Homily For Saturday Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 14th February, 2026. The Memorial of SS. Cyril and Methodius, and St. Valentine’s Day

 

Readings: 1Kings 12:26-32.13:33-34; Ps.106; Mark 8:1-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE POWER AND VICTORY OF LOVE OVER HUMAN SELFISHNESS

When God created humanity, he entrusted all his creation to us and gave us regulations to follow in order to ensure successful fulfilment of this responsibility. But out of pride and selfishness we disobeyed God’s instructions and regulations. Hence, we separated ourselves from God, where we should have remained and enjoying the bliss of God’s presence, just as we heard in our first reading today.

For we heard how Jeroboam out of greed and selfishness separated himself and the people entrusted to him from God by creating for himself a golden image in replacement of the living God. Such conduct made the House of Jeroboam a sinful House, and caused its ruin and extinction from the face of the earth.

This is how we often behave and separate ourselves from God and are heading towards destruction and suffering. Nonetheless, God has not abandoned us in our downfall. He is still compassionate, caring and loves us even in our imperfections and our disobedience, for his compassion for the sufferings of humanity is so great. This is evident in our Gospel reading today, where Jesus reveals his compassion towards humanity. This compassionate love of Jesus in it’s historical and physical solidarity with human suffering, springs from the love of God the Father for his creatures..

Here, Jesus had compassion on the people who had been with him for days listening to his words. He then says to his disciples that there is need for him to give them something to eat before sending them away less they may faint on the way since some of them have come a long distance. This compassion of Jesus is meant for us to spread it throughout the world in a practical way by our ways of life.

This what we see in the lives of SS. Cyril and Methodius, and St. Valentine whose memorial we celebrate today. For all over the world people are celebrating especially young people, we are celebrating what they called the valentine’s day. A day we celebrate love. But today we are celebrating not just love, but the power and victory of love over human selfishness. The seed of this celebration comes as a result of the ugly event that happened on February 14, around the year 270 A.D., when Valentine, a holy Roman Catholic priest, who lived in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed.

But the questions that comes to mind are: why was he executed and how does this ugly event relate to what we are celebrating today? According to history, what happened was that under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns and the emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. So the emperor discovered that men of Rome were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.

Thus, to deal with this problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. But Valentine a priest of Rome, realizing the injustice of this declaration by the emperor, defied this order and continued to perform marriages rite for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, the emperor ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. This ugly event was carried out on February 14, around the year 270.

However, in 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius, in honour of this St. decided to put an end to the Feast of Lupercalia, which was a pagan celebrate of the god of fertility in the name of love, though in an immoral way that is not acceptable to Christian faith. So in order to replace this feast with something more acceptable, the Pope declared that February 14 be celebrated as St. Valentine's Day in memory of his sacrificial passion for love among the people. And gradually, February 14 became a date for the celebration of love which is often expressed in different ways such as exchanging love messages, poems and simple gifts such as flowers to our loved ones.

Thus, Valentine celebration reminds us of the gift of God's love to humanity. For God loves unconditionally and sacrificially, he loves us till the very end. So, we have to also love one another the way God loves us. We must know that Valentine day is not a carnal celebration of love. But more of sacrificial and spiritual celebration. That is why as Christians we do not celebrate Valentine in a carnal or selfish manner or the sinful way the world celebrates it in the name of boyfriend and girlfriend, committing immorality, fornication and adultery in the name of love, which of course is not love, but lust.

Therefore, Valentine’s day for us should be a day we protect and promote true love for one another. It is a day we remember how much we care for one another and what we are to one another. It is a day we build up and nurture long-lasting love, friendships and good relationships with one another.

Dear friends, God has not abandoned us even in our imperfections, he still cares about us. All he wants from us is to be faithful to him and be compassionate to one another. But how strong is our compassion towards others? Do we know people who are helpless and need some help? Let us look at them for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at them. How does he sees them? Have I ever felt helpless? Do I feel the need of Jesus’ help in some part of my life?

Today, like Jesus, each one of us are called to reach out to people around us who are really in need of our assistance. This includes our family members, our neighbours, our colleagues and others who we encounter in life. The truth is that, you may be the only person who can brings the love, help us healing and compassion of Jesus into their lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, our fragile and contingent nature propelled by pride and sins have always bring about our downfall, but you have never abandoned us. As we embrace your love and compassion, give us the grace to look at people around us with the compassionate eyes of Jesus and be of help to them the best we could. Amen. Have a peaceful weekend and happy Valentine's day .

