Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Frances Xavier

 Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Frances Xavier

Readings Isaiah 29: 17-24, Ps 26., Matt. 9:27-31

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO PUT YOUR FAITH INTO POSITIVE ACTION THAT YIELDS POSITIVE RESULTS

There is no doubt that people are passing through a lot of difficulties as a result of the active presence of evil in the world which manifest itself in form of trails, temptations, sickness and challenges both physically and spiritually. So everyday we struggle against these troubles and tribulations, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. But often time, it seems as if we are not making progress because we don’t have enough faith to subdue our challenges and out of fear we fall victim and helpless. The fact is that, we have faith but we have not been able to actively and radically put our faith into positive action that yields positive results like the two blind men in our Gospel passage today. 

These two blind men followed Jesus shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up to him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. 

Here, these blind men had faith in Jesus' power of healing. So they followed him persistently. They have one need, one prayer point, that is, to see, they said: Have mercy on us! Yes Lord we believe! With these expressions, the two blind men received their sight, just like prophet Isaiah foretold in our first reading saying: in a short time, a very short time, the deaf, will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see.

Dear friends, in matters of faith, we are all blind in some ways. We need sight and insight in order to receive the healing touch of God’s merciful love today. For he reaches out to all those who are afflicted and distressed. In this way he restores us to our dignity as sons and daughters of God the Father. What is needed is faith, to believe that he has the power to give us life, to enable us to feel his presence among us. In faith, the blind men followed him persistently, reminding us of the need to be persistent in prayer. For it is not enough to have faith, we must radically put our faith into action no matter the circumstances we find ourselves. Because it is through active faith that we can  reach out to God in prayers and so obtain what we desired. 

Therefore, whatever you want God to do for me today, you must ask him with persistent faith, looking with expectation and hope to see your prayers come true, just like St Francis Xavier, whose memorial we celebrate today. Xavier was known to have conducted his life's work with great vitality and zeal. His missionary work came from the support and prayers he was receiving from those that sent him and from the beauty from which he viewed his service. He was serving God and helping others. And he was helping others by helping them to find God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today you said to the blind men, your faith deserves it, let it be done to you. As we thank you for the gift of our faith, grant us through the intercessions of St Francis Xavier, the grace and courage to persistently put our faith into positive action that yields positive results. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday of the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021

 Homily For Thursday of the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021

Readings Isaiah 26:1-6, Ps 117., Matt. 7: 21.24-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HUMANITY IS IN NEED OF DOERS OF THE WORD OF GOD AND NOT JUST HEARER 

As we embrace the spirit of this season of Advent the Church draws our attention to one of the most important teachings of Jesus as we have it in  Gospel passage today, where Jesus says: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. And everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: for it was founded on rock.

Here Jesus calls our attention to something very important. He reminds us that it is not enough to hear the word of God; we must put it into practice. It is not sufficient to speak about God, but we must practice what we say. We are called not merely to hear God’s word but to daily put it into action. Hearing or reading the Word is important, but that is not the enough. We must let the Word of God touch and shape our lives. For it is a waste of time and energy if our lives do not reflect the Gospel we preach, if we do not hear the words of Jesus and act on them. 

The truth is that, the houses built by the wise and foolish persons may probably look alike. But the difference is the foundations, which can only be revealed when tested by the storms of life. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us to trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord is the everlasting Rock; he has brought low those who lived high up in the steep citadel; he brings it down, brings it down to the ground, flings it down in the dust, but the humble he raises up on high.

Dear friends, what have we been doing with the Word of God we hear everyday? What kind of fruit are we bearing? How has the Word of God changed our life and the lives of those around us? How has the Word of God challenged and propelled us to love God and our neighours? Is our attitude towards the word of God like that of the foolish builder who takes short cuts for quick results? Or that of a wise builder who spend time in digging a secured foundations through constant meditation and practice of the word of God. 

The fact remains that, hearing and doing the Word of God is building our faith on a rocky foundation, that cornerstone, that solid ground, through the fiercest drought and storms of life, for the fruit of the Word of God in us is seen when tested in the storms of life. Therefore, when we hear the Word we must apply it to our daily lives, because that's the only way we can feed our soul. Our society today, have enough preachers and hearers of the Word, what we need now is doers of the Word of God. We need men and women who will feed their lives with the Word of God and from the abundance of their heart live a life that will influence the society positively.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, through your Word we find life and hope in Christ who is our all in all, may we be doers of your Words and not just hearers, in order to build our faith on a rocky foundation through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Advent Year C, 1st December, 2021

 Homily For Wednesday of the First Week of Advent Year C, 1st December, 2021 

Readings Isaiah 25:6-10; Ps 22; Matt. 15:29-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

JESUS CARES FOR OUR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS

As we begin another new day and new month, which is the last month of the year, so we continue with the event of Advent. No doubt that It’s always the desire of humanity to experience the intervention of God whenever we are passing through difficult situation. This had always been the desire and disposition of the people of Israel as they await the coming of the Messiah as prophesied by the prophets. So, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected Messiah who was to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus in our Gospel reveals to all those who are in need that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. 

For Jesus did not just heal the sick, he also feeds the crowd. This feeding of the crowd refers back to the journey of the people of God in the desert from Mount Sinai to the promised land. So, we need the food of the Eucharist for our journey to heaven which is our promised land. This bread is the gift that we receive from Jesus whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards humanity. 

Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied it greatly. We should never think we have little to give others. Let us learn to share with others and Jesus will provide for us greatly for he is the one who feeds the hungry, and gives them strength for their journey. Just like prophet Isaiah tells us in our first reading that on this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. He will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth.

Dear friends, Jesus cares for our physical and spiritual needs. He wants us to learn how to be patient and trust God in times of trouble and tribulations for he alone knows the best time and how best to deal with our problems. For when that time comes he will restore us back to his glory and set us free from all evil forces around us, just like the people in our Gospel passage. All he wants from us is to constantly feed our souls with his Words and Eucharist as we journey towards his kingdom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the forces and troubles of this passing world, may we always find solace in your Word and Eucharist and so conquer our fear and challenges, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy new month. Wishing you a glorious day

Homily Tuesday First Week of Advent Year C, 30th November, 2021. The Feast of St. Andrew Apostle

 Homily Tuesday First Week of Advent Year C, 30th November, 2021. The Feast of St. Andrew Apostle 

Readings Rom. 10:9-18; Ps.19:2-5; Matt 4:18-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

FOLLOWING THE LORD REQUIRES LEAVING BEHIND THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD

As this month comes to an end, liturgy of today presents to us the feast of St Andrew one of the Apostles of Christ and our Gospel today tells us the story of how a call from the Lord changed the direction of the lives of the first disciples, who left everything and followed him. Andrew being one of them, was previously one of the disciple of St. John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ. Andrew according to scriptures proclaimed the good news to his brother, Peter (John 1:40-41). He was the one who brought the boy with loaves of bread and fish to him, that he might give them to the people all waiting in hunger. And St Andrew sets an example that points certain things at the heart of preaching the Gospel. He was involved in introducing the Greeks to Jesus and also joined in spreading the Gospel beyond the confines of Palestine. 

The life of St Andrew shows us that being a preacher involves having a clear conviction and faith in Jesus and readiness to share this faith and conviction with others. He dedicated himself just as his brother Peter and the other Apostles in ministering to the people and proclaiming the Lord’s coming. And even after the Lord had ascended into Heaven, he continued to preach the faith. He brought the faith to many places such as Ukraine, Russia, Balkans, Greece and other places. 

Andrew worked hard in spreading the Good News to those who are yet to witness the Lord and embrace his salvation. For through him many were converted and inspired by his works and preaching. He also established many Churches and built foundation for many Christian communities. He was  the first Bishop of the Christian community in the city of Constantinople. However, Andrew like other Apostles encountered persecution and sufferings in Greece, where he was arrested, and was greatly tortured and eventually martyred by crucifixion. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is referred today as the Cross of St. Andrew, in memory of his faith and dedication to the mission of Christ.

Dear friends, following the Lord requires leaving behind the things if this passing world. So, today we are called like St Andrew to follow Jesus and following Jesus means leaving behind the life we have now and embrace the new life he is offering to us. When we opt to follow Jesus, our life revolves around him. It’s no longer what we feel like doing, but what his word instructs us to do. It also means leaving behind our sinful ways of life and embrace holiness of life. Therefore, let St. Andrew be our inspiration and role model in our responding to the calling of the Lord to spread the Good News. 

So let us be conscious of what St. Paul is tells us in our first reading saying: But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent. Hence, the Lord is sending us, let us follow the good examples of St. Andrew in responding to the Lord Invitation to follow him.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are called to follow your Son Jesus, as we respond to this call, may we through the intercession of St Andrew find inner joy in our soul that will prompt us to spread the Good News of the Gospel with faith and conviction. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday in First Week of Advent Year C, 29th November, 2021.

 Homily For Monday in First Week of Advent Year C, 29th November, 2021. 

Readings: Is. 2:1-5;  Ps.122; Matt 8:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 THE ACT OF FAITH AND GENUINE HUMILITY OF A ROMAN CENTURION AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE OF US

We are taught in our Catechism that faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused in us by God. Little wonder our level of faith are not the same. However, our gift of faith grows depending on our disposition and utilization of the gift. That is why, when Jesus invites people to faith and conversion, he does not coerced them, rather they come to faith through their disposition and utilization of their experience with him. 

This is exactly the case with the Roman centurion in our Gospel passage today,, who sorts help for his sick servant, he approached Jesus for healing, but when Jesus accepted to come to his home, the centurion hesitates, feeling unworthy of Jesus’ presence in his home, said to him “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed”.  

Here the centurion believes that Jesus can speak a word of healing, and that will be enough to cure his servant. He has total faith and trust in the power of Jesus’ word. For him, the servant did not even have to hear Jesus speak the word: it was enough that the word was spoken. Jesus praised his faith and genuine humility. Today, these words of the centurion has become a pattern of prayer for us, that before Holy Communion we say it passionately because, his faith and compassion are inspiring example for us to follow. 

This is exactly the kind of faith that all of us must have as well especially in this Advent season. The faith that leads us to seek God wholeheartedly, to be humble before Him and to love Him above all and not to allow our pride, ego and desires lead us into faithlessness, disobedience and sin against God. And when this is done we can embrace the message of prophet Isaiah in first reading today when he said: God will wield authority over the nations and adjudicate between many peoples; these will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war.

Dear friends, do we still have total faith and trust in God just like the centurion? What is our disposition towards the gift of faith that God has given us? Because our experiences of evil, injustice, suffering and death can shake or shape the gift of faith in us depending on our disposition. The centurion interceded for his sick servant, do we intercede for others who are in need of God’s healing and mercy? Do we know that we can speak God’s word in prayer and someone, somewhere, will find healing? Do we often like this centurion, recognize in all humility our unworthiness before God?  We are called today to learn from this man’s act of humility and faith.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are weak and oftentimes we display an act of faithlessness due to the pressure and challenges of life, as we embrace the season of Advent may you increase our faith and make us humble and patience. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.

First Sunday of Advent Year C, 28th November, 2021

First Sunday of Advent Year C, 28th November, 2021

Readings: Jer. 33:14-16; Ps.25; 1Thess. 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28.34-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ADVENT SEASON ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO  EMBRACE THE COMING OF THE LORD

Today we enter a new season, the season of Advent and in a special way every first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins another liturgical year within the three years of A, B and C in the liturgical circle of the Church. In this Advent season we are celebrating year C.  And the season of Advent as we know is one of the most important season in the life every Christian. The word Advent stems from the Latin root, Adventus, which means 'arrival' though from the root word advenire whereby ad  means 'to' and venire means 'come' that is the coming of someone great. 

So Advent is a period of intense preparations and a time of waiting in hope for the coming of the Lord which is in two folds: first the coming of the Messiah that is the birth of Jesus at Christmas and secondly, the return of Jesus at the Second Coming “ the parousia”. This is why Advent season is divided into two parts, the first which runs from the first Sunday until 16th of December, dwells on the second coming of Christ the eschatological aspect of Advent. While the second aspect which focuses on the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem runs from 17th -24th December.

Thus, Advent is a season characterized with four major themes which include: ‘Hope’, ‘Peace’, ‘Joy’ and ‘Love’. So, on this first Sunday of Advent our focus is on hope. A joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour who is our hope. Thus, as we anticipate the birth of Christ who is the source of our salvation, our hope and the Light that dispels the darkness of this world, so it is our duty as Christians to keep hope alive in the world for as long as there is hope, no situation is impossible.

But what should be our disposition this season? Our disposition should be the one of watchful expectation in order to recognize the Lord and be at peace with him when he comes. We are to be ready and prepared to welcome him with joy in our daily life. Hence, this is the season of reconciliation, when we must ensure that we reconcile with God and with one another. It is a season when we have to reexamine our way of life. It is a time of reconfiguration of our lives and also to take stock of what we have done and what we are going to do from now onwards. Our disposition to welcoming the Lord in our hearts should be at it very pick and this should be seen by our ways of doing things. Also, our desire for conversion and holiness should be more visible by shaping our lives more to that of Christ who showers his love, mercy and compassion to all.

This is what the readings of this season calls our attention to, especially in the two fold coming of Christ as we have it in today’s readings. Thus, in the first reading, we heard from prophet Jeremiah addressing the people of Judah at the darkest moments in their history, reminding them of God’s promises of a righteous Branch of light, truth and hope when he said: in those days and at that time, God will make a virtuous Branch grow for David, who shall practice honesty and integrity in the land. This righteous Branch we see in the person of Christ Jesus. Thus we are reminded that in Christ is our true Hope and he is the joy of this season.

And Jesus in our Gospel passage today tells us that there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand. Here we heard the message of hope and warning calling us to embrace the message of the season. So, we must keep watching or our hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on us suddenly, like a trap

Dear friends, today we are called to be ready, we are called to repentance, we are called to embrace the new life the Lord if offering us. We are called to a life of constant struggle towards perfection. Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading today says: brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants.

 This is exactly what this season of Advent is all about and the Church is offering us another opportunity to encounter the Lord personally and to make that encounter a permanent experience. We should place our hope in Christ for while there is hope there is life. For it is because of the Lord that we can hope once again, knowing that beyond the sufferings of humanity due to sin and death, there is Light that dispels the falsehoods of evil and the despair of darkness that covers the whole world.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace this season in expectation of the coming of Christ your Son, may the Holy Spirit inspire us to have the right disposition that will able us to embrace the Lord when he comes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday and God bless you.

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 27th November, 2021

 Homily For Saturday Thirty-Fourth Week  in Ordinary Time Year B, 27th November, 2021

Readings: Dan. 7:15-27; Ps. Dan. 3:82-87; Luke:21:34-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT LET THE COMING OF THE LORD BEFALL YOU SUDDENLY LIKE A TRAP

The things of this world is so captivating that if we are not careful we will be like a foolish traveler who having encountered a pleasant garden forgets to continue towards his destination. This is exactly what Jesus is trying to draw our attention to in our Gospel passage today when he said: Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. 

Here Jesus is reprimanding us concerning the danger of attaching ourselves so deeply in the things of this passing world. For we are often interested in external beauty of things around us while neglecting the essence of life. We are interested only on worldly goods and not the things of the heart like justice, mercy, love and compassion. So Jesus is telling us to change our ugly ways of life, for it is time for us to look into at our lives and examine ourselves to know whether we have been living in accordance with God’s will, or whether we have fallen astray. Then, we can also look forward towards the life that is to come which God has promised us through his Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

And what becomes of us after this coming of our Lord is what prophet Daniel in our first reading is talking about when he said that: All sovereignty and kingship, and the splendours of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty and every empire will serve and obey him.’

Dear friends, we believe that our true homeland is in heaven. But how are we preparing to embrace our heavenly home. Today people hardly reflect about the coming of Christ that was so strong in the early days of the Christian movement which left a strong impression upon the disciples of Christ. So like the servants awaiting for their master’s return, we are called to be ready and to watch at all times for day of the Lord which will come at the hour we do not know. 

Thus, we are to be prepared knowing that our most important ‘treasure’ is our heavenly home which God has promised to give us. Therefore, the best thing we can do with our worldly possessions is to use them for the good of others especially the poor since we are responsible and accountable for one another’s welfare. And this divine generosity is meant to help us in preparation for the coming of Christ. Remember what really matters in life is our capacity and readiness to receive what God has in store for us in heaven.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we continue our struggles with the ugly events of this passing world, may you continue to guide us and strengthen us in our journey of life and help us to endure our trials and challenges, for you alone are our source of strength, hope and fulfillment in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.