Homily For Tuesday, Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 6th October 2026

 
Readings: Gal 1: 13-24, Ps. 139, Luke 10:28-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING AND HOSPITALITY IN OUR FAMILIES

Listening is a vital aspect of the human person, yet it is sorely lacking in most of our communication these days. This is because we often worry about so many things in life, trying to make people hear us without taking time to listen to them.

There are people who are always trying to satisfy everyone without listening to the real thing that matters. I have also come across people who are often worried about how to make others feel more comfortable without minding their own discomfort. They are so concerned with pleasing others even when they are not pleased. What a great sacrificial virtue that is not common these days.

This sacrificial virtue is the attitude of Martha in our Gospel passage today, where we have the story of how Martha was so busy trying to make Jesus comfortable when he visited them at their house in Bethany.

But when Martha observed that her sister Mary was not helping out in the preparation, but was busy listening to Jesus, she said to Jesus: “Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her”.

Here, Jesus is not condemning this great sacrificial virtue nor condoning laziness. Rather, he is saying that being busy without listening and listening without doing is worthless. Hence, he gently corrects the impression of Martha, who was too busy and distracted with so many things that she risks losing sight of what is really important, that is, listening to Jesus. This is because Martha gives the impression that Mary is just sitting there doing nothing. But, in fact, she was listening to Jesus.

However, Jesus is not telling us to be content with sitting down and listening to his word, for he always insists that listening to his word means putting it into practice. While his objection to Martha request is that she was too anxious and distracted by many things, so that she was not able to really listen to him, Jesus says listening is the best option. So, are you too busy and distracted like Martha? Learn to listen to God like Mary and it shall be well with you.

Dear friends, in our relationship with Jesus, are we more of listeners or more of accommodating and caring? Are we more like Martha or like Mary, for they were both friends of Jesus? Today, many of us are so busy and anxious about so many things that we have no time to listen to God speaking to us and addressing the situation we are actually busy trying to solve. Today we are called, like Martha, to pause and listen, so that we can hear God speaking to us and directing us towards the right path.

Remember, Martha, who was known as a friend of Jesus, loved to welcome him into her home; let us learn from her, knowing that hospitality is perfected when we have a listening ear. For it is a great virtue to be hospitable and caring, especially when we spend quality time listening to God and letting him direct and guide us towards carrying out our daily tasks.

Hence, let us learn how to listen to God just like St. Paul in our first reading, who, through listening to God, changed from a persecutor to a preacher of the faith he had previously tried to destroy.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are always so busy with the things of this passing world that we often do not have time to listen to you. Give us the grace, like Mary, to choose the better part, which is to truly listen to your word and then be well disposed to be caring and hospitable, just like Martha. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day

Homily For Monday, Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 5th October 2026

Readings: Gal 1:6-12, Ps. 111, Luke 10:25-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A GOOD SAMARITAN

As humans, we always desire to know what life requires of us, especially when we are faced with the realities of life. We often want to know what should be our priority. So we always ask questions that will help us in addressing most of the challenges we encounter. These questions are sometimes meant to test our ability towards understanding the realities of life.

This is the deposition of the lawyer in our Gospel passage today, who came to Jesus to test him by asking him questions concerning the requirements for inheriting eternal life. This lawyer referred to the 'Shema Israel' - שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, the prayer that the people of Israel knew and recited from their earliest years.

From this prayer, they learned that the most important thing in life is to love God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their mind and to love their neighbour as well. In other words, loving God with all our heart, with all our understanding and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. These are what the Lord requires of us and it is the foundation of all the things we have to do.

But this lawyer needed more clarification concerning these requirements, so he asked Jesus a second important question when he said: Who is my neighbour? At this point, Jesus did not just explain; he illustrated who a true neighbour should be with the famous story of the good Samaritan. In fact, from the story, Jesus did not just answer the question: ‘Who is my neighbour?’

