Homily for Thursday Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 1st September, 2022. Happy New Month

 Readings: 1Cor 3:18-23, Ps. 23, Luke 5:1-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE ENCOUNTER THAT BRINGS TRUE CONVERSION 

There is something deep and unique about every person, sometimes it takes personal experience to discover this uniqueness. I don't know if you have ever had an experience that made you realize the emptiness of this life, a kind of experience that turns your pride into humility, sinfulness into righteousness. This is the kind of experience that Simon had with Jesus in our Gospel passage today, that made him realize his emptiness and fell at the knees of Jesus confessing his unworthiness. 

This is because Jesus had said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signaled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ 

 This very encounter brought true conversion in the lives of Simon and his companion, for this encounter changed their destiny from fishermen to fishers of men. For they obeyed the Lord who told them to put out into the deep waters, and as soon as they followed His instructions, they netted so much fish that the whole boat could not take it. This glorious event manifested the power and grace of God at work in us especially when we humble ourselves. And St. Paul in our first reading said:  make no mistake about it: if any one of you thinks of himself as wise, in the ordinary sense of the word, then he must learn to be a fool before he really can be wise. Because the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.

 

Dear friends, like Simon and his brothers, we are called to reflect on our personal encounter with God, an encounter that beings true conversion. But, how have we personally experience God? When was our spiritual turning point? Do we have a personal conviction about God that does not based on what people have told you of him? In case we have not personally encountered him, all we need to do is to sincerely seek God in those common events in our lives. Then, we will realize how much God is willing to reveal himself to us. 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, everyday is an opportunity to encounter you through different events that occur in our lives. Grant that we may have a personal encounter of you and experience you in a unique way in our daily activities and through this experience discover our purpose in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Month. Do have a blessed Month.

Homily for Wednesday Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 31st August, 2022.

 Readings: 1Cor 3:1-9 , Ps. 32, Luke 4:38-44

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

LET GOD BE THE CENTER OF ATTRACTION AND NOT THE INSTRUMENTS HE USES

Everyday, every moment, God is working on us so that we can work with him just the way engineers and builders take their time to construct a building plan which an architect has drawn, and this is done on different stages with different instruments. Some are meant to begin from the drawing of the plan, some join at the pegging, digging and casting the foundation, some specialized with laying the blocks, casting the floor, raising it to lintel, roofing, plastering, painting and furnishing. But in all this God is the Master planner who determines what becomes the out come of the whole structure, but not the instruments he uses.

 This is the message St. Paul is trying to communicate to us in our first reading today, that, it does not really matter who we encounter on our journey of life, only God makes things possible in our life, other things are only God's fellow workers, his field and also his building. He said this because the people were busy causing division among the instruments God used to ministered to them. They said, ‘I am for Paul’ and ‘I am for Apollos’? But St Paul said to them: “what is Apollos and what is Paul? They are servants who brought the faith to you. Even the different ways in which they brought it were assigned to them by the Lord. I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God made things grow. Neither the planter nor the waterer matters: only God, who makes things grow”.

This is clearly demonstrated in our Gospel passage, when Jesus healed Simon's mother- in- law and others with several diseases as he goes about preaching the Good News of God's kingdom, a purpose for which he came into this world. Thereby demonstrating God’s ultimate role and power in our lives.

Dear friends, it does not matter who God has used in ministering to us, what really matters is what God has done and the message he wants to communicate. So, as disciples of Christ we have the grave obligation to announce the Good News taught by Jesus. We are to bear witness to the truth we have found in Christ. But we should not make ourselves the center of attraction, rather, God should be at the center while we make ourselves available instruments in his hands. 

Therefore, as God's field and building, no matter the stage we are with him, what really matter is our corporation with his grace and plans for us. Let us learn to make God the center of attraction and not the instruments he uses to accomplish his plans. Remember, we are people the Lord has chosen for his heritage.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as your follow workers and your field, you have invested so much in us, help us to be great instrument in your hands through Christ our Lord. Amen. As you go about your duties, may the favour of God be upon you now and always. 

Homily for Tuesday Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 30th August, 2022. Readings: 1Cor2: 10-16, Ps. 145, Luke 4:31-37

 

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

EXPERIENCING THE DIVINE AUTHORITY AND POWER OF JESUS IN YOUR LIFE</p>

From the scriptures, Jesus seems to have lived in a world of hostility and conflict between good and evil, as well as political witch-hunting, family divisions and demonic possession, just like we have it in our societies today. For there is no doubt that there is an active presence of evil in the world which manifest itself in different forms. So everyday we struggle against the malice of the evil ones, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. But often time, when children of God are confronted with evil, they don't know what to do and out of fear they fall victim and helpless because they are ignorance of the power and authority of God in them.

Thus, in our Gospel passage today, we heard how the people of Capernaum and even the demoniac recognized that, the Divine Authority of Jesus in the world brings about victory over the evil ones. For his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority. And the man who was possessed by the devil shouted at the top of his voice, ‘Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the devil, throwing the man down in front of everyone, went out of him without hurting him at all. Astonished, they said to one another, ‘What teaching!  For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits and they come out.’

Here the demons recognize Jesus as the power of God. And his power over the demons is a direct defeat of the evil one while the restoration of the possessed man signifies the inauguration of God's kingdom in the world. Now, Jesus has given us the gift of his presence in the person of the Holy Spirit, which God has bestowed on us in our baptism. In this gift resides the power and authority to confront evil and overcome it. 

Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading tell us that, the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God. For we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore, we have possessed through the Spirit the power and authority over the evil ones. We are no longer unspiritual, for an unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: he sees it all as nonsense. But a spiritual man is able to judge the value of everything, and his own value is not to be judged by anyone, for we have the mind of Christ.

Dear friends, what is our notion about the authority and power of Jesus? Do we still have any doubt about the authority of Jesus? How much of this authority dwells in you? Today the demoniac identified the source of Jesus’ authority as divine, have you personally identified the divine authority of Jesus in your life? If you have not, why not ask him to activate his power and authority once more in your life, because we have received the gift of his power in our baptism. All we need is to put it into active use, then we will obtain the desired results.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are often ignorance of the power and authority of the Holy Spirit which you gave us at our baptism, may we recognize this divine power and authority once again in our daily struggles with the evil forces in our world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily for Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 29th August, 2022. The Memorial of The Passion of John the Baptist

 Readings: 1Cor. 2:1-5; Ps.119; Matt.6:17-29

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

STANDING FOR TRUTH IN A WORLD OF LIES AND DECEPTION 

Why do people often tremble when they hear the word ‘truth’? For in our society today people hates to hear the sound of the word truth. This is because it makes the world to tremble, since most things in the world are built on falsehood and deceit and people are becoming comfortable with falsehood as a way of life. In fact, since the history of the world, mankind have been seeking to know the truth, but when confronted by truth they reject it out rightly.

Almost two thousand years ago, Truth was put on a trial and was judged and condemned by people who were devoted to lies. But in each generation truth always manifest itself to the world through people who have paid the price of truth with their life. This is obvious in our world today especially with the ugly situation of societies, where humanity are placed in perpetual darkness of corruption, greed and confusion as the voices that speak the truth are silenced by all means. 

Today people don’t want to be transparent and honest in their dealings with others and even with themselves. They don't want anybody to remind them the hard truth about the realities of life and they can do anything just to silence truth. Thus, the cost of speaking the truth has become so expensive that some times it cost a life of an individual or even a whole community. It is even more demanding when the truth to be told has to do with someone in authority.

This is the case with John the Baptist whom we celebrate the memorial of his passion. For in our Gospel passage today, we heard how his head was the prize for the truth he told to Herod and Herodias. Before now, Herod had arrested John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him that it is against the Law for him to have his brother’s wife. Herod had wanted to kill John but was afraid of the people, who regarded him as a prophet. 

But, on the occasion of Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised with an oath to give her anything she asked. She conspired with the mother and demanded for the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered John to be beheaded and the head be given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 

Here, Herod made a bad decision, which out of pride finds it difficult to change his mind and admit that he was wrong. He did not plan to execute John that night. He was persuaded by Herodias to do so, because he was a weak man. He was a slave to other peoples opinion, for he feared the people who revered John; he also fears the reaction of his guests if he should retract his oath.

These ugly attitudes towards John the Baptist prefigured what they did to Jesus in his Passion, demonstrating how good people, especially when they struggle for truth and justice, are often condemned to suffer in the hands of greed and powerful people. This same terrible crime is what people are facing everyday in our families, communities and the world at large. For this same reason, a lot of people have died and some will still die and some will continue to suffer because of the truth they have spoken to the enemies of truth.  

 But should we stop speaking the truth because of fear of losing our lives. I don't think so, because truth saves life, it brings freedom, it releases tension, it brings peace, it settles quarrels and disputes. Truth is freedom which must be offered to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to its enemies, just like John the Baptist did to Herod and Herodias even at the expense of his life. 

And St. Paul in our first reading today demonstrated how passionate he was about truth when he said: I came among you in great ‘fear and trembling’ and in my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. 

Dear friends, how far can we stand the cost of speaking the truth in the midst of influential and ‘powerful' people? Like Herod, how often do we make bad decisions out of pride? When we make such bad decisions, how quick are we able to change our mind, to admit that we are wrong? Or are we like Herodias who is waiting for an opportunity to silenced the innocents who confront us with the truth? 

If today we happen to be one of the guests of Herod, what would been our reaction? Will I have protested or stayed silent? Thus, what do we do when we see others suffering injustice? Do we have the courage to speak up, even at the cost of losing, our job, our position, our vocation, friends and even our lives? Today we called to speak the truth, for the world needs to hear the truth no matter the cost.

LET US PRAY:  Lord God, it is difficult to speak and stand for truth in our world today, but St . John the Baptist died for the truth he spoke to Herod, through his intercession, grant us the grace and courage to become instrument of your word in truth and in deeds and so speak the truth always to humanity no matter the cost. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful week 

Homily for Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 28th August, 2022.

Readings: Sir. 3:17-20.28-29; Ps.68; Heb. 12:18-19.22-24; Luke 14:1.7-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

LEARN TO BE HUMBLE NOW BEFORE THE FORCES OF LIFE HUMBLES YOU

One of the virtues that is lacking in our societies today is humility, this virtue is really lacking in our society today because pride has become a way of life which most people wish to embrace. Hence we often hear people saying in a very proud way, do you know who I am? By the time I finish with you then you will fear me. We hear people taking all sorts of honorific titles whether merited or not, for they want to be addressed and recognized so gloriously at every public events.

