Homily for Saturday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 5th June, 2021. The Memorial of St. Boniface

 Homily for Saturday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time  Year B, 5th June, 2021. The Memorial of St. Boniface

Reading: Tobit 12:1.5-15.20; Ps Tobit 13:2.6 -8; Mark12:38-44

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

BEWARE OF THE PRIDE AND EGO OF THE HUMAN LIFE

Beginning from the time of Adam and Eve in the Gardens of Eden, Devil has been tempting mankind with the capital sin of pride and ego, knowing how vulnerable and weak we can be in resisting our desires for knowledge and power. These are temptations for every age, however, it is more obvious in our society today, as we all want and like red carpet treatment. We all enjoy wearing a well tailored clothes and be addressed by honorific titles in different occasions and events even in the Church. 

These of course can be done innocently without any harm depending on how they affect our relationships with God and our neighbours. When it is done out of pride and ego then, it becomes harmful to others and this can lead to idolatry, where man will seek to be like God or assume the honor and glory due to God. 

This ugly attitude is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, when he said “Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive”.

Here, Jesus points to men entrusted with religious leadership who have turned their positions of trust into selfish interest as they focus on what they can get, rather than what they can give. So Jesus warning his disciples against such kind of behaviour, especially how they exercised and practiced their faith. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law often prided themselves in their privileged and highly respected position in the community, and showed off their faith, seeking important and privileged positions. What Jesus is telling us all is to be careful and vigilant against the temptations of ego and pride in our lives. We must focus our attention on God and put Him first and foremost in all we do.

Dear friends, the warning of Jesus concerning our pride and ego is not only for religious leaders and ministers, but for everyone of us: fathers, mothers, teachers, lecturers, government officials, military leaders, business men and women, celebrities, doctors, mechanics and leaders of all works of life. We are to be on the watch in order to avoid being carried away by the titles of honour and dignity that comes with the pride of life, like some of the scribes in our Gospel passage today. Rather, we should humble ourselves in the midst of external respect and honour, for noble souls despise these kind of honour, as they offer it to God, to whom all respect and honour belongs. 

Therefore, let us learn an act of humility by ensuring that we give all honour  and glory to God just as Tobit and Tobias were advice by archangel Raphael as we heard him in our first reading saying ‘Bless God, utter his praise before all the living for all the favours he has given you. Bless and extol his name. Proclaim before all men the deeds of God as they deserve, and never tire of giving him thanks. 

So, as we celebrate the memorial of St. Boniface today, we recall the humble way in which he spread the Good News as a renowned Bshop and Martyr of the Church, who is being remembered for his many works of mission among the pagan peoples living in Germania, what is now known as the modern day Germany, where in early days of the Church, he established the foundation of Christian faith and there he suffered martyrdom in the hands of the pagans.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as you warn us today to beware of the pride and ego of the human life, grant us through the intercessions of St. Boniface, the grace of humility in the midst of all prideful events in our lives, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled weekend.

Homily for Friday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 4th June, 2021.

 Homily for Friday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time  Year B, 4th June, 2021. 

Reading: Tobit 611:5-15; Ps. 146; Mark12:35-37

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY THE SUFFERING, PERSECUTION AND TRAILS OF THIS PASSING WORLD

A critical study of the history of Christianity, one will discover that  persecution, sufferings, trails and martyrdom have been a reoccurring event. Jesus, his apostles and their successors met painful sufferings and martyrdoms, and yet, they still continued to give their best to serve the Lord and humanity with their faith. But I wondered why it should be so, given that the teaching and doctrines of Christian faith offers nothing but love, peace and truth to humanity. 

So what is it about the Christian faith that frightens the world so deep that it seems as if Christianity should be extinguished from the world? The simple reason is because, Christian faith offers truth and light to the darkness, ignorance and sinful humanity who have grown rotten in the darkness of this sinful world. The scourge of truth is so painful and difficult to bear, hence, humanity prefers to avoid or resist it and the only way to escape this, is by persecuting the bearers of truth and this gives birth to unending ugly act of persecution, sufferings and trials we are passing through today especially as Christians.  

Thus, in the Gospel passage, we heard how the personality of Jesus was challenged by the people in the temple. Here Jesus taught them that the Messiah, though from the lineage of David was not a mere man, as they supposed, but that he was both God and man, therefore they ought not to wonder or to be offended because he called himself the Son of God. This they heard with great attention and pleasure; for the clear and solid answers with which he responded, gave them a high opinion of his wisdom, and showed them how far he was superior to their most renowned rabbis who still dwell in the darkness of ignorance as they seek means to extinguish the truth by persecuting him the more.

