Homily For Saturday The Octave of Christmas, New Year 1st January, 2022

 Homily For Saturday The Octave of Christmas,  New Year 1st January, 2022 

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.

IDENTIFYING YOUR PLANS AND PURPOSES THIS YEAR WITH THE UNIVERSAL PLAN OF GOD FOR HUMANITY

Today, the whole human race is celebrating the goodness of God who has made it possible for us to witness another New Year. So every first day of January the Church celebrates three great events. First,  Church joins the whole human race to the celebrate the New Year, another gift of God to humanity. Secondly, since this great gift comes as we are celebrating the birthday of our Lord Jesus, the Church reflecting on the role of Mary in the whole event of this season, dedicated today as the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. And thirdly, following the ugly situation of war and  crises which humanity has found herself, Pope Paul VI chose and encouraged us to celebrate every 1st day of January as the World Day of Peace.  

So we are called to pray for peace in our world and also commit our plans are purposes to God this year knowing 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 greatly in the universal plan of God for humanity. 

Therefore, 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. Therefore, we must know that whatever healthy seed you water grows and the seed you quit watering will eventually die and go away. But the question is, what kind of seed are you going to be watering in your life this year? Are you going to be watering valuable seeds or weeds? Because nature has made it clear that not all the seeds are good for us and so any unwanted seed is a potential weed. Then, the question you need to ask yourself is: are you watering weeds that you do not need? There are so many weeds in our lives, such as: weeds of fear, regrets, doubt, jealousy, hatred, disrespect, greediness, lying, gossip, impurity, wickedness, procrastination etc they are good for nothing. 

Today we are called to quit watering these weeds because that's what the enemies want and we must not fall into their traps. Rather we are called to water those valuable mustard seeds of goodness, honestly, faithfulness, love, holiness, obedience, charity and make them our values of life. For when you feed and water your value, your value will grow stronger like the mustard tree that all the people of the world may find solace on it. As you begin this year with the Lord, know that the transcendent power and authority belong to God. Yes we may be affiliated in every way, but  never be crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Yes, we must know that true greatness is found in service and not in domination or subjection of others. Good leaders serve the community, they subdue arguments and divisions, they maintain unity in times of distress and act as role models for the young. This year, we all are called to identify our plans and purposes with the universal plan of God. We are called to serve in any capacity we find ourselves, bearing in mind that one should not strive to be a leader but a servant because leadership is a gift given to one by God. Remember, you don't have to be great to get started but you have to get started in order to be great. 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

Homily For Friday The Seventh Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 31st December, 2021

 Homily For Friday The Seventh Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 31st December, 2021 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET CHRIST THE WORD MADE FLESH REIGN IN YOUR HEART AS WE EMBRACE THE NEW YEAR

Today marks the end of the year 2021, as we look forward to the beginning of the new year, we have to keep our focus steadily forward the goal of knowing Christ and his mission and purpose for us., Hence, 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. So today being the last day of this year, it is a good time for us to take stock and evaluate carefully how our activities this year had been. We have to spent time to evaluate what our relationship with God has been. We must resolve and make effort to be faithful to God and dedicate more time for his works and mission. Hence, as we prepare to welcome the new year, we should look back and see in what way we can do better especially as Christians so as to live our lives ever more sincerely and genuinely in faith. 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.

Homily For Thursday The Sixth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 30th December, 2021

 Homily For Thursday The Sixth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 30th December, 2021 

Readings : 1 John 2:12-17, Ps 96, Luke:2:36-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HAVING AN EXPERIENCE OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE JUST LIKE ANNA

It’s always the desire of humanity to have 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 as regards 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, the right time to do that is now. But we need to ask ourselves what 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 Anna. 

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 this 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.

Homily For Wednesday The Fifth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 29th December, 2021

 Homily For Wednesday The Fifth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 29th December, 2021 

Readings : 1 John 2:3-11, Ps 96, Luke:2:22-35

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

JESUS THE TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS DESTINED FOR THE FALL AND RAISE OF MANY

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 of the law 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 once of Israel the true People of God. It is important to note that the purpose of this event among the Jews 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.

Homily For Tuesday in The Octave of Christmas, 28th December, 2021. The Feast of The Holy Innocents

 Homily For Tuesday in The Octave of Christmas, 28th December, 2021. The Feast of The Holy Innocents

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY KILLING THE INNOCENTS OVER OUR SELFISH AMBITION

As we continue the celebration of the birth of Christ, the Church today, calls our attention  to one of the ugly events that occurred in Bethlehem as a result of King Herod's love of power and fear of losing his power to the new born baby our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 first 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 order ambitions. We are not far from Herod when we kill people because of position, power and comfort. 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. 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.

Homily For Monday in The Octave of Christmas, 27th December, 2021 The Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist

 Homily For Monday in The Octave of Christmas, 27th December, 2021 The Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist.

