Homily For Thursday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 13th January, 2022

 Homily For Thursday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 13th January, 2022

Readings: 1 Sam. 4:1-11;  Ps. 44;  Mark 1:40-45

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD IS ALWAYS WILLING AND READY TO HEAL AND MAKE US WHOLE AGAIN

There is no doubt that the compassionate love of Jesus in solidarity with human sufferings is evident in the scriptures and even in our daily lives.  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 our troubles. 

This is evident in the occasion of our Gospel passage today, where a leper, came up and bowed low in front of Jesus and said to him, if you will, you can make me clean. Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I will! Be clean!’ And immediately his leprosy was cured at once. 

Here, the touching of Jesus is very significant since no ordinary person would dare to touch a leper. We can think of the inner healing that must have resulted from the touch of Jesus, that moment of physical contact which the leper had not experienced for a long time due to rejection. Touch is something we all need, but are so often lacking in our relationship with God and one another, and it is even becoming worst with the ugly situation of corona virus and the need for social and physical distancing. But this cannot stop Jesus from reaching out to his children who call on him for healing and restoration. 

Thus, the leper was despised, feared, shunned and rejected in the society, but when he approached Jesus in humility, he becomes the object of divine attention. We too just like the leper, are in need of healing, including the healing that comes from the touch of Jesus, all we need is to approach Jesus in humility and we will become a person of divine attention. 

More so, 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 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 leper who came to Jesus with faith, knowing that he could heal him and make him better. 

This is what all of us must have as well, a strong and genuine faith in God. But we, should not be like the Israelites in our first reading today, who only remembered God when they are in need of him. For they have made God a tool to be used only when they need him. That is why when they were defeated in  war, the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, came with the ark. And when the ark of the Lord arrived in the camp, all Israel gave a great shout so that the earth resounded. However, they were defeated in spite of the presence of the Ark of the Lord.

Dear friends, we should never take the gift of God’s presence in our lives for granted. We must learn to utilize any encounter we  have with the Lord, for it may be our great opportunity to be restored and what is needed is to put our faith in action by saying Lord if you will you can restore me. So 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 we know people who are helpless and need some help? Do we feel the need of Jesus’s help in some part of our life? Let us pause for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at us. How does he sees us? What are you saying to us? 

Brethren, Jesus in solidarity with human sufferings, wishes to set us free from sickness, troubles, challenges and manipulations from the evil ones. He desires to be with us as we struggle everyday to overcome the challenges in our lives, 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 like the leper in our Gospel passage today.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, humanity is in deep darkness caused by different forms of leprosies and only you can heal and restore us. For you know our inner most being and the challenges we are facing today, come to our aid we pray and cleanse us from all our physical, em

Homily For Wednesday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 12th January, 2022

 Homily For Wednesday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 12th January, 2022

Readings: 1Sam. 3:1-10.19-20; Ps. 40; Mark 1:29-39

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD REALLY CARES FOR OUR WELLBEING 

As Jesus continued to carryout his mission of preaching he also showed compassion and care for those who are passing through difficulties. This shows the love and mercy of God for humanity. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, when Jesus returned from preaching in the synagogue he entered Simon Peter's house, behold Peter's mother-in-law was sick with fever. 

This is not a minor sickness in the ancient world. A fever was not only debilitating for a short while, but was often a symptom of a condition that would lead to death. So, Jesus simply raised her up and the fever left her, she immediately begins to serve them, something she was unable to do because of her illness.  Thus, she was able to render her service to the first Christian communities. She was healed and restored with new strength so that she may again rise and take up her proper place in the community of God’s people. This clearly shows how and why Jesus coming down upon us and by taking up our human nature made it possible for him to identified himself with the struggles of humanity as he embraced us with his love, compassion and care. For he came to heal us from our sins and from all the afflictions we encounter.

Dear friends, God really cares for our wellbeing, his always ready to help us in our struggles so that we can be well disposed to serve him. Hence, whenever we are sick both physically or spiritually and are cured from this sickness, it is tempting to sit back and accept people’s good wishes and congratulations. These should not be our attitudes, we should rather learn from Peter’s mother-in-law that healing is not just to make us well but to enable us to become active again in rendering serving to God and his community.

Therefore, let us learn to trust in the Lord’s power and authority to help us in our struggles, let us learn from the experience of Samuel in our first reading today who was guided by Eli to discern the call of the Lord. Let us learn to say hear I am Lord since you called me, for the Lord is always ready and willing to heal and help us in our struggles.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, we are really sick in need of your healing and compassion. As we struggle everyday to serve you and humanity, heal all our illnesses and give us grace to get up and become more active again in order to render more quality services to you and to our communities. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a favourable day.

Homily For Tuesday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 11th January, 2022

 Homily For Tuesday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 11th January, 2022

Readings: 1Sam.1:9-20; Ps. 1Sam 2:4-7; Mark 1:21-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

RECOGNIZING THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE LORD JESUS IN OUR LIVES

Oftentimes, when people are to do something serious it is always the case that they will need to back up there activities and message with authority. And when this is lacking, people may not take their activities and message seriously. Thus, in our Gospel passage today we heard people making reference to the authority by which Jesus speaks and carried out his mission. For he spoke and acted with God-given authority.

This is even more evidence with the manner in which he was able to rebuke the man possessed by unclean spirit. These spirits are malicious beings that might be demons or fallen angels who have followed Satan to rebel against God. They might be mighty and powerful as Satan, but in the end, none of them were able to rise up against God. For God alone is the source of all power and authority. 

So Jesus being the Son of God wants to show us that he has been given all the power and authority over the evil ones. And through him we have been given all authority and power over those spirits. The unclean spirit recognized Jesus as the power of God. His power over demons is a direct defeat of the evil one while the restoration of the possessed man signifies the inauguration of God's kingdom in the world. 

Dear friends, it is obvious to everyone that Jesus had authority, his authority does not come from his position in life or from worldly power. Rather, his authority comes from his relationship with God his Father. He listened to his voice and spoke his words. Therefore, if we want to speak with authority, we must learn to spend time with God, listening to his voice and doing his will. And this is what we see in the life of Hannah in our first reading today, who recognized the power and authority of God to answer her prayers and heal her barrenness. So she went to the temple and pour out her heart to God and she conceived and gave birth to a son, and called him Samuel ‘since’ she said ‘I asked the Lord for him.

Hence, today we are called to recognize that the presence of Jesus in the world brings about victory over all our troubles. And Jesus has given us the gift of his presence in the person of the Holy Spirit, which God has bestowed on us in our baptism. In this gift resides the power and authority to evangelize the world and to confront evil and overcome it.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in a world full of evil and intimidation, we need your authority once again to speak and stand for what is right and just. As we struggle with our daily task, may we be courageous, knowing that the same Jesus who delivered the possessed man can heal our fears, anxieties and worries for his presence sets us free from evil manipulations, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Remember, the power to overcome resides in you. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 10th January, 2022

 Homily For Monday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 10th January, 2022

Readings: 1Sam. 1:1-8; Ps. 116; Mark 1:14-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

FOLLOWING THE LORD REQUIRES LEAVING BEHIND OUR OLD WAYS OF LIFE AND EMBRACE NEW LIFE

Today marks the beginning of the Season of the Ordinary Time in this current Liturgical year. Today we are reminded of our call and vocation as Christians, which is well illustrated in our Gospel passage today for it gives us the account of the calling of the first Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, the four fishermen, Peter and his brother Andrew, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee, whom he called just right after he began his ministry after his baptism at the Jordan. 

Here we heard how Jesus called them, and they responded by leaving everything behind, their boat, their families and profession, in order to follow the Lord. Today we are called like these Apostles 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. We need to surrender all the things that distract us, we need to submit our struggles and worries to God who has called us. And this is what we see in the life of Hannah in our first reading today. 

Dear friends, in this call of following the Lord, what have we left behind? What have we sacrificed? Today we are called to really examine our conscience to know where we are as regards to our vocation as Christians. How have we personally experienced Jesus? When was you spiritual turning point? Do we have a personal conviction about God that does not based on what people told us of him? In case we have not personally experience him, all we need to do is to sincerely seek God in those common events in our life and we will realize how much God is willing to reveal himself to you.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are reminded of our call to follow your Son Jesus, as we respond to this call, may we 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 week ahead.

Homily For Sunday The Feast of The Baptism of The Lord Year C, 9th January, 2022

 Homily For Sunday The Feast of The Baptism of The Lord Year C, 9th January, 2022

Readings: Is. 40:1-5.9-11; Ps. 104; Titus 2:11-14.3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16.21-22.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, A REMINDER OF OUR IDENTITY AND MISSION

Today we celebrate the feast of the Lord’s baptism an event which marks the end of Christmas season as we begin the first part of the Ordinary Time tomorrow. However, this feast is not just about the Lord’s baptism, but our own baptism as well and the renewing of its grace in our lives. The celebration of the baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity and mission as Christ faithful. The feast reminds us of who we are and our obligations and commitment to God on the day we were baptized. This feast reminds us that Jesus received baptism not because he needs it, rather, it is to identify himself with his people, who, as a result of John's preaching, are now aware of their sins and of their need for repentance. 

So, from our readings today, we heard Prophet Isaiah talking about the promise of God’s salvation and the coming of the One through Whom God would redeem all of His people. He also talk about how God would send a servant to prepare a  way for his coming. And in our Gospel passage we see the manifestation and God’s confirmation of these two personalities. For when John had baptized all the people and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, saying: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

 In the second reading, we heard Paul telling us that God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; that we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come, thereby stressing on the important of professing our faith in Jesus Christ which is an essential aspect of the rite of Baptism.  This of course, shows God's revelation to mankind especially about the mystery of the Trinity and also to reveal Jesus’ true identity and mission. 

Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 1279 emphasizes that by our baptism, we become adoptive sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, heirs of heaven and temples of the Holy Spirit. We become incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made  sharers in the priesthood of Christ. Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments (CCC 1213).  

Hence, let us come and receive the immortality that flows from baptism through the testimonies of water, Spirit and Blood which bear witness to the love of God for humanity. For we are told by one ancient author, that, this is the water that is linked to the Spirit, the water that irrigates Paradise, makes the earth fertile, gives growth to plants, and brings forth living creatures. 

In short, this is the water by which a man receives new birth and life, the water in which even Christ was baptized, the water into which the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. And whoever goes down into these waters of rebirth with faith renounces the devil and pledges himself to Christ. He comes up from baptism throws off his servitude and becomes an adopted son of God and a co-heir with Christ, resplendent as the sun and purified.

Therefore, the baptism of Jesus reminds us of our mission that is, to experience the presence of God within us and share it with others, to acknowledge our own dignity as God’s children, to live as children of God in thought, word and action, to lead a holy and transparent Christian life and not to desecrate our bodies with impurity, injustice, intolerance, jealousy or hatred in order to grow daily in intimacy with God and be co-creators in building up of his Kingdom on earth. Hence, every baptism is a moment of decision, a moment of identification with the people of God, a moment of approval, a moment of conviction, a moment of certainties and assurance, a moment of equipment and indeed a moment of personal encounter with the Trinity.

Dear friends, today is a special day for us to remember the graces we have received at baptism in order to renew it. We can recall that  on the day of our baptism,  we were anointed with the Oil of Catechumens, the sign of Christ's gentle strength, to fight against evil. Blessed water was poured over us, an effective sign of interior purification through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We were then anointed with Chrism to show that we were thus consecrated in the image of Jesus. A white cloth was placed on our forehead as a sign of purity. 

Also the candle lighted from the Paschal Candle was given to us as a symbol of the light of Faith which our parents and godparents must have continually safeguarded and nourished with the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this is another day for us to renew our baptismal promises, consecrating ourselves to the Holy Trinity and rejecting Satan and all his empty promises, which our world is constantly projecting to us through all means of media and social communications. So as we enter the first half of the ordinary time, we are called to reactivate the grace and gift we received at our baptism in order to faithfully carryout the mission entrusted to us by the Lord.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift and grace of baptism. As we celebrate today’s feast may we rediscover in a new way the beauty of  our baptism and so be filled with the grace and joy of Christ’s presence, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a fruitful Sunday celebration.

 MARRIAGE A DAILY DISCOVERING OF GOD WHO IS LOVE

Today is a very special day for Oluwatomi (God is enough for me to rely on) David and Desayo (I was born into joy), it is a special day for the two families and friends of the couples. And also today is a special day for the Church, why? Because today two special children of the Holy Mother Church have come to express before her the love they have discovered in God who is love. 

But I have two questions for two of you today, and my first question is what is love? The second question is have you truly discovered love?

I know you will tell me that love is a strong feeling, a strong passion or a strong attraction for someone or something.  In fact, the dictionary defines love as a strong positive emotion of regard and affection. A deep feeling of sexual desire and attraction.

But this definition does not give us the true meaning of love, because love is beyond feelings, affections, emotion, attraction or sexual desire. You want to know what love is? I will let you know what love really means. Love I will tell you is that very nature of God that we share. That is why when someone is in love or when someone discovers love, is something deep and deeper than the human nature because it is the nature of God that we share. And St John tells us that God is love, and he who abides in love, abides God and God in him. 

And he said in 1 cor. 13:4-8 that Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails. So, back to my second question, Oluwatomi and Desayo have you discovered love or I will say have you discovered God in each other? Because Marriage simple mean discovering God in your spouse. 

Little wonder, Pope Francis while addressing couples present in St. Peter's Square for his May 27 general audience in 2015 said that: Marriage is a vocation from God, is not just a relationship based on attraction and feelings, of a moment, of something short. It requires a journey which establishes a very strong and lasting partnership, which makes two lives one, a true miracle of human freedom and the grace of God. At the end of his address he said something very important. He said that, Love requires work not just attraction or feelings that comes and goes.

Hence, can. 1055, defines marriage as a covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of their whole life, and which of it’s own nature is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children, has, between the baptised , been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.

My dear brother and sister, marriage is like building a house, you must ensure that you erect the structure of your marriage in a solid foundation of love well rooted in God. It is a daily struggle towards discovering God. In this struggles you need to know that both of you have a special role to play. Oluwatomi, you are the man of the house, men affirms and protect their home just like St Joseph. 

Desayo, you are a woman, women stirs the whole family with joy just like our Mother Mary and that is why there is a special prayer said for the woman in the nuptials blessings which  says: May the grace of love and peace abide in your daughter and let her always follow the example of those holy women whose praises are sung in the Scriptures. May her husband entrust his heart to her, so that, acknowledging her as his equal and his joint heir to the life of grace, he may show her due honor and cherish her always with the love that Christ has for his Church.

Oluwatomi, Desayo, God loves you, the church loves you, your families love you, all of us present at this holy Celebrating of the Mass love you. Abide in God’s love. 

Homily For Saturday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 8th January, 2022

 Homily For Saturday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 8th January, 2022

Readings: 1 John 5:14-21, Ps.149, John 3:22-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST?

As Christians, one of the mandate that Jesus gave to us is to proclaim the Good News of our salvation, for in this mandate everyone of us has a special role to play. But the question is what is our role in the mission of Christ and how are we playing this role? Today’s Gospel passage presents to us the humility in which John the Baptist plays his role in the mission of Christ.  John knew who he was in the sight of God. He knew his strengths and his weaknesses, he knew that his life was centered on Christ. 

This was not a burden for him, for he clearly understood God’s sovereignty, he understood who Jesus is. He rejoiced in the coming of Jesus and his role in the mission and life of Jesus. He knew he was the announcer of Good News, but not the Good News itself. However, he did not have to make a public show of himself. He was not out to promote his own ministry or reputation. Even though it seems as if he is becoming insignificance when Jesus arrived, he did not feel so. His aim was to identify Jesus to the people which he did with all humility as we heard him say “he must increase, but I must decrease”.

Thus, John shows us what it means to be a true disciple of the Lord. That as disciples, we should not allow pride, ambition, ego and selfish desire to dictate how we live our lives. If not, we will easily be carried away by worldly temptations and lose our way by falling deep into the trap of sin. Rather, we are called to be humble and to be faithful to God at all times. Hence, St. John in our first reading today, tells us to struggle to free ourselves from sin and reject the path of sin, so that we will not end up being trapped more and more in the path of sin, for this may make us end up in eternal damnation if we are not careful.

          

Dear friends, we all have a significant role to play in the plan of God, John understood his role in the mission of Christ and showed great humility in exercising it. But do we have any clue of what our role is in the mission of Christ? In what ways do we exemplify humility in the little task entrusted to us? Let us learn from John the Baptist how to humbly exercise our role in any task or mission entrusted to us. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, John the Baptist humbly remarked that it was only right that while his Lord and Master increased in importance and prominence, that he should decrease, thereby showing and teaching us what it means to be humble servants and disciples. As we contemplate his life, may we learn to be humble in carrying out the mission and vocation entrusted to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a peaceful weekend.