This should not be our attitude or disposition, for Jesus in our Gospel passage today while addressing the Pharisees told us a parable about humility saying: When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

Here, we see the important of humility, we see how humility can help to elevate someone from nothingness to something great. While pride can bring down the mighty into nothingness. Little wonder we are advised in our first reading today saying: My son, be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver. The greater you are, the more humble you should behave, and then you will find favour with the Lord; for great though the power of the Lord is, he accepts the homage of the humble. There is no cure for the proud man’s affliction, since an evil growth has taken root in him.

The truth is that, humility is not a way of glory, but a road of surrender that leads to passion and death of one’s self. It is a way of sacrifice, a service to others at the price of self- sacrifice. That is why many people do not want to be humble. Hence, we heard in our second reading today that we have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. So to be a citizen of heaven we must be humble just like Jesus.

Dear friends, we must learn to be humble now before the forces of life humbles us. Though it may seem so difficult to embrace the virtue of humility especially in our society today, but this virtue has a lot to offer us both as individuals or as a group. In fact, our world is in need of humble men and women, because a good society is built on all kinds of commendable virtues such as humility. Humble leaders are modest about their success, and make it known to everyone that their failures don’t define them. Humility is a grace that attracts more grace. For pride closes the door to spiritual growth, but humility opens the door of our lives more to God's grace. To the humble, God gives patience, and peace, and gentleness.

A humble person is teachable, Influenceable, willing to accept corrections without defending his or herself, a humble person rejoices when others are celebrated, no position can be too small for a humble person. A humble person don’t always have to be right, but naturally seek the advice of others. A humble person easily admits his own mistakes, and failures and wishes to help others succeed. A humble person has a grateful attitude and not easily offered. He or she can be quick to forgive and not hold grudges nor having a sense of entitlement from someone, rather he or she is confident and content with what he or she has

Therefore, it is time for us to put off our old self which is led by pride, arrogance, conceit, pomposity. For pride as we know is the first capital sin that destroys every other virtues. Hence, we have to put on a new person born of humility, love, compassion, contentment, purity, forgiveness etc. So let us work heard to add more virtues in our activities and behaviour for blessed are those who are virtuous for they easily solve their problems and the fruit of the virtues grow in the soil of humility. Thus, why not try humility in solving those difficult and challenging moments in your life. Just try to be humble because it works like miracle.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have often failed to follow the example of Christ’s humility which he has taught us. As we are reminded once again the need to be humble, give us the grace to truly be humble at any level we find ourselves, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful Sunday celebration.

Homily for Saturday Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 27th August, 2022. The Memorial of St. Monica

 Readings: 1Cor.1:26-31; Ps.33; Matt.25:14-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR GOD GIVEN TALENTS?

There is not doubt in my mind that God has a plan for everyone of us, for each person has been given a special talent according to his/her ability in order to fulfill that plan, just as we heard in the parable in our Gospel passage today since everyone is special, unique and a masterpiece. 

In this parable a man who was going for a journey summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability to utilize it until he comes back. Here, Jesus is telling us that we have all been given gifts by God which we must account for. If we use these gifts wisely for our own benefit and the benefit of others, we will grow and blossom. If on the other hand we fail to use them just like the third servant, we remain dormant  and unsuccessful. 

But what is this talent all about? The talent may represent different physical and spiritual gifts of God, but it's  basic foundation is the love of God towards us, the love that God has shown to us which needs to be reciprocated through an active love for our neighbours. So, this parable teaches us that our gifts are meant to be put to use, in service of God and humanity especially the poor. Our service to God should not be done grudgingly or fearfully but generously and the willingness to take risks in responding to God's mandate. 

We must be ready to lose our life in order to find it. God wants us to use the individual talents given to us to make a difference in the world, not to relax into our comfort zone doing nothing with them. God wants the best from us and when we have given our best, we receive more from him. However, we often fine it difficult to discover our talents or to accept the one God has given to us because we have failed to embrace love. 

Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading today made us to know that “it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen.”.

Dear friends, the greatest talents God has given us is our lives which should be nurtured in love. So, what are you doing with this your God given talent? Have you put this talent into full use? Or have you buried it out of fear, ignorance and shame? For we are called today to search and discover our talent, to discover life and love and invest on it in order to achieve the purpose by which we are created just like the first two servants in the parable of the talents who utilized the talents given to them. Hence, we are reminded that we are going to give an account before God. And the real tragedy of life is not in being limited to one talent but in failure to use that one talent properly.

Therefore, we need to learn from St Monica whose memorial we celebrate today, for she devoted her life and talents praying for the conversion of her son Augustine. She once said to him: "son, one thing there was, for which I desired to remain still a little longer in this life, that I should see you a Catholic Christian before I died. This God has granted me in super abundance, in that I see you his servant to the contempt of all worldly happiness. What then am I doing here." So what are we doing in this world with the talents and gift of life God has given us and how are we preparing for the coming of our Lord knowing that we are all travelers in this world.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you have given us a special talent according to our ability in order to fulfill your plans for us. Help us through the intercessions of St. Monica to discover our talents and utilize them in such a way that it will lead us to love you and our neighbours, especially the poor and so attain eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful weekend.

Homily for Friday Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 26th August, 2022.

 Readings: 1Cor. 1:17-25, Ps.33, Matt.25:1-13

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

ARE YOU CARRYING YOUR OIL FLASKS OF GRACE ALONG WITH THE LAMP OF FAITH?

Reflecting on how footballers, boxers, athletes, also engineers, doctors and farmers, business men and women devote time and energy in rigorous preparation towards achieving their goals. I wondered if we can go to this length of rigorous periods of preparation just for things of this passing world, it will be even more demanding when it has to do with preparing for eternal life. That is why in the parable of the ten maidens in our Gospel passage today, Jesus emphasis on the need to be well prepared.

 For if we can devote such time and energy towards our spiritual life which we often neglect, we will be more awake and prepared more than the ten maidens, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. When the bridegroom delayed in coming their lamps burned out and as they went out to get more oil, they missed out since the door was shut after the bridegroom had passed.

In this parable of the ten maidens Jesus emphasized on the need to be well prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom, warning us not to be like the foolish five maidens who were not well prepared and missed out when the bridegroom came. Thus, Jesus commanded us to stay awake, because we do not know either the day or the hour when the Lord will come. Therefore, we must learn to be like the wise maidens who carried their lamps along with the oil.

These lamps symbolizes the faith we have in all material things we have acquired in this world: our statues, beauty, handsomeness, properties, our gifts, our academic qualifications and positions which without the oil of God’s grace are worthless. Also, the extra oil flasks in this parable symbolizes the grace of God made active by our inner spirituality, our virtue, and our faith that has been nurtured carefully, which we accumulated gradually through the sacraments we have received, through our righteous deeds, our fasting, our prayers,  preaching of the gospel, studying the scriptures, and our acts of love, mercy and forgiveness.

Dear friends,  we can acquire all the lamps of material things of this passing world, but without the extra oil flasks of grace,  goodness, righteousness, love, mercy and forgiveness we will be let behind in this passing world. We will be robbed of both our worldly possessions and heavenly glories. Hence, our life as Christians demands that we should be alert, we should be prepared at all times and be ready to make sacrifices of carrying our extra oil of grace, righteousness, obedience, wisdom and love like the five wise maidens. 

Therefore, we should be watchful for we know neither the day nor the hour when the Lord will call us. Hence, we are reminded today that this world is passing away, so we need to stay awake and be ready carrying the extra oil of grace, goodness and our righteous deeds. For St. Paul in our first reading today made us to know that God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we often failed to listen to your warnings concerning the things of this passing world and the need for us to stay awake and be ready for your coming, give us the grace and wisdom to be well prepared to stand before you whenever you call us, may we never be among those You will be told: I do not know you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily for Thursday Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 25th August, 2022

 Readings: 1Cor. 1:1-9, Ps.145, Matt.24:42-51

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

STAY AWAKE OR YOU WILL BE ROBBED OF YOUR HEAVENLY GLORY AND EARTHY POSSESSIONS

As a human person, there are two most important events in our life. One is well known prepared and are constantly celebrated, that is, our birthday. The other, which is the ultimate, is not known and less attention and preparation is being made for it, that is, the day of our death. 

So, Jesus knowing how important this day is, instructed his disciples in our Gospel passage saying: “stay awake, because you do not know the day when the Lord is coming. You may be quite sure of this that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

In this passage we have two commands at the beginning and at the end which are not quite the same. The first command is based on God’s coming at a “day” when we do not know and the second is in an “hour” you do not expect, that is to say that it will be uncertain, unexpected and surprising. Just like the householder’s ignorance of the time when the thief would come is the reason why he does not watch. He cannot keep awake all night, and every night, to be ready for him; so he has to go to sleep, and then he is robbed. 

Thus our ignorance of the day and time is the reason for our watchfulness, because we can keep awake all the night of our life just like the householder watches to prevent being robbed. So the image of the thief is chosen to illustrate the unexpected approach of the second coming of Christ which will be a great surprise to those who are asleep as they will be robbed of Heavenly glory and also deprived of their earthly treasures, but the Lord's coming will be a happy day for those that shall be found awake and ready, while it  will be very dreadful for those that are not prepared. Thus, St. Paul in our first reading today saying never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ, especially in our teachers and preachers.

Dear friends, today we are called to be ready, we are called to repentance, we are called to embrace the new life the Lord is offering us. We are called to a life of constant struggle towards perfection in order to embrace the Lord whenever he comes. Therefore, preparation is the key word. Let us not be deceived when the world suggest to us that the day of death is not coming soon and so forget who we are, and then, the day and time will take us by surprise. Rather, let us be like that wise servant who is prepared at all times for the coming of the master. 

LET US PRAY, Lord God, today you ask us to be ready for your coming, increase in us the desire to be prepared and ready for that inevitable event of death, so that whenever it comes, it will not be a shock to us, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It's a lovely day, may God bless your efforts and grant success to the works of your hands.

Homily for Wednesday Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 24th August, 2022. Feast of St. Bartholomew

 Readings: Rev. 21:9-14, Ps. 145, John 1:45-51 

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

LIVING A LIFE OF INTEGRITY IN A WORLD OF DECEPTION AND CORRUPTION 

In our society today, morals and virtuous acts are no longer valuable and fashionable as the society seems to be living, promoting and celebrating artful deception, dishonesty, corruption and fraudsters. Integrity has become virus to be eliminated as quickly as possible while heroes of deception and fraudsters are honored and celebrated. 

Today we are called to change this ugly attitude and learn from St Bartholomew whose feast we celebrate today. A man of integrity whom Jesus in our Gospel passage gave a great compliment when he met him and said “Behold an Israelite in whom there is no guile.” For there was no deception in him. Jesus could see right away that he was forthright, honest, open, plainspoken, straightforward, innocent and unpretentious.

Bartholomew is commonly known as Nathaniel in the Gospel according to John. A name which means “gift of God” and tradition has it that he preached the Gospel to Armenia, where he embraced martyrdom by being skinned alive before being beheaded. He is now known to be the patron of butchers, plasterers, tanners and he is also invoked to intercede in cases of convulsions. 

Bartholomew thought that nothing good can come out of Nazareth, but when he encountered Jesus, he exclaimed, “Rabbi you are the son of God” and Jesus acknowledge his faith and promised him that he will see the heaven opened angels ascending and descending. Just like the angel revealed in our first reading saying: ‘Come here and I will show you the bride that the Lamb has married.’ In the spirit, he took me to the top of an enormous high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven. It had all the radiant glory of God and glittered like some precious jewel of crystal-clear diamond. This teaches us that we should not underrate people because of their humbled background. But like Phillip who introduced Jesus to Nathaniel, we are called to share our experience of Jesus with those we encounter in life no matter their background and ideology.

Dear friends, the world needs people of integrity like that of St Bartholomew and today we are called to imitate him, and be that sign of integrity in a world full of corruption and deceit. Let our everyday encounter with Jesus help to transform us, and by so doing we can transform the ugly situation in our societies and the world at large through our witnessing. Therefore, let us like Bartholomew be courageous and exemplary in our actions, so that, living by our faith and doing what the Lord has commanded us to do, we may become great instrument that will win more people and save many more souls for the Lord. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are reminded of the need to live a life of integrity and witnessing in a world full of deception and corruption. Grant us through the intercession of St Bartholomew, the grace to embrace your word and experience your presence in our lives and so change our ugly and sinful ways of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you uncommon favour from the Lord this week.

Homily for Tuesday Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 23rd August, 2022.

 Readings: 2 Thes. 2:1-3. 14-17, Ps.96 , Matt.23:23-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

ARE YOU A BLIND AND HYPOCRITICAL LEADER?

God created humanity to be managers of all that He created. To carryout this responsibility, He gave us the mantle of leadership as one of the characteristics of the human person, that which makes us unique from every other creatures. Thus leadership is a gift from God by which we serve Him and our neighbour responsibly in this world. 

But this great gift has often been abused by humanity because of greed, love of power, fame and selfishness. This was the attitude of most of the Scribes and the Pharisees in the Gospel today. For they had the responsibility to lead the people to the Kingdom of heaven, but they neither enter nor allow those who want to enter to go in.

Hence, Jesus called them hypocrites, blind guide because, they misuse the gift of leadership entrusted to them. Since many of them multiplies the laws to suit their agenda by enforcing a very strict interpretation and application of the law to the smallest details while neglecting true purpose and meaning of the law. They only focus on the letter while neglecting the spirit of the Law, thereby making the law a mere formality that gives rooms for people to take God’s law for granted. 

And such attitudes towards the Law are meaningless if not accompanied properly with the desire and understanding from the heart and soul that truly love God. Thus, he called us to embrace love, justice, mercy, good faith as good qualities of a leader. Meanwhile, St. Paul in our second reading tell us to stand firm and keep the traditions that we were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter and not be swayed by worldly temptations and false leaders who only wished to achieve their own ambitions and mislead others from the path of truth. He also, asked us not to be  too excited or alarmed by any prediction or rumour or any letter claiming to come from him, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived. We should never let anyone deceive us in anyway.

Dear friends, What type of a leader are you? Are you a blind and hypocritical leader or a committed and responsible leader? This is important because the major problem in our societies are caused by bad leadership. So today we are called not to be hypocrite or blind guide but good leaders who are committed and responsible with whatever we are entrusted with. As leaders we are called to serve God and humanity in any capacity we find ourselves. Remember, the first person to lead is your very self from which we can extend it to others in our families, societies and the world at large.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you have given to all humanity the grace of leadership, but we have often misuse it because of greed and selfishness. As we embrace the gift of leadership today, may we never be tired of doing what is good. And as we struggle it out the remaining days of this month and the rest of the year, may You’re the sole fount of true wisdom and knowledge guide all our decisions in life, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily for Monday Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 22nd August, 2022. The Memorial of Our Lady, Mother and Queen

 Readings: 2Thess.1:1-5.11-12, Ps. 9, Matt.23:13-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHY DO WE OFTEN SWEAR WHEN WE DO NOT MEAN WHAT WE SAY?

Oftentimes I hear people say: I swear to say the truth nothing but the truth. This is the words we often hear people say in the courts, in the streets, in the market places and even in the Church to express and affirm what they want to do or what they want to say. But I wonder why we don’t really mean what we say or fulfill what we promised. 

This very ugly attitude is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today where the Scribes and the Pharisees who had the responsibility to lead people to the Kingdom of heaven, have become an obstacle for they neither enter nor allow those who want to enter to go in. 

Thus, Jesus called them hypocrites, blind guide because, they misuse the gift of leadership entrusted to them. For they say, “If a man swears by the Temple, it has no force; but if a man swears by the gold of the Temple, he is bound.” But Jesus said to them you fools and blind! For which is of greater worth, the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? Therefore, when a man swears by the altar he is swearing by that and by everything on it. And when a man swears by the Temple he is swearing by that and by the One who dwells in it. And when a man swears by heaven he is swearing by the throne of God and by the One who is seated there.’

Here, Jesus is referring to the ceremonious way in which the Pharisees took oaths. It was one of the things in the culture of their time. That is, people swearing oaths with impressive sounding words before the congregations without fulfilling them like our politicians today . But what were the words of these oaths anyway? 

They were forms of words designed to impress people. They were not indications that the person swearing the oath had any power over the things that the oath mentioned. It was just using words to impress and so produce acceptance of things in relation to the oath, when in fact this is completely fraudulent because the persons taking the oath, do not intend to keep the promises or commitments that they were apparently confirming by taking that oath. They were just fooling the people. And Jesus is saying in essence, that we should not let this foolery ever be part of us because it is hypocrisy and Jesus is against hypocrisy in all its forms, especially when it has to do with taking the name God in vain.

 

To take the name of God in vain means to invoke His name unnecessarily or profanely, to use it without humbly acknowledging the holy character of the One whose name we are invoking. To invoke the name of God in an oath or vow when our statement is false, inconsequential or when we do not intend to honor our words is a direct violation of the third commandment of God. Therefore, the issue Jesus is addressing here goes to the very core of our character as Christians, to the heart of what it means to live as a child of God especially in a society like ours, were deception and falsehood are the order of the day.

Dear friends, Jesus calls us today to be sincere in everything we do or say. That is why he commanded us not to swear an oath, rather we should say yes when you mean yes, and no when you mean no, so as not to become hypocrites and liars. So, today we are called not to be hypocrite or blind guide but good leaders who are committed and responsible with whatever we are entrusted with. Little wonder St Paul in our first reading tells us to stand firm, and keep the traditions that were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself strengthen you in everything good that you do or say.

Today we celebrate the memorial of the Queenship of Mary. An event that follows the solemnity of Assumption which we celebrated eight days ago. For without the Assumption, there can be no Queenship of Mary, since we believe that Mary, who was assumed or taken up body and soul into Heavenly glory, is now seated in Heaven at the right hand of her Son Jesus, as the Queen of Heaven.  For by the virtue of our Lord Jesus being the King of heaven, it follows that his mother is honoured as the Queen. And this Queenship of our Lady was established by Pope Pius XII in 1954, at the end of the Marian Year. Let us learn to be faithful like our Mother Mary.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, oftentimes we have been hypocrites, blind guide of the things you entrusted to us. May we never take your name in vain or tired of doing what is good. And through the intercessions of Our Lady Mother and Queen, may we be guided along the path of truth , we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.

Homily for Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 21st August, 2022.

 Readings: Is. 66:18-21; Ps.117; Heb. 12:5-7.11-13; Luke 13:22-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

DEPART FROM THE WIDE ROAD OF SIN AND DEATH, AND STRIVE TO ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE  OF LOVE THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE 

Life is nothing but a temporal assignment, a journey which begins in the morning so beautiful, full of expectations and hope, but the sojourner have no knowledge of his/her destination, purpose and end. The only guide is his/ her willingness to constantly following the directives of the Sender who communicates his plans and purposes to those who care and willing to listen. 

Thus, the emptiness and shortness of life makes me to reflect on my future as a human person and the question that comes to my mind is: "where will you and I, and the beautiful things of this world be in the next one, ten, twenty, forty, eighty and hundred years for those who are strong? 

The deep silence in my soul could not offer me any answer to this question rather, it exposed before me the teachings of Jesus in our Gospel passage today when he said:  try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed. For once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.

Here, Jesus calls our attention to the reality of life which we must not take for granted, that is the need for us to follow the teachings of the Lord, for humanity have failed to embrace the life of truth, holiness and love for God and for one another that seems difficult and narrow to them, but prefers to follow the destructive ways of life that is born out of pride, greed and uncontrollable desire for worldly things, as things of this passing world are so captivating and many people have been captured by its seductive power and are greatly following it.  We must not be victims of this ugly situation. Rather, we must learn to submit ourselves to the directives of the Holy Spirit for he is always ready to guide us along the narrow ways of life.

Little wonder we heard the Lord in our second reading today saying: My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. And he continues: suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. 

So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will grow strong again. And also God through prophet Isaiah in our first reading today says: I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness my glory. I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations

Dear friends, we must learn to depart from the wide road of sin and death, and strive to enter by the narrow gate love, holiness, peace and goodness that leads to of enteral life. For the worst thing that can happen to us at the last moment of our life is to hear the Lord say: I do not know where you come from. The fact remains that life is indeed very short and the road that leads to death and destruction is truly wide and very captivating, of which many are captives of its seductive power. But the road to life are becoming narrow more and more because humanity are working so hard to expand the seductive roads and gates of destruction against the narrow gate of life. 

