ABIDE WITH ME

Meditation for Friday of the 3^rd Week of Easter

(Acts 9:1-20; Jn 6:52-59)

The human mind questions information it receives before properly assimilating it. Such questioning can be part of the process of knowing or an expression of rebuff or rejection. Sometimes those who claim to be ‘intellectual’ do not always get all the answers to the questions they impose on faith. However, the rational mind is a necessary solid foundation to implant faith in the believer; faith itself goes beyond reason, elevates and dignifies it, saves it from the self-agony of endless and restless regress. So, reason finds ‘joy’ in faith; faith stands secure in reason. That is why a scientific question was thrown at Jesus in the Gospel of today.

After listening to His teachings on the ‘Bread of Life’, the Jews could not find it reasonable, so they asked, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” The question, ‘how’ seeks a scientific explanation. But this can only be possible if the source or origin is human or nature. But since the ‘Bread of Life’ is God’s initiative and comes down from God as Gift, man is only positioned to RECEIVE it. Hence, Jesus did not answer the scientific question, but traces the consequences of this Gift in the live of those who receive it in faith.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Anticipating the Eucharist that would become His Body and Blood, Jesus said, “For my flesh is food indeed and my blood is drink indeed.” Those who consume Jesus in this way will have their lives mingled together with Him, such that the life of Jesus will be evident in their lives. “So he who eats me will live because of me.”

Imagine such great assurance that through the Eucharist we can bear in our mortal bodies the imprint of the life of Christ. Think about what it means for us, in the midst of the hardships of this life,  that Jesus abides with us. Think about Jesus as living in those early Christians martyred by Saul, even as he travels down to Damascus for more persecution! Even today, we still have Jesus abiding in the lives of victims of domestic violence, rape, robbery, terrorism, bad government policies, injustice, abuse, etc. He does not leave us even when friends depart. Instead, Jesus calls out the Persecutor, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me...I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Now, meditate deeply on how Jesus abides in us to make our wounds His very own. You will see why those who eat His flesh and drink His blood receive healing, and are constantly renewed, even in the face of their persecutors! Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday April 23^rd, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE EXCHANGE OF GIFTS

Meditation for Thursday of the 3^rd Week of Easter

(Acts 8:26-40; Jn 44-51)

Exchange of gifts creates strong bond among friends. It brings renewal to the common life of couples. But when giving is one-sided, it means there is no mutual love in the relationship. Jesus has been explaining how He is the Bread of Life given for us; for God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus! Jesus is the Bread of Life in whom is our satisfaction, answers to our prayers, and resurrects us to eternal life. Today, Jesus talks about how we too are gifts of the Father to Him. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

“Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” Those who are truly open to God discover Jesus. In other words, those who accept the mystery of Christ as Bread of Life are inspired by God. Therefore, we are received by Jesus as gifts of the Father; we received Jesus as Gift of the loving Father. In Jesus is the EXCHANGE, where we are received by God and we receive God. It is from Jesus that our love for God is fed and nourished. While we are strengthened by the Bread of Life, we live as ‘offerings’ to God in Christ Jesus. This is given concrete expression as we give ourselves to one another.

A practical demonstration of this life of mutual self-giving in Christ Jesus is seen in the first reading, where Philip became a gift to the Ethiopian Eunuch, and through baptism, returned him back to God as gift in Christ Jesus. Our lives ‘flow’ into each other. This channel of inter-personal mingling can only be sanctified and saved from corruption if we are fed and nourished by Jesus, the Bread of Life. He says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday April 22, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE HUNGER AND THE FREE GIFT OF BREAD

Meditation for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Easter
(Acts 8:1-8; Jn 6:35-40)

As we enter deeper in relationship with God, we begin to notice the working together of our desires and needs, and the free gift of God. While we seek answers for our needs, God gives us freely from the abundance of His providence. We offer thanks and show appreciation when we receive answers to our prayers but hardly recognize the free gifts God bestows on us from His abundance. While the Jews were busy compelling Jesus for bread, He, in turn, talks to them about God’s free gift, which is enduring and abundantly available to them. He said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”

Jesus explains that the Father is generous in giving; and has transferred His gifts to the Son. These divine gifts are available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Thus, Jesus is given to the world as the Love-Gift from the Father (Jn 3:16). To receive Him as such, is to believe in Him; to believe in Him is to receive Him with love. In Jesus God has given us His very self, even answers to our prayers are already given in Christ Jesus. But it appears we prefer to follow the pathway of our needs than to open up ourselves to the free gift of God.

