Homily For Wednesday in Holy Week Year A, 1st April, 2026. HAPPY NEW MONTH

 

Readings: Is.50:4-9; Ps 69; Matt. 26:14-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE A TRAITOR?

What is the price of a traitor, what are the motives of a traitor? What are the consequences and repercussions of a traitorous act and why do people choose to be traitors? The answer to these questions can be found in the life of Judas.

In the Gospel passage today, Judas went to the chief priests to make a deal for handing Jesus over to them for 30 pieces of silver, a poor amount of wages paid to the shepherd. This was the amount Judas betrayed his master, an amount that he, too, would throw back to the priests after realising what evil he had done.

This act of betrayal, as predicted by Jesus before his disciples, is in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah in our first reading about the suffering Servant of God, to whom the Lord had chosen to bear the punishments and sufferings due to our sins, that he might suffer them all instead of us.

Yet, he would neither protest nor grumble against this, as it was by his own desire and will that he had taken up his Cross and suffered for our sake. ‘But alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’

Dear friends, 30 pieces of silver were the wages of Judas for his traitorous act. But Judas is not alone in this ugly and traitorous attitude. We can imagine what people are doing for money in our country and in the world today. Perhaps we too, have betrayed and handed Jesus and our friends and neighbours over more than once. We have often broken bread with Jesus, but later betrayed him for money, out of over ambition, greed, anger, hatred, revenge, or even become violent because of our own personal selfish gain.

There is no doubt that the devil tempted Judas just as he had tempted us in various ways, and we have fallen just as Judas had fallen. For when we sin, no matter how grievous or small, we are still betraying the Lord. So, we must stop being traitors and also learn to make restitution for our traitorous actions.

Therefore, let us watch it carefully during this Holy Season and indeed always not to be involved in any traitorous act against God or anyone at all. If we are already involved in any, this is a period to reconcile with them and so come back to the Lord with tears of repentance and resolve not to go back to such evil acts again as we apologise and make restitutions. And in case anyone who had betrayed us should come back and ask for mercy, we must find a place in our hearts to forgive, just the way Jesus has given us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we enter into the great mystery of Easter Triduum beginning tomorrow, give us grace to journey with you in holiness, may you also forgive us for often being a traitor against you, your Church, our families, friends and our societies at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a grace-filled month.

Homily For Tuesday in Holy Week Year A, 31st March, 2026

 

Readings: Is.49:1-6; Ps.71; John 13:21-33.36-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET US STOP BETRAYING AND DENYING THE LORD

Today, being the third day of Holy Week, the readings are selected to help us focus our attention on the upcoming celebrations of the Easter Triduum, when we are going to enter into the most sacred moments in the history of our salvation.

In our first reading, we heard of the suffering servant of God, the light of the nations who shall come forth as the Saviour sent by God. He will therefore bring hope to the people of God who are suffering and oppressed. An event which played out in the life of Jesus. Denying

Consequently, the Gospel passage today presents the moment when Jesus the Saviour, sent by God, was troubled in spirit on account of the passion he had to pass through as a result of the ugly attitudes of humanity as played out in the lives of his very disciples. Hence he declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’

Here, Jesus is talking about the betrayal of Judas and the announcement of Peter’s denial as well. These two events place before us the terrible action of his two disciples which will lead to his arrest and condemnation. With this pronouncement, Judas became aware that Jesus knew about his plans. But this does not change his mind and decision to betray him. So from that moment Satan entered him, and he separated himself and left the presence of Jesus and his disciples.

The fact remains that, our attitudes and selfishness sometimes are like that of Judas. Our sins against God and our neighbours are betrayals of the commitments and promises we made to either God or our neighbours. This is why we must be careful in order not to end up falling into temptation like Judas who fell into this temptation because of money and personal benefit, ending up committing a great sin against his very master and friends.

Dear friends, why are we still betraying and denying the Lord? How often have we betrayed and denied the Lord? For today, we heard how the ugly attitude of the human person, in the form of betrayal and denial, led to the capture and torture of Jesus. Today it is Judas, at the house of Caiaphas and at the courtyard in the house of the high priest, it will be Peter’s turn, while every day and everywhere we do the same to Jesus and our neighbours, if not worse.

But, unlike Judas, who plotted his betrayal for a price. Peter's denial of Jesus comes from his weakness and lack of courage to withstand evil. Oftentimes, in different places and circumstances, it will be our turn to either be betrayed, denied or betray or deny other people. Whatever the case, we must know that it is not simply Jesus and his love that we have betrayed, we have actually betrayed ourselves.

Therefore, this Holy Week we must have an examination of conscience on how often we have betrayed Jesus and our neighbours. All our promises and resolutions, all our resolves not to sin, lie, fight, gossip, cheat, fornicate or commit adultery and abortion. All our resolves to be merciful, forgiving, reconciling with people we have offended and those who have offended us. Are we keeping and observing these resolutions and promises as we ought to?

Today, we must learn to reconcile with God and those we have betrayed in any way, as we resolve by God’s grace never to engage in such an ugly attitude. This we do by allowing our Christian faith and virtues to shine brightly in the midst of all the darkness of betrayal and denial as we look up to Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, especially in these dark and difficult moments in our world where people do all sorts of evil things to one another.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, give us the grace and courage this Holy Season not to deny or betray you or our neighbour, for without your grace there is no sin we may not commit against You or our neighbour today. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday in Holy Week Year A, 30th March, 2026

 

Readings: Is.42:1-7; Ps.27; John 12:1-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING TO GOD IN APPRECIATION FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR US?

Six days to the passion and crucifixion of Jesus, we are called to embark on a spiritual journey of faith, passion and hope with Jesus. Little wonder, the first reading today, talks about the Saviour whom God sent into the world to bring forth justice and peace, and to reconcile the world with himself.

Reminding us again that God has sent us a redeemer in the person of Christ, his Son and servant, who reveals God’s desire to save his people, by his readiness to take up the Cross and suffer for our sake.

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we have the story of how Mary, in appreciation, anointed the feet of Jesus just before he commenced his Passion. This happened as Lazarus and his sisters gave a dinner to Jesus, perhaps in thanksgiving.

Martha did the serving. Mary honoured Jesus by anointing his feet with a precious ointment. This is because, when Mary saw her brother sitting at the same table with Jesus who turned her mourning into joy, could any gift be too great or precious to express her gratitude? No!

The generosity of Mary in the eyes of Judas, appeared wasteful. But Mary knew that Jesus was worthy of her honour and service, even when it cost so much. Here, Judas sees waste, but Jesus sees love.

She pours her love on the feet of the one who will pour himself out on the whole world for the salvation of all humanity. Mary made a dramatic gesture of love which anticipates the love of Jesus on the Cross. But what are we offering to Jesus in appreciation for all he has done for us?

Dear friends, let us ask ourselves today if we have any kind of Mary's spirit in our hearts, the spirit that prompts us to show love and gratitude to our Lord and Saviour and to one another? This holy week, can anything be too precious so as to distract us from spending quality time with the Lord in thanksgivings for his love and mercy in our lives?

Therefore, let us endeavour to utilise this golden opportunity to experience the Lord personally in our lives, as we resolve this day to live our lives faithfully, to be more humble, open and willing to listen to God.

Let us struggle to get rid of all pride, ego, over ambition, selfishness and greed in our hearts, for all these desires lead us to fall into temptation to sin and so distract us from reaching our goal of journeying with the Lord in his passion, death and resurrection at Easter.

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, nothing was too great in Mary's heart to offer you, may nothing distract us from expressing our love and gratitude to you as we journey with you this period of your passion and crucifixion for the salvation of humanity, you who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

HOMILY FOR PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION YEAR A, 29Th MARCH, 2026

Readings: Is. 50:4-7; Ps. 22; Phil 2:6-11; Matt. 26:14-27:66

Rev Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

COME LET US JOURNEY WITH THE LORD IN HIS TRIUMPHANT VICTORY OVER SIN

Today, being Palm Sunday, a very special Sunday that ushers us into the holy week, the week we have to come closer to God as we have never before. This begins with a triumphant journey which Jesus invites us to make. A triumphant journey that reflects an image of something deeper, something that portrays that together with Jesus, we are setting out on a pilgrimage along the high road that leads to the victory of life over death, joy over sorrows, peace over chaos, love over wickedness and victory over failure.

Thus, in our Gospel reading today, we have a comprehensive account of the Lord’s passion from the time of his triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, as well as from the time when he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, arrested, put on trial, handed over to the Romans, condemned to death and was crucified as a criminal.

These represent a very distinct extreme between the glory and triumphant nature of the entrance procession of Jesus into Jerusalem and the humiliating and painful nature of his crucifixion at Calvary. Thereby, reminding us that we are on pilgrimage with the Lord, the king of peace, who calls us to strive for purity of hearts and clean hands, calling us to embrace the truth we found in him. So, we journey with Jesus our triumphant King.

We must know that there are three things about the kingship of Jesus. First, he is the king of the poor: though rich he humbled himself and became poor. He emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high as we heard in our second reading and prophesied in our first reading today.

So, the poverty of Jesus comes from the inner freedom, from a pure heart that is above the greed for possession and power. The inner freedom that overcomes the corruption and greediness in the hearts of men and women of our world today. Secondly, the kingship of Jesus will be that of peace. He will do away with wars, crises, hatred, corruption, and greediness to proclaim peace on earth.

Thirdly, his kingship will be universal. His kingdom will extend peace from sea to sea and those seeking the face of God will truly find peace. Therefore, let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not this earthly one that is passing away. Let us enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far we have separated ourselves from God.

Dear friends, we are called today and this week to make a triumphant journey with the Lord as we begin the Holy Week. So, we are not to miss out on the spiritual aspect of this Holy season. Therefore, let us all spend more time with God in prayer, deepening our devotion through works of charity and through reading the Scriptures, and develop a personal relationship with God.

In fact, let today’s celebration be a reminder for us, of the spiritual and social values that Palm Sunday really represents, so that, despite all the darkness and uncertainties, all the despairs and terrible things happening around us and in our societies today, we may still have that very one hope and one faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Saviour just like early Christians who used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the human soul.

Thus, let us enter into the Holy Week with an open heart and mind, by letting the Lord enter spiritually into our hearts and into our beings as gloriously and joyously as the people of Jerusalem had welcomed him with branches of palms and with great rejoicing and reverence. Let us spread before his feet, not our garments or soulless palm branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, but rather let us offer ourselves, clothed in his grace. So, we who have been baptised into Christ should ourselves be the garments that we spread before him.

And not just the physical branches of palms, garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither. Rather, with a pure soul, clothed in God's grace, love, mercy and holiness. Therefore, let our souls take the place of the palm branches as we break the Eucharistic bread and embrace the Lord Jesus in his journey towards our salvation, and by so doing experience the presence of God personally and collectively in our lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we proclaim the kingship of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, let us embrace your kingship with all our hearts and so journey with him this period of holy week, desiring to be righteous and holy as we embrace your mercy and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a spirit-filled Palm Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 28th March, 2026

 

Readings: Ezek. 37:21-28; Ps. Jer.31; John 11:45-57

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHEN GOD IS WITH YOU, ALL THE PLANS OF YOUR ENEMIES WILL LEAD YOU TO VICTORY

Oftentimes, we do things without knowing or understanding the full meaning of what we are doing. Because sometimes we feel or think that we can change God’s plan by frustrating the effects of others, but later discover that we are unknowingly fulfilling the plan of God for them.

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Jewish authorities were filled with rage on account of the news of the resurrection of Lazarus which increased the popularity of Jesus. So they convoked a council to discern how to get rid of him.

For them, this man works many signs and people are now believing in him. If we let him go on this way, everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and suppress the Holy Place and their nation. They were jealous and afraid not just of the Romans but also of the possibility of losing the temple and even their privileged position as leaders.

Thus, Caiaphas, being the high priest, decided that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation should perish. Though being the high priest, he did not just speak, but unknowingly, was prophesying that Jesus had to die to save humanity from sin and death.

Dear friends, have you ever planned the downfall of someone, and your plans turned out to be a stepping stone for their victory? This happens because our actions and attitudes are often like those of the Jewish authorities.

