Homily for Tuesday Thirty- First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 1st November, 2022. Solemnity of All Saints

 Readings: Rev. 7:2-4.9-14, Ps.24, 1John 3:1-3, Matt. 5:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHO ARE THE SAINTS AND WHY ARE WE CELEBRATING THEM?

Today the Church celebrates two special events, first one is the gift of another new month of which I say happy new month to you all. The second which is the most important is the solemnity of All Saints. But, who are the saints and why are we celebrating them. The Church as we know is not just the physical structure we have all over the places, no, the Church is much more than that. The Church is the body of Christ which everyone of us are member by the virtue of our baptism. 

This Church is divided into three groups, that is the militant Church, the suffering Church and the triumphant Church. The militant Church are all of us especially the baptized who are still inhabiting and struggling with the human flesh. But immediately after death we belong either to the suffering Church or the triumphant Church. The suffering Church are the souls that belong to the body of Christ but are still in need of purification. While the triumphant Church are the souls of the saints which we are celebrating today, because they have been wash clean from the stain of sin by the blood of Christ and sustained by their holiness of life. 

Thus, every first November, the Church presents to us the solemnity of All Saints. A day we celebrate the triumphant Church that is, all the saints known or unknown to us who have triumphed victorious to heavenly glory. By celebrating them we are reminded that we are called to grow in holiness and to become saints like them, for that is our primary goal in life. 

This solemnity dates back to 7th century, and the occasion of its introduction was the conversion of the ancient Roman Pantheon into a Christian Church. For emperor Phocas gave the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV, who converted it into a Church and dedicated it to the blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints about the year 608. But later in the year 731, Pope Gregory III consecrated a chapel in St. Peter’s Church in honour of all the saints and since then the solemnity of All Saints has been celebrated all over the world.

Therefore, in this great event, we are called to imitate the heroic virtues of the saints by living a life of beatitudes as peace makers, pure of heart, meek, humble and merciful as Jesus teaches us in our Gospel passage today. And in our first reading St. John in the book of revelation tells that these saints are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb, of which in our second reading he made us to know that we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; but when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. And everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself and try to be as pure as Christ.

Dear friends, this solemnity remind us of our universal vocation to holiness, it strengthens us in our struggles towards our goal which is to attain eternal life.  It helps us to recall our communion with saints. It reminds us that we are pilgrims on this earth and also it strengthens our faith in the teachings of the Church. No doubt all of us wants to become saints and  oftentimes we really want to live a holy life but there are always obstacles on our way to holiness, these obstacles make us become so aware of our sins, our weaknesses and our failures. 

Yes, we are sinners, but so were the saints. They only relied on God’s mercy and grace and so we too. We cannot become holy through our efforts alone we need to cooperation with the grace of God. Remember, anything worth having is worth making sacrifices for, and the more it’s worth, the more significant sacrifices we should be willing to make for it. If holiness is necessary for one to attain heaven. Then it worth all the sacrifices Jesus mentioned in the beatitudes. So, let us embrace these great virtues and so become saints of God. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as militant Church on earth, there are lot of troubles and challenges we are struggling with, help us through the intercession of all the saints, to overcome them and so make it triumphantly to your heavenly kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy new month and a blessed All Saints celebration.

Homily For Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 31st, October 2022

 Readings: Phil.2:1-4;  Ps. 131; Luke 14:12-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO INVITE THE POOR FOR THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPAY YOU

A critical look at what is happening in our world today, it is obvious that the world is in big crises. This is because humanity has lost the true meaning of love. For we have abandoned God who is the source and power of love. Today people find it very difficult to love and do things of other for free. We want to know what we will gain from whatever we do for people, because of selfishness and greedy. So we are called to be more charitable to people especially the poor who can not pay us back. 

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today says: when you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

Here, Jesus gave us reasons why we should not be seeking for gain and rewards for everything we do, rather we must learn to help others especially the poor. For he made us to know that it is natural and universal for human beings to seek for rewards for whatever they have done. But what makes his disciples different from other people is the ability to do good without seeking for rewards in this passing world. By so doing we will be imitating God our heavenly Father, who in his compassionate heart shows equal love to both the rich and the poor, 

Hence, we are called to always consider the poor and those who are less privileged For we cannot be true Christians unless we are willing to love in a sacrificial way in our actions and interactions, in all situations and to everyone, without exception. We must learn to bear with one another for St. Paul in our first reading today says: there must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.

Dear friends, how many of us Christians are willing and able to follow these instructions of the Lord? How many of us are ready to invite the poor and less privileged in our events of life. The truth is that, poor are not necessary those who do not have money, but anyone who desires to benefit from God’s goodness in us. How I wish we will embrace this principle of loving and stretching the hands of friendship and peace to the poor and less privileged, by investing more resources on things that bring about peace and friendship with one another, rather than separating them and depriving them of their rights. For when this is done, then the world will become more peaceful and loving.

LET US PRAY: Lord God,  help us to learn how to invite the poor knowing that they are not able to pay us back but our rewards will be in heaven,  give us the grace to bear the sacrificial nature of this demand and so become a true sign of your loving presence to the poor and less privileged. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week.

Homily For Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 30th, October 2022

 Readings: Wis.11:22-12:2; Ps.145; 2 Thess. 1:11-2:2; Luke:19:1-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHEN A SINNER HUMBLY CLIMBS THE SYCAMORE TREE OF GRACE THE LORD RESPONSE TO HIS INNER DESIRE FOR SALVATION

Last Sunday the Lord made us to know the important of having the right disposition towards prayers using the parable of the prayers of a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee had a wrong disposition and was not at peace with God, but the tax collector went home at peace with God for he humbled himself before God saying: “be merciful to me a sinner”. In continuation to this teaching, Jesus today in our Gospel passage teaches us how God response to the inner desire of a humble sinner who wishes to be saved, for the Lord is not like us who are judgmental and selfish. 

For oftentimes we are quick to criticize, condemn and label people as sinners, outcast and good for nothing. But this is not the attitude of Jesus who is always compassionate especially to sinners and those rejected in the society and wants us to do the same. This is evident in the story of Zacchaeus. A man who was regarded as a public sinner.  Wanting to see Jesus, but being small in size, he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree and waited for Jesus to come by. He really had great desire to see Jesus. 

Truly, I must confess that the attitude of Jesus upon seeing Zacchaeus on the tree was very touching. For Jesus did not condemned or criticize him, nor  demanded anything from Zacchaeus. He only responded to the inner desire of a sinful man who seeks to see him and he said to him: “Zacchaeus come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your home today”.  Zacchaeus quickly came down and with great joy received Jesus.

No doubt, people complained and criticized Jesus saying “He has gone to stay in the house of a sinner”. But Jesus does not care about the their criticism. He went to the house of Zacchaeus and defended him from people’s criticism. And rather than calling him a sinner, he called him “son of Abraham”. Here we see how Jesus accepts those who were reject by the society. He offers a place to those who do not have. He receives as brothers and sisters people whom the society and religion rejected. For sometimes in our lives when we struggle with our inner desires and weaknesses all we need is to sacrifice our pride and humbly climb the sycamore tree of grace for on it we find the satisfaction and peace that we desired just like Zacchaeus.

But what can we learn from this story, we can learn that no one is beyond God’s redemption. We can learn that whenever sin has made us short of courage to reach God, we must do whatever it takes to get to Jesus no matter the obstacles. We must learn to welcome Jesus into our heart and our homes. We must be prepared to confront and overcome the obstacles and challenges along the path towards our salvation. We must do whatever it takes to change our ugly ways of life to be better and positive . We must be willing to accept and accommodate other people when they repent from their ugly attitudes. We must know that sin makes us short of courage to reach out to God, so we must learn to climb the sycamore tree of grace just like Zacchaeus. We must not be comfortable with ugly and sinful situation we found in and around us.  We must learn to make restitutions of all the things we have done wrong.

But how many of us will be ready to say just like Zacchaeus: Lord I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount? We must know that it is necessary and mandatory for us to make restitutions for all the bad things we have done. So, having listened to the story of Zacchaeus, how many of us will make restitutions of all the things we have acquired through sinful and corrupt means? How many of us will make restitutions for all the wealth we acquired through corruption and greediness? How many of us will stepdown or resign from our present position which we acquired through corruption and bribery. 

How many of us will make restitutions for the things we achieved with fake certificate and deception? How many of us will make restitutions of our houses, cars and other properties we acquired through bribery, corruption, wickedness, falsehood and cheating of others? How many of us today will make restitutions of all our ugly and immoral behaviours against your wife, your husband, your children, our parents, friends, neighbours, colleagues, workers, employer, lecturers and students? How many of us dear friends will make restitutions for the souls we have sent away from this passing world through wickedness, negligence, killing, kidnapping and abortions, ? How many of us will make restitutions to the people we have ruined their lives and left hopeless and miserable out of pride, greediness and jealousy?

Dear friends, we must learn from Zacchaeus, how to make honest restitutions. How to remain faithful and not live a life of pretense. We must learn to be a good example to other people and try to accommodate people’s differences and weaknesses. We must learn to accept people who are despised and marginalized in our society? Also, can we, like Jesus, perceive people’s inner desire for compassion and give them attention? 

Zacchaeus made restitutions of all he had acquired illegally, and he was giving a new label, a new statues, new friends, new family and a new life. We too should not be afraid to do the same and so make a new name, new family, and a new life for ourselves. For this may bring about the peace, hope, joy, love and new life that we desire to have today. But oftentimes because of what people will say we find it difficult to do the right thing even when we wish to do so. We must learn to be courageous and sincere like Zacchaeus. 

For we are told in our first reading today that little by little, the Lord corrects those who sin against him. He admonished and remind them of how they have sinned, so that they may abstain from evil and trust in him. Little wonder St. Paul in our second reading says: “we pray continually that our God will make you worthy of his call, and by his power fulfil all your desires for goodness and complete all that you have been doing through faith”. Remember that, it was the compassion and loving heart of Jesus that brought about a total change in the life of Zacchaeus. Why not show some compassion to those we meet today and make some restitutions for our sins, for it may be the only opportunity to embrace the salvation that we will ever have in this passing world. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are sinners in need of your mercy. As we climb the sycamore tree of grace with contrite hearts, may you find in us the inner desire for mercies and in your compassion purify us and welcome us back to your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed Sunday celebration.

Homily for Saturday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 29th October, 2022

 Readings: Phil. 1:18-26, Ps  42, Luke 14:1.7-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHY WE MUST LEARN TO CHOOSE HUMILITY OVER PRIDE?

One of the virtues the world needs more is humility, this virtue is really lacking in our society today because pride has become a way of life which most people wishes 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, they want to be addressed and recognized so gloriously at every public events.

This should not be our attitudes or disposition for Jesus while addressing the Pharisees told a parable about humility saying in our Gospel passage today: 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 nothing to something great. While pride can bring down the might into nothing. The truth is that, humility is not a way of glory, but a road of surrender that leads to passion and death of ones 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. So let us learn from St. Paul in our first reading today for he said now as always I shall have the courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would bring me something more.

Dear friends, 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. 

Therefore, it is time for us to put off our old self which is led by pride the first capital sin, in order 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. Thus, why not try humility in solving those difficult and challenging moments in your life and that is why we must learn to choose humility over pride. 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 blessed and peaceful weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 27th October, 2022. The Feast of SS. Simon and Jude, Apostles

 Readings: Eph.2:19-22, Ps  19, Luke 6:12-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

AS FELLOW CITIZENS OF GOD’S HOUSEHOLD WE MUST NOT FORGET OUR MISSIONARY MANDATE

Will you leave? We you care? Will you risk? Will you let  the Lord to lead you? These are questions of great demands which every true disciple must constantly reflect through in life, in order to be aware of the seriousness of the commitment required of everyone of us as a disciple of Jesus. This great demand is presented to us in our liturgy today as we celebrate the feast day of too great apostles St. Simon and St. Jude and our readings propel us to reflect on our call to discipleship. 

In the Gospel we heard how Jesus after deep prayers called from among his disciples twelve apostles of which Simon and Jude were part of the twelve. Simon also known as the Zealot, was a member of the Zealots, the extremists who fought for the freedom of the Israelites against the Romans at the time of Jesus. While, St. Jude often referred as St. Jude Thaddeus, was a member of the extended family of Jesus.

These  two apostles along with others followed the Lord faithfully throughout his ministry. Simon though a member of the Zealot, abandoned his previous life as a freedom fighter to a great missionary along with St. Jude Thaddeus who was the probable author of the Epistle of St. Jude. These two apostles together served the Lord and reach out to many peoples and evangelized may nations. That is why both of them are celebrated together today, because of their missionary zeal and commitment to God even to the very end of their lives.

Tradition has it that Simon spread the Gospel to places like Persia and Armenia, Egypt and Ethiopia and along with Jude, they evangelized throughout Judea, Samaria, Persia, Armenia and other places. Sadly, after many decade of their missionary activities, these two great apostles were martyred in Lebanon. They committed themselves wholeheartedly to the mission of Christ and his Church, they converted many, established firm foundations of the Christian faith in many places. Little wonder St Paul in our first reading tells us that we are fellow citizens of God’s household that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone.

Dear friends, evangelization is the very nature and essence of the Church. And Jesus gives us the mandate and the commission to evangelize, that is, to announce the Good News to all the nations and to spread the Gospel to every creature. This commission is shared by all those who are baptized both priests and lay faithful. Everyone has a particular responsibility to share in the work of proclamation of the Gospel. Today, we should ask ourselves, how have we proclaimed the Gospel to the world? What efforts are we making to ensure that the mandate Christ entrusted to us is carried out effectively in our generation? 

Therefore, at this moment when the world is confused, because we have removed God out of our daily lives, at this time when we have placed our hope in the activities of the human person who seems to have taken the place of God, at this time when our governments, scientists, doctors, lawyers, professors and even pastors assumed the place of God, which of course have brought about the ugly situation we are facing in our societies today. We are reminded once again about our very mission, for it is time to take this mandate very seriously, because it is our responsibility to fulfil our promises to God and ensure that the Christian faith is preached and sustained in the world and by so doing save humanity once again from sin, death and destruction that we have caused for ourselves.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this world, we are confused because we have cut ourselves off from You our cornerstone, as we come back to you once again, please give us the grace to preach the Gospel following the examples of saints Simon and Jude, may we learn from their teaching and walk faithfully in the footsteps of Christ and by so doing draw humanity back to You once again.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Thursday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 27th October, 2022

 Readings: Eph.6:10-20, Ps  143, Luke 13:31-35

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

ARE YOU STILL PUTTING ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD?

In this world we struggle with so many things and we often encounter ugly events and challenges that cause us sorrows and ties. And most times we don't know how to manage those moments. This is because there is an active presence of evil in the world which manifest itself in different forms. So everyday is a struggle against the malice of the evil ones, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. 

Today, St. Paul in our first reading encouraged us to be strong and prepared against the attacks and assaults from the evil one and it’s wicked forces. He said: Put on the whole armour of God so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against flesh and blood that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and powers originated from the darkness of this world. So stand your ground, with belt of truth buckled round your waist, and put on integrity of life for a breastplate, wearing shoes on your feet with that eagerness to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. And then take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. He told us to be firm in our faith in God and to be ready to resist those who are going to try to harm us and bring us down.

This is exactly what Jesus did in our Gospel passage today when some of the Pharisees warned him to leave the area where he was teaching because Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great was after him. This warning was just a way of trying  to get rid of Jesus by frightening him using external forces and authority under the name of Herod. But Jesus was not moved by all their threats. For he knows that his mission is part of  God’s larger plan which can not be interrupted by any external forces and authority. Hence, he ignored them and continued with his work of healing the people and liberating them from evil ones

Dear friends, our lives are in God’s hands for we are part of God’s larger plan and nothing will happen to us which is in conflict with God’s wishes and plans for us. All we need is to embrace the whole amour of God in faith, with belt of truth buckled round our waist, and put on integrity of life for a breastplate, with eagerness to spread the gospel of peace while carrying the shield of faith so that we can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil ones, using the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. By so doing overcome the ugly situation we face everyday in our societies and families today.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, everyday is a struggle against the malice of the evil ones, and oftentimes we don’t know what to do. As we embrace your words today, grant that we may find the courage and strength to conquer our fears and struggles against the evil ones, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you and fruitful day.

Homily For Wednesday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 26th October, 2022

 Readings: Eph.6:1-9; Ps 145; Luke 13:22-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 “I DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU COME FROM”

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 St. Paul in our first reading today says that: you can be sure that everyone, whether a slave or a free man, will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well. And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven.

Dear friends, 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 may 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 and road that leads to eternal life. 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 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.

Homily For Tuesday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 25th October, 2022

 Readings: Eph.5:21-33, Ps 128 , Luke 13:18-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHAT KIND OF SEED ARE YOU WATERING IN YOUR LIFE?

In the scriptures, it is obvious that Jesus often like to use a simple story to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson when addressing the people regarding things that are very important, So, by couching his teaching in parables, Jesus made certain points much clearer to his audience. This is evident in our Gospel passage today where he told us two parables: the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the Yeast, using them to describe the nature of God’s kingdom which he came to establish in the hearts of humanity. 

In these parables, Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed growing from the Word of God spoken to the hearts of his few disciples which will grow and spread in the hearts of all humanity. This analogy focuses on the size of the seed that grows to become a might tree that gives shelter and salvation to all. Here also, Jesus is not just speaking of the size of the mustard seed, but the faith of the people as that of a mustard seed. Telling us that just as the mustard seed responds to the word of God and grows into a might tree, so will the faith of the people grow into great vessel through hearing and doing the word of God. However, God has given humanity the freedom to choose whether to hear his word and embrace the faith so as to bear fruits of the kingdom or to reject it and perish. 

More so, this analogy of the mustard seed symbolizes the humble beginnings of the Christian faith which is well watered by the Holy Spirit to grow and give life and hospitality to all the people of the world. However, we need to know that there are good for nothing seeds present in this world to deceive people from listening to God’s word, seeds such as: fear, regrets, doubt, jealousy, hatred, disrespect, greediness, lying, gossip, impurity, wickedness and all sorts of sinful acts. 

Those who embrace these good for nothing seeds follow the dictates of their own hardened hearts and will soon be thrown away as good for nothing, because they have not listened to God’s words. Hence, St. Paul in our first read encouraged us to embrace the good seeds of God’s words in our families by giving us the principles that will guide the relationship between husband and wife using the analogy of the relationship between Christ and his Church. 

Dear friends, in the world today, we have different kinds of seeds. But the question remains, what kind of seeds are we embracing and watering in our lives today? Are we watering valuable mustard seeds of faith and love or weeds of fear, regrets, doubt, jealousy, hatred, disrespect, greediness, lying, gossip, impurity, wickedness and all kinds of sinful deeds that will destroy us? 

Today we are called to quit watering these weeds because that's what the enemies want and we must not fall into their traps. Rather we are called to water those valuable mustard seeds of faith, love, holiness, hospitality, obedience, charity and make them our values of life. For when we feed and water such values, we will grow stronger like the mustard tree where people may find solace and so build up God’s kingdom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as you sow the seeds of your word in our hearts, give us the grace to water and grow it into the mustard tree of faith, holiness and hospitality that will usher us into your kingdom, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 24th October, 2022

 Readings: Eph.4:32-5:8, Ps 1 , Luke 13:10-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

NO HUMAN LAW CAN RESTRICT GOD’S LOVE AND CARE FOR HUMANITY

From the scriptures, it seems like every encounter that the Pharisees had with Jesus were always aimed at finding faults with what Jesus is doing. But to their greatness surprise, Jesus will always escape and used that opportunity to communicate an important message to the people. Such was the occasion of our Gospel passage today. When on a Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. 

When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are rid of your infirmity’ and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God. But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, and he addressed the people present saying: There are six days when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the Sabbath. Then Jesus said, this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years was it not right to untie her bonds on the Sabbath day? 

Thus, Jesus in this passage have to teach us that humanity’s welfare should not be neglected because of laws and regulations. That nothing should restrict us from doing good to people not even the laws Sabbath. Therefore, in as much as we desire to honour God’s laws we must seek the good of people as well. This is what the Pharisees have failed to understand, for they are rather fault- finders and self- righteous people, who only wish to mislead the oppress and suppress the truth and the good works of others, just because of their selfish desires to sustain their ego, pride and their worldly ambition. But we should not be like them, rather we should be compassionate and merciful for that is what we are called to do. 

And St. Paul in our first reading, calls us to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. He also calls us to examine our lives to see if there is any root of pride and sexual immorality in us a sinful act which even the pagans condemned. 

Dear friends, today we are Made to know that no human laws can restrict God’s love and care for humanity. So we are called to constantly do good to everyone. We are called not to be faults-finders who are blindfolded by pride. We must also renounce all sorts of immoral actions and wickedness that may destroy the purity of our souls. Therefore, let us be compassionate and merciful for that is what we are called to do in this life.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we often failed to listen to your teaching because of our selfish desires and pride, help us to always listen to you and be willing to do good always as we resolve to live a life of purity and humility. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week ahead.

Homily For Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 23rd October, 2022. The World Mission Sunday

  Reading: Sirach 35:12-14.16-18; Ps.34; 2Tim.4:6-8.16-18; Luke:18:9-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 “GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME, A SINNER”: THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AND DISPOSITION TOWARDS PRAYER ARE HUMILITY AND CONTRITION

There is no doubt that prayer is part and parcel of our Christian life. It is the act of raising up our minds and hearts to God. But sometimes we find it difficult to carry out this exercise because we don't understand how or what is demanded of us or the best disposition to prayer.

This is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today. For we heard how two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.”  While the tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Hence, Jesus said, the tax collector, went home at rights with God; the Pharisee did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted. 

In this parable, Jesus wants to let us know the importance of praying with the right attitude and disposition, especially those of us who think we are very righteous and look down on people. For we can draw from this parable a sure remedy for arrogance in our prayer life and acts of piety. This is important because our prayers and pieties, if done with humility will be pleasing to God and will even lead us to make frequent acts of contrition of our wrong doings. But when humility and contribution are lacking our prayers will be presented arrogantly, judgementally and will be fruitless just like the Pharisees. 

So, it is important to have the right attitude and disposition towards prayers. Little wonder Pope Francis said: “It is not enough, therefore, to ask how much we pray; rather, we have to ask ourselves how do we pray, or better, what is the state of  our heart during prayers: it is important to examine it so as to evaluate our thoughts, our feelings, and root out arrogance and hypocrisy just like the tax collector.

