Rejoice Beloved! For The Spirit Of The Lord is Upon You!!

Readings: (1st: Acts 2, 1-11; Ps: 103, 1. 24-34; 2nd: Rom 8, 8-17 Gos: Jn 14, 15-16.23-26)

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the great day of a fulfilled promise. For some days now as in our first reading of today (Acts2, 1-11), the faithful have been physically and spiritually gathered together in the “upper room” in a Novena imploring God to send down the Holy Spirit upon the Church. The significance of this day in the life and history of the Church of Christ cannot be over flogged. This is because there is near to absolute agreement among most scholars that this is the actual birthday of the Church. Today the Spirit of God has blown where it wills and is now with us. So every true and faithful believer has been re-energized, repositioned and refilled for the journey of faith and eternity. Jesus has fulfilled his promise to all those who in faith and hope waited for this day to come. If we are really living in faith, we will feel God’s mighty power – the Holy Spirit is at work in us now! However, the problem is not God fulfilling his promise of sending the Holy Spirit, but, what do we do with this wonderful gift of God?

A man was convicted and jailed for many years for a heinous crime. A few years later he was granted pardon. When the jailers got to his cell, opened its iron bar, and asked him to come out, the man refused and said to them: you are asking me to come out but the bar is still locked. They assured him that the bar was open, then the man walked to the bar and turned back in to his cell and said them: I cannot find any open doors here why are you people deceiving and playing games with me? It is a pity that this man did not know what to do with the gift of freedom! Today, we are filled afresh to over flowing with the Holy Spirit because Jesus has kept his promise.  He neither deceives nor plays games with us. What he has done to and for us is real! So we must march out in splendor in order to bear fruits. Therefore, we must dispose of our former selves (Eph 4, 22) and allow the Holy Spirit to work and walk with us.

In the second reading (Rom 8, 8-17), Paul reminds us of the fact that by virtue of our “Pentecostal experience” today, an indelible mark has been placed upon us, that we have been specially configured by the Holy Spirit for spiritual life further away from the mundane. This means that it is the Holy Spirit that gives life. Hence, Paul writes: “…and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he will give life to your own mortal bodies through his spirit living in you.” Therefore, through today’s infilling we are truly and fully earmarked as God’s children. Though adopted, yet, we are fully heirs to God’s throne and heritage. This is why we can confidently today call God, “Abba, Father.” Today we see the gospel reading of the 5^th Sunday of Easter (Year C), being repeated. This is a way of laying emphasis on the principal roles of the Holy Spirit we have received today. These include mainly: advocacy, teaching, and reminding us of the things we ought to know. However, for this to be possible, we must be ready to cooperate with him. He can only advocate for us if we are truthful by telling him all our problems and of course allowing him to take the lead in our case. He can only teach us if we pay heed to him, and he can only remind us of the things we ought to know if we are humble enough to say: Holy Spirit of the living God help me or I perish. All these are possible only with our cooperation, because, the Holy Spirit does not coerce any one.

What then will the Holy Spirit that we have received today help us accomplish? First, the Spirit we have received today is not the spirit of fear and timidity. Instead, it is the Spirit that empowers us and makes us strong / bold Christians and children of God (CCC 1302). What this means is that we must no longer remain lily-livered Christians, but Christians who are bold enough to call God Abba Father, and who will witness to him. That is the purpose of this out pouring. It is not for our keeps or for us alone. It is given to so that we like the apostles, would be able to empower others by the help of the same spirit. Second, he will help us bear good fruits (Gal 5, 22). The Holy Spirit will lead us into the kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. He will lead us away from all that is “base and grass” and bring us to the fullness of life. However, it is important to note that as a person, the Holy Spirit can be offended. This is why we are warned: “…and do not grieve the Holy Spirit, God’s mark of ownership in you” (Eph 4, 30). Although God does not relent in his faithfulness, yet we must be mindful of the fact that grieving the Holy Spirit or being an obstacle to his work is a grave sin because: “Any sin against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but any sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” (Mt 12, 32).

So, as we rejoice at this wonderful gesture that God extended to us today, let us equally ask him for the grace to be docile to the Spirit we have received, and that by our actions we might not grieve Him. On this joyful day, may I wish all the members of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans) and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement all over the world a happy feast day! May the Holy Spirit lead you to the ends of the earth.

