Homily For Thursday The Octave of Christmas, 28th December, 2023

The Feast of The Holy Innocents

Readings: 1 John 1:5-2:2, Ps 124, Matt.2:13-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHY KILL THE INNOCENTS OVER YOUR SELFISH AMBITION?

 

As we continue the celebration of the birth of Christ, the Church today, calls our attention to one of the ugly events that occurred in Bethlehem as a result of King Herod's love of power and fear of losing his power to the newborn baby our Lord Jesus Christ. So out of envy, pride and greed, he ordered the killing of all the male children from two years down. The Greek Liturgy states that Herod killed 14,000 boys, the Syrians speak of 64,000, and many medieval authors also suggested 144,000, according to the book of Revelation 14:3. However, modern writers reduce the number since Bethlehem was a rather small town.

 

 Nevertheless, this ugly event illustrates our ugly attitude towards human life, showing us that every human life begins with birth and ends with death.  See how the presence of the baby Jesus made the King of this world tremble, frenzy, mad with rage that he ordered the killing of innocent children. No pity for sorrowing mothers, no sympathy for weeping fathers, no compassion for the crying voice of the little innocent. Just as we heard in our Gospel passage: a voice crying in Ramah, sobbing and loudly lamenting: it was Rachel weeping for her children because they were no more. They were slaughtered out of fear for the Prince of Life.

 

Dear friends, this outrageous event is still happening in our societies today. For how often do we kill the innocents out of our selfish ambitions? Is this not obvious when we see and hear what people do for the sake of obtaining powers and retaining them? When we engaged in all forms of atrocities just for the sake of our political and other ambitions? We are not far from Herod when we kill people because of position, power and comfort.

 

We are the same as Herod when we prevent others from living out their potential. We are not far from Herod when we kill the young fetus through abortion and every other means of terminating pregnancy. We are like Herod when we refuse to submit to the will of God out of pride. We are like Herod when we let envy, jealousy and greed get hold of us and blindfold us into doing evil against other people.

 

Therefore, we are called today to reflect on our ugly attitude towards people, especially children, we are called not to be like Herod who out of fear, envy and love of power seeks to murder Life itself, rather we are called to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and truth in following the will of God.

 

Little wonder, St. John in our first reading today said: If we say that we are in union with God while we are living in darkness, we are lying because we are not living the truth. But if we live our lives in the light, as he is in the light, we are in union with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. However, if we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves and refusing to admit the truth; But if we acknowledge our sins, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and purify us From everything wrong.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we reflect on the life and death of the Holy Innocents, grant us the grace to embrace your will over our worldly ambitions. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. As the year comes to an end, hope in the Lord, be faithful, and be steadfast for you are so special to the Lord. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Wednesday in The Octave of Christmas, 27th December, 2023. The Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist

Readings: 1 John 1:1-4; Ps 97; John 20:2-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THAT LIFE WAS MADE VISIBLE SO THAT YOU JOY WILL BE COMPLETE

 

As we continue the octave of Christmas, today the Church celebrates the Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist. St. John as we know is one of the Twelve Apostles one of the three inner circles of Jesus Christ and no doubt one of the four great Evangelists of the Church. As one of the three inner circles of our Lord, John together with St. Peter and St. James his brother were often brought to the most important events in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

St. John as we know was present in great events such as the resurrection of the synagogue official’s dead daughter, the Transfiguration of the Lord at Mount Tabor, and also at the agony of the Lord at the Gardens of Gethsemane before the time of the Lord’s Passion. He witnessed the great works and miracles of Jesus.

 

We will recall that St. John was one of those who remained and followed the Lord at the moments of his Passion, suffering and death on the Cross. He also remained with Mary at the foot of the cross and it was John that the Lord Jesus entrusted Mary his Mother, and also John to Mary as well. This no doubt shows the important role St. John played in the life and mission of the Lord Jesus.

 

The fruit of this great privilege is evident in the missionary activities of St. John. For he spent all his life in spreading the truth of God all over the world. He also wrote several letters and Epistles and the fourth Gospel is attributed to him. He also received the great vision of the end time event when he was in exile as a result of the persecution of Christians, this vision he recorded in the book of Revelations as we have it today.

 

So today as we celebrate the Feast of this great Apostle, we heard the readings of his first letter and his Gospel passage. In this letter, as we have it in our first reading today, St John wrote about Christ the Word of Life that has come into this world. Concerning this Word he said: this is what we have heard from him, and the message that we are announcing to you: that God is light; there is no darkness in him at all. If we say that we are in union with God while we are living in darkness, we are lying because we are not living the truth. It is this Word of truth that we are celebrating this Christmas.

 

However, this Christmas celebration will not be complete if we do not let the Lord be born in our hearts or if we do not have a personal experience of the Lord Jesus in our lives such as the one we heard in our Gospel passage today. Here, we were told about the personal experience of John and Peter, who having heard about the resurrection of the Lord, ran towards the empty tomb with open hearts to encounter Christ, who had died and is risen in order to save us and remove from our hearts the guilty of sin and death, so that we can embrace his divine and eternal life.

 

Dear friends, this is the fundamental core of our Christian faith; this is the victory that transforms us and unites us with our Lord. Hence, if Jesus who was born for us, was crucified died buried risen, and is alive, who will ever be able to separate us from him? Who will ever be able to deprive us of the love of him who has conquered hatred and overcomes death?

 

Friends, I don't know what has been your experience in this world, especially this Christmas season. I don't know how you woke up today. I don't know what troubles you mind? But all I know is that today is another gift of God to humanity, a day of joy, a day of victory. I am excited, and hopeful and am going to live it with all joy, not trying to change things that I could not be able to change or try to fix things that do not want to be fixed.

 

I will not let the ugly situation in our world today or any ugly event of the past distract me today or steal my joy. I will focus on the blessings that comes with the joy of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will follow the directives of the Lord, for his ways are right and the upright walk in them, but the transgressors stumble in them. Thus, let us proclaim the message of this season and spread it throughout the world with the joyful song of this Holy Season.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we celebrate the great event of Christmas, may your joy fill our hearts and through the intercessions of St John, may we spread this joy all over the world especially to people and places where this joy is lacking. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Tuesday in The Octave of Christmas, 26th December, 2023 The Feast of Stephen, the First Martyr

Readings : Act 6:8-10;7:54-59; Ps 31; Matt.10:17-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

LORD LET YOUR SPIRIT SPEAK IN US JUST LIKE ST. STEPHEN

Everyday God makes himself present to us, but we often ignore him or pretend we do not perceive his presence. The truth is that in each heart, there is a secret garden which God has made uniquely for himself and that garden is our conscience. This garden is like a safety deposit vault which has two keys, God has one key, hence the soul cannot let in anyone else but God. The human heart has the other key, which no one can get in without his/her consent. However, God is always at the gate of this garden with his key but we often pretend to be looking for ours.

 

This is the ugly attitude of humanity which is well illustrated by the people who seek to kill Stephen as we have it in our first reading today. For Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But certain people came forward to debate with him. As they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom. They were infuriated and planned to kill him. Nevertheless, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. This he witnessed before them, but they stoned him to death.

 

Dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen the first martyr who opened completely the door of his heart and finding God, he witnessed with his life and goes up triumphantly to heaven. We are called today to open up our minds and hearts for God to fill us with the grace and power of witnessing to the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called not to be afraid to bear witness.  For we may be dragged before governors and kings for the sake of the Gospel, we should not worry about how to speak or what to say; for what we are to say will be given to us when the time comes, as Jesus promised us in our Gospel passage today.

 

LET US PRAY:  Heavenly Father, as we open up our minds and hearts for your words to reign in us. Grant us the grace and courage to bear witness to the Gospel and through the intercession of St Stephen, may we find you in daily events of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week.

Homily For The Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas). Monday 25th December, 2023.

Readings:Is. 52:7-10, Ps 98, Have 1:1-6, John 1:1-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE HEARTS OF HUMANITY

 

Today Christ is born, today the Prince of Peace is born, today a great light has shone on the darkened world of humanity. Today the people who walked in the darkness of sin and shame, a great light has shone, and God has visited his people. So, let us join the angels’ hymn of praise, as they sing out following the announcement of the new-born Saviour: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of goodwill.”

