REJOICING IN HOPE

 REJOICING IN HOPE

Reflection for the 3^rd Sunday of Advent Year B
(Is 61:1-2, 10-11; 1Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28)

Welcome to the third Week of Advent as we look forward in hope to the joy of Christmas. Today is popularly known as ‘Gaudete’ (Rejoice) Sunday. In the readings, the Prophet Isaiah announces the ‘good tidings’ to come. He looks into the ‘future of the Lord’ and sees liberation, comfort for the broken-hearted, and the Lord’s favour, which shall cover the people with the robe of righteousness and adorn them with beauty as a bride is adorned with jewels. Therefore, the prophet exclaims, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God.”  St Paul in the second reading explains how this joy should be the constant disposition of believers; “Rejoice always.” This joy does not just happen, it is the fruit of our life of prayer, gratitude to God, good and honest living. By avoiding evil, we keep our hearts open for the Holy Spirit of peace to dwell in us. Then our lives will be ready to welcome the Lord Jesus.

The Gospel presents to us the testimony of John the Baptist. John describes himself as “The Voice” that directs people to the Lord. In Isaiah, the prophetic voice announced the good tidings to come, but John the Baptist speaks of the Word of God who is already in our midst. “But among you stands one whom you do not know...” Thus, John’s call for repentance becomes an eye-opener to see the Lord who dwells amongst us, who is already present in every situation of our lives, even in the little things, the crisis we face each day and the success we enjoy!

John the Baptist was a happy man, for his life and words pointed to Jesus who is the Word of God. Yes, John confessed that he was not the Christ, but his message bore testimony to Jesus. If we abide to the message of St Paul in the second reading and ‘make straight the way of the Lord’ in our hearts by constant prayer and righteousness in the Holy Spirit, then our lives and words shall be ‘voices’ confessing Jesus who is already present amongst us. Now, the prophetic expectation of the good tidings to come has become a confession of faith in the Lord in whom we rejoice.

 

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

 

 

Meditation on the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King

 Meditation on the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King

(Ezekiel 34:11-17; 1 Cor 15:20-26,28; Mt 25:31-46)

Today we celebrate with great solemnity and exaltation that Jesus Christ is the Universal King. He is King and Lord of Heaven and Earth. He is sovereign over life and death. Here on Earth, He leads with utmost humility as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. Rising from the dead, He became “The first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Thus, the Kingship of Jesus is an eternal sovereignty.

The Gospel of today gives us idea into the nature of His Kingship and how we ought to respond. On the last day, Jesus would sit on His glorious throne as the Just Judge, separating the righteous from the unrighteous. The criteria for welcoming people into the Heavenly Kingdom depend on the acts of charity they performed on earth. “Come, O blessed of my Father...for I was hungry and you gave me food...” The formula is simple: the glorious King identified those who identified Him in the midst of “the least of these my brethren.” Human weakness and suffering have become a stepping stone to salvation!

The hungry, the thirsty, the naked, etc are all around us. Thus, the glorious King has made it possible for all to have the opportunity to enter into His Kingdom. He identified Himself with the suffering humanity; He suffers with the sick, the hungry, the thirsty, etc. Just as the sheep hears the voice of the shepherd, Christ’s faithful recognize Him in human sufferings. It is from this humble state that His mighty power shines out. His power is made visible in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). If giving Christ food in the hungry can earn one a place in Heaven, how much more the hungry man himself in whom Christ dwells? He becomes a ‘sacramental’ of grace. Hence, human suffering and lowliness have become a kind of 'ruling sceptre' with which Jesus uplifts fallen humanity and shepherds us to eternal life.

Since every authority and power are subject to Jesus, we must learn from Him in our little exercise of authority. Government policies would uplift a nation if they are primarily targeted at the lowly in the populace. Our exercise of authority should strengthen people in their weakness. A good leader recognizes the hunger, thirst, nakedness, imprisonment, etc in his subjects and leads them to satisfaction. Jesus the Universal King, the First Born of all creation, the First Fruit from the dead, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, has given us access to His Kingdom as we attend to the least of our brethren. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday November 22^nd, 2020.
Solemnity of Christ the King.
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THE WISDOM THAT SAVES

 Reflection for 32^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
(Wis 6:12-16; 1Thes 4:13-18; Mt 25:1-13)

It is embarrassing to see matured and educated people act foolishly. Man is rational being, but at times, the animal side of us gets hold of us. Wisdom is acquired, and must be nurtured for it to last. It is often described as a LIGHT, which is found by those who seek her. It is a gift given to those ready to receive it. While wisdom guides our daily life, it carries us to eternal life. The second reading gives insight into death and afterlife as a way of gaining wisdom of heart. The Gospel narrates the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.

The parable reveals the kind of discretion we need in order to make Heaven. Let us meditate on some of the imageries in the story.

1.    TEN VIRGINS: Virginity is a distinguishing character, which symbolizes purity. Here are those who were found worthy to meet the Lord. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8). They all were given equal opportunity to meet the Bridegroom.

2.     LAMPS & OIL:  Lamps shine light in the dark. Obviously, the journey was in the night. The light from the lamps would come against the darkness of the night. This is how the Children of God live in the dark world and must overcome it. The oil is what keeps the light of the lamp glowing. The light would burn as long as the oil is in it. The ability to use discretion and provide constant oil for the lamp till an undisclosed time separated the wise from the foolish. This oil could be our works of charity, prayers, etc that keep our light shining in the midst of an unrighteous world.

3.     THE BRIDEGROOM: He is the reason for the waiting; He delayed in the eyes of the virgins, but He came at His own right time! He expected the Elects to be ready when He comes and have their lights lit. His ‘delayed time’ was a merciful time for the Virgins to apply wisdom, and get themselves ready for a time they did not know.

