Why, and for What Reason is Jesus Christ Coming?
Readings: (1st: Ish 40, 1-5.9-11: Ps 84, 9-14; 2nd: 2 Pt 3, 8-14; Gos: Mk 1, 1-8)

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.

“A voice cries in the wilderness; prepare a way for the Lord. Make a straight way for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low…”(Ish 40, 3; Mk 1, 3; Jh 1, 23). On this second week of Advent year B, we continue our waiting and preparation for the Lord’s coming. Today in a special way the church calls us to reflect on the good news that this season brings – that Christ is coming. In light of this, we are also to reflect on the reason for his coming, and most importantly on what we ought to be doing while we wait for him.
Today all our readings focus on the following themes, the imminence of the Lord’s coming and arrival, the need for repentance for the forgiveness of our sins, and of course the need to live saintly, holy and spotless lives. All of these are geared towards making sure that we are fully prepared for the glorious encounter with our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. One important question that we must ask ourselves today is: Why is Christ coming, what are all these talks about his coming for? The answer is simple: He is coming because he loves us, he is coming in order to forgive, console, and to save us, and he is coming to make all things (including us) new. He is not just a busy body who has nothing to do at home and goes about gossiping or mending in other people’s affairs. No, he has a mission and that mission is all about us and our world as the prophet Isaiah gladly informs us today.
In our first reading today, there is a paradigm shift in the prophetic, and prayer  pattern of Isaiah from lamentation and wish, to optimism. He has moved, from, “how I wish that you tear heaven…” to “prepare a way for the Lord… Here is the Lord coming with power…” His prayer of hope last week (1st Sunday of Advent) seems to be materializing and bearing fruits soon. So, he confidently says this week, “console my people, console them…” Last week he lamented and wished that the Lord tears down heaven and come down, but today his tone has changed. He sounds more optimistic and certain like someone who is beginning to see the result of or a response to his previous plea. This is a sign that we are going to make it. Like Isaiah, we too must progress in our journey this Advent. Isaiah’s prophecy today is for all of us a great hope raiser that our salvation is close at hand as we continue to wait and prepare for the Lord’s coming. However, it is not yet over as the fulfillment of this hope still lies in the future, though not too far away from us. So, rather than relaxing, we must heed his call, “prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord…”
In the second reading, Peter assures us that Christ will certainly come. Once again, like the Prophet Isaiah, he gives a boost to our hope. He encourages us not to lose hope in the prophetic promises about the coming of Christ irrespective of our human reckoning of time which is quite different from God’s. Peter wrote at a time when some people were at the verge of losing their hope in the promise of Christ’s second coming due to the teachings of some false prophets and mockers. Today, Peter makes the following very important points. First, that what we conceive as a long period of time is nothing in God’s time, as there is a difference between God’s time and ours. This is the reason for the popular saying: “God’s time is the best time!” Our human reckoning of time is “Chronos”, which refers to our human sequential time, in which second follows second, minute follows minute, hour follows hour, day follows day, etcetera. This is the type of time is where we live a great deal of our lives, as the clock urges us on to the next scheduled appointment or event. On the other hand, God’s reckoning of time is “Kairos” which signifies a time in between, a moment of undetermined period of time in which something special happens. In other words, kairos points toward a moment when we cease to be conscious of chronos, of the ticking of our man-made clocks, because we are taken up in a special moment that seems almost timeless. While chronos is quantitative, kairos is qualitative. The second, and most important message of Peter to us this Advent revolves round the “The Day of the Lord,” which he warns us comes like a thief. Therefore he reminds us of what we ought to be doing this time around: “You should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day…do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace.” The need to better our lives is the core of Peter’s message to us today. This is the season when we must make every effort to live holy lives, a season we must ask for pardon from God for those times we have not got things right, and a season we must make every effort to reconcile ourselves with God and our neighbour. Living a holy and saintly life means being actively involved in God’s work and with others around us. It is not only a measure of our personal spirituality, but also, a measure of how effective our ministry of prayer, charity, and evangelization, has been.
In the Gospel of this Sunday, John the Baptist like Isaiah brings us the good news about the Lord’s imminent coming. He makes an explicit call to us to repent for the forgiveness of our sins. What is there to repent from? They include, those moments we have denied God through our words and actions, those moments we have failed ourselves and our neighbours, those times we have neglected the good we ought to do, those times we have gossiped and castigated others, those times we have not been true to our selves, God, our neighbours and our country, and those times we have failed to live saintly and holy lives. This Advent is the time to say, God we are sorry, forgive us for we have sinned! This is a very important condition for us to welcome Christ worthily, and this is what the prophets Isaiah, John the Baptist, and the Prince of the Apostles Peter mean respectively by, “preparing a way for the Lord” and “living holy and saintly lives.” If we sincerely repent this season, then the salvation that Jesus brings will be ours, and we will be part of the new generation that he comes to transform and redeem by his love. If we clean up ourselves properly, we need not be afraid of the Day of the Lord, but simply look forward to it with joyful anticipation. Anticipation of the coming of the Lord should not merely inform our manner of life. Rather, it should motivate us to respond with repentance, holy and saintly living, godliness, and of course, joyful expectation of our salvation. Humbly therefore, let us pray with the psalmist today: “Let us see, O Lord your mercy, and give us your saving help”.
Peace be with You!
Maranatha!!

