Celebrating and Commemorating Our Faithful Departed
Readings: 1st: Ish 25, 6-9; Ps 27, 1.4.7-9. 13-14 2nd: Rom 5, 5-11; Gos: Mk 15, 33-39; 16, 1-6

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working at the Sanctuario del Espiritu Santo, en Dorado, Puerto Rico, del Internacional Grupo Espiritano De Puerto Rico – Republica Dominicana. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

This Sunday is the 31st in the church’s of ordinary time. Having celebrated the solemnity of All Saints yesterday, today, the holy mother church in her wisdom gives us yet another opportunity to celebrate another group of “unsung heroes” of our faith who are believed to still be on a journey towards the heavenly Jerusalem. In a special way also, it is an opportunity for us to reflect on our Christian journey towards the eternal city of God. Today also, we are invited to pray especially for this suffering church (ecclesia penitens) still on transit. That is, souls in Purgatory. All Souls Day commemorates the faithful departed, and is associated with the doctrine that the souls of the faithful who at death have not been cleansed from the temporal punishment due to venial sins and from attachment to mortal sins cannot immediately attain the beatific vision in Heaven, and that they may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the Mass.
These include religious men and women who burnt out their lives both in their home and foreign lands fanning the faith of millions of people into flame for God; those pious Christian mothers and fathers who despite the burden of family life had, and spent so much time loving and serving God through humanity for the sake of the gospel; those Christian youths and children who employed the strength and zeal of their youth effectively for the evangelization of others, who defiled worldliness of life and choose to live a very pious Christian life. They were castigated, called names, despised and even killed. They lived and bore good witness to Christ in all the continents of our world. They wrote volumes in their silent witness on earth but their testimonies are being echoed and recounted in heaven by angels before the holy of holies. Their number is so great and their deeds so vast that one can employ the same words of John about Jesus (that: “If all Jesus did were to be recorded, the whole world as a book will not contain them” (Jh 22, 25)), to describe them. Indeed, no book of the canonized or the blessed on earth can contain their names and deeds. However, we pray and hope their names will one day be contained the book of life in heaven when they finally arrive their destination.
Once a wise king visited a very wealthy man where he was received in a beautifully decorated hall and given a wonderful dinner of various delicious meals. Afterwards, the wealthy father of the house came forth and one after the other introduced his wife, three handsome and brilliant sons, two beautiful charming and elegant daughters, and of course showed him round his state of the arts mansion. In appreciation of his hospitality, the king thanked them so much. However, he asked the man: “Who cooked these wonderful dishes? The man proudly responded: “Of course, my cooks!” Again, the king asked: “Who decorated this beautiful hall?” Once more, the man proudly responded: “Surely, my maids!” Finally, the king made a request: “Can I meet them?” and the man gave a nod and sent for them. When they arrived, the king stood up, and exclaimed: “Indeed, here they come, my unsung heroes for this night.” He stood up, embraced them and offered each one of them gifts, good enough to set them up in life. The King was wise indeed, to have recognized the unsung cooks and maids who made the night what it was. In like manner the church today displays her wisdom by recognizing and celebrating our unsung faithful departed heroes. They are the under dogs of our faith, they were the silent preachers who can be compared to those who work behind the curtains and cameras of a movie theatre to decorate the artists, setup the stage, prompt, direct and shut the films without they themselves appearing in the movie or film. We remember them for their humility, dexterity and faithfulness, and pray the almighty to reward them by opening the doors of heaven unto them.
Our first reading today from Isaiah captures perfectly well the essence of today’s celebration of All Souls. On the mountain of the Lord all souls are expected to gather for the great banquet. This is especially the souls of the faithful departed. This banquet is one meant for those who have washed themselves in the blood of the lamb (Rev 7, 14). It was called by the Lord to honor those who have responded faithfully to his call. In the second reading, Paul reminds us that our hope in Jesus will not fail us because: “God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the holy spirit who is God’s gift to us.” This is why we celebrate all souls today. They hope they had in Jesus will not fail them, and ours will not fail us too. They heard about Christ, accepted him and believed in him. So, today we pray earnestly that nothing will prevent them from reaching their home land where a rich banquet is being prepared for them. Today’s celebration must strength our hope and faith that one day we too hope to be close to God.
