Homily For Wednesday Fifth Week of Eastertide Year A, 6th May, 2026

Readings: Acts 15:1-6; Ps.122;  John 15:18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

WHY WE HAVE FAILED TO PRODUCE GOOD FRUITS?

Since Sunday, we have been listening to Jesus’ instructions to his disciples, especially as regards the relationship between him and those who wish to be his disciples. To drive this message down to the level they will understand, he used the imagery of the vine and the branches. 

The vine, as we know, is the source of life for the branches. It provides the water and nutrients by which the grapes are produced. Without the vine, no fruit could ever be produced. And branches utterly dependent upon the vine.

 

So as Jesus and his disciples were passing through the vineyards that surround the city after they had concluded their meeting in the upper room in Jerusalem where they celebrated the Passover, Jesus told them the parable of the Vine and the branches as we have it in our Gospel passage today saying: ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.’ 

Here, Jesus is emphasising the need to remain faithful in our relationship with God, as we know in the scriptures, Israel is pictured as a vine which is to produce good fruit. But has failed. Thus, Jesus made them know that he is the true, genuine and authentic Vine. But in the Old Testament, God’s vine was Israel. He used them to accomplish his purpose in the world. However, he is the true Vine through whom humanity has life.

So, the major purpose of this parable is for us to remain faithful in our relationship with God and also to be fruitful in our Christian faith. Because as God’s chosen people, we are expected to produce great, sweet, beautiful, rich fruit of righteousness, holiness, justice, peace, joy and unite with the world. 

But most of us, just like the Israelites and those men in our first reading today have failed to produce good fruits of love, goodwill, holiness and unity because we have cut ourselves off for God the true Vine but now attached to other unhealthy sources that make us to produce sour, rotten, stinking, tasteless fruit of sin, corruption, greed, cruelty, exploitation and hatred in the world.

Dear friends, as branches of the Vine, which is Christ, our fruit should be the natural outflow of the life of the Vine. For when we are united and identified with Jesus, we produce from his Vine the fruit of the Holy Spirit, that sweet and rich wine of love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, self-control, holiness, courage and faith which is lacking in the world today.

But the questions we need to ask ourselves today are: are we still connected with Jesus the true Vine? What kind of fruit are we producing in this world? What is stopping us from producing good fruit? Do we need to be pruned of our ugly habitual sins? Remember, God prunes a branch so that it may bear more fruit, and this pruning is not done only once, for it is a constant process. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are so attached to so many things in this passing world, as we find delight in Jesus our true Vine, prune us where we need to be pruned, so that we may remain faithful in our relationship with you and so bear good fruit of your love and peace in our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord.   Remain blessed. 

Homily For Tuesday Fifth Week of Eastertide Year A, 5th May, 2026

Readings: Acts 14:19-28; Ps.145; John 14:27-31

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

EMBRACING THE PEACE GOD IS OFFERING US

The ugly events we hear and experience daily especially the cases of killings, hatred, betrayals, greed; social and economic injustice, bloodshed, kidnapping, banditry and the massacre of innocent people all over the world, are a clear sign that the world has lost a treasure which she enjoys in the presence of God before the fall of man.

By original sin, man has lost the peace he enjoyed with God. But God, who is compassionate and gracious, will restore this peace. Hence Jesus who is the fulfillment of God’s plan in time, offers peace to the world as his first gift after his resurrection, when he said to his disciples in our Gospel passage today, “peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”.

The word Peace from the Hebrew word shalom means more than an absence of conflict or disturbance or war. Rather, it signifies a state of complete integration of unity between God and Man, between man and neighbours, and between man and his environment.

It thus implies everything that Jesus came to achieve in this world. It is the legacy of his life, death and resurrection. Little wonder these words of Jesus are repeated at every Eucharistic celebration, where Jesus offers us his peace again and again.

But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Have we really embraced this peace in our lives? Do we experience this peace at the Eucharistic banquet every time we participate in the Holy Mass? Am I an instrument of peace to my neighbour, my family and the society at large? Am I ready to sacrifice my possessions, my ambition and my life for the sake of peace? Am I ready to forgive those who offended me and seek reconciliation for the sake of peace?

 St Paul in our first reading today was stoned and dragged out of the city because he offered the word of peace to the people who rejected it. Should we give up because our peace has been rejected by people? Should we stop being peace-loving because of persecution?

Will I be courageous enough to let peace be known in the world where killings, hatred, betrayals, greed; social and economic injustice, bloodshed, kidnapping, banditry and the massacre of innocent people have become the order of the day? Will I use the peace I have found in Jesus to reshape the world around me? Will I let this peace reign supreme in my heart?

Dear friends, we all need peace, but peace is not cheap, because it requires sacrifice. Are we ready to sacrifice for the sake of peace like Jesus? In every Eucharistic sacrifice, Jesus offers us his peace in a sacrificial way. Today, he is searching for genuine and accessible instruments of peace.

He wants to use us as his instruments of peace in our families and in the world. Are we available? Can we make the sacrifices and be the instruments of peace? Can his peace reign in our hearts, so that we can extend this peace to our families, societies, country and the world at large? Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in the midst of the chaos, tribulations, hatred, betrayals, greed, violence, banditry and kidnapping in our world today, grant we pray the grace to be true instruments of your peace in our homes, societies, country and the world at large, so that our world may be restored back to its original harmony and the face of the earth be renewed. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Monday Fifth Week of Easter Year A, 4th May, 2026

Readings: Acts. 14:5-18; Ps.114; John 14:21-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

As the time for Jesus to accomplish his mission drew near, he had taught his disciples a lot of things which they had not yet fully understood, and there was more to teach them. So in our Gospel passage today, as he continues to teach the disciples about knowing and observing the commandments as a sign of love for him and his Father, one of his disciples who could not understand this teaching said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about?

He continues, do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world? And Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him'. But as this becomes more difficult for them to comprehend, Jesus said to them: ‘The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.’

Here, Jesus, who has been the teacher of his disciples, promised them the indwelling of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will take up the task to inspire them and deepen their understanding of the words and actions of Jesus. However, Jesus emphasised that the condition for obtaining all that he has promised is the love expressed in our faith in the Father through him.

Thus today, we are called to renew our faith and devotion to God, to renew our love and focus once again on Him with all our hearts, to be faithful in all things and at all times. Let us be inspired by the courage and faith of the Apostles, and strive to dedicate ourselves ever more to God. Just like Paul and Barnabas in our first reading, who had the right focus and emphasis in their minds and hearts with unwavering faith and commitment to God as they resisted the temptation of being treated like gods.

Hence, they shouted at the people who wanted to offer sacrifice to them, they said to them: ‘Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth'. Here we see how they faithfully kept the commandments of God, and remained faithful to Him, as Jesus mentioned in our Gospel passage today.

Dear friends, let us resist the temptations of pride, greed, selfishness and corruption present in this world. As we ascend the ladder of success, we must not let pride cut our joy short by taking the honour that is not ours. We must learn like Paul and Barnabas to be humble and avoid taking the honour that is meant for God. And when we do not understand, let the Holy Spirit teach you all you need to know.

We must do our very best to follow Jesus with all our hearts and with all our strength, putting him at the very centre of our existence and lives, knowing that the holy Spirit, the Advocate, will surely teach and reveal to us the deep mysteries of our faith. He will also help us to overcome the temptations of this world and lead us to God, our loving Father.

LET US PRAY: Almighty ever-living God, there are lots of things we need to know and understand about the faith we have found in you, grant we pray that the Holy Spirit may guide our ways, teach us what we need to know and what to do, how to do it, when to do it and help us do it properly. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It's a new week, may the Holy Spirit guide and bless all your efforts.

Homily For Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 3rd May, 2026. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

 

Readings: Acts.6:1-7; Ps.33; 1 Pet. 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TRUE AND ULTIMATE IDENTITY

Identity is one of the important things in human existence. Human identity is made up of the physical composition of the body and soul in relation to the environment, and scientists tell us that humanity is one among the many living things on earth. Thus individual human identity is rooted in the identifications of what each associates his/herself with.

More so, all identity is ultimately in relationship with something else. For instance, if a person identifies his/herself with a group of people or things, such a person becomes part of that group or thing, and that becomes the person's identity. So the questions we need to ask ourselves today are what is my identity? Who am I identifying myself with? What is my true and ultimate identity?

These are fundamental questions because they point out the fundamental reality of who we are and what we have identified ourselves with. A lot of people do not know who they are or what they have identified themselves with. A lot of people today are suffering and struggling because they do not know who they are and the identity they bear. Some have misplaced their identity with something else, and some are putting on an identity that doesn’t belong to them.

Today, the fifth Sunday of Easter, the Church, through our readings, presents to us our true and ultimate identity as we have it in our second reading, which says: " You are a living stone, a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a Holy nation, God’s own people. And in our Gospel passage, Jesus tells us that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. While in our first reading, we heard how seven good men were chosen as ministers to serve the people and this becomes their personal identity.

Today, all of us who are called Christians bear the identity of Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and are called to turn our focus on him as our Lord and Saviour and put our faith and trust fully in him. No doubt that our Lord Jesus has shown us his true identity. He has shown us the ultimate proof of his love for us through his suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection and this identity is what we are to present to the whole world in words and deeds.

Therefore, as a living stone, a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a Holy nation, God’s own people, we are called to really examine our conscience to know if we have actually embraced this identity as regards to our vocation as Christians. How have we personally identified ourselves with the identity of Jesus as the way, the truth, and the Life? For in him we find our true identity.

But, are we still like the disciples who, before the resurrection, did not know either their identity or the true identity of Jesus, as they were not able to fully comprehend at first all that they had heard and witnessed from Jesus? They did not yet fully comprehend the identity of Jesus as God incarnate in the flesh.

That was why Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, and they would be satisfied. But after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the disciples, through the power of the Holy Spirit, embraced their true identity, and they proclaimed the good news to all.

Though very few, they began the Church, and many more came to believe and identify with them through their courageous preaching and testimony of their faith in Jesus. They gave up their lives and became martyrs of the Church. They died defending the faith and identity they have found in Jesus and his Church. They left us with the true identity of the Christian faith.

Dear friends, our identity is one of the most important things to society. We are often quick to identify ourselves with people or disassociate ourselves with people because of the value we hold as our identity. But the surprising thing is that most people do not know their true identity. Many people spend their entire lives without knowing who they really are.

So, friends, I ask you, Who are you? What is your identity? What is the source of your identity? Whose identity are you putting on now? Why are you putting on someone else's identity? Why have you misplaced your identity? What is your purpose on this earth? To discover these, we must ensure that we cooperate with God's plan for us and identify ourselves in him. For he made us to know that we are living stones, a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a Holy nation, God’s own people.

The fact remains that every human person has a special role to play in the Master plan of God and this gives us our true identity. But the question is, how are we playing this role? Are we playing according to the master plan or against it? Are we confused about who we are and our role in this master plan of God? Have we deviated from our true identity?

Today, there are divisions, manipulation and multiplication of Churches because people have lost the true identity of the Christian faith as a result of sin, selfishness and pride of people who wish to use the name of Jesus to achieve their selfish desires. Therefore, it’s time for us to embrace and defend our true and ultimate identity which we have found in Jesus and his Church.

For by the virtue of our baptism we share in that great Identity of the Church as a living stone, a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a Holy nation, God’s own people. That’s who we are, that’s who we are called to be, when we follow Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in you we have our true and ultimate identity. We pray that your Church will continue to uphold the true and ultimate identity of your Son Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the Life. So that, through our baptism we may courageously defend our faith and our identity as a living stone, a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a Holy nation, God’s own people. Amen. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY.

Homily For Saturday Fourth Week of Easter Year A, 2nd May, 2026

Readings: Acts. 13:44-52; Ps.98; John 14:7-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

KNOWING GOD THE FATHER THROUGH THE SON

The use of the imagery of Father and Son by Jesus is one of the means, Jesus used to explain his relationship with God. However, often, the people and even his disciples find it difficult to understand the systematic nature of this relationship.

In our Gospel passage today, Jesus attempted to explain this relationship to his disciples when he said to them, "If you know me, you know my Father too." From this moment you know him and have seen him.

Curiously, Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied'. But Jesus said: " You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father and whatever you ask for in my name I will do it.

Here, Jesus is saying that if we want to know God and understand his ways in relation to humanity, all we need to do is look at him (Jesus) as the Son of the Father who has come to reveal the true image of God to humanity. We are to observe what he does, listen to what he teaches, watch how he behaves, what and who he loves, and what he rejects or defends.

For by so do we will discover God in him because as the Son, he is the true human image of God. He is one with the Father in unity of existence and life, and this is evidenced in the Words he spoke and the works he performed.

Consequently, those who believe in him are endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit and will do greater works than he has done. For he has gone to the Father and whatever they ask in his name he will do it, because they will be asking in accordance with the Holy Spirit in union with the name of the very person of Jesus whose request the Father will always grant.

Dear friends, the questions we need to ask ourselves today are: what is my relationship with Jesus and God the Father? Do we really believe in God as our Father? Do we personally and truly know and believe in Jesus? Do we have any personal experience of the power of the Holy Spirit?

The truth is that we can only do great work in his name when we have a personal experience and encounter with the risen Lord, just like the disciples who where filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and spoke out boldly to the people about the good news of Jesus and when they where rejected out of jealousy by the Jews as we have it in our first reading, they turned to the gentiles who embraced the good news with joy.

Therefore, I don’t know what you want God to do for you, I don’t know the prayer points you recite every day, and I don’t know how deep your requests are. All I know is that if we truly have a personal relationship with Jesus and believe in him, we are going to be endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit and will do greater works than he has done, for he has gone to the Father.

And whatever we ask in his name he will do it, because we will be asking in accordance with the Holy Spirit in union with the name of the very person of Jesus, whose request the Father will always grant.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in the celebration of Easter, you graciously give to the world the gift of heavenly remedies. Grant that we, your children, may have a personal experience of your presence in our lives, so that, presenting our needs before you, we may find favour in your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful and peaceful weekend. 

Homily For Friday Fourth Week of Easter Year A, 1st May, 2026. The Memorial of St Joseph The Worker. HAPPY NEW MONTH

Readings: Acts. 13:26-33 ; Ps.2; John 14:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, TRUST IN GOD

Today, the Church celebrates the optional memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, the great Patron of all workers. Little wonder the world celebrates Labour Day and May Day as well. St. Joseph the Worker ( carpenter) as he is called, was upright, virtuous and good in all the things he had done, a hardworking servant of God in all things. Thus, God found in St. Joseph a true manager who would be a faithful guide to His son and a role model to us living in a world full of troubles and challenges.

In the current state of our world, there are various levels of suffering and problems in our societies, which both the poor and the rich are testifying to. Hence, we can fill the struggles, the tears, and the disappointments that people are going through every day.

In fact, some people have lost hope in themselves and even in everything they do as they run up and down seeking solutions. The poor are seeking daily bread, upliftment and favour, the rich are seeking protection and good health, while the evil ones are taking advantage of the situation to destroy the little faith of the people. The evil in the world is putting our faith to the test, and most people are giving in to their scheme as they are unable to overcome it.

So today, Jesus in our Gospel passage said ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.’ And he concludes by saying: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’

Here, we have one of the most consoling words of Jesus to his disciples who were afraid after he had told them about his passion and what would happen to them as well. He reassured them that he will always be with them as he goes to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house.

In a similar way we heard in our first reading, the story of St Paul’s encouragement to the Jewish community in Antioch in Pisidia, telling them how the people in Jerusalem had treated Jesus so badly, rejecting him and condemning him to death, a most painful and humiliating death on the Cross, but God has turned all of that into joy and salvation, as everything had indeed been part of God’s plan of saving humanity. Therefore, Jesus is reminding us again of the Covenant which God has made with us, for He will not abandon us to destruction.

Dear friends, Jesus is indeed the Way, the Truth and the Life. In him, we find the truth and the way out of our predicaments in this passing world, just like St. Joseph. Yes, Jesus is the only Way for us to pass through and overcome the ugly situation we find ourselves in.

He is the Truth that all of us should be following to unveil the lies, deceptions and evil that is going on in our world. He is the Life that we have all been seeking to have and protect. Thus, Jesus is saying to us, do not let your heart be troubled, trust in God and trust in me.

Therefore, all we need is to have total faith and trust in God through Jesus, who has assured us that he will not abandon us in this ugly situation. Let us from now on, put our complete trust in God, knowing that in Him alone can we find the truth and a way out of the predicaments and trials we are facing in our world today.

Let us be patient no matter how difficult our lives and conditions may have been at this moment, for God knows how best to handle the situation. Let us encourage one another, for it is our duty as Christians to bring hope to humanity, especially in this most difficult moment in human history.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, You are the author of our lives, freedom and salvation, all we have are yours, thank you for being with us in our daily troubles, struggles, fears, tears, hope and joy, may you provide for the poor, console the troubled, heal the sick, protect and put simile on the faces of your children today and always. Amen. Have a blessed Month. 

Homily For Thursday Fourth Week of Easter Year A, 30th April, 2026

 

Readings: Acts. 13:13-25 ; Ps.89; John 13:16-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TRUE DISCIPLE?

A good follower of anyone is generally referred to as a disciple, and a true disciple is simply a learner, a student of a teacher, and the goal of such a student is to become like the teacher. This does not mean that the disciple will become equal to the teacher, but will develop the same qualities and skills as the teacher.

So today, as Jesus continues with his instruction on what it means to be his followers in respect to the mission he is about to entrust to his disciples said to them after washing their feet: “truly, truly I say to you no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him… whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me”.

Thus, as we listened to the Scripture, we are reminded to follow the Lord and obey his ways, his teachings and ensure that we are walking in the path of truth that he has shown to us. Also, as disciples of Christ, there is a need to know the purpose of our life and mission, which is to become like Jesus in deeds and in character.

This is the spirit of a true disciple. By so doing, we will have confidence that God will enable us to carry out the work that He has entrusted to us, even when persecuted, knowing that neither men nor the devil can affect our souls.

A good example of a man who followed the example of Jesus as his Lord and Master is St. Paul, who in our first reading today demonstrated great courage and faith in Jesus. For as he visited the Jewish community in the city of Antioch in Pisidia in Asia Minor and was asked to speak to the people in the synagogue, he began by speaking of the coming of Jesus, the true Messiah, in whose name he had been preaching and travelling around the community.

Paul began by reminding the people of God’s historical plan for the salvation of humanity, and how He had always guided His people from the time of Moses to the coming of the Messiah.

Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are reminded that we have also received the same message of truth and encouragement from the Lord through our faith in him. Now, like St. Paul, we have to be courageous in following the instructions of our master Jesus, especially at this difficult moment when so many people around the world are suffering from the effects of human wickedness, greed and corruption.

Many people have lost their lives, their loved ones, and their jobs. Some are isolated from people their loved, hunger and starvation have turned people to what they are not, fear and uncertainties have become the lot of the common man in the street, kidnapping and violence killing of innocent people have become the order of the day.

Dear friends, in the midst of all these difficulties, we are called to be courageous, hopeful, steadfast and to share with others the message of hope that we have received from the Lord. We are called to bring God’s light into the darkness of lies, deceit, corruption and greed in the world. Following the example of our Master Jesus, we are called to awaken hope once again in our lives, families and in the hearts of humanity.

No doubt that this is a very difficult task, but we cannot run away from it. All we need to do is to stand on the strength of our hope and belief in God, so that in all our words, actions and deeds the power of God will be made present in our families and in the world through us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we follow the example of Jesus our Lord and Master, grant we pray, the grace of courage and faith so that as your true disciples, we may have confidence to carry out your mission in the world, even in the midst of persecution, sufferings, sickness and death, knowing that your love and care for us surpass all our challenges. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed and peaceful day.

Homily For Wednesday Fourth Week of Easter Year A, 29th April, 2026. The Memorial of St Catherine of Siena

Readings: Acts. 12: 24-13:5 ; Ps.67; John 1244-50

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

LORD, LET YOUR LIGHT ILLUMINATE THE DARKNESS OF OUR SINFUL HEARTS

The theme of light is a common terminology in the Gospel of John, as the struggle between the powers of light and darkness is so evident in his Gospel. In most discourse on the theme of light, Jesus refers to himself as the light of the world as we have it in our Gospel passage today.

Here he said: “I, the light, have come into the world so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark any more. For if anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall judge him, since I have come not to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already: the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.”

So, Jesus presents himself as the image of God and the light of the world as he declares his mission in the world. And his mission is not to judge the world but to save it. But this may seem contradictory as we know that, the presence of light brings judgment to darkness and Jesus said, " He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already also in John 9:39 he said: “For judgment, I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.”

The fact is that there is no contradiction in these statements, for Jesus had come from the Father, bearing the light of his love, revealed by his word and deed. Those who receive him walk in this light. Those who reject him stumble around in the darkness. However, the primary purpose of his first coming was not to judge the world but to provide salvation to the world through his passion and death.

But referring to the concept of judgment on the last day, this is implicit in the second coming of Jesus, because the light of the risen Lord will divide people into those who come to it and those who hide from it. Therefore the first coming is not to judge but to save, while the second coming will be for judgment, for light will surely separate from darkness all that is not of light.

Dear friends, every day is an opportunity for us to examine ourselves to know if there are areas in our lives that remain in the darkness of this corrupt world. It’s time for us to get rid of them, it’s time to let the light of Christ's presence illuminate the darkness of sin and shame in our lives. It’s time to embrace the salvation which Jesus has won for us for tomorrow may be too late.

It’s time to let the light of Christ in us illuminate the world through our ways of life. Let us, like the disciples in our first reading today, discern carefully through the power of the Holy Spirit, on how best we can spread the Good News of Jesus, the light of the world, who has won salvation for all the people who embrace the light of his word.

Let us also learn from St. Catherine of Siena, whose memorial we celebrate today. Catherine was a lay member of the Dominican Order. She was a mystic and one of the female doctors of the Church known for her holiness, asceticism, and spiritual visions that dispel darkness in the lives of people. This made her so influential in the religious and political affairs of the Church.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we have come to know Jesus as the true light of the world, make us instruments of your light in the darkness of our families, societies and the world at large, so that by our worthy way of life and through the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena, we may bring others to the fullness of life in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Remain safe and blessed. 

Homily For Tuesday Fourth Week of Easter Year A, 28th, 2026

 

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

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

KNOWING WHY WE ARE CALLED 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. The names of things have deep meanings drawn from experiences that help define the reality surrounding them.

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 characterized by behaviour and speech centred in 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.

Today, we are called Christians, followers of Christ, but are we still Christians in name and character? 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 for what it really means, Christ-like people?

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 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. So, let us learn to live our lives like true Christians as we are often called.

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 who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Monday Fourth Week of Easter Year A, 27th April, 2026

 

Readings: Acts. 11:1-18 ; Ps.41; John 10:11-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

UNDERSTANDING THE SACRIFICIAL NATURE OF TRUE LEADERSHIP

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 shows 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. For 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: " A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. While the hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep.

Then he continues by saying: I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep.

Here, Jesus tells us that the attitude of a good leader is a life of sacrifice, 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 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. 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.

Dear friends, 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 us resides that leadership of love that is lacking in our families and society today. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful week.

Homily For Fourth Sunday of Easter Year A, The Good Shepherd/Vocation Sunday, 26th April, 2026

 

Readings: Acts.2:14. 36-41; Ps.23; 1 Pet. 2:20-25; John 10-1-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS

Every fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday/Vocation Sunday, a day dedicated to reflecting on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who guides all the flock of God into the path that He has prepared for us. It is also an occasion to celebrate Vocation. The imagery of the shepherd and the sheep appears frequently in Scripture. A figurative term which represent the leaders and those entrusted to them.

Today in our Gospel passage, we heard Jesus talking about the gate of the sheepfold and the attitudes of the sheep and shepherds. He said: I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe. 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.

Traditionally, shepherds were the image of the rulers of God’s people and of God himself. So in this Gospel passage, after a dispute with the Pharisees, who were the leaders of the people, Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the difference between true leaders of the people and the false ones.

Telling us that the people need to be organised into a fold, protected and guided by the one true Shepherd. This Shepherd image has become a model for Christian ministry as the Church imitates Jesus the true Shepherd whose voice the sheep know and follow.

Also, 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 behavior.

Sheep are best known for their strong flocking and following instinct. They will run from what frightens them and bond 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 allow anyone to separate 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 to follow his example in serving the people. Therefore, we must learn to follow the footsteps of Jesus the Good Shepherd of our souls

Little wonder, we are expected to be well disposed to this task, because God has also called some of us to follow Him to be shepherds in the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. The shepherds are those who exercise the office of the bishops, the priest and all leaders of different capacities who are called to serve the Lord and His people as guidance, politicians, helpers, coordinators, parents and teachers of his flock. We are called to follow the examples of the Good Shepherd Himself in serving the people.

However, as many Shepherd leaders are working so hard to follow the good example of Jesus the Good Shepherd, 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, allow themselves to be overwhelmed by the sins of greed, selfishness and corruption in the world.

Dear friends, we must learn to be good sheep and good shepherds. In our societies, we see that some shepherds who ought to guide and feed the sheep are now feeding on the sheep, scattering them 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 leaders are now hunting everyone.

The consequences of our bad leadership are what are 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 and follow him, the true gate of the sheepfold. It is time to change our ugly, greedy, selfish and corrupt ways of doing things.

Though we have gone astray like lost sheep, now let us come back to the shepherd and guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ, who suffered for us and left an example for us to follow his way as we have it in our second reading.

Let us entrust ourselves and all the leaders of the world to Jesus, who is the good shepherd. He assures us that even though we are the least, the nobodies and most neglected in the eyes of the world, he will not forget us but will continue to provide for our daily needs through his good and faithful leaders.

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. Have a blessed and grace-filled Sunday. 

Homily For Saturday Third Week of Easter Year A, 25 April, 2026. Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist

 

Readings: 1 Peter 5:5-14; Ps.89; Mark 16:15-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

OUR TASK IS TO GO OUT TO THE WHOLE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL

Today, the Church calls our attention to the mission and mandate of Christ to his disciples as we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist. It is truly a feast which is meant for all of us who are followers of Christ to recount our commitment to Jesus which we made at our baptism.

This is a commitment to bear authentic witness to the faith we profess, just as St. Mark recounts in his Gospel passage we read today, which tells us the stories of how Jesus called his disciples and commissioned them to go out to the whole world, proclaiming the Good News to all creation. We are also called by Jesus, not only as disciples, but also as evangelists.

Therefore evangelization is the very nature and essence of the life of the Church. Jesus gives us the mandate and the commission to evangelise, that is, to announce the Good News to all the nations and to spread the Gospel to every creature. This commission is shared by all those who are baptized both priests and lay faithful. Everyone has a particular responsibility to share in the work of proclaiming the Gospel.

Today, we should ask ourselves, how have we proclaimed the Gospel to the world? What efforts are we making to ensure that the mandate Christ entrusted to us is carried out effectively in our generation? This Easter season, how have we proclaimed the Risen Lord to the world?

Are we shy, ashamed or humiliated because of the Gospel? St Peter in our second reading said: Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy, the devil, is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things

Dear friends, at this moment when the world is confused, because we have removed God out of our daily lives, at this time when we have placed our hope in the activities of the human person who seems to have taken the place of God, at this time when our governments, scientists, doctors, lawyers, professors and even pastors assumed the place of God which is the cause of the ugly situation we are passing through in our societies today. It's time to come back to God and follow his directions.

Thus, it’s time to recall what Jesus says in the Gospel of John (15:1-8), " I am the true Vine, you are the branches, anyone who remains with me will bear fruit in plenty, but cut off from me you can do nothing but to perish. We have cut ourselves off from the true Vine and now we can do little or nothing about the situations we find ourselves in our families, society and the world at large.

Therefore, let us come back to God our true Vine, for our help comes from Him alone. He has commanded us to go into the whole world and preach this Gospel. Like St. Mark, whose feast we celebrate today, let us learn to take this mandate very seriously, for it is our responsibility to fulfil our promises to God and ensure that the Christian faith is preached and sustained in the world and by so doing save humanity once again from sin and death.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this world, we are confused because we have cut ourselves off from You our true Vine, as we come back to you once again, please give us the grace to preach the Gospel following the example of St Mark the Evangelist, grant that we may learn from his teaching and walk faithfully in the footsteps of Christ and by so doing draw humanity once again back to You. Amen. Have a grace-filled week.

Homily For Friday Third Week of Easter Year A, 24th April, 2026

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

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

HAVING AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS THAT LEADS TO 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 of God. How have we personally experienced God? When was your moment of encounter and conversion? When was your spiritual turning point? Do we have a personal conviction about God that is not based on what people told us about him?

Remember that by the virtue of our baptism, we are called to share in the same mission and calling, which 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 with 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 and mission in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday Third Week of Easter Year A, 23rd April, 2026

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of understanding. It is the second gift of the Holy Spirit, behind wisdom. Through understanding, we gain a certitude 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. This gift not only assists 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 that 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 enables us to know of his love, mercy, glory, and power, which moves our hearts to love and live as adopted sons and daughters of God and so enjoy his friendship.

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 by 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, which is why we need the gift of understanding more than ever before.

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 A, 22nd April, 2026

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BELIEVE IN JESUS 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, seeking to draw those who listen to him into a profound relationship with himself. He asks them to believe in his wonderful promises about 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 the starving 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 ensured 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 straining in affections 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. So, you have to let your starving soul be satisfied in Jesus, the bread of eternal life. 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 within our souls, may we find in the Words of Jesus that satisfaction 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

Homily For Tuesday Second Sunday of Easter, 21st April, 2026

Readings: Acts. 7:51-8:1; Ps.31; John 6:30-35

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHOEVER COMES TO JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE, WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY OR HUNGRY

The ugly situation in our societies, country and the world at large can make someone completely lose hope in humanity and even in God. Today, people are confused; they don’t even know what to believe or who to trust anymore.

The questions that come to mind are: To whom shall we run? What shall we do? Any hope for a better tomorrow? What signs are there for us to see to be assured of a better and brighter future for humanity? This present disposition can be likened to the disposition of the people in our Gospel passage today.

Here, the Jews who had witnessed the great miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish, when confronted with the hard teaching about the person of Jesus, asked Jesus for a sign to prove that He is the Messiah, a sign like the manna that their forefathers ate in the desert. They said to Jesus that God gave them bread from heaven to eat. For the Jews, the manna was God’s gift from heaven. So they wanted such a miraculous sign again.

However, Jesus made it clear to the crowd that it was God rather than Moses who provided the manna for the Israelites. Also, he identified himself as the true bread of life that comes from God. That he himself is God’s divine intervention in our world. He is the gift of God to the world.

So he told them solemnly: “I AM the bread of life.” Using the word “I AM”, he strongly identifies himself with God, a statement that recalls the name God revealed to Moses in the burning bush (Exod 3:14). Jesus goes on to say: “Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Thus, the true manna, the true bread from heaven, is the Word of God, which is Jesus, and this Word is what he teaches us to believe in. Today, this Word is now addressed to us, and we shall do well to pay attention to it because with the events going on in the world today, we too can find ourselves in an ugly situation.

A situation where we may no longer have faith in God and start doubting his existence as we are now scared of losing our lives, our health, our wealth or even our loved ones as a result of war, kidnapping, terrorism and high inflation. The worst of it is not knowing what to believe anymore, especially in the way our society has been structured, people no longer know their left from their right.

Dear friends, I don’t know what you are going through now. Does it seem as if all hope is lost and there is no opportunity again for you? Are you confused about your faith? Jesus says: I AM the bread of life, blessed is the one who does not lose faith in me. For he is waiting for us at the Eucharist, where he feeds us spiritually. Therefore, be courageous, do not be afraid. Be patient, do not lose heart for the Lord will surely come to save us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, whenever we come to Jesus and bind ourselves closely to him, we are actually identifying ourselves with You. May we constantly embrace Your love for us in the Eucharist as You feed us daily with the bread of life through Your Word. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Monday in Third Week of Easter Year A, 20th April, 2026

 

Readings: Acts. 6:8-15; Ps.119; John 6:22-29

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

OPENING YOUR HEART SO THAT GOD WILL USE YOU TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS LIKE ST. STEPHEN

In every human heart, there is a secret garden which God has made uniquely for himself and that garden is our conscience. However, God is always at the gate of this garden knocking, but we pretend not to hear him. The truth is that every day God gives us the grace to experience him and bear witness, he makes himself present in us, but we often ignore him or pretend we do not perceive his presence.

This was the attitude of the men who sought to kill Stephen out of jealousy in our first reading today, where we heard the account of how St. Stephen, one of the first deacons who was full of grace and power, bore witness to the risen Lord before the people. He worked many miracles and great signs among the people.

But some group of men felt so infuriated and ground their teeth at him since they could not withstand his wisdom. Nevertheless, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. This he witnessed before them and they saw his face like that of an angel.

Dear friends, this was possible because Stephen opened the door of his heart completely and, finding God, he witnessed him with his life. We too have been given the grace and power to bear authentic witness to the faith we have found in Jesus who tells us in our Gospel passage today, to believe in him and work for the food which endures to eternal life, the kind of food the Son of Man is offering us. That is, the eternal food of love, compassion, mercy, kindness, peace and salvation.

These were the food that Stephen had received from the Lord when he opened the door of his heart, and this same food he offered to the members of the Sanhedrin, but they could not comprehend or withstand it. Therefore, Jesus is calling us to work for this kind of food that comes from the heart of a person who has personally encountered him, the risen Lord.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we open our hearts to embrace the eternal food of love, compassion, mercy, kindness, peace and salvation which You offer to humanity, give us the grace and courage to bear authentic witness of Your goodness in the world, especially at this moment when humanity needs You most. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. As the week begins, be strong, be hopeful and stay safe for God is still in control.

Homily For Third Sunday of Easter Year A, 19th April, 2026. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Readings: Acts.2:14.22-33; Ps.16; 1Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HAVING AN ENCOUNTER THAT RESTORES HOPE

The Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1817, defines Christian hope as: "the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit”

So, the virtue of hope is a necessary vehicle for Christian faith and in the journey of life. We can only understand the value of this virtue when we find ourselves in a hopeless situation like the two disciples of Jesus on their way to Emmaus, as we heard in our Gospel passage today.

These two disciples were sad because their hopes had been dashed. They had placed their hope in Jesus, believing that he would be the one who would redeem Israel. They said in Luke 24:21: “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.”

They were hoping that Jesus would become a political leader who would once again bring Israel into freedom from Roman oppression, just the same way Nigerians were hoping that the present government would bring restoration and confidence to our country, only to wake up and realise that we have been deceived and things have been worse than ever.

So, like these disciples, we were hoping. But our hope was gone and now we are sad and confused. Most of us are now going back to Emmaus to continue with our old ways of life. This is the reality of life, for in this journey of life, we may see ourselves journeying back through the road to Emmaus, walking and looking so sad, hopeless and confused.

Yes, many things in life can make us sad and hopeless. Sometimes, we suffer humiliation and disappointment from family members and friends. At times we lost our jobs, our properties, our friends through quarrels, divorce, abuse, addictions, and other natural and supernatural disasters. And these inflict pains and hopelessness in our hearts as we walk sad and hopeless through the Emmaus road of life.

And here comes Jesus journeying with us, letting us know that hope does not die! Because he is alive today and can walk into our lives and restore hope, for his presence is hope personified. He wants to have a deep conversation with us, he wants to remind and instruct us about his promises. He wants to reveal himself to us in a personal and collective manner just as he did with his two disciples today. The hope once lost will be restored by his presence through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Little wonder, Pope Francis, while defining Christian hope, said that: "hope is much more than simple optimism for Christians, it is a constant expectation, it's a gift from the Holy Spirit, it's a miracle of renewal that never lets us down”.

This will help us to understand what happened in our first reading today, where we heard how Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice speaking about their personal experience of God, how God raised Jesus to life and how he received from the Father the Holy Spirit, and now they are witnesses to this through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, St. Peter in our second reading, wants us to remember that the ransom that was paid to free us from our useless and ugly ways of life was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ. Here, we see how God chooses to carry out His plan.

This awesome nature of God is well demonstrated in the story of the mysterious presence of Jesus before his two disciples, who were disappointed and were going back to their old ways of life. These disciples recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread and returned to bear witness to their encounter.

Dear friends, the setting of this story of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, portrays the structure of our liturgical celebration more practically. At our liturgical celebrations, we journey with Jesus along the way of faith, where he unites us with himself, though separated by sin, as he reconciles us with ourselves through the penitential rite. Then he feeds us with his word, as he prepares us for a special encounter at the Eucharistic table where he manifests himself in the Eucharist for us to recognise him.

Friends, happy are we who encounter and recognise our risen Lord in the Eucharist, where he constantly invites us to come and be restored.

Therefore, as we continue our journey of faith, we may find ourselves on the road to Emmaus with all hope seeming lost. The road which represents disappointment, failure, sorrow, grief, bitterness and confusion. So like the two Emmaus disciples, we should know that the risen Lord is with us in our journey of life, even when we cannot recognise him.

In the same way, he is journeying with us in our liturgical worship even when we don’t recognise him. Jesus is journeying with us today. He wants to hear us discuss him, he wants to enlighten us, he wants to open our hearts and minds through the scriptures, and he wants to address our daily challenges. He wants to reveal himself to us at this Eucharistic celebration. Are you ready to encounter him?

LET US PRAY: O God, as we journey with You, especially at this difficult moment in human history, may Your presence strengthen our faith and constantly renew our hope, give us the grace and courage to dedicate ourselves, our time, and energy in serving You, as You fill our hearts with the Joy of Your kingdom. Amen. May God bless all our Mothers.

Homily For Saturday in Second Week of Easter, 18th April, 2026

 

Readings: Acts.6:1-7; Ps.33; John 6:16-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD, LET YOUR PRESENCE CALM ALL THE STORMS IN OUR LIVES

A boat is a craft made for transportation, fishing, or cruising on the water, and it is propelled by oars or wind. It is a full house, a complete and secure vessel. The fishermen and the mariners who are in the sea business know the value of a boat and what it means to be in a boat faced with heavy storms. Little wonder, in the Scriptures, Jesus often made use of the boat to teach and instruct the people and his disciples.

On the occasion of our Gospel passage today, the disciples got into the boat and went before Jesus to the other side. When evening came, they were there alone on the boat, which had gone far on the lake, and was battling with a heavy sea storm.

So as the waves were breaking over the boat, the disciples were afraid and needed help from anywhere. It was at this point that they saw Jesus walking on the sea and he said to them: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”. And as he got into the boat the wind ceased.

In this Gospel passage, we can foresee a gesture which signifies the chosen people of God on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea, the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world.

Today, Jesus is inviting us to journey on this boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repentant heart so that our storms of struggles will cease. Because the world is being tossed around by the waves of evil forces the enemies of humankind, inflicting hardships, sickness and sorrows on us.

But Jesus is inviting us to come into his boat so that we can find life, peace and grace to overcome our struggles. This is what the apostles did in our first reading today when they had challenges with the distribution of resources to the people.

So inspired by the Holy Spirit they said to the people: select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty of distribution to them, and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.

Dear friends, the world is full of seas and caves of different problems in the form of storms, and so many people are trying to find ways to fix their problems. Today, Jesus is inviting us to come into his boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repentant heart, and we will find peace of mind. For his boat is the safest vessel where all our storms can be subdued. Where humanity can find solace, where all our struggles will cease, where hope for the future is guarantied.

Therefore, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul today? I don’t know how deep your sorrows of constant failure and disappointment are. I don’t know how long or deep you have been involved in the evil going on in this world. All I know is that when Jesus comes into the boat of our lives, our families and societies, all the storms in our lives will cease and then we will worship God in sincerity and freedom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for being with us in all our struggles against the storms of life, as we invite you into the boat of our lives, grant that the violent storms and waves of bondage in our lives will end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a peaceful weekend.