I lift Up My Hands in Thanksgiving to You O Lord!

Readings: (1st: I King 5, 14-17; Ps: 97, 1-4. 6-9; 2nd: 2Tim 2, 8-13; Gos: Lk 17, 11-19)

           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, 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, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: His love endures forever… Let those who fear the Lord say, His love endures forever” (Ps. 118, 1-2). When was the last time you sincerely thanked God in appreciation of at least, the health and life he has given to you? As simple as this might seem yet, it is too heavy on our lips and hearts to say, “I thank you Lord Jesus”. The simple reason most times is that, we take lots of things for granted including the gift of life and indeed other mercies that God granted us through Jesus Christ. This Sunday therefore, just a couple weeks to draw the curtains of the Church’s (Year C) Liturgical Calendar and 2013, we are encouraged by the first reading and the gospel to give thanks to God; and to offer Him sacrifice for having made known to us his salvation, and for having cleansed us from our sins. During my office hours, I noticed that about seventy to eighty percent of those who visit start their discussions with either complaints or recounting of their woes, failures and disappointments. So, I usually ask people like this to be still and reflect for just a moment and then check if there is any reason for which they could thank God in their lives. Surprisingly, most of them end up recounting more reasons than they could have ever imagined for which they should thank God. Thus, they become more lively and positive before we begin to discuss their problems.

In today’s first reading, the story of Naaman the leper and Elisha is a typical example of how we should thank and express our profound gratitude to God. While Naaman did what simple courtesy demands of every one of us, to show appreciation and thank those who have been good to us, Elisha teaches us that in as much as he appreciates Naaman’s good gesture and effort, that the most important issue in thanking God is not how much of material possession we bring to Him. Also, this reading teaches us that God does not come to our help just because of how much material goods we are able to offer him in return, after all He says: “All the silver and gold in the whole world are mine” (Haggai 2, 8-9). This reading simply teaches us that, it is good to thank God, irrespective of what we can afford. It however, in no way condemns material offerings for the good of the Church in appreciation of what God has done for one. This is important because the Church is the visible sign of God on earth and so whatever we bring in thanksgiving to the Church is offered to God, and He will surely be happy for our generous donations.

Once a king was passing and noticed a poor beggar. He took him to his palace and assisted him very well. On his way home, the poor beggar was disturbed over how to return and thank the king for all he has done for him. So, he decided to wrap a stone-like but, beautiful and glittering object which he picked up somewhere around the palace sometime ago in order to offer it to the king as a token of his appreciation. Although the beggar did not know what this object was or its worth monetarily, yet he cherished it so much and would not allow any one take it away from him. However, he pondered over one problem. And that was whether the king would accept his gift or not. Eventually, he summoned the courage to go ahead with his plans to offer it to the king in thanksgiving for what he has done for him. When he presented his humble gift, the king accepted it. The beggar was surprised to see that after unwrapping the gift, the king jumped up from his stool and started screaming: “I have found it! This is it!! Here is it!!!” It was the king’s cherished ball of pure diamond that got missing some months ago. The king was so delighted and happy with the poor beggar that he gave him a job in the palace and placed him in charge of his valuable items. Like this poor man we must make the move to thank God, first and foremost with our hearts full of praises to him and then, with anything that we can afford. In today’s gospel, Jesus buttressed the importance of thanksgiving and gratitude to God for favours received from him. In this reading one would have noticed that, what pleased Jesus or what caught his admiration about the Samaritan who came back to thank Him was not whether he brought something or not, but simply, the fact that he: “turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” My dear, when was the last time you said sincerely from your heart “Thank You Jesus!” To thank God is a firm expression of faith in the God who saves us.

Many of us hardly consider it necessary to show gratitude to God for what he has done for us. Even using the gift he has lavished on us to thank him at times could become a burden to us, and in some cases we even consider it a waste of exercise especially when we become entrapped by “negative rationalizations.” Some who make donations do so as though it were a gamble they have played with God. In order words, God must do something for me in return I because I have given to Him or, I give to God because he gives to me! This is the idea and mentality behind the slogan: “Offering time, blessing time!” instead of: “Prayer time blessing time!” The people of God must not be psyched to give. If they are converted they will learn the act of giving thanks to God, if they are healed and become sound spiritually, they will learn to give thanks to God freely.” Thanking God is important. However, it must not be seen as a burden or as “paying God back for what he has done for us.” The truth is that we cannot pay him pack! The willingness to thank God must flow from our hearts and from a good and pure conscience, rather than from coercion, psyching, or out of fear of what will happen if one did not do it.

Finally, in light of this, we must approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist or Mass everyday because it is a sacrament of thanksgiving to God. Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistien, and means “thanksgiving or gratitude.” It is one whole sacrifice through which the Church gives thanks to God when she gathers her children as on big and united family of God. Therefore, when we gather, we are there to say as in the prayer after meal: “We give you thanks Almighty God for these and all your benefits (both spiritual and material) to us ….” This is the reason the Psalmist asked: “How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? And in answer to this question he posed he says: “I will raise the cup of salvation and call on God’s name” (Ps 116, 12-19). It is not all about material things or gifts to God alone, but most importantly, thanksgiving and gratitude that gushes forth from our innermost heart.

Peace be with you all!                                                              

Maranatha!!

O Lord! Please, Increase Our Faith For Action!

Readings: (1st: Hab 1, 2-3. 2, 2-4; Ps: 94, 1-2. 6-9; 2nd: 2Tim 1, 6-8. 13-14; Gos: Lk 17, 5-19)

           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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

As the Church draws closer to the end of The Year of Faith, declared by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI with his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei, and which began on October 11, 2012, today in a special way we reflect on the theme Faith which is a core element of our Christian life. This rhymes well with the Catechetical week celebrations ahead. Faith gives us a new version of the world. Without it we see only the ugly and darker sides of life, and perhaps, still remain helpless and slaves to despair and hopelessness. It is faith which liberates us and makes us see the spirit of power and the love at work in our lives and those of our neighbors.

