REFLECTION BY FR COLLINS AKHIGBE, OP
SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES
1ST READING PHIL 4:18-26. PSALM 42. GOSPEL LK 14:1, 7-11.
THEME: LIFE IS CHRIST
“What difference does it make, as long as in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And I rejoice…For to me life is Christ, death is gain” (Phil 1:18, 21). The apostle Paul is rejoicing over the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ whether in pretence or in truth. He is rejoicing because for him to live is Christ and to die is gain. The joy of St Paul flows from the fact that he has the opportunity here on earth to preach the message of Christ. An opportunity to save souls. This for him is the primary reason why we are here. This is the primary mission of the Church, the salvation of souls. This is why for Paul to live is Christ and to die is gain. As Christians we should also rejoice that the kingdom of Christ is being promoted and proclaimed. In this reflection we shall examine why life is Christ and how to sustain life in Christ.
WHY LIFE IS CHRIST
First, the Master himself told us that he is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). The Christian mission is to become another Christ. This is why we are here. We are here to mirror Christ, to proclaim Christ, to live for Christ and to die for Christ. Alive or dead we belong to Christ. This is simply why life is Christ.
Second, another reason why life is Christ is because Jesus Christ is Truth. The whole world is searching for Truth. All the studies going on in Universities and Centers of Studies is a search for Truth. The Lord himself told us that he is the Truth (Jn 14:6).
Third, Jesus Christ is the way we follow. He is the pathway we are to follow to our heavenly home. The Lord himself told us clearly, I am the way (Jn 14:6). If Jesus Christ is our way, he becomes as it were our life. So Jesus said again, Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture (Jn 10:7-9).
Fourth, our mission here is to dwell in love of God and neighbor. The scripture tells us that wherever love is found God is found because God is love (1 Jn 4:8,16). Therefore, Jesus Christ is the love we live out. This is another reason why to live is Christ.
Fifth, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word is God (Jn 1:1). Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Therefore, Jesus Christ is God. This is another reason why Jesus Christ is our life.
Sixth, the message we proclaim is about the person of Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ is our message, Jesus Christ is the center of our lives. He is our all in all.
Seventh, Jesus Christ is our resurrection and our salvation. The Master told us, I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, everyone who lives and believes in me will never die (Jn 11:25-26).
HOW TO MAKE CHRIST THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES
First, to make Jesus Christ the center of our lives we must humble ourselves recognizing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Without humility we cannot make Jesus the center of our lives. The message in today’s Gospel reading is about humility (Lk 14:7-11).
Second, to make Christ the center of our lives we must love him above all things including our own lives. This is why the Lord told us, if anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:26).
Third, to make Christ the center we must submit to the will of Christ in all situations. The Lord submitted to the will of his heavenly Father (Mt 26:39). In the same way we are to submit to Christ in every aspect of our lives.
Fourth, to make Christ the center of our lives we must live a life of virtue and faithfulness. The Master told us, if you love me you must keep my commandments (Jn 14:15).
Fifth, to make Christ the center of our lives we must strive to imitate him in all our dealings. We must be willing to go through the narrow gate of suffering, trials and persecutions. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself take up his Cross and follow me (Mk 8:34).
Sixth, to make Christ the center of our lives we must live a life of sacrificial love. The Lord has this to say, I give you a new commandment love one another as I have loved you (Jn 13:34).
Seventh, to make Christ the center of our lives, we must strive toward perfection as our heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48). The call to perfection is a call to resemble God. It is a call to become God’s children in truth and in spirit.
These are some of the ways we can make Christ the center of our lives.
PRAYERS
Lord, help us to submit to you completely. Lord, deliver us from temptations and sin. Lord, give us the grace of holiness and integrity. Lord, help us to be like you in thoughts, words and actions. Lord, please, sustain us till the very end. Amen. Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
With lots of prayers and love.
