Reflection/Homily: Second (2nd) Sunday in Ordinary Time of the Year C (January 20 2013)

January 18, 2013, 3:00 am

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Reflection/Homily: Second (2^nd) Sunday in Ordinary Time of the Year C (January 20 2013)

Theme: The Wedding Feast and the Sharing of Gifts

In a typical African society, once a male child becomes an adult, he is then legally permitted to perform those actions reserved for men like breaking of kolanut, initiation into the masquerade cult, marriage, etc. In some societies, manhood is marked with some cultural activities like “Iwa Akwa” or with the attainment of a certain age or even with a landmark achievement like graduation or securing a job. 

Likewise, with Jesus’ baptism last Sunday, He was commissioned to begin His public ministry as a man. He went about doing good and He loved the people so much as a husband would love his wife. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading (Isaiah 62:1-5) when he talks about the marriage between Yahweh (the Bride) and the people of Israel (the bridegroom). 
                                                                                  

In most cultures, a marriage feast is characterized by the sharing of gifts. The couple shares their love together and other physical gifts like food, wine, souvenirs, etc are shared with the invited guests. In the gospel, the wedding feast of the couple ran into difficulty when the wine they were sharing finished and Mary informed Jesus that “they have no wine”. Jesus at the intercession of His mother had to manifest His power to intervene in human situations by changing water into wine though it was not yet His time.

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How ordinary is the ordinary time of the Year?

January 18, 2013, 5:57 am

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How ordinary is the ordinary time of the Year?One may ordinarily wonder why in the list of the liturgical season, we find a season referred to as the “Ordinary Time of the Year”. The other seasons of the liturgical year are: Advent, Christmastide, Lent and Easter. These seasons celebrate the preparation of the birth of Christ (Advent), the actual birth of Christ (Christmastide), the passion and death of Christ (Lent) and the resurrection of Christ (Easter). They celebrate in magnificent ways the key events that summarize the life of Christ.

Therefore, one can easily conclude that since the chief mysteries of Christ’s salvific acts have been given special places in the liturgical calendar of the Church and they cannot be stretched to run throughout the year, the period in between them cannot be as important as they are. Hence, they are called “ordinary time”. This assumption is simply incorrect. 

However, the Ordinary time of the year is that part of the liturgical year that celebrates “no particular aspect of the mystery of Christ. Instead on the Last Sundays, celebration is made of the mystery of Christ in all its fullness”. (General Norms for the Liturgical Year, 43).

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Updates from the Burial of Rev. Fr. Stephen Njoku of Upper Room Ministries Enugu

January 18, 2013, 1:11 pm

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Updates from the Burial of Rev. Fr. Stephen Njoku of Upper Room Ministries Enugu

The remains of Rev. Fr. Stephen Uchechukwu Njoku, the founder and spiritual director of Upper Room Ministry, Emmanuel town, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria was today the 18^th of January 2013 laid to rest at the diocesan cemetery, Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu. The funeral mass was well attended by people from all walks of life. Five Catholic bishops - Bishops S.A. Amatu (Okigwe), J. Okoye (Awgu), C. Etokudoh (Port Harcourt), A. Gbuji (Emeritus – Enugu) and C.V.C Onaga (Enugu) were in attendance with over five hundred priests, uncountable number of religious men and women, and seminarians.

The Late Fr. Stephen Njoku died on the 29^th of December 2012 after a brief illness. He was a powerful priest of Enugu Diocese but originated from the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara. His prayer ministry saved a lot of lives and families from the assault of the devil and was a center for divine favours for many. 

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CBCN Vs CAN: Did Catholic Bishops pull out of CAN?

January 24, 2013, 5:54 am

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CBCN Vs CAN: Did Catholic Bishops pull out of CAN? - The media is currently carrying various reports on the alleged withdrawal of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the umbrella of Christian Churches in Nigeria. This alleged withdrawal is as a result of the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the letter written by the CBCN to the leadership of CAN on 24 September 2013 which was made public yesterday, Wednesday 23 January 2013.

According to the letter signed by Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos and the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) is temporarily suspending “participation in CAN meetings at the National level until such a time the leadership of CAN reverse back to the original vision, mission and objectives of CAN”. The letter went further to state that the temporal suspension was “over some recent attitudes, utterances and actions of the national leadership of CAN which in our opinion negate the concept of the foundation of the association and the desire of Our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu the secretary general of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in an interview with The Guardian Newspaper maintained that the CBCN did not pull out of CAN and that the body was only trying to sort out some issues with the national Christian body. He mentioned that the body only withdrew temporarily from CAN, which will only last for few weeks, adding that there was no squabble between the two religious bodies. He went on to add that the CBCN will always be in support of the national body and that even some Catholic bishops are heading CAN in some states.

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Reflection/Homily: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time of the Year C (January 27 2013)

January 25, 2013, 4:38 pm

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Reflection/Homily: 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time of the Year C (January 27 2013)

Theme: The Word of God and the Christian Community 

Today’s readings present us with the centrality and significance of the Word of God among believers. The first reading (Nehemiah 8:2-4.5-6.8-10) traces this centrality and significance back to the ancient Jewish community. Ezrah the priest and great scribe was asked to read the Word of God to the hearing of the Jews who had gathered. He read the sacred text devoutly before them, they prayed and the Levites explained the Word.

In the gospel reading (Luke 1:1-4.4:14-21), the evangelist narrates how Jesus visited the  synagogue in Nazareth and read the Word of God to their hearing. The most significant thing about this event was Jesus’ proclamation of His mission statement “to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed and to announce the Lord’s year of mercy”.

We observe that all Jesus came to do were concerned with the proclamation of the gospel and that was why He told them that the passage from the prophet Isaiah which He just read has been fulfilled as they listened to Him. Thus, He revealed Himself as the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among men. This was not only confirmed by the words He spoke but also by the signs and actions that He performed.

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Reflection/Homily: Fourth (4th) Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C (February 3 2013)

February 1, 2013, 6:24 am

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Reflection/Homily: Fourth (4^th) Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C (February 3 2013)

Theme: Courage in Christian Discipleship

The call to Christian discipleship is a call that requires a lot of courage. Courage is required in responding positively to this call and in carrying out the tasks required of one. Peter was a good apostle because he had the courage to keep moving even when the circumstances were unfavourable. Stephen became the first Christian martyr because he had the courage to face a heroic death. St. Paul was successful in bringing the Good News to the gentile world because he had the courage to confront the difficulties he met on the way. Courage therefore means the ability to face difficulties and uncertainties without being overcome by the fear of the tribulations one might encounter.

In the first reading (Jer. 1:4-5, 17-19), we see the call of the prophet Jeremiah. God called him from the womb to be a prophet to the nations and immediately, God disposed his mind to encounter difficulties. He said to him: “They will fight against you, but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you”. Today, we speak of Jeremiah’s success as a prophet because he was courageous enough to answer this call despite the difficulties and God did not let him down. Thus, courage is the ability to confront challenges believing not in your own power but in the power of God to save you from every danger.

In the gospel reading (Luke 4:21-30), we see in Jesus, the fulfillment of an ideal prophet to the nations. He also spoke with great courage to the synagogue audience despite all odds even aware of their tendency to kill him. He made them to understand that despite the familiarity and contempt with which they treated him, that he could still tell them the truth to their faces. Unfortunately, they were embittered and in an attempt to attack him Jesus escaped.

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Pope Benedict XVI Appoints Bishop Ekuwem New Archbishop of Calabar

February 2, 2013, 5:19 am

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Pope Benedict XVI Appoints Bishop Ekuwem New Archbishop of Calabar: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today, Saturday 2nd February 2013 appointed His Lordship Most Rev. Joseph Effiong Ekuwem as the new archbishop of Calabar. This is following the retirement of His Grace Most Rev Joseph Edra Ukpo who has attained the canonical age of episcopal retirement at 75 years. Bishop Ekuwem was until his appointment the Bishop of Uyo diocese and the date for his instalation is yet to be announced by the competent authorities. 

Meanwhile, to administer to the needs of the Archdiocese, the Holy Father appointed the new Bishop Emeritus, the Most Rev Joseph Ukpo as the Apostolic Administrator.

