First Sunday of Advent Year C, 1st December, 2024. (Happy Sunday Month)

 

Readings: Jer. 33:14-16; Ps.25; 1Thess. 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28.34-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING IN JOYFUL HOPE FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

In a special way, today we enter a new month and new liturgical season, the season of Advent and in a special way, every first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins another liturgical year within the three years of A, B and C in the liturgical circle of the Church. In this Advent season, we are celebrating year C. And the season of Advent, as we know, is one of the most important seasons in the life of every Christian. The word Advent stems from the Latin root, Adventus, which means 'arrival' though from the root word advenire whereby ad means 'to' and venire means 'come' that is the coming of someone great.

So Advent is a period of intense preparations and a time of waiting in hope for the coming of the Lord, which is in two folds: first, the coming of the Messiah, that is, the birth of Jesus at Christmas, and second, the return of Jesus at the Second Coming “ the parousia”. This is why the Advent season is divided into two parts. The first, which runs from the first Sunday until the 16th of December, dwells on the second coming of Christ, the eschatological aspect of Advent. The second aspect, which focuses on the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, runs from 17th to 24th December.

Thus, Advent is a season characterized by four major themes, which include: ‘Hope’, ‘Peace’, ‘Joy’ and ‘Love’. So, on this first Sunday of Advent, our focus is on hope. A joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour who is our hope. Thus, as we anticipate the birth of Christ, who is the source of our salvation, our hope and the Light that dispels the darkness of this world, it is our duty as Christians to keep hope alive in the world for as long as there is hope, no situation is impossible.

But what should be our disposition this season? Our disposition should be one of watchful expectation in order to recognize the Lord and be at peace with him when he comes. We are to be ready and prepared to welcome him with joy in our daily lives. Hence, this is the season of reconciliation, when we must ensure that we reconcile with God and with one another. It is a season when we have to reexamine our way of life.

Advent is a time of reconfiguration of our lives to that of Christ and also to take stock of what we have done and what we are going to do from now onwards. Our disposition to welcoming the Lord in our hearts should be at its very peak, and this should be seen by our ways of doing things. Also, our desire for conversion and holiness should be more visible by shaping our lives more to that of Christ who showers his love, mercy and compassion to all.

This is what the readings of this season call our attention to, especially in the twofold coming of Christ as we have it in today’s readings. Thus, in the first reading, we heard from the prophet Jeremiah addressing the people of Judah at the darkest moments in their history, reminding them of God’s promises of a righteous Branch of light, truth and hope when he said: in those days and at that time, God will make a virtuous Branch grow for David, who shall practice honesty and integrity in the land. This righteous Branch we see in the person of Christ Jesus. Thus, we are reminded that Christ is our true Hope, and he is the joy of this season.

And Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, tells us that there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect and hold your heads high because your liberation is near at hand. Here, we heard the message of hope and warning, calling us to embrace the message of the season. So, we must keep watching or our hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on us suddenly, like a trap

Dear friends, today we are called to be ready, we are called to repentance, and we are called to embrace the new life the Lord is offering us. We are called to a life of constant struggle towards perfection. Little wonder St. Paul, in our first reading today, says: brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants.

 This is exactly what this season of Advent is all about and the Church is offering us another opportunity to encounter the Lord personally and to make that encounter a permanent experience. We should place our hope in Christ, for while there is hope, there is life. For it is because of the Lord that we can hope once again, knowing that beyond the sufferings of humanity due to sin and death, there is Light that dispels the falsehoods of evil and the despair of darkness that covers the whole world.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace this season in expectation of the coming of Christ your Son, may the Holy Spirit inspire us to have the right disposition that will enable us to embrace the Lord when he comes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Month and God bless you

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 30th November, 2024. Feast of St. Andrew Apostle

 

Readings Rom 10:9-18 , Ps.19:2-5, Matt 4:18-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE MISSIONARY ZEAL OF ST. ANDREW

Today, we celebrate the feast of St Andrew, one of the Apostles of Christ, and our Gospel tells us the story of how a call from the Lord changed the direction of the lives of the first disciples, who left everything and followed him. Andrew was one of them. He was one of the disciples of St. John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ.

Andrew, according to scriptures, proclaimed the good news to his brother, Peter (John 1:40-41). He was the one who brought the boy with loaves of bread and fish to him so that he might give them to the people waiting in hunger. And St Andrew sets an example that points certain things at the heart of preaching the Gospel. He was involved in introducing the Greeks to Jesus and also joined in spreading the Gospel beyond the confines of Palestine (John 12:20-22).

The life of St Andrew shows us that being a preacher involves having a clear conviction and faith in Jesus and readiness to share this faith and conviction with others. He dedicated himself just as his brother Peter and the other Apostles in ministering to the people and proclaiming the Lord’s coming. And even after the Lord had ascended into Heaven, he continued to preach the faith. He brought the faith to many places such as Ukraine, Russia, the Balkans, Greece and other places.

Andrew worked hard in spreading the Good News to those who are yet to witness the Lord and embrace his salvation. For through him many were converted and inspired by his works and preaching. He also established many Churches and built the foundation for many Christian communities. He was the first Bishop of the Christian community in the city of Constantinople.

However, Andrew, like other Apostles, encountered persecution and suffering in Greece, where he was arrested, and was greatly tortured and eventually martyred by crucifixion. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is referred to today as the Cross of St. Andrew, in memory of his faith and dedication to the mission of Christ.

Dear friends, today we are called, like St Andrew, to follow Jesus and following Jesus means leaving behind the life we have now and embracing the new life he is offering to us. When we opt to follow Jesus, our life revolves around him. It’s no longer what we feel like doing, but what his word instructs us to do. It also means leaving behind our sinful ways of life and embracing the holiness of life. Therefore, let St. Andrew be our inspiration and role model in our response to the calling of the Lord to spread the Good News.

So let us be conscious of what St. Paul tells us in our first reading: But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent. Hence, the Lord is sending us; let us follow the good examples of St. Andrew in responding to the Lord's Invitation to follow him.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are called to follow your Son Jesus; as we respond to this call, may we, through the intercession of St Andrew, find inner joy in our soul that will prompt us to spread the Good News of the Gospel with faith and conviction. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful week ahead.

Homily For Friday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 29th November 2024

 

Readings: Rev. 20:1-4,11-21:2, Ps.84, Luke:21:29-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

PAY RAPT ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS OF THE END-TIME EVENT

One of the doctors and mystics of the Church, St. John of the Cross, says that the further you withdraw from earthly things, the closer you approach heavenly things and the more you find yourself in God. This advice will be very helpful as we come to the end of this liturgical year and about to embrace the season of Advent, when the Church calls our attention to the need to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.

Hence, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us about the passing away of the things of this world and the dreadful events associated with it in relation to the end-time events. He illustrates the signs of this event with the story of the fig tree, telling us to take notice of the signs of the times for they will help us to discern between what is of true value and what is passing away. For heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of the Lord will never pass away.

Here, Jesus presents the final recommendations of the end time. He insists that we should pay rapt attention to the signs nature is giving us concerning the end time events, that these signs should lead to hope founded firmly on the word of God, which drives away fear and despair, knowing that the kingdom of God is very near to us. This is even more evident in our first reading today, where we heard about the final defeat of the devil, the great enemy and deceiver of humanity.

For he has been deceiving humanity by turning us away from our God and making us believe that this world is our home. So we are reminded once again that all those who refuse to believe in God and choose to follow the devil and his false prophets will be destroyed and defeated completely. For he and his agents and those who follow him will be thrown into the burning lake of eternal darkness. While God’s faithful people will triumph victoriously into heaven as a beautiful bride dressed for her husband.

Dear friends, how are we embracing the word of God we hear at this period? What signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs of this time, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these signs make us dread the second coming of the Lord or joyfully embrace it in anticipation? Remember, the words of Jesus are truth that will never pass away. Therefore, Stand erect, and hold your heads high because our liberation is near at hand.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, humanity has been greatly deceived by the devil, who has made us to be so attached to the things of this passing world. As we embrace your words this season, may our souls once again long and yearn for you our God, the living God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s Friday, may the joy of the Lord be our strength.

Homily For Thursday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 28th November, 2024

Readings: Rev.18:1-2,21-23,19:1-3,9; Ps.100; Luke:21:20-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW PREPARED ARE YOU FOR OUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR?

As we continue to reflect on the great event about the coming of the Lord. Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, continues his warnings concerning what will happen to the beautiful things of this passing world, which he illustrated very well by telling us what will eventually happen to the great city of Jerusalem in relation to what will happen at the end of all things. This passage contains the truth that we need to be reminded of often. That is, the need for us to be prepared for the day of the Lord despite all the beautiful and seductive things we encounter in this world.

Thus, as the great and holy city of Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by the Romans less than four decades after the death and resurrection of Christ, so will the things of this world pass away, including those who are attached to them. Just as we also heard in our first reading today, the account of the declaration of the Angel of God at the end of the last trumpets how the world ends with the plagues, the final defeat of the devil and all the forces of the wicked, which is well illustrated with the fall of ‘Babylon’ that shall never rise again, for it has come to it’s final and ultimate defeat. While God has triumphed and won the ultimate victory for his faithful people.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that there are great signs of the end time event, but this should not be an occasion for fear but rather a period for intense preparations. Nonetheless, for the righteous, it is a period of joy and happiness since our redemption from the powers of evil is close at hand. Although we do not know when, but, Jesus assures us that he will return in power and great glory. Therefore, we should take heed and not be deceived by the beauty of the things of this passing world, for our redemption is drawing near.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we make efforts every day to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, your Son, give us the grace and courage to remain steadfast even in the midst of all the crises in our world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Wednesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 27th November, 2024

Readings: Rev.15:1-4, Ps.98, Luke:21:12-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE REASON FOR THE CONSTANT PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

The word persecution is often associated with the Christian faith, for most times when we hear about persecution, the victims are often Christian faithful. But why do Christians often face persecution? This is because in our world today, we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and other immoral activities people do for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires.

 And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object of elimination. Yet, in the midst of all these ugly situations, Christians are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness, which humanity is not ready to embrace.  This, of course, is the reason for the constant persecution of Christians.

So, we should not be surprised when Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, declares that his followers are going to be persecuted on account of bearing witness to his name, a reality that will put even their most cherished relationships to the test: they will be betrayed even by their closest relations and friends. However, we should not prepare any defence because God myself shall give us eloquence and wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

Little wonder Jesus gave us the details of the challenges that await us as his followers, such as arrests, persecution, trials before government authorities, betrayal by family and friends, hatred on account of his name, and even execution. He made us know that we should not lay blame on a particular person or group of people, or the society, or even on our enemies for such ugly treatment. For they are rather an opportunity to testify and bear witness of him to the world. 

Here, Jesus not only describes what his followers will have to endure but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he recommends that there comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure rather than despair. For by their endurance, they will gain their lives. Hence, a period of persecution is a time to witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity. 

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that the world is passing through difficult times, for families, societies, countries, and churches are badly affected by the current economic situation that is affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we, too, will not be abandoned in this time of difficulty. 

For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he will give us victory and we will join the elders in our first reading today to say: how great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are all your ways, King of all ages, for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing the Gospel, especially in this time of persecution and difficulties. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 26th November 2024

Readings: Rev.14:14-19 , Ps.95, Luke:21:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN, AND WHAT SIGNS SHOULD WE EXPECT?

As we approach the season of Advent, we are reminded of the need to be well-prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom. This is evident in our readings these days and more so in our Gospel passage today which presents to us warnings about the end times. Here we see how those who were listening to Jesus were anxious to know what signs to look out for concerning the End Times event. But the timing of such an event is God’s secret.

So, today, Jesus warns us not to waste our time seeking signs; rather, we should be prepared, and we should remain firm in faith. He also warns us about following those who claim to know when the end is coming. We may see many of the signs written in Scripture happening already in our time, and people are terrified, looking for someone to show them the way. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. Without him in our lives, we may be lost because the future lies in his hands, and nothing can destroy or hurt us as long as we remain faithful to his commands.

Dear friends, what signs are you searching for in this passing world? You better be prepared for our lives as Christians demand that we should be alert and ready, just like St. John tells us in our first reading about the harvest time for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Thus we should be prepared at all times for this world is passing away. Hence, we are called to abstain from things that will separate us from our God. We are called to 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: Almighty God, we often fail to listen to your warnings concerning our excess desire for the things of this passing world and the need for us to prepare 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. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 25th November, 2024

Readings: Rev.14:1-5; Ps.24; Luke:21:1-4

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD FROM YOU HEART

Thanksgiving is one of the best ways of showing gratitude to God for the good things we have received from him. This great act of charity should be done with a grateful heart. Our attitude and intention towards this act is what God desires to see. Little wonder, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus observes the attitude of people towards their thanksgiving offertory.

He commented on the attitude of people who give out of their abundance while commending the attitude of the poor widow who, from her heart, sincerely gave everything that she had, expressing her faith and love for God through this wonderful gesture.

Here, Jesus tells us that what matters is not the amount we give but what lies in our hearts; the strength of our generosity comes from the heart. Today, Jesus invites us to open our hearts and be ready to give in a sacrificial way like this poor widow in our Gospel. For God, who knows our heart, looks at our efforts.

The truth is that the greatest gift we can give to anyone is the gift of love, for it is only in true love that one can truly give all that he has without reservations. So, as Christians, it is our obligation to follow the Lord’s teaching and dedicate ourselves and all that we have to him wholeheartedly, in faith and love at all times.

Dear friends, let our thanksgiving to the Lord not only come from the abundance of what we have but from true and sacrificial love that comes from our heart, expressing our gratitude, faith and love for God and our neighbour. Only such offertory and thanksgiving are pleasing to God and acceptable to him.

Let us join the great saints and elders in our first reading today who followed the Lamb wherever he goes, for they have been redeemed from amongst men to be the first fruits of God and for the Lamb, since they never allowed a lie to pass their lips and no fault can be found in them.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, all we have is giving to us out of your abundant good. Through the intercessions of Mary, may we learn to show gratitude sacrificially for such a great gift and so gain more favour from you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Have a fruitful week ahead.

Homily For Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 24th November, 2024. The Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe

 

Homily For Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 24th November, 2024. The Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe

Readings: Dan. 7:13-14; Ps.93; Rev. 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

COME LET US CELEBRATE CHRIST THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE

In the year 1925, the period when the world was still recovering from the ugly event of the First World War that ended in 1918, the period when humanity turned away from the teachings of the Gospel, in search of worldly powers and dominion apart from God, Pope Pius XI promulgated this Feast of Christ the King. The Pope believed that the celebration of the Feast of Christ the Universal King would be appropriate at that period in order to call humanity to conversion and renewal of loyalty to Jesus the True Universal King. So since then every last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Holy Church celebrates the solemnity of Christ the Universal King.

Therefore, as we celebrate this great event, the questions that always come to mind are: what is the nature of this Kingship of Christ? How does it relate to the events of human history? What is the effect of this Kingship in our society today? What message or lessons can we learn from it? This same question is the issue in our Gospel passage today. Where we heard Pilate asking Jesus about his mission and the nature of his kingship.

So, Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.’ ‘So you are a king then?’ Pilate asked him. And Jesus said ‘It is you who say it’. ‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this; I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth, and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.”

Here, Jesus gave us the answers to all the questions we have in mind concerning his kingship. He made us know that his kingdom is beyond the activities of this passing world. So, we are called to look to the future with more insight into the ultimate goal of history towards the eternal kingdom of Christ. For he was with the Father in the beginning, when the world was created, and he will fully manifest his Lordships at the end of time when he will come as a triumphant King and judge humanity based on our actions, deeds and faith.

Then will be time for great separation, when the good will be separated from the bad, holy from sinful, righteous from evil, sheep from goats of which our deeds will reveal who we are and where we belong as we heard from prophet Daniel in our first reading in relation to the redemption brought by Christ Jesus as we have in our second reading today, that Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood, and made us a line of kings, and priests to serve his God and Father; to him, then, be glory and power forever and ever

Dear friends, no doubt that we are living in a world full of greed and selfish people who are swallowed in values of egoism and materialism, with uncontrollable desires for pleasure. We are called today to embrace the teachings of Christ the Universal King for this is what today’s celebration requires of us.

Therefore, as we celebrate this great event, let us turn toward Christ for he is our true King. Following him means carrying our cross, forgetting ourselves, and faithfully obeying his commandment of sacrificial love. For it is by the blood of his cross, that Jesus reveals the nature of his Kingship, not in saving his life, but in offering it as a ransom for our salvation.

Thus, trying to do away with the cross in our lives deprives our souls of true love and loyalty to Christ our King, who today wants to reign supreme in our hearts and souls. So, as we celebrate Christ the King of the Universe, let us join in the triumphant procession holding palm branches singing Hosanna in the Highest, recalling the inscription above the cross: Jesus the King of the Jews.

Let us show him honour, not just with palm branches but with the splendour of heart full of love and merciful deeds. Let us in joy express and spread before his presence the garments of our heavy hearts weighed down by sins along with the inner desires of our souls so that he can pass through our souls and purify our whole being so as to rule in our hearts as the King of Peace, for that is the nature of his Kingship. Today we too can look around us, our families, our cities, societies, country and the world at large, and feel sorrow at so much greediness, corruption, suffering and disregard for the truth, justice and what is right and discover that peace is nowhere to be found.

And if humanity is not careful with the grave danger around us despite the great works of science and technology, the only place we can find peace will be in the grave at the dread peace of death. Those in Gaza, Ukraine and some parts of our country will have a better understanding of the seriousness of this reality around us. Therefore, as we celebrate this great event, let us turn toward Christ for peace, knowing that he is our true King of Peace.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly King, as we celebrate the universal Kingship of Christ your Son, amidst the hostile forces and evil of this passing world, may we be victorious as you fill us with the peace and joy of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a blessed Christ the King celebration.

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 23rd November, 2024

 

Readings: Rev. 11:4-12; Ps.144; Luke:20:27-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION?

Oftentimes, when we talk about the teaching on resurrection, people always want to know what and how it is going to be like. We often get this teaching wrong because we are using our little knowledge of the things of this passing world to judge the heavenly things. This is the disposition of the Sadducees in our Gospel passage today, for since they do not believe in the resurrection, they decided to challenge Jesus concerning the notion of resurrection using the analogy of marital union in relation to afterlife events in order to discredit the teachings of Jesus.

As usual, Jesus goes on to explain how people will relate to each other in the event of life after death. Those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection, they are sons and daughters of God. He then challenged the Sadducees’ unbelief about life after death.

He reminded them of the scene where the voice from the burning bush identifies itself to Moses saying: “I AM the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). For He is the God of the living and not of the dead. After this reply of Jesus to both the Pharisees and the Sadducees, they no longer dared to ask him any questions.

To emphasise more the issues about resurrection St. John in our first reading today said: after the three-and-a-half days, God breathed life into the decaying corpses in the great city and they stood up, and everybody who saw it happen was terrified; then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, ‘Come up here’, and while their enemies were watching, they went up to heaven in a cloud.

Dear friends, do you truly believe in the resurrection? Can our attitudes towards the things of this passing world show that we truly believe in the resurrection? How often have I preached and taught people about my faith in the resurrection of Jesus? Do I have any personal experience of the resurrection of the dead that I can share with people? How deep is my understanding of the teachings of Jesus on the mystery of resurrection? How far can I go in trying to understand the mystery of resurrection and instruct others who are ignorant of this?

Friends, we believe in the resurrection not so much because of Jesus’ arguments here, but because of his resurrection, of which he promises to share his life and joy with us forever. Jesus tells us that we are children of the resurrection and children of God who are neither married nor given in marriage in the heavenly kingdom.

Though it is natural for us to ask questions about the resurrection of life, we should not expect to understand it fully while we are still alive. All that matters is for us to use our little understanding of this teaching and revelation to improve our relationship with our God and neighbours for what we shall be after death is known by God alone.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we look forward to the resurrection of mankind. May we be inspired by the great example of our Lord Jesus and so obtain the joy of his resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 22nd November, 2024. The Memorial of St. Cecilia

 

Readings: Rev. 10:8-11 , Ps.119, Luke:19:45-48

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WE ARE GOD’S TEMPLE IN NEED OF CLEANSING

The temple, as we know, is described as the sacred dwelling place of God. That’s a sacred space where humanity encounters the Divine presence of God. It is a symbolic space where God desires to live together with humanity and rule the world through them. Therefore it is very important to ensure that such Sacred Space (Temple) is kept sacred at all times.

Little wonder, in our Gospel passage today, we heard a very brief story of how Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem and drove away the traders from the courts of the Temple, saying: “My house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a den of thieves.” So he chased out all the dishonest, selfish and greedy merchants who were making profits by cheating the faithful pilgrims who came to the Temple to worship God.

Here, Jesus was not just concerned with cleansing the temple of Jerusalem but also the temple of the human heart, that is, our souls. He is objecting to the corruption of the sacred. Our body and soul are the temple of the Lord and belong to him alone. It is a sacred space, a house of prayer which must not be given over to the false gods of money, greed and sin of immorality. 

And by clearing the Temple, the Lord has also urged us all to clear our own spiritual Temples, that is our body, mind, heart and soul, in which God dwells. That is why St. John, in our first reading, described in his vision the gift of God’s Words to his disciples and the Church, using figurative language. Here, he described how wonderful the truth of God’s Words is to us, yet it is bitter for us to embrace it fully and let it bear fruit in our lives. This is what we see in the life of St. Cecilia whose memorial we celebrate today.

St. Cecilia came from an extremely rich family and was given in marriage to a young man named Valerian. She wore sackcloth next to her skin, fasted, and invoked the saints, angels, and virgins, beseeching them to guard her virginity. During her wedding ceremony, she was said to have sung in her heart to God, and before the consummation of her marriage, she told Valerian, her husband, that she had taken a vow of virginity and had an angel protecting her. 

Valerian asked to see the angel as proof, and Cecilia told him he would have eyes to see once he travelled to the third milestone on the Via Appia (Appian Way). There he was baptized by Pope Urbanus. Following his baptism, Valerian returned to his wife and found an angel at her side. The angel then crowned Cecilia with a chaplet of rose and lily. 

Cecilia was later arrested and condemned to be suffocated in the baths. Later, an executioner was sent to cut off her head in the baths, struck her three times but was unable to decapitate her, so he left her bleeding, and she lived for three days. Crowds came to her and collected her blood while she preached to them or prayed. On the third day, she died and was buried by Pope Urban and his deacons. Today St. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music because she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married and is represented in art with an organ or organ pipes in her hand.

Dear friends, our souls are the sacred dwelling of God’s Temple. Thus, it must be made sacred at all times by ensuring that we get rid of all corruptions, wickedness, pride, ego, greed, wrath and all other sorts of evils within us. We must resist them and strive to inspire and help one another to keep our Temple sacred. Jesus wishes to cleanse the temple of our soul by removing what has corrupted it in order to purify it for worship and make it a dwelling place for prayer. But are we willing to let him cleanse us?

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are your temple, yet we have let the selfish desires for the things of this passing world corrupt us so deeply. As we embrace your Words today, may we experience the joy of the purification of our body and soul. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 21st November, 2024. The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Readings: Rev. 5:1-10 , Ps.149, Luke:19:41-44

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO SACRIFICE FOR PEACE

Peace is what every human person desires to have. It is a necessary commodity in human societies. A city that has peace is surely to have great success. It is the dream of everyone. But a city that lacks peace is disastrous. Little wonder today in our gospel passage, Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus, who is the King of peace, came to Jerusalem, a city whose name stands for peace but found no peace in it.

