FROM VANITY TO GRACE

Meditation for Thursday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Eccl 1:2-11; Lk 9:7-9)

“Vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” This popular quote opens up our meditation today. The passage from Ecclesiastes explains how human efforts, with all its weariness, ends up in vanity; a chase after the wind! Does it mean that human life has no value? But the insatiable appetite in man implies that a chase after those appetites cannot give man relevance or value. Another pointer to the vanity of things is the cyclic repetition of events. “And there is nothing new under the sun.” Think about how vain it may be that a lofty human action ends up as a mere repetition of what had been done in the past. Also, imagine how miserable it can be for one to commit his life to achieve something, hoping to derive satisfaction therein, only for that achievement to increase his hunger and restlessness!

 

If we want to go with the flow, we chase after the wind and our lives will have no bearing. If we want to repeat the past, we will be wearied out and become irrelevant to the present. Unless we experience newness and satisfaction, we shall live in terror of the unfolding future. Think about the horrors of Herod as given in the gospel. He beheaded John the Baptist, and did not show any remorse for his evil ways. Something new was happening and the King started shivering because he was still living in his old ways. Herod was perplexed and said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he desired to see Jesus.

 

Without the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, human actions alone will be a repetition of the old, and cannot bring satisfaction and newness. This is vanity! That is why Herod and those like him, who refuse to repent of their ‘old ways’, will always live in fear of the new things to come. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Is 43:18-19). Jesus is the First Born of all creation (Col 1:15). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). So, Jesus is the center of our lives; it is in Him that our lives have bearing, and from Him we derive value. “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

 

Hence, instead of ‘vanity of vanities’, from Jesus we have all receive grace upon grace (Jn 1:16). Our life is new every day; we live, not to chase after wealth or pleasure, but we live to FOLLOW JESUS. No more shall we live with the weariness and horrors of Herod, but we shall know contentment, newness and peace. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muow, Lagos.

Thursday September 22, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE LIGHT OF GOD’S MERCY

Meditation for the Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

(Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Mt 9:9-13)

We celebrate the feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. He was Jew and wrote his account of the life of Jesus in Hebrew. Before his conversion, he worked in the tax office, collecting tax for the Roman government. Tax collectors were known to be public sinners because they dubious in the amount they collected from people. That was why they were rich. Let us meditate on the mystery of Matthew’s conversion.

“As Jesus passed on, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed Him.” This encounter is like the meeting of light and darkness; love and selfishness. Matthew was sitting comfortably in his office, making gains out of people for himself. He used the tax law to trap people and hold them in bondage. The life and mission of Jesus was in total opposition to that Matthew. As Jesus steps in, we see immediately that the love in Him is stronger that the selfishness of Matthew; the freedom He offers is more overflowing than the dishonesty and bondage the sinner ties around people. As Jesus was going around, His sacrifice for the salvation of souls gives more joy than any earthly wealth. Thus, His thirst for the soul of the sinner cancels out every lust for wealth, which tends to value riches more than human dignity and salvation.

 

Matthew left behind his secured source of income and followed Jesus. It was not an easy decision, but it was an immediate and decisive one. He was overjoyed and welcomed Jesus to his house with party, inviting his friends to share in his joy. His joy was more than one who recovered from a terminal sickness, which is a testimony that he got a hidden treasure that money cannot buy!

 

As we celebrate St Matthew, we hear once more the invitation of Jesus, “Follow me.” Sin and temptation might try to make their office in our hearts. The conversion of the Apostle Matthew testifies that there is no depth the mercy of God cannot reach. The light of Christ dispels every darkness, heals every wound, conquers every fear, and ignites our hearts with such joy that the earthly riches and pleasure cannot give. Then, like Matthew, we gather around the Eucharistic table in thanksgiving and dine with Jesus. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday September 21, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

PROMPTNESS TO CHARITY

Meditation for Monday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time
(Proverbs 3:27-34; Lk 8:16-18)

As we go about our activities this week, let us bear in mind the message from the Book of Proverbs today. It reminds us of the urgency of charity; that we should be prompt and decisive about rendering help to our neighbors. Charity is practical love. It is probably the most challenging virtue, and the very one that testifies to the existence of other virtues. How can one judge promptly and accurately whether to perform a certain act of charity? The Book of Proverbs says, “My son, do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it…when you have it with you.”

 

Think about such a man who is prompted to perform an act of charity. Such a person must be ready to give, in fact, he ought to desire to give even before the demand is made on him. For such a person, charity becomes the satisfaction of a hidden hunger for the good of others. Sometimes, it comes like an irresistible urge. In a way, we can say that the ‘demand for charity’ is itself equally in the heart that gives. This is where charity can be prompt and satisfactory, and bringing joy to both the giver and the receiver.

 

Such promptness to charity is timely and timeless. As light shines out at the same time it is ignited, so is the promptness to charity that the Book of Proverbs teaches. Charity is a light to the soul. Hence, the first reading warns against obstacles to charity, which includes hatred, envy, desire for violence. But uprightness and humility make the light of charity glow. As we go about our activities, let us be on watch out for moments when the urge for charity will pop up, and respond promptly. It brightens and uplifts the heart. To achieve this, we must avoid lifestyles that tend to obstruct the illumination of charity, for they also slow down its promptness. Jesus said in the gospel, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday September 19, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

Genuine Self-Examination

Meditation for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

(Amos 8:4-7; 1 Tim 2:1-8; Lk 16:1-13)

One of the requirements for a good confession is examination of conscience. This is important, not only for receiving the sacrament of Confession, but for a healthy living and productive life. One of the importance of prayer is to supply us the grace to always have a genuine self-examination. This can explain why meditation is the most effective form of prayer that can aid personal transformation. The practice self-examination through the word of God opens up the mind and heart to divine wisdom, and synchronizes our inner energy with the sanctifying power of grace.

The importance of self-examination is underlined in the parable of the dishonest servant. The master found out that this servant was wasting his goods, and said to him, “Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.” The young man made a self-examination, acknowledged his weaknesses, and weighing the options, saw a bleak future ahead of him. Unfortunately, he made more dishonest decisions in an attempt to secure himself in the nearest future. Jesus told this parable to show that the children of light ought to be smart and wise, not in dishonest gains, but in truth and charity.

 

The dishonest servant was selfish in his thinking; in his self-examination, he thought of using others as an end for his own wellbeing. And that was why he lost out. Our self-examination should open us to God and to our neighbor. Jesus said at the end of the parable, “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal habitations.” This is what prophet Amos referred to in the first reading. He condemned those who trampled on the needy, who dealt deceitfully in their businesses and sold fake products. They would be found out like the deceitful servant and dismissed from the presence of God. “The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: ‘Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.’”

 

However, the second reading tells us that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Thus, our self-examination should help us imitate the life of Christ, “Who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony of which was given at the proper time.” That is why we should avoid greed, which makes us dishonest in handling earthly riches and moves us to take undue advantage of others. On the other hand, if we constantly examine our consciences, balancing our inner selves with the life of Jesus, then we shall treat others with the love of Jesus. This is how we can be faithful in handling every little gift God has given to us, and offer our undivided devotion to Him. Jesus says, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday September 18^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS

Meditation for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

(Num 21:4-9; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17)

Today we celebrate the feast of the exaltation of the Cross. This feast celebrates the discovery of the true Cross by St Helena in the fourth Century, and the return of the Cross by Emperor Heraclius in 629AD. The celebration brings to our consciousness the great triumph of the Cross for our salvation. Think about human life without the Cross of Christ! It would be likened to the Israelites being bitten by fiery serpents without the uplifted bronze serpent. We would have been defeated by suffering even before it came. Without the Cross, the most exalted action of man would be to avoid death, yet, death itself would be the end of our aspirations and an unbearable burden on our lives.

Jesus humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. His victory over death has become his victory over suffering. His victory over suffering gives new meaning and vision to life. “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds, you were healed” (1 Pet 2:24). In itself, the Cross represents everything the natural man is afraid of. But Jesus mounted the wood of the Cross and triumphed. The very thing that ought to bring us shame has become a symbol of victory through Jesus Christ. So, “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which lay ahead of Him, He endured the Cross, disregarding the shame of it, and has taken His seat at the right of God’s throne” (Heb 12:2).

 

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself” (Jn 12:32). “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” It is by the Cross that we are given opportunity to share in the life of Christ. The miracles and teachings of Jesus inspire and nourish us. But the ultimate way we are drawn to share in the life of Jesus is through His Cross. It is from the Cross that the miracles and teachings receive their efficacy. What would Christianity be if we are consumed by pursuit of miracles but neglect to carry our cross daily and follow Jesus?

