Homily For Thursday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 24th November, 2022. The Memorial of St. Andrew Dung Lac and Companions

Readings: Rev.18:1-2,21-23,19:1-3,9, Ps.99, Luke:21:20-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD FOR YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR

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

Thus, as the great and holy city of Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by the Romans in less than four decades after the death and resurrection of Christ, so will the things of this world pass away including those who are attached to them. Just as we also heard in our first reading today, the account of the declaration of the Angel of God at the end of the last trumpets how the world ends with the plagues, the final defeat of the devil and all the forces of the wicked, which is well illustrated with the fall of ‘Babylon’ that shall never rise again, for it has come to it’s final and ultimate defeat. While God has triumphed and won the ultimate victory for his faithful people.

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

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

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

Homily For Wednesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 23rd November, 2022

Readings: Rev.15:1-4, Ps.98, Luke:21:12-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY DO CHRISTIANS OFTEN FACE PERSECUTIONS? 

The word persecution is often associated with Christian faith, for most times when we hear about persecution, the victims are often Christian faithful. But why do Christians often face persecutions? This is because in our world today we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and different other immoral activities people do for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires. And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object of elimination. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situation, Christians are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness which humanity are not ready to embrace.  This of course, is the reason for the constant persecution of Christians.

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

Little wonder Jesus gave us the details of the challenges that awaits us as his followers such as: arrests; persecution; trials before government authorities; betrayal by family and friends; hatred on account of his name; and even execution. He made us to know that we should not lay blames on a particular person or group of people, on the society, or even on our enemies for such ugly treatment. For they are rather an opportunity to testify and bear witness of him to the world. 

Here, Jesus not only describes what his followers will have to endure, but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he recommends that here comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure, rather than despair. For by their endurance they will gain their lives. Hence, period of persecution is a time to witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity. 

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that the world is passing through difficult times, for families, societies, countries, and churches are badly affected by the current economic situation that is affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in this times of difficulty. For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he we will give us victory and we will join the elders in our first reading today to say: how great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are all your ways, King of all ages, for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing to the Gospel, especially in this time of persecutions and difficulties. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day. 

Homily For Tuesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 22nd November, 2022. The Memorial of St. Cecilia

 Readings: Rev.14:14-19 , Ps.95, Luke:21:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT SIGNS ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR IN THIS PASSING WORLD? YOU BETTER BE PREPARED 

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

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

Dear friends, what signs are you searching for in this passing world? You better be prepared for our lives as Christians demands that we should be alert and ready, just like St. John tells us in our first reading about the harvest time for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Thus we should be prepared at all times for this world is passing away. Hence, we are called to abstain from things that will separate us from our God. We are called to look into our inner being, our interior life, in order to embrace the life of holiness and self-control that will help us to be more prepared just like St. Cecilia whose memorial we celebrate today.

St. Cecilia, who came from an extremely rich family and was given in marriage to a young man named Valerian. She wore sackcloth next to her skin, fasted, and invoked the saints, angels, and virgins, beseeching them to guard her virginity. During her wedding ceremony she was said to have sung in her heart to God and before the consummation of her marriage, she told Valerian her husband she had taken a vow of virginity and had an angel protecting her. Valerian asked to see the angel as proof, and Cecilia told him he would have eyes to see once he traveled to the third milestone on the Via Appia (Appian Way). There he was baptized by Pope Urbanus. Following his baptism, Valerian returned to his wife and found an angel at her side. The angel then crowned Cecilia with a chaplet of rose and lily. 

Cecilia was later arrested and condemned to be suffocated in the baths. And late an executioner was sent to cut off her head in the baths who struck her three times but was unable to decapitate her so he left her bleeding and she lived for three days. Crowds came to her and collected her blood while she preached to them or prayed. On the third day she died and was buried by Pope Urban and his deacons. Today St. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music, because she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married, and is represented in art with an organ or organ-pipes in her hand.

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

Homily For Monday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 21st November, 2022. The Memorial of The Presentation of The Blessed Virgin Mary

 Readings: Rev.14:1-5; Ps.24; Luke:21:1-4

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

OUR THANKSGIVING TO THE LORD SHOULD BE SACRIFICIAL WITHOUT RESERVATION 

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

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

This is what we see in the memorial of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary we celebrate today, that great moment when St. Joachim and St. Anne offered their firstborn child to the Lord at the Temple as prescribed by the Law, a gratuitous action of God’s grace for choosing Mary to be the mother of our Lord and her total availability to God’s plan. On this day we rejoice and celebrate the faith of Mary, the one who became the Mother of Jesus our Lord and Saviour of the world who through his death and resurrection has made us children of the resurrection. Thereby calling us to embrace his teaching. Let us all be inspired by the examples Mary who the Lord has set before us, that we shall also be righteous, virtuous and great in faith as she has shown us in her life time in thanksgiving to God.

Dear friends, let our thanksgiving to the Lord not only come from the abundance of what we have, but from true and sacrificial love that comes from our heart expressing our gratitude, faith and love for God and our neighbour. Only such offertory and thanksgiving are pleasing to God and acceptable to him. Let us join the great saints and elders in our first reading today who followed the Lamb wherever he goes; for they have been redeemed from amongst men to be the first-fruits for God and for the Lamb, since they never allowed a lie to pass their lips and no fault can be found in them.

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

Homily For Thirty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 20th November, 2022. The Solemnity of Christ the Universal King

 Readings: 2 Sam.5:1-3; Ps.122, Col. 1:12-20, Luke 23:35-43

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

“LORD REMEMBER ME IN YOUR KINGDOM”: THE PRAYER AND REQUEST OF A HUMBLE SINFUL SOUL

In the year 1925, the period when the world was still recovering from the ugly event of the First World War that ended in 1918, the period when humanity as a result of the war begin to turn away from God and the teachings of the Gospel in search for worldly powers and dominion. On account of this, Pope Pius XI promulgated  the Feast of Christ the King in order to call humanity to conversion and renewal of loyalty to God through Jesus the True Universal King. For the Pope believed that the celebration of the Feast of Christ the Universal King will be appropriate to constantly remind humanity about God. 

So, every last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to celebrate the Lord Jesus as King of the Universe. For we are called to look to the future with more insight into the ultimate goal of history, towards the definitive and eternal kingdom of God through Christ our Lord. Given that he was with the Father in the beginning, when the world was created, and he will fully manifest his Lordships at the end of time, when he will judge humanity.</p>

But the questions that always come to mind as we celebrate this great feast are: what is the nature of this Kingship of Christ? How does it relate to the events of human history? What is the effect of this Kingship in our society today? What message or lessons can we learn from it? This same question is the issues in our Gospel passage today where we heard how the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross between two criminals. For we heard the people saying: Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One, the king of the Jews.’ 

The soldiers also mocked him saying, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the second criminal spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’. ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. And he said to Jesus, ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And Jesus replied saying: ‘Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.’

Here, we see how humanity rejected the Prince of Peace by nailing him to the cross. But as Prince of Peace, he still offered peace to humanity despite our constant rejection of his peace. Though, humanity still cries out everyday for peace but nor is sacrificing for peace like Jesus who on the cross sacrifice all for peace and salvation of humanity. Hence, we see how on the cross the Lord reigns over humanity. For on the cross he  gave us the answers to the questions we have in mind concerning his kingship. He made us to know that his kingdom is beyond the activities of this passing world. 

He also showed us that mercy and compassion is the hallmark of his kingdom which was prefigured in the kingship of David in our first reading today. Little wonder, he made us to know that his kingdom does not need any physical proof, for we only experience it’s presence and effect in and around us.  So, we are called to look to the future with more insight into the ultimate goal of history towards the eternal kingdom of Christ. For he was with the Father in the beginning, when the world was created, and he will fully manifest his Lordships at the end of time, when he will come as a triumphant King and judge humanity based on our actions, deeds and faith.

For we heard  in our second reading today that he is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and invisible. He has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of his beloved Son in whom we have redemption, and the forgiveness of our sins. Hence, we must know that there will be time for great separation, when the good will be separated from the bad, holy from sinful, righteous from evil, sheep from goats, of which our deeds will reveal who we are and where we truly belong. 

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

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

Therefore, we must learn to reign with Christ through the Cross. For trying to do away with the cross in our lives will deprives our souls of these true love and loyalty to Christ the King of Peace, who today wants to reign supreme in our hearts and soul. So, let us join in the triumphant procession holding palm branches and singing Hosanna in the Highest, recalling the inscription above the cross: which says: Jesus the King of the Jews.

 Let us also say like the good thief, “Lord remember me in your kingdom” for this is the prayer and last request of a humble sinful soul. This should also be the prayer and desire of everyone of us today as we celebrate Christ the universe King of Peace. Let us show him honour, not just with palm branches but with the splendour of hearts full of love and merciful deeds. Let us in joy express and spread before his presence the garments  of our heavy heart weigh down by sins and shame. Let us do this along with the inner desires of our souls, so that he can passing through our souls and purify our whole being in order to rule in our hearts as the King of Peace, for that is the nature of his Kingship.

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

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 19th November, 2022

 Readings: Rev. 11:4-12; Ps.144; Luke:20:27-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE MYSTERY AND REALITY ABOUT RESURRECTION

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

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

He reminded them of the scene where the voice from the burning bush identifies itself to Moses saying: “I AM the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). For He is the God of the living and not of the dead. After this reply of Jesus to both the Pharisees and the Sadducees, they no longer dared to ask him any questions. To emphasized more on the issues about resurrection St. John in our first reading today said: after the three-and-a-half days, God breathed life into the decaying corpses in the great city and they stood up, and everybody who saw it happen was terrified; then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, ‘Come up here’, and while their enemies were watching, they went up to heaven in a cloud.

Dear friends, do you truly believe in the resurrection? Can our attitudes towards the things of this passing world show that we truly believe in the resurrection? How often have I preach and teach people about my faith in the resurrection of Jesus. Do I have any personal experience of the resurrection of the dead that I can share with people? How deep is my understanding of the teachings of Jesus on the mystery of resurrection? How far can I go in trying to understand the mystery of resurrection and instruct others who are ignorant of this?

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

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

Homily For Friday Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 18th November, 2022

 

Readings: Rev. 10:8-11 , Ps.118, Luke:19:45-48

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HUMAN SOULS ARE TEMPLE OF GOD IN NEED OF CLEANSING FROM SINS AND CORRUPTION

The temple as we know is described as the sacred dwelling place of God. That’s sacred space where humanity encounter the Divine presence of God. It is a symbolic space where God desires to live together with humanity and rule the world through them. Therefore it is very important to ensure that such Sacred Space (Temple) is kept sacred at all times. 

Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, we heard a very brief story of how Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem and drives away the traders from the courts of the Temple saying: “My house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into ‘a den of thieves’.” So he chased out all the dishonest, selfish and greedy merchants who are making profits by cheating the faithful pilgrims who came to the Temple to worship God.

Here Jesus was not just concerned with cleansing of the temple of Jerusalem, but also the temple of human’s heart, that is, our souls. He is objecting to corruption of the sacred. Our body and soul are temple of the Lord and belong to him alone. It is a sacred space, a house of prayer which must not be given over to the false gods of money, greed and sin. 

And by clearing the Temple, the Lord has also urged us all to clear our own spiritual Temples, that is our body, mind, heart and soul, in which God dwells. That is why St. John in our first reading described in his vision the gift of God’s Words to his disciples and the Church, using a figurative language. Here he described how wonderful the truth of God’s Words is to us, yet, it is bitter for us to embrace it fully and let it bear fruit in our lives.

Dear friends, our souls are sacred dwelling of God’s Temple. Thus, it must be made sacred at all times by ensuring that we get rid of all corruptions, wickedness, pride, ego, greed, wrath and all other sorts of evils within us. We must resist them and strive to inspire and help one another to keep our Temple sacred. For Jesus wishes to cleanse the temple of our soul by removing what has corrupted it, in order to purify it for worship, and making it a dwelling place for prayer. But are we willing to let him cleanse us?

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are your temple, yet we have let the selfish desires for the things of this passing world to corrupt us so deeply. As we embrace your Words today, may we experience the joy of the purification of our body and soul. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.