you...or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

Thus, the wise man indicates that an honest living is to live a life pleasing to God. The will of God becomes the departure point; if the desires of our hearts are not in standing with the will of God for us, it becomes false. Sometimes, we admire the best things of life. But their relevance to our relationship with God is important. That is why, in sending out the disciples on mission, Jesus said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.” The prayer of the wise man is exemplified in the missionary life of the disciples. For them to remain true to the mission and be successful, their source of strength and courage must remain the power and authority of Jesus.

Jesus is the Truth; God is our ultimate treasure. Any desire in us that displaces or overrides our longing for God’s Kingdom and His righteousness will definitely lead us to falsehood. Whatever we are praying for today, shall be ours as we remain focused on the will of God. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday September 23^rd, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

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