Think about Jesus as the Bread of life; the Living Bread that satisfies! What a great generosity that even before we realize our hunger, God has given us the satisfaction in Christ Jesus. He declares, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day.” This mystery unfolded in the first reading, where the Church in Jerusalem was scattered following St Stephen’s martyrdom. It was a period of great lamentation for them. But at the end, what started with pain bore a joyful fruit as the influence of the preaching of Philip made great impact in Samaria. “For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”

This joy endures, and echoes to eternity in the hearts of who are ready to receive what God is offering; those who, from the abundance of their needs, surrender themselves to the supra-abundance of God’s gift in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday April 21^st, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE TRUTH-BREAD

Meditation for Tuesday of 3^rd Week of Easter

(Acts 7:51-8:1; Jn 6:30-35)

It is commonly said that ‘truth is bitter’. It is so not just in uttered words, but also in lived experience. That we know healthy foods does not imply we readily eat them. Good and honest people have fewer friends, and are rarely voted into offices, even by their friends and family. We all claim to hate lies, but we secretly admire the glamour of deception. There is no doubt that education is the key to success, but we prefer to work with those we can easily manipulate! Think about another irony: while we worship God as Almighty, we often place our personal needs over His demands on us!

So the Jews preferred signs that would be within their control and manipulation to the signs that Jesus gave, and the ultimate SIGN that is Jesus Himself. They asked Jesus to give them bread as Moses gave their fathers manna in the desert. For them, Moses was the miracle worker who commanded bread down. That means, the miracle came from WITHIN but through a powerful man, Moses. And this was the image of a miracle worker they tried to impose on Jesus. And this seems to be the prevalent image of Jesus our present day miracle seekers continue to impose on Him! Jesus corrected them immediately, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” This response appealed to their desire for bread so they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

Then, Jesus drew them to the deeper truth, where the authenticity of their acclamation would be tested and verified. He said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” This is that juncture where Truth leads and we follow; it the point where truth exposes our hidden desires and tests our resolutions. This is where we begin to feel truth as confrontational, and our choices may begin to contradict our profession of faith and popular maxims. It is this point of ‘confrontation of truth’ that led the elders and scribes to stone Deacon Stephen in the first reading of today. But Stephen’s gaze on the Truth, Jesus Christ, remained unshaken: “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” Yes, the gates of heaven will always remain open upon you as you carry out your affairs in truth and integrity. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday, April 19^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

LABOURING FOR THE FOOD THAT ENDURES

Meditation for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Easter
(Acts 6:8-15; Jn 6:22-29)

It is not always easy to focus on the things that really matter. Sometimes the things we presume to be urgent and important end up not having lasting value. Momentary and exuberant pleasures and entertainment have certain compelling force that tends to bend us to their side. It takes grace and a resolute mind to train oneself to learn discipline and patiently pursue true and lasting values. Think about the Jews looking for Jesus from Tiberias to the other side of the sea at Capernaum, only to be told by Jesus that their intention was misplaced. “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on Him has God the Father set His seal.”

We see then that if we often follow the lead of immediate satisfactions, we may end up misguided. We must have a far-reaching sight by placing eternal life ahead of all. If we order our affairs in such a way that our salvation in Christ Jesus is our number one target, then it becomes easier for us to place other enduring values, such as love, peace, unity, etc in line. This brings development and growth, for if we pursue enduring values, then we shall endure too. But if we labour for food that perishes, we bring destruction and perish at the end of the day.

Imagine the destruction targeted at St Stephen out of mere jealousy and pride. Those men were working to protect their self-image for the moment. They had to heap up lies against St Stephen, but he continued to radiate beauty and glory since eternal salvation in Christ Jesus was his ultimate target. And such is the angelic face radiated by all who carry out their daily responsibilities without pursuing vanity, but labouring for the food which endures, even to eternal life. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday April 19^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE MARK OF THE RESURRECTIOIN

THE MARK OF THE RESURRECTIOIN
Meditation for 3^rd Sunday of Easter, Year B
(Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 Jn 2:1-5; Lk 24:35-48)

The readings of today talk about forgiveness of sins as the grace of the Resurrection. In the first reading, Peter explained the Resurrection as the work of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The children of Abraham rejected the one whom the God they claim to worship anointed! That means their mindset, ways of life, choices, etc are in opposition of the God and that of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, they followed the wrong track in ignorance but that brought suffering to Christ. Nevertheless, the prophets foretold that the Christ should suffer. The resurrection conquered the suffering caused by their ignorance and at the same time fulfilled the promise of God since Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”

In other words, the sufferings of the Cross reveal the ugliness of sin; the resurrection exposes its ignorance and uselessness. Accepting the good news of the Resurrection implies leaving behind the ignorant and useless sinful ways follow Jesus as the right way. The grace of the resurrection gives us opportunity to change our ways and be counted anew as Children of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That is why the second reading talks about how we are to remain as those who have accepted this message of the resurrection and know Jesus. “And this is the way to be sure that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”

In the Gospel Jesus appeared to the disciples to clear their doubts and prove to them that He has risen. The resurrected body is really human, yet he passes through closed doors in His divinity. He explains that His resurrection fulfils the law and the prophets, which includes that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. “And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations.”

