IT IS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL YEAR, FILL, DRAW AND SERVE

 The Octave of Christmas, Friday 1st January, 2021. 

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

Readings : Num 6:22-27, Ps 67, Gal. 4:4-7, Luke 2:16-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IT IS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL YEAR, FILL, DRAW AND SERVE

Every first of January the Church begins the year with the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. This is to remind us that every year is a gift of God to humanity, we journey through it in hope, full of expectations, favour, grace and blessing just like Mary whom God in time endowed with the great responsibility of becoming the Mother of his Son Jesus Christ, thereby sharing in greatly in the universal plan of God for humanity. 

Following the role of Mary in God’s plan for our salvation, the Church ascribes some special prerogatives or privileges to her. These prerogatives concern what the Faith of the Church affirms in connection with the blessed Virgin Mary. They include her immaculate conception, her perpetual virginity, the assumption of Mary and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of other prerogatives. The solemnity of this prerogative is what we are celebrating today which shows her special role in the universal plan of God, of which our Gospel passage today gave us some details of how she cooperated with the will of God and treasured all the things that happened to her and pondered them in her heart.

This tells us that our success in life is determined by our disposition towards doing the will God. Hence, we have to identify our plans and purposes this year with the universal plan of God for humanity. But how can we identify the plan of God? Very simple, we were told in Gospel of John 2:1-11, how the wedding couple invited Jesus and his disciples in the most important day of their lives. And when an embarrassing moment came up during the course of the celebration, Mary in her usual way of helping people asked Jesus to save the couple from social embarrassment and even when her request was not granted by her son, she had strong faith that he will not refuse her request. So she said to the servants: “ Do whatever he tells you”

By this request Mary who represents the Church reveals to us the key to a successful and happy Christian Life. That is to say that, the secret key that opens the treasure of a successful and happy Christian life is to do whatever he (Jesus) tells us. But what did Jesus say we should do? He told the servants: Fill, Draw and Serve. Telling us to fill our life with the water of salvation which he offers us every day through his Words and Eucharist and when we have filled our lives with the fountain of his presence, then we should draw from the joy it offers and serve humanity who are really in need and thirsty for the word of God especially at this moment in our world when humanity really hope and seek for God’s intervention. 

Dear friends, let this principle guide all our activities this year. We must learn to fill our minds with positive things so that we can draw from the abundance of our hearts and serve humanity. All we need is to ask God to fill us with wisdom and show us what we can offer to humanity this New Year in accordance with his plan, for by so doing we will be successful in all we do this year.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of another New Year, grant that through the intercession of our Mother Mary, may we find strength to do your will always especially in all our daily struggles. May your grace and favour be with us even to the last hour of this new year. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Year

MAY THE WORD, THE TRUE LIGHT THAT ENLIGHTENS ALL MEN REIGN IN OUR HEARTS

 Thursday, The Seventh Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 31st December, 2020. 

Readings : 1 John 2:18-21, Ps 95, John 1:1-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

MAY THE WORD, THE TRUE LIGHT THAT ENLIGHTENS ALL MEN REIGN IN OUR HEARTS

As the year comes to an end our Gospel passage today presents to us the unchanging truth about our salvation in the Word of God, Who was with God since the beginning, and Who was God. And this same Word of God has become the Son of God, begotten not created. The Word which came down into the world and became Flesh. Through Him we have seen the love of God for the salvation of humanity. This is what we celebrate this Christmas season, the manifestation of God’s love in the Flesh, in person of Jesus Christ.  

However, many of us despite what God has done in our lives, we have not appreciated this love and this care that he has shown us. Instead, we chose to follow the falsehood of this world, and dwell in sin and shame. To call our minds out of this ugly ways of life, St. John in our first reading today spoke of the antichrists present all around us. For these antichrists are those who seek to cover up the truth of God with falsehoods and lies by committing all forms of evil against God and humanity. We are called today to be careful in order not to fall into their traps of lies and falsehoods. Thus, we must hold firmly to our faith in God no matter the situation we may find ourselves in this world.

Dear friends, this massage is important for us today, in order to help us to understand better the ugly situation we faced this year, so that we can be well prepared to conquer and manage the situations of the coming year. Therefore, let us remain focused and determined in our faith by making firm resolutions that will guide us through the struggle of the coming year.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for being with us in all the struggles of this year, as we step into the New year, may the light of your presence drive away all darkness of falsehood and confusion in our world, let  your peace, favour and blessings remain always with us, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Wednesday, The Sixth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 30th December, 2020

 Wednesday, The Sixth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 30th December, 2020. 

Readings : 1 John 2:12-17, Ps 95, Luke:2:36-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ANNA’S EXPERIENCE OF JESUS

It’s always the desire of humanity to the experience of God especially when we are passing through difficult situation. This had always been the desire and disposition of the people of Israel as they await the coming of the Messiah as prophesied by the prophets. Hence, our Gospel passage today presents to us the experience of Anna with Jesus at the temple. 

Anna was a deeply spiritual person who spent her waking hours in the Temple, praying and fasting. She came on the scene just as Jesus and his parents were in the Temple. She, too, must have realized the true identity of the Child and gave thanks to God. She then began to speak about Jesus to everyone, especially those awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

This passage says much about our experience with the divine, showing that our social status is of no consequence in our relationship with God. If we want to be close to God, we have to make prayer a very important part of our lives. In prayer we come to know Jesus and to love God the more and once we truly come to know Jesus, we cannot keep it to ourselves but must share the experience with the people around us, especially those who are looking for some meaning in their lives, just like Anna in the Gospel.

 Little wonder St. John in our first reading admonished us to embrace the love God is offering us through his Son Jesus and not give in to the love of this passing world, because, the love of God cannot be in any man who loves the world. For the world has nothing to offer us except pleasure of the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride of sin and greed which finally lead us to destruction.

Dear friends, what is our relationship with God like in relation to the things of this passing world? How have we personally experienced the Lord Jesus who has been born for us? How have we been able to share our experience of God with others? If we have not experienced the Lord personally in our lives, what then is our disposition towards prayers and pleasurable things of this passing world? To experience the Lord, we must love him above all other things and truly desire to encounter him just like Annan. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are living in a world where materialism and pleasurable things are seriously distracting us from experiencing your presence in our midst, help us to conquer our inordinate desire for the things of world in order to embrace the heavenly things. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. As the year comes to an end, may the joy, favour and grace of God lead us into the new year.

JESUS THE TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS PRESENTED INTO THE TEMPLE

 Tuesday, The Fifth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 29th December, 2020. 

Readings : 1 John 2:3-11, Ps 95, Luke:2:22-35

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

JESUS THE TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS PRESENTED INTO THE TEMPLE

Following the tradition of purification as laid down by the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus came to the temple to present him to the Lord. This is what we have in our Gospel passage today. Where St Luke explained that Mary and Joseph wished to fulfil all the prescriptions in order to emphasize that Jesus was born into a family of simple people, lowly but steadfast in faith: a family that belonged to the poor of Israel the true People of God. It is important to note that the purpose of this event is for the purification of the mother and the redemption of the son, which shows the act of offering the Son of the Most High to the Father who sent him. 

This same child Jesus, who is immediately presented in the Temple, is the same person who, as an adult, would purify the Temple (cf. Jn 2:13-22). Above all, he would make himself the sacrifice and the High Priest of the new Covenant. For which he will suffer greatly as prophecy by Simeon in our Gospel concerning both the Child Jesus and Mary the Mother saying: “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, a sword will pierce through your own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 

Thus, this prophecy is pointing out the salvation which Jesus will bring to his people, that which he embodies in himself, as he passed through the Cross, the violent death by which he was to vanquish death and transform humanity with the sacrifice of his life through love. Hence, he becomes the true Light of the world of which Simeon proclaimed as a revelation, that Jesus was to be the High Priest of all, who is to redeem all mankind from their sins. By so doing he becomes the true light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Thus, St. John in our first reading tells us that the night is over and the real light is already shining. And anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark. But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling.

Dear friends, today, as we encounter Christ the true Light of the world presented at the temple, let us of course, allow ourselves to be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let us share in its splendour, and so be filled with it’s radiant, so that no one remains in the darkness. Let us bring him into our families and homes, so that sharing in his light we may be brought out of the darkness of hatred, envy greed and jealousy that covers our lives as individuals, families, communities, societies, country and the world at large.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the world is seriously in darkness of deep confusion and we really need the light of your presence. As we celebrate the birth of your Son and his presentation at the temple, may we be enlightened and so over come the darkness of this sinful world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Do have a fruitful day.

THE LOVE OF POWER AND THE DEATHS OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS

 Monday in The Octave of Christmas, 28th December, 2020. 

The Feast of The Holy Innocents

Readings : 1 John 1:5-2:2, Ps 124, Matt.2:13-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LOVE OF POWER AND THE DEATHS OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS

As we continue the celebration of the birth of Christ,  the Church today, calls our attention to the ugly event of death that occurred in Bethlehem as a result of King Herod's love of power and fear of losing his power to another person. So out of envy, pride and greed, he ordered the killing of all the male children from two years down. The Greek Liturgy states that Herod killed 14,000 boys, the Syrians speak of 64,000, many medieval authors also suggested 144,000, according to book of Revelation 14:3. However, modern writers reduce the number, since Bethlehem was a rather small town.

 Nevertheless, this ugly event illustrate our ugly attitude towards human life, showing us that every human life begins with birth and ends with death.  See how the presence of the baby Jesus made the King of this world to tremble, frenzy, mad with rage that he ordered the killing of innocent children. No pity for sorrowing mothers, no sympathy for weeping fathers, no compassion for the crying voice of the little innocent. Just as we heard in our Gospel reading, a  voice crying in Ramah, sobbing and loudly lamenting: it was Rachel weeping for her children, because they were no more. They were slaughtered out of fear for the Prince of Life. 

Dear friends, this outrageous event is still happening in our societies today, when we see and hear what people do for the sake of obtaining powers and retaining them. When we engaged in all forms of atrocities just for the sake of our political and other ambitions. We are not far from Herod when we kill people because of position and power. We are the same as Herod when we prevent others from living out their potentials. We are not far from Herod when we kill the young fetus through abortion and every other means of terminating pregnancy. We are like Herod when we refused to submit to the will of God out of pride. We are like Herod when we let envy, jealousy and greed get hold of us and blindfold us into doing evil against other people.

Therefore, we are called today to reflect on our ugly attitude towards people especially children, we are called not to be like Herod who out of fear, envy and love of power seeks to murder Life itself, rather we are called to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience in following the will of God. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we reflect on the life and death of the Holy Innocents, grant us the grace to embrace your will over our worldly ambitions. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s Monday, as the year comes to an end, hope in the Lord, be faithful, be steadfast for you are so special to the Lord. Do have a fruitful day.

MAKE THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS A MODEL FOR YOUR FAMILY

 Sunday Within The Octave of Christmas, 27th December, 2020. 

The Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Year B

Readings : Genesis 15:1-6,21:1-3 , Ps 105, Heb. 11:8,11-12,17-19, Luke 2:22-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

MAKE THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS A MODEL FOR YOUR FAMILY

Family is the nucleus of life and the seed of every human society. It is a domestic church, a place of faith, a place of prayer and a place of loving concern for the good of one another. Little wonder every last Sunday of the year that falls within the octave of Christmas the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth as a way of addressing with joy all the families of the world, wishing them the peace and love that Jesus brought among us at Christmas.

The Lord Jesus was born and grow up in a human family. In this way he consecrated the family as the first and ordinary means of his encounter with humanity. Jesus was born in a stable and had a manger as his first home, but the love of Mary and of Joseph made him feel the tenderness and beauty of being loved. Children need this kind of love from their father and mother. It is this that gives them security and, as they grow, enables them to discover the meaning of life. 

The Holy Family of Nazareth went through many trials, beginning from event of the annunciation, the birth of Jesus, the presentation at the temple as we have in the Gospel passage today, the flight to Egypt, the massacre of the innocents, the finding of Jesus at temple, and so on. Telling us that whatever we are passing through as a family, we can draw strength and grace from the Holy Family, who trusting in divine providence found their stability, and guaranteed Jesus a serene childhood and a sound upbringing. 

Thus, our first reading talks about the relationships in the family, thereby reminding us how Abraham our father struggle with his family in doing the will of God. He patiently waited for God’s promise to be fulfilled. And in our second reading we heard how demand was made of him and his family to do the will of God at different stages of their lives. This they carried out in faith and trust in God’s providence as they uphold their family values.

 

Dear friends, in our societies today, family life and values are no longer guaranteed, as the powerful influence of secularism and materialism are fast destroying all the great values and virtues that sustain the family and society. Today the only hope we have is the family and our religious practice which are under serious threat as it stands against the agenda secular world. Thus, we must uphold our family values and practices, with fraternal love as the hallmark of sustaining our Christian virtues and values in the family and community.

Also, we must hold on to the virtues and practice of our faith and not give in to the pressure of secularism and materialism. Let the Holy Family of Jesus be a model for us to follow. And as we struggle to build a holy and lovely family, let us entrust all families to Our Lady and to St Joseph, so that we do not lose heart in the face of trials and difficulties but always cultivate a conjugal love and devote ourselves with trust to the service and protection of life which is a product of the family.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, a lot of families in our world today are struggling to survive as a result of secularism and materialism, which has taken away the sacrificial love that sustains the family. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, may you restore all the families of the world with your love and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Wishing you a joyful and glorious Sunday Celebration.

The Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr. Saturday in The Octave of Christmas, 26th December, 2020.

 Saturday in The Octave of Christmas, 26th December, 2020. 

The Feast of St. Stephen the First Martyr

Readings : Act 6:8-10;7:54-59, Ps 118, Matt.10:17-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD FILL US WITH THE GRACE AND POWER OF WITNESSING THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST

Everyday God makes himself present to us, but we often ignore him or pretend we do not perceive his presence. The truth is that in each heart, there is a secret garden which God has made uniquely for himself and that garden is our conscience. This garden is like a safety deposit vault which has two keys, God has one key, hence the soul cannot let in anyone else but God. The human heart has the other key, which no one can get in without his/her consent. However, God is always at the gate of this garden with his key but we often pretend to be looking for ours. 

This is the ugly attitudes of humanity which is well illustrated by the people who seek to kill Stephen as we have it in our first reading today. For Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But certain people came forward to debate with him. As they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom. They were infuriated and planned to kill him. Nevertheless,  Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. This he witnessed before them, but they stoned him to death.

Dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen the first martyr who opened completely the door of his heart and finding God, he witnessed with his life and goes up triumphantly to heaven. We are called today to open up our minds and hearts for God to fill us with the grace and power of witnessing to the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called not to be afraid to bear witness.  For we may be dragged before governors and kings for the sake of the Gospel, we should not worry about how to speak or what to say; for what we are to say will be given to us when the time comes, as Jesus promised us in our Gospel passage today.

LET US PRAY:  Heavenly Father, as we open up our minds and hearts for your words to reign in us. Grant us the grace and courage to bear witness to the Gospel and through the intercession of St Stephen, may we find you in daily events of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful weekend.

The Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas). Friday 25th December, 2020

 The Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas). Friday 25th December, 2020. 

Readings :Is. 52:7-10, Ps 98, Have 1:1-6, John 1:1-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE PRINCE OF PEACE IS BORN TO THE WORLD TODAY

Today Christ is born, today the Prince of Peace is born, today great light has shone on the darken world of humanity. Today the people who walked in darkness of sin and shame, a great light has shone, God has visited his people.

 So, let us join the angels’ hymn of praise, as they sing out following the announcement of the new-born Saviour: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of good will.” 

For today we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour in a stable in Bethlehem. In the stable of Bethlehem, there appeared the great light which the world awaits. He is the Christ, the Word that was with God from the beginning. The Word that is the true light that enlightens all men. This Word has come into the world, for the Word was made Flesh and dwell among us, the Son of God who became man. To him the Father says: "You are my Son, today I have begotten you”. God has become one of us, so that we can be with him and become like him, for his is how we come to know him.

Little wonder, prophet Isaiah in our first reading says: “How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is king, for all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Thus, those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness a great light has shone. This light means knowledge; it means truth, as contrasts with the darkness of falsehood and ignorance. This Light gives us life, it shows us the way to love. For in him is the fullness of love. Where there is love, light shines forth for the world; but when there is hatred, the world remains in darkness. 

Hence, in Child Jesus lying in the manger, God has shown his glory, the glory of love in order to guide us along the way of love. From manger a stream of light, love and truth  will spread to every generation. In every age, it will touch men and women to enlighten them. And wherever people put their faith in Jesus, the grace of charity will spring up, the grace of love towards others, loving concern for the weak, the poor and the suffering, the grace of forgiveness and grace of peace in our homes, societies, and the world at large. 

Dear friends, Christ is our Light and our Peace, and he proclaims his peace to those far away and to those who are near. This why prophet Isaiah called him "Prince of Peace". His kingdom is said to be one "of endless peace". Also Pope Benedict XVI will say: that “among we Christians and Catholic, the word "peace" has taken on a very particular meaning: it has become a word to designate communion in the Eucharist. There Christ’s peace is present. In all the places where the Eucharist is celebrated, a great network of peace spreads through the world. The communities gathered around the Eucharist make up a kingdom of peace as wide as the world itself. For, when we celebrate the Eucharist we find ourselves in Bethlehem, in the "house of bread". Where Christ gives himself to us and, by so doing, he gives us his peace”

Therefore, let us join Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds in the manger to sing the glorious hymns of praise saying: "Glory to God in the highest" and on earth, peace to people of good will". Let us spread these joy and peace everywhere we go even to the ends of the earth. And as we do this may joy of the child Jesus fill our hearts, our homes, our societies, our country and the world a large, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Merry Christmas, wishing you a joyful and peaceful celebration of this season. God bless you.

BY DAWN HE WILL COME TO OFFER US HIS DIVINITY IN EXCHANGE FOR OUR HUMANITY

 Thursday of the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 24th December, 2020. 

Readings : 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16, Ps 88, Luke: Luke 1:67-79

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BY DAWN HE WILL COME TO OFFER US HIS DIVINITY IN EXCHANGE FOR OUR HUMANITY.

For the past four weeks now we have been preparing for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, by dawn today Jesus is coming to us for an exchange, he is coming to offer his divinity in exchange for our humility. Jesus is offering everything, he is sacrificing everything. He is giving up his glory in exchange for our sufferings. He is taking human flesh and be coming man in order to elevate the human person to share in his divinity. 

This is evident in our first reading today where we heard about king David who now was a king of a united kingdom of Israel, set out to build a house for the Lord. But the Lord knowing David’s plan asked him through prophet Nathan to stop, for instead it is he the Lord who will build a dynasty for David, a dynasty that will last forever.

Dear friends, Jesus is coming to exchange his glory with everything about us: our weaknesses, our strength, our filthiness, sinfulness, past, present, future, everything we can ever think about in our lives. Are we ready to exchange our life with that which Jesus is offering us today? Are we ready to exchange our humanity with that of his divinity? Are we ready to embrace the love he has for us? Are we ready to exchange our worries, burden, sorrows, failures and fears with the smiling, peaceful and loving face of the baby Jesus who will soon make himself present to us? 

Zechariah experienced the loving mercy of God and surrendered everything about his plan in exchange for God’s plan for humanity which he expressed in his benedictus canticle in our Gospel passage today. What about us? What are we offering for exchange? What are we sacrificing? What are we give up in exchange for God’s love in our lives? 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, for four weeks now we have been preparing for the birthday of your Son Jesus, as we await his coming at dawn, may you fill our hearts with the joy of his presence, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful and joyful day.

WHAT IS THE MYSTERY BEHIND YOUR BIRTH AND YOUR NAME

 Wednesday of the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 23rd December, 2020. 

Readings : Malachi 3:1-4,23-24, Ps 24, Luke: 1:57-66

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS THE MYSTERY BEHIND YOUR BIRTH AND YOUR NAME

One of the most significant day in our lives is our birthday. This day often comes with joy and praise and in the mood of the joy that a life has been born, one of the things that comes to mind is giving a name to the baby as an identity. This event is very important and necessary. In fact the naming of objects and persons is an important ritual found in scripture. We can recall in the book of Genesis (Gen.2:19-20), when God created Adam and gave him the responsibility of giving names to all creation. So the act of giving a name to people has been a traditional event not only in the scriptures but in every human culture.

 Thus, our Gospel passage today, gives us the record of the events of the birth and naming of John the Baptist. From the passage, great, significant and surprising things happened on the birth and naming of John the Baptist, of which we can identify three unusual features: first the old have given birth. Secondly, the child has a strange name “John” derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning " YAHWEH is gracious", a name which no one bears in the family and thirdly, Zechariah's dumbness is taken away on account of giving this name. These brought great joy to the people and they praised God. However, such remarkable events caused the crowd to fear and reflect that something different and surprising is happening, things worth remembering. Showing us that, when God names a child, that child is significant in his plan. 

John who’s birth was prophesied by the prophets such as prophet  Malachi in our first reading   saying: “Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.” No doubt the mission of John the Baptist was quite unique and challenging because of his special role of preparing humanity for the coming of the Lord. 

Dear friends, we all have a significant place in the plan of God. Our names are not just a common ceremony. It is a testimony of God’s plan for us. Why not take out time today to reflect on the mystery, the meaning and circumstances surrounding our births and our names. For by God’s grace we will understand better who we are and what our mission and purpose on earth are. And by so doing, we will faithfully stand for the truth which we represent and fulfill our plans and purposes, just like John the Baptist who stood for the truth of his mission and offered it to everyone, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinner even at the cost of his head. 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, you created each one of us to fulfill your plan on earth and in our names we bear the mystery of our mission and purpose, grant us the grace to faithfully and courageously fulfill our mission and purpose in this world, through Christ our Lord. Amen. As we embrace the Christmas season, may the joy of the Lord be our strength.

MY SOUL PROCLAIM THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD

 Tuesday of the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 22nd December, 2020. 

Readings : 1 Samuel 1:24-28, 1 Samuel 2:1,4-8 , Luke: 1:46-56

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

MY SOUL PROCLAIM THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD

As we look back to all the events that happened this year and how we are able to manage to survive all of them. I think it is indeed necessary to contemplate the victory and greatness of our God, which knows no limits. Just like Mary in our Gospel passage and Hannah in our first reading. For in our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Samuel, how Hannah filled with joy came to thank God for answering her prayers. For she once came to the Lord in sorrow and frustration and she prayed to the Lord to help and rescue her from her troubles. 

The Lord heard her prayers, and blessed her with a child, who was to be known as Samuel. And since Hannah had promised that if she had a son, she would dedicate and offer him to the Lord, and thus, in our first reading today, we heard how she joyfully came to the Lord and offered Samuel to be God’s servant. And in our Psalm today we heard the great song of joy that Hannah sang, in thanksgiving to God who had shown her love and blessings.

In the same light, we heard in our Gospel passage how Mary sang the magnificat in honour to God for the great thing he has done not just for her but for all humanity. Thus, Mary having heard that her cousin Elizabeth at the time, who had been long barren had conceived a child just like Hannah came and found out that what the Lord had revealed to her through the angel Gabriel was indeed true, that her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived in her old age. And herself, about to have a Child without any human relations but by the power of the Holy Spirit. These made Mary to rejoice greatly, for it was truly a great and joyful moment which God has shown to all his people. 

Dear friends, the world is so busy preparing for the coming of her Savour. The streets are full of people struggling and bobbling, the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and chatting, the Churches are full of people praying, singing and celebrating. We are so busy with everything except the very essence of the season that is, the salvation of our souls. Today God is calling us to reflect deeply and to dispose ourselves to embrace him with joy just like Mary and Hannah. He wants to come into our soul to share the joy of his presence with us. Jesus is coming to us, for he comes to us more than we go to him. As we await his coming, may God help us to be well prepared physically, materially and more importantly spiritually.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, only the soul for whom you have done great things can truly proclaim with fitting praise the joy of your presence. As we embrace the season of Christmas, we joyfully surrender unto you, our whole life, our senses, our judgement, for our spirit rejoices at the coming of Christ Jesus our Savour, and may this joy always remain in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

SHARING THE JOY OF THE LORD WITH OTHERS

 Monday of the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 21st December, 2020. 

Readings : Song of Songs 2:8-14 , Ps. 32, Luke: 1:39-45

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

SHARING THE JOY OF THE LORD WITH OTHERS

Every good news we hear have a way of activating the joys in our hearts and when this happens we necessarily want to share this joy with other. This is the case with the women in our Gospel passage today, who received favour from the Lord and decided to share their joy with one another as they play their part in the saving plan of God. 

Thus, the psalmist today tells us to ring out our joy to the Lord, O you just; O sing him a song that is new for our Lord is coming to save us. Our beloved comes leaping upon the mountains as we heard in our first reading. Therefore, as we wakeup this morning may the joy of the coming Lord fill our heart with passion, love and ready to accomplish great things for the Lord. May the Lord give us the grace and skills to face the tasks of the day and help us to share our joy and favours with others just like Mary who shared her joy with Elizabeth. Also, through the joy we share, may others leap for joy just like the child in Elizabeth's womb. 

Dear friends, it’s few days to Christmas, as we struggle with our daily task, may God grant us the wisdom, inspiration and skills that will enable us to accomplish great things today and always. let us be hopeful, joyful and patient. Fear not, be focus, be ready, be determine and do not delay in preparing, for the Lord is at hand. 

LET US PRAY, Almighty God, as we anticipate the coming of your Son, may we be well disposed and prepared to embrace him with joy, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a fruitful and peaceful week ahead.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 20th December, 2020.

 Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 20th December, 2020. 

Readings: 2Sam 7:1-5,8-11,16, Ps. 88, Rom 16:25-27, Like 1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

SAYING YES TO GOD’S PLAN

As we await the commemoration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus, an event that reminds and reveals to us the great plan of God to redeem humanity. This Sunday we are required to say yes to this plan of God. This is evident in our readings today beginning with the first reading where we heard about king David who now was a king of a united kingdom of Israel, with Jerusalem as the capital, set out to build a house for the Lord. But the Lord knowing David’s plan asked him through prophet Nathan to stop, for instead it is the Lord who will build a dynasty for David, a dynasty that will last forever, a promise which was fulfilled in Jesus as echoed by angel Gabriel’s words to Mary in our Gospel passage today. 

Thus, today’s Gospel presents to us the story of the annunciation by the angel to Mary. An event which immediately precedes the story of the annunciation to Zechariah (1:5-25). These two stories are quite unique and special. The condition of the women in these stories reveal the unique plan of God for each one of them because, neither Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife) nor Mary at that moment was a likely candidate for motherhood. This is so because, Elizabeth was too old, so John’s birth will require a miracle. Mary was a virgin, so Jesus’ birth will require even a greater miracle. But in all God so planned and design it to be so and both Mary and Elizabeth saying yes, cooperated with the plan of God.

Concerning this plan of God, St. Paul in our second reading says, “Glory to him who is able to give us the strength to live according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith”. This is the plan of God for humanity, for God wants to reconcile with us in order for us to fulfil the purpose of which he created us.

Dear friends, saying yes to God’s plan for us is so important. And I must tell us that God has a special plan for everyone, a plan which is unique. But sometimes it seem as if God has favoured some persons more than others. Well, in the eyes of men it seems true, but God has actually favoured each person in a very unique way only that we sometimes do not understand what God is doing in our lives. Our understanding of favour is quite different from that of God. 

Therefore, all we need is to say yes and trust in God for he has plans which are meant uniquely for each person. We do not need to know the plans God has for us, all we need is to trust and cooperate with his plan. For God alone knows the plans he has for us and in due time he will reveal them to us just as he revealed to Mary the plan he has for her through the angel.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we approach the birthday of Christ your Son, give us the grace to constantly embrace your will and plans for us by saying yes to your words. Help us to cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection in order to welcome Christ joyfully when he comes, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a grace filled Sunday.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYONE

 Saturday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 19th December, 2020. 

Readings Judges 13:2-7,24-25, Ps. 70, Luke: 1:5-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYONE

Oftentimes, things happen in our lives that we can not explain how and why they happened. This is to tell us that we are unique and special, because, in our uniqueness we come to realize that God has a special plan for everyone. This is evident in our readings today where we are presented with the message about the visits of the angel announcing the birth of great men giving birth by barren women in the old and new testaments scriptures. 

In our Gospel passage we have Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist and the unnamed mother of Samson in the first reading (Judges 13:2-7.24-25). They remind us that God is in control of the human history, and intervenes graciously in favour of the helpless and despised. For he knows how to guide us towards his plans for us.

Thus, Angel Gabriel was sent to bring good news to Zechariah, who did not believe his words. The first message of the angel to Zechariah was: “do not be afraid!” Up until now, most people do not know the plan of God for them and this causes fear in their lives. So, the message of the angel continues to be valid, “do not be afraid” for God has a plan for everyone and through prayers God reveals his plan for us. 

Dear friends, the greatest plan of God is the salvation of our souls, to reconcile the heart of humanity toward their Creator, to reconstruct the fabric of human relationships and to build up a community of love and holiness. This was the mission of Samson, John and also the mission of Jesus and continues to be the most important mission and plan of God today. But, how are we contributing towards this mission? Remember, it is on this mission that we discover the purpose and plan of God for each one of us. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, everyday we struggle to identify ourselves with your plans for us, grant that we may faithfully follow your plans and fine joy in doing them no matter how difficult they may be, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and a fruitful weekend.

DO NOT FEAR TO FACE THE CHALLENGING MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE

Friday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 18th December, 2020. 

Readings Jer. 23:5-8, Ps. 71, Matt.1:18-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT FEAR TO FACE THE CHALLENGING MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE

As we continue the preparation of the birthday of our Lord Jesus, the liturgy presents to us the events preceding the birth of Jesus and invites us to contemplate in a special way the roles St Joseph played in the life of Jesus and Mary of which our gospel passage today presents to us how Jesus Christ came to be born. A challenging moment in the lives of Mary and Joseph.

 Mary who was betrothed to Joseph was found to be with a child; but Joseph being a man of honour and wanting to spare Mary’s publicity, decided to surely with great sorrow to send Mary away quietly. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit, she will bear a Son, and you shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from sins. We could imagine the great trauma Joseph was passing through when we think about the love he has for Mary. But even in these circumstances, he intends to do the will of God.

Hence, we can see how this Gospel passage reveals to us the magnanimity of Joseph’s heart and soul. How he wished to follow his own plan, but God was reserving another plan for him, a greater mission. Joseph was a man who always listened to the voice of God, he was deeply sensitive to his secret will, he was a man attentive to the messages that came to him from the depths of his heart. He did not persist in following his own plan, he did not allow bitterness to poison his soul; rather, silently he was ready to make himself available to the event of the new mission entrusted to him. This reveals to us how deep and great St. Joseph’s holiness of life was.

Dear friends, the challenge to every baptized Christian is to live a holy life and God cannot abandon us in this struggle. For he promised us in the first reading to raise up for us a righteous branch who shall reign as King and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in our land. He shall save the needy when they cry, the poor, and those who are helpless. Look at how the Lord helped Joseph in the challenging moment of his life, giving him grace to cooperate with his will even when it seems difficult, he said to him “do not fear”. 

So like Joseph, we should not fear to face those challenging moments of disappointment, pain, sorrow, guilt, betrayals, complex and complicating situations in our lives, for by combating them comes our victory and through the power of the Holy Spirit our souls are purified and the will of God is made manifest in our lives. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, give us the grace to imitate the silence and holiness of St Joseph, especially in a world full of noise, iniquities and distractions. A world  that encourages neither recollection nor listening to you nor one another. Grant us the grace to cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection in order to fully embrace the spirit of this season so as to joyfully experience the glory of Christmas. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled day.

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN THE GENEALOGY OF MY LIFE BE TRACED TO THAT OF CHRIST ?

 Thursday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 17th December, 2020. 

Readings Gen.49:2.8-10, Ps. 72, Matt.1:1-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN THE GENEALOGY OF MY LIFE BE TRACED TO THAT OF CHRIST?

Advent season as we know is divided into two parts the first which runs from the first Sunday until 16th of December dwells on the second coming of Christ, the eschatological aspect of Advent. While the second aspect which focuses on the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem runs from today 17th -24th December. Hence, the best way to begin this second aspect of advent is by reflecting on the genealogy of Jesus Christ our Saviour as we have it in our Gospel passage today. 

From this genealogy of Jesus, we can observe that generations come, generations goes, great men and women came and passed on, new generations continue to spring up as God continue to unveil his plan for humanity. Just as he revealed to Jacob in our first reading today when he gathered all of his sons and their own families, and said his parting words as he was about to die. He blessed all of his children, some more than others, and from among all of the children, Judah stood out to be the one who received a more favourable blessing.

This shows how the Lord had revealed through Jacob what he was going to do for the people of Israel and for humanity. For Judah's kingship over all Israel was given to David, who became the rightful king and God’s chosen one, and God promised that David’s house will rule over Israel forever which is evident in the genealogy of Jesus. 

Dear friends, this is our own generation, but the question that comes to mind is: our genealogy to what extent can it be traced to that of Christ? The things we are doing now to what extent have they been influenced by the events of the passed generations and to what extent are they going to influence the future generations. Therefore, let us use this great opportunity of Advent season to open our hearts, our minds and our whole beings for the Lord. Let us return to the Lord and focus our attention on him as we renew our faith in him and play our role in his plan of redeeming humanity.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we open our hearts to embrace your coming, may you continue to watch over us and guide us in our journey of faith and as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, may the Holy Spirit, teach us what to do today, how to do them, when to do them and give us the grace to do them properly. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless and guide your ways today and always.