Advent: A Season Of Great Expectation And Joyful Hope
Readings: (1st: Ish 63, 16-17. 64, 1-8: Ps 79, 2-119; 2nd: I Cor 1, 3-9; Gos: Mtt 13, 33-37)

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.

“…Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Emmanuel. He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good…”(Ish 17, 14). Today is both the first Sunday of Advent and of the Church’s liturgical calendar year B. Remarkably, as we begin a new liturgical year today, we move from Matthew’s to Mark’s Gospel, the shortest of the four canonical Gospels.
Advent is a season of hope and a period during which as Christians we await the fulfillment of the promise of God through his prophets. In addition to being a season of hope, it is equally, a season of great patience and prayer. It suffices to note that why we prepare physically, the most important preparation is that of the spirit. Therefore, during these four weeks what are we expected to do? What will you do if you are informed that very soon your president will visit you right in your home in a couple of week time? Surely, you are not going to rest until you have turned your home around so that every nook and corner of it will be comfortable for your August visitor. If we could do this just for the sake of Mr. President’s proposed visit, what should we do to welcome the new born king of the world? This season is all about getting set for the birth and coming of the messiah.
Our first reading from Isaiah is both a prophetic message as well as a prayer of hope. Isaiah begins by first acknowledging the greatness of God: “O Lord you are our Father, Our Redeemer is your ancient name…” and progresses to lamentation or complain to God: “Why leave us to stray from your ways”. Finally, he expressed the hope he has in God: “Return, for the sake of your servants…Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down…?” This is a prayer of hope because, as Isaiah rightly demanded, God will not keep silent until we are saved. That salvation is what the hope we have in the coming of Christ will accomplish for us when he is finally born. This hope that the prophet expresses today is what will see us through this season until Christmas when our Redeemer will be born. Therefore, when Isaiah says, “Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down…”, he is expecting God to come in power and might. He is like saying as we pray, “Our Father, let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? This is also the hope that Paul constantly expressed whenever he says “Maranatha” (come quickly Lord Jesus). That power and its manifestation is what we await and hope to see at the end of this season of Advent when God’s word finally would be made flesh. However, until then our major duty and preoccupation should be how to prepare well.
In our second reading, Paul thanks God for the graces he received through Christ. He equally encourages us to be faithful as we wait for the coming of Christ. Even though in this letter, Paul was referring to the second coming of Christ (Parousia), yet this reading is very ad rem to this season of Advent. Of Importance here is the fact that Paul reminds us that we have received the gifts of the Spirit. It is these gifts that will strengthen us as we wait for Christ to come. Of course, what this means is that we need to implore theses gifts in order to prepare well. The Holy Spirit will certainly teach us how best to prepare, and he will show us the items necessary for welcoming the infant Jesus. If we walk with him this season of Advent our hope will not fail us, because, “the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut short” (Pr 23, 18). Therefore, we must be ready to prepare for the Lord’s coming prayerfully, and by employing the help of the Sacraments that the Church has left at our disposal for the edification and sanctification of our souls. This is with special regard to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We must not be carried away by the physical preparation during this season at the detriment of the spiritual. We must not prepare for the coming of Christ as pagans do. It is not a time to get rich quick or to disenfranchise others in order to celebrate Christmas “lavishly and worldly”. Instead it is a time for deep reflection upon the loving kindness of God who came to dwell among humanity by taking flesh in a mortal being. It is a time to be good to others, a time to love, respect and to reach out to the poor, weak and the sick.
The gospel of today is a clarion call to be awake and alert, and only the Spirit of God can help us do this faithfully. Therefore, rather than hearken to the spirit of this world this season, we must tenaciously hold on to the Spirit of God, who consequently is the Spirit of the Good News of salvation, because he alone can keep us awake until the Lord comes. This is what the season of Advent calls for. For our hope not to disappoint us this season we must be alert and get ourselves ready at all times. This season, the Lord wants us to have our hearts and minds fixed on him and his word. He wants us to be ready for his coming and grace in our lives, and of course, in our world. If we wait patiently for, and on him this season, we shall not be disappointed and we will surely receive his grace and saving help. This season, if we do all things without lightening up our lives spiritually for Christ to walk into and through it, if we prepare all things and places without preparing a manger for baby Jesus in our lives then, our preparation might definitely be in vain. God forbid! During these four weeks of grace we must constantly ask ourselves, how best can I prepare to welcome the infant Jesus-King, have I prepared a manger in my heart for him so that he could be born anew within me, and, am I watching and waiting for the Lord’s action in my life with expectant faith and joyful hope this season?
Finally brethren, this season, as we eagerly anticipate and desire the coming of the Lord, our hope and expectation should prompt us to be always awake and vigilant, it should make us prepare adequately in order to avail ourselves of Jesus’ mercy. Therefore, our constant and confident prayer during this season of Advent must be as Isaiah prayed today: “Oh Lord that you would tear the heaven and come down,” and also, as Paul constantly prayed and concluded most of his letters: “Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” However, for this to bear fruit, we must also, humble ourselves this season and pray along with the psalmist: “God of Hosts bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved”.
Peace be with you all!
Maranatha!!

