LOVING BEYOND FRONTIERS AND BARRIERS

Readings: (1st: Lev 19, 1-2. 17-18; Ps 102, 1-4. 8-13; 2nd: 1Cor 3, 16-23; Gos: Matt 5:38-48) 

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the 7^th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year, A. The church turns our attention to this very important theological as well as cardinal virtue, Love. Today, we celebrate the Lord who himself is Love and at the same time its fullest manifestation. We cannot therefore celebrate the Lord of Love without resolving to be more like him; for we are built into him like stones into a temple erected to give glory to God. Although the term love has been widely spoken about, acted out in great and legendary epics like William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the word itself is very simple with just four alphabets, yet, in spite of all these it still appears to be one of the most difficult thing to live out. One simple truth that is clear is that it is easier to talk about it than to live it. Only one person has perfected it, and that is God who did it through the free gift of his beloved son: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son” (Jh 3, 16) and, “behold the manner of love with which God loved us that we should be called the sons of God” (1 Jh 3, 1-3). It was St. Augustine who once said: “Love and do whatever you wish to do.” In order words, love must be the fulcrum and the impetus agitat (the driving force) of our actions words, correction, admonitions, etcetera. Whatever is not done in, and out of love is as good as being a flatus vocis (empty effort) that can only bear ill-fruits. We are supposed to be, in a popular Yoruba parlance and name “Ile Ife” (house of love) from which love flows and is dispensed to others. This is what it actually means to be a disciple of Christ. That is, one who is capable of loving beyond the frontiers, barriers and encumbrances of life. Virtually, all the readings of this “Agapitos Sunday,” including the Psalm centers on love, a term which appears in the bible over a hundred times.

The first reading of today begins with the horizontal aspect of love. It focuses strongly on the need to one to love ones neighbor. It is worthy of note that it did not specify any condition that our neighbor has to meet before we could love him or her. This means that it has to be an unconditional type of love. In this reading, Moses tells us the best way to relate with one another and afterwards, he concluded with an imperative: “Love your neighbor as yourself!” It suffices to note that from this reading, that everything we are to do with or to our neighbor ranging from corrections, admonition, criticism, etcetera, are nothing but signs that we love our neighbor. However, one must do all these in love. Also, love will help us bear with the failings of the other. The Psalmist moves us a step further in the vertical direction by telling us that: “The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy…” Here, the Psalmist crafts together three important virtues: Love, Compassion and Mercy as attributes of God. These are what God showers on us and equally expects us as, “Ile Ife” (house of love to) dispense it unto our neighbors and those around us. In the second reading Paul exalts the Corinthians as well as we. He advances an argument in order to help us live as one family and people in love. In this reading, he reminds us that we are God’s temple. That is, the seat of love, better still the temple of love. Therefore we are not to temper with this temple because, we belong to Christ the owner of the temple.

In the gospel, Jesus the “Preventive Counselor” continues his teaching and discourse on the commands or laws of God. Today, he is in the domain of love. He takes love to another dimension and introduces a twist that seems difficult – not just loving ones neighbor but also loving ones enemy! He says: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Honestly, this is a hard teaching but by the grace of God it is possible as Paul tells us: “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me” (Phil 4, 13). Being able to do this irrespective of the difficulties is a mark of a true Christian. This is the reason Christ adds: “In this way you will be sons of your father in heaven.” Jesus knows the importance of love in the family, community and nation. That is why he spends much time stressing it. Loving, praying for, and forgiving one’s enemy is an extension of Jesus’ broader teaching about the perfection of God (5:48).  In typical fashion, Jesus provides an intriguing image to capture the meaning of this quality of God, one that God’s followers should emulate.

Love unites, because it forgives, bears, corrects gently, is patience and tolerates (1Cor 13). A community lacking love never stands or progresses, like wise a family or nation that lacks Love. An individual who lacks love cannot love himself enough not to talk of extending it to the other. Jesus in today’s reading also condemns revenge but rather encourages endurance even in the face of oppression or persecution. Hence he says to us, “You have learnt how it was said: eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say to you: offer the wicked no resistance… if any one hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well…” Is Jesus discouraging us from self defense? No! Instead, he wishes that we endure the insult from our neighbours patiently. A few years ago Tiger Woods won the Masters Tournament. Instead of congratulating him, a “jealous” man called Fuzzy Zoeller responded with some mean, racist remarks which though he intended to be funny, but unfortunately was negative. For this unholy and demeaning comment, this man received a great deal of well deserved criticism from world press, but Tiger Woods’ response was, “We all make mistakes, and it’s time to move on.” Tiger Woods could have returned the insult but he refused to retaliate. Instead, he said, “Let’s move on.” How many of us would share Tiger Woods’ response? Is this our attitude when we bear the brunt of insults, castigation, persecutions, or even denial? Can you say, “We all make mistakes and it’s time to move on?” Jesus did not suggest tit for tat. He was not in the business of getting even. Instead, he preached love for our enemies and generosity towards them. Unfortunately, naturally we are vindictive. Vindictiveness will corrode and erode our heart. It will sour and grieve our spirit. We are very much unlike Jesus Christ who simply says to God on our account every day: “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” As soon as someone starts a rumor about us what do we do? We get on our high horse. Our backs arch like a cat. We show our fangs. We are ready to do battle and to revenge. If given a chance, we will hang their hide on the wall. We believe that we must defend ourselves and vindicate ourselves. When it came to this kind of thing, our Lord Jesus was not concerned about His reputation. We must graduate from the kindergarten spiritually, and enroll in Jesus’ college or tertiary spirituality. We must be willing to leave retaliation in God’s hands. This is not to imply that we are to be passive in your relationships. Jesus often confronted those around Him, but He was not vindictive. Jesus did not threaten His accusers with harm, but showed them love, because Love is the root of life!

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

Living Christ’s Law: The Choice of Life!

Readings: (1st: Ecc 15: 15-20; Ps 118: 1-2. 4-5; 2nd: Heb2, 6-10; Gos: Matt 5:17-37)  

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

On this 6^th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A, the church invites us to reflect on the Commands of Jesus and to pay close attention to what the Law of the Lord actually commands and demands from us. This command differs from any man-made law and is imbued with the wisdom that comes from God Himself. Since this Command or Law is a product of God’s love, it can only be appreciated or fulfilled through a genuine love and concern for others. So, we are encouraged to faithfully obey these commands as they are the source of our salvation and life. Living and obeying God’s Law means choosing the FUNDAMENTAL OPTION OF LIFE, while the contrary means death!

Imagine a community, state, or even a world without rules, regulations, laws or a constitution to govern its people. I suppose it would be worst than Thomas Hobbs “State of Nature,” where according to the Plautus’ comedy of 195 BC, Asinaria: “Homo homini lupus est (Man is wolf to man”). Imagine a football match without rules to guide it!  I once watched one between the Christian Mothers and Fathers of my parish. During this game which was actually meant to create fun due to age and inexperience, a mother-player or even a mother on the bench or on the side line could suddenly rush into the pitch grab the ball by her hands as if she was playing Rugby or American Football, and head straight for the post. If she succeeds in casting it into the post it is counted as a goal for her team whereas, the Christian fathers could not do that. We all know that in a normal football game knowing and playing by the rules of the game is the beginning of wisdom, and what keeps one in the game, else, a player who deliberately handles the ball could be sent off with a flash of a red card from a FIFA graded Umpire. Laws and rules are an important part of our lives. Without rules or laws our world would be a place of anarchy and confusion. Aristotle said: “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.” We need laws! We need rules!! They help us know the boundaries!!!