Reflection/Homily: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

February 8, 2013, 8:33 am

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Reflection/Homily: 5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Theme: Here I am Lord, Send Me

The word “mission” is derived from the Latin verb “missio” meaning to send. That is why I can define a missionary as a person sent by God to a people and a place to do the will of God among the people and make the place a better place. This missionary could be sent as a priest, a prophet, a teacher, a healer or even as a businessman, medical doctor, labourer, etc.

In the first reading of last Sunday, we see God sending Jeremiah on mission as a prophet to the Israelites. In today’s first reading (Isaiah 16:1-8) we also see God calling Isaiah for a mission as a prophet to the Israelites. In the second reading (1 Cor. 15:1-11), St Paul discusses the mission he received from Christ as an Apostle to the nations. In the Gospel reading (Luke 5:1-11), we see Christ calling Peter and his companions for their mission as fishers of men.

It is pertinent to note that for mission to take place, there must be an encounter between the sender and the sent. This encounter is not just a physical encounter but a meeting with the Divine which leads to transformation and empowerment. In the first reading Isaiah had this encounter with the Divine in a trance and his sins were forgiven. In the second reading, Paul’s encounter with the Divine took place on his way to Damascus and in the Gospel reading, Peter and his companions encountered Christ by the lake of Gennesaret.

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Pope Benedict XVI Resigns: Matters Arising

February 11, 2013, 12:49 pm

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Pope Benedict XVI Resigns: Matters Arising - By Uwakwe Chibuike MFC

Pope Benedict addressing the Cardinals on his resignation

Following the Pope’s announcement on Monday February 11 2013 that he will retire from the Papacy come February 28 2013, divergent views on the Pope’s resignation have rocked the media. According to the English translation of his speech, the 85 years old Pope said “I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry”. He continued that “In order to govern the ship of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me”.

Therefore, the aging Pontiff who has governed the Church for almost eight years declared thus: “For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is”.

Some people do not see the Pope’s resignation as a surprise because he had hinted in a book of interviews in 2010 that he might resign if he felt he was no longer able to carry out his duties. But according to the Pope’s official spokesman Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Pope’s decision to resign has left Church officials “incredulous” even though it was in full compliance with Church law. He however revealed that after his resignation, the former Pope Benedict XVI will move to a summer residence near Rome. After that, he will live in a former monastery within the Vatican territory.

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Reflection/Homily: First (1st) Sunday of Lent Year C (February 17 2013)

February 16, 2013, 3:12 am

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Reflection/Homily: First (1^st) Sunday of Lent Year C (February 17 2013)

Theme: The Temptations of Jesus

This first Sunday of lent, the gospel reading (Luke 4:1-13) presents us with the temptations of Jesus Christ in the wilderness. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness immediately after his baptism for a forty day period of prayer and fasting. Jesus went to prepare for the commencement of his public ministry. As we begin our annual Lenten observance, it is worthwhile to learn from Jesus’ experience that nobody is above temptation and that the closer we are to God, the more we are tempted. From Jesus’ temptations, we realize that almost all our temptations are either to satisfy the desires of our flesh or to acquire material goods or to presume divine favours under the influence of spiritual pride.

The first temptation of Jesus concerns the human appetite and all that the flesh desires. The devil said to him “if you are the son of God, tell this stone to turn into bread”. But Jesus replied “The Scripture says: No one can live on bread alone.” The devil wanted Jesus to use his supernatural power to satisfy the desire of his flesh (hunger). But Jesus conquered this temptation by proving to the devil that “matter” (food) was not the only thing required for man’s survival and that we must not use what we have to get what we want when it pertains to the desires of the flesh.

Today, we are often tempted to use what we have to satisfy the desires of our flesh. That is why some people use their wealth, influence and position to lure young girls and boys into immorality. Others engage in alcoholism and the consumption of hard drugs while others still engage in all sorts of sexual immorality just to satisfy the desires of their flesh. In conquering this temptation, Jesus is teaching us to consider the desires of the spirit as more important than the desires of the flesh. We should always be aware that the devil knows what is pleasing to our appetite and tempts us with that. Therefore, we should be conscious not to give in to lust, gluttony, and inordinate desires of the flesh for these temptations come when our bodies are vulnerable.

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Reflection/Homily: Second (2nd) Sunday of Lent Year C (23rd February 2013)

February 23, 2013, 3:50 am

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Reflection/Homily: Second (2^nd) Sunday of Lent Year C

Theme: Listening to Jesus

In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 9:28-36) Jesus went up to the mountain to pray with three of his disciples. Within the course of the prayer, Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was bodily transfigured into glory as his face and clothe were as dazzling as the sun. Rapt in this glorious ecstasy, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He did not even consider their own accommodation. All he wanted was to remain there experiencing the glory of God.

But as Peter spoke, something dramatic happened before Jesus could reply. Suddenly, a cloud came and covered them with shadow and as the disciples were trying to understand what was going on, a voice spoke and said “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.” Immediately, the two guests (Moses and Elijah) left and Jesus was found alone. In other words, we can say that immediately the voice finished speaking, the whole glorious scene ended waiting for the time the disciples would experience this beatific vision permanently.

The voice which spoke in the cloud could be said to have provided an answer to the request Peter made. Peter wanted to remain there forever but the voice said “… Listen to him (Jesus)”. That means that for them to experience the beatific vision in reality, they have to listen to Jesus. If we were in Peter’s shoes, we would have requested for a permanent experience as Peter did but the voice is still offering us the same answer as a condition: we should listen to Jesus.

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Cardinal Sodano Invites Cardinals to Rome to Prepare for the Conclave

March 1, 2013, 6:53 am

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Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI yesterday February 28 2013, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, today March 1 2013 wrote to all cardinals inviting them to the first General Congregation. This first general congregation will begin on Monday March 4 at the Synod of Bishops. 

This Congregation in line with the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis is to be held prior to the commencement of the conclave. The constitution states that “all cardinals who are not legitimately impeded must attend the General Congregations, once they have been informed of the vacancy of the Apostolic See.” Withing this General Congregation, the Sacred College of Cardinals will choose a date for entrance into  the conclave.

Find a copy of the letter below 

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Reflection/Homily: Third (3rd) Sunday of Lent Year C (March 3 2013)

March 2, 2013, 2:43 am

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Reflection/Homily: Third (3^rd) Sunday of Lent Year C (March 3 2013)

Theme: The Word of God: A Divine Catalyst

Those days in the secondary school, we were taught that a catalyst is a chemical substance that facilitates a chemical reaction and is itself unchanged during the chemical reaction. In other words, we can say that a catalyst is an unchanging substance that is capable of initiating a change in another substance. Under the field of science, we can find catalysts like Manganese dioxide which is used to decompose Hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water, we can also find sulfuric acid which is used to dehydrate Ethanol to Ethylene, etc.

A more familiar example of a catalyst is heat. Heat is used to speed up a number of chemical reactions but at the end, it remains unchanged. Importing this idea into our context, we can also consider a spoken word as a catalyst in the sense that it goes from the speaker into the hearer to transform the hearer but in itself it remains just a spoken word. In this sense, we can then analogically talk about the Word of God as a Divine Catalyst. This Word comes to us as a gift from God to instruct and transform us into what God wants us to be, but this Word remains unchanged.

In the first reading (Exodus 3:1-8.13-15), we see the function of this Divine catalyst in the life of Moses. He was pasturing his father-in-law’s sheep when the Word of God came to him in an encounter with God in the burning bush. This Word transformed him into a messenger of God and a liberator of the Israelites. He was instructed by God to carry this unchanging Word of God and change the circumstances of the people of Israel in Egypt from being slaves to the chosen people of God. To prove the unchanging nature of God and His Word, God identified Himself as “I AM”.

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Reflection/Homily: Fourth (4th) Sunday of Lent Year C (March 10 2013)

March 8, 2013, 1:44 am

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Reflection/Homily: Fourth (4^th) Sunday of Lent Year C (March 10 2013)

Theme: The Generous, Forgiving and Loving Father

The gospel reading (Luke 15:1-3.11-32) presents us with a familiar story – the story of the prodigal son. This story describes the lives of a rich father and his two sons. The younger son came to the father and requested for his share of the family property and went away to squander his in an unknown distant land. When he realized his miserable condition after spending all he had, he made haste to return home, at least to work as a servant in his father’s house. Contrary to popular expectation, his father joyfully welcomed him as his son and organized a great party in his honour. The elder brother on his return showed his jealousy and dissatisfaction over the warm reception given to his brother and refused to be part of the joy.

