Homily for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 26 July, 2026

 

Readings: 1kings 3:5.7-12, Ps 119; Rom. 8:28-30; Matt. 13: 44-52

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

OBTAINING YOUR ULTIMATE TREASURE OF LIFE REQUIRES THE SACRIFICE OF ALL THAT YOU HAVE

Every day under the terrible scourges of the sun and noisy streets, people struggle to acquire things that they value as treasures of life. The quarrelling and fighting in our streets, the early morning rush, the traffic jam, the aggressive words we give and receive every day, all just to acquire things of this life and make them our treasures of life. And people are never tired of acquiring properties for themselves and their future generations, forgetting that all these things will pass away sooner or later, just as we ourselves will expire from this world. Thus, this Sunday we are called to reflect on what should be our ultimate treasure and how we can acquire it.

In our first reading and the Gospel, we heard of the need to focus our attention on the search for the ultimate treasure. And for King Solomon, his greatest treasure was the wisdom and discernment to govern the people entrusted to him. So when the Lord appeared to him in a dream not long after he had succeeded his father, King David, the Lord told him to ask whatever he wanted, and it would be given to him. In a display of wisdom, Solomon asked for a listening heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, enabling him to govern God's people effectively.

Though he would have asked for more power, glory or wealth, he asked for the wisdom to discern the good from the bad and to be able to lead the people of God wisely in the ways of the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Solomon's request and promised to bless him and his people with a wise and discerning mind like none before and after him. So, the wisdom that he obtained was not so much of selfish desire or for personal gain, but for his office as a leader. And as we know, wisdom and discernment are part of the characteristics of heavenly treasures.

Little wonder, in the Gospel, Jesus used three parables to describe to the people that the kingdom of God is the greatest and ultimate treasure anyone can and should acquire. He said to them: the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

Again he said, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it. And lastly, he said, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in fish of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use.

Here, the first and second parables describe the kingdom of God as the ultimate treasure that cannot be compared to anything whatsoever we have in this world while the third parable tells us that the kingdom is open for all but not all can be suitable to dwell in it, only those who on the judgement day are found suitable can be admitted into the kingdom.

Using these parables Jesus explains what the kingdom of heaven is like and what we need to do in order to acquire it. The essence of these parables is to remind us that the kingdom of heaven is so precious and great, that it is worth more than our entire life and our worldly possessions and treasures.

 Therefore, we must do all that it takes to ensure that we acquire it, losing it over the temporal pleasure, joy, glory, fame, power and influence of the things of this passing world will be complete foolishness. For none of them last forever, and what good is it for us to gain the whole world but lose our soul out of God’s kingdom? Thus, St. Paul in our second reading tells us that God co-operates with all those who love and desire his kingdom, those who are called according to his purpose. For those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shares his glory.

Dear friends, in the midst of false and perishable treasures around us, what is your ultimate treasure of life? If the Lord should allow us to make a request for what our heart desires, what would you request? Solomon sought an understanding mind to govern and care for God’s people. He wanted the ability to discern between good and evil. He recognised that a selfish attitude could not sustain his kingdom, so he requested heavenly treasure.

Today how many of us are paying attention to this ultimate heavenly treasure? What is our ultimate treasure in this life? How many think and search for this ultimate treasure of our souls? How many desire to personally discover God in their life? How I wish we would understand the shortness of this life, the emptiness of this passing world and the danger of losing our soul out of greediness for the things of this passing world. Then, we will sincerely desire to experience God personally, because in him lies the ultimate treasure of life. And discovering God personally is the greatest treasure one can ever have.

PRAYER: Almighty God, the world is full of distractions from false treasures; give us a wise and discerning heart to give up all our attachments to worldly possessions in pursuit of the heavenly and ultimate treasure of your kingdom, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you. 

Homily for Saturday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 25th July, 2026. The Feast of St. James, Apostle

Readings: 2Cor 4: 7-15, Ps 126:1-6, Matt: 20:20-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IF YOU WANT TO BE GREAT, LEARN TO SERVE HUMANITY SACRIFICIALLY

As human beings, it is always our desire to be great. This desire is what makes us utilise the unique gift God has given us, from which we serve Him and our neighbours responsibly. However, human greediness and selfishness have made us see greatness as domination and subjection of others competitively and comparatively. Today as we celebrate the feast of St. James, we heard in our Gospel passage how the disciples of Jesus were struggling with this competitive and comparative attitude.

This is because the mother of James and John, sons of Zebedee, came with her sons to make a request from Jesu,s, saying, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ And Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking’. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.”

So, other disciples became angry because James and his brother John, through the intercession of their mother, desired to have key leadership positions in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus. But Jesus let them know that the transcendent power and authority to lead belong to God and whoever He wishes to share it with.

Here, Jesus prophesied that James and his brother John would "drink of the same chalice" of suffering as himself, since the two brothers had asked to be seated at his right and his left in his kingdom, and he told them that they would be with him in a far different way than they expected.

Tradition has it that James suffered martyrdom for the sake of the kingdom, for he was beheaded in Jerusalem at the orders of Herod Agrippa. His death is the only biblical record we have of the death of one of the Apostles, and he was the first to give his life for his Master. He embraced true greatness not by domination and subjection, but in service, sacrifice and dedication to the faith he had found in Jesus, which he wished to share with others.

So, today we celebrate the feast of a great man, who along with his brother John and Peter was part of the inner circle of Jesus. So like St. James, we are encouraged to seek true greatness in humility of service and sacrifice even at the point of losing everything.

 And St. Paul also encouraged us in our first reading to be steadfast for we are affiliated in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Knowing that true greatness is found in humble service and not in domination or subjection of others. For good leaders serve the community; they subdue arguments and divisions; they maintain unity in times of distress and act as role models for the young, just like St. James.

Dear friends, today, we are all called to seek true greatness in humble service of others and not in subjection and domination of others. We are called to utilise the unique gift God has given us and use it to serve Him and our neighbours responsibly in any capacity we find ourselves, bearing in mind that one should not strive to be a leader but a servant because leadership is a gift from God. Remember, true greatness is found in our sacrificial service to others, not in competitive and comparative subjection and domination of others.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you have taught us that true greatness is found in the sacrificial service to humanity, give us the grace to live a life of sacrifice and humility. And through the intercession of St. James my our lives be a good example of true greatness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful weekend.