Let Christ The King Of The Universe Reign in Your Life
Readings: (1st: Ezek 34, 11-17; Ps. 22, 1-6; 2nd: I Cor 15, 20-28; Gos: Mtt 25, 31-46)

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.

Hurray! Today is the thirty fourth and last Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A. Most importantly, it is the solemnity of Christ the King. The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in order to ward off the cantankerous, deadly influence and activities of Secularism. The feast is intended to proclaim in a resounding, striking and effective way Christ’s royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations. The Holy Mother Church and all her faithful celebrate today the King of the universe who rules in power and majesty, the King who is compassionate and love, and the king who does not rule with iron fist but delivers justice on a platter of gold.
Once in a kingdom, a deadly plaque tormented the people. Every effort made to curb it proved abortive and yet no solution was in view as the inhabitants were at the verge of being wiped out. One day, a certain wise man appeared and claimed to have the solution to the plaque. Immediately, the king summoned him to his palace. He told the king that only one thing needed to be done to defeat the plaque. This news delighted the king. Then, the wise man added: “There is a balm within the forest that could cure the plague, but the problem is that someone needs to go and get it.” The king responded swiftly, “That is not a problem at all!” But the wise man retorted, “My king it is a big problem.” Again, the king said, “My friend that is not a problem because in my kingdom I have brave men and women who can do anything to get it.” To this the wise man added, “My king but the oracle has chosen someone already for this task.” The king said to him, “So tell me who it is and we shall fetch him immediately.” The wise man hesitated and then broke the silence: “He is your heir apparent and only son!” At this, the king was enraged and immediately condemned the wise man to death by hanging. A few days later, he sent his bravest men into the forest in search of the balm, but none of them returned alive, again and again he continued sending until he and his son were the only men left. Eventually the plague hit the palace and both of them were struck dead the same day, and the entire dynasty was annihilated. One man could have saved this dynasty and possibly lived, but because of the self-centeredness of the king all went down. This is not the kind of king we celebrate today. We celebrate the King who was ready to, and actually died for us his flock in order to give us life in full. He is not selfish but self sacrificing. This King differs from our worldly kings because he is love himself as well as the model of all kings.
In the first reading of today, the Lord through his oracle prophet Ezekiel reassures us of his continuous readiness to look after us: “I am going to look after my flock myself… I shall rescue them…I shall be a true shepherd to them…” We must note here that the Lord God himself will do his job. One remarkable thing about this reading is that for nine times the personal pronoun “I” was employed to convey first, the fact of God’s personal interest in his flock and second, his promises to all of us his children which he has long ago fulfilled through Jesus Christ our King and ruler of the universe. In this reading also, God sort of presented the manifesto of his government to be headed by Christ. His, is quite different from those our earthly vote and political power seekers present to us, such as the following: free education, housing, medical care, transportation, low taxation, more jobs, high income rates and even free air, water, wives and husbands etcetera. You and I know full well that they hardly come close to fulfilling even ten percent of their promises before the end of their tenure in office. Yet, another set returns with the same old fashion lies. In contrast, the manifesto of God is absolutely different, because it is real, true and devoid of falsehood. It is not charity with a hook. God is a faithful King who never lies but fulfils his promises as the book of Numbers reminds us: “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Nu 23, 19)
In the second reading, Paul takes us memory lane about how Christ achieved his kingship and how he will continue to maintain it until he has conquered our last enemy death. Christ accomplished a task that no other could. This task is the defeat of sin and Satan through his own death. It was a hundred percent knockout. He had to do this to salvage us from the whips and caprices of Satan our arch enemy: “By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Col 2, 14). This is what he has done for our sake and for the sake of his kingdom. So we must abide with him who shed his blood for us. We must be part of his kingdom and pay homage to him every day of our life because, he reigns supreme over the entire universe.
In today’s gospel, Matthew reminds us of the rule and reign of Christ. His reign is one of justice because he will judge each one according to his or her action. He shall uphold the just and reprimand the culprit. There is no corruption, embezzlement, manipulation, or structural injustices in his kingdom or during his reign. Rather, his reign will be the reign of peace because: “…He will judge among many people, rebuking strong nations far away; and they will reshape their swords as plowshares and their spears as pruning hooks. No nation will threaten another, nor will they train for war anymore” (Ish 2, 4; Micah 4, 3). His scepter shall be peace and justice. My dear brethrens, today’s celebration will only make meaning to us if only we have given Christ the highest seat and key to the kingdom of our hearts where he earnestly desires to reign. If he reigns in every heart, then he reigns in our world. If he reigns there already, then rejoice and celebrate, if not, then let us ask him today, to come in because he says to us: “I stand at the door waiting, if you open I will come in to eat and dine with him” (Rev 3, 20). If he reigns in you, then yours are all gains and no losses.
In conclusion, as we celebrate Christ the King of the universe today let us allow him to be truly in control of the kingdom of our heart because as the “Buen Pastor” (Good Shepherd), Jesus will not oppress or lead us astray as our earthly kings do. If we make the Lord our King and Shepherd, then there is nothing we shall lack, because, his goodness and mercy will follow us, all the days of our life. Of course, in the beautiful court of King Jesus’ palace shall we all dwell.
Peace be with you!
Maranatha!!

Devoted and Faithful In Waiting For Christ Our Head and Master
Readings: 1st: Prov 31, 10-13.19-20; Ps 127, 1-5; 2nd: 1Thess 5, 1-6; Gos: Matt 25, 14-30

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). 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.

As we draw closer and closer to the end of the 2014 liturgical calendar, year A and also, to the beginning of a new one marked by the season of Advent, the church encourages us to remain faithful and dedicated to our Head and Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore as a family of God, with Christ as the head; the Church as the Mother; we (the faithful) as the children; and the angels as the faithful servants waiting on and watching over us, we must be steadfast and united as we hold and celebrate today a feast in honour of Christ the head of our family. We must be ready to bring him the talents of a virtuous woman, devoted children, and faithful servants
Here is a true life story about faithfulness in waiting. Hachiko, was an Akita dog born in 1923 and was owned by Eisaburo Ueno, a professor at the University of Tokyo. The professor used to take a train from the Shibuya Station every day to go to the university. Each day Hachiko accompanied him to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, he would find the dog patiently waiting and wagging its tail. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home. As usual, the dog waited at the train station that day for his master to return back. However, seeing that he was not coming back, Hachiko waited till night fell and retuned back home. The next day Hachiko went back to the train station again, waiting for his master to come back. He patiently waited till sunset and then retuned back home. The dog was so devoted to the professor that he continued to visit the train station everyday for the next ten years! The people who passed the loyal dog each day were so touched by his story that they erected a statue in his honor at the Station in 1934. In 1935, Hachiko died at the very same spot where he used to wait for his master (Extracted from Wikipedia and Fabulous Travel.com). Dear brethrens we have, by virtue of our baptismal vows pledged allegiance to the Lord. Therefore as the faithful Hachiko, we should be faithful to our Head – Jesus Christ.
Our first reading for this Sunday is from proverbs. The virtuous woman of Proverbs radiates as a bright beacon in this wonderful wisdom book of precepts and warnings. The book presents us with the qualities of the virtuous woman, and the term “virtuous” simply refers to strength, efficiency, or ability. Here it refers to strength of character. That is, moral strength and firmness (Ruth 3:11). The virtuous woman is good, faithful, and knows what to do to keep her family intact. In addition, “she holds out her hand to the needy”. Today, the virtuous woman represents two things for us. First, she is the symbol of the Holy Mother Church who leaves no stone unturned in her bid to make sure that she prepares us adequately to meet Christ our Head. The church as the virtuous woman does this through her constant, untiring teachings, admonitions, and through her charitable works. As a mother, the church knows her duty towards her groom Christ and towards us her children. She never and will never go to sleep until she has presented us to Christ worthily. On the other hand, it is a call for us to emulate the qualities of the virtuous woman as we hold today a festival in honor of our head Christ. Like the virtuous woman, it is essential for us to cultivate inner beauty. If this is absent, then, it is impossible to exhibit the strength and efficiency fit enough to wait for Christ our head. We are to be as faithful and devoted to our callings and mission as the virtuous woman is.