In today’s first reading, Ben Sirac (the son of Sirac) presents and tosses the two sides of the coin for us and leaves us with the choice of life and death. In other words, he gives us the freedom of choice through the following conditional statement: “If you wish you can keep the commandments, to behave faithfully is within your power…Man has life and death before him, which ever a man likes better will be given him…”  The major focus here is on obeying the commands of the Lord. Moses also, in his farewell speech revealed to the Israelites the secrete of life: “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction…walk in the ways of God, keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase” (Deut 30, 15-16) This simply means that by obeying the Law of God, we make the choice of life. The Psalmist today also speaks further on the need for us to choose life by obeying the commands of God. He anchors humanity’s source of true happiness in following and obeying the Lord’s Command: “They are happy who follow God’s Law; they are happy who do his will…” In all of these, we must be very careful not to become mere fundamentalists, fanatics or even hypocrites as the Pharisees who out of the twelve laws given to them, made a whooping six hundred and thirteen other rules which they themselves could not observe. This is why we must pray like, and with the Psalmist today: Train me to observe your law, to keep it within my heart.” We must live the Spirit of the Law and not just its letters!

In the second reading, Paul prefers to use wisdom to refer to Christ’s Commands. In other words, to obey the commands of Christ is the wisest thing to do. Hence, it is a mark of wisdom to choose to obey and live by the Law of Christ which is his word as the Psalmist tells us: “The entrance of your word brings wisdom” (Ps 119: 130). Paul contrasts this wisdom that comes from obeying Christ’s Law or Command with those from human philosophy. What this means is that the commands of the Lord transcends and supersedes the words of men. The wisdom that comes from the Laws of God are things of the Spirit which are themselves the word of God divinely inspired, whereas, the wisdom of men are mundane. Hence, Jesus tells us that, “what is born of the spirit is spirit and what is born of the flesh is the flesh…”(John 3, 6).

The gospel from Matthew 5, 17-37, and verse 17 in particular, has offered great debates and reflections to biblical scholars as to what Christ meant when he says: “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to complete them.” After this pronouncement, in what seems to be a contradiction, Jesus went ahead to marshal out what appears to be a new or even more difficult rules. Another source of controversy is the fact that we make reference to Christ as the New Law in the New Testament and Moses as the Old Law in the Old Testament. How do we reconcile these quagmires and what is the Lord teaching us today? First and foremost, Jesus is true to his word! He did not come to bring a new law or to abolish the old law, but to fulfill it. According to Charles Spurgeon, “the life, work, and words of Christ are not an emendation of the Old Testament or an abrogation of it. It stands fast and firm, fulfilled and carried to perfection in Christ.” The Greek word for “abolish” is kataluo from kata, i.e. down and luo, i.e. loose, untie; release, to destroy, pull down, to break up, to demolish, etc. This means to abrogate or set aside the exercise of legislative authority. To a religious Jew (like Jesus Christ Himself), even the thought of such a thing would be a profanity. On the other hand, the Greek word for “fulfill” is alla plerosai i.e., pleroo which means full. This   means to make complete in every particular, to complete the design, and to fulfill what was predicted in the OT. Again, in his sermon “Perpetuity of the Law,” Spurgeon mentioned three ways through which Christ fulfilled the Law. “First, the law is fulfilled in the matchless sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Secondly, the law has been fulfilled again for us by Christ in His life. But that is not all. The law has to be fulfilled in us personally in a spiritual and gospel sense.”

Today’s pronouncement of Jesus is treaty against hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the Sadducees of both his time and our present age who interpret the law falsely in order to suit their idiosyncrasy and to the detriment of the people. It a treaty against all false Seers, Healers, Leaders and Pastors of flocks who employ the word of God and the messengers formula “Koh ȃmar Adonai” (Thus says the Lord!) falsely in order to intimidate, rip off, exploit, subjugate and enslave people. It is a treaty against those of our present age who see sin in everything or every action of the human person especially in things they cannot comprehend thereby making life difficult for others while they themselves fall short of virtually everything the word of God commands. It is a treaty against those self made or acclaimed “women” and “men of God” who take care of their flock in foreign lands whereas their family is in shambles because of lack of care and love. It is a treaty against those of our age who view the word of God as a six inches nail or screw that must be driven into people by force with a sledge hammer. Finally, it is a treaty against the Pharisees of our time who pay the greatest attention to the letters of the law but make little effort to live the Spirit of the Law.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

  Making the difference as Salt and Light in our World!

Readings: (1st: Ish 58, 7-10; Ps 111, 4-9; 2nd: Heb2, 1-5; Gos: Matt 5 13-16)   

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

This 5^th Sunday’s celebration is overshadowed and punctuated with a great “If.” This is because of the question: How much more brightly would that light shine “If” we who are Christians were really like Christ? The Church of Christ is a light in the darkness. So we as members are supposed to be light shining in the darkness of the world.

In our first reading this Sunday, the Prophet Isaiah provides us with the recipe required for our light to shine. They include: “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the homeless poor, cloth the man you see to be naked and turn not from your kin” These are the basic necessities of life which forms the back bone of the Universal Declaration of Thirty Human Rights created by United Nations 1948.  In fact they are not just Human Rights, but “Fundamental Human Rights”: Food, Shelter and Clothing. Depravation of these rubs humanity of dignity and pride. We as Christians and light therefore must ensure that no one is deprived of these because doing this will amount to structural injustice and a sin against Charity and Providence. Therefore, we must be “that good man” the Psalmist of today talks about “who is light in the darkness for the up right,” by standing out and up, tall and insisting on justice for the poor and the oppressed.

In the second reading, Paul proved to be a practical example of the light that shone among the Corinthians. His presence illuminated their darkness and added flavour to their soured lives. Also as salt he helped in preserving their salvation. He did this not only through his teaching or words but through his actions and deeds. He recalled thus: “When I came to you, brothers it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy but simply to tell you what God had granted.” Yes, Paul did this in a very simple way and equally lived out what he preached. He proved to be indeed the light through which the pagan Corinthians came to see, and the salt which sweetened their lives for good.  Therefore, our encounter with people must leave them better than we met them. It must rub off the dust of worry, shame, despair, and disappointment; cast off the veil of ignorance that sets them back, and it must make them appreciate the Truth and draw closer to God. Like Immanuel Levanas, we must continually ask ourselves: “How do I encounter the other and leave him better than I met him?”

In today’s gospel, Jesus uses salt in conjunction with light in continuation of his Sermon (Beatitudes) on the Mount. During the Old Testament times, salt was used to season the sacrifice offerings, which people made to ask God for forgiveness, and they did so as a reminder of their covenant with God: “And every oblation of your meat offering shall you season with salt; neither shall you suffer the salt of the covenant of your God …all your offerings you shall offer salt” Also, during those times land agreement was sealed with a gift of salt, which showed the strength and permanence of the contract. Therefore, salt points to the effects of a truthful permanent agreement, and as such it changes behavior. In addition, salt was a symbol of God’s activity in a person’s life as it penetrates, preserves, and aids in healing. So that is how God becomes active in our lives. Once we turn to him and allow him to penetrate every aspect of our lives, he preserves us from the evil around and heals us from our wounds. Jesus calls us “salt of the earth” in Matt 5:13. As followers of Christ what qualities are we then supposed to have as salts? First, we must always be faithful to Him and also remember God’s faithfulness to us just as salt when used with sacrifice recalled God’s faithful covenant with his people. Second as salt, we must make a difference in the flavor of the world we live in. Finally, we are to counteract the moral decay in society, heal its wounds and preserve its life just as salt helps wounds heal and preserve food from decay.  Anything short of this we have lost our taste! Any time a Christian gets so entangled to the world to the extent of avoiding the cost of standing up for Jesus, such a believer has lost his characteristic and unique quality of saltiness. Therefore as salts the onus lies on us to preserve the goodness of the world and prevent dangerous, cantankerous and nefarious ubiquitous microorganisms from initiating decays in our world. 

Again, Jesus refers to us Christians as the light. In spite of referring to us as light it suffices to note that, Jesus Himself is the Great Light and of course the source of our own light: Jesus is “… the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world” (John 1:9). He brings light into the darkness, helps us see our way to God, and shows us how to walk along that way in this world. Therefore as Christians we are to reflect or in other words, to witness God’s light unto the world. ‘Witness’ here simply indicates our role as reflectors of God’s light and pointing others to the source of our light. As Christians, we must be ready to expose darkness which includes what is deceptive, foggy, unfaithful, untrustworthy, abusive and malevolent. As light, we must help in raising the fallen state of humanity, our society and melt away both spiritual paralysis and apathy; we must represent “what is good, pure, true, holy, and reliable” (Phil 4, 8). Yes if as Christians we are to be “salt” and “light” we must be good ones, and not counterfeit or the good for nothing types. Of course, light can be very useless especially if it the very- low current type.

Since “charity begins at home,” we must not hide our light. Especially, we must not hide it at home and in our relationships as these are part of the missionary fields we are all called to minister unto. Our families and relations are fertile fields for planting the seeds of Truth. As believers, first and foremost our missionary work is to let our parents, children, spouse, siblings, friends, colleagues, and neighbors see our light through our faith and Spirit. Therefore our light must shine bright so that we can be sure that they see the love, helpfulness, generosity, and joy in us as the connecting glue that makes us all one heavenly family. When we become aware of the light that we are in Christ, we will become aware of the gifts God has given us and so, will find that he will give us the power we need to accomplish our destiny. Our destiny then is simply whatever task God gives us. He will place us in our rightful position, on a candlestick so that we can give light unto all that are in the house and on the hill. As Pastor Tim Chaddick always says,“We must not conceal what God has made clear.” It is however sad to note that many of us have done just this! We have put ourselves “under a bushel,” by hiding from sight and being reluctant to be identified as Christians.Corruption, avarice, greed, bitterness and rancor, over ambitiousness,complacency, resentment, embarrassment, stubbornness of heart, self-empowerment, disobedience, etcetera. We must ask ourselves this Sunday: What bushels do I need to remove in order to let my light shine? Therefore, being light in darkness calls for courage, dexterity, and developing of a very strong moral and spiritual fiber; being very prayerful, being equipped with the word of God, vigilance, discipline and faith in God (Eph 6, 10-20).

Brethren, let us prayer this Sunday as we strive to make a difference in our world: “May the salt we use and taste each day remind us that we are now God’s covenant people who actively help preserve, purify and heal our world. May the light in our life that we take for granted, from the lamp in home or the street to the flash light and to our relations, remind us of the very Source of Light who is the Source of Life – Jesus, and may we never take him for granted.”

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

  Authentic Presentation of Ourselves to God

Readings: (1st: Mal3, 1-4; Ps 23, 7-10; 2nd: Heb2, 14-18; Gos: Luke 2, 22-40) 

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

Today, in this 4^th week of the Church’s Ordinary time Year A, is the Feast of the presentation of the Lord. As Christ is presented and offered to God today in the temple, the church also invites us to re-present, re-consecrate and rededicate ourselves totally to God. Offering ourselves unto God, total submission of our will, intellect and body to God is what pleases Him as Paul admonishes us: “…in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…” (Rom 12:1)

Julia Duin in the Washington Times Sunday, February 1, 2009 told this story. Just after midnight on Feb. 3, 1943, an act of extraordinary unselfishness by a group of men became a legend of martyrdom and sacrifice. When the Army ship Dorchester was torpedoed by the Germans just south of Greenland that night, its passengers and crew had 25 minutes to get off the boat. As 902 people went for the life jackets, it quickly was discovered there weren’t near enough. Of the 13 lifeboats, only two functioned. In the ship’s final minutes, Methodist senior chaplain George Lansing Fox, Rabbi Alexander Goode, Dutch Reformed minister Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest, were helping passengers leave the vessel. Then four men appeared all of them without life jackets. The chaplains quickly gave up their own vests and went down with the ship, perishing in the freezing water. Survivors saw them, locked arm in arm, praying and singing the Navy hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” just before the ship dove beneath the waves. It was a night as dramatic as the sinking of the Titanic but without a blockbuster movie to record the drama. “The Four Immortal Chaplains,” as they are now known, have been honored many times, including on a stamp issued in their honor by the U.S. Postal Service. The first Sunday in February is known as “Four Chaplains Sunday.” They presented and offered themselves completely for the well being of others.

The prophet Malachi today prepares our minds for the coming of the Lord to us: “And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter the temple… yes he is coming…” The questions we must ask ourselves today is, with what do I meet the Lord, what present have we prepared to offer the Lord when he comes to us in the temple of our being? Quickly, as I reflected on these questions and today’s celebration Jude Nnam’s song come to mind: “What shall I offer to the Lord to make Him happy, oh tell me? What shall I offer to the Lord to please him? If I give him the gift of a car He will not take it… A loving heart, a caring heart, a humble heart, a patient heart he will love…! This is truly the only thing the Lord delights in. If we can present this to him in ourselves he will be happy with us because we would have fulfilled our covenant with him. In other words, the gift of ourselves is the only thing that will keep us standing before him else, we melt away like wax before light. When he comes, he expects us to be strong and holy so as to be able to pass the “litmus test” to which his blazing presence will subject us. Malachi draws the curtain thus: “The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the lord as in former days, as in years of old.” It is only when we are good gifts to God that he will receive us. So, we must constantly prepare ourselves for the Lord God of Host.