Today’s parable told by Jesus is an attempt to explain to the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law the inexhaustible generous, forgiving and loving nature of God. This is because they were grumbling over Jesus’ association with the publicans and sinners   who were coming to listen to Jesus. The chief protagonist in this parable is not even the prodigal son but the father. However, today, we shall reflect on the personalities of the three characters and draw some lessons from their lives.

The prodigal son is a symbol of the lost humanity. He was eager to ask for some goods he would later abuse. Nobody knows whether he had the initial intention to squander those goods. He is represented in those who ask God for a lot of favours, blessings and gifts but end up using them wrongly. A lot of people are gifted with rare intelligence but instead of using it for good, they use it to perpetrate criminal activities. A sincere look into our lives will reveal this character of the prodigal son in us. Some of us use our wealth and positions to victimize the poor and the weak, others are arrogant on account of their achievements which are only gifts from God. Some use their bodies for immorality and hence destroy the temple of God in them.

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Fake bishop tries to sneak into Vatican meeting

March 8, 2013, 2:00 am

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Fake bishop tries to sneak into Vatican meeting 

The gathering of cardinals in the Vatican was overshadowed not just by scandal but by farce too, when a German man masquerading as a bishop tried to infiltrate the meeting. 

Ralph Napierski, a self-appointed bishop from an apparently fictional order called Corpus Dei, managed to get through a checkpoint manned by Swiss Guards but was stopped before entering the Paul VI Hall, where the cardinals were gathering.

Dressed in fake bishop’s vestments, complete with a purple sash, Mr Napierski smiled to photographers as he mixed with more than 140 cardinals from around the world as they filed into the hall to discuss the challenges facing the Church and possible “papabili” or papal candidates.

On closer inspection the sash turned out to be a scarf.

Unlike the elderly cardinals, who wore their distinctive red skull caps, the impostor wore a black fedora-style hat with a rim.

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Today is a Friday in Lent: Short Stations of the Cross

March 8, 2013, 2:10 am

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Today is a Friday in Lent: Short Stations of the Cross 

 

My dear today is a Friday in Lent. Let us join in meditating over the mysteries of the Stations of the Cross. Can we briefly talk to God about each station?

1^st Station: Jesus is condemned to death – My condemned Jesus, when people condemn me and rain all sorts of abuses on me just because of you, help me to stand firm.

2^nd Station: Jesus carries his cross – My dying Jesus, I understand the weight of the cross to be the weight of my sins, help me to carry my own cross patiently following your example.

3^rd Station: Jesus falls the first time – My most beloved Jesus, by virtue of your first fall help me to overcome the sins of the flesh which make me fall away from your grace.

4^th Station: Jesus meets his afflicted mother – O my Jesus, help me to love your mother as you did and grant that I may know her maternal care especially when life’s journey seems difficult.

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Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio Elected New Pope Francis

March 13, 2013, 12:24 pm

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Catholic Church Gets New Pope: Pope Francis I

Finally, the Catholic Church has gotten a new Pope. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina has been elected the New Pope. He has chosen Pope Francis as his papal name. He is from Argentina and the first South American to be elected a Pope. He is a Jesuit priest and the first Jesuit to be elected a Pope as well. 

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 17 1936, he is one of the five children of an Italian railway worker and his wife. He was ordained a Jesuit priest on December 13, 1969, by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. Between 1973 and 1979, he served as Provincial Superior for Argentina.

On February 28 1998, he was appointed bishop for the Eastern Catholics in Argentina. On February 2001, he was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.  On November 8 2005 he was elected President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference for a three year term that was renewed on November 11, 2008.

He majored in Pastoral work as a theologian and this is advantageous to his papcy. Besides, he is a strict defender of the Catholic doctrine and faith. He opposed the Argentine government on issues bordering on abortion, same sex marriage, distribution of contraceptives, child adoption by same sex couples, social justice, etc.