Homily For Friday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 13th February, 2026

 

Readings: 1Kings 11:29-33.12:19; Ps.81; Mark 7:31-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD, THE WORLD HAS MADE US DEAF AND DUMB, COME AND OPEN OUR EARS AND TONGUES ONCE AGAIN

Reflecting on the ugly events in this world, especially how people pay attention to the things of this world at the expense of the things of God. How the world has engaged our attention to herself that we have now become deaf and dump to things that concerns our spiritual life. Yes we go to Church as often as possible, we engaged in one spiritual activity or another.

But the questions are, do we really listen and hear God speaking to us through those activities? Do we still see the hands of God in what we do? Are we really convinced of what we do in the house of God? Are we confused about our faith as a result of ugly events and scandals? The world really want us to be deaf to the word of God and mute to speak the great things God is doing for us.

This is evident in our first reading today, where we heard the consequences of paying deaf ears to God’s instructions. For Solomon in his old age let’s his hearts be separated from God because of the lost for the ugly thing of this passing world. So today we heard how his kingdom was divided and separated from him because of his sin. In a similar way humanity are constantly paying deaf hears to the instructions of God by allowing herself to be deceived by the serpents of this passing world and as a result of this ugly attitude, we are separating ourselves from the presence of God out of pride and selfish desires.

Thus, today in our Gospel passage, we heard how Jesus dramatically and figuratively heals us of our deafness and dumbass caused by our constant embracing of the sinful things of this passing world. Hence, when the deaf and dumb man was brought to Jesus for healing. He took the man aside, puts his fingers in his ears, touches his tongue with spittle, looks up to heaven and prays, " Ephphatha! Be opened".

Immediately the man’s ears were opened, his tongue loosed and he is able to speak plainly. This same words are use during baptism while touching the ears and lips of the baptized, a gesture that signifies the spiritual openness of one’s heart to God’s words.

Dear friends, out of pride and greediness we have often separated ourselves from the presence of God and as a result have become deaf and dumb to his teachings and instructions. Hence, we all need to have our ears opened so that we can hear and understand fully the message of Jesus and share it to the world.

I don’t know how far we have separated ourselves from God as a result of sin, I don’t know how deep our deafness and dumbness are, all I know is that today God is saying to us, fear not, have courage for the eyes of the blind shall be opened, ears of the deaf unstopped and the tongue of the mute shall sing for joy. All we need is to trust God no matter the affliction we are passing through in this world, for he is able to save us from them all.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, our strong desire for the things of this passing world has made us so deaf and dumb towards your words. Let us hear your voice once more saying to us “Ephphatha, be opened”, so that we can hear your words deep down our hearts and joyfully proclaim it to all humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It's Friday, as you go about your activities, may the joy of the Lord be your strength.

Homily For Thursday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 12th February, 2026

Readings: 1Kings 11:4-13; Ps.106; Mark 7:24-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ACCEPTING WHO YOU ARE IN PRAYER SO YOU CAN BE ELEVATED

In our society today, most people hardly accept who they are. For these days people spent all their resources and energy trying to convince others of what they are not by seeking their approval. What happens is that, at the end they will lose their nerves and other people will convince them that what they are doing doesn't have any value and because of that they give up their dream.

This is not the same with the syrophoenician woman in our Gospel passage today, who when approached Jesus pleading for the restoration of her daughter did not give up even when her request was not granted immediately.

For we are told that Jesus entered a house in Tyre and Sidon and did not want to be recognized. It is then that this Gentile Syrophoenician woman came to him and prostrated herself before Jesus and begged him to exorcise the evil spirit in her daughter.

But Jesus’ answer seems somewhat strange when he said: “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” However, the woman responded, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps. Her humble and powerful faith were immediately rewarded and her daughter was healed.

This story portrays the anticipation of the future faith of the Gentiles who will later become Christians. However, the irony of this passage is that, in Israel Jesus was trying to convince people that he was the Messiah, as he was being challenged to prove it with a sign.

But here in Gentile territory he met a woman who was convinced he was the Messiah and he could not discourage her efforts. Nonetheless, his apparent attempt to put her off was just a test, of which her great faith was proven by accepting her humble background and persistency in her request.

She accepted the place of a “dog” as a Gentile in relation to Israelites been the chosen children of God to whom the message and grace of the Messiah came first. Though she accepted that she may not be able to sit down at the Messiah’s table and eat with the “children,” but she should be allowed to pick up some of the crumbs of unmerited mercy and grace of God for the sake of her daughter.

Dear friends, we must learn how to humbly accept who are and be more persistent in our quest and desire for something. We must stop wasting valuable time trying to prove who we are not, let us first accept who we are in faith, then, work hard to improve who we want to be in relation to our faith in God. Let our faith in God help us to accept who we are. Whatever we want to do, let us have faith in God and in ourselves, and be determined because, faith, determination and sacrifice are the secrets of any success in life.

Therefore, tell yourself today that you can get that which you desire, when you plan for it, work everyday for it, then you will begin to see a different face in the things you do. The truth is that people are rewarded in public for things they do for years in private.

So, let us learn from this syrophoenician woman who accepted who she was and was determined with faith to achieve her dream through humility and persistency. Let us not be like King Solomon in our first reading who failed to remain faithful to God in his old age.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the syrophoenician woman accepted her humble background with great faith in your Son Jesus, as we humbly make a leap of faith today, with determination and sacrifice towards our dreams in life, may you grant our hearts desires through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day. 

Homily For Wednesday Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year A , 11th February, 2026

 

Readings: 1kings 10:1-10; Ps.37; Mark 7:14:23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE DENGER OF DEFILING THE PURITY OF OUR HEART

From the scriptures, we heard how God has entrusted to humanity his wonderful creation with the following instructions: ‘You may eat indeed of all the trees in the garden. Nevertheless of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you are not to eat, for on the day you eat of it you shall most surely die (Gen. 3:3). But we have often failed to keep this instruction out of pride and greediness which have corrupted our hearts and as a result most of our ugly attitudes are the fruit of this corrupt heart and these often separate us from God.

Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus makes it clear that we are not defiled or separated from God, by external things, such as the kinds of food we eat, but by the sins of the heart, evil intentions and sinful actions which we entertain in our hearts. Telling us that physical activity of the human person does not defile a person because the physical is being controlled by the inner interior being of the person. For when the interior life of a person is corrupted by sin, then the fruit of this corruption is manifested in the physical activity of the person.

For just as a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so will a corrupt heart bring forth corrupt fruits, corrupt appetites, passions and covetousness and immoderate desires for the passing things of this passing world from which comes wickedness; malice, hatred, and a delight in mischievous actions, deceit; Lasciviousness; that filthiness and foolish talk which darkened the soul.

Hence, Jesus teaches us that from a corrupt heart comes the desire for fornication and adultery. And all these comes from within our hearts, especially it’s the corrupt nature that brings about the carnal mind, the evil treasure in the heart which defile the human person and render one unfit to communion with God. Because they stain the conscience; and, if not mortified and rooted out, will send us out of our heavenly kingdom.

Thus, the defilement we ought to avoid is not from what entered our mouths as food, but from what comes out of our mouths, which shows the goodness or wickedness deep down in our hearts. For the human heart is the source of every good and evil deeds. Hence, the pollution of the human heart is very dangerous, for in it comes all the powers and faculties of the soul. So there is need for us to know that lustful and sinful thoughts of the heart defiles the human person and makes one abominable in the sight of God.

Dear friends, we must ensure that our hearts are constantly purge of all these corruptions in other to bear good fruits of love, forgiveness, compassion and holiness. For it is only when this occurs that there will be need for a new hearts and right spirit to be formed and created within us for having repented and received the pardoning grace of God. Because nothing will last in the soul more than the regenerating graces of the Holy Spirit which gives sight to the heart darkened by sin in order to effectively lead others to the truth that illuminates their hearts from the darkness of sin and death.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the human hearts have been corrupted and darkened by sins. As we struggle to constantly purge our hearts from sin and corruption, may you, create a pure heart within us so that we can bear good fruits of love and holiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 10th February, 2026, The Memorial of Saint Scholastic

Readings: 1 King 8: 22-23.27-30; Ps.84, Mark 7:1-13

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

SEPARATING THE TRUE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD FROM HUMAN LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Oftentimes, we find it difficult to separate the commandments of God from human traditions. This no doubt plays out in our making and interpreting of laws and it has great consequences in our relationship with God and our neighbours just as we have it in our Gospel reading today, where we heard how the Pharisees multiplied religious laws and rituals to such an extent that it was impossible to know them all, talk more of observing them. So Jesus accuses them of neglecting the true commandment of God over their petty regulations.

These petty laws and traditions were highly detailed but unwritten human laws which the Scribes and Pharisees regarded as having the same binding force as the Law of Moses. However, Jesus was not totally against these laws and regulations. What he was against was the legalism by which the mere observance of some external actions were equated with being a devout lover of God. Hence he reminds them of the quotes from the prophet Isaiah saying: “this people honours me only with lip service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless; the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.” (Is 29:13).

Hence, Jesus goes ahead to illustrates the hypocrisy involved in this ugly attitudes by showing how some supposedly devout people neglected the basic responsibility of respect and care for parents by claiming that they had consecrated all that they owned to God and the temple, while in fact they are keeping it for their own personal use. So for one to declare something to be “Corban,” an offering devoted to God, when his parents are in need, is in direct conflict with the commandment of God that says: honour your father and mother.

 Here, Jesus made it clear that the real commandments of God is the unconditional love of God and neighbour which is evident in our first reading where we heard Solomon after building a house for the Lord expressing his reverence and love for God and his chosen people saying: hear the entreaty of your servant and of Israel your people as they pray in this place, hear; and, as you hear, forgive.

This is important as we celebrate the memorial of St. Scholastic. For she was deeply prayerful and faithful to God. She was the twin sister of St. Benedict.

Dear friends, as we examine our hearts to see if we have in anywhere engaged multiplication of laws and regulations . We should never engage ourselves in such behaviour. Therefore, we should examine ourselves to see if there are elements of the Pharisee in us and these happen whenever, we focus our attention on laws while neglecting the spirit of the law which is the real focus of today’s Gospel.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, out of pride and greediness, we have often neglected the true meaning of your commandment of love but hold on to unnecessary human traditions which lead us into destructive criticism of others. Help us to change this ugly attitudes in order to embrace your teaching on love and humility. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 9th February, 2026

 

Readings: 1kings 8:1-7.9-13; Ps.132; Mark 6:53-56

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

EXPERIENCING THE HEALING TOUCH OF JESUS

From the beginning, we were told that God created everything so good and perfect. But out of pride and greediness, humanity have destroyed and keep on destroying the good things that God has entrusted to us. As a result of this humanity are suffering the consequences of our destructive actions which manifest in different from such as: natural disasters, illnesses, diseases, afflictions, slavery and troubles.

But time and time again, God though not pleased with this destructive nature of humanity, has not stopped to restore humanity back to it glorious state. This gracious act of restoration is made more evident in the life and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to redeem us through the path of humility and love.

Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, we heard of the great works of Jesus who was then at Galilee, ministering to the people who came to him seeking to be healed from their various illnesses, diseases, afflictions, slavery and troubles. People kept on bringing their sick ones to him and many people who had faith in him were healed by merely touching his cloak. This passage summarizes what Jesus was doing for the people. It indicates the tremendous desire of the people to be healed and made whole by Jesus. Thus, the presence of Jesus brought Joy and relieve to them.

Dear friends, God really cares about us, for no matter the situation we may find ourselves, we must know that the touch of Jesus heals and restores everything. Therefore, we all are called to embrace the loving touch of Jesus and cooperate with him in his work and mission of healing and restoration of humanity.

Hence, let us discern what we all can do in order to contribute even in little ways, to ensure the restoration of humanity and all God’s creation which we are destroying by our lives and actions. Let us learn from Solomon in our first reading today whose goal was to build a house for the Lord and ensure peace among the chosen people of God.

So, let us seek to renew our faith in God and grow stronger in our love and devotion towards him. The people in our Gospel today rushed to Jesus with their needs and their hopes because they recognized him. Maybe we need to follow their example by bringing to him those things in us that are still in need of healing and restoration.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we submit our lives into your care, let your healing touch restore us once again, and so experience restoration in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.

Homily For Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 8th February, 2026

 

Readings: Is. 58:7-10; Ps. 112; 1Cor.2:1-5; Matt. 5:1-13-16

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SALT OF EARTH AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD?

Reflecting on the ugly situation in our families, societies and the world at large, especially in our country today, where life has become short, brutal and hopeless, no money in circulation, no light, no food, no water, no good roads, not much to be proud of in this country. Every day we experience so much wickedness and hatred around us, and we all seem to be keeping quiet about it.

Now we all have to face the reality before us, both small and great, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, young and old, good and bad, holy and sinful. Because we have lost our dignity as God’s chosen people who are called to be light and salt to the hearts of humanity who are consumed in the darkness of greed, corruption and sinful things of this passing world.

