TRIUMPHING LOVE

Meditation for Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
(Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32)

As we come to the end of the second Week of Lent, we exalt God’s mercy and forgiveness. Recalling the great mercy and faithfulness of God inspires us to repentance, especially at this solemn season. “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?  He does not retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy.”

The great mercy of God is clearly demonstrated in the parable of the prodigal son. It is an ocean of mercy that human reasoning cannot exhaust “How many of father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father...” It is such a mercy that takes away the shame and wretchedness of a prodigal son, restores his dignity and beauty as a son, and satisfies his hunger. A little glimpse of this mercy inspires every sinner to trace his way back to God.

The prodigal son depicts the state of a soul in sin, who has fallen from the state of grace, but ruled by human will and desires. The mercy of God steps forward like the father of the prodigal son, gives him a warm embrace and kiss that boosts his confidence to confess. Even before confessing, the STEPS home already earned him a merciful embrace! Imagine the prodigal son, dirty as he was, in the grips of his father’s arms, who was dressed in royalty! Here, love for his son has triumphed over the wounds of the boy’s selfishness. So, the boy’s hunger is turned into a feasting, his dirt and nakedness covered best robe, ring and shoes; his death was turned to fullness of life!

How great is the mercy of God. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Ps 145:8-9). If an imperfect and wayward son could be thus love, how much more when the Son is perfect? That is why Jesus, the Son of God, is the ‘fount of love’, the ‘Ocean of Mercy’ through whom God forgives us our sins (Rm 3:24-23). And Jesus established His forgiveness solidly in the Sacrament of Confession. Let us approach Him in this Sacrament to obtain mercy and forgiveness of our sins. We might not be worthy as God’s children, but the love the Father has for His Son will always triumph over our weaknesses and failings. His banner over us is love! (Song 2:4).

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo,
Saturday March 6^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

JEALOUSY AND GREED

 

Meditation for Friday of the 2^nd Week of Lent

(Gen 37:3-4, 12-12, 17-28; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46)

Jealousy and greed are twine evils that can reproduce any kind of evil. Anyone that nurtures one or two of these intertwine evils is a living hell, ready to consume anyone that crosses his path. Think about the pathetic story of Joseph and his brothers. What was Joseph’s offence? He came to his brothers in love, after a tedious journey down to Dothan. Jealousy blinded them that they could no more see the brother in him, nor feel the love he showed them. It so much affected them that they lost their self-worth, seeing Jacob’s love for Joseph as a subtraction of favour for them. Drowned in the ocean of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers blamed him for their self-inflicted pain. Still, Joseph continued to love them as his brothers. As he drew near, they even saw less of a human in him, and could no more call him by his name. “Here comes the DREAMER. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits...” It sounded like killing a bad dream! Jealousy is bloodthirsty; it justifies killing, and likens it to the right to freedom. But Reuben came to the rescue. Joseph was sold off to Egypt.

Greed possessed the servants whom the householder handed over his vineyard. They were not satisfied with their own proceeds; they wanted to own it all. Greed is always anticipating pleasure in what belongs another, thereby causing one pain in what belongs to him! After persecuting and killing the servants, they said of the Son, “This is the heir; come let us kill him and have his inheritance.” Their rejection of the son exposed their greed and wickedness, and brought them to ruin.

However, Joseph became a pre-figuration of the Messiah, who was rejected out of jealousy by His people, and was sold out by His very own apostle, and was handed over to Roman foreigners. He was cast out of the Vineyard of Israel, and was crucified. At the end, He brought salvation to all. “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Yes, if Jesus is not the CORNERSTONE of our lives, jealousy and greedy shall spread their branches in our hearts. It is in Jesus that our secret thoughts are exposed and healed! Anything that will make us to sell off the Messiah from our lives, or to push Him out of the centre of our hearts, will definitely lead us to ruin.  Our Lenten observances will help us train our hearts to fight against greed and jealousy, and remain at peace and satisfied in Jesus. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday March 6^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE TREE BY THE WATERSIDE

Meditation for Thursday of the 2^nd Week of Lent
(Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31)

The prophet Jeremiah announced, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” This message refers both to the one who trusts in others as well as the one who trusts in himself, his capabilities, talents, etc. Listen to the imagery the prophet used to describe the man who trusts in man: “He is like a shrub in the desert...He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

Then Jeremiah talks about the man whose trust is in the Lord. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and it not anxious in the year of drought , for it does not cease to bear fruit.” It is interesting that we do not know where a man puts his trust until adversity comes. Some people have lost faith in God over the same trial that strengthened the faith of others! The heart of man is deceitful, and desperately corrupt. People can pretend to trust in God, but at the slightest twist, their words and actions would not speak of the glory of God.