The gospel of Mark recounts in a most dramatic fashion the events of the last moments of Jesus. The three o’clock event is very important as we commemorate and celebrate All Souls Day today. The reason is quite simple. It was at this point in time that the gates of hell shut against souls were shattered and the souls granted freedom. It is an hour of redemption and liberation. It an hour when all souls being held captive by the power of darkness were liberated by Christ Jesus as the psalmist captures it: “He has broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron asunder” (Ps. 107, 16). At this hour the gates were pulled down and salvation was finally granted the souls of all the faithful departed. It was the hour when God gave kind admittance to all souls. This is why on this day we must unite in prayers for them to have their full liberation in order to get to their final destination where they in turn will intercede for us. It is an opportunity to for us to pray for souls in purgatory, that God might look upon them with mercy and cleans them of any taint of sin (2 Macc 12, 42-46) so that they might pass on to their saintly abode. We need therefore to knock even harder today on the doors of heaven for their sake. Surely, God will hear our prayers if we like the psalmist cry out on their behalf: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord.” Eternal rest give unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them!
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Holding Firm To The Message Of Eternal Life
Readings: 1st: Mal 1, 14-2, 2-10; Ps 130 2nd: 1Thess 2, 7-13, 5-11; Gos: Matt 23, 1-12

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working at the Sanctuario del Espiritu Santo, en Dorado, Puerto Rico, del Internacional Grupo Espiritano De Puerto Rico – Republica Dominicana. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today being the 31st Sunday of ordinary time year A we are reminded of the need to hold firm to the message of eternal life. This is what guarantees and safeguards our faith. Derailing from it or belittling it has its attendant consequences. On the other hand, if we abide by it we are rest assured that God will continue to strengthen us.
Once, as I passed by a nursery school I observed a piece of art work that was actually meant to teach the kids the right manner of behavior while on the road. This painting had on it, two kids (a boy and a girl) walking and playing on the road in their school uniform. The instructions originally, and (as I suppose should be), was: “Do not play on the road!” However and unfortunately, at a closer look at this instruction, I discovered that it has been mutilated or tampered with. So instead, it now reads: “—-Play on the road!” This attracted my attention and I went closer to confirm what I saw, only to discover that someone, maybe a nasty child, or even a mischievous adult (I cannot tell for sure), actually erased the “Do not” phrase which actually helped the entire sentence to make the right sense. Hence, rather than be the message of good will, protection and live, it has become an instruction that leads to destruction. Instead of being a good news instructing or directing children to towards the part of life, it is now leading whoever among the kids that would read and obey it to death. God Forbid! This is exactly what happens when we toil with the message of eternal life, when instead of employing it positively, we employ it negatively for our own selfish gains or motives as some of us priests, pastors, religious, and Christians who are the Pharisees of our time do.
In our first reading today, God spoke through his oracle prophet Malachi warning us especially priests, religious and Christians about the dangers of straying from the right part, as well as misleading and oppressing others in the name of the God: “…And now priests, this is a warning for you…you have strayed from the way and you have caused many to stumble by your teaching, you have destroyed the covenant of Levi says the Lord of Host….” While it is important to note that this message is meant as it were for “Priest” and all “Pastors of souls”, it is equally important to note that by virtue of our baptismal priesthood, God is equally speaking to each and every Christians. The reason for this is quite simple, we are all expected to bear the message of eternal life as well as give glory to God. Therefore, it is a call to lead and teach rightly the message of eternal life, a call to live rightly, to be just and most importantly to glorify God our creator.
