A HUMBLE CONTRITION

Meditation for Saturday of the 3^rd Week of Lent
(Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14)

Prophet Hosea continues his call for repentance. This time he attaches a message of hope for healing and restoration, which only the Lord will give. He highlights God’s mercy in the face of their wounds and wretchedness. “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” The Lord is faithful, He will not disappoint. Hosea urged the people to press on to know the Lord, and stop being unfaithful in their love for God. “Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.” God does not want such unstable commitment. He urged them to return to the Lord, and produce fruits of righteousness. “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.”

To make such a faithful and fruitful return to the Lord, one must examine his practical life, and weigh it against the holiness of God. Then, he will realize how unworthy he is before God, and surrender himself to His mercy, which does not disappoint! From the depths of our wretchedness, we call on God to revive us and raise us on the THIRD DAY...

Then, how can the Pharisee go to the temple and be comparing his ‘righteousness’ with that of the tax collector? In his heart, pride has made him a small god to become a qualifier of righteousness. This pharisaic attitude flows in us whenever we nurture certain hidden joy when we realize that our situation is not as bad as someone else’s or that we have certain moral values, which others cannot sustain! We need to hear the words of Hosea and repent. We should stop looking inwards to weigh our own deeds, with ourselves as standards. This can make one to excuse himself from aiming at God’s holiness and adding more effort to improve in virtue and righteousness...This is a common problem we face today when preachers turn the Gospel message into a motivational speech.

Like the tax collector, God’s holiness exposes us and upbraids us; our hearts are broken at how unfaithful we are despite God’s steadfast love and mercy. We continue to repent, and lend ourselves to His healing mercy, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Surely, on the third day, with the grace of the Resurrection, He will forgive us and raise us. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Saturday March 13^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE FRAGRANCE OF HIS LOVE

Meditation for Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent

(Hos 14:1-9; Mk 12:28-34)

We hear a special call for repentance, a total turnaround from evil ways to submission to the Lord God. The prophet Hosea announces, “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.” To achieve this, the people must first take away all evil ways. Secondly, they must accept and practice what is good. Thirdly, “We will render the fruit of our lips”, which is authentic worship.  No more shall they trust in human powers i.e hoping that a strong nation like Assyria would rescue them. Worse still, Israel would not worship idols anymore. A mark of this turnaround is their show of mercy; “In you the orphan finds mercy.”

Hosea announced that if they make this turnaround, the Lord promised to heal their faithlessness; “I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be as dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily, shall strike root as the poplar...” And the beauty of Israel shall blossom like the olive, with spread out fragrance and he shall flourish like a garden beneath my shadow. The Lord takes care of Israel, why then do they go after idols? The Lord God is like an evergreen cypress, from which comes fruit. “For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.”

Imagine the great delight and providence the Lord offers to those who turnaround and walk under His shadow! Think about the pull or the great force that can make a man to totally change his ways... Only the Love of God, the fragrance of His love, can perform such wonder! And one who has successfully made this turnaround loves God with all his heart, all his soul, all his mind and all his strength. But it is not possible for anyone to claim to have loved God completely in heart, mind, soul, and body. So, we must continue to strive to make this TURNAROUND, which is now to love God without turning back!

As we continue to turnaround and render to God the love of our life, our lives shall be rooted secure like the poplar, we shall drink from the delight of His love, which is tastier than wine; the fragrance of His love shall flood our heart and soul, and we shall dwell beneath the shadow of His love. That means, our lives will speak of His love; our actions will testify of His love to our neighbour. “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Therefore, since we are in motion, making a constant turnaround to perfect our love in the God, whose love draws us to Himself, our words and actions must draw our neighbour to God and not to ourselves. Yes, since love of God is the first commandment, love of neighbour must point the neighbour to God. This how we too spread the fragrance of His love. Our acts of charity this Lent should help people turnaround to love God. At the end Jesus says, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."

 May your love be upon us Oh Lord; as we place all our hope in you. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday March 12, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

STANDING FOR THE KINGDOM

Meditation for Thursday of the 3^rd Week of Lent

(Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23)

The prophet Jeremiah complained against the hardness of heart of the people of Israel, who refused to obey their God. Despite numerous efforts to convince them, they would not obey. “This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.”

 Even as Jesus was casting out demons, some of them refused to believe and called Him Beelzebul, the prince of demons. While others, to test Him, asked Him to perform more miracles! Think about how people behave when they do not acknowledge what they know to be self-evident truth! Often times, they put up a false defence to justify their self-pity, then, they try to cause distraction. But Jesus did not fall to their self-delusion and tricks. He showed how their stubbornness and doubt is self-contradictory. “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid to waste, and house falls upon house. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?”

As the people of Jeremiah’s time continued their stubbornness unto exile, those who refuse to accept Jesus but stand in opposition to Him, shall miss the Kingdom of God. “If it is by the Finger of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” We cannot be indifferent; it is either we are for Christ or against Him. If we stand for Jesus, He will melt our hearts with His love, and make us obey the word of God. Then, the Kingdom of God shall grow within us, and we shall bear its fruits. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday March 11^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE DILIGENT MEMORY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Meditation for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week in Lent

(Deut 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5:17-19)

“You see, anyone who keeps the whole of the law but trips up on a single point, is still guilty of breaking it all” (James 2:10). This is because the commandments issue from the same God, and are meant to achieve the same result. One might be tempted to be faithful in some of the commandments, while neglecting one or two others. Moses urged the people to give heed to the statues and ordinances of the law. He mentioned some of the immediate benefits of keeping the commandments: they will gain wisdom and understanding to the amazement of other nations. People would definitely testify to their greatness, the closeness and manifestation of God in their midst. However, he warned them to keep their hearts diligently, so that they would not lose MEMORY of the mighty works of God, which they ought to teach their children.

If they forget the divine touch in their lives, through a memory that is corroded with evil desires, they will not be inspired to keep the commandments. The greatest manifestation of God, the most intimate Divine touch in man, is given through Jesus Christ. He is the Living Memory, the Image of the Unseen God. Thus, we must keep our minds diligent not to lose the MEMORY OF CHRIST; His words and actions must always be alive in our hearts and minds. This becomes a source of inspiration and strength that leads forward to fulfil what the law aims at. Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.”

In Jesus alone can we, with a single shot of grace, fulfil all the commandments! We might not remember all the statutes and ordinances of the law, but if we act in the name of Jesus and for His glory, we shall fulfil the law. And Jesus declares that every iota of the law must be accomplished. Now that we have been saved through Jesus, the greatness that the law gives is not just for human acclamation, “But he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Therefore, let us cling to Christ Jesus, and keep alive in the silence of our hearts the living memory of His words and actions. This is an important Lenten disposition that yields fruits of righteousness. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday March 10^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE HEART OF FORGIVENESS

Meditation for Tuesday of the 3^rd Week of Lent

(Dan 3:25, 34-43; Mt 18:21-35)

Forgiveness is one thing we readily expect to receive from God and man, but it is often difficult to give it to others. The prayer of Azariah in the first reading gives an idea the condition of a heart that is in need of forgiveness. He prayed to God not to break His covenant with Israel. He acknowledged their iniquities, saying this has reduced them even in number and brought shame to them before other nations. They are now like sheep without a shepherd, and they can no more offer sacrifices to God, which suppose to bring them God’s mercy. Then, Azariah began to implore for mercy: “Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted, as though it were with burnt offerings of rams and bulls...Such may our sacrifice be in your sight this day, and may we wholly follow you...”

Since their sins brought them to such a state that they could not offer the required rams and bulls for their transgressions, Azariah pledged an offering of their hearts to God. “And now with all our hearts we follow you, we fear you and seek your face.” The person that seeks God’s mercy offers his heart to Him like the sacrifice of rams and bulls. By that act with which we ask for mercy we also pledge to be faithful to God. It will be hypocritical to implore God’s mercy without the resolve to worship and obey His commandments. That is why Jesus condemned the unforgiving servant in the parable of today.

His debt of 10,000 talents brought him low before his master, imploring him, “Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” “And out of pity for him the Lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” He ought to have offered his heart to his Lord both in pleading for mercy and in appreciation for the forgiveness of his debt. The immediate sign that he offered his heart thus would be to emulate and reflect the kindness he received. By that act with which he was imploring for mercy, he was equally pledging to be more loyal, and committed to pleasing his Lord. How can he then refuse to treat his fellow servant with the same pattern of mercy his Lord showed him? That means his heart was far; he did not learn the lesson, he did not offer his heart to his Lord!