Hence, today our attention is drawn towards the very essence and nature of our lives as Christians and our mission in the world. This is well illustrated by the theme of light and salt.

In our Gospel passage today, we heard from Jesus the famous parable of the salt of the earth and the light of the world. When Jesus taught this parable, his audience consisted of Israelites, the chosen people of God, who possessed the Word of God and were expected to be salt and light in the world, but had failed. So, gradually, throughout his teaching, Jesus tried to deepen these ideas of salt and light to each one who decided to follow him. He wanted them to understand the grace and purpose of their mission in the world.

That is why, during our baptism, we are given salt as a sign of God’s life in us and are commanded never to lose or forget the life and joy that God has given us to share with others. Similarly, we are given candlelight which we are to keep brightly burning as a flame of faith in our hearts as we journey with others towards our heavenly kingdom.

Therefore, every Christian is called by God to influence the world around them positively, just like St. Paul in our second reading, when the said: I came among you in great ‘fear and trembling’ and in my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God. So when Jesus used the illustrations of salt and light, he was pointing out what our lives as his disciples should be. And as we know, both salt and light have properties which have a great effect on things around them.

No doubt the scriptures contain different references to salt. Oftentimes it is used metaphorically to signify permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification. Salt, as we know, is used to enhance flavour, it preserves, purifies things, salt distinguishes Identity, adds Values to things, it’s inexpensive but valuable, necessary for life, it is a basic identity of believers, it is either we use it or lose its effects. Thus, to be salt means to deliberately seek to influence the people in our lives by showing them the unconditional love of Christ through good deeds.

Also, light in the scriptures is a symbol used to mean awareness, knowledge, and understanding. Light clarifies, Illuminates, Inspires, defeats darkness, shines brightly and freely, it guides, stimulates and motivates, provokes action, irritates those in darkness, confirms truth, purifies and exposes sin. Light makes us warm and assures us of safety, and also facilitates progress. Hence, to be light means to be a witness to others concerning the truth of God's Word and love for humanity.

Consequently, Jesus clearly defines the role of Christians in the world as that of salt and light. Salt preserves the faith and gives flavour to human life. Light illuminates darkness and reflects the glory of God. However, most of us Christians have failed to appropriate these benefits, privileges and responsibilities of being salt and light to humanity. As a result, many people suffer because we have failed to be the light and salt in our dark and tasteless societies and families.

This is because we have continued to embrace the things of this passing world and are spoiled by its destructive ways. We have forgotten that we are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men. We have forgotten that we are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden.

Dear friends, the questions before us today are: Are we still the light of his world? Are we still the salt of this country? Are we still the light of our societies and offices? Are we still the salt of our families, organisations, and institutions we find ourselves in? If the answer is yes, how come we have not been able to illuminate our families, our societies and our country that are sinking into the deep darkness of sin, corruption and greediness?

How come we have failed to give that taste of love, joy, goodwill, integrity, honesty, holiness, compassion to our tasteless and corrupt families, societies and our country Nigeria where life has become short, brutal and hopeless, no money in circulation, no jobs, no light, no food, no water, no good roads.

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 implementing 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.

So, the core message today is that each and every one of us as disciples and followers of Christ the Lord must be ready to do and be what he has taught and commanded us to be. If we call ourselves Christians and yet we are incapable, unwilling or fail to do or be what we have been called to be, how can we be that salt or light then? Are we not like the hypocrites who believe in one thing and yet act differently? Remember, if we lose the value and taste of who we are, the world will trample upon us because we will be good for nothing.

But, how can we then live our lives so that we may truly reflect God’s light and relevant salt in our dark and tasteless society? It is by doing what we heard in our first reading today taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah ( 58:7-10), where we are told to share our joy, happiness and blessings with others. We have to stand up and speak out in the midst of injustice and corruption. We have to stand and uphold the truth of our faith no matter the cost.

We have to do the best within our capacity by utilising our gifts and talents, using them to touch other people’s lives through our sincere and genuine show of love, care and concern for one another, so that our light may illuminate the path of others who are still dwelling in the darkness of uncertainty and sin. Therefore, let our presence bring happiness and joy to the lives of people around us who are suffering and yearning for love and compassion.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we struggle every day to truly carryout the mission entrusted to us, give us the grace and courage to dedicate ourselves, our time, our energy and effort to becoming true light and salt in our dark and tasteless families, societies, country and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday.