Homily For Tuesday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 18th July, 2023

Readings: Exo 2:1-15; Ps. 69; Matt:11:20-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO EMBRACE THE WORD OF GOD WE HEAR EVERY DAY?

 

Reflecting on the ugly and fragile nature of our societies and the world as a whole, especially how the streets are full of people struggling and suffering, the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and manipulating others. Our leaders are so busy with acquiring, manipulating and embezzling the common resources, not minding the struggles, the tears, the disappointments that people are passing through everyday, as some people have lost hope in themselves and even in everything they do.  We are just so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence, that is, the salvation of our souls.

 

This ugly and fragile kind of condition is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today as he continues with his reproaches, this time to cities where he had done great miracles, yet the people failed to embrace the life of the Gospel he preached. Hence he reproached them saying: woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on Judgement day with Tyre and Sidon as with you’.

 

Yes, Jesus has taught us about the kingdom of God and proclaimed a message of healing and conversion but his teaching and powerful deeds have not yet been embraced by humanity. Hence, Jesus in this Gospel is not just rebuking the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, but all humanity for not being open to the fruits of his Gospel, calling us to reflect on how we are losing out on what God is offering us. Because God will always have plans to save his people just as we heard in our first reading in the story about the birth and struggles of Moses in Egypt, how God was preparing him for the task ahead.

 

Dear friends, we might not feel very comfortable with the idea of Jesus rebuking and uttering terrible words of threats on these big and powerful cities that represents all humanity. But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Has humanity really embraced the Word of God we hear everyday? Is the Word bearing fruits in our lives? Why have we failed to embrace the word of God?

 

How can we recognize in this fragile condition the great work that Jesus is doing to save humanity and the need to turn back to God? Do we think that repentance is for others and not for us? Jesus is saying woe to us for failing to embrace and live out the Gospel teachings, because he seem to expect some sort of changes in us when we hear his Words or when we encounter him in prayers.

 

Therefore, God is calling us to repentance, He wants to come into our souls and dwells. Today He is rebuking all humanity, He wants us to come to Him for He comes to us more than we go to Him. Hence, if we believe in God, and put our trust in Him, we will have the assurance and guarantee of restoration, for God does not want us to suffer the consequences of our sins, that is why He kept reminding us about the up coming danger. But, if humanity constantly refuse to believe in God, we may end up in self destruction.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words today, may we experience your love, joy and healing both physically, materially and more importantly spiritually, as we wait patiently for the restoration of all humanity from the ugly and fragile condition of this passing world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Monday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 17th July 2023

Readings: Exo 1:8-14.22 Ps. 124; Matt:10:34-11:1

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

DEALING WITH THE RADICAL ASPECT OF OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH

 

The way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst of all the ugly situation in our societies today. Because the hostility, persecution and the influential powers of things of this world is not stopping soon rather, it will be getting tougher. Aspect

 

Therefore, if we are really willing to live out our Christian faith and obligations, then we need to make a radical decision towards our discipleship in a personal and radical way, for this days, it is not enough to say am a Christian, we must convincingly and radically practice our faith by following the example of the  Lord Jesus.

 

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today, takes his discourse on discipleship to a radical and difficult level when he said: 'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; and anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.’

 

Here, Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions in family life, but he wants us to accept the consequences that comes with the truth of the Gospel teaching. More importantly, when it comes to living out the Gospel message in a radical way, especially in a situation where our family values have been thrown out of caution as a result of secularism, individualism and excess desires for worldly pleasures, thereby neglecting the things that lead us to God.

 

So, these hard words of Jesus can only be understood in the light of our life experience, because there are moments when we have to make radical and difficult choice as disciples of Jesus. These moments may wield the sword of division or separation among those people and things which are so dear to us. A situation where we have to sacrifice for greater good.

 

However, Jesus does not endorse we engaging in armed conflict, but he warns that we have to struggle to put him first, before family ties, knowing that divisions will surely occur as people have to decide to be for or against God. Hence, he states that the cost of discipleship extends to one even losing his life. Nevertheless, he promises that even the small efforts we make in following him will surely be rewarded.