Unforgiveness is a form of hypocrisy! The servant showed that he did not believe in forgiveness. He needed to be treated according to his heart inclination. “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? Since the Lord God is rich in mercy and forgiveness, let us continue to forgive every hurt from our hearts. Our wine of mercy shall never run dry since His supply of mercy is endless. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday March 9^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

  

LISTENING TO THE PROPHETIC VOICE

Meditation for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Lent

(2 Kg 5:1-15; Lk 4:24-30)

Why is it that some people are more charitable to outsiders than to members of their household? Some couples complain that their partner perform more acts of charity to others than to them! Often times, people are taken for granted or less appreciated by their intimate family and friends. And it is easier for someone to render his or her goodwill to where he or she feels accepted and appreciated. It takes courage and humility for your intimate ones, who are acquainted with your strength and weaknesses, to accord you full respect and appreciation.

Think about the humility of the great army commander, Naaman, who listened to the advice of a little maidservant and acted accordingly. He had every reason not to follow the directive of the girl, including the high risk of returning to his enemy ground in search for healing. So he sought the backup of his king, who armed him with an authorization letter! Then, Naaman gathered wealth to pay for the healing. But his humility was tested more when Elisha sent his servant to instruct him to bathe seven times at the Jordan! But he felt humiliated and insulted after the great preparations and his high personality. He was expecting the prophet to invoke his God with several rituals. Again, his servant advised him to do the simple thing the prophet instructed.

“So he went and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan...And his flesh was restored...” Naaman confessed, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.” Faith is simple, but sometimes we want to express it in several symbols, and complicate the act of worship before committing our energy to it. We easily overlook the simple things, but expect God to dwell in the great miraculous signs. How can we hear God if He speaks through familiar voices and events of our life? That is why a prophet is not accepted in his own household and country.

It takes great humility and courage for a man of faith to recognize the prophetic message in the familiar voices he hears every day. In this Lenten season, self-denial humbles us and makes us more attentive to divine whisperings within. In almsgiving we hear the cry of the poor, which speaks of divine consolation to our hearts. In prayer, we speak to God and hear words and feel the touch of His grace. In prayer of meditation, we humble our hearts and incline our hearts to hear what the Lord says, whether from within our hearts, our household, friends and familiar events, or from extraordinary experiences.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday March 8^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE TEMPLE SACRIFICE

Meditation for 3^rd Sunday of Lent, Year B

(Ex 20:1-17; 1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25)

After leading the Israelites out of the land of slavery, God rolled out the commandments to them. The dictates of those instructions would define God’s relationship with His people; obeying God’s commands would mean the person believed in God, feared Him and hoped in Him. On the other hand, the law was for their own good, to maintain decorum, orderliness and righteousness among them, which was worthy of the children of God. The law was meant to put them aright with God and with one another, which was a step forward towards restoring man to the state of innocence He enjoyed before the fall. However, the law tried to achieve this positive goal by reminding us of the negative step. That is, the law tried to get us to live a holy life by commanding us against the unholy life we must avoid!

We can imagine the complications that this approach brought; the multiplication of laws, the misinterpretations and the mechanical external observances. At the end, it appeared as if the law created ‘awareness’ for sins (Rm 3:20). Still, it was a necessary preparation and beginning to achieve the will of God for us.

Jesus steps in, walks up to the heart of the religious life of Israel as He enters the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was filled with worshippers but preoccupied with every other thing except worshipping God! “In the temple He found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business.” These people came to the temple to offer sacrifices, and were engaged in buying and selling ‘in the name of God’ but their hearts were far from God. The temple lost its decorum and the orderliness that Israel as a people ought to have. What then would become of the people in general? So, Jesus flogged them all out and overturned their tables!

He was consumed with zeal for God’s house.  The Jews questioned Him about His authority to seek to purify their religion. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” In this He refers His body as the Temple, where the perfect sacrifice would be offered. His Body, the Temple, fully dedicated to God, in which is brought about what the law aimed at but could not achieve i.e. putting man aright with God, and with His fellow men.

Therefore, “We preach Christ crucified” in whom is the power of God and the wisdom of God. In Him is crucified the old ways and our unholy actions so that we look forward into the future of God with a new positive action. In Christ crucified is paid the iniquity of our fathers and our iniquities, not just for the third or fourth generations, but for all generations. The ‘memory of sin’ which the law brings is washed off in the Blood of Jesus. The overly religious people, those distracted from worshipping God in spirit and truth, the ‘religious-business’ people, are looking for miraculous signs. While the secular and social people claim they are better equipped with knowledge like the Greek, Christ faithful have the Cross as the banner over them. In Christ crucified, we are purified as His living temple, put aright with God and man, then we offer Him worthy worship. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday March 7^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com