The Homily for Wednesday in Sixth Week of Eastertide Year B, 12th May, 2021

 The Homily for Wednesday in Sixth Week of Eastertide Year B, 12th May, 2021

Readings: Acts 17:15.22-18:1; Ps.148;  John 16:12-15

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE TIME OF IGNORANCE IS OVER BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH HAS BE GIVEN TO US

One of the Spiritual works of Mercy is instructing the ignorant, and this is one of the difficult tasks to do as Christian, especially when it comes to dealing with people who are presumed to be learned. This kind of difficulty is what St. Paul has to face with the people of Athens in our first reading today. So Paul finding himself in the most learned city in the world of his time needed to preach the Good News of God to them. But the theme for his message have to be something that will interest his audience.

Thus, he started by clearing their ignorance regarding what he knew they were searching for. He said to them: “I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it.”

In this passage St. Paul claims that this unknown God is none other than God the Creator. He gave us evidence of the ignorance of pagan worship and made it clear that the object of true worship is the one Creator God. He showed us the proper relationship between humanity and God as he lets us know that the time of ignorance is now over. Also, Paul speaks of God’s creative act of humanity, from a single person Adam, he made every race of people and in him we live and move and exist. 

Therefore, we are God’s offspring, his true image in the world. Thus any image made by human skill and creativity will possibly be anything other than a distortion of the image of the one, true God. And so Paul warns us from involving in any form of idol worship as he called for total repentance because God will no longer overlook our ignorance. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, when Jesus said: ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.’

Dear friends, there are many idols that enslaved us in this world that when we are suddenly deprived of them we end up acting irrational and selfish, even to the point of hurting others just so that we may protect and justify ourselves. But the truth is that, the time of ignorance is over, for today we have before us the Spirit of truth. We can no longer pretend to be ignorant of God’s instructions. Therefore, let us repent from our sinful ways of life and embrace the Spirit of truth who will clear our ignorance. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are ignorant of so many things about you and the world we live in, grant that the Holy Spirit of truth, will continue to teach us about you and the faith we have found in our Son Jesus as he unveils the darkness of lies and falsehood in our world. He who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

The Homily for Tuesday in Sixth Week of Eastertide Year B, 11th May, 2021

 The Homily for Tuesday in Sixth Week of Eastertide Year B, 11th May, 2021

Readings: Acts 16:22-34; Ps.138;  John 16:5-11

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO CONVINCE THE WORLD OF SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGEMENT

As Jesus continues with his teaching on the Person of the Holy Spirit, whom he called the Counsellor, Jesus said to his disciples in our Gospel passage, ‘I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement.’

The focal point here is on the works of the Holy Spirit in the world. This is because Jesus knows that with the rejection of his teaching by the people of the world, the disciples need an advocate who will surely proved to the world how wrong they are in rejecting and killing him. Hence, What seemed like abandonment to the disciples, brought about the message of hope assuring them that the Holy Spirit will show the world how wrong it was, about sin and about judgment. That is, the Spirit will convict and persuade the people of the world of their sinful condition which they hold so tight because they were wrong for not believe in Jesus. 

Thus the Holy Spirit will clearly show to the world the righteousness of Jesus and his claims to come from God in order to bring the Word of God anew to the world. The Holy Spirit will reveal the meaning of Christ’s death as the condemnation of all that is evil in the world, and victory over devil the prince of this world. This is so evidence in our first reading, were we heard about the victory of Paul and Silas who were praying and singing God’s praises in the prison when the prison doors were opened. 

Dear friends, as we struggle with the ugly situation in the world, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit dwells in us as our Counsellor, all we need to do is to turn towards him with hope and courage, knowing that God has called us to be his people and he will always be faithful to his promises. And if we trust in him, we shall not be disappointed for in him alone is our sure hope of assistance during this difficult moments of our lives. 

Therefore, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and let him be the sources of hope, light and inspiration for us especially in this difficult moment of fears of uncertainties in our hearts and minds, which have enslaved and prevented us from realizing what our lives truly mean and what we represent in this world. Let us know that God has not and will not abandon us in the ugly situation we have found ourselves in this passing world, for he has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, whose work is to ensure our victory and prove to this sinful world how wrong they are in rejecting and persecuting Jesus and the work of redemption which he has established.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the ugly situation in our world is really shaking the faith of your children, grant, we pray, that we may always find delight in the indwelling of your Holy Spirit and so courageously conquer our fears and worries just like Paul and Silas. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless and keep you safe.

The Homily for Monday in Sixth Week of Eastertide Year B, 10th May, 2021

 The Homily for Monday in Sixth Week of Eastertide Year B, 10th May, 2021

Readings: Acts 16:11-15; Ps.149;  John 15:26-16:4

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE PROMISE OF AN ADVOCATE THAT WILL LEAD US TO THE PATHS OF TRUTH

In our societies today there are many false influential powers that have great effect in our lives coming from various source under the guise of good but are in fact leading us astray. So, there is need for us to examine these influences and today in our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: when the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.

Thus, the Holy Spirit will lead us to learn how to distinguish clearly where and in whom dwells the Spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood. As long as we are of God and in Christ, we have nothing to fear for we do not belong any more to this present world, full of sin, hatred, greed, corruption, deceit and violence. Everyday many false prophets and teachers are increasing and are deceiving the people. May God guide us against embracing, too readily, any doctrine proposed to us without due consideration from any teacher that may pretend to have a divine inspiration but are not.

Dear friends, we must be very wise for there are many false prophets operating under the power of the devil. Today Jesus is promising us the Spirit of truth that will give us a special sign for distinguishing true doctrine and true teachers from the false ones. Therefore, let us constantly ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace of discernment in order to distinguish between good and false prophets and teachers. Let us also be true Christians in our way of life, words and deeds. Let us learn to put our trust in God who has promised to keep us from falling away from the true faith we have found in His Son Jesus.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you promised to send us the Spirit of truth, grant we pray that we will always stand and witness to the truth we have found in Jesus against all the false influential prophets and teachers in our society today, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a fruitful week

The Homily for Sixth Sunday in Eastertide Year B, 9th May, 2021

 The Homily for Sixth Sunday in Eastertide Year B, 9th May, 2021

Readings: Acts.10:25-26.34-35.44-48; Ps.98; 1 John 4:7-10;  John 15:9-17

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

LOVE IS ALL THE LORD HAS OFFERED TO US AND LOVE IS ALL HE DEMANDS FROM US

As we celebrate the sixth Sunday of the holy season of Eastertide, our attention is being drawn more on the departure of Jesus who has been with his disciples. With the Solemnity of the Ascension coming up on Thursday within the week, in anticipation of the Solemnity of the Pentecost coming very soon, the readings of today draw our attention to the last and very important words of departure from Jesus to his disciples. This departing words is summarized in one word which is Love.

Thus, our readings today have love as it central theme. In our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you.” 

In a similar way, we heard St. John in our second reading saying: my dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. But anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love.

Here, our attention is focused on love.  But what kind of love are they taking about. Is it the type of love we have in our world today, the love that is based on feelings for selfish gain and lustful desires? I don’t think so, for Jesus didn’t say, I love you as a mother loves her baby or I love you the way a husband loves his wife or wife to her husband, or I love you the way the children love their parents or even I love you the way a girlfriend loves her boyfriend, nor the way people love their worldly possessions.

No, the love Jesus is taking about is the sacrificial love that comes from the heart and soul of one who is rooted in the life of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus is taking about the love of the Father towards the Son, and of the Son towards his disciples, and of his disciples toward God and our neighbour. This love is joined together with an inseparable seal of the heavenly joy. That is why Jesus said: my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete

Thus, Jesus is speaking of the power of love, that life giving passion that transforms and unite the disciples with the master in a relationship that portrays their new status. For they are no longer to be seen as “servants” but as “friends.” It was by the effects of the cross and resurrection of Jesus that they have come to know what this sacrificial love has accomplish in them through their unity and abiding relationship with Jesus in God the Father. 

Hence, this action now make it further clear that the power to respond to his command to love one another comes from his choice for them when he said: “you did not chose me, I chose you, I have called you; I have chosen you; I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Little wonder we heard St. Peter saying in our first reading: ‘The truth I have now come to realize is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.’

Dear friends, what is God demanding from us?  What does he expect from us as his disciples? The answer is love, sacrificial love, for love is what he requires from us. Love is all he has offered us, love is all he is demanding from us. He is not asking us to offer what he has not given us. He is rather asking us to offer that which he has offered us in abundance. I know that it is not easy to bear the sacrificial nature of love in our world today, but that is what the world needs now. Loving one another requires sacrifice, sacrifice of our comfort, resource, talent, gifts and pride. Loving one another requires forgiveness, mercy, care and humility and not the life of I, I, I, Me, Me, Me that we practice this days.

So. Let us not just think about ourselves and our selfish desires, but consider the needs of others and bear that sacrificial aspect of love. How I wish that humanity can embrace this command of our Lord Jesus, by investing more on the things that ensues love and unity in our societies rather than spending  our energy, time and resources in producing heavy ammunitions of war that breads more hatred and division in our world. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, love is what you have offered us, love is all you demand from us. As we listened to your words today, may we embrace your love in our hearts and share it with one another even in the midst of persecutions and hatred in our world. Let your love reign supreme in our lives, our families, societies, countries and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a spirit filled Sunday.

The Homily for Saturday in Fifth Week of Eastertide Year B, 8th May, 2021

 The Homily for Saturday in Fifth Week of Eastertide Year B, 8th May, 2021

Readings: Acts 16:1-10; Ps.100;  John 15:18-21

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

WHY WORLDLY MINDED PEOPLE HATE CHRISTIANS?

There is no doubt that threat breeds fear, insecurity and anger which brings about the negative feeling we called hatred. Little wonder the word ‘Hate’ is often used to express a negative feeling towards something or someone who we presumed to have some threat over us or something related to us. Meanwhile, hatred as we know is direct opposite of love. This definition is very important in order to understand the teaching of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, when he said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Here, Jesus who has been talking to his disciples about love and commanding them to love one another is today warning and telling them that, there is no guarantee that they will be loved in return by the people of the world. He used himself as an example of how they may be treated, that if the world hated and persecuted him so badly, his disciples should expect to be treated the same way. But why would the worldly minded people hated and persecuted Jesus and his disciples?

This is because the presence and words of Jesus bring great light and judgment to the darkness of this world, and the people of the world loves darkness rather than the Light, since their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. So the presence of Jesus the light of the world threatens the people of the world and this breeds fear, insecurity and anger which brings about the negative feeling of hatred for Jesus and those who associate with him. 

More so, it is important to note that, when Jesus talks about the “world” as we have it the Gospel passage, he is not referring to the physical world but the people who are so attached to the things of this world. People who have made the things of this passing world their God and have come to trust in their ability to exploit others and acquire the earth as their own. They try very hard to cover their sin and silence the voice of conscience accusing them of their sins. But here are Christians constantly reminding them of their sins as they strive to live a life of holiness which of course stirs up again all those thoughts and feelings of guilt which they wished to silenced. Hence, this threat breeds fear, insecurity and anger that gives birth to hatred of Christian by worldly minded people.

Dear friends, today we are called to bear witness even in the face of hatred and hostility. For spite of the world’s hatred, we should never respond with retaliation or hatred. Yes, there may be times to ask God to judge the wicked. There may be times to shake the dust off our feet and move on, of course we have to, knowing that we can do so through the Spirit of truth dwelling in us. For through our Baptism, we have received the Holy Spirit in us, which helps us strive to live a life of love and righteous even in the midst of persecutions and hatred.

LET US PRAY: Almighty and eternal God, who through the regenerating power of Baptism have been pleased to confer on us the heavenly life, grant us, we pray, the grace to bear authentic witness of your love and peace in the world full of hatred and strive. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a lovely and peaceful weekend.

The Homily for Friday in Fifth Week of Eastertide Year B, 7th May, 2021

 The Homily for Friday in Fifth Week of Eastertide Year B, 7th May, 2021

Readings: Acts 15:22-31; Ps.56; John 15:12-17

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS THE LORD HAS COMMANDED US

Love is a gift from God to mankind, it is like the stream water, so innocent and pure. A true love is not hidden, it radiates from the innermost being of a person who experience it. Most of the problems in our families, societies and the world at large can be traced to one major challenge, that is the absence of sincere love for one another, as most families today exist by grace and not by love. Imagine how wonderful the world would have been if we all love one another.

Little wonder, Jesus knowing how important love is for the well being of humanity, made it the center of all his teachings. He presents love of God and love of neighbour as the summary of all the commandments. And in our Gospel passage today, he says: “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you.”

So, as Jesus continues his teaching on love, today we heard more about the commandments of loving one another. There is no doubt that we all have experienced God’s love and favour in one way or another. God has done so much for us, giving us everything that we need, and He has shown us all these wonderful love so that we too may know what it truly means to love. And today Jesus is commanding us to also love one another in the same way that God has loved us and this is exemplified by the Apostles in the decision they made concerning how the gentile believers should be treated as we have it in our first reading today.

Dear friends, I know that it is not easy to bear the sacrificial nature of love, but that is what the world needs now. So let us be genuine with our actions and love towards one another. Let us not just think about ourselves and our selfish desires, but consider the needs of others. Loving one another requires sacrifice, sacrifice of our comfort, resource, talent, gifts and pride. Loving one another requires forgiveness, mercy, care and humility.

How I wish that humanity can invest the amount of energy, time and resources used in producing heavy personnels and ammunitions of war into ensuring love and unity in our dealings with one another, believe me we will not only be fulfilling the first and greatest commandments of God, but we will be building a happy family, a peaceful community and one united humanity build on love.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we make efforts to love one another, grant us the grace to experience true love in our lives, families, communities and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen Do have a blessed day.

The Homily for Thursday in Fifth Week of Eastertide Year B, 6th May, 2021

 The Homily for Thursday in Fifth Week of Eastertide Year B, 6th May, 2021

Readings: Acts 15:7-21; Ps.95;  John 15:9-11

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 REMAIN IN THE LOVE OF GOD BY KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS

The word “love” means a lot of things to different people. For some, love is one of the common words we use to express our deep feeling of affection for someone or something. But the fact remains that love is much more than that, why? Because it is something greater than the nature of the human person. For me Love is God’s nature which he shares with His creatures. It is that nature of God which we share with one another. Love is beyond human nature. When we love, we are actually acting out that very nature of God in us and this can be overwhelming and mysterious because it is the nature of God that we share. 

Therefore, love is God's greatest gift to humanity. A gift that shows how much He loves us by sending His Son whose life giving sacrifice means salvation for the world. So, the love that Jesus has for us is nothing less than the Divine love that unites the Persons of the Trinity, and Jesus presented this love as life that must continue among his disciples. That is why in our Gospel passage today he said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

Dear friends, let us keep the Lord’s commandments, let us embrace Jesus and the love he is offering us. Let us serve the Lord and his Church faithfully by spreading his love everywhere we find ourselves. The truth is that, it actually feels right and awesome to experience and share the love of God. I don’t know if you have ever loved someone and you show it, or someone loves you and shows it? Or somebody loves you and you know it, it is something great and awesome, because love bring life, healing and wholeness into people’s lives. Thus, it is by loving God in our neighbours that we can share and experience this nature of God in us and by so doing, we will conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we listened to your words today, may we resolve to keep your commandments and remain in your love. Help us to spread your love to the world and by so doing conquer the hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin rooted in our families, societies and the world at large. Amen  Do have a favorable day.