The Homily of Saturday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 27th March, 2021

 The Homily of Saturday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 27th March, 2021

Readings: Ezek.37:21-28; Ps.31; John 11:45-56

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

IT IS BETTER FOR ONE MAN TO DIE, THAN THE WHOLE NATION TO PERISH 

Oftentimes, we do things without knowing or understanding the full meaning of what we are doing. Sometimes, we feel or think that we can change God’s plan by frustrating the effects of others, but later to discover that we are unknowingly fulfilling the plan of God. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Jewish authorities were filled with rage on account of the news of the resurrection of Lazarus which increased the popularity of Jesus. So they convoked a council to discern how to get rid of him.

For them, this man works many signs and people are now believing in him, if we let him go on this way everybody will believe in him and the Romans will come and suppress the Holy Place and their nation. They were jealous and afraid not just of the Romans but also for possibly losing the temple and even the privileged position of the priests. Thus, Caiaphas being the high priest, decided that it is better that one man should die for the people, than the whole nation should perish. Though being the high priest, he did not just speak, but unknowingly, was prophesying that Jesus have to die to save humanity from sin and death.

Dear friends, often times our actions and attitudes are like that of the Jewish authorities, we condemn people out of jealousy and unnecessary fear we feel because of what God is doing through them. Sometimes , we feel threatened and intimidated by people’s good deeds and blessings, because we don’t see the need to appreciate them or see the hands of God in what they do. This is very bad and should not be see among us. The truth is that, God has a plan for everyone. God’s plan for Jesus is to save humanity, which he had promised through prophet Ezekiel as we heard him in our first reading today saying: “I shall rescue them from all the betrayals they have been guilty of; I shall cleanse them; they shall be my people and I will be their God”. 

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

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

The Homily of Friday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 26th March, 2021

 The Homily of Friday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 26th March, 2021

Readings: Jer.20:10-13; Ps.17; John 10:31-42

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

HAVING THE RIGHT IMAGE OF GOD IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTANDING GOD’S ACTIVITIES

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

So, in the same way Jesus was being misunderstood and persecuted by the people who should understand him better. Hence, he challenged them to accept his personality as the Son of God who reveals the love of the Father and gives eternal life. But because of the unclear image of God they have in their minds they could not accept the teachings of Jesus in relation to God the Father. Thus, they tried to stone him.

Dear friends, often times we behave the same way, where in the name of God, some persons are ready to kill others. In fact throughout history, Jews, Christians and Muslims, have fought in the name God. Today the same thing is still happening in our societies and countries. These ugly attitudes will continue to happen because we do not have the right image of the God we claim to be serving. 

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

In a similar way, through our disobedience, pride and ignorance, we may have behaved just like those who have persecuted the prophets and also refused to listen to the truth of what Jesus has told us about his personality. Therefore, What image of God do we have in our minds? Is it the image of a God who is Pure, Loving and Merciful? Or an image of one who dominates others and condemn them?. 

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

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

 The Homily of Thursday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 25th March, 2021

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Readings: Is. 7:10-14.8:10; Ps.39; Heb.10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LET IT BE DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL

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

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

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

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

Thus, we are called to draw strength, faith and courage from Mary in her total submission to God’s will, knowing that despite all the darkness, sorrow and uncertainties in our world, God will not abandoned his people. His promise of salvation is a reality that we will surely experience. Therefore, let us entrust ourselves in humility to God just as Mary had done. Let us ask for his mercy and forgiveness as we also forgive one another. It is not time to judge people or lose faith. Rather, it is time to pray for each other as we grow stronger in faith and in our love and devotion to God. knowing that he is closer to us in this turbulent times for he does not fail in his promises.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the occasion of the annunciation reminds us of your promises and plans to redeem humanity, as we listen to your words today, may we respond positively to your requests and so be filled with the joy of your presence, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

The Homily of Wednesday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 24th March, 2021

 The Homily of Wednesday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 24th March, 2021

Readings: Dan. 3:14-20,24-25,28; Ps.: Dan. 3:52-56; John:8:31-42

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

As our Lenten season draws closer to the events of Holy Week, the Gospel reading continues with the contentious dialogue between Jesus and the Jews. Here Jesus told the Jews who believed in him that if they continue to know his word, they will learn the truth and the truth will set them free. But the Pharisees take offense at this statement. That as descendants of Abraham they were free and never slaves to anyone. But this is not the case. In fact, the Jews were continuously enslaved to foreign powers.

 

Nevertheless, Jesus is talking about a different kind of freedom, that is freedom from the slavery of sin. Sin makes us salves to devil. To be free from sin is the desire of every disciple of Christ and this freedom comes from knowing the truth found in the word of God. This is the truth that kept  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from succumbing to the request of  King Nebuchadnezzar to worship the status he has made as we heard in our first reading today. So, they answered: if our God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power, O king, he will save us; and even if he does not, then you must know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue you have erected.’

