TO WORK WITHOUT GRUMBLING

Reflection for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Phil 2:12-18; Lk 14:25-33)

It is very easy for us to complain and grumble when things do not go the way we want or when we meet difficulties. Our labours, “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” can go unappreciated and with little rewards. We readily have reasons to grumble and complain. But St Paul draws our attention to a deep spiritual reality, which will pull us away from nagging and frustration.

He says we should do everything at all times in obedience to God, working out our salvation “with fear and trembling” because GOD IS AT WORK IN YOU. Imagine being conscious as you go about your daily routine that God is still working in you? And He will continue to work till you reach perfection, “fully mature with the fullness of Christ Himself” (Eph 4:13). This becomes our motivation in carrying out our duties, even in the midst of a crooked society and dishonest people, is from God. In our work, with all its stress and joys, we silently echo the words of Jesus, “My Father still goes on working and I am at work too.” In other words, what inspires us to work without grumbling or complaining is because GOD is still working in us. This spiritual reality makes us shine as light in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

In the Gospel of today,  Jesus explains to the crowd following Him that only those who can renounce all that they have can truly be His disciples. A disciple of Jesus must take proper account of what he will leave behind in order to follow Him. Today, we are asked to shift attention to God as He continues to work in us. Here we leave behind the will of others and our own will, which often are not perfect, and we become conscious that we work to please God. Thus, God's good pleasure becomes the pleasure of our work. This is the spiritual joy with which we endure all things and carry out difficult tasks without grumbling or complaining, Through Christ Our Lord,  Amen.

Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R 

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 

Tedi-Muwo,  Lagos. 

Wednesday  November 4th, 2020.

Memorial of St Charles Borromeo

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EXALTATION OF THE HUMBLE

Exaltation of the Humble

Reflection for Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Phil 2:5-11; Lk 14:15-24)

Paul's letter to the Philippians shall guide our meditation in this first Week of the month. Today, Paul recounts the humility of Jesus Christ as an example for all to follow. Jesus “emptied” Himself, taking the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even death on a Cross. “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

The Gospel of today narrates the disappointing story of how those invited to the banquet turned down the invitation. They held tight their personal engagements such that they could not surrender in obedience to the invitation of the Master. This behaviour angered the Master, who sent his servants to invite the lowly to the banquet. 

Being able to empty oneself in humility is a sign of self-mastery! When we are so rigid and unbending to the Will of God, it is a sign that we have been “taken over” by certain influences or engagements. But if we follow the example of Jesus as St Paul proposed, then we shall be exalted in Christ Jesus to the glory of God the Father. This is how we grow in inner peace and self-knowledge. Unless we humble ourselves in total surrender to the will of God, we will continue to diminish ourselves in different external entanglements. Let the living example of Jesus Christ be our exaltation today, Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday November 3rd, 2020.

St Martin De Porres.

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SHARING IN THE GLORY OF THE SAINTS

Solemnity of All Saints

(Rev 7:2-4, 9-14; 1Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12)

1.0. The Vision of the Saints 

Today we celebrate the Saints in Heaven. This celebration fills us with hope that our pilgrimage on earth has a blissful end in God. “In my Father's house there are many rooms” (Jn 14:2). Our eyes are turned heavenwards as we remember our brothers and sisters who already share in eternal life in God's Kingdom. The first reading narrates the vision of the great multitude of the Saints from every part of the world, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with Palm branches in their hands while proclaiming the salvation of God. The Saints are those, “who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” 

The eternal life of the Saints is more than a mere vision; it is God's promise, an expression of His love for us. The immeasurable love of God for us shines out in the reality of the Saints. This is what the second reading explains. So, while in this earthly life, we live with the hope of sharing in the glory of the Saints. This automatically puts us at odds with the world and its standards, which neglects God and His promises. Therefore, the children of God must wrestle through great tribulations in order to be revealed and crowned with the glory of the Saints. 

2.0. “For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”

The way to sainthood is open to all peoples in every aspects of their lives or the situations they might find themselves. Jesus gives the BEATITUDES as the new way of living that inclines one to Heaven and draws to him heavenly graces. They reveal that God's “blessedness” is readily available and awaits us if we approach life with the right spiritual disposition. The promises of God's Blessedness to our earthly life is a foretaste of the glory of the Saints,  which we shall receive at the end.

The way of life revealed in the Beatitudes is completely in opposition to wordily standards. This leaves us with the freedom to choose how to model our lives. By choosing to live according to the standard revealed in the Beatitudes, we have chosen to share in the glory of the Saints. And its Blessedness will begin to manifest itself in us today. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R 

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 

Tedi-Muwo,  Lagos. 

Sunday November 1st, 2020.

Solemnity of All Saints.

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THE CORNERSTONE OF THE VINEYARD

Reflection for the 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Is 5:1-7; Phil 4:6-9; Mt 21:33-43)

1.0.  THE TWO VINEYARDS

Let us meditate on the two beautiful parables of the vineyards as given in the first reading and the Gospel of today. The prophet Isaiah talks about the vine garden that was planted on a fertile hill, well fertilized, cleared of stones, “and planted with choice vines.” In the Gospel, Jesus says the householder sets a hedge around the vine garden. In both stories, there was a well built wine press and a watchtower in vineyard. There was great expectation that such huge tender care committed to the vines and the garden would yield great results.

In Isaiah’s version of the story, the vines disappointed the owner. “When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? After consuming all his love and care, the vines repaid the householder with soar grapes. As a result, the vineyard lost all the favours it enjoyed, and ended up a waste land. At the end of the story, the prophet said, “For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting.” The wild grapes they produced were bloodshed, unrighteousness and tears.

In the Gospel, the householder leased out the vineyard to tenants. The vine produced its fruits but the greedy and selfish tenants would not let the owner receive what was his due. The tenants embodied the unrighteousness of Judah that Isaiah mentioned. The love, generosity and patience of the householder contrasted the greed and wickedness of the tenants. The man was so generous as to stage his son, but they were equally too selfish and wicked as to kill the son with hope of taking over the vineyard completely. At the end, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their season.” Here, the vineyard was not destroyed, but the unrighteous caretakers.

2.0.  THE CORNERSTONE

At the end of the parable, Jesus said to the Chief priests and elders of the people, “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” Thus, the religious leaders represent the tenants placed in charge of the vineyard of the Lord. The Messiah whom they tried to usurp his position was actually their last hope of being saved. A miserable end awaits any religious leader who is greedy, selfish and wicked, who scandalizes the people and leads them astray, such that God would not receive the glory due to Him from His vineyard.

The Church is the new vineyard of the Lord. Jesus towers over it from the Cross like the watchtower in the vineyard. The fount of life flows from His pierced side like the wine press. He hedge it all round and fertilized it with His word and Sacraments. The vineyard of Jesus is fruitful, bearing fruits of righteousness and holiness. In a way, each baptized Christian is a tenant to whom this choice vine is entrusted to, and the Master expects to reap his fruit at the appointed time. If we act like the greedy and selfish tenants in the parable, we shall meet a miserable end. That is why St Paul urges us not to be ambitious or anxious about anything, instead we should approach everything with prayer, supplication and thanksgiving to God. Already, we begin to return to God the glory that is His due; giving Him His own share of the fruits of the vine! “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And if the contemplation of our hearts and minds, and our aspirations are on Christ Jesus as St Paul said, then we will come to realize that Jesus Himself is the fruitful vine and we are His branches through which His fruits come forth (In 15:1-8). He is the Taproot of our lives, the Cornerstone on which we stand secure. So, let the meditations of our hearts be on the righteousness, justice and peace of God. Our minds should be focused on whatever is lovely, excellent and worthy of praise, “And the God of peace will be with you." Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday October 4^th, 2020.
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PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THE WILL OF GOD

Reflection for 26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Ezekiel 18:25-28; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32)

Personal commitment and responsibility is necessary for us to live a righteous life and earn salvation. It is equally necessary for personal development and progress. If we are committed and consistent in good, we shall achieve greatness, and salvation at the end. But often times we fail, and withdraw our commitment. This happens often in our moral life when we withdraw from righteousness and queue up in immorality. The prophet Ezekiel announces that we shall take responsibility for our actions and face their consequences. Though we easily excuse ourselves and blame others or situations for the negative outcomes of our actions, the message of Ezekiel indicates that God has given us a time frame to retrace our steps. The consequences of sin is death. If a righteous man turns away and commits iniquity, he shall die for it. “Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his life.”   

Ezekiel’s message is further explained by the parable of the two sons. The first son refused to obey the father but later changed his mind and did what the father asked of him. The second agreed to go to the vineyard but at the end he did not go. Jesus explained that what matters is doing the will of God. The tax collectors and harlots who repented and believed are making their ways to heaven.  But those who professed righteousness, like the Pharisees, but remained in iniquity shall die. So the believer must wake up to personal responsibility and align himself to the will of God.

This personal effort to responsibility and repentance is made possible by the mercy of God. If God were not merciful, no turnaround is possible! The mercy of God pulls us to repentance. That is why St Paul tells us in the second reading that the right step to personal responsibility for righteousness is to ‘participate’ in the mercy of God by emulating it in our relationship with others. “Do nothing  from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.” We must also give others the opportunity to repent.  Each person must look out for the interest of others. At this point, ‘personal responsibility’ now implies my commitment to the good and salvation of others. That is why on the last day, we shall be judged, not by what we consumed or benefited, but to the extent we were committed to the wellbeing of others in their needs  (Mt 25:35-40).

The prophecy of Ezekiel and the parable of the two sons find their fulfilment in Christ Jesus. In Him the Obedient Son bore in Himself the punishment of the disobedient son. Having humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death on a cross, Jesus became the living link through which the disobedient children can crossover to become obedient children. Thus, God has only one begotten Son, in whom we are ‘co-heirs’ with Him, such that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday September 27^th, 2020.
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THE TWO SEASONS IN A TIME

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

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Lk 9:18-22)

It is a popular and common saying that ‘there is time for everything.’ Today’s meditation is about ‘Time.’ According to the wise man in the first reading, God beautified the earth with times and seasons come and go, ushering in something new and rendering others old. There are good times and bad times; time to be born and time to die, etc. While we embrace the good times, and look forward to better days, we must not forget that the tough days will soon unfold. This is wisdom and an amour of faith if we constantly remind ourselves of the ‘two times and seasons.’

Many are frustrated and depressed today because they planned their lives only in one season of joy, success, health, etc, without a look out on the other season that is ‘hidden’ in nature. Then, the sudden dawn of the ‘unexpected season’ knocks them off their feet, hope dies and depression sets in. The wise man says God has made everything beautiful in its time. “Also, He has put eternity into man’s mind...” Our aspirations can be high as the heavens, yet we cannot determine what the ticking of time is ushering in.

But God has taken his abode in our time; each moment of time is now sanctified and empowered to unfold salvation. Times and seasons now revolve around Christ Jesus for our salvation. In the Gospel of today, while Peter identified Jesus as “The Christ of God”, Jesus commanded them not to publicize His real identity until the appointed time, which was the time of His Cross and resurrection. Thus, from the Risen Christ, a ‘new time’ is revealed! Now, all times and seasons belong to Him; all our good times flow from Him, and bad times are resolved in Him.

Therefore, in solemn silence we connect our times and seasons to the Hour of Jesus (Jn 12:23). Though the movement of time may usher in good or bad, but our ‘life-time’ with which we live flows from Jesus. Hence, our time of birth and our time of death, our time of sowing and our time of harvesting, etc, are now a single time, i.e. the time of Jesus. Jesus is all in all (Col 3:11), He is Lord of life and death, sickness and health, poverty and sickness. Yes, ‘There is time for everything’ because we put Jesus in everything. Let this be your watch word today. Have a blessed day.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday September 25^th, 2020.
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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
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