The Memorial Of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi

Do nothing from selfishness or conceit.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, the Memorial of Blessed Cyprian M I Tansi, Saturday 20th, January
Texts: Philippians 2:1-11; Canticle Isaiah 12:2-3.4bcde.5-6; Matthew 13:44-45

Today is the memorial of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a native of Nigeria. The missionaries brought him up and trained him as a teacher and catechist. He later went to seminary and was ordained priest in 1937. He joined the Cistercian Abbey of Mount St Bernard and embraced monastic life when he went to England in 1950. Today’s readings are chosen to reflect on what made him saint.  

Humility of Christ is what made incarnation possible

Today’s first reading reveals that the life of the saint is about living by the wisdom of Christ. The wisdom is humility. Humility of Christ is what made incarnation possible. In the words of apostle Paul: “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ  Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” 

It is by humility, which manifests in self-emptiness, that we give up all for God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ affirms this in His parables. He say, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” 

Humility is the driving force of the passion of Jesus

Apostle Paul also affirms that humility is the driving force of the passion of Jesus. He says, “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” What apostle Paul does in the reading is to admonish us to live by the wisdom of Christ. He also shows that humility is the way of exaltation and greatness. He says, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name”. 

Apostle Paul tells us the practical way to live by the wisdom of Christ. He tells us it is by “being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” He adds, “Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” 

Prayer 

O God, in the priest Blessed Cyprian Michael Iweni Tansi you joined the apostolic zeal of a pastor to the way of life of a monk. Grant us by his intercession that persevering in prayer, we seek untiringly the coming of your kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and our elder brother. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke