ACTS OF PENANCE

Meditation for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

(Jonah 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32)

In silence and recollection, we are expected to put on a humble and contrite heart this Lenten season. This is an expression of conversion of heart. Leaving behind the old ways and putting on the new life in Christ does not come easy. Fasting and other acts of penance are ways we express our regret for the old ways, and, at the same time, show our commitment to love God in the new life. The conversion story of the people of Nineveh gives us a practical example to follow.

At the preaching of Jonah, the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth and ashes. By fasting they disciplined their bodily desires for pleasure and entertainment. And by putting on sackcloth and ashes they striped themselves of vainglory and pride. In the action of their king, we see the importance of stripping oneself of the quest for power and self-glory. So, this Lent, while we discipline our bodies through fasting and abstinence, we must not forget those disciplines that can tame our ego-centric life.

 

If the people of Nineveh could be inspired by Jonah to repent and humbled themselves before the Lord, how much more should we abandon our old ways and take up acts of penance as we gaze upon the cross of Jesus this Lenten season. Sometimes it seems our hearts are so hardened that we remain unmoved at the name Jesus. He says, “The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” Think about how Jonah inspired such great conversion though he was a reluctant prophet, but Jesus offered His life for us. Jonah did not even finish the journey, out of three days walk, he went on one day, yet the whole people repented, but Jesus completed His three days journey into the grave, and He journeys with us till eternity! With such great love and commitment Jesus has shown for our salvation, we should humble ourselves before Him with our Lenten observances, and repent of our sins. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Wednesday March 1^st, 2023

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

EMPTY PHRASES IN PRAYER

Meditation for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

(Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15)

This Lenten season, we are expected to be more prayerful. Jesus intervenes to teach us how to pray so that God will hear our prayers. He warns against the wrong approach to prayer: “In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” God Himself does not speak empty phrases; how can man then offer to Him empty phrases?

 

The prophet Isaiah announces that as the rain and snow water the earth, giving seed to the Sower and bread to the eater, so shall the word of God go forth; it shall not return empty, but it shall accomplish that which it was intended, and prosper in the thing for which it was sent. Think about how the word of God is active and alive (Heb 4:12), bearing fruit in the heart of the believer and inspiring him to pray. We see how the word of God is our anchor in prayer as Jesus leads the way and teaches how to pray. Thus, in his prayer, the man of faith returns to God the fruit of what he had received, i.e., glory and adoration.

 

Prayer becomes empty when it has no roots in the word of God.

Prayer becomes empty when it is not backed up by faith.

Prayer becomes empty when we wish to INFORM God about our needs.

Prayer becomes empty when we turn it into argument to CONVINCE God to answer us.

These and many more are summed up into EMPTY PHRASES, for they go to God without returning back to Him glory and adoration. So, in the prayer Jesus taught us, we adore and glorify God, saying, “Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name…” As the word of God has live in itself and does not return to God empty, so does the prayers we offer to God does not return to us empty, but they bring back to us divine intervention and answers to our needs. May God continue to hear our prayers this Lent. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday February 28^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

The Glory of Almsgiving

Meditation for Monday of the First Week of Lent

(Lev 19:1-2, 11-18; Mt 25:31-46)

As we continue our Lenten journey this week, the readings of today underline the importance of charity, especially at this season. In the first reading, Moses rolled out to the people several laws regarding how they were to relate and treat each other. “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another…You shall not oppress your neighbor or rub him.” Life is so dynamic, and so are the points of human interaction. While the laws guide us on the right way to treat our neighbor, they cannot make such relationship perfect.

 

So, Jesus steps in to show us the perfect way, which is charity. Yes, charity covers all we are mandated to avoid against our neighbor, at the same time, it satisfies all we are expected to do for our neighbor. Jesus said on the last day, the Son of man will come in His glory, and all the angels with Him, and, sitting on His glorious throne, He will judge all peoples according to the acts of charity they performed to their neighbor. “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food…” On the other hand, those who failed to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, etc, will be cast into the eternal fire.

 

Meditate on the glory of charity as the King comes in His glory and sits on His glorious throne to separate the righteous from the unrighteous, i.e. He separates the charitable from the uncharitable. Thus, charity sets us apart! It is a distinguishing virtue. And it communicates the glory of Jesus. Whenever we practice almsgiving, especially at this season of Lent, we shall experience a taste of glory. And this serene joyful touch of glory is proof that a particular act of charity is true and divinely inspired. Therefore, every act of almsgiving becomes a step forward into divine glory. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday February 27^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE RESPONSE TO TEMPTATIONS

Meditation for the First Sunday of Lent
(Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Rm 5:12-19; Mt 4:1-11)

On this first Sunday of Lent, let us meditate on Jesus’ responses his temptation in the wilderness. Every temptation comes as an ‘appeal’ to our free will and it awaits our response. If we succumb to the appeal of the temptation, then we sin and wound our relationship with God. Though we know the right choice, often times our wills are not strong enough to withstand the alluring force of temptation. So, we connect ourselves through meditation to Jesus’ response to the devil, that we may draw strength from Him to overcome every temptation.

In response to the first temptation, Jesus said to the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” The word of God is the anchor that can sustain in time of temptation. In the first reading, Adam and Eve lived by God’s word and avoided eating the forbidden fruit until the serpent deceived them. They pulled off from the authority of God’s word and relied on their selfish desires. In the second reading, St Paul explains that, just as one Adam’s sin let to condemnation for all men, “So one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.” That means the life of the word of God comes to us as we participate in the righteousness of Jesus, in whom is the fullness of life. Therefore, as we live out the righteousness of Jesus, we shall conquer every temptation.