 

For today we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour in a manger in Bethlehem. In the manger of Bethlehem, there appeared the great light which the world awaits. He is the Christ, the Word that was with God from the beginning. The Word is the true light that enlightens all men. This Word has come into the world, for the Word was made Flesh and dwell among us, the Son of God who became man. To him, the Father says: "You are my Son, today I have begotten you”. God has become one of us so that we can be with him and become like him, for this is how we come to know him.

 

Little wonder, prophet Isaiah in our first reading today says: “How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is King, for all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Thus, for those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness a great light has shone. This light means knowledge; it means truth, as contrasts with the darkness of falsehood and ignorance. This Light gives us life, it shows us the way to love. For in him is the fullness of love. Where there is love, light shines forth for the world; but when there is hatred, the world remains in darkness.

 

Hence, in Child Jesus lying in the manger, God has shown his glory, the glory of love in order to guide us along the way of love. From manger, a stream of light, love and truth will spread to every generation. In every age, it will touch men and women to enlighten them. And wherever people put their faith in Jesus, the grace of charity will spring up, the grace of love towards others, loving concern for the weak, the poor and the suffering, the grace of forgiveness and grace of peace in our homes, societies, and the world at large.

 

Dear friends, Christ is our Light and our Peace, and he proclaims his peace to those far away and to those who are near. This is why the prophet Isaiah called him "Prince of Peace". His kingdom is said to be one "of Endless Peace". Also, Pope Benedict XVI will say: that “among we Christians and Catholic, the word "peace" has taken on a very particular meaning: it has become a word to designate communion in the Eucharist. There Christ’s peace is present. In all the places where the Eucharist is celebrated, a great network of peace spreads through the world. The communities gathered around the Eucharist make up a kingdom of peace as wide as the world itself. For, when we celebrate the Eucharist we find ourselves in Bethlehem, in the "house of bread". Where Christ gives himself to us and, by so doing, he gives us his peace”.

At the Eucharist Jesus exchanges his Divinity with our humanity. He exchanges his glory with our sadness and pain. In the Eucharist Jesus exchanges his love with our hatred, in the Eucharist Jesus exchanges his mercy with our unforgiveness. In the Eucharist Jesus exchanges our sinfulness with his holiness and purity. So, today he has come to offer us his love are we ready to embrace it? Are we ready to say yes to Jesus? Are we ready to accept him and the salvation he has come to offer us? Are we ready to let go of our ugly behaviour in order to embrace the new life he is offering us? The new life of grace, peace, love, joy, faith, courage, wisdom and favours? If your answer is yes, then the essence of this Christmas has been fulfilled.

 

Therefore, let us join Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds in the manger to sing the glorious hymns of praise saying: "Glory to God in the highest" and on earth, peace to people of goodwill". Let us spread this joy and peace everywhere we go even to the ends of the earth. And as we do this may the joy of the child Jesus fill our hearts, our homes, our societies, our country and the world a large, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

 

Merry Christmas, wishing you a joyful and peaceful celebration of this season. God bless you.

Homily For The Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas) B. Saturday 24th December, 2023

Readings:Is. 62:1-5; Ps 89, Act. 13:16-17.22-25; Matt. 1:1-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

LET THE CHILD JESUS BE BORN IN THE LITTLE MANGER  OF OUR SOULS

 

Tonight we have gathered in anticipation of the birth of our Lord Jesus, whom for the past four weeks now we have been preparing for his coming. Tonight Jesus is coming to dwell with us for an exchange, he is coming to offer his divinity in exchange for our sinful humanity. Tonight Jesus is offering everything, he is sacrificing everything for our salvation. He is giving up his heavenly glory in exchange for our suffering world. He is taking human flesh and becoming man in order to elevate the human person to share in his divinity. Tonight God is unveiling his Word which became Flesh in the womb of Mary in order to dwell  with us. Tonight the Lord will manifest himself in a little manger in Bethlehem of our souls.

 

Little wonder in Gospel passage tonight, we heard the genealogy of Jesus which gave us the historical plan of God towards the manifestation of his Son, the Word made Flesh. From this genealogy of Jesus, we can observe that generations came, generations goes, great men and women came and passed away, and new generations continued to spring up as God continued to unveil his plan for humanity. This genealogy shows how the Lord had revealed to different generations what he was going to do for humanity. For Judah’s kingship over all of Israel was given to David, who became the rightful king and God’s chosen one, and God promised that David’s house will rule over Israel forever.

 

Hence, we heard St. Paul in our second reading tonight saying: Men of Israel, and fearers of God, listen! God chose our ancestors, and made our people great when they were living as foreigners in Egypt; and by divine power, he led them out. ‘Then he made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised for us one of David’s descendants, the child Jesus, whose coming we wait for tonight. For we heard the Lord in our first reading tonight saying: about Zion, I will not be silent, about Jerusalem, I will not grow weary until her integrity shines out like the dawn and her salvation flames like a torch.

 

So, tonight the Lord is searching for a dwelling place and the only place available is the little manger of Bethlehem. For down in a little manger lies the child Jesus, no crib for a bed, but, the little Jesus laid down his sweet head on a little manger of the humble dwelling of shepherd and his sheep. Here our God became man and took on our flesh. Our Creator became a creature; the One who dwells in the highest place, now lay helpless in a manger. The One who we so great and mighty became so tiny, so weak, and so powerless in a manger. The King of the whole world had been made a little child in a manger. The Creator of time has been constrained by time in a manner.

 

This little manger was a great symbol and sign. For when the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field to invite them to visit the newborn King, he told them to look for a baby in a manger. But the manger was not just a sign for the shepherds; it’s a sign to all of us that Jesus is accessible to everyone who seeks him in humility. Yes, every humble soul will surely have access to the little manger of Jesus, for the shepherds would not have had access to a baby born in a royal palace, and as strangers, they probably wouldn’t even have had access to a baby born in the confines of a family home. But a manger was accessible to pure, innocent and humble souls.

 

Dear friends, the questions we need to ask ourselves tonight Are: where is the little manager? How can we locate the little manger of Jesus? How prepared is this little manager? Can we say that the little manger is available for the child Jesus to be born?

 

I know a good number of us will still be looking for the little manger of Jesus. I know some will tell me that the manager is right beside us. I know that those who are good with the scripture will tell me that the manager is located in a little town in Bethlehem. Yes, there was a little manger in Bethlehem, and there is a little manger beside us here so beautiful and captivating. But the true little manger is not just in Bethlehem, or the symbol of what we have here, rather the true little manger is my soul, the dwelling place of God, which is located in the innermost chamber of my being.

 

This little manger of my soul is what the child Jesus is searching for to dwell in tonight. He is searching for a humble soul, he is searching for a peaceful soul. The child Jesus is searching for a lovely soul, he is searching for the merciful and caring souls of humanity. The Lord is searching for innocent souls who can accommodate and make him accessible to humanity. The little manger of Jesus, that’s who we are, but are we available for the child Jesus to come in and be born in us? Are we ready and prepared to welcome the child Jesus in our little manger? Are you going to allow him to dwell with us? Are we going to offer him joyful praise and worship just like the shepherds? Are we going to let him exchange our sinful humanity with his divinity?

 

What is stopping us from welcoming Jesus into the inner manger of our souls? Will you let bitterness and anger occupy the dwelling place of the Lord? Will you let the desire for the things of this passing world prevent you from opening the door of your soul for the child Jesus to come into the night? Will you let unforgiveness and jealousy send the child Jesus away from the manger of your soul?  Will you let the ugly attitudes of your husband, your wife your children or your parents deprive you of the joy of this gracious season? Will you let the present situation in your life separate you from the presence of the child Jesus?

 

 Why not make your soul available for the child Jesus to reign in your life? Why not let the peace of his presence dwell in your heart? Why not let the joy of his presence dwell in the manger of your soul? Why not let his love propel you to love even those that you find very difficult to forgive? Why not let the child Jesus reign in that little manger of your soul tonight and always? Remember, the scripture says that the Newborn child dwells in the little manger in the little town of Bethlehem, which means “the house of Bread”. That means that the child Jesus dwells also in the little tiny Bread of Life. That is the Eucharist.

 

So, the Lord Jesus present in the Eucharist wants to feed us with his heavenly glory and love. He wants to dwell in the little manger of our souls to nourish our souls and exchange our sinful humanity with his divinity. Why not open up your heart to receive the child Jesus present in the Eucharist which is going to be consecrated in a few moments tonight?  Why not let the child Jesus in the Holy Eucharist reign in the little manger of your soul? Do not let anything deprive you of his presence tonight.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we open the little manger of our souls for you to dwell in, may you reign in our hearts, in our homes, in our societies, in our country and the whole world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Merry Christmas to you all.

