Homily for Friday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 12th November, 2021. The Memorial of St. Josaphat

 Homily for Friday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 12th November, 2021. The Memorial of St. Josaphat

Readings: Wis. 13:1-9; Ps.19; Luke:17:26-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE TIME TO BE PREPARED IS NOW, TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE

Everyday of our lives we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. Everyday 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. Noise everywhere, no one wants to be patient with the other, no one wants to give way to the other. We are so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence that is, the salvation of our souls. 

Little wonder, Jesus speaking of the 'end times event' in our Gospel passage today, wants his listeners to notice how life was going on normally in the days of Noah and Lot when flood and fire consumed them. The people were engaged in their everyday activities, when the disaster struck. No extraordinary warning, no premonition, no time to plan an escape. So too the Son of Man will come suddenly and unexpectedly. 

Our times certainly sound very much like Noah’s days, where everyone seems so busy and distracted, unable to concentrate on what is really important. 

But Jesus is warning us today that the time for decision can catch us unawares. He insists that with a real sense of urgency, we need to take our lives seriously especially those who do not pay attention to the Words of God. Thus in our first reading, we heard that naturally stupid are all men who have not known God and who, from the good things that are seen, have not been able to discover Him-who-is, or, by studying the works, have failed to recognize the Artificer.

Therefore, let us learn from St. Josaphat  whose memorial we celebrate today. Though, he was a monk who eventually rose to the position of leadership within the Church as an Archbishop. He fought for the unification of the Church despite the rising tensions and clashes between those who were supportive of the union and those who opposed it. As the leader and shepherd of his flock, he struggled to resolve the tensions and differences. However, this tensions and violence eventually led to his martyrdom. For he dedicated himself fully in ensuring that he leads and steers the faithful to the right path through his personal holiness and exemplary life style, he is known for constantly mortifying his flesh and resisting the temptations to sin.

Dear friends, If we have not yet trusted in Christ Jesus as our Saviour, we should do so now for tomorrow may be too late. If there are ugly behaviours and sins we are yet to give up, the  time to do that is now. Jesus tells us that we will not have any warning signs of the coming day of judgment any more than the preaching of the Gospel. For there will be no time to repent when that day comes. 

Therefore, if we will believe and obey, if we would acknowledge our sins and trust in the mercy of God, we have to do it right now for the day of judgment draws very near. Let us not be unaware or apathetic about its coming. Let us not be too busy with the things of this passing world. Know that the only way to be prepared is to live a good and holy life, a life that is based on love. For when we live this way, then the coming of the Son of Man will not be a disaster but a day of our final salvation. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have become so busy with the things of this passing world while neglecting to prepare our souls for your coming. As we listened to your words today, may  we through the intercessions of St Josaphat realized the need to prepare our souls for your coming more than any other thing in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily for Thursday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 11th November, 2021. The Memorial of St. Martin of Tours

 Homily for Thursday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 11th November, 2021. The Memorial of St. Martin of Tours

Readings: Wis. 1:22-8:1; Ps.119; Luke:17:20-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ESSENTIALLY GOD’S REIGN IN THE SOULS OF HUMANITY

Oftentimes whenever we hear about the kingdom of God, two questions comes to mind, the first question is when is it coming? And the second question is how will it looks like? This disposition is not different from the Pharisees in our Gospel passage today who after hearing Jesus talking about the kingdom of God, asked him when the kingdom will come. This is because they presume that the kingdom of God is yet to come, and will be visible like an earthly kingdom. 

But, Jesus replies that the kingdom is already present though invisible, for the kingdom of God is within us. The kingdom is essentially God's reign in the soul of humanity through his Son Jesus. For with the presence of Jesus, the kingdom of God is already here among us. And within our hearts, God’s reign has already begun. So through our union with Jesus, we already have a foretaste of eternal life. 

However, Jesus said to his disciples, 'a time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. 

Here, Jesus encourages his disciples not to get worked up, or even overly curious, about the end times and the second coming of the Son of Man. Instead let us concentrate on the here and now, especially on our relationship with him as we ponder constantly on his teaching. Jesus also warns us not to be distracted by fake prophets and preachers who claim private revelations about the end of the world. Rather, wisdom demands that we should focus on how to shape our life to attain the demands of God’s kingdom. 

Little wonder in our first reading we are called to chose wisdom for she is a breath of the power of God, pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; nothing impure can find a way into her. She is a reflection of the eternal light, untarnished mirror of God’s active power, image of his goodness. For in each generation she passes into holy souls, she makes them friends of God and prophets; for God loves only the man who lives with Wisdom. And this is what we see in the life of St. Martin of Tours who after becoming a soldier and a Christian devoted his life in service to the poor and spreading the Christian faith as a way of building God’s Kingdom, for he founded a monastery and also was the bishop of Tours.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we await your Kingdom, help us to be well prepared for it whenever it comes. And through the intercession of St Martin of Tours, give us the grace to be faithful and dedicated servants, we ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen. Do have a faithful day.

Homily for Wednesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B; 10th November, 2021 The Memorial of St. Leo The Great

 Homily for Wednesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B; 10th November, 2021 The Memorial of St. Leo The Great

Readings: Wis. 6:1-11; Ps.82, Luke:17:11-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW OFTEN DO WE SHOW GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR ALL WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM HIM?

In the scriptures and even in our daily lives the compassionate love of Jesus in solidarity with human suffering is so evident. Little wonder, we have great events in the scriptures that illustrates the compassionate concern of Jesus in the struggles of humanity and how he wishes to set us free from the shackles of all our troubles. But how often do we show gratitude for such great love.

 This is evident in the occasion of our Gospel passage today, where we heard the story of Jesus’ encounter with the ten lepers. Ten of them were cured, but only one who is a foreigner among them came back to thank Jesus. From this man’s gratitude, Jesus made a comment on human ingratitude when he asked “Was there no one to return and give thanks to God except this foreigner?”

The problem is that we don’t always remember that the ultimate source of our graces and gifts is God. That is what makes the Samaritan leper special, and distinguishes him from the other nine because he realized that God is the source of his healing. Unfortunately, God’s greatest gifts, which is our life and health, our ability to think and achieve great things are often taken for granted by most of us. More so, the story of these lepers is a good example of how we sinners can and should appeal to Jesus for cleansing especially from our sins. We should come in faith knowing that God is always willing to cleanse every sinner who comes to Him. 

So, let us sincerely turn to God once again with all of our hearts and with all of our strength, just like the lepers who came to Jesus with faith, knowing that he could heal them and make them better. This is what all of us must have as well, a strong and genuine faith. Today may be our great opportunity to be restored and what is needed is to put our faith to action and say Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us.

Dear friends, I don’t know what type of leprocious problems you are passing through? Are you weigh down by sin or sickness? Are you feeling helpless and rejected?  Or do I know people who are helpless and need some help? Do I feel the need of Jesus’s help in some part of my life? Let us pause for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at us. How does he sees us? What are you saying to him and what is he saying to you. Jesus wishes to set us free from sickness, troubles challenges and manipulations of the evil ones. He desires to be with us as we struggle everyday to overcome the challenges in our families, society and the world at large. 

Therefore, we should not be afraid to approach Jesus for healing and restoration, all we need is an active faith and heart of gratitude like the leper in our Gospel passage today. Let us also be inspired by Pope St. Leo the Great whose memorial we celebrate today for he showed us what it means to be a true and dedicated disciple of the Lord. As the Pope he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the well-being of his flock. He led the Church and the faithful through the most difficult moment, and was instrumental in strengthening the Church against the various heresies of his time, telling all Christians to recognize our dignity.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you know our inner most being and the challenges we are struggling with, come to our aid we pray and through the intercession of Pope St. Leo the great, cleanse us from all our physical, emotional and spiritual leprosy as we thank you for all you have done for us, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Tuesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 9th November, 2021. The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

 Tuesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 9th November, 2021. The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Readings: Ez.47:1-2.8-9.12, Ps.46, 1Cor3:9-11.16-17, John 2:13-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

YOU ARE A SACRED REALITY, A LIVING TEMPLE OF GOD WHICH SHOULD NOT BE PROFANED

Today in a special way the Church celebrate the feast of the dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica Rome. It is the Mother and head of all the Churches and a symbol of unity for all the Churches in the world with the Roman Church. This feast reminds us of our need to live in deep communion with the Pope, the successor of St. Peter, the rock on which Jesus built his Church on which our faith as Christians depends  However, we should never lose sight of the fact that it is the symbol of the true meeting point between man and God, and Jesus Christ who is the actual temple. 

Little wonder Jesus in the Gospel passage today points to himself as the temple of God in the world, the one through whom God is present in the world.  Here, he is speaking of the sanctuary that was his body when he said to the Jews: destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up. Thus, prophet Ezekiel in our first reading prophesying about this sanctuary said: ‘along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’ 

While St. Paul in our second reading, emphasis that the Christian community, the body of Christ, is the place where God is to be truly present in the world. That the Church is a spiritual temple and each individual member of the Church is a temple of the Holy Spirit, a living expressions of God’s loving presence in our world today. He said: ‘didn’t  you realized that you were God’s temple and that the Spirit of God was living among you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred; and you are that temple'.

Dear friends, our bodies are sacred temple of the Lord, this in fact is the heart of our own baptismal character, to become temples of God through whom God’s loving presence touches the lives of others. So, today we are reminded that we are sacred reality, where God dwells, which should not be profaned or used as may material object. Therefore, we must preserve our bodies from stains of sin and corruption. We must not let the pleasurable things of this passing world defile our body which by virtue of our baptism has become a scared dwelling on the Holy Spirit. For this reason we must unite together to build up the body of Christ which is his Church. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the feast of the dedication of your Church, help us to realize that our bodies are sacred temple of your dwelling presence and so preserve it always from the stains of sin and corruption. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Do have a fruitful week.

Homily for Monday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 8th November, 2021

 Homily for Monday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 8th November, 2021

Readings: Wis. 1:1-7; Ps.139; Luke 17:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BE ON YOUR GUARD AND LEARN TO FORGIVE OTHERS IN FRATERNAL CORRECTION

The  fragile nature of the human person has made it clear that we are not perfect, as we are likely to offend one another in any relationship we find ourselves. As a result of this, there is need for us to learn how to accommodate one another’s imperfections. But one of the major challenges we face in most relationships today is the ability to properly accommodate and correct one another especially when one is straying from the norms set up for the good of the relationship.

This is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, for he gave us the practical steps we need to follow in order to correct and reconcile with one another so as to build a stronger relationship when he said,  be on your guard for when your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, “I am sorry,” you must forgive him.’

Here, Jesus calls us to forgive in fraternal correction in any relationship we find ourselves, for we are responsible for one another’s welfare and these steps and stages give room for reconciliation and accommodation. So, fraternal correction must always be inspired by real charity which is one of the spiritual works of mercy. Though, this is never an easy task especially when one has to bear the sacrifice of forgiveness, because forgiving a very grievous offense is one of the most difficult things to do.

However, forgiven a grievous offense is like recovery a lost treasure that contains: joy, peace, freedom, healthy mind and healing. But how often do we seek to recover this lost treasure in our lives caused by unforgivingness? Hence Jesus today calls us to persistently seek for reconciliation until we gain our brothers and sisters back whenever they have offended and separated from us. But if they refused to be reconciled we should pray for their conversion For in all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer, knowing that God manifests his mercy when he transforms people and lead them to conversion, as he changes us and turns us from selfish and rebellious individuals into truly loving persons. For we are meant to watch over our neighbours.

Dear friends, it is our duty, obligation and responsibility to ensure in a fraternal charity that our fellow brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours, colleagues and collaborators are corrected and guided whenever they go astray. For each and every one of us have the responsibility to strengthen our relationship and be a good examples for one another as we work the path towards our salvation.  Therefore, mutual love and fraternal charity are the only way and process of fulfill this obligation.

  

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are rebellious and proud people, we lack the courage and disposition to correct and accept corrections, give us the grace and courage to correct one another in fraternal charity as we also learn to accept corrections when corrected. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week

Homily for Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 7th November, 2021

 Homily for Thirty-Second  Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 7th November, 2021. 

Readings: 1 Kings  17:10-16; Ps: 146; Heb.9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LIVING A LIFE OF SACRIFICE HELPS US TO OVERCOME THE UGLY ATTITUDE OF PRIDE AND HUMAN EGO

Beginning from the time of Adam and Eve in the Gardens of Eden, Devil has been tempting mankind with the first 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 those 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. This no doubt requires sacrifice just like the poor widow in our Gospel passage and the widow in our first reading, for they sacrifice all that they had in thanksgiving to God. In rewards for such great sacrifice, prophet Elijah made us know that our Jar of meal shall not be spent and our jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when the Lord shall send rain of blessings in our lives. For our Lord Jesus Christ has made his appearance once and for all, now at the end of the last age, to do away with sin by sacrificing himself as we heard in our second reading today.

Dear friends, living a life of sacrifice helps us to overcome the ugly attitude of pride and human ego. Because, 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, students, 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, we have to be careful for St Paul in 2Tim 4:1-8, tells us that out of pride, time is sure to come when far from being content with sound teaching, people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then, instead of listening to the truth, they will turn to myths. Friends, let us be careful always to choose the right course; be brave under trials; make the preaching of the Good News our life’s work, in thoroughgoing service. So that we can join him to say: “I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on the last Day”.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as you warn us today to beware of the pride and ego of the human life in order to embrace the life of humble sacrifice, grant us we pray, the grace of humility in the midst of all prideful events in our lives. We as this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled Sunday celebration.

Homily for Saturday Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 6th November, 2021

 Homily for Saturday Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 6th November, 2021

Readings: Romans: 16:3-9.16.22-27; Ps.115; Luke 16: 9-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CAN YOU BE TRUSTED WITH THE SMALLEST THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD?

Walking through the streets I observed how people are struggling with the things of this life, I can feel their passion, their determination and willingness even in the midst of corruption and challenges of life. How I wish we can put such energy in working towards the things that edifice our soul. But the question we need to ask ourselves is: can I be trusted with the smallest things of this passing world? How are my using the things of this night.

These are what Jesus is telling us in our Gospel passage today when he said; use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. For the man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?

Here, we have the continuation of yesterday’s parable of the dishonest steward, which today Jesus explained its meaning and how it can be related to the lives of the people, telling us that we should be careful not to fall into the temptations of money and other worldly pleasures which are trying to lead us away from God and the salvation he has given us. Little wonder we heard St. Paul in our first reading saying: Glory to him who is able to give us the strength to live according to the Good News heI preach, and in which he proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith.

Dear friends, today we are called to live a life of integrity. Each and every one of us are called to be good managers and custodians of whatever blessings and resources God has given us, for we are all reminded that we have been called to follow the Lord and to devote ourselves to Him wholeheartedly. Therefore, we must learn to be trusted and ensure that we manage whatever that is entrusted to us

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we listened to your words today, may we not be carried away by the things of this passing world. Rather give us the grace to live a life of integrity and to develop our societies positively, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled weekend.