He also demonstrates what a true and righteous neighbour should be like, thereby showing us that our neighbours are often those we least expect to be neighbours. For our neighbour can be anyone, even the ones we most despise or fear, just like the good Samaritan, and this tells us that a true neighbour shows compassion, love, care and makes sacrifices for others.

And St. Paul, in our first reading, addressing the people of Galatia concerning what it means to be a good neighbour, spoke clearly against all those who misinterpreted the Scriptures and twisted the truth for their own selfish purposes and, by so doing, sowed seeds of division and confusion among the Christian communities.

Thereby, warning us that if anyone should preach a version of the Good News different from the one they have already preached to us, whether it is an angel from heaven, he is to be condemned for committing such sin against God and against his neighbours.

Dear friends, love is the centre of all the teachings of Jesus, for love is a gift from God to humanity. It is like the stream water, so innocent and pure. True love is not hidden; it radiates from the innermost being of a person who has experienced it. If we love God, then, we will see him in others and treat them justly and honourably. We will not hurt our neighbours but do our utmost to live in peace with them.

The truth is that the absence of love is the cause of all the problems in our world today, as most families exist by grace and not by love. Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we all loved one another. How I wish we could invest our time and resources in ensuring love and unity in our dealings with one another. Believe me, we will not only be fulfilling the first and greatest commandments of God, but we will be building a happy community.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, in you resides the fullness of love; grant that we may truly love you and our neighbours and so conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and corruption. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful week ahead.

Homily for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 4th October, 2026

 
Readings: Is. 5:1-7, Ps. 80, Phil 4:6-9. Matt. 21:33-43

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET US BE GOOD AND FAITHFUL TENANTS IN GOD’S VINEYARD

In this world, we are like tenants living in an apartment entrusted to us to manage by a generous landlord who has gone on a long-distance journey. We do not know when he will return, or what his plan is for the apartment. But one thing is certain, he wants us to be fruitful and to give a proper account of what he has entrusted to us whenever he comes back.

Sadly, because of the comfort and freedom we are enjoying, we have forgotten who we are; we have forgotten that we are nothing but common tenants. Worse still, some are now claiming to be the landlord, maltreating other fellow tenants and acquiring the whole property for themselves at the expense of others. And they are doing everything to ensure that the true landlord does not return.

This ugly attitude of humanity is what the prophet Isaiah in our first reading is talking about in the song concerning the vineyard of the Lord, which has failed to bear good fruits despite the efforts the Lord has made to ensure that it is fruitful. This same issue is what Jesus is also addressing in our Gospel passage today in the great parable of the vineyard owner, who planted a vineyard, fenced it around, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to collect his produce from the tenants whom he had entrusted with the care of his vineyard.

 But the tenants were now wicked, greedy and selfish, for they desired to keep everything they gained to themselves. Hence, they persecuted and killed the servants sent to them. The tenants also killed the son of the vineyard owner, whom the owner sent to them thinking that the tenants would respect his son. In the end, the vineyard owner came down himself and dealt with all those wicked tenants, punishing them all for their wickedness and the evil things which they had committed out of greed and ego. They lost everything and were punished justly by the owner.

This parable describes the relationship between God and humanity and how humanity has been summoned for a trial. Here, the owner of the vineyard is God, the servants represent the prophets who constantly rebuked the people and reminded them about their being tenants in the Lord’s vineyard. The son represents Jesus Himself, who is the Son of God sent into the world to save humanity, but was rejected and killed. Also, the vineyard represents the world and all its resources which do not belong to us but to God, while the wicked tenants represent the ugly attitudes of humanity towards these resources entrusted to us by God.

Dear friends, our world, our nation, our societies, our families, and our lives as individuals are on trial before God, for God has presented his case against us today, summoning our blessed land and mountains to act as judges between Him and the people of this generation, by reminding us how He has blessed us with so many resources, skills, good weather and people. But we have failed to be fruitful; we have misused the Lord’s gifts and resources; we have neglected his message; we have committed and are still committing a lot of evil and murder, yet we are still crying, seeking solutions and signs from God.

