Ndụ Amụma

UGBU A OKWU NA MASS NA-agụ akwụkwọ
nke Machị 21, 2014
Friday nke Abụọ nke Lent

THE Church kwesịrị ibu amụma ọzọ. Site na nke a, anaghị m ekwu "ịkọ ọdịnihu," kama site na ndụ anyị "okwu" nye ndị ọzọ na-atụ aka na ihe, ma ọ bụ karịa, Onye ka ukwuu. Nke a bụ eziokwu kachasị amụma:

Ibu amuma n ’akwukwo nso aputagh i kwuputa ihe di n’iru ma obu ikowa uche Chineke n’oge ugbu a, ya mere igosiputa uzo ziri ezi nke iwere n’iru. —Bardinal Ratzinger (POPE BENEDICT XVI), Ozi nke Fatima, Ozi Nkwupụta, www.o buru

What better way to explain “the will of God for the present” than by incarnating His Word—becoming a ndụ word, a living Gospel to others? In this way, we are truly sharing in Christ’s own mission.

Ndi kwesiri ntukwasi obi, ndi sitere na Baptism batara na Kraist ma tinye aka na ndi nke Chineke, ka emere ndi ozo n'uzo ha dika ndi Kraist dika ndi nchu aja, nke amuma na nke eze. -Catechism nke Chọọchị Katọlik, 897

We are so caught up in words today! But it is our àmà that truly bears a prophetic word to others. And what is that word? That my life is more than just material; that I am living for more than a paycheck; that my goals are more than a retirement fund; that ultimately, my desire is not only Heaven, but to possess God himself.

But you see, we can all -ekwu this, but it’s another thing to live it! And how do we live it? When we carry our crosses with peaceful resignation; when we generously share from what we cannot afford to give; when we live in simplicity; when we forgive; when we are merciful; when we are pure in body and speech; when we are modest; when we refuse to partake in gossip; when we go to Mass while everyone else sleeps in; when we take time for others; when we do not compromise the truth; when we stand our ground in love; when we are humble; when we love the unlovable; when we bless our enemies and refuse to speak ill of their faults; when we pray publicly before meals; when we acknowledge the presence of another; when we silently bear unkindness…. These are all ways that we become a prophetic word to the world around us.

Witnessgba ama nye Jizọs bụ mmụọ nke amụma. (Mkpu 19:10)

Okwu martyr means “witness.” ^[1]from the Greek martur When we die to self in each of these little opportunities that come along each day, we are making room for Jesus in us. And Jesus is the “Word made flesh.”

I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me… (Gal 2:19-20)

In both the first reading and Gospel today, we see how the witness of both Joseph and Jesus, as symbolized in the parable of the vineyard, become a prophetic sign of God’s benevolence and presence to mankind. Through their suffering, they became a “word” of the Father’s love:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes…

As air carries sounds waves to another’s ears, n'anya is what carries the Word to another’s heart. And Jesus said that no greater love has any man than to lay down his life for another. The Cross is the supreme sign and essence of Christian prophecy.

But when we begin to live in this way, a prophetic life, we too will become, for some, a living stone that will be rejected. But remember the words of Christ: Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness…

…although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet. (Today’s Gospel)

Bịakwute ya, nkume dị ndụ, nke ụmụ mmadụ jụrụ mana nke a họọrọ ma dị oke ọnụ ahịa n ’anya Chineke, na, dị ka nkume dị ndụ, ka e wuo ụnụ n’ime ụlọ ime mmụọ ka unu bụrụ ndị nchụaja dị nsọ iji chụọ aja ime mmụọ nke Chineke na-anara nke ọma site na Jizọs Kraịst. (1 Pita 2: 4-5)