Homily For Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent Year A, 13th December, 2022. The Memorial of St. Lucy

Readings Zeph. 3:1-2,9-13, Ps. 33, Matt. 21:28-32

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD IS WATCHING AND WAITING FOR OUR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE 

One of the gifts that God gave to humanity is the gift of freedom. This freedom though comes with great responsibility, since we are responsible for whatever comes out with regards to how we manage our freedom. We are free to chose whatever we like but we are also responsible for the consequences of our choice. However, because of our fragile nature, we often make grievous mistakes in our choices even when God has given us all the necessary guidelines towards making right decision but out of disobedience, we frequently failed to follow this guidelines. Today we are meant to know that repentance and obedience are necessary disposition towards attaining our ultimate goal in life, which is eternal life.

This is exactly what today’s Gospel passage is addressing, when Jesus in the parable of the Two Sons said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My Son, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. 

Here, we see how repentance and obedience helped this first son to make the right decision about his father’s request while the second son failed because of negligence, irresponsibility and disobedience. Thus, the second son represents those of us Christians who promised to work for God’s kingdom but have failed and so excluding ourselves from the kingdom. While the first son represents those ‘sinners’ who first chose to go their own way but now have repented and begin to follow the way of the Lord, by so doing, they have gained access to God’s kingdom. 

So in the first son we see someone who reflected on his decision, realized that he was wrong, decided to make it right by taking full responsibility for his decision. For when the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. But if the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. This is because the righteous would perish for their sins of disobedience, while sinner would be saved by their act of repentance and obedience. This tells us the important of repentance and obedience when rooted in humility, for they are necessary disposition towards attaining eternal life.

This disposition is exactly what prophet Zephaniah is emphasizing in our first reading when he called us for repentance so that when that day comes we need feel no shame for all the misdeeds we have committed against the Lord. Thereby teaching us the right disposition that we all have been called to show in our daily lives especially in our relationship with our God and with others.

Dear friends, in our journey of life have we made wrong decisions but finding it difficult to change our minds and put things right? Are we thinking of leaving the right path to follow the sinful paths because of the ugly condition we are passing through now? Are we thinking that our righteous ways of life, have not being fruitful because sinners are gaining more ground than we do? Are we living in sin now thinking that God will not punish us? Or are we thinking that it is not possible to repent now because of the gravity of our sins? 

The truth remains that God is watching and waiting for us to change our minds. He is waiting for us to decide to make things right and take responsibility for our actions. He is watching and waiting for us to repent and have the right disposition to make the right decisions, but his waiting can not be for eternity. All we need is the right disposition that is rooted in humble obeisance and repentance of our sinful and ugly ways of life. Let learn from St. Lucy whose memorial we celebrate today, for she is known for her humble obedience and faithful to God. Today is known as the patron saint of those with eye problems are suffering an eye illness

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have often abused the gift of freedom which you have given us and have strayed from the path you have made for us as a result of our sinfulness. Through the intercessions of St. Lucy, give us the grace of true repentance in humble obedience as you guide us through the right path of life. We as this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday of the Third Week of Advent Year A, 12th December, 2022

Readings Num. 24:2-7,15-17, Ps. 24, Matt. 21:23-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR NOTION ABOUT THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS?

In our dealings with people, we are often requested to make reference to authorities in order to backup our claim to know or possess anything. And when such authority is not available we may not be taking seriously. Little wonder our gospel passage today, presents to us the fundamental question concerning the source of Jesus’ authority, namely whether it is divine or human. Here the chief priests and elders were more concerned to learn whether Jesus had received the proper human authorization by questioning the source of his authority. 

In response, Jesus draws their attention to John the Baptist and his authority and by so doing he implies that the source of John's authority is the source of his as well. Thus, anyone who correctly identifies the source of John's authority will definitely identify the source of Jesus’ own as well. Therefore the questions we need to ask ourselves are: What is our notion about the authority of Jesus? Do we have any doubt about the authority of Jesus? How much of this authority dwells in you? The crowds identified the source of John and Jesus’ authority as divine, have we personally identified the divine authority of Jesus in our lives? Why not ask him to manifest his power and authority once more in your life?

Little wonder we heard how Balaam in our first reading acknowledged the authority of God saying: the oracle of Balaam son of Beor ,oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes, the oracle of one who hears the word of God. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened. How fair are your tents, O Jacob! How fair your dwellings, Israel! A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples. His king is greater than Agag, his majesty is exalted.’

Dear friends, as we go on with our recollection this advent season, we need to open up our hearts to truly embrace the authority of the Lord Jesus. We need to build up our interior lives around his authority. We need to be more close to God and continue to prepare ourselves physically and spiritually as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus in our hearts and in our souls. For there he await our response to his invitation to holiness and love. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, in your divine authority we build our confidence and hope. May you continue to direct and guide our ways and bring our plans and purposes to a successful end, through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s another week, wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.

Homily For Saturday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 10th December, 2022

 Reading: Sir. 48:1-4.9-12; Ps 80; Matt. 17:10-13

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WAIT NO LONGER FOR THE PROPHETS, RATHER EMBRACE THEIR MESSAGE

In our societies today people often desire to hear the message from the prophet to know what God is saying as regards their situation in life. This is the disposition of the people at the time of Jesus. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today we heard how the disciples of Jesus after their experience of the Lord’s transfiguration, as they were coming down from the mountains, they asked Jesus saying: why do the scribes say then that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hand.

Here a reference is made to John the Baptist, the one who was the Herald of the Messiah, the one who prepared the path for the Lord Jesus as predicted by the prophets. So, Jesus mentioned how John was the fulfilment of those prophecies, and indeed, his works and ministry had prepared the path for his coming into this world. Meanwhile, John the Baptist had often been compared with the prophet Elijah because both of them have some similarities, they lived in similar manner, travelling in the wilderness, proclaiming repentance and the coming of God’s salvation as we heard about prophet Elijah in our first reading today.

Indeed, John the Baptist  can be likened to prophet Elijah sent into the world to finish the works that Elijah had once initiated. Though, John the Baptist had the spirit of the prophet Elijah, which was not the same as being the same person, so both by that extension had the same ministry among the people of God, and they used same approach and efforts to pass the message of God to his people. Both suffered because of their teaching and mission. Jesus also would face the same reality.

Dear friends, today we are called to reflect on the lives and mission of these two great prophets especially in this Advent season so that we too may become more faithful by following their examples and faith. We do not need to keep waiting for prophets to come again rather we should embrace the message these great prophets have for us. And their message is quite simple, they are calling us to repentance, they are calling us to love, they are calling us to make the path of our lives straight, they are calling us to embrace the Lord Jesus and the gift of salvation he is offering us this season.

LET US PRAY: Heaven Father, as we listen to your words through your prophets calling us to repentance, love and preparation, may we embrace your word and so prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Third Sunday of Advent Year A (Gaudete Sunday), 11th December, 2022

 Readings: Is.35:1-6.10; Ps. 145; James 5:7-10; Luke 3:10-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

HOW CAN WE REJOICE IN A WORLD FULL OF CRISIS, WICKEDNESS, CORRUPTION AND SIN?

The entrance antiphon of today’s Mass begins by saying: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. Yes, every third Sunday of Advent the Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday in Advent season when we are called to rejoice for the coming of the Lord is very near. On this Sunday, we put on rose vestments a colour that is only used twice in the entire liturgical year, first on a day like this when we celebrate the Gaudete Sunday and secondly on the fourth Sunday of Lent when we celebrate the Laetare Sunday. This Gaudete Sunday is named as such because we are called to rejoice in the Lord forever.

So, our focus this Sunday is on the theme of Joy and we can recall that for the past two Sundays of Advent our focus were on the aspects of Hope and Peace. This theme of Joy ushers us into the most important disposition of the season of Advent that calls us to preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas when the true Joy of the Lord will be born in our hearts. Little wonder prophet Isaiah in our first reading today said: Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. Strengthen all weary hands, Steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming, then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy. They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.

This message of hope and joy came in anticipation for the liberation of the people of Israel from their long exile in Babylon for they had faced great humiliation and sufferings due to their own infidelities and stubbornness, their abandonment of God, His laws and commandments. Because of these grievous sins, they were sent to exile in Babylon where they were brought low and defeated, but as the Lord remembered them and promised to save them, prophet Isaiah called them once again to rejoice. This joyous return to Zion of the liberated Israelites through the transformed Syrian desert are signs of the messianic era. The signs of the coming of God’s Kingdom into this World which will bring victory over afflictions and joy over sadness, life over death through Christ Jesus our Lord whose coming is the beginning of the new world to come. So, we are called to rejoice for the day of the Lord is close at hand.

Dear friends, how can we rejoice in a world full of crisis, wickedness, corruption and sin? Because the ugly situation humanity has found herself today is quite similar to the situation of the people of Israel in Babylon. Today humanity has found herself in Babylon of different degrees and it seems as if no hope for her restoration. Today humanity has found herself in deep Babylon of sin and corruption, impurity, evil of the highest order. We have found ourselves in Babylon of iniquities of the highest degree, we have found ourselves in Babylon of wars, kidnapping and killing of each other. We have found ourselves in Babylon of hatred as never before. People hating each other at different levels, colours, religion even within our families and shamelessly among married couples. 

Oh humanity, why have we chosen to dwell in Babylon of greediness, where one will choose to kill, blackmail and tarnish the good image of people just to have it all? I, I, I, me, me, me, is the slogan of the day, if I can’t have it no one will have it. Oh poor humanity, why have we chosen to dwell in Babylon of immorality at the highest level in the history of mankind. No single respect for the sanctity of the human body and soul. We dine in sexual immorality of different degrees and we package them with beautiful names to make them even more captivating. Everything we do now must be sexy in order to gain recognition. 

What is going on with us, when will these Babylon be over?  When are we going to say no to these ugly ways of life. When will we say no to oppression and criminal activities? When will we say no to killing, blackmail and tarnishing of the good image of one another. When will we say no to corruption, impurity and greediness. When will we say no to hatred and unforgiveness. When will we say yes to integrity, holiness, purity of heart? When will we say yes to peace, to love, to kindness and care for one another. 

Today in our Gospel passage we heard how the Lord Jesus said to the people after responding to the disciples of John the Baptist who came asking if Jesus is the Messiah or they should wait for another person. He said to them: Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’, And talk about John the Baptist, Jesus said: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen.

My dear friends, we can truly rejoice when we embrace this message of Jesus. We can only rejoice when we say yes  to God and no to evil. We can only rejoice when we become agents of peace and learn to wait patiently for the Lord’s will to be done in our lives. Little wonder St.  James in our second reading today said: Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of your love and joy, as you call us to rejoice today in preparation for the coming  of your Son our Lord Jesus, help us to do away with our ugly ways of life that prevents us for obtaining your true Joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday to you.

Homily For Friday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 9th December, 2022

Readings Isaiah 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-6; Matt. 11:16-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO TAKE THE WORD OF GOD SERIOUSLY?

Reflecting on the disposition of humanity today, I can not but asked myself questions about our faith in God who we often claim to love and belong to. This is because, despite all the article of faith and evidence in both scriptures and historical tradition, we still do not have a good grasp of who God really is in our lives. This very disposition is always the case with every generation and this is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today when he said: to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! 

Here Jesus made us to know that the problem with this generation is that we have failed to listen neither to the message of John the Baptist nor that of Jesus. No doubt that John’s uncommon lifestyle made people to accuse him of having a demon, while Jesus’ habit of eating and drinking with sinners affect his reputation among the Jews. But Jesus made us to know that his generation finds reason to take offense at both John and Jesus himself. 

So, Jesus compares those who are rejecting his message to that of children in the marketplace who cannot decide whether they want to play wedding song or funeral song, but can’t get the people to dance when the tune is piped. For they played their pipes, and expect others to dance; they beat their breasts in lamentation, and expect others to weep. They complain if others do not comply with their demands. To such a company Jesus refers to as evil generation in which himself and John the Baptist found themselves. Just as in our own generation today, there are people who have refused to repent when challenged by the teachings of John the Baptist and there are some people who also refused to join the celebrations of Jesus, and does not take his message seriously.

Dear friends, why have we failed to take the Word of God seriously? Why have we failed to embrace the article of faith made available for us by the Lord in our scriptures? Why do we take for granted the signs and messages the Lord is giving us this Advent season and always? Today in our first reading we  heard the Lord saying through prophet Isaiah: “I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you, I lead you in the way that you must go. If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea”. So let us not be like market people who pay no attention to the message the Lord has for us.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, enkindle in us once again the fire of your love, so that we may embrace your message and so become your great servants dedicating our lives and service to loving you and our neighbours. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a lovely day.

Homily For Thursday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 8th December, 2022. The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings 1 Gen. 3:9-15.20; Ps 98; Eph. 1:3-6.11-12; Luke.1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE UNIQUENESS IN US SIGNIFIES OUR SPECIAL ROLE IN THE UNIVERSAL PLAN OF GOD FOR HUMANITY

 

There is not doubt that Mary has always been a special vessel of God. So, following her role in God’s plan for our salvation, the Church ascribes some special prerogatives or privileges to her. These prerogatives concern what the Faith of the Church affirms in connection with the blessed Virgin Mary. They include her Immaculate conception, her perpetual virginity, her assumption into heaven and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of these prerogatives. So, today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception one of these prerogatives which shows her special role in the universal plan of God. 

The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception refers to the moment when Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. That very moment when she came into existence as willed by God. She was immaculately conceived because of the role she will play as the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ. Immaculate, mean pure without fault, free from the taint of the original sin. 

And Mary by this privilege full of grace and remained free from sin throughout her life by the will of God, for God chose to make her worthy of his Presence. Since, our God who is pure, perfect and sinless could not have dwell in a womb tainted by sin. Hence, in today’s Solemnity of Immaculate Conception, we celebrate one of the four great Marian Dogmas, as defined by the Church in the state of Mary, being the Mother of God, the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Thus, our Gospel passage today presents to us the story of the annunciation by the angel to Mary. An event which immediately precedes the story of the annunciation to Zechariah (1:5-25). These two stories are quite unique and special. The condition of the women in these stories reveal the unique plan of God for each one of them because, neither Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife) nor Mary at that moment was a likely candidate for motherhood. 

This is so because, Elizabeth was too old, so John’s birth will require a miracle. Mary was a virgin, so Jesus’ birth will require even a greater miracle. But in all God so planned and design it to be so and both Mary and Elizabeth saying yes, cooperated with the plan of God. This tells us that our success in life is determined by our disposition towards doing the will God. Hence, we have to identify our plans and purposes with the universal plan of God for humanity.

This is what Adam and Eve failed to do in our first reading today, they did not follow the plan of God for them for out of pride and disobedience they separated themselves from God. That is why after Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. By this very action humanity has fallen and separated from God his creator. Nevertheless, God has never give up on humanity. He has a plan to save us as we heard in our second reading today of which Mary in preparation for her role in this salvific plan was conceived immaculately and this great privilege is what we are celebrating today.

Dear friends, saying yes to God’s plan for us is so important. And I must tell us that God has a special plan for everyone, a plan which is unique. But sometimes it seem as if God has favoured some persons more than others. Well, in the eyes of men it seems true, but God has actually favoured each person in a very unique way just like our Mother Mary, only that we sometimes do not understand what God is doing in our lives. Our understanding of favour is quite different from that of God. 

Therefore, all we need is to say yes and trust in God for he has plans which are meant uniquely for each person. For the uniqueness in us signifies our special role in the universal plan of God for humanity. We do not need to know the plans God has for us, all we need is to trust and cooperate with his plan. For God alone knows the plans he has for us and in due time he will reveal them to us just as he revealed to Mary the plan he has for her through the angel.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the great privilege of Mary in regards to your plan for humanity, give us the grace to constantly embrace your will and plans for us by saying yes to your words. Help us to cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection in order to welcome Christ joyfully when he comes, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a grace filled celebration.

Homily For Wednesday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 7th December, 2022.The Memorial of St. Ambrose

Readings Isa. 40:25-31; Ps 103; Matt. 11:28-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 COME TO THE LORD WITH YOUR BURDENS OF LIFE AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOUL

The ugly condition of our country today really places a heavy burden and stress on us and often times these burdens are so heavy that we don’t know how to carry them. The worst of these burdens is the sorrow we bear in our hearts: sorrows caused by our sins, unhealthy relationship, unforgiveness and family problems. 

Little wonder in our Gospel reading, Jesus invites us to come to him just as we are. He recognizes the sorrows in our lives, how we labour and are overburdened. This invitation should opens a refreshing space in our soul, by inspiring hope and drawing us into his loving and gentle presence who is always with us. This what we see in the life of St. Ambrose whose memorial we celebrate today, for in St. Ambrose the native Roman genius shines out with surpassing distinctness; he is clear, sober, practical, and aims always at persuading his hearers to act with prudence and presence their burdens to God in faith. He embrace the faith and mission of our Lord Jesus to the point that he was made a bishop even when he was still a catechumen.

Dear friends, Jesus, wants to listen to all of our troubles, and assures us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. When we spend time with Jesus we find rest for our souls. He speaks to us in the silence of our hearts and gives us inner peace. Therefore, why carrying your burdens alone? Jesus is willing to help you, for he promised that when we are troubled and turn to him, he will help us. So let us trust in his word.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are carrying heavy burdens of this passing world, as we present this burdens before you, may we find rest for our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Remain blessed.