Homily For Monday Third Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 22nd January, 2024

Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-7.10; Ps.89; Mark 3:22-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT OUT OF IGNORANCE OR JEALOUSY

 

One of the gifts of God to us is the gift of discernment, which enables us to know and distinguish between good and evil spirits. This gift is very important to the office of every leader. But it is sad and unacceptable when a leader decides to misuse this gift out of envy,  jealousy and ignorance. This is the attitude of the scribes in our Gospel passage today.

 

For we heard how Jesus had delivered a man possessed by an evil spirit. The spirit had bound his tongue and made him mute. But when Jesus had cast out the demon from the man and the man spoke, some scribes who watched this great miracle as it happened said that it was through the power of Beelzebul the prince of demons that he was able to cast the devil out.

 

This is because they were adamant in their opposition against Jesus which was propelled by envy and jealousy. That is why they were unable to look beyond their narrow-mindedness and stubbornness in insisting that their way was the true way while others like our Lord Jesus were wrong. But Jesus as usual used the opportunity to correct them by pointing out the mistakes in their argument. Thus, telling us that it does not make sense for the demons to be fighting one another and so be divided among themselves. Because any house that divides within itself can not stand, and as we know the evil ones are always united in their plans to bring about destruction in human activities.

 

So, it is obvious that the scribes knew the truth but were not ready to accept it rather they chose to deny the work of God, that’s why Jesus concluded the gospel by saying that: everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

 

From this frightening passage, Jesus reveals to us that sins no matter how grievous can be forgiven, but there is a particular sin that will not be forgiven. That is the sin against the Holy Spirit. But what is this sin against the Holy Spirit? And why would it not be forgiven? The sin against the Holy Spirit is rooted in one's outright rejection of God’s grace of salvation offered to us through the Holy Spirit‘s incessant invitations and warnings. This happens when the will of a person is hardened against God’s mercy and goodness. This is so because it is the sinner himself who rejected God’s forgiveness. And since God respects the freedom which He has given us, for he respects a sinner’s decision to firmly refuse to be forgiven.

 

Dear friends, we are called today not to be like the scribes who out of pride and ignorance denied the power of God over spiritual realities and so sin against the Holy Spirit. Rather we should make proper use of the gift of discernment which the Lord has given us. We must not let envy, jealousy and over-ambition make us deny the truth about the spiritual realities we experience from the Lord. We must not let the devil succeed in sowing the spirit of division among us. We should also ask God to endow us with the spirit of discernment and truth especially this period that we are often faced with the ugly and sad attitude of human deception all over the world.

 

Let us like David in our first reading today, discern the will and the message God is communicating to us as we struggle with our daily challenges. Let us be inspired by his faith and the good examples of David who grew greater and greater, and the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we struggle every day with the manipulation of the evil ones, give us the grace to overcome them, may we never be misled by the devil and all of his forces, as they often attempt to sow divisions and dissensions among us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 21st January 2024

The Sunday of the Enthronement of the Word of God.

Readings: Jonah: 3:1-5.10, Ps. 25, 1Cor.7:29- 31, Mark 1:14-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

MAKING THE WORD OF GOD AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR LIVES

 

In his Apostolic Letter Aperuit Illis, our Holy Father Pope Francis on 30th September 2019, declared and instituted “A Sunday for the Word of God”, which is to be celebrated every third Sunday in the Ordinary Time of the Church’s Liturgical Year. This is what we are celebrating in a special way today.

 

The purpose of this declaration is to remind all Christ faithful that the Word of God as contained in the Scriptures is very vital and integral in the development of our faith in God. The Word of God in this case does not just refer to the Scriptures as we know it, but it also refers to Christ himself as our Lord and Saviour, the Divine Word made Incarnate.

 

Hence our readings today, emphasized the importance and significance of the Word of God in the lives of his people. In the first reading, we heard how Jonah was compelled by God to preach his Word to the people of Nineveh. For the scriptures says: that the word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said, ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’

 

Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. He went on into the city, making a day’s journey as he preached saying, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ The people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least and repented from their sins.

 

Similarly, in our Gospel passage, we heard how our Lord Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News of God saying: ‘The time has come, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News. Then, he called the first four of his apostles who were fishermen and they left everything and followed him, and he made them fishers of men as they committed themselves to living and preaching the Word of God.

 

Here, we see how God has chosen Galilee of the Gentiles, to be the place where his Word will be proclaimed so that they will repent and believe in the Good News and by so doing conquer the darkness of sin around them. For the Word of God conquers evil and sin. It brings order over chaos, security over danger, joy over sorrow, truth over falsehood, life over death and salvation over condemnation. Yes, Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, his mission will be extended to the whole world. Hence, he called his disciples who will be instruments to extend his mission to the whole world.