Readings : 1 John 1:1-4; Ps 97; John 20:2-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

SPREADING THE JOY OF THE LORD 

Every 27th of December within the octave of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist. St. John as we know is one of the Twelve Apostles and one of the three inner circle of Jesus Christ and no doubt one the four great Evangelists of the Church. As one of the three inner circle of our Lord, John together with St. Peter and St. James his brother were often brought to the most important events in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. St. John as we know was present in great events such as the resurrection of the synagogue official’s dead daughter, the Transfiguration of the Lord at Mount Tabor, and also at the agony of the Lord at the Gardens of Gethsemane before the time of the Lord’s Passion. He witnessed great works and miracles of Jesus.

We will recall that St. John was one of those who remained and followed the Lord at the moments of his Passion, suffering and death on the Cross. He also remained with Mary at the foot of the cross and it was to St. John that the Lord Jesus entrusted Mary his Mother, and also John to Mary as well. This no doubt shows the important role St. John played in the life and mission of the Lord Jesus. The fruit of this great privilege is evident in the missionary activities of St. John. For he spent all his life in spreading the truth of God all over the world. He also wrote several letters and Epistles and the fourth Gospels is attributed to him. He also received the great vision of the  end time event when he was in exile as a result of the persecution of Christians, this vision he recorded in book of Revelations as we have it today.

So today as we celebrate the Feast of this great Apostle, we heard the readings of his first letter and his Gospel passage. In this letter as we have it in our first reading today, St John wrote about Christ the Word of Life that has come into this world. Concerning this Word he said: this is what we have heard from him, and the message that we are announcing to you: that God is light; there is no darkness in him at all. If we say that we are in union with God while we are living in darkness, we are lying because we are not living the truth. It is this Word of truth that we are celebrating this Christmas.

However, this Christmas celebration will not be complete if we do not let the Lord be born in our hearts or if we do not have a personal experience of the Lord Jesus in our lives such as the one we heard in our Gospel passage today. Here, we where told about the personal experience of John and Peter, who having heard about the resurrection of the Lord, ran towards the empty tomb with open heart to encounter Christ, who had died and is risen in order to renew us, in order to remove from our hearts the guilty of sin and death, so that we can embrace his divine and eternal life.

Dear friends, this is the fundamental core of our Christian faith; this is the victory that transforms us and unites us with our Lord. Hence, if Jesus who is born for us, was crucified died buried and is risen, and is alive, who will ever be able to separate us from him? Who will ever be able to deprive us the love of him who has conquered hatred and overcomes death? 

Therefore, I don't know what has been your experience in this world, I don't know how you woke up today, I don't know what troubles you mind. But all I know is that today is another gift of God to humanity, a day of joy, a day of victory. I am excited, hopeful and am going to live it with all joy, not trying to change things that I could not be able to changed or try to fix things that do not want to be fixed. I will not let the ugly situation in our world today or any ugly event of the past distract me today or steal my joy. I will focus on the blessings that comes with the joy of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will follow the directives of the Lord, for his ways are right and the upright walk in them, but the transgressors stumble in them. Thus, let us proclaim the message of this season and spread it throughout the world with the joyful song of season. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we celebrate the great event of Christmas, may your joy fill our hearts and through the intercessions of St John, may we spread this joy all over the world especially to people and places where this joy is lacking. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Sunday Within The Octave of Christmas, 26th December, 2021

 Homily For Sunday Within The Octave of Christmas, 26th December, 2021 

The Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Year C

Readings : 1Samuel 1:20-22.24-28; Ps 84; 1John 3:1-2.22-24;  Luke 2:41-52

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS A MODEL FOR ALL FAMILIES

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 this 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, the flight to Egypt, the massacre of the innocents, the finding of Jesus at temple just as we have it in the Gospel passage today. 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, by reminding us about Hannah and how God helped her to resolve the promblems in her family and today she came to thank God saying: This is the child I prayed for, and the Lord granted me what I asked him. Now I hand him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is handed over to the Lord.’ And our second reading reminds us that love is the source of harmony in the family. So today, demand is made of us and our family, to do the will of God at different stages of our lives and so ensure peaceful existence of our families. 

 

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 of 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.

Homily For The Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas). Saturday 25th December, 2021

 Homily For The Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas). Saturday 25th December, 2021. 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CHRISTMAS, THE MANIFESTATION OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR HUMANITY

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 saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of good will.”

 Concerning this mystery John in our Gospel passage today says: In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.

Yes, today we celebrate Christmas, 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, he has come to offer us his Divinity in exchange for our sinful humanity, so that we can be with him and become like him, for this 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. So this Christmas the Lord has come to illuminate the darkness of our sinful world with the light of true love.