Therefore, we are called to embrace the narrow gate of love and road of holiness and peace that leads to eternal life.  There may be some of us who presumed and thought they could enter the kingdom of God because they feel that they are special candidate of heaven. We must be careful about such presumption, because salvation depends on the favour of God and one’s honest struggle to follow Christ the narrow gate of enteral life. Hence, we must work harder by resisting all the temptations and sinful things of this passing world and embrace the life of love and sacrifice which Jesus has offered us. So, let us turn towards God with all our hearts by removing from our hearts all forms of presumption, pride, greed and unhealthy desires that lead us astray down the path of destruction.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, our journey of life depends on you and today you have called us to follow the narrow gate of love and sacrifice. But the seductive road of this passing world is really captivating and many are victim of its power, grant us the grace to resist it but journey through the path and gate that leads to eternal life, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless your little efforts in life and guide you always. Happy Sunday

Homily Saturday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 20th August, 2022. The Memorial of St. Benard

 Readings: Ezek. 43:1-7, PS.85, Matt. 23:1-12

Rev. Fr.  Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHY WE NEED TO DO MORE OF WITNESSING THAN PREACHING?</p>

The difference between early Christian community and the present day Christianity is the mode of witnessing. The early Christian community practically preached the word of God by witnessing with their life, while present day Christianity are witnessing by preaching the word of God aloud with megaphones and all media channels and platforms, without sufficient practicing of what we preach. 

This unhealthy attitude towards our mission is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, when he said to the people: “the scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will not lift a finger to move them”.

Here, Jesus made it clear that we should listen to what the authorities are saying to us. However, we should not be such people who do not put into practice what we teach. So, as Christians we need to start practicing what we preach, we need to do more of witnessing then preaching. It is not enough to recall principles, state intentions, point to blatant injustice and utter prophetic denunciation. These kind of words lack the real meaning of our faith unless they are accompanied by effective action manifested in our way of life. This is what we see in the life of prophet Ezekiel in our first reading today, who having experienced the glory of God bored witness of it  with his life and constantly admonished of the chosen people of God while acknowledging the authority of God.

In a similar way, we need to acknowledge that our authority as Christians come from God, for we are not to pride ourselves as rabbis, teacher, pastors, prophet in our own name. Rather our actions should reflect the paternity of God in the way we live and serve others. Therefore let us imitate St. Bernard whose memorial we celebrate today, for he isa man outstanding in word and deed, who strove to bring order and concord to the Church.

Dear friends, let us strive to follow prophet Ezekiel and St. Bernard’s examples of faithfulness, dedication and total commitment to God, for they put into practice the word of God they heard. Teaching us that, it is not sufficient to speak, we have to practice. We are called not merely to hear God’s word but to daily put it into action. Let our actions reflect what we preach. Though, hearing or reading the Word is important, but that is not the enough. We must let the Word of God touch and shape our lives. For it is empty and useless if our lives do not reflect the Gospel, if we hear the words of Jesus and do not act on them.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, grant us through the intercessions of St Bernard the grace to strive to practice what your word teaches us and so merit to share in your heavenly banquet. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a peaceful weekend

Homily for Friday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 19th August, 2022.

 Homily for Friday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 19th August, 2022. 

Readings:  Ezek. 37:1-14, PS.107, Matt. 22:34-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO WE TRULY LOVE GOD AND NEIGHBOURS?

As human beings, we always desire to know what is required of us in this life. This is even more serious when we are faced with the realities of life, then we wish to know the things that should be our first priority. What should be the most important thing to focus our energy? What should become the foundation of all the things we need to do?

This is the deposition of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in our Gospel passage today, who came together and asked Jesus question concerning which commandment is the greatest. In response Jesus reminded them of the 'Shema Israel' - שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, the prayer that they knew and recite from their earliest years from which they learned that the most important thing in life is to love God with all their heart, and with all thy soul, and with all their mind; that is, with all the powers and the more noble faculties of the soul, the mind, the understanding, judgment, and will. Jesus then added that, to love one’s neigbhour is the second priority. 

In other words, loving God with all our heart, with all our understanding and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves is what is required of us and it is the foundation of all the things we have to do. And Jesus set as the standard of love not just by the love he was able to show, but the depth of love which he shows by dying and rising for our salvation. 

An event which prophet Ezekiel prophesied in our first reading talking about the rising of the dried bones, which represents the ugly condition of the great soldiers of the chosen people of God, who are saying, our bones are dried up, our hope has gone; we are as good as dead.” But the Lord says, I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of life again. 

Dear friends, the question we really need to ask ourselves today is: do we truly love God and our neighbours? This is important because love is the center of all the teachings of Jesus, for love is a gift from God to humanity. 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 experienced it. If we love God, then, we will see him in others and treat them justly and honourably. We will not hurt our neighbours but do our utmost best to live in peace with them. 

The truth is that, the absence of love is the cause of all the problems in our world today as most families exist by grace and not by love. Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we all love one another. How I wish we can invest our time and resources in 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 community.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in you we found the fullness of love, for  you made to share in your love. Grant that we may truly love you and our neighbours and so conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and corruption, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful Friday.

Homily for Thursday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 18th August, 2022.

 Readings: Ezek. 36:23-28, Ps.51, Matt. 22:1-14 

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S INVITATION TO HEAVENLY BANQUET 

 A song writer, Miriam Therese Winter composed one of the hymns in our hymn book entitled 'I can not come to the banquet, which gives us the summary of our Gospel passage today and the first and last stanzas of this hymn says: 

1. A certain man had a feast on his fine estate in town,

He laid a festive table and wore a wedding gown

He sent invitations to his neighbors far and wide

But when the meal was ready, each one of them replied!