Peace be with you all!          

Maranatha!!

What type of Gift and Fruit Am I to God and the Church? 

Readings: (1st: Acts 1, 15-17. 20-26; Ps: 113, 1-8; 2nd: Rom 8, 8-1 Gos: Jn 15, 9-17) 

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

“Someone who has been with us during the whole time that Lord Jesus was traveling around with us…and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection”

Matthias means gift of God. He is a gift of God to the Apostles and to the entire Church of Jesus Christ because he was elected by the power of the Holy Spirit who is the giver of gifts. He is the gift of God because he was a generous offer and an instrument for bearing witness to the risen Christ. Matthias and Barsabbas were proposed to replace Judas, but Matthias was elected. According to an ancient tradition handed down by Clement of Alexandria and confirmed by Eusebius and St. Jerome, Matthias was one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus. Clement of Alexandria further writes that “Matthias was remarkable for inculcating the necessity of mortifying the flesh with its irregular passions and desires”. According to the Greeks, he suffered martyrdom in Colchis, now called Ethiopia. Matthias was not chosen out of prejudice, favoritism, nepotism, tribalism or unprecedented sentiments, but out of good will.

A great lesson that lies herein for us today include the fact that there are conditions or qualities that must qualify us to become disciples, leaders, managers or messengers of Jesus Christ and the Church. Hence we must ask ourselves, these pertinent questions: That position I am struggling for, do I have the qualities required for it, or do I want it for prestige sake? When I elect people in my school, community, state, and country for important positions or awards, what criteria do I use? Do I see those authentically chosen as a gift from God for the salvation of humanity? The second lesson is that, not only should I spend many years as a Seminarian, Priest, Reverend Sister/Brother, a member of CYO, CWO or CMO, etc., I am also expected to bear authentic witness to the risen Christ in any of these capacities. If we do this as Matthias did, then, we can be sure that we are bearing quality fruits that will endure.

The gospel therefore reminds us succinctly that it is God himself who has chosen us as he chose Matthias for a special task, and as a special gift to the people of God. It therefore means that we are not to embark on the task any how it pleases us. Rather, according to the stipulations, demands and dictates of the one who chose us. Matthias was chosen to replace the renegade Judas and he did well by bearing good fruits that has endured till this day.  Jesus stressed it thus: “You did not choose me; I chose you and commissioned you to go out to bear fruits that will last”. Also Brother Paul in Ephesians 1, 4 reminds us all that: “God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and without sin in his presence”. This is the purpose for which God has chosen us and what he expects us to do. He expects us to bear witness to his holiness and to be holy ourselves as Mathias who we celebrate today was. The ball now lies in our court and we are to ask ourselves, what kind of gift and fruit am I?

As I was reflecting over today’s Gospel reading, two sets of fruit trees in my former school environment came rushing into my mind. I have carefully observed their activities, and the patronage they receive from us during my years in the school. The first is the Citrus tree just behind the school chapel. Every year it bears fruits which end up not being consumed by any body. These fruits eventually dry up on the tree and finally fall off at the end of the year. This is because the fruits are not sweet or palatable to the taste buds. The second is a set and specie of mango trees beside the school football pitch which produces big and “enticing” fruits. Unfortunately, before these fruits get ripe they become heavily infested with worms. Indeed these trees bear fruits but their fruits were not good enough for our patronage. They are therefore bad fruits. These are not the kind of fruits the Lord wants from us; he wants fruits that will stand the test of time. What type of fruits am I bearing? Are they sour, bitter, warm-infested or good fruits that testify to the goodness and holiness of God?  To achieve this result effectively, Brother Paul appeals to us: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice (gift), holy and acceptable to God …. So that you may discern what the will of God is – what is good, acceptable and perfect (Rom 12, 1). If we do this and bear good fruits like Matthias – the gift of God, whose feast we celebrate today, the Lord and master of the vineyard promises us that: God the father will give you any thing you ask in my name.

Brothers and Sister, let us pray today that God who chose us as he did Matthias, may help us to offer ourselves wholly in order to bear good fruits, fruits that will serve as durable gifts to both God and the Church till the end of time, so that his blessings may be ours.  

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

   The Holy Spirit The Greatest Communicator Of All Times

Readings: (1st: Acts 7, 55-60; Ps: 96, 1-2. 6-. 9; 2nd: Rev 22, 12-14. 16-17; Gos: Jn 17, 20-26)

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

Today, the 7^th Sunday in the season of Easter, the Universal Church celebrates the World Communications Day. In today’s first reading we are told that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and saw the son of man standing at God’s right hand. This testimony of Stephen in the power of the Holy Spirit is a way God confirms our witness and at the same time communicates to the world things that ordinarily we would not have known anything about. The second reading tells us that John heard a voice speaking to him: “Very soon I shall be with you again,” and latter on the Spirit and the Bride says: “let everyone that listens answer, come!” In order words it is the Holy Spirit that invites us and also aids our communication.

In his letter to the Ephesians (1, 17-23), Paul prays asking God to send us: “… a Spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you the full knowledge of him”. This is ad rem to what the Church celebrates today – World Communications Day. “During a time in which technology has emerged as part of the fabric of connectivity of human experiences, such as relationships and knowledge, we need to ask: can it help men and women meet Christ in faith? (Pccs.world-communications-day, 2013). I say yes, but only if the Holy Spirit is in control. This is because the Holy Spirit is the greatest communicator of all times, the one who gives the knowledge, wisdom and understanding necessary for any type of communication, and the one who directs all communications. In fact, he is the “Minister of Communication in the Government” of the Most Holy Trinity. That is why Jesus says: “He will teach you all things…”  Jesus also knew that without the Holy Spirit his disciples cannot communicate the good news effectively. Hence, before his Ascension, he advised them to: “…stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high” (Luke 24, 46-53).

We must therefore pay attention to what Jesus tells us in today’s gospel. In it Christ prays for the unity of his flock: “Father, that they may be one!” This is the basis of Christian Ecumenism in our world today. It can however succeed only when we learn to communicate well, when we live out what Christ taught us and when we witness to Christ effectively. Good communication fosters unity, peace and progress. We are very much aware of the story of the tower of Babel (Gen 11, 9) and the confusion that prevented the builders from accomplishing their great task. This confusion of tongues came simply as a result of the fact that they could no longer communicate properly with one another because God disrupted their language.

Jesus communicated the Father well and that is why he is confident to say: “I have made known your name to them and I will continue to make it known to them”. Yes he will continue to do so through the help of the Holy Spirit in whose care he commends us. We are equally called to join in making the Father and Christ known through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that softens hardened hearts, opens deaf ears and greases tight lips in order to loosen them for effective communication and reception of the good news. This is why Paul prays: “May he enlighten the eyes of your mind…” As Christians what roles do we play in making sure that we communicate right morals, excellent spirituality, culture of peace, and other good Christian values? If we communicate positively the world becomes a wonderful place, but if on the contrary we issue wrong signals, our world will be doomed. So as we celebrate the World Communications Day today, we must ask God to help us and through the power of the Holy Spirit teach us the right things and ways to witness to him.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

Hurray! Our Lord Goes Up With Trumpet Blast!!

Readings: (1st: Acts 1, 1-11; Ps: 46, 2-3. 6-7, 8-9; 2nd: Eph 1, 17-23; Gos: Lk 24, 46-53)

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

Today the 9^th of May the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Ascension. The Solemnity of Ascension is one which commemorates the taking up of Christ into Heaven as indicated in today’s first reading from Acts 1, 1-11. It is a holy day of obligation, and is usually celebrated on Thursdays as it is popularly believed to have taken place on a Thursday. However, in some parts of the world this solemnity is celebrated on Sundays in order to help many faithful working in non – (Catholic/Christian) organizations fully observe it.

The Ascension is an important solemnity attesting to, and celebrating the reality of the God made man – Jesus’ returning to the Father. Hence the Psalmist invites “all people to clap their hands and cry out with joy” because Our Lord “goes up with shouts of joy and with trumpet blast”. Together with Christ’s resurrection, it is also a clear manifestation of Jesus’ Messiah-ship. It is a solemnity that lifts up and sustains the hope of Christians that one day we shall be where Christ is. It is the final battle blow of Jesus Christ against the devil.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church in teaching about this solemnity highlights the following three important theological points: Christ’s Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain, (cf. Acts 1:11);…Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father’s glorious kingdom so that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever. Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit (665-667). Ascension therefore, marks the beginning of the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send us the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. So, The Solemnity of Ascension sets us on a fast track to receive the Holy Spirit because, Jesus himself tells us: “If I do not go away the Counselor will not come to you (Jn 16, 7).