He looked at the city and its coming disaster, which would indeed happen in a few decades in the hands of the Romans. So, he wept and prayed for its people. Since they have rejected the peace that God is offering them, they have no option but to face the consequences. Jesus felt deep sorrow at the city’s resistance to God’s word, wishing that it might receive the peace God was offering.

Today we too can look around us, also our cities, societies, country and the world at large, and feel sorrow at so much greed, corruption, suffering and disregard for truth and for what is right and discover that peace is nowhere to be found. But we should not be afraid, for St. John, in our first reading today, tells us to be courageous, for the Lamb of God has triumphed over all evil. He has been glorified and, as such, has purchased for us our eternal peace and salvation.

Thereby reminding us that despite the challenges and trials that we have to face in this passing world, we have the Lamb of God, triumphant and victorious by our side. He told us that even though tribulations will come our way in the form of doom and destruction like that of Jerusalem, we should be steadfast, for in God, we shall be triumphant.

This is what we see in the memorial of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary we celebrate today, that great moment when St. Joachim and St. Anne offered their firstborn child to the Lord at the Temple as prescribed by the Law, a gratuitous action to God who chooses Mary to be the mother of our Lord the King of Peace. Thereby calling us to embrace his teaching. Let us all be inspired by the examples of Mary, who the Lord has set before us, that we shall also be righteous, virtuous and strive after peace as she has shown us in her lifetime in thanksgiving to God.

Dear friends, why have we failed to sacrifice for peace? Humanity cries every time for peace but very few are sacrificing for peace. Are you one of those few? So, if we can consider the words of Jesus and embrace the peace and love he is offering us, we will realize that he longs for our good and growth. There are many temptations and distractions in this world trying to mislead us and separate us from our God. Let us not be misled by these things.

Let us remain firm in our faith and let our lives shine with the light of Christ so that his light will illuminate all the darkest moments in our lives, in our societies, country and the world at large. For the Lord wishes to lead us to the final victory that he has won for us. But are we willing to commit our lives to Christ? All we need to do is embrace all the possibilities of peace and love that God is offering to us every day. Then it shall be well with us.

LET US PRAY, Heavenly Father, you are the King of peace, and in Christ, your son, you have offered humanity peace. But we have failed to embrace it. As we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, may the peace of Christ through the intercessions of the Virgin Mary reign in our hearts, homes, societies, country and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Remain blessed.

Homily For Wednesday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 20th November, 2024

 

Readings: Rev. 4:1-11 , Ps.150, Luke:19:11-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR GOD’S GIVEN GIFTS AND HOW ARE YOU UTILIZING THEM?

In this life, God has given special and unique gifts to every one of us and opportunities to exercise them. If we use these gifts and the opportunities wisely for our benefit and the benefit of others, we will grow and blossom. But on the other hand, if we fail to use them, we will remain dormant and unsuccessful.

This is what the parable in our Gospel passage today is addressing. In this parable, we heard how a king summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds to do business until he came back. Some of them utilized these gifts and opportunities and so became successful, and for that, they were entrusted with more gifts. Some decided not to neglect and abandoned their gifts, and so remained dormant and unsuccessful.

This parable teaches us that we all have been given gifts by God which we must give account of. Given that our gifts are meant to be put to use in the service of God and humanity. And our service to God should not be done grudgingly or fearfully but generously with 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 gifts and opportunities given to us to make a difference in the world. We are not to relax into a comfort zone doing nothing with them. God wants the best from us and when we have given our best, we receive more from him.

Dear friends, we all are special, unique and a masterpiece and God has given us a very unique gift. These gifts may represent different physical and spiritual gifts of God, but their basic foundation is the gift of our life and the love of God towards us. This love is what God has given to us which needs to be reciprocated through an active love for our neighbours. For we heard the elder and living creatures in our first reading today saying: you are our Lord and our God; you are worthy of glory and honour and power because you made all the universe, and it was only by your will that everything was made and existed.

But why do we often find it difficult to discover our other gifts or to accept the one God has given to us? This is because we have failed to embrace love. So, we are called today to search and discover our gifts. Love is the greatest gift God has given to humanity; let us discover love and invest in it, for in it comes other gifts that will help us to achieve the purpose by which we are created.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you have endowed us with special and unique gifts and opportunities to use them. Help us to discover these gifts and utilize them for the purpose for which they were given to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 19th November, 2024

Readings: Rev. 3: 1-6.14-22; Ps.15; Luke:19:1-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

AN ENCOUNTER THAT BRINGS MERCY, REPENTANCE, RESTITUTION AND NEW LIFE

Today, we heard in our Gospel passage the story of Zacchaeus who desires 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 condemn or criticize him nor demand 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 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 rejected by society. He offers a place to those who do not have one.

Jesus 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 desire 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 hearts 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.

Also, 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 the ugly and sinful situation we find in and around us. We must learn to make restitution for all the things we have done wrong.

Dear friends, in the life of Zacchaeus, we see an encounter that brings mercy, repentance, restitution and a new life. 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 step down or resign from our present position, which we acquired through corruption and bribery?

Therefore, we must learn from Zacchaeus, how to make honest restitutions. For we heard the Lord in our first readings today saying: If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share his meal, side by side with him. Remember, Zacchaeus made restitution of all he had acquired illegally, and he was given a new label, a new status, new friends, a 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.

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. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 18th November 2024

 

Readings: Rev. 1: 1-4.2:1-5, Ps.1:1-4.6, Luke:18:35-43

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU TRULY NEED TO ADDRESS YOUR DIFFICULT SITUATION

Oftentimes, when we are going through difficult times we don’t know exactly what we need or what to do. We often feel helpless and confused about the situation around us. So, it takes great faith and focus to know what we need at that point. Little wonder in today’s Gospel passage, the blind beggar helps us to know what to do by giving us a complete lesson about faith, expressed with total simplicity in front of Christ Jesus. He had faith enough to call out to Jesus as he passed by, even when he was scolded by the people close to him. His need for Jesus was so great that he cried all the louder: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!

Then Jesus asks an unusual question: “What do you want me to do for you?” So even though his need was obvious, Jesus wanted him to ask. In the same way today, Jesus is asking us: my child what do you want me to do for you? Why not like this blind beggar and tell Jesus you need them? Even though he knows your needs, you still need to present them before him. This blind man needed his eyesight restored, so he said to Jesus aloud, “Lord, that I may see!” And Jesus said receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’

Here Jesus reveals his compassion towards human sufferings and wants us to Imitate him. But the problem is that we don’t know what we truly need to solve our difficult situation and we have failed to express our needs properly to God. Oftentimes, this is a result of our lack of faith in God, for we have separated ourselves from God just as we heard the revelation in our first reading saying: “I know all about you: how hard you work and how much you put up with. But I have this complaint to make; you have not loved me as you used to in the beginning. Think where you were before you fell; repent, and do as you used to at first, or else if you do not repent, I shall come to you and take your lampstand from its place.”

Dear friends, do you still love God as you did at the beginning of your encounter with him? What is your disposition towards God and the things of God? How deep is your faith in God? What is the one thing you need in your life? Do you have enough faith to express your desire to the Lord? Have we ever felt helpless? Do we feel the need for Jesus’s help in some part of our lives? Why not, in faith, present it before him who is willing to help us? Also, do we know people who are helpless and need some help? How strong is our compassion towards them? Let us look at them for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at them. How does he see them?

Therefore, like Jesus, each one of us is called to reach out to people around us who are really in need of our assistance. This includes our family members, our neighbours, our colleagues and others who we encounter in life. The truth is that you may be the only person who can bring the healing and compassion of Jesus into their lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we present our needs before you today, may we experience once again your compassionate love and grant our heart's desire according to your Holy will; we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s another week, wishing you God’s favour and blessings.

Homily For Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 17th November, 2024

Readings: Dan. 12:1-3; Ps. 16; Heb.10:11-14.18; Mark 13:24-32

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE REALITY OF THE END TIME AND THE NEED TO BE PREPARED

Preparation they said, is the secret and foundation of every successful event. So, as a human person, there are two most important realities in our life. The first one can be predicted, prepared for and is constantly celebrated, that is, our birthday. The second one, which is the ultimate, is not known and less attention and preparation is being made for it, that is, the day of our death. This reality is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today.

Hence, Jesus knowing how important this day is, instructed his disciples in our Gospel passage saying: “In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.

Here, Jesus emphasized the need for us to be well prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom, warning us to read the signs of the End Time event just as we can read the signs of nature, for failure to do so, we may find ourselves unprepared when the time comes.

Little wonder we are told in our first reading to know that there is going to be a time of great distress and troubles as never before since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth, many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

In our second reading, we are told that Jesus Christ has offered one single sacrifice for sins and then taken his place forever at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. Because, by virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. Therefore, we must learn to sacrifice for the good of others despite the situation in our lives, in our country and the world at large.

Dear friends, our life as Christians demands that we should be alert, we should be prepared at all times and be ready to make sacrifices. Today, we are called to be ready, we are called to repentance, and we are called to embrace the new life of grace, love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and peace 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. Because so many people will be caught unprepared when they realize that the day of the Lord has finally come, and they have nothing to show to God for all the gifts he has given us.

Therefore, preparation is the key word. Let us not be deceived when the world suggests to us that the day of death is not coming soon 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. We should be watchful for we know neither the day nor the hour when the Lord will call us.

We are reminded today that this world is passing away, so we need to stay awake and be ready. We are called to abstain from things that will separate us from our God. We should look into our inner being and our interior life in order to embrace the life of holiness, goodness, purity and self-control, for they are the extra oil that will help us to be more prepared.

LET US PRAY, Lord God; we often fail 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 and ready to stand before you whenever you call us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday and peace be with you.

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 16th November, 2024

 

Readings: 3 John 1:5-8; Ps.112; Luke:18:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DON’T GIVE UP KEEP PRAYING FOR GOD WILL SURELY INTERVENE

As human beings, we are often in need of something from one another. I don’t know if you have been truly in need of something from a friend who is capable of giving you what you need but will not. Or have you been in a situation where you needed something from a friend but could not get it because you could not reach him easily?

 Such a situation can make one to be under serious pressure. Then the question that comes to mind is, are we going to give up or persevere in our struggles of waiting and reaching out to him? This kind of disposition is what we experience sometimes when we pray and our requests are yet to be granted.

Little wonder Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, using the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, addresses the issues of faith in difficult times and the need to persevere in prayer. Here Jesus reassures us that God hears our prayers. He tells us that we need to pray continually and never lose heart. In this parable, Jesus is not comparing God to an unjust judge, but saying that if through perseverance one obtains justice from an unjust judge, how much more will we receive from a good and loving father? For persevering in prayer teaches us that God does not need to be informed of our needs.

The parable also serves to encourage those suffering injustice to continue their struggles and call for justice. We should persist in our complaints, and prayerfully confront unjust authorities in order to effect the change needed for justice to reign. Thus, Jesus is encouraging us never to lose heart, rather, we should approach God with confidence, persisting until we obtain what we need. We should keep on asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer until we obtain the answer we need.

Dear friends, there are times when we asked, and we received, sought and found, knocked, and it was opened to us. But there were also times when we asked but did not receive, sought but did not find, and knocked, but the door remained shut. In such moments persistency and perseverance in prayer are what we are called to embrace.

For they will help us to understand how to trust God knowing that he does not need to be informed of our needs. Therefore we are encouraged never to lose heart. Don’t give up. Keep praying, for God will surely intervene. This is certainly one of the biggest challenges of our faith today. People are not just patient with God. We want to have everything right now as it is hot. That is why, patient, persistency and perseverance are very difficult virtues for most people today.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, oftentimes we are not patient with you in our prayers. Give us the grace to persevere and be persistent in our prayer life and in every other thing we do in life, especially in our relationship with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 15th November, 2024

Readings: 2 John 4-9, Ps.119, Luke:17:26-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ONE WILL BE TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT 

In this world we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. The streets are full of people struggling and bobbling; the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and chatting, and the Churches are full of people praying, singing and celebrating. Noise is everywhere; no one wants to be patient with the other, and no one wants to give way to the other. We are so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence that is, the salvation of our souls. 

Little wonder, Jesus who is speaking of the 'end times' in our Gospel passage today, wants his listeners to notice how life was going on normally in the days of Noah and Lot when flood and fire consumed them. The people were engaged in their everyday activities when the disaster struck. On that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left. No extraordinary warning, no premonition, no time to plan an escape. So, too, the Son of Man will come suddenly and unexpectedly. 

Our times certainly sound very much like Noah’s days, where everyone seems so busy and distracted, unable to concentrate on what is important. But Jesus is warning us today that the time for a decision can catch us unawares. He insists that with a real sense of urgency, we need to take our lives seriously. 

And St. John, in our first reading, tells us that many deceivers in the world make us too comfortable with the things of this passing world at the expense of heavenly things. Among them are those refusing to admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. They are the “Deceivers”; they are the Antichrist. Hence, we must watch our actions, or all our work will be lost and not get the reward it deserves. 

Dear friends, If we have not yet trusted Christ Jesus as our Saviour, we should do so now for tomorrow may be too late. If there are ugly behaviours and sins we are yet to give up, the time to do that is now. Jesus tells us that we will not have any warning signs of the coming day of judgment any more than the preaching of the Gospel. There will be no time to repent when that day comes. 

Therefore, if we believe and obey, if we acknowledge our sins and trust in the mercy of God, we have to do it right now, for the day of judgment draws very near. Let us not be unaware or apathetic about its coming. Let us not be too busy and comfortable with the things of this passing world. 

Know that the only way to be prepared is to live a good and holy life, a life that is based on love. For when we live this way, then the coming of the Son of Man will not be a disaster but a day of glory for our final salvation. Nonetheless, we should not be afraid to approach Jesus for mercy and restoration, all we need is an active faith. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have become so busy with the things of this passing world while neglecting to prepare our souls for your coming. As we listened to your words today, may we realize the need to prepare our souls for your coming more than any other thing in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Thursday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 14th November, 2024

 

Readings: Philemon 1:7-20, Ps.146, Luke:17:20-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HAVING THE RIGHT DISPOSITION TOWARDS THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Oftentimes, whenever we hear about the kingdom of God, two questions come to mind; the first question is when is it coming? And the second question is, what will it look like? This is not different from the Pharisees in our Gospel passage today who after hearing Jesus talking about the kingdom of God, asked him when the kingdom will come. This is because they presume that the kingdom of God is yet to come, and will be visible like an earthly kingdom.

But, Jesus replies that the kingdom is already present though invisible, for the kingdom of God is within us. The kingdom is essentially God's reign in the soul of humanity through his Son Jesus. For with the presence of Jesus, the kingdom of God is already here among us. And within our hearts, God’s reign has already begun. So through our union with Jesus, we already have a foretaste of eternal life.

However, Jesus said to his disciples, a time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes.

Here, Jesus encourages his disciples not to get worked up or even overly curious about the end times and the second coming of the Son of Man. Instead let us concentrate on the here and now, especially on our relationship with him as we ponder constantly on his teaching. Jesus also warns us not to be distracted by fake prophets and preachers who claim private revelations about the end of the world. Rather, we should focus on how to shape our lives to attain the demands of God’s kingdom.

Dear friends, we must learn to prepare ourselves for God’s kingdom not as something that will come in a far distant time but as something that is already here with us. And this should be seen in our attitudes and actions especially in our relationship with God and with one another. This is what St. Paul, in our first reading today, is teaching us when he said to Philemon: “I did not want to do anything without your consent; it would have been forcing your act of kindness, which should be spontaneous.

I know you have been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back forever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, as a blood-brother as well as a brother in the Lord.” These words of St. Paul describe how we ought to relate with one another as one people of God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we await your Kingdom, help us to be well prepared for it whenever it comes. Give us the grace to be faithful and dedicated servants, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a faithful day.

Homily For Wednesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 13th November 2024

 

Readings: Titus 3:1-7, Ps.23, Luke:17:11-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR FAVOURS RECEIVED

Many great events in the scriptures illustrate the compassionate concern of Jesus in the struggles of humanity and how he wishes to set us free from the shackles of all our troubles. But how often do we show gratitude for such great love?

 This is evident in the occasion of our Gospel passage today, where we heard the story of Jesus’ encounter with the ten lepers. Ten of them were cured, but only one, who was a foreigner among them, came back to thank Jesus. From this man’s gratitude, Jesus made a comment on human ingratitude when he asked “Was there no one to return and give thanks to God except this foreigner?”

 The problem is that we don’t always remember that the ultimate source of our graces and gifts is God. That is what makes the Samaritan leper special, and distinguishes him from the other nine. Unfortunately, God’s greatest gifts, our life and health, and our ability to think and achieve great things are often taken for granted. More so, the story of these lepers is a good example of how we sinners can and should appeal to Jesus for cleansing, especially from our sins. We should come in faith knowing that God is always willing to cleanse every sinner who comes to Him.

So, let us sincerely turn to God once again with all of our hearts and with all of our strength, just like the lepers who came to Jesus with faith, knowing that he could heal them and make them better. This is what all of us must have as well, a strong and genuine faith. Today may be our great opportunity to be restored, and what is needed is to put our faith into action and say, Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us.

Dear friends, I don’t know what type of leprocious problems you are passing through? Are you weighed down by sin or sickness? Are you feeling helpless and rejected? Or do I know people who are helpless and need some help? Do I feel the need for Jesus’s help in some part of my life? Let us pause for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at us. How does he see us? What are you saying to him, and what is he saying to you?

Jesus wishes to set us free from sickness, troubles, challenges and manipulations of the evil ones. He desires to be with us as we struggle every day to overcome the challenges in our families, society and the world at large. Therefore, we should not be afraid to approach Jesus for healing and restoration; all we need is an active faith and a heart of gratitude like the leper in our Gospel passage today.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you know our innermost being and the challenges we are struggling with, come to our aid. We pray and cleanse us from all our physical, emotional and spiritual leprosy as we thank you for all you have done for us, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Tuesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 12th November 2024. The Memorial of St. Josaphat

 

Readings: Titus 2:1-8.11-14, Ps.37, Luke:17:7-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS SEEK NO REWARD FROM THEIR MASTER

These days, the rate at which people seek rewards for what they have done and some even for what they have not done is quite disturbing. Today it is difficult for people to do things without looking for what they will gain from it. It takes courage to trust people even when they extend their hands of generosity to others because we often think that they have some interior motives behind the generosity. But this should not be our attitude as disciples of Christ.

Little wonder, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus, in the parable of a dutiful servant,t, corrects some of the wrong thinking and notions about being a disciple and teaches us what our true place and disposition should be. In the parable, Jesus compared our relationship with God to that of a master and his servant. Where the servant had a duty to serve his master well and to do what he had been told to do without seeking any compliments. Because the master has no obligation to congratulate or please the servant.

Therefore, this tells us that we are “unworthy servants” before our Worthy and righteous God, who loves us even in our unworthiness. So disciples should not seek reward for their good deeds. Our obedience to God is required by the very nature of who God is and not something to boast about or seek a reward for since our obedience to him is that of a son or daughter to a loving Father.

Dear friends, today we are reminded that in following Jesus, we should do all our good works in humility without any strange attachment. We should do what we can to help others we meet on our way for no reason other than to help for the seek of help. And St. Paul, in our first reading, tells us how every one of us ought to behave in the respective positions we found ourselves.

Therefore, as a faithful servant, all that is required is for us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly before God without seeking any reward for that is what we are called to do. Remember that everything that happens to us, whether prosperous or adverse, comes from God so that you neither become puffed up in prosperity nor discouraged in adversity. Thus, in anything you do avoid evil, do good, and seek peace.

These are things we can learn from St. Josaphat whose memorial we celebrate today. He was a monk who, through persistence and perseverance, rose to the position of leadership within the Church as an Archbishop. He fought for the unification of the Church despite the rising tensions and clashes between those who were supportive of the union and those who opposed it.

As the leader and shepherd of his flock, he struggled to resolve the tensions and differences. However, these tensions and violence eventually led to his martyrdom. He dedicated himself fully to ensuring that he leads and steers the faithful to the right path through his personal holiness and exemplary lifestyle. He is known for constantly mortifying his flesh and resisting the temptations to sin.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, teach us how to be a humble and faithful servant, even when it is difficult. Through the intercession of St Josaphat, grant us the grace to be faithful and humble servants at any level we find ourselves without seeking rewards. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a faithful day.

Homily For Monday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 11th, November 2024. The Memorial of St. Martin of Tours

Readings: Titus 1:1-9; Ps.24; Luke 17:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY WE MUST FORGIVE AND CORRECT ONE ANOTHER IN FRATERNAL CHARITY 

The fragile nature of the human person has made it clear that we are not perfect, as we are likely to offend one another in any relationship we find ourselves. As a result of this, there is a need for us to learn how to accommodate one another’s imperfections. But one of the major challenges we face in most relationships today is the ability to properly accommodate and correct one another especially when one is straying from the norms set up for the good of the relationship.

This is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, for he gave us the practical steps we need to follow in order to correct and reconcile with one another to build a stronger relationship when he said, be on your guard for when your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, “I am sorry,” you must forgive him.’

Here, Jesus calls us to forgive and apply fraternal correction in any relationship we find ourselves in, for we are responsible for one another’s welfare, and these steps and stages give room for reconciliation and accommodation. So, fraternal correction must always be inspired by real charity which is one of the spiritual works of mercy. However, this is never an easy task, especially when one has to bear the sacrifice of forgiveness because forgiving a very grievous offence is one of the most difficult things to do.

However, forgiving a grievous offence is like recovering a lost treasure that contains: joy, peace, freedom, a healthy mind and healing. But how often do we seek to recover this lost treasure in our lives caused by unforgivingness? Hence, Jesus today calls us to persistently seek reconciliation until we gain our brothers and sisters back whenever they have offended and separated from us. 

But if they refused to be reconciled we should pray for their conversion. For in all our proceedings, we should seek direction in prayer, knowing that God manifests his mercy when he transforms people and leads them to conversion, as he changes us and turns us from selfish and rebellious individuals into truly loving people. For we are meant to watch over our neighbours. We must cultivate a good character and show good examples at any stage and level we find ourselves.

Little wonder St. Paul addressing the issues of leadership said to Titus in our first reading today: I told you: that a leader must be a man of irreproachable character; he must not have been married more than once, and his children must be believers and not uncontrollable or liable to be charged with disorderly conduct. 

Since, as president, he will be God’s representative, he must be irreproachable: never an arrogant or hot-tempered man, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor out to make money; but a man who is hospitable and a friend of all that is good; sensible, moral, devout and self-controlled; and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition. 

Dear friends, it is our duty, obligation and responsibility to ensure in a fraternal charity that our fellow brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours, colleagues and collaborators are forgiven, corrected and guided whenever they go astray. Every one of us has the responsibility to strengthen our relationship and be a good example for one another as we work the path towards our salvation.  

Therefore, mutual love and fraternal charity are the only ways and processes of fulfilling this obligation. Let us then be inspired by St. Martin of Tours, whose memorial we celebrate today; his life was truly exemplary to us before God. He was a champion of the true faith amidst several challenges and heresies that were rampant in his time. He protected his flock from the false teachings and helped to guide them down the right path, leading by example through his own virtuous life.

  

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are rebellious and proud people, we lack the courage and disposition to correct and accept corrections. Through the intercession of St. Martin of Tours, give us the grace and courage to correct one another in fraternal charity as we also learn to accept corrections when corrected. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed week