Homily For Friday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 7th January, 2022

 Homily For Friday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 7th January, 2022

Readings: 1 John 5:5-13, Ps.147, Luke 5:12-16

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD IS WILLING AND ABLE TO HEAL AND MAKE US CLEAN IF WE COME TO HIM

With the ugly situation in our lives, our families, societies and the world at large, there is no doubt that we all are sick and in need of God’s healing touch. Thus, our Gospel passage today, presents to us the story of a leper who approached Jesus for healing. He made this request with faith and trust in the power of Jesus. He said: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Probably, he may had heard stories of Jesus' many healings. So in response, Jesus immediately touched him saying: “I will, be clean.” The man was healed immediately. 

This can be symbolic in relation to what God has done for humanity. For while we were still in the state of sin, corruption and in deep darkness as a result of the evil activities in this world. The Lord has not abandoned us, rather he always reached out to us and touched us by his generous love and often have mercy on us for our sins, which had separated us from God just as the leper had been separated and cast out from the society.

Here also, the touching of Jesus is very significant. No ordinary person would dare to touch a leper. Think of the inner healing that must have resulted from the touch of Jesus, that moment of physical contact. Touch is something we all need but are so often lacking in our relationship with God and one another. Thus, we too, are in need of healing, including the healing that comes from the touch of Jesus. 

And the truth is that, we all have received this amazing loving touch of God, his mercy, compassion, forgiveness and healing. This is what St. John in our first reading today is reminding us, when he spoke about overcoming the challenges of this world by believing in Jesus, who through the testimonies of water, Spirit and Blood bears witness to the love of God.

Dear friends, I don’t know what type of leprocious problems you are passing through, I don’t know how severe or hopeless your condition is. All I know is that Jesus is will to help us if we come to him in faith. So, let us put our trust in the healing power of Jesus. For the story of this leper 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 able to cleanse us, because he is always willing to cleanse every sinner who comes to him. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God,  we come to you today just like the man in our Gospel passage, you know our inner most being, so we ask that if you will, you can cleanse us, our families, our societies and the world from physical, emotional sinful, greed, unforgiveness and spiritual leprosies. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 6th January, 2022

 Homily For Thursday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 6th January, 2022

Readings: 1 John 4:19-5:4, Ps.72, Luke 4:14-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD HELP US TO EMBRACE YOUR GIFT OF LOVE AND LEARN TO SHARE IT WITH ONE ANOTHER

For the past few days now, we have been hearing about love from the first letter of St John. John is one of the inner circle of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is know as the beloved disciple of Jesus as his character and personality portrays this and all his teachings are centered on love. Thus, our first reading today, centers on the summary of God’s commandments, that is, the love of God and the love of neighbour.  

Here, John was just very practical because, anyone who loves God will naturally love all God’s children who are, of course, in a very real sense our neighbours. We must love every single person because we are all created in the image and likeness of God. It is not possible to separate the love of God from the love of neighbour, for it is one commandment with two parts which will be the criterion for the final judgement of God.

John tells us that these commandments are not burdensome. Not because they are always easy to carry out fully but because we live in the strength of the Holy Spirit and also, because they are in total conformity with our nature made in the likeness of God, there is nothing artificial or arbitrary about them. To observe them is to become more and more what we are meant to be that is, living in that image of our Creator which we share with him. This is the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ as we have it in our Gospel passage today, where we heard Jesus proclaimed his mission and goals as the fulfilment of all the wonderful promises of God’s salvation for humanity.

Dear friends, our Lord Jesus has taught and revealed to us what it means for us to love. He often reached out to us, even to the worst and the most wicked sinners. He always touch us with his love and also calls us to follow his example. But are we willing and able to commit ourselves to follow his example. I don’t know if you have ever loved someone and you show it, or someone loves you and shows it? The truth is that, it actually feels right and awesome, because love bring healing and wholeness into people’s lives. Thus, it is by loving God in our neighbours that we can share and experience this nature of God in us and by so doing we will conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, love is your gift to humanity, help us to embrace this gift of love and learn to share it with one another, just as Jesus has taught us who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a lovely day.

Homily Wednesday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 5th January, 2022

 Homily Wednesday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 5th January, 2022

Readings: 1 John 4:11-18, Ps.72,  Mark 6:45-52

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO FACE THE STORMS OF THIS PASSING WORLD FOR THE LORD ABIDES WITH US 

Yesterday was my first time of sailing through the sea on a boat for forty minutes with a group of priests, it was really fun, we were all putting on our life jackets with all the safety measures and cation. But I must confess that it was not too pleasant when we have to navigate through the wave of the sea.  Then I realized  what it means to be on the sea with heavy storms. A condition where the need to look for a Saviour is highly expected. 

Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in the Gospel passage today. It is a story about panic, for after the miracle of the multiplication of loaves Jesus asked his disciples to get into the boat and sail to others side while he went to pray. With the waves breaking over the boat, the disciples cannot believe that the Lord has seen them, and is approaching. Hence, they were afraid and needed help from anywhere. It was at this point that they saw Jesus walking on the sea and he said to them: “take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”. 

This story signifies God's chosen people on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea, the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world. The boat can be taken as a symbol of the young Christian Church struggling with the world’s principalities and powers, while the storm is a symbol of persecution suffered by this young Christian community. However, John in our first reading tells us that God abides in us and his love is perfected in us, for there is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear. Thus, Jesus says: "Do not be afraid" as we struggle with the storms of this passing world for he abides with us.

Dear friends, today  Jesus is calling us to journey on his boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart because, the world is being tossed around by the waves of the evil forces, the enemies of humankind. And it is only  God who can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us back to himself. 

Therefore, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul, as a result of the power of the evil forces of this world? All I know is that with great faith in God, the words of Jesus: “take courage, it is I,” will surely resound in the hearts of all of us, especially those  victims around us and all Christians who live in a hostile community.

Homily For Tuesday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 4th January, 2022

 Homily For Tuesday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 4th January, 2022

Readings: 1 John 4:7-10, Ps.72, Mark 6:34-44

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD’S COMPASSIONATE LOVE FOR HUMANITY’S UGLY SITUATION

One of the common words we use to express our feelings is the word “love” and this word means a lot of things to different people. But what is love? For me, love is God’s nature which he shares with us. That is why love is beyond human nature. When we love, we are actually acting out that very nature of God in us. For love is greater than human nature because it is the nature of God that we share. 

Therefore, to understand the depth of God's love for us there is a principle that we need to abide with, that is, the principle that says that everyday is a gift from God to us. A gift that shows how much He loves us by sending His Son whose life giving sacrifice means salvation for all humanity. But the world prefers darkness to light, death to life and these have made the world a difficult place to live in. 

Today in our first reading we are told that God loves us so much that he sent his Son Jesus to be the expiration for our sins. And the event of feeding of the five thousand as we have in our Gospel passage today, speaks of the generosity of God and his kindness towards us. Telling us that when God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives us more than we need for ourselves so that we can share with those who lack. In fact, we can interpret this miracle as the fruit of sharing with one another, for it is possible that once the disciples began to share the little food they had with those around, others also who had actually brought some food with them started sharing what they have and indeed grace multiplied what they have to the point of having left over. 

Dear friends, God loves us so much, that he is willing and ready to satisfy our unquenchable hunger for physical and spiritual things. How I wish humanity can give up greed, selfishness, hatred, embezzlement of our common resources in order to embrace true love for one another and learn to share our resources with one another for the purpose for which they are meant for, believe me, the world will witness another miracle of multiplication of resources that will be enough for everyone with left over for the future generations. 

But we have failed to embrace this love, we have failed to share this love with one another or give up our ugly attitudes. Therefore, let us embrace Jesus and the love he is offering us. Let us like Jesus have compassion and love for everyone, for that is the very nature of God which we share.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are really hungry, in need of your love and satisfaction both physically and spiritually, feed us once again with your heavenly grace and multiple the little bread and fish we share with others and provide for us the basic needs of life. And as we carryout how daily activities this year, give us a generous heart that we may freely share your love with those we encounter. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have lovely day.

Homily For Monday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 3rd January, 2022

 Homily For Monday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 3rd January, 2022

Readings: 1 John 3:22-4:6, Ps.2,  Matt. 4:12-17.23-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WE MUST LEARN TO DISCERN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF GOD IN A WORLD FULL OF FALSEHOOD AND DECEPTION

In our societies today there are many influential powers that have great effect in our lives coming from various source under the guise of good but some are in fact evil leading us astray. So, there is need for us to examine these false and deceptive spirit. For the Holy Spirit will lead us to learn how to distinguish clearly where and in whom is the Spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood. Disce

 

As long as we are of God and in Christ, we have nothing to fear. We do not belong any more to this present world, full of sin, hate and greed, corruption, deceit and violence. Thus, we must let ourselves be guided by the Lord against embracing, too readily, any doctrine proposed to us. We must guide ourselves against attaching ourselves without due consideration, to any teacher that may pretend to have a divine inspiration; because, many false teachers are increasing everyday to deceive the people.

Dear friends, we must not let ourselves be deceived by the evil power of this world. For John in our first reading gives us a special sign for distinguishing true doctrine or true teachers from the false ones. For him, any spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh is of God. Therefore, we must be very wise for there are many false prophets operating under the power of the devil who are deceiving humanity and turning our attention from God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who guides us against the deception of this world. Give us the grace of discernment in order to distinguish between good and false Spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.

Homily For Sunday the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, 2nd January, 2022

 Homily For Sunday the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, 2nd January, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6, Ps. 72, Eph 3:2-3.5-6, Matt.2:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE JOURNEY TO ENCOUNTER CHRIST THE LIGHT OF OUR FAITH

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord, an occasion where we continue to contemplate and celebrate the mystery of the birth of Jesus. Epiphany was first celebrated in Africa, Egypt precisely, where it was used to replace a pagan feast where the people celebrate the victory of light over darkness. The word “Epiphany” means manifestation or revelation. So it is the solemnity of the manifestation of the Lord. Thus in our first reading we heard prophet Isaiah saying: Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you

 In our Gospel passage we see how the Wise Men being led by a star journeyed a long distance in search of the new born king. They were probably sages in search of something more about life, in search of the true light that could point out the path to true meaning of life. This journey of the Wise Men was bold, courageous and imaginative. For some persons, they may appeared to be foolish even a little crazy. No doubt that they encountered many difficulties and experienced some moments of doubt and danger. Yet in spite of the difficulties, doubt and dangers they preserved in their search and were joyful when they finally found the baby Jesus.

Thus, today the Wise Men find, crying in a manger, the one they have followed as he shone in the sky. They see clearly, in swaddling clothes, the one they have long awaited as he lay hidden among the stars. Today, the Wise Men gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believed and do not questioned anymore , as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die. 

In this journey the light of a star guided them, they did not know where the star was leading them. Hence, their journey was very much a journey of faith, knowing that the star was a means by which a great mystery was to be revealed. The journey of these Wise Men symbolizes our journey of faith and it can serve as a model for us as we struggle on our journey of faith. For the faith of the Wise Men is the first fruits of the belief of the Gentiles, so the Gentiles, who were the last, became the first. Thus is our journey, for just as they were guided by the light of a star so we are guided by the light of faith.

Dear friends, we can learn something great from these Wise Men. First, their journey was one of searching and questioning, of fear and hope, of pain and joy. It is not an easy journey. Our journey of faith contains all of these elements. Like the Wise Men, we can expect to encounter difficulties and experience doubts. But, we can draw inspiration from their courage and perseverance.

Also, we can learn some thing about Herod. As the Wise Men journeyed above the great city of Bethlehem the star disappears, they could no longer see it. For them, it was logical to seek the new king in the royal palace, where they believe that wise men were to be found. But to their amazement, the newborn child was not found in the places of power and culture. Hence, king Herod in anger seeks to kill the child. 

Here, perhaps, we should ask ourselves: is there something of Herod in us? Have we in anyway seen God as a sort of rival? Have we been blind to the signs God is offering us or pay deaf ears to his words because we think he is setting limits on our life and does not allow us to live as we wish?

Another thing we can learn from the Wise Men is that, they did not travel alone, they traveled in a little community of three believers. We then, must not try to make the journey of our faith alone, we need to journey with our brothers and sisters in our community. We need to support one another. However we have one great advantage over these Wise Men. At the start of their journey they knew nothing about Christ. We already know Christ and have encountered him in faith. 

Nevertheless, the fact that we have not seen him face-to-face means we have not yet arrived at our final destination. So we are still searching, still journeying to encounter Jesus the light of the world. Thus the journey of faith is the journey of a lifetime. The goal of this journey is to arrive at the heavenly Bethlehem where we can see Jesus and experience his glory. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the manifestation of your Son Jesus today, let the light of his presence dispel the darkness in our lives, in our families, societies and so illuminate our paths as we struggle and journey in faith towards achieving our goals and purposes in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Saturday The Octave of Christmas, New Year 1st January, 2022

 Homily For Saturday The Octave of Christmas,  New Year 1st January, 2022 

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

Readings : Num 6:22-27, Ps 67, Gal. 4:4-7, Luke 2:16-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IDENTIFYING YOUR PLANS AND PURPOSES THIS YEAR WITH THE UNIVERSAL PLAN OF GOD FOR HUMANITY

Today, the whole human race is celebrating the goodness of God who has made it possible for us to witness another New Year. So every first day of January the Church celebrates three great events. First,  Church joins the whole human race to the celebrate the New Year, another gift of God to humanity. Secondly, since this great gift comes as we are celebrating the birthday of our Lord Jesus, the Church reflecting on the role of Mary in the whole event of this season, dedicated today as the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. And thirdly, following the ugly situation of war and  crises which humanity has found herself, Pope Paul VI chose and encouraged us to celebrate every 1st day of January as the World Day of Peace.  

So we are called to pray for peace in our world and also commit our plans are purposes to God this year knowing that every year is a gift of God to humanity. We journey through it in hope, full of expectations, favour, grace and blessing just like Mary whom God in time endowed with the great responsibility of becoming the Mother of his Son Jesus Christ, thereby sharing greatly in the universal plan of God for humanity. 

Therefore, following the role of Mary in God’s plan for our salvation, the Church ascribes some special prerogatives or privileges to her. These prerogatives concern what the Faith of the Church affirms in connection with the blessed Virgin Mary. They include her immaculate conception, her perpetual virginity, the assumption of Mary and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of other prerogatives. The solemnity of this prerogative is what we are celebrating today which shows her special role in the universal plan of God, of which our Gospel passage today gave us some details of how she cooperated with the will of God and treasured all the things that happened to her and pondered them in her heart.

This tells us that our success in life is determined by our disposition towards doing the will God. Hence, we have to identify our plans and purposes this year with the universal plan of God for humanity. But how can we identify the plan of God? Very simple, we were told in Gospel of John 2:1-11, how the wedding couple invited Jesus and his disciples in the most important day of their lives. And when an embarrassing moment came up during the course of the celebration, Mary in her usual way of helping people asked Jesus to save the couple from social embarrassment and even when her request was not granted by her son, she had strong faith that he will not refuse her request. So she said to the servants: “ Do whatever he tells you”

By this request Mary who represents the Church reveals to us the key to a successful and happy Christian Life. That is to say that, the secret key that opens the treasure of a successful and happy Christian life is to do whatever he (Jesus) tells us. But what did Jesus say we should do? He told the servants: Fill, Draw and Serve. Telling us to fill our life with the water of salvation which he offers us every day through his Words and Eucharist and when we have filled our lives with the fountain of his presence, then we should draw from the joy it offers and serve humanity who are really in need and thirsty for the word of God especially at this moment in our world when humanity really hope and seek for God’s intervention. 

Dear friends, let this principle guide all our activities this year. We must learn to fill our minds with positive things so that we can draw from the abundance of our hearts and serve humanity. Therefore, we must know that whatever healthy seed you water grows and the seed you quit watering will eventually die and go away. But the question is, what kind of seed are you going to be watering in your life this year? Are you going to be watering valuable seeds or weeds? Because nature has made it clear that not all the seeds are good for us and so any unwanted seed is a potential weed. Then, the question you need to ask yourself is: are you watering weeds that you do not need? There are so many weeds in our lives, such as: weeds of fear, regrets, doubt, jealousy, hatred, disrespect, greediness, lying, gossip, impurity, wickedness, procrastination etc they are good for nothing. 

Today we are called to quit watering these weeds because that's what the enemies want and we must not fall into their traps. Rather we are called to water those valuable mustard seeds of goodness, honestly, faithfulness, love, holiness, obedience, charity and make them our values of life. For when you feed and water your value, your value will grow stronger like the mustard tree that all the people of the world may find solace on it. As you begin this year with the Lord, know that the transcendent power and authority belong to God. Yes we may be affiliated in every way, but  never be crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Yes, we must know that true greatness is found in service and not in domination or subjection of others. Good leaders serve the community, they subdue arguments and divisions, they maintain unity in times of distress and act as role models for the young. This year, we all are called to identify our plans and purposes with the universal plan of God. We are called to serve in any capacity we find ourselves, bearing in mind that one should not strive to be a leader but a servant because leadership is a gift given to one by God. Remember, you don't have to be great to get started but you have to get started in order to be great. All we need is to ask God to fill us with wisdom and show us what we can offer to humanity this New Year in accordance with his plan, for by so doing we will be successful in all we do this year.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of another New Year, grant that through the intercession of our Mother Mary, may we find strength to do your will always especially in all our daily struggles. May your grace and favour be with us even to the last hour of this new year. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Year