In the second reading, Paul recounts with thanks to God how he faithfully transmitted the undiluted message of eternal life to the church of Thessalonica. He did it carefully and with utmost precision, making sure that he passed on the right message to them. He writes thus: “Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protected towards you…we were eager to hand over to you not only the good news but our whole lives…while we were bringing the good news to you.” In order words, Paul and his companions were faithful pastors contrary to the category the prophet Malachi warned sternly. Rather than mislead or exploit the people, these great priests and pastors of souls employed their whole energy in communicating the message of eternal life to the people. From this therefore, we must learn that once the message of eternal life or the good news is effectively communicated it bears good fruits and in turn evokes a very deep sense of thankfulness to God. This is Paul’s source of joy and thankfulness to God: “Another reason to thank God is that, as soon as you heard the message we brought, you accepted it as God’s message and not something human.” Kudos also to the Thessalonians who unlike most of us today did not take the message of eternal life for granted. They accepted it for what it is without cajoling or belittling it. Again, the reason is simple! The priests and Pastors who preached and lead them to this message of eternal life brought it with faith, sincerity, honesty and dedication. They revered and honored the message and so, it was received with honor and reverence as well.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus equally warns us not to follow the hypocritical way of life of the Pharisees of our time (“men” and “women of God” of our age), who in spite of their exalted position in our churches live bad examples. They preach well but act badly. They are very eloquent and tall in their preaching, sermons, and homilies, but they are dwarfs and pigmies in their actions. What an irony! These men and women of God thwart the message of eternal life for their own gain and thus lead many astray. These are deadly wolves in sheep clothing. It is also important to look inwards in this regard, because, as Christians each one of us is a potential man and woman of God as well as a potential Pharisee. How could this be, you ask? If we live contrary to the faith we profess in Jesus Christ we are being Pharisees and thwarting the message of eternal life or the good news. Of course, we do this every day. When we live this way, we are showing people the wrong way and preaching the worst of homilies for which posterity will not forget and possibly forgive us because, we are not are not being true to, or holding on to the message of eternal life.
Finally, today Jesus denounces “show-off-religion” which has no life and in fact, is opposed to the message of eternal life. It is however, very important also, not to misunderstand Jesus’ message about being called or calling anyone “Rabbi” or “Father.” What Jesus is denouncing here is earthly pride which is opposed to the message of eternal life he preached. He in no way permits us to disrespect authorities or to insult those in position by calling them derogatory names instead of giving them the honor that is due to them. Such behavior would equally, run contrary to the messages of eternal life which say: “Honor your father and mother,” (Ex 20, 12); “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you (Heb 13, 17); and finally, “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity (1Tim 2, 2). Jesus simply wants us to be true to the message of eternal life. It must rule and direct our lives. It must not pop us up or make us proud. It must not be employed as a tool to oppress or mislead others. Rather, it must give God glory because, in this, lies the message of eternal life.
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Through Our Neighbours: We Must find, Worship, and Love God!
Readings: 1st: Ish 22, 20-26; Ps 17, 2-4. 47. 51; 2nd: 1Thes 1, 5-10; Gos: Mtt 22, 34-40

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working at the Sanctuario del Espiritu Santo, en Dorado, Puerto Rico, of the Internacional Grupo Espiritano De Puerto Rico – Republica Dominicana. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the 30th Sunday of ordinary time. As we gradually draw closer to the end of the year 2014, and the churches liturgical calendar (year A), once again as ever before, the church reminds us of the most important theological virtue in life – Love. In a most special way today, Jesus gives us the two dimensions of love; the vertical – love of God, and the horizontal – love of neighbour. When these two dimensions are perfectly harmonized or synchronized then, a Christian can conveniently say to self, I have loved well. The two are so perfectly interwoven to the extent that as Christians we are left with no choice between the two.
A very brief story captioned: “Love thy Neighbour – A Beautiful Lesson” by an unknown author posted by Priya Sher on her blog on July 3, 2012 goes thus: Once there lived a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year his corn won a prize from the state fair. When he was interviewed on how he grew the wining crop. It was discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbours. When he was asked: “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” The farmer responded: “Do you not know that the wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.” The farmer was very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improves. Priya comments: “So it is with our lives. Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbours to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well too. For the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.” This is absolutely right because it is through our neighbours that we find, worship and love God, and when we find God we find our own peace and love too.
