Homily For Wednesday in Holy Week Year A, 5th April, 2023

Readings: Is.50:4-9; Ps 69; Matt. 26:14-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

STOP BEING A TRAITOR AND LEARN TO MAKE RESTITUTIONS FOR YOUR TRAITOROUS ACTIONS

 

What is the price of a traitor, what are the motives of a traitor? What are the consequences and repercussions of a traitorous act and why do people choose to be traitors? The answer to these questions can be found in the life of Judas. For in the Gospel passage today, Judas went to the chief priests to make a deal for handing Jesus over to them for 30 pieces of silver, the poor amount of wages paid to the shepherd. This was the amount Judas betrayed his master, an amount that he too, will throw back to the priests after realizing what evil he has done.

 

This act of betrayal as predicted by Jesus before his disciples is in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah in our first reading about the suffering Servant of God, to Whom the Lord had chosen to bear the punishments and sufferings due to our sins, that he might suffer them all instead of us. And yet, he would neither protest or grumble against this, as it was by his own desire and will that he had taken up his Cross and suffer for our sake. ‘But alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’

 

Dear friends, 30 pieces of silver was the wages of Judas for his traitorous act. But Judas is not alone in this ugly and traitorous attitude. We can imagine what people are doing for money in our world today. Perhaps we too, have betrayed and handed Jesus and our friends and neighbours over more than once. We have often broken bread with Jesus, but later betrayed him for money, out of over ambition, greed, anger, hatred, revenge or even become violence because for our own personal selfish gain.

 

There is no doubt that the devil tempted Judas just as he had tempted us in various ways, and we have fallen just as Judas had fallen. For when we sin, no matter how grievous or small, we are still betraying the Lord. So, we must stop being a traitor and also learn to make restitutions for our traitorous actions.

 

Therefore, let us watch it carefully during this Holy Season and indeed always not to involve in any traitorous act against God or anyone at all. If we are already involved in any, this is a period to reconcile with them and so come back to the Lord with tears of repentance and resolve not to go back to such evil act again as we apologize and make restitutions. And in case anyone who had betrayed us should come back and ask for mercy, we must fine a place in our heart to forgive, just the way Jesus have given us.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we enter into the great mystery of Easter Triduum beginning tomorrow, give us the grace to journey with you in holiness, may you also forgive us for often being a traitor against you, your Church, our families, friends and our societies at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace-filled day.

Homily For Tuesday in Holy Week Year A, 4th April, 2023

Readings: Is.49:1-6; Ps.71; John 13:21-33.36-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHY ARE WE STILL BETRAYING AND DENYING THE LORD?

 

Today being the third day of Holy Week, the readings are selected to help us to focus our attention to the upcoming celebrations of the Easter Triduum when we are going to enter into the most sacred moments in the history of our salvation. In our first reading, we heard of the suffering servant of God, the light of the nations who shall come forth as the Saviour sent by God. He will therefore bring hope to the people of God who are suffering and oppressed. An event which played out in the life of Jesus. Denying

 

Consequently, the Gospel passage today, presents the moment when Jesus the Saviour sent by God was troubled in spirit on account of the passion he has to pass through as a result of the ugly attitudes of humanity as played out in the lives of his very disciples. Hence he declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’

 

Here, Jesus is talking about the betrayal of Judas and the announcement of Peter’s denial as well. These two events place before us the terrible action of his two disciples which will lead to his arrest and condemnation. With this pronouncement, Judas became aware that Jesus knew about his plans. But this does not change his mind and decision to betray him. So from that moment Satan entered him and he separated himself and left the present of Jesus and his disciples.

 

The fact remains that, our attitudes and selfishness sometimes are like that of Judas. Our sins against God and our neighbours are betrayals of the commitments and promises we made to either God or our neighbours. This is why we must be careful in order not to end up falling into temptation like Judas who fell into this temptation because of money and personal benefit, ending up committing a great sin against his very master and friends. 

 

Dear friends, why are we still betraying and denying the Lord? How often have we betrayed and denied the Lord? For today we heard how the ugly attitude of the human person inform of betrayal and denial lead to the capture and torture of Jesus. Today it is Judas, at the house of Caiaphas and at the courtyard in the house of the high priest, it will be Peter’s turn while everyday and everywhere we do the same to Jesus and our neighbours, if not worst.

 

But, unlike Judas, who plotted his betrayal over a price. Peter's denial of Jesus comes from his weakness and lack of courage to withstand evil. Often times, in different places and circumstances it will be our turn to either betrayed, denied or betray or deny other people. Whatever case, we must know that it is not simply Jesus and his love that we have betrayed, we have actually betrayed ourselves.

 

 

Therefore, this Holy Week we must have an examination of conscience on how often we have betrayed Jesus and our neighbours. All our promises and resolutions, all our resolves not to sin, lie, fight, gossip, cheat, fornicate or commit adultery and abortion.  All our resolves to be merciful, forgiven, reconciling with people we have offended and those who have offended us. Are we keeping and observing these resolutions and promises as we ought to?

 

Today, we must learn to reconcile with God and those we have betrayed in any way as we resolve by God’s grace never to engage in such ugly attitude. This we do by allowing our Christian faith and virtues to shine brightly in the midst of all the darkness of betrayal and denial as we look up to Jesus our Lord and Saviour especially in these dark and difficult moment in our world where people do all sorts of evil things to one another.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, give us the grace and courage this Holy Season not to deny or betray you or our neighbour, for without your grace there is no sin we may not commit against You or our neighbour today. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday in Holy Week Year A, 3rd April, 2023

Readings: Is.42:1-7; Ps.27; John 12:1-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

NOTHING CAN BE TOO PRECIOUS IN APPRECIATION TO GOD

 

Six days to the passion and crucifixion of Jesus, we are called to embark on a spiritual journey of faith, passion and hope with Jesus. Little wonder, the first reading today, talks about the Saviour whom God sent into the world to bring forth justice and peace, and to reconcile the world with himself. Reminding us again that God has sent us a redeemer in the person of Christ his Son and servant, Who reveals God’s desire to save his people, by his readiness to take up the Cross and suffer for our sake.

 

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we have the story of how Mary in appreciation anointed the feet of Jesus just before he commenced his Passion. This happened as Lazarus and his sisters gave a dinner to Jesus,  perhaps in thanksgiving. Martha did the serving. While Mary honoured Jesus by anointing his feet with a precious ointment. This is because, when Mary saw her brother sitting at the same table with Jesus who turned her mourning into joy, could any gift be too great or precious to express her gratitude? No!

 

The generosity of Mary in the eyes of Judas, appeared wasteful. But Mary knew that Jesus was worthy of her honour and service, even when it cost so much. Here, Judas sees waste, but Jesus sees love. She pours her love on the feet of the one who will pour himself out on the whole world for the salvation of all humanity. Mary made a dramatic gesture of love which anticipates the love of Jesus on the Cross. But what are we offering to Jesus in appreciation for all he has done for us?

 

Dear friends, let us ask ourselves today if we have any kind of Mary's spirit in our hearts, the spirit that prompt us to show love and gratitude to our Lord and Saviour and to one another? This holy week, can anything be too precious so as to distract us from spending quality time with the Lord in thanksgivings for his love and mercy in our lives? 

 

Therefore, let us endeavour to utilize this golden opportunity to experience the Lord personally in our lives, as we resolve this day to live our lives faithfully, so as to be more humble, open and willing to listen to God. Let us struggle to get rid of all pride, ego, over ambition, selfishness and greed in our hearts, for all these desires lead us to fall into temptation to sin and so distract us from reaching our goal of journeying with the Lord in his passion, death and resurrection at Easter.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, nothing was too great in Mary's heart to offer you, may nothing distract us from expressing our love and gratitude to you as we journey with you this period of your passion and crucifixion for the salvation of humanity, you who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

HOMILY FOR PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION YEAR A, 2nd April, 2023

Readings: Is. 50:4-7; Ps. 22; Phil 2:6-11; Matt. 26:14-27:66

Rev  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

THE TRIUMPHANT JOURNEY WITH OUR LORD JESUS THE KING OF PEACE

 

Today being Palm Sunday, a very special Sunday that ushers us into the holy week, the week we have to come closer to God as we have never before now. This begins with a triumphant journey which Jesus invites us to make. A triumphant journey that reflects an image of something deeper, something that portray that together with Jesus, we are setting out on a pilgrimage along the high road that leads to victory of life over death, joy over sorrows, peace over chaos, love over wickedness and victory over failure.

 

Thus, in our Gospel reading today, we have a comprehensive account of the Lord’s passion from the time of his triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, as well as from the time when he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, arrested, put on trial, handed over to the Romans, condemned to death and was crucified as a criminal.

 

These represent a very distinct extremes between the glory and triumphant nature of the entrance procession of Jesus into Jerusalem and the humiliating and painful nature of his crucifixion at Calvary. Thereby, reminding us that we are on pilgrimage with the Lord, the king of peace, who calls us to strive for purity of hearts and clean of hands, calling us to embrace the truth we found in him. So, we journey with Jesus our triumphant King.

 

We must know that there are three things about the kingship of Jesus. First, he is the king of the poor: though rich he humbled himself and became poor. He emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high as we heard in our second reading and prophesied in our first reading today.

 

So,  the poverty of Jesus comes from the inner freedom, from a pure heart that is above the greed for possession and power. The inner freedom that overcomes the corruption and greediness in the hearts of men and women of our world today. Secondly, the kingship of Jesus will be that of peace. He will do away with wars, crisis, hatred, corruption, greediness in order to proclaim peace on earth.

 

Thirdly, his kingship will be universal. His kingdom will extend peace from sea to sea and those seeking the face of God will truly find peace.  Therefore, let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not this earthly one that is passing away. Let us enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far we have separated ourselves from God.

 

Dear friends, we are called today and this week to make a triumphant journey with the Lord as we begin the Holy Week. So, we are not to miss out from the spiritual aspect of this Holy season. Therefore, let us all spend more time with God in prayer, deepening our devotion through works of charity and through reading of the Scriptures, develop a personal relationship with God.

 

In fact, let today’s celebration be a reminder for us, of the spiritual and social values that Palm Sunday really represents, so that, in spite of all the darkness and uncertainties, all the despairs and terrible things happening around us and in our societies today, we may still have that very one hope and one faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Saviour just like early Christians who used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the human soul.

 

Thus, let us enter into the Holy Week with an open heart and mind, by letting the Lord to enter spiritually into our hearts and into our beings as glorious and joyous as the people of Jerusalem had welcomed him with branches of palms and with great rejoicing and reverence. Let us spread before his feet, not our garments or soulless palm branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, rather let us offer ourselves, clothed in his grace. So, we who have been baptized into Christ must ourselves be the garments that we spread before him.

 

And not just the physical branches of palms, garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then withers. Rather, with a pure soul, clothed in God's grace, love, mercy and holiness. Therefore, let our souls take the place of the palm branches as we break the Eucharistic bread and embrace the Lord Jesus in his journey towards our salvation, and by so doing experience the presence of God personally and collectively in our lives.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we proclaim the kingship of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, let us embrace your kingship with all our hearts and so journey with him this period of holy week, desiring to be righteous and holy as we embrace your mercy and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a spirit filled Palm Sunday celebrate.

Homily For Saturday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 1st April, 2023. (Happy New Month)

Readings: Ezek.37:21-28; Ps. Jer.31; John 11:45-57

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

STOP PLOTTING PEOPLE’S DOWNFALL BECAUSE GOD CAN TURNE IT INTO A STEPPING STONE FOR THEIR VICTORY

 

Oftentimes, we do things without knowing or understanding the full meaning of what we are doing. Because sometimes we feel or think that we can change God’s plan by frustrating the effects of others, but later to discover that we are unknowingly fulfilling the plan of God for them.. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Jewish authorities were filled with rage on account of the news of the resurrection of Lazarus which increased the popularity of Jesus. So they convoked a council to discern how to get rid of him.

 

For them, this man works many signs and people are now believing in him, if we let him go on this way everybody will believe in him and the Romans will come and suppress the Holy Place and their nation. They were jealous and afraid not just of the Romans but also for the possibly of losing the temple and even their privileged position as priests. Thus, Caiaphas being the high priest, decided that it is better that one man should die for the people, than the whole nation should perish. Though being the high priest, he did not just speak, but unknowingly, was prophesying that Jesus have to die to save humanity from sin and death.

 

Dear friends, have you ever planned the downfall of someone and your plans turned out to become a stepping stones for their victory? This happens because  our actions and attitudes are often like that of the Jewish authorities. For we condemn people out of jealousy and unnecessary fear we feel because of what God is doing through them. Sometimes , we feel threatened and intimidated by people’s good deeds and blessings, because we don’t see the need to appreciate them or see the hands of God in what they are doing.

 

This is very bad and should not be see among us. The truth is that, God has a plan for everyone. God’s plan for Jesus is to save humanity, which he had promised through prophet Ezekiel as we heard him in our first reading today saying: “I shall rescue them from all the betrayals they have been guilty of; I shall cleanse them; they shall be my people and I will be their God”.

 

This no doubt is what this season of Lent is all about, calling us to prepare ourselves well to celebrate the upcoming mysteries of the Holy Week, by embracing it with openness to God’s mercy and a renewed faith and obedience to God’s will. Let us all spend some time to reflect on how we can enter into the most sacred time of this season, so that we may truly  have a personal experience of God’s presence so as to grow more spiritually and be ever closer to God our Father.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you promised to guard us as a shepherd guards his flock, to turn our mourning into joy and to give gladness for grief. May this Holy Season of Lent remind us again of your loving mercy for humanity especially on the ugly situations of sickness, poverty, greed, corruption and sins that are  ravaging our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled Month.

Homily For Friday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 31st March, 2023

Readings: Jer.20:10-13; Ps.18; John 10:31-42

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

THE DANGER OF HAVING THE WRONG CONCEPTION ABOUT GOD OR LIMITING GOD TO OUR CONCEPTS

 

Coming very close to the peak of our Lenten season, when we recall the great price Jesus paid for our redemption. The Gospel passage today, reminds us of the trouble Jesus has to bear from the Jewish authorities on account of his personality just like prophet Jeremiah was also persecuted terribly and suffered in the hands of those who used to be his friends as we have it in our first reading today, where we heard of his lamentations and words for all those who have persecuted and plotted against him.

 

So, in the same way Jesus was misunderstood and persecuted by the people who should understand him better. This is because they have wrong conception about God. Hence, Jesus challenged them to accept his personality as the Son of God who reveals the love of the Father and gives eternal life. But because of the unclear image of God they have in their minds they could not accept the teachings of Jesus in relation to God the Father. Thus, they tried to stone him, this of course is the danger of having wrong conception about God.

 

Dear friends, most people have wrong conception about God and behave the same way like those in our readings today, where in the name of God, some persons are ready to kill others. In fact throughout history, Jews, Christians and Muslims, have fought in the name God. Today the same thing is still happening in our societies and countries. These ugly attitudes will continue to happen because we do not have the right image of the God whom we claim to be serving.

 

The Jews condemned Jesus because of the particular image they have about God which prevented them from accepting the teachings of Jesus and since they were also deeply biased and have prejudice against Jesus, it was difficult for any words of truth or reason to change their minds. So, they persecuted the Lord just as their ancestors had persecuted Jeremiah and the other prophets.

 

In a similar way, through our disobedience, pride and ignorance, we may have behaved or behaving just like those in our readings today, who have persecuted the prophets and also refused to listen to the truth which Jesus has told us as regards his personality. But brethren, what image of God do we have in our minds? Is it the image of a God who is Pure, Loving and Merciful? Or an image of one who dominates others and condemns them?

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, may this season of Lent guide us to have a true image of you in our minds and may this image reflect in our relationship with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 30th March, 2023

Readings: Gen. 17:3-9; Ps.: 105; John:8:51-59

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE DIVINE PERSONALITY OF JESUS

 

A critical reflection of the scriptures it is obvious that Jewish authorities find it very difficult to believe in the teachings of Jesus, but ordinary people who experience his miracles and teachings accepted them as coming from God. Hence, in our Gospel passage, the Jews continue to challenge the identity and personality of Jesus. They could not understand his words and actions. So, they continue to misinterpret the real meaning of what he says because they took it literally.

 

Here, Jesus made a very strange claims on his identity, and insists he would be lying if he were to say he does not know the Father, to emphasized on this Jesus said: truly truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am. This brought more argument with the people who wished to stone him. But, John in this gospel goes to great length to help us believe that Jesus not only came from God, but is God.

 

This shows us the difference between the way Jesus chooses to reveal himself and the way the Jewish authorities perceived him. Jesus wants us to develop a divine way of looking at things with deeper meaning especially as he brings things to life, just as we heard in our first reading how the promised made to Abraham looks impossible when looked at it literally but divinely came through and well fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

Dear friends, having heard the teachings and works of Jesus in the scriptures and traditions of the Church, the question remains: what is your personal disposition and understanding of the personality and identity of Jesus? Who is Jesus to you? As we can see the Jewish authorities do not believe in Jesus, because they could not understand the divine life of Jesus and they could not understand his relationship with God the Father.

 

Because they failed to understand that the Father gives glory to Jesus, since it is His divinity that he manifests and by so doing glorifies the Father. We are called today to develop a divine way of understanding the mysteries of God but not rejecting them because we do not understand them. Thus, during this season of Lent, let us turn towards God once again with all our hearts and devote our whole lives in seeking to know Him more.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, as we meditate on your passion this season of Lent, may we experience the power of your presence in order to embrace more deeply your sacred mysteries. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.