But, the fact remains that God will always be with his people no matter how much they may have to suffer or persecuted. This is well illustrated in our first reading today with the strong of the restoration of the sights of Tobit and the reunion of his family. Therefore, we must remain faithful in our faith for we are not alone in the sufferings and persecution we encounter as a result of our faith and the mission entrusted to us by Jesus, knowing that through our perseverance many people will be touched by the truth, and come to know more about the truth and with open hearts and minds embrace it.

Dear friends, as we struggle with our faith and mission, we are encouraged to persevere in the midst of all our fears, sufferings, trials and persecutions. Though it may seem as if our condition is now hopeless and irredeemable, but for those who put their trust in God, all things work out for our good just like that of Tobit and Tobias.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the sufferings and persecution of this passing world because of our faith in you, grant that our lives may bear great witness to the truth we have found in Jesus, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Remain blessed

Homily for Thursday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 3rd June, 2021. The Memorial of SS. Charles Lwanga & Companions

 Homily for Thursday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time  Year B, 3rd June, 2021. The Memorial of SS. Charles Lwanga & Companions

Reading: Tobit 6:9-12.7:1.9-12.16.8:1.4-9; Ps. 128; Mark12:28-34

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

LOVING GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOURS IS ALL THAT THE LORD REQUIRES FROM US

In our journey of faith we struggle with so many commitments and responsibilities. Oftentimes, we want to know which one should be our first priority. What should be the most important thing to focus our energy? What should become the foundation of all the things we need to do? In fact, we just want to know what is really required of us? 

This is the deposition of the Scribe in our Gospel passage today, who came to Jesus and asked the same question. In response to his question which is about the greatest commandment? Jesus reminds him of the 'Shema Israel' - שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, the prayer that they knew and recite from their earliest years from which they learned that the most important thing in life is to love God with all their heart, and with all thy soul, and with all their mind. That is, with all the powers and faculties of the soul; as under the influence and guidance of the more noble faculties of the soul, the mind, the understanding, judgment, and will. Jesus then added: to love one’s neigbhour as the second priority. 

In other words, loving God with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is what is required of us and it is the foundation of all the things we have to do. And Jesus set as the standard of love not just by the love he was able to show, but by the depth of love which he shows by dying for us thereby calling us to do to do the same. This is possible only when we understand the true meaning of love and sacrifice and this is what is really lacking in our relationship with God and neighbours. 

Thus, let us be encouraged by the lives of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, the Holy Martyrs of Uganda whose memorial we celebrate today, for they understood what it truly means to love God and neighbours. For out of their deep love for God, hold on to their faith even in the midst of brutal persecutions and death. We also are called to remain faithful in our faith, even in the midst of all the difficulties and challenges of life.

In fact, a critical look at what is happening in our world today, it is obvious that the world has lost the true meaning of love and sacrifice. This present generation has failed to understand the true meaning and source of love and this can be seen in the kind of fruit we bear. The fruit of love in this generation is so complicated: love has become a tool for selfishness, deception, greed, emotional and sexual satisfaction. This is because we have abandoned God who is the source and power of love and create for ourselves a mirage in the name love. 

Dear friends, today, we are called to come back to the source of love, God himself, who teaches us that love is an attitude that seeks the good of others despite how we feel about them, he teaches us to be merciful, just as he is merciful. That love is an attitude that is sacrificial, an attitude that forgives, an attitude that accommodates, preserves, heals and builds up when every other things fails, just as we have it in the lives of Tobias and Sarah in our first reading, who through prayers chose to invite God first in their relationship. This is the kind of attitude the world needs now, the attitude that comes from the pure love of God and neighbours. 

But how can humanity recover this power of love and harness it to bear more fruit in our societies where it seems as if true love exist no more? This is possible when we realize that we are products of love and are called to live out our essence, which is to love. Therefore, we can make our choice today to renew our commitment to keeping these two commandments and to reflect on how best we can put them together for our own good and the good of humanity. Remember, in you resides that love that is lacking in others.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in you is the fullness of love, grant that through the intercession of St. Charles Lwanga and companions, we may remain steadfast in faith by truly loving you and our neighbours and so conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and corruption, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily for Wednesday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 2nd June, 2021

 Homily for Wednesday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time  Year B, 2nd June, 2021

Reading: Tobit3:1-11.16-17; Ps. 24; Mark12:18-27

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

ADDRESSING THE QUESTIONS ABOUT RESURRECTION

The question about what becomes of the human person after death has been a contextual topic in every human generation and this has not totally changed in our own generation. However, the answer to this question has been given to us by Jesus in the occasion of our Gospel passage today, when the Sadducees, one of the most powerful and influential group within the Jewish community at time of Jesus, that are made up of secular and powerful societal elites who were mostly irreligious and worldly in their attitudes. They rejected the spiritual aspects of the Jewish customs and teachings, refusing to believe in the presence of Angels and the Spirit, as well as the concept of the afterlife. They rejected the notion of resurrection and life after death. 

To them, this life on earth is the only life they have and are living through, for no other things matter more than to enjoy the world as it is, and thus, they tend to live an extravagant lifestyle and selfish attitudes. So they came up to Jesus with a trick question concerning the notion about resurrection using example of seven brothers who shared a woman as their wife and died without a child, for according to the Jewish laws and customs, when a man died without having any descendant to continue his name and lineage, it was his brother’s responsibility and obligation to take the widow of the deceased man to be his own wife, and the firstborn child of the union would be considered as the child of the deceased brother. 

Thus they asked Jesus, who’s wife will she be at the resurrection? Here, Jesus rebuked them for their ignorant of the scriptures and the power of God. Then he goes on to explain how people will relate to each other in the afterlife. For after death and resurrection, men and women do not marry, for they will be like the angels in heaven. He reminds them of the scene where the voice from the burning bush identifies itself to Moses. “I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). He is the God of the living and not of the dead. After this reply of Jesus, they no longer dared to ask him any questions, because, he has given them a mind blowing answer to their ignorance and unbelief.

Dear friends, it is natural for us to ask questions about the resurrection of life, but we should not expect to understand it fully while we are still alive. But we have to believe in the resurrection not so much because of Jesus’ arguments with the Sadducees, but because of his own resurrection and his promise to share his life with us forever. 

Jesus tells and showed us that we are children of the resurrection and children of God who neither marries nor given in marriage in the heavenly kingdom. For all that matters is our relationship with our God and neighbour, as for what we shall be after death is known by God alone. Therefore, as Christians we are challenged to overcome our excessive attachments to the things of this passing world and to be more closer to God and allow him to guide us in our path of life. We also are called to remain faithful in our faith, even in the midst of all the difficulties, challenges and doubt.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, there are may things that challenge our faith everyday, as we listen to your words today addressing the questions about the resurrection, may we remain steadfast in faith even in the midst of all false teachings that bring about doubt in our minds. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily for Tuesday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 1st June, 2021. The Memorial of St Justin the Martyr

 Homily for Tuesday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time  Year B, 1st June, 2021. The Memorial of St Justin the Martyr

Reading: Tobit 2:9-14; Ps. 112; Mark12:13-17

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

GIVE BACK TO CAESAR WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR AND TO GOD WHAT BELONGS TO GOD

At the time of Jesus, one of the great means of exchange is the use of coin, A coin as we know is a small, flat, round piece of metal used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender use in order to facilitate trade. They are most often issued by the government with a particular images, numerals and inscriptions. It is a very important commodity use in payment of taxes and other important goods, this gives great value to anyone who has enough for it in his possession.

So in the occasion of our Gospel passage today, when the Pharisees and Herodians attempted to trap Jesus using the mandatory law of paying tax to Caesar. It was a serious trap for Jesus, because a negative response from him would make him a serious enemy of Rome; a positive response would make him lose the trust of his own people, who generally detest paying this tax. Thus, Jesus said to them: “why do you set this trap for me? Bring me a coin and let me see it.’ They handed him one and he said, ‘Whose image and inscriptions is it?’ Caesar’s they told him. Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’ This reply took them completely by surprise.

But what do this reply means? Here Jesus requests a coin; he secures the coin; he inquires about the image and inscription of the coin; and they respond by identifying the coin with Caesar. In the context of these actions Jesus is probably holding the coin this implies that the true image of the coin is in his possession but the empirical image and inscription of the coin are the sum total of the things that belong to Caesar. In order words the true image and inscriptions of anything comes and belongs to God. 

However the empirical image of corruption, greediness, pride, operation and deception that are found in this coin belongs to Caesar and should be rendered back to him. Thus, Jesus affirms, that one’s obligation to the government is necessary as long as it is for the good of all, while insisting that one’s obligation to God is always greater and this should be done by rendering the true image of the coin to God which ultimately belongs to Him.

Dear friends, in one way or the other we all possess the coins of this life, but whose image and inscription is in the coin we possess. Are we possessing the coin with the true image and inscription of God or the coin with the empirical image of sin, corruption, greed, selfishness and deception? Today Jesus is telling us to render back to the Caesars of this world all the ugly and sinful coins in our possession for they belong to them. While rendering to God the true image of the coin with the inscription of holiness, love, mercy, forgiveness, charity for they truly belongs to God.

When this is done we will hear the consoling words of God like that of Tobit's wife as we have it in our first reading saying: ‘What about your own charitable deeds? What about your own good works? Everyone knows what return you have had for them.’ Therefore, today as we celebrate the Memorial of St. Justin the Martyr, we are called to remain steadfast in the midst of persecutions and operations as we try to maintain peaceful coexistence between the Church and the state, just like Justin. For St. Justin as we know was a renowned early Church Father and a philosopher who was once a pagan but then after a fateful encounter with a wise old Christian man, became a Christian. 

Justin later established a well-known catechetical school of philosophy in Rome, and through his writings defended and spread the Christian faith. And also through his writings, he tried to convince Emperor Marcus Aurelius, another famous philosopher, to end the persecution of Christians by the Roman state which lead to his martyrdom with some of his followers in the year 165. Today however, St. Justin no doubt, has shown us through his works and interactions, with pagan philosophers and even with the Emperor, that it is indeed possible to be fully faithful and committed to God, while living in harmony as a law-abiding citizens of the community and the state even in the midst of persecutions and operations as we experience in our societies today.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, whose providence never fails in its design, grant that through the intercessions of St Justin the Martyr, we may always render to you what really belongs to you, as we do away with all that offends you and our fellow neighbours and so live in harmony with the authority of the state. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Month and do have a blessed day.

Homily for Monday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 31st May, 2021. The Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 Homily for Monday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time  Year B, 31st May, 2021. The Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading: Zeph.3:14-18; Ps. 12; Luke 1:39-56

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE JOYFUL VISITATION OF MARY TO LONELY HUMANITY

Every last day of the month of May, we celebrate the great Marian feast of the Visitation as we normally conclude our may devotion on a grand style in procession, with hymns and candle light, singing along with our mother Mary in thanksgiving to God for the good work of our salvation. 

So, today’s feast as we have it in our Gospel passage, reminds us the moment when Mary, after the event of Annunciation, having received the message from Angel Gabriel, came to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who are now both pregnant with child. For at that time, Mary was just having the Child Jesus in her not long after he was conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, while Elizabeth, who had become pregnant earlier, was having John the Baptist in her womb, even in her old age.

Here, Mary sang the magnificat in honour to God for the great thing he has done not just for her but for all humanity. For having heard that her cousin Elizabeth, who at that time had been long barren have now conceived a child, came and found out that what the Lord had revealed to her through the Angel Gabriel was indeed true, that her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived in her old age. And herself, about to have a Child without any human relations but by the power of the Holy Spirit. These made Mary to rejoice greatly, for it was truly a great and joyful moment which God has shown to all his people. 

Hence, this grace- filled event reveals the special role that Mary played in God’s plan for human salvation. So, as she brings the Word of life dwelling in her womb to Elizabeth, Mary becomes the image of Church’s missionary activity for she is filled with the spirit ready to visit and bring Christ to all humanity. This also presents to us the joyful moment when Mary bearing the Word Made Flesh visited barren and lonely humanity well represented by the person of Elizabeth. Thus, in this act of kindness, we recall the faith and the wonderful commitment showed by Mary, as an example and inspiration to all of us. For she totally obeyed the Lord and entrusted herself completely to the divine will of God.

Dear friends, as Christians, in Mary we found a great role model for each and every one of us. So following the example of Mary we also embark on our own journey of faith, learning from her obedience and dedication to the mission that has been entrusted to her throughout her life just as we are entrusted with the task of spreading the Gospel passage to all humanity.

But the truth remains that, we are so busy with the things of this passing world and have failed to our mission. Today, the streets are full of people struggling and bobbling, the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and chatting, the Churches are full of people praying, singing and celebrating. We are so busy with everything except the very essence of our mission, which is, the salvation of our souls. Today, we are called to reflect deeply and to dispose ourselves to embrace the Word of God with joy just like Mary and Elizabeth. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, only the soul for whom you have done great things can truly proclaim with fitting praise the joy of your presence. As we embrace your words today through the visitation of our Mother Mary, we joyfully surrender unto you, our whole life, our senses, our barrenness and loneliness, for our spirit rejoices at the coming of Christ Jesus our Savour, and may this joy always remain in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful week and a happy New month ahead.

Homily for Sunday of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Year B, 30th May, 2021

 Homily for Sunday of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Year B, 30th May, 2021

Reading: Deut.  4:32-34,39-40; Ps. 32; Rom 8:14-17; Matt. 28:16-20

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WE ARE CALLED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITARIAN FAMILY OF LOVE IN THE HOLY TRINITY

Every first Sunday after the great event of Pentecost, that marks the end of Easter season and renews the Baptism of the Church in the Holy Spirit, our attention are turned to the mysteries of heaven, where we gaze with an eye of faith into the mystery of God’s revelation as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. 

This is a special feast that gives us the opportunity to gaze into the communitarian life of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who live in a communion of love and calls us to participate in this love. Thereby reminding us of the marvelous plan of our salvation, that finds its origin in this Trinitarian love of the Father, who sent the Son and the Holy Spirit for the redemption of humanity, as we have been called to share in this family of love. This family of love is God’s nature that he shares with humanity through the Son Jesus, the Word Made Flesh and the Holy Spirit the Paraclete. 

This solemnity reveals to us that “God is love not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance”, as we have it in the Preface of today’s celebration. Telling us that God is the creator and merciful Father; he is the Only-Begotten Son, the eternal Word of Wisdom incarnate, who died and rose for us; he is also the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, who moves all things in history, toward their final and full recapitulation. That is, three Persons who are ONE GOD, because, the Father is love, the Son is love made Flesh, and the Spirit is love in Action. For there is wholly ONE purest, infinite and eternal LOVE which is God and love which is God himself. This of course is always a mystery, a reality that surpasses human reason without contradiction. 

Thus, in this Sunday’s solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we celebrate the summary of God’s revelation which was brought about through the paschal mysteries of Christ’s Death, Resurrection and Ascension to the right hand of the Father, and the gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This great mystery of the Triune God can not be totally comprehend by human mind and language, hence the Church has called us to live it with deep faith and apply it in our daily lives. 

Little wonder, our readings today tell us about this Trinitarian nature of God in human history, In the First Reading, we heard about the revelation of God’s active participation in life of his people, as his servant Moses revealed to the people when he said: ‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.

In a similar way, Jesus after his resurrection instructed his disciples who has been in cooperated in to the life of the Trinity to go and introduce humanity into the New Life when he said: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. This is a great act of love which shows us God’s love in action, illustrating that God is not closed or satisfied with his own self-sufficiency, but he is that life of love that wants to communicate itself with his fragile creatures in an open and deep relationship. 

Hence St Paul talking about this new relationship in our second reading, encouraged and invited us to share and participate actively in the communitarian family of love in the Trinity that is now open for all humanity when he said: everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

  

Dear friends, today’s solemnity invites us to embrace the new life we have found in the Trinity, that new life that calls us to the reality of love that is contained in the mystery of our faith. The One love of the Father, that is made Flesh in the Person of the Son, and in action in the Person of Holy Spirit, in a purely physical unity of which humanity are called to participate. Hence Jesus has revealed to us that we are essentially “God’s children”, creatures who live in relationship with the Creator God the Father, and are called to share this relationship with one another. Thereby reaching out to God and to our fellow mankind, in whose life we discovers the image of our common love in the Father. 

Thus, in this love comes the model of the human community, originating from the Triune Family to our individual human families down to the society and the world at large, pointing to us that humanity are one, related in the love of God our common Father, through His Son Jesus in the active power of the Holy Spirit. This is the faith we have embraced and are called to share with all humility. Therefore, we are called to grow in this mission, knowing that, the Trinity is at the same time unity in love and in mission, the more deep this love dwells in us, the stronger the urge to pour it out and spread it to all, beginning from our family, down to the society and to the ends of the Earth.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as you reveal the mystery of your nature which is love and calls us to share and participate in it, grant that humanity may come to embrace this loving kindness, and so be united as one family sharing one common Father in love and truth, we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.