It is quite obvious, therefore, that the wise virgins were those who live by faith. In faith, the ‘delayed time’ of the Bridegroom becomes the ‘hour of mercy’ and a gracious time. The wise virgins were already living out their hope of meeting the Bridegroom! They were not waiting in fear and pain, but in confidence and joy. In other words, wisdom appropriates and brings to our daily life the joy and graciousness of meeting the Bridegroom (Titus 2:13). True wisdom is never selfish; wisdom cannot be according to worldly standards (cf. Prov 26:12, 1Cor 3:18).

Bearing in mind death and our meeting with the Lord Jesus can make one wise. Thus, St Paul explains in the second reading how the dead and the living shall meet the Lord. Jesus who died and is alive, becomes the meeting point and passage way from death to life. Therefore, the wise ones, called to meet the Lord, make Jesus the centre of their lives. They plan ahead for the Lord; their store of oil never runs dry as their lamps keep shining even in the darkness of this world. Whoever is ready for the Lord, is ready to face life. He will never be overtaken or taken by surprise. He overcomes all things through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday November 8^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE JOY OF CONTENTMENT

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

(Phil 4: 10-19; Lk 16:9-15)

We thank God for the weeklong journey with St Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Today, St Paul talks about a deep spiritual joy, which is learned over time. It is called CONTENTMENT. “For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Contentment as a spiritual joy, is practiced severally before one acquires it as a disposition towards material things. Like St Paul, a contented person maintains a stable disposition of gratitude, both in plenty and in want. This is so because his desires are redeemed and find their solace only in Christ Jesus. Desire for Christ sanctifies our will.

The joy of contentment is seen in the joy of generosity. It is only a contented person that gives out what is his with joy and without any hidden attachment. Since he draws strength from Christ Jesus, the contented man acquires inner stability and joy both in want and in plenty. Charity and submission to the will of God are means of growing in the spiritual joy of contentment. “Not that I seek the gift; but I seek the fruit which increases to your credit.”

Just as the act of charity grows from little things to greater ones, so also is the habit of contentment. Human desire is insatiable. Very often, our loyalty lies where our desires are inclined. Through contentment, we surrender our whole desires to God so that our loyalty remains with Him. “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other...You cannot serve God and money.” To be contented is not to live marginally, but to live fully in the strength of Christ over and above all circumstances. Such a one is unstoppable and lacks nothing, since he is CONTENTED already both in plenty and in want. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday November 7^th, 2020.
www.nwachinw.blogspot.com

 

FRIENDS OF THE CROSS

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

(Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 16:1-8)

Often times, people take for granted things they did not work for or suffer for. The value we attach to things seems to be proportional to the commitment or the suffering it costs us. That is why the Cross of Christ is our ultimate source of value since ‘we are crucified with Christ’ and every favour comes to us as the fruit of the Cross! In today’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are warned against THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST. Yes, St Paul raised alarm about certain believers who oppose the Cross. This is how he described them: “Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

“The road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it” (Mt 7:13). The spirituality of the Cross fills us with patience, such that, while we await the glorious revelations of Jesus, we equally learn endurance over the works of our hands. Secondly, it fills us with hope since we have received an assurance ‘that He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will raise up our mortal bodies.’ So our patience and endurance in all things is alive with hope! This cannot be without the Cross of Christ. Thus as lovers of the Cross of Christ, we dedicate and subject everything to Jesus Christ, who in turn has subjected all things to Himself through His Cross and Resurrection. “When I am lifted up, I shall draw all men to myself” (Jn 12:32).

The enemies of the Cross; those who run away from every difficulty, will end up as losers like the dishonest servant in the parable of today. He discovered through his shame that hard work is the key to success! This servant tried to apply wisdom in a dishonest way to win favour for himself. The Cross of Christ is the wisdom with which the Children of God unlock favours and earn eternal life at the end. Think about the difficulties you meet each day, and view them through the Cross of Christ, and begin to accept them as your own participation in the offering of Jesus. Then, your joy and crown will shine out and endure, Amen.

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

 

 

 

SURPASSING JOY AND SELF-WORTH

Reflection for Thursday of the 31^st Week in Ordinary Time, Year A
(Phil 3:3-8; Lk 15:1-10)

There is certain level of self-worth we feel when we make some life achievements, both morally and physically. To the extent that we take pleasure in these ‘breakthroughs’, they can boost our self-confidence. St Paul used himself as an example and recounted the great achievements he had made, and how he would have been recognized as a great observer of the Law. However, on receiving Jesus into his life, Paul wrote, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Now, is the knowledge of Christ Jesus you have today strong enough to hold your self-worth and self-confidence? Think about the things that you take pleasure in, and the things through which you express yourself and find relevance. Is your faith in Christ Jesus among them? In other words, does your relationship with Jesus give you self-confidence and self-relevance? If yes, the joy of such encounter is heavenly!

Think about the heavenly joy over one repentant sinner in the parable of the lost sheep, or the joy of the woman who found her lost coin. Imagine the surpassing joy the Shepherd had over the one lost sheep. What sort of joy the woman had over the one coin she found, such that it appears she spent the other coins to throw a party to celebrate the one she found! This is a sign of the kind of overwhelming joy that Heaven projects towards each of us. Receiving Jesus as St Paul did will become for each of us an encounter with the surpassing value God has placed on each of His Children.

There is joy in knowing Christ Jesus; the surpassing great worth and joy floods our hearts at every knowledge of Christ we gain each day, and it gives us the highest self-esteem and confidence. That is why we must strive each day to deepen our knowledge of Christ Jesus through meditation and study. Then, our joy and self-worth will stand secure, and the loss of anything below cannot knock us off balance, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday November 5^th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

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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