“I the Lord search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Often times, it is even the blessings of God, and rich rewards of life that expose the secret trust of a man’s heart. Who would have taught that a rich man, who dressed in purple and fine linen, feasted sumptuously every day, would neglect the poor Lazarus at his gate? In the eyes of men, the rich man could hide his crime, justify himself and be excused. But God found him out at last! His wealth exposed his wickedness, insensitivity to others and lack of trust in God. The rich man’s cries and regrets from hell could not remedy his condition. But Lazarus, who in his poverty trusted in God, was found justified before God. Lazarus was rewarded, not because he was poor, but because he trusted in the Lord, and endured ‘persecution’ from the rich man, who denied him what was destined to him as his neighbour.

Let us remain steadfast and trust in the Lord; God has the final say! We accept the good things of life from His hands; we endure the adversities with hope in God, who is the source of life and is able to save us. Let us trust and obey God’s commandments, we shall bear fruit in season and out of season like the tree by the waterside. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday March 4th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE CHALICE OF SUFFERING

Meditation for Wednesday of the 2^nd Week of Lent
(Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28)

Is it possible to live a good life without persecution or obstacles? The pursuit of holiness is often punctuated with many trials; it is a road less travelled. These trials can be internal or external. The first reading flashes us with the persecutions and cries of prophet Jeremiah. He was surrounded by enemies, who tried their best to bring him down. “Come, let us plot against Jeremiah...Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not heed any of his words.” The prophet seemed helpless in face of these trials. He complained to God, “Give heed to me, O Lord, and listen to my plea. Is evil a recompense for good? Yet they dug a pit for my life.”

The cries of Jeremiah echo the agony of all who are suffering because of their righteous lives. In Jesus, God gave His ultimate response to the persecution of the just, which is the Cross. “The Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death...and He will be raised on the third day.” Jesus goes ahead of us with the burden of persecution up to the Cross to overcome it. But the mother of the Sons of Zebedee wanted her children to occupy a privileged position in the kingdom without a ‘privileged cross.’ She did not know what she was asking. We must work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). “We must endure many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). That was why Jesus asked her, “Are you able to drink the chalice that I am to drink?”

However, the glory of the Cross—the victory over persecution—is far more than the persecution. That is, the eternal life Jesus won for us is richer and deeper than the death that threatens us! “What is sown is perishable; but what is raised is imperishable” (1 Cor 15:42). So, drinking the chalice of suffering does not qualify one for a privileged reward in Heaven, “But it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” While we battle with persecutions to live a holy life, the victory given in the Resurrection of Jesus comes as a free gift. That is why we must be humble, even in trials and in freedom; in leadership or followership. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday March 3^rd, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

THE SEAT OF MOSES

Meditation for Tuesday of the 2^nd Week of Lent
(Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1-12)

Today’s Lenten meditation refers to religious leaders and the principle of leadership in general. The prophet Isaiah admonished Jewish leaders, whom he referred to as ‘rulers of Sodom’, and the people as ‘people of Gomorrah.’ He asked them to listen to the teaching of God and cease to do evil. “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” After instructing them on the right approach to religion, the prophet offered them God’s solemn invitation to forgiveness of their sins. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.”

In the Gospel, Jesus was no less lenient on the Scribes and Pharisees, who occupy the seat of Moses. “So practice and observe what they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.” The preacher ought to practice what he teaches; this is the only way he can be compassionate to the people. He is called to bear the burdens with the people, not living off their limit! It is vainglory for him to seek honour, and it is ironical and sign of failure to demand honour, since he already occupies the position of honour. He must be a humble servant in his position of honour. “I became all things to all men that I may by all means save some of them” (1 Cor 9:22).