If the wages of sin is death, it means victory over death that is caused by sin cancels out the effects of sin, and at the same time, reveals its worthlessness. The resurrection is the ultimate call to repentance. It is an invitation to participate in the righteous life of Jesus, with the power to live fully human and enjoy divine graces. Repentance removes the obstacle of sin so that we live out fully the life of the new man, Jesus Christ. It is the mark of the resurrection we touch today. Repentance makes us feel the healed scars of sin on the Body of Christ, the Church. Alleluia, Christ is risen as He said, Alleluia!

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Mother’s Day
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE TRIAL

Meditation for Passion Sunday, Year B

The Pharisees and the Elders made several efforts to arrest Jesus. His ministry was punctuated by these ‘attacks’ to bring him down. Most times, the fear of the crowd who rallied around Him scared them away. The more He escaped, the more the opted their game. Towards His passion they became more direct, having convinced the people that Jesus was blaspheming by calling Himself the Son of God, the Messiah (Jn 10:33-36). The more Jesus explained through His teaching that the Scriptures witness to Him as the Son of God, the more they found Him ‘guilty’. The more He performed miracles to show that He and the Father are one, the more their fury boiled because more people were beginning to believe Him! The Chief priests and the Elders had already condemned Jesus but looking for whatever pretence they could to justify their plot against Him (Mk 14:1). Finally, their opportunity came when Jesus was arrested at the garden of Gethsemane.

“They led Jesus to the High Priest; and all the Chief priests assembled, with the elders and the teachers of the law” (Mk 14:53). What kind of trial did they organize for Jesus since they had already made up their minds? They started digging out for evidence to support the accusations, even those that came up to speak defeated themselves by conflicting witnesses (Mt 14:55-59). What next since all the evidences could not convict Him? They High Priest and the Elders were at the verge of self-defeat and shame! Then the High Priest stood up in the midst of the crowd and questioned Jesus. First, he asked Jesus to comment the allegations brought against Him. But those allegations conflicted themselves and failed! So Jesus was silent. Secondly, he asked Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus answered, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Most Powerful, and coming with the clouds of Heaven around Him. The High Priest pretended to be shocked at the answer, tore his garments to stir up the people against Him. And it worked. They began to spit on Jesus and beat Him (Mk 14:60-65).

The High Priest and the Elders were put to trial by their own jealousy and hatred; their gang up against Jesus exposed their wicked hearts. When they taught they had gotten what they wanted, they realized immediately that they had no power to sentence Jesus to death, only the civil authorities could do so. Therefore, they took Jesus to Pilate. But Pilate was a Roman Governor, who cared less about issues of Jewish religion. He was only interested in collecting taxes and maintaining order. The issues tabled by these religious leaders had no legal relevance, not to talk of death sentence! In his mind, Pilate had already set Jesus free but was looking for whatever pretence he could use to allow Jesus to go.

The real trial was now between Pilate and the Sanhedrin, each struggling to outwit the other and have the upper hand! Pilate was shocked to discover that Jesus was not interested in the ‘freedom’ he was offering, neither was He interested in the ‘condemnation’ the Sanhedrin was pushing for. Pilate found himself losing the battle, his authority had no relevance to Jesus, and the crowds and Sanhedrin were rejecting his power too. Pilate made a last minute attempt to win the favour of the crowd, since it was obvious that Jesus would not answer him, and the High Priests and Elders had made up their mind. He offered to sentence Barabbas, the man who had hurt the people, and set Jesus, the King of the Jews, free. Seeing that Pilate wanted to outsmart them by having the crowd to his side, the Chief priests blackmailed him and stirred up a riot. Now, Pilate’s position as governor was on trial, while the pride of the High Priest and the Elders were on trial! The crowds always follow what appealed to them as the ‘popular demand’ for the moment.  But Jesus remained silent and calm; He was making a free offering of Himself to the Father (cf. Mk 15:1-20).

In life we go through this kind of trial. We may be drawn to follow the path of Pilate, conscious of our ego, power and influence, thinking we have power to give freedom to others. We may be on the path of the jealous Sanhedrin, being selfish, lustful, competitive, greedy and unsatisfied. At times we want to cheer the crowd with no responsible conscience, and no personal commitment. Oh, how easy it is to hide under the ‘crowd’ to commit evil without being personally accountable for it. However, we still have Jesus standing quietly, innocent and free, knocking at the doors of our hearts, inviting us to His wounded side, where we freely offer ourselves to the Father through Him, with Him and in Him, forever and ever! Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday March 28^th, 2021.
Palm Sunday
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com