Homily For Second Sunday of Advent Year A, 4th December, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Ps.72; Rom. 15:4-9; Matt. 3:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE TIME TO REPENT IS NOW FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS VERY MUCH AT HAND 

Looking around us and reflecting on what is going on in our world today, it is obvious that we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. But only few persons are preparing for the future reality of human existence, that is, our eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Little wonder, the Church for the past seven days now, have been schooling us in the important of the liturgical Season of Advent, calling our attention to the need for us to be prepared and be opened to embrace the coming King, our Lord Jesus, who is the King of Peace that is coming to dwell among the fallen humanity, in order to save us from sin and damnation. 

Thus, today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are presented with the theme of intensive preparation following the cry of John the Baptist who preaching in the wilderness of Judea as he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins saying:  “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand’“ (Mt 3: 1-2). His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord, calling us to repent from our sins and to correct every injustice. John the Baptist, with this commanding words, announced the imminent judgement of the Lord saying: “Every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3: 10). 

With this message, John put people on guard against the hypocrisy of those who felt safe merely because they belonged to the Chosen People. In God’s eyes, he says, no one has reason to boast but must bear good fruit that befits repentance. John the Baptist’s appeal for conversion rings out in our communities today. It is a pressing invitation to open up our hearts to receive Jesus the Son of God, who comes among us to make manifest the divine judgement of God. We too are called to listen to God’s voice, that cries out in the desert of our hearts through the Sacred Scriptures.

Hence, in this Season of Advent, we should let ourselves be guided by the word of God. From the first Reading the reign of David was the high point in the history of Israel, but his successors failed greatly, still the hope remained that a king, a future king will succeed where his predecessors have failed. Here, prophet Isaiah foretells, that even though the family tree of Jesse (David's father) has been reduced to a mere stump, nevertheless from this stump a new shoot, a new king will spring. 

He goes on to sketch a portrait of the true king: he will be filled with the Spirit of God and endowed with all the virtues of his ancestors: the wisdom and understanding of Solomon, the prudence and might of David, the knowledge and fear of the Lord just like the Patriarchs and prophets. So endowed, he will judge fairly and be the champion of the poor. In the second reading Paul sees Jesus as the one through whom God fulfills his promises, highlighting the value of hope and peace. While the gospel calls us to repentance in preparation for the coming of Christ the King of Peace 

Therefore, as we embrace this Second Sunday of Advent, our  focus moves from hope to that of peace where we look up to our Lord Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the Bearer of the everlasting peace and harmony which is really lacking in our world today. So, this Sunday we reflect on the Peace that God has bestowed on us through the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world. But a critical observation of what is going on in our world today, one may have to be greatly distressed and  worried especially as regards the crises of war, protests, secessions, killings, kidnapping and political deceptions which are talking different forms, only God knows other evil plots that are still on the way. This ugly situation has really taken away the peace we ought to enjoy in this world as many people are yet to recover from the direct and indirect effects from this terrible and ugly situations of coronavirus. 

Dear friends, the time to repent is now for the kingdom of God is very much at hand. For, in the wilderness of crisis in this passing world, we are called to prepare a way for the Lord’s peace to reign in our souls, in our families, in our societies and in our country. But the only thing that can deny us peace and the fruit of this season is sin such as: unforgivingness, hatred, greed, immorality. So, what is keeping us from turning away from this ugly ways of life? Why not repent from them so as to embrace the new life of peace Jesus is offering us? Are we finding it difficult to let go of our ugly sinful ways of life? It’s time to come to Jesus and ask for his grace.

Let us embrace the word of God we hear this season and truthfully share it with those we encounter, just like John the Baptist who stood for the truth of his mission and offered it to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinner. We too should do the same. We should be instruments of peace in our families, place of work and societies. Lord make us instruments of your peace…

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, as we prepare the way for Christ coming into our souls. Give us the grace to turn away from sin and embrace the new life of peace and holiness which Christ is offering us this season of Advent. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and joyful Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday the First Week of Advent Year A, 3rd December, 2022. The Memorial of St. Frances Xavier

Readings Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26, Ps 146., Matt. 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE HARVEST IS AS BIG AS EVER AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING LOST AND CLUELESS AS NEVER BEFORE

Walking through the streets I observed how people are struggling to survive in this passing world. I saw their passion, their determination and willingness to achieving great things of life at the expense of things that prepares us for eternal life. Then my mind turned towards the words of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, when he saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest’.

Here, Jesus reveals God’s compassion towards humanity who were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. He then says to his disciples that there is a huge harvest waiting to be reaped. Calling on us to pray for God to send labourers into his harvest. Just as we heard prophet Isaiah in our first reading today reminding us of God’s promises saying: Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: People of Zion, who dwell at Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will be gracious to you when he hears your cry; when he hears he will answer.

Thus, we can see that this compassionate love of Jesus in it’s historical and physical solidarity with human suffering, springs from the love of God the Father and constitutes the basis of the Church’s liberating missionary activity, which is meant to spread throughout the world, hereby calling us into action. Hence, more labourers are needed, for Jesus sees how humanity are harassed and dejected, wandering aimlessly like sheep without a guiding shepherd. And because the souls of everyone in the world are so precious to Jesus, he needs many more labourers.

Therefore, the harvest is as big as ever and people are getting lost and clueless as never before. But who are these labourers? They are not just the bishops, priests, or religious men and women. But every baptized person is called in different capacity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those around him/her. So each of us has a vocation, a call to save souls and build the Kingdom of God together, just like St Francis Xavier, whose memorial we celebrate today.

 Xavier was known to have conducted his life's work with great vitality and zeal. His missionary work came from the support and prayers he was receiving from those that sent him and from the manner in which he viewed his service. He was serving God and helping others. For he was helping others by helping them to find God.

Dear friends, how are we carrying out this mission and mandate of Christ? How strong is our compassion towards others? Do we know people who are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd? Let us look at them for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at them and saying something to them. Do we feel harassed and helpless as a result of what we are passing through in life? Do we feel the need of Jesus’ help in some part of our life? Then turn to him and be restored.

So, today, each one of us are called to reach out to people at any particular corner of the field of harvest where we find ourselves now, for we may be the last and only person who may have access to evangelize the people. Starting from our families, neighbours, colleagues in the office and others who we encounter in life. The truth is that, we may be the only person who can brings the healing and compassion of Jesus into their lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace and courage to be faithful labourers in your vineyard, who will labour to bringing your compassionate love to suffering souls who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Francis Xavier, pray for us.

Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year A, 2nd December, 2022

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET IT BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH 

There is no doubt that people are passing through a lot of difficulties as a result of the active presence of evil in the world which manifest itself in form of trails, temptations, sickness and challenges both physically and spiritually. So everyday we struggle against these troubles and tribulations, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. But often time, it seems as if we are not making progress because we don’t have enough faith to subdue our challenges and out of fear we fall victim and helpless. 

The fact is that, we have faith but we have not been able to actively and radically put our faith into positive action that yields positive results like the two blind men in our Gospel passage today. One may ask, if someone gives you a gift of something you actually need and you failed to put it in use, whose fault is it? Is it the fault of the person that gave you the gift? No. Is it the fault of the gift? No. Is it you fault? Yes is your fault. This is often our problem with the gifts God has given us.

But this is not the case with these two blind men who followed Jesus shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David for they put their faith into positive use without giving up.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up to him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. 

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

Dear friends, if the Lord should say to you today let it be done to you according to your faith, do you think you have enough faith for that petitions you place before him just like those blind men? The fact remains that in matters of faith, we are all blind in some ways. We need sight and insight in order to receive the healing touch of God’s merciful love today. For he reaches out to all those who are afflicted and distressed. In this way he restores us to our dignity as sons and daughters of God the Father. What is needed is faith, to believe that he has the power to give us life, to enable us to feel his presence among us. In faith, the blind men followed him persistently, reminding us of the need to be persistent in prayer. 

Therefore, it is not enough to have faith, we must learn to radically put our faith into action no matter the circumstances we find ourselves. Because it is through active faith that we can  reach out to God in prayers and so obtain what we desired. So, whatever you want God to do for me today, you must ask him with persistent faith, looking with expectation and hope to see your prayers come true.

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

Homily For Thursday of the First Week of Advent Year A, 1st December, 2022. Happy New Month

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW IS MY LIFE AND ACTIONS REFLECTING THE WORD OF GOD WE HEAR EVERYDAY

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

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

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

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

Homily Wednesday First Week of Advent Year A, 30th November, 2022

The Feast of St. Andrew Apostle 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING TO THE INVITATION TO LEAVE BEHIND THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING TO FOLLOW THE LORD?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Homily For Tuesday in the First Sunday of Advent Year A, 29th November, 2022

Readings Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps 71., Luke 10:21-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WE ARE BLESSED AND  PRIVILEGED TO SHARE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST 

As we, we continue with the event of Advent, when we reflect of the two folds coming of the Lord. We are reminded of the need to participate actively in the mission of Christ and to spend more time with God, and prepare ourselves for his coming just like the disciples in the Gospel passage today. For after the seventy disciples of Jesus returned from the mission he sent them. They rejoiced concerning the great things they have done in his name. 

So, Jesus says, “‘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 children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Then he said to his disciples “blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it”.  

Here, Jesus rejoiced in his disciples, because of the grace God his Father has given to them to share in the mission of the Son. Yes, the disciples are blessed because, in Jesus, they are beginning to recognize the long awaited Messiah which prophets and Kings longed to see but could not. Just as we heard from prophet Isaiah in our first reading today when he said: a shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests. His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless, his sentences bring death to the wicked. Integrity is the loincloth round his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips. That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.

Dear friends, like the disciples, we also have been given this same grace. So , we are blessed and privileged to share in the mission of Christ. For whenever we spread the word of God, we are sharing in the mission of Jesus, and this should give us great joy because God chose us and give us the privilege to share in the mission of his Son. For he had brought his salvation into the world, for the restoration of hope for all humanity who dwell in darkness in need of the light of Christ, which we are called to embrace in this season of Advent.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words this season, may we share greatly in the mission of Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Wishing you a glorious day.

Homily For Monday in First Week of Advent Year A, 28th November, 2022

Readings: Is. 4:2-6;  Ps.122; Matt 8:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 LEARN TO PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION JUST LIKE THE ROMAN CENTURION 

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

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

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

This is exactly the kind of faith that all of us must have as well especially in this Advent season. The faith that leads us to seek God wholeheartedly, to be humble before Him and to love Him above all and not to allow our pride, ego and desires lead us into faithlessness, disobedience and sin against God. And when this is done we can understand the message of prophet Isaiah in first reading today when he said: that the branch of the Lord shall be beauty and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be the pride and adornment of Israel’s survivors. Those who are left of Zion and remain of Jerusalem shall be called holy.

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

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