For we heard how the tax collector stood at a distance proclaiming his guilt and beating his breast in contrition. Hence, we are encouraged to be sorry for our sins. As we know, Contrition according to catechism of the Catholic Church is sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again. Especially when it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else. This contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity) and is a gift from God. The second contrition is called “imperfect”  which is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It comes out of the consideration of the ugliness of sin or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (which is referred as the contrition of fear)” (CCC 1451-1453).

Dear friends, in prayer, we are not to give God instructions or present our profile of piety, but our disposition should be that of humility and contrition just like this tax collector. We are to present ourselves to God just like a good servant will report for duty and wait for instructions from his master. So, we are to respond in obedience to God's instructions in prayer for there we encounter God in the inner most part of our being. Thus, we are told in our first reading today that the man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted, his petitions will be carried to the clouds. For the humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord. And the Lord will not be slow in responding or executing his judgment. 

This is what we heard St. Paul in our second reading today expressing when he said: "My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing". Therefore, today we are called to cultivate the right disposition towards prayers especially that of humble and contrite heart and learn how to communicate with God the right way.

So, today as we celebrate the World Mission Sunday which began in 1926 by the degree of Pope Pius X, we are called to reflect on the missionary mandate that Jesus gave us, thereby reminding us that we are called to be missionaries, professing our faith to the whole world, telling them about the truth and love of God which we have found in Jesus Christ our Lord. As Christians, all of us by the virtue of our baptism have received this mission from Jesus. For every baptized person is obligated to be part of the missionary activities of the Church by witnessing with our lives and by supporting the missionary activities which we are called to do today. 

And since we are all beneficiaries of missionary sacrifices of others, we too have experienced the love of God and his benevolence, which we must extend to others. We must constantly renew the knowledge of God’s Kingdom in the hearts of humanity as Jesus commanded us to do. But what is that obstacle in your life that distract and limits your missionary zeal and passion? We are called today to renew that missionary passion and zeal. Remember, that the true sign of a healthy Church is seen and established from the missionary activities carried out by the people of God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we do not know how to pray as we ought, as we listen to your words today, may we learn how to cultivate the right attitude and disposition towards prayers and missionary activities. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. wishing you a peaceful and joyful Sunday celebration.

Homily for Saturday Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 2 October, 2022. The Memorial of St. John Paul II

 Readings: Eph.4:7-16, Ps 122 , Luke 13:1-9

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

MAKING EVERY MOMENTS OF OUR  LIVES  AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT LESS WE PERISH

With the ugly situation in our country today, there is no doubt that both the poor and the rich are testifying to it suffering in our society. Hence, we can fill the struggles, the kidnapping, the killings, flooding, the tears, the disappointments that people are passing through everyday. In fact, some people are losing 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 hope and faith of the people. All these are signs from God who gives us the opportunity to repent from our sinful ways of life.

This is what Jesus is telling us in our Gospel passage today when he said: “Do you suppose the Galileans who suffered like this were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Then with a parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus demonstrated how God has made every moment of our lives an opportunity for us to repent and be fruitful. This is clear when he said in the parable, “Look, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”  

Such is God’s patience with us for he gives us the opportunity to turn away from our sinful and ugly ways of life. Repentance is the key message of this Gospel, for Jesus makes it clear that those who suffered and were killed were not worse offenders than others, rather he uses the opportunity to call us to repentance. Note that, the purpose of this message is not for condemnation but redemption. This is what St. Paul is emphasizing in our first reading saying: we shall not be children any longer, or be tossed one way or another and carried along by every wind of doctrine, at the mercy of all the tricks men play and their cleverness in practicing deceit. But if we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together. This is what we have in the life and personality of St. John Paul Il whose memorial we celebrate today.

Dear friends, this call for repentance shows us that it is not too late for us to repent, for this may be the last opportunity. Because we can never tell what will happen in the next moment. We can never tell who is the next to die, we can never know the form it will take or where it will occur, all that matters is for us to repent now that we still have the opportunity. Therefore, let us repent now, for repentance helps us to be well disposed in life and for death. It helps us to live right and at peace with God and with one another. It gives us the courage and confidence to face any situation without fear of death.

LET US PRAY: Almighty ever living 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 through the intercessions of St. Pope John Paul Il provide for the poor, console the troubled, heal the sick, protect and put simile on the faces of your children today and always. we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and safe weekend.

Homily for Friday Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 21st October, 2022

Readings: Eph.4:1-6, Ps 24 , Luke 12: 54-59

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

HOW ARE YOU INTERPRETING THE SIGNS OF THIS PASSING WORLD 

As human person, we often tried to discern the event happening around us in order to predict what can be the outcome of such event in the future. We often read the signs of nature in order to make prediction of what will happen in the future. Little wonder Jesus while rebuking the crowd in our Gospel reading today said: when you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times.