Homily For Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 24th December, 2023

Readings: 2Sam 7:1-5,8-11,16; Ps. 89; Rom 16:25-27; Like 1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

MAKING A HUMBLE SUBMISSION TO GOD 'S PLAN

As we await the commemoration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus, an event that reminds us and reveals to us the great plan of God towards the redemption of humanity. This Sunday we are required to say yes to God’s plan and this yes requires the sacrificial love for God and humanity that will make us abandon our personal plans in order to embrace the plan of God. Hence we are called to reflect on the theme of Love. This is evident in our readings today beginning with the first reading where we heard about King David who now was a king of a united kingdom of Israel, with Jerusalem as the capital, set out to build a house for the Lord. But the Lord knowing David’s plan asked him through prophet Nathan to stop, for instead it is the Lord who will build a dynasty for David, a dynasty that will last forever, a promise which was fulfilled in Jesus as echoed by angel Gabriel’s words to Mary in our Gospel passage today.

 

Thus, today’s Gospel 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 childbearing. 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. An action that shows the sacrificial love they have for God and humanity.

 

Concerning this plan of God and the sacrificial love required, St. Paul in our second reading says, “Glory to him who can give us the strength to live according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith”. This is the plan of God for humanity, for God wants to reconcile with us for us to fulfil the purpose for which he created us.

 

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 we are required in a sacrificial way to make a humble submission to God’s plans over our plans. Though, 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 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 all we need is to love God and make a humble submission to his will for us.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we approach the birthday of Christ your Son, 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 Sunday.

Homily For Saturday Third Week of Advent Year B, 23rd December, 2023

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4,23-24; Ps 25; Luke: 1:57-66

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

OUR BIRTH AND NAMES REVEAL THE MYSTERY OF OUR PURPOSE AND MISSION IN LIFE

 

One of the most significant days in our lives is our birthday. This day often comes with joy and praise and in the mood of joy that a life has been born, one of the things that comes to mind is giving a name to the baby as an identity. This event is very important and necessary. In fact, the naming of objects and persons is an important ritual found in scripture. We can recall in the book of Genesis (Gen.2:19-20), when God created Adam and gave him the responsibility of giving names to all creation. So the act of giving a name to people has been a traditional event not only in the scriptures but in every human culture.

 

Thus, our Gospel passage today gives us the record of the events of the birth and naming of John the Baptist. From the passage, great, significant and surprising things happened on the birth and naming of John the Baptist, of which we can identify three unusual features: first the old have given birth. Secondly, the child has a strange name “John” derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning " YAHWEH is gracious", a name which no one bears in the family and thirdly, Zechariah's dumbness is taken away on account of giving this name. These brought great joy to the people and they praised God. However, such remarkable events caused the crowd to fear, reflect and suspect that something different and surprising was happening, things worth remembering. Showing us that, when God names a child, that child is significant in his plan.

 

John’s birth was prophesied by the prophets such as prophet Malachi in our first reading today saying: “Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.” No doubt the mission of John the Baptist was unique and challenging because of his special role in preparing humanity for the coming of the Lord.

 

Dear friends, what are the mysteries surrounding your birth and your name? For our birth and names have a way of revealing our purpose and mission in life. This shows that we all have a significant place in the plan of God and our names are not just a common ceremony, because they bear the mystery of our mission and purpose in life which are testimonies of God’s plan for us. So, why not take time today to reflect on the mystery, the meaning and circumstances surrounding your birth and your names? By God’s grace, we will understand better who we are and what our mission and purpose on earth are. And by so doing, we will faithfully stand for the truth which we represent and fulfil our plans and purposes, just like John the Baptist who stood for the truth of his mission and offered it to everyone, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinner even at the cost of his head.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, you created each one of us to fulfil your plan on earth and in our names we bear the mystery of our mission and purpose, Grant us the grace to faithfully and courageously fulfil our mission and purpose in this world, through Christ our Lord. Amen. As we embrace the Christmas season, may the joy of the Lord be our strength.