Homily For Wednesday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 22nd July, 2026. The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

 

Readings: 2Cor. 5:14-17, Ps. 63, John 20:1-2.11-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

HOW A SINNER BECAME A SAINT

Every human person has a past and a future; the past is gone, we cannot change it, but the future brings hope alive, for in both past and future we make our history a reality that can change the world. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, a woman whose life history gives hope to sinners and a sense of the past to the saints.

Often Mary Magdalene is referred to as the woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons or the repentant prostitute, whichever one, Scripture and history point out that Mary Magdalene had been greatly transformed by her faith in Jesus and her life was changed after her first encounter with Jesus for she abandoned her past life of sin.

Mary Magdalene was a great sinner who ought to have been condemned to die by those who were also unworthy and sinful before God. But the grace of God brought about the encounter that transformed her life, and she was privileged to be the first to know about the resurrection of Jesus and to also encounter the risen Lord.

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, which presents to us the encounter of Mary Magdalene with the risen Lord. When the apostles had left the tomb, Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. In her devotion to Jesus, Mary seeks to learn where she might find Jesus’ body so that she might take him away, a task that would be difficult both emotionally and physically.

But she was not even concerned with how she would convey the body from one place to another. She only believed that Jesus’ body had been dishonoured, and she was determined to see that he was accorded the honour that he deserves.

So, she remained by the tomb, weeping. Her heart was in earnest to find Jesus. The angels asked her: Why are you weeping? She was just busy trying to find the corpse of Jesus. But when she turned around and saw Jesus, her heart was filled with joy and peace.

This courageous act of faith brought about her encounter with the risen Lord. Thus, in Mary Magdalene we see a heart that is determined to find Jesus. A heart that truly loves Jesus, a heart that cannot give up the search for Jesus, a heart that listened and remembered the words of Jesus about his resurrection.

Dear friends, as we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, we must learn to let go of our old sinful way of life and embrace the new life of grace and hope God is offering us. So, today we are called to imitate her virtues, knowing that God can use anyone as His instrument if we are ready to embrace Him irrespective of our past ways of life.

For St. Paul tells us in our first reading that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation; the old creation has passed away; behold, the new has come. For Christ died for all so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for our sake.

Therefore, today, we are called to forget our past sinful life and embrace the Lord. We are called to seek the Lord with affection and tears. But oftentimes the clouds and darkness of our sins blind us from recognising the Lord who is always very close to us.

The truth is that the Lord’s way of making himself known to his people is by his word; his word appeals to our souls, speaking to us in a particular way that is unique to us. Are we ready to embrace the Lord once again and make our history a reality that will change this sinful world?

 LET US PRAY: Lord God, like Mary Magdalene, our souls seek to encounter you personally once again. Give us the grace and strength to always be ready to turn away from sin and embrace your word, that we may personally experience, fill and recognise your presence once again in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Tuesday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 21st July, 2026

 

Readings: Micah 7:14-15.18-20, Ps. 85, Matt 12:46-50

Rev Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHERE DO YOU TRULY BELONG?

One of the psychological and spiritual needs of the human person is the sense of belonging; this need is akin to the need for food, clothing, and shelter. The feeling of belonging is fundamental to our sense of happiness and well-being, as it gives value to life and helps us cope with painful emotions, thereby improving our motivation.

Hence, we often want to belong with one another, to our friends and families, to our culture and from one association and group to another. However, one of the common and safest places to belong is our families, especially when it is rooted in the family of God.

So today in our Gospel passage, Jesus speaks about belonging to his family and his relationship with members of his family when he said: Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.’ 

From the Gospel, Jesus speaks of two ways the people around him could be identified as members of his family. Firstly, he talks about those who belong to the family of his birth, that is, his mother, father and relations. Then his other family which is made up of those who do the will of God.

