Homily For Friday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 26th November, 2021

 Homily For Friday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 26th November, 2021.

Readings: Dan. 7:2-14; Ps.Dan.3:53-59; Luke:21:29-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

REPENT AND KNOW THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS VERY NEAR

St. John of the Cross one of the doctors and mystics of the Church says that: the further you withdraw from earthly things the closer you approach heavenly things and the more you find yourself in God. This  advice will be very helpful as we come to the end of this liturgical year and about to embrace the season of Advent, when the Church calls our attention on the need to be prepared for the coming of the Lord and most of our readings draw our attention to this.

Thus, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us about the passing away of the things of this world and the dreadful events associated with it in relation to the end time events. He illustrates the signs of this event with the story of the fig tree, telling us to take notice of the signs of the times for they will help us to discern between what is of true value and what is passing away. Here Jesus, presents the final recommendations of the end time. He insists that we should pay rapt attention to the signs nature is giving us concerning the end time events, that these signs should lead to have hope founded firmly on the word of God which drives away fear and despair, knowing that the kingdom of God is very near to us. 

And this is what we have in our first reading today, were we heard about the vision of prophet Daniel talking about the passing away of the kingdoms and things of this world and the coming of God’s Kingdom when he said: I gazed into the visions of the night. And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man. He came to the one of great age and was led into his presence. On him was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship, and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.

Dear friends, at this season we are reminded once again that all those who refuse to believe in God after hearing his words but chose to follow the devil and his false prophets will be destroyed and defeated completely. For he and his agents and those who follow him will be thrown into the burning lake of eternal darkness. While God’s faithful people will triumph victoriously into heaven. But how are we embracing the word of God we hear at this period? What signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs of this times, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these signs make us to dread the second coming of the Lord or to joyfully embrace it in anticipation? Remember, the words of Jesus are truth that will never pass away. Therefore, Stand erect, hold your heads high, because our liberation is near at hand.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, humanity have been greatly deceived by the devil, who has made us to be so much attached to the things of this passing world. As we embrace your words this season, may our souls once again long and yearn for you our God, the living God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s Friday, may the joy of the Lord reign in your heart.

Homily for Thursday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 25th November, 2021

 Homily for Thursday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 25th November, 2021.

Readings: Dan. 6:11-27; Ps. Dan. 3:46-52; Luke:21:20-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET US READ THE SIGNS AROUND US AND KNOW THAT OUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR

As we continue to reflect on the great event about the coming of the Lord. Jesus in our Gospel passage today continues his warnings concerning what will happen to us and the beautiful things of this passing world which he illustrated very well by telling us what will eventually happen to the great city of Jerusalem in relation to what will happen at the end of all things. This passage contains the truth that we need to be reminded often. That is, the need for us to be prepared for the day of the Lord despite all the beautiful and seductive things we encounter in this world.

 Thus, as the great and holy city of Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by the Romans in less than four decades after the death and resurrection of Christ, so will the things of this world pass away including those who are attached to them. Just as we also heard in our first reading today, how God delivered Daniel from the Lion’s den but let the Lions crushed completely the bones of those who seek to destroy him. Seeing what happened, King Darius then wrote to men of all nations, peoples and languages throughout the world saying, ‘May peace be always with you! I decree: in every kingdom of my empire let all tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that there are great signs of the end time event, but this should not be an occasion for fear rather, a period for intense preparations. Nonetheless, for the righteous it is a period of joy and happiness since our redemption from the powers of evil is close at hand. Although we do not know when, but, Jesus assures us that he will return in power and great glory. Therefore, we should take heed for our redemption is drawing near. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we make efforts everyday to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ your Son, give us the grace and courage to remain steadfast even in the midst of all the crisis in our world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily for Wednesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 25th November, 2020. The Memorial of St. Andrew Dung Lac and Companions.

 Homily for Wednesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 25th November, 2020. The Memorial of St. Andrew Dung Lac and Companions.

Readings: Dan. 5:1-6.13-14.16-17.23-28; Ps. Dan. 3:40-45; Luke:21:12-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTIES MAY WE LEARN TO BEAR WITNESS THROUGH OUR ENDURANCE

Everywhere in the world we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and different other immoral activities for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires. And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object of elimination. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situation, we are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness. A very difficult task to do, especially when we are suffering as victims of this ugly situation.

Thus, Jesus in our Gospel passage today declares that his followers are going to be persecuted on account of bearing witness to his name, a reality that will put even their most cherished relationships to the test: they will be betrayed even by their closest relations and friends. However we should not prepare any defense, because God myself shall give us an eloquence and a wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

Here, Jesus not only describes what his followers will have to endure, but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he recommends that here comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure, rather than despair. By their endurance they will gain their lives. Hence, period of persecution is a time to bear witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity. Just like Daniel in our first reading today, who courageously bear great witness before the king by interpreting the mystery of the message God sent  to the King who has defile the sacred vessels.

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that the world is passing through difficult times, as families, societies, countries, and churches are badly affected by the current pandemic and other social, security, economical and political factors, of which it’s troubles and conflicts are affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in this times of difficulties. For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he we will give us victory for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives.

This we see in case of  St. Andrew Dung Lac and Companions whose memorial we celebrate today, for when they heard the Gospel they accepted it despite persecutions and even death. They realize that true happiness is found in interior living of the Gospel and not on material things of this passing world. They embraced martyrdom and became great instrument in preparing humanity towards the kingdom of God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us through the intercessions of St. Andrew and companions the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing to the Gospel, especially in this difficult times, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily for Tuesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 23rd November, 2021

 Homily for Tuesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 23rd November, 2021. Readings Dan.2: 31-45; Ps.Dan. 3:57-61; Luke:21:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT LOOK FOR THE SIGNS OF THE END TIME EVENT, RATHER BE PREPARED

As we approach the season of Advent, we are reminded of the need to be well prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom. This is evident in our readings these days and more so in our Gospel passage today which presents to us warnings about the end times. Here we see how those who were listening to Jesus were anxious to know what signs to look out for concerning the End Times event. But the timing of such an event is God’s secret. 

So, today Jesus warns us not to waste our time seeking for signs, rather we should be prepared, we should remain firm in faith. He also warns us about following those who claim to know when the end is coming. We may see many of the signs written in Scripture happening already in our time and people are terrified looking for someone to show them the way. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. For without him in our lives, we may be lost, because the future lies in his hands and nothing can destroy or hurt us as long as we remain faithful to his commands.

Dear friends, our lives as Christians demands that we should be alert and ready. We should be prepared at all times for this world is passing away. Hence, we are called to abstain from things that will separate us from our God. We are called to look into our inner being, our interior life, in order to embrace the life of holiness and self-control that will help us to be more prepared just like Daniel in our first reading today who courageously tell the vision of King Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted it in order to help the King to be more prepared to embrace the plan of God.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, we often failed to listen to your warnings concerning our excess desire for the things of this passing world and the need for us to prepare and be ready for your coming, give us the grace and wisdom to be well prepared to stand before you whenever you call us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily for Monday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 22nd November, 2021.

 Homily for Monday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 22nd November, 2021. The Memorial of St. Cecilia

Readings: Dan.1:1-6.8-20; Ps. Dan. 3:29-34; Luke:21:1-4

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GIVING THANKS TO GOD MUST BE COMING FROM OUR HEART IN A VERY SACRIFICIAL WAY

Thanksgiving is one of the best way of showing gratitude to God for the good things we have received from him. This great act of charity should be done with grateful heart. Our attitude and intention towards this act is what God desires to see. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus observes the attitude of people towards there thanksgiving offertory. He commented on the attitude of people who give out of their abundance, while commending the attitude of the poor widow who from her heart gave sincerely everything that she had, expressing her faith and love for God by this wonderful gesture. 

Here, Jesus tells us that what matters is not the amount we give, but what lies in our heart, the strength of our generosity comes from the heart. Today Jesus invites us to open our heart and be ready to give in a sacrificial way like this poor widow in our Gospel. For God, who knows our heart, looks at our efforts. The truth is that the greatest gift we can give to anyone is the gift of love, for it is only in true love that one can truly give all that he has without reservations. So, as Christians it is our obligation to follow the Lord’s teaching and dedicate ourselves and all that we have to him wholeheartedly, in faith and love at all times

Dear friends, let our thanksgiving to the Lord not only come from the abundance of what we have, but from true and sacrificial love that comes from our heart expressing our gratitude, faith and love for God and our neighbour. Only such offertory and thanksgiving are pleasing to God and acceptable to him.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, all we have is giving to us out of your abundant good. Through the intercessions of St. Cecilia, may we learn to show gratitude in a sacrificial way for such great gift and so gain more favour from you. We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Do have a fruitful week ahead.

Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 21st November, 2021. The Solemnity of Christ the Universal King

 Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 21st November, 2021. The Solemnity of Christ the Universal King

Readings: Dan. 7:13-14; Ps.93; Rev. 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST?

Every last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church  celebrates the solemnity of Christ the Universal King. It was Pope Pius XI who promulgated this Feast of Christ the King in 1925. At the period when the world was still recovering from the ugly event of the First World War that ended in 1918, the period when humanity turned away from the teachings of the Gospel, in search for worldly powers and dominion apart from God. So the Pope believed that the celebration of the Feast of Christ the Universal King will be appropriate at that period in order to call humanity to conversion and renewal of loyalty to Jesus the True Universal King.

So as we celebrate this great event, the questions that always come to mind are: what is the nature of this Kingship of Christ? How does it relate to the events of human history? What is the effect of this Kingship in our society today? What message or lessons can we learn from it? This same question is the issues in our Gospel passage today. Where we heard Pilate asking Jesus about his mission and the nature of his kingship. “Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.’ ‘So you are a king then?’ Pilate asked him. And Jesus said ‘It is you who say it’. ‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.”

Here, Jesus gave us the answers to all the questions we have in mind concerning his kingship.  He made us to know that his kingdom is beyond the activities of this passing world. So, we are called to look to the future with more insight into the ultimate goal of history towards the eternal kingdom of Christ. For he was with the Father in the beginning, when the world was created, and he will fully manifest his Lordships at the end of time, when he will come as a triumphant King and judge humanity based on our actions, deeds and faith. Then will be time for great separation, when the good will be separated from the bad, holy from sinful, righteous from evil, sheep from goats of which our deeds will reveal who we are and where we belong as we heard from prophet Daniel in our first reading in relation to the redemption brought by Christ Jesus as we have it in our second reading today.

Dear friends, no doubt that we are living in a world full of greed and selfish people who are swallowed in values of egoism and materialism, with uncontrollable desires for pleasure. We are called today to embrace the teachings of Christ the Universal King for this is what today’s celebration requires of us. 

Therefore, as we celebrate this great event, let us turn toward Christ for he is our true King. Following him means carrying our own cross, forgetting our self, and faithfully obeying his commandment of sacrificial love. For it is by the blood of his cross, that Jesus reveals the nature of his Kingship, not in saving his life, but in offering it as a ransom for our salvation. 

Thus, trying to do away with the cross in our lives deprives our souls of these true love and loyalty to Christ our King, who today wants to reign supreme in our hearts and soul. So, let us join in the triumphant procession holding palm branches singing Hosanna in the Highest, recalling the inscription above the cross: Jesus the King of the Jews. Let us show him honour, not just with palm branches but with the splendour of heart full of love and merciful deeds. Let us in joy express and spread before his presence the garments  of our heavy heart weigh down by sins  along with the inner desires of our souls so that he can passing through our souls and purify our whole being so as to rule in our hearts as the King of Peace, for that is the nature of his Kingship.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly King, as we celebrate the universal Kingship of Christ your Son, amidst the hostile forces and evil of this passing world, may we be victorious as you fill us with the peace and joy of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a blessed Christ the King celebration.

Homily for Saturday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 20th November, 2021.

 Homily for Saturday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 20th November, 2021. 

Readings:R1Macc.6:1-13; Ps.9; Luke:20:27-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

RESURRECTION IS A REALITY THAT WILL SURELY HAPPEN

Oftentimes when we talk about the teaching on resurrection people always want to know what and how is going to be like. We often get this teaching wrong because we are using our little knowledge of the things of this passing world to judge the heavenly things. This is the disposition of the Sadducees in our Gospel passage today, for since they do not believe in the resurrection, they decided to challenge Jesus concerning the notion about resurrection using the analogy of marital union in relation to afterlife in order to discredit the teachings of Jesus. 

As usual, Jesus goes on to explain how people will relate to each other in the afterlife. That those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. He then challenged the Sadducees’ unbelief about life after death. 

He reminded them of the scene where the voice from the burning bush identifies itself to Moses. “I AM the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). For He is the God of the living and not of the dead. After this reply of Jesus to both the Pharisees and the Sadducees, they no longer dared to ask him any questions.

Dear friends, we believe in the resurrection not so much because of Jesus’ arguments here, but because of his own resurrection of which he promise to share his life and joy with us forever. Jesus tells us that we are children of the resurrection and children of God who neither married nor given in marriage in the heavenly kingdom. Thus, it is natural for us to ask questions about resurrection of life, but we should not expect to understand it fully while we are still alive. All that matters is our relationship with our God and neighbour for what we shall be after death is known by God alone.

So, we must not be like the Pharisees and Scribes who doubt the teaching on resurrection, rather we should have faith in the teachings of Jesus for he has not only taught us about the event of resurrection he practically demonstrated it so that we may know that truly our lives does not begin in this passing world and will definitely not end in this world.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we look forward to the resurrection of mankind. May we be inspired by the great example of our Lord Jesus and so obtain the joy of his resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful weekend.