However, the preacher does not own the message; the message and the rules of worship belong to God. That is why Jesus asked the people to obey the Pharisees but never to emulate their lifestyle. Those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth (Jn 4:23), discerning what belongs to God and removing their heart and mind from the human agency. We see then, that a hypocritical religious leader is a burden unto the people, for he makes it more difficult for them to connect to God. His false life is a serious distraction that must be avoided. Humility is the key, both the preacher and the followers; it is the principle that guides us, and helps us to discern properly. “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday March 2^nd, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

TRUE CONTRITION

Meditation for Monday of the 2^nd Week of Lent
(Dan 9:4-10; Lk 6:36-38)

We begin this second week of Lent with prayer of contrition from Prophet Daniel. From their misery, he realized they had wandered from God, “We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances.” An honest contrition of heart shows sorrow for sin, and at the same time acknowledges God’s holiness and mercy. “To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us confusion of face...” The sorrow for sin is in itself a humble appeal to God’s mercy and forgiveness.

In fact, it is the love and mercy of God that prompts us to contrition. God is infinitely merciful; He does not reject a humbled contrite heart. As we go to Him to obtain mercy, we ought to always be merciful to others. Jesus said, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful...” We are not in a position to judge others over their sins, and hold them to ransom without forgiveness. It will be sheer hypocrisy and mockery if we do not show mercy and forgiveness to those around us but we always run to God to obtain mercy.

Therefore, the sorrow for our sins is truly alive to the extent we show mercy to others. “For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” That is why this season of Lent, as we practice more acts of mercy and forgiveness, God hears our plea and lifts us up from our misery.  Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday March 1^st, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

CAUGHT UP IN HIS GLORY

Meditation for 2^nd Sunday of Lent, Year B

(Gen 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18)

In our meditation this Sunday, we hear about the beautiful and touching story of how Abraham tried to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. We know it was a tough test for him but we are amazed at the courage and efficiency with which he carried out the instruction, as if it was part of his daily routine! Isaac was his most value treasure; the most important thing he gained in this life, and is leaving behind for posterity. Isaac was Abraham’s answered prayer; the most important thing he ever asked of God, which almost appeared like the reason he was worshipping God. But on mount Moriah, Abraham surprised us, and stripped himself of every human attachment, desire or pleasure. At that moment he raised the knife over his son, Abraham had ‘slaughtered’ whatever is not of God in his life, no matter how good they might be!

The deeper meaning of Abraham’s sacrifice appears in Christ Jesus as we scroll down to the second reading.  Abraham’s sacrifice became a pre-figuration of God the Father who actually sacrificed His only begotten Son for us. So, Jesus SATISFIES the twofold position of Isaac the son and the ‘replacement’ lamb that was sacrificed.  If God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us, will He not give us all things through Him? Thus, our sentence is paid for; our shame is removed. What is ours now is life—fullness of life in Christ and the crown of His glory. Now that we have been saved by the Lamb, who will condemn us? What is it that can take our hearts away and disqualify us from sharing in His glory?

A foretaste of His glory draws us on! The transfiguration at Mount Tabor was a great force that kept the apostles committed to the mission of Christ. Imagine the glorious moment when they saw the glistering white garments, the appearance of Elijah and Moses, the overshadowing cloud and  heard the voice that pierced the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.” They were so consumed by this brief experience that nothing else mattered to them; they stripped themselves of any earthly attachment at they were caught up in the encounter. It was deep contemplative moment in which the soul is lost in its creator. This is the strength and divine encouragement we have today to ‘slaughter’ whatever that is not of God in us, even more than Abraham.

Therefore, this Lenten season, we draw closer to the Cross of Christ, crucifying every desire and attachment to Him, no matter how important they might be to us. A foretaste of the glory of the Risen Christ awaits us on the mount of His word and Sacraments. Our participation in these mysteries must consume our hearts, such that we remain caught up in these mysteries. This is how we begin to find MEANING, RELEVANCE and SATISFACTION in the mysteries of Christ Jesus. Then, we can say, “It is no longer I who live, but is Christ who lives in me. This live I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me” (Gal 2:20). Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saint Stephen Catholic Church,
Agboju, Lagos.
Sunday February 28^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com