Homily For First Sunday of Advent Year B, 3rd December, 2023

Readings: Is 63:16-17,64:1,3-8 , Ps.80, 1Cor 1:3-9, Mark. 13:33-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

KEEP HOPE ALIVE AND YOU WILL STAY AWAKE FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

 

Today is a special Sunday in the life of the Holy Mother Church because it is the first Sunday of Advent, and every first Sunday of Advent the Church begins another liturgical year within the three years of A, B and C in the liturgical circle of the Church, of which we are celebrating year B in this year’s Advent season. The season of Advent as we know is one of the important seasons in the life of every Christian. The word Advent stems from the Latin root, Adventus, which means 'arrival' though from the root word advenire whereby ad means 'to' and venire means 'come' that is to come or the coming of someone great, in this case, the coming of Our Lord Jesus.

 

So Advent is a period of intense preparations and a time of waiting in hope for the coming of the Lord which is in two folds: first the coming of the Messiah that is the birth of Jesus at Christmas and second, the return of Jesus at the Second Coming “ the parousia”. This is why the Advent season is divided into two parts the first which runs from the first Sunday until the 16th of December dwells on the second coming of Christ the eschatological aspect of Advent. While the second aspect which focuses on the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem runs from 17th -24th December.

 

Thus, Advent is a season characterized with four major themes which include: ‘Hope’, ‘Peace’, ‘Joy’ and ‘Love’ these themes run within the four Sundays in Advent. So, on this first Sunday of Advent, our focus is on hope. A joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour who is our hope. Thus, as we anticipate the birth of Christ who is the source of our salvation, our hope and the Light that dispels the darkness of this world. So it is our duty as Christians to keep hope alive in the world for as long as there is hope, no situation is impossible.

 

But what should be our disposition this season? Our disposition should be one of watchful expectation in order to recognize the Lord and be at peace with him when he comes. We are to be ready and prepared to welcome him with joy in our daily lives. Hence, this is the season of reconciliation between us and God, when we have to reexamine our ways of life. It is a time of reconfiguration of our lives to that of Christ our Lord and also to take stock of what we have done and what we are going to do from now onwards. Our disposition to welcoming the Lord take place by our ways of doing things, our desire for conversion and holiness, which shapes our lives more to that of Christ who showers his love, mercy and compassion to all.

 

 This is what the readings of this season call our attention to, especially in the twofold coming of Christ as we have it in today’s readings. Thus, in the first reading, we heard from the prophet Isaiah the lamentations over the misfortune that has befallen the people of God who now hope for the coming of the Messiah. In our second reading, we heard how the people of Corinth are confident that as they wait for Christ's coming in glory, they will remain steadfast in bearing witness to the gifts God has bestowed on them. While the Gospel urges us to be awake at all times for our salvation is very near so that we will not be taken by surprise and unprepared.

 

Dear friends, today, we are called to be ready, we are called to repentance, and we are called to embrace the new life the Lord is offering us. We are called to a life of constant struggle towards perfection.  we are called to keep hope alive and we will stay awake for the coming of the Lord. That’s what this season of Advent is all about and the Church is offering us another opportunity to encounter the Lord personally and to make that encounter a permanent experience. We should place our hope in Christ for while there is hope there is life. For it is because of the Lord that we can hope once again, knowing that beyond the sufferings of humanity due to sin and death, there is Light that dispels the falsehoods of evil and the despair of darkness that covers the whole world and this Light is what keeps our hope alive.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace this season in expectation of the coming of Christ your Son, may the Holy Spirit inspire us to have the right disposition that will enable us to embrace the Lord when he comes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday and God bless you.

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 2nd December, 2023

Readings: Dan. 7:15-27; Ps. Dan. 3:82-87; Luke:21:34-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

DO NOT LET THE CARES FOR THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD ROB YOU THE GRACE OF HEAVEN

 

 

The things of this world are so captivating that if we are not careful we will be like a foolish traveller who having encountered a pleasant garden forgets to continue towards his destination. This is exactly what Jesus is trying to draw our attention to in our Gospel passage today when he said: Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth.

 

Here Jesus is reprimanding us concerning the danger of attaching ourselves so deeply to the things of this passing world. For we are often interested in the external beauty of things around us while neglecting the essence of life. We are interested only in worldly goods and not the things of the heart like justice, mercy, love and compassion. So Jesus is telling us to change our ugly ways of life, for it is time for us to look into our lives and examine ourselves to know whether we have been living in accordance with God’s will, or whether we have fallen astray. Then, we can also look forward towards the life that is to come which God has promised us through his Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

And what becomes of us after this coming of our Lord is what prophet Daniel in our first reading is talking about when he said: All sovereignty and kingship, and the splendours of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty and every empire will serve and obey him.’

 

Dear friends, we must not let the cares of the things of this passing world rob us of the grace of heaven since we believe that our true homeland is in heaven. But how are we preparing to embrace our heavenly home? Today people hardly reflect about the coming of Christ that was so strong in the early days of the Christian movement which left a strong impression upon the disciples of Christ. So like the servants awaiting their master’s return, we are called to be ready and to watch at all times for the day of the Lord which will come at the hour we do not know.

 

Thus, we are to be prepared knowing that our most important ‘treasure’ is our heavenly home which God has promised to give us. Therefore, the best thing we can do with our worldly possessions is to use them for the good of others especially the poor since we are responsible and accountable for one another’s welfare. And this divine generosity is meant to help us in preparation for the coming of Christ. Remember what really matters in life is our capacity and readiness to receive what God has in store for us in heaven.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we continue our struggles with the ugly events of this passing world, may you continue to guide us and strengthen us in our journey of life and help us to endure our trials and challenges, for you alone are our source of strength, hope and fulfilment in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 1st December, 2023. Happy New Month

Readings: Dan. 7:2-14; Ps.Dan.3:53-59; Luke:21:29-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

HEAVEN AND EARTH MAY PASS AWAY BUT THE WORD OF GOD WILL NEVER PASS AWAY.

 

St. John of the Cross one of the doctors and mystics of the Church says that: the further you withdraw from earthly things the closer you approach heavenly things and the more you find yourself in God. This advice will be very helpful as we come to the end of this liturgical year and about to embrace the season of Advent, when the Church calls our attention on the need to be prepared for the coming of the Lord and most of our readings draw our attention to this.

 

Thus, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us about the passing away of the things of this world and the dreadful events associated with it in relation to the end-time events. He illustrates the signs of this event with the story of the fig tree, telling us to take notice of the signs of the times for they will help us to discern between what is of true value and what is passing away. Here Jesus presents the final recommendations of the end-time. He insists that we should pay rapt attention to the signs nature is giving us concerning the end-time events, that these signs should lead us to have hope founded firmly on the word of God which drives away fear and despair, knowing that the kingdom of God is very near to us.

 

And this is what we have in our first reading today, where we heard about the vision of the prophet Daniel talking about the passing away of the kingdoms and things of this world and the coming of God’s Kingdom when he said: I gazed into the visions of the night. And 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.

 

Dear friends, heaven and earth will pass away but God's Word will never pass away. So this new month we are reminded once again that all those who refuse to believe in God after hearing his words but choose to follow the devil and his false prophets will be destroyed and defeated completely. For he and his agents and those who follow him will be thrown into the burning lake of eternal darkness. While God’s faithful people will triumph victoriously into heaven.

 

But how are we embracing the word of God we hear at this period? What signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs of this time, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these signs make us dread the second coming of the Lord or joyfully embrace it in anticipation? Remember, the words of Jesus are truth that will never pass away. Therefore, Stand erect, and hold your heads high, because our liberation is near at hand.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, humanity has been greatly deceived by the devil, who has made us so attached to the things of this passing world. As we embrace your words this season, may our souls once again long and yearn for you our God, the living God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New Month and may the joy of the Lord reign in your heart.

Homily For Thursday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 30th November, 2023.The Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Readings Rom 10:9-18; Ps.19:2-5; Matt 4:18-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

CAN YOU LEAVE THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD AND FOLLOW THE LORD?

 

As this month comes to an end, liturgy of today presents to us the feast of St Andrew one of the Apostles of Christ and our Gospel today tells us the story of how a call from the Lord changed the direction of the lives of the first disciples, who left everything and followed him. Andrew being one of them, was previously one of the disciple of St. John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ. Andrew according to scriptures proclaimed the good news to his brother, Peter (John 1:40-41). He was the one who brought the boy with loaves of bread and fish to him so that he might give them to the people all waiting in hunger. And St Andrew sets an example that points certain things at the heart of preaching the Gospel. He was involved in introducing the Greeks to Jesus and also joined in spreading the Gospel beyond the confines of Palestine.

 

The life of St Andrew shows us that being a preacher involves having a clear conviction and faith in Jesus and readiness to share this faith and conviction with others. He dedicated himself just as his brother Peter and the other Apostles in ministering to the people and proclaiming the Lord’s coming. And even after the Lord had ascended into Heaven, he continued to preach the faith. He brought the faith to many places such as Ukraine, Russia, the Balkans, Greece and other places.

 

Andrew worked hard in spreading the Good News to those who are yet to witness the Lord and embrace his salvation. For through him many were converted and inspired by his works and preaching. He also established many Churches and built foundation for many Christian communities. He was  the first Bishop of the Christian community in the city of Constantinople. However, Andrew like other Apostles encountered persecution and sufferings in Greece, where he was arrested, and was greatly tortured and eventually martyred by crucifixion. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is referred today as the Cross of St. Andrew, in memory of his faith and dedication to the mission of Christ.

 

Dear friends, like St. Andrew can we leave the things of this passing world and follow the Lord? How are we responding to the invitation to leave behind the things of this passing world and following the Lord? No doubt that following the Lord requires leaving behind the things if this passing world. So, today we are called like St Andrew to follow Jesus and following Jesus means leaving behind the ugly ways of  life we have now and embracing the new life God is offering to us. When we opt to follow Jesus, our life revolves around him. It’s no longer what we feel like doing, but what his word instructs us to do. It also means leaving behind our sinful ways of life and embracing the holiness of life. Therefore, let St. Andrew be our inspiration and role model in our response to the calling of the Lord to spread the Good News.

 

So let us be conscious of what St. Paul is telling us in our first reading when he said: But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent. Hence, the Lord is sending us, let us follow the good examples of St. Andrew in responding to the Lord's Invitation to follow him.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are called to follow your Son Jesus, as we respond to this call, may we through the intercession of St Andrew find inner joy in our soul that will prompt us to spread the Good News of the Gospel with faith and conviction. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.

Homily For Wednesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 29th November, 2023.

Readings: Dan. 5:1-6.13-14.16-17.23-28; Ps. Dan. 3:40-45; Luke:21:12-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

YOUR ENDURANCE WILL WIN YOU YOUR LIVES

 

Everywhere in the world 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. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situations, 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 this ugly situation.

 

Thus, Jesus in our Gospel passage today declares that his followers are going to be persecuted on account of bearing witness to his name, a reality that will put even our most cherished relationships to the test: we will be betrayed and persecuted by our closest relations and friends. However, we should not prepare any defense, because God myself shall give us an eloquence and a wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

 

Here, Jesus not only describes what his followers will have to endure but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he recommends that there comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure, rather than despair. By their endurance, they will gain their lives. Hence, a period of persecution is a time to bear witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity. Just like Daniel in our first reading today, who courageously bears great witness before the king by interpreting the mystery of the message God sent to the King who has defiled the sacred vessels.

 

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News are 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 economic, social, security and political situations around us of which it’s troubles and conflicts are affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in this time of difficulties. For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he will give us victory for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing to the Gospel, especially in these difficult times, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 28th November, 2023

Readings Dan.2: 31-45; Ps. Dan. 3:35-39; Luke:21:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

BE PREPARED FOR THE END-TIME EVENT, DO NOT BE DECEIVED

 

As we approach the season of Advent, we are reminded of the need to be well-prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom. This is evident in our readings these days and more so in our Gospel passage today which presents to us warnings about the end times. Here we see how those who were listening to Jesus were anxious to know what signs to look out for concerning the End Times event. But the timing of such an event is God’s secret.

 

So, today Jesus warns us not to waste our time seeking for signs, rather we should be prepared, and we should remain firm in faith. He also warns us about following those who claim to know when the end is coming. We may see many of the signs written in Scripture happening already in our time and people are terrified looking for someone to show them the way. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. For without him in our lives, we may be lost, because the future lies in his hands and nothing can destroy or hurt us as long as we remain faithful to his commands.

 

Dear friends, we must be prepared for the end-time event, let us not be deceived by the things of this world. So, our lives as Christians demand that we should be alert and ready. We should be prepared at all times for this world is passing away. Hence, we are called to abstain from things that will separate us from our God. We are called to look into our inner being, our interior life, in order to embrace the life of holiness and self-control that will help us to be more prepared to do the will of God just like Daniel in our first reading today, who courageously told the vision of King Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted it in order to help the King be more prepared to embrace the will and plan of God.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, we often failed to listen to your warnings concerning our excess desire for the things of this passing world and the need for us to prepare and be ready for your coming, give us the grace and wisdom to be well prepared to stand before you whenever you call us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 27th November, 2023

Readings: Dan.1:1-6.8-20; Ps. Dan. 3:29-34; Luke:21:1-4

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

OUR GRATITUDE TO GOD MUST BE SACRIFICIAL

 

Thanksgiving is one of the best ways of showing gratitude to God for the good things we have received from him. This great act of charity should be done with a grateful heart. Our attitude and intention towards this act is what God desires to see. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus observes the attitude of people towards their thanksgiving offertory. He commented on the attitude of people who give out of their abundance, while commending the attitude of the poor widow who from her heart gave sincerely everything that she had, expressing her faith and love for God through this wonderful gesture.

 

Here, Jesus tells us that what matters is not the amount we give, but what lies in our heart, the strength of our generosity comes from the heart. Today Jesus invites us to open our hearts and be ready to give in a sacrificial way like this poor widow in our Gospel. For God, who knows our heart, looks at our efforts. The truth is that the greatest gift we can give to anyone is the gift of love, for it is only in true love that one can truly give all that he has without reservations.

 

So, as Christians, it is our obligation to follow the Lord’s teaching and dedicate ourselves and all that we have to him wholeheartedly, in faith and love at all times just like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah in our first reading who remain faithful to God. And God favoured them with knowledge and intelligence in everything connected with literature, and in wisdom; while Daniel had the gift of interpreting every kind of vision and dream.

 

Dear friends, let our thanksgiving to the Lord not only come from the abundance of what we have but from true and sacrificial love that comes from our heart expressing our gratitude, faith and love for God and our neighbour. Only such offertory and thanksgiving are pleasing to God and acceptable to him.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, all we have is giving to us out of your abundant good. May we learn to show gratitude sacrificially for such a great gift and so gain more favour from you. We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Do have a fruitful week ahead.