 

Thus, Jesus calling these fishermen to follow him offers them the opportunity to observe him closely on a daily basis. By doing so, they will learn more from him in order to become familiar with his ways of doing things. They will unconsciously copy his manner of speaking, his gestures, his dealings with people. They will see how he solves problems and counters opposition. So that gradually, they will become like Jesus in thoughts, words and deeds.

 

This tells us about the sacrificial nature of discipleship which the people of Corinth failed to understand as we read in our second reading. Thus, we heard St. Paul telling them that our time in this passing world is growing short. That those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for; those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about; those whose life is buying things should live as though they have nothing of their own; and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. Because the world as we know it is passing away.

 

Dear friends, the questions we need to ask ourselves are: what is our response towards the Word of God we hear every day? How much of this Word dwells in us? What is my relationship with Jesus the Living Word of God made flesh and dwells among us? So, the emphasis on the Word of God today is very important to all of us the faithful people of God who have been called to follow the Lord.

 

Therefore, if we are to follow Christ faithfully, we must make the Word of God an integral part of our lives. We must cultivate the habit of studying the scriptures because the Word of God is our daily sustenance and the source of our strength and faith. Hence, we are called to make the Word of God the guiding principle in our lives. For in the scriptures, we find the strength and courage to promote good over evil, order over chaos, security over danger, joy over sorrow, truth over falsehood, life over death and salvation over condemnation.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we enthrone your Word in our lives, our families and in your Church today, grant we pray, that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we may come to discover the power and the efficacy of the scriptures in our lives as individuals, families and community of God’s people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and lovely Sunday.

Homily For Saturday Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 20th January 2024

The Feast of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi

Readings: Phil 2:1-11, Ps. Is.12:2-6, Matt.13:44-46

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

GOD'S KINGDOM IS OUR ULTIMATE TREASURE

 

There is no doubt in my mind that every human being desires to make it into the kingdom of God. But what will lead us to that kingdom is where people have challenges that will often make it seem as if they are not interested. Therefore,  what are the things that will help us to understand the importance of embracing those things that will lead us to God's Kingdom? This is what we have in our Gospel passage today, where Jesus used two parables to describe to the people that the kingdom of God is the greatest and ultimate treasure anyone can and should acquire.

 

Here, he describes the kingdom of God as the ultimate treasure that cannot be compared to anything whatsoever we have in this world. However, the kingdom is open for all, but not all can be suitable to dwell in it, only those who on the judgement day are found suitable can be admitted into the kingdom. Using these parables Jesus explains what the kingdom of heaven is like and what we need to do in order to acquire it.

 

Thus, in the life of Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi whose Feast we celebrate today, we see a man who understood these parables, one who discovered the great treasure of heaven, sold everything and acquired it. In Tansi we see how the light of faith sowed in him like the mustard seed grows to give hope to many people.

 

 Tansi was born in Aguleri, Anambra State on September 1903, but died in Leicester, England on 20th January 1964. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Onitsha. He was known for love of neighbour, healing and reconciliation of the people with God, with oneself, with one another and with the created reality.

 

Tansi dedicated himself not only to daily contemplative prayer but also to active ministry. He evangelized the youth, prepared couples for marriage, visited the sick, was a very good confessor, promoted vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and provided for the needs of the poor. Hence, in Tanis, We see a man who understood that the kingdom of heaven is so precious and great, that it is worth more than our entire life and our worldly possessions and treasures. 

 

Dear friends, obtaining the ultimate treasure of heaven requires the sacrifice of all our worldly possessions. Though in the world we have different kinds of treasures. But the question is: what is your ultimate treasure? How are we searching for it? Are we really ready to sacrifice all for this treasure? So, let us learn from Tansi, whose life shows us how the humble beginning of the Christian faith sown in him was well watered by the Holy Spirit to grow and give life and hospitality to people of the world.

 

Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading says: that though Jesus was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God as a thing to be grapes. For he rather emptied himself in humble obedience to God his Father. Therefore, today we are called to empty ourselves of the passing things of this world in order to humbly acquire the heavenly treasure just like Tansi who humbly sacrificed the treasures of this passing world in order to embrace the treasures of heaven.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the world is full of distractions from false treasures, through the intercession of Blessed Tansi, give us grace to discover the treasures of your kingdom and nurture these treasures in faith, holiness and hospitality which we received during our baptism in order to give up all our attachment to worldly possessions in pursue of the heavenly and ultimate treasure of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Friday Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 19th January 2024

Readings: 1Sam.24:2-21; Ps.57; Mark 3:13-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW ARE WE RESPONDING TO GOD'S CALL AND MISSION?

 

As Jesus continued his work of evangelization and mission towards the salvation of humanity, he needed to have people who would be entrusted with this mission. Thus, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus chose twelve apostles out of his disciples. He called and separated them from the crowd so that they would be with him. And he gave them power to preach the gospel, to heal the sick, and to cast out devils.

 

Here Jesus clarifies the extreme nature of his mission which he will entrust to his apostles, so that those who would follow him must first count the cost because they will definitely share in his sufferings in order to share in his glory. Thus, Jesus who has earlier given the disciples explicit instructions about his mission makes known to the apostles their specific mission.

 

Consequently, each one of us like the apostles are called by name into a deep personal and intimate relationship with Jesus in order to be sent to bear witness of him in the world. Absolute commitment is a necessary quality for this mission. Because Jesus did not choose people because of what they were. Rather, he chose them for what they could become under his direction and power.

 

This is what we see in the life of David in our first reading today, where we see the magnanimity of David’s heart, for he refused to kill Saul when he had a perfect opportunity to strike Saul and claim the Kingship of Israel for himself. Although he has been chosen as the new King of Israel, that should not have justified him to murder a person in the time of his weakness, and less still to do so for the pursuit of power and personal glory as most people do today. This is because David was truly filled with love for God and respect for Saul. He did everything to serve the Lord according to his will and mission for him.

 

Dear friends, how are we responding to God's call and mission? How best are we carrying out this mission of preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and casting out the devil? How are we relating with those we judge to be sinners and those we see as our enemies? What efforts are we making to convert them? Remember, as followers of Christ we are called to journey with Jesus in love and compassion towards other people even in the midst of suffering, rejection and persecution.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you called and chose us to be with you in order to bear witness of our salvation to humanity, help us to have the missionary zeal that will enable us to live with integrity, purity and detachment from the thing of this passing world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a favourable day.

Homily For Thursday Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 18th January, 2024

Readings: 1Sam. 18:6-9,19:1-7; Ps. 56; Mark 3:7-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

AND THEY WERE CROWDING FORWARD TO TOCH JESUS

Today in our Gospel, Mark gave us a summary of the activity of Jesus in the midst of people who came from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumaea and even from the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon. Telling us that Jesus is really concerned about the struggles of humanity and wishes to set us free from the shackles of the devil. 

So, as Jesus heals the people and performs great works, most people wish to see him and to touch him. The people were so numerous that Jesus himself was concerned with the danger of being crushed by the multitude.

 

Thus he asked disciples to have a boat ready for him so that the crowd would not crush him for they were crowding forward to touch him. And from the boat, he spoke to them and healed the sick, and set free those possessed especially the excluded and the marginalized who came to him with their ailments. Those who were not accepted in the society of the time were accepted by Jesus. The power of evil which causes great fear in people where overcome by Jesus, so we do not need to be afraid of Satan anymore.

 

Dear friends, Jesus wishes to set us free from sickness and the forces and manipulations of the evil ones. He desires to be with us as we struggle every day to overcome the forces of evil in our families, society and the world at large. Therefore, we should not be afraid to stand firm against the manipulations of the devil, because Jesus will not abandon us in this battle of life.

 

This is evident in our first reading today in the case of David and King Saul. For out of jealousy for what the women attribute to David as a way of praising God for the victory he gave them through David, Saul has a hatred for David to the point of planning to kill him. This should not be our disposition rather we should learn to appreciate what God has accomplished through other people and not behave like Saul who became jealous of David.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle every day to do your will, may your presence be felt in our midst through Christ our Lord. Do have a blessed day.

 

Homily For Wednesday Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 17th January, 2024. The Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbot

Readings: 1Sam. 16:17:32-33.37.40-51; Ps. 144; Mark 3:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE WELFARE OF THE HUMAN PERSON SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED BECAUSE OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS

 

From the scriptures, it seems like every encounter that the Pharisees had with Jesus was always aimed at finding faults with what Jesus was doing. But to their great surprise, Jesus will always escape and use that opportunity to communicate an important message to the people. Such was the occasion in our Gospel passage today.

 

When on a Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure the man on the Sabbath, hoping to find something to use against him. But knowing their thoughts he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up! Come out into the middle.’ Then Jesus said to them, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it? And said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was better. But they were furious and began to discuss the best way of dealing with him.

 

Here we see how Jesus demonstrated his compassionate care for humanity, for the most important thing for God in this world is the human person. That's why he makes all efforts to save humanity from damnation. He desires to see us making an effort to become faithful and holy. His mercy is so deep that he proposes it as the guiding principle for the perfect fulfilment and interpretation of the laws of life. Thus, Jesus in this passage has to teach us that humanity’s welfare should not be neglected because of laws and regulations. That nothing should restrict us from doing good to people not even the laws of the Sabbath.

