Homily For Friday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 25th August, 2023

Readings:  Ruth 1:1.3-6.14-16.22; Ps.146; Matt. 22:34-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE FROM US IN THIS LIFE?

 

Oftentimes, when we are faced with the realities of life, we want to know the things that should be our first priority. What should be the most important thing to focus our energy? What should become the foundation of all the things we need to do? In fact, we always desire to know what is required of us in this life.

 

This is the deposition of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in our Gospel passage today, who came together and asked Jesus question concerning which commandment is the greatest. In response Jesus reminded them of the 'Shema Israel' - שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, the prayer that they knew and recite from their earliest years from which they learned that the most important thing in life is to love God with all their heart, and with all thy soul, and with all their mind; that is, with all the powers and the more noble faculties of the soul, the mind, the understanding, judgment, and will. Jesus then added that, to love one’s neigbhour is the second priority.

 

In other words, loving God with all our heart, with all our understanding and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves is what is required of us and it is the foundation of all the things we have to do. And Jesus set as the standard of love not just by the love he was able to show, but the depth of love which he shows by dying and rising for our salvation.

 

Dear friends, love is the center of all the teachings of Jesus, for love is a gift from God to humanity. It is like the stream water, so innocent and pure. A true love is not hidden, it radiates from the innermost being of a person who experience it. If we love God, then, we will see him in others and treat them justly and honourably. We will not hurt our neighbours but do our utmost best to live in peace with them. Just like Ruth in our first reading today, who because of love said to Naomi: ‘Do not press me to leave you and to turn back from your company, for ‘wherever you go, I will go, wherever you live, I will live. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’

 

The truth is that, the absence of love is the cause of all the problems in our world today as most families exist by grace and not by love. Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we all love one another. How I wish we can invest our time and resources in ensuring love, justice and unity in our dealings with one another. Believe me we will not only be fulfilling the first and greatest commandments of God, but we will be building a happy society.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in you we found the fullness of love, may we truly love you and our neighbours and so conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and corruption, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful Friday.

Homily For Thursday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 24th August, 2023. Feast of St. Bartholomew

Readings: Rev. 21:9-14, Ps. 145, John 1:45-51

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

YOU CAN BE THAT SIGN OF INTEGRITY IN A WORLD FULL OF DECEPTION AND CORRUPTION

 

In our society today, morals and virtuous actions are no longer valuable and fashionable as the society seems to be living, promoting and celebrating artful deception, dishonesty, corruption and fraudsters. Integrity has become virus to be eliminated as quickly as possible while heroes of deception and fraudsters are honored and celebrated.

 

Today we are called to change this ugly attitude and learn from St Bartholomew whose feast we celebrate today. A man of integrity whom Jesus in our Gospel passage today gave a great compliment when he met him and said “Behold an Israelite in whom there is no guile.” For there was no deception in him. Jesus could see right away that he was forthright, honest, open, plainspoken, straightforward, innocent and unpretentious.

 

Bartholomew is commonly known as Nathaniel in the Gospel according to John. A name which means “gift of God” and tradition has it that he preached the Gospel to Armenia, where he embraced martyrdom by being skinned alive before being beheaded. He is now known to be the patron of butchers, plasterers, tanners and he is also invoked to intercede in cases of convulsions.

 

Bartholomew thought that nothing good can come out of Nazareth, but when he encountered Jesus, he exclaimed, “Rabbi you are the son of God” and Jesus acknowledge his faith and promised him that he will see the heaven opened angels ascending and descending. Just like the angel revealed in our first reading saying: ‘Come here and I will show you the bride that the Lamb has married.’ In the spirit, he took me to the top of an enormous high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven. It had all the radiant glory of God and glittered like some precious jewel of crystal-clear diamond.

 

This teaches us that we should not underrate people because of their humbled background. But like Phillip who introduced Jesus to Nathaniel, we are called to share our experience of Jesus with those we encounter in life no matter their background and ideology.

 

Dear friends, the world needs people of integrity like that of St Bartholomew and today we are called to imitate him, and be that sign of integrity in a world full of corruption and deceit. Let our everyday encounter with Jesus help to transform us, and by so doing we can transform the ugly situation in our societies and the world at large through our witnessing.

 

Therefore, let us like Bartholomew be courageous and exemplary in our actions, so that, living by our faith and doing what the Lord has commanded us to do, we may become great instrument that will win more people and save many more souls for the Lord.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are reminded of the need to live a life of integrity and witnessing in a world full of deception and corruption. Grant us through the intercession of St Bartholomew, the grace to embrace your word and experience your presence in our lives and so change our ugly and sinful ways of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you uncommon favour from the Lord.

Homily For Wednesday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 23rd August, 2023.

Readings:  Judges 9:6-15; PS.21; Matt. 20:1-16

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

LEARN TO WAIT ON GOD'S TIME EVEN AT THE LAST HOUR

 

Oftentimes, when we are passing through the dark moment of life, it seems as if all hope is gone. We put up all our energy and enthusiasm struggling and hoping for a better and brighter moment. Sometimes it seems as if that brighter moment won’t come especially with the present situation in our country today.

 

The truth is that, our time of favour and success is not determine by how long or strenuous we have struggled, but on our disposition towards God's time of grace and generosity, for God alone decides how to reward us for our efforts. All we need is to be disposed to do his will at all times.

 

This is what the parable of the vineyard labourers in our Gospel passage today is teaching us, especially as regards to our disposition towards embracing the kingdom of God. So from the Gospel, the landowner went beyond justice, for motivated by compassion he employed labourers at different times and at the end he decided to paid them the same wages as agreed with those who were hired first, of which they felt bad for the landowner’s generosity towards those hired last.

 

Here the human mind suspects injustice, while the heart of God sees only an opportunity to be generous. This generosity of God calls us to be generous too; but out of envy we often selfishly consider ourselves more deserving than others.

However, we can identify three kinds of persons from this parable: First, those who are like the landowner who hires people to get a job done, but with sympathies for those to be employed. Secondly, the unemployed waiting desperately in the market place and thirdly, the labourers who consider themselves more deserving than others. 

 

Now, we all need to ask ourselves, among these three groups where do I belong? This is important because the way workers and labourers are being treated in our societies this days are really appalling. For those who are meant to lead and shepherd the people are talking advantage of the people they are called to shepherd. Thus, we heard Jotham in our first reading today saying: Hear me, leaders of Shechem, that God may also hear you. For we must learn to do the right thing always.

 

Dear friends, today, the duties neglected by our leaders are going to be taken over by God himself, who is the Good Shepherd. He assures us that even though we are the least, the nobodies and most neglected in the eyes of the world, He will not forget us, for He has time and plan for everyone and will continue to provide for our daily needs. But warns the leaders that they should change their greedy and sinful ways, because when the Lord’s time comes, the last will be the first and the first, last. For in his kingdom, there is time and plan for everyone with equal grace and equal status. So we must learn to wait on God’s time even at the last hour.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, today you promised to take good care of your sheep yourself as you warn us to change from our sinful, greed and corrupt ways of life. Help us to change and be more caring, loving and to always be disposed to doing your will. As we wait on your time Lord, may your favour follow us even to the last hour, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 22nd August, 2023. The Queenship Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings:  Judges 6:11-24; Ps. 85; Matt. 19:23-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO DETACH FROM THE MATERIAL THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD?

 

Material possessions are gifts from God and he alone gives us the right to them. But what we possess is meant to help us grow in our relationship with God and neighours not to separate us from them, because if we are not careful, too much love for material possession can be an obstacle on our way to God’s Kingdom.

 

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today says:  “I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”. When the disciples heard this they were astonished. And they said, “Who can be saved, then?” Jesus gazed at them and said “For men this is impossible; for God everything is possible”.

 

Here, Jesus tells his disciples about the need to live a life of detachment. For they saw how the rich young man was so sad when Jesus demanded that he should share his possessions with others in order to acquire treasures in heaven by following him. Thus, there is need for us to be prune from our excess love for material possession, because, for a camel to enter through a narrow gate, it must kneel in order for its load to be taken off. We too must learn how to humble and detach ourselves from excess attachment to material things of this passing world.

 

The fact remains, that, material possessions in themselves are good, for we would not survive for long without them, but excess attachment to it at the expense of eternal life is grade one suicide. No doubt, it is difficult to give out or share our possession, but the ones who give up everything are the ones who receives more in this life as well as in heaven, just like Gideon in our first reading, who when encountered the angel of the Lord said:  I beg you, do not go away until I come back. I will bring you my offering and set it down before you.’

 

Dear friends, why is it difficult for us to detach from the material things of this passing world? For detaching and sharing what we possess with others especially the poor is a sure way to finding life, peace and happiness. And Jesus is telling us that it will be difficult for us to enter his kingdom when we choose to attach ourselves in the riches of this passing world.