ARE YOU CONVINCED ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD?

 Wednesday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 16th December, 2020. 

Readings Is. 45:6-8,18,21-25, Ps. 85, Luke: 7:19-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ARE YOU CONVINCED ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD?

The way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst of the ugly situation in our societies today. Because there are so many people who are confused about their faith in Christ Jesus the Messiah. Some are yet to embrace the teaching of the Church about the person of Jesus and his coming in glory, just like the disciples of John the Baptist who in our Gospel passage today came to Jesus asking him whether the he is the Messiah and Saviour that the world had been waiting for, since John the Baptist sent them.

Thus, Jesus told them to Go back and tell John what they have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me. For all had proclaimed the fulfilment of the Lord’s prophecies and promises, and no further explanation or proof is required.

Here, we can see that some situation can make  someone as great as John the Baptist to have doubts about the person of Christ. But this was because at that time, there had been plenty of false Messiahs that arose and led the people into rebellion as we have it in our world today. But they all failed, since they were all false and not the true Messiah. Although St. John the Baptist had indeed seen the signs when he baptised the Lord, and he recognised Him as the Lamb of God, the Saviour, but he did still have some doubts.

Dear friends, we may somehow have some doubt about the coming of the Lord. But this should not discourage us. For if someone as dedicated and faithful as St. John the Baptist had doubt in the Lord, then all the more shall all of us experience such doubt. However, we should hold on to our faith because our doubt can not change what God has planned.  Because if we do not hold firm to our faith in God, we will end up losing our faith as well as our way and the grace he is offering us. 

That is why in this season of Advent  we are reminded of the salvation and grace that God has given to us to hold on for his coming into our souls. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us to hold on to God for apart from him, all is nothing. Let us turn to him and be saved for he is a God of integrity and a Savour.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are so fragile and weak, always quick to doubt. Help us to hold on to our faith in you even in the midst of all our doubts. May we not allowed our fears and doubts to mislead or distract us from the blessings of this season. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.

IN GOD THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE

Tuesday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 15th December, 2020. 

Readings Zeph. 3:1-2,9-13, Ps. 33, Matt. 21:28-32

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IN GOD THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE 

One of the gifts that God gave to humanity is the gift of freedom. This freedom though comes with great responsibility, since we are responsible for whatever comes out with regards to how we manage our freedom. We are free to chose whatever we like but we are also responsible for the consequences of our choice. However, because of our fragile nature, we often make grievous mistakes in our choices even when God has given us all the necessary guidelines towards making right decision but out of disobedience, we frequently failed to follow this guidelines. Today we are meant to know that repentance and obedience are necessary disposition towards attaining our ultimate goal in life, which is eternal life.

This is exactly what today’s Gospel passage is addressing, when Jesus in the parable of the Two Sons said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My Son, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. 

Here, we see how repentance and obedience helped this first son to make the right decision about his father’s request while the second son failed because of negligence, irresponsibility and disobedience. Thus, the second son represents those of us Christians who promised to work for God’s kingdom but have failed and so excluding ourselves from the kingdom. While the first son represents those ‘sinners’ who first chose to go their own way but now have repented and begin to follow the way of the Lord, by so doing, they have gained access to God’s kingdom. 

So in the first son we see someone who reflected on his decision, realized that he was wrong, decided to make it right by taking full responsibility for his decision. For when the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. But if the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. This is because the righteous would perish for their sins of disobedience, while sinner would be saved by their act of repentance and obedience. This tells us the important of repentance and obedience when rooted in humility, for they are necessary disposition towards attaining eternal life.

This disposition is exactly what prophet Zephaniah is emphasizing in our first reading when he called us for repentance so that  when that day comes we need feel no shame for all the misdeeds we have committed against the Lord. Thereby teaching us the right disposition that we all have been called to show in our daily lives especially in our relationship with our God and with others.

Dear friends, in our journey of life have we made wrong decisions but finding it difficult to change our minds and put things right? Are we thinking of leaving the right path to follow the sinful paths because of the ugly condition we are passing through now? Are we thinking that our righteous ways of life, have not being fruitful because sinners are gaining more ground than we do? Are we living in sin now thinking that God will not punish us? Or are we thinking that it is not possible to repent now because of the gravity of our sins? 

The truth remains that God is watching and waiting for us to change our minds. He is waiting for us to decide to make things right and take responsibility for our actions. He is watching and waiting for us to repent and have the right disposition to make the right decisions, but his waiting can not be for eternity. All we need is the right disposition that is rooted in humble obeisance and repentance of our sinful and ugly ways of life.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have often abused the gift of freedom which you have given us and have strayed from the path you have made for us as a result of our sinfulness. Give us the grace of true repentance in humble obedience as you guide us through the right path of life. We as this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

 Monday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 14th December, 2020. 

The Memorial of St. John of the Cross

Readings Num. 24:2-7,15-17, Ps. 24, Matt. 21:23-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE  DIVINE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

In our dealings with people, we are often requested to make reference to authorities in order to backup our claim to know or possess anything. And when such authority is not available we may not be taking seriously. Little wonder our gospel passage today, presents to us the fundamental question concerning the source of Jesus’ authority, namely whether it is divine or human. Here the chief priests and elders were more concerned to learn whether Jesus had received the proper human authorization by questioning the source of his authority. 

In response, Jesus draws their attention to John the Baptist and his authority and by so doing he implies that the source of John's authority is the source of his as well. Thus, anyone who correctly identifies the source of John's authority will definitely identify the source of Jesus’ own as well. Therefore the questions we need to ask ourselves are: What is our notion about the authority of Jesus? Do we have any doubt about the authority of Jesus? How much of this authority dwells in you? The crowds identified the source of John and Jesus’ authority as divine, have we personally identified the divine authority of Jesus in our lives? Why not ask him to manifest his power and authority once more in your life?

So in a special way today, we are celebrating the memorial of Saint John of the Cross, a great doctor and mysticist of the Church who truly understands and embraced the authority of Jesus and so inspires in our soul, how to continue to be in love with the Lord, he said:  What more do you want my soul and what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess all the riches, delights, satisfactions, and fullness of the kingdom of your beloved whom you desire and seek. Therefore, be joyful and glad in your interior recollection with him for you have him so close to you. Desire him deep within your soul, and there adore him. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself for he is deep with you. 

Dear friends, as we go on with our recollection this advent season, we need to open up our hearts to truly embrace the authority of the Lord Jesus. We need to build up our interior lives around his authority. We need to be more close to God and continue to prepare ourselves physically and spiritually as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus in our hearts and in our souls. For there he await our response to his invitation to holiness and love. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, in your divine authority we build our confidence and hope. Through the intercession of St John of the Cross, may you continue to direct and guide our ways and bring our plans and purposes to a successful end, through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s another week, wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.

Third Sunday of Advent Year B (Gaudete Sunday), 13th December, 2020.

 Third Sunday of Advent Year B (Gaudete Sunday), 13th December, 2020. 

Readings: Is 61:1-2,10-11, Luke 1:46-50,53-54, 1Thess 5:16-24, John 1:6-8,19-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT YOURSELF?

Human identity is one of the most important thing in every society. We are often quick to identify ourselves with people or disassociate ourselves with people because of the value we hold as our identity. But the surprising thing is that most people do not truly know their true identity. Many people spend their entire live without knowing who they really are. 

But this is not the case for John the Baptist in our Gospel passage today, who when approached by the priests and Levites sent by the Jews from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you? He did not only declared his identity as a voice that is crying in the wilderness, he also declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ. And he went ahead to tell us about the identity and the personality of Christ saying: “I baptize with water; but there stands among you unknown to you, the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal. 

The most striking thing here is the fundamental question placed before John the Baptist which says: Who are you and what do you say about yourself?. This is a fundamental question because it points out to the fundamental reality of who we are and what we have identified ourselves to with. A lot of people do not know who they are or what they have identified themselves with. A lot of people today are sufferings and struggling because they do not know who they are and the identity they bear. Some have misplaced their identity with some thing else, some are putting on an identity that doesn’t belong to them.

Dear friends, Who are you? What is your identity? What is the source of your identity? Whose identity are you putting on now? Why are you putting on someone else identity? Why have you misplaced your identity. John the Baptist was very clear about his identity, he was clear that he was not the Christ. He was clear that he was not Elijah. John was clear that he was not the prophet, he was only a voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.

John knew his identity and his role in God’s economy of salvation. He was clear on who he was not and who he was. He was also clear on who Jesus is. So he was able to point others clearly to Jesus as the only Savior whom they desperately needed. Therefore friends, we must truly know who we are and our true identity. For us to effectively point others to Jesus, we need to be clear of who we are. And it is only when our sense of who you are before God as a Christian begins to shape how you live and what you do that we begin to play our role effectively and be fruitful. Also, it is only when we are clear on who we are in God’s kingdom, that we can effectively point others to Christ.

Today is Gaudete Sunday, a day we are called to rejoice for Christ our true identity is closed at hand.  And  for those who truly desire to know their true identity, St. Paul in our second reading tells us to rejoice always, pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects us to do in Christ Jesus our true identity, who prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us  that the spirit of the Lord has been given to him, for the Lord has anointed him. He has sent him to bring Good News to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. Dear friends, our true identity is only found in the person of Christ Jesus. All we need is to dispose yourselves for him to reveal his true identity to us and in him we will find our true identity.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, our true identity is found only in you through Christ your son, as we rejoice and celebrate his coming in glory, may we be filled with the joy of his presence who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

Good Morning My Dearest Friends in the Lord.

 Good Morning My Dearest Friends in the Lord. 

I really want to appreciate all your patience, tolerance and understanding towards the daily reflection I share with you. I know how much time it may have cost you to daily accommodate this little Words of God and how much you desire to still receive it. I kindly plead for your patience as there will be break for few days, because I have to embark on retreat for few days. I will surely keep you in prayers. Do have a blessed week ahead.

Second Sunday of Advent Year B, 6th December, 2020.

 Second Sunday of Advent Year B, 6th December, 2020. 

Readings: Is 40:1-5.9-11, Ps.85, 2Peter 3:8-14, Mark. 1:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

REPENT AND PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD TO COME INTO YOUR SOUL

In this world we are so busy preparing, acquiring and  safeguarding the things of this passing world. But only few persons are preparing for the future reality of human life, that is, our eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Little wonder, the Church for the past seven days now, have been schooling us in the liturgical Season of Advent, calling our attention to the need for us to be prepared and be opened to embrace the coming king, our Lord Jesus, who is coming to dwell among the fallen humanity, in order to renew us from sin and damnation. 

Thus, today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are presented with the theme of intensive preparation following the cry of John the Baptist who preaching in the wilderness of Judea as he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins saying: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, as we have it in our Gospel passage and also in our first reading through prophet Isaiah. His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord, calling the people of Israel to repent of their sins and to correct every injustice. John the Baptist, with this demanding words, announced the imminent coming of the Lord when he said: Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. For I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

With this message, John put us on guard against the hypocrisy of those who felt safe merely because they belonged to the Chosen People. In God’s eyes, he says, no one has reason to boast but must bear good fruit that befits repentance. John the Baptist’s appeal for conversion rings out in our communities today. It is a pressing invitation to open up our hearts to receive Jesus the Son of God, who comes among us to make manifest the divine judgement of God. We too are called to listen to God’s voice, that cries out in the desert of our hearts through the Sacred Scriptures.

Hence, in this Season of Advent, we should let ourselves be guided by the word of God in preparation for his coming in glory. For St. Peter in our second reading tells us that with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. Thus, the Day of the Lord may come like a thief, and since everything is coming to an end, we should be living holy and saintly lives. We should do how best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find us at peace when he comes in glory.

Dear friends, the only things that can deny us the fruit of this season is sin: unforgivingness, hatred, greed, immorality. What is keeping us from turning away from this ugly ways of life? Why not repent from them so as to embrace the new life Jesus is offering us? Are we finding it difficult to let go of our ugly sinful ways of life? It’s time to come to God and ask for his grace. let us embrace the word of God we hear this season and truthfully share it with those we encounter, just like John the Baptist who stood for the truth of his mission and offered it to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinner.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, as we prepare the way for Christ coming into our souls. Give us the grace to turn away from sin and embrace the new life of holiness which Christ is offering us this season of Advent. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and joyful Sunday celebration.

THE COMPASSIONATE LORD DESIRES TO SAVE HARASSED, HELPLESS AND SINFUL HUMANITY

 Saturday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 5th December, 2020. 

Readings Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26, Ps 146., Matt. 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE COMPASSIONATE LORD DESIRES TO SAVE HARASSED, HELPLESS AND SINFUL HUMANITY

Walking through the streets I observed how people are struggling to survive in this passing world. I saw their passion, their determination and willingness to achieving great things of life at the expense of things that prepares us for eternal life. Then my mind turned towards the words of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, when he saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest’. 

Here, Jesus reveals God’s compassion towards humanity who were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. He then says to his disciples that there is a huge harvest waiting to be reaped. Calling on us to pray for God to send labourers into his harvest. Just as we heard prophet Isaiah in our first reading today reminding us of God’s promises saying: Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: People of Zion, who dwell at Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will be gracious to you when he hears your cry; when he hears he will answer.

Thus, we can see that this compassionate love of Jesus in it’s historical and physical solidarity with human suffering, springs from the love of God the Father and constitutes the basis of the Church’s liberating missionary activity, which is meant to spread throughout the world, hereby calling us into action. Hence, more labourers are needed, for Jesus sees how humanity are harassed and dejected, wandering aimlessly like sheep without a guiding shepherd. And because the souls of everyone in the world are so precious to Jesus, he needs many more labourers. 