 

Dear friends, Jesus demands a total commitment towards finishing the journey of discipleship once begun or not beginning it at all. Because, following Jesus demands the sacrifice of all that one has. For none of us can become his disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties in our lives including family, self-interest, and possessions. Let us not be like the new Pharaoh in our first reading today, who out of jealousy put slave-drivers over the Israelites to wear them down under heavy loads.

 

Therefore, we are called today to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully follow Jesus and to accept the consequences of living by the truth of the Gospel. But how much are we willing to let go for the sake of following the truth of the Gospel? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus?  What is that habitual desires and possessions that are holding us from making this radical decision today? It is time to come to God with all our hearts, for tomorrow maybe too late.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts towards your, give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly desires, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing people and things that are dear to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.

Homily For Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 16th July, 2023

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Ps 65, Rom. 8:18-23, Matt. 13:1-23

Fr. Emmanuel Onyia

 

UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WORD OF GOD AND HUMAN HEART

The second stanza of one of our great hymn titled Wonderful Words of Life write by Philip Bliss in1874 says:

 

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all

wonderful words of life;

sinner, list to the loving call,

wonderful words of life;

all so freely given,

wooing us to heaven:

(Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,

wonderful words of life;

beautiful words, wonderful words,

wonderful words of life).

 

This beautiful hymn gives us a wonderful background towards understanding today’s Gospel message, were our Lord Jesus gave us a great parable of The Sower and explained it to his disciples as well as all who are listening to him today. Meanwhile, some of us who are into farming understand very well how a healthy seed blossoms on a fertile soil. Little wonder Jesus decided to used this great farming mechanism to explain the relationship between the Word of God and the human heart. Because the Word of God is to the human heart what a healthy seed is to a fertile soil .

 

In this parable Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on a rocky ground where they found little soil and sprang up immediately, because there was no depth of soil; so as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

 

Here after explaining why he speaks in parables in reference to the prophecy of prophet Isaiah about the hardness of the human heart, Jesus then explained the parable to his disciples, pointing out our different disposition towards the Word of God in relation to our interior life. Whether our soul is like dry rocky ground or do we regularly seek to nourish our soul and prepare it to receive the holy Word of God. Thereby calling us to cultivate and create a fertile disposition within our heart in order to do the will of God.

 

Also, Jesus uses the parable of the sower to describe different kind of response to God's Word for there are four obstacles that can distract us from making our hearts a fertile soil. These obstacles include: shallow mindedness, hardened heart, worldly desires and finally, trails and persecutions. Most people fall in some, if not in all of these obstacles.

 

For instance, those who are against the teachings of Jesus, the crowds that respond positively to Jesus, especially to his miracles of healing and feeding the people but did not want to be part of the sacrificial aspect of his teaching. Those who behave like this have shallow mind and the Word of God can not be sustained in their hearts when scorched by the heat of the heavy sun and storms of life. While those who harden their hearts can be liked to  the people who have the disposition like the Pharisees who refused to listen to Jesus and turned against him at the end and demanded his crucifixion.

 

The rich young man (Matt. 19:16-23) who was unable to part with his possessions provides a clear example of people with the obstacle of worldly desires, who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.  And finally those who trails and persecutions have become an obstacle to the Word of God in their hearts. These are people who fall away when trials or persecution arises on account of the Word such as Judas, and there are many people who fall in this category in our society today.

 

But what about the good soil? These are those who made their hearts a fertile soil through love and purity of heart which helped them to hear the Word of God and understands it, and indeed bears fruit and yield an abundant harvest of hundred, sixty and thirty folds. Our Mother Mary is a good example of such people. Therefore, the different kinds of ground on which the seed falls represent the different ways in which we receive the Word of God.

 

Dear friends, today Jesus Christ gives us all the wonderful and beautiful Words of life, wooing us to heaven, are we disposed to letting his word blossom in our souls? Remember, our hearts are the fields in which the Word of God is scattered, to which do our hearts belong: the path way, the rocky ground, the thorns or the good soil. Whichever one, we are called to pay attention and take some time to appreciate and dispose our hearts more, so that God’s Word may find a root in us.

 

For prophet Isaiah told us in our first reading today, that as the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word of God in our hearts does not return to God empty, without carrying out the will of God and succeeding in what it was sent to do in our soul, when we are well dispose to receive it.

 

 And St. Paul in our second reading tells us that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory that is yet to be revealed, which is waiting for us, as the whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal to his sons and daughters the wonderful and beautiful Words of life which Christ His blessed One gives to us today and wooing us to his Heavenly Kingdom.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, each and every one of us have received the seeds of your Words, give us grace to remain open to receiving your Word, so that it will blossom in our souls and bear fruit abundantly, through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless and guide your always.

Homily For Saturday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 15th July, 2023. The Memorial of St. Bonaventure

Readings: Gen. 49:29-33.50:15-26; Ps. 105; Matt:10:24-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

LEARN TO BECOME A FIRM DISCIPLE OF JESUS

 

The goal of every disciple is to become like the master. This does not mean that the disciple will become equal to the master, but through the training he becomes like or similar to the master in his own unique way. For a good disciple develops great qualities and skills like that of the master. Hence, Jesus knowing the difficulties and challenges his disciples will encounter, needed to train and instruct them properly, so that they can stand firm in the midst of oppositions and persecution.

 

Thus, today in our Gospel passage, Jesus continues with his instruction on what it means to be a firm disciple in respect to the mission he is about to entrust to his apostles, just the way Jacob instructed his sons and Joseph having forgiven his brothers, he instructed they on what to do when he dies as we have it in our first reading.

 

In a similar way, Jesus said to his Apostles:  The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household? What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

 

As disciples, this encouraging words of Jesus is very apt now that we are passing through difficult moment of poverty, sickness, persecution, intimidation, greed, immorality, killings, wars, famines, genocide in our families, societies, country and the world at large. This ugly condition can make someone to completely lose hope in humanity and also in God. But Jesus do not want us to lose hope, rather he wants us to be that firm and strong disciples that will stand firm and courageously face the ugly situation we encounter everyday.

 

Today, Jesus needs firm disciples that will speak and stand for his Gospel no matter the cost just like that of St. Bonaventure, whose memorial we celebrate today. For St. Bonaventure is remembered for his great humility, piety and dedication to the reform of the Church and the faith in the community. He was a great theologian who spent a long time trying to reform both the Church and the community of the faithful. Despite his great intelligent and many positions, titles and responsibilities that he acquired, St. Bonaventure remained deeply humble and faithful in his relationship with God and humanity.

 

Dear friends, we are called today to become a firm disciple of Jesus. For as disciples of Jesus, our purpose in life is to become like him in deeds and in character. By so doing we will have confident that God will enable us to carry out the work that He has entrusted to us even in the midst of persecution, knowing that neither men nor the devil can affect our soul. We can be confident of God’s intimate care for us because He knows even the numbers of the hairs on our head.

 

Therefore, as true disciples of Jesus we must have confidence and remain firm in faith even in the midst of persecution, sufferings and sickness, because, his love and care for us surpass all our challenges. Thus we are called today to follow God wholeheartedly by living a life of holiness, purity, courage and simplicity, and by so doing inspire others to be part of this mission.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, there is no doubt that our world is full of oppositions and persecutions of your faithful people. Grant that we may follow you wholeheartedly and stand firm in the midst of all the oppositions and persecutions we may encounter in our daily lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a lovely and peaceful weekend.

Homily For Friday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 14th July, 2023

Readings: Gen. 46:1-7.28-30; Ps. 37; Matt:10:16-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE LORD IS SENDING US OUT LIKE SHEEP AMONG THE HUNGRY WOLVES OF THIS PASSING WORLD

 

Reflecting on the ugly attitudes of humanity, especially in some ugly events that happens around us. How selfish, cruel and heartless people behave towards each other. Everywhere we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and different other immoral activities for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires. And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object of elimination.

 

 In fact, the evil ones are so cruel that sometimes we wish that God should just wipe them away from the face of the earth and when this is not coming  forth, we complain and feel so helpless. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situation, we are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness. A very difficult task to do, especially when we are suffering as victims of the ugly situation.

 

Little wonder today in our Gospel passage, Jesus made known to his disciples the difficult nature of his mission, he taught them how to persevere in times of persecution, troubles, afflictions, and sufferings. He warns them that they will meet with hostility and hatred because of him, but they are to continue to bear witness to the Gospel values. Jesus said to them: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.”

 

He continued saying: Beware of men: for they will hand you over to lawless men and drag you before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; for what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.”

 

Hence, Jesus knowing that the mission to change the sinful and ugly attitudes of humanity will be like sending a helpless sheep in the midst of hungry wolves, so he advised his disciples as he advise us today to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. He also gave us the ultimate reassurance and promise, that the one who endures to the end will be saved.

 

The truth is that, God still cares for humanity despite our sinful and ugly attitudes. This is evident in our first reading today, when we heard the story of how God brought together the family of Jacob which was distorted by wickedness, jealousy, hatred and corruption as a result of the selling of their brother Joseph to slavery.

 

But today God’s providence and love has brought them together and we had the Lord saying to Jacob: ‘Do not be afraid of going down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I myself will go down to Egypt with you. I myself will bring you back again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes. And Jacob said to Joseph: Now I can die, now that I have seen you again, and seen you still alive.

 

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that the world is passing through difficult times, as families, societies, countries, and churches are badly affected by the ugly situation born out the evil forces manifesting themselves in different forms, of which there troubles and conflicts are affecting the whole world. Yes our sinful attitudes have brought humanity into destruction and death, but the Lord still loves us, and wants us to repent from our sins and wickedness, so as to embrace his righteousness and mercy once again.

 

Therefore, just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in difficult times. Because God knows what we are passing through now. All we need to do is to listen to him speaking to us through the Holy Spirit. Remember, as helpless sheep in the midst of hungry wolves of this passing world, the greatest Gospel we can preach is the Gospel of love by our way of life even in the midst of the ugly attitudes of sinful humanity.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, may the Holy Spirit enlighten, strengthen and grant us the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing to the Gospel, especially in this difficult times. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 13th July, 2023

Readings: Gen. 44:18-21.23-29.45:1-5; Ps. 105; Matt:10:7-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

GOD CARES AND LOVES US NO MATTER THE SITUATION WE FIND OURSELVES

 

The rebellious nature of humanity have always kept us away from responding to God's invitation to Life of love, holiness, faithfulness and integrity. Hence, humanity have always failed to understand the true ways of God his creator. However, God has not stopped caring and stretching his hands of love to us. In every generation God always send messengers to remind us of his love and plan for humanity. This is exactly what we have in our readings today especially in our first reading where we heard how it was God’s plan to send Joseph to Egypt for the sake of saving his people from feminine.

 

Here, we heard how this plan was fulfilled, when Joseph was reunited with his brothers after they had sold him as slave. In this encounter and reunion, Joseph filled with compassion said, that it was God’s plan and grace that allowed everything to happen as it was, that their evil plots had been turned to good things as God sent him ahead to Egypt to pave the path for Jacob his father and his descendants. For God sent him ahead of the rest of his family to prepare everything, so that when they eventually come in accordance with the will of God, they would be accepted and taken care good care of since they were to stay in Egypt for a long time.  

 

This story shows us that God in his compassion will always turn our ugly situation and attitude into something better in accordance with his will. Because, God’s anger and dissatisfaction with the constant disobedience and rebellious attitude of the people and the upcoming consequences for their sins, will be subdued by God’s mercy. Since God in his compassionate love, wishes to save humanity.

 

This showing us that in God, we have a compassionate and loving Father who always care about us despite our constant disobedience and rebellious attitude towards him. And out of his love for us, He has not stopped sending his messengers to help guide us out of the wrong path we are taking. In fact, out of love, He sent Jesus his only begotten Son to be our Lord and Saviour.

 

Thus, in our Gospel passage we heard how Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick and setting captive free from the shackles of the evil ones and to continue this great mission he invited his disciples and sent them out, commanding them to see themselves as someone who gives freely of the good they have received from God.

 

They should offer to others what they have received from God, knowing that it has cost them nothing. They are to live a life of detachment that is, in this mission, they are to depend totally on God's providence. Unfortunate many of the disciples have to face rejection and persecutions from people, who through their rebellious attitude have refused to believe in God even though he has always been so patient, loving, caring and forgiving to us.

 

Dear friends, the Lord cares and loves us no matter the situation we find ourselves. So, today we are called to repent from our sinful and rebellious attitudes and embrace the compassionate love and care that God is offering us. And as disciples of Christ, we have received a lot from God without payment; we should learn to give without expecting reward. Calling us to acknowledge with gratitude all that we have received from God and give freely to others that which we have received. For this act of charity will purify us from pride and self-righteousness, because we are all recipients of God's love, mercy, forgiveness, favour, protection, healing and deliverance.

 

Therefore, we must offer to others these same gifts which we have received. We are to show love to people, forgive, help the needy and share with one another the gifts God has blessed us with, and if our love and care are rejected, we should offer it as a sign for the judgement day. Remember, your kind gestures today can turn someone's life around now or later and by so doing we extend God’s divine compassion to rebellious humanity.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you have sacrificed a lot to save us from our rebellious and sinful attitudes, open our hearts once again to repent and embrace your compassionate love and care for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Wednesday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 12th July, 2023

Readings: Gen. 41:55-57.42:5-7.17-24; Ps. 33, Matt:10:1-7

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS VERY CLOSE AT HAND

 

The things of this world is so captivating that if we are not careful we will be like a foolish traveler who having encountered a pleasant garden forgets to continue towards his destination. This is exactly what Jesus is calling our attention to in our Gospel passage today, when he commanded his twelve disciples to go and proclaim to the people that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.

 

Here, Jesus continues with his missionary discourse, he summoned his twelve apostles and send them out with the clear instruction to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of heaven. He sent them on a mission of teaching and healing to proclaim the message of God’s saving love to those who were in most need of hearing it.

 

Thus, in our first reading we heard how God changed what was bad and terrible into something that is good  as seen in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Here the Lord showed his love to his people when he sent Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob into Egypt ahead of his brothers and family. This happened as Joseph was despised earlier on in his youth by his elder brothers, because he was one of their father’s favourite, so they sold him as a slave to Egypt. In a similar way the Lord Jesus sent his disciples to all humanity to bring the Good News of his Kingdom.

 

So, today Jesus is calling us to change our ugly and sinful ways of life, especially as regards our attitude towards the things of this passing world. He is also commanding us just as he commanded his apostles to tell humanity, especially those we encounter every day, our family members, neighbours, colleagues, friends, in fact everyone around us, we should tell them that the kingdom of heaven is very close at hand.

 

Thus, it's time to truly seek God with all our hearts, it's time to turn away from our sinful way of life, it's time to say yes to God for tomorrow may be too late. We should not be ashamed or afraid to carry out this mandate, for when God calls us, he supplies us with the means and courage necessary to accomplish the task entrusted to us. For we are never alone, he is always with us.

 

Dear friends, what are we doing in this passing world with the gift of life that God has given us? We should never think that we still have all the time to keep ‘enjoying' the pleasant things of this passing world. Remember we are all travelers in this world. This world is not our destination, we are just passing by.

 

So, how many ears must we have before we can hear the call for repentance? How many deaths will it take till we know that soul of many people has gone from this world? How many words of God will we hear before we know that one day we will be no more in this passing world? The answer dear friends is blowing in the wind. Therefore let us not be like a foolish traveler who having encountered a pleasant garden of this passing world, forgets to continue towards his destination which is God’s heavenly kingdom.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you called us today to reflect on our heavenly kingdom, give us grace to repent and turn to you for mercy, help us to have the missionary zeal that will enable us to live with integrity, purity and detachment from the thing of this passing world as we spread the Good News of your kingdom to humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.