CHORUS:

I can not come!

I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now,

I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow,

I have fields and commitments that cost a pretty sum,

Pray hold me excused, I cannot come!

2. Now God has written a lesson for the rest of mankind,

If we're slow in responding, He may leave us behind,

He's preparing a banquet for that great and glorious day,

When the Lord and master calls us, be certain not to say.

In this life we are so busy with so many things, that if care is not taking we will miss out from the essence of our existence. Today, the streets are full of people struggling and bobbling, the markets are full of people buying and selling and people rising very early in the morning and coming back late at night. This shows us how much effort people put in everyday just to earn their daily bread, I thought if we can sincerely put in such amount of effort in order to catch up with the train of eternal life which God is inviting us in today’s Gospel passage.

For today, from the parable of the marriage feast, the Lord offers us again an invitation to the banquet of heaven. An invitation which is God's free act of kindness, as He wishes to dine with us. No one deserves it anyway, and He is not obliged to invite us nor are we compared to honour his invitation. Hence in the parable, those who think that they deserve to be invited are too busy to enter the banquet hall. But the poor in spirit and the humble who know that the love God has for them is completely gratuitous, accepted his invitation with joy. 

Dear friends, what is our response to God’s invitation to his heavenly banquet? Are we so busy with the things of this passing world? We are called today not to be too busy to come to our heavenly banquet. For God’s banquet is his Church, good and bad, saints and sinners are invited, for the Church is made up of saints and sinners. The bad are expected to become good while sinners are expected to repent and put on a new garment of holiness and love. As Christians, today we are reminded of our wedding garment, the new suit we put-on on the day of baptism. Therefore, we cannot go on wearing the old garments of sins of pride, greed, adultery, fornication, theft, drunkenness, selfishness and unforgivingness which will throw us into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, for many are called, but few are chosen. 

Thus, we should put on our wedding garment of love, holiness and open the doors of our hearts to the poor, the marginalized and those rejected by the society. For God through prophet Ezekiel in our first reading, promised to gather us together from all the foreign countries, and bring us home to our own land and shall pour clean water over us in order to cleanse us from all our defilement. He well remove our hearts of stone and give us a new heart, and put a new spirit in us so as to make us keep His laws and sincerely respect his observances. Then, we shall be his people and He will be our God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, everyday you invite us to your heavenly banquet. As we honor your invitation today may we never be distracted by the vain glory of this passing world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a successful day.

Homily for Wednesday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 17th August, 2022.

 Readings:  Ezek.34:1-11, PS.23, Matt. 20:1-16

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LIFE IS ABOUT TIME AND TURN, WAIT ON GOD’S TIME AND YOUR TURN

Oftentimes, when we are passing through the dark moment of life, it seems as if all hope is gone. We put up all our energy and enthusiasm struggling and hoping for a better and brighter moment. Sometimes it seems as if that brighter moment won’t come. The truth is that, our time of favour and success is not determine by how long or strenuous we have struggled, but on our disposition towards God's time of grace and generosity, for God alone decides how to reward us for our efforts. All we need is to be disposed to do his will at all times, because life is all about time and turn, so we have to wait on God’s time and our turns.

This is what the parable of the vineyard labourers in our Gospel passage today is teaching us, especially as regards to our disposition towards embracing the kingdom of God. So from the Gospel, the landowner went beyond justice, for motivated by compassion he employed labourers at different times and at the end he decided to paid them the same wages as agreed with those who were hired first, of which they felt bad for the landowner’s generosity towards those hired last.

Here the human mind suspects injustice, while the heart of God sees only an opportunity to be generous. This generosity of God calls us to be generous too; but out of envy we often selfishly consider ourselves more deserving than others. 

However, we can identify three kinds of persons from this parable: First, those who are like the landowner who hire people to get a job done, but with sympathies for those to be employed. Secondly, the unemployed waiting desperately in the market place and thirdly, the labourers who consider themselves more deserving than others.  Thus, we all need to ask ourselves, among these three groups where do I belong? This is important because the way workers and labourers are being treated in our societies these days are really appalling. For those who are meant to lead and shepherd the people are talking advantage of the people they are called to shepherd. 

Hence, God through prophet Ezekiel in our first reading addressed the shepherds who ought to guide and feed the sheep, but are now feeding on the sheep, scattering them in order to select their choice and feed on their milk, wore 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. Showing us how the leaders of 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.

Dear friends, today, the duties neglected by our leaders are going to be taken over by God himself, who is the Good Shepherd. He assures us that even though we are the least, the nobodies and most neglected in the eyes of the world, He will not forget us, for He has time and plan for everyone and will continue to provide for our daily needs. But warns the leaders that they should change their greedy and sinful ways, because when the Lord’s time comes, the last will be the first and the first, last. For in his kingdom, there is time and plan for everyone with equal grace and equal status.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, today you promised to take good care of your sheep yourself as you warn us to change from our sinful, greed and corrupt ways of life. Help us to change and be more caring, loving and to always be disposed to doing your will. As we go about our daily activities, may your favour  follow us even to the last hour, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.