The readings of this 27^th Sunday make a very important reference to faith and highlight the fundamental role this very important virtue should play in our lives as Christians. In the first reading, in response to the lamentation over his woes and persecution, Yahweh encourages prophet Habakkuk to be patient because it will not take time for his oppressors to be vanquished. However, on his path, the prophet and all true children of God must hold firmly to their faith because it is the true mark of the righteous one: “…But the upright man will live by his faithfulness.” In pronouncing this, God is simply admonishing us to remain faithful to him, faithful in good deeds and actions, faithful in keeping watch and faithful in joyful hope that in spite of the odds against us He will come quickly to help us. This faith in question is a strong trust in God that irrespective of what we face, He will not abandon us. It is a saving faith but should not however be understood in the context of the theological debate which tilts towards justification by faith alone (sola fidei). Indeed, God says that the Just shall live by faith, but who is the Just here and what qualifies one to be the Just, or what does living entail here? Am sure it is not folding our arms, sitting down all alone by ourselves and waiting for God to act. Instead the Just here is the one whose deeds and action are good enough to attract the saving power and attention of God. The justification involved here is that achieved through a living, and in fact a lived faith. It is justification that comes factis, non verbis (by means of deeds, not words).

In the second reading, Paul taps on the same string and strikes the same note by admonishing us thus: “Fan in to flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you…keep as your pattern the sound teaching you have heard from us, in the FAITH and LOVE that are in Christ Jesus.” Here we must note that Paul pointed out that we have to preserve the teaching first, in faith and secondly, in love. Love here is the expression of the faith in action and deeds because, this is one of the many ways we prove our faith in God and consequently, a good reason for our justification. Therefore, Paul further encourages us to guard by the help of the Holy Spirit that precious gift of faith which God entrusted to us.  In all of these, our journey is a journey of faith that must be lived out in our actions; good deeds, steadfastness, perseverance, and good will towards our neighbours and God our Creator. This faith must “indulge” in actions and good deeds for it to merit us the justification that is so much needed since: “As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2, 26).

Some years ago, a young man who claimed to have faith in the power of Jesus to deliver him from the Lion’s den as God delivered Daniel, decided to dare a starving Lion in a zoo in the South Western part of my country. He claimed and boasted that as a Man of God he had the power to speak and command the Lion and it will obey him and shut its mouth. One morning, he picked up his bible after some weeks of “dry fasting, prayer and meditation on the word of God”, and headed straight to the zoo. Of course, he paid his ticked to gain entry into the zoo, but kept his intention secrete to himself without informing the zoo attendants. Suddenly, he clinched his Holy Bible with his left arm and began to climb into the cage of the Lion. Before anyone could stop him he landed inside the cage and was face to face with his host. As soon as he landed the fierce and hungry looking Lion charged him immediately, and the Man of God with “enormous faith” reached for his Holy Bible from his arm pit, raised it up to heaven and started shouting: “I decree and command you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, be still and shut your mouth there now!” He had barely completed pronouncing his decrees when the Lion bounced on him and devoured him. What a suicide he committed in the name of demonstrating his faith in action.

This is shear ignorance of what faith in action means, and am sure this is not what Jesus means in today’s gospel. What faith did the apostles ask for today? It is not faith to dare or tempt God. Rather, it is the faith to do good works, to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties, the faith that will enable them hold on to God irrespective of the turbulences in their lives and journey. It is equally, the faith that will help them to reasonably demonstrate the power of Jesus Christ when they are in difficult situations not faith to attempt suicide missions, it is the faith that will help them persist in doing good even when everyone around them seems to follow the wrong things in vogue. This is the faith they craved for when they pleaded: “Lord Increase our faith!” We must humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are weak in this important Christian virtue and then plead with Jesus: “Lord, increase our faith”, and when he generously does it for us, we must be ready to fan it into flame for our spiritual upliftment and eternal salvation.

A rusty shield once said to the sun, “dazzle me,” and the sun gave it a simple condition, “polish yourself and I will dazzle you.” This means that our God is ever ready to increase our faith, but we must first be ready to ask, take the steps and then make the necessary efforts. This calls for a stronger commitment in words, work and deeds. It calls for a wholesome expression of our love for God and for our neighbours. It also calls for being ready to follow faithfully and tenderly the precepts of the Lord our God. As we draw closer to November 24, 2013, the end of the Year of Faith, we must humbly continue to ask the Lord to increase our faith for action in the coming days, and years ahead of us in order to enable us remain faithful to him in a world that is decaying at the speed of light every day. The institution of the Year of Faith came at the right time, and I am sure that having prayed for faith this one whole year, God has strengthened His Church the more with abundant faith for actions and good works. All we need do now is to continue fanning it into flame by wisely demonstrating it through our actions and deeds for our good and for our eternal salvation.

Peace be with you all!          

Maranatha

Winning Eternal Life for Ourselves in Heaven

Readings: (1st: Am 6, 1. 4-7; Ps: 145, 6-10; 2nd: ITim 6, 11-16; Gos: Lk 6, 11-16)

           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 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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted (Matt 5, 4)! On this 26^th Sunday, both the first reading and the gospel sound judgmental and point to the final end of the wicked while also, ensuring the comfort of the poor and those who are oppressed here and now. In a nutshell, today the church seems to say to us for the sake of posterity: “Disce quid es quid eris: memor esto, quod morieris” (learn what you are, and what you will be: remember that you will die!) In the first reading, the prophet Amos continues his treaty against the wicked, rich, wealthy and influential of the society who oppresses the weak and the poor. He vehemently pronounces the judgment of Yahweh on those who deceive themselves thinking that they are comfortable. This comfort is as good as the comfort of one lying on a bed with explosives beneath, or seating on a heap of gun powder while savoring the sweetness of a cup of honey. Amos’ judgment against such persons is “exile”, which depicts depravation of comfort itself. In order words, when their time is up, they will no longer be comfortable because, tempus omnia revelat (time reveals all things).

After her first stage of studies, Adaobi was offered a temporary IT-job in a fast food company where she was paid stipend which she valued so much at the end of each month. She saved it in order to help her complete her studies since she came from a very poor family. However, the company had a rule that whatever product damage that occurred during one’s shift, its cost would be partly deducted from the person’s monthly salary until the whole amount was fully paid. During one of Adaobi’s shift, she ran into trouble which resulted to the damage of some products. She was so distressed because it meant that she must work for about a year and six months before she could finish paying her debt. Fortunately, when she told her manager, Mrs. Obioma the whole truth about what happened, she had pity on her and cancelled the debt for her. After her IT, Adaobi went back to school and advanced her studies to Masters Level. Two years later she got married to a man who unknowing to her had purchased the same company where she had her IT few years back. The management board had decided to lay off all the old staff and employ new ones. When Adaobi knew about this she pleaded on behalf of Mrs. Obioma. Her plea was granted, and so she was retained. A year later, Adaobi herself became an executive board member of the company and saw to it that Mrs. Obioma was promoted to the post of the general manager of the company. Yes, she deserved it because, one good turn deserves another.

