Homily For Thursday Second Week of Lent Year B, 29th February, 2024

Readings: Jer. 17:5-10, Ps. 1, Luke 16:19-31

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

DO NOT BE GUILTY OF THE SIN OF OMISSION

 

Whatever we have in this world is a blessing from God, who wishes to bless us so that through us others will be blessed. But this is not often the disposition of most of us. This is obvious when we reflect on the relationship between the rich and the poor in our society today. Where the poor are neglected and treated as if they are less human.

 

This ugly attitude needs to change when we recall the famous parable of the Lord Jesus in our Gospel passage today, about Lazarus the poor man and a rich man whose doorstep Lazarus often dwelled, hoping for the rich man to give him even the scraps of bread and food that fell from his table, but he was often neglected.

 

 Here, we heard how the poor Lazarus ended up in Paradise, in the presence of God in heaven with Abraham, enjoying the fullness of God’s inheritance and grace, no longer suffering the pains and torments that he had once endured while he was still alive in the world. Meanwhile, we heard how the rich man descended into the depths of hell, suffering in agony for eternity, without any hope of respite or escape, and even when he begged Abraham to send Lazarus for help, that couldn't happen.

 

But what was the rich man's offence? Is it because he was rich? No, his sin is that of omission, which is the sin of neglecting his neighbour Lazarus when he was obviously in the position to help and provide for him through the excess material goods and providence that God has blessed him with. He neglected the commandments of God who has called us to love our neighbours and help the needy. Thus, he has to face the consequences of his sin of neglecting his neighbour who needed his help.

 

Hence, in our first reading (Jer 17:5-10), the prophet Jeremiah spoke of the curse that would be against those who followed the path of disobedience against God and his commandments, those who trust in themselves and worldly matters more than they trusted in God. Those who trust in God will have the assurance of God’s providence and blessings as they enjoy his promise of eternal life and everlasting glory just like Lazarus.

 

Dear friends, the example of the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus, calls our attention to the fact that we are going to be judged not based on what God has blessed us with but, on what we have done with what God has given us. So it is important to remind ourselves in this season of Lent, that we must also not be ignorant of the poor Lazaruses around us. Those who are less fortunate than we are, should not be neglected, especially those who work for us, our house helps, our poor security personnel, our poor neighbours, and those we encounter every day in need of our help.

 

Remember, no one is too poor that he has nothing to give, even the poor Lazarus offered his sores to dogs who came to lick them. And no one is so rich that he needs nothing, but, the sin of the rich man was the sin of omission, this should not be our lot as we ask God for grace not to neglect the poor Lazarus around us.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you are the source of all that we have. As we listen to your words today, grant us we pray, the grace to be conscious of the poor around us and ensure we help them in their struggles. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God’s favour and blessings.

Homily For Wednesday Second Week of Lent Year B, 28th February, 2024

Readings: Jer. 18:18-20; Ps.31; Matt. 20:17-28

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHY THIS EXCESS DESIRE FOR POWER?

 

One of the ugly attitudes of most of our leaders today is the love of power, people are ready to do anything just to grab power. People kill, kidnap, blackmail and condemn others because of their ambition to hold power and sustain it. This ugly attitude of mankind is well displayed in the readings of today. In the Gospel passage, this ugly attitude was displayed when the mother of the sons of Zebedee came with her sons to make a request from Jesus that he should promise that her two sons may sit one at his right hand and the other at his left in his kingdom.

 

This unfortunate request was made while Jesus was telling his disciples about his passion and death. But instead of reflecting on the seriousness of the words of Jesus, they were busy quarrelling over who grabs power as most people do today. For when the other ten heard about the request made by the mother of the sons of Zebedee, they were indignant with the two brothers. perhaps because they had misinterpreted Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom and presumed that it would be a kingdom in which they would have honour and prestige like most people think today.

 

But Jesus called them and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

 

Dear friends, why this excess desire for power? We have forgotten that true greatness is found in sincere service to others and not in over ambition for power or plotting against others as we have in our first reading, where we see people plotting the downfall of a virtuous man. They intend to deal cruelly with him because he has commented on their evil ways of life. They intend to test him and see if he will break under pressure and become like them. This ugly attitude is what we often experience in our families, societies and our country today. Where people do all kinds of evil in order to grab power and sustain it.

 

I don’t know what your experience has been. I don’t know which of the characters in our readings can best describe our attitude towards power. Are we like the mother of the sons of Zebedee? Is our attitude like that of the ten disciples? Is our attitude like that of the pagan rulers who lord it over others? Is our attitude like that of those potting the downfall of the prophet of God? Or that of prophet Jeremiah who was a victim.

 

Whichever category we fall in, today we are called to be humble like Jesus who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Therefore, as leaders, we should see ourselves as servants and not seek after status beyond our reach or plot the downfall of others. Remember, ambition can be a good thing but only if it is kept in check and if pursued for the right reason, that is, to serve others.

 

 LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are often consumed by excess love for power, which we have often misused and abused.  As we listen to your teaching today, may we learn to use the power and authority entrusted to us in humble service to the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Tuesday Second Week of Lent Year B, 27th February, 2024

Readings: Is. 1:10.16-20; Ps.50; Matt. 23:1-12

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

DON’T BE “AN EYE SERVICE” OR HYPOCRITIC LEADERS LIKE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES

 

One of the things that makes us unique from every other creature is leadership. Leadership is one of the characteristics of the human person, It is a gift from God by which we serve him and our neighbour responsibly. But this gift often has been abused and misused by people who were entrusted with the responsibility of leading others, just like the Scribes and the Pharisees in the Gospel passage today, who had the responsibility to lead people to the Kingdom of heaven, but with their ugly ways of life,  they neither enter nor allow those who want to enter to go in.

 

Hence, Jesus told his disciples that since the scribes and the Pharisees occupied the chair of Moses. They must therefore do what they tell them and listen to what they say, but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move any. Everything they do is done to attract attention.

 

Here, Jesus made it clear that we should listen to what the authorities are saying to us. However, we should not be such people who do not put into practice what we teach. So, as Christians, we need to start practising what we preach, we need to do more witnessing than preaching. It is not enough to recall principles, state intentions, point to blatant injustice and utter prophetic denunciation; these kinds of words lack the real meaning of our faith unless they are accompanied by effective action manifested in our way of life.

 

Thus, Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, and blind guides because they misused the gift of leadership entrusted to them. So, today we are called not to be like them, rather, we should be humble, committed and responsible with whatever we are entrusted with. Jesus made us to know that the greatest among us must be the servant of all. Because anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

Hence, prophet Isaiah tells us in our first reading to hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of the world; listen to the command of our God, you people of corruption. ‘Wash, make yourselves clean. Take your wrong-doing out of God’s sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.

 

Dear friends, the world is full of eye service leaders with a Pharisaic spirit of greed, selfishness, pride and corruption. Are you one of such leaders? Don’