Homily for Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 17th July, 2022.

 Reading: Gen. 18:1-10; Ps. 15; 2Col. 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

WE MUST LEARN TO LISTEN TO GOD EVEN IN THE MIDST OF OUR BUSY SCHEDULE WITH THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD 

One of the vital aspect of the human person, which is very much lacking in most of our communications these days is listening. This is because, oftentimes, we worry about so many things in life, trying to let people hear us without taking time to listen to them. There are people who are always trying to satisfy everyone without listening to the real thing that matters. I have also come across people who are often worried about how to make others feel more comfortable without minding their own discomfort. They are so concerned with pleasing others even when they are not pleased. What a great sacrificial virtue that is not common these days. 

This sacrificial virtue is the attitude of Martha in our Gospel passage today were we have the story of how Martha was so busy trying to make Jesus comfortable when he visited them at their house in Bethany. But when Martha observed that her sister Mary was not helping out in the preparation, rather was busy listening to Jesus, she said to Jesus: “Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her”.

Here, Jesus is not condemning this great sacrificial virtue nor condoning laziness. Rather, he is saying that busy without listening and listening without doing is worthless. Hence, he gently correct the impression of Martha who was too busy and distracted with so many things that she risks losing sight of what is really important, that is, listening to Jesus. This is because Martha gives the impression that Mary is just sitting there doing nothing. But, in fact, she is listening to Jesus.

However, Jesus is not telling us to be content with sitting down and listening to his word, for he always insists that listening to his word means putting it into practice. While his objection to Martha request is because she was too anxious and distracted by many things, that she was not able to really listen to him and for Jesus listening is the best option. 

It is this act of listening that made Abraham in our first reading to recognized the personality of three men  standing close to him and said to them: My lord, ‘I beg you, if I find favour with you, kindly do not pass your servant by. A little water shall be brought; you shall wash your feet and lie down under the tree. Let me fetch a little bread and you shall refresh yourselves before going further. That is why you have come in your servant’s direction.’ They replied, ‘Do as you say.’ And as they departed one of them said: ‘I shall visit you again next year without fail, and your wife will then have a son.’ What a favour he received from them and this teaches us the important of hospitality and listening to God who speaks to us deep down in our conscience.

Little wonder, St. Paul in our second reading today said: “I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints.” Here, St. Paul made us to know that we must learn to listen to God’s message and be hospitable to one another for this is the wisdom in which we are thoroughly trained and instructed and so made perfect in Christ.

Dear friends, we need to ask ourselves if we are more like Martha or like Mary, for they were both friends of Jesus? Are we  more of listeners or  hospitable, accommodating and caring? Today, we must learn to listen to God even in the midst of our busy schedule with the things of this passing world. For many of us are so busy and anxious of so many things that we have no time to listen to God speaking to us and addressing the situation we are actually busy trying to solve. Today we are called like Martha to pause and listen, so that we can hear God speaking to us and directing us towards the right path.

Thus, Martha and Mary who were known as friends of Jesus, loved to welcome him into their home, let us learn from them, knowing that hospitality is perfected when we have a listening ear. For it is a great virtue to be hospitable and caring especially when we spend quality time to listen to God and letting him direct and guide us towards carrying out our daily tasks. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are always so busy with the things of this passing world, that we often do not have time listen to you. Give us the grace like Mary to chose the better part which is to truly listen to your word and then be well disposed to be caring and hospitable just like Martha, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed Sunday celebration.

Homily for Saturday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 16th July, 2022

 Readings: Micah 2:1-5, Ps. 10, Matt 12:14-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY DO WE OFTEN PLOT AGAINST THE INNOCENT WHO MEAN WELL FOR THE SOCIETY?  

Plotting against one another is one of the ugly attitudes of people in our societies today and this plotting is often against the innocents. This  is exactly the condition of the world we are living in today. The world were people who are entrusted with the noble task of leading and managing the resources and affairs of the people, plot against the people and make decisions to eliminate and destroy them just for their personal gain and selfish interest, as we have it in our Gospel passage today, where the Pharisees who are the leaders of the people, because of their selfish interest and pride went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him, because of his great works and teaching to the people.

Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah which reminds us about the figure of the suffering Servant of Yahweh, in the person of Jesus. Here Jesus experienced constant opposition and hostility in the hands of the Pharisees who sort to destroy Him. So, Matthew in this Gospel identifies Jesus with the Suffering Servant who is filled with God’s spirit, in spite of the aggression of his opponents, he does not suspend his ministry of healing, forgiving and spreading the Good News. For he is full of gentleness and compassion. 

