The Homily for Wednesday in Seventh Week of Easter Year C, 1st June, 2022. The Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr

 The Homily for Wednesday in Seventh Week of Easter Year C, 1st June, 2022. The Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr 

Readings: Acts 20:28-38; Ps.68; John 17:11-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LORD, SANCTIFY HUMANITY ONCE AGAIN IN YOUR TRUTH 

Sanctity, truth and oneness are very vital concepts that any meaningful family, society, groups, community or religion will always need in order to achieve their mission and goals. These are very fundamental because of the role they play in ensuring that things are properly done in any environment they exist. Sanctity which is the quality of being holy comes from the Greek word Hagiason which is related to hagios, which means holy, that is to set apart for God’s service. 

So the concept of Sanctity, sets one apart for the particular service he/she has to render. Truth on the other hand comes from the Latin word veritas which means a representation of things as they are. This concept make one open to the real situation of the realities around him/her. And where these concepts are present openness and tolerance becomes possible, hence oneness and unity can be achieved. 

Therefore, knowing the important of sanctity, truth and oneness in achieving any mission and goal, Jesus in his High Priestly Prayer ask the Father to sanctify his disciples in truth and oneness as we have it in our Gospel passage today, when he prayed ‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one just as we are one… I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth'.  

In a similar way in our first reading, St. Paul prayed to the elders of the Church in Ephesus to be on their guard for themselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood and guide them against fierce wolves who will invade them and will have no mercy on the flock. For there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. 

So, from this passage truth becomes the midst by which the sanctification of the disciples will take place. But the evil in the world is a great hindrance to achieving this. However, their likeness to Jesus is the great ground of hope for they have been consecrated to the truth. And this is the real hope and holiness of all true Christians, for through this, the gift of the Holy Spirit is made available to the Church in order to be sanctified in the truth and so share in the oneness of which Christ prayed. 

This oneness is what the whole Christian community has to achieve and sustain both in nature, will, affection and understanding; not only in their union with Christ, but to one another; abiding together, cleaving to each other, standing fast in one Spirit, having the same designs, and the interest of the mission of the salvation of humanity at heart.

This is exactly what St. Justin the Martyr stands for, whose memorial we celebrate today. For in the midst of persecutions and operation he tried to maintain peaceful coexistence between the Church and the state by trying to convince Emperor Marcus Aurelius to end the persecution of Christians by the Roman state which led to his martyrdom with some of his followers in the year 165. Today however, St. Justin no doubt, has shown us through his works and interactions, with pagan philosophers and even with the Emperor, that it is indeed possible to be fully faithful and committed to God, while living in harmony as a law-abiding citizens of the community and the state even in the midst of persecutions and operations as we experience in our societies today.

Dear friends, today therefore, we are called to embrace the divine truth by which we have been sanctified in order to achieve the goal of unity and oneness of which Christ prayed. This oneness is very important not only as Christians, but also as families, communities, co- workers, friends and couples. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify us once more to the truth and so achieve the oneness of which Christ prayed.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, sanctify us once again in the truth of which Your Son Jesus has given us, so, that we may once again achieve oneness in our family, society, in the Church and in the world at large through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day. 

The Homily for Tuesday in Seventh Week of Easter Year C, 31st May, 2022. The Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 The Homily for Tuesday in Seventh Week of Easter Year C, 31st May, 2022. The Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading: Zeph.3:14-18; Ps. Isaiah 12; Luke 1:39-56

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE JOY AND POWER OF VISITING ONE ANOTHER 

Today being the last day of the month of May, we celebrate the great Marian feast of the Visitation as we normally conclude our may devotion on a grand style in procession, with hymns and candle light, singing along with our mother Mary in thanksgiving to God for the good work of our salvation. 

So, today’s feast as we have it in our Gospel passage, reminds us the moment when Mary, after the event of Annunciation, having received the message from Angel Gabriel, came to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who are now both 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.

Here, 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, 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 becomes the image of Church’s missionary activity for she is filled with the 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 Lord and entrusted herself completely to the divine will of God.

Dear friends, visitation is part and parcel of our mission, just that we are so busy with everything except the very essence of our mission, which is, the salvation of our souls. The fact remains that there is joy and power in visiting one another just like Mary. There is grace and sense of belonging in visiting one another, there is healing and restoration in visiting one another. So today, who do you wish to visit or who will you like to visit you today? How will you feel if any of your loved one should pay you a surprise visit today? How will you feel if your presence brings joy and happiness to someone today? 

Why not try to visit someone today? Why not try to visit that your friends, colleagues, classmates, workers, family members and neighbours whom you have abandoned for a long time? Why not try to learn from Mary, for in her we have found a great role model? So following her example 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.

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 week and a happy New month ahead.

The Homily for Monday in Seventh Week of Easter Year C, 30th May, 2022

 The Homily for Monday in Seventh Week of Easter Year C, 30th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 19:1-8; Ps.68;  John 16:29-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE WORLD IS FULL OF TROUBLES, BUT BE COURAGEOUS FOR JESUS HAS CONQUERED THE TROUBLES OF THIS PASSING WORLD

Tribulations and sufferings have been the hallmark of most people’s experience in the world, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the level of sufferings we are passing through everyday, the sad news we hear and see in our streets, the television and in the social media. These often make us feel hopeless and fearful because the situation is beyond our control. 

This kind of fearful situation is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, knowing that very soon his disciples are going to face a worse situation, so he said to them “Listen; the time will come, in fact it has come already, when you will be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.”

Here Jesus is telling his disciples these, not to discourage them but to prepare them for many troubles and tribulations they are going to face in the future, so that when the time comes they will find peace and confidence in him.  He told them not to worry because he has conquered the world, not in any political or economic sense but in overcoming the evil in the world and so, all the tribulations, sorrow, suffering have been conquered in Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection. Therefore, his disciples can share in this victory, as long as they remain faithful and united in peace.

Dear friends, this same promise is available for us his disciples, who today are passing through great tribulations and sufferings in the world. We have to be courageous and find strength in words of Jesus who has conquered the world and all it’s evil and tribulations. For today, Jesus is reassuring us that no matter what is happening in our world, he is still in control and will always ensure that we come out victoriously. 

Thus, as we prepare and wait patiently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let us take our fears, sufferings, tribulations, sickness and disappointments to Jesus and ask him to give us the courage and strong faith, so that through the power of the Holy Spirit we will overcome all the ugly situations in our lives, families, societies and the world at large and so enjoy once again the peace of knowing that he is with us always till the end of time.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, may the power of the Holy Spirit come upon us, we pray, so that following your instructions, we may overcome the world and all the trials and tribulations we face everyday through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week.

The Homily for Seventh Sunday in Easter Year C, The World Communications Sunday, 16th May, 2021

 The Homily for Seventh Sunday in Easter Year C, The World Communications Sunday, 16th May, 2021

Readings: Act. 7:55-60; Ps. 97; Rev. 22:12-14.16-17.20; John 17: 20-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

WAITING FOR THE PROMISED PARACLETE IN FULFILMENT OF THE HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER OF JESUS

As we gather today the seventh Sunday of the Holy season of Easter, the Church celebrates the world communication Sunday which was established by Pope Paul VI in 1967 as an annual celebration. Communication as we know is a very important aspect of our faith. Because, our mission is to communicate to humanity what God has done for us through Christ our Lord. Prior to this event is Solemnity of the Ascension which we celebrated last Thursday, of which the Church waits prayerfully for the promised Paraclete. So the Church in this waiting disposition anticipate the promised Paraclete who will help her to communicate the message  of Christ to all humanity.

However, one of the difficult statements we don’t like to hear when we are expecting something great to come our way is the word “wait”. The word wait can be very unpleasant to the ears of anyone who is desperately in need of something. But often times, we have little or no option not to wait, and in life we have a lot of waiting to do. We wait for the day to break, we wait for the month to end, we wait for the traffic, we wait for our admission, interviews, jobs, husband, wife, children, we wait and wait and wait, in fact, waiting on God is a regular message of faith which we hear everyday. Waiting can really be difficult and uncomfortable, it can be suicidal for those who lack the virtue of patience. 

Nonetheless, good and great things are worth waiting for. Little wonder, we are called to wait for the fulfilment of the promise paraclete  of which  Jesus prayed for in his High Priestly Prayer at the Last Supper. This High Priestly prayer of Jesus is divided into three sections. First Jesus prayed for himself, in the second section he prayed for his disciples. 

The third section is what we have in our Gospel passage today where he prayed for all those who through the influence of his disciples come to believe in God and in him, of which each one of us belongs to those whom Jesus is praying for when he said in our Gospel passage today: “Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.”

 

In this High Priestly prayer of Jesus, we heard the Lord Jesus asking the Father to sanctify his disciples in truth and oneness knowing the important of sanctity, truth and oneness in achieving their mission and goal. We can see the efficacy of this prayer of Jesus in the life and death of St Stephen in our first reading today. For Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed in prayer into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. This he witness before the members of the council saying: ‘I can see heaven thrown open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ Because of this witness they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. 

This event shows the sacrificial nature of our mission of bearing witness to our faith in the Lord. It can also be seen as an example of how communication in prayer is such an important aspect and part of our faith. For we cannot be true Christians unless we open ourselves to the Lord and communicate with him regularly in order to know his will for us and for others and by so doing dwell in his love and bear authentic witness of him to humanity. 

To understand this sacrificial nature of our mission Jesus in our second reading today said in his revelation to St. John: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Happy are those who will have washed their robes clean, so that they will have the right to feed on the tree of life and can come through the gates into the city of God”.

Little wonder, in this High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prayed for his disciples that the Father should take care of them in the midst of the evils in the world, that they should be one as he and the Father are one. He prayed that those who follow him may be drawn into the life of the Holy Trinity. For the Father sends the Son to humanity precisely so that the Son may draw all humanity into the relationship that exists between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So this prayer reminds us that our unity, our “oneness” is to be a sign to the world of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. And this shows us that prayer is a form of communication between us and God, whom we should love dearly and wait patiently for His will to be done in our lives.

This simply means, that we have to learn how to communicate regularly with God and wait patiently for his will to be done. We must learn to build the unity of which Christ prayed and this we do when we learn how to love and wait patiently with one another, especially with our loved ones, our friends, our family members and relatives, our spouses and others who are dear to us. We must learn how to wait patiently with life activities and the challenges and struggles that come with it.

Dear friends, as the disciples are waiting prayerfully for the promised Paraclete, we too are also called to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit especially in this coming Pentecost Sunday. We are called to go to the upper room of our hearts and conscience and wait patiently for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit that will help us to be well united as one family of God. We are called to prepare and wait on the Holy Spirit through the ongoing novena to the Holy Spirit. We are called to wait patiently for the fulfillment of God’s plan for each and every one of us. Though waiting may be difficult, but good and great things are worth waiting and prepared for.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, graciously hear our supplications,  as we wait patiently for the fulfillment of your promise, grant that when the Paraclete comes, may we be disposed to receive him as our Advocate and let him teach us what to do, how to do it, when to do it and give us the grace to do it properly through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a grace filled Sunday celebration.

The Homily for Saturday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 28th May, 2022

 The Homily for Saturday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 28th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 18:23-28; Ps.47;  John 16:23-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

PRAYING TO GOD IN THE NAME OR THROUGH CHRIST THE LORD

People often asked why most of our liturgical prayers ends with the phrase ‘through Christ our Lord'. Is this necessary since God can here us directly? Anyway, the answer to this question is found in our Gospel passage today, when Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete... because the Father himself loves you for loving me.’

Here Jesus makes a solemn promise to his disciples that whatever they ask the Father in his name will be granted to them. This is because, in Jesus the disciples will experience a direct contact with the Father. Thus, his name becomes the link that will usher them into the divine relationship between the Son and the Father. For it is through this relationship that the disciples will come to experience the divine privilege that will give access to their request from God.  

Therefore the Greek word ‘dia’ which can be translated as both ‘by’ or ‘through’ can be linked to the words of Jesus when he said in John 14:6  ‘I am the way. No one can come to the Father except “through“ me’. Thus, Jesus is the way through which we can come to God the Father. For through Jesus, we have obtained access to the grace of being God’s children. 

This does not mean that God is inaccessible. Rather as we know God is spirit Whose nature is beyond our apprehension and different from our nature that are material and sinful. So to make himself known to us he sent his son to take our flesh upon him and to become human like us in order to free us from the power of sin and death so that we can be more closer to him through Christ his Son. Hence, asking God for something through Christ ushers us into the divine grace that gives us access to divine relationship with God the Father and this has become the normal way for the Church to pray to the Father as we do in all our liturgical prayers

Dear friends, God makes himself known to us through Jesus and we come to him through Jesus. Hence, Christ Jesus has become the divine grace through which we obtain the divine access into the divine life of the Trinity. And this is the source of our joy as Christians. For this gives us the divine access to include Jesus  in our daily decision making, and try to see things the way he does and when this happens we transcend ourselves into the divine relationship that will make us to be open to the will of God and so obtain from him whatever we need since we will be inspired to pray according to his will.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we learn to present our needs to you through your Son Jesus, grant that we may obtain through him the divine access to your will and so obtain favour for all our petitions according to your Holy will through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled weekend.

The Homily for Friday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 27th May, 2022

 The Homily for Friday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 27th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 18:9-18; Ps.47;  John 16:20-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

FACING THE NECESSARY SORROWS THAT BEINGS ABOUT GREAT JOY TO OUR SOULS 

Often times when we reflect on the ugly events that happens around us which have caused us deep sorrows, we wonder why God who is so good and all powerful permits such event to happen to us. Sometimes we felt we should have avoided such sorrowful event, hence, we complain and even doubt  the power of God whom we thought will have helped us overcome the evil. 

Thus, Jesus knowing that his disciples will surely find themselves in this kind of situation said to them in our Gospel passage today:  ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy…and that joy no one shall take from you. When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions.’

Here Jesus is talking about the sorrows the disciples will experience when he goes away after his death and suffering, and the joy they will experience when he soon returns at his resurrection. This does not simply means that they shall pass from sorrow to joy, rather the sorrow itself shall become joy because it was the necessary cause of their joy. 

So, Jesus illustrates this with the necessary pain and sorrow of child birth and the joy of motherhood. An analogy that better explains the pains and sorrows of the disciples, where their pains and sorrows lead directly to a joy that no one could take away from them. A perfect way of explaining what will happen when they see him again and their deepest pains and sorrows will be transformed into purest joys which no one can take away. 

These are words of encouragement for the disciples who were afraid of what becomes of them when Jesus is no more physically with them. These same words of encouragement is what St. Paul received from the Lord at Corinth when he was scared of what becomes of him and his mission as we have it in our first reading, when at night the Lord spoke to him in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.’  

Therefore, we are to learn from Jesus, whose path to joy went through the awful agony of the cross, knowing that our own path to eternal joy may first go through the pains of sorrows for our sins. Because for us to find permanent joy in Jesus, we have to die to self which may lead us through a necessary sorrowful moment that will give birth to a permanent joy that is found in the risen Christ.

Dear friends, today we are encouraged to be patient in times of sorrows for God knows how to turn our sorrows of today into a thing of great joy in the future. The sorrow of contrite hearts today, becomes the gladness of pardoned tomorrow; the sorrow of hardships, intimidation, abandonment, sickness, poverty and even death will become the great joy of success, victory, healing, freedom and eternal life which no one can take away from Lord

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, grant we pray that our present sorrows will be turned into great joy and lead us to eternal victory through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

As we begin the novena to the Holy Spirit today, may the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with the joy of His presence.

The Homily for Thursday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, The Solemnity of Ascension,26th May, 2022

 The Homily for Thursday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C,  The Solemnity of Ascension,26th May, 2022

Readings: Acts1:1-11; Ps. 47; Eph. 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD IS THE CONFIRMATION OF THE REALITY OF HEAVEN

The Joy of the risen Lord has filled the hearts of his disciples as they experience his physical presence for the past forty days after his death and resurrection. So on the occasion of today the Lord Jesus in the present of his disciples was physically ascended into heaven as they watched him taken away in the cloud, to return to his heavenly Throne, triumphant and victorious. It was a moment of great hope for them as they wished to be with him for eternity. However, they have a mission to accomplish, they are to bear witness to the events and testified about it on their missions and pass it down as a true hope for humanity.