Homily for Saturday Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 25th July, 2026

 

Readings: Jer. 7:1-11; Ps.84; Matt. 13:24-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM OF EVIL IN OUR SOCIETIES

Oftentimes, when we reflect on the ugly events that happen around us, we wonder why God, who is so good and all-powerful, permits the evil we see and experience in the world He created. And sometimes, the evil ones are so cruel that we wish that God should just wipe them away from the face of the earth, and when this does not come to pass, we complain and even doubt the power of God over this evil.

The answer to this ugly phenomenon is found in the parable of today's Gospel passage. Here the sower has sown good seed in his field for a healthy wheat harvest. But in the dark of night, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. When the plants came up and bore grain, the weeds appeared as well.

What Matthew most likely refers to as weeds is darnel or cockle, a harmful weed that closely resembles wheat and is common in Israel. The difference between darnel and real wheat is evident only when the plants mature and the ears appear.

So, when the servants notice the weeds, their first response is to question the quality of the seed. Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from? When the master replies that an enemy has sown the weeds, the slaves are anxious to take care of the problem, to root those nasty weeds immediately.

But the master restrains his servants, saying that in gathering the weeds they would uproot the wheat along with them. He orders them to let both grow together until the harvest. Then he will send out his reapers to collect and burn the weeds and to gather the wheat into his barn.

However, this will not be easy because it is not always easy to distinguish between the weeds and the wheat, as their roots are often intertwined below the ground. Thus, rooting out the weeds would uproot the wheat as well, doing more damage to the crop than leaving the weeds to grow.

Dear friends, most of us are victims of the evil weeds and darnels of this passing world. But are you a good seed or the evil weed of this passing world? What shall we do when our good works are intertwined with the evil weeds of this passing world?

Today, as we wish to remove these weeds in our lives, Jesus wants us to learn how to be patient and trust God in times of trouble and tribulations, for he alone knows the best time and how best to deal with the evil ones. For when that time comes He will gather all evildoers and throw them into the furnace of fire.

But the problem is that we are not patient with the Lord, we often behave like the Israelites in our first reading today, who have failed to listen to God, for we have chosen to dwell in sin and are intertwined with the sinful weeds of this world.

Thus, we heard the prophet Jeremiah saying: Amend your behaviour and your actions. Put no trust in delusive words. Yet here you are, trusting in delusive words, to no purpose! Stop doing evil and learn to do good so that you will be saved. Therefore, we must learn to be patient with the Lord especially as we struggle with the troubles and tribulations of this passing world.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, our hearts are full of weeds of different corruptions and evil planted by the evil ones. As we wait on you, may you guide and protect us from the malice of the evil ones. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Have a fruitful weekend.

Homily For Friday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 24th July, 2026

 

Readings: Jer. 31:14-17, Ps. Jer. 31:10-13; Matt. 13:18-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

HAVING THE RIGHT DISPOSITION TOWARDS THE WORD OF GOD

A critical observation of the structure of our society reveals how people are struggling with the things of this life; our passion, determination and willingness are deep-rooted in worldly things. For we work so hard to fill our hearts with the rocks and thorns of life that we have no room for the Word of God to blossom in our hearts.

This unhealthy and ugly attitude is what Jesus addresses in our Gospel passage today, as he explains the parable of the sower, pointing out our different dispositions towards the Word of God in relation to our inner life. Here, Jesus describes different kinds of obstacles to God's Word, obstacles such as shallow-mindedness, hardened heart, worldly desires and finally, trials and persecutions.

Today, because of our uncontrolled desire for things in this world, most people fall into some, if not all, of these obstacles. For a lot of people do hear and talk about the Word of God, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth will always choke the word we hear, and it yields nothing because it has no root to sustain it in our hearts.

Also, we often harden our hearts by following the dictates of our stubborn attitude, thereby making our hearts a rocky ground where God’s Word does not bear much fruit. Thus, we are called to examine whether our soul is like the dry, rocky ground or has been choked by the thorns of this life.

For it is time to regularly seek to nourish our soul and prepare it to receive the Holy Word of God so that we can create a fertile disposition within our heart to let the Word bear fruit in our soul.

Dear friends, how are we receiving God’s Word and applying it in our daily lives? Today we heard the Lord saying in our first reading that no one will ever say again: Where is the ark of the covenant of the Lord? For when that time comes, Jerusalem shall be called: The Throne of the Lord; all the nations will gather there in the name of the Lord and will no longer follow the dictates of their own stubborn hearts.

Remember, our hearts are the fields in which the Word of God is spread today. But to which do our hearts belong: the pathway, the rocky ground, the thorns or the good soil of faith and hope? Whichever one, we are called to dispose our hearts more so that God’s Word may find root in us.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the world is full of hidden rocks and thorns which are seriously making your Holy Word unfruitful in our hearts, give us the grace to truly detach ourselves from them to faithfully embrace your Word in our souls and bear great fruits of love, peace, joy and fulfilment. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily for Thursday Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 23rd July, 2026

 

Readings: Jer.2:1-3.7-8.12-13, Ps. 36, Matt 13:10-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE ABANDONED THE LORD OVER THE LEAKY CISTERN OF THIS PASSING WORLD

Reflecting on the present situation of our country, I must say that it is obvious that we are like sheep desperately in need of a shepherd, as the present leaders have shown that they are not and cannot be the Messiah we are looking for, since we have continually been involved in doing and defending evil.

We have abandoned the God who has blessed us with all the good things of life in order to embrace the gods of money and wealth and have made ourselves gods to others. What we have in our country today are corrupt, greedy and selfish people who are like a leaky cistern that can not hold water.

This is the ugly situation God, through Prophet Jeremiah, is addressing in our first reading today when He said to the people: “I brought you to a fertile country to enjoy its produce and good things; but no sooner had you entered than you defiled my land, and made my heritage detestable. The priests have never asked, “Where is the Lord?”

Those who administer the Law have no knowledge of me. The shepherds have rebelled against me; the prophets have prophesied in the name of Baal, following things with no power in them. It is the Lord who speaks. Since my people have committed a double crime: they have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, only to dig cisterns for themselves, leaky cisterns that hold no water”.

 And in our Gospel passage we heard Jesus saying: “The reason I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. So, you will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive. For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me”.

Here, we see the Lord’s sadness and anger at us for our selfishness, greed and ingratitude. For we are constantly disobeying God through our sinful, rebellious and unwilling attitudes to embrace and properly utilize what God has given us for the good of all. Thus, we constantly take God’s patience and kindness for granted.

We have taken His mercy and compassion for granted. Today, we are called to come back to God with all our hearts so that He will respond to our needs. For He will restore the fortune of the poor and put our enemies to shame as they will come quaking and trembling in fear of the Lord because of all the evil they have committed.

Dear friends, without God in our lives we will be a leaky cistern that can not hold water. So, it will never be business as usual, for the righteous God will send a good shepherd to His people, who will shepherd us with his staff of justice, mercy, forgiveness and fidelity. Though not in the manner we expect. He will not lead us in any campaign against our corrupt and selfish leaders.

But he will lead us in a campaign against an even more formidable foe, the devil and his agents. And when he has succeeded in overcoming them, our leaders and their corruption and selfish way of life will be taken care of. Then, his kingdom of peace and justice will be established and it will last forever. All we need to do is to trust in the Lord, ask him for directions and be docile to his words.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we have abandoned your ways out of selfishness and greed, in order to build a leaky cistern of corruption and greediness that can not do us any good. Help us to change this ugly way of life, so as to embrace your word and become a vessel of love. May Christ, our good shepherd, guide our paths and lead us into his own dwelling place forever and ever. Amen. Have a blessed day. 

Homily For Wednesday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 22nd July, 2026. The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

 

Readings: 2Cor. 5:14-17, Ps. 63, John 20:1-2.11-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

HOW A SINNER BECAME A SAINT

Every human person has a past and a future; the past is gone, we cannot change it, but the future brings hope alive, for in both past and future we make our history a reality that can change the world. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, a woman whose life history gives hope to sinners and a sense of the past to the saints.

Often Mary Magdalene is referred to as the woman from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons or the repentant prostitute, whichever one, Scripture and history point out that Mary Magdalene had been greatly transformed by her faith in Jesus and her life was changed after her first encounter with Jesus for she abandoned her past life of sin.

Mary Magdalene was a great sinner who ought to have been condemned to die by those who were also unworthy and sinful before God. But the grace of God brought about the encounter that transformed her life, and she was privileged to be the first to know about the resurrection of Jesus and to also encounter the risen Lord.

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, which presents to us the encounter of Mary Magdalene with the risen Lord. When the apostles had left the tomb, Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. In her devotion to Jesus, Mary seeks to learn where she might find Jesus’ body so that she might take him away, a task that would be difficult both emotionally and physically.

But she was not even concerned with how she would convey the body from one place to another. She only believed that Jesus’ body had been dishonoured, and she was determined to see that he was accorded the honour that he deserves.

So, she remained by the tomb, weeping. Her heart was in earnest to find Jesus. The angels asked her: Why are you weeping? She was just busy trying to find the corpse of Jesus. But when she turned around and saw Jesus, her heart was filled with joy and peace.

This courageous act of faith brought about her encounter with the risen Lord. Thus, in Mary Magdalene we see a heart that is determined to find Jesus. A heart that truly loves Jesus, a heart that cannot give up the search for Jesus, a heart that listened and remembered the words of Jesus about his resurrection.

Dear friends, as we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, we must learn to let go of our old sinful way of life and embrace the new life of grace and hope God is offering us. So, today we are called to imitate her virtues, knowing that God can use anyone as His instrument if we are ready to embrace Him irrespective of our past ways of life.

For St. Paul tells us in our first reading that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation; the old creation has passed away; behold, the new has come. For Christ died for all so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for our sake.

Therefore, today, we are called to forget our past sinful life and embrace the Lord. We are called to seek the Lord with affection and tears. But oftentimes the clouds and darkness of our sins blind us from recognising the Lord who is always very close to us.

The truth is that the Lord’s way of making himself known to his people is by his word; his word appeals to our souls, speaking to us in a particular way that is unique to us. Are we ready to embrace the Lord once again and make our history a reality that will change this sinful world?

 LET US PRAY: Lord God, like Mary Magdalene, our souls seek to encounter you personally once again. Give us the grace and strength to always be ready to turn away from sin and embrace your word, that we may personally experience, fill and recognise your presence once again in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Tuesday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 21st July, 2026

 

Readings: Micah 7:14-15.18-20, Ps. 85, Matt 12:46-50

Rev Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHERE DO YOU TRULY BELONG?

One of the psychological and spiritual needs of the human person is the sense of belonging; this need is akin to the need for food, clothing, and shelter. The feeling of belonging is fundamental to our sense of happiness and well-being, as it gives value to life and helps us cope with painful emotions, thereby improving our motivation.

Hence, we often want to belong with one another, to our friends and families, to our culture and from one association and group to another. However, one of the common and safest places to belong is our families, especially when it is rooted in the family of God.

So today in our Gospel passage, Jesus speaks about belonging to his family and his relationship with members of his family when he said: Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.’ 

From the Gospel, Jesus speaks of two ways the people around him could be identified as members of his family. Firstly, he talks about those who belong to the family of his birth, that is, his mother, father and relations. Then his other family which is made up of those who do the will of God.

This family, he says, is his true family, where doing the will of God is the only way of becoming part of this family. This is not to say that Jesus is rejecting his family; to do so would be contradicting his own teaching about loving one's parents and loving one's neighbours.

However, Jesus is using this opportunity to emphasise that relationship with God is more important, and this is based on our total commitment to doing the will of God through him. Surprisingly, Mary the mother of Jesus belongs to both sides of the family, for she gave birth to Jesus and also was the first to do the will of God when she said, “let it be done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). For this reason she is the first disciple of Jesus and a model for all Christians.

Thus, to be a Christian or a disciple is to enter into the family of Jesus and embrace a new relationship with God and with one another and this is the most important place to belong. All other bonds, including those of blood should be considered secondary.

Because, belonging to God is fundamental to our basic relationships, prior to all human relations. Since we belong first to God before belonging to our families, after which we all go back to God where we ultimately belong, which will be determined by our attitude towards doing the “Will” of God here on earth.

Dear friends, are you part of the true family of Jesus? Where do we ultimately and truly belong? As Christians, we claim to be part of God’s family, but do our attitudes and decisions show that we truly belong to God’s family? Do we not often commit ourselves to things contrary to the faith we professed in God?

Today, the prophet Micah in our first reading prays for God’s mercy, asking God to show kindness to His people and forgive our trespasses for the times we have failed to be committed in doing His will, as he calls us to turn back to God once again, for it is in Him that we truly belong.

Therefore, today, like Mary and the disciples of Jesus, we are called to do the will of God always to truly belong to that true family of Jesus where love of God and love of neighbour unite us together.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we truly belong to your family; give us the grace to always do your will and as we carry out our activities today, grant success to the works of our hands, through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you. 

Homily for Monday, the sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 20th July, 2026

 

Readings: Micah 6:14.6-8, Ps.50; Matt 12:38-42

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT DOES THE LORD WANT FROM US IN THIS WORLD?

Listening to the conversation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees in our Gospel passage today as they asked Jesus for signs. He said to them, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah, telling us that, on Judgment day, the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here with us, that is, Jesus himself.

Hence, Jesus in this Gospel, presents to us the final recommendations of the end time, he insists that we should pay rapt attention to the signs nature is giving us concerning the end-time events, that these signs will make us have hope founded firmly on the word of God which drives away fear and despair, knowing that the kingdom of God is very near to us.

He also warns us about following those who claim to know when the end is coming. For we may see many of the signs written in Scripture happening already in our time, and people are terrified, looking for someone to show them the way. We should know that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life.

Reflecting on this, the question that comes to my mind is: where will you and I and the beautiful things of this world be in the next ten, twenty, forty, eighty and hundred years for those who are strong? The deep silence in my soul could not offer me any answer to this question rather, it exposed me to the foolishness of human greediness and selfishness.

Hence, I asked myself what God really requires from us in this world? I found the answer to this question in our first reading, where God, through the prophet Micah, says, 'My people, what have I done to you?' How have I been a burden to you? Answer me. For what is good has been explained to you, oh man; and this is what the Lord requires of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.

Dear friends, what signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs of these times, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these signs make us dread the second coming of the Lord, or do we joyfully embrace it in anticipation? Today, Jesus warns us not to waste our time seeking signs; instead, we should be prepared and remain firm in our faith.

He reminds us that he is not just the sign of Jonah, but something far greater than Jonah, and without him in our lives, we will be lost, because the future lies in his hands and nothing can destroy or hurt us as long as we remain faithful to his commands. Nonetheless, what he requires of us in this world is not to seek signs, but to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we embrace your word today, give us the grace to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with you and as we carry out our task this week, may your favour be with us now and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed week

Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 19th July, 2026

 

Readings: Wis. 12:13.16-19; Ps 86; Rom. 8:26-27; Matt. 13:24-43

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM OF EVIL IN THE WORLD CREATED BY A GOOD AND POWERFUL GOD.

No doubt that our society is full of evil and wickedness, and oftentimes, when we reflect on the ugly and evil events that happen around us, we wonder why God, who is so good and all-powerful, permits the evil we see and experience in the world He created.

And most times, the evil ones are so cruel that we wish that God should just wipe them away from the face of the earth and when this does not come to pass, we complain and even doubt the power of God over this evil, as so many good and virtuous people have been victims of these evil ones.

I recall discussing this with someone who was deeply angry and grieved about the state of our country, and he said that he feels like gathering all the corrupt leaders and people in our country and erasing them from the face of the earth. Looking at the anger in his face, I struggled to smile and said to him, but God will not allow that.

And he said, why will God not allow that to happen? Why? For today we see the evil ones becoming more ‘successful’, more recognised, more powerful and honoured in society while the virtuous and good people are rejected, maltreated and neglected. This raises many questions, the answers to which are found in the parables in our Gospel passage today.

For in our Gospel this Sunday we have three parables used by Jesus to describe the kingdom of God in relation to the ugly events that are happening in the world, beginning with the parable of the wheat and the weeds, the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven. These parables are quite explanatory to his audience who were basically people living then, as farmers, shepherds, fishermen and others who actually understood the message.

So, in the parable of the wheat and weeds, the sower has sown good seed of wheat in his field for a healthy wheat harvest. But in the dark of night, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. Here, the wheat represents the good things that God has created and handed on to humanity, Meanwhile, the weeds represent the wickedness and the evil brought by Satan, as well as those who have rejected the love and truth of God’s message.

However, what Matthew most likely refers to as weeds is darnel or cockle, a harmful weed that closely resembles wheat and is common in Israel. The difference between darnel and real wheat is evident only when the plants mature and the ears appear. So, when the servants notice the weeds, their first response is to question the quality of the seed. Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?

When the master replies that an enemy has sown the weeds, the servants were anxious to take care of the problem, to root those nasty weeds out immediately. But the master restrains his servants, saying that, in gathering the weeds they would uproot the wheat along with them. So he orders them to let both grow together until the harvest. Then he will send out his reapers to collect and burn the weeds and to gather the wheat into his barn.

In this parable the one who sows the good seed is God, the field is the world, and the good seeds are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. However, Jesus did not tell us whom the servants represent.

Perhaps they represent the disciples or anyone who has questioned why God allows evil to grow and thrive, and wished to take matters into his or her own hands and root out the evil around. But this will not be easy, because it is not so easy to tell the weeds from the wheat, as their roots are intertwined below the ground. Thus, rooting out the weeds would uproot the wheat as well, doing more damage to the crop than leaving the weeds to grow.

Therefore, we can say that this is why God is silent in the midst of all the evil going on in the world today. For he permits them for an appointed time when he will uproot and separate them without affecting the good and innocent ones who are attached and affected by their presence. Hence, Jesus wants us to learn how to be patient and trust God in times of trouble and tribulations for he alone knows the best time and how best to deal with the evil ones. For when that time comes He will gather all evildoers and throw them into the furnace of fire.

Little wonder in our first reading we heard that God shows His strength when men doubt the completeness of his power and so rebuke any insolence among those who know it, for he has power to act whenever he chooses. And St. Paul in our second reading tells us that the Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. For when we cannot choose words to pray properly, the Spirit himself expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words, and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well what we need.

Dear friends, the parable of the mustard seed symbolises the humble beginning of the Christian faith, which was well watered by the Holy Spirit to grow and give life and hospitality to all the people of the world. Thus, there is no doubt that in the world we have different kinds of seeds and weeds. But the question we need to ask ourselves is, what kind of seeds are we, and what kind of seed are we watering in our lives today? Are we watering valuable seeds or weeds? Are we watering weeds that we do not need, such as: weeds of fear, regrets, doubt, jealousy, hatred, disrespect, greediness, lying, gossip, impurity, wickedness and sin?

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

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, you are full of mercy and compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love and truth, as we struggle like the wheat in the midst of weeds, guide and protect us from the malice of the evil ones. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a grace-filled Sunday.

Homily for Saturday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 18th July, 2026

 

Readings: Micah 2:1-5; Ps.9; Matt:12:14-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DEALING WITH THE UGLY ATTITUDE OF HUMANITY IN IMITATION OF CHRIST THE SUFFERING SERVANT

There is no doubt that we are living in a world full of crazy and ugly attitudes of Different kinds of people. The world is full of people who are entrusted with the noble task of leading and managing the resources and affairs of the people, but they are making decisions to eliminate and destroy them just for their personal gain and selfish interest.

This is what we have in our Gospel passage today, where the Pharisees, who are the leaders of the people, because of their selfish interest and pride, went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him, because of his great works and teaching of the people.

Jesus knew this and withdrew from their district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah which reminds us about the figure of the suffering Servant of Yahweh, in the person of Jesus. Here, Jesus experienced constant opposition and hostility at the hands of the Pharisees, who sought to destroy Him.

So, Matthew in this Gospel identifies Jesus with the Suffering Servant who is filled with God’s Spirit; despite the aggression of his opponents, he does not suspend his ministry of healing, forgiving and spreading the Good News. For he is full of gentleness and compassion.

Hence, Jesus the suffering Servant of God, the lovable and gentle teacher, has come to bring the light of truth to this crazy world, for he does not seek the death of sinners, but their conversion and salvation.

Therefore, in him, we can also find the courage and strength to persevere in these times of difficulty, suffering and persecution. For God has chosen us as His beloved sons and daughters. He has given us His Spirit so that we can stand firm against all the evil activities going on in this crazy world.

But as for those who have chosen to be instruments of destruction, manipulation and deception of humanity just for their selfish interest or for vain glory or for fun thereby letting people die for these wrongs that they do. Such people will have no share in the kingdom of the Lord, for the evils they have done will be their portion and lot.

This is exactly what we have in our first reading today, of which the Lord, through the prophet Micah, said: Woe to those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do it their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that we are really living in an evil and crazy world, but we must know that the transcendent power and authority belong to God. Yes, we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Thus, we must know that true greatness is found in service and not in domination or subjection of others. Good leaders serve the community; they subdue arguments and divisions; they maintain unity in times of distress and act as role models for the young ones.

Therefore, it is time for us to put off our old self, which leads to evil desire, manipulation, covetousness, selfishness and greed, and put on a new person born of love, compassion, contentment, purity and forgiveness.

We are all called today to serve in any capacity we find ourselves, bearing in mind that one should not strive to be a leader but a servant because leadership is a gift given to one by God. Remember, you don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, like little boys we go down on our knees with all humility, asking for your grace and courage to overcome the evil and ugly situation going on in this crazy world, where humanity is being manipulated, deceived and destroyed because of a few people’s selfish interests. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a pleasant weekend.

Homily For Friday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 17th July, 2026

 

Readings: Isaiah 38:1-6.7-8.21-22, Ps. 38, Matt 12:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY WE MUST DESIRE GOD’S MERCY AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM

Mercy is one of the attributes of God, and this attribute runs through the scriptures, as it is actually the summary of most of the stories in the scriptures. Ultimately, it is the mercy of God that we need more than His justice. Little wonder Jesus, in our Gospel passage today teaches us about the essence of making laws.

This is clear from his response to the Pharisees who criticised the attitude of his disciples who, on the Sabbath, were seen plucking ears of corn to eat because they were very hungry.

So, Jesus corrected them and made them know the right disposition as regards the application of God's law and any law at all, when he said to them "I desire mercy and not sacrifice". This is because the Pharisees emphasised strict keeping of the law of the Sabbath while neglecting the spirit of the law, which has to do with God’s love and mercy.

This is also evident in our first reading, where we heard of God’s mercy on King Hezekiah, who was suffering from a terrible illness that would have led to his death. But he begged the Lord in prayer to remember what he had done for the sake of his people, for Hezekiah had been faithful to God and led the people of Judah to return once again to God.

So God had Mercy on him and said to the prophet Isaiah: ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord.” I will add fifteen years to your life.’ Such is the mercy of God.

Dear friends, Law exists for the good of the people, but oftentimes we find ourselves seeking more recognition by exercising too much control over other people’s lives under the disguise of laws.

Hence, we should not lack compassion and mercy or close our hearts against our neighbour like the Pharisees, an attitude that reminds me of the words of Pope Francis when he said: "If our heart is closed, our heart will soon become like stone, then the stones will end up in our hands and, then, we will be ready to throw them at someone.

Therefore, this should not be the case; rather, we should always consider the essence and purpose of making laws and applying them, bearing in mind that human needs which supersede all other human interests should be the guiding principle of any law, both social and religious.

In fact, the ritual demands of the Sabbath encourage mercy, forgiveness and compassion which are at the heart of any true religion. Thus, as we make laws and implement them, let love, compassion and mercy be our guiding principle.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you show the light of your truth to those who go astray, may we always embrace your laws and apply them with mercy and compassion, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 16th July, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 26:7-9,12,16-19; Ps.102; Matt:11:28-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

COME WITH YOUR HEAVY BURDEN AND FIND REST IN THE LORD WHEN

Thinking about the ugly condition of our societies today, where the ugly and sinful attitudes of greed, corruption, pride and selfishness of people have placed a heavy burden and stress on us all and often these burdens are so heavy that we don’t know how to carry them.

The worst of these burdens are the sorrows we bear in our hearts: sorrows caused by our sins, unhealthy relationships we have engaged in, unforgiveness, and family problems resulting from the negative influence of society.

Thus, today in our Gospel passage Jesus says to us: Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

No doubt that every one of us has a task and a mission to accomplish, and this can be very demanding, just as we heard the prophet Isaiah in our first reading today saying:The path of the upright man is straight; You smooth the way of the upright. Following the path of your judgements, we hoped in you, O Lord; your name and your memory are all my soul desires.

Similarly, Jesus recognises the sorrows in our lives, how we labour and are overburdened as a result of our tasks and mission. Hence he invites us to come to him with all our burdens. Yes, it is human to think and worry about things of this world.

Every human person thinks and worries about something. Only a few people can sometimes find it easy to resolve their problems, but for most people, their problems are too great, and they move from bad to worse. Hence, this invitation of Jesus opens a refreshing space in our soul, by inspiring hope and drawing us into God’s loving and gentle presence where our souls find peace and solace.

Dear friends, what task and mission has God given to us in this life? How are we carrying out this task and mission? What are the challenges we are facing? Is the task and mission so heavy for us to bear? Are we carrying an additional load apart from the one God has given to us?

I don't know the heavy burden 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 a heavy heart all alone.

Today, Jesus is inviting us to come to him with all our burdens, all our troubles, all our challenges and disappointments, and he will give us rest. He says we should embrace his yoke, we should learn from him, for he is gentle and humble of heart and by so doing find rest for our souls. Then we will tell the story of how we overcome our most troublesome and darkest of moments, for we will understand it better by and by.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we come to you with our heavy burden and sorrows in our hearts, grant that we may embrace the yoke of Christ and so find peace and solace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God's favour

Homily For Wednesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 15th July, 2026. The Memorial of St. Bonaventure

Readings: Isaiah 10:5-7.13-16, Ps. 94, Matt 11:25-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

COMING TO GOD IN PRAYER WITH THE HUMILITY OF A CHILD

Gazing at the crucifix this morning, all I could see was the childlike humility of Jesus towards his loving Father. For he sacrificed himself on the cross for the sake of humanity. Thereby teaching us that our relationship with God in prayer requires the humility of an infant to his loving Father.

This type of humility is not a way of glory, but a road of surrender that leads to the passion and death of oneself. It is a way of sacrifice, a service to others at the expense of the self. In prayer, Jesus experienced God as his Father and approached him with childlike humility, faith and confidence.

Hence, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus after his reproaches towards the unrepentant cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, demonstrates to us a humble way of relating with God in prayer when he said, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere infants. Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

Here Jesus is referring to those who claim to be wise and intelligent, self-sufficient and self-made, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, Scribes and Lawyers who rejected his message. Also, those who think that they don’t need God, for they can save themselves by their meritorious works.

Thus, Jesus points out that there is a link between prayer and the inner disposition of being a humble child of God in communion with a heavenly Father, through confidence and total abandonment to God. No matter who we are and what we have achieved in life, humility is the key and sure way to reach God in prayer.

Nonetheless, even those who are highly gifted and blessed can become a "baby" who humbly depends upon God’s grace. The uneducated and less privileged persons can be in the same undesirable company as the wise and intelligent if they are not humble in spirit in their relationship with God and their neighbours because our natural and spiritual gifts are only useful in our Christian journey when we have a humble heart.

This is what God is teaching us in our first reading today, when He reminded us through the prophet Isaiah that no power in this world is meaningful without Him. Pride, as shown by the Assyrian king, will lead us nowhere but destruction and failure. Therefore, it’s time for us to get rid of pride, corruption, greed and unhealthy desires that dwell in us, in order to embrace the life of humility and love.

Dear friends, today God wants us to relate to Him in total humility and obedience, just as an infant relates to its loving father. For He is always with us in our daily troubles and struggles, He understands us more than we can ever imagine.

Therefore, why not humbly come to Him in prayer, for He is always willing to help us in solving those difficult and challenging situations in our lives. Remember, our natural and spiritual gifts are only useful in our Christian journey when we have a humble heart like St Bonaventure, whose memorial we are celebrating today.

He defended the Franciscan Order and, after he was elected general of the order in 1255, he ruled it with wisdom and prudence. He is regarded as the second founder of the Order. He declined the archbishopric of York in 1265 but was made cardinal bishop of Albano in 1273, dying a year later in 1274 at the Council of Lyons.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for being with us in our daily struggles, troubles, joys and hopes, . May you provide for the poor, console the troubled, heal the sick and put a smile on the faces of your children who humbly come to you in prayer. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily for Tuesday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 14th July, 2026

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Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9; Ps. 48; Matt:11:20-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WOE TO ALL WHO HAVE FAILED TO DO THE WILL OF GOD

Reflecting on the ugly and fragile nature of our societies and the world as a whole, especially how the streets are full of people struggling and suffering, and the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and manipulating others.

Our leaders are so busy with acquiring, manipulating and embezzling the common resources, not minding the struggles, the tears, the disappointments that people are passing through every day, as some people have lost hope in themselves and even in everything they do. We are just so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence, that is, the salvation of our souls.

This ugly and fragile kind of condition is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today as he continues with his reproaches, this time to cities where he had done great miracles, yet the people failed to embrace the life of the Gospel he preached.

Hence, he reproached them, saying: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on Judgment day with Tyre and Sidon as with you.

Yes, Jesus has taught us about the kingdom of God and proclaimed a message of healing and conversion but his teaching and powerful deeds have not yet been embraced by humanity.

Hence, Jesus in this Gospel is not just rebuking the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, but all humanity for not being open to the fruits of his Gospel, calling us to reflect on how we are losing out on what God is offering us.

Because God will always have plans to save his people, just as we heard the Lord in our first reading saying to Isaiah: Pay attention, keep calm, have no fear, do not let your heart sink because of these two smouldering stumps of firebrands. It shall not come true; it shall not be. But if you do not stand by me, you will not stand at all.

Dear friends, we might not feel very comfortable with the idea of Jesus rebuking and uttering terrible words of threats on these big and powerful cities that represent all humanity. But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Has humanity really embraced the Word of God we hear every day? Is the Word bearing fruit in our lives?

Can we recognise in this fragile condition the great work that Jesus is doing to save humanity and the need to turn back to God? Do we think that repentance is for others and not for us? Jesus is saying Woe to us for failing to embrace and live out the Gospel teachings, because he seems to expect some sort of change in us when we hear His words or when we encounter him in prayer.

Therefore, God is calling us to repentance; He wants to come into our souls and dwell. Today, He is rebuking all humanity. He wants us to come to Him, for He comes to us more than we go to Him.

Hence, if we believe in God and put our trust in Him, we will have the assurance and guarantee of restoration, for God does not want us to suffer the consequences of our sins; that is why He kept reminding us about the upcoming danger. But, if humanity constantly refuses to believe in God, we may end up in self-destruction.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words today, may we experience your love, joy and healing both physically, materially and more importantly spiritually, as we wait patiently for the restoration of all humanity from the ugly and fragile condition of this passing world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you. 

Homily for Monday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 13th July, 2026

 

Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17; Ps. 50; Matt:10:34-11:1

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE REALITY ABOUT OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS

In the midst of all the ugly situations in our societies today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith. Because the hostility, persecution and the influential power of things of this world are getting hold of us and are not stopping soon, rather, it seems to be getting tougher.

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

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today, takes his discourse on discipleship to a radical and difficult level when he said: 'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers a son or a daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; and anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.’

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

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

However, Jesus does not endorse our engaging in armed conflict, but he warns that we have to struggle to put him first, before family ties, knowing that divisions will surely occur as people have to decide to be for or against God. Hence, he states that the cost of discipleship extends to one even losing their life. Nevertheless, he promises that even the small efforts we make in following him will be rewarded.

Thus, Jesus demands a total commitment towards finishing the journey of discipleship once begun or not beginning it at all. Because following Jesus demands the sacrifice of all that one has. For none of us can become his disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and possessions, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties in our lives, including family, self-interest, and possessions. Hence, the Lord through a prophet in our first reading today said: Take our wrongdoing out of my sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.’

Dear friends, we are called today to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully follow Jesus and to accept the consequences of living by the truth of the Gospel. But how much are we willing to let go for the sake of following the truth of the Gospel? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus? What are those habitual desires and possessions that are holding us back from making this radical decision today? It is time to come to God with all our hearts, for tomorrow may be too late.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts towards you. Give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly desires, to hold firm in our faith despite losing people and things that are dear to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful week ahead. 

Homily for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 12th July, 2026

 

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Ps 65, Rom. 8:18-23, Matt. 13:1-23

Fr. Emmanuel Onyia

EXPOSING HUMAN DISPOSITION AND RESPONSE TOWARDS THE WORD OF GOD

The second stanza of one of our great hymns titled Wonderful Words of Life, written by Philip Bliss in 1874, says:

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all

wonderful words of life;

sinner, listen to the loving call,

wonderful words of life;

all so freely given,

wooing us to heaven:

(Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,

wonderful words of life;

beautiful words, wonderful words,

wonderful words of life).

This beautiful hymn provides a wonderful background for understanding today’s Gospel message, in which our Lord Jesus shares a great parable of the Sower and explains it to his disciples, as well as to all who are listening to him today.

Meanwhile, some of us who are into farming understand very well how a healthy seed blossoms on fertile soil. Little wonder Jesus chose to use this great farming metaphor to illustrate the relationship between the Word of God and the human heart. Because the Word of God is to the human heart what a healthy seed is to fertile soil.

In this parable, Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on a rocky ground where they found little soil and sprang up immediately, because there was no depth of soil; so as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away.

Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

After explaining why he speaks in parables in reference to the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah about the hardness of the human heart, Jesus then explained the parable to his disciples, pointing out our different dispositions towards the Word of God in relation to our interior life.

Whether our soul is like dry rocky ground or whether we regularly seek to nourish our soul and prepare it to receive the holy Word of God. Thereby calling us to cultivate and create a fertile disposition within our heart to do the will of God.

Also, Jesus uses the parable of the sower to describe different kinds of responses to God's Word, for there are four obstacles that can distract us from making our hearts a fertile soil. These obstacles include: shallow-mindedness, a hardened heart, worldly desires and finally, trials and persecutions. Most people fall into some, if not all, of these obstacles.

For instance, those who are against the teachings of Jesus, the crowds that respond positively to Jesus, especially to his miracles of healing and feeding the people but did not want to be part of the sacrificial aspect of his teaching.

Those who behave like this have shallow minds, and the Word of God can not be sustained in their hearts when scorched by the heat of the heavy sun and storms of life. Those who harden their hearts can be likened to the people who have a disposition like the Pharisees, who refused to listen to Jesus and turned against him in the end and demanded his crucifixion.

The rich young man (Matt. 19:16-23), who was unable to part with his possessions, provides a clear example of people with the obstacle of worldly desires who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.

And finally, those who have trials and persecutions become an obstacle to the Word of God in their hearts. These are people who fall away when trials or persecution arise on account of the Word, such as Judas, and many people fall in this category in our society today.

But what about the good soil? These are those who made their hearts a fertile soil through love and purity of heart, which helped them to hear the Word of God and understand it, and indeed bear fruit and yield an abundant harvest of a hundred, sixty and thirty folds. Our Mother Mary is a good example of such people. Therefore, the different kinds of ground on which the seed falls represent the different ways in which we receive the Word of God.

Dear friends, today Jesus Christ gives us all the wonderful and beautiful Words of life, wooing us to heaven, are we disposed to letting his word blossom in our souls? Remember, our hearts are the fields in which the Word of God is scattered; to which do our hearts belong: the pathway, the rocky ground, the thorns or the good soil? Whichever one, we are called to pay attention and take some time to appreciate and dispose our hearts more, so that God’s Word may find a root in us.

For prophet Isaiah told us in our first reading today, that as the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word of God in our hearts does not return to God empty, without carrying out the will of God and succeeding in what it was sent to do in our soul, when we are well dispose to receive it.

 And St. Paul in our second reading tells us that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory that is yet to be revealed, which is waiting for us, as the whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal to his sons and daughters the wonderful and beautiful Words of life which Christ His blessed One gives to us today and wooing us to his Heavenly Kingdom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, each and every one of us have received the seeds of your Word; give us grace to remain open to receiving your Word, so that it will blossom in our souls and bear fruit abundantly, through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless and guide you always

Homily For Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 11th July 2026. The Memorial of St. Benedict Abbot.

 

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8, Ps. 93, Matt 10: 24-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HERE I AM, SEND ME: BECOMING A FIRM DISCIPLE OF THE LORD

The joy of every good leader is to watch his disciple become like his master. A good disciple develops great qualities and skills, just like those of the master. Hence, Jesus knowing the difficulties and challenges his disciples would encounter, needed to train and instruct them properly, so that they could stand firm in the midst of opposition and persecution.

Thus, in today's Gospel passage, Jesus continues his instruction on what it means to be a faithful disciple in relation to the mission he is about to entrust to his apostles.

Hence he said to his Apostles: The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household? What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

As disciples, these encouraging words of Jesus are very apt now that we are passing through difficult moments of poverty, sickness, persecution, intimidation, greed, immorality, killings, wars, famines, and genocide in our families, societies, countries and the world at large.

This ugly condition can make someone completely lose hope in humanity and also in God. But Jesus does not want us to lose hope; rather, he wants us to be firm and strong disciples who will stand firm and courageously face the ugly situation we encounter every day. For Jesus needs firm disciples who will speak and stand for his Gospel no matter the cost.

Hence, we heard the Lord saying through the prophet Isaiah in our first reading: Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ I answered, ‘Here I am, send me. This prophecy assures us that the Lord wants us to have faith and trust in Him, despite everything that we may be suffering and enduring because of the sins and wickedness of the evil ones.

Dear friends, the Lord is looking for that disciple who will say Here I am send me. So what is your response? In the midst of persecution and difficulties are we going to be that firm disciples of Jesus? This question is important because as disciples of Jesus, our purpose in life is to become like him in deeds and character.

By so doing we will have confidence that God will enable us to carry out the work that He has entrusted to us even in the midst of persecution, knowing that neither men nor the devil can affect our soul. We can be confident of God’s intimate care for us because He knows even the number of hairs on our heads.

Therefore, as true disciples of Jesus, we must have confidence and remain firm in faith even in the midst of persecution, suffering and sickness, because, his love and care for us surpass all our challenges. Thus we are called today to follow God wholeheartedly by living a life of holiness, purity, courage and simplicity, and by so doing inspire others to be part of this mission.

This is what we see in the life of St. Benedict, whose memorial we celebrate today. For he is known for his renowned piety and commitment to living a life of purity and prayer, of which he inspired many others to follow him in a life of asceticism and prayer.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, there is no doubt that our world is full of opposition and persecution of your faithful people. Grant that we may follow you wholeheartedly and stand firm in the midst of all the opposition and persecution we may encounter in our daily lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a lovely and peaceful weekend.

Homily for Friday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 10th July, 2026

 

Readings: Hosea 14:2-10; Ps. 51; Matt:10:16-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF OUR MISSION IN THIS PASSING WORLD

Reflecting on the ugly attitudes of humanity, especially in some ugly events that happen around us. How selfish, cruel and heartless people behave towards each other. Everywhere we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulation, kidnapping, killing and different other immoral activities for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires. And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object of elimination.

 In fact, the evil ones are so cruel that sometimes we wish that God should wipe them away from the face of the earth, and when this does not come to pass, we complain and feel so helpless. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situations, we are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness. A very difficult task to do, especially when we are suffering as victims of the ugly situation.

Little wonder today in our Gospel passage, Jesus made known to his disciples the difficult nature of his mission, he taught them how to persevere in times of persecution, troubles, afflictions, and sufferings. He warns them that they will meet with hostility and hatred because of him, but they are to continue to bear witness to the Gospel values. Jesus said to them: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.”

He said: Beware of men: for they will hand you over to lawless men and drag you before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; for what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.”

Hence, Jesus, knowing that the mission to change the sinful and ugly attitudes of humanity will be like sending a helpless sheep in the midst of hungry wolves, advised his disciples, as he advises us today, to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. He also gave us the ultimate reassurance and promise, that the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The truth is that, God still cares for humanity despite our sinful and ugly attitudes. This is evident in our first reading today, when we heard the Lord saying: Israel, come back to the Lord your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall. Provide yourself with words and come back to the Lord. Say to him, ‘Take all iniquity away so that we may have happiness again and offer you our words of praise

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News are quite challenging and difficult, especially now that the world is passing through difficult times, as families, societies, countries, and churches are badly affected by the ugly situation born out of the evil forces manifesting themselves in different forms, of which troubles and conflicts are affecting the whole world.

Yes, our sinful attitudes have brought humanity into destruction and death, but the Lord still loves us and wants us to repent from our sins and wickedness, so as to embrace his righteousness and mercy once again.

Therefore, just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in difficult times. Because God knows what we are passing through now. All we need to do is to listen to him speaking to us through the Holy Spirit. Remember, as helpless sheep in the midst of hungry wolves of this passing world, the greatest Gospel we can preach is the Gospel of love by our way of life even in the midst of the ugly attitudes of sinful humanity.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, may the Holy Spirit enlighten, strengthen and grant us the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing to the Gospel, especially in these difficult times. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day

Homily For Thursday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 9th July, 2026.

Readings: Hosea 11:1:4.8-9, Ps. 80, Matt 10:7-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TOWARDS GOD’S LOVE FOR US?

Today in our first reading we heard how God, through the prophet Hosea, demonstrated his compassionate fatherly love for his rebellious people, saying: When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to them, the further they went from me; they have offered sacrifice to the Baals and set their offerings smoking before the idols. I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms; yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them. I led them with reins of kindness, with leading-strings of love. I will not give rein to my fierce anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man: I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy.

Here, we heard of God’s anger and dissatisfaction with the constant disobedience and rebellious attitude of the people and the upcoming consequences for their sins. But God in his compassionate love, wishes to save the people. This shows us that in God, we have a compassionate and loving Father who always cares about us despite our constant disobedience and rebellious attitude towards Him. And out of His love for us, He has not stopped sending His messengers to help guide us out of the wrong path we are taking. In fact, out of love, He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be our Lord and Saviour.

Thus, in our Gospel passage we heard how Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick and setting captives free from the shackles of the evil ones and to continue this great mission he invited his disciples and sent them out, commanding them to see themselves as someone who gives freely of the good they have received from God. They should offer to others what they have received from God, knowing that it has cost them nothing.

They are to live a life of detachment that is, in this mission, they are to depend totally on God's providence. Unfortunately, many of the disciples have to face rejection and persecution from people who, through their rebellious attitude, have refused to believe in God even though he has always been so patient, loving, caring and forgiving.

Dear friends, why is it that the more God loves us the more we separate ourselves from him? Today, we are called to repent from our sinful and rebellious attitudes and embrace the compassionate love and care that God is offering us. And as disciples of Christ, we have received a lot from God without payment; we should learn to give without expecting reward.

Today we are called to acknowledge with gratitude all that we have received from God and give freely to others that which we have received. For this act of charity will purify us from pride and self-righteousness, because we are all recipients of God's love, mercy, forgiveness, favour, protection, healing and deliverance.

Therefore, we must offer to others these same gifts which we have received. We are to show love to people, forgive, help the needy and share with one another the gifts God has blessed us with, and if our love and care are rejected, we should offer it as a sign for the judgement day. Remember, your kind gestures today can turn someone's life around now or later and by so doing we extend God’s divine compassion to rebellious humanity.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you have sacrificed a lot to save us from our rebellious and sinful attitudes, open our hearts once again to repent and embrace your compassionate love and care for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.