In the 2^nd reading, Hebrews in a most intricate manner expounds on the fact that Jesus offered himself to us first. He presented himself unto God as an oblation for immolation in order that we might be delivered. He completed his dedication and presentation in the temple with the final dedication and presentation of himself on the public cross of Calvary; “…So by his death, he could take away all the power of the devil who has power over death, and set all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by fear of death.” For Jesus to succeed in this mission of offering himself, he had to pass through the furnace of temptation (Mtt 4, 1-12). Thus, he presented and allowed himself to be purified and humbled through temptation. However, in spite of this he did not sin, instead he remained pure, holy and faithful unto God the father. He did not in spite of all these betray the Trinitarian agreement that he should come and deliver us.  So the presentation which was initiated in the temple was finally made public at Calvary. Little did his adversaries know that in crucifying him publicly, they were presenting publicly to the world the King of kings presented privately in the temple before Simeon and Anna.

The presentation of Jesus reached its climax on the cross. As a toddler, his parents assisted him in beginning the process just as our parents helped us through infant baptism and child dedication. However, as an adult he climaxed his presentation and offering of himself by shamelessly going public on the cross. On the cross, he seemed to say to us by the spreading out of his hands: “I am now a “PLC or PLP” That is “a public liability company or person.” By this public presentation and offer of self, we are now share holders in the “company” of Jesus Christ. It is however important to note that as share holders in his company, on demand we are expected to present our share certificates in order to claim our dividends. What is this share certificate? It includes our holy, purified and humble self as well as the many souls we ourselves have touched and harvested for Christ. The lessons we are to learn from this include that there is no limit to which one can present and offer oneself to God and humanity. Our lives like that of Christ and the four immortal chaplains in the story above must be presented and offered as a sweet smelling sacrifice for the salvation of others. Like Christ, we must pass through the great furnace or crucible of temptation and oddities in order to be prepared for the great offering of ourselves to God and for the sake of humanity. The presentation initiated by our own parents through our infant baptism and dedication in the church must be taken to its crescendo by our own actions, faith and self immolation.

Today’s gospel reminds us that God is faithful to his promise especially to those who love and have faith and hope in him. Like Simeon and Anna, their eyes shall see the salvation of the Lord. Malachi’s prophecy in our first reading was fulfilled in the life of Simeon and Anna in today’s Gospel. This is because, they encountered the Lord in a fashion and at a time they least expected. They knew about him, longed to meet him but never knew when this meeting would be until this sudden day of his presentation when their desire sustained by their hope and faith were fulfilled. Hence Simeon sang the Nunc dimittis: “At last all powerful master you give leave to your servant…for my eyes have seen your salvation…” A very important significance of today’s celebration is that we must re-consecrate and rededicate ourselves to God afresh, we must continue to offer ourselves to him and for his service unending not only in the temple but every where we find ourselves.  So let us pray that God who enabled Jesus to present himself in body and flesh today may sanctify and purify us in body and mind so that we might authentically present and offer ourselves to him as well to his glory.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

Jesus Christ Our Great Light!

Readings: (1st: Ish 8, 23-9.3; Ps 26, 1. 4. 13-14; 2nd: I Cor 1, 10-13.17; Gos: Jh 4, 12-23)       

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

The Holy Mother Church on this 3^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, in her infinite wisdom and love once again as she has always done, draws the attention of her beloved children to the Great Light, Jesus Christ. She enjoins us to draw closer to Him so that the reality of our being and life might become fully manifested, and so that the shadows that chase and dominate our lives might diminish. We are therefore to turn to the Great Light so that all the dark spots in our live may be illumined to the detriment of the evil one, but to the glory of God. The Church therefore, exalts us her faithful today, not to be contented with the lesser, false, or man-made lights because the good news already preached to us is a powerful beacon of light which irresistibly, draws us to Christ. There is a simple truth in the study of formation of shadows and mirages in optics (Physics). When a person or an object comes close to the source of light, his/her shadow diminishes and the person or object becomes more real unto oneself or itself. On the contrary, the further one moves away from the source of light, the longer or larger ones shadow becomes.

A few years ago, during what I prefer to describe as the peak of the “Pentecostal Madness” one parlance common to those who had merely changed their church for another was: “I have now seen the light, all these while, I have been living in darkness.” Unfortunately, a close look at most of such people definitely reveals that their entire lives were still shrouded in darkness and the shadows of themselves. The twist about their lives is that, “they have seen the light” not necessarily because they have changed their lives or been “inwardly transformed” by it (Rom 12, 2-3), but because they have changed their “business environments, orientations and strategies.” Such was the case of one young lady – “Ikedinaukwu”, who “saw the light” and suddenly left her former church for another reigning one. Sadly enough, it was not long before it was discovered that she was pregnant. To worsen her case was the fact that she could not say exactly which of her new “brothers in Christ” was responsible. Finally, it dawned on her that she had merely and only changed her “business environment,” and thus drifted millions of miles away from the Great Light. The only light that has the full potentials to chase away humanity’s shadow is the Great Light which is the good news and Christ whose, “light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (Jh 1, 5), the same light which the Magi needed in order to find their way (Mtt 2, 1-12), and this is the same light that shone on Saul, and he was never the same, but became transformed to Paul (Acts 9, 3). This Light is “Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2, 20), in you, and in the good news.

In the first reading, Isaiah pops and pumps up our hope. This hope stems from the fact that the Lord God Himself chose to be our light. What more do we need? This is the reason the Psalmists tells us: “Happy the people whose God is the Lord” (Ps 33, 12)! It is a message of deliverance from the power of darkness that formerly enveloped and harassed us. Isaiah declared: “The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in the land of deep shadow a light has shown.” The light which is God himself is capable of achieving so many impossible feats in the life of any child of God who humbles himself as the land of Zebulon and Naphtali did. The Great Light breaks the yoke that weighs us down, shows us the way and clears all doubts and fears in our heart, so that we can join the Psalmist in echoing: “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?” (Ps 27, 1).

In the second reading, Paul expressed his disappointment over the Corinthian Church or Community. He rebuked them because by their behavior, they still loomed in the shadow of darkness and ignorance. Their quarrels and segregation betrayed and shut them out of the range of the illuminating power of the gospel. Hence Paul reminds them that the bickering and hankerings amongst them is not a good sign that they have received the light of Christ. Hence, he recalled his purpose of being in their midst: “…God did not send me to baptize, but to preach the good news.”  So he refused to be a champion in their “dirty ecclesiastical” politicking or their colloquial politics of divide and rule. Paul does not however mean that baptism is not part of his mission. Instead, he teaches us that the good news is the light that illumines and prepares the soul for baptism. Before one is baptized, one or ones parents are properly catechized using the illuminating light of the good news. In other words, through this, Paul draws our attention to the very essence of the good news which is, casting off the shadows of darkness and ignorance and thus, preparing us for baptism.

Furthermore, Paul simply without any harshness or brutality perfectly allowed this Great Light to pass through him unto them in a very simple manner. This is what he means when he says: “…not to preach that in terms of philosophy in which the crucified Christ cannot be expressed.” How often do we much ado about frivolities in the house of God like this Corinthian Community? When we do this, we betray the good news preached to us, and so drift away from Christ the Great Light, thus relishing in the shadow of our lives. While most of our Christian communities today are like war torn regions, battle fields, dangerous terrains, boxing and wrestling arenas, most of us members, carry in our hearts weapons of mass destruction, dangerous amours, deadly venoms, and the “earth of our hearts” are heavily polluted and loaded with dangerous “land mines,” that could incapacitated fellow brethrens instanta. A community fashioned after this Corinthian Community has not seen the light. It is a pity that in the name of zeal and service to God most of us are actually advancing the course of darkness and elongating the shadows of our communities. We do this by creating dichotomies and comforts zones accessible to us alone. No good Christian or Community receives the Great Light and remains the same as did Paul’s Corinthian Community partitioned between Apollos and Cephas!

In the gospel, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled through the action of Christ. His presence made a great difference in the life of the people of Capernaum as well as those of neighboring towns of Zebulun and Naphtali. He brought light into their hearts and region. His light was strongly felt because it brought healing and deliverance. He proved to be their “balm of Gilead” (Jer. 8, 22). What we must learn from this is that as replicas of the Great Light, our presence too must be felt and dispel the darkness in people’s lives. The good news we bear in us must alleviate people’s problems; draw them closer to Christ our Great Light so as to diminish their shadows. Today the Church beckons us to turn our entire focus to the Great Light, Jesus Christ who says: “I am the light of the world, the man who follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”(Jh 8, 12). Wherever there is this Great Light darkness ceases to hold sway, quarrels disappears, despair, fears, anger, greed, betrayal, lying, cheating, lust, and all other vices melt away. Wherever the light of the good news and Christ shines, “the people who lived in darkness see a Great Light.” Therefore, if we follow and come closer to the Great Light, Jesus Christ, we become light ourselves and no shadows would be found around us anymore because, “in His light we see light” (Ps. 36,9)!

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

Doing the Will of God As the Chosen One

Readings: (1st: Ish 49:3. 5-6; Ps 39: 2.4. 7-10; 2nd: I Cor 1:1-3; Gos: Jh 1:29-34)        

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the second Sunday of Ordinary Time in the Church’s liturgical calendar, Year A. This Sunday, the Church presents to us through the prophetic eyes and insights of Isaiah and John the Baptist, the: “Agnus Dei, qui tollit peccata mundi (Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world)”, and the “Chosen One.” One very remarkable lesson the Church wants us to learn from this Sunday’s readings and reflection is that, though this Lamb of God was a “Servant” of God, yet he was more than a “mere servant.” The simple reason being that, He carried out with utmost and perfect obedience, the Will of the Father with whom He and the Holy Spirit are One. What this portends is that to be the Chosen One is to be ready to do the Will of God. Then, we must pause to ask ourselves this Sunday, as one chosen by God, by virtue of my baptism:  Am I making any effort to do the Will of God?

In the first reading of today from the prophet Isaiah, God honored his Servant, and sealed this honour with a promise and mission: “Thus says the Lord, I will make you a light to the nations.” Of course, there is a purpose for this promise, and this is: “So that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth!” There are three basic suppositions that could be taken for granted here about this promise and mission of God to his Servant. The first is that, this Servant is a trusted and tested One. In other words, God has found him worthy and capable. Second, he has accepted the Lord’s message and salvation because one cannot give what one does not have. Third, this Servant will not keep this salvation to himself, He is not selfish. Rather, he will reach out to others in order to let them have a share in this salvation. In other words, he will do the will of Him who sent him as the Psalmist says today: “Here I am Lord I come to do your Will.” As Christians, we are all chosen and called for one purpose, to do the Will of God. This will is simply to make known the salvation of the Lord and to help establish the kingdom of God in men’s heart. It is to allow the light of Christ with which God endowed and decorated us to shine forth on others. So, today as the church celebrates Jesus Christ the Servant and Chosen One of God who came to do the Father’s Will in perfect obedience, we are equally called to toll his footsteps in doing God’s Will. But first, we must know and equip ourselves with this Will.

In the second reading of today, Paul affirms his call to be an apostle. In this reading, he equally proves the fact that having answered this call he bent down to do the will of God in obedience. Of course, it was not an easy task to do this. Furthermore, he highlights another very important element of doing God’s will, living a saintly life. Hence, he speaks of the call of the Corinthians thus: “…To the church of God in Corinth, to the holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere…” In other words, one of the greatest missions entrusted to us on earth is to be holy, to work towards being among the saints of God. By so doing, we speak volumes to those to whom we are called to minister or evangelize. It is the Will of God for us to be holy because he says to us: “Be Holy for I the Lord your God am holy” (1Pet 1, 13-16).

In the gospel of today, John the Baptist identifies and vividly presents to the world the Saviour. By this act, he John has completed his mission. He has come to the apogee of doing the Will of God. It is for this reason he was called to be a prophet, to be the forerunner of he who was to be the Saviour of the world and this, he has perfectly and obediently completed according to the mind of God. John therefore is a perfect example to us of how we ought to approach the call and Will of God for us. What more does God expect from us than to lead others who have not known his son Jesus Christ to Him? We are therefore today reminded that as John the Baptist did the Will of God, we are also to continue from where he stopped by continually helping people find Christ, and by showing people the way of salvation. All we need do is to accept to do this and then, like in the days of John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit of God will confirm our efforts.

One question that we must ask ourselves today is, when Jesus appeared why did people not recognize him, were they physically blind? No! Instead they suffered from “spiritual Glaucoma” or blindness that prevented them from recognizing the Saviour whom they have waited for so long. It took the combination of an anointed prophet, and the confirmation and testimony of the Holy Spirit to identify him. Therefore, as children of God endowed with prophetic eyes and insights through our baptism, it is our call and duty to help the spiritually blind see and identify Christ. This is because, though Christ was in the midst of his people, yet they needed help in order to recognize him. The only difference that the presence of Jesus Christ will make in the life of the spiritually blind is US, our testimonies, our gestures, our verbal/vocal pronouncements of: “Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi (Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”). These point not to us, but to Jesus Christ especially, when like John the Baptist we insist and add: “Yes, I have seen, and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.” Jesus was a Servant and yet, much more than a servant, this informs the reason John the Baptist called him the Lamb, the Chosen One. He is chosen to do the Will of God the Father which is the establishment of the reign and kingdom of God in the world, and in particular in the hearts of men and women. John the Baptist kick started it through his testimony and witness. Both Christ and John the Baptist have played their roles as far as doing the will of God is concerned. So, the rest of the job is ours to continue to spread the kingdom already established. On us lies the onus to discover new territories, virgin and even barren regions in the hearts of men; develop and make them fruitful for Christ to reign as King and Lord.