This family, he says, is his true family, where doing the will of God is the only way of becoming part of this family. This is not to say that Jesus is rejecting his family; to do so would be contradicting his own teaching about loving one's parents and loving one's neighbours.

However, Jesus is using this opportunity to emphasise that relationship with God is more important, and this is based on our total commitment to doing the will of God through him. Surprisingly, Mary the mother of Jesus belongs to both sides of the family, for she gave birth to Jesus and also was the first to do the will of God when she said, “let it be done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). For this reason she is the first disciple of Jesus and a model for all Christians.

Thus, to be a Christian or a disciple is to enter into the family of Jesus and embrace a new relationship with God and with one another and this is the most important place to belong. All other bonds, including those of blood should be considered secondary.

Because, belonging to God is fundamental to our basic relationships, prior to all human relations. Since we belong first to God before belonging to our families, after which we all go back to God where we ultimately belong, which will be determined by our attitude towards doing the “Will” of God here on earth.

Dear friends, are you part of the true family of Jesus? Where do we ultimately and truly belong? As Christians, we claim to be part of God’s family, but do our attitudes and decisions show that we truly belong to God’s family? Do we not often commit ourselves to things contrary to the faith we professed in God?

Today, the prophet Micah in our first reading prays for God’s mercy, asking God to show kindness to His people and forgive our trespasses for the times we have failed to be committed in doing His will, as he calls us to turn back to God once again, for it is in Him that we truly belong.

Therefore, today, like Mary and the disciples of Jesus, we are called to do the will of God always to truly belong to that true family of Jesus where love of God and love of neighbour unite us together.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we truly belong to your family; give us the grace to always do your will and as we carry out our activities today, grant success to the works of our hands, through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you. 

Homily for Monday, the sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 20th July, 2026

 

Readings: Micah 6:14.6-8, Ps.50; Matt 12:38-42

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT DOES THE LORD WANT FROM US IN THIS WORLD?

Listening to the conversation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees in our Gospel passage today as they asked Jesus for signs. He said to them, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah, telling us that, on Judgment day, the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here with us, that is, Jesus himself.

Hence, Jesus in this Gospel, presents to us the final recommendations of the end time, he insists that we should pay rapt attention to the signs nature is giving us concerning the end-time events, that these signs will make us have hope founded firmly on the word of God which drives away fear and despair, knowing that the kingdom of God is very near to us.

He also warns us about following those who claim to know when the end is coming. For we may see many of the signs written in Scripture happening already in our time, and people are terrified, looking for someone to show them the way. We should know that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life.

Reflecting on this, the question that comes to my mind is: where will you and I and the beautiful things of this world be in the next ten, twenty, forty, eighty and hundred years for those who are strong? The deep silence in my soul could not offer me any answer to this question rather, it exposed me to the foolishness of human greediness and selfishness.

Hence, I asked myself what God really requires from us in this world? I found the answer to this question in our first reading, where God, through the prophet Micah, says, 'My people, what have I done to you?' How have I been a burden to you? Answer me. For what is good has been explained to you, oh man; and this is what the Lord requires of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.

Dear friends, what signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs of these times, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these signs make us dread the second coming of the Lord, or do we joyfully embrace it in anticipation? Today, Jesus warns us not to waste our time seeking signs; instead, we should be prepared and remain firm in our faith.

He reminds us that he is not just the sign of Jonah, but something far greater than Jonah, and without him in our lives, we will be lost, because the future lies in his hands and nothing can destroy or hurt us as long as we remain faithful to his commands. Nonetheless, what he requires of us in this world is not to seek signs, but to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we embrace your word today, give us the grace to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with you and as we carry out our task this week, may your favour be with us now and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed week

Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 19th July, 2026

 

Readings: Wis. 12:13.16-19; Ps 86; Rom. 8:26-27; Matt. 13:24-43

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM OF EVIL IN THE WORLD CREATED BY A GOOD AND POWERFUL GOD.