Hence, Jesus the suffering Servant of God, the lovable and gentle teacher, has come to bring the light of truth to this crazy world, for he does not seek the death of sinners, but their conversion and salvation. Therefore in him, we also can find the courage and strength to persevere in this times of difficulty, suffering and persecution. For God has chosen us as His beloved sons and daughters. He has given us His Spirit so that we can stand firm against all the evil activities going on in this crazy world.

But as for those who have chosen to be instruments of destruction, manipulation and deception of humanity just for their selfish interest or for vain glory or for fun thereby letting people die for these wrongs that they do. Prophet Micah says  in our first reading concerning such people: Woe to those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do this evil, their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance. Therefore, they will have no share in the kingdom of the Lord, for the evils they have done will be their portion and lot.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that we are really living in an evil and crazy world where people plot against the innocents who mean well for the people, but we must know that the transcendent power and authority belong to God. Yes we are affiliated in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Thus, 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 ones. 

Therefore, it is time for us to put off our old self which leads to evil desire, manipulation, covetousness, selfishness and greed, in order to put on a new person born of love, compassion, contentment, purity forgiveness and theme spirit. We all are called today 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.

PRAYER: Oh Lord, like little boy we come down on our knees with all humility, asking for your grace and courage to overcome the evil and ugly situation going on in this crazy world, where humanity are being manipulated, deceived and destroyed because of few people’s selfish interest. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a pleasant weekend.

Homily for Friday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 15th July, 2022. The Memorial of St. Bonaventure

 Readings: Isaiah 38:1-6.7-8.21-22, Ps. 38, Matt 12:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 THE LORD DESIRES MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE IN OUR DEALINGS WITH ONE ANOTHER 

One of the attributes of God is mercy, and this attribute run through the scriptures as it is actually the summary of most of the stories in the scriptures. Because at the end of everything it is the mercy of God that we need more than His justice. Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today teaches us about the essence of making laws. 

This is clear from his response to the Pharisees who criticized the attitude of his disciples who on the Sabbath were seen plucking ears of corn to eat because they were very hungry. So, Jesus corrected them on the right disposition concerning the application of God's law and any law at all, when he said to them "I desire mercy and not sacrifice". This is because the Pharisees emphasized on strict keeping of the law of Sabbath while neglecting the spirit of the law which has to do with God’s love  and mercy.

 This is also evident in our first reading, where we heard of God’s mercy on king Hezekiah, who was suffering from a terrible illness that would have led to his death. But he begged the Lord in prayer to remember what he had done for the sake of his people, for Hezekiah had been faithful to God and led the people of Judah to return once again to God. So God had Mercy on him and said to prophet Isaiah: ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days’ time you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord.” I will add fifteen years to your life.’ Such is the mercy of God.

Dear friends, Law exists for the good of the people, but often times we find ourselves seeking more recognition by exercising too much control over other people’s lives under the disguise of laws. Hence, we should not lack compassion and mercy or close our hearts against our neighbour like the Pharisees, an attitude that reminds me of the words of Pope Francis when he said: "If our heart is closed, if our heart is made of stone, then the stones will end up in our hands and, then, we will be ready to throw them at someone.

Therefore, this should not be the case, rather, we should always consider the essence and purpose of making laws and applying them, bearing in mind that human needs which supersedes all other human interest should be the guiding principle of any law both social and religious. In fact the ritual demands of the Sabbath encourages mercy, forgiveness and compassion which are at the heart of any true religion. 

Thus, as we make laws and implement them, let love, compassion and mercy be our guiding principle. Just as we heard in the life of St Bonaventure whose memorial we celebrate today. He was a great theologian whose task and mission was to defend and reform both the Church and the community of the faithful, a burden he faithful carried out through total submission to the grace of God and mercy.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you show the light of your truth to those who go astray. Through the intercessions of St. Bonaventure, may we always embrace your laws and apply them with mercy and compassion, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily for Thursday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 14th July, 2022

 Readings: Isaiah 26: 7-9.12.16-19, Ps. 102, Matt 11:28-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD WANTS TO HELP US CARRY THE HEAVY BURDEN IN OUR SOULS 

Thinking about the ugly condition of our societies today, where the ugly and sinful attitudes of greed, corruption, pride and selfishness of humanity have places heavy burden and stress on us all and often times these burdens are so heavy that we don’t know how to carry them. The worst of these burdens are the sorrows we bear in our hearts: sorrows caused by our sins, unhealthy relationships we engaged in, unforgiven attitude and family problems as a result of the bad influence of the society.

Thus, today in our Gospel passage Jesus says to us: Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ No doubt that everyone of us has a task and a mission to accomplish and this can be very demanding. Little wonder prophet Isaiah in our first reading invites us to earnestly seek the Lord like a woman with child, who writhes and cries out in her pangs, for when God’s judgements appear on earth the inhabitants of the world learn the meaning of integrity and righteousness.

In a similar way, Jesus recognizes the sorrows in our lives, how we labour and are overburdened as a result of our tasks and mission. Hence he invites us to come to him with all our burdens. Yes, it is in the nature of human person to think and worry about things of this world. Every human person thinks and worries about something. Only few people can sometimes find it easy to resolve their problems, but for most people their problems are too great that they move from bad to worst. Hence, this invitation of Jesus opens a refreshing space in our soul, by inspiring hope and drawing us into God’s loving and gentle presence where our souls find peace and solace. 

Dear friends, what are those tasks and mission the Lord have given to us in this life? How are we carrying out this task and mission? What are the challenges we are facing? Is the task and mission so heavy for us to bear? Are we carrying additional load apart from the one God has given to us? I don't know the heavy burden in your heart right now, I don’t know your cherished plans which have failed and it seems as if disappointments have prevailed, thereby wandering in the darkness of confusion and heavy heart all alone? 

Today, the Lord wants to help us carry the heavy burdens in our souls. He is inviting us to come to him with all our burdens, all our troubles, all our challenges and  disappointments and he will give us rest. He says we should embrace his yoke, we should learn from him, for he is gentle and humble of heart and by so doing find rest for our souls. Then we will tell the story of how we overcome our most troublesome and darkest of moments, for we will understand it better by and by.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we come to you with heavy burden and sorrows in our hearts, grant that we may embrace the yoke of Christ and so find peace and solace in our soul. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the God's favour.

Homily for Wednesday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 13th July, 2022

 Readings: Isaiah 10:5-7.13-16, Ps. 94, Matt 11:25-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD WILL ALWAYS REVEAL HIS PLANS TO HIS HUMBLE AND MERE CHILDREN 

Gazing on the crucifix this morning, all I could see is the childlike humility of Jesus towards his loving Father. For he sacrificed himself on the cross for the sake of humanity. Thereby teaching us that our relationship with God in prayer requires the humility of an infant to his loving father.

This type of humility is not a way of glory, but a road of surrender that leads to passion and death of ones self. It is  a way of sacrifice, a service to others at the expense of the self. In prayer Jesus experienced God as his Father and approached him with a childlike humility, faith and confidence. Hence, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus after his reproaches towards unrepentant cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, demonstrates to us a humble way of relating with God in prayer when he said,, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere infants. Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will'.  

Here Jesus is referring to those who claim to be wise and intelligent, self-sufficient and self-made, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, Scribe and Lawyers who rejected his message. Also those who think that they don’t need God, for they can save themselves by their meritorious works. Thus, Jesus points out that there is a link between prayer and the inner disposition of being a humble child of God in communion with a heavenly Father, through confidence and total abandonment to God. For no matter who we are and what we have achieved in life, humility is the key and sure way to reach God in prayer. 

Nonetheless, even those who are highly gifted and blessed, can become a "baby" who humbly depend upon God’s grace. While the uneducated and less privileged persons can be in the same undesirable company of the wise and intelligent if they are not humble in spirit in their relationship with God and their neighbours, because our natural and spiritual gifts are only useful in our Christian journey when we have a humble heart.

This is what God is teaching us in our first reading today, when He reminded us through prophet Isaiah, that no power in this world is meaningful without Him. For pride as showed by the Assyrian king, will lead us to nowhere else but destruction and failure. Therefore, it’s time for us to get rid of pride, corruption, greed and unhealthy desire that dwell in us, in order to embrace the life of humility and love.

Dear friends, today God wants us to relate with him in total humility and obedience, just like the humility of an infant to his lovely father. For He is always with us in our daily troubles and struggles, He understands us more than we can ever imagine. Therefore, why not  humbly come to Him in prayers for He is always willing to help us in solving those difficult and challenging situations in our lives. Remember, our natural and spiritual gifts are only useful in our Christian journey when we have a humble heart.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for being with us in our daily struggles, troubles, joys and hopes, may you provide for the poor, console the troubled, heal the sick and put simile on the faces of your children who humbly come to your in prayers. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily for Tuesday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 12th July, 2022

 Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9, Ps. 48, Matt. 11:20-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WOE TO HUMANITY FOR WE ARE HEADING TOWARDS SELF DESTRUCTION 

A critical look at  the ugly and fragile nature of our societies and the world as a whole it is obvious that humanity are heading towards self destruction, especially when we look at how the streets are full of people struggling and suffering, the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and manipulating others. Our leaders are so busy with acquiring, manipulating and embezzling the common resources, not minding the struggles, the tears, the disappointments that people are passing through everyday, as some people have lost hope in themselves and even in everything they do.  We are just so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence, that is, the salvation of our souls. 

These ugly and fragile kind of condition is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today as he continues with his reproaches, this time to cities where he had done great miracles, yet the people failed to embrace the life of the Gospel he preached. Hence he reproached them saying: woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on Judgement day with Tyre and Sidon as with you’. 

Yes, Jesus has taught us about the kingdom of God and proclaimed a message of healing and conversion but his teaching and powerful deeds have not yet been embraced by humanity. Hence, Jesus in this Gospel is not just rebuking the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, but all humanity for not being open to the fruits of his Gospel, calling us to reflect on how we are losing out on what God is offering us.

Dear friends, Jesus is saying woe to humanity for we are heading towards self destruction. We might not feel very comfortable with the idea of Jesus rebuking and uttering terrible words of threats on these big and powerful cities that represents all humanity. But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Has humanity really embraced the Word of God we hear everyday? Is the Word bearing fruits in our lives? Can we recognize in this fragile condition of our country and societies the great deeds that Jesus is doing to save humanity and the need to turn back to God? Do we think that repentance is for others and not for us? Jesus is saying woe to us for failing to embrace and live out the Gospel teachings, because he seem to expect some sort of changes in us when we hear his Words or when we encounter him in prayers. 

Therefore, God is calling us to repentance, He wants to come into our souls and dwells. Today He is rebuking all humanity, He wants us to come to Him for He comes to us more than we come to Him. And this is what prophet Isaiah is telling us in our first reading today, reminding us that unless we stand by God we can not stand at all. Hence, if we believe in God, and put our trust in Him, we will have the assurance and guarantee of restoration, for God does not want us to suffer the consequences our sins, that is why He keeps reminding us about the up coming danger. But, if humanity constantly refuse to believe in God, we will end up in self destruction. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words today, may we experience your love, joy and healing both physically, materially and more importantly spiritually, as we wait patiently for the restoration of all humanity from the ugly and fragile condition of this passing world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily for Monday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 11th July, 2022. The Memorial of St. Benedict

 Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17, Ps. 50, Matt 10: 34-11.1

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE SWORD OF THE GOSPEL AND IT’S CONSEQUENCES

The way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst of all the ugly situation in our societies today. Because the hostility, persecution, kidnapping and the influential power of things of this world is not stopping soon rather, it will be getting tougher. Therefore, if we are really willing to live out our Christian faith and obligations, then we need to make a radical decision towards our discipleship in a personal and radical way, for this days, it is not enough to say am a Christian, we must convincingly and radically practice our faith by following the example of Lord Jesus. 

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today, takes his discourse on discipleship to a radical and difficult level when he said: 'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; and anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.’ 

Here, Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions in family life, but he wants us to accept the consequences that comes with the truth of the Gospel teaching, more importantly, when it comes to living out the Gospel message in a radical way, especially in a situation where our family values have been thrown out of caution as a result of secularism, individualism and excess desires for worldly pleasures, thereby neglecting the things that lead us to God. So, these hard words of Jesus can only be understood in the light of our life experience, because there are moments when we have to make radical and difficult choice as disciples of Jesus. These moments may wield the sword of division or separation among those people and things which are so dear to us. 

However, Jesus does not endorse we engaging in armed conflict, but he warns that we have to struggle to put him first, before family ties, knowing that divisions will surely occur as people have to decide to be for or against God. Hence, he states that the cost of discipleship extends to one even losing his life. Nevertheless, he promises that even the small efforts we make in following him will be rewarded. 

Thus, Jesus demands a total commitment towards finishing the journey of discipleship once begun or not beginning it at all. Because, following Jesus demands the sacrifice of all that one has. For none of us can become his disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties in our lives including family, self-interest, and possessions. 

This is what prophet Isaiah is emphasizing in our first reading today, as he speaks about what God demand of His people. That God does not demand our sacrifices and offerings, rather, He desires our real love, genuine faith and total dedication to Him. Calling us to take our wrong-doing out of His sight. We must cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, and cease to be hypocrites who claimed to believe in Him and yet, our actions are totally contrary to what we claim to believe in.

Dear friends, today we heard about the sword of the Gospel and it’s consequences as  we are called to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully follow Jesus and to accept the consequences of living by the truth of the Gospel. But how much are we willing to let go for the sake of following the truth of the Gospel? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus?  What is that habitual desires and possessions that are holding us from making this radical decision today? It is time to come to God with all our hearts, for tomorrow maybe too late.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts towards your. Through the intercessions of St. Benedict, give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly desires, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing people and things that are dear to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.