Therefore, the harvest is as big as ever and people are getting lost and clueless as never before. But who are these labourers? They are not just the bishops, priests, or religious men and women. But every baptized person is called in different capacity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those around him/her. So each of us has a vocation, a call to save souls and build the Kingdom of God together. 

Dear friends, how are we carrying out this mission and mandate of Christ? How strong is our compassion towards others? Do we know people who are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd? Let us look at them for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at them and saying something to them. Do we feel harassed and helpless as a result of what we are passing through in life? Do we feel the need of Jesus’ help in some part of our life? Then turn to him and be restored.

So, today, each one of us are called to reach out to people at any particular corner of the field of harvest where we find ourselves now, for we may be the last and only person who may have access to evangelize the people. Starting from our families, neighbours, colleagues in the office and others who we encounter in life. The truth is that, we may be the only person who can brings the healing and compassion of Jesus into their lives. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace and courage to be faithful labourers in your vineyard, who will labour to bringing your compassionate love to suffering souls who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

LET IT BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH

 Friday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 4th December, 2020. 

Readings Isaiah 29: 17-24, Ps 26., Matt. 9:27-31

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET IT BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH 

There is no doubt that people are passing through a lot of difficulties as a result of the active presence of evil in the world which manifest itself in form of trails, temptations, sickness and challenges both physically and spiritually. So everyday we struggle against these troubles and tribulations, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. But often time, it seems as if we are not making progress because we don’t have enough faith to subdue our challenges and out of fear we fall victim and helpless. The fact is that, we have faith but we have not been able to actively and radically put it into action like the two blind men in our Gospel passage today. 

These two blind men followed Jesus shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. 

Here, these blind men had faith in Jesus' power of healing. So they followed him persistently. They have one need, one prayer point, that is, to see, they said: Have mercy on us! Yes Lord we believe! With these expressions, the two blind men received their sight, just like prophet Isaiah foretold in our first reading saying: in a short time, a very short time, the deaf, will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see.

Dear friends, in matters of faith, we are all blind in some ways. We need sight and insight in order to receive the healing touch of God’s merciful love today. For he reaches out to all those who are afflicted and distressed. In this way he restores us to our dignity as sons and daughters of God the Father. What is needed is faith, to believe that he has the power to give us life, to enable us to feel his presence among us. 

In faith, the blind men followed him persistently, reminding us of the need to be persistent in prayer. For it is not enough to have faith, we must radically put our faith into action no matter the circumstances we find ourselves. Because it is through active faith that we can  reach out to God in prayers and so obtain what we desired. Therefore, whatever you want God to do for me today, you must ask him with persistent faith, looking with expectation and hope to see your prayers come true. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today you said to the blind men, your faith deserves it, let it be done to you. As we thank you for the gift of our faith, give us the grace and courage to persistently put our faith into positive action that yields positive results. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a fruitful day.

HEARING AND DOING THE WORD OF GOD IS BUILDING OUR FAITH ON A ROCKY FOUNDATION

 Thursday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 3rd December, 2020.  The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

Readings Isaiah 26:1-6, Ps 117., Matt. 7: 21.24-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HEARING AND DOING THE WORD OF GOD IS BUILDING OUR FAITH ON A ROCKY FOUNDATION

One of my favorites hymn in our hymn book says:

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song! This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when striving cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

This hymn draws my attention to our Gospel passage today, where Jesus says:  ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. And everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: for it was founded on rock.

Here Jesus calls our attention to something very important. He reminds us that it is not enough to hear the word of God; we must put it into practice. It is not sufficient to speak about God, but we must practice what we speak. We are called not merely to hear God’s word but to daily put it into action. Hearing or reading the Word is important, but that is not the enough. We must let the Word of God touch and shape our lives. For it is a waste of time and energy if our lives do not reflect the Gospel we preach, if we do not hear the words of Jesus and act on them. 

The truth is that, the houses built by the wise and foolish persons may probably look alike. But the difference is the foundations, which can only be revealed when tested by the storms of life. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us to trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord is the everlasting Rock; he has brought low those who lived high up in the steep citadel; he brings it down, brings it down to the ground, flings it down in the dust, but the humble he raises up on high.

Dear friends, what have we been doing with the Word of God we hear everyday? What kind of fruit we bearing? How has the Word of God changed our life and the lives of those around us? How has the Word of God challenged and propelled us to love God and our neighours? Is our attitude towards the word of God like that of the foolish builder who takes short cuts for quick results? Or that of a wise builder who spend time in digging a secured foundations through constant meditation and practice of the word of God, just like St. Francis Xavier whose memorial we celebrate today?

The fact remains that, hearing and doing the Word of God is building our faith on a rocky foundation, that cornerstone, that solid ground, through the fiercest drought and storms of life, for the fruit of the Word of God in us is seen when tested in the storms of life. Therefore, when we hear the Word we must apply it to our daily lives, because that's the only way we can feed our soul. Our society today, have enough preachers and hearers of the Word, what we need now is doers of the Word of God. We need men and women who will feed their lives with the Word of God and from the abundance of their heart live a life that will influence the society positively.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, through your Word we find life and hope in Christ who is our all in all, grant that through the intercessions of St. Francis Xavier, we may be doers of your Words and not just hearers, in order to build our faith on a rocky foundation through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

JESUS HEALS AND FEEDS US WITH HIS WORDS AND EUCHARIST

 Wednesday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 2nd December, 2020.  

Readings Isaiah 25:6-10, Ps 22., Luke 15:29-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

JESUS HEALS AND FEEDS US WITH HIS WORDS AND EUCHARIST

It’s always the desire of humanity to experience the intervention of God whenever they are passing through difficult situation. This had always been the desire and disposition of the people of Israel as they await the coming of the Messiah as prophesied by the prophets. So, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected Messiah who was to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus in our Gospel reveals to all those who are in need that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. 

For Jesus did not just heal the sick, he also feeds the crowd. This feeding of the crowd refers back to the journey of the people of God in the desert from Mount Sinai to the promised land. So, we need the food of the Eucharist for our journey to heaven which is our promised land. This bread is the gift that we receive from Jesus whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards humanity. 

Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied it greatly. We should never think we have little to give others. Let us learn to share with others and Jesus will provide for us greatly for he is the one who feeds the hungry, and gives them strength for their journey. Just like prophet Isaiah tells us in our first reading that on this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. He will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth.

Dear friends, 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 our problems. For when that time comes he will restore us back to his glory and set us free from all evil forces around us, just like the people in our Gospel passage. All he wants from us is to constantly feed our souls with his Words and Eucharist as we journey towards his kingdom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the forces and troubles of this passing world, may we always find solace in your Word and Eucharist and so conquer our fear and challenges, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you