No doubt that our society is full of evil and wickedness, and oftentimes, when we reflect on the ugly and evil events that happen around us, we wonder why God, who is so good and all-powerful, permits the evil we see and experience in the world He created.

And most times, the evil ones are so cruel that we wish that God should just wipe them away from the face of the earth and when this does not come to pass, we complain and even doubt the power of God over this evil, as so many good and virtuous people have been victims of these evil ones.

I recall discussing this with someone who was deeply angry and grieved about the state of our country, and he said that he feels like gathering all the corrupt leaders and people in our country and erasing them from the face of the earth. Looking at the anger in his face, I struggled to smile and said to him, but God will not allow that.

And he said, why will God not allow that to happen? Why? For today we see the evil ones becoming more ‘successful’, more recognised, more powerful and honoured in society while the virtuous and good people are rejected, maltreated and neglected. This raises many questions, the answers to which are found in the parables in our Gospel passage today.

For in our Gospel this Sunday we have three parables used by Jesus to describe the kingdom of God in relation to the ugly events that are happening in the world, beginning with the parable of the wheat and the weeds, the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven. These parables are quite explanatory to his audience who were basically people living then, as farmers, shepherds, fishermen and others who actually understood the message.

So, in the parable of the wheat and weeds, the sower has sown good seed of wheat in his field for a healthy wheat harvest. But in the dark of night, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. Here, the wheat represents the good things that God has created and handed on to humanity, Meanwhile, the weeds represent the wickedness and the evil brought by Satan, as well as those who have rejected the love and truth of God’s message.

However, what Matthew most likely refers to as weeds is darnel or cockle, a harmful weed that closely resembles wheat and is common in Israel. The difference between darnel and real wheat is evident only when the plants mature and the ears appear. So, when the servants notice the weeds, their first response is to question the quality of the seed. Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?

When the master replies that an enemy has sown the weeds, the servants were anxious to take care of the problem, to root those nasty weeds out immediately. But the master restrains his servants, saying that, in gathering the weeds they would uproot the wheat along with them. So he orders them to let both grow together until the harvest. Then he will send out his reapers to collect and burn the weeds and to gather the wheat into his barn.

In this parable the one who sows the good seed is God, the field is the world, and the good seeds are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. However, Jesus did not tell us whom the servants represent.

Perhaps they represent the disciples or anyone who has questioned why God allows evil to grow and thrive, and wished to take matters into his or her own hands and root out the evil around. But this will not be easy, because it is not so easy to tell the weeds from the wheat, as their roots are intertwined below the ground. Thus, rooting out the weeds would uproot the wheat as well, doing more damage to the crop than leaving the weeds to grow.

Therefore, we can say that this is why God is silent in the midst of all the evil going on in the world today. For he permits them for an appointed time when he will uproot and separate them without affecting the good and innocent ones who are attached and affected by their presence. Hence, Jesus wants us to learn how to be patient and trust God in times of trouble and tribulations for he alone knows the best time and how best to deal with the evil ones. For when that time comes He will gather all evildoers and throw them into the furnace of fire.

Little wonder in our first reading we heard that God shows His strength when men doubt the completeness of his power and so rebuke any insolence among those who know it, for he has power to act whenever he chooses. And St. Paul in our second reading tells us that the Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. For when we cannot choose words to pray properly, the Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words, and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well what we need.

Dear friends, the parable of the mustard seed symbolises the humble beginning of the Christian faith, which was well watered by the Holy Spirit to grow and give life and hospitality to all the people of the world. Thus, there is no doubt that in the world we have different kinds of seeds and weeds. But the question we need to ask ourselves is, what kind of seeds are we, and what kind of seed are we watering in our lives today? Are we watering valuable seeds or weeds? Are we watering weeds that we do not need, such as: weeds of fear, regrets, doubt, jealousy, hatred, disrespect, greediness, lying, gossip, impurity, wickedness and sin?

