The Lord Our God: The Just and Merciful Judge Is kind To Us!
Readings: 1st: 12, 13. 16-19; Ps 85, 5-6. 9-10.15-16; 2nd: Rom 8, 26-27; Gos Mtt 13, 24-43

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Given our constant request, and need for mercy and forgiveness due to our weakness, the Holy Mother Church on this 16th Sunday of ordinary time turns our attention to the Lord the Merciful and Just Judge who assures us of forgiveness when we repent and remain faithful amidst all oppositions the world posses to us. She also, in a special way calls us to get glued to the Holy Spirit who is ever ready to help us, by pleading our case in our weakness.
A priest once put up the following questions to his congregation: “In whose hands are the souls of the righteous? They happily responded: “In the hands of God!” Again, he asked them: “In whose hands are the souls of the wicked?” Joyfully again they responded with a deafening shout: “In the devil’s hands!” Finally, he asked them: “In whose hands is the soul of the devil?” At this juncture, there was a grave silence. However, after some fractions of minute, and as if they have woken up from David Hume’s dogmatic slumber, they reluctantly responded: “In God’s hands!” Indeed, we all belong to God. I am sure someone there is already asking me: “You mean, including that wicked fellow and devil incarnate that has been a thorn in my flesh and made my life miserable? Yes my dear, even he/she! However, God being the just judge knows what to do with each one of us on his great harvest day. It is not within our jurisdiction to decide because we ourselves are weak and in dire need of help.
In the first reading of today, Wisdom extolled God for being a just judge, and a caring Father: “You never judge unjustly. Your justice has its source in strength.” This is the nature of our God, the just judge who over looks our sins in fulfillment of what the Psalmist says: “If you mark our iniquity, Oh Lord, who will survive?” (Ps 130, 3). Therefore, God as a merciful father is never too hard on us. He gives us the due attention necessary for our wellbeing. At times though, it could involve chastisement. Yet, it is just and for our good. He gives us ample room to retrace our steps and make amends. Hence, Wisdom says of Him: “…and you have given your sons the just hope that after sin you grant repentance.” What must we make of, and learn in from this? Quite simple! Since God is just and ready to acquit us by granting us repentance which sincerely speaking is grace, we too must do same to others. Just as the Lord is kind in judgment to us, we too must do same to our brethrens: “…By acting thus, you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men!” In order words, we must learn from God as our father not to be too hard in judging our fellow men and women. This calls for emulating God’s very high sense of judgment.
In the second reading of today, Paul highlights one very important ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is given the fact that as mortals and frail beings, there are definitely times in life when we cannot help ourselves. Swiss scholar Frederick Godet called Paul’s Epistle to the Romans “the cathedral of the Christian faith,” in the nineteenth century, and so, compared it to the great masterpieces of medieval architecture: “We do not know which to admire the most, the majesty of the whole or the finish of the details” (The Epistle to the Romans, 1879). When a Christian comes to Romans 8 he cannot but enter the beautiful inner sanctuary of this impressive cathedral. Surrounding the pilgrim are stunning sculptures and frescoes that teach what it means to walk in the assurance of what Christ has done for us. Prominent in the display is God the Holy Spirit. The Greek word πνεῦμα (Spirit) occurs 21 times in Romans 8. It would appear that only two of these occurrences (v 15a, 16b) do not refer to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s ministry within Christianity and for Christians takes center stage in this most comforting chapter. The Holy Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. This weakness of ours is expressed in many ways, but mostly, in and during the course prayer. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in to help us in addition to bearing witness that we are God’s children (Rom 8, 14-15). In order words, it is the Spirit of God that strengthens, energizes, and in fact, advocates for us before God. The reasons are quite simple and obvious: we are weak and “do not know how to pray”, he alone can succeed wherever we fail because, He alone speaks the language that God understands: “…The Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put in words…God knows perfectly well what He means.” As a mother understands the meaning of the cry of her weak and helpless baby and tends to it, so does God understand the words of the Holy Spirit spoken on our behalf. He it is, who also stands before God’s council and his judgment throne in heaven to plead our case, course, and innocence. Though sin makes us helpless and weak before God, the Holy Spirit pleads for us and makes us acceptable to God because he communicates and reminds God of our weakness as the Psalmist humbly proclaims: “In weakness /sin did my mother conceive me” (Ps 51, 5)! Therefore, as the Spirit comes to aid us in our weakness, we too though weak, (and yet “stronger or better” than someone else), must help and intercede for those around us in their own weakness. This is what Wisdom means when He says that: “The virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow man!”
In the gospel Jesus used three parables to illustrate not only what “the kingdom of God is like”, but also how open minded and just the judgment of God is, and promises to be. These three parables illustrate how welcoming and accommodating God’s kingdom is. The parable of the weed and darnel however, of all these three parables, in one piece tells the whole story about the nature of God, His Kingdom and of course, His just judgment. God, “the owner” of the field, the darnel, and (of course by owning the land), the weed as well, did not succumb to the idea of pulling out the weed prematurely. The weed was given time to flourish alongside the darnel. We live in a world that comprises saints as well as sinners as St. Augustine of Hippo wrote in his book Civitate Dei, and both cohabit. It is the strength of our character and the combined help of the Holy Spirit that sustains, and will distinguish saints from sinners. God knew this before time began yet he did not create two separate worlds apart from each other for them. Rather, he allows all of us to cohabit. Each playing his/her own part towards the other. The saints, seeing the misery of sinners, learn their lessons and continue to struggle in order to remain virtuous. Sinners seeing the triumph of the saints equally struggle to take a leap out of their misery and sin. So, the parable of the weed and darnel portrays how God himself the just and merciful judge does kindly with all his creatures. “His judgment is true and just and salvation belongs to him,” and “he allows his to shine and his rain to fall on both the good and the evil.” This just judge knows what to do with each of us on his great harvest day
In allowing this “dangerous” and “mysterious” cohabitation, God gives us ample opportunity to repent, and prepare ourselves for the great day of harvest. As a seasoned and professional Gardner, he knows at a glimpse which is the weed and which, the darnel. He needs no “medicated glasses” to distinguish them because he is experienced in the business and knows those who are his and mature enough for harvest into his barns. So, just as what helps the darnel survive the stiff and harsh opposition, and competition for soil and space was its viability, will to survive and of course the Gardner’s ingenuity, so also, what will help us survive in this world of sin and weakness include: The strength of our character, dealing kindly with our fellow men and women, and of course, our constant and continuous reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit who is ever ready to intercede for us in groans that words cannot express, but only God the Father – the just and merciful judge, and his council understand. Let us then echo with the Palmist: “O Lord, you are good and forgiving!”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Jesus Christ Sows Viable Seeds (Word) in our Hearts
Readings: 1st: Ish 55, 10-11; Ps 64, 10-14; 2nd: Rom 8, 18-23; Gos Mtt 13, 1-25