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Personal Thoughts on the Election of the New Pope Francis

March 14, 2013, 12:34 am

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Personal Thoughts on the Election of the New Pope Francis

By Uwakwe Chibuike MFC

The New Pope former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has chosen the Papal name – Pope Francis, is a man of inestimable simplicity and humility. As CNN commentators describe him, he is a man that requires no introduction. He is 76 years old but his physical appearance speaks more of his fitness for the papacy. His humility is confirmed when he bowed down and requested for the blessings of all the pilgrims gathered at St. Peter's Square. 

We attribute his election to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and that is what it is. But if we may ask, why not any of the other 114 cardinals? The answer is clear, he was elected because he is the most qualified. Like Jeremiah we can say that God may have prepared him ahead of time like He also did to the Madonna, but Bergoglio struggled to maintain that divine grace of preparation in him. Simply put, he used the grace of God to work out his success. We all have a unique gift which we can use to work out our success and salvation. Perhaps someone reading this now has the potential of becoming a bishop, a manager of a big firm, a governor or a great leader, so always be conscious of the limitless nature of what God can do with you when you act so that you act in such a manner that will not be an impediment to your future career but a stepping stone. 

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Reflection/Homily: Fifth (5th) Sunday of Lent Year C

March 17, 2013, 9:46 pm

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Reflection/Homily: Fifth (5^th) Sunday of Lent Year C

Homily: The Power of Divine Friendship

The history of the Israelites was punctuated with several ups and downs. After the Babylonian exile, they had to begin life afresh with little or no hope. It was difficult for them to hope for a brighter future because they had lost their friendship with God. God restored this friendship by promising them restoration and hope. That is why in the first reading (Is. 43:16-21) we see God’s promise of restoration and hope. He urged the Israelites to forget the past because He was doing a new thing in their lives.

In the gospel reading (Jn. 8:1-11), we see a practical example of God’s promise of hope and restoration in the life of the adulterous woman. After being caught in adultery and seeing the people’s readiness to stone her to death, she lost every hope of survival until Jesus intervened. By that sinful act, she lost her friendship with her family, with the society and with God but Jesus’ promise was to do a new thing in her life – to restore this lost friendship.

Today, God also addresses this message to us in a special way. Through the first reading, He reminds us of the wonders He had done in the history of man and invites us to trust Him based on these testimonies. This invitation is a call to repentance, to abandon and forget our old and evil way of life and embrace a new and better way of life. 

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Reflection/Homily: Palm/Passion Sunday – Year C

March 23, 2013, 8:07 am

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Reflection/Homily: Palm/Passion Sunday – Year C

Theme: The Painful Betrayal of a Friend

William Shakespeare in his play “Julius Caesar” narrated the betrayal of Julius Caesar by his best friend Marcus Junius Brutus. Brutus conspired with some senators to attack Caesar who made every effort to resist his attackers. But when Caesar noticed the involvement of Brutus in the attack, he knew he had been betrayed by a friend and was disposed to be defeated. Stabbed with a dagger, Caesar died with the words “Et tu Brute” (even you Brutus) on his lips.

Today’s narrative of the passion and death of Christ presents some similarities between the murder of Caesar and that of Christ. Both were murdered by a group of conspirators and their murder were facilitated with the betrayal of their closest friends who ate and dinned with them. In the betrayal of Jesus, we see the greatest manifestation of the personality of Judas, the friend who betrayed Jesus and that is why today, we want to reflect on his treachery with a view not to condemn him the more but to find traces of him in our lives.

Unlike Brutus who wanted Caesar killed, Judas never wanted Jesus killed. Instead, he was interested in the money he would get if he assisted the Chief priests to arrest Jesus. Probably, seeing Jesus escape several times from the wrath of the Pharisees, he thought Jesus would have miraculously saved himself from death. The whole drama became clear to him only when Jesus was condemned to death. For the love of this same money, today, innocent people are harassed and killed, the truth is hidden, expired and substandard goods are sold in the market and our friendship with God is compromised. Each time we engage in things like these, we betray Christ as Judas did.

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