 

You see now the reason we celebrate the Triumph of the Cross. In the Cross of Christ, we are lifted above our daily challenges. In the Cross of Christ, we are exalted though the battle still rages. In the Cross of Christ, that which the enemy planned to be our downfall has become the source of our exaltation (cf. Rm 8:28). Therefore, we carry in our bodies the imprint of the Cross of Christ through the sufferings that come our way each day, so that the life of Christ may be revealed in us (cf. 2 Cor 4:10). Amen.

 

Happy feast day.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday September 14^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

THE SEED OF UNITY

Meditation for Tuesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
(1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31; Lk 7:11-17)

Wherever there is disunity, hardly anyone will claim responsibility for it. Family tussle is on the increase in our society today. Election time in most countries exposes the deep-rooted division that contradicts the National Anthem of that country. The Church, the body of Christ, seems to be the most wounded by this wave of division. We all claim innocence and deny we are not to blame for the lingering mark of disunity in every aspect of our lives. Obviously, the desire for unity is as strong as the desire for happiness and life itself. That is why, while we talk so much about promoting peace and unity, we may get so intoxicated about it that our actions prove otherwise.

If we listen to St Paul’s message in the first reading, we shall get an insight that can help us promote unity. He says, “Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” Unity comes when we work together as members of the one body. This can only be possible when we respect and accommodate the uniqueness of each member. To live in unity, therefore, implies to share life with others. But who actually wants to share life with others? We hardly have enough time and resources for ourselves. Online connection, technical unity cannot make us ‘one body.’

St Paul recognizes that the unity that makes us ‘one body’ is the work of the Holy Spirit. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” The same Spirit working in the different members is the principle of unity. Each member is expected to cooperate with the Holy Spirit within him. The different gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifestations of each person’s cooperation with the Sprit. Thus, living out the gifts of the Holy Spirit testifies that one is in union with the Spirit. In turn, these gifts and responsibilities help to build up and strengthen the Body of Christ. On the other hand, if we withdraw our attentiveness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the seed of disunity will begin to germinate.

Disunity is as cold as death; it renders our lives dry and isolated. In the house of disunity, the beauty of variety fades away, creativity becomes vague, life becomes monotonous and revolves round the same circle of ideology. Then, we point fingers, denying responsibility and hoping to derive justification from the guilt of others. But all we need is to allow the grace of God to carry us to meet Jesus. As He restored life to the young man at Nain, so He will revive us again in the Holy Spirit. Think about the spiritual revival you need today; that is where unity germinates. Unity is the testimony we bear, that is how we proclaim in the words of the people of Nain, “God has visited His people!” Amen.  

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday September 13th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE EUCHARISTIC DISPOSITION

Meditation for Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

(1 Cor 11:17-26, 33; Lk 7:1-10)

The readings of today are so beautiful to begin the week. St Paul gives instructions about the Eucharist, while the gospel contains one of the popular acclamations we render during the Mass. The Apostle Paul explains that the Eucharist should be received with utmost reverence and a sense of charity. “The Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is my Body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” The Eucharist is the self-offering of Jesus Christ for us, and given to us that we might receive and participate in that mystery. St Paul says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.” By receiving and living out the mystery in our lives, we proclaim and bear witness to the Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross. Thus, those who receive must do away with selfishness and pride.

As we meditate on St Paul’s teaching about the proper disposition necessary for reception and proclamation of the Eucharistic sacrifice, we see a good example in the life of the Centurion. Being a Roman, this man sent the Jewish elders to appeal to Jesus to come and heal his servant. These elders spoke to Jesus about the man’s selfless service, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” Think about the movement of Jesus towards the house of the Centurion, and the ‘Eucharistic movement’ that brings Jesus and the mystery of the Cross to us…

The disposition of the man was indeed ‘Eucharistic.’ As Jesus drew near the house, he sent message to Him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore, I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” The man was not only loving and charitable, he was equally humble and had strong faith in Jesus.

Jesus praised the Centurion, saying, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” This is the kind of joy with which the Lord embraces us if we receive Him in the Eucharist with similar dispositions. As we plan our activities this week, let us be more conscious of those moments that demand love, charity, humility and faith. If we can sustain and prolong such awareness, these virtues will become part of our disposition. Then, our lives and activities will silently but loudly “Proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Monday September 12th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com