For we condemn people out of jealousy and unnecessary fear we feel because of what God is doing through them. Sometimes, we feel threatened and intimidated by people’s good deeds and blessings, because we don’t see the need to appreciate them or see the hands of God in what they are doing.

This is very bad and should not be seen among us. The truth is that, God has a plan for everyone. God’s plan for Jesus is to save humanity, which he had promised through the prophet Ezekiel as we heard him in our first reading today saying: “I shall rescue them from all the betrayals they have been guilty of; I shall cleanse them; they shall be my people and I will be their God”.

This, no doubt, is what this season of Lent is all about, calling us to prepare ourselves well to celebrate the upcoming mysteries of the Holy Week, by embracing it with openness to God’s mercy and a renewed faith and obedience to God’s will. Let us all spend some time reflecting on how we can enter into the most sacred time of this season, so that we may truly have a personal experience of God’s presence, so as to grow more spiritually and be ever closer to God our Father.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you promised to guard us as a shepherd guards his flock, to turn our mourning into joy and to give gladness for grief. May this Holy Season of Lent remind us again of your loving mercy for humanity, especially in the ugly situations of sickness, poverty, greed, corruption and sins that are ravaging our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a grace-filled weekend.

Homily For Friday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 27th March, 2026

 

Readings: Jer.20:10-13; Ps.18; John 10:31-42

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND THE PERSONALITY OF JESUS? 

Coming very close to the peak of our Lenten season, when we recall the great price Jesus paid for our redemption. The Gospel passage today, reminds us of the trouble Jesus has to bear from the Jewish authorities on account of his personality just like prophet Jeremiah was also persecuted terribly and suffered in the hands of those who used to be his friends as we have it in our first reading today, where we heard of his lamentations and words for all those who have persecuted and plotted against him. 

Similarly, Jesus was misunderstood and persecuted by the people who should have understood him better. This is because they have a wrong conception of God. Hence, Jesus challenged them to accept his personality as the Son of God who reveals the love of the Father and gives eternal life. 

But because of the unclear image of God they have in their minds they could not accept the teachings of Jesus in relation to God the Father. Thus, they tried to stone him; this, of course, is the danger of having a wrong conception about God.

Dear friends, most people have a wrong conception about God and behave the same way as those in our readings today, where in the name of God, some people are ready to kill others. In fact, throughout history, Jews, Christians and Muslims have fought in the name of God. 

Today the same thing is still happening in our societies and countries. These ugly attitudes will continue to happen because we do not have the right image of the God whom we claim to be serving. 

The Jews condemned Jesus because of the particular image they had of God, which prevented them from accepting the teachings of Jesus, and since they were also deeply biased and had a prejudice against Jesus, it was difficult for any words of truth or reason to change their minds. So, they persecuted the Lord just as their ancestors had persecuted Jeremiah and the other prophets. 

Similarly, through our disobedience, pride and ignorance, we may have behaved or are behaving just like those in our readings today, who have persecuted the prophets and also refused to listen to the truth which Jesus has told us as regards his personality. But brethren, what image of God do we have in our minds? Is it the image of a God who is Pure, Loving and Merciful? Or an image of one who dominates others and condemns them?

LET US PRAY: Lord God, may this season of Lent guide us to have a true image of you in our minds and may this image reflect in our relationship with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 26th March, 2026

 

Readings: Gen. 17:3-9; Ps.: 105; John:8:51-59

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DON’T BE IGNORANT OF THE DIVINE IDENTITY OF JESUS

A critical reflection of the scriptures, it is obvious that Jewish authorities find it very difficult to believe in the teachings of Jesus. Still, ordinary people who experienced his miracles and teachings accepted them as coming from God.

Hence, in our Gospel passage, the Jews continue to challenge the identity and personality of Jesus. They could not understand his words and actions. So, they continue to misinterpret the real meaning of what he says because they took it literally.

Here, Jesus made a very strange claim on his identity, and insists he would be lying if he were to say he does not know the Father, to emphasise this, Jesus said: " Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am. This brought more argument with the people who wished to stone him. But, John in this gospel goes to great lengths to help us believe that Jesus not only came from God, but is God.

This shows us the difference between the way Jesus chooses to reveal himself and the way the Jewish authorities perceived him. Jesus wants us to develop a divine way of looking at things with deeper meaning, especially as he brings things to life, just as we heard in our first reading how the promise made to Abraham looks impossible when looked at literally, but divinely came through and was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, having heard the teachings and works of Jesus in the scriptures and traditions of the Church and in our daily lives, the question remains: what is your personal disposition and understanding of the personality and identity of Jesus? Who is Jesus to you?

Do not be ignorant of the Divine identity of Jesus. As we can see, the Jewish authorities do not believe in Jesus, because they could not understand the divine life of Jesus, and they could not understand his relationship with God the Father.

Because they failed to understand that the Father gives glory to Jesus, since it is His divinity that he manifests and by so doing glorifies the Father. We are called today to develop a divine way of understanding the mysteries of God but not rejecting them because we do not understand them. Thus, during this season of Lent, let us turn towards God once again with all our hearts and devote our whole lives to seeking to know Him more.

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, as we meditate on your passion this season of Lent, may we experience the power of your presence to embrace more deeply your sacred mysteries. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Wednesday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 25th March, 2026

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Readings: Is. 7:10-14.8:10; Ps.40; Heb.10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

REJOICE MOST HIGHLY FAVOURED ONE, THE LORD IS WITH YOU

Today 25th of March, the Holy mother Church celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, an event that marks exactly nine months before the birth of Jesus at Christmas, recalling the very moment when our Lord and Saviour was conceived in the womb of Mary, as she responded to the revelation of God’s Good News through the Archangel Gabriel saying: I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word. With this response, the Word became flesh and dwells among us through a humble Virgin, thereby revealing the arrival of the long-awaited Saviour into the world as we have it in our Gospel passage today.

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

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

Dear friends, this Holy season of Lent has been filled with a lot of uncertainty, sorrow and grief, challenges and trials, obstacles, difficulties and suffering all over the world. But we are consoled in today’s Solemnity of the Annunciation of our Lord and Saviour with the words of the angel, telling us to rejoice, most highly favoured, for the Lord has special plans for us, if only we can say like Mary: “let it be done to me according to your will”. 

