HOMILY FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A, 12TH MARCH, 2023

Readings: Ex. 17:3-7; Ps. 95; Rom. 5:1-2.5-8; John 4:5-42

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

GOD WILLS TO SATISFY THE SINFUL AND THIRSTY SOULS OF HUMANITY WITH LIVING WATER.

 

One of the most essential commodity for human survival is water. Water makes up most of the essential part of the human body. In fact, life as we know exists because of the properties of water. It is the most abundant resources on earth and fundamental to the survival of all living things.

 

We can just think about all the things we use water to do on a daily basis, then we will discover how important water is for the survival of humanity. I don’t know if you have ever been so thirsty while in desert or where water is very scarce, then you must have understood the value of water in relation to human survival. That is why in the absence of water, the feeling of thirst causes one to look for water at all costs in order to satisfy the external and internal stimuli of the human body.

 

With this we can understand the situation of the people of Israel in our first reading today. For tormented by thirst, the people complained against Moses at Massah and Meribah and they put the Lord to the test saying, ‘Is the Lord with us, or not?’. ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt?’ they said. ‘Was it so that we should die of thirst? Then, the Lord told Moses to strike the rock, and water will flow from it for the people to drink.’ This is what Moses did, in the sight of the elders of Israel. Here the Lord quench their thirsty tongue with water from the rock.

 

Consequently, in our Gospel passage today, we heard about water and human thirstiness. But this time a different kind of water and a different kind of  thirstiness. That is, a living water and the thirstiness of the sinful souls of humanity. Here Jesus came to a Samaritan town and when a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’ The woman said to him, ‘What? You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan, for a drink?’

 

 This is because Jews, in fact, do not associate with Samaritans.  So, Jesus replied: ‘If you only knew what God is offering and who it is that is saying to you: Give me a drink, you would have been the one to ask, and he would have given you Living Water.’ You have no bucket, sir,’ she answered ‘and the well is deep.

Jesus replied: ‘Whoever drinks this well's water will get thirsty again; but anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again: the water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside him, welling up to eternal life.’ Sir, said the woman ‘give me some of that water, so that I may never get thirsty and never have to come here again to draw water.’

 

This story demonstrate God’s will to satisfy the inner desire and thirstiness of human soul. While the Samaritan woman represents sinful and poor thirsty humanity lost in sin, but desires to be united with God the fount of Living Water.

 

And as we know, “Living Water” is a biblical term which appears in both the Old and New Testaments. In Jeremiah 2:13, the prophet describes God as "the spring of Living Water”, who has been forsaken by his chosen people Israel. In the New testament, Jesus the son of God offers himself as the living water, who through the Holy Spirit will satisfy humanity's thirst for God.

 

Telling us that only the Lord Jesus can quench our inner thirst; he is the true living water. He wants us to drink of him in order to quench our thirst for holiness and righteousness, and to drink until rivers of living water flow out of our innermost being to all other creatures. Little wonder, throughout the scriptures, numerous verses show us God’s desire for us to satisfied our thirstiness in Him, to drink from Him who is the living water.

 

As the Scripture says in John 7: 38: “out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” But quite often, instead of feeling satisfied and watered, we feel dry, because we have not truly allowed ourselves to be watered by living springs of God’s grace and mercy. For only the Lord Jesus can truly quench our inner thirst for mercy and love.

 

Thus, goal of Jesus is to help humanity to recognize their greatest need, so he could supply us with the only gift that would meet that need, that is, the salvation and forgiveness of our sins. Humanity have spent all their energy trying to find love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Jesus offers us the living water of the Holy Spirit, the only thing that would quench our spiritual and emotional thirst.

 

Therefore, like the Samaritan woman, we can at times be so intent on getting our immediate needs and fail to see God’s hand reaching out to us in love, offering what will truly satisfy us. Because we have failed to understand that only Jesus can fill and satisfy our empty souls for eternity and also provide for our essential emotional needs now.

 

Dear friends, this world is filled with wells that promise to provide love, acceptance, wealth, fame, and self-worth but can never fully satisfy us. Therefore, whenever our souls are empty and the wells of this passing world run dry, look for Jesus and he will quench your thirst with his Holy Spirit. Little wonder, St. Paul in our second reading today tells us that, it is by faith and through Jesus that we have entered this state of grace in which we can boast about looking forward to God’s glory. Because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us.

 

Brethren, Jesus’ words of invitation echo in our ears and speaks to the heart of each one of us, offering the water of eternal life that flows from God, as he repeat his words saying: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The first requirement is thirst. Everyone has spiritual thirst, for it is part of the human condition. Our needs, our thirst, are what we bring into our relationship with God.  But the questions remain: What do we thirst for? What do we really desire? What do we request from God?

 

This Holy season of Lent, Jesus invites us to take the initiative and come to him with our needs and thirstiness, so as to drink from the living water and be satisfied. Here, “drinking”, refers to believing, which means identifying oneself with Jesus, trusting him, receiving his teaching and obeying his commands. Such faith will enable us to receive the Holy Spirit and enter into an abiding relationship with Christ the true Living Water.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God,  the human wells of this passing world has failed to satisfy our inner desires, today we turn to you like the Samaritan woman so that you can give us the living water of your love and mercy in order to quench our inner thirst for you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a happy and fruitful Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday Second Week of Lent Year A, 11th March, 2023

Readings: Micah 7:14-15.18-20, Ps. 103, Luke 15:1-3.11-32

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

NOW IS THE TIME TO COME BACK FOR OUR MERCIFUL FATHER AWAITS OUR RETURN

Everyday of our lives we make choices that we think are good for us. The root of any choice we make comes from the fundamental option we have made for or against God; to love or to be selfish, to be good or bad, to be holy or sinful. And any choice we make has great consequences which can be positive or negative as we have in the parables of the prodigal son in our Gospel passage today.

In this parable, we can identify three main characters: The Father, the elder son and the younger son. The three characters represent the attitude of group of persons in which Jesus was addressing in the Gospel. First the attitude of the tax collectors and sinners, who were seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say. Secondly the attitudes of the Pharisees and scribes who complained, and then Jesus who is seen as a righteous man who welcomes sinners and eats with them.

Looking at the attitudes of these three characters in the parable, we can deduce that the attitude of the Pharisees and Scribes depicts that of the elder son who is obedient to his father but passes judgment on his disobedient brother, the attitude of task collectors and sinner depicts the younger son who seeks reconciliation and forgiveness from his father. While the attitude of the Father can be seen in the person of God (Jesus) who went out to welcome the prodigal son (task collectors and sinners) and goes out as well searching for the elder and dutiful son (Pharisees and Scribes).

This parable is applicable to our present context, where the Church is seen as the merciful Father, who welcomes, accommodates and lavishes her love on both saints and sinner. For we are told in our first reading that no god can be compared with our God: taking fault away, pardoning crime, not cherishing anger for ever but delighting in showing mercy? Meanwhile, the saints and the righteous ones in the Church are seen as the elder son who is obedient and faithful to the Father. While sinners, unbelievers are seen as the prodigal son who has traveled to a far distance country seeking to come back to the Father.

But the questions we should ask ourselves are: where do I belong in the whole picture of this parable? Am I lost in sin? have I traveled far away from God and his Church? Where am I now in my relationship with God, what is the state of my life? what is my attitude towards my neighbour, my family, my father, mother, children? What is my attitude towards those who have offended me in a grievous ways? What is my attitude towards notorious sinners (armed robbers, murderers, prostitutes, drunkards, drug addicts, womanizers, liars, the wicked, greedy and corrupt politicians and people) can I accommodate them if repented?

Dear friends, God is calling us to repentance. Sin has taken us away from God is time to come back, we are lost in a far away land of sin, is time to come back. It doesn't matter what we have done, how sinful we may have been, no matter how grievous. God is waiting for us to come back. He wants to hear us say like the prodigal son: I will arise and go to my Father and say Father forgive me for I have sinned against heaven and before you.

Friends, God wants to meet us at the confessional, he wants to meet us in the Eucharist, he wants to meet us in those persons we have offended and those who have offered us. He wants to meet us in those we have refused to forgive. He wants to meet us in our families, in your husband, your wife, your children, your neighbours, your colleagues in the office and market place. He wants to meet you in that man who is suffering in prison and hospital because of your unforgiveness. All he wants us to do today is to say, am sorry to those who we have offended and to forgive those who have offended us.

The choice is yours, don't wait until is too late. Why not put a call to someone today and say to him or her am sorry, I have forgiven you, I just realized how wrong I have been, please forgive me. If we can do this, then we will see how blessed our life will be in this Holy season of Lent and we will find reason to rejoice at Easter. Remember that conversion is not just about sinners becoming holy, is more than that. Is about experiencing and acknowledging the love of God everyday of our lives. God loves you personally.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, sin has separated us for your love, as we listen to your words today, may we come back to you just like the prodigal son, with repented heart and strong will to remain faithful like the dutiful son, knowing that you as our merciful Father awaits our return. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Friday Second Week of Lent Year A, 10th March, 2023

Readings: Gen. 37:3-4.12-13.17-28, Ps. 105, Matt.21:33-43.45-46

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

ARE YOU A GREEDY TENANT IN GOD’S VINEYARD?

 

The relationship between God and humanity has always been described with different stories and parables. Which often show how humanity has always been unfaithful to God who has shown so much love to us. One of such parables and stories is what we have in our readings today.

 

In our Gospel passage, we heard the great parable of a vineyard owner who sent his servants to collect the dues and rents of the tenants whom he had entrusted with the care of his vineyard he leased out to them. But these tenants were wicked and desired to keep everything they gained to themselves, hence they persecuted and killed the servants sent to them. The tenants also killed the son of the vineyard owner, whom he sent to them thinking that the tenants would respect his own son.

 

At the end, the vineyard owner came down himself and dealt with all those wicked tenants, punishing them all for their wickedness and the evil things which they had committed out of greed and ego. They lost everything and were punished justly by the owner. This same attitude we have in our first reading in the despicable act which the brothers of Joseph committed against him in order to end his dream and gain for themselves favour and inheritance.

 

Thus, the parable describes the relationship between God and humanity and how humanity has been summoned for a trial. Here, the owner of the vineyard is God, while the son represents Jesus himself, the Son of God sent into the world to save humanity but was crucified by the same humanity. Again, the vineyard represents the world itself while the wicked tenants represent the ugly attitudes of humanity towards the resources entrusted to us by God.

 

Dear friends, are you a greedy tenant in God’s vineyard? For our nation the vineyard of the Lord is on a trial before God, for God has presented his case against us today, summoning our blessed land and mountains to act as judge between him and the people of  this country, by reminding us how he has blessed us with so many resource, skills, good weather and people. But we have misused them, neglected his message, committed a lot of evil and murder,  yet we are still carrying, seeking for solutions and signs from God.

 

Today as tenants in God’s vineyard, we are called to change our ugly attitude positively, we should turn away from greed, corruption, pride and ego that is destroying our country Nigeria. If not, we will likely end up like those wicked tenants who acted with such evil against their fellow men and even against the son of their master and were justly punished. Therefore, what God requires from us today is to do justice, to love kindly and to walk humbly with him for our own good and the good of others. Remember, It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the cornerstone.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty Father, the world especially our country Nigeria is filled with greed, corruption, pride and ego, because humanity have often failed to remain faithful and accountable with the things entrusted us. As we listen to your words today, we ask for your mercy and forgiveness for the time we have failed to be faithful, obedient and accountable with the things you entrusted to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday Second Week of Lent Year A, 9th March, 2023

Readings: Jer. 17:5-10, Ps. 1, Luke 16:19-31

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

DO NOT COMMIT THE SIN OF OMISSION BY NEGLECTING THE POOR LAZARUS AROUND YOU

 

Whatever we have in this world is a blessing from God, who wishes to bless us so that through us others will be blessed. But this is not often the disposition of most of us. This is obvious when we reflect on the relationship between the rich and the poor in our society today. Where the poor are neglected and treated as if they are less humans.

 

This ugly attitude needs to change when we recall the famous parable of our  Lord Jesus in our Gospel passage today, about Lazarus the poor man and a rich man whose doorstep Lazarus often dwelled, hoping for the rich man to give him even the scraps of bread and food that fell from his table, but he was often neglected.

 

Here, we heard how the poor Lazarus ended up in Paradise, in the presence of God in heaven with Abraham, enjoying the fullness of God’s inheritance and grace, no longer suffering the pains and torments that he had once endured while he was still alive in the world. Meanwhile, we heard how the rich man descended into the depths of hell, suffering in agony for eternity, without any hope of respite or escape, and even when he begged Abraham to send Lazarus for help, it was impossible for that to happen.

 

But what was the rich man's offense? Is it because he was rich? No, his sin is that of omission, which is the sin of neglecting his neighbour Lazarus when he was obviously in the position to help and provide for him through the excess material goods and providence that God has blessed him with. He neglected the commandments of God who has called us to love our neighbours and help the needy. Thus, he has to face the consequences of the sin of neglecting his neighbour who was in need of his help.

 

Hence, in our first reading (Jer 17:5-10), prophet Jeremiah spoke of the curse that will be against those who followed the path of disobedience against God and his commandments, those who trust in themselves and in worldly matters more than they trusted in God. While those who trust in God will have the assurance of God’s providence and blessings as they enjoy his promise of eternal life and everlasting glory just like Lazarus.

 

Dear friends, the example of the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus, calls our attention to the fact that we are going to be judged not based on what God has blessed us with but, what we have done with what God has given to us. So it is important to remind ourselves in this season of Lent, that we must also not be ignorant of the poor Lazaruses around us. Those who are less fortunate than we are, should not be neglected, especially those who work for us, our house helps, our poor security personnels, our poor neighbours, and those we encounter everyday in need of our help.

 

Remember, no one is too poor that he has nothing to give, even the poor Lazarus offered his sores to dogs who came to lick it. And no one is so rich that he needs nothing, but, the sin of the rich man was the of sin of omission, this should not be our lot as we ask God for grace not to neglect the poor Lazarus around us.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you are the source of all that we have. As we listen to your words today, grant us we pray, the grace to be conscious of the poor around us and ensure we help them in their struggles. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God’s favour and blessings.

Homily For Wednesday Second Week of Lent Year A, 8th March, 2023

Readings: Jer. 18:18-20; Ps.31; Matt. 20:17-28

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHY DO YOU WANT TO FORCEFULLY GRAB POWER?

 

One of the ugly attitude of most of our leaders today is the love of power, people are ready to do anything just to grab power. People kill, kidnap, blackmail and condemn others because of their ambition to grab power and sustain it. This ugly attitude of mankind is well displayed in the readings of today. In the Gospel passage, this ugly attitude was displayed when the mother of the sons of Zebedee came with her sons to make a request from Jesus that he should promise that her two sons may sit one at his right hand and the other at his left in his kingdom.

 

This unfortunate request was made while Jesus was telling his disciples about his passion and death. But instead of reflecting on the seriousness of the words of Jesus, they were busy quarrelling over who grabs power as most people do today. For  when the other ten heard about the request made by the mother of the sons of Zebedee, they were indignant with the two brothers. perhaps because they had misinterpreted Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom and presumed that it would be a kingdom in which they would have honour and prestige like most people think today.

 

But Jesus called them and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'.

 

Dear friends, why do you want to forcefully grab power when it is for humble service? Since true greatness is found in sincere service to others and not in over ambition for power or plotting against others as we have in our first reading, where we see people plotting the downfall of a virtuous man. They intend to deal cruelly with him because he has commented on their evil ways of life. They intend to test him and see if he will break under pressure and become like them. This ugly attitude is what we often experienced in our families, societies and in our country today. Where people do all kinds of evil in order to grab power and sustain it.

 

I don’t know what your experience have been? I don’t know which of the characters in our readings can best describe our attitude towards power. Are we like the mother of the sons of Zebedee? Is our attitude like that of the ten disciples. Is our attitude like that of the pagan rulers who lord it over others. Is our attitude like that of those potting the down fall of the prophet of God? Or that of prophet Jeremiah the  victim of human wickedness .

 

Which ever category we fall in, today we are called to be humble like Jesus who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Therefore, as leaders, we should see ourselves as servants and not seek after status beyond our reach or plot the down fall of others. Remember, ambition can be a good thing but only if it is kept in check and if pursued for the right reason, that is, to serve others.

 

 LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are often consumed by excess love for power, which we have often misused and abused.  As we listen to your teaching today, may we earn to use the power and authority entrusted to us in humble service for the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

The Homily For Tuesday Second Week of Lent Year A, 7th March, 2023

Readings: Is. 1:10.16-20; Ps.50; Matt. 23:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

ARE YOU A GOOD LEADER OR A HYPOCRITE?

 

Leadership is one of the characteristics of the human person, it is that which makes us unique from every other creatures. It is a gift from God by which we serve him and our neighbour responsibly. But this gift often has been abused and misused by people who were entrusted with the responsibility of leading others, just like the Scribes and the Pharisees in the Gospel passage today, who had the responsibility to lead people to the Kingdom of heaven, but with their ugly ways of life,  they neither enter nor allow those who want to enter to go in.

 

Hence, Jesus told his disciples that since the scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. They must therefore do what they tell them and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move any. Everything they do is done to attract attention.

 

Here, Jesus made it clear that we should listen to what the authorities are saying to us. However, we should not be such people who do not put into practice what we teach. So, as Christians we need to start practicing what we preach, we need to do more of witnessing then preaching. It is not enough to recall principles, state intentions, point to blatant injustice going in our country today and utter prophetic denunciation; these kind of words lack the real meaning of our faith unless they are accompanied by effective actions manifested in our way of life.

 

Thus, Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, blind guide because, they misused the gift of leadership entrusted to them. So, today we are called not to be like them, rather, we should be humble, committed and responsible with whatever we are entrusted with. Jesus made us to know that the greatest among us must be the servant of all. Because anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

Hence, prophet Isaiah tells us in our first reading to hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of world; listen to the command of our God, you people of corruption. ‘Wash, make yourselves clean. Take your wrong-doing out of God’s sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.

 

Dear friends, the world especially our country Nigeria is full of leaders with Pharisaic spirit of greed, selfishness, pride and corruption. Today, we need good leaders who are not hypocrites. Leaders who will be truly servants of the people at all levels of leadership beginning from the self to the family, to societies, country and any other level we may find ourselves. But what does it take to be a good leader? Jesus says is humility that comes from a humble heart that wishes to serve and not to be served. A heart that understands that leadership is sacrificial. Can I be such a leader in my family, in my society and in our country?

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, humanity are suffering because of corrupt, greed and selfish leaders who occupied virtually every important position of leadership. As we embrace your words today, may we become good leaders in our families, societies, country and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a fruitful day.

The Homily of Monday in Second Week of Lent Year A, 6th March, 2023

Readings:  Dan. 9:4b-10, Ps.79, Luke 6:36-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

ARE YOU COMPASSIONATE?

 

The word compassionate is an adjective that expresses an attribute of the noun “compassion” which has to do with having a deep awareness and sympathy for another's suffering. It is the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.

 

Hence Jesus in our Gospel reading today, calls his disciples to be compassionate as our heavenly Father is compassionate. He told them not to judge, so that they will not be judged. He said to them do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. In the light of been compassionate, Jesus encouraged his disciples to be generous to people by giving, and they will receive gifts in return, a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into their lap; because the amount they measure out is the amount they will be given back.

 

Here, Jesus emphasis that our generosity should come from a heart that is truly compassionate, a heart that understands the sufferings of others and wishes to do something about it, knowing that truly there is a reward for every single act of generosity and compassion shown to others. Thus, prophet Daniel in our first reading reminded us that mercy and pardon belong to our God, because we have betrayed him, and have not listened to his voice nor followed the laws he has given us through his servants the prophets. So is time to come back to him as he calls us to be compassionate.

 

Dear friends, are you compassionate? Are you generous? For today we are called to be compassionate and generous just like our heavenly Father who is great and loving, showing compassion and kindness to those who love and keep His commandments. We are also called not to judge, because, often that which we judge in others, we ourselves are doing worst.  Hence, Jesus is challenging us today to think differently about how we live our lives.

 

He is calling us to look into our inner being, our interior life, that part of us that we hide from one another, in order to purify it in humility. And by so doing we can be pure and free to help others in the struggles with their weakness. Therefore, it’s time to look into ourselves and take away our prideful ways of life, so as to humbly accommodate the weakness and faults of others especially in our families, societies and the world at large, knowing that no one is perfect without the other.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace the call to be compassionate and generous, may your blessings come down upon us in a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over so that we can share with those in need of our help. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week.