The Homily for Monday in Second Week of Easter, 12th April, 2021

 The Homily for Monday in Second Week of Easter, 12th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.4:23-31; Ps.2; John 3:1-8

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LORD, GIVE US THE GRACE  TO PROCLAIM YOUR WORD WITH ALL BOLDNESS

Threats, intimidation, torture and fear are some of the powerful ways of silencing people from expressing their views, opinion and faith. We can recall how these ugly attitude was use to silence the youths in recent past in country especially in the ugly event of End-Sars protest which brought about Lekki toll gate shooting and killing of innocent people. These very technics and tools are what the chief priests and the elders used in intimidating the apostles in our first reading today and the same systematic tools prevented Nicodemus from coming to Jesus expect by night as we read in the Gospel passage today.

Nicodemus was afraid and ashamed to be seen with Christ because of his colleagues who will possibly threaten him. So he came in the night to seek knowledge. Here he came not to have knowledge about the state affairs, though he was a ruler, but about the concerns of his own soul and its salvation. Though he came by night, Jesus welcomed him and afterward at the passion he proclaimed Christ publicly, hereby demonstrating and teaching us the power of courage.

Dear friends, these same courage and boldness were the prayerful request the apostles made to the Lord when they where threatened be the authorities never to preach in the name of Jesus. Now, the disciple knew that powerful forces were arrayed against them. They knew, as well, that Peter and John were determined to continue their witness. 

So they prayed for strength to speak the Word of God with confidence and boldness and asked that in their expression of faith God should accomplish their works with signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. We all need this confidence and boldness if we are to effectively evangelize the people especially at this moment when the world has lost interest in the things of God.

LET US PRAY: heavenly Father, as we struggle with the ugly situation of fear, intimidation and torture in our families, societies and the world at large, give us the grace, confidence and boldness to proclaim you Word in the power of Your Spirit in order to penetrate the hearts of men and women of our generation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do remain blessed for the Joy of Lord is our strength.

The Homily for Second Sunday of Easter, the Divine Mercy Sunday, 11th April, 2021

 The Homily for Second Sunday of Easter, the Divine Mercy Sunday, 11th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.4:32-35; Ps.118; 1John 5:1-7; John 20:19-31

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

DO NOT DOUBT ANYMORE BUT BELIEVE

Pope St. John Paul II in the Jubilee Year of 2000, instituted the Divine Mercy Sunday, which is to be celebrated every second Sunday of Easter to remind us that the joyful celebration of Easter season is also a time for us to appreciate once again that our Lord Jesus passed through the worst of sufferings and humiliations in his Passion, Death and Resurrection, and so won eternal life for humanity. 

Thus, the event we celebrate today is meant for us to focus our attention once again on the Lord, to ask Jesus for his mercy on us and the whole world especially through his glorious and wondrous passion, which stands as a perfect offering for the redemption of our sins. Hence, we need to have faith in the Lord and believe that through him there is hope for our salvation. This truly explains the words of Jesus to his disciples when he said: “Blessed are those who believe”.  This statement could be a central theme in our Gospel passage today. 

Here, Jesus said to Thomas: “ Do not doubt but believe… for blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”  This is because Thomas was lacking in faith and so was doubtful of the Lord’s resurrection but only to be humbled when the Lord himself appeared right before him. Thomas believed and said to the Lord, ‘My Lord and My God’. And the Gospel ended by saying that these are written that you may believe in Jesus and that believing you may have life in his name.

This also, is repeated in our second reading today, where we heard that whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten by God; and whoever loves the Father that begot him loves the child whom he begets. For anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world; telling us that through our faith we have victory over the world. So, the purpose of this Gospel is for us, the readers to believe and so enjoy the promised blessing. Today Millions of Christians have been strengthened in their faith by reading this Gospel, and millions of others have been brought to faith through it. 

Dear friends, sometimes in our lives we behave like Thomas, in fact Thomas represent all of us who in one way or the other have been doubtful of the presence of God in our lives. No doubt that there are many of us with different experiences at different levels of faith and devotion. But at some point, we may have grown weak in our commitment to the Lord and begin to doubt his presence with us, based on our own experiences, or when we are distracted and tempted by many ugly desire for worldly things that will turn us away from the Lord. 

More so, we have often placed God aside and forgotten about him, by prioritizing more on other things in our lives. We have often treated him or thing related to him as something not significant. There are times when we doubt the presence of God in our families, societies and even the Church. There are times when we have doubted the presence of God in the Eucharist, the sacraments and even in the activities of his ministers. Oftentimes, we are doubtful of the mercy of God, his love for us, his power to safe, heal and protect us, as we go seeking for help from other “sources” which will only worsen our situation.

Brethren, to be a believer in our world today can be really difficult, so we need to support each other. We need to strengthen our community life especially during this difficult moment in our country and world at large. The first Christians supported one another by praying, worshipping and sharing their resources and the word of God together, as we have it in our first reading. For the whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.

Therefore, let us unite together as believers, and bear authentic witness to our faith. As we struggle in this dark moment in our lives when God seems far away from the world, let us ask him to help us to remove all forms of doubt, especially in this time when the Gospel is under all kinds of threats by faithless and ignorant people. As we ask his Divine mercy in our live, our families, societies and the world at large. Remember, the Lord is indeed merciful he forgives us freely and generously but do not take his mercy for granted by dwelling perpetually in sin.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are encouraged to believe without seeing, this can really be very difficult in a world of empiricism, help us especially this trial moment in our world, never to doubt whatever you have revealed through your son, may we rather be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and untiring in loving you and our neighbours, as  the world hope to experience your Divine Mercy once again. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Divine Mercy Sunday to you and your house hold.

The Homily for Saturday in Octave of Easter, 10th April, 2021

 The Homily for Saturday in Octave of Easter, 10th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.14:13-21; Ps.117; Mark 16:9-15

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

GO OUT TO THE WHOLE WORLD AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

After the resurrection of Jesus, he has appeared to his disciples in different occasions. Today in our Gospel passage, he appeared to the eleven apostles and commissioned them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. This is what Peter and John exercised in our first reading today. Here the rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the great witness shown by Peter and John, so, they tried to prevent them and other disciples from spreading any further the Good News about the risen Lord, by attempting to suppress them through fear and pressure. 

However, the disciples  were not ready to give in to fear or pressure, for they were encouraged and strengthened by the Lord through the Holy Spirit as they were no longer the same people who hide in the fear of the authorities. Instead they openly defied the orders from the Sanhedrin and continued to carry out the missions which God had entrusted to them. Hence, the mandate of this mission has been repeated in our liturgy throughout this octave of Easter, in order to remind us our mission as Christians. It also gives us an opportunity to review our Easter experience, so as to examine ourselves about the impact the week has made on us. 

Dear friends, to what extent have we been able to bear witness to the world about the risen Lord? As disciples of Christ, we are mandated to share the Good News of salvation provided by Christ Jesus to all creation. We are to do so not just in silence, but in words and actions which is seen in our ways of life. 

So, friends, what can we do to ensure that the Gospel reach out to all creation? How best can we spread this Good News, especially in this time of difficulty when the world is looking for an answers to the fundamental reality of human life? The answer to this fundamental question is rooted in the Gospel of Christ and the best way to preach the Gospel today is witnessing by our way of life. Today there are many voices preaching the Good News, but only few are bearing authentic witness to the Gospel. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace and courage to bear authentic witness of your Gospel in a world where people are confused and no longer pay attention to your word. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a peaceful weekend.

The Homily for Friday in Octave of Easter, 9th April, 2021

 The Homily for Friday in Octave of Easter, 9th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.4:1-12; Ps.117; John:21:1-14

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

WITHOUT JESUS AS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR LIVES, WE WILL TOIL IN VAIN

For any system or structure to remain firm and sustainable, such structure must be well situated on a solid foundation known as cornerstone. This is also applicable to most things we do in life. Today in our Gospel passage, the disciples of Jesus led by Peter had left Jerusalem and gone all the way back to their native homes to resume their former ways of life as fishermen, because they have failed to understand that Jesus is the cornerstone of their lives. So they went fishing all night. After a whole night’s fishing, they caught absolutely nothing, tired and disappointed. 

This night of futile fishing left them with empty nets and hopelessness. They have forgotten that without Jesus the cornerstone, they can do nothing. It was at this point that suddenly, a stranger on the shore invites them for breakfast. Here, Jesus takes the initiative and visits them as he engaged them on a dialogue saying: “have you caught anything?” They reluctantly admits they have got nothing. Then, he said to them drop your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find something. They did so and were overwhelmed at the catch they have made. There were so many fish that they simply could not be taken into the boat. Thus, they recognize that it was Jesus the cornerstone of their lives and mission. 

Dear friends, like the disciples, we too must come to recognize Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives, who is there for us even at the most mundane moments of our daily lives. For Peter tells us in our first reading, that Jesus is that stone which the builders rejected, but today is the cornerstone by which we are saved. Today, all over the world, people are struggling with different ugly situations. In fact, the world is in the state of confusion, people are suffering, their means of livelihood has been deprived, no food, no electricity no good water, crisis everywhere, poverty is on the increase, house rent is due and no one to run to, some family only look up to God for daily survival.

 

However,  in midst of this ugly situations, let us know that we are not left alone in our fears and sorrows, for Jesus the cornerstone of our lives is nearer to us now then before. We only need to have faith in him and acknowledge him as the cornerstone of our lives and families especially in this difficult moment. Let us be strong, steadfast, courageous and hopeful, knowing that the Joy of the risen Lord is our strength.

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, without you we will toil in vain, never cease to be the cornerstone of our lives, our families and the world at large. May the most vulnerable in our midst experience your grace, your help, your heeling, favour and interventions as we look up to you as our cornerstone. For you live and reign forever and ever. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

The Homily for Thursday in Octave of Easter, 8th April, 2021

 The Homily for Thursday in Octave of Easter, 8th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.3:11-23; Ps.8; Luke24:35-48

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

BEARING AUTHENTIC WITNESS

A  witness must be someone who has seen and experienced something and could testify to the facts of what he or she has seen. Today in a special way Jesus appeared to his disciples wishing them peace and commissioning them to bear witness to his resurrection. He commissioned his disciples with these words “You are witnesses to this”. 

 The disciples had witnessed Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection and here comes the mission to witness this to the whole world and to proclaim reconciliation with God through Jesus. We too receive this commission of being his witnesses, through our baptism we are incorporated into the Church to authentically bear witness to the faith we profess. 

Dear friends, it is our task to carry on this mission of Christ  throughout the whole world. If we do not, then, the world will not hear Christ’s message of reconciliation, forgiveness and victory over sin and death, thereby, making the world to remain ignorant of what God has done for us and the consequences of this ignorance is the root of the problems in our world today.

However, we can not bear effectiveness witness unless we have a personal experience of the risen Lord. It is this personal experience that enables Peter to bear effectiveness witness of Christ before the people as we read in our first reading today (Acts 3:11-26), we too can do the same when  we experience the risen Lord personally in our lives. 

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, let us once again experience you personally in our lives and give us the grace to bear authentic witness of your presence in the world, especially at this moment when the world is in a state of confusion not knowing what to do. Manifest your victorious power afresh in our lives, families, societies and the world at large. You who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen

The Homily for Wednesday in Octave of Easter, 7th April, 2021

 The Homily for Wednesday in Octave of Easter, 7th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.3:1-10; Ps. 104; Luke24:13-35

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

RECOGNIZING THE LORD AT THE BREAKING OF BREAD

Oftentimes, we hardly understand fully the meaning of the faith we profess in Christ. Though we still journey with Christ and his Church without full understanding of the mystery we celebrate. Sometimes we are confused, sometimes we doubt, sometimes we feel like going back to our ugly and sinful ways of life. This type of disposition is the condition of the two disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, where we heard the story about the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus.

The story of these two disciples on the road to Emmaus is one of the most interesting stories in the Gospel that explains the structure of our liturgical celebration in a more practical way.  In this story, they were on a journey when the risen Lord joined them on the way and explained the scriptures to them. These two disciples have no idea who Jesus was when he approached them. They are aware, however, of the recent events in Jerusalem but could not comprehend it. But the Lord after explaining the scriptures, revealed his identity to them at the breaking of bread, when he took a loaf of bread, and given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them just like he did at the last Supper. 

Dear friends, in this same way, the risen Lord journeys with us in our liturgical worship, beginning with the penitential rite where we recall how sinful and unworthy we are before God. Then we recalled the events of our faith as the Lord Jesus takes us through the Scriptures and the celebration of the Eucharist. Here the faith of the faithful is sustained. It is the place where Jesus continues to reveal himself. Where the Christian faith is born and nurtured, where what Jesus did for us through his suffering, death and resurrection is remembered in thanksgiving. This is the faith Peter and John exercised in our first reading today, when they restored the crippled in the name of Jesus.

But the question we need to ask ourselves are, what is our disposition towards the faith we have found in Christ? Have we personally encountered or recognized the presence of God in our lives, especially at Eucharistic celebration? Today the Lord Jesus wishes to journey with us in our struggles. He wishes to instruct us more about the faith we found in him. He wishes to reveal himself once again for to us if we are going to be disposed enough to listen to him as he speaks to us especially through the scriptures.

LET US PRAY: Loving Jesus, as we journey together on the road of faith with you, especially in the midst of the ugly situation ravaging the world, help us to always recognize you personally in different events we encounter on the way, especially at the breaking of the Eucharistic bread. You who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Peace be with you.

The Homily for Octave of Easter Tuesday, 6th April, 2021

 The Homily for Octave of Easter Tuesday, 6th April, 2021

Readings: Acts.2:36-41; Ps. 32; John 20: 11-18

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

HAVING PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH THE RISEN LORD?

One of the most precious gift God can offer to anyone is the privilege of having a personal experience and encounter with him, especially in this season which is a moment of encounter. Little wonder our reading this season gives us an account of how different people encountered the Lord Jesus. Today, our Gospel passage presents to us the story of a woman who seeks the Lord with all affection and tears. Mary Magdalene, who came back and remained by the tomb where Jesus was laid and was weeping. Her heart was in earnest to find Jesus. The angels asked her: why are you weeping? she was just busy trying to find the corpse of Jesus. But when she turned around and saw Jesus, her heart was filled with joy and peace.

 

So, we are likely to seek and find the Lord, when we seek him with all affection and tears. But often times the clouds and darkness of our sins blind us from recognizing the Lord who is always very close to us. The truth is that, our disposition this season matters a lot. If we have that true disposition and desire to encounter Jesus we will surely experience him in our lives. It’s just few days after Easter, how close have we personally embrace the Lord? What difference has his presence made in our lives?

 Dear friends, the Lord Jesus is at the door knocking and waiting for us to open the door of our hearts so that we will experience him personally. For he, the good shepherd knows his sheep and he said his sheep would know him when he calls their names. Just like Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus when he called her name. But are we disposed enough to hear him when he speaks to us? In different ways and forms Jesus speaks to us. And the common ways of making himself known to his people is by his words; his words appeals to our souls, speaking to us in a particular way that is unique to us. Therefore let us be well disposed to hear the Lord Jesus speaking to us in our heart and there we experience and encounter him personally.

 LET US PRAY: Lord God, our souls desire to encounter your Son our Lord Jesus personally once again, give us the grace and strength to always be ready to turn around, to look again, that we may see, experience, fill and recognize your presence in our lives personally and collectively. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.