Another important requirement for us to do the will of God perfectly is to be in tune with the Holy Spirit of God. God supplies the grace that we need to do his will while the Holy Spirit supplies the power and the foresight we need to fulfill our function. If we are in tune with the Holy Spirit as John the Baptist was, he will reveal to us all we need to know and the best way to communicate and make him known to others. Had the Spirit not revealed to John these hidden mysteries how could he have done the Will of God or accomplished his mission? Or put the other way round, had John the Baptist not aligned himself and obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit how could he have fulfilled the will of God for him? The Holy Spirit is operative in doing the Will of God, and in communicating the merits of salvation to those who of their own accord cannot identify Christ in their midst. It is pertinent to mention here that those who are not led by the Holy Spirit can only bear witness and testimony about Jesus only to the extent that He is “a great man”, an eloquent and authoritative teacher”, and perhaps “a master” or “a guru.” But like John the Baptist, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and see him as the Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi, the Chosen One, and Son of God, is only possible through the aid of the Holy Spirit, because: “No one” as the scripture tells us, “can say Jesus is Lord except by the power of the Holy Spirit” (I Cor 12, 3). It is the Spirit of God that helps us in doing the Will of God day by day because, He takes the things about Christ and the Kingdom of his Father and makes it known to us the adopted children of the Father for on ward transmission to our brethrens in real and dare need of salvation. Brethrens let us jubilantly shout out to our God and Father as the Psalmist teaches to say today: “Hear I am Lord! I come to do your Will.”

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

Baptism of the Lord: We are The Beloved Children of the Father!

Readings: (1st: Ish 42, 1-4.6-7; Ps: 28, 1-4.9-10; 2nd: Acts10, 34-38; Gos: Mtt 3, 13-17)

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

Today is the celebration of the Lord’s Baptism and equally marks the end of Christmas season, Year A. The Lord’s Baptism is providentially situated at the beginning of the year in order to remind us of our own baptism and God’s gratuitous call of us to belong to his fold and flock. It is situated thus as a way of re-awakening in us at the beginning of a new year, of who we are, and ought to be. It is a reminder that we share in the Great and One Baptism of Jesus Christ who “was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man” like us.

Baptism cleans and releases us from the bondage of Original Sin, and makes us children of God. It configures us as adopted children of God and confirms that we are members of God’s Great house hold with its embassy on earth and its administrative head quarters in heaven where the Trinitarian God reigns supreme. On this day therefore, of utmost importance is the need for us to reflect on how far we have kept our baptismal vows. How faithful have we been to God in terms of keeping these promises. Are we still saying “I DO” to questions like: “Do you reject Satan? Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God’s children? Do you reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin? If our answer is on the contrary, it is time to retrace our ways and come back home to God to whom ab initio we made these vows and so betrothed ourselves. Today, God the Father says of the son: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” while God the Spirit in the form of a dove bears testimony of the sonship of Jesus Christ. What testimony does God bear of me and, can God testify that I am truly His child who does his will and keeps his promises?

Our first reading from the book of Isaiah is a prophesy about the Messiah who was to come, which was of course fulfilled in the gospel of today during Jesus’ baptism. The Spirit of God rests on Jesus and also bears testimony that he is the son of God. In this reading, as in the gospel, we see the Trinitarian God united in action. God the Father spoke thus: “Here is my servant/this is my beloved son; whom I uphold/in whom I am well pleased.” God the Spirit bore the testimony by resting upon the son as a dove. They worked together in order to initiate the redemption of humanity through the water of baptism. Through today’s celebration, Jesus Christ brings not only redeemed men and women, but also the unredeemed creation to the steps of Calvary and has opened the way. This is why in our second reading from Acts 10, 34-38, God extended His grace of redemption to Cornelius the gentile and his entire household as he did to us through the same water of baptism. Peter himself surprised at the all-encompassing love and mercy of God testifies thus: “The truth I have now come to realize is that God has no favorites, but any one of any nationality who fears God is acceptable to him.” In other words, the water of baptism sanctified by Jesus does not segregate.
A certain priest was good to a group of students. So they decided to come around in order to show their appreciation and express their profound gratitude. After expressing their joys over what he has done for them, the students punctuated their speech with: “God bless you Father!” At this, the Priest objected and responded: “Oh no! You are not the one to say ‘God bless you’ or to bless me, I am the one ordained to bless you people.” So the students asked him: “So then Father, what shall we say to you for your kindness to us?” Then the priest said to them: “Simply say thank you Father!” Where the students wrong? I do not think so, because as baptized Christians they too can bless people. However, as a matter of the order things should follow, the priest himself was also not wrong. This is similar to the scene we find in our gospel today. Although Jesus was greater than John the Baptist and in actuality was supposed to administer the sacrament on John, He allowed and insisted it to be the other way round. This is an extreme act of humility which we ourselves must emulates and make effort to live out. The most important lesson here is that Jesus tried to underscore the importance of baptism to the redemption of humanity and the life of a Christian. It is not a mere sign. Rather, it is a sacrament which leaves an indelible mark on the receiver. Once we receive this mark, we must not allow it to be covered by the “dust of life.” We must make enough effort to leave it as visible as possible, so that God could see it always and testify of us: “This is my beloved son (or daughter), in whom I am well pleased!”

One question that often lingers is this, was it actually necessary for Christ to be baptized since he said to John the Baptist: “Leave it like this for now; it is fitting that we should, in this way to fulfill all that righteousness demand.” Why did Jesus subject himself to this process? First and foremost, Jesus proves to us that though being God he was fully and equally man. In order words, he shows us to what extent he fully identifies with us. Through this, he manifested his full humanity through the water of baptism. Ordinarily, baptism was not necessary for Jesus because “he was like us in all things except sin” (Heb 4, 15). He was not tainted in any way by Original Sin due to the fall of Adam and Eve. However, as true human that he is, his baptism as he rightly insisted was in order “to fulfill all that righteousness demand,” and remarkably, as a sign of solidarity with us whom he came down from heaven to redeem. It is a sign that he himself was ready to go through any ordeal in order to guarantee our salvation, the greatest reason for his incarnation. That which He was to seal with his blood latter on, he initiated through the water of baptism today. Hence, he begins and initiates the process of saving humanity by himself dying and rising with us in the water of baptism. By this act, Jesus proved right the song which says: “You came from heaven to earth to show the way…” He is the pacesetter in whose foot step every true believer must follow.  He not only came to show the way, he proved to be the “Via, Veritas, et Vita (The Way, the Truth and the Life)” himself (John 14, 6).

Also, through his baptism, Jesus assures us that redemption is only through him in whose name we ourselves are baptized: “There is no other name by which man can be saved except through that name Jesus Christ (Act 4, 12). Having gone through the waters of baptism, he has sanctified it and so paved the way for us to step into it. In this way therefore, Christ differs from other Old Testament Priests and Prophets. He is: “One who has no need to do as those other priests did…what he has done, he has done once and for all; and the offering was himself” (Heb 7, 27). This offering of himself for our redemption begins with his baptism, with which he opened the way for us to be first cleansed of Original Sin. This is the gateway to our salvation and a significant one indeed! After all, how Original sin could be forgiven without Jesus’ abiding forgiveness through the water of baptism? Therefore, my dear friend, today the church calls us to renew our baptismal vows to God. This is very important because unless God sees a difference in the places we frequent, in our activities, in the pleasures in which we indulge, in the language we use, in our fashion, in our work, in our relationship with others and with him, in our attitude towards creation, etcetera, He can not testify about us: “this is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased” Finally, in the words of Archbishop Fulton Sheen: Separated from the world, separated unto God – these are the negative and positive sides, and signs of our own baptism and Christianity.”

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!  

 Beloved, Arise & Shine!