The gospel of today is unique in the sense that it touches very important aspects of Christian Theology, precisely Eschatology. First it concerns the comfort of those who mourn on earth and now (Matt 5, 4). Second, it concerns the Last Things: Death, Judgment, and Reward of the human person after the earthly sojourn with either Heaven or Hell (Heb 9, 27). Another important aspect of today’s gospel is that we must “make hay while the sun shines.” In order words, we must pay heed to the instructions of the good news in order to better ourselves now while there is still ample opportunity for us to do this rather than wait for Masses and intercession from our relatives when we must have died, which may or may not suffice. In all of this, the summary is that life of excessive comfort, display of affluence and luxury here on earth which does not impart positively on our neighbours and especially on the weak and the poor of our society will not profit us much at the end of time. They will not guarantee our ticket of being in the “bosom of Abraham.” We therefore need a rethink now by paying attention to the word of God and the clarion call it makes to us to use our earthly possession to help the poor and weak. Many thanks to one of the world’s richest man, Bill Gates who considered it important to plunge back into the society a sizable part of his wealth. (www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2011/05/). He is indeed the true rich wise man of our time who is preparing a place for himself here on earth as well as in heaven. He is wise enough to understand this famous Latin adage which says: “cotidiana vilescunt”, (everyday things, especially money, lose their appeal or value). They retain their value only by serving and servicing the society from which they were derived.

Furthermore, being mindful of the fact that this world shall pass away will help us lot to prepare for the Eternal Kingdom which: “…shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel like jasper…” (Rev 11-12), where there will be: “no longer any curse…. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the City, and his servant (like Lazarus), will serve him… there will be no more night…” (Rev 22, 3-4). This is the reward of those who while on earth prepared a place for themselves in the bosom of Abraham. On the contrary, those who oppress and neglect others like the rich man of today’s gospel will suffer damnation. It is however important to mention here that not all those who are rich and wealthy will be damned, because not all wealth were accumulated by “exploiting” people, but some people got theirs through their genuine effort of creating values. It is only those who became rich by trampling on and exploiting others, those who live recklessly with their wealth, those who mal-treat the weak and the poor of our society with impunity, and those who made the comfort and pleasures of this world their final destination. On the day of reckoning, it is our purple and fine linen, our luxuriant life of ease, comfort and love of wealth over and above our neighbour’s need that Christ will mock.

This 26^th Sunday, and as he will ever be, Christ is the center of our celebration, who in the presence of Pilate stood like Lazarus covered with sores and wounds, speaking up as the witness of the truth. Only those of us who are focused and are not blindfolded by the excessive comfort of this world will easily notice and identify him in the numerous Lazarus’ around us in order to attend to Him. In light of the forgoing, Paul there advices us: “As a man (woman) dedicated to God…Fight a good fight of faith to win for your selves the Eternal Life…” This call to eternal life is extended to the whole of humanity, but only those who will work towards it with faith, patience, love of neighbour society, gentility of heart and reverence for God will get there. Only those who showed mercy to the poor and weak of our society will have a share in the in the bosom of Abraham in the Eternal Kingdom where “meliora speranda” (better things can be hoped for), after our sojourn here on earth.

Peace be with you all!          

Maranatha!!

Serving Jesus in the Poor and the Needy

Readings: (1st: Am 8, 4-7; Ps: 112, 1-2. 4-8; 2nd: ITim 2, 1-8; Gos: Lk 16, 1-13)

           This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation 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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

As a Seminarian, during one of my pastoral experiences in the Garden and Oil-rich City of Port Harcourt Nigeria, I was shocked by the gory and dehumanizing state and sight of certain shanties surrounded by modern edifices and mansions just close to the church where I carried out my work. It was an ironical case of abject poverty embedded in affluence, and a case of a community being so rich and yet so poor. No matter how beautiful those mansions were, the site of the shanties made nonsense of their aesthetics. During my few weeks there, each time I passed by or through these shanties located very close to a swamp and heavily polluted river, I asked myself what crime the inmates of these batchers committed against God, the government, the rich and influential around them, with whom they shared the community? Are they less humans than the owners of those mansions or did God create them when there was no light and enough materials? Till I left the city I found no answers to these questions. To worsen my problem, when I returned to the same city a year later for a visit, I discovered that the shanties had been gutted by fire and, most of the poor living there lost all they had in life. How can we explain this than to say that there is too much inequality and injustice in our world? A missionary some weeks ago on EWTN, titled his documentary on one remote area of Philippines: “Life and Survival in the in the Refuse Dump.” Why should human beings live in the refuse dump? Injustice and man’s in humanity to man, greed, selfishness and oppression are the obvious  and handy answers!

This 25^th Sunday, the Church enjoins us to reflect on our attitude towards money, material things and our relationship with the poor and marginalized. If there is anything that has perpetuated poverty all over the world, it is injustice and inequality in the social class. Hence, Amos in today’s first reading decries the injustices meted out against the poor of the land. He wrote at a time when the rich took all the land, enslaved the poor in their farm lands, and exported food that could have been used to feed the entire citizens because of their gains in foreign currencies. The same situation menaces us today. If we look around we see poverty and the poor all around us. Sometimes the excuse we give to exonerate ourselves from the injustice they suffer is that, “they are lazy and not hard working!” I do not buy this opinion in-toto. Rather, a majority of them are where they are because of our greed and selfishness. We capitalized on their weaknesses and carted away what belonged to us and them.  A certain fellow was chosen and sent by his people to go and represent them in a national house so that he could get their allocation of government contracts for infrastructural development in their community. They contributed money from their merger resources in order to pay for his flight to and fro, his accommodation and for his daily up keeps in the capital city. When the fellow got the allocations he sold them off to representatives of other communities who brandished huge sum of money before him. He opened a personal bank account right there in the city and “saved” the money. In order to prove to his people that things did not work out well as expected, he decided to board a public transport by road back home. Unfortunately, and perhaps because of his iniquity, the bus got involved in a ghastly accident and he was left half dead. Just before his death, he invited the elders of his community and confessed what he did, and asked them for forgiveness. What a shame! This is a true picture of the nature and shape of the injustice, greed and selfishness in our world.

This is why Paul implores us to pray for every one especially, Kings, Rulers, Leaders and all those In-charge. This prayer is necessary for conversion because, once we are converted we eschew corruption, injustice, greed and oppression of the poor from our system. This is very important because God as Paul puts it: “wants everyone to be saved and reach the full knowledge of the truth.” This truth is that there is only one God, and we all are children of this one God. Once we understand this then, selfishness and egocentrism will disappear. We shall no longer think of ourselves alone to the detriment of others. We shall begin to consider the common interest and good of all. It is the will of God that we should be happy here and have a share in the rich resources with which he endowed our world. This is what being saved means. It equally means being saved from starvation in the midst of plenty, and it means being saved from injustices, greed and corruption that perpetuates poverty.