Dear friends, these men stood for what they belief. We are called today to embrace the truth found in the word of God. We are called to stand for the truth we have found in Christ. We are called defend the faith we profess in Christ. But how many of us who want to be disciples of Christ have truly made his word our home? How much of his word resides in us? Have we not  personally experienced the Lord’s mercy and love through the scriptures?  Therefore, we are called to be more devoted and pay heed to the instructions of Jesus who tells us to be truly faithful to God.

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, help us to have a personal experience of you through the scriptures and so develop deeper love and interest in your word and find in it true freedom, happiness and peace especially in this challenging moment in our world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.

The Homily of Tuesday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 23rd March, 2021

 The Homily of Tuesday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 23rd March, 2021

Readings: Num. 21:4-9; Ps. 101; John:8:21-30

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 LOOK UP TO THE CROSS OF CHRIST AND FIND STRENGTH AND MERCY

The symbol of the cross has become the universal image of Christian belief, an instrument of salvation which often appear in Christian art works. This is because countless generations of artists have turned it into a thing of beauty to be carried in procession or worn as jewelry and other religions activities. But, the cross in the eyes of early Christians had no beauty, it was a sign of sorrow, a symbol of courage, an expression of faith which stood outside the city walls, decorated only with decaying corpses, as a threat to anyone who believes in Jesus. However, this ugly event has turned into a glorious act? Which shows the power of God over humanity. Telling us that God is the source of victory, He has the power to turn ugly situation into a glorious one. 

This is evident in our first reading today, where we heard of the rebellion of Israel against God, their lack of gratitude and appreciation for all that God had done for them. The people had repeatedly grumbled and disobeyed the Lord, spurning his love and committed all sort of sins and betraying God for pagan idols. At this God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. Then, they cried to Moses confessing that they have sinned against God. So Moses interceded and made a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. So, if anyone is bitten and looks at it, will live. 

 

That's why in our Gospel today, Jesus is reminding us yet again, how sin leads to death, and how he himself is going to die as he has repeatedly mentioned to his disciples of his upcoming passion and death. He mentioned of how he would suffer and die and be lifted up on the Cross for the salvation of humanity, pointing out the true reality of what had happened with Moses and the Israelites. The truth is that, God reveals his love, his greatest glory when his Son was lifted up on the cross for there the victory of our salvation was achieved and at the Cross Jesus tells us everything and solves all our difficult problems.

Dear friends, as we struggle with the ugly event of situation in our world caused by sin and human frailty, thereby leading to the death of many people and the restriction of human movement and interaction, let us deeply look at the Cross of Christ, what do we see? How do we feel about the Cross? What does the Cross represents in our life? Do we feel the love of Jesus? Can we perceive the expensive price of our salvation? As we reflect about these, let us return to God, for it is time to let go of our sinful ways of life. But what is keeping us from returning to God? Today we are called not to die in our sins, rather, we should look up to the Cross of Christ and find the strength and mercy of God.

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

The Homily of Monday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 22nd March, 2021

 The Homily of Monday in Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 22nd March, 2021

Readings: Dan. 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, Ps. 22, John:8:1-11

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE MERCY OF GOD WILL NOT LET US BE CONDEMNED BY SINFUL PEOPLE

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

Susanna stood her ground and refused to submit to those men’s desires, and she almost lost her life to false accusation as the two elders abused their authority to falsely accuse Susanna of adultery and promiscuity while it was their own sins that led them to condemning her. But through God’s Spirit and Wisdom Daniel rose up and defended Susanna, forcing the two elders to reopen the investigation when they had almost succeeded in silencing her by condemning her to death. At this point, Daniel trapped the two elders in their own words and false testimonies, and they were convicted by their own words. 

Also a similar situation occurred in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Pharisees led a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, condemning her to death by stoning in accordance to the Jewish customs and laws, and they attempted to use her as a test for Jesus, hoping that through his response they would trapped him. This is because they know that  if Jesus had condemned the woman, then the people could then say that Jesus was following the example of the Pharisee and therefore discredit his teaching authority. And if Jesus said that the woman should be set free, the Pharisees then could condemn Jesus for siding with a sinner. 

Here again the wisdom and mercy of God vindicated the woman, when Jesus asked for those who had no sin to cast the first stone on the woman. This is perfectly wise set of words to say in that occasion as it is a reality that every one has sinned before, and the longer that one has lived, the more sins naturally he or she had committed. So they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more'. 

Dear friends such is the love and mercy of God for each one of us. This shows the fact that God loves us all, and his love for us is even greater than the hatred he has on our sins. And for all those who have faith in him and put their trust in him, God will provide for them and protect them, just as he did to Susanna and this adulterous woman. So, God wants us all to repent and be cleansed from our sins, our wickedness, immorality, corruption and selfishness. He is repeating the same words he told the adulterous woman, that she had been forgiven and yet, she must not sin again. Telling us that sin is something that we must struggle to overcome daily, knowing that God is ever loving and merciful towards us, but we must not take his love and mercy for granted and continue to live in the state of sin.

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

So, are we lost in sin? Have we given up in our struggle against sin? Do you think that your sins are so great that God cannot forgive you? Do you feel lost now? Jesus is waiting for us to come back to him. When was the last time you sincerely fill sorry for your habitual sins?  I just want you to know that God loves you and his mercy will not let you be condemned by sin for you are too precious to be lost in sin.

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

HOMILY ON FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B, 21ST MARCH, 2021

 HOMILY ON FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B, 21ST MARCH, 2021

Readings: Jer. 31:31-34; Ps. 51; Heb. 5:7-9; John 12:20-33

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

THE BODY MUST DIE TO SIN, SO THAT THE SOUL COULD BEAR FRUIT OF LOVE

One of the great doctors and mystics of the Church, St. John of the Cross in his poem titled: The Ascent of Mount Carmel, talks about the dark night of the soul, a night that has united the Lover with His beloved. The night through which a soul journeys towards that divine light of perfect union with God through love. Explaining the nature of this dark night, St. John of the Cross gave three reasons for calling this journey towards the union with God a night.

The first has to do with the point of departure, because the individual must deprive himself of his appetite for worldly possessions. This denial and privation is like a night for all his senses. The second reason have to do with the means or road along which a person travels to this union. Now, this road is faith, and for the intellect, faith is also like a dark night. The third reason pertains to the point of arrival, namely, to God. For God as we know is a dark night for those who are still living in the flesh. Thus, these three nights pass through a soul, or rather, the soul pass through them in order to reach divine union with God.

This no doubt, helps us to understand what Jesus is saying in our Gospel passage today, when he talks about his passion saying: Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say: Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. I tell you, most solemnly, unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life will lose it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. For if a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too.

Here, Jesus is telling us that the journey towards our God demands great sacrifice that will take away every thing that we so much attached ourselves with. We must be ready to sacrifice all to the point of dying to sin in order to bear fruit of love, just the way a healthy seed dies to the ground in order to germinate and give birth to a three of life that bear fruit of love, peace and kindness. And the seed that Jesus is referring here is himself, who sacrificed everything at the Cross of Calvary to bear fruit of love for all humanity. Therefore, we must learn how to pass through the dark night of this sinful world, by denying ourselves the gross and sinful appetite for worldly possessions, in order to journey through the dark night of faith that will lead us to true love for God and our neighbours.

It is this sacrificial love of Jesus that we are called today to embrace. For although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation, as we heard in our second reading today. And in our first reading, we heard prophet Jeremiah reminding us that deep within our hearts God has planted his Laws. And there will be no further need for neighbour to try to teach neighbour, or brother to say to brother, ‘Learn to know the Lord!’ No, for we will all know him, the least no less than the greatest. For he will be our God and we shall be his people.

Dear friends, what is keeping us today from embracing the love God is offering us? What is keeping us from journeying with our Lord Jesus in this dark night of faith, that helps our to die to sinful things of this passing world, in order to germinate and bear fruit of love? What is it that the world is offering us today, that can be compared to the glory of God and the salvation that the Lord Jesus has worn for us? Why not make up your mind today to embrace the Lord? Why not give up selfishness, pride, corruption, greed and all forms of immoralities in order to join men and women of our time who have given themselves to noble causes for the sake of common good.

 For there are great people who today have given themselves to the service of others: they are those who see to the good of others. They are those parents who teach their children the ways of the Lord by their practical ways of life. They are those people who sacrificed to help others who are victims of the challenging moment of our time. They are friends who speak the truth to their friends and stand by it. They are political leaders who stand for what they represent and are willing to renounce power rather than compromise principles. They are teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientist, business men and women who render sincere service to humanity without compromising the truth. 

It may often seems as if they do not bear tangible results, their sacrifices sometimes seem useless. But they maintain their dignity, they cherish their sense of self worth, they value their sense of righteousness. They are indeed, “dead to sin, in order to bear the fruit of God’s love to the world”. Today, they are sons and daughters of God, who have conquered the sinful pride of this passing world. So, like Jesus, they teach us to understand what it means to be like the angels, what it means to remain faithful to our belief, what it means to have faith and hope in God, what it means to say that this world is not my home. Are you one of those? Can you be one of those? Why not make up your mind today, for the Lord is waiting for our response.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of your words today, as we move towards the holy week, may we journey with the Lord in his passion and death to the things of this sinful world, so as to share in his resurrection at Easter, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Happy Sunday to you all.