In the second reading, Paul prays asking God to send us: “… a Spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed to bring you the full knowledge of him”. This is because the Holy Spirit is the one who gives the knowledge, wisdom and understanding necessary for us to carry on after Jesus must have returned to the Father, and the one who directs all our missionary endeavours. That is why Jesus says: “He will teach you all things…”

In today’s gospel Jesus before his Ascension, advised us to: “…stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high”.  This power from on high we must patiently and humbly seek if we must make any positive impact upon this world of ours. We must therefore pay attention to what Jesus tells us in today’s gospel. As an experienced commander He knows the terrain we are about to lunch into very well, and what it takes to be successful there. He knows how delicate and fragile the hearts of men and women of our age are. He knows that only the Holy Spirit can convince them. So as we celebrate the Solemnity of Ascension today, let us pray for the grace to patiently wait for the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise to us on Pentecost day.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

 The Holy Spirit The Greatest Communicator Of All Times

 Readings: (1st: Acts 1, 1-11; Ps: 46, 2-3. 6-7, 8-9; 2nd: Eph 1, 17-23; Gos: Lk 24, 46-53)

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

Today the 7^th Sunday in the season of Easter, the Church in Nigeria celebrates the solemnity of Ascension. Also, the Universal Church celebrates the World Communications Day. The solemnity of Ascension is one which commemorates the taking up of Christ into Heaven as indicated in today’s first reading from Acts 1, 1-11. It is a holy day of obligation and this could be the reason the Church in Nigeria and perhaps elsewhere in the world decided to celebrate it this Sunday in order to help her many faithful working in non – (Catholic/Christian) organizations fully observe it.

The Ascension is an important solemnity attesting to, and celebrating the reality of the God made man – Jesus’ returning to the Father. Together with Christ’s resurrection, it is also a clear manifestation of Jesus’ Messiah-ship. It is a solemnity that lifts up and sustains the hope of Christians that one day we shall be where Christ is. It is the final battle blow of Jesus Christ against the devil. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in teaching about this solemnity highlights the following three important theological points: Christ’s Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain, (cf. Acts 1:11);…Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father’s glorious kingdom so that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever. Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit (665-667). Ascension therefore, marks the beginning of the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send us the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. So it sets us on a fast track to receive the Holy Spirit because Jesus himself tells us: “If I do not go away the Counselor will not come to you (Jn 16, 7).

In the second reading, Paul prays asking God to send us: “… a Spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed to bring you the full knowledge of him”. This is ad rem to what the Church celebrates today – World Communications Day. Here is a very important question and concern raised by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (2013): “During a time in which technology has emerged as part of the fabric of connectivity of human experiences, such as relationships and knowledge, we need to ask: Can it help men and women meet Christ in faith? It is not enough to find an adequate language, but rather, it is necessary to learn how to present the Gospel…” I say yes, but only if the Holy Spirit is in control. This is because the Holy Spirit is the greatest communicator of all times, the one who gives the knowledge, wisdom and understanding necessary for any type of communication, and the one who directs all communications. In fact, he is the “Minister of Communication in the Government” of the Most Holy Trinity. That is why Jesus says: “He will teach you all things…”

In today’s gospel, Jesus also knew very well that without the Holy Spirit the disciples cannot communicate the good news or witness effectively to him. Hence, before his Ascension, he advised them to: “…stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high”.  This power from on high we must seek if we must make any positive impact upon this world of ours. We must therefore pay attention to what Jesus tells us in today’s gospel. As an experienced commander He knows the terrain we are about to lunch into very well, and what it takes to be successful there. He knows how delicate and fragile the hearts of men and women of our age are. He knows that only the Holy Spirit can convince them. So as we celebrate the solemnity of Ascension today, Jesus equally reminds us that for effective communication of the word of God to all nations irrespective of our enormous technological achievements, we must seek the light and counsel of the Holy Spirit. This is because, without Him we cannot transmit the gospel message adequately. It is the Holy Spirit that softens hardened hearts, opens deaf ears and greases tight lips in order to loosen them for effective communication and reception of the good news. This is why Paul prays: “May he enlighten the eyes of your mind…”

