Homily For Friday First Week of Advent Year B, 8th December, 2023. The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings 1 Gen. 3:9-15.20; Ps 98; Eph. 1:3-6.11-12; Luke.1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE REWARDS OF SAYING YES TO GOD'S PLAN

 

Today we contemplate the role of Mary in God’s plan for our salvation. Following this role, the Church ascribes some special prerogatives or privileges to her. These prerogatives concern what the Faith of the Church affirms in connection with the Blessed Virgin Mary. They include her Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity, her assumption into heaven and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of other prerogatives. So, today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception one of these prerogatives which shows her special role in the universal plan of God.

 

The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception refers to the moment when Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. That very moment when she came into existence as willed by God. She was immaculately conceived because of the role she will play as the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ. Immaculate, means pure without fault, free from the taint of the original sin.

 

And Mary by this privilege full of grace and remained free from sin throughout her life by the will of God, for  God chose to make her worthy of his Presence. Since, our God who is pure, perfect and sinless could not have dwelled in a womb tainted by sin. Hence, in today’s Solemnity of Immaculate Conception, we celebrate one of the four great Marian Dogmas, as defined by the Church in the state of Mary, being the Mother of God, the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Thus, our Gospel passage today presents to us the story of the annunciation by the angel to Mary. An event which immediately precedes the story of the annunciation to Zechariah (1:5-25). These two stories are unique and special. The condition of the women in these stories reveals the unique plan of God for each one of them because, neither Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife) nor Mary at that moment was a likely candidate for motherhood.

 

This is so because, Elizabeth was too old, so John’s birth will require a miracle. Mary was a virgin, so Jesus’ birth will require even a greater miracle. But in all, God planned and designed it to be so and both Mary and Elizabeth saying yes, cooperated with the plan of God. This tells us that our success in life is determined by our disposition towards doing the will of God. Hence, we have to identify our plans and purposes with the universal plan of God for humanity.

 

This is what Adam and Eve failed to do in our first reading today, they did not follow the plan of God for them for out of pride and disobedience they separated themselves from God. That is why after Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. By this very action, humanity has fallen and separated from God his creator. Nevertheless, God has never given up on humanity. He has a plan to save us as we heard in our second reading today of which May in preparation for her role in this salvific plan was conceived immaculately and this great privilege is what we are celebrating today.

 

Dear friends, saying yes to God’s plan for us is so important. And I must tell us that God has a special plan for everyone, a unique plan. But sometimes it seems as if God has favoured some persons more than others. Well, in the eyes of men, it seems true, but God has favoured each person in a very unique way just like our Mother Mary, only that we sometimes do not understand what God is doing in our lives. Our understanding of favour is quite different from that of God.

 

Therefore, all we need is to say yes and trust in God for he has plans which are meant uniquely for each person. We do not need to know the plans God has for us, all we need is to trust and cooperate with his plan. For God alone knows the plans he has for us and in due time he will reveal them to us just as he revealed to Mary the plan he has for her through the angel.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the great privilege of Mary regarding your plan for humanity, give us the grace to constantly embrace your will and plans for us by saying yes to your words. Help us cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection in order to welcome Christ joyfully when he comes, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a grace-filled celebration.

Homily For Thursday First Week of Advent Year B, 7th December, 2023. The Memorial of St. Ambrose

Readings Isaiah 26:1-6, Ps 118, Matt. 7: 21.24-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

BUILD YOUR LIFE ON A ROCKY FOUNDATION THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD

 

One of my favourite hymns in our hymn book says:

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song! This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled when striving cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

 

This hymn draws my attention to our Gospel passage today, where Jesus says:  ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. And everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: for it was founded on rock.

 

Here Jesus calls our attention to something very important. He reminds us that it is not enough to hear the word of God; we must put it into practice. It is not sufficient to speak about God, but we must practice what we speak. We are called not merely to hear God’s word but to daily put it into action. Hearing or reading the Word is important, but that is not enough. We must let the Word of God touch and shape our lives. For it is a waste of time and energy if our lives do not reflect the Gospel we preach if we do not hear the words of Jesus and act on them.

 

The truth is that the houses built by wise and foolish people may probably look alike. But the difference is the foundations, which can only be revealed when tested by the storms of life. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us to trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the everlasting Rock; he has brought low those who lived high up in the steep citadel; he brings it down, brings it down to the ground, flings it down in the dust, but the humble he raises on high.

 

Dear friends, what have we been doing with the Word of God we hear every day? What kind of fruit are we bearing? How has the Word of God changed our lives and the lives of those around us? How has the Word of God challenged and propelled us to love God and our neighbours? Is our attitude towards the word of God like that of the foolish builder who takes shortcuts for quick results? Or that of a wise builder who spends time digging a secured foundation through constant meditation and practice of the word of God, just like St. Ambrose whose memorial we celebrate today?

 

For St. Ambrose was a native Roman genius who shines out with surpassing distinctness; he is clear, sober, and practical, and aims always to persuade his hearers to act with prudence and present their burdens to God in faith. Through constant hearing the word of God he embraced the faith and mission of our Lord Jesus to the point that he was made a bishop even when he was still a catechumen.

 

The fact remains that, hearing and doing the Word of God is building our faith on a rocky foundation, that cornerstone, that solid ground, through the fiercest drought and storms of life, for the fruit of the Word of God in us is seen when tested in the storms of life. Therefore, when we hear the Word we must apply it to our daily lives because that's the only way we can feed our soul. Our society today has enough preachers and hearers of the Word, what we need now is doers of the Word of God. We need men and women who will feed their lives with the Word of God and from the abundance of their hearts live a life that will influence society positively.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, through your Word we find life and hope in Christ who is our all in all, grant that through the intercessions of St. Ambrose, we may be doers of your Words and not just hearers, in order to build our faith on a rocky foundation through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Wednesday First Week of Advent Year B, 6th December, 2023

Readings Isaiah 25:6-10, Ps 23, Luke 15:29-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE LORD FEELS SORRY FOR THE SICK AND THE NEEDY

 

It’s always the desire of humanity to experience the intervention of God whenever they are passing through difficult situations. This had always been the desire and disposition of the people of Israel as they awaited the coming of the Messiah as prophesied by the prophets. So, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected Messiah who was to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus in our Gospel 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.

 

For 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. So, we need the food of the Eucharist for our journey to heaven which is our promised land. This bread is the gift that we receive from Jesus whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards humanity.

 

Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied it greatly. We should never think we have little to share with others. Let us learn to share with others and Jesus will provide for us greatly for he is the one who feeds the hungry and gives them strength for their journey. Just like the prophet, Isaiah tells us in our first reading that on this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. He will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth.

 

Dear friends, Jesus wants us to learn how to be patient and trust God in times of trouble and tribulations for he alone knows the best time and how best to deal with our problems. For when that time comes he will restore us to his glory and set us free from all the evil forces around us, just like the people in our Gospel passage. All he wants from us is to constantly feed our souls with his Words and Eucharist as we journey towards his kingdom.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the forces and troubles of this passing world, may we always find solace in your Word and Eucharist and so conquer our fear and challenges, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Tuesday First Week of Advent Year B, 5th December, 2023

Readings Isaiah11:1-10, Ps 72, Luke 10:21-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE JOY OF SHARING IN CHRIST'S MISSION

 

As we begin another new day,  we continue with the event of Advent, when we reflect on the two-fold coming of the Lord. We are called to spend more time with God and prepare ourselves for his mission just like the disciples in our Gospel passage today. For after the seventy disciples of Jesus returned from the mission he sent them. They rejoiced concerning the great things they had done in his name. So, Jesus says, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see…”. 

 

Here, Jesus rejoiced in his disciples, because of the grace God his Father has given to them to share in the mission of the Son. Yes, the disciples are blessed because, in Jesus, they are beginning to recognize the long awaited Messiah which prophets and Kings longed to see but could not. Just as we heard from prophet Isaiah in our first reading today when he said: a shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests. His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless, his sentences bring death to the wicked. Integrity is the loincloth round his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips. That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the people. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.

 

Dear friends, like the disciples, we also have been given this same grace. Whenever we spread the word of God, we are sharing in the mission of Jesus, and this should give us great joy because God chose us and gave us the privilege to share in the mission of his Son. For he had brought his salvation into the world, for the restoration of hope for all humanity who dwell in darkness in need of the light of Christ, which we are called to embrace in this season of Advent. So let us keep spreading the Good News of Christ to humanity by our way of life.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words this season, may we share greatly in the mission of Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Wishing you a glorious day.

Homily For Monday in the First Week of Advent Year B, 4th December 2023

Readings: Is. 2:1-5;  Ps.122; Matt 8:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

LEANING FROM THE FAITH AND GENUINE HUMILITY OF THE ROMAN CENTURION

 

We are taught in our Catechism that faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused in us by God. Little wonder our level of faith is not the same. However, our gift of faith grows depending on our disposition and utilization of the gift. That is why, when Jesus invites people to faith and conversion, he does not coerce them, rather they come to faith through their disposition and utilization of their experience with him.

 

This is exactly the case with the Roman centurion in our Gospel passage today, who sought help for his sick servant, he approached Jesus for healing, but when Jesus accepted to come to his home, the centurion hesitated, feeling unworthy of Jesus’ presence in his home, said to him “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed”. 

 

Here the centurion believes that Jesus can speak a word of healing, and that will be enough to cure his servant. He has total faith and trust in the power of Jesus’ word. For him, the servant did not even have to hear Jesus speak the word: it was enough that the word was spoken. Jesus praised his faith and genuine humility. Today, these words of the centurion have become a pattern of prayer for us, that before Holy Communion we say it passionately because his faith and compassion are inspiring examples for us to follow.

 

This is exactly the kind of faith that all of us must have as well especially in this Advent season. The faith that leads us to seek God wholeheartedly, to be humble before Him and to love Him above all and not to allow our pride, ego and desires to lead us into faithlessness, disobedience and sin against God. And when this is done we can embrace the message of prophet Isaiah in the first reading today when he said: God will wield authority over the nations and adjudicate between many peoples; these will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war.

 

Dear friends, do we still have total faith and trust in God just like the centurion? What is our disposition towards the gift of faith that God has given us? Because our experiences of evil, injustice, suffering and death can shake or shape the gift of faith in us depending on our disposition. The centurion interceded for his sick servant, do we intercede for others who are in need of God’s healing and mercy? Do we know that we can speak God’s word in prayer and that someone, somewhere, will find healing? Do we often like this centurion, recognize in all humility our unworthiness before God?  We are called today to learn from this man’s act of humility and faith.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are weak and oftentimes we display an act of faithlessness due to the pressure and challenges of life, as we embrace the season of Advent may you increase our faith and make us humble and patient. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.

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.