TETELESTAI; THE PERFECT COMPLETION

REFLECTION FOR GOOD FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF HE LORD

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

Our Saviour has slept. Having passed through the way of the cross, and having being nailed on the wood of the cross, the Christ uttered his last word, it is finished (John 19:30). These words when rendered in the Greek language is just one word; tetelestai. After this one word, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

What does the saviour mean by tetelestai?

What was indeed finished?

For whom was it finished?

These three questions form the three pillars of our reflection on this very important day in the history of our salvation.

To answer the first question, we must understand the various usages of the word, tetelestai. The expression was well known to the people John the Evangelist wrote for. He wrote in the Greek language and employed the Greek mentality in his writing. So, every Greek at the time who read the Gospel understood quickly the message the Evangelist tried to pass on concerning the death of the Saviour. So, tetelestai was part of the everyday language of the people.

a) It was well known in temple sacrifice. It was always the case that after the scrutiny of the offering brought by the people to the temple by the High Priest, the words he used to confirm the authenticity of the offering reflects the Greek tetelestai. These words which are spoken in Hebrew are ‘The Lord accepts your offering; it is perfect’. In this context, the sacrifice was declared complete and perfect. Thus, tetelestai implies perfection.

b) It is a word that demonstrates satisfaction over an artistic work. Whenever an artist finished his sculptural design, he would admire it and would say tetelestai. In this context, there is nothing extra to be added to the design. It has reached its completion. Thus, tetelestai implies that aesthetic perfection which requires no addition.

c) It is used to express final conclusion over a job or work. When a servant or a hired labourer had completed his assigned job, he would say to his hirer or master, tetelestai. In this context, the servant tries to say that all the difficulties concerning the job have been overcome. The job has been done to the very best of his ability; therefore it is finished. Thus, tetelestai implies that final victory over all difficulties. 

d) The word was well known in economic affairs. When the merchant at the market place makes some sales and gets paid for them, the words that accompany such experience are tetelestai. In this context, the deal is finished. The price has been paid in full; therefore he is satisfied. Thus, tetelestai implies total payment and freedom of possession.

1. And so, tetelestai had deep meanings when Jesus said them. That word was pregnant with many meanings. We could imagine Jesus as he told himself and all of us: my sacrificial death on the cross has been accepted by my Father in heaven. There is no need for further sacrifice. I have done my salvific work perfectly that there is nothing more needed to be added. I have overcome every obstacle/difficulty to the very best of my ability that there is no more difficulty to be afraid of. I have paid the full price for your sake that you are no longer in any debt; and now I could give up my ghost being very satisfied that you have been made free and righteous; indeed, it is finished. I owe no one any debt. I have paid the debt in full. He paid the debt I could not pay, I owe the debt I could not pay, I need someone to wash my sins away. My eyes have seen a bright new day, amazing grace. Lord Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay. It is finished; it has been perfectly completed.

2. To answer the Second question, we need to throw our minds back to the divine plan for mankind. God desires that man live with him eternally after our earthly life. One word that summarizes this is reconciliation. Paul said in his letter to the Philipians (2:10): he has reconciled all things in Christ; things in heaven and things on earth. His purpose was to reconcile us with the Father that we may now be worthy to behold God’s face again, and God on His own part will be ready to welcome us. Reconciliation is the deal that has been done. What is reconciliation? This is the restoration of an impaired relationship. The consequence of this reconciliation with God is that the relationship that was destroyed in Adam has now been restored. We are no longer slaves to sin but have become heirs to the kingdom. This task of reconciliation has now been finished. Salvation is achieved; it is finished. Nothing needs to be done. He has done all things well. This is therefore a good day for all humanity. No wonder it is called a Good Friday.

3. The answer to the third question is derived from the second answer. Salvation is for man. It is finished that man may not be finished. He died that we may not die. He gave up his spirit that our spirit may be enlivened and saved. Humanity must therefore be so grateful for this redemption which is the highest show of love ever known in history. Consequentially then, we are celebrating the gift of love which is the background and the fruit of reconciliation. We must reciprocate this same gesture towards God. We must love the Lord with all our hearts, soul and strength, and must love our neighbours.

What have I sacrificed for that person close to me? What have I given up for the sake of others? What have I nailed to the wood for the sake of peace in my home? What have I done to help relief the pains of the other person? Do I work hard to finish the work I am given for the sake of my society, church or family? To what extent do I seek for true goodness and spiritual perfection? We hope to truly say like Jesus that it has been perfectly done; it is finished. Be you perfect as your heavenly Father is (Matt 5:48). The search for perfection is good and when we aim for perfection, we come to the discovery that it is a moving target. Jesus has done all things well. He is now on his way to liberate the dead who have been imprisoned by death, after which he will rise again in glory. Perfect completion leads to glory. The Easter hope begins.  We thank God for his goodness on us as we congratulate ourselves for being part of those who have been saved. God bless you.

THE LEGACY OF THE EUCHARIST

HOMILY FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY (MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER)

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

Today, we begin the Paschal Triduum -the highest point of our Christian mystery and faith. The Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper and reaches its culmination in the Easter vigil, as it closes with the evening prayer of Easter Sunday. Today is known as Maundy Thursday, and as a day in the Holy week, it is also called Holy Thursday. The Holy mass this evening is celebrated to commemorate the Lord’s Supper. In it are two important replays. Firstly, it commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the disciples, during which there was the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and was then accompanied by those gracious and compelling words: Do this in memory of me. (This forms the background of the Chrism Mass celebration wherein the Bishop blesses the oils of the sick, of Catechumen and of the Chrism, and wherein there is a renewal of the priestly promises. The Chrism Mass is actually a Holy Mass that celebrates the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders which is the twin sacrament of the Eucharist.) The Chrism Mass celebrates the Priesthood as the evening Mass celebrates the Eucharist; both are inseparably united.

Secondly, it is a liturgical replay of the event of the washing of the feet where Jesus showed the Eucharist and the Holy Orders as sacraments of service and ministration. The priest then is the servant (i.e minister) of the Eucharist as the latter becomes the unction for the priestly ministration. After the washing of feet, Jesus concluded with again those gracious and compelling words: you ought to wash each other’s feet. The actions of Christ on this day all ended with some compelling words; in fact a sort of command to the disciples to prolong the act. Little wonder then ‘Maundy’ as a word is derived from the Latin word for ‘command.’ Hence, Maundy Thursday reminds us of the command of Jesus to prolong his life of sacrifice and service in the Eucharist. Unlike the Synoptic gospel writers, the Gospel of John has no account of the Last Supper. But we cannot because of this absence say that the Institution of the Eucharist on this day has no popular attestation. The absence of the last supper in that gospel is replaced with the Eucharistic gesture of washing of the feet, which opens our minds on how the Eucharist ought to transform our lives towards humility and service.

1. The Gospel (John 13:1-15) concludes with these words: for I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you. In the Eucharist, Jesus offers Himself. In the washing of the feet, Jesus shows us the importance of service and humility. So the Eucharist is a call on all Christians to offer the self for the sake of others, as the washing of the feet is a call on all Christians to offer the self in service. Through the act of washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus leaves for us an example as well as a principle which we are meant to live out. And this principle is that of love, service and sacrifice. In the Eucharist are all these principles. This is the legacy Jesus has left for us: love, service and sacrifice. This is evident in the readings of today. The First Reading (Exod. 12:1-18.11-14) is a prefiguration of the memorandum of the Eucharist in the New Testament. The injunction, this day shall be a memorial day and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord connects to the Second Reading’s (2 Cor. 11:23-26) do this in memory of me. All the three are in the form of command; a eucharistic command that is very significant for every generation. It is a command to maintain the legacy of the Eucharist.

2. God wants us to maintain the legacy of his love for us. In Jesus, we meet that supreme legacy which has lasted for thousands of years. Are we not then bound as Christians to extend this legacy? The action of the master is an example of humility, condescension, and love; would it not be nice to allow these virtues to manifest in our life? The legacy Jesus has left for us is indeed super!!! Perhaps at this point, the questions that we may be happy to ask ourselves are: What legacy am I to leave for the future; for humanity? For what will I be remembered after I have passed on? Can anyone be keen to maintain or to live out that which I regard now as my future legacy? It is indeed true that most people work so hard to be remembered for things that pass away, while neglecting those virtues that really make us humans. Remember, it is when we have lived well that we can, like Jesus unequivocally tell those behind us to do something in memory of us and to make sure the legacy we fought for is maintained. However, it must all boil down to love, service and sacrifice.

3. Everyone would desire to be remembered after death. We do not want our struggles to be in vain. There was this story of a dying man who was on his deathbed. Numerous people were present to lead him home gently. But when He looked up gently and thinking that all his employees were present unconsciously asked: why are all of you here? Who is then taking care of the company? This is how human beings may want their efforts not to pass on with them, but to pass on into others. It would indeed be very nice if we decide today to work so as to pass on virtues and ideologies that will shape the future of our society and our children in righteousness and peace. We need to experience the contentment that ought to come with the death of Christ’s followers: having suffered with Him, we shall also reign with him (2 Tim 2:12).

4. We are left to imagine the life replays and memories that go with the last minutes of one’s earthly life. These replays and memories ought to be accompanied with some feeling of contentment and peace. What guarantees this is the amount of lives we have been able to touch positively. It is now time to start touching lives positively. Jesus lived well, touched many lives, and encouraged his disciples and us to continue with this loveliest of all legacies he has left: do this in memory of me. In the Eucharist is great power. He knows that in this legacy is power, and living our lives by this instruction gives us the same courage and equanimity with which Christ embraced death. Is it not true that the way we live now may have to confront us during our last minutes? May the Last supper of Christ be our consolation and strength. Amen. Yes, we shall continue to do it in memory of Him. God bless you.