On a day like this therefore, we must equally reflect on our own role in a world that High-tech communication has transformed into a global village. As Christians what roles do we play in making sure that we communicate right morals, excellent spirituality, culture of peace, and other good Christian values? If we communicate positively the world becomes a wonderful place, but if on the contrary, we issue wrong signals, our world will be doomed. So, as we celebrate the World Communications Day today, we must ask God to help us through the power from on high (the Holy Spirit) into whose hands Christ commends us on his Ascension to teach us the right things and ways to witness to him in order to make our world a safe and better place.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

Come! O Holy Spirit, Our Advocate And Partner

Readings: (1st: Acts 15, 1-2.22-29; Ps: 66, 2-3; 2nd: Rev 21, 10-14.22-23; Gos: Jn 14, 23-29)

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com

One figure that featured in all of today’s Sixth Sunday of Easter readings is the Holy Spirit our Advocate. Jesus is gradually approaching the end of his earthly ministry, so he promises to send us the Holy Spirit the Advocate. A certain man whose daughter was studying abroad sent her some gifts and among the gifts was a bible in which he placed a check to cover her living expenses. Then he wrote a little note to his daughter: My dear, you will find every other thing you need inside this bible. When the girl got the gifts she did not pay attention to the bible or to what the father wrote about it. She waited for months thinking the father was going to send her money for her up keep, but none came. Then, after suffering seriously, she got furious and wrote the father asking him why she was being punished. The father simply repeated: Every other thing you need is inside that bible! Reluctantly, she went looking for the bible. When she found and opened it, behold there was the check bearing huge sum of money and bearing her name. Today Jesus has given us a clue to how we can understand everything he has taught and how we can be strengthened. This clue is the Holy Spirit our advocate and Soul Mate. He will provide every other thing we need! By this promise, Jesus demonstrated to us that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can grasp the word and things he taught about God.

In the first reading and in fact in the whole of Acts of the Apostles, we find that the Apostles could not carry out any serious mission without the Holy Spirit. Hence, before they took any very important decision, they consulted Him. They did not take decisions as it pleased them as they tell us: “The Holy Spirit and we have decided.” The second reading begins thus: “In the Spirit the angel took me to the top of an enormous mountain…” Of course, it could not have been anything short of this, because, there is no way John could have seen these things without being led by the Holy Spirit. In the gospel, as Christ is about leaving his disciples he starts shifting attention from himself to the Person of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. This however, is in no way to say that his era is coming to an end. What the awareness of Jesus portends is simply that he is not going to leave us orphans and without help. It does in no way bring the era of Jesus to an end, because he is Lord in every age and at all times. The Holy Spirit is the power of Jesus and yet, a Person in the Trinity. So this Sunday, as Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of all he himself has taught us, all we need do is to be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We need to be attentive to him if we must be able to read the signs of our time.

There are so many intrigues, perplexities and dilemmas that we must contend with in our world today as we witness for Christ. Only those who are attuned to the Holy Spirit can understand the reasons for these and where they are leading us to. At no time in the history of the world has the need to listen to the Holy Spirit been more important that at our own time. So this time calls for a special relationship with the Holy Spirit. If we must survive the perils of our time we must make the Holy Spirit our Advocate and our Partner in our life’s journey. It is only when the Holy Spirit of God is upon us that we can sing and dance the way David the man after the heart of God did; that we can preach well as Peter, Paul and the Apostles did because, “no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the power of the Holy Spirit” (I Cor 12, 3); that we can see visions and dream good dreams; and that we can face life’s struggle and succeed in our missionary endeavors. Without partnering with the Holy Spirit we continue to run round in a vicious circle. Hence, if we allow Him to take the lead, we will walk well and live rightly because: “If the spirit of he who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, he will give life to your mortal bodies” (Rom 8, 11); if we allow him to move us, we will move well; if we allow him to teach us, we will learn well; and if we allow him to inspire us, we will achieve our goals and be where Christ is today.

The very important question we must ask ourselves today is: When last did I consult and walk with the Holy Spirit? When we neglect Him, our decision becomes worldly because: “What gives life is the Spirit, the flesh profits nothing” (Jn 6, 63). It is indeed only those who are led by the Holy Spirit that can praise God and say: “Let the people praise you O Lord, Let all the peoples praise you!

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!

Living In The New Dispensation of Love

Readings: (1st: Acts 14, 21-27; Ps: 144, 8-13; 2nd: Rev 21, 1-5; Gos: Jn 13, 31-35) 

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

This fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus takes us a step further. As he gradually approaches his Ascension and final departure, he hands us a new promise and commandment of love, which is very important in our witness for Him. In today’s first reading, Paul affirmed a truth which many of us shy away from and vehemently deny: “We all have to experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God.” We should note carefully, that Paul leaves no exception when he says “We all.” However, it is unfortunate that many so called “men/women of God” these days preach a Crossless Christianity, which is a contradiction of what the apostles of Jesus Christ preached and experienced. It suffices to note that it is the love for the word of God, the kingdom of God, and of course of our neighbours or of one another that motivates one to endure sufferings and hardships. Without this love whatever one does becomes an empty sacrifice or for selfish interest. Love is out going and so reaches out to others irrespective of the difficulty one has to go through in order to accomplish it. Hence, love for others must propel us to seriously look out for them wherever they are in order to share with them the joys of being Disciples of Christ.

In the second reading of today God promises to make all things new: “I am making the whole of creation new.” What a promise! But how are we expected to live in this new dispensation that God has brought about by the rising of Jesus from the dead unto glory? We find this answer in the gospel of today from Jesus himself who gives us a new commandment necessary for us to live in this new dispensation instituted by God. Jesus says: “I give you a new commandment, LOVE one another; …, you MUST love one another…” Here Jesus lays down the rules, the principles and the commands that will guide us to live safely in this new dispensation. “Another” here does not in any way refer only to the Disciples of Christ but it is all encompassing irrespective of religious inclination, race, or background. Of course this is not neglecting the fact that “charity begins at home”. The early Christian community lived this very well and so attracted such comments from their admirers: “see how they love one another” (as Tertullian noted in Apology [39.7] in the 3rd Century).

Indeed only those who possess this quality and actually live them out sincerely can truly enjoy life in the New Jerusalem that God has prepared for us all. It is only in the hearts and among the faithful who have love for the other that God will dwell as he promises to do. In talking about love here therefore, it is not to be construed in the way our society and world understand it because, the word itself means different things to different people. This is ranging from positive to negative passions, from real to fake expression of emotions, and from altruistic intentions to ego centric intentions. Instead, the love that we need in this new dispensation is that which bears the character that Paul describes in I Cor 13. The love that cares without exploiting the other, that forgives, that empathizes, and that is garnished with humility. This love as many of us may wish to say may be blind yet, very sensible, reasonable and godly. The love that Christ talks about here is an Identification Mark or Code. He says: “…by this love everyone will know that you are my disciples.” In other words, it is what defines a true disciple of Christ. The love of Christians for one another should be the distinguishing mark by which the world recognizes them as followers of Jesus. This kind of sacrificial love is what F. A. Schaeffer has referred to as “the final apologetic” (Francis A. Schaeffer, The Church at the End of the Twentieth Century (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1970), 138.This love is a mark of the newness of life that Christ brings to his people this Easter season.

Finally, it is important to note that what Christ gives us is a command, i.e. an Imperative, and so it must be obeyed to the latter. Therefore as true Disciples of Christ we must obey Christ’s command to the latter even in difficult situations. We can truly bless the Lord’s name forever only when we love another as Christ commanded us to do.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

Jesus Christ: The Good Shepherd Of All Nations

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

Readings: (1st: Acts 13, 14. 43-52; Ps: 99,1-3. 5; 2nd: Rev 7, 9. 14-17; Gos: Jn 10, 27-30)

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. So, dominant in almost all the readings of this fourth Sunday of Easter include themes like: Hope, God’s protection, the elect or chosen ones, Salvation for all nations, God’s divine favour, etcetera. Once, a poor widow decided to buy three pairs of trousers for her triplet boys. Because of her poverty she decided to shop for the trousers in a second hand cloths (popularly called “okirika” or “bend-down-select”) market. On returning home with the trousers, a little fracas broke out among two of the triplets as to who chooses what and first. Meanwhile, the third boy remained unperturbed and was ready to take anyone of the three trousers. When the other two have made their choices, the humble boy quietly took the one they both rejected and went into his room. During the course of trying to wash their cloths, the humble boy discovered right inside the back pocket of the rejected trouser a squeezed hundred Dollar note. In amazement he screamed: Mummy Dollar! Mummy Dollar, Hundred Dollar note in my trouser!!! How did the Dollar find its way there? The answer is simply: It is the Lords doing and divine favour!

Today’s readings point to the facts of God’s favour upon us all, and to the fact that God favoured us, and came to us upon rejection by his “first elect” to whom the good news was initially preached. The “gentiles” or people of other nations who received the gospel cheerfully represent this humble son, the highly favoured ones who through no merits of theirs enjoy God’s special favour. The rejection of the good news by God’s first elect and its acceptance by others is a clear case of one taking advantage of the opportunity missed by the other. When God decides to favour his people he does so without any prejudice. The rest of the nations therefore became God’s elect not by merit but due to the ignorance and the stubbornness of the “first elect.” Today we lean therefore that there are possible ways we like the first elect, can reject the mercy and salvation God. The first reading mentions just few of these ways, jealousy, blasphemies and contradictions. Ours may not fall within any of these categories, but we must examine and ask ourselves: Is there any way I have rejected God in my life?” Indeed one important point to note here is that any form of stubbornness, or disobedience is tantamount to rejecting God. This could be for instance by not trusting God enough, despairing against God, mocking God by returning to the same sin again and again, and even by our failure to recognize Jesus in other people.

The second reading is a sure manifestation and assurance that God willed to save not just his first elect but all who believe in his Son. In order words, God’s salvation and kingdom is inclusive especially to all who humbly and cheerfully embrace him. His mercy, love and salvation does not discriminate, neither is it the sole prerogative of any single nation. Everyone who welcomes the good news is a share holder in the kingdom of God. However, there is a saying that “you can take a horse to the river but you cannot force it to drink”. So, in as much as salvation is free, it does not in any way preclude one’s effort to achieve it. One can also lose it through carelessness, laziness, and sinful living. That is why Paul tells us: “work out you salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2, 12). God’s salvation is like a public spring flowing freely, only those who wish can draw life from it. So as the sheep of God’s flock let us heed his call as he says: “behold I stand at the door of your heart and knock if you open the door I will come in…” (Rev 3, 20)  Yes, Jesus the good Shepherd of all nations stands there patiently and endlessly knocking and, it is our choice to welcome or lock him out of the castle of our lives that will make the difference. “Oh that today you will listen to his voice harden not your hearts” (Ps 95, 8). May the Almighty God grant us the wisdom and grace we need to make the right choice of accepting Jesus each day into our lives.

Peace be with you.

Maranatha!

Obedience, Commitment and Faithfulness to the Lord

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

(Readings: 1st: Acts 5, 27-32; Ps: 29, 2. 4-4. 11-13; 2nd: Rev 5,11-14; Gos: Jn 2, 1-19)

Both the first (Act 5, 12-16) and the second (Rev 1, 9ff) readings of today are a firm and resolute testimony by both mortals (the followers of Jesus) and immortals (the angels and saints) that all power, glory and honour are due and belongs to Jesus the worthy Lamb of God. The God we serve is an awesome God and so does mighty things. Our situations, what we think, or feel about him does not diminish this greatness. So he delights in the obedience and praises of his people. Obedience to God manifests itself in faithfulness to our vocations. It also manifests itself through the kind of witness we bear for him. Hence, we can share in the glory of God only if we are docile to the spirit of God, and if we are obedient to His will rather than to men’s.

In today’s gospel (John 20, 19-31), we find Jesus asking Peter for three times: “do you love me”? This reminds me of what usually happens in my cultural setting where an elderly person calls a younger person (during the course of an advice) thrice by his/her real name, and still poses this question to the younger person: “how many times did I call you”? Then, the younger person’s response will definitely be, thrice! This triple and intense calling of name immediately sends a signal that what follows is a serious advice or warning. In a similar way, the emphasis Christ lays in his question to Peter shows how serious the work he was being called to do is. This seriousness is further demonstrated by the fact that rather than call him “Peter”, Jesus calls and asks him: “Simon son of John do you love me” This is a way of indicating that for Peter to succeed, he needs serious commitment to Jesus and his call in the form of agape-bond. In the Greek text, one finds that during the first two calls, Jesus used the word Agapas me (v15-16), whereas in the last he used the word Fileis me (v17). There is no agreement among biblical scholars as to what difference these words make. However, what is important here is that Christ demands from Peter, as well as from us, a very strong commitment and obedience to his call and mission. It is a way of letting us know that: “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