 

Though material possessions are gifts from God and he alone gives us the right to have them, but what we possess is not meant to separate us from God, rather, they should help us to grow in our relationship with God and neighours, Just like Mary whose memorial of her Queenship we celebrate today.

 

This memorial event follows the solemnity of Assumption which we celebrated eight days ago. For without the Assumption, there can be no Queenship of Mary. This is so because, we believe that Mary, who was assumed or taken up body and soul into Heavenly glory, is now seated in Heaven at the right hand of her Son Jesus, as the Queen of Heaven. 

 

For by virtue of our Lord Jesus being the King of heaven, it follows that his mother is honoured as the Queen. And this Queenship of our Lady was established by Pope Pius XII in 1954, at the end of the Marian Year. Therefore, let us strive to follow Mary’s examples of faith, dedication, detachment and total commitment to God.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are living in a world where materialism is the order of the day, help us to learn how to live a life of detachment and prune us always from the sin of pride, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 21st August, 2023. The Memorial of St. Pius X

Readings: Judges 2:11-19; Ps. 106; Matt. 19:16-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHY DID HE GO AWAY SAD?

 

The way people are so much attached to the things of this passing world with little or no attention to the things that edifice the soul is quite alarming. People can go to any length to acquire properties, treasures, fame, influence and power that will last from forth to tenth generations, without thinking of that which will lead to life eternal.

 

This is likely the mind set of the young man in our Gospel passage today, who claimed to have kept all the commandment without realizing that he has actually abandoned the fundamental principle of the commandment which have to do with loving and caring for others especially the poor.

 

So Jesus draws his attention to this fundamental principle of our human existence, when he said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me”. This really touched his ego and pride, so he suddenly became very sad and dejected, and went away sorrowfully.

 

This is why a proud and possessive person will find it difficult to remain faithful in their relationship with God and neighours just like the people of Israel in our first reading, who have constantly being disobedient and proud in their relationship with God and their neighbours, an ugly attitude that is leading them to destruction.

 

So the Lord in anger handed them over to pillagers who plundered them; he delivered them to the enemies surrounding them. However, out of mercy God appointed judges for them, and rescued them from the hands of their plunderers. But they would not listen to their judges. They prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed down before the idols.

 

Dear friends, today Jesus touched the very thing that this young rich man was not ready to give up, his money, his houses, his credentials, his power, pride and all his wealth and that was why he went away sad before the Lord. But, if we are honest enough, we will admit that we all have some things we would be very slow to let go if Jesus should make the same demand of us. Things we would not like God to ask us to give up.

 

In fact, it might be a good thing today for us to ask ourselves, what would be the most difficult thing for us to give up if Jesus should ask us to do so. It might be some thing we own like our house, or it might be a relationship, or our job, or our wealth or our secret immoral and sinful habits. Whatever one posses that will separate us from our mission of following Jesus and loving our neighbours, today we are called to give them up and come follow the Lord, just like  St. Pope Pius X, whose memorial we celebrate today, for he is known for his love for God and his neighbours in simplicity of heart. So, let us strive to follow St. Pius examples of faith, dedication and total commitment to God, for he put into practice the word of God he heard.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are so much attached to things of this passing world, help us to know that excess attachment to our earthly possessions could be an obstacle on our way to your Kingdom. Give us the grace to let go of things that often separate us from you as we learn to share with our neighbours especially the poor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen Do have a great week ahead.

Homily For Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 20th August, 2023

Readings: Is. 56:1.6-7; Ps. 67; Rom. 11:13-15.29-32; Matt. 15:21-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

WHEN YOU ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE, GOD BRINGS THE BEST IN YOU AND PLACE YOU WHERE YOU TRULY BELONG

 

Most people in our society today, hardly accept who they are. For some people spent all their resources and energy trying to convince others of what or who they are even when they are not, just to seek recognition and approval. Some even go as far as changing their identity, just for the sake of belonging to a particular class or to obtain favour or job opportunities. 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 granted immediately because of 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 challenged to prove it with a sign. But here in the Gentile territory he met a woman who was convinced he was the Messiah and he could not discourage her efforts.

 

For this apparent attempt to put her off was just a test, of which her great faith was confirmed by the acceptance of her humble background. Some people suggested that Jesus had been a racist and this woman changed him, but that’s not the case here, because Jesus was actually at the Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon which are the two main Phoenician cities better known as Canaanitish tribes, which is an amalgamation of different groups of people known as the Canaanites living in the land of Canaan.

 

Therefore we can understand better why the woman 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.

