Tuesday, 8 August 2023

Homily For Wednesday Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 9th August, 2023.

Readings: Num. 13:1-2.25-14:1.26-29.34-35; Ps. 106; Matt. 15:21-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

LEARN TO ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE AND IN FAITH WORK HARD TO ACHIEVE WHAT YOU DESIRE

 

In our society today, most people hardly accept who they are. Today people spent all their resources and energy trying to convince others of what they are not by seeking their approval. This is not the same with the Canaanite woman in our Gospel passage today, who when approached Jesus pleading for the restoration of her daughter was not discouraged because her request was not granted immediately in reference to her humble background.

 

For Jesus said to her  ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman persisted, kneeling at his feet saying. ‘Lord help me.’ Jesus replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

 

From this little story, it is clear that the woman was not going to give up, but kept pleading, even from her Canaanite background, to the point of Jesus recognizing her great faith. The irony of this passage is that, in Israel Jesus was trying to convince people that he was the Messiah, as he was being challenged to prove it with a sign. But here in Gentile territory he met a woman who was convinced he was the Messiah and he could not discourage her efforts.

 

For his apparent attempt to put her off was just a test, of which her great faith was proved by the acceptance of her humble background. She accepted the place of a “dog” as a Gentile in relation to Israelites been the chosen children of God to whom the message and grace of the Messiah came first. Hence she accepted that she may not be able to sit down at the Messiah’s table and eat with the “children,” but she should be allowed to pick up some of the crumbs of unmerited mercy and grace of God for the sake of her daughter.

 

Dear friends, we must stop wasting valuable time trying to prove who we are not, let us first in faith accept who we are then, work hard to improve who we want to be in relation to our faith in God. Let our faith in God help us to accept who we are. Whatever we want to do, let us have faith in God and in ourselves, and be determined. Because, faith, determination and sacrifice are the secrets of any success in life.

 

Therefore, tell yourself today that you can get that which you desire,  when you plan for it, work everyday for it, you will begin to see a different face in the things you do. The truth is that people are rewarded in public for things they do for years in private. So, let us learn from the Canaanite for she accepted who she was and was determined with faith to achieve her dreams through humility and persistence. 

 

Let us also be courageous like Caleb in our first reading today for he encouraged the people who where scared because of the report they heard concerning the promised land. So he said to them: ‘we must march in and conquer this land: we are well able to do it'.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are often very slow to accept who we are and sometimes because of our humble background we fail to obtain what we desire. As we come to you today in humility and faith like the Canaanites woman, may we obtain your grace and favours. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Monday, 7 August 2023

Homily For Tuesday Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 8th August, 2023. The Memorial of St. Dominic

Readings: Num. 12:1-13, Ps 51, Matt. 14:22-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

LORD SAVE US FROM THE HEAVEY STORMS OF THIS PASSING WORLD

 

One of the most difficult situations for those who are into marine and sea business is to be on the sea with heavy storms. A situation where the need to look for a Saviour is highly expected. Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today. For When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death, he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea storms.

 

So as the waves were breaking over the boat, the disciples cannot believe that Jesus has seen them, and is approaching. Hence, they were afraid and needed help from anywhere. It was at this point that they saw Jesus walking on the sea and he said to them: “take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”. But Peter said ‘if it is you Lord, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. So he cried out ‘Lord! Save me!’ Jesus put out his hand at once and held him.

 

This story signifies God's chosen people on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world. The boat can be taken as a symbol of the young Christian Church struggling with the world’s principalities and powers, while the storm is a symbol of persecution suffered by this young Christian community.

 

And Jesus says: "Do not be afraid". This no doubt is what humanity are passing through today in the hands of few selfish evil men and women who have decided to destroy humanity by trying to recreate human beings into an artificial machine against the natural way God has created us in order for few of them to control the lives and activities of all. And this is even worse in our country today where only few greedy and selfish individuals are inflicting pain and suffering on the people.

 

Today, humanity need to humbly cry out like Peter, Lord save us for we are sinking into the destructive hands of the evil powers of this sinful world. Hence we are called to trust in the Lord and hope in his promises and providence. For it is time for us to listen to God and hold onto him more closely. Let us not be like Aaron and Miriam in our first reading, who spoke against God and Moses but were punished for there sins, rather let us learn to be humble like Moses who was known as the most humbled man on earth with good intention for the people entrusted to him.

 

Therefore, we are called to let every moment of difficulties and trials lead us to grow in faith and knowledge of God’s power and authority, just like St. Dominic whose memorial we celebrate today. For he helped the faithful to renew their faith and commitment in God through deepening of their spiritual lives, especially through the use of the rosary as a prayer, which eventually became one of the most popular of all devotions in the Church, through which countless souls have been converted to the Lord, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Dear friends, Jesus is calling us today to journey on his boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart because, the world is being tossed around by the waves of evil forces, the enemies of humankind. And it is only God that can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us back to himself, if only we can trust in him completely.

 

So, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul? Are you under the power of the evil forces of this world? I don’t know how long or deep you have been involved in this evil? All I know is that with great faith in God, the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid, take courage, it is I,” will surely resound in the hearts of all his children who live in hostile environment and are victims of the evils in this world.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, save humanity once again, grant that the violent storms and waves of bondage in our lives will end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessed.

Sunday, 6 August 2023

Homily For Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 7th August, 2023


Readings: Num. 11:4-15, Ps 81, Matt. 14:13-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

COME TO JESUS AND HE WILL SATISFY YOUR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HUNGER

 

Humanity are constantly in need of one thing or the other, we are never tired of searching for things that will satisfy our desire for physical and spiritual well being. This is the situation and condition of the people in our readings today. In the first reading, we heard how the people of Israel lamented against God and Moses for giving them only manner without any meat, fish, cucumber and garlic as they are used to in Egypt. And in our Gospel passage, we heard how the people were in search for Jesus for more bread. So as Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sickness and also fed them in a miraculous way.

 

Here, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected messiah who is to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus reveals to all those who are in need that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. But Jesus did not just heal the sick, he also fed the crowd.

 

This feeding of the crowd refers back to the journey of the people of God in the desert from Mount Sinai to the promised land which in a special way signifies the event of our Eucharistic celebrate. The Eucharist has the same characteristics of this miracle: the community gathered together, the transformation of humble elements into a glorified body of Christ to satisfy our spiritual hunger which is an abundant gifts of God to humanity. In fact, because of the link to the Eucharist, this is the only miracle that is reported by all the four gospels.

 

However, we can interpret this miracle of feeding the crowd in two ways. First, we can simply interpret it as a miraculous event, pointing to the divine origin and mission of Jesus. Secondly, we can interpret the miracle as the fruit of sharing with one another, for it is possible that once the disciples began to share the little food they had with those around, others also who had actually brought some food with them started sharing what they have and indeed grace multiplied what they have to the point of having left over.

 

Dear friends, how I wish humanity can learn to share our resources with one another, believe me, the world will witness another miracle of multiplication of resources that will be enough for everyone with left over for the future generations. So, as Jesus heals and feeds the physical aspect of humanity, he also knows that we need the food of the Eucharist to sustain us spiritually for our journey to heaven which is our promised land.

 

Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied them greatly. This bread is the gift of the Eucharist which we receive back from Jesus whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards us. This is because God loves us so much, that he is willing and ready to satisfy our unquenchable hunger for physical and spiritual things. Therefore, come to Jesus and embrace his love and you will be satisfied.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are really hungry, in need of your love and satisfaction both physically and spiritually, feed us once again with your heavenly grace and multiple the little bread and fish we share with others and provide for us the basic needs of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.

Saturday, 5 August 2023

Homily For Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 6th August, 2023, The Feast of Transfiguration of the Lord


Readings: Dan. 7:9-10.13-14, Ps.97. 2 Peter.1:16-19. Matt. 17:1-9

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

COME AND EXPERIENCE THE LORD AT THE MOUNTAIN OF TRANSFIGURATION

 

To know the true identity of Jesus has always been the desire and quest of most people of his time and even in our time. Most people today still do not really have a grand knowledge of the personality and identify of who Jesus really is and his mission towards the salvation of humanity. So to make known his identity to humanity, Jesus in our Gospel passage today chose three of his disciples Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.

 

There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Beloved Son listen to him.

 

Today we celebrate the event of this mystery and revelation as the Feast of Transfiguration of the Lord. The word “Transfiguration” is the combination of two words ‘trans’ meaning change, and ‘figure’ meaning appearance or the outlook of a body. That is, the change in appearance of Jesus that reveals his true nature as the Divine Son of God, shining forth from his human nature, unveiling that he was not just a Man, but also the great Son of God incarnate in the human flesh.

 

Hence, in this Feast we remember the revelation of Christ as the beloved Son of the Father, the one we are called to trust and listen to in prayer. An event that occur to undermine objections to the inevitable event of parousia which calls us to a life of faith and radical transformation. A transformation that brings about a new out fit that makes one a new person with a new life, a new mind and a new way of doing things.

 

In this revelation we recall the presence of the two greatest and most renowned figures from the Old Testament, namely Moses and the prophet Elijah. They represent the law and the prophets to bear witness to the personality and identity of Jesus and to crow all, the voice from the cloud which has also been the symbol of God’s presence with His people bearing witness that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, calling us to listen to him.

 

Little wonder St. Peter in our second reading today tells us that, it was not any cleverly invented myths that they were repeating when they brought us the knowledge of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; for they had seen his majesty for themselves. Peter made us to know that Jesus was honoured and glorified by God the Father, when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour.’ He said they heard this themselves, spoken from heaven, when they were with him on the holy mountain.

 

This event also fulfills the vision of Daniel in our first reading, where he said: I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man. He came to the one of great age and was led into his presence. On him was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship, and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed. And the preface of this feast says that Jesus revealed his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses and filled with the greatest splendour that bodily form which he shares with all humanity, that the scandal of the Cross might be removed from the hearts of his disciples.

 

Dear friends, are we in anyway ignorant of the personality, identity and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ? Have we personally experienced the presence of Jesus in our lives? Have we ever encountered Jesus in such a transformative way that changes our sinful ways of life and build our faith stronger in the Lord? Today God is calling and separating us from the things of this passing world in order to have a personal encounter with him at the Mountain of Transfiguration just like  the three disciples Peter, James and John.

 

For we all have been called to journey with the Lord and to obey His will. Often time when we are called to follow the Lord, the path may seem to be uncertain and unknown to us, it may seem difficult and contrary to our own way of life.  And the devil is always ready to distract us, persuading and tempting us to remain in our old and ugly way of life  and not to respond to the Lord’s calling.

 

Therefore, we are called today  to reexamine our lives, how are we responding to God’s call? Calling us to mountain of repentance and transfiguration. How are we able to discern carefully the will of God in our lives? God has called us to change our ugly ways of life and follow Him, in whatever directions that He wishes to lead us through. Are we ready to follow him? Are we ready to let go of the excess desire for sinful things of this passing world? Are we ready to sacrifice all for the sake of following the Lord and  experience his glory and presence in our lives?

 

The truth remains that, we can change our friends, our residence, our cars or our physical appearance: hear, cloth and colour of our skin. We can change our gender as some people do today, we can change even our church denomination, the Masses we attend,  our pious societies, even our pastors or priests. But if we do not have a personal transfigurative experience like the three disciples, that will bring about a change of mind and heart towards loving God and neighbours, we will remain the same and the old experience of unfruitful life will perpetuate itself over and over again. Because, everything absolutely changes when we encounter and  experience God personally in our lives and change our mind and heart for good. For that change can only be propelled by a strong personal experience of God in our lives just like Peter, James and John.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you never ceases to make known to your children the mysteries of your Love for humanity, grant that by listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may personally experience his love in our lives and merit to become coheirs with him, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Happy Sunday.

Friday, 4 August 2023

Homily For Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 5th August, 2023.


Readings: Lev. 25:1.8-17; Ps. 67; Matt. 14:1-12

 

LEARN TO SPEAK THE TRUTH NO MATTER THE COST

 

One thing that the world hates to hear is the sound of the word "truth". Why! Because it makes the world to tremble as most things in the world are built on falsehood and deceit and people are becoming comfortable with falsehood as a way of life. This is obvious especially with the ugly situation of society today where humanity are placed in perpetual darkness and confusion as the voices that speak the truth are silenced by all means.

 

Today people want to be "free" to do whatever they like, they don't want anybody to remind them the hard truth about the realities of life. Hence, they can do anything just to silence truth. Thus, the cost of speaking the truth has become so expensive that some times it cost a life of an individual or even a whole community. It is even more demanding when the truth to be told has to do with the conversion of one in authority.

 

This is the case with John the Baptist in our Gospel passage today, whose head was the prize he paid for the truth he told to Herod and Herodias. For Herod had arrested John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ Herod had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet.

 

But, on the occasion of Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. She conspired with the mother and demanded for the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered John to be beheaded and the head be given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

 

These ugly attitudes towards John the Baptist points at what is done to Jesus in his Passion, demonstrating how good people, especially when they struggle for truth and justice, are often condemned to suffer in the hands of greed and powerful people as we have it in our country today. But should we stop speaking the truth because of fear of losing our lives?

 

I don't think so, because truth saves life, it brings freedom, it releases tension, it brings peace, it settles quarrels and disputes. Truth is freedom which must be offered to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to its enemies, just like John the Baptist did to Herod and Herodias even at the expense of his life.

 

Herod made a bad decision, which out of pride finds it difficult to change his mind and admit that he was wrong. He did not plan to execute John that night. He was persuaded by Herodias to do so, because he was a weak man. He is a slave to the opinion of others, he feared the people who revered John; he also fears the reaction of his guests if he should retract his oath.

 

Dear friends, like Herod, how often do we make decisions out of pride? When we make bad decisions, how quick are we able to change our mind, to admit that we are wrong. Are we like Herodias who is waiting for an opportunity to silenced the innocents who confront us with the truth?  If today we happen to be one of the guests of Herod, what would been our reaction? Will I have protested or stayed silent?

 

Thus, what do we do when we see others suffering injustice? Do we have the courage to protest, even at the cost of losing our jobs and lives? Today we called to speak the truth no matter the cost, for the world needs to hear the truth at all cost. This is the evidence in our first reading today, where the Lord gave the people instructions on how to coordinate themselves in their promised land for he said let none of you wrong his neighbour, but fear your God.

 

LET US PRAY:  Lord God, it is difficult to speak and stand for truth in our world today, give us the grace and courage to become instrument of your word in truth and in deeds just like St. John the Baptist. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God’s favour

Thursday, 3 August 2023

Homily For Friday of Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 4th August, 2023. The Memorial of St. John Mary Vianney

Readings: Lev. 23:1.4-11.15-16.27.34-37; Ps. 81; Matt. 13:54-58

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

STOP LOOKING DOWN ON PEOPLE FOR YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WILL BE YOUR HELPER TOMORROW

 

In life people are quick to neglect and look down on others, who they believed cannot offer them anything good at the moment. They are quick to forget that everyone, no matter the present condition is a potential instrument for God's blessings. This is the ugly attitudes of the people of Nazareth in our Gospel passage today.

 

For when Jesus came to his home town and taught the people in the synagogue in such a way that they were astonished, but instead of embracing the message of Jesus, they treated him with contempt and in their pride they said: ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? This is the carpenter’s son, surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers and sisters here with us? Where did he get all these?’ And they would not accept him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house’, and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

 

Thus, out of pride and contempt the people rejected the blessings God has for them. Today this kind of ugly attitude is what stops people from doing good, because they don’t want to be treated with contempt and as a result, a lot of people have been deprived of their blessings out  of human pride and contempt.

 

This is what the Lord is addressing through Moses in our first reading today. For he said when you enter the land that I give you, and gather in the harvest there, you must bring the first sheaf of your harvest to the priest, and he is to present it to the Lord with the gesture of offering, so that you may be acceptable.

 

This is what we see in the life of John Mary Vianney, whose memorial we celebrate today, for he accepted who he was and was determined with faith to achieve his dreams through humility and persistence. For through his life of holiness, preaching, prayer and penance he was able to transformed the life of the people of his time without looking down on anyone.

 

Dear friends, do not treat anyone with contempt, for everyone is a potential instrument of God’s blessings and favour. And if you want to make a difference in life, be ready to ignore what people are saying about you now, forget you past failures and your humble beginning. People may not appreciate you now, they may even say all kinds of things about you, just to humiliate and discourage you.

 

Put all of them behind you, work hard for your dreams, give your time to it, sacrifice your sleep and comfort, sweat for it, plan for it, overcome all your terrors of opposition, enduring pains and obstacles, with the help of God you will succeed and become a source of God's blessings. Then you will sing joyfully to God your strength and all the people will gather about you in praise of your God. And they will say: Is not this the Carpenter's son or daughter? Where then did he get all this? Yes, that's who we are, for Jesus is the Carpenter of our success and salvation.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, oftentimes in our pride we treat people with contempt because of their humble background, give us the grace to realize that everyone is a potential instrument of your blessings and favour to humanity.  and as we struggle towards our goals, may you through the intercession of St. Vianney crown all our efforts and sacrifices with success. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Peace be with you.

Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Homily For Thursday Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 3rd August, 2023



Readings: Ex. 40:16-21.34-38; Ps. 84; Matt 13:47-53

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

LET THE LORD MOULD YOU TO BECOME HIS HEAVENLY VESSEL

 

A story was told of a beautiful clay pot used to decorate a garden. The clay pot was the point of attraction to all including it’s fellow ordinary clay. So one day the ordinary clay approached the beautiful clay pot and said, we have no doubt that you are clay just like us. But how come you have become so beautiful and special that everyone admires you? The clay pot smiles and said: there was a time when I was nothing but a dumb lump of red clay. Then one day a Potter came with a digger and a hoe, dung me out of the dumb lump and painfully separated me from my fellow clay and brought me to his house I cried out but he ignored me.

 

He rolled and pounded me on a wooden table several times without mercy. I cried out, don’t do that! Leave me alone!’ But the Potter suddenly placed me on a spinning wheel and suddenly spun around and around and around until I lost all consciousness. Just when I thought it was over, he placed me carefully into an oven which is hotter than the hell fire.

 

Why me! I cried out in anguish! But the potter only smiled and gently said: because you are special! I struggled, I yelled, knocked and broke several times, but the Potter was patient and meticulous in ensuring that I adjusted to his will. Realizing that I cannot win, I surrender completely to the will of the Potter and he only nodded in understanding and quietly said: “is not over yet!

 

Then he pulled me out of the oven, when the heat became cooled he carefully picked me up, dust away some dirt and behold I was totally transformed, looking so beautiful and special. And the potter smiled and said:  this is what you are meant to be. For God has made you into a special vessel for special purpose.

 

This story reflect our relationship with God who is our Potter. For God has created humanity as beautiful clay in his hands to be molded into a beautiful and special vessel for heavenly kingdom. But humanity have sinned and rebelled against God and his plan for us, just like the people of Israel in our first reading today. For knowing how stiff-necked they were, God sent Moses to build a tabernacle of his presence from where he guild and mould his people along their journey according to his plan after they had repented and turned away from their sinful ways of life.

 

Hence we are called to repentance and cooperate with God's grace,  for there will be a day of judgement of which Jesus in our Gospel passage, used a parable to describe that the kingdom of heaven will be like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in fish of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. Here Jesus is telling us that the kingdom is open for all but not all can be suitable to dwell in it, only those who on the judgement day are found suitable can be admitted into the kingdom.

 

Dear friends, God is our potter, we are nothing but raw clay hoping to be moulded into heavenly vessels. So, all God required from us is for us to let him mould us to become his heavenly vessels. No doubt that sin has destroy our original nature, but just like when the pot a potter was shaping spoils in his hands and he forms it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. So will God re-mould us into a new vessel for his heavenly kingdom if we repent from our pride and sinful ways of life.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, sin and pride has separated humanity from your plans for us, today we come to you like a clay in a dump lump, be our Potter once again and re-mould us into that heavenly vessels which you planned for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Tuesday Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 21st January 2025. The Memorial of St. Agnes of Rome

Readings: Heb. 6:10-20, Ps. 110, Mark 2:23-28 Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia. THE LAW IS MADE OF MAN AND NOT MAN FOR THE LAW There is no d...