But dear friends, what is so special about Christmas? What do Christmas signifies in our lives? Why do people’s attitude change during Christmas? What is it that makes us talk about the spirit of Christmas? Why is it that every Christmas season we let loose of our generosity. Why do we have to travel, Why do we have to visit people especially the sick, the prisoners? Why do we have to feed the hungry at this Christmas season? What is so special about Christmas that makes us to be more charitable, more accommodating and more sacrificial without seeking for any rewards? The answer to these questions is found in the message of the Angel who announced the Good News of great joy to us. For today a Savour is born to us, the Prince of Peace is born to us. He is the Word made Flesh and dwell among us. He is the love of God made manifest in our midst. Hence Christmas is the manifestation of the mystery of God’s love for humanity, so we celebrate it with great joy.   

More so, 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 will be available, loving concern for the weak, the poor and the suffering will fill our hearts, the grace of forgiveness and grace of peace in our homes, societies, and the world at large will be activated. 

Therefore, Christ the love of the Father is our Light and our Peace, and he proclaims his peace to those far away and to those who are near. This is 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”, his Divinity in exchange for our sinful humanity.

Hence, 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 the peace and 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.

Homily For Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 24th December, 2021

 Homily For Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 24th December, 2021. 

Readings : 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16, Ps 89, Luke: 1:67-79

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET YOUR HEART BE OPENED FOR THE LORD IS COMING 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 evening today Jesus is coming to us for an exchange, he is coming to offer his divinity in exchange for our sinful 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, our sinfulness, past, present, future, everything we can ever think about in our lives. But 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 this 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.

Homily For Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 23rd December, 2021

 Homily For Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 23rd December, 2021 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

OUR NAMES BEARS THE MYSTERY OF OUR MISSION AND PURPOSE IN LIFE

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 and our names are not just a common ceremony, for they bear the mystery of our mission and purpose in life. So, 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 your birth 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.

Homily For Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 22nd December, 2021

 Homily For Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 22nd December, 2021. 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET US REJOICE IN THE LORD FOR HE HAS DONE GREAT THINGS OF ALL HUMANITY

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.

Homily For Tuesday of the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C, 21st December, 2021

 Homily For Tuesday of the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C, 21st December, 2021 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE ACT OF 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. 

For Mary having heard that her cousin Elizabeth, who at that time had been long barren have now conceived a child, she 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. 

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 day.

Homily For Monday Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 20th December, 2021

 Homily For Monday Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 20th December, 2021. 

Readings: Is. 7:10-14;  Ps. 24; Luke 1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

A HUMBLE SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WILL

As the great event of Christmas draws very near, the liturgy in a special way today, reminds us about the mysterious event of  the Annunciation of the Lord, an event that marks exactly nine months before the birth of Jesus at Christmas, recalling the very moment when our Lord and Saviour was conceived in the womb of Mary, as she responded to the revelation of God’s Good News through the Archangel Gabriel saying: I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word. With this response the Word became flesh and dwells among us through a humble Virgin, thereby revealing the arrival of the long awaited Saviour into the world as we have it in our Gospel passage today.

In our first reading, we heard how king Ahaz also received revelation from God through prophet Isaiah, of the coming of God’s salvation to his people. But Ahaz refused to accept the sign, out of false humility, saying that he would not put God to the test even when the prophet had specifically said that God will give him a sign. This shows lack of faith and disobedience from king Ahaz which is quite opposite to that of Mary who humbly accepted God’s will. 

When compared the response of Mary to that of Ahaz, who further led the people of Judah into sin, as he did not follow or obey God’s laws. We will see that his lack of faith is indeed opposite to Mary’s total submission to God, his pride and false humility is opposite of Mary’s total humility and devotion to God.  Hence, Mary as become a role model for all of us, as her obedience and willingness to accept her role as the Mother of God and Saviour is something that all of us as Christians should also emulate in our own lives.

Dear friends, this Holy season of Advent have been filled with a lot of uncertainty, sorrow and grief, challenges and trials, obstacles, difficulties and suffering all over the world. But we are consoled in today’s Gospel passage that talks about the Annunciation of our Lord and Saviour with the words of the angle, telling us not to be afraid, for we have won God’s favour. This is to make us know that  the Lord has special plans for us, if only we can be humble and submissive to God’s will just like Mary when she said: “let it be done to me according to your will”. 

Thus, we are called to draw strength, faith and courage from Mary in her total submission to God’s will, knowing that despite all the darkness, sorrow and uncertainties in our world, God will not abandoned his people. His promise of salvation is a reality that we will surely experience. Therefore, let us entrust ourselves in humility to God just as Mary had done. Let us ask for his mercy and forgiveness as we also forgive one another. It is not time to judge people or lose faith. Rather, it is time to pray for each other as we grow stronger in faith and in our love and devotion to God. knowing that he is closer to us in this turbulent times for he does not fail in his promises.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as the event of Advent come to it peak, the occasion of the annunciation reminds us of your promises and plans to redeem humanity, as we listen to your words today, may we respond positively to your requests and so be filled with the joy of your presence, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C, 19th December, 2021

 Homily For Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C, 19th December, 2021. 

Readings: Micah 5:2-5;  Ps. 80; Heb. 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE JOY OF SAYING YES TO GOD’S PLAN FOR US

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 towards redeeming humanity. So this Sunday we are required to say yes to this plan of God. And this is evident in our readings today, in our first reading we heard prophet Micah saying: out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel; for the Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth. 

This prophetic words came to fulfilment in the life of Mary as we have it in our Gospel passage today which reminds us the moment when Mary, after the event of Annunciation, having received the message from Angel Gabriel about the plan of God for her and her cousin Elizabeth, she came to visit Elizabeth, for both are now miraculously pregnant with child. For at that time, Mary was just having the Child Jesus in her not long after he was conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, while Elizabeth, who had become pregnant earlier, was having John the Baptist in her womb, even in her old age as a barren woman.

At this visitation, Mary sang the magnificat in honour to God for the great thing he has done not just for her but for all humanity. For having heard that her cousin Elizabeth, who at that time had been long barren have now conceived a child, she 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. 

Hence, this grace- filled event reveals the special role that Mary played in God’s plan for human salvation. So, as she brings the Word of life dwelling in her womb to Elizabeth, Mary became the image of Church’s missionary activity for she is filled with the Holy Spirit ready to visit and bring Christ to all humanity. This also presents to us the joyful moment when Mary bearing the Word Made Flesh visited barren and lonely humanity well represented by the person of Elizabeth. Thus, in this act of kindness, we recall the faith and the wonderful commitment showed by Mary, as an example and inspiration to all of us. For she totally obeyed the plan of the Lord and entrusted herself completely to the divine will of God. 

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. However, all we need is to say: God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will just as we heard in our second reading today, an affirmation of Mary’s response to God’s plans for her.

 So as Christians, in Mary we found a great role model for each and every one of us. For, following the example of Mary we also embark on our own journey of faith, learning from her obedience and dedication to the mission that has been entrusted to her throughout her life just as we are entrusted with the task of spreading the Gospel passage to all humanity.

But the truth remains that, we are so busy with the things of this passing world and have failed to carryout our mission. Today, 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 our mission, which is, the salvation of our souls. Today, we are called to reflect deeply and to dispose ourselves to embrace the Word of God with joy just like Mary and Elizabeth. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, only the soul for whom you have done great things can truly proclaim with fitting praise the joy of your presence. As we embrace your words today through the visitation of our Mother Mary, we joyfully surrender unto you, our whole life, our senses, our barrenness and loneliness, 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. Wishing you a fruitful Sunday celebration

Homily For Saturday of the Third Week of Advent Year C, 18th December, 2021

 Homily For Saturday of the Third Week of Advent Year C, 18th December, 2021

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO PRAYERFULLY FACE THE CHALLENGING MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE LIKE ST. JOSEPH

As we continue the preparation of the birthday of our Lord Jesus, the liturgy today 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 conceived. 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 weekend.

Homily For Friday Third Week of Advent Year C, 17th December, 2021

 Homily For Friday Third Week of Advent Year C, 17th December, 2021.

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THROUGH OUR FAITH IN GOD OUR GENEALOGY IS 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 as we heard in our Gospel passage.

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.

Homily For Thursday Third Week of Advent Year C, 16th December, 2021

 Homily For Thursday Third Week of Advent Year C, 16th December, 2021.

Readings Is. 54:1-10;Ps. 30; Luke 7: 24-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

JESUS TALKS ABOUT THE ROLE AND MISSION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 

As Christians, one of the mandate that Jesus gave to us is to proclaim the Good News of our salvation, for in this mandate everyone of us has a special role to play. But the question is how are we playing this role? In our Gospel passage today, Jesus talks about the mission and role of John the Baptist when after John’s messengers had gone he said: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: See, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare the way before you. ‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John.

Here, Jesus talk about the manner in which John the Baptist plays his role in the mission entrusted to him.  John knew who he was in the sight of God. He knew his strengths and his weaknesses, he knew that his life was centered on Christ. No doubt the mission of John the Baptist was quite challenging as he encountered many obstacles just like other prophets before him. He faced strong opposition and rejection from the Pharisees who doubted and challenged his teaching and works for baptism of repentance of which many people believed in him. 

This though, was not a burden for him, for he clearly understood God’s sovereignty, he understood who Jesus is. He rejoiced in the coming of Jesus and his role in the mission and life of Jesus. He knew he was the announcer of Good News, but not the Good News itself. However, he did not have to make a public show of himself. He was not out to promote his own ministry or reputation. Even though it seems as if he is becoming insignificance when Jesus arrived, he did not feel so. His aim was to identify Jesus to the people which he did with all humility. 

Thus, John shows us what it means to be a true disciple of the Lord. That as disciples, we should not allow pride, ambition, ego and selfish desire to dictate how we live our lives. If not, we will easily be carried away by worldly temptations and lose our way by falling deep into the trap of sin. Rather, we are called to be humble and to be faithful to God at all times. Hence, prophet Isaiah in our first reading  today said: do not be afraid, you will not be put to shame, do not be dismayed, you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth.

Dear friends, we all have a significant place in the plan of God. No doubt that John understood his role in the mission of Christ and shows the essence of humility in exercising it. Do we have any clue of what our role is in the mission of Christ? In what ways do we exemplify humility in the little task entrusted to us? Let us learn from John the Baptist how to humbly exercise our role in any task or mission entrusted to us. 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, you created each one of us to fulfill your plan on earth, grant us the grace to faithfully and courageously fulfill our mission and purpose in this world. As we contemplate the example of John the Baptist, may we learn to be humble in carrying out the mission and vocation entrusted to us, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and joyful day.

Homily For Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent Year C, 15th December, 2021

 Homily For Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent Year C, 15th December, 2021. 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT DOUBT ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD FOR HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO DO NOT LOSE FAITH IN HIM

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 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 recognized 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.

Homily For Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent Year C, 14th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. John the Cross

 Homily For Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent Year C, 14th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. John the Cross

Readings Zeph. 3:1-2,9-13, Ps. 34, Matt. 21:28-32

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD IS WATCHING AND WAITING FOR US CHANGE OUR MINDS IN REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMAND

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.

This is very obvious in the life of Saint John of the Cross whose  memorial we are celebrating today, a great doctor and mysticist of the Church who truly understands and embraced the teachings of Jesus and so inspires in our souls by his ways of life, 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, 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 in repentance and obedience to his commands. 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. Through the intercessions of St. John of the Cross, give us the grace of true repentance in humble obedience as you guide us through the right path of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday the Third Week of Advent Year C, 13th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Lucy

 Homily For Monday the Third Week of Advent Year C, 13th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Lucy

Readings Num. 24:2-7,15-17, Ps. 25; Matt. 21:23-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IDENTIFYING WITH 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 authority 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 today as we celebrate the memorial of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr who for  the divine authority of the Lord suffered martyrdom. She is known to be the patron saint of all who have eyes disorder and since the Lucy means light, she reminds us of  the divine authority rooted in the Light of Christ whose birth we are anticipating this Christmas.

Dear friends, as we go on with our recollection this advent season, we need to open up our hearts to truly embrace the light of divine 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. Lucy, 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.

Homily For Third Sunday of Advent Year C (Gaudete Sunday), 12th December, 2021

 Homily For Third Sunday of Advent Year C (Gaudete Sunday), 12th December, 2021

Readings: Zep. 3:14-18; Ps. Is. 12:2-6; Phil. 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

IN A WORLD FULL OF CRISIS, WICKEDNESS AND SIN, WHAT THEN SHOULD WE DO?

The entrance antiphon of today’s Mass begins by saying: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. Yes, every third Sunday of Advent the Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday in Advent season when we are called to rejoice for the coming of the Lord is very near. On this Sunday, we put on rose vestments a colour that is only used twice in the entire liturgical year, first on a day like this when we celebrate the Gaudete Sunday and secondly on the fourth Sunday of Lent when we celebrate the Laetare Sunday. This Gaudete Sunday is named as such because we are called to rejoice in the Lord forever.

So, our focus this Sunday is on the theme of Joy and we can recall that for the past two Sundays of Advent our focus were on the aspects of Hope and Peace. This theme of Joy ushers us into the most important disposition of the season of Advent that calls us to preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas when the true Joy of the Lord will be born in our hearts. Little wonder prophet Zephaniah in our first reading today said: Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear.

This message of hope and joy came at a time when the people of Israel had just returned from their long exile in Babylon for they had faced great humiliation and sufferings due to their own infidelities and stubbornness, their abandonment of God, His laws and commandments. Because of these grievous sins, they were sent to exile in Babylon where they were brought low and defeated, but as the Lord remembered them and saved them once again, prophet Zephaniah called them once again to rejoice.

Dear friends, the ugly situation humanity has found herself today is quite similar to the situation of the people of Israel in Babylon. Today humanity has found herself in Babylon of different degrees and it seems as if no hope for her restoration. Today humanity has found herself in deep Babylon of sin of corruption, impurity, evil of the highest order. We have found ourselves in Babylon of iniquities of the highest degree, we have found ourselves in Babylon of wars and killing of each other. We have found ourselves in Babylon of hatred as never before. People hating each other at different levels, colours, religion even within our families and shamelessly among married couples. 

Oh humanity, we have chosen to dwell in Babylon of greediness, where one will choose to kill, blackmail and tarnish the good image of people just to have it all, I, I, I, me, me, me, is the slogan of the day, if I can’t have it no one will have it. Oh poor humanity, why have we chosen to dwell in Babylon of immortality at the highest level in the history of mankind. No single respect of the sanctity of the human body and soul. We dine in sexual immortality of different degrees and we package them with beautiful names to make them even more captivating. Everything we do now must be sexy in order to gain recognition. 

What is going on with us, when will these Babylon be over?  When are we going to say no to these ugly ways of life. When will we say no to oppression and criminal activities? When will we say no to killing, blackmail and tarnishing of the good image of one another. When will we say no to corruption, impurity and greediness. When will we say no to hatred and unforgiveness. When will we say yes to integrity, holiness, purity of heart? When will we say yes to peace, to love, to kindness and care for one another. 

Today in our Gospel passage we heard the people after embracing the message of John the Baptist, they asked him saying: what then should we do? How can we begin anew? How can we say no to these ugly ways of life? John said to them: If anyone has two tunics he must share, that is charity, we must be charitable. He said ‘Exact no more than your rate, that is, a call to quit corruption, impurity, greediness and immortality. ’No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay.

My dear friends, we can truly rejoice when we embrace this message of John the Baptist. We can only rejoice when we say yes  to God and no to evil. We can only rejoice when we become agents of peace. And when this happens we can now embrace the words of St Paul in our first second reading where he said: rejoice, always rejoice in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. Fear not, but let the peace of the Lord reign in your heart.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of your love and joy, as you call us to rejoice today in preparation for the coming  of your Son our Lord Jesus, help us to do away with our ugly ways of life that prevents us for obtaining your true Joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday to you.

Homily For Saturday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 11th December, 2021

 Homily For Saturday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 11th December, 2021.

Reading: Sir. 48:1-4.9-12; Ps 80; Matt. 17:10-13

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WAIT NO LONGER FOR THE PROPHETS, RATHER EMBRACE THEIR MESSAGE

In our societies today people often desire to hear the message from the prophet to know what God is saying as regards their situation in life. This is the disposition of the people at the time of Jesus. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today we heard how the disciples of Jesus after their experience of the Lord’s transfiguration, as they were coming down from the mountains, they asked Jesus saying: why do the scribes say then that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hand.

Here a reference is made to John the Baptist, the one who was the Herald of the Messiah, the one who prepared the path for the Lord Jesus as predicted by the prophets. So, Jesus mentioned how John was the fulfilment of those prophecies, and indeed, his works and ministry had prepared the path for his coming into this world. Meanwhile, John the Baptist had often been compared with the prophet Elijah because both of them have some similarities, they lived in similar manner, travelling in the wilderness, proclaiming repentance and the coming of God’s salvation as we heard about prophet Elijah in our first reading today.

Indeed, John the Baptist  can be likened to prophet Elijah sent into the world to finish the works that Elijah had once initiated. Though, John the Baptist had the spirit of the prophet Elijah, which was not the same as being the same person, so both by that extension had the same ministry among the people of God, and they used same approach and efforts to pass the message of God to his people. Both suffered because of their teaching and mission. Jesus also would face the same reality.

Dear friends, today we are called to reflect on the lives and mission of these two great prophets especially in this Advent season so that we too may become more faithful by following their examples and faith. We do not need to keep waiting for prophets to come again rather we should embrace the message these great prophets have for us. And their message is quite simple, they are calling us to repentance, they are calling us to love, they are calling us to make the path of our lives straight, they are calling us to embrace the Lord Jesus and the gift of salvation he is offering us this season.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we listen to your words through your prophets calling us to repentance, love and preparation, may we embrace your word and so prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Friday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 10th December, 2021

 Homily For Friday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 10th December, 2021.

Readings Isaiah 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-6; Matt. 11:16-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO EMBRACE THE ARTICLE OF FAITH MADE AVAILABLE TO US BY THE LORD IN THE SCRIPTURES

Reflecting on the disposition of humanity today, I can not but asked myself questions about our faith in God who we often claim to love and belong to. This is because, despite all the article of faith and evidence in both scriptures and historical tradition, we still do not have a good grasp of who God really is in our lives. This very disposition is always the case with every generation and this is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today when he said: to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! 

Here Jesus made us to know that the problem with this generation is that we have failed to listen neither to the message of John the Baptist nor that of Jesus. No doubt that John’s uncommon lifestyle made people to accuse him of having a demon, while Jesus’ habit of eating and drinking with sinners affect his reputation among the Jews. But Jesus made us to know that his generation finds reason to take offense at both John and Jesus himself. 

So, Jesus compares those who are rejecting his message to that of children in the marketplace who cannot decide whether they want to play wedding song or funeral song, but can’t get the people to dance when the tune is piped.  For they played their pipes, and expect others to dance; they beat their breasts in lamentation, and expect others to weep. They complain if others do not comply with their demands. To such a company Jesus refers to as evil generation in which himself and John the Baptist found themselves. Just as in our own generation today, there are people who have refused to repent when challenged by the teachings of John the Baptist and there are some people who also refused to join the celebrations of Jesus, and does not take his message seriously.

Dear friends, why have we failed to take the Word of God seriously? Why have we failed to embrace the article of faith made available for us by the Lord in our scriptures? Why do we take for granted the signs and messages the Lord is giving us this Advent season and always?  Today in our first reading we  heard the Lord saying through prophet Isaiah: “I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you, I lead you in the way that you must go. If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea”. So let us not be like market people who pay no attention to the message the Lord has for us.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, enkindle in us once again the fire of your love, so that we may embrace your message and so become your great servants dedicating our lives and service to loving you and our neighbours. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a lovely day

Homily For Thursday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 9th December, 2021.

 Homily For Thursday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 9th December, 2021.

Readings Isaiah 41:13-20;; Ps ,145; Matt. 11:11-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

A CALL TO PUTTING OUR EARS INTO POSITIVE USE

The ears as we know is one of the very important organs of the human person. This organ consist of the pinna which aid the human ability to hear. It is a gift from God through which we have the faculty of being able to perceive sounds and recognize something in an auditory way. To exercise the faculty of this organ effectively we must learn to use it to listen attentively to information. The world no doubt is full of noise, echoing different things in our minds through our ears.

But how are we use these organs? How has this organ helped us in our spiritual life in this noisy world? How have we managed the noise in our lives,  in our families and society which distract us from listening to God? What are the things we hear or listen to? The Word of God we hear everyday how has it develop our relationship with God and our neighbour? 

Hence Jesus ends our Gospel passage today saying: If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!’ Here, Jesus is referring to our ability to listen to God's Word and act on it even in the midst of this noisy world. Jesus was making this comment while referring to the mission of St. John the Baptist as his herald to proclaim his coming into this world and to prepare the path for him. He revealed to all of us the truth about God’s love for us. So, referring to the  role of John the Baptist in the mission of the Lord, Jesus said tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.

Thus, we can made know that the persons who seek to gain some spiritual insight into what Jesus is saying will have that insight increased when they listen, whereas whoever does not listen to Jesus will end up in spiritual ignorance. To avoid this, we are reminded  through prophet Isaiah that the faithful people of God would not be forsaken or abandoned, for God still loved us despite all the terrible and sinful things we do, if only we can listen to him.

Dear friends, by listening, hearing and following Jesus, we grow in familiarity with his voice and hears him more. And by so doing we make Jesus the light of our lives placed on the lampstand to give light and insight to our souls as individuals, family and society, illuminating all the darkness around us. Therefore, we are called to put our ears into positive us and be submissive just like John the Baptist and so cultivate the habit of listen to God and to one another. 

 LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, our ears are gift from you, help us to use them properly. And as we carry out our activities today, may our ears hear the consoling words of Jesus guiding and directing us towards the light of his presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Remain blessed.

Homily For Wednesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 8th December, 2021. The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

 Homily For Wednesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 8th December, 2021. The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings 1 Gen. 3:9-15.20; Ps 98; Eph. 1:3-6.11-12; Luke.1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE PRIVILEGE OF MARY IN PREPARATION FOR HER ROLE IN THE SALVIFIC PLAN OF GOD

 

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, her assumption into heaven and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of other prerogatives. So, today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception one of these prerogatives which shows her special role in the universal plan of God. 

The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception refers to the moment when Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. That very moment when she came into existence as willed by God. She was immaculately conceived because of the role she will play as the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ. Immaculate, mean pure without fault, free from the taint of the original sin. 

And Mary by this privilege full of grace and remained free from sin throughout her life by the will of God, for  God chose to make her worthy of his Presence. Since, our God who is pure, perfect and sinless could not have dwell in a womb tainted by sin. Hence, in today’s Solemnity of Immaculate Conception, we celebrate one of the four great Marian Dogmas, as defined by the Church in the state of Mary, being the Mother of God, the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Thus, our Gospel passage today 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. 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 with the universal plan of God for humanity.

This is what Adam and Eve failed to do in our first reading today, they did not follow the plan of God for them for out of pride and disobedience they separated themselves from God. That is why after Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. By this very action humanity has fallen and separated from God his creator. Nevertheless, God has never give up on humanity. He has a plan to save us as we heard in our second reading today of which May in preparation for her role in this salvific plan was conceived immaculately and this great privilege is what we are celebrating today.