Jesus’ triple question could be due to the fact that Peter and some of his colleagues in spite of having heard and seen that He has risen from the dead, displayed some kind of laxity and unbelief by returning to their old ways / profession. Worst still, Peter who was supposed to strengthen others was the initiator of this idea. So, what Jesus appears to be saying to him as he says to us too is: You are to show good examples to your brethrens. Rather than leading them astray, you are to take good care of them, show them the right way and protect them from backsliding! Although one could excuse them by saying they were trying to keep themselves busy. But, busy doing what? Busy in whose work or vocation?

The lesson we must learn from this is that, if we return to our old ways or become busy in the wrong place or job we may end up achieving nothing and being frustrated as these disciples of Jesus were in spite of their experience. Often times, we go out of our way to change our call or vocation, or even do our will rather than the will of God for us because, we are bored and have waited for too long for God to act. So we shift our base to a supposedly “more interesting vocation or place”. Unfortunately, instead of progressing we find ourselves stagnated and unprogressive. The Psalmist tells us: “be still and know that I am God” (Ps.46, 10).

Peace be with you.

Maranatha!

Witnessing to the Resurrection Power of Jesus Christ

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 Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, 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 contact him on:canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com or +23408063767512

On August 3^rd, 1997, Olukoye Ransome-Kuti, a prominent AIDS activist and former Minister of Health, stunned the nation by announcing the death of his younger brother Fela Anikulapo Kuti from Kaposi’s sarcoma which was brought about by AIDS. A night before, Fela’s burial I witnessed a parade of commercial motorcycle riders who displayed different forms of acrobatics on their bikes. What really struck me was the song they were singing. It was our own very popular Christian song that they have converted in honour of their master and afro beat legend: “He is alive, Amen! He is alive!! Fela is alive forever he is alive, Amen!!! At first, I laughed, but on reflecting over what Fela’s disciples sang, I came to the conclusion that indeed Fela is still alive even though he was dead at least in the annals of history and in the memory of his followers. Indeed “Fela lives on”, as most of his posters today bear.

The question we must ask ourselves is: If the disciples of a mere mortal (Fela) strongly believe he is still alive or lives on, and so, were proud to witness to what they believed, what of us Christians whose Lord and Master – Jesus Christ, tell us: I am the Living One. I was dead and now I am to live forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld…”? (Rev 1, 9ff) As we see from today’s first reading, the resurrection power is at work in the life and works of believers and the apostles of Jesus Christ. Through this power many are coming to believe and miracles are worked. Jesus himself is manifesting his ever-living presence through his apostles and among people of all nations. Thus, bringing to fulfillment what Paul tells us that: “… If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies…”(Rom 8, 11). In the gospel of today, Jesus showed himself to his timid disciples who for the fear of the Jews locked themselves up in the upper room. This visit is very significant first of all in order to convince them that he is real. In order words, he did this to dispel their doubts. Second, he understood quite well that they were afraid and needed to restore their confidence. Hence, he came in and said “peace be with you” and breathed into them the resurrection power in order to empower them for the work ahead. Once Jesus accomplished this mission of showing himself to the disciples and empowering them, they became courageous again and the cloud of fear and doubt disappeared.

Today therefore, Jesus reassures us of his ever living presence with us, this time around, in a more substantial, powerful and glorified manner. We therefore need to tap from his resurrection power in order to live as he lives. However, before we can experience this power and begin to witness to it as the apostles did we must first of all cast away all fears and doubts within us. Doubt and fear are twin brothers and limit the greatest effort and power in the world. We must therefore expel all “thomistic tendencies” that make it difficult for us to believe in the resurrection power of Christ. We must allow the peace that the resurrected Christ brings to us permeate our lives and so cast away every doubt and fear of the unknown in our lives. This power brings us healing of body and mind and restores us to life which is God’s purpose for us. Beloved, as we witness to the resurrection power of Christ let us give thanks to God whose love and mercy endures forever, and who counted us worthy of sharing in this power.

Peace be with you.

Maranatha!