26th Sunday, Year A: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh
Theme: “NKWUDOSIKE”: LIVING TRUE TO PROMISES
Jesus in the Gospel of today uses a parable of two sons to address the issue of infidelity of the chief priests and the elders of the people. They are represented by the son who agreed to go and work in the vineyard but did not eventually go, whereas the other who refused going later went.
Let us reflect on “living true to promises.” We make promises on a daily basis to God and to our fellow men. In our baptism, we make decisive promise to God. The post baptismal song reminds us this promise: “E kwerem nkwa n’ubochi Baptism, na agam efe Chukwu n’elu uwa, na agam ege nti n’okwu nke nzuko, na agam aju otito nke ajo mmuo; Nyelum aka O Maria ka m wee n’eme ihem kwere na nkwa, nyerem aka O Maria, kam wee n’ eme ihe m kwere na nkwa”. (These are the promises to love and worship God, to follow the guidance of the Church, to renounce and reject all satanic attractions).
After the promises, what next? In our relationship with God, we are often confronted by “broken vows and frequent falls.” Hence the song with this verse: “M kwechasia gi nkwa, wee nara gi, njom abiakwa chupu gi n’obim oo, nkwa asi nile a na ewutem karia, gbanweenum, ka m kwudosie ike.” (We see ourselves doing the opposite of what we promised God, and the way out is to be persistent in trying to get it right)
What is it that makes us unable to stand firm on our promise? What can make us successful in keeping our promises? It is “Nkwudosike,” which involves remaining firm.
NKWUDOSIKE IN DOING GOOD
Nkwudosike is standing firm, the power to say and mean, and to mean before embarking. It has to do with strong will. It involves consistency in virtue. It means standing strong on one’s ground.
Nkwudosike is best applied to the good. You cannot talk of it via negativa. It will be a negation to talk about nkwudosike in evil. You can’t insist on evil. You shouldn’t be consistent on evil pedestal. Little wonder why the other son who said no to God later realized himself and said yes. It will be disastrous to disappoint God after saying yes to him. But how often do we do that? What are the good things you’ve been doing or have you agreed to do? Don’t stop doing them. That calls for conviction.
NKWUDOSIKE AS CONVICTION
Making a promise and keeping to promises made requires conviction to a greater extent. It is not a thing you rush into: Maka na oke ji oso gbaba n’onu na ejikwa oso agbaputa (a rat that rushes into a hole will surely rush out of it)
Saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ should not be done in a haste. It calls for meditation and contemplation.
OUR YES AND NO
Everything we do is punctuated by yes and no. Standing by it matters a lot. Definitely, there are occasions that call for yes and others that call for no. You may have agreed to say yes, evaluate that yes of yours. You may have said no, but still evaluate it whether it is the right answer.
You said yes to God in baptism and in choosing to be a Christian. Are you truly living as one?
Before God and the host of witnesses, you said yes to your husband/ wife. Are you still living on the path of yes? You said yes, that you will save lives as a medical doctor. How far with that oath? You promised to serve and protect the right and dignity of the human person in the spirit of rule of law as a politician. How well are you doing that? You promised that young girl marriage, why did you disappoint her? You promised to keep that secret he or she shared with you. Why did you divulge it? You promised to raise those children in the fear of God. What happened along the way? Let us keep to our words.
WHEN TO SAY NO
Our yes to God should be permanent. But our mistaken yes should be reconsider. How often have we said yes wrongly? Have you said yes to going against God’s will for you? Have you been paid to kill, and you agreed? Can you say no today? Have you been convinced to kill that baby in your womb? Have a rethink and say no to that evil plan. Learn how to say yes to do it right and no to whoever wants you to do it the wrong way.
It pays to be firm along the path of holiness, obedience, fidelity, and everything good. May God bless His word in our hearts.
LET US PRAY
Oh God bless us and help us to keep our promises to You and our neighbours through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Happy Sunday to you (26th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. A)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh