Homily for Tuesday, Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 13th May, 2025

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

ARE WE STILL CHRISTIANS?

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

So today, in our first reading, the disciples of Jesus were for the first time given the name “Christian” in Antioch. But why a new name with a new word for these disciples of Christ in Antioch? Why was the name given by outsiders, and why is the name different from other groups of the Jewish sect?

From the reading, we heard that persecution forced many believers from Jerusalem to be scattered to various areas, as some from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Thus, seeing that their devotion, passion, love, behaviour, activity, and speech were like that of Christ Jesus, they called them Christians. This is because it was common for the Greeks to give nicknames to particular groups based on their way of life in relation to their leader.

So, since this new group were characterised by the behaviour and speech centred on Christ, they called them “Christians,” or “those of the party of Christ.” And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians because their behaviour, activity, and speech were like Christ's.

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

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

Remember, the people of Antioch gave the name to the disciples of Christ based on the experience of the reality they represent, but what name will the people of our society today give to us based on how we have represented the reality of the name Christians?

In fact, do you still belong and believe in the true meaning of the name Christians? Hence, Jesus says in our Gospel passage today, you do not believe because you are not a sheep of mine. The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost, and no one will ever steal them from me.

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

Homily for Monday, Fourth Week of Easter Year C, 12th May, 2025

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

EMBRACING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Leadership is one of the characteristics of the human person, it is what makes us unique from every other creature. It is a gift from God by which we serve Him and our neighbour responsibly. However, a critical look at what is happening in our world today makes it obvious that humanity is losing the true meaning and essence of leadership.

This is because we have failed to understand the true meaning and source of leadership, and this can be seen in the kind of fruit we bear as leaders. The fruit of leadership in this generation is so complicated: leadership has become a tool for power tussle, selfishness, deception, greed, corruption and intimidation of people. This is because we have abandoned God, who is the source and giver of true leadership skills and knowledge.

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

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

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

Dear friends, this is the kind of attitude in leadership that the world needs now, the attitude that comes from the pure love of God and neighbours. But how can humanity recover these leadership skills rooted in the power of love? How can we harness it to bear more fruit in our societies where it seems as if true leadership exist no more?

This is possible when we realise that we are all products of love and are called to live out our essence, which is to love. We are called to be good examples to one another, imitating Jesus the Good Shepherd, who has been so loving and caring towards us. And these we are called to reciprocate to others, and by so doing, we will finally reach that grazing ground where all who followed Jesus the good shepherd in simplicity of heart will feed on the green pastures of eternity in heaven.

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

Homily for Fourth Sunday of Easter Year C, 11th May, 2025 The Good Shepherd /Vocation Sunday

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

OUR TRUE VOCATION IS IN FOLLOWING JESUS THE TRUE SHEPHERD OF OUR SOUL

Every fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates the Good Shepherd Sunday, also known as Vocation Sunday, a day dedicated to reflecting on Jesus the Good Shepherd, who guides all the flocks of God into the path that he has prepared for us. It is also an occasion to celebrate Vocation, because God has also called some of us to follow him to be shepherds in the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

Those called to be shepherds are the bishops, the priests, fathers, mothers and all leaders of different capacities who are called to serve the Lord and his people as guidance, helpers, coordinators, and teachers of his flock. We are called to follow the examples of the Good Shepherd himself in serving the people.

Today, as we celebrate the Good Shepherd/Vocational Sunday, it is necessary for us to reflect on the imagery of the shepherd and the sheep, which occurred frequently in the Scriptures. A figurative term which represents the leaders and those entrusted to them.

Hence, in our Gospel passage, we heard Jesus the good shepherd talking about the attitudes of the sheep. He said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost, and no one will ever steal them from me.

Traditionally, in the scriptures, we have a good number of passages that describe the characteristic behaviour of a sheep. So, the understanding of sheep behaviour is essential for us to know what Jesus is saying to us today.

 One of the characteristics of sheep is their Flocking behaviour. Sheep are best known for their strong flocking and following instincts. They will run from what frightens them and band together in large groups for protection. This is the only protection they have from predators, for there is safety in numbers. It is this strong flocking instinct that allows one person to look after so many sheep.

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

This will help us to understand the Social life of good sheep, as we know sheep are very good social animals. They often ensure that they have visual contact with other sheep. And they become highly agitated if separated from the rest of the sheep.

These great characteristics are highly needed among us, who follow Jesus the Good Shepherd. We need to have a sense of belonging, we need to learn to flock together, we need to have a love instinct for one another and for the shepherd. We need to be docile and submissive.

We must not be separated from others, nor allowed anyone to be separated from the flock. We must learn to be humble and meek like sheep. As we know, sheep are usually very quiet and gentle, holding themselves aloof from the world; we must learn to do the same. Good sheep tend to listen to their leaders and show respect to them, we must learn to do the same.

Sheep are highly obedient, and because of their obedient character, they are one of the most loved animals, so we too must learn to be obedient to experience love from the Good Shepherd and from one another. Although we are sheep, sometimes the Good Shepherd entrusts his leadership to us in order to follow his examples in serving the people. Therefore, we must learn to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd of our souls

Hence, their are many Shepherd leaders who are working so hard to follow the good example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, but there is no doubt that in our societies, there are some false and bad leaders who are not walking in the path of the Good Shepherd, but instead, allowed themselves to be overwhelmed by the sins of greed, selfishness and corruption in the world.

Apparently, in our societies, we see that some shepherds who ought to guide and feed the sheep are now feeding on the sheep, scattering them in order to select their choice and feed on their milk, wear their wool, eat their flesh, enriching and fattening themselves from their products. While treating the sheep harshly and brutally, abandoning the sick, the weak and the strayed.

Most leaders in our society have betrayed their mission: instead of promoting a just society in accordance with the plan of God, they are using their authority to enrich themselves while oppressing the people entrusted to them. Today, the duties neglected by such ugly leaders are now hunting everyone.

The consequences of our bad leadership are what is affecting the whole world today. Therefore, it is time for us to return to God, the true Shepherd of our souls; it is time to listen to the voice of Jesus. It is time to change our ugly, greedy, selfish and corrupt ways of doing things.

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

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

Homily for Saturday, Third Week of Easter Year C, 10th May, 2025

 

Readings: Acts. 9:31-42; Ps.116; John 6:60-69

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ARTICLE OF OUR FAITH IN GOD?

Every day of our lives, we make choices that we think are good for us. But sometimes some choices are very difficult to make. However, the root of any choice we make in life comes from the fundamental option we have made as human beings. Our fundamental option is the option we make for or against God, to love or to be selfish, to be good or evil, to be holy or sinful. These options have a way of influencing any other choices we make in life.

Today, in our Gospel passage, we heard how people reacted when faced with the hard choice on account of the teachings of Jesus. For as he ends the discourse on the Bread of Life, he said to them: whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life… For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.

So, hearing this hard teaching, many of his disciples decided to walk away. Then Jesus asked the twelve: Will you also go away? Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.

Following these responses, we can see how important it is for us to make the fundamental option for God if we really want to follow him. As we heard that most of the followers of Jesus left him behind after he spoke of himself as the Bread of Life. Thus, many of them refused to believe in such a hard truth and teaching. This may be as a result of their ignorance, impatience and inability to accommodate difficult moments and realities that are beyond them.

Dear friends, every day we are called to make this fundamental choice between God the Creator and the creatures who have made themselves gods. For this is the reality of our faith in Christ.

So, the Christian faith which we have is not something we should take for granted, as we may often find it difficult to remain faithful, especially when we are confronted with arguments and activities that are opposite and in contrast to our faith. Yet, at the same time, we are called to continue to be faithful and dedicate ourselves completely in obedience to the teachings of Christ.

Thus, when the articles of our faith or our life situations seem difficult, we are called to come to Jesus. We are called to believe in him who came from above and bears testimony of heavenly things. We are called like the apostles to say Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life. We are to bear witness to these things through the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing that our choice for God is a choice for love, and a life of love is a sacrificial life, neither easy nor comfortable.

Therefore, inspired by the faith and courage of St Peter, who in our first reading today did great miraculous works in the name of Jesus, let us bear witness to the faith we have found in Jesus, by identifying ourselves with him who is the bread of life, full of love and goodness. Let us learn to live a life of holiness and build a good relationship with others, like Dorcas, in our first reading, who was never tired of doing good.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, our hope is all in you. When in a difficult moment of decision making regarding our faith in you, give us the grace and courage like St. Peter to bear authentic witness to the faith we have found in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Have a fruitful weekend.

Homily for Friday, Third Week of Easter Year C, 9th May, 2025

 

Readings: Acts. 9:1-20; Ps.117; John 6:52-59

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

AN ENCOUNTER THAT LEADS TO TRUE CONVERSION

Every day is an opportunity to encounter God through different events that occur in our lives. I don't know if you have ever had an experience that made you realise the emptiness of this life, a kind of experience that turns pride into humility, sinfulness into righteousness, an experience that changes your perspective about things or people?

This is the kind of experience that Saul had with Jesus in our first reading today, which made him realise the emptiness of his life and how wrong he was, fighting against God’s people. Saul was a young and zealous Pharisee who was deeply involved in the persecutions of early Christians.

He was present at the moment when St. Stephen was martyred and stoned to death. Saul was also a leading figure among the Sanhedrin in their attempt to destroy the Church and the followers of Christ, for he went from place to place and carried out violent attacks against the followers of Christ until he encountered the Lord on his way to Damascus.

This very experience brought true conversion in his life and changed his perspective about Christians. This encounter gave him a new identity, changing his name from Saul to Paul. A name indicating his new mission. A mission he so carried out with all his zeal and passion that he is regarded as one of the apostles, and today his works still speak about the effect of his personal encounter with Jesus.

This goes on to affirm the hard teaching of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, where he was talking about having life in him. For himself draws life from the Father, and he said, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you.

So whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will draw life from him. This new life is what Saul experienced when he encountered him and was converted and entrusted with the mission of converting the pagans.

Dear friends, as we heard about the conversion of St Paul, we are called to reflect on our own conversion. Today, like St. Paul, we are called to reflect on our personal experience with God. How have we personally experienced God? When was your spiritual turning point? Do we have a personal conviction about God that is not based on what people told us of him?

Remember that by the virtue of our baptism, we are called to share in the same mission and calling that St. Paul himself had received from the Lord. So, in case we have not personally experienced the Lord, all we need to do is to sincerely seek God in those common events in our lives, and we will realise how much God is willing to reveal himself to us.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we really need to have a personal encounter of your presence in our lives. As we reflect on the encounter and conversion of St. Paul, may we experience your presence in a unique way and through this experience discover our purpose, our new identity and mission in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Have a blessed day.

Homily for Thursday, Third Week of Easter Year C, 8th, 2025

 

Readings: Acts. 8:26-40; Ps.66; John 6:44-51

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DESIRING THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is understanding. It is the second gift of the Holy Spirit, behind wisdom. Through understanding, we gain a certainty about our beliefs that moves beyond faith. It enables one to see more deeply into the mysteries of the faith and judge with certainty all created things.

The essential quality of this gift is the penetrating intuition. For this gift does not only assist in penetrating revealed truths, but also natural realities that are related to the supernatural end.

Thus, understanding is not so much the fruit of studies, but the loving desire and penetrating intuition towards understanding all the Father has revealed. This is exactly what happened to Philip while explaining the scriptures to the Ethiopian Eunuch in our first reading today.

For when he heard him reading the book of Isaiah, the prophet, he asked him, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The Eunuch replied, ‘How can I understand unless I have someone to guide me?’

Here, the Eunuch seeks the gift of understanding which Philip has already received at Pentecost, and with the help of this gift, he was able to explain the scriptures to him. This is because the mysteries of God’s revelation have been made known to him, and with the Spirit’s prompting, these mysteries can be penetrated and understood by humanity.

 The fact remains that God created us for friendship, and this gift of understanding enables us to understand God’s love, mercy, glory, and power, which moves our hearts to love and live as adopted sons and daughters of God. Little wonder, Jesus in our Gospel passage today said: “No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me, for it is written in the prophets: They will all be taught by God, and will hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it”.

Dear friends, we must desire to have the gift of understanding, for this gift penetrates the truths of faith, operates in several ways: disclosing the hidden meaning of Sacred Scripture, revealing the significance of symbols and figures. It gives us deeper insight into the meaning of our faith and the moral teachings which serve as standards for human actions.

This gift imparts a sense of confidence and certainty in our belief. It helps us grasp the reality of heaven,, our beatific vision. It is a gift that is really lacking in our lives, not just as Christians but as individuals living in societies full of confusion and a lack of sense of direction. But, how can we acquire the gift of understanding?

How can the gift of understanding help us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our faith in relation to our struggles with the ugly situations in our world today? The answer is simple: we must learn, just like the Ethiopian Eunuch, to cultivate the habit of listening to the Holy Spirit, who never ceases to speak to us deep down in our conscience.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we listen to your words today, give us the gift of understanding so that we can grasp the meaning of the truths of our faith in relation to our struggles with the ugly situations in our world today. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a favourable day.

Homily For Wednesday Third Week of Easter Year C, 7th May, 2025

 

Readings: Acts. 8:1-8; Ps.66; John 6:35-40

Rev Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD, SATISFY OUR STAVING SOULS WITH THE BREAD OF ETERNAL LIFE

What can ever satisfy the human hunger and thirst for peace, wholeness, righteousness, love and joy? These are the things we search for every day of our lives. But we seem to have little or no answer.

This is because we have often failed to listen to God’s words calling us and directing us towards the path of truth, which he has revealed through his son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been speaking to us in our Gospel since his resurrection.

Thus, today, Jesus continues with his teaching on the bread of life; he seeks to draw those who listened to him into a profound relationship with himself. He asks them to believe in his wonderful promises of eternal life. In the same way, he invites us to partake in an indestructible life, to share in the very life of God.

Jesus wants us to know that he is the food of our souls. Our souls are really starving due to sins, and indeed thirsty for holiness, love, peace and purity. In Jesus alone can staving and empty souls find their strength and satisfaction. For in him, there is fullness of life.

The fact remains that Jesus is the bread of life which came down from heaven. And he wants us to commit our souls into his hands. Thus, whenever we experience anything of spiritual hunger and thirst, we must come to Jesus and be satisfied.

This is what was lacking in the life of Saul, who, in our first reading today, worked for the total destruction of the Church after he had witnessed and endured the stoning and death of Stephen. So, he went from house to house arresting both men and women and sending them to prison. But those who had escaped from him went from place to place preaching the Good News of peace, love holiness and salvation.

Dear friends like Saul, are we weighed down by sorrows in conscience or staving in affection and love, especially in this difficult moment in human history, and thereby acting in ignorance? Or are we like the disciples who, even in the midst of persecution, remained faithful in witnessing the love they have found in Jesus?

Whatever the situation may be for us now, we must know that Jesus is always ready to relieve and restore us whenever we come to him in faith, for in him alone shall we find lasting satisfaction, peace, and love both now and for eternity.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, oftentimes we are thirsty and hungry down within our souls. May we find in the Words of Jesus that satisfactions which our souls so desired and, by so doing, find eternal life. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.