Thus, we are called to draw strength, faith and courage from Mary in her total submission to God’s will, knowing that despite all the darkness, sorrow and uncertainties in our families, societies, country and the world, God will not abandon his people. So let us learn to accept and submit to God's will like Mary, because his promise for salvation is a reality that we will surely experience. 

Therefore, let us entrust ourselves in humility to God just as Mary had done. Let us ask for his mercy and forgiveness as we also forgive one another. It is not the time to judge people or lose faith. Rather, it is time to pray for each other as we grow stronger in faith and in our love and devotion to God. knowing that he is closer to us in these turbulent times, for he does not fail in his promises.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, this occasion of the annunciation reminds us of your promises and plans to redeem humanity. As we listen to your words today, may we respond positively to your requests and so be filled with the joy of your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a safe and peaceful day.

Homily For Tuesday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 24th March, 2026

 

Readings: Num.21:4-9; Ps. 102; John:8:21-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT DOES THE CROSS OF CHRIST REPRESENT IN OUR LIVES?

The symbol of the cross has become the universal image of Christian belief, an instrument of salvation which often appears in Christian artworks. This is because countless generations of artists have turned it into a thing of beauty to be carried in procession or worn as jewellery and used in other religious activities.

But the cross in the eyes of early Christians had no beauty; it was a sign of sorrow, a symbol of courage, an expression of faith which stood outside the city walls, decorated only with decaying human bodies, as a threat to anyone who believed in Jesus. However, this ugly event has turned into a glorious act. This shows the power of God over humanity. Telling us that God is the source of victory, He has the power to turn an ugly situation into a glorious one.

This is evident in our first reading today, where we heard of the rebellion of Israel against God, their lack of gratitude and appreciation for all that God had done for them. The people had repeatedly grumbled and disobeyed the Lord, spurning his love and committing all sorts of sins and betraying God for pagan idols.

At this God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. Then, they cried to Moses, confessing that they had sinned against God. So Moses interceded and made a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. So, if anyone is bitten and looks at it, they will live.

That's why in our Gospel today, Jesus is reminding us yet again how sin leads to death, and how he himself is going to die as he has repeatedly mentioned to the disciples of his upcoming passion and death. He mentioned how he would suffer and die and be lifted up on the Cross for the salvation of humanity, pointing out the true reality of what had happened with Moses and the Israelites.

The truth is that God reveals his love, his greatest glory, when his Son was lifted up on the cross, for there the victory of our salvation was achieved, and at the Cross, Jesus tells us everything and solves all our difficult problems.

Dear friends, as we struggle with the ugly situations in our lives, societies and our country caused by sin and human frailty, let us deeply look at the Cross of Christ, what do we see? How do we feel about the Cross? What does the Cross represent in our lives? Do we feel the love of Jesus? Can we perceive the high price of our salvation? Have we realised that the Cross of Christ is a symbol of love and victory?

As we reflect on these, let us return to God, for it is time to let go of our sinful ways of life. But what is keeping us from returning to God? Today we are called not to die in our sins, rather, we should look up to the Cross of Christ and find the strength, love and mercy of God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, your Son paid the price of our salvation on the cross and saved us from sin and death. As we resolve to embrace his mercy, may he change all the ugly situations in the world, countries, societies and our families. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It's a beautiful day, so cheer up, because God cares about you personally.

Homily For Monday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 23rd March, 2026

 

Readings: Dan. 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, Ps. 23, John:8:1-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

‘WOMAN, WHERE ARE THEY? HAS NO ONE CONDEMNED YOU?

One of the things that separates us from God and one another is sin. It is that which is opposed to God. Sin, no doubt, has left an ugly legacy on human history. This is evident in our readings today. In the first reading, we heard the popular story of Susanna, an innocent and faithful woman, who was blackmailed by two respected elders who lusted over her and wanted to commit sin with her. 

Susanna stood her ground and refused to submit to those men’s desires, and she almost lost her life to false accusation as the two elders abused their authority to falsely accuse Susanna of adultery and promiscuity, while it was their own sins that led them to condemn her. 

But through God’s Spirit and Wisdom Daniel rose up and defended Susanna, forcing the two elders to reopen the investigation when they had almost succeeded in silencing her by condemning her to death. At this point, Daniel trapped the two elders in their own words and false testimonies, and they were convicted by their own words. 

Also, a similar situation occurred in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Pharisees led a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, condemning her to death by stoning in accordance with the Jewish customs and laws, and they attempted to use her as a test for Jesus, hoping that through his response they would trap him. 

This is because they know that if Jesus had condemned the woman, then the people could have said that Jesus was following the example of the Pharisee and therefore discredit his teaching authority. And if Jesus said that the woman should be set free, the Pharisees then could condemn Jesus for siding with a sinner. 

Here again, the wisdom and mercy of God vindicated the woman when Jesus asked those who had no sin to cast the first stone at the woman. This is a perfectly wise set of words to say on that occasion, as it is a reality that everyone has sinned before, and the longer one has lived, the more sins naturally he or she has committed. 

So they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more'. 

Dear friends, here we experience the consequences of false accusation and God's merciful intervention. Such is the love and mercy of God for each one of us. This shows the fact that God loves us all, and his love for us is even greater than the hatred he has for our sins. And for all those who have faith in him and put their trust in him, God will provide for them and protect them, just as he did for Susanna and this adulterous woman. 

So, God wants us all to repent and be cleansed from our sins, our wickedness, immorality, corruption and selfishness. He is repeating the same words he told the adulterous woman, that she had been forgiven and yet, she must not sin again. Telling us that sin is something that we must struggle to overcome daily, knowing that God is ever-loving and merciful towards us, but we must not take his love and mercy for granted and continue to live in the state of sin.

Therefore, as we approach the Holy week, Jesus uses these examples to explain to us how God searches for us when we are lost in sin and his joy when our friendship with him is restored. His searching for us cost him his life. This can help us realise how precious we are to him. He never gives up on anyone. 

So, are we lost in sin? Have we given up in our struggle against sin? Do you think that your sins are so great that God cannot forgive you? Do you feel lost now? Are you condemned or falsely accused? Are you accusing someone falsely? Are you setting someone up by using the sinful weakness of others? 

 It's time to repent, for Jesus is waiting for us to come back to him. When was the last time you sincerely felt sorry for your habitual sins?  I just want you to know that God loves you and his mercy will not let you be condemned by sin for you are too precious to be lost in sin.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you never stopped saving those who come to you for mercy, especially when we have separated ourselves from you because of sin. As we embrace your words today. May we experience your mercy once again in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.

HOMILY FOR FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A, 22ND MARCH, 2026

 

Readings: Ez. 37:12-14; Ps. 130; Rom. 8:8-11; John 11:1-45

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY OF DEATH AND RESURRECTION

As human beings, there is constant fear of what becomes of us when we die. Where are we going when we die? Is death the end of life? Is there another life after death? These questions become more interesting, especially at this time when the whole world is facing the terrible crisis of war, natural disasters, insecurity and people are dying in their thousands, with many more people now suffering from diseases and preventable sickness. We can see how the whole world is gripped with fear of death. 

Little wonder, most people have all kinds of questions and reservations about terminologies such as ‘death, resurrection, heaven and hell', they often wonder what it will be like. I find the answer to these questions in today’s Gospel reading, where Jesus showed us the power of life over death, in bringing back to life a man who was dead and was buried for four days, witnessed by many people who happened to be there. The story of the resurrection of Lazarus was a great proof for all those who witnessed it, showing the power and authority of Jesus over life and death. This is something that no one could believe. 

In this Gospel, we heard how Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus. This reveals Jesus' compassion towards the weak and sinful nature of humanity. Telling us how this compassionate love of Jesus, which springs from the love of God the Father, is linked to his historical and physical solidarity with human suffering, and constitutes the basis of the church’s liberating activity. 

Hence, this passage of the resurrection of the dead Lazarus is presented to us this fifth Sunday of the Holy Season of Lent to prepare us for the celebration of the Lord’s own Resurrection at Easter. The event which shows the triumph of life over death and good over evil.

Thus, when in the Gospel according to Luke 20:27-38, Jesus was asked a very specific question about resurrection and heaven by the Sadducees, who do not believe in an afterlife at all. Jesus in response, distinguishes between “children of this world” and “children of the resurrection”. 

For him, the children of this world focus their attention on achievements. Taking wives and husbands, building mansions and acquiring wealth. They get involved in projects in such a way that they are ready to kill. They sacrifice important values to attain high positions for themselves and their families; they scheme and connive together to prove themselves better than others. 

This is not far from what we are experiencing in our country today, where people are acting in a very selfish and irrational manner in the different political offices, in public sectors, in banks, markets and shops, hoarding money and increasing the price of many essential goods and services, thereby denying many of those who need the goods the opportunity to get something especially the poor as many have hoard things in there houses and offices and we are all suffering.

The root of this is that many of us are so afraid of facing death that we end up acting in self-preservation and selfishness, even causing trouble to others while doing so. This shows that we have no faith in God anymore, which is why we end up doing all these ugly things out of fear of death. Hence, we must know that fear is the method by which the devil is trying very hard to prevent us from turning to God. 

The truth remains that the more we fear death, the more, in fact, we draw closer to it, because we have little or no faith in God. We have forgotten that life or death is in the hands of God alone, and none of us has the power to extend our lives for even a single second.

On the other hand, the children of the resurrection are those who are judged worthy of a place in heaven. They have no fear of death because the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in them, and he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to their own mortal bodies through the Spirit of Christ living in them. 

They are men and women of our time who give themselves to noble causes. They give themselves to the service of others: they are those who see to the good of others. Those parents who teach their children the ways of the Lord by their practical way of life help those who are victims of the challenging events of our time. 

They are friends who speak the truth and stand by it. They are political leaders who renounce power rather than compromise principles. They are public officials, including police officers, businessmen and women who stand for what is right and just in society. 

They often do not see tangible results, and their sacrifices may seem useless. But they maintain their dignity, their sense of self-worth, their sense of righteousness, they “cannot die”. They are sons and daughters of God who have conquered death. So, like Jesus they teach us to understand what it means to be the same as the angels, what it means to remain faithful to our belief, what it means to have faith and hope in God, what it means to say that this world is not my home. 

Dear friends, as we move towards the holy week, the readings invite us to journey with the Lord in his passion so as to share in his resurrection. For we heard the Lord in our first reading saying: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves and put my spirit in you, and you will live, and be resettled in your own soil. 

And St. Paul in our second reading said: if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you. Therefore, we do not have to be afraid of death, for God has conquered death through the grace of resurrection. But do you believe in resurrection?

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are often afraid of death. Help us to realise that you have conquered death and have given us the grace of resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday to you.

Homily For Saturday Fourth Week of Lent Year A, 21st March, 2026

Readings: Jer. 11:18-20, Ps. 7, John:7:40-53

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF PROMOTING EVIL AND WICKEDNESS OVER  GOODWILL 

Reflecting on the ugly situation in our families, societies and the world at large, one may ask why there is so much war, wickedness and hatred around us, and we all seem to be keeping quiet about it. Now, we all have to face the reality before us, both small and great, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, young and old, good and bad, holy and sinful. 

It’s time for us to seek the truth, it’s time to return to our roots, it’s time to turn away from evil and pay attention to the signs of the moment just like the prophet Jeremiah who delivered a message of warnings from the Lord, for the coming destruction for both Judah and Jerusalem. 

For this, he faced lots of difficulties and persecutions from those who hated and disliked him, especially those who, out of pride, were irritated by the constant words of doom that the prophet delivered to them, as we have it in our first reading today. But as the people of the kingdom of Judah continued to live in sin and refused to change their ways, they were doomed to captivity. This is the consequence of promoting evil and wickedness over goodwill. 

In the same way in the Gospel passage, we heard the same plotting and rejection of the person and message of Jesus by the Pharisees and the members of the Sanhedrin. They refused to believe in the message of Jesus and to accept the fact that Jesus is the Messiah just because they perceived that what Jesus had done was contrary to their way of life and the way they enforced their piety and faith. Hence, out of pride, they wished to persecute and condemn him to death. 

Dear friends, we are called to pay attention to the message and signs that God is offering to humanity about the reality of his coming. Telling us that the world as we see it, looking so beautiful, is passing away, and no one knows how or when it will happen. Therefore, we must not let pride lead us to stubbornness and faithlessness so as not to end up acting like the Pharisees, who, in their stubbornness, refused to listen to Jesus. This will likely lead us down the path of sin, and those sins will lead us into damnation unless we repent of them. 

Thus, during this Holy Season of Lent, as we pass through the turbulent moments in our daily lives, we are encouraged to be more humble and willing to open ourselves to accept God’s message of truth, to open our ears, our eyes and deepen our senses to feel and know what God wants us to do with our lives. Let us realise the brevity of our mortal lives and acknowledge how unworthy and corrupt we have become due to our sins. Let us come back to God as our shield, for he alone can deliver and save us from all our troubles and predicaments. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we have often failed to remain faithful to your words; as we listen to you today, may the difficulties of our daily struggles deepen our faith and make us more humble and submissive to your will to experience once again your love and comforting grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a safe and peaceful weekend.

Homily For Friday in Fourth Week of Lent Year A, 20th March, 2026

 

Readings: Wis. 2:1.12-22; Ps. 34; John 7:1-2.10.25-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DON’T GIVE UP EVEN IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS FOR GOD WILL SOON INTERVENE

There is no doubt that our societies today are full of evil and wickedness against one another especially with the effect of war, terrorism and killings we see and hear everyday. So, everyday we struggle against the malice of the evil ones, and people are doing everything they can to survive and overcome them.

This is evident in our readings today. In the first reading, we heard how unsound some people can be in their thinking. This no doubt reveals the thoughts of the wicked people who rejected the message of God’s truth and persecuted the prophets saying, “let us lie in wait for the virtuous man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our breaches of the law and accuses us of playing false to our upbringing. He claims to have knowledge of God, and calls himself the son of God”. Such are the ways of the evil ones.

In a similar way in our Gospel we heard of the opposition against Jesus and the efforts his enemies made to try to harm him. This happened in fulfillment of the prophecy about the suffering Servant of God. It is at this point that Jesus made one of the most revealing statement at the Temple before everyone who gathered at the temple, not long before the beginning of his Passion.

He stood firmly against all those who had doubted, rejected and persecuted him, showing how those who refused to believe in him and his truth were blinded by their pride and arrogance, their unwillingness to listen, and their lack of knowledge and faith in him.

Dear friends, as we draw closer to the season of Holy Week, the readings begin to speak about the coming of the Lord’s Passion, the suffering servant of God. For out of pride and selfishness the Pharisees turned against the Lord Jesus. Their malice and worldly concerns and also their ugly desires truncated their faith and obedience to God. In the same way the root of all these evil in our world today is none other than pride, selfishness, arrogance and over ambition in our hearts.

Therefore, as we struggle against the evil of our time we can take consolation from today’s Psalm which tells us that the Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. For many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him, for the Lord ransoms the souls of his servants and those who hide in him shall not be condemned. This is a reminder that God will not forget his faithful ones, but those who have acted with injustice and evil, will have to answer for their misdeeds, unless they repent from their sins.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our country and the world at large, give us grace not to give up, may we remain faithful in all trials and temptations. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Thursday Fourth Week of Lent Year A, 19th March, 2026

The Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary

Readings: 2 Sam. 7:4-5.12-14.16, Ps. 89, Rom. 4:13.16-18.22, Matt. 1:16.18-21.24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO HANDLE YOUR CHALLENGES OF LIFE LIKE ST. JOSEPH

Today, we celebrate the solemnity of St Joseph Husband of Mary a man of great virtues. Thus, the liturgy presents to us the events preceding the birth of Jesus and invites us to contemplate in a special way the roles St Joseph in the life of Jesus and Mary.

In the Gospel, Mary was presented as a virgin betrothed to Joseph. That means, they were not yet living together, because they were not yet married. Meanwhile, Mary, after the annunciation, came to be with a child by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Joseph realized this, he was heartbroken. What will he do? How is he going to handle this? The Gospel tells us that Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put Mary to shame, resolved to send her away quietly.

Joseph seeks to do his will quietly before the angel spoke to him about his mission and role. We could imagine the great trauma Joseph was passing through when we think about the love he has for Mary.

But even in these circumstances, he intends to do the will of God and decides, surely with great sorrow, to send Mary away quietly. We need to meditate on these words in order to understand the great trial that Joseph had to endure.

Hence, we can see how this Gospel passage reveals to us the magnanimity of Joseph’s heart and soul. How he wished to follow his own plan, but God was reserving another plan for him, a greater mission.

Joseph was a man who always listened to the voice of God, he was deeply sensitive to his secret will, he was a man attentive to the messages that came to him from the depths of his heart. He did not persist in following his own plan, he did not allow bitterness to poison his soul; rather, silently he was ready to make himself available to the event of the new mission entrusted to him, what a great virtue.

Little wonder, Pope John Paul II, who was very devoted to St Joseph, emphasis in his Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos, “The Guardian of the Redeemer”, that the silence of St Joseph is a model for contemplating the mystery of God in an attitude of total availability to the divine desires.

Showing us that Joseph’s silence does not express an inner emptiness but, on the contrary, the fullness of the faith he bears in his heart which guides all his thoughts and actions.

It is this great virtues and personality that made him stand out in the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham and David in our first reading, which St. Paul affirms in our second reading and is well portrayed in the psalmist telling us that his dynasty will last forever which consist not on account of any law but on account of the righteousness which consists in faith.

Dear friends, we really need to embrace great virtues of St Joseph, especially the virtue of silence. Therefore, let us cultivate this virtue of silence and allow ourselves to be filled and guided by silence, especially in a world full of noise and distractions.

A world that encourages neither recollection nor listening to God nor one another. The truth is that, our world is in dear need of people with St Joseph’s kind of virtues, we all are in need of such silence if we really wish to make great and positive decisions that will make a difference in our society today.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace this Holy season of Lent, let us through the intercessions of St. Joseph, cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection, in order to fully embrace the spirit of the season so as to joyfully experience the glory of Easter. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Wednesday Fourth Week of Lent Year A, 18 March, 2026

 

Readings: Isaiah 49:8-15; PPs.145; John 5:17-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO ALINE YOUR PLANS WITH THE WILL OF GOD

The second stanza of one of the beautiful songs in our hymn book titled “By and By”, composed by Charles A. Tindley says:

Oft our cherished plans have failed,

Disappointments have prevailed,

And we've wandered in the darkness,

heavy-hearted and alone;

But we're trusting in the Lord,

And, according to his Word,

We will understand it better by and by.

This song will help us understand why Oftentimes when we have good and wonderful intentions, which we feel is the best thing in our life, does not work out the way we want it. This is because our intention may be good and wonderful but as long as it does not fall in line with the will of God, we may only struggle with them, but will not achieve the desired results. So for our cherished plans not to fail, we must learn to outline our intentions with the will of God, just like Jesus in our Gospel passage today.

For we heard how Jesus outlined his intentions with that of his Father when he said ‘I tell you most solemnly, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing: I can do nothing by myself, because my aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.’

Here, we see that Jesus' conviction came from within. That is from the will of God his Father, who sent him for the salvation of humanity and this was the priority of his life. Jesus spoke of God as a loving father with whom he related closely and confidently. The relationship was so great that the work of Jesus is the same as the work of the Father. But those who could not understand this relationship feels threatened. That is why they seek for a way to kill him.

This should not be our attitude, rather we should seek to outline our intentions with that of God by building a good relationship with him. Though it may be hard to understand and build a relations between divinity and humanity; but through prayers we can develop the willingness to do and fulfil the will of God. And when this is done we will surely achieve our cherished plans.

Dear friends, I don't know the cherished plans in your heart right now, I don’t know your cherished plans which have failed and it seems as if disappointments have prevailed, thereby wandering in the darkness of confusion and heavy heart all alone. Today Jesus is inviting us to make those cherished plans according to the will of God including all our troubles, all our challenges and disappointments and he will help us to succeed.

For we heard the Lord saying in our first reading: At the favourable time I will answer you, on the day of salvation I will help you. For a woman does not forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son of her womb. Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you.

Therefore, we have to ensure that all our cherished plans are in line with the will of God, then we will tell the story of how we overcome our most troublesome and darkest moments, then we will understand it better by and by.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we learn to outline our intentions with your will, may you direct our cherished plans to suit your will and so achieve the desired results. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God's favour.

Homily For Tuesday Fourth Week of Lent Year A, 17th March, 2026

 

The Feast of St. Patrick, Secondary Patron Saint of Nigeria

Readings: 1Peter 4:7-11 , Ps. 96, Luke 5:1-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HAVING AN ENCOUNTER THAT HELPS TO DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE AND MISSION IN LIFE

There is something deep and unique about every person, sometimes it takes personal experience to discover this uniqueness. I don't know if you have ever had an experience that made you realize the emptiness of this life, a kind of experience that turns your pride into humility, sinfulness into righteousness.

This is the kind of experience that Simon had with Jesus in our Gospel passage today, that made him realize his emptiness and fell at the knees of Jesus confessing his unworthiness.

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

 This very encounter brought true conversion in the lives of Simon and his companion, for this encounter changed their destiny and mission from fishermen to fishers of men. For they obeyed the Lord who told them to put out into the deep waters, and as soon as they followed his instructions, they netted so much fish that the whole boat could not take it. This glorious event manifested the power and grace of God at work in us especially when we humble ourselves.

Dear friends, today we celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick, a great missionary who understood what it mean to be fishers of men like Simon and his brothers. He was known for his personal experience of the Lord in a vision, in which he was asked to go and evangelize the people of Ireland where he came from.

This he successfully carried out and this brought about the Irish missionaries who later became a major force in the spreading of the Gospel all over the world of which Nigeria and most African countries are beneficiaries of this great sacrificial mission.

Therefore, as we celebrate St Patrick, we are called to reflect on our personal encounter with God. How have we personally experience God? When was our spiritual turning point? Do we have a personal conviction about God that does not based on what people have told us about him?

In case we have not personally encountered him, all we need to do is to sincerely seek God in those common events in our lives. Then, we will realize how much God is willing to reveal himself to us. For we heard in our first reading, that each one of us has received a special gift and as good stewards of God’s different grace, we must render our service to one another ungrudgingly to the glory of God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, everyday is an opportunity to encounter you through different events that occur in our lives. Grant that we may have a personal encounter of you just like Simon and his companion and through the intercession of St. Patrick, may our country Nigeria be transformed through these elections and may we experience you in a unique way in our daily activities and through this experience discover our purpose and mission in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday of Fourth Week of Lent Year A, 16th March 2026

Readings: Is.65:17-21, Ps. 30, John 4:43-54

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

NEVER GIVE UP ON GOD FOR HE HAS NOT GIVING UP ON YOU

The ugly situation in our world today, may seem to most people that God has abandoned his people. It may seem as if the Church is not doing enough for its people. It may seem as if our governments have failed.

But the fact remains that God is ever and always closer to us than we can ever imagine. He has always desired that we pay attention to his teaching and directives through his Church, the scientists and those of our leaders who are making sincere efforts to ensure the good of the people.

But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: do we really listen and hear God speaking to us through the daily activities we experience? Do we still see the hands of God in what we do? Are we really convinced of what we do with the gift of knowledge, skills and talents God has given us?

Do we pay attention to the word of God we hear every day in the house of God, on the streets and through other means of communication? Perhaps we are the ones who have abandoned God, and now we are confused and afraid as a result of all the ugly situation in our societies and in the world.

Dear friends, no matter how we feel about the situation we are passing through today, we are called not to give up on God or his Church or the human agents through whom his help comes to us, for God has not given up on us or abandoned his people. We all need to have our ears opened so that we can hear and understand fully the message God is communicating to humanity through the ugly situations we are passing through today.

For God is saying to us, fear not, come back to me, have courage for the storms will soon be over. And if you turn back to me with all your heart, I will restore your land, no more will the sound of weeping or the sound of cries be heard, no more will be found the infant living a few days only, or the old man not living to the end of his days as we have it in our first reading today. In the Gospel, Jesus says to the court official: “Go home, your son will live”,, and the man believed him and went home. By the time he got home, his son was healed.

Therefore, we must have faith in God and sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, give thanks to his Holy name. For his anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life. At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn. Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Our world He will redeem from the ravage of corruption, pride, selfishness, sin and shame.

LET US PRAY, Lord God, you are the source of all that is good; as we listen to your words today, may you grant our hearts desires so that we may obtain the Joy of your presence to build our faith strongly firm in your words. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful week ahead.

HOMILY FOR FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A, (LAETARE SUNDAY) 15th MARCH, 2026

 

Readings: 1Sam. 16:1.6-7.10-13; Ps. 23; Eph. 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

COME LET US REJOICE IN THE LORD AS WE JOURNEY FROM DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD TO THE LIGHT OF FAITH

Every fourth Sunday of Lent we celebrate Laetare Sunday, the  only Sunday we are called to Rejoice during this Lenten season. It is a special Sunday when we have a brief pause on the penitential nature of the Lenten season to focus more on the joyful expectation of the glorious coming of Easter celebrations. 

Hence we are called to focus our attention on the joy of Easter in order to help keep our faith focused in the right direction, knowing that we are in God’s good hands despite whatever challenges we may be facing now, especially the ugly situation in our country today. What is needed is a growing faith that will lead us to the light of God’s presence. 

Little wonder the themes of light and faith are seen in our three readings today. In our first reading we heard the story of the anointing of the new king of Israel, in which God had decided to choose one of the sons of Jesse. Here Samuel was presented with the seven sons of Jesse. 

Initially, when he saw that the eldest son was looking good in stature and appearance, he thought he was the chosen one but God told Samuel, take no notice of his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him: God does not see as man sees: man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. 

Telling us that journeying through the dark appearance of the things of this passing world, we need the light of God’s wisdom in order to make right judgment. And with this light of wisdom, David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, a simple and young shepherd, was chosen and anointed as king of Israel.

In the same vain, St Paul in our second reading, reminded the Church and the faithful in Ephesus as he does the same to us today, that we ought to become children of light at all times. Telling us that, we once belonged to the darkness of the things of this passing world. 

But now through God, we belong to the light, and we ought to act in the manner that befits follower of God’s light. For God is our guide and Shepherd, just as the responsorial Psalm today reminds us that God is leading us as our Shepherd to the good and righteous path of His glorious light through our faith in Him.

This journey of faith through the glorious light of God’s presence is what we heard in our Gospel passage today, in the great story of how the Lord Jesus healed a man who had been born blind, and suffered from that blindness for so many decades. Yet, through his faith in the power of the Lord, he was healed completely, his eyes opened and his sight restored, a great miracle occurred, but this was protested and contested by the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.

Here we see how the blind man was healed by Jesus and he could see again, yet, the Pharisees and some of the teachers of the Law having been consumed by the darkness of pride and jealousy, could not believe that the blind man had been healed because this was done on the Sabbath day which the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law vigorously defended as a day on which nothing including good deeds could be done.

In order to get at Jesus and accused him of breaking the laws of Sabbath, they gathered the people and conducted a trial over the blind man, as they doubted that he had been healed by Jesus. And they even doubted that he had been born blind or blind at all. And they kept on asking the blind man for the details of his healing. 

For they repeatedly showed that they still do not believe that Jesus could have healed the blind man. To them, Jesus was a sinner because he did not follow  their way of observing the Law, and a sinner could not have healed another person. 

It was at this point that the blind man demonstrated his growing faith in Jesus. The man’s journey from blindness to sight symbolizes the journey from unbelief to belief and faith, which is a journey from darkness of this passing world to light of God's love and hope. Here we see a gradual progression in the man’s faith and understanding of the personality of Jesus. 

At first when they asked him about Jesus he called him ‘a man' (The man called Jesus’ he answered), then, again he called him a prophet (He is a prophet’ replied the man) and the more they asked him to defend himself the more his faith and understanding of Jesus grows at the peak of the story the blind man called Jesus ' Lord' (The man said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and worshipped him). 

So while the blind man grows in the light of faith the Pharisees become more and more spiritually blind as the  darkness of pride and  jealousy could not let them accept the great works of Jesus. 

Dear friends, we must learn to journey from the darkness of this passing world to God through Christ the light of our faith. So, if we want to grow in faith, we must pay attention to our ugly attitude of pride and jealousy that prevent so many of us from embracing the grace of God and acknowledging his power to heal and restore us from physical and spiritual blindness.

Therefore, in this holy season of Lent, we are called to let go the path of pride, selfishness and hard-heartedness that the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law had, which made them to be ‘spiritually blind’. For they were ignorant of the truth of God even when they had seen and witnessed it themselves. 

Instead, let us embrace the path of humility that is rooted in the light of faith in Jesus Christ. We are called to let every moment of difficulties and trials lead us to grow in faith and knowledge of God through Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. 

 LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as the world especially our country Nigeria cries out to you in this moment of trials caused by bad leaders, may the world experience once again your intervention and so elect good and faithful leaders in our families, societies and in our country through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a grace-filled Sunday.

Homily For Saturday Third Week of Lent Year A, 14th March, 2026

Readings: Hosea 6:1-6, Ps. 51, Luke: 18:9-14

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

HAVING THE RIGHT DISPOSITION TOWARDS PRAYERS

 

One of the traditional dimensions of this Lenten season is prayer. Prayer is part and parcel of our Christian life. It is the act of raising 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.

 

Today in our Gospel passage, 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 Pharisees did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

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 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 innermost of our being.

 

Thus, we are called in our first reading to return to the Lord in prayers, for he may tear us to pieces, but he will heal us; he may strike us down, but he will bandage our wounds; since what he wants is love, not sacrifice, humility and not holocausts. Therefore, we have to cultivate the right disposition and learn how to communicate with God the right way through prayer.

 

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. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s the weekend, wishing you a peaceful and joyful day.