Homily For Friday Sixth Week of Eastertide Year A, 19th May, 2023

Readings: Acts 18:9-18; Ps.47;  John 16:20-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

BE PATIENT FOR YOUR SORROWS WILL SOON TURN TO JOY

 

Often times when we reflect on the ugly events that happens around us which have caused us deep sorrows, we wonder why God who is so good and all powerful permits such event to happen to us. Sometimes we felt we should have avoided such sorrowful event, hence, we complain and even doubt  the power of God whom we thought will have helped us overcome the evil.

 

Thus, Jesus knowing that his disciples will surely find themselves in this kind of situation said to them in our Gospel passage today,  ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy…and that joy no one shall take from you. When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions.’

 

Here Jesus is talking about the sorrows the disciples will experience when he goes away after his passion and death, and the joy they will experience his at his resurrection. This does not simply means that they shall pass from sorrow to joy, rather the sorrow itself shall become joy because it was the necessary cause of their joy.

 

Jesus illustrates this with the necessary pain and sorrow of child birth and the joy of motherhood. An analogy that better explains the pains and sorrows of the disciples, where their pains and sorrows lead directly to a joy that no one could take away from them. A perfect way of explaining what will happen when they see him again and their deepest pains and sorrows will be transformed into purest joys which no one can take away.

 

These are word of encouragement for the disciples who were afraid of what becomes of them when Jesus is no more physically with them. These same words of encouragement is what St. Paul received from the Lord at Corinth when he was scared of what becomes of him and his mission as we have it in our first reading, when at night the Lord spoke to him in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.’ 

 

Therefore, we are to learn from Jesus, whose path to joy went through the awful agony of the cross, knowing that our own path to eternal joy may first go through the pains of sorrows for our sins. Because for us to find permanent joy in Jesus, we have to die to self which may lead us through a necessary sorrowful moment that will give birth to a permanent joy that is found in the risen Christ.

 

Dear friends, today we are encouraged to be patient in times of sorrows for God knows how to turn our sorrows of the moment into a thing of great joy in the future. The sorrow of contrite hearts today, becomes the gladness of pardoned tomorrow; the sorrow of hardships, intimidation, abandonment, sickness, poverty and even death will become the great joy of success, victory, healing, freedom and eternal life which no one can take away from us.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, grant we pray that our present sorrows will be turned into great joy and lead us to eternal victory through Christ our Lord. Amen.

As we begin the novena to the Holy Spirit today, may the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with the joy of His presence.

Homily For Sixth Week of Easter, Year A, 18th May, 2023. The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Readings: Acts.1:1-11; Ps.47; Eph. 1:17-23;  Matt. 28:16-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHAT DOES THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD MEANS FOR HUMANITY?

 

Most  people no doubt, have all kinds of questions and reservations about the following words: ‘death, resurrection, Ascension, heaven and hell', they often wonder what and how these realities will be like. I find the answer to these questions in today's solemnity of Ascension. The event which shows the triumph of life over death and good over evil. For the Joy of the risen Lord has filled the hearts of his disciples as they had experienced the physical presence of Jesus for the past forty days after his death and resurrection.

 

So on the occasion of today's solemnity, the Lord Jesus in the present of his disciples was physically ascended into heaven as they watch him taken away in the cloud, to return to his heavenly Throne, triumphant and victoriously. It was a moment of great hope for them as they wished to be with him for eternity. However, they have a mission to accomplish, they are to bear witness to the events and testified about it on their missions and pass it down as a true hope for humanity.

 

Thus, the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, reminds us, that great moment of hope when the Lord triumph victoriously and no longer physically present among his disciples and followers, as they can no longer directly see him or touch him as they had been during all the while he was physically present with them. But this does not mean that the Lord has abandoned or left his disciples, rather he has gone to fulfill his promise of preparing a place for his faithful disciples, and will also send a great Helper to assist them.

 

Therefore, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord does not mean that Jesus has departed to some place far from people and from the world. Rather it means that he no longer belongs to the world conditioned by the life of corruption and death. For he now belongs entirely to God as the eternal Son, who has purified the filthiness of humanity. He has raised and introduce us once again into the presence and life of God.

 

This he did by ascending into heaven with our flesh and blood in its transfigured form and this is a thing of great hope and joy for all who believe in him. It is these great joy and hope that we celebrate today. An event that shows that humanity has been introduced once again into the very presence and life of God. This is the meaning and symbolic effect of the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord for humanity.

 

Hence, from the readings of today, we have the details of this great event and the last instructions of Jesus to his disciples. In the first reading, before the Ascension, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth. As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.’

 

While in today's Gospel passage, Jesus instruct his disciples saying; All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

 

In addition, St Paul in the second reading, made us to know that the Holy Spirit will enlighten the eyes of our mind so that we can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers.

 

Dear friends, the occasion of the Ascension of the Lord means that humanity have been introduced once again in to the presence and life of God. It is an event that shows an ultimate demonstration of the power of Jesus over death, the inauguration of his reign over heaven and earth as the universal King.

 

Also, the occasion of the Ascension of the Lord is a confirmation of the reality of heaven, which reminds us that God has always been faithful and loving as he fulfills his covenants and promises to humanity. It reminds us of our mission to evangelize the world, to give hope to humanity by letting them know that human hope and life are beyond the boundaries of this passing world.   

 

It reminds us that God will always be with us no matter what we are passing through in this world for he will always provide for us and care for us at all times. Hence, we must have faith in him no matter how challenging and difficult the situation in our lives may be, we must have hope and trust in God that at the end everything will be fine.

 

Let us hold on to the Lord for this occasion is indeed a great time for us to recall the hope that we found in Jesus' triumphant victory over evil, sin and condemnation. Let us celebrate the greatest hope that God has given to humanity by letting us to share in the very Life of the Trinity. The hope that humanity will one day be united body and soul with our Lord and Saviour Jesus. A confirmation of the reality of heaven, for this is the central message of the event of the Ascension that gives great joy and hope to all who believes, which as disciples, we are called to bear witness to the world.

 

Therefore, let us share this great hope to the people of the world by letting the light of Christ in us illuminate the darkness and ignorance in the world. Let us share this hope through our words, actions and deeds. Let our presence bring hope and encouragement, not hatred and division. Let our actions bring healing and succour in hopeless situations. Let our deeds inspire humanity to come to know God and embrace the victory Jesus has won for us.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, let this solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension, enkindle in us the passion to love you more dearly and to spread in the world the Joy and hope we have found in Jesus. Let these Joy and hope bring healing, succour, strength and courage that will help us to overcome the ugly and hopeless situations in our lives, families, societies and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Wednesday Sixth Week of Eastertide Year A, 17th May, 2023

Readings: Acts 17:15.22-18:1; Ps.148;  John 16:12-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

LET THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH CLEAR OUR IGNORANCE

 

One of the Spiritual works of Mercy is instructing the ignorant, and this is one of the difficult tasks to do as Christian, especially when it comes to dealing with people who are presumed to be learned. This kind of difficulty is what St. Paul has to face with the people of Athens in our first reading today. So Paul finding himself in the most learned city in the world of his time needed to preach the Good News of God to them.

 

This means that the theme for his message have to be something that will interest his audience. Thus, he started by clearing their ignorance regarding what he knows they are searching for. He said to them: “I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it.”

 

In this passage St. Paul claims that this unknown God is none other than God the Creator. He gave us evidence of the ignorance of pagan worship and made it clear that the object of true worship is the one Creator God. He showed us the proper relationship between humanity and God as he lets us know that the time of ignorance is now over. Also, Paul speaks of God’s creative act in humanity, from a single person Adam, he made every race of people and in Him we live and move and exist.

 

Therefore, we are God’s offspring, His true image in the world. Thus any image made by human skill and creativity will possibly be anything other than a distortion of the image of the one, true God. And so Paul warns us from involving in any form of idol worship as he called for total repentance because God will no longer overlook our ignorance.

 

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, when Jesus said: ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.’

 

Dear friends, let the  Holy Spirit of truth help us to clear our ignorance, for there are many idols that enslaved us in this world and sometimes if we are suddenly deprived of them we end up acting irrational and selfish, even to the point of hurting others just to protect and justify ourselves.

 

But the truth is that, the time of ignorance is over, for today we have before us the Spirit of truth. We can no longer pretend to be ignorant of God’s instructions. Therefore, let us repent of our sinful ways of life and embrace the Spirit of truth who will clear our ignorance.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are ignorant of so many things about you and the world we live in, grant that the Holy Spirit of truth, will continue to teach us about You and the faith we have found in Your Son Jesus as he unveils the darkness of lies and falsehood in our world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Tuesday Sixth Week of Eastertide Year A, 16th May, 2023

Readings: Acts 16:22-34; Ps.138;  John 16:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Onyia

 

WHAT WILL THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVE TO THE WORLD?

 

Today as Jesus continues with his teaching on the Person of the Holy Spirit, whom he called the Advocate, Jesus said to his disciples in our Gospel passage, ‘I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement.’

 

The focal point here is on the works of the Holy Spirit in the world. This is because Jesus knows that with the rejection of his teaching by the people of the world, the disciples need an advocate who will surely proved to the world how wrong they are in rejecting and killing him. Hence, What seemed like abandonment to the disciples, brought about the message of hope assuring them that the Holy Spirit will show the world how wrong it was, about sin and about judgment. That is, the Spirit will convict and persuade the people of the world of their sinful condition which they hold so tight because they were wrong for not believe in Jesus.

 

Thus the Spirit will clearly show to the world the righteousness of Jesus and his claims to come from God in order to bring the Word of God anew to the world. The Spirit will reveal the meaning of Christ’s death as the condemnation of all that is evil in the world, and victory over devil the prince of this world. This is so evidence in our first reading, where we heard about the victory of Paul and Silas who were praying and singing God’s praises in the prison when the prison doors were opened.

 

Dear friends, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit dwells in us as our Advocate, all we need to do is to turn towards him with hope and courage, knowing that God has called us to be His people and He will always be faithful to His promises. And if we trust Him, we shall not be disappointed for in Him alone is our sure hope of assistance during the difficult moments of our lives.

 

Therefore, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and let him be the sources of hope, light and inspiration for us especially in this difficult moment of fears of uncertainties in our hearts and minds, which have enslaved and prevented us from realizing what our lives truly mean and what we represent in this world. Let us know that God has not and will not abandon us in this ugly situation for He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, whose work is to ensure our victory and prove to this sinful world how wrong they are in rejecting and persecuting Jesus and the work of redemption which he has established.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the ugly situation in our world is really shaking the faith of your children, grant, we pray, that we may always find delight in the indwelling of your Holy Spirit and so courageously conquer our fears and worries just like Paul and Silas. We ask this through Christ our Lo

Homily For Monday Sixth Week of Eastertide Year A, 15th May, 2023

Readings: Acts 16:11-15; Ps.150; John 15:26:16-4

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

OBTAINING THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

 

In our societies, today many false influential powers have e great effect on our lives coming from various sources under the guise of good but are in fact leading us astray. So, there is need for us to examine these influences and today in our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: when the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.

 

Thus, the Holy Spirit will lead us to learn how to distinguish clearly where and in whom dwells the Spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood. As long as we are of God and in Christ, we have nothing to fear for we do not belong any more to this present world, full of sin, hatred, greed, corruption, deceit and violence. Everyday many false prophets and teachers are increasing and are deceiving the people. May God guide us against embracing, too readily, any doctrine proposed to us without due consideration from any teacher that may pretend to have a divine inspiration but are not.

 

Dear friends, we must be very wise for there are many false prophets operating under the power of the devil. Today Jesus is promising us the Spirit of truth that will give us a special sign for distinguishing true doctrine and true teachers from the false ones. Therefore, let us constantly ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace of discernment in order to distinguish between good and false prophets and teachers.

 

Let us also be true Christians in our way of life, words and deeds just like Lydia in our first reading, a devout woman from the town of Thyatira who listened to the word of God, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After which she and her household was baptised. Let us learn to put our trust in God who has promised to keep us from falling away from the true faith we have found in His Son Jesus.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you promised to send us the Spirit of truth, grant we pray that we will always stand and witness to the truth we have found in Jesus against all the false influential prophets and teachers in our society today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week.

Homily For Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 14th May, 2023

Readings: Acts.8:5-8.14-17; Ps.66; 1 Pet. 3:15-18;  John 14:15-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WAITING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE PROMISED PARACLETE

 

As the Solemnity of the Ascension comes up soon precisely on Thursday within the week, in anticipation of the Solemnity of the Pentecost coming very soon. The Holy Mother Church today the sixth Sunday of the holy season of Easter, presences to us the instructions and promise of Jesus to his disciples before his departure.

 

Hence, the readings of today draw our attention to the promise of Jesus to his disciples concerning the Counsellor, the Paraclete, the Advocate, God’s Holy Spirit, who will guide and teach them everything about their faith in Jesus and God his Father. Thus in our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.’

 

Here, Jesus knowing that he is about to leave his disciples and needed to share a special relationship with them, talks about the Holy Spirit, whom he calls the Spirit of Truth. This is the Spirit who will reveal to his disciples the truth about their faith. He also calls the Spirit "another" Advocate, which presupposes that Jesus also was an Advocate. So, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have some similar functions. Since they both come from the Father and are sent into the world. For Jesus communicates what he has received from his Father and the Holy Spirit declares what he has received from Jesus to his disciples.

 

Therefore, what Jesus has made known to his disciples through the Holy Spirit, has been passed down to us through his Apostles. This promise of Jesus is what we received at the Sacrament of Baptism, when we were baptized in the Name of the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and then sealed by the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 

Dear Friends, as Christians, the Holy Spirit, the Promised Paraclete plays a very vital roles in our lives and mission. The first role is to help us to establish a special relationship with God through Jesus. Remember the central command that Jesus gave his disciples is for them to love him by obeying His commands. Hence, one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is for us to love Jesus and obey him.

 

Also, when Jesus used the word advocate or counsellor which literally refers to the Greek word parakletos, which means “to stand beside.” Telling us that the role of the Holy Spirit is to stand beside us as our advocate, our helper, our best friend, our encourager, mediator and comforter.

 

As Christians the Holy Spirit connects us to Jesus so that we have a special relationship with God. He stand beside us as our caregiver and also companion who helps us to overcome fears, the devil and sins. He gives us peace and victory if we let him come into our lives.

 

Little wonder, in our first reading, we heard about the great manifestation of the Holy Spirit, as great miracles were worked, unclean spirits came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured and when the Apostles laid hands on the people they received the Holy Spirit.

 

More so, St Peter in our second reading exhorts us as Christians to reverence the Lord Jesus in our hearts, and always have our answer ready for people who will ask us the reason for the hope that we all have. He encouraged us to be active in living up to our faith, to be faithful in all things and deeds that everyone who hears us, witness us and interact with us may know that we are Christians, people who have received the Holy Spirit and are ready and dedicated to do the will of God at all times, even in the midst of the various tragedies we encounter in life.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty ever-living God, as you promised not to leave us as orphans in this world, but will send your Holy Spirit as our Advocate. Grant we pray that the Holy Spirit our Advocate will help us to conquer the ugly situations in our society and the world at large and so overcome devil and all his evil agents and their evil agenda. Amen. Do have a spirit filled Sunday.

Homily For Saturday Fifth Week of Eastertide Year A, 13th May, 2023

Readings: Acts 16:1-10; Ps.100;  John 15:18-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHY THE HATRED AND PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS?

 

There is no doubt that threat breeds fear, insecurity and anger which brings about the negative feeling we called hatred. Little wonder the word ‘Hate’ is often used to express a negative feeling towards something or someone who we presumed to have some threat over us or something related to us. Meanwhile, hatred as we know is direct opposite of love.

 

This definition is very important in order to understand the teaching of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, when he said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you.”

 

Here, Jesus who has been talking to his disciples about love and commanding them to love one another is today warning and telling them that, there is no guarantee that they will be loved in return by the people of the world. He used himself as an example of how they may be treated, that if the world hated and persecuted him so badly, his disciples should expect to be treated the same way. But why did the worldly-minded people hate and persecuted Jesus and his disciples?

 

This is because the presence and words of Jesus bring great light and judgment to the darkness of this world, and the people of the world loves darkness rather than the Light, since their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. So the presence of Jesus the light of the world threatens the people of the world and this breeds fear, insecurity and anger which brings about the negative feeling of hatred for Jesus and those who associate with him.

 

More so, it is important to note that, when Jesus talks about the “world” as we have it the Gospel passage, he is not referring to the physical world but the people who are so attached to the things of this world. People who have made the things of this passing world their God and have come to trust in their ability to exploit others and acquire the earth as their own.

 

They try very hard to cover their sin and silence the voice of conscience accusing them of their sins. But here are Christians constantly reminding them of their sins as they strive to live a life of holiness which of course stirs up again all those thoughts and feelings of guilt which they wished to silenced. Hence, this threat breeds fear, insecurity and anger that gives birth to hatred of Christian by worldly minded people.

 

Dear friends, today we are called to bear witness even in the face of hatred and hostility. For spite of the world’s hatred, we should never respond with retaliation or hatred. Yes, there may be times to ask God to judge the wicked. There may be times to shake the dust off our feet and move on, of course we have to, knowing that we can do so through the Spirit of truth dwelling in us. For through our Baptism, we have received the Holy Spirit in us, which helps us strive to live a life of love and righteous even in the midst of persecutions and hatred.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty and eternal God, who through the regenerating power of Baptism have been pleased to confer on us the heavenly life, grant us, we pray, the grace to bear authentic witness of your love and peace in the world full of hatred and strive. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a lovely and peaceful weekend.