Here, Jesus condemned the ugly attitudes of the crowds for they can read the signs of nature and so predict the future, but now out of jealousy and selfishness they have failed to recognize the truth by refusing to acknowledge in Jesus one who comes from God, one who speaks God’s word and acts in the power of God. So Jesus rebuked them for such hypocritical attitude. While in the second aspect of the Gospel, Jesus is asking us to put things right while there is still time. 

Thus St. Paul in our first reading implore us to lead a life worthy of our vocation. To bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience by preserving the unity of the Spirit, knowing that we are one Body, one Spirit, sharing the same hope in one Lord, one faith, one baptism in one God who is Father of all.

Dear friends, there are so many signs around us today. How are you interpreting the signs of this passing world, the signs that tell us that this world is passing by? What is our disposition towards this signs? Can we identify the signs of our time? How can we understand and interpret them? Are we reading the hand of God in what is going on around us especially in our country, societies and our families? How are we responding to these signs? What do we think Jesus would do if he is living with us now? Today, Jesus is calling us to discernment. We have to discern our actions towards the signs we see in our world today.  

Though, it is very easy to condemn the ugly situation going on in our country, societies and families, but, are we learning anything from it. Are we having any sense of guilt and repentance. Why allow this evil to linger in us by getting into endless arguments and deception when we already know what is right? Why wasting so much time arguing about unnecessary things while missing out the main points that are more basic and challenging. I think is time we come back to the real issues which are justice, honesty, transparency, equity, equal, love and respect for human life and properties. These are the things we all need to put right at all levels and sectors we find ourselves.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, in every event that happens to us, you said, has your mark on it. Help us to discern the signs of our time, in order to embrace your will for us and to follow you wherever you may lead us as we struggle to overcome the ugly situation in our country, societies and families. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God protect and keep us safe always.

Homily for Thursday Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 20th October, 2022

  Readings: Eph.3:14-21, Ps 32. , Luke 12: 49-53

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

ACCEPTING THE CONSEQUENCES THAT COME WITH THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL 

The way things are going in our societies today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst of the ugly situation in our country today. Because the hostility, brutality, persecution and the influential power of the things of this world which has eaten deep into the minds of our leaders are not stopping soon, rather, it will be getting tougher unless we stop it now once and for all. 

Therefore, if we are really willing to live out our Christian faith and obligations, then we need to make a radical decision towards our discipleship in a personal and radical way, for this days, it is not enough to say am a Christian, we must convincingly and radically practice our faith by following the example of our Lord Jesus. 

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today, takes his discourse on discipleship to a radical and difficult level when he said: 'Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law’. 

Here, Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions in family life, but he wants us to accept the consequences that comes with the truth of the Gospel teaching, more importantly, when it comes to living out the Gospel message in a radical way, especially in a situation where our family values have been thrown out of caution as a result of secularism, individualism and excess desires for worldly pleasures and possessions, thereby neglecting the things that lead us to God. 

So, these hard words of Jesus can only be understood in the light of our life experience, because there are moments when we have to make radical and difficult choice as disciples of Jesus. These moments may wield the sword of division or separation among those people and things which are so dear to us. 

However, Jesus does not endorse we engaging in armed conflict, but he warns that we have to struggle to put him first, before family ties, knowing that divisions will surely occur as people have to decide to be for or against God. Hence, he states that the cost of discipleship extends to one even losing his life. Because, following Jesus demands the sacrifice of all that one has. 

For none of us can become his true disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to God over all other competing loyalties in our lives including family, self-interest, and possessions. And St. Paul in our first reading prayed for us to grow strong in faith and love from God our Father whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name

Dear friends, we are called today to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully live out our Christian faith and morals. But how much are we willing to let go for the sake of our faith in God? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus? What is that habitual desires and possessions that are holding us from making this radical decision today? It is time to come to God with all our hearts, for tomorrow maybe too late.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts towards your, give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly desires and attitudes, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing people and things that are dear to us, as we ask you to heal and transform our nation once again. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily for Wednesday Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 19th October, 2022

 Readings: Eph.3:2-12, Isaiah 12, Luke 12: 39-48

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

AS MANAGERS OF GOD’S RESOURCES WE MUST STAND READY TO AVOID BEING RUBBED OF OUR EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY TREASURES

Oftentimes when I observed how people devote time and energy in rigorous preparation towards achieving their goals. I realized that adequate preparation is the secret and foundation of every successful event. Then I said to myself, 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. 

Therefore, if we can devote such time and energy towards our spiritual life which we often neglect, we will be more awake and prepared for the day of the Lord. This is what Jesus is telling us in our Gospel passage today, when he said to his disciples: “be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ Then he used the parable of faithful and wise steward to make this point clearer. And he concluded by saying: when a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.’

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 you do not know and the second have to do with managing the responsibility entrusted to us. For, just like the householder’s ignorance of the time when the thief would come is the reason why he does not watch. Thus, our ignorance of the day and time should be the reason for our watchfulness in order 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 Heaven and even their earthly treasures.

Hence, Jesus commanded us to stay awake, because we do not know either the day or the hour when the Lord will come. And St. Paul in our first reading says:  I, who am less than the least of all the saints have been entrusted with this special grace, not only of proclaiming to the pagans the infinite treasure of Christ but also of explaining how the mystery is to be dispensed. So, how are we managing the responsibility entrusted to us, especially the responsibility of managing our lives and also the lives and properties entrusted to us on a great deal of which great deal is expected from us? 

Dear friends, as managers of God’s resources, we must stand ready to avoid being rubbed of our earthly and heavenly treasures. We must be courageous, wise, patient and prudent, knowing that our lives as Christians demands that we should be alert. We should be prepared at all times and be ready to make sacrifices like the faithful and wise stewards. 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, as we look into our inner being, our interior life in order to embrace the life of holiness and self-control that will help us to be more prepared. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, 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. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily for Tuesday Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 18th October, 2022, The Feast of St. Luke The Evangelist

 Readings: 2Tim. 4:10-17; Ps. 145; Luke 10:19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT AND HOW ARE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE MISSIONARY MANDATE OF CHRIST?

One of our responsibilities as Christians is to fulfill the missionary mandate of Christ and throughout the history of the Church, we have great men and women who have contributed greatly to this mission. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Luke, one of the four great Evangelist of our Christian faith. According to traditions St. Luke was probably a Hellenised Jew or a Greek who embraced the Christian faith as one of the earliest converts among the earliest disciples of Jesus Christ. He was known as a physician and highly educated and intelligent, which made it possible for him to be able to give us a well detailed account for the very important events about the life and ministry of Jesus in Gospel account according to Luke and the life and mission of Christ’s disciples in Act of Apostles as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

No doubt St. Luke through his Gospel account has converted many to the Christian faith, turning many people towards the Lord and calling them to embrace his truth and love. Therefore Luke has proved himself to be a great disciple by demonstrating the act of being a good missionary for we heard in our Gospel passage today, how the Lord appointed seventy-two persons and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house! 

Here, Jesus  gave us the requirements for carrying out his missionary mandate successfully. So, to continue this great mission he invites his disciples and sent them out, commanding them to see themselves as someone who gives freely of the good they have received from God. Hence, we should offer to others what we have received from  God just like St Luke, knowing that it has cost us nothing. We must live a life of detachment that is, in this mission, we are to depend totally on God's providence. Unfortunately, many of the disciples have to face rejection and persecutions from people, who through their rebellious attitude have refused to believe in God even though He has always been so patient, loving, caring and forgiving us.

So, as we celebrate this feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, let us be inspired by his faith and commitment, for we heard in our first reading today how he stood firm for St. Paul even when others deserted him. Let us follow his examples as we carryout our own missionary mandates no matter how insignificant it may be. We should not underrate our efforts or think that it is impossible for us to be like St. Luke because of our background or level of exposures. Rather we should know that God has called his disciples from different backgrounds and works of life,: the poor, the rich, some educated, some illiterate, some privileged and powerful, while others weak and not insignificant. So our background and level does not really matter. What is important is our attitude towards the missionary mandate entrusted to us at any level we find ourselves..

But dear friends, what is our attitude today towards the missionary mandate of Christ? How are we contributing towards the missionary mandate of Christ? How has the Word of God shaped our lives? Today, as we celebrate the feast of St Luke, we recall his great contributions to the Church and the Christian faithful. For just as St Luke gave us the Gospel account and the Act of the Apostles as inspired by the Holy Spirit, we as disciples of Christ, have also received a lot from God and his saints without payment; we should learn to give without expecting reward. Calling us to acknowledge with gratitude all that we have received from God and give freely to others that which we have received. For this act of charity will purify us from pride and self-righteousness, because we are all recipients of God's love, mercy, forgiveness, favour, protection, healing and deliverance. So, we must offer to others these same gifts which we have received.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today as we celebrate the feast of St. Luke you gave us the requirements and nature of our missionary mandate. Help us to effectively follow these requirements just like St Luke did. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen. Do have a favourable week.