In the second reading Paul presents to us a description of the conduct expected from a child of the light. He reminds us of the inevitable – The Lord’s Day. According to him, one of the most significant characteristics of this “Day” is that it will be sudden: “it is when people are saying, ‘how quiet and peaceful it is that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as Labour pain on a pregnant woman…” In order words, Paul is simply encouraging us to be vigilant and active in our preparation for this very day of the Lord. “Gregoreuo” is a Greek word employed by Paul that connotes the idea of a sleeping man rousing himself, so that he is mentally alert and in a state of mind opposite to that which characterizes one’s mind while in sleep, and this is the position we ought to adopt as Christians waiting for their Master. We must be faithful and devoted in good works as the virtuous woman in our first reading. This “Day” must not catch us by surprise because, “to before warn is to be fore armed.” As people of light we must per due in the light and avoid all the snares of darkness. Therefore, as faithful and devoted children of God, we must be about our Father‘s duty without allowing ourselves to be distracted at all. We must live expectantly in the light of Christ our Head’s return, realizing that our works will be judged and that our opportunities for service on earth will end. We must live with eternity’s values in mind and in view all the time. If we do, we will certainly enjoy a better life than those who compromise with the world. We are therefore to live like soldiers in active service (2 Ti 2. 4), and like the virtuous woman working to please her husband and children.
In the gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the talent to equally remind us that given the imminence of his return, each one of us must be ready to render a good account to him as our head. In order words, he has endowed us differently according to our various capacities. He also expects us as devoted and faithful children to render a good account of the “talents” he has endowed us with. While Jesus’ parable challenges all of us to put to full use all the potentials that God has given us for the sake of the kingdom, he most importantly, instructs us his disciples to endure through difficult times and to live in anticipation of His return. Hence, this parable simply reminds us of the inevitability of the Lord’s coming and how we as his disciple ought to live in expectation of his great return. Furthermore, it depicts how we are to display faithfulness as we anticipate the return of Christ our head. Therefore, while we wait for the Lord’s return, it must not be in idealness, but we must be industrious and active by bearing effective witness to Christ while bearing in mind that an account must be demanded from us. It is true that like the three servants, we do not have gifts of the same degree, but God expects of us a result that is commensurate with the gifts he has given to us. So, we must use whatever talents we have been given to the best of our ability for God’s glory, and when we have done that, we are on an equal playing field with other faithful. As trustworthy servants of God we must therefore, avoid a life of indifference, apathy, licentiousness, and complacency towards our mission and work as these will not fetch us any reward from Christ. We are faithful, devoted and wise disciples if only while waiting for Christ’s return, we emulate and expand his ministry. He announced the arrival of God’s kingdom by feeding the hungry, visiting and curing the sick and imprisoned, blessing the meek, serving the least, clothing the naked, and welcoming the stranger (Mtt. 25:31-46). If we are found faithful in this same ministry, we will definitely hear our master and head say to us when he returns: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Celebrating God’ Sacred Presence With and Within Us!
Readings: 1st: Ezek 47, 1-2. 8-9.12; Ps 45, 2-9; 2nd: 1 Cor 3, 11. 16-17; Gos: Jh 2, 13-22

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.

“The beauty and harmony of Churches, destined to render praise to God, invites us, limited beings and sinners, to form a ‘cosmos,’ a well-ordered edifice, in communion with Jesus, who is the true Holy of Holies…Every community therefore has the duty to take special care of its own sacred buildings, which are a precious religious and historical patrimony.” (Pope Benedict XVI Nov 9, 2008, Feast of Lateran Basilica). Exactly after one week of being granted the privilege by God and his Church to celebrate and reflect on the dual feast of All Saints and Souls, today the 32nd Sunday of ordinary time, we are once again given another opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon God’s divine closeness and presence with and within us through the Feast of the Dedication of St John Lateran Basilica. Two basic points are important in today’s celebration. First the physical building as well as us, are both God’s temple and dwelling place. Second, both the physical church building and us are both the physical evidence and manifestation of God’s presence on earth and as such, must be kept holy and sacred.
There is a great misconception about this feast and most importantly about St. Peter’s Basilica Rome both among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Rather than St. St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Pope’s church as the Bishop of the archdiocese of Rome is the Lateran Basilica which bears on its facade: “omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput” (the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world). This Basilica was built by Constantine and was consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324. This feast was first observed in Rome, but was extended to the Universal Latin Church. This is a way of expressing our love, solidarity, union and faithfulness to the Chair of Peter which our holy father Pope Francis occupies today as the primus inter pares. In personifying and referring to this church as “The Mother” of all churches, it means that as a mother she bears, nurtures, feeds, cares and protects her children. She is a place of refuge. This Lateran Basilica and indeed every other dedicated church around the world is therefore the symbol of God’s divine physical manifestation and presence among his people. It is also the symbol of the holy mother church on earth, and of Our Lady who is truly the mother and mistress of the church. She stands close to us all especially during difficult moments with her arms wide open as: “The Refuge of Sinner”, “The Comforter of the Afflicted”, “The Tower of David”, and “The Ark of the Covenant”.
In our first reading today the vision of the prophet Ezekiel about the temple of Jerusalem is presented to us in a most articulate and dramatic fashion. This reminds us of God’s ever abiding presence within his temple. As a sign of God’s presence among his people, the Temple or “Church” is a place from where the river of God’s joy emanates and flows towards us in order to nourish and satisfy us. It is a place of refuge and a place where we find eternal bliss, a place where our spiritual hunger and thirst are satisfied, and most importantly, it is a place of healing where we find Jesus our balm of Gilead (Jer 8, 22) that heals our wounded souls. Ezekiel recapitulates thus about this river that flows from God’s temple or church: “Wherever the river flows all living creatures teeming in it will live…for where ever the river flows, it brings health, and life…because this water comes from the sanctuary”. It suffices to note that there is both a significant ontological as well as functional difference between a “Dedicated Church” and an ordinary hall, a factory building, make-shift canopy, an abandoned warehouse, a shop/store, an auditorium, a classroom, a dining room, a parlor, capitols or town halls, just as there was a much difference between the Temple of Jerusalem and the synagogues (town halls). Therefore, in every dedicated church dwells the fullness of the presence of the Trinitarian God. It is a sacred, permanent dwelling of God, and a place of prayer. So, it must be accorded utmost reverence.
In the second reading, Paul takes us to the next and very important dimension of the temple of God and that is us: “You are God’s building…did you not realize that you are God’s temple and the Holy Spirit of God was living among you?” This is straight and direct to the point and this is what we are. We are the seat of God’s government because our hearts are the innermost sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us of God’s special presence within us. We are God’s living and mobile temple. Therefore, there is a special call today to keep this temple holy, pure and sacred, because, God does not dwell in a flirty temple. If our temple remains sacred his spirit will continue to dwell therein. Otherwise we may experience “Ichabod” (the departing of God’s glory, 1 Sam 4, 21) as Israel did when they offended God and consequently, the Ark of the Covenant was captured. Unfortunately many of us Christians in the name of “freedom/liberty” and its twin sister – “human rights”, have abused ourselves (God’s temple) so much. Some have done this through drug and alcohol addiction, sex addiction, excessive make ups and tattoos, and even attempts to take our own lives etcetera. All these however, are manifestations of our sheer ignorance of who we truly are – the temple of the living God. We belong primarily to God because we did not create ourselves. This is why Paul warns us of the imminent danger associated with treating God’s temple with utter disrespect, contempt and impunity: “If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred and you are that temple.”
In the gospel, Jesus’ action in the temple brings us to the climax and significance of today’s celebration. He gives us a typical good example of how we ought to threat and reverence the temple of God. John summarizes Jesus’ action and words thus: “Destroy this sanctuary and in three days I will rebuild it…but he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body…” Our bodies as God’s temple were purchased through the water of baptism, and consecrated through the sacred oil of Chrism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit whereas the physical church is also consecrated by both the presence of the Trinitarian God and the presence of “God’s priestly, holy and chosen people” (1Peter 2, 9). Therefore, as we commemorate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica today which reminds us of God’s sacred presence with and within us, let us joyfully acclaim with the psalmist: “The water of the river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells…God is for us a refuge and strength…the Lord God of Host is with us, the God of Jacob is our strong hold…!”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

Maranatha (Ven Senor Jesus)!!!

Waiting in Joyful Hope, and Wisely for the Lord
Readings: Readings: 1st: Wis 6, 12-16; Ps 62, 2-8; 2nd: 1 Thes 1, 13-18; Gos: Mtt 25, 1-13

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.

With just two Sundays to the end of this liturgical calendar of ordinary time, year A, today, the church encourages us her beloved children to be steadfast and ready without being discouraged or distracted until the Lord comes. Indeed, “the waiting game” is not an easy one but it requires lots of patience, humility and most importantly lots of wisdom. If we must succeed in this waiting game for the Lord, we must learn that patience is the greater courage while wisdom is the greatest of it all. Today therefore, we must ask God to grant us wisdom to know what to do at all times especially when we tend to run out of the spiritual oil (patience, courage, hope, faith etcetera) necessary for waiting for the Lord to act in our lives. This is most especially, when it does appear to us that Jesus is delaying too much to come to our recue.
Once, I saw a small boy seating patiently by the gate in front of their house. Considering that it was getting dark and chilly I asked the boy to go into the house. But he politely refused. When I enquired why he would not go in, he responded: “I have to wait here to open the gate for my mummy when she comes back, and I know that she is on her way now.” Surely, the poor boy was right, and I got it wrong because while we were still conversing we heard a car horn and a flash, and the boy with bright eyes and a bold smile on his face said to me, “here she comes, I told you I know my mummy is on her way.” Immediately, he left me to open the gate for his mum. I guessed, he was happy because he has proved a point to me, and even happier because he has taken the wise decision to continue his waiting game instead of succumbing to my temptation to seek some pleasure inside the house. This should be our attitude as we wait for Christ. Unfortunately, the tendency is for us to become impatient or act foolishly. However, with wisdom, we will definitely make the right choice.
In the first reading of this Sunday we are reminded that “wisdom is found by only those who look for her”. Here wisdom is personified as a woman, and it only takes a wise man to go out in search of her. The wise man does this with patience and hope, and so, never gives up until he has achieved his aim. Hence, with wisdom we are better Christians and more equipped to face the challenges of this life. Unfortunately, many of us neglect this fact and indeed the very fact that God has endowed us with wisdom in order to know how best to worship him. This is especially in our pursuit of truth through religion. Without wisdom our spirituality will be shallow and un-balanced. Without wisdom, our religious and Christian life will remain at the levels of mere fanaticism, fundamentalism, and all forms of senseless extremisms. Without wisdom, we are losers in every sphere of life. But with wisdom, we seek, find and worship God well. So in order to go to heaven, we need to be wise. Therefore, we must pray for it and earnestly ask God to help us find her because finding her is finding God and the path of eternal life.
In the second reading, Paul encourages the Thessalonians as well as us not to bother or grief too much about those who have died or gone before the second coming of Christ. That is, the Parousia. “…Do not grief about them like other people who have no hope…God will bring them with him…” This advice is anchored on the hope we have in the resurrection of the dead. So instead of worrying so much about them, the wisest thing to do is to worry about ourselves. What is supposed to bother us should not be what will become of the dead but, what will become of us the living when Christ comes. What should bother me is, how do I get there, how prepared am I for the Lord should he appear now as he promised. We must note carefully that there is no time or space attached to this coming of Christ, the least idea that Paul gives us is that “we shall see him when he appears in the sky.” But the sky is not a particular geographical location. So it could be anytime or any where! In spite of what seem to us humans in our limited wisdom as delay in the fulfillment of Christ’s promise about his coming, the fact is that: “All the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God …” (2 Cor 1, 20). It is quite unfortunate that even Christians now make caricature and mockery of Christ‘s promise about his Parousia. Once, I heard someone say to another, “I hope this promise of yours will not be like the promise of Jesus’ Parousia (second coming)?” They laughed over it because Christ’s word and promise is now empty. For this fellow, he has waited too long, and Christ on his part has delayed too long. So there is no need of trusting him anymore. He has delayed so long that he need not be believed any longer. What a pity! But the truth is that the wise never give up. They never get tired of waiting, all they do is get themselves fully prepared, ready and yet, keep themselves busy. So whether we are dead or alive, Christ’s promise will be fulfilled.
In the gospel of this Sunday Jesus used the parable of the ten virgins which is unique to Matthew, to teach us how best to be vigilant and prepared at all times for the coming of the Lord into our lives. While five of the virgins were wise in waiting for the “bridal train”, the other five were foolish in waiting for the same train. What separates these two categories of waiters or disciples is that same “thin line” that separates wisdom and foolishness, heaven and hell, good and evil etcetera. As thin as this line seems, yet it is thick. It is the part of the servant to wait patiently for his master to return. The moment of waiting should therefore not be for us a weary moment, but the moment of righting our wrongs, when we refill our spiritual lamps and wisely prevent the costly oil from being exhausted for nothing sake. We must not like the five foolish virgins, allow ourselves to become victims of the eleventh hour. Rather, as wise disciples, we must remain vigilant for Jesus’ return. We must not allow anyone to cheat or distract us. The question someone might ask is: As a matter of charity why did the wise virgins not share their oil with their sisters? The answer is simple. That would have been an awful and most stupid thing to do because right in the middle of the party all the oil will finish, the lamps extinguished, and the entire place thrown into darkness. This would be the embarrassment of the highest order orchestrated by a misguided notion of charity. Second, there is no excuse for the foolish virgins not to have oil in their lamps because they had all the time in the whole world to get enough but due to their laziness they did not. Instead they began to look for the black sheep when darkness has fallen. Indeed, it will be practically impossible to find it.
Jesus is on the way! His delay in coming should not be an excuse for us to lose out. Rather, it should be a blessing for us to get ourselves ready because, “everything works for the good of those who love and trust God” (Rom 2, 28). Let us therefore ask God today to endow us with much wisdom with which to be able to wait patiently until Christ comes to darken the door of our lives and souls. So, like the psalmist today, let us say to God daily: “For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God. My body pines for you like a dry weary land without water!”
Peace be with you all!!
Maranatha!!!

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!!!