Today we are called to quit watering these weeds because that's what the enemies want and we must not fall into their traps. Rather we are called to water and nurture those valuable mustard seeds of faith, love, holiness, hospitality, obedience, charity and make them our values of life. For when we feed and water our values, our values will grow stronger like the mustard tree, where people may find solace in the midst of all the evil and challenges of life.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, you are full of mercy and compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love and truth, as we struggle like the wheat in the midst of weeds, guide and protect us from the malice of the evil ones. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a grace-filled Sunday.

Homily for Saturday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 18th July, 2026

 

Readings: Micah 2:1-5; Ps.9; Matt:12:14-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DEALING WITH THE UGLY ATTITUDE OF HUMANITY IN IMITATION OF CHRIST THE SUFFERING SERVANT

There is no doubt that we are living in a world full of crazy and ugly attitudes of Different kinds of people. The world is full of people who are entrusted with the noble task of leading and managing the resources and affairs of the people, but they are making decisions to eliminate and destroy them just for their personal gain and selfish interest.

This is what we have in our Gospel passage today, where the Pharisees, who are the leaders of the people, because of their selfish interest and pride, went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him, because of his great works and teaching of the people.

Jesus knew this and withdrew from their district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah which reminds us about the figure of the suffering Servant of Yahweh, in the person of Jesus. Here, Jesus experienced constant opposition and hostility at the hands of the Pharisees, who sought to destroy Him.

So, Matthew in this Gospel identifies Jesus with the Suffering Servant who is filled with God’s Spirit; despite the aggression of his opponents, he does not suspend his ministry of healing, forgiving and spreading the Good News. For he is full of gentleness and compassion.

Hence, Jesus the suffering Servant of God, the lovable and gentle teacher, has come to bring the light of truth to this crazy world, for he does not seek the death of sinners, but their conversion and salvation.

Therefore, in him, we can also find the courage and strength to persevere in these times of difficulty, suffering and persecution. For God has chosen us as His beloved sons and daughters. He has given us His Spirit so that we can stand firm against all the evil activities going on in this crazy world.

But as for those who have chosen to be instruments of destruction, manipulation and deception of humanity just for their selfish interest or for vain glory or for fun thereby letting people die for these wrongs that they do. Such people will have no share in the kingdom of the Lord, for the evils they have done will be their portion and lot.

This is exactly what we have in our first reading today, of which the Lord, through the prophet Micah, said: Woe to those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do it their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that we are really living in an evil and crazy world, but we must know that the transcendent power and authority belong to God. Yes, we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Thus, we must know that true greatness is found in service and not in domination or subjection of others. Good leaders serve the community; they subdue arguments and divisions; they maintain unity in times of distress and act as role models for the young ones.

Therefore, it is time for us to put off our old self, which leads to evil desire, manipulation, covetousness, selfishness and greed, and put on a new person born of love, compassion, contentment, purity and forgiveness.

We are all called today to serve in any capacity we find ourselves, bearing in mind that one should not strive to be a leader but a servant because leadership is a gift given to one by God. Remember, you don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, like little boys we go down on our knees with all humility, asking for your grace and courage to overcome the evil and ugly situation going on in this crazy world, where humanity is being manipulated, deceived and destroyed because of a few people’s selfish interests. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a pleasant weekend.

Homily For Friday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 17th July, 2026

 

Readings: Isaiah 38:1-6.7-8.21-22, Ps. 38, Matt 12:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY WE MUST DESIRE GOD’S MERCY AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM

Mercy is one of the attributes of God, and this attribute runs through the scriptures, as it is actually the summary of most of the stories in the scriptures. Ultimately, it is the mercy of God that we need more than His justice. Little wonder Jesus, in our Gospel passage today teaches us about the essence of making laws.

This is clear from his response to the Pharisees who criticised the attitude of his disciples who, on the Sabbath, were seen plucking ears of corn to eat because they were very hungry.