In the first reading of today, God through Moses warns us as he did the Israelites against any oppression of widows, the poor, strangers and the weak: “You must not oppress the stranger or molest him…not be harsh with the widow or with orphans.” Of course, God reminds us that such acts as we unfortunately find in our society today are tantamount to bringing down his wrath upon the oppressor. The lesson here therefore, is that we must deal with others kindly, justly and lovingly as we would prefer ourselves to be dealt with and loved by both God and others. God hates oppression and injustice especially against the weak and the poor. In the second reading, Paul reminds the Thessalonians community of their former status as idol worshipers and how they were librated through the power of the good news. While their liberation was a sign of God’s love for them, their acceptance of the good news was a sign of their love for God. Paul thus, raised their hope and encouraged them to per due in love and hold on to it until the coming of the Lord.
In today’s gospel, the Pharisees and Scribes posed Christ yet another “difficult” question: “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” As usual, this was in a bid to test him. However, instead of faltering in, or messing up the Law of Moses, Jesus gave us the résumé of the magna carta of love. A close look at Jesus’ response today reveals that Jesus presents us first with the vertical dimension of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul and with your entire mind.” It is very important to understand here that loving God with all of one’s mind, body and soul entails a lot of sacrifice, and of course, a lot of humility. Loving God is the most important perquisite for being god-like and going to heaven. The second dimension of love is the horizontal, which is: “You must love your neighbour as yourself?” This is pretty more difficult than the first because, we neglect and take it for granted so much by thinking that we can love just God alone, and enough without our neighbours. However, in actual sense, the best way of expressing our love for God is through the way we deal with our neighbours. This is because, life is relational and humans being gregarious must relate well and positively with others. We must affect others positively in order to love God well. This is why the scripture says: “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1Jhn 4, 20).
It is baffling to note that most Christians in spite of spending the whole day in the church are never in good terms with those they live with, in the same house, compound or neighborhood. In matters of love, charity must begin at home, with your neighbour, with your friends and those around you. When we love these, invariably, we love God first, in whose image and likeness they were created, and within whom God dwells. Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10, 25-37) becomes very important here. The Samaritan recognized Christ and God in the poor man brown-beaten by mobs. He loved the God he saw in this helpless fellow and attended to him. In like manner, we are called upon today to see God in our neighbours, love him in our neighbours, and adore him in our neighbours. So our love for God must be manifested in and through our neighbours. For instance, if you love to serve God as a priest and decide to give up every worldly gain, you must express this love through service to humanity. This is what Jesus means. The two dimensions of love are not contra or opposed to each other. Also, at the base of all our actions towards our neighbours, the motivating force must be love. This is why Saint Augustine of Hippo says: “Once for all, then, a short precept is given you; love, and do whatever you will. Whether you hold your peace, through love hold your peace; whether you cry out, through love cry out; whether you correct, through love correct; whether you spare, through love you must spare. Let the root of love be within, of this root can nothing spring but what is good.” However, it is important not to misconstrue or misunderstand this saying of St Augustine. It does not mean plunging into the dark side of life protected by some vague hazy feeling of “luvvy duvvy” goodness and certitude, all shall be well, or that the world is a bed of roses. Instead, it means that, it takes love to be charitable, love to be merciful, love to be faithful to God and his mission towards humanity, love to reach out to the poor, the hungry, the marginalized, the oppressed, the weak, the sick, and the homeless. It takes love to be humble, patient and kind. In fact, it takes love to be lovable and godly. So this Sunday, knowing that on own our own we cannot love enough, let us join the psalmist in making this profession of love to God from whom we derive the strength to love our neighbours as our selves: “I love you Lord, my strength!”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Preaching the Good News in Word, Power, and Confidence!
Readings: 1st: Ish 45, 1. 4-6; Ps 95, 3-5. 7-10 2nd: I Thes 1, 1-5; Gos: Mtt 22, 15-21

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working at the Sanctuario del Espiritu Santo, en Dorado, Puerto Rico, del Internacional Grupo Espiritano De Puerto Rico – Republica Dominicana. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

“…And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? …How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!” But not all have accepted the Good News…” (Romans 10:14-16). With these beautifully crafted master pieces from Paul the missionary par excellentiam, we begin our brief reflection on this 29th Sunday of ordinary time being World Mission Sunday.
On this great day, the church, while rejoicing at the progress made so far, yet reminds us that much still needs to be done because as Paul says, “Not all have accepted the gospel.” This simply means that it is not over until it is over because the clarion call for us to “come over to Macedonia” with the light of the good news is still ringing. Just before a brief excursus into the readings of today, it is important to hear from the Holy Father, Pope Francis. His message is quite simple, and in line with the clarion call. “Today vast numbers of people still do not know Jesus Christ. For this reason, the mission ad gentes continues to be most urgent. All the members of the Church are called to participate in this mission, for the Church is missionary by her very nature: she was born ‘to go forth’. World Mission Day is a privileged moment when the faithful of various continents engage in prayer and concrete gestures of solidarity in support of the young Churches in mission lands. It is a celebration of grace and joy. It is a celebration of grace, because the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, offers wisdom and strength to those who are obedient to his action. A celebration of joy, because Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, sent to evangelize the world, supports and accompanies our missionary efforts.” (From the Vatican, 8 June 2014, the Solemnity of Pentecost).
In the first reading of this Sunday God makes clear his choice of Israel. In a most surprising way too, he makes known his choice of a foreign king whom Isaiah referred to as “his anointed” instrument. His choice of this “Pagan king” as his anointed was for a purpose, to make known his name among other nations and for the sake of Israel. Therefore, like both Cyrus and Israel, God has chosen and “armed” us with the good news: “that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing.” This is a call to all of us God’s people to go and make him known to the ends of the earth, from Cairo to Cape Town, from Dan to Beersheba, from North to South, and from East to West.
In the second reading of today, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy continues to remember and pray now for the church of Thessalonica. They have preached the good news there, but they know that only prayer can sustain their labour. They know the importance of prayer in mission and so we must equally learn to pray for missionaries as the Holy Father reminds us today. This is very necessary because as Paul wrote: “We only sow the seed, but God makes it germinate, grow, and bear fruits” (1Cor 3, 6) through our constant prayers. As it is obvious that not everyone must go on foreign mission, it is however important that we all must play the very significant role played by St. Theresa of the Child Jesus. She never went on mission, but today she is the patron saint of missionaries because, she was fervent in her prayers for the success of missionaries and their work. Of course, God did hear and answer her prayers. Paul realizing the importance of prayers for the success of missionary work requested thus: “Pray also for me that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel secret…pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.” (Eph 6, 19-20). This is very important because, a missionary without any prayer backup will not succeed.
Again, Paul recalled how they carried out their mission. Hence, they give us a clue of how we ought to approach our missionary activities. They did it, “in words, in power, in the Holy Spirit and of course, in confidence”. They did it in words because, someone must be the medium and this is why Paul asked: “And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? Therefore, we must proclaim the good news in and out of season; in power, because: “…The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow” (Heb 12, 4). The word of God possesses the power greater than the atomic bomb that decimated and punctuated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, its energy is stronger than that of the strongest hurricane and tornado put together; in Holy Spirit because, he is the principal agent of mission. he is the one who leads and directs us wherever we go: “The Holy Spirit did not let him (Paul) preach the message in the province of Asia…they tried to go into the province of Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”(Acts 16, 6-10). In spite of this, the same Holy Spirit allowed them to go to Macedonia. The missionary must therefore be a partner of the Holy Spirit. Finally, in confidence, because, the message we bear and preach has the label “tested and trusted.” It is something we have accepted, and believed. It is a life line, as well as an elixir of life with 100% guaranteed potency. So, we are proud to give it to others confidently. This is the source of our joy and confidence.
In the today’s gospel having preached the good news in word, power, Holy Spirit, conviction and confidence, the Pharisees were looking for ways to rubbish Jesus’ message, and even to distract and discredit him. This gospel presents one very important fact and reality that a missionary might face and contented with. In as much as we bring and preach the good news, detractors and difficulties abound. In short, countless efforts would be made to negate or contradict the good news; threats to both the good news, our physical and spiritual life are also imminent. However, the fact remains that the Holy Spirit the principal agent of mission and Jesus whose good news we bear will not allow us to be put to shame because they have jointly promised us thus: “…not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. … Stand firm, and you will win life.”(Luke 21, 14-16). It is important to note that as a missionary we must be wiser than the “sons of this world.” We must also be vast in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the spiritual, physical, political, cultural, economic and social situations around us. Had Christ been completely ignorant of the politics of his time (between the Romans and Jews), and of course the rule of government, am sure he would have been taken in by the tricks of the Pharisees. He was able to distinguish between theocracy and monarchy, between democracy and autocracy. It is also very important to note here that the state, or government, and God are not opposed to each other. As members of the state, we must fulfill our obligation to it, by paying our taxes for the good of the state, while at the same time not compromising our allegiance to God the owner and creator of all things including the state.
Finally, brethren I will like to close this homily by reminding us that the joy of being a missionary does not actually come from how much material gifts one receives, but from how much lives he is able to touch, how much joy he able to bring to others and how much love he is able to communicate. I humbly beg of you all my dear brethren and readers in these same words of St. Paul, please: “Pray also for me that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel secret…pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Welcome to God’s Banqueting Table! You Are a VIP!!
Readings: 1st: Ish 25, 6-10; Ps 23, 1-6 2nd: Phil 4, 12-14.19-20; Gos: Mtt 22, 1-4

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working at the Sanctuario del Espiritu Santo, en Dorado, Puerto Rico, of the Internacional Grupo Espiritano De Puerto Rico – Republica Dominicana. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

“He brought me to his banqueting table, and his banner over me was love” (Song of Solomon 2:4). Today the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, The holy mother church as God’s representative exhorts, and reminds us of God’s invitation to His great banquet. This is, irrespective of our unworthiness, race, economic or political background. She reminds us that through his son Jesus Christ, God is capable of sustaining and providing our needs.
How would you feel if you wake up one morning only to receive a genuine invitation from any of the following world figures: President Obama, Pope Francis, The Queen of England, etcetera, asking you to join them for a dinner party in a couple of days time. How happier would you be if the invitation reads: “Your visa is ready for the journey, and everything you need would be made available to you?” Am sure your joy will know no bound. Today God hands out an invitation to everyone of us. The difference between this invitation and that of the world is that, while the world’s bear inscriptions like: “Strictly by invitation, only for very important personalities (VIPs). Admission fee for single, $10.00; for couple, $15; and family, $20;” God’s invitation simply reads: “You (everyone) are all invited, you are to pay nothing, and all you need shall be provided.” What a glorious Sunday today is! What good news that we have today, that God, the Creator himself is inviting each one of us personally to his banquet! While the three readings of today bear a message of restoration, hope, favour, prosperity and deliverance from God through his son Jesus Christ, the psalmist helps us immensely by giving us a clue of what our right response to this invitation ought to be.
In the first reading, Isaiah, the prophet and oracle of God brings us this good news: “On this mountain, the Lord of Host will prepare a banquet of rich food…he will remove the mourning veil covering all people…He will destroy death forever…” My dear friend the best thing to do after a reading like this is to shout Amen! The reason is pretty simple, the Lord God of Host has spoken, and so shall it be! However, we must take two things into considerations here. First, there is a location where this would be fulfilled – “On this Mountain”. If we are there already, thanks be to God, but if we are not there yet, it would be much more an act of faith to begin now to move towards this sacred mountain which is the presence of God. This is why it is an invitation, we have to be on the mountain to enjoy “the banquet of rich food and have our tears wiped away!” Second, there is no discrimination on the “Invitation Card” to this mountain and banquet. So, rather than read: “strictly by invitation”, it reads “for all people!” Amazing! In other words, each one of us is a VIP to this banquet. Hence, God invites us today as ever before without any restrictions, but we have to be on the mountain to actually partake of his blessings and favours. We can never go to this mountain and remain or return the same way we were. On our way, we may be dissatisfied, hungry and thirsty but we must surely come back fulfilled and satisfied because: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy” (Ps 126, 5). This mountain is God’s divine presence, the place and house of prayer. When was the last time you climbed up there?
In our second reading today, Paul makes two important and very true statement. First, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” This is Paul’s source of contentment. Therefore, like him we must respond to the Lord’s invitation to be at his banquet and divine presence where all good things are made available for our contentment. He is contented with his place in Christ Jesus and so nothing bothers him. Second, “The Lord will fulfill all your needs in Christ Jesus.” Here, Paul was appreciating both God’s goodness and the generosity of the Philippians towards him. First, he reminds us as well that if we respond fully to God’s invitation as he (Paul) did, we ourselves can do all things because his shield will always be with us, his blessings, wisdom, insight and might will guide us to achieve things that ordinarily we cannot achieve because, “…It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord…(Zech 4, 6). It is however, important to take full note of these phrases that Paul employed in praying for us today. The first is: “My God will supply all your needs.” Often times we simply grab this phrase and walk away while we are ignorant of the most important aspect of the prayer which says “In or through Christ Jesus…” Paul is simply saying that God is willing and capable of meeting all our needs that are in line with Christ’s wishes for us. These include needs that are not dubious or selfish. “In or through Christ Jesus”, refers to the need of those who are in Christ, act and ask according to his mind. It refers to those who are around God’s banqueting table on his holy mountain.
In the gospel of today, Jesus the master of parables uses the parable of the wedding feast to teach us that God invites us all to his kingdom for a banquet. The first lesson it bears is the fact that out of the quest for the mundane many of us like the first invitees have rejected God’s invitation. The reason is simple! We are too busy to come to his mountain, there is no time for prayer, but we have time for the mundane. The consequences include suffering, pain, starvation, poverty, damnation, etcetera. The good news once again this Sunday is that, consequent upon the rejection of God’s special invitation by “his chosen ones ab initio”, He has now changed the Invitation Card from that which read: “Strictly by invitation and only for the chosen race” to “You (everyone) are all cordially invited!”
Why was someone thrown out? The matter of the wedding garment is instructive. The man refused to wear the garment provided for the banquet and this was a gross insult to the king. Just as the king provided wedding garments for his guests, God provides faith and salvation for mankind. He has made these available to us, in and through Christ Jesus free of charge. Refusal to have them on, means missing the banquet. This is because, on God’s mountain, there should be decorum, good disposition, self comportment and of course obedience. So, in response to this invitation, let us join the psalmist in saying: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want… you have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my enemies…surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and in the Lord’s own house shall I dwell forever and ever. Amen!”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Are We Also Going To Disappoint God Who Appointed Us?!
Readings: 1st: Ish 5, 1-7; Ps 79, 9. 12-16. 19-20; 2nd: Phil 4, 6-9; Gos: Mtt 21, 33-43

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working at the Sanctuario del Espiritu Santo, en Dorado, Puerto Rico, of the Internacional Grupo Espiritano De Puerto Rico – Republica Dominicana. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time and the first in the month of October 2014. On this Sunday, the church enjoins us to rejoice for being highly favored because God chose us as his beloved vineyard, as well as appointed us to be in charge of his vineyard. To be able to carry out his task effectively, therefore, we need much prayer which draws the peace of God closer and closer to us. In light of this we are to put in our best in order not to disappoint (as our ancestors did) the God who appointed us.
Once, I went to a nearby fruit shop to buy some fruits. As I was walking through the shops examining the fruits in order to make my choice, one young man insisted that I buy from his shop because his articles were good. Actually when I saw his fruits I admired them because they looked really good. So, I bought some quantity of guava from him. Unfortunately on getting home, the first fruit I tried eating was already deteriorating and had maggots inside. I took, the second, third, fourth and in fact the results were all the same. So, out of disappointment I threw the remaining into the garbage can. The next time I went to the same market, the same man beckoned on me to buy from him but I ignored him because he disappointed me the other time. When we use the term disappointment in relation to persons or things, we simply mean that a persons’ action, or that the outcome of something falls below our expectation. What do we do at such times? We express feelings of disappointment in various ways. In like manner, God feels “disappointed” and even “frustrated when we perform badly.”
Our first reading popularly known as “the parable or song of the vineyard is an allegory. In this reading, God recounts his love and care for Judah. He chose her as the apple of his eyes (Zach 2, 8) and as his beloved garden, did everything possible to make her comfortable. Unfortunately, God was rewarded with sour grapes, instead of grapes of good quality: “He expected justice, but found bloodshed, integrity but only a cry of distress.” What a pity! How has it been with us? Most times some of us have rewarded our well beloved thus ungratefully for all his pains. We have given him hardness of heart, instead of repentance; unbelief, instead of faith; indifference, instead of love; idleness instead of holy industry and impurity instead of holiness. Our world today is marked and punctuated by violence, victimization, hunger, homelessness, greed, conspicuous consumption, corruption etcetera. We have cared more about selling things to our neighbors than we have cared for our neighbors. I think we can do better. We should do better and God expects us to do better. Unfortunately, and tragically, instead of justice, God sees violence; and instead of righteousness, God hears the cries of victims. So as His garden, are we also going to disappoint Him in spite of his goodness to us?
The Rotarian, guiding principle referred to as the four-way test which is an ethical guide for their personal and professional relationships always reminds me of Phil 4, 8 (things we must think about). The principles include: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” Today, in his last letter to the Philippians Paul exalts us not to be worried because if we remain close to the Lord of the vineyard through prayers He will allow his peace to abide with us. In order words, through prayers we must always seek the peace of God. Finally, He draws our attention to the basic stuffs that God expects to find in us, his vineyard: “Everything that is true… noble…that we love and honour….” So, whatever that is honorable means that which is respectable, and we should think only about such things. Whatever that is right, is that which conforms to the perfect standard of God’s righteousness. Whatever that is pure is that which is free from defilement, whatever that is lovely is that which is pleasing in its motive and actions towards others. Whatever that is good is that which is laudable. Excellence and worthy of praise is that which is formally or officially approving. Unfortunately, we no longer ask “is it true?” but “does it work?” and “how will it make me feel?” Regrettably to say the least, perhaps this is the only reason many of us go to church, not to think about the truths of Scripture, but to get our weekly spiritual wage and to feel that God is still with us. Finally, as a condition for the peace of God to continue to be with us, Paul tells us to keep doing all that we have learnt from the good news of Jesus Christ. If we do, the Lord of the vineyard will continue to be happy with us because we did not disappoint him.
In the gospel of today like in the first reading, we find another allegory of the vineyard. In it, Jesus addressed the chief priests and the elders of the people in the temple. This time around the Pharisees and the Scribes were portrayed as the bad and wicked tenants who, instead of rendering a good account decided to overthrow the landlord. The question is, after throwing out these wicked tenants to whom would the vineyard be given or has been given? The good news for us this Sunday lies herein: “….and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him whenever he arrives.” When the Pharisees and their accomplices rejected the gospel it was taken to the gentiles. This reading therefore, richly conveys some important truths about God and the way he deals with his people. First, it tells us of God’s generosity and trust. Second, it tells us of His patience and justice. Of course this parable simply was to remind the Pharisees that they killed the prophets and will also kill the son of God Christ himself. However, the judgment pronounced on the original tenants must serve as a warning to us the new tenants, because: “To whom much is given much is expected.” Second is the fact that in whatever position we find ourselves now, we must be ready to render a positive and fruitful account to the Master and Lord of the vineyard. When we oppress the weak, the poor, our subordinates, and those we are supposed to take care of, when we fail to render justice to whom it is due, when we overturn the truth and prefer lie, and when we bring others pain and sorrow instead of joy, we disappoint God.
Finally, Jesus says: “The stone the builders rejected become the key stone”. In deed, as much as he speaks to the Pharisees of old so does he speak to us too. They rejected Christ the heir to the vineyard and even killed him, thinking that was the right thing to do to claim full ownership of the vineyard, but unfortunately what they thought was going to be to their advantage became their ruin. Accepting the Lordship of Christ as the heir to God’s vine yard in our lives is very important. Allowing him to take his rightful position in our lives which ultimately is God’s vineyard is the only way we can bear good fruits. That is, the good fruit God’s first vineyard could not bear. This is the only way we can be filled with what is true, noble, pure, worthy of praise and of course, virtuous; and it is the only way we can faithfully render a good account to the Lord. So, for the times we have disappointed God let us with the Psalmist today implore the Lord of the vineyard of our lives: “God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see…God of host bring us back… and we shall not forsake you again!”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!