THE UNFADING LIGHT

Meditation for the 4^th Sunday of Lent
(1 Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41)

Darkness reigns in the absence of light. At the right time, light breaks forth and scatters the darkness, dispelling even its shadows. The power of light is so strong that darkness has no life in its presence. The immediate and wholesome entry of light unveils beauty, goodness, vision, peace and joy! We can liken it to the unannounced entry of Samuel to the house of Jesse. He came as light to reveal who among the sons of Jesse was the real strong one, the exalted and chosen one. “For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” As Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him. All were surprised, it was as if a flood of light revealed what was hidden in the dark. The little ruddy boy, the youngest and weakest of them all, is revealed as the Lord’s chosen and the greatest of them all.

 

As Jesus cures the man born blind, He declares, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After regaining his sight, the man faced opposition from neighbors and the Pharisees. We come to understand that darkness does not give way to light without putting up some fight. It will always want to bounce back to oppose the illumination from the light. Though the light shines in darkness, and darkness cannot over power it (Jn 1:5). Those who reject the light of truth will always try to cast the shadow of darkness and oppose the light. Some of the neighbors who used to give him alms doubted the man’s testimony. The pharisees were even hostile to him; they questioned him several times, demanded that he denounced Jesus to be a sinner because he performed the miracle on the Sabbath. To their greatest surprise, the poor beggar began to lecture them about the workings of God. Since they could not succeed, they hurled abuses at him, and expelled him from the synagogue.

 

Once again, as the light breaks forth, pierces through, and scatters every darkness, Jesus stepped forward, and reassured the man with His presence. He dispelled every fear and doubt, and the man’s faith began to shine more eagerly. Hence, the man responded, “Lord, I believe.” Thus, Jesus cured the man’s blindness and illumined his heart. This is the light that shines in our hearts through faith in Jesus Christ; a light that the intervening presence of Jesus shines within us. The second reading says, “Once you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.”

 

To walk as children of light means to do what is pleasing to the Lord, and to avoid works of darkness. Our society today is walking blindly in the darkness of fear, poverty, unforgiveness, division, and all sorts of immorality. As long as we remain with Jesus, we shall have the light of life. Our duty is to expose these evils by shining the light of Christ upon them. “When anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.” Though the light has come and is in our midst, people prefer darkness to the light because their deeds are evil (Jn 3:19). Therefore, there must be opposition whenever we want to radiate the light of truth, kindness, charity, unity, freedom and peace. We cannot overcome our personal defects without some internal opposition. Darkness will always put-up resistance against the light. But the unfading light which Christ gives shines forth, pierces through and scatters every darkness. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday March 19^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

THE RETREAT JOURNEY

Meditation for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

(Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14)

Let us listen to God's invitation for a retreat. The prophet Hosea announces, “Come, let us return to the Lord…” This return journey is based on the fact that we have realized our wretchedness, then we look up to God for healing and restoration. “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” The prophet invites us to come and increase our knowledge of God, and receive assurance that He will surely come to us just as the spring-rains that water the earth. “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.”

Let us meditate briefly on how the knowledge of God increases knowledge of our selves. That is why the retreat to return to the Lord takes us inwards to a deeper self-understanding. In addition, it is when we discover ourselves in God, and understand ourselves in relation to God, can we truly make progress in conquering our self-limitations, grow in virtue and develop stronger human relationships. However, this retreat journey to God and to self-discovery is humbling. It takes a humble and contrite heart, like the tax collector praying in the temple, to undertake this retreat. This tax collector, discovering God’s abundant mercy, realized His unworthiness, beat his breast saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” At the end Jesus said, “I tell you; this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Saturday March 18^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

24th Lenten meditation

BENDING OUR HEARTS TO JESUS

Meditation for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

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

The prophet Jeremiah laments the stubbornness of heart of the people. Despite persistent appeals and warnings, they refused to obey the voice of the Lord. Worse still, they added iniquity after iniquity, and increased in their evil ways. These are the people who liked to do things in their own ways as against the ways of the Lord, and who would not accept discipline.

 

In this meditation, we already see another importance of discipline as proposed by this season of Lent. It helps to ‘soften the heart’, so that we will not be stiff-necked people, who act only according to their feelings and from their comfort zones. If we bury our hearts in self-indulgence, it shall become deaf to the word of God, and we may end up growing in evil. The resistance of a stubborn hearted person against the truth of the word of God is like the opposition Jesus faced in the gospel.

After witnessing to great works of Jesus in setting a demoniac free, some of the people who refused to believe accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebul. Some others, to justify their stubbornness of heart, asked Him to give a sign from heaven. Jesus explained to them that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Anyone living a life of self-contradiction will end in self-destruction! To deny what one knows to be true is self-contradiction, and a violation of conscience. To avoid this, and for us to grow in virtue, we impose certain disciplines on ourselves this Lent. This is our humble way of bending our hearts to Jesus, who is the Truth and the Life. He says, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday March 16^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

23rd Lenten meditation

FULFILLING THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS

Meditation for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Dan 3:2, 11-20; Mt 18:21-35)

Yes, Lenten season supposed to prepare us to be in a state of grace and to be pleasing to God. This requires that we keep the commandments. Fasting energizes us and strengthens our will to choose rightly, and deepens our love for God and neighbor. However, because man is created with a sublime free will, he is naturally inclined to freedom without restriction. But such a freedom without borders turns out to be euphoric and unrealistic since man by nature is unlimited. So, laws and discipline are necessary to bring the human free will down to earth, and order it in accordance with God’s will.

 

With Jesus’ constant emphasis on love of God and love of neighbor as the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, it seems the many ordinances of the Lord as given by Moses are no more necessary. Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.” When we focus on love of God and neighbor, we cover all aspects of the law and at the same time, satisfy its purpose. Above all, in Christ Jesus, observance of the law begins from the heart. That is why the Christian is expected to be detailed in keeping the commandments as promotes goodness and does not give room for any form evil.

 

Therefore, conversion of the heart in love is the bold step we take in keeping the commandments. Conversion of heart is not just avoidance of wrongdoing, it means to follow Jesus more closely, to act with the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). The more the life Christ is promoted in our words and actions, the more we satisfying every detail of the law.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Wednesday March 15^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

22^nd Lenten meditation

THE QUESTION OF FORGIVENESS

Meditation for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

(Dan 3:2, 11-20; Mt 18:21-35)

One of the distinguishing qualities of a Christian as a true follower of Jesus Christ is forgiveness. Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness challenges everyone and every culture. You may not know how strong your faith in Jesus is until you find yourself hanging on the cross of forgiveness. It can never be an easy journey because forgiveness sets one on a pathway that opposes the worldly and natural flow. That is why despite Jesus’ several explanations and examples, Christians today still ask the question of how far they can go on this journey of forgiveness.

 

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” Jesus’ response shows that forgiveness is not to be numbered, but to be lived out. Counting it would mean it is external to us, but living it out implies it is within us and part of our lives. In addition, he told the parable of the unforgiving servant to demonstrate that forgiveness is part of our relationship with God. The forgiveness we show to one another is not disconnected from the forgiveness we receive from God. Thus, the question of forgiveness is better understood if we pose the same question in relation to God, saying, ‘How many times should God forgive me if I sin against Him.’ “If you O Lord should mark our iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, that you may be revered.” (Ps 130:3-4).

 

Let us meditate on the prayer of Azariah from the midst of the fire. While in that torment, instead of seeking revenge for his enemies, he began to invoke the mercy of God. He acknowledged their sins, and offered the pain as an oblation from a contrite heart and a humble spirit. Finally, he said, “Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in your forbearance and in your abundant mercy. Deliver us in accordance with your marvelous works, and give glory to your name, O Lord!” The servant was put to shame because he refused to forgive as his master forgave him. Forgiveness is never cheap nor easy; it comes at a cost. And God has paid the highest cost for forgiveness on the cross. That is why we constantly draw closer to Jesus for the grace to forgive. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday March 14^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

21^st Lenten meditation

The Gateway to Divine Cleansing

 Meditation for Monday of the Third Week of Lent

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

Let us meditate the beautiful story of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper. He was such a humble man that even his servants could advise him. It was advice given by his servant girl that made him embark on the journey to meet Elisha. On getting to Israel, he thought that such great power would be with the King. So, in his childlike manner he went straight to the king. Unfortunately, the king did not know anything about curing leprosy. On getting to Elisha’s house, the prophet did not come out but sent a servant to tell him to go and bathe in the River Jordan seven times. Naaman’s humility failed him at this time, and he stood on his pride in anger, for he expected a special recognition and treatment.

 

We see here that while this army commander was humble in listening, even to his servants, honor and recognition were his weaknesses. From a person’s particular attachments, pride germinates. Imagine how much obstacle pride can be to the man knocking at the door of divine grace. However, Naaman was lucky that he was humble enough to listen to servant who urged him to obey the message from Elisha. At the end he was cleansed, and he glorified God, saying, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.”

 

Humility is the gateway to divine blessings. At his home town of Nazareth, the people stood on their pride of being familiar with Jesus. He said to them, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country.” Thus, they denied themselves the prophetic blessings. That was why among all the lepers in Israel during the time of prophet Elisha, only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed. Hence, we thank God for this season of Lent, which gives us the special opportunity to detach ourselves from persons and things through fasting and abstinence, so that we can be humble, and glorify God who cleanses and blesses us. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday March 13^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

20^th Lenten meditation

THE TRUE THIRST

 Meditation for the Third Sunday of Lent

(Ex 17:3-7; Rm 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42)

On the Cross, after they had inflicted on Jesus on the pain, He cried out, “I am thirsty” (Jn 19:28). Having lost so much blood, Jesus was exhausted and He begged for water. But they squeezed a sour wine in His mouth. Christian spirituality sees through this thirst of Jesus on the Cross as not just thirst for water, but a thirst for souls to be redeemed. In addition, thirst occurring just before He died becomes an offering of humanity’s thirst for God and wellbeing. Now, every human thirst can become a participation in the thirst of Jesus for us. The wicked will offer Him sour wine of bad behavior, while the faithful ought to offer Him their hearts, repentant, full of love and charity.

 

That means our thirst for material wellbeing and for our spiritual life must properly ordered, so that the thirst of Jesus becomes the meeting point. There is always the tendency to exalt and focus on our thirst for material wellbeing, and use it as a weapon against our innate thirst for God. At times we do not realize our true thirst for virtue, goodness, and eternal life. We are distracted by temporary desires for pleasure and possession becloud our minds and hearts. This was the experience of the Israelites at Massah and Meribah. In their thirst for water in the desert they spoke against God and wanted stone Moses to death.

In the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, we see how Jesus gradually led the woman to discover her true thirst, over and above her thirst for water. Jesus made it clear that there is a true thirst, which brings lasting satisfaction than thirst for physical water and wellbeing. He said, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Once the woman began to thirst for this living water, Jesus led her to abandon her thirst for life of pleasure, repent of her sins, then she accepted Jesus in her life as the Messiah.

 

Jesus is the source of the true fountain that satisfies our every thirst. The second reading explains that it is through faith in Jesus Christ that we unlock this peace and satisfaction. Through Jesus we obtain access to the grace that sustains us, and we rejoice already in our hope of sharing in the glory of God. “And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” This fountain of love flows from the Cross, even to the sinner and the ungodly, who are distracted with thirst for pleasure and worldly life. The ‘thirst’ of Jesus on the Cross is an expression of His love for us, which longs for our salvation and wellbeing. It is the true thirst in which our every thirst is ordered and offered; here, we identified the things that really matter, thirst for the living water that satisfies us for health and wellbeing, and for eternal life. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday March 12^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

19^th Lenten meditation