Today as tenants in God’s vineyard, we are called to change our ugly attitudes. We are called to turn away from greed, corruption, pride and ego. If not, we will likely end up like those wicked tenants who acted with such evil against their fellow men and even against the son of their master and were justly punished and the kingdom of God was taken away from them and given to those who will be fruitful. Therefore, what God requires from us today is to do justice, to love kindly and to walk humbly with him for our good and the good of others.

Little wonder, St. Paul in our second reading tells us not to worry; but if there is anything we need, we should pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving. He also encouraged us to fill our minds with everything true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise, we should keep doing them. Knowing that, it was the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, oftentimes we have failed to be good and fruitful tenants in your vineyard despite all you have offered us. Help us today to make a radical decision that will change our ugly, selfish, greedy and corrupt attitudes, in order to embrace a more loving and caring attitude that will make us more fruitful in your vineyard. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday, I wish you God's favour and blessings.

Homily For Saturday, Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 3rd October, 2026. The Memorial of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Readings: Job 42:1-3.5-6.12-17, Ps.119, Luke 10:17-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE TRUE JOY OF OUR MISSION AS CHRISTIANS

In Christ's mission, many things can make us happy, and we often hope for more of them. But one goal should be the basis for all our desires. And this is what Jesus is telling us in our Gospel passage today, for when his disciples came back rejoicing with the report of how they were victorious on the mission he sent them.

Jesus said to them: ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.

Here, Jesus made it clear that the true joy of our mission is to make heaven, and he warns us to be careful and make sure our priorities and motivations are found around this one goal of making it to heaven.

Little wonder Jesus, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Thus, if we are ready to open our hearts in humility and simplicity, God himself will reveal many things to us about himself.

Dear friends, this is exactly what happened in the life of Job in our first reading, for when he opened his heart to God, Job realised his faults, and he repented of his mistakes, and embraced the will of God for him as he remained faithful even in the most difficult times in his life. And God blessed and restored him even more than before, thereby telling us that those who hold onto God till the end, despite the trials and persecutions of life, God will bless and restore us to his glory.

This is also what we see in the life of St. Therese of the Child Jesus whose memorial we celebrate today. For when a priest told her that her falling asleep during prayer was due to a want of fervour and fidelity and she should be desolate over it, she wrote “I am not desolate. I remember that little children are just as pleasing to their parents when they are asleep as when they are awake.”

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are made to know that the true Joy of our mission is to make heaven, may we experience this true Joy of your heavenly kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful weekend

Homily For Friday, Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 2nd October 2026. The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

 

Readings: Job 38:1-12-21,40:3-5, Ps. 139, Matt.18:1-5.10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR GUARDIAN ANGELS

As humans, we often experience some level of favour, providence and protection which we do not expect. Sometimes we wonder how we managed to escape some dangerous actions on our way or what has inspired and sustained us in doing great works.

The answer to this question is found in the memorial we are celebrating today, that is, our Holy Guardian Angels whom God has set before us. Their function is to be our guide and protector in our constant struggle against the war that rages in our souls. In these angels, we celebrate God’s loving care for each and every one of us, for God sends them to guide and to protect us. They are higher beings than us, but God put them at our service.

The angels have one goal in mind, which is the glorification of God, which, for our sake, consists in our salvation and sanctification. They are prepared to do anything to procure our salvation and increase our sanctification. So, angels do protect us physically, but more than that, they protect us more spiritually, especially guiding and protecting our souls from the danger of sin and condemnation.

The Angels do this by putting in us a holy fear, or contempt for those evils we know we should avoid. They enlighten our minds to help us to know the good we ought to do and the evil we are to avoid; this they do by acting upon the sensible part of our souls, our emotions and sentiments, and so inspire us with joy, peace and favour of God. For God communicates his message to us through their mediation.

This is what we see in the life of Job in our first reading, where we heard how Job, although he was suffering and passing through many troubles, including his friends who abandoned him and even accused him of wrongdoing, remained committed to God in righteousness without blaming either God or the people for his misfortune. For he said: My words have been frivolous: what can I reply? I had better lay my finger on my lips. I have spoken once… I will not speak again; More than once… I will add nothing.

Thereby teaching each and every one of us how to cooperate with our guardian Angels to respond and react in the moment of trials and difficulties. Thus, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us to be humble like little children in following the directives of our Guardian Angels. He also warned us not to mislead the little children in their faith or harm them, for their Angels in heaven are constantly interceding for them.

Dear friends, God has always provided and protected us. He often sends his Angels before us, but what is your relationship with your guardian angels? We need to have a good relationship with our guardian angels so they are always there to help us in our struggles. All we have to do is trust in the Lord and follow the directives that our Guardian Angels have proposed for us. They are always before God, interceding and praying constantly for us.

They often speak to us and communicate the message of God to us, but we are often too busy and distracted by the noisy things of this passing world, which the devil has been using to lead us astray. We cannot give in to his schemes if we remain faithful and attentive to our Holy Guardian Angels.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of our Guardian Angels; today we ask that, through their intercession, we may always find favour in your sight and before men. Let us always be defended by their protection and rejoice eternally in their company as we say: Angel of God, our guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits us here. Ever this day be at our side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Have a fruitful day. 

Homily For Thursday, Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 1st October 2026. The Solemnity of Our Lady Queen & Patroness of Nigeria

 
Readings: Is.11:1-10, Ps.72, Eph. 2:13-22, Matt.2:13-14.19-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO BECOME THE LIGHT AND SALT OF OUR COUNTRY, NIGERIA?

Pondering the struggles, fears, tears, disappointments and betrayals that people are passing through every day to survive in this world, especially in our country, Nigeria. Some people have lost hope in themselves and in everything they do because a few individuals, driven by greed for power and wealth, have frustrated our country's progress. For there is no doubt that the root of all the problems in our world today is the love of power. For people are ready to do anything to be in power and to retain that power.

 This is what we see in the life of Herod in our Gospel passage today, where the Holy Family of Jesus had to flee to Egypt because Herod planned to kill an innocent child for the sake of retaining his power. This ugly attitude is not far from us today, especially in our country, Nigeria, which is in a state of distress because of the love of power and greediness among the people in power and even the common citizens.

The fact remains that the elements of good and bad seem inherent in the human person, little wonder the world involves both good and bad mixed. This will help us to understand the reason for the corruption, greediness, immorality, and social decadence in our country today. So as we are celebrating our country, Nigeria, at 66 since our independence, we thank God who has made it possible for us to witness this day.

But today’s celebration should plunge us into deep reflection about the ugly condition of this country. We need to ask ourselves, what have we done right? What have we done wrong? How can we do better and what will the future of this country be like? This is because our country, Nigeria, needs a radical transformation from greed and selfishness to love and goodwill in a sacrificial way.

This is because the rate of corruption and greed in this country is so appalling. People are never tired of acquiring and embezzling public funds for their own selfish gain. This shows that we have failed in our responsibility at different levels where we find ourselves.

For we have failed to give that taste of love, joy, goodwill, integrity, honesty, holiness, and compassion to our tasteless and corrupt families, societies and our country Nigeria. As a result, life has become short, brutal and hopeless, with no money; the little in circulation has no value; fuel is not affordable; no light, no food, no water, no good roads; and the cost of living is so high.

Dear Friends, why have we failed to be the salt and light of this nation? Why have we chosen to mingle with darkness? Why have we chosen to remain silent and lose the sweet taste of love and goodwill God has given us? Is it the case that Christians are not involved in making policies in our societies and the implementation of those policies? I don’t think so, for I know we are involved, but we have forgotten who we are, so we have been thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men of darkness and lawlessness.

The truth is that we need a radical transformation. A transformation that will bring about a new outfit that makes one a new person, with a new life, a new mind and a new way of doing things. And this is possible only when we understand the shortness of this life, the emptiness of this passing world and the danger of greediness; then we will be able to do things the right way and our country, Nigeria, will be great again.

This country will be transformed only when the power of love and goodwill supersedes the love of power and when everyone understands that leadership is sacrificial and crucial to every human development. A situation where justice and faithfulness become the habit of every one of us in this country. Hence, all we need is good leaders who are not hypocrites. Leaders who will be truly servants of the people at all levels of leadership, beginning from the self to the family, to societies and to our country.

So, can I be such a leader in my life, my family, in my society and in my country? If my answer is yes. Then, we can begin to experience that peaceful coexistence and blessings that the prophet Isaiah mentioned in our first reading and bring the hostility going on in our country to an end just like St. Paul said in our second reading that we shall no longer be strangers in our own country but true citizens with the saints not just here in our country Nigeria but also in the kingdom of God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, out of selfishness and greediness we have committed a lot of crimes and injustices against one another, grant that through the intercession of Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria, we may resolve to have genuine love and goodwill in carrying out our activities in our country as you guide and direct us to learn how to do the right thing always by letting the power of love transform the ugly situation in our country. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Month, I wish you a blessed Independence Day celebration. 

Homily For Wednesday, Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 30th September 2026. The Memorial of St. Jerome

 

Readings: Job 9:1-12.15-16, Ps. 88, Like 9:57-62

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY MAKE EXCUSES FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW?

The path to success is so rigorous, strenuous and competitive. The strong pass through it and are celebrated, while the weak will always quit or give up. Hence, many people have not been able to achieve their goals in life because they always have excuses. Oftentimes we hear people say, "I want to do this but...," "I could have done it but...," "I thought of it but..." I was almost there but...

This kind of attitude is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, when he said to someone, ‘Follow me’, the man replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’

Then another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.

Here, Jesus is emphasising that following him requires a life of total self-denial, and the man who requested to follow Jesus had not reflected thoroughly on what following Jesus would entail. So Jesus made it clear that following him would mean giving up many of the personal comforts that he enjoyed and perhaps took for granted.

However, it may seem that the Lord Jesus was very harsh when he said that those who have chosen to follow him and looked back were not fit for the kingdom of God or that those who died ought to be left on their own to be buried. This is not the case here; rather, Jesus is emphasising that to be his follower requires serious commitment and sacrifices at all times.

And this is what we see in the life of Job in our first reading where we heard how Job, although he was suffering and was passing through many troubles, friends who abandoned him and even accused him of wrongdoing, remained committed to God in righteousness without blaming either God or the people for his misfortunes. Thereby teaching each and every one of us how to respond and react in the moment of trials and difficulties.

And today, as we celebrate the memorial of St. Jerome, which marks the sixteen centuries that he has passed on, we recall his great contributions to the Church and the Christian faithful, especially for his compilation of the Latin translation of the Greek Bible. Jerome was involved in and experienced all sorts of worldly pleasures as a young student of philosophy.

But later, his conscience led him to conversion into the Christian faith as he renounced all of his past sinful ways of life and devoted himself deeply to the study of the Scriptures, from which come all his great works we still study today.

Dear friends, for us to succeed in life we need to pass through some rigorous steps and stop making excuses. Sometimes the rigour of the paths may seem difficult and impossible, but in the end they form the experience that will propel us to success and sustain us as well.

So as we journey through the rigorous path of success in our mission and vocations, let us be encouraged by the life of Job and St. Jerome, knowing that none of our sacrifices and contributions in the mission of Christ and his Church will be in vain.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, teach us how to faithfully embrace our vocation and mission in life without making excuses. And through the intercession of St. Jerome, may we be ever more nourished by your word and find in it the fount of grace to journey the path of life; we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day