 

To the second temptation, Jesus responded, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Sometimes in the face of temptation, we can be so casual, trying to take advantage of God’s mercy. At times too, we are taken over by pride and become presumptuous. At this point we exaggerate our capacity to overcome the temptation, and we begin to lay claim to God’s protection. However, man cannot condition God to come to his aid. Adam and Eve knew the forbidden fruit would bring death, yet they decided to take the risk. They got carried away by the empty promises projected by the serpent. You cannot throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple, and presuming that God will send His angels to protect you. So, in the face of temptation, we must not project our ego, instead, we respond with humility like Jesus, who through His obedience brought righteousness and justification to many.

 

Thirdly, Jesus quickly replied, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’” The promptness of the response says it all: the child of God should react swiftly against any temptation that threaten his faith and worship of God. Think about how Eve allowed the serpent to question her loyalty to God! We must realize that there are some issues about our faith in God that are not open to questioning and debate. Our response to such temptations must be, ‘Begone, Satan.’ This swift response must be applied against any temptation that tries to hinder us from participating in the righteousness of Jesus, for it is by Jesus’ obedience and act of righteousness that set us free from the bondage of sin and death. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday February 26^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

FRIENDS OF THE TAX COLLECTOR

Meditation for Saturday after Ash Wednesday

(Is 58:9-14; Lk 5:27-32)

Let us meditate on the conversion of Levi, the tax collector, and the warm hospitality he offered to Jesus in house. Our Lenten observances are targeted at conversion of heart. The prompt and immediate response of Levi to Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me”, is inspiring. This tax collector was so overwhelmed with the new life he found in Jesus that he organized a feast in his house the Master. “And there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them.” This attracted the attention of the Pharisees and scribes, who murmured against Jesus, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Now, pause and think a bit deeply how Levi, who had given up his corrupt ways, still had his former colleagues as friends. Though he had given his life to Christ, the other tax collectors were still familiarizing with him. This association can be of great challenge to his resolve to follow Jesus. It will either strengthen his resolve or weaken it. For Levi to maintain the new life he found in Jesus, he must constantly renew that prompt and immediate response to Jesus. Thus, saying YES to Jesus must be constantly renewed, especially when we find ourselves surrounded by the alluring presence of the old ways.

Therefore, ‘the friends of the tax collector’ will always remind him to renew his resolve to follow Jesus. Often times we repent of our sins, but the occasions of sin still abound. We regret our old ways, but they are still before us as available options. The friends of the repentant tax collector are still dining with him. There is no need to throwing blame or murmuring like the Pharisees. The prophet Isaiah says, “And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong.” He does not call us once and abandon us; His voice continues to re-echo in the silence of our hearts, “Follow me.” He continues to call us, even in the midst of situations that threaten our resolve to follow Him. As we continue to answer, the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah, “I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Saturday February 25^th, 2023.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE SILENT LOUD CRY

Meditation for Friday after Ash Wednesday
(Is 58:1-9; Mt 9:14-15)

In our meditation today, we see a beautiful link between fasting, almsgiving and prayer as given in the first reading. The prophet Isaiah describes fasting as a way to make our voices heard on high. It becomes a ‘silent loud cry’ offered up to God through self-denial. Thus, fasting is invocative. It is expected that God will quickly respond to such a humbled contrite heart. The prophet laments that there are actions that act as soundproof against the ‘loud cry’ of fasting. Such actions that can work against our fasting include seeking pleasure, injustice, quarrelling.

 

According to prophet Isaiah, fasting becomes empty if it does not incline us to righteousness. The Lord says, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” This shows that the authenticity of our fasting lies in its capacity to incline us to be prompt to charity.

 

Once our fasting has disposed us to charity, the prophet says, “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” Now, the ‘silent loud cry’ has become prayer answered; “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am.” That is why fasting enlightens our hearts and brightens our countenance. It is only the hypocrites who look pale and draw pity by their fasting.

 

In this Lenten season, we see how fasting, almsgiving and prayer are connected. The internal strength generated through fasting inclines us to charity, which attracts answers to our prayers. In our fasting this season, we offer to God the ‘silent loud cry’ of our urgent need for divine intervention in our lives and society. And as we practice almsgiving, our cry is heard; God wipes away our tears. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Friday February 24, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

THE CROSS AND THE COMMANDMENTS

Meditation for Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deut 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25)

Self-preservation is the greatest instinct in man. Every other choice we make is presumed to respect our innate desire for survival. In the first reading, Moses said to the people, “See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil.” He urged them to obey God’s commandments as the way to choose life and multiply. To disobey the commandments will lead to evil and death. Thus, the two options of life and death have practically one singular response: the commandments. It is either we are obeying the commandments or disobeying the commandments. Thus, by that act with which we keep the commandments, we choose life and avoid death. And by that act with which we disobey the commandments, we choose death and lose life.

 

In gospel, Jesus still talked about the two options of life and death, but He presented the cross the solution. As Moses prescribed obedience to the commandments as the way to have life and multiply, Jesus offered us the cross as the source of life. He said, “If a man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” The choice for the cross becomes our choice for Jesus, in whom we are saved.

 

The hidden instinct for self-preservation in man has been called out of its selfish domain, purified through the commandments and satisfied in Christ Jesus. The life promised through the commandments is now flowing like a fountain in Jesus Christ. On the cross, He opened this wellspring of life for us, which is the end-purpose of the law. So, as we identify and carry our cross daily, we conquer evil, and fullness of life in Jesus Christ. That is why as we deny ourselves this Lenten season, our will is strengthened to take up our cross. Through our Lenten observances, our instinct for self-preservation now translates into love for the cross of Jesus. By following Jesus so intimately, we satisfy the law, and have abundance of life. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday February 23, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com