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 just like our Mother Mary, 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 celebrate the great privilege of Mary in regards to your plan for humanity, 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 celebration.

Homily For Tuesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 7th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Ambrose

 Homily For Tuesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 7th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Ambrose

Readings Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps 96; Matt. 18:12-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD WILL NEVER STOP SEARCHING FOR HIS LOST SHEEP ENGULFED IN SINFUL THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD

It is natural and common for any human person to desire to seek and find any valuable thing he/she have lost. Some people even have sleepless nights over their lost items. Some can go to any length hoping to recover any of their valuable commodity that is lost. If we can do this just for perishable things of this passing world, don’t we think that God will do even much more to save every single soul he created in his own image and likeness. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus while addressing his disciples, tells us the parables of the lost sheep which illustrate the unrelenting love of God for each of us, especially sinners. 

In this parable, we see an examples of someone searching for what is precious to him. And when he found it his joy was so great. So, Jesus uses this example to explain to us how God seeks us when we are lost in sin and his joy when our friendship with him is renewed. His searching for us cost him the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ. This can help us to realize how precious we are to him, that he never gives up on anyone except those who chose to be lost. All we need is for us to return to God who is patiently waiting for us. Just like prophet Isaiah in our first reading today said:  Console my people, console them’ says your God. ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for.

Dear friends, are we lost in sin? Have we given up in our struggle with sin? Do you think that our sins are so great that God cannot forgive us? Do we feel lost now? Jesus is searching for us, he is waiting for us at the confessional. When was the last time we visited him at the confessional? Just know that he loves us and we are too precious to be lost in this sinful world.  Therefore, let us like Ambrose whose memorial we celebrate today, embrace the faith and mission our Lord entrusted to us. For St Ambrose did not just refused to be lost in the sinful things of this passing world, he rather joined the Lord to search for his lost sheep to the point that he was made a bishop even when he was still a catechumen.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this passing world due to our sinfulness, Seek out humanity once again from the wilderness of sins, so that through the intercessions of St. Ambrose, we may return back to you, just like the lost sheep and so rejoice and praise you once again with the angels. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 6th December, 2021

 Homily For Monday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 6th December, 2021.

Readings Isaiah 35:1-10; Ps 85; Luke 5:17-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC, A GESTURE THAT SIGNIFIES THE RESTORATION OF HUMANITY PARALYZED BY SIN

The sin and evil going on in the world are putting our faith to the test and most people are giving in to the scheme of devil because they lack the strong will to withstand the suffering, sickness and problems that befall us as a result of this evil. People are running ups and down seeking for solutions. while the evil ones are taking advantage of the situation to destroy the faith of the people. In fact, one may begin to wonder if there is still hope for the restoration of humanity from this ugly situation. But the fact remains that God is able to heal and restore humanity once again.

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, when some people brought to him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ But some scribes doubted his authority to forgive sins, and Jesus knowing what was in their minds said: ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ he said to the paralytic, ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home.

Here, we see that great faith is not hidden, it radiates from the innermost being of those who exercise it. Because of love, the friends of the paralytic man were moved with faith to bring their friend to Christ, they firmly believed that Jesus Christ could and would heal him. For a strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ. It was with humble and active faith that they brought him to Christ. Thus, we can see the power and authority of Jesus towards the restoration of paralytic man carried by his friends. A gesture that signifies the restoration of humanity paralyzed by sin. 

So, Jesus began by forgiving our sins. Though sin seems to be the root of the sickness. But sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned. But for Jesus, healing is holistic for those who have faith in God. And this is what the scribes and the Pharisees failed to understand as they doubted and opposed the power and authority of Jesus. They forgot the words of prophet Isaiah in our first reading today which says:  Courage! Do not be afraid. ‘Look, your God is coming, he is coming to save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy.

Dear friends, today we are called to have faith in God just like the friends of the paralytic and not to be like the scribes and Pharisees who were enslaved by their pride and desire to maintain their prestige in the society. They doubted the power and authority of Jesus and rejected the message of truth, of which Jesus rebuked them, showing us that truly he has power and authority not just to heal and forgive us but to restore us and all humanity back to our formal glory.

 

We are also called to imitate the great faith and love of the friends of the paralytic, the love and faith that radiate from the innermost being of those who exercise it. Let us like them, learn to love and help one another. Because the absence of love is the cause of all the problems in our world today. For most families exist only by grace because of the absence of love. How I wish we can invest our time and resources in ensuring love and goodwill in our dealings with one another, believe me, the world will be a temporal home for everyone.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are paralyzed by the sins and evil we are committing against you and the world you created, as we come to you in faith this season of Advent, forgive us our sins, heal and restore us once again. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.