 

Therefore, in as much as we desire to honour God’s laws we must seek the good of people as well. This is what the Pharisees have failed to understand, for they are rather fault-finders and self-righteous people, who only wish to mislead the people and suppress the truth and the good works of others, just because of their selfish desires to sustain their ego, pride and their worldly ambition.

 

But we should not be like them, rather we should be compassionate and merciful for that is what we are called to do. We should learn to be courageous and resist any law or people who use laws or their physical position to oppress others. We should learn from David in our first reading today who courageously confronted Goliath and defeated him despite his intimidating physical appearance and so brought victory to God’s people who were intimidated by Goliath.

 

Dear friends, today we are called to know that no law should restrict us from constantly doing good to everyone. We are called not to be fault-finders who are blindfolded by pride. We must also renounce all sorts of prideful actions and wickedness that may destroy our relationship with others and the purity of our souls. Therefore, let us be compassionate and merciful for that is what we are called to do in this life, especially in this moment when our societies and families are really in chaotic situations.

 

So, today we are called to imitate St.  Antony whose memorial we celebrate. For he is the originator of the monastic life. He was born in Egypt: when his parents died, he listened to the words of the Gospel about the rich man who walked away from Jesus because of his riches. So, 250 years later, St Antony hears this story, and does give away all that he has, and becomes the founder of monasticism. And then again, over 1,000 years later, St Francis of Assisi hears the story, gives away his possessions (and some of his father’s) and revolutionizes Christianity again.

 

St. Antony gave all his belongings to the poor. He went out into the wilderness to begin a life of penitence, living in absolute poverty, praying, meditating, and supporting himself by manual work. He suffered many temptations, both physical and spiritual, but he overcame them. Disciples gathered around him, attracted by his wisdom, moderation, and holiness. He gave support to the victims of the persecution of Diocletian and helped St Athanasius in his fight against the Arians. Today we are called to day this same.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we often fail to listen to your teaching because of our selfish desires and pride, help us to always listen to you and be willing to do good, especially in the interpretation and application of laws and regulations. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Tuesday of The Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 16th January, 2024

Readings: 1Sam. 16:1-13; Ps. 89; Mark 2:23-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

LAWS ARE MADE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF MAN AND NOT MAN FOR THE LAWS

 

There is no doubt that human life is guided by laws and principles, for in their absence we cannot survive or enjoy peace and harmony in our society. But it is so sad to say that we have lost the essence and spirit that governs the making of law, its interpretation and application. Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today teaches us about the essence of making laws.

 

This is clear from the response of Jesus when the Pharisees criticized the attitude of his disciples who on the Sabbath were seen plucking ears of corn to eat because they were very hungry. This is so because the Pharisees emphasized on strict keeping of the law of the Sabbath while neglecting the spirit of the law which has to do with God’s love and mercy.

 

Thus, for the Pharisees, this would be a transgression of the law of the Sabbath which prohibits one from doing any work. Jesus responded by quoting the scriptures to indicate that their arguments have no basis. He recalls that David himself did something which was prohibited because he took the sacred bread of the temple and gave it to the soldiers to eat because they were hungry. Jesus ends his response with two important phrases: first, the Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Secondly,  the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.

 

The truth is that the Sabbath was meant to be a day of rest when people would be free from work so as to think of God, to give thanks to God for his gifts, and to take care of their health and well-being. For laws are made for the well-being of man and not man for the law. However, some religious authorities gradually encroached on the Sabbath with so many regulations that it is no longer serving its true purpose. This is because they have failed to look at the true meaning of human life and the things that surround us.

 

But God will always remind us of the true meaning of life. And this he demonstrated in our first reading today, where we heard how Samuel saw the awesome appearance of Eliab and intended to anoint him but the Lord said: take no notice of his appearance or his height for I have rejected him; God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart. Thus, David was chosen and anointed.

 

Dear friends, the Lord does not look at the outward appearance of our lives, rather he looks at the purity of our hearts. For the Lord made laws for the good of the people, but often we find ourselves seeking more recognition by exercising too much control over other people’s lives under the disguise of laws.

 

This should not be the case, rather, we should always consider the essence and purpose of making laws, bearing in mind that human basic needs which supersede all other human interests should be the guiding principle of any law both social and religious. In fact, the ritual demands of the Sabbath encourage mercy, forgiveness and compassion which are at the heart of any true religion. Therefore, as we make laws and implement them, let these principles be our guide.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you often show the light of your truth to those who go astray, grant that we may always embrace your laws, interpret them properly and apply them with mercy and compassion. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.