 

In this dramatical gesture, she demonstrated her submission to the historical privilege of Israel as the chosen people of God over the Gentiles, as she wishes to partake from the grace that is freely given to the Gentiles which the Jews have rejected.

 

This was one of the background behind Paul’s missionary journey when he turned to Gentiles because the Jews have rejected the message of Jesus as the Messiah. Just as we heard him saying in our second reading today, “I have been sent to the pagans as their apostle, and I am proud of being sent, but the purpose of it is to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them. Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their admission will mean? Nothing less than a resurrection from the dead! For God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.

 

Therefore we have to change from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of our disobedience, so that those who are disobedient now, are so only because of the mercy shown to you, of which they will also enjoy mercy eventually if turned back to God. For God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all humanity”.

 

Therefore, the event in the story of the Canaanite woman in our Gospel passage today can be interpreted as part of the development of redemptive history, moving from the event of the Old Testament towards the missionary activities of the New Testament, of which God through prophet Isaiah in our first reading today, made us to understand this development.

 

This is clear  when he said: “foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord, to serve him and to love his name and be his servants, all who observe the Sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant, these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples”.

 

 This concept truly describe the Christian understanding of the relationship between the Gentiles and Jews, and the Church as universal, that is, open for all who wish to embrace God’s kingdom. Even though the kingdom had to be fully offered first to the Jews, in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the kingdom. However, since they have rejected it, then it has to be made open to all.

 

That is why Jesus went into Gentile territory and did this miracle for this Gentile woman in a dramatical way that is different from the other miracles in the Jewish territory, which shows also the willingness of the Gentiles to embrace the faith. And in this woman, Jesus affirms that there are Gentiles who had greater faith than the Jews who were rejecting and challenging his teachings. Hence, this passage teaches us about God’s grace that he offers to all humanity and faith of the people who are willing to embrace his salvation.

 

Dear friends, we must stop wasting valuable time trying to prove who we are not, let us first in faith humble ourselves and 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 our present condition in order to look forward to who we will be in the future.

 

For when we accept who we are, God brings out the best in us and places us where we truly belong. So, whatever we want to do, let us have faith in God and in ourselves, and be determined, because, faith, determination, sacrifice and persistency 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 persistently 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 woman who accepted who she was and was determined with faith to achieve her dream through humility and persistency.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the Canaanite woman accepted her humble background with great faith in your Son Jesus, as we humbly make a leap of faith today, with determination, sacrifice and persistency towards our dreams in life, may you grant our hearts desires. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed Sunday.

Homily For Saturday Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 19th August, 2021

Readings: Jos. 24:14-29; Ps. 16; Matt. 19:13-15

Rev. Fr.  Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

CHOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE: THE LIVING GOD OR THINGS THAT HAVE MADE THEMSELVES GOD?

 

What determines our attitude and behaviour in life is our fundamental option, which has to do with our choice for or against God. This is a choice we make consciously or unconsciously that guides and shape our lives. Knowing the importance of this choice, Joshua in our first reading had to make this option for himself and his family and also encouraging others to do the same when he said to the people of Israel "choose this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".

 

The choice for God is a choice for love, and a life of love is a sacrificial life neither easy nor comfortable. A kind of choice made by the people of Israel who said to Joshua: we have no intention of deserting the Lord and serving other gods! Was it not the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery, who worked those great wonders before our eyes and preserved us all along the way we travelled and among all the peoples through whom we journeyed? What is more, the Lord drove all those peoples out before us, as well as the Amorites who used to live in this country. We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’  What a great Choice and lesson for us.

 

This tells us that we need to learn how to make a fundamental choice for God above all other things. This is important because most people are making wrong choices as a result of their too much attachment to the passing things of this world. Most people have made gods out of the material things of this world. And they want other people to join them to worship these material gods. For this reason most people are finding it difficult to listen to what God is saying to them, because the gods of the things of this passing world are looking very captivating but behind them are destruction and disaster.

 

 Dear friends, today we are required to chose whom we will serve: the living God or the gods of the things of this passing world. Let us chose the living God by identifying ourselves with Christ who is full of love, goodness and holiness and so build a good relationship with others. We must learn to sacrifice in humility just like Jesus who loves little children and care about them.

 

Little wonder Jesus said in our Gospel passage today: ‘Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ So, Jesus appreciate it when in childlike humility we make the fundamental option to serve God and to sacrifice for the good of others, for we are called to taste and see that the Lord is good.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are called today to choose whom we will serve. As we make this fundamental option to serve you, help us to live by this option all the days of our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It's another weekend, may the Holy Spirit guide and direct our activities.