In the gospel, Jesus brings to light the fact that money and material things do not last forever, and therefore advices us on how to make use of them without losing our salvation. “The best way to invest,” a saying goes, “is to invest in human beings, especially the poor”.  We should therefore learn from St Lawrence the martyr, patron of the poor and cooks, who presented to the Prefect of Rome fifteen hundred poor people he maintained as the Church’s treasure, instead of silver and gold. Amassing money and wealth for ourselves without using them to help those in need only amounts to shear greed and stupidity which profits nothing. It equally amounts to mere love of money and material things over and above God and our neighbours. This leads to idolatry because they become the only source of one’s happiness and joy. As long as they are there one remains happy, but when they are not there, one’s happiness fizzles out. That is why Paul warns us that: “The love of money is the root of all evil” (ITim 6, 10). Money and wealth only have value in so far as they are used judiciously to help oneself and the needy around us. Only fools hold tenaciously to money and wealth over and above God, and to the detriment of the poor. By doing this they indirectly, “say in their hearts there is no God” (Ps 14:1), because of the satisfaction they derive from their money and wealth. Only the ungodly use their wealth to oppress the poor and the weak, but the wise and the shrewd use them to help people. When we are blessed by God with wealth, it is important to realize that we are only but managers or stewards of it, for the purpose of its equitable distribution to those in need of it and not for our own selfish interest.

Finally, we are not to manipulate the poor and needy for economic gains. Jesus Christ who is their defender will surely fight their course because of the injustices meted out on them. He has sacrificed himself for humanity, the poor inclusive, and therefore any form of injustice or oppression of the poor or weak as Amos decries will cry out to Jesus for vengeance as the blood of Abel did from the earth against Cain. This is because He is the one who raises the poor from the dung heap and lifts the lowly from the dust.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!!

                 Jesus Our Lord! The Full Aroma of God’s Mercy

Readings: (1st: Ex 32, 7-11.13-14; Ps: 50, 3-4. 13.17; 2nd: I Tim 1, 12-17; Gos: Lk 15, 1-32)           

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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

Part of the Common Preface – II (Salvation through Christ) in the Roman Order of Mass that I cherish so much reads: “…For in goodness You created man, and when he was justly condemned, in mercy You redeemed him through Christ our Lord…” This is the resume of the whole readings and teaching of this redemptive 24^th Sunday of the Church’s Ordinary Time. The Church therefore, invites us and gives us another golden opportunity not only to reflect on, but most importantly to savour the sweetness of the Aroma of God’s MERCY made whole in Jesus Christ Our Lord. At the epicenter of today’s readings is the fact of God’s mercy and his readiness to welcome us, poor sinners back to himself. However, this return and welcoming back is strongly dependent on the effort we make to repent. In order words, our God being a merciful Father operates an “open door policy” because, he is ever ready to let the aroma of his mercy flow into us. Hence, he beckons us to: “Come let us settle the matter, even though your sins are as red as crimson, you shall be white as snow, if you are willing and able you will eat the best from the Land” (Ish 1, 18-19).

One very important lesson we are to learn from today’s readings is the power of intercession for both ourselves and for our fellow sinners. The Christ we celebrate today is the second Moses who in the Old Testament interceded for his sinful people. He is a merciful Lord and Master who came into the world not for the purpose of judging and condemning us its inhabitance, but to acquit and set us free. This is true because: “…When we were still sinners and powerless, Jesus Christ died for the ungodly…” (Rom 5, 6). He continues to intercede for us every day especially by being both our priest and victim at Mass. Jesus like Moses, never gives up on us. Rather, he untiringly and relentlessly continues to intercede for us.  So too, we must not be tired of doing same for one another and our ungodly world and generation because the God to whom Moses interceded to on behalf of his people is still the same God whose aroma of mercy we can still perceive and savour today if only we sharpen our spiritual oganoleptic senses.

In the first reading of today from Exodus, we are reminded of the imminent and blazing wrath of God just as Paul warns us that, “the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness” (Rom 1, 18). In this reading we also discover a God who knows and abides by his own promises once he is reminded of them, a God who is faithful to the vows he made, and a God whose love surpasses his anger and whose mercy overtakes his judgment. However, he says to us: If my people called by my name will turn away from their sins, I will heal their land…” (2 Chr 7, 14). Therefore, all we need do is to call upon the Lord and remind him of his promises as Moses did. A saying goes that to whom much is given, much is expected. This simply means that as we ourselves were accepted and brought back by God through his pardon and mercy, we must do same for others who sin against us. It is true that initially we might over boil with rage and frustrations as is usually the case and in tandem with our natural human inclinations yet, we must be ready to welcome back our offenders as our God did for us. As products of mercy, we must also be ready to show mercy to others because, “blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy” (Matt 5, 7).

In the second reading, Paul succinctly reminds us of the fact that like himself, we are all products of God’s mercy. Often times when the term “sinners” are mentioned, we tend to look for them elsewhere or distance ourselves from it. Actually, it is supposed to be rightly so, but unfortunately, the truth like Chinua Achebe of the blessed memory said is that, “things have fallen apart and the center can no longer hold” in our lives. Paul was not ashamed or afraid to identify himself with such instead, he examined and knew himself as Socrates advised, and then accepted to savour the sweet aroma of the fullness of God’s mercy through Christ. In all of these, we too like Paul, must be grateful to, “the the eternal king, the undying, invincible and only God” to whom, “be honour and glory forever”.

The gospel of today in which Jesus was, for want of evidence against him, accused of welcoming and dinning with sinners by the Pharisees and the Scribes brings to mind some of the accusation leveled against the Holy Father, Pope Francis at the inception of his papacy. While some accused him of being too liberal, others accused him of watering down ecclesiastical and hierarchical prestige, splendor and grandeur. Yet, some were highly embittered because they felt he was eroding the fabrics of an age long tradition by washing the feet of a poor woman on Holy Thursday. However, in spite of all these, Pope Francis has proved many wrong by the great success he has achieved so far through his demonstration of love, mercy and compassion for the poor, “sinners,” and the marginalized of our world.

In today’s gospel therefore, Jesus demonstrates to us how the mercy and love of God continues to pursue and search for us in spite of our sins. This is because he cares for our souls. Unlike in the first reading, where the wrath of God was so great, in the gospel He reaches out to sinners as a caring and loving Father. In spite of our prodigality, the merciful God is ever willing to go all out in search of us. And when he finds us, he embraces, kisses, and restores us. But the question is, for how long must we hide and stray from him? Is it not time we returned to our willing and able Father whose mercy surpasses his judgment? Are we not tired of being aliens in the domain of sin where there is no succor but pain and sorrow? God has made our return very easy through Jesus Christ as Paul attests. All we need is to sincerely and humbly cry out to him like the prodigal son: “I will leave this place and go back to my father”. We must cast shame to the wind, be free from the chains of sin and savour the sweet aroma of God’s mercy through Jesus Christ because, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never comes to an end, they are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness” (Lam 3, 22-23).

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!!

Living Jesus’ Self-Sacrificing Spirit and Love

Readings: (1st: Wis 9, 13-18; Ps: 89, 3-6. 12-14; 2nd: Phlm 9, 10. 12-17; Gos: Lk 14, 25-33)

            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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

Living Jesus’s Self-Sacrificing Spirit and Love, is what the Church turns our focus to, on this 23^rd Sunday of Her Ordinary Time. The spirit of sacrifice helps one do a thing that sometimes beats the imagination of those around. Only the wisdom of God can help one unravel the power behind the spirit of self-sacrifice. It is this spirit that made Jesus give up all things including his life for our sake. So He reminds us this Sunday that it is through this same spirit of self-sacrifice that we can become truly his disciples. As difficult as this may seem, however, it is possible to live it through the unfathomable wisdom of our Creator who willingly gave up everything, including his Son due to his love for humanity.

Some months ago, I attended the burial Mass of “Chief Ama-Echina.” After the Mass, an elderly man named “Iche Ome-ogo” was introduced to the congregation in a special way as a hero, with a very strong affinity to the deceased Chief Amaechina. Afterwards, he got a resounding standing ovation. What did he do to merit this? Simple! He is an epitome of Jesus’ self-sacrificing spirit and love. In fact, he reminded me of two things; the title of Fr. Bede Ukwuije, C.S.Sp’s book: “The Memory of Self Donation” and, the heroic act of St. Maximilian Kolbe on July 31, 1941 in Auschwitz concentration camp. The story about Ichie Ome-ogo is that during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war, the deceased Chief Ama-echina, the only son of his parents was chosen from his clan for conscription into the Biafran Army since he was young and fits the job most. This became a source of grief for him, his family and the entire clan. Seeing the plight of his kinsman, Ichie Ome-ogo offered himself as a replacement for Chief Ama-echina so that he could get married, raise children and sustain his family lineage. Ichie Ome-ogo went to war, fought and returned alive. On his return he got married, and was equally blessed with children. The most touching aspect of the whole story is that, the same Ichie Ome-ogo who went to war was still alive to witness the death and burial of his kinsman, Chief Ama-echina. As a true disciple, Ichie Ome-ogo gave up and “hated” his own life, and so got it back in abundance for he still lives on till date.

This Sunday’s first reading therefore draws our attention to the depth of the wisdom of God who alone knowing his intention for forlorn humanity sacrificed his son for its restoration. No human being can divine or fully appreciate the magnitude of the will of God, and his sacrifice for humanity. He alone can, safe those he reveals his intention to through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we reflect on the intention of God for sacrificing his only son for our sake this Sunday, we must equally pray that He imbues us with his Holy Spirit from above. In the second reading, Paul in the spirit of Sacrifice was prepared to send back to Philemon, the dear friend of his captivity, a part of his own self, Onesimus. Although Paul had every right to retain Onesimus, he allowed him to return to his master Philemon who equally needed him. Paul here teaches us that we can equally sacrifice our own comfort in order to restore that of others around us, and for the peace of our world. Likewise, Philemon also, in the spirit of sacrifice was asked by Paul to be ready to let go of his misgivings and his ownership of Onesimus as a slave, and now treat him as a brother. What do we learn from all these? There is nothing we cannot let go for the sake of the comfort and peace of others. There is nothing, no matter how dear to us that is indispensible, and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of God and humanity.

In the gospel therefore, Jesus intensified this call for us to imbibe his self-sacrificing spirit if we must become truly his disciple: “If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife…yes, and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple.” What does the Master mean by “hating” here? He simply teaches us to learn to sacrifice, not that we are to literally hate people or members of our family in order to be his disciples. After all, they form part of those we are to witness to, and so must be loved too. He is not in any way preaching hatred, but rather detachment in the spirit of sacrifice. He wishes us to be willing to sacrifice our own comfort when duty calls as Ichie Ome-ogo did for his kinsman and clan, as Maximilian Kolbe did for his fellow prisoner, as the Apostle Paul did for Philemon, and as Jesu Christ did for all of us. To be Christ’s disciple then, means having the spirit of sacrifice. That is, being ready to give up anything. Without the sacrificial spirit, one remains attached to ones will. Without it, we cannot see the needs of others. Without it, we cannot understand the mind of God, and without it, the entire world remains static and non-adventurous.

Sacrifice then help us to give up everything and lose nothing at the end. It disposes us to become better Disciples of Christ. Therefore, what could qualify as suicide in the wisdom of men actually becomes heroic to the man willing and able to sacrifice in the spirit of Jesus Christ. In the spirit of sacrifice, the wisdom of God comes fully alive. It is only when we live out Jesus’ Self-Sacrificial Spirit and Love that we can conveniently and courageously proclaim: “O Lord you have been my refuge from one generation to the next”.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!!

Humility: A Compulsory Path to Salvation!

Readings: (1st: Ecc 3, 17-20. 28-29; Ps: 64, 4-11; 2nd: Heb 12, 18-24; Gos: Lk 14, 1. 7-14)

            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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

Today, the 22^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C), the Church turns our attention to this very important virtue which characterized the whole life of our Master and Lord Jesus Christ: “Who, being in very nature of God…humbled Himself…” (Phil 2, 6-8). This virtue is HUMILITY, which is the compulsory path that every true Christian must walk in order to be qualified to join the millions of Angels and Saints in Mount Zion the heavenly city of our Living God. It is an attribute and quality of God, the Saints and Angels which all children of God must strive to possess and live. We are therefore enjoined this Sunday not only to reflect deeply on humility, but also to imitate the humility of Jesus Christ our Lord, the mediator of the new covenant. It is a call to make this virtue that bears witness to the truth the basis and standard of our Christian life and journey towards our final destination which is the city of our Living God.

During a certain fund raising ceremony, Nwaganga entered the scene with lots of accolades, show off, and flamboyancy. On his arrival, his friends and entourage started hailing him. His presence caused so much distractions that people were wondering who he was. Meanwhile, there was a middle aged man who sat calmly watching what was going on. When it was time to make donations, Nwaganga was handed the microphone to speak and make his donation. When he took the microphone, the first thing that betrayed his emptiness was his grammar. He spoke thus: “I have came here today to let you people know that I has arrived.” Immediately the audience went agog with laughter and some of his colleagues buried their heads in shame. Since he was not aware of his emptiness, he continued releasing more and more devastating grammatical missiles. Next, murmuring started and people started yelling at him: “Please make your donation! Please make your donation!! Make your donation and spare us more of this shelling of yours!!! Thinking he was the richest in the gathering, he made a pledge of Fifty Thousand Naira. When all others have made their donations, the unsung middle aged man walked up the stage, and requested to be given the microphone. When it was given to him, he spoke just a few words in well polished, simple and impeccable English, and announced a donation of one million naira and behold the entire audience gave him a very resounding standing ovation. He handed in his check and off he went. Out of shame Nwaganga took his leave quietly, and nobody knew or took note of his exit from the gathering. Foolish Nwaganga neglected the admonition of Paul: “Do nothing out of selfishness, but in humility. Consider others better than yourself (Phil 2, 3).

In the first reading the Preacher gives us the key to a successful relationship and harmony with both God and humanity: “Behave humbly and you will find favour with the Lord.” This is absolutely right and we must take it to heart here that favour with humanity is implied also. It is also right because this virtue is a core and basic element of our Christian life, because God made-man, Jesus Christ whom we are called to imitate allowed Himself to be born in a manger. This reading also brings to light the fact that humility is a sign of maturity, which consequently, leads to simplicity and gentleness of life. Pride the opposite of humility, which they say go before a fall, the Preacher tells us is a disease and malady. The only therapeutic approach to this malady is imitating the humility of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The second reading therefore reminds us of the fact that our destination and abode is the place of the Living God – the Heavenly Mount Zion! In this city, only those who humble themselves like the Million of Angels and Saints will partake in its joys. The proud hearted cannot subsist in this Holy Place. Hence the Psalmist asks: “Lord who may dwell in your sanctuary, who may live on your holy hill? (Ps 1, 1). Certainly, the proud cannot because, the God in whose presence we shall dwell humbled Himself first and so, everyone who must dwell there must be humble too. Furthermore, in this city “everyone is first born and a true citizen.” But what will qualify one for this exalted position is this golden virtue of humility. This is because without it, one like Lucifer, who wished to exalt himself above his Creator, would not be able to worship God, not to talk of submitting to His will.

The gospel takes us to the echelon of today’s good news. In it, Jesus himself our role model of humility summarizes thus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus teaches us simplicity of life, that optima medicina temperantia est (moderation is the best medicine), and that it is God himself who exalts the lowly. In this regard we need to borrow much leave from the Blessed Virgin Mary who humbled herself so much in spite of being the Theotokos (Mother of God). In her Magnificate she simply stated: “My soul glorifies the Lord …, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant… he has brought down rulers from their thrones and has lifted up the humble” (Lk 1, 47. 59). There is little therefore to wonder about as to how and why our Lord is humble. The reason is simple, he had humble parents and learnt it from them, because fire they say begets fire and, snake never gives birth to any short offspring. In like manner, we have a humble saviour and must also learn from Him if we must be where he is.

There is nothing to lose being humble. It is a win-win game, and indeed, a clean sheet win. On the contrary, pride profits nothing but shame and disgrace because, “ex frixis ovis pullus numquam venit ullus (from fried eggs no chick ever comes),” and as Jesus tells us today, “…whoever exalts himself will be brought down.” Any spiritual life that does not have humility as it foundation will definitely be an empty one. Humility is very important for a Christian’s salvation and indeed for shear sanity. “Humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge ‘we do not know how to pray as we ought’, are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. Man is a beggar before God” (CCC 2559). Prayer is the task of all of us just like it is that of the millions of Saints and the Angels who humbly and constantly remain in the presence of God worshiping him in the heavenly city – Mount Zion! We cannot do well or get there unless we learn to live this golden virtue of humility.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!!

Gathering Unto the Lord of Glory!

Readings: (1st: Ish 66, 18-21; Ps: 116, 5-7. 11-12; 2nd: Heb 12, 11-13; Gos: Lk 12, 22-30)

            This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation 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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

The readings of this Sunday, especially the first and the gospel are closely related. Both bear a very strong message of hope: God’s firm resolve to gather and restore his people unto himself. It is not only Jews nor Christians that the Lord will gather unto himself, but people from all nations who submit themselves to his loving discipline and care. One remarkable and interesting thing about this gathering and restoration of people unto God is that it has both a universal and individual dimension.

Kim was the only son of his parents and his father owned a multinational company. As Kim grew up his father noticed an extravagant tendency in him. He made frantic efforts to help Kim become more frugal, accountable and responsible but it was to no avail. Instead Kim accused his father of being wicked and not loving him. In order to equip him with managerial acumen and prepare him to take over the leadership of the company, after his first degree, his father sent him to study in one of the best school of management in the world. In spite of his academic qualification, Kim refused to learn his lessons and continued seeing his father as a dictator who would not allow him live his life the way he wanted. Unfortunately, Kim’s father got involved in a plane crash during one of his numerous business trips abroad and died. Few months later, Kim took over the leadership of the company. Just a year after, the company went bankrupt and completely collapsed. Kim took to drug trafficking business in order to make quick money so as to sustain his extravagant lifestyle. Though he succeeded a number of times, however, on one of such trips he was apprehended in a country in Asia with a large quantity of Cocaine. He was sentenced immediately to death. Before his execution, Kim dropped this short note for his mother through a friend who visited him in prison: “Mummy, Daddy was right and I was absolutely wrong. My stubbornness and waywardness has killed me. Forgive me and do pray for me and Daddy. This is the last time you will hear from me because, I will be executed in a couple of hours from now. Please forgive me Mummy. Bye Mummy!”

The first reading speaks to a time when God’s people were back in Jerusalem. It is an assurance that God will fulfill his promises to us. Here the prophet makes three important points. First and foremost, is the fact that God will soon make well his promise of restoring us to himself. He will surely do this to show his might and saving power. The second is the fact that God has a purpose for this gathering which is for the glory of his name. In order words, every work he does or uses us to do must have the remote aim of giving him glory. Hence, Thomas Aquinas clearly defines the remote aim of spirituality as the glory of God, while its proximate aim is the sanctification and salvation of the human person. The prophet’s third point that we must consciously reflect upon here is the fact that not only will God gather us his people unto himself from different nations; he will also make us afterwards his AMBASSDORS to other nations. Of course, this is when we must have learnt from him through the signs he gives to us: “I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations…to the distant islands that have never heard of me or seen my glory.” The purpose of this is simple. To witness to the glory of God! What this portends is that we are also partakers in the “business” of helping our “lost brethren” return or gather unto the Lord. God initiates it and then uses us to accomplish it. Each one of us therefore has a role to play here, irrespective of our calling and status. Hence the God commissions us to: “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the good news.” The core of this good news is that there is hope, that our God will gather and restore us to our lost glory, for the sake of his own glory. We are to proclaim it because the more we do, the more we are enriched by its aroma.

The second reading from Hebrews reminds us that it is through loving obedience and discipline that we can be better positioned to hearken to the clarion call for us to return and gather unto the Lord. Neither the path to this gathering unto God nor the effort to witness to the glory of God promises to be very easy. It will involve walking through the wilderness, thorns and thistles, physical and spiritual chastisement from God our Father who allows it in order to strength, toughen and guide us along the right path we must walk to achieve a better result. Therefore, only those who endure and yet see God as a loving Father will succeed in life. It is often said that: “for a doctor to be kind he must be ‘cruel.’” The doctor has to pierce one painfully in order administer some drugs effectively for the good of his patient. This is the way God also handles us. He is the porter and we are the clay. He knows what shape he desires to get out of us. So he crushes, rough handles, and finally moulds us into a beautiful finished product (Jer 18, 1-17). Unless we learn to endure and obey as Christ learnt to obey through suffering and death on the cross (Phil 2, 4), we may not see or witness to the glory of God. Success is achieved through hard work and hard work through discipline.

In the gospel, Jesus answers a very difficult question: Sir, will there be only a few saved?, in a smart way: “Try your best to enter by the narrow door…! Through this, he reminds us that in as much as the gathering unto him has a universal character and outlook, it does not preclude the fact that we must struggle as individuals. In order words, it behooves us as individuals to make effort to be in the glorious gathering of the saints. Paul therefore admonishes us to: “… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2, 12). What this means is that we have to put ourselves together by making use of the available opportunity in order to get ourselves prepared at all times. We are therefore called upon to train ourselves in the act of righteousness and discipline if we must be relevant to the great gathering of the saints by the Lord and for the sake of his glory.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!!

Jesus, Purifier and Saviour of our Souls!

        Readings: (1st: Jer 38, 4-6. 8-10; Ps: 39, 2-4.18; 2nd: Heb 12, 1-4; Gos: Lk 12, 49-53)           

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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

Today, the 20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church encourages us, and raises our morale to fight against evil following the footsteps of Christ our Lord, who came to bring “fire” upon the earth in order to communicate to us something of his tremendous zeal. Jesus comes to purify, transform, and save us, our families and society from the perils that afflict us.

In the first reading, Jeremiah the prophet of God suffers grave injustice, for the sake of the message he preached. He became a man of dissension for all the land where he preached the word of God. His message was so discomforting to the leading men. So their best option was to get rid of him by setting the king up against him. Although they succeeded, in their plot, God proved himself a powerful Saviour. As the one who sent the prophet, he did not allow him to perish but in his own way came to his aid. Our God is ever faithful and ready to deliver us in times of difficulty as the Psalmist testifies: “I waited and waited for the Lord, and He stooped down to save me, He heard my cry.” This is especially, at those moments that our troubles are heightened by the fact that we are on the path of truth and justice, and at those times when our life is a contrast to our society. The second reading from Hebrews encourages us to keep running steadily. We are to “look up to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who saves and brings us to perfection.” We are also to emulate his zeal, courage and fortitude in the face of opposition from the harsh situations and systems that heralded his coming and message. Although, we are not called to commit suicide in the face of oppositions, we are to continue resisting and fighting evil even to the point of death. This may sound rather absurd, but at times, situations could warrant or demand this. The strength and energy we need to do all these will definitely be supplied by Jesus Christ Himself. The gospel of today is one of such that has proved an enigma to scripture scholars, and especially, to fundamentalists who have employed it variously in a very negative way. Granted that the periscopes contained therein are very incisive and zeal provoking, yet, one needs the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to understand what the Lord wishes to communicate to us through today’s gospel.

Brother Ike-Jesu came home one day, and started smashing and throwing away his television, radio set, and other electronics in his Parlour. When his neighbours asked him what was happening to him, he was quick to interject: “I am now born again, behold the old things have passed away in my life!” As they listened to him, he continued: “My Master says, ‘if any of your fingers will lead you to sin cut it off!’” It then dawned on them that he has joined one of the fundamentalist movements wrapped in the cloak of Christianity in other to preach their gospel of hate and destruction. Worst still was the fact that he soon refused to associate with any member of his family again because he viewed them all as sinners and unbelievers. In addition to frequently quoting: “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world…” (Rom 12, 2), he quoted Jesus in today’s gospel as saying: “I have come to bring fire on earth…Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? From now…son against father, daughter against mother, brother against sister…” To the utmost surprise of his neighbours, it was not long before they saw his Pastor preaching on the television and radio, even to the extent of selling tapes and VCDs. After some months Ike-Jesu left the church for another. Before his neighbours knew it, more electronics than he ever had found and walked their way back into his Parlour.

There are occasions in the Bible when fire did fall from heaven. Fire and brimstone fell from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24ff). One of the ten plagues against Egypt was fire and hail from heaven (Ex 9:3). The prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven that incinerated Ahaziah’s soldiers (2 Kings 1:9-17). Does it mean that Jesus is longing and wishing for destruction? No the fire that Jesus came to cast on the earth is none of those fires. It is not a destructive fire. It is the fire of the Holy Spirit, which fights the ballet for our souls. In describing this fire St. Cyril of Alexandria wrote: “We affirm therefore that the fire which is sent forth by Christ is for men’s salvation and profits….For the fire here is, I say, the saving message of the Gospel, and the power of its commandments; by which all of us upon earth, who were so to speak cold and dead because of sin, and in ignorance of Him Who by nature and truly is God, are kindled unto a life of piety, and made fervent in spirit.” (Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke, 1859, Sermons 89-98, pp. 409-459).

Hence, this Sunday, Jesus reassures us of his willingness to continue the work of salvation which he started in us, through a continuous purification of our souls. The fire he wishes to bring is that which is very positive and objective. Far be it from the “Consuming fire” stuff pejoratively construed and employed by most Christians today! Rather, it is for our own purification and good. It is meant to consume only the debris and fabrics of inordinate attachment, immorality, injustice, evil, and corruption in our lives. The aim of this is simple, our purification, liberation and salvation. It is meant to convict and convince us of the need to turn a new leaf, and help us re-examine our past and present standing before God in order to foster a better future for ourselves and our generation. It will test our deep inner self, thus revealing our attitudes and motives. Jesus, through this purifying fire will expose among us the worthless dross of the refining process. This fire will reveal those who are the precious metals that could be purified and made suitable for the Kingdom where God is the Sovereign and Jesus, the appointed King. It is the fulfillment the prophecy of Mal 3, 2-3.

What is the cause of the division that Jesus talks about here? It is the good news we preach with our purified, positive and contrasted life which challenges the injustices in our families, churches, society, country and the world at larger; the good news that  salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life is attained through faith in Jesus Christ. Because this message excludes those who refuse to turn to Jesus, it offends them, angers them, and often opposition and division result. However, it is important to note here that in spite of this, we must bear in mind that it is the sinners who eventually become the saints as Saint Augustine depicted in his De Civitate Dei contra Paganos (City of God against the Pagans). Therefore, we must love them but not their sin. We must welcome them still as our brothers and sisters in need of salvation. Ostracizing them will make us loose them completely, and by this we would have failed in the mission entrusted to us by Jesus our Saviour. In as much as today’s gospel raises our morale in the fight against evil, unbelief, and injustice, it is also important to appreciate that our world needs more love than hatred, more peace than war, and more unity than divisions.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!!

We are truly the Elect: God’s Chosen People!

Readings: (1st: Wis 18, 6-9; Ps: 32, 1.12.18-22; 2nd: Heb 11, 1-2.8-19; Gos: Lk 12, 35-40)

            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 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 and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com, Phone: +23408063767512, +23408024942843

The concept of God’s elect is one which is very strong among the Jews referred to as the “Kahal Yahweh.” That is, the people or elect of God. Biblically and historically speaking, this is right. However, the coming of Christ the first born son of God (Col 1, 15), the New Testament and Covenant broadened the scope of this concept to embrace all who are baptized in Christ Jesus. This is because, “Baptism… makes the neophyte a new creature, an adopted son of God, who has become a partaker in the divine nature…” (CCC 1265). Also, “to be the People of God”, according Pope Francis, “first of all, means that God does not belong to any particular people, because, He is the one who calls us and this invitation is addressed to all, without distinction, because God’s mercy wills everyone to be saved”

Just before his death, Mazi a very wealthy man in all ramifications, decided to put down a Will having being diagnosed of a deadly cancer and advised to prepare for death. He had ONLY one son known to everyone including his very good lawyer friend and his wife. But when he was writing his Will, he simply wrote: “Share all that I own equally among all my SONS and wife.” Thinking he was out of his mind, his lawyer friend said to him: “Sir, but you have only one son!” Mazi asked him: “Do you have any problem with that?” His lawyer responded: “What I mean Sir, is that you wrote SONS instead of son.” Mazi said to his Lawyer: “Yes, I know. I have only one son that is known to you, but there are two others that you do not know and have not seen before. I adopted them when they were very tender and they live abroad.” Then, he brought out a complete document for the adoption of his two other sons and handed it over to his lawyer friend (only God knows why he kept this a secret to himself all these years). Finally, he reiterated what he had already written: “Share all I own equally among my SONS and wife” and added: “Because, they are equally my sons and I have equally included them in my Will!”

On this 19^th Sunday therefore, the Church, calls to mind our heritage as the elect and people of God. She acknowledges that though we are a little flock, we have a very strong history which has its firm root and route in the dim and distant past. We worship an awesome and caring God. Therefore, we have the courage to look forward into a glorious future in the kingdom of our Father. Thus, the Psalmist exalts us: “Happy the people the lord had chosen as his own.” In order words, our God has extended his hands to all of us through Christ and considered us worthy of being called his people (Gal 4, 1-7). Unfortunately, many of us Christians have failed to realize our exalted position in the presence of our Father. This failure has resulted to so many setbacks in our lives. Although we are sons and daughters of God, we have remained like aliens in our father’s house. This is why the church today reminds us of our rightful place before God and encourages us to appreciate and take full advantage of this position.

The first reading of today alerts us to the quality and strength of the covenant or oath by which our citizenship as the people of God is established. Therefore, we are admonished to be joyful and courageous because ours is not a position based on mediocrity, but one built on a solid foundation. As God’s elect and people, we have Him as our Father, and so are not supposed to be afraid of the unknown, because he is the master of the future. If we as the elect of God remain righteous and firm on our faith in our Father, then, “the saving of the virtuous will not be cut short.” We are therefore reminded today of the firmness of the divine accord by which we were made children of God and that this accord enables us the people of God, share the same blessings and forthwith, chant the hymn of our Father. The community of the elect is a community built on the foundation of faith. Hence, the 2^nd reading highlights this significant element of what qualifies us as God’s people – FAITH. It is faith that characterizes us as God’s people and consequently manifests itself through our professions, actions and activities. This same faith aided our adoption as sons and daughters of God sharing the same Father and heritage with Jesus Christ. Without it we have no claim or place among the Kahal Yahweh. Faith is like the DNA that identifies people of the same lineage or family. It is our proof of paternity to one common Father. As the elect and people of God, God himself has revealed himself fully to us in Jesus Christ who is the fullness of revelation. Hence, we are the elect because unto us have the Mystery of the Kingdom of God been revealed. In light of this, we must take hold of the revealed Mystery which is Christ himself the fullness of our Father’s revelation.

In the gospel, Jesus further reassures us of God’s willingness to consolidate the heritage earmarked for us. This heritage is His Kingdom. First, He alleged our fears that there is no cause for alarm. He went ahead to address us with a pet-like name to strike a note of fondness just the way our earthly parents do. He calls us “little flock”, meaning, my beloved people or my dearest ones etcetera. He did not stop at this, but goes further to bring us a good will message from our Father: “For it has pleased your Father to give you the Kingdom.” This is the resume and apogee of today’s message and good news. However, as the elect of God, Christ warns us to be watchful. This is a conditio sine qua non for us to retain our heritage. If we are caught napping, we might be in danger of losing this exalted position. Therefore, as God’s elect, we must live lives that bear testimony to our Father and heritage, a life that will attract and interest our master during His Parousia. This life is a life of watchfulness! Watchfulness here simply means being conscious of who we are, cherishing and safeguarding our heritage and its distinguishing character, OUR FAITH! It is only through this that we can be that “happy people the Lord has chosen as his own.”

Peace be with you all!          

Maranatha!!