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today being the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we celebrate Christ who came to sow the seed of the Word of God both in our hearts and in the world at large. Through this celebration, the Church enjoins us to re-evaluate our relationship with the Word of God which his ministers and Christ representatives sow in our hearts every day. We must also re-evaluate the fertility of our souls, and how much fruit we allow this Word bear in our life.
In the first reading of this Sunday, the prophet Isaiah compares the Word of God to rain and snow that falls on the ground: “As the rain and snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth…so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty without carrying out my will and succeeding…” this is a statement of fact and also, of assurance to those who believe, accept it with faith, and live it out in their life. The Word will accomplish because it is itself not empty since fire begets fire. This is a sign that the seed of the Word that God sends forth into our hearts and the world is viable and not sterile. “His Word (the seed) is Yes and Amen” (1 Cor 1, 20) only for those who allow it to influence them positively. It has full potency and must give life to anyone that provides a conducive environment for it to germinate, grow and bear abundant fruits. However, it can also bring condemnation upon those who toil with it and refuse to believe it as Jesus Says: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (Jh 5, 24). Also, He says: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (Jh 3, 18). This is because it will stand to testify against us on the day of reckoning. In this case, either ways, it will not return to God void or empty; it is either that we allow it to present us before the throne of God as worthy children of God or on the contrary , it will present us as culprits, and un-repented souls only fit for damnation. It can never return void because it will either acquit us or convict us. This is why the Word of God is a two edged sword (Heb 4, 12). God’s Word therefore, has a valuable purpose which must be accomplished!
In the second reading, Paul makes two categorical statements. The first is all about the expectation or longing of the world: “…The creation is eagerly waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.” The second is: “From the beginning till now the entire creation, and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first fruit of the Spirit.” In the first, Paul sets one wondering what the outcome of this manifestation would be. Of course, it is to be taken for granted that it will be positive, since those whom he is talking about are sons of God. This manifestation means to bring forth, to bear, or to reveal what is borne within us. Therefore, as vessels filled with the Word of God, we are expected to emit good fragrance when we are eventually revealed or manifested. To cap it all, Paul went ahead to talk about how we and the entire creation groan in one great act of giving birth. What are we to give birth to? It is the fruits of the Holy Spirit which we bear within us by the reason of the Word of God and anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is only when we have manifested ourselves as good fruit – bearing children of God that we can be set free ourselves. If not, like a pregnant woman under the pains of labour we shall continue to groan under the burden. This means that as children of God in whom the seed of the Word of God has been sown, and upon whom the anointing of the of the Holy Spirit rests, there is great expectation from us. And the product of this expectation of our manifestation should be nothing short of positive. Anything short of this means a negation of what and who we ought to be. It must be good because what God placed in us is good – a viable seed. In order words, it is garbage-in, garbage-out and, whatever goes in must come out even better and of course without corruption or shortage.
Looking at the gospel of this Sunday on Jesus’ parable of the sower, the questions that suffice include: Does it in any mean that some of the seeds were not viable for sowing, did the sower not do his job well by being careless with the seeds, and whose fault was it that some of the seeds fell on sandy, thorny and rocky soil? I thinks the seeds were viable ones, if not the sower would not have carried them. This is a parable, and simply put, God is the Sower and our hearts, the different types of soils upon which the seeds fell. By spreading the seeds everywhere without considering the nature of the soil and where they fall is an indication of God’s openness, outstretched arms, and his willingness to let all and sundry have and hear his Word which the seed represents. It is a sign that “God has no favorite” (Acts 10, 34), and that he wishes that all peoples hear the good news and repent. However, it is only those who are open and whose hearts are fertile that will receive this Word and allow it to germinate, grow and bear fruits in them.
The parable of the sower speaks to all of us. If we examine and tell ourselves the truth, each one of us will convincingly find our position within it, the type of soil we are and how far we have handled the seed sown in us. What do we do with the Word of God we hear proclaimed to us every day is one question I constantly put to my parishioners. This is because, for many, we have become used to it that it no longer makes meaning to us, and we have developed a very hard and tough skin towards it that it can no longer penetrate the walls of our heart. Do we still heed the call and instruction of the Word of God, and has it brought any ontological or functional change in our lives? If after hearing this Word preached to us every day and we still did not make heaven, who is to blame? Our pastors, priests, parents, brothers and sister, who? Of course, the obvious answer is, “I”, because to whom much is given much is expected. The Word of God is meant to transform us and help us live a better and healthier life. Above all, it is supposed to help us affect others positively. God does not send and sow his Word so that plants and trees are able to grow and live, but rather, so that we are able to grow and live. His Word gives and sustains new life in us. Yes, his Word brings “new life” because without that Word, we were dead in sin. Yes, without the knowledge of Jesus as our Savior, we were dead people. Maybe we are walking around and breathing here on this earth, but unfortunately and practically speaking, most of us are dead because we have no hope in eternal life Word of God, and there is nothing to look forward to except eternal death in hell as a punishment for our rejection of God’s Word.
Therefore, if we have faith in our hearts, we have life given to us and created in us by that powerful Word. And that faith in your hearts is a proof that God’s Word powerfully accomplishes the purpose for which God sent it. Sadly though, many people doubt the power of that Word. They doubt the value of that Word and what it can do for them in their lives. Unfortunately, and sadly also, sometimes we are those people! Our faith depends upon hearing God’s powerful and life-giving Word as Paul says: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” (Rom, 10 10-17). May we all grow and mature in our faith, and may we see the necessity of accepting the Word of God in giving us life. Amen!
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Encountering Jesus the Humble and Gentle Hearted in the Poor
Readings: 1st: Zec 9, 9-10; Ps 145, 2-3.4-9; 2nd: Rom 8, 9. 11-13; Gos Mtt 11, 25-30

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

On this 14th Sunday of the Church’s Ordinary time, she calls us in a special way to reflect on Jesus’ humility, gentility and of course his great option for the poor (in Spirit), the weak and those leaving at the fringe of society. These twin virtues of humility and gentility are very necessary for our Christian journey. Although it is said that poverty is a disease or a mind bender, the truth however, is that poverty (especially of the spirit), also humbles one especially, when it is freely embraced or “chosen” as Christ did, and in imitation of whom religious men and women take the vow of poverty. Despite being the creator and owner of both the kingdom of heaven and earth Christ humbled himself and chose the fundamental option of becoming poor. Unfortunately, today we see poverty in toto as a curse, a mind bender, and view it from all sorts of pejorative angle.
I can still recall the comment attributed to one late former senator: “We are not in this honourable house to celebrate poverty.” He made this remark in order to justify why he and his “fellow honourable members of the house” must be allowed to vote millions of dollar for the furnishing of their apartments while a majority of the masses who voted them in could not afford to eat twice a day. In deed he was not there to celebrate poverty, but he must celebrate affluence and wealth at the expense of the poor and the weak masses. In order words, contrary to Jesus who became poor that humanity might become rich, our “distinguished senators and honorary” members of the house must become rich in order that those by the power of their vote and mandate they rose and rode to “superstardom” must become poor. Unfortunately, in spite of his greed, eloquence, and aversion for poverty, it was not long before this “distinguished and honourable senator” died a premature death. Today he no longer lives to mock poverty, whereas, a majority of those he cajoled indirectly still live to “mourn him.” What an irony! This is simply theodicy – the justice of the Lord God of Host!!
The first reading of this Sunday epitomizes and foretells the humility of the Christ-King who was to come. This reading is a hope raiser to all the poor (especially in spirit), and the oppressed: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout…behold your King comes to you. Triumphant and victorious is he; humble and riding on a donkey.” Of course, he comes to give succor and justice to the poor and oppressed of Israel. To give still greater encouragement to God’s people, the prophet, after uttering the foregoing promises, was carried on by the Divine Spirit, which influenced him, to announce a still more remarkable instance of God’s special kindness to them, namely, the coming of their Messiah, or King, with reference to which this passage is cited in two places of the New Testament, (Matt 21:5 and John 12:15). In the second reading, Paul reminds us of the need to live in the spirit. This is because, it is the spirit that breeds humility and gentility as opposed to the flesh (sarx), which breeds pride, and all forms of worldliness. Flesh (sarx) here as Paul employs it refers to the evil nature present in Adam, and still present even in regenerate man. The Spirit of Jesus keeps one aglow and afloat even when one is materially poor. Hence, Jesus in the beatitude (Mtt 5, 3) says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall see God.” Yes, it is only the Spirit of Jesus that can help one appreciate the poor, what being poor in spirit means, and help one attain it as well. The worldly and mundane spirit which manifests only in materialism and greed cannot afford this. This is why Paul says to us: “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Jesus does not belong to Him.” The Roman Christians’ faith was spoken about throughout the world. Their real character, however, was not determined either by their professions or their reputation. The apostle therefore adds, “if the Spirit of God lives in you”! This is the only decisive test. Every other bond of union with Christ is of no avail without this. We may be members of his church, yet unless we share that vital union which comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are his only in name. The Spirit of God is everywhere, yet he is said to dwell wherever he especially and permanently manifests his presence. So he is said to dwell in heaven; he dwelt of old in the temple; he now dwells in the church, which is “a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph 2:22); and he lives in each individual believer, whose body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). According to Haldane, “Flesh is a principle that attaches to the earth, and the things of the earth; but the spirit of regeneration is as a light, which, coming from heaven, elevates the mind to those things that are celestial…This indwelling of the Spirit is a sure evidence of a renewed state; and believers should be careful not to grieve the Spirit, and should labor to enjoy a constant sense of His presence in their hearts (Haldane, R.: An Exposition on the Epistle to the Roman, Ages Classic Commentaries).
In the gospel, Jesus reveals and gives us the key to the heart of God. That is, the master key with which one could unlock the secrets that God would not make known to the proud hearted. This key is an alloy of humility and gentility. Little wonder the word of God says that: “God resist the proud hearted but gives grace to the humble” (Prov 29: 23). If we must serve God well, we must be humble and gentle of heart. Like a kid that must bend low and down in order to suck successfully from the mother’s breast, we must bend and bow low before God. Also, like the sheep that harms no one but simply goes about its business, we must live our lives in a way that leaves no pains or sorrow on others. Above all, we must see Jesus in the poor, the “weak”, the sick and all those at the fringe of society. They epitomize humility and gentility. If we do this surely, God will reveal to us more secrets about the kingdom that we know nothing about yet. If we do this, we are being “infants” before God as Jesus says: “You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants.” Finally, today Jesus beckons us: “Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” This invitation is not for the proud hearted, because they hardly realize that they are overburdened. Such people go about in shameless boldness like zombies thinking they are standing and strong. Yet, they are blown off by any little wind. But this invitation is extended to the simple, humble, and gentle hearted who are quick to realize their need for God’s intervention in their life. It is for those who in spite of their physical weakness shoulder the burden of their family, community, state, nation and the world at large through prayers, mortification and even persecution from the world. It is an invitation extended to those who are humbly, sincerely and earnestly seeking the face of God, those who realizing their weakness and poverty of spirit and so constantly cry out to Jesus as did the disciples of Christ: “Lord save us least we perish” (Mtt 8, 25). It is for those who are ready to submit and surrender all, and not part or some to Jesus, and those who humbly take up the yolk of Jesus.
The invitation is addressed to the common people who are ready to take what Jesus offers them. That is, the new rule of obedience which he lays on his disciples. In three ways he tells us that his Yolk is different from that which hitherto oppressed us: we shall be instructed by one who is willing to bear with us patiently; we shall gain from his instructions what we have been vainly seeking, and we shall find the new yolk easy to be borne. As the deliverance of the Jews was typical of redemption by Christ, so this invitation speaks to all of us. We might be poor and prisoners, but prisoners of hope; our case is sad, but not desperate; for there is hope in Jesus concerning us. Christ is a stronghold, a strong tower, in whom believers are safe (Prov 18, 10), from the fear of the wrath of God, the curse of the law, the assaults of spiritual enemies and all forms of oppression. To him we must turn with lively faith; to him we must flee, and trust in his name under all trials and sufferings. It is here promised that the Lord would deliver his people especially the poor in spirit and the humble and gentle of heart.
Peace be with you all!
Maranatha!!

WORSHIPING CHRIST IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Readings: 1st: Deu 8: 2-3.14-16; Ps 147:12-15.19-20; 2nd: 2Cor 20: 16-17; Gos Jh 6: 51-58

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the wonderful gift of God to her and the entire world – the Body and Blood of his only son Jesus Christ which is “Really Present” under the form of bread and wine in the Holy Eucharist. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which means “Body of Christ.” This feast originated in France in the mid thirteenth century and was extended to the whole Church by Pope Urban IV in 1264. This feast calls us to focus on two manifestations of the Body of Christ: The Holy Eucharist as its primary purpose, and the Church.
In the study of Human Nutrition and other food related courses the following statements stand very true: “You are what you eat” and, “good food and nutrition nourishes the body.” In as much as these are true, however, physical food is limited to nourishing the physical body, even though it is usually said that a healthy soul or mind dwells in a healthy body. While the physical food we eat nourishes the body, the spiritual food – the Body and Blood of Christ nourishes our soul, prepares and preserves it for eternity. The Eucharist does not only make the mind or soul fit to dwell in a healthy body, but also makes it worthy or fit to appear before its Lord and God. The Eucharist (Body and Blood of Christ) is the food that God has providentially made available to us in order to nourish us on our spiritual journey. This is why in the case of the sick or those critically sick, when it is administered it is referred to as “via ticum, that is, food for the journey.” The Eucharist is one way through which God’s abiding presence continues to be with us. What this means therefore is that whenever we eat this food worthily we welcome God’s presence and he remains with, and nourishes us. In light of this, our worship of Jesus in His Body and Blood calls us to offer to God our Father a pledge of undivided faith, love and an offering of ourselves to the service of others.
In the first reading of this Sunday, God nourished and sustained his chosen people Israel through their journey in the desert by giving them food (Manna) and drink from heaven. In this reading, Moses reminded his brethrens of how good God was to them, by caring for all their needs especially, by providing them manna from heaven: “He humbled you, he made you feel hunger, he fed you with manna…Do not forget the Lord your God…who in this waterless place brought you water from the hardest rock; who in this wilderness fed you with manna that your fathers had not known.” In giving this food and drink to his people, God demonstrated his love for them, his willingness to see them through and of course, his ability to sustain them physically and spiritually. In like manner, in our own time God has given us his son Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. He has given us the body and blood of Christ for the life of the world as well as for our own life too. This is why the Church describes the Holy Eucharist as the “Sacrament of Universal Salvation” It is given to us for the salvation of the entire world: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life” (Jh 3, 16).
In the second reading Paul reminds us of the unity of the church orchestrated by sharing in the one Body and Blood of Christ. This is typical of what happens during the Eucharistic celebration, people, communities, races, and nations are united as they share in the Body and Blood of Christ. At every Mass our attention is called to the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Christ in it. The secondary focus of the feast of Corpus Christi which we celebrate today is upon the Body of Christ as it is present in the Church. The Church is called the Body of Christ because of the intimate communion which Jesus shares with his disciples. He expresses this in the gospels by using the metaphor of a body in which He is the head. This image helps keep in focus both the unity and the diversity of the Church. So each time we come together for the Eucharistic celebration, Christ makes himself available to us, he draws us closer to himself, unites us with one another as one body and He himself being the head of this one body. He equally offers himself to and for us, being both the victim and the priest.
In today’s gospel Jesus vehemently and fearlessly proclaimed: “I am the living bread…The bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world…if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood; you will not have life in you.”  One of the most serious and grievous accusations leveled against Jesus Christ and the Early believers was cannibalism. It was on the instance and account of this truth proclaimed by Jesus in today’s gospel that the Jews based their argument and accusation against Christ. Even some of Christ’s disciples on hearing this deserted him. “This saying is hard, and who can hear it?” (Jn. 6:61). John says that after, many of His disciples stopped following Him altogether. Later on, the Romans (ca. 64- 313 AD) accused Christians of cannibalism, and that same charge has been made against Catholics in various ways ever since. Maybe, one of the most disconcerting and “scandalizing” Catholic doctrine is the “Real Presence” of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Many people and perhaps even Catholics with epileptic kind of faith today have the same reaction as those disciples who heard Jesus preach it for the first time in Capernaum and were scandalized. However, the truth is that as Christ has said it, His body is true food and his blood true wine. Nevertheless, it is different from the “ordinary food” we eat daily and the Manna that the Israelites eat in the desert and yet died because, “whoever eats the body and drinks the blood of the Son of Man will never die.” The Eucharist sustains our spiritual life, while the ordinary food we eat daily and the Manna that the Israelites eat sustains only the physical life which will definitely die.
According to Pope Francis, “The Eucharist is not just a weekly way of celebrating our faith, but should radically affect our relationship with others, especially with those most in need.” There are three ways of discovering how the Eucharist can make a real difference in our lives and in our relationships with those around us. The first is the way we look and behave towards people from all walks of life. Just as Christ loved to be with others and gave himself to all on the Cross, so we are called to give ourselves generously to our brothers and sisters, sharing in their joys and sorrows. Secondly, the Eucharist gives us the grace to feel forgiven and to be ready to forgive others. We go to Mass, not because we are worthy or want to appear better than others, but because we know that we always need God’s love and mercy that comes to us through the Body and Blood of his Son, Jesus Christ. Thirdly, the Eucharist affects the life of our Christian communities. It is from the Eucharist that we as a Church receive our identity and mission. It is not something we do simply to commemorate what Jesus did for us. Rather it is something that Christ does for us, filling us with grace and nourishing us with His own life. Therefore we must live and worship the Eucharistic Christ, in a spirit of faith and prayer, a spirit of forgiveness, joy and concern for all our brothers and sisters with whom “we form one single body.”
Peace be with you all!
Maranatha!!

Sharing in the Unity and Fellowship of the Trinitarian God
Readings: 1st: Ex 34, 4-6.8-9; Ps. (Dan 3, 52-56); 2nd: 2Cor 13: 11-13; Gos Jh 3: 16-18

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

On this Most Holy Trinity Sunday, our celebration is a song of praise to the Almighty God who has taken us up to share in the very life of the Trinity. Two of the most complete, heavily loaded, and yet very concise prayers and blessings are this: “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you!” and “May the Almighty God bless you the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. I call these Trinitarian formulas and fellowship. In these prayers, and blessings, the Trinitarian God unite to perform this function for which they are being consulted. Paul knew this and so, constantly employed this Trinitarian formula in concluding of most of his letters to the churches he wrote to (1 Cor, 16, 23; 2Cor 13, 14; Gal 6, 18; Phil 4, 2).
The doctrine of the Trinitarian God has over the centuries proved a very hard nut to crack, appreciate and understand for many. The first question that comes to mind at the very first encounter with this dogma and teaching is: “Three Persons in One God, how could this be? Indeed it provokes and should provoke such questions. However, this question becomes meaningful if only one could humble oneself and ask the Holy Spirit the Counselor of this “team” to teach him/her. It also calls for appreciating the limitedness of human reasoning as Saint Pope John Paul II the great taught in his encyclical Fides et ratio. This is because there are so many things that cannot be grasped by the human mind while it still subsists in the mortal body. In order words, by applying only human philosophy without faith on the dogma of the Trinity, one crashes completely. It also calls for faithful obedience in accepting what the Holy Mother Church’s Magisterium (the highest teaching authority) teaches on the Trinity. Definitively, she teaches that the Trinity is first a mystery and as such a Dogma which must be believed. This dogma on the Trinity could therefore be summed up as follows: “The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the “consubstantial Trinity”. The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire…The divine persons are really distinct from one another. “God is one but not solitary.” “Father”, “Son”, “Holy Spirit” are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another…The divine persons are relative to one another. Because it does not divide the divine unity, the real distinction of the persons from one another resides solely in the relationships which relate them to one another (CCC253-255, p.82-83).
One of the simplest ways of explaining the mystery of the Trinity is that reportedly given by St Spyridon of Trimithund at the Council of Nicaea (AD 325). According to tradition, when asked how it is that three can simultaneously be One, St Spyridon responded by taking up a brick and squeezing it. From the soft clay in his hands a flame showed up while simultaneously water flowed downwards. “As there is fire and water in this brick”, said St Spyridon, “in the same way there are three Persons in the one Godhead”. Also in another debate, one philosopher argued long and hard with the Fathers of the Council, trying to prove logically that the Son cannot be consubstantial with the Father. Exhausted by long debates and eager to leave, the Fathers were suddenly confronted by a simple elderly shepherd who announced that he was prepared to argue with the philosopher and disprove his arguments. Turning to the philosopher, the shepherd looked at him severely, and said: ‘Listen, O philosopher, God is one, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has created all things through the power of the Son and the operation of the Holy Spirit. This Son of God became incarnate, lived among people, died for us and rose again. Do not labour in vain to seek evidence for that which is comprehended by faith alone, but answer me: “Do you believe in the Son of God?” Struck by these words, the philosopher could only say, “I do’”. The shepherd said: “If you believe, and then let us go to the church and there I will bring you into communion with this true faith”. The philosopher immediately stood up and went with the shepherd. On his way out, he said to those present: “When people tried to convince me with words, I countered words with words; but when a divine power came forth from the mouth of this old man, then words were no match for this power, as man cannot contend against God.”
In the first reading we see the obedience and humility of Moses before God. This humility won not only him, but his fellow Israelites the favour of God. Here also, God proved that he is indeed a Father. This is because, although he was not happy with the ways of his chosen ones, he relented in his anger at Moses’ plea, forgave their faults, and continued. In the second reading, Paul encouraged the believers to “be united and live in peace.” And then, he concluded with his characteristic benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” In this Paul shows great interest in the unity of Christian community. In order words, by invoking the Trinitarian fellowship on them, he wishes that they emulate this fellowship and be united in heart and soul just in the way they are united. This is because, a divided family or community or people lack the fellowship of the Trinitarian God, and until they give this fellowship a chance they will continue as such. The gospel of today is a very popular one: “God sent his son so that through him the world might be saved.” This sending is one way through which we share in the Trinitarian Community. They keep coming to us to unite us and to make us be like them. The Trinitarian Community continues to seek fellowship with us because they wish that we be united as they do.
In conclusion, human words cannot convey the divine reality. God’s enlightenment and His grace are needed, for us to comprehend the Trinitarian theology. No terminology or formulation is adequate to communicate the Mystery of the Trinity. Yet the Christian faith is above all Trinitarian, and it is crucially important for every Christian to partake fully in this mystery. Therefore, for us Christians, Trinity is not an abstract theological concept instead, it is a reality which is to be believed and lived through. The Trinity is someone to whom we pray, but it is also a community, the communion of three in one, the family in whose image we build up our own human community. In appreciation of this fellowship and communion extended to us let us praise the Trinitarian God as we say: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

A Promised Fulfilled: The Spirit Of The Lord Is Upon Us!
Readings: 1st: Acts 2: 1-11; Ps 103: 24-34; 2nd: 1Cor 12: 3-7.12-12; Gos Jh 20: 19-23

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is Pentecost Sunday. After a period of fifty days of rejoicing over the resurrection of Christ, we have come to the definitive end of Easter Season. Pentecost is a feast which occupies a very important and prominent position in the Church’s history and liturgical calendar. This is because it serves as the bridge between Lenten/Easter Season and Ordinary Time of the year. In order words, without any further ceremonies tomorrow we return to the ordinary time of the year. A great number of scholars have suggested that the feast of Pentecost marks the beginning of the church. This is because today marks the actual beginning of the church’s missionary endeavor. Given this, then what we celebrate today is equally the birthday of the Holy Mother Church. So it suffices to say, happy birthday to all the faithful! The principal actors or agents in today’s celebration include the Lord who today has fulfilled his promise, the Holy Spirit who has harkened to the voice of Jesus and made himself available, and finally, all believers who with open minds and hearts have welcomed the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we celebrate today a great feast, when Christ filled and equipped his church with the power of his Spirit and sent us out into the world to bring peace, unity, joy, forgiveness, love and eternal life to all humankind. It would not be out of place to note here that given the boisterous and radical nature of the events of Pentecost most Christians have completely misunderstood or abused it. This is mostly with respect to speaking in tongues and the nature of the claims they make “in the name of the Holy Spirit.”
Once at a certain “Pentecostal gathering,” a young lady who was in dare need of a life partner targeted a very handsome young man, who was a fellow prayer warrior. Since she could not approach him to ask for his hand in marriage as it might be seen as contrary to customs, she started prophesying in strange tongues and equally interpreted it in songs to the hearing of the young man and the entire gathering: “Muo nso si na i ga alu m” (the Holy Spirit says you shall marry me). Though embarrassed at first, the young man caught the joke and trick, and immediately, went into his own trance and frenzy, and began to give a contrary prophesy in his own fabricated tongue and song: “Muo nso si na mu agaghi alu gi (the Holy Spirit says I should not marry you). Immediately the gathering was thrown into a pandemonium. It became obvious that both of them have lied against the Holy Spirit. What a shame and sacrilege!
The first reading of this Sunday tells the story of how Christ eventually fulfilled his promise to his disciples who faithfully heeded the injunction, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the advocate comes” (Acts 1, 5). From the perspective of this reading therefore, today’s celebration is that of a promise fulfilled, and the reward of faithful obedience and steadfastness in prayer. Like the early disciples, every true believer has been empowered specially by the Holy Spirit. We have been refilled with a new unction for function and therefore, must like them also, welcome and appreciate the various gifts made available to us by the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. It is important to note here as we see in the short story above that one of the greatest aspect of this feast that is grossly misunderstood and abused is the gift of tongue. In this regard, one must be careful in exercising or claiming to have received this gift by fabricating and learning all forms of “junk and mock speeches” that cannot be understood, interpreted or explained by anyone. The danger inherent in this is, sinning against the Holy Spirit. We must note Jesus’ warning: “Any sin against the Son will be forgiven but…against the Holy Spirit will not” (Mtt 12, 31-32). It is important therefore that we grasp very well Paul’s teachings on the issue of gifts and speaking in tongues in Cor 12 and 14. It is quite unfortunate these days that so much lies have been told against the Holy Spirit especially through the speaking of false, forced and learned tongues. It is a gratuitous gift from God and does not come through learning and practicing. Today, it is quite easy and alarming to hear people using parlance like: “the spirit says”, “the spirit moved me”, “the spirit ministered to me”, “I heard the spirit speak to me”, etcetera. Anyone who prays or speaks false tongues is both blaspheming against God and committing sacrilege – a sin against the Holy Spirit. This gift was given to the apostles to aid them spread the good news to different people who gathered from all nations to listen to them: “Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem…each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language about the marvels of God.” It was not given to them to boost their ego, for their own personal or selfish interests, or to break away and found their own Churches so as to extort money and materials from people. Instead, it was given to them in order to pass on the message of eternal life on to others.
In the second reading of today, Paul makes a very important statement: “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ unless he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.” What this means is that it is God himself that enables us through the gifts we received today to recognize the lordship of Christ, as Christ equally tells us: “No one comes to me except the Father draws him” (Jh 6, 44). Recognizing the lordship of Christ is one task that was very difficult for Satan the tempter, because, he was without the Holy Spirit. The obvious fact is that when Paul uses the phrase “say Jesus is Lord”, he is not simply referring to the literary pronouncement of the lordship of Jesus as one could easily pay lip service to it. Instead, what Paul means by “say” here is, making Jesus the Lord of one’s life. To do this one needs the power, and conviction of the Holy Spirit. To say Jesus is Lord is to live it, and to actually have him as the lord of our lives. Only those who are being led by the Holy Spirit are truly sons and daughters of God (Rom 8, 14). It is the Spirit that we receive today, that will therefore prompt us to proclaim the lordship of Christ from our bowls and with utter conviction. This is why Paul says: “But you received the spirit of sonship and by him we cry Abba Father. The spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom 8, 15-16).
In the gospel of today we see the synergy of the Trinitarian God in action, each doing and completing His action. They operated as though they were involved in a relay race where each hands over the baton to the other. However, in spite of this hand over, none of them becomes passive. To say others are passive at a time could amount to one falling victim to the heresy of millenarianism as did Joachim of Fiona who thought that there were three eras, each dominated by a particular member of the Trinity while others went to bed or into passivity. Jesus says “as the Father sent me so I am sending you, receive the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit we received today has in no way come to replace Christ. Rather, as he was with Christ, He has come to help us achieve what he helped Christ achieve. For example he has come to help us forgive the sins of one another, for without his aid we can do this. This is why having breathed the Spirit on his disciples, Jesus commissioned them as ministers of the Sacrament of Penance, “…whoever sins you forgive are forgiven…” This day therefore, the Spirit we have received commissions and empowers us to move out in full force yet, with wisdom and gentility in order to testify to the lordship of Christ. Today we have a new Pentecost. Let us therefore beckon on the Lord: “Send forth your spirit O Lord and renew the face of the earth.

Peace be with you all!!

Maranatha!!!

What and How We Must Communicate To Our World In This Age!
Readings: 1st: Acts 1: 12-14; Ps 26: 1.4.7-8; 2nd: 1Pt 4: 13-16; Gos Jh 17: 1-11

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today, the 7th Sunday of Easter is World Communications Day. In light of this, we must appreciate Christ’s prayer to the Father to give Eternal Life, to all of us entrusted to him. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s and the Church’s source of prayer and praise. He is also the Chief Communicator, the one who enlightens us on what to communicate and on how to go about it. Let us therefore this great Sunday, invite the Spirit of God to rest upon us as we offer sacrifice of praise to God. Giving the significance of this special Sunday, there is no better way to begin today’s brief reflection and homily than to listen to the Holy Father: “Today we are living in a world which is growing ever “smaller” and where, as a result, it would seem to be easier for all of us to be neighbours. Developments in travel and communications technology are bringing us closer together and making us more connected, even as globalization makes us increasingly interdependent. Nonetheless, divisions, which are sometimes quite deep, continue to exist within our human family…In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all. Good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity…The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.” (From the message of Pope Francis for the 48th World Communications Day: “Communication at the Service of an Authentic Culture of Encounter”, Sunday, 1 June 2014).
The pertinent question we must ask ourselves today is: What are we to communicate to our world, and how best do we go about it? The essentials we must communicate include: Faith to a world that is fast rejecting God as the Creator. Paul asks: “But…how can they believe if the message has not been proclaimed…So then, faith comes from hearing the message and the message through preaching Christ” (Rom 10, 14-17). We must communicate Love to a world bedeviled with hatred, bitterness and rancor. We must communicate Peace just as Christ communicated it to his disciple, “peace be with you”, (John 19, 21), to a world in absolute chaos. We must communicate Hope to a despairing world where most people’s future looks very bleak and hangs in the balance. We must communicate Unity once again in the words of Christ, “may they be one” (John 17, 21), to a world so divided that “everything seemed to have fallen apart and the center can no longer hold”. We must communicate Eternal Life (which is Jesus Christ Himself) to a world that is approaching its “Omega/Zero point” and its eminent demise. The last but not the least, we must communicate Justice to a world with an unprecedented and “scandalous gap between the opulence of the wealthy and the utter destitution of the poor,” a world where the majority of its “inmates” suffer from many forms of exclusion, marginalization and poverty due to a combination of economic, political, ideological, and, sadly, even religious motives.
In today’s first reading, the church reminds us of the need to be up and doing like the early disciples of Jesus. For us to effectively communicate Christ to our world, we must first wait on the Lord to equip us. To wait on the Lord means, going into our closet to pray earnestly for the strength to lunch into our mission, it means inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us with the message, energize and empower us. Communicating the good news is not a task to be approached carnally. One must be duly educated and prepared by the Holy Spirit because the message we are to bear is not a carnal one. Hence, we must patiently not only pass through the school of the Holy Spirit, but through his furnace and crucible as the Disciples of Christ did by heeding his injunction: “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift I told you about…” (Acts 1: 5). The disciples did not take this for granted, because if they had done otherwise, their mission would have been a total failure, and their message, even if communicated with the most technologically advanced media would have been a flatus vocis, to their listener. Unfortunately, in our own time, many “men and women of God” have neglected this injunction. We have left the part and path of praying and wondered away playing. The end results has been woeful failure because, rather than preach and communicate the crucified and risen Christ we end up preaching and communicating ourselves. This is why banners, posters, hand bills and all form of media ads for crusades, seminars, workshops, revivals and even pastoral visits must bear a well polished and “galvanized” photograph of “the wonder – working man or woman of God”, else people will not turn up. This is a complete aberration of how communication should aid in the spreading of the gospel. Communication of the good news starts in our closets, upper rooms, and in our “mitochondria.” It is here that we receive the message, the language, and the modus operandi for communicating the message. If we fail in there, no size of bill boards, microphones or megaphones, speakers, etcetera will convince anyone that listens to us.
In the second reading, Peter reminds us of the fact that in our bid to communicate Christ and the above essentials to the world it is definitely not going to be an easy task. However, we should be consoled and be gladden by the fact that “we have some share in the sufferings of Christ because you will enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.” Therefore the many obstacles, challenges, and persecution we shall encounter, even with the best of modern technologies in communicating Christ and these essentials to our world must be seen as our contribution to the good of our world. Therefore, Peter encourages us today to remain steadfast in the mission of communicating Christ to our world. In today’s gospel, Jesus having completed his mission according to the mind of the Father, confidently, requested the Father to glorify him. It is important to note that this confidence stemmed from the quality of work He did for the Father. He communicated eternal life to his disciples. Therefore, we as Christians on this day are equally called upon to transmit and communicate the same eternal life to our world. As Christ pointed out, eternal life is to know God and Christ the son of God. Paul realized this and insisted thus: “All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Phil 310-11). The world yearns for this, and we must give it to them. We must teach our world how to rely on prayer, how to live in harmony, and how to love one another. These are the things that Christ taught, and we in turn must become the medium through which to communicate them to our world.
Arise Christians! Take over modern means of communications available, dominate them, and through these wonderful gifts make God and Christ known to our world through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we celebrate World Communications Day this Sunday, let us pray to God to grant us the Spirit that will help, equip, and teach us what, and how to communicate to our world for its upliftment and good. Therefore, let us bid: “Come, Oh Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful and en-kindle in us the fire of your love and mission. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Bearing Witness to the Risen Christ In The Spirit of Truth
Readings: 1st: Acts 8: 5-8. 14-17; Ps 65, 1-7. 16. 20; 2nd: 1Pt 3, 15-18; Gos Jh 14: 15-23

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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today being the sixth Sunday of Easter, the Church in anticipation of Pentecost, invites us to celebrate the coming of the Advocate, Christ’s Spirit of truth to us his people and Church. We are called to celebrate the Spirit of truth because he is our source of strength and animator in the proclamation and dissemination of the message of truth. The message we bear is not false or lie but it comes from the Spirit of truth himself, the advocate whom Christ our Lord asks the Father to send to us.
A story from the ancient moral fables of Aesop’s about the need to bear witness to the truth at all times, rather than to lie or falsehood goes thus: Once there was a shepherd boy who tended his sheep at the foot of a mountain. He used to feel lonely during the day. He thought of an idea whereby he could get some company and excitement. He went down to the village and shouted, “Wolf! Wolf.” On hearing his shouts, the villagers came to save him. But no wolf was seen. The angry villagers went back. The boy enjoyed this trick and after a few days repeated the same act. Once again the villagers came to help him. They realized they had been fooled once more by the naughty boy. One day a wolf actually came to attack the boy and this time, the boy shouted, even louder than before. But the villagers thought that the boy was trying to fool them once again. So no one came out to help him and the wolf took the boy away. As the wise saying goes, “No one can know when a liar speaks the truth.” The message we bear and the spirit in which we proclaim it has the label: “TESTED AND TRUSTED!” It is not a lie because the one who we talk about and the one who help us bear the witness are not lairs, because our “God is not a man that he should lie” (Nu 23, 19) like the shepherd boy. The summary of this message of truth which the advocate, the spirit of truth helps us to propagate is that, the Lord has set his people free and that whoever comes to him now, he will set free! This message is of truth and not a false alarm, it is not a product of the human imagination or flesh (sarx) but of the Spirit of truth himself – the advocate.
In the first reading of today, we continue to see the activities of the apostles and disciples of Jesus as they continue in spite of all odds to make frantic effort to disseminate the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth. Most importantly, in this reading, we see the Samaritans receiving their “Sacrament of Confirmation” for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit upon them. On this day, Peter, the first bishop of Rome and chief shepherd of Jesus’ flock performed his function by going for a pastoral visit to Samaria, “Philip’s Parish,” and there laying hands upon the converts in order that they might receive the Holy Spirit. A few questions suffice here. Since Philip preached to, healed, and baptized these people why did he not lay his hand on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit, why was it necessary for Peter and John to travel the very long distance and through the dangerous paths without fear of being ambushed by brigands and the enemies of the gospel on their way to Samaria, just to lay hands on the already baptized converts of Philip, and why do the Samaritans and of course we, need the Holy Spirit? A tint of Catholic doctrine and catechesis is very important in understanding and answering these questions. The first is that what Philip did by inviting Peter is absolutely in line with the Church’s teaching on Confirmation of already baptized candidate: “The ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the bishop. If the need arises, the bishop may grant the faculty…to priests, although, it is fitting that he confers it himself mindful that the celebration of Confirmation has been temporarily separated from baptism for this reason, Bishops are the successors of the apostles” (CCC 1313 p. 299). However, it is unfortunate that today all manners of “religious maniacs, zealots and bigots” have arrogated this authority unto themselves for myriads of selfish reasons. The Samaritans needed the Holy Spirit as much as we do today because, it is the Holy Spirit that strengthens, leaves an indelible mark on the believer, and of course, makes him/her a true soldiers of Jesus Christ, fit to proclaim the good news about Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth (CCC 1303-4). It is the Holy Spirit that helps us bear witness to the truth without fear: “For you did not receive the spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry Abba Father. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s Children” (Rom 8, 15-16). Therefore He is the one that confirms the truth we preach as ambassadors of Jesus Christ and harbingers of truth. Finally, it is the Holy Spirit who is the principal agent of evangelization in the propagation of the gospel truth. We preach, but he converts and confirms the truth we preach which is Christ Himself.
In the second reading of today, Peter encouraged us to have reverence for Christ and even those who oppose us and pick holes in the gospel truth we bear and preach by responding to them courteously and respectfully. He equally, reminds us of the animating power of the Holy Spirit even in the life of Christ: “In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life.” It is the same spirit that raised Jesus that helps us to remain true to ourselves, the other and of course to the Trinitarian God while bearing testimony to the truth. What this means is simply that once the Spirit of God is alive and active in us, we become energized and lively enough to work for Christ this is why Christ says: “What gives life is the spirit of God, the flesh (sarx) profits nothing” (John 6, 63).
In the gospel, as we are a couple of weeks away from Pentecost, Jesus promises us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. However, there is a condition for receiving this Advocate: “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” When we do this, he adds: “I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever, that spirit of truth…I will not leave you orphans.” What is this commandment that we must keep in order to receive the Spirit of truth? It is: “Go into the whole world and preach the good news to all creation (Mk 16: 15). It is also, loving our God with our whole heart as well as loving our neighbor as we do ourselves (Luke 10, 25-27). When we do these, we are certainly preaching the good news of truth. The promise and the coming of the advocate strengthens us in the way of truth. He comes to make us as firm as the apostles after their “Pentecostal” experience in Acts 2. Christ knows what we need most. That is why he is ready to equip us with the spirit of truth who will help us bear good witness. Therefore, because of this promise, let us all “cry out with joy to God…and say, how tremendous your deed” Lord God of Host; Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

The Chosen Race, With Priestly-Royal Heritage, And A Heavenly Abode
Readings: 1st: Acts 6: 1-7; Ps 32: 1-2. 4-5. 18-19; 2nd: 1Pt 2: 4-9; Gos Jh 14: 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), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

On this 5th Sunday of Easter and as we continue to celebrate the triumph of the Risen Lord, the Church reminds us in a special way of who we are and where we ought to be: “The Chosen race and the royal priesthood who reign with Christ and would definitely, if we tarry though, be where Christ is. Therefore, as we gather today for Eucharistic celebration this Sunday, the Holy Mother Church encourages us to exercise our royal priesthood by offering the spiritual sacrifice which Jesus Christ by his own great and superb sacrifice has made acceptable to God the Father.
While reflecting on today’s readings especially the first and the second which remind us of who we truly are, and the exalted position we occupy as a result of Christ’s great sacrifice, I recalled a story told about a “Sheepish Lion.” The cub of a Lion lost track of its mother in the jungle but eventually found a flock of sheep looking for greener pastures and joined them. The cub remained with the flock until it grew into a full Lion. However, it did not realize it was a lion because it grew up among a sheepfold. The sheepish lion thus behaved like a sheep, ate grasses, was as weak as a sheep, was timid and worst of all, could not roar like a lion instead, it cried and bleated like a sheep. One day, as another lion was moving around in the forest, it came across this sheep flock and thought to himself, “Today, God has buttered my bread!” But at a close look, he discovered a fellow lion in the midst of the flock. The marauding lion wondered what a fellow lion was doing in sheep’s fold. So it moved closer, targeted and caught the sheepish lion while the rest of the sheep ran for their lives. He inquired from the sheepish lion what he was doing among sheep. But the sheepish lion responsed that he was there because he is a sheep. Then, the Marauding lion said to him, “no, you are a lion and not a sheep.” While the argument lasted, he took him to a nearby river where he asked him to look and see his true self through his reflection on the water. So, seeing that he was a lion, from that day the sheepish lion ceased to follow the sheep and assumed his exalted position as a royal caste and king of the Jungle.
In the first reading of today from Acts 6, 1-7, the drama that unfolded and led to the election of seven deacons in order to cater for the social needs of the believers has the following lessons to teach us. The first being that we must not neglect or take for granted the social and material needs of our flock, brothers and sisters. Second, neglect of complains in a group without finding quick and lasting solutions to them can wreck havoc for our ministry. If we neglect such complains they will distract us when they are fully blown. So it is important we act fast before they undermine the work of God. Third, we must make sure we find means of balancing both the spiritual and material needs of our flock and brethren. The fourth is that, as members of the royal priesthood, we must not forget who we are or neglect our primary calling just as the sheepish lion did. We must not allow the care of the mundane to distract us from our major duties as the Apostles took precaution: “It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food…we will hand over this duty and devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word of God.” If we pay too much attention to material needs, the spiritual will certainly suffer. We cannot do everything by ourselves as members of the royal priesthood. We must draw a line between what we can combine with our priestly ministry and what we cannot combine with it. Finally, we must be wise and prayerful in selecting those who help us in any kind of work in our ministry so that they themselves do not constitute obstacles to us in the exercise of our priestly ministry. They must be “men (or women) of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom.” When we neglect the spiritual (core) aspect of our calling in order to attend to the mundane alone, we reduce ourselves to mere social workers or NCOs. While this is not bad in itself, the problem is that we might become trapped by materialism, and forget that: “Man must not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Mt 4: 4).
In the second reading from 2Pt 2, 4-9, Peter reminds us of who we truly are: “A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises if God…” Here, Peter highlights our participation in the priesthood of Christ through the “common or general priesthood” of all believers by virtue of our baptism (CCC 1268, p.291). Yes, baptism configures us to become “priests.” That is why each and every one of us can bless one another, bless some articles, pray for one another, and even baptize someone who is in danger of death (CCC 1284, p. 293). By virtue of our anointing with the oil of chrism during baptism, we are equally consecrated to God and thus set apart. Furthermore, the sacrament of confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace and thus through it leaves on the believer an indelible character by the power of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1285, p.293). Thus, in this pastoral letter, Peter highlights the efficacy of the “Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) on us as believers. Through this Peter therefore reminds us of our priestly and royal heritage. He equally calls us to live it out in a manner that is proper. In order words, if we set ourselves close to Christ our chief priest, we must live up to expectation by offering acceptable sacrifices to God. By and through this, we become acceptable to God and become ourselves spiritual houses.
In today’s gospel, Jesus assures us “his fellow priests,” of a place in his kingdom: “Let not your hearts be troubled…there are many rooms in my father’s house…so that where I am you may be too.” This is a clear indication that by virtue of baptism we are truly children of God and share in the priesthood and royalty of Jesus Christ. This is why he considers us worthy of being where he is going to be. Unfortunately, many of us like the sheepish lion in our story above do not know who we are, or even believe that there is a beautiful place being prepared for us by Christ in his Father’s house. So, we act just like the “doubtful Thomas” and the “ignorant Philip.” It is because we doubt this truth told by Jesus, or because, we are ignorant of it that we live our lives anyhow and so forget who we are. This is also the reason many of us cannot maximize our priestly and royal potentials. As priests and people of royal decent and blood, we must assert ourselves positively. It takes faith to log ourselves fully into this position and to live it. Jesus tells us: “I am the way the truth and the light (via, veritas, lucis)! Therefore, if we follow him and fashion our priesthood and priestly life after his, we shall do well, as well as be where he is. Let us therefore ask God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to help us live as members of the royal and heavenly dynasty where Christ our high priest reigns and has set up rooms for us his “fellow priests.” My dear friends and brethren, with this great awareness on this glorious and gracious season of Easter, let us: “Rejoice in the Lord,” we who have been justified and counted worthy of being Christ’s fellow priests, who himself has assured us of a place in heaven, because, “praise is fitting for loyal (and royal) hearts.”Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!