Thus, the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, reminds us that great moment of hope when the Lord triumph victoriously and no longer physically present among his disciples and followers, as they can no longer directly see him or touch him as they had been during all the while he was physically present with them. But this does not mean that the Lord has abandoned or left his disciples, rather he has gone to fulfill his promise of preparing a place for his faithful disciples, and will also send a great Helper to assist them.

Therefore, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord does not mean that Jesus has departed to some place far from people and from the world. Rather it means that he no longer belongs to the world conditioned by the life of corruption and death, as he now belongs entirely to God as the eternal Son, who has purified the filthiness of humanity and raised us into God’s presence by taking with him our flesh and blood in its transfigured form and this is a thing of great hope and joy for all who believe in him. It is these great joy and hope that we celebrate today. An event that shows that humanity has been introduced into the very life of God. 

Hence, from the readings of today, we have the details of this great event and the last instructions of Jesus to his disciples. In the first reading, before the Ascension, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth. As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.’ 

While in the Gospel passage , Jesus instruct his disciples saying; you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this. Now lifting up his hands he blessed them, and he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. In addition, St Paul in the second reading says: ‘He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation’.

Dear friends, the occasion of the Ascension of the Lord is a confirmation of the reality of heaven, which reminds us that God has always been faithful and loving as he fulfills his covenants and promises to humanity. It reminds us of our mission to evangelize the world, to give hope to humanity by letting them know that human hope and life are beyond the boundaries of this passing world.  It reminds us that God will always be with us no matter what we are passing through in this world for he will always provide for us and care for us at all times. Hence, we must have faith in him no matter how challenging and difficult the situation in our lives may be, we must have hope and trust in God that at the end everything will be fine. 

Let us hold on to the Lord for this occasion is indeed a great time for us to recall the hope that we found in Jesus' triumphant victory over evil, sin and condemnation. Let us celebrate the greatest hope that God has given to humanity by letting us to share in the very Life of the Trinity. The hope that humanity will one day be united body and soul with our Lord and Saviour Jesus. A confirmation of the reality of heaven, for this is the central message of the event of the Ascension that gives great joy and hope to all who believes, which as disciples, we are called to bear witness to the world. 

Therefore, let us share this great hope to the people of the world by letting the light of Christ in us illuminate the darkness and ignorance in the world. Let us share this hope through our words, actions and deeds. Let our presence bring hope and encouragement, not hatred and division. Let our actions bring healing and succour in hopeless situations. Let our deeds inspire humanity to come to know God and embrace the victory Jesus has won for us. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, let this solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension, enkindle in us the passion to love you more dearly and to spread in the world the Joy and hope we have found in Jesus. Let these Joy and hope bring healing, succour, strength and courage that will help us to overcome the ugly and hopeless situations in our lives, families, societies and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

The Homily for Wednesday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 25th May, 2022

 The Homily for Wednesday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 25th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 17:15.22-18:1; Ps.148;  John 16:12-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF TRUTH WILL CLEAR ALL OUR IGNORANCE

One of the Spiritual works of Mercy is instructing the ignorant, and this is one of the difficult tasks to do as Christian, especially when it comes to dealing with people who are presumed to be learned. This kind of difficulty is what St. Paul has to face with the people of Athens in our first reading today. So Paul finding himself in the most learned city in the world of his time needed to preach the Good News of God to them. But the theme for his message have to be something that will interest his audience.

Thus, he started by clearing their ignorance regarding what he knew they were searching for. He said to them: “I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it.”

In this passage St. Paul claims that this unknown God is none other than God the Creator. He gave us evidence of the ignorance of pagan worship and made it clear that the object of true worship is the one Creator God. He showed us the proper relationship between humanity and God as he lets us know that the time of ignorance is now over. Also, Paul speaks of God’s creative act of humanity, from a single person Adam, he made every race of people and in him we live and move and exist. 

Therefore, we are God’s offspring, his true image in the world. Thus any image made by human skill and creativity will possibly be anything other than a distortion of the image of the one, true God. And so Paul warns us from involving in any form of idol worship as he called for total repentance because God will no longer overlook our ignorance. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, when Jesus said: ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.’

Dear friends, there are many idols that enslaved us in this world that when we are suddenly deprived of them we end up acting irrational and selfish, even to the point of hurting others so that we may protect and justify ourselves. But the truth is that, the time of ignorance is over, for today we have before us the Spirit of truth. We can no longer pretend to be ignorant of God’s instructions. Therefore, let us repent from our sinful ways of life and embrace the Spirit of truth who will clear our ignorance. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are ignorant of so many things about you and the world we live in, grant that the Holy Spirit of truth, will continue to teach us about you and the faith we have found in our Son Jesus as he unveils the darkness of lies and falsehood in our world. He who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

The Homily for Tuesday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 24th May, 2022

 The Homily for Tuesday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 24th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 16:22-34; Ps.138;  John 16:5-11

Rev  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WORLD

As Jesus continues with his teaching on the Person of the Holy Spirit, whom he called the Counsellor, Jesus said to his disciples in our Gospel passage, ‘I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement.’

The focal point here is on the role of the Holy Spirit in the world. This is because Jesus knows that with the rejection of his teaching by the people of the world, the disciples need an advocate who will surely proved to the world how wrong they are in rejecting and killing him. Hence, What seemed like abandonment to the disciples, brought about the message of hope assuring them that the Holy Spirit will show the world how wrong she was, about sin and about judgment. That is, the Spirit will convict and persuade the people of the world of their sinful condition which they hold so tight because they were wrong for not believe in Jesus. 

Thus the Holy Spirit will clearly show to the world the righteousness of Jesus and his claims to come from God in order to bring the Word of God anew to the world. The Holy Spirit will reveal the meaning of Christ’s death as the condemnation of all that is evil in the world, and victory over devil the prince of this world. This is so evidence in our first reading, were we heard about the victory of Paul and Silas who were praying and singing God’s praises in the prison when the prison doors were opened. 

Dear friends, as we struggle with the ugly situation in the world, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit dwells in us as our Counsellor, all we need to do is to turn towards him with hope and courage, knowing that God has called us to be his people and he will always be faithful to his promises. And if we trust in him, we shall not be disappointed for in him alone is our sure hope of assistance during this difficult moments of our lives. 

Therefore, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and let him be the sources of hope, light and inspiration for us especially in this difficult moment of fears of uncertainties in our hearts and minds, which have enslaved and prevented us from realizing what our lives truly mean and what we represent in this world. Let us know that God has not and will not abandon us in the ugly situation we have found ourselves in this passing world, for he has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, whose work is to ensure our victory and prove to this sinful world how wrong they are in rejecting and persecuting Jesus and the work of redemption which he has established.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the ugly situation in our world is really shaking the faith of your children, grant, we pray, that we may always find delight in the indwelling of your Holy Spirit and so courageously conquer our fears and worries just like Paul and Silas. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless and favour you always.

The Homily for Monday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 23rd May, 2022

 The Homily for Monday in Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 23rd May, 2022

Readings: Acts 16:11-15; Ps.149;  John 15:26-16:4

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LET THE HOLY SPIRIT LEAD US TO THE PATHS OF TRUTH

In our societies today there are many false influential powers that have great effect in our lives coming from various source under the guise of good but are in fact leading us astray. So, there is need for us to examine these influences and today in our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: when the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.

Thus, the Holy Spirit will lead us to learn how to distinguish clearly where and in whom dwells the Spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood. As long as we are of God and in Christ, we have nothing to fear for we do not belong any more to this present world, full of sin, hatred, greed, corruption, deceit and violence. Everyday many false prophets and teachers are increasing and are deceiving the people. May God guide us against embracing, too readily, any doctrine proposed to us without due consideration from any teacher that may pretend to have a divine inspiration but are not.

Dear friends, we must be very wise for there are many false prophets operating under the power of the devil. Today Jesus is promising us the Spirit of truth that will give us a special sign for distinguishing true doctrine and true teachers from the false ones. Therefore, let us constantly ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace of discernment in order to distinguish between good and false prophets and teachers. Let us also be true Christians in our way of life, words and deeds. Let us learn to put our trust in God who has promised to keep us from falling away from the true faith we have found in His Son Jesus.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you promised to send us the Spirit of truth, grant we pray that we will always stand and witness to the truth we have found in Jesus against all the false influential prophets and teachers in our society today, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a fruitful week

The Homily for Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C, 22th May, 2022

 The Homily for Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C, 22th May, 2022

Readings: Acts. 15:1-2.22-29; Ps.67; Rev. 21:10-14.22-23;  John 14:23-29

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LET US  EMBRACE THE LOVE AND PEACE THE LORD IS OFFERING US TODAY

Today, as we celebrate the sixth Sunday of the Holy season of Easter, our attention is being drawn more on the departure of Jesus who has been with his disciples. With the Solemnity of the Ascension coming up on Thursday within the week, in anticipation of the Solemnity of the Pentecost coming very soon,  the readings of today draw our attention to the last and very important words of departure from Jesus to his disciples. This departing words can be summarized in two words which are Love and peace. This of course followed the promise of the Holy Spirit who will teach and remind us everything he has taught us.

This  promise is very necessary because the time for Jesus to accomplish his  mission had drew near, and he had taught his disciples a lot of things which they had not yet fully understood and there are more to teach them. So, as Jesus continues to teach the disciples he promised them the indwelling of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will take up the task to inspire them and deepen their understanding of the words and actions of God the Father. 

However, Jesus emphasized that the condition for obtaining all that he has promised is the love we expressed to God and our neighbours and for this he offers us his peace when he said in our Gospel passage today: “peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”

Here, the word Peace from the Hebrew word shalom means more than an absence of conflict or disturbance or war. Rather it signifies a state of complete integration of unity between God and Man, between man and neighours, also between man and his environment. It thus implies everything that Jesus came to achieve in this world. It is the legacy of his life, death and resurrection. Little wonder these words of Jesus are repeated at every Eucharistic celebration, where Jesus offers us his peace again and again. 

There is no doubt that this peace is really lacking in our societies today. This is clear with the ugly events we hear and experience on daily basis especially the cases of killings, hatred, betrayals, greed; social and economic injustice, bloodshed, kidnapping, banditry and the massacre of innocent people all over the globe. This of course  is a clear sign that humanity has lost peace that great  treasure which she enjoys in the presence of God before the fall of man.

 But how can we regain this great treasure? Jesus made it clear that love is the only way to obtain this peace

Hence , he talks about the sacrificial love that comes from the heart and soul of one who is rooted in the life of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus speaks about the power of love, that life giving passion that transforms and unite us with God and our neighbours. It is this love that brings the peace that humanity is seeking as demonstrated in our first reading among the apostles and also prophesied in our second reading today pointing towards the Holy city of Jerusalem and it’s future glory the home of peace.

But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Have we really embraced love in order to have peace in our lives? Do we experience these love and peace at the Eucharistic banquet every time we participate at the Holy Mass? Have I embrace the sacrificial love of Jesus so as to become an instrument of peace to my neighbour, my family and the society at large? Have I embraced love to the point of sacrificing my possessions, my ambition and my life for the sake of peace? Have I embraced love in a sacrificial way so as to forgive those who offended me and seek reconciliation for the sake of peace?

Dear friends, today we are called to come back to the source of love, God himself, who teaches us that love is an attitude that seeks the good of others despite how we feel about them. For love teaches us to be merciful, just as our Father in heaven is merciful. Love is an attitude that is sacrificial, an attitude that forgives, an attitude that accommodates, perseveres, preserves, heals and builds up when every other things have failed This is the kind of attitude the world needs now, the attitude that comes from the pure love of God  and our neighbours and brings peace to our lives, our families, societies and the world at large.

LET US PRAY : Almighty ever-living God, there are lots of things we need to know and understand about the faith we have found in you, may the Holy Spirt guide our way to embrace love and peace and always teach us what  to do, how to do it, when to do it and grace do it properly. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It's Sunday, may the Holy Spirit guide and bless all your efforts.

The Homily for Saturday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 21stth May, 2022

 The Homily for Saturday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 21stth May, 2022

Readings: Acts 16:1-10; Ps.100;  John 15:18-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE REASONS WHY THE WORLD HATE CHRISTIANS

The word ‘Hate’ is often used to express a negative feeling towards something or someone who we presumed to have some threat over us or something related to us. Meanwhile, hatred as we know is direct opposite of love. There is no doubt that threat breeds fear, insecurity and anger which brings about the negative feeling we called hatred. This definition is very important in order to understand the teaching of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, when he said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Here, Jesus who has been talking to his disciples about love and commanding them to love one another is today warning and telling them that, there is no guarantee that they will be loved in return by the people of the world. He used himself as an example of how they may be treated, that if the world hated and persecuted him so badly, his disciples should expect to be treated the same way. But why did the worldly minded people hated and persecuted Jesus and his disciples?

This is because the presence and words of Jesus bring great light and judgment to the darkness of this world, and the people of the world loves darkness rather than the Light, since their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. So the presence of Jesus the light of the world threatens the people of the world and this breeds fear, insecurity and anger which brings about the negative feeling of hatred for Jesus and those who associate with him. 

More so, it is important to note that, when Jesus talks about the “world” as we have it in the Gospel passage, he is not referring to the physical world but the people who are so attached to the things of this world. People who have made the things of this passing world their God and have come to trust in their ability to exploit others and acquire the earth as their own. 

They try very hard to cover their sin and silence the voice of conscience accusing them of their sins. But here are Christians constantly reminding them of their sins as they strive to live a life of holiness which of course stirs up again all those thoughts and feelings of guilt which they wished to silenced. Hence, this threat breeds fear, insecurity and anger that gives birth to hatred of Christian by worldly minded people.

Dear friends, today we are called to bear witness even in the face of hatred and hostility. For spite of the world’s hatred, we should never respond with retaliation or hatred. Yes, there may be times to ask God to judge the wicked. There may be times to shake the dust off our feet and move on, of course we have to, knowing that we can do so through the Spirit of truth dwelling in us. For through our Baptism, we have received the Holy Spirit in us, which helps us strive to live a life of love and righteous even in the midst of persecutions and hatred.

LET US PRAY: Almighty and eternal God, who through the regenerating power of Baptism have been pleased to confer on us the heavenly life, grant us, we pray, the grace to bear authentic witness of your love and peace in the world full of hatred and strive. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a lovely and peaceful weekend.

The Homily for Friday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 20th May, 2022

 The Homily for Friday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 20th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 15:22-31; Ps.56;  John 15:12-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LOVE IS WHAT THE LORD HAS OFFERED US, LOVE IS WHAT H IS COMMANDING US TO OFFER ONE ANOTHER 

Love is a gift from God to mankind, it is like the stream water, so innocent and pure. A true love is not hidden, it radiates from the innermost being of a person who experience it. Most of the problems in our families, societies and the world at large can be traced to one major challenge, that is the absence of sincere love for one another, as most families today exist by grace and not by love. Imagine how wonderful the world would have been if we all love one another. 

Little wonder, Jesus knowing how important love is for the well being of humanity, made it the center of all his teachings. He presents love of God and love of neighbour as the summary of all the commandments. And in our Gospel passage today, he says: “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you.”

So, as Jesus continues his teaching on love, today we heard more about the commandments of loving one another. There is no doubt that we all have experienced God’s love and favour in one way or another. God has done so much for us, giving us everything that we need, and He has shown us all these wonderful love so that we too may know what it truly means to love. And today Jesus is commanding us to also love one another in the same way that God has loved us and this is exemplified by the Apostles in the decision they made concerning how the gentile believers should be treated as we have it in our first reading today.

Dear friends, love is what the Lord has offered us, love is what he is commanding us to offer one another. I know that it is not easy to bear the sacrificial nature of love, but that is what the world needs now. So let us be genuine with our actions and love towards one another. Let us not just think about ourselves and our selfish desires, but consider the needs of others. Loving one another requires sacrifice, sacrifice of our comfort, resource, talent, gifts and pride. Loving one another requires forgiveness, mercy, care and humility. 

How I wish that humanity can invest the amount of energy, time and resources used in producing heavy personnels and ammunitions of war into ensuring love and unity in our dealings with one another, believe me we will not only be fulfilling the first and greatest commandments of God, but we will be building a happy family, a peaceful community and one united humanity build on love.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we make efforts to love one another, grant us the grace to experience true love in our lives, families, communities and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen Do have a blessed day.

The Homily for Thursday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 19th May, 2022

 The Homily for Thursday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 19th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 15:7-21; Ps.96;  John 15:9-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LET US LEARN TO ABIDE IN GOD’S LOVE SO THAT OUR JOY MAY BE FULL 

The word “love” means a lot of things to different people. For some, love is one of the common words we use to express our deep feeling of affection for someone or something. But the fact remains that love is much more than that, why? Because it is something greater than the nature of the human person. For me Love is God’s nature which He shares with His creatures. It is that nature of God which we share with one another. Love is beyond human nature. When we love, we are actually acting out that very nature of God in us and this can be overwhelming and mysterious because it is the nature of God that we share. 

Therefore, love is God's greatest gift to humanity. A gift that shows how much He loves us by sending His Son whose life giving sacrifice means salvation for the world. So, the love that Jesus has for us is nothing less than the Divine love that unites the Persons of the Trinity, and Jesus presented this love as life that must continue among his disciples. That is why in our Gospel passage today he said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

Dear friends, let us keep the Lord’s commandments, let us embrace Jesus and the love he is offering us. Let us serve the Lord and his Church faithfully by spreading his love everywhere we find ourselves. The truth is that, it actually feels right and awesome to experience and share the love of God. I don’t know if you have ever loved someone and you show it, or someone loves you and shows it? Or somebody loves you and you know it, it is something great and awesome, because love bring life, healing and wholeness into people’s lives. Thus, it is by loving God in our neighbours that we can share and experience this nature of God in us and by so doing, we will conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we listened to your words today, may we resolve to keep your commandments and remain in your love. Help us to spread your love to the world and by so doing conquer the hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin rooted in our families, societies and the world at large. Amen  Do have a favorable day.

The Homily for Wednesday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 18th May, 2022

 The Homily for Wednesday in Fifth Week of Easter Year C, 18th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 15:1-6; Ps.122;  John 15:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

ARE YOU STILL CONNECTED WITH JESUS THE TRUE VINE

Since Sunday we have been listening to Jesus’ instructions to his disciples especially as regards to the relationship between him and those who wishes be his disciples. To drive this message down to the level they will understand him, he used the imagery of Vine and branches. The vine as we know is the source of life for the branches. It provides the water and nutrients by which the grapes are produced. Without the vine, no fruit could ever be produced. And branches utterly dependent upon the vine.

 

So as Jesus and his disciples were passing through the vineyards that surround the city after they had concluded their meeting in the upper room in Jerusalem where they celebrated the Passover, Jesus told them the parable of the Vine and the branches as we have it in our Gospel passage today saying: ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.’ 

Here, Jesus is emphasizing on the need to remain faithful in our relationship with God, as we know in the scriptures, Israel is pictured as a vine which is to produce good fruit. But has failed.  Thus, Jesus made them to know that he is the true, genuine and authentic Vine. But in the Old Testament, God’s vine was Israel. He used them to accomplish his purpose in the world. However, he is the true Vine through whom we have life in us.

So, the major purpose of this parable is for us to remain faithful in our relationship with God and also to be fruitful in our Christian faith. Because as God’s chosen people, we are expected to produce great, sweet, beautiful, rich fruits of righteousness, holiness, justice, peace and joy to the world. But most of us, just like the Israelites have failed as we produced sour, rotten, stinking, tasteless fruit of sin, corruption, greed, cruelty, exploitation and hatred in the world.

Dear friends, as branches of Vine which is Christ, our fruit should be the natural outflow of the life of the Vine. For when we are united and identified with Jesus we produce from his Vine the fruit of the Holy Spirit, that sweet and rich wine of love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, self control, holiness, courage and faith which is lacking in our world today.

But the questions we need to ask ourselves today are: are we still connected with Jesus the true Vine? What kind of fruit are we producing in this world? What is stopping us from producing good fruit? Do we need to be pruned of our ugly habitual sins? Remember, God prunes a branch so that it may bear more fruit and this pruning is not done only once for it is a constant process. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are so much attached to so many things in this passing world, as we find delight in Jesus our true Vine, prune us where we need to be pruned, so that we may remain faithful in our relationship with you and so bear good fruit of your love and peace in our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do remain blessed.

LORD MAKE US INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE IN A WORLD FULL OF WICKEDNESS AND VIOLENCE

 The Homily for Tuesday in Fifth Week of Eastertide Year C, 17th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 14:19-28; Ps.145;  John 14:27-31

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LORD MAKE US INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE IN A WORLD FULL OF WICKEDNESS AND VIOLENCE 

The ugly events we hear and experience on daily basis especially the cases of killings, hatred, betrayals, greed; social and economic injustice, bloodshed, kidnapping, banditry and the massacre of innocent people all over the globe is a clear sign that the world has lost a treasure which she enjoys in the presence of God before the fall of man.

 By original sin, man has lost the peace he enjoyed with God. But God, who is compassionate and gracious, wills to restore back this peace. Hence Jesus who is the fulfillment of God’s plan in time, offers peace to the world as his first gift after his resurrection, when he said to his disciples in our Gospel passage today,  “peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. 

The word Peace from the Hebrew word shalom means more than an absence of conflict or disturbance or war. Rather it signifies a state of complete integration of unity between God and Man, between man and neighours, also between man and his environment. It thus implies everything that Jesus came to achieve in this world. It is the legacy of his life, death and resurrection. Little wonder these words of Jesus are repeated at every Eucharistic celebration, where Jesus offers us his peace again and again. 

But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Have we really embraced this peace in our lives? Do we experience this peace at the Eucharistic banquet every time we participate at the Holy Mass? Am I an instrument of peace to my neighbour, my family and the society at large? Am I ready to sacrifice my possessions, my ambition and my life for the sake of peace? Am I ready to forgive those who offended me and seek reconciliation for the sake of peace?

 St Paul in our first reading today was stoned and dragged out of the city because he offered the word of peace to the people who rejected it. Should we give up because our peace has been rejected by people? Should we stop being peace-loving because of persecution? Will I be courageous enough to let peace be known in the world? Will I use the peace I have found in Jesus to reshape the world around me? Will I let this peace reign supreme in my heart? 

Dear friends, at every Eucharistic celebration, Jesus is offering us his peace again. He is searching for true and available instruments of peace. He wants to use us as his instruments of peace in the world. Are we available? Can we be that instruments?  Can his peace reign in our hearts, so that we extend this peace in our families, societies, country and the world at large? Lord make us instrument of your peace.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in the midst of the chaos, tribulations, hatred, betrayals, greed, violence, banditry and kidnapping in our world today, grant we pray the grace to be true instruments of your peace in our homes, societies, country and the world at large, so that our world may be restored back to its original harmony and the face of the earth be renewed. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

The Homily for Fifth Monday of Easter Year C, 16 May, 2022

 The Homily for Fifth Monday of Easter Year C, 16 May, 2022

Readings: Acts.14:5-18; Ps115; John 14:21-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WILL TEACH AND REMIND US EVERYTHING

As the time for Jesus to accomplish his mission drew near, he had taught his disciples a lot of things which they had not yet fully understood and there are more to teach them. So, as Jesus continues to teach the disciples about knowing and observing the commandments as a sign of love of him and his Father, as we have it in our Gospel passage today, one  of his disciples who could not understand this teaching said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world? And Jesus replied ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him'. But as this becomes more difficult for them to comprehend, Jesus said to them: ‘the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.’

Here Jesus who has been the only teacher of his disciples promised them the indwelling of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will take up the task to inspire them and deepen their understanding of the words and actions of Jesus. However, Jesus emphasized that the condition for obtaining all that he has promised is the love expressed in our faith in the Father through him.

Thus today, we are called to renew our faith and devotion to God, to renew our love and focus once again on Him with all our hearts, so as to be faithful in all things and at all times. Let us be inspired by the courage and faith of the Apostles, and strive to dedicate ourselves ever more to God. Just like Paul and Barnabas in our first reading, who had the right focus and emphasis in their minds and hearts with unwavering faith and commitment to God as they resisted the temptation of being treated like gods. Hence, they shouted at the people who wanted to offer sacrifice to them, they said to them: ‘Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth'. Here we see how they faithfully kept the commandments of God, and remained faithful to Him, as Jesus mentioned in our Gospel passage today.

Dear friends, let us resist the temptations of pride, greed, selfishness and corruption present in this world, and do our very best to follow Jesus with all our hearts and with all our strength, putting him at the very center of our existence and lives knowing that the holy Spirit, the Advocate will surely teach and reveals to us the deep mysteries of our faith and also help us to over come the temptations of this world and lead to God our loving Father.

LET US PRAY : Almighty ever-living God, there are lots of things we need to know and understand about the faith we have found in you, grant we pray that the Holy Spirit may guide our ways, teach us what we need to know and what to do, how to do it, when to do it and grace do it properly. Amen. It's a new week, may the Holy Spirit guide and bless all your efforts.

The Homily for Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C, 15 May, 2022

 The Homily for Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C, 15 May, 2022

Readings: Acts.14:12-13; Ps145; Rev. 21:1-5; John 13:31-33.34-35

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LET US LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS GOD HAS LOVED US 

Today being the  fifth Sunday in the Holy season of Easter, our readings today have love as it’s central theme. In our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: “My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples”.

Here, our attention is focused on love.  But what kind of love are we talking about. Is it the type of love we have in our world today, the love that is based on feelings for selfish gain and lustful desires? I don’t think so, for Jesus didn’t say, I love you as a mother loves her baby or I love you as husband loves his wife or wife to her husband, or I love you as children love their parents or I love you the way a girlfriend loves her boyfriend, nor the way people love their worldly possessions.

No, the love Jesus is taking about is the sacrificial love that comes from the heart and soul of one who is rooted in the life of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So, Jesus is taking about the love of the Father towards the Son, and of the Son towards his disciples, and of his disciples toward God and their neighbour. This love is joined together with an inseparable seal of heavenly joy. Thus, Jesus is speaking of the power of love, that life giving passion that transforms and unite the disciples with the master in a relationship that portrays their new status. For they are no longer to be seen as “servants” but as “friends.” It was by the effects of the cross and resurrection of Jesus that they have come to know what this sacrificial love has accomplish in them through their unity and abiding relationship with Jesus in God the Father. 

So, today we are called to embrace the true love of God in our hearts. This is possible only when we understand the true meaning of love and sacrifice and this is what is really lacking in our relationship with God  and our neighbours. In fact, a critical look at what is happening in our world today, it is obvious that humanity have lost the true meaning of love. This present generation has failed to understand the true meaning and source of love and this can be seen in the kind of fruit we bear. The fruit of love in this generation is so complicated: love has become a tool for selfishness, deception, greed, emotional and sexual satisfaction. This is because we have abandoned God who is the source and power of love and creates for ourselves a mirage in the name love. Hence, this action now make it further clear that the need to respond to God’s command to love one another in a sacrificial way is very necessary in our societies today.

Dear friends, love is the hard way and love is the only way to solve the problems of humanity. So today, we are called to learn how to love one another as God has loved us. We are called to come back to the source of love. For God himself teaches us that love is an attitude that seeks the good of others despite how we feel about them. Love teaches us to be merciful, just as our Father in heaven is merciful. Love is an attitude that is sacrificial, an attitude that forgives, an attitude that accommodates, perseveres, preserves, heals and builds up when every other things fails. This is the kind of attitude the world needs now, the attitude that comes from the pure love of God  and our neighbours. 

Therefore, what God demands from us is love, sacrificial love, for love is all he has offered us, love is all he is demanding from us. He is not asking us to offer what he has not given us. He is rather asking us to offer that which he has offered us in abundance. I know that it is not easy to bear the sacrificial nature of love in our world today, but that is what the world needs now. Loving one another requires sacrifice, sacrifice of our comfort, resource, talent, gifts and pride. Loving one another requires forgiveness, mercy, care and humility and not the life of I, I, I, Me, Me, Me that we practice this days. So. Let us not just think about ourselves and our selfish desires, but consider the needs of others and bear that sacrificial aspect of love. How I wish that humanity can embrace this command of our Lord Jesus, by investing more on the things that ensues love and unity in our societies rather than spending  our energy, time and resources in producing heavy ammunition of war that breads more hatred  and division in our world. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, love is what you have offered us, love is all you demand from us. As we listened to your words today, may we embrace your love in our hearts and share it with one another even in the midst of persecutions and hatred in our world. Let your love reign supreme in our hearts, in our families, societies, countries and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a spirit filled Sunday.

The Homily for Saturday in Fourth Week of Eastertide Year C, The Feast of St. Matthias, 14th May, 2022

 The Homily for Saturday in Fourth Week of Eastertide Year C, The Feast of St. Matthias, 14th May, 2022

Readings: Acts 1: 15-17.20-26; Ps.113;  John 15:9-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENT IS THE ONLY WAY TO ABIDE IN HIS LOVE 

One of the greatest gifts of God to humanity is love. A gift that shows how much he loves us by sending his Son whose life giving sacrifice means salvation for the world. So, the love that Jesus has for us is nothing less than the Divine love that unites the Persons of the Trinity and Jesus presented this love as life that must continue among his disciples.

 That’s while love is beyond human nature and when we love, we are actually acting out that very nature of God in us and this can be overwhelming and mysterious because love is the nature of God that we share. That is why in our Gospel passage today Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

Hence, today as we celebrate the feast of St. Matthias, we see how the apostles worked so hard to keep the Lord’s commandments and remain in his love as they chose Matthias to replace the traitor, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Lord and then killed himself in regret and grief. Thus, Matthias, one of the earliest followers of Jesus, was chosen in order to complete the number of the Twelve Apostles as we have it in our first reading. History has it that, St. Matthias out of love, went on to serve the Lord and his Church faithfully, for he went on many missions and travelled as far as Ethiopia. He laboured hard to establish the Church and the faith in different places and preached the Good News of the Lord, calling many to conversion and the true faith. 

Tradition has it, that Matthias suffered martyrdom in Colchis in Asia Minor. No doubt that St. Matthias together with the other Apostles gave their lives, their works, their dedication and their whole heart to serve God and his Church, practicing and doing what Jesus had commanded them to do, which is to keep the commandments of God so as to remain in his love. 

Dear friends, let us keep the Lord’s commandments, let us embrace Jesus and the love he is offering us. Let us like St. Matthias serve the Lord and His Church faithfully by spreading his love everywhere we find ourselves. The truth is that, it actually feels right and awesome to experience and share the love of God. I don’t know if you have ever loved someone and you show it, or someone loves you and shows it? Or somebody loves you and you know it, it is something great and awesome, because love bring life, healing and wholeness into people’s lives. Thus, it is by loving God in our neighbours that we can share and experience this nature of God in us and by so doing, we will conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, You chose St Matthias to become one of the Apostles, grant that through his intercession, we may keep your commandments and abide in your love. And help us to spread this love to the world and by so doing conquer the hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin rooted in our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen  Do have a lovely weekend.

The Homily for Friday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 13th May, 2022

 The Homily for Friday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 13th May, 2022

Readings: Acts. 13:26-33 ; Ps.2; John 14:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

THE CONSOLING WORDS OF JESUS TO SUFFERING HUMANITY 

With the ugly situation of things in our world, there are different grades of sufferings and problems in our societies today, that both the poor and the rich are testifying to it. Hence, we can fill the struggles, the tears, the disappointments that people are passing through everyday. 

In fact, some people have lost hope in themselves and even in everything they do as they run up and down seeking for solutions. The poor are seeking for daily bread, upliftment and favour, the rich are seeking for protection and good health, while the evil ones are taking advantage of the situation to destroy the little faith of the people. The evil in the world is putting our faith to test and most people are giving in to their scheme as they are unable to overcome them. 

So today, Jesus in our Gospel passage said ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.’ And he conclude by saying: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’ Here, we have one of the most consoling words of Jesus to his disciples who were afraid after he had told them about his passion and what will happen to them as well. He reassured them that he will always be with them as he goes to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house.

 

In a similar way we heard in our first reading, the story of St Paul’s encouragement to the Jewish community in Antioch in Pisidia, telling them how the people in Jerusalem had treated Jesus so badly, rejecting him and condemning him to death, a most painful and humiliating death on the Cross, but God has turned all of that into joy and salvation, as everything had indeed been part of God’s plan of saving humanity. Therefore, Jesus is reminding us again the Covenant which God has made with us for He will not abandon us to destruction.

Dear friends, Jesus is indeed the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only Way for us to pass through and overcome the ugly situation we find ourselves, he is the Truth that all of us should be following in order to unveil the lies, deceptions and evil that is going on in our world, he is the Life that we have all been seeking to have and protect. Thus, Jesus is saying to us do not let your heart be troubled, trust in God and trust in me. 

Therefore, all we need is to have a total faith and trust in God through Jesus who has assured us that he will not abandoned us in this ugly situation. Let us from now on, put our complete trust in God, knowing that in Him alone can we find the truth and a way out of the predicaments and trials we are facing in our world today. Let us be patient no matter how difficult our lives and conditions may have been at this moment, for God knows how best to handle the situation. Let us encouraged one another for it is our duty as Christians to bring hope to humanity especially in this most difficult moment in human history.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, You are the author of our lives, freedom and salvation, all we have are yours, thank you for being with us in our daily troubles, struggles, fears, tears, hope and joy, may you provide for the poor, console the troubled, heal the sick, protect and put simile on the faces of your children today and always. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

The Homily for Thursday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 12th May, 2022

 The Homily for Thursday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 12th May, 2022

Readings: Acts. 13:13-25 ; Ps.89; John 13:16-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

AS GOOD DISCIPLES WE MUST LEARN TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLES OF OUR LORD JESUS

A good follower of anyone is generally referred to as a disciple and a true disciple is simply a learner, a student of a teacher and the goal of such student is to become like the teacher. This does not mean that the disciple will become equal to the teacher, but will develop the same qualities and skills as that of the teacher. 

So today, as Jesus continues with his instruction on what it means to be his follower in respect to the mission he is about to entrust to his disciples he said to them after washing the feet his disciples: “truly, truly I say to you no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him… whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me”.

Thus, as we listened to the Scripture, we are reminded to follow the Lord and obey his ways, his teachings and ensure that we are walking in the path of truth that he has shown to us. Also, as disciples of Christ there is need to know the purpose of our life and mission which is to become like Jesus in deeds and in character. By so doing we will have confident that God will enable us to carry out the work that He has entrusted to us even when persecuted, knowing that neither the activities of men nor the devil can affect our soul. 

A good example of a man who followed the example of Jesus as his Lord and Master is St. Paul, who in our first reading today demonstrated great courage and faith in Jesus. For as he visited the Jewish community in the city of Antioch in Pisidia in Asia Minor and was asked to speak to the people in the synagogue, he began by speaking of the coming of Jesus the true Messiah in whose name he has been preaching and travelling around the community. Paul began by reminding the people of God’s historical plan for the salvation of humanity, and how He had always guided His people from the time of Moses to the coming of the Messiah.

Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are reminded that we have also received the same message of truth and encouragement from the Lord through our faith in him. Now like St. Paul, we have to be courageous in following the instructions of our master Jesus especially at this difficult moment when so many people around the world are suffering from the effects of ugly situations in our world today. Many people have lost their lives, their loved ones, their jobs. Some are isolated from people they loved, hunger and starvation have turned people to what they are not, fear and uncertainties have become the lot of the common man in the street, kidnapping and violence have become the order of the day. 

Dear friends, in the midst of all these difficulties, we are called to be courageous, hopeful, steadfast and to share with others the massage of hope that we have received from the Lord. We are called to bring God’s light into the darkness of lies, deceit, corruption and greed in the world. Following the example of our Master Jesus, we are called to awaken hope once again in the hearts of humanity. No doubt that this is a very difficult task, but we cannot run away from it. All we need to do is to stand on the strength of our hope and belief in God, so that in all our words, actions and deeds the power of God will be made present in the world through us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we follow the example of Jesus our Lord and Master, grant us the grace of courage and faith so that as your true disciples, we may have confidence to carry out your mission in the world, even in the midst of persecution, sufferings, sickness and death, knowing that your love and care for us surpass all our challenges. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and peaceful day.

The Homily for Wednesday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 11th May, 2022

 The Homily for Wednesday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 11th May, 2022

Readings: Acts. 12: 24-13:5 ; Ps.67; John 12:44-50

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

LET US BELIEVE IN CHRIST THE LIGHT THAT ILLUMINES ALL DARKNESS OF SIN IN OUR SOULS

The theme of light is a common terminology in the Gospel of John, as the struggle between the powers of light and darkness is so evident in his Gospel. In most discourse on the theme of light, Jesus refers himself as the light of the world as we have it in our Gospel passage today, when he said: “I, the light, have come into the world, so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark any more. For if anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall judge him, since I have come not to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already: the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.”

Here Jesus presents himself as the image of God and the light of the world as he declared his mission in the world. And his mission is not to judge the world but to save it. But this may seem contradictory as we know that, the present of light bring judgement to darkness and Jesus said, he who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already and also in John 9:39 he said “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” 

The fact is that, there is no contradiction in these statements, for Jesus had come from the Father, bearing the light of his love, revealed by his word and deed. Those who receive him walk in this light. Those who reject him stumble around in the darkness. However, the primary purpose in his first coming was not to judge the world, but to provide salvation to the world through his passion and death. But referring to the concept of judgment on the last day, this is implicit in the second coming of Jesus, because the light of the risen Lord will divide people into those who come to it and those who hide from it. Therefore the first coming is not to judge but to save, while the second coming will be for judgment, for light will surely separate from darkness all that is not of light. 

Dear friends, everyday is an opportunity for us to examine ourselves to know if there are areas in our lives that still remain in the darkness of this corrupt world. It’s time for us to get rid of them, it’s time to let the light of Christ's presence illuminate the darkness of sin and shame in our lives. It’s time to embrace the salvation which Jesus has won for us for tomorrow may be too late.  It’s time to let the light of Christ in us illuminate the world through our ways of life. Let us like the disciples in our first reading today, discern carefully through the power of the Holy Spirit on how best we can spread the Good News of Jesus the light of the world, who has won salvation for all the people who embrace the light of his word.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we have come to know Jesus as the true light of the world, make us instrument of your light in the darkness of our families, societies and the world at large, so that by our worthy way of life, we may bring others to the fullness of life in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Remain blessed.

The Homily for Tuesday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 10th May, 2022

 The Homily for Tuesday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 10th May, 2022

Readings: Acts. 11:19-26 ; Ps.87; John 10:22-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

IF THE EARLY CHURCH WERE GIVE THE NAME CHRISTIANS, WHAT NAME WILL THE WORLD GIVE TO US TODAY?

Giving a name to things is one of the habits and traditions of the human person. Little wonder Adam’s first assignment was to give names to what God has created. And throughout human history and even today a name is a powerful thing with great significant that can not be neglected. Names of things have deep meaning drawn from experiences that help define the reality surrounding such things.

So today in our first reading, the disciples of Jesus were for the first time given the name “Christian” in Antioch. But why a new name with a new word for these disciples of Christ in Antioch? Why was the name given by outsiders and why is the name different from other groups of the Jewish sect? From the reading, we heard that persecution forced many believers from Jerusalem to be scattered to various areas, as some from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 

Thus, seeing that their devotion, passion, love, behaviour, activity, and speech were like that of Christ Jesus, they called them Christians. This is because it was common for the Greeks to give nicknames to particular groups based on their way of life in relation to their leader. So since this new group were characterized by behaviour and speech centered on Christ, they called them “Christians,” or “those of the party of Christ.” And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” because their behaviour, activity, and speech were like Christ.

Today, if the early Church were given the name Christian, what name will the give to us. Though, we are called Christians, followers of Christ, but are we really behaving like Christ?, Are we still having that devotion, passion, love, behaviour, activity, and speech like that of Christ and the early disciples? The disciples were scattered to various places due to persecution but everywhere they go they proclaimed the Good News of Jesus with their lives, are we doing the same today? 

Dear friends, today we have the personal responsibility to ask ourselves, “What does the name Christian means to me? Am I living out the responsibility of the name Christian which I claim to bear? Does the name Christian speaks of my deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do I perceive the name Christian from the world’s perspective today or for what it’s really means Christ-like people?

Remember, the people of Antioch gave the name to the disciples of Christ based on the experience of the reality they represent, but what name will the people of our society today give to us based on how we have represented the reality of the name Christians? In fact, do you still belong and believe in the true meaning of the name Christians? Hence, Jesus says in our Gospel passage today,  you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, grant we pray, that we may always find delight in bearing the name Christians even in the midst of persecutions and difficulties, give us grace like the early disciples to bear authentic witness of the Good News of Jesus by our way of life, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

The Homily for Monday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 9th May, 2022

 The Homily for Monday in Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 9th May, 2022

Readings: Acts. 11:1-18 ; Ps.42; John 10:1-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

THE CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTITUDES OF  A GOOD LEADER

Leadership is one of the characteristics of the human person, it is that which makes us unique from every other creatures. It is a gift from God by which we serve Him and our neighbour responsibly. However, a critical look at what is happening in our world today, it is obvious that humanity are losing the true meaning and essence of leadership. Because we have failed to understand the true meaning and source of leadership and this can be seen in the kind of fruit we bear as leaders. The fruit of leadership in this generation is so complicated: leadership has become a tool for power tussle, selfishness, deception, greed, corruption and intimidation of people. This is because we have abandoned God who is the source and giver of true leadership skills and knowledge. 

Hence, in our Gospel passage, while addressing the people on the good leadership qualities and attitudes, Jesus said ‘I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold. anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him, for they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’

Here, Jesus made us to know that the characteristics and attitudes of a good leader is rooted on a life of sacrificial love, care, discipline, mercy and knowledge of the sheep or people entrusted to the leader. And this is what Jesus demonstrated with his life. Showing us that love is the fundamental root of leadership. Without true love for the people, there will never be a leader to be called a good shepherd. 

Therefore, today we are called to come back to the source of love, God himself, who teaches us that love is an attitude of a true leader that seeks the good of others despite how we feel about them. He teaches us to be merciful, just as he is merciful. Love in leadership is an attitude that is sacrificial, an attitude that forgives, an attitude that accommodates, preserves, heals and builds up others when every other thing fails. This is the kind of attitude in leadership that the world needs now, the attitude that comes from the pure love of God and neighbours. 

But dear friends, how can humanity recover this leadership skills rooted in the power of love? How can we harness it to bear more fruit in our societies where it seem as if true leadership exist no more? This is possible when we realize that we are all products of love and are called to live out our essence, which is to love. We are called to be good examples to one another, imitating Jesus the Good Shepherd, who has been so loving and caring towards us. And these we are called to reciprocate to others, and by so doing we will finally reach that grazing ground where all who followed Jesus the good shepherd in simplicity of heart will feed on the green pastures of eternity in heaven. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we listen to your words today, may we embrace the attitudes and qualities of good leadership, knowing that in you resides that leadership of love that is lacking in our society today. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week.

The Homily for Fourth Sunday of Easter Year C, The Good Shepherd /Vocation Sunday, 8th May, 2022

 The Homily for Fourth Sunday of Easter Year C, The Good Shepherd /Vocation Sunday, 8th May, 2022

Readings: Acts.13:14.43-52; Ps.100; Rev. 7:9.14-17;  John 10-27-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

FOLLOWING JESUS THE TRUE SHEPHERD OF OUR SOUL

Every fourth Sunday of Easter the Church celebrates the Good Shepherd Sunday also known as Vocation Sunday, a day dedicated to reflect on Jesus the Good Shepherd, who guides all the flocks of God into the path that he has prepared for us. It is also an occasion to celebrate Vocation, because God has also called some of us to follow him to be shepherds in the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. The shepherds are the bishops, the priest, father’s, mothers and all leaders of different capacity who are called to serve the Lord and his people as guidance, helpers, coordinators, and teachers of his flock. We are called to follow the examples of the Good Shepherd himself in serving the people.

Today, as we celebrate the good shepherd/ vocational Sunday, it is necessary for us to reflect on the imagery of shepherd and sheep which occurred frequently in the Scriptures. A figurative term which represent the leaders and those entrusted to them. Hence,  in our Gospel passage, we heard Jesus the good shepherd talking about the attitudes of the sheep . He said: ‘the sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me’.

Traditionally in the scriptures, we have a good number of passages that describes the characteristic behaviour of a sheep. So, the understanding of sheep behaviour is essential for us to know what Jesus is saying to us today. One of the characteristics of sheep is their Flocking behavior. Sheep are best known for their strong flocking and following instinct. They will run from what frightens them and band together in large groups for protection. This is the only protection they have from predators, for there is safety in numbers. It is this strong flocking instinct that allows one person to look after so many sheep. 

Another characteristics of sheep is following the leader. When one sheep moves, the rest will follow, even if it does not seem to be a good idea. The flocking and following instinct of sheep is so strong that even from birth, lambs learn to follow the older members of the flock. The dominant members of the flock usually lead, followed by the submissive ones.

This will help us to understand the Social life of good sheep, as we know sheep are very social animals. They often ensure that they have visual contact with other sheep. And they become highly-agitated if separated from the rest of the sheep. These great characteristics are highly needed among us, who follow Jesus the Good Shepherd. We need to have sense of belonging, we need to learn to flock together, we need to have love instinct for one another and for the shepherd. We need to be docile and submissive.

We must not be separated from others nor allowed anyone to separate from the flock. We must learn to be humble and meek like sheep. As we know sheep are usually very quiet and gentle, holding themselves aloof from the world, we must learn to do the same. Good sheep tend to listen to their leaders and show respect to them, we must learn to do the same. Sheep are highly obedient and because of their obedient character, they are one of the most loved animal, so we too must learn to be obedient so as to experience love from the Good Shepherd and from one another. Although, We are sheep, but sometimes the Good Shepherd entrust his leadership to us in order to follow his examples in serving the people. Therefore, we must learn to follow Jesus the Good Shepherd of our souls

Hence, their are many Shepherd leaders who are working so hard to follow the good example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, but there is no doubt that in our societies, there are some false and bad leaders who are not walking in the path of the Good Shepherd, but instead, allowed themselves to be overwhelmed by the sins of greed, selfishness and corruption in the world. Apparently, in our societies we see that some shepherds who ought to guide and feed the sheep are now feeding on the sheep, scattering them in order to select their choice and feed on their milk, wear their wool, eat their flesh, enriching and fatling themselves from their products. While treating the sheep harshly and brutally, abandoning the sick, the weak and the strayed. 

Most leaders in our society have betrayed their mission: instead of promoting a just society in accordance with the plan of God, they are using their authority to enrich themselves while oppressing the people entrusted to them. Today, the duties neglected by such ugly leaders are now hunting everyone. The consequences of our bad leadership is what is affecting the whole world today. Therefore, it time for us to return to God the true Shepherd of our souls, it is time to listen to the voice of Jesus. It is time to change our ugly, greedy, selfish and corrupt ways of doing things.  

Dear friends, we have gone astray like lost sheep but now, let us come back to Jesus Christ the shepherd and guardian of our souls. Let us return to him who suffered for us and left an example for us to follow his ways. And as heard in our second reading today that the Lamb who is at the throne will be our shepherd and will lead us to springs of living water; and there God will wipe away all tears from our eyes.

LET US PRAY, Lord God, as we celebrate Good Shepherd/ vocation Sunday, we pray for all the leaders of the world both religious, secular and in the family, that you will make us true Shepherd of your flock so that we may truly be able to find meaning to our respective vocations in life and for those who are still discerning the path to their vocations, especially all who are discerning their call: the seminarians, religious sisters and brothers, and those looking for life partner, may you help and guide all of us to our true vocation in life. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and grace filled Sunday.