Rdgs: (1st: Ish 60, 1-6; Ps: 71; 2nd: Eph3, 2-3.5-6; Gos: Mtt 2, 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 is Epiphany of the Lord which informs the choice of the theme of our reflection, Beloved, Arise and Shine! There is no better season to ask one to arise and shine than during this glorious season of the birth of the Messiah and the New Year. This is the best time to call to mind once more the story of the rusty shield which said to the Sun: “Dazzle me!” While the Sun responded: “Polish yourself, and I will dazzle you!” Therefore, this season we must rise and shine because: “In His (Christ’s) light we see light” (Ps 36, 9).

The term Epiphany is of Greek origin, epiphaninen. It is a verb with the following synonyms or meanings: “to reveal,” “to manifest” or “to make known.” It celebrates the many ways through which Jesus has revealed himself to us. These include the events that bring to light his mission and divinity; the visitation of the Magi (Mtt 2, 10-12); the baptism of Jesus (Mk 1, 9-11; and the miracle at Cana (Jh 2, 1-11). Objectively speaking only good things are revealed while the bad ones are hidden to avoid shame. Even when the bad ones are revealed, it is done in order to expose evil. They are not revealed with pride or joy.

The first reading of today from the prophet Isaiah enjoins us to: “Arise and Shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you.”  This glory of the Lord is Christ himself who has come to dwell amongst us. He is the source of all lights in the world. He is like the Sun, the source of all natural and earthly lights. We are called to be like the moon, lenses and mirrors that pick up the light and reflect it without of course diminishing its intensity or brightness. For this to be possible, we must first position ourselves on the same axis with Christ the source of our light and life.

In the second reading, Paul makes a very important salvific point. This is the fact that this light which Christ shines upon us does not segregate or discriminate. He writes: “It means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Christ Jesus, through the gospel.” Paul simply affirms the scripture which says that God allows his light/rain to fall on both the good and the bad. He allows it upon the good in order to make him better and upon the bad in order to transform him to good.

Today’s gospel reminds us that Christ, revealed himself to us through his stars. So, we are called like the three wise men in our gospel today to follow and adore him because: “All nations shall fall prostrate before you O Lord!”(Ps 71, 3). However, our worship must be sincere like the Magi’s as opposed to the false proposal of king Herod. It must be a genuine worship devoid of deceit. In light of this, we must offer ourselves completely to Him. If we humbly adore and pay our new born king fitting and sincere homage, our own light and star will equally shine forth and others will see it and search for us in order to pay us homage.

Today, God reveals himself to us because he is good and loving. The light that shines forth upon us today is the light of life. Today the Lord Jesus Christ further extends and expands the horizon of his love to us by not being selfish. Rather, he allows his light to shine on us in order to illumine the darkness of our lives. The lesson today is that as Christ illumines our lives this New Year with his own light and divine presence, we too must pass on the light. Another is that if we must get to our heavenly destination, we must continue to follow the star and light that Christ shows us.

Finally, we must not allow ourselves to be deceived or distracted. Trusting that God will not mislead or misguide us, we must continue to look out for his star and light along the part of our journey to eternity. Any time we are confused or come to the cross roads of life, we must seek divine guidance and counsel in our lives. Let implore the Lord: Father, guide us with your light. Help us to recognize Christ in the Eucharist and welcome him with love, for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen!

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

The Holy and Ideal Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Readings: (1st: Sir 3, 2-6. 12-14; Ps: 127, 1-15; 2nd: Col 3, 12-21; Gos: Mtt 2, 13-15. 19-23)           

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today, the first Sunday in the octave of Christmas the Church celebrates the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. She presents us with the ideal or role model after which every family should be fashioned. The family as an institution which is the nucleus of society has suffered greatly in our time, and consequently, the society at large has suffered too. Unfortunately, we live in a time when the fabrics of the family are speedily been corroded and eroded away by the acidic, deadly and unprecedented culture that has seriously threatened this institution.

Some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl after being consoled and encouraged by her mother to go ahead with her project, brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.” The man was embarrassed by his earlier over-reaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, “Don’t you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They are all for you, Daddy.” The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses… from our husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, family members, relatives, friends, and God. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than the love that comes from one’s family. Also, there is no other precious gift that the world could cherish more than the gift of Family that God gave to us.

All the readings of this Sunday are carefully selected instructions concerning an ideal family and the duties of each member in order to maintain the sanity and sanctity required in a family. The first reading from Sir 3: 2-6. 12-14,in a nut shell speaks of the need for children to be responsible and obedient to their parents: “He who honors the Lord respects his parents.” The reason is obvious; they are the representatives of God to their children. A child who does well by obeying the good counsel of his parents is highly rewarded with great blessings both from God and from his parents. Hence: “…Whoever respects his father 1s atoning for his sins, he who honors his mother is like someone amassing a fortune. Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own.” In other words, in an ideal family, it is the role of children to make their parents and God happy. When they do, definitely a blessing follows them as Paul admonishes us: “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honour your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth” (Eph 6, 1-2). In the second reading Paul outlined the qualities and virtues a Christian and an ideal family should possess to guide and sustain it. “…You should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and in humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins.” Of course, he did not forget the greatest of all virtues: “Over all these…put on love.” In a Christian family each member knows his duty, boundary and onions. If each carries out his / her duty well the unity and love of the family blossoms. If the father and husband loves his wife and children by caring, protecting and providing for them, he wins their favour and admiration. If the wife and mother give way to the father and m nurture her children well, things will go well. Finally should the children play their role of obedience to the latter then a Christian and happy family is the end result. But where these are lacking, nothing works and the family breaks down.

There is no other time in history that the stability of the family has been threatened more than in our age. This is the age when the father has almost lost control of “the steering” of the “automobile” called family in which the society, nation and the world at large ride. It is a time when the world has dubiously and shamelessly tried to redefine marriage and family from the union of man and woman and their legitimate children, to the union of man and a fellow man; woman and a fellow woman and of course with “borrowed” or “adopted children”. What a shame! This does not and will never make a family. It is rather a corruption of the institution ordained by God himself. This is why the church calls us especially to reflect again and again on this God-given- institution through which He (God), regenerates, revitalizes and sustains humankind and the world at large; this institution which is as old as creation of the world and ordained by God himself. It is the ideal and role model for all who fear the Lord and work in his ways. What are we to emulate from this holy family? They include unity, love, commitment, willingness to survive as one entity, solidarity at moments of difficulty, good morals, peaceful co-existence, etcetera. These are among the essential qualities that our “modern day families” lack and of course, this is the reason we are have lost grip of virtually everything we have and ought to be happy about. This is why our generation appears to be bewitched with all sorts of evil because we have neglected and abused this wonderful system instituted by God himself ab initio. To allow this institution or God’s product of love to undergo any form of “mutation” in the form of modernization or secularization is a sin against God and Nature. We must therefore ask ourselves on this great day, is this the will of God, and do I actually have a family that I am proud of? We all need a family because, Nemo sibi nascitur (no one is born for himself alone).

The gospel according to Matthew (Mtt 2, 13-15. 19-23)presents us with the difficulties that could befall a family and also how they could be overcome. It reminds us that problems and obstacles are inevitable in a family but if the members remain united and courageous they will definitely overcome them all. It also throws a great light on the fact that the father is very important in a family. Of course, he is the protector and defender of the family in the face of adversaries. Joseph as we see today played his part very well and is a role model for all fathers. Mary also played hers very well by providing the tender, loving, care and succor the baby required throughout the course of the rough journey. On his part, the little Jesus was not problematic. Even in his infantile nature, he understood the difficulties of the presents at the time and so remained calm throughout the journey in the dessert. He was not disobedient! In life problems are inevitable and so, we must not allow them to tear our families apart. Instead, they should strengthen our unity and love for one another. Furthermore, one more lesson we must learn from Joseph and the Holy Family in general is that we must not delay action when danger or difficulties come knocking. Joseph acted fast and so averted the danger of having the little Jesus killed by Herod. Fathers must live up to expectation; they must listen to God, and must learn to act fast in faith.

An ideal family is therefore, a family fashioned and modeled after the Holy Family of Nazareth comprising of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. An ideal family is made up of father (husband- male), mother (wife – female) and of course Children (male or female, if it pleases the Lord). It is a family that sticks and prays together. It is a family that though having differentiated roles all work and walk together in harmony. It is a family where respect and dignity is accorded each member. An ideal family must have love, health, work and God. In an ideal family all the members are happy. They understand, love and help each other. Husband is the bread winner of the family. All members of the family share difficulties and responsibilities. Money is important but it cannot make a happy family. On the contrary, a poor family is not an ideal one. In other words in an ideal family there balance because in its entire ramification. This is the model of the family that the church presents to the entire world today and wishes that her faithful emulate it.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!

The Holy and Ideal Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Readings: (1st: Sir 3, 2-6. 12-14; Ps: 127, 1-15; 2nd: Col 3, 12-21; Gos: Mtt 2, 13-15. 19-23)           

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans), Province of Nigeria South East. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Woliwo Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today the first Sunday in the octave of Christmas the Church celebrates the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. She presents us with the ideal or role model after which every family should be fashioned. The family as an institution which is the nucleus of society has suffered greatly in our time, and consequently, the society at large has suffered too. Unfortunately, we live in a time when the fabrics of the family are speedily been corroded and eroded away by the acidic, deadly and unprecedented culture that has seriously threatened this institution. 

Some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl after being consoled and encouraged by her mother to go ahead with her project, brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.” The man was embarrassed by his earlier over-reaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, “Don’t you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They are all for you, Daddy.” The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses… from our husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, family members, relatives, friends, and God. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than the love that comes from one’s family. Also, there is no other precious gift that the world could cherish more than the gift of Family that God gave to us.

All the readings of this Sunday are carefully selected instructions concerning an ideal family and the duties of each member in order to maintain the sanity and sanctity required in a family. The first reading from Sir 3: 2-6. 12-14,in a nut shell speaks of the need for children to be responsible and obedient to their parents: “He who honors the Lord respects his parents.” The reason is obvious; they are the representatives of God to their children. A child who does well by obeying the good counsel of his parents is highly rewarded with great blessings both from God and from his parents. Hence: “…Whoever respects his father 1s atoning for his sins, he who honors his mother is like someone amassing a fortune. Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own.” In other words, in an ideal family, it is the role of children to make their parents and God happy. When they do, definitely a blessing follows them as Paul admonishes us: “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honour your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth” (Eph 6, 1-2). In the second reading Paul outlined the qualities and virtues a Christian and an ideal family should possess to guide and sustain it. “…You should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and in humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins.” Of course, he did not forget the greatest of all virtues: “Over all these…put on love.” In a Christian family each member knows his duty, boundary and onions. If each carries out his / her duty well the unity and love of the family blossoms. If the father and husband love his wife and children by caring, protecting and providing for them, he wins their favour and admiration. If the wife and mother give way to the father and m nurture her children well, things will go well. Finally should the children play their role of obedience to the latter then a Christian and happy family is the end result. But where these are lacking, nothing works and the family breaks down.

There is no other time in history that the stability of the family has been threatened more than in our age. This is the age when the father has almost lost control of “the steering” of the “automobile” called family in which the society, nation and the world at large ride. It is a time when the world has dubiously and shamelessly tried to redefine marriage and family from the union of man and woman and their legitimate children, to the union of man and a fellow man; woman and a fellow woman and of course with “borrowed” or “adopted children”. What a shame! This does not and will never make a family. It is rather a corruption of the institution ordained by God himself. This is why the church calls us especially to reflect again and again on this God-given- institution through which He (God), regenerates, revitalizes and sustains humankind and the world at large; this institution which is as old as creation of the world and ordained by God himself. It is the ideal and role model for all who fear the Lord and work in his ways. What are we to emulate from this holy family? They include unity, love, commitment, willingness to survive as one entity, solidarity at moments of difficulty, good morals, peaceful co-existence, etcetera. These are among the essential qualities that our “modern day families” lack and of course, this is the reason we are have lost grip of virtually everything we have and ought to be happy about. This is why our generation appears to be bewitched with all sorts of evil because we have neglected and abused this wonderful system instituted by God himself ab initio. To allow this institution or God’s product of love to undergo any form of “mutation” in the form of modernization or secularization is a sin against God and Nature. We must therefore ask ourselves on this great day, is this the will of God, and do I actually have a family that I am proud of? We all need our family because Nemo sibi nascitur (no one is born for himself alone)!

The gospel according to Matthew (Mtt 2, 13-15. 19-23)presents us with the difficulties that could befall a family and also how they could be overcome. It reminds us that problems and obstacles are inevitable in a family but if the members remain united and courageous they will definitely overcome them all. It also throws a great light on the fact that the father is very important in a family. Of course, he is the protector and defender of the family in the face of adversaries. Joseph as we see today played his part very well and is a role model for all fathers. Mary also played hers very well by providing the tender, loving, care and succor the baby required throughout the course of the rough journey. On his part, the little Jesus was not problematic. Even in his infantile nature, he understood the difficulties of the presents at the time and so remained calm throughout the journey in the dessert. He was not disobedient! In life problems are inevitable and so, we must not allow them to tear our families apart. Instead, they should strengthen our unity and love for one another. Furthermore, one more lesson we must learn from Joseph and the Holy Family in general is that we must not delay action when danger or difficulties come knocking. Joseph acted fast and so averted the danger of having the little Jesus killed by Herod. Fathers must live up to expectation; they must listen to God, and must learn to act fast in faith.  

An ideal family is therefore, a family fashioned and modeled after the Holy Family of Nazareth comprising of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. An ideal family is made up of father (husband- male), mother (wife – female) and of course Children (male or female, if it pleases the Lord). It is a family that sticks and prays together. It is a family that though having differentiated roles all work and walk together in harmony. It is a family where respect and dignity is accorded each member. An ideal family must have love, health, work and God. In an ideal family all the members are happy. They understand, love and help each other. Husband is the bread winner of the family. All members of the family share difficulties and responsibilities. Money is important but it cannot make a happy family. On the contrary, a poor family is not an ideal one. In other words in an ideal family there balance because in its entire ramification. This is the model of the family that the church presents to the entire world today and wishes that her faithful emulate it.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!!