So, Jesus corrected them and made them know the right disposition as regards the application of God's law and any law at all, when he said to them "I desire mercy and not sacrifice". This is because the Pharisees emphasised strict keeping of the law of the Sabbath while neglecting the spirit of the law, which has to do with God’s love and mercy.

This is also evident in our first reading, where we heard of God’s mercy on King Hezekiah, who was suffering from a terrible illness that would have led to his death. But he begged the Lord in prayer to remember what he had done for the sake of his people, for Hezekiah had been faithful to God and led the people of Judah to return once again to God.

So God had Mercy on him and said to the prophet Isaiah: ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord.” I will add fifteen years to your life.’ Such is the mercy of God.

Dear friends, Law exists for the good of the people, but oftentimes we find ourselves seeking more recognition by exercising too much control over other people’s lives under the disguise of laws.

Hence, we should not lack compassion and mercy or close our hearts against our neighbour like the Pharisees, an attitude that reminds me of the words of Pope Francis when he said: "If our heart is closed, our heart will soon become like stone, then the stones will end up in our hands and, then, we will be ready to throw them at someone.

Therefore, this should not be the case; rather, we should always consider the essence and purpose of making laws and applying them, bearing in mind that human needs which supersede all other human interests should be the guiding principle of any law, both social and religious.

In fact, the ritual demands of the Sabbath encourage mercy, forgiveness and compassion which are at the heart of any true religion. Thus, as we make laws and implement them, let love, compassion and mercy be our guiding principle.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you show the light of your truth to those who go astray, may we always embrace your laws and apply them with mercy and compassion, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 16th July, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 26:7-9,12,16-19; Ps.102; Matt:11:28-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

COME WITH YOUR HEAVY BURDEN AND FIND REST IN THE LORD WHEN

Thinking about the ugly condition of our societies today, where the ugly and sinful attitudes of greed, corruption, pride and selfishness of people have placed a heavy burden and stress on us all and often these burdens are so heavy that we don’t know how to carry them.

The worst of these burdens are the sorrows we bear in our hearts: sorrows caused by our sins, unhealthy relationships we have engaged in, unforgiveness, and family problems resulting from the negative influence of society.

Thus, today in our Gospel passage Jesus says to us: Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

No doubt that every one of us has a task and a mission to accomplish, and this can be very demanding, just as we heard the prophet Isaiah in our first reading today saying:The path of the upright man is straight; You smooth the way of the upright. Following the path of your judgements, we hoped in you, O Lord; your name and your memory are all my soul desires.

Similarly, Jesus recognises the sorrows in our lives, how we labour and are overburdened as a result of our tasks and mission. Hence he invites us to come to him with all our burdens. Yes, it is human to think and worry about things of this world.

Every human person thinks and worries about something. Only a few people can sometimes find it easy to resolve their problems, but for most people, their problems are too great, and they move from bad to worse. Hence, this invitation of Jesus opens a refreshing space in our soul, by inspiring hope and drawing us into God’s loving and gentle presence where our souls find peace and solace.

Dear friends, what task and mission has God given to us in this life? How are we carrying out this task and mission? What are the challenges we are facing? Is the task and mission so heavy for us to bear? Are we carrying an additional load apart from the one God has given to us?

I don't know the heavy burden in your heart right now, I don’t know your cherished plans which have failed, and it seems as if disappointments have prevailed, thereby wandering in the darkness of confusion and a heavy heart all alone.

Today, Jesus is inviting us to come to him with all our burdens, all our troubles, all our challenges and disappointments, and he will give us rest. He says we should embrace his yoke, we should learn from him, for he is gentle and humble of heart and by so doing find rest for our souls. Then we will tell the story of how we overcome our most troublesome and darkest of moments, for we will understand it better by and by.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we come to you with our heavy burden and sorrows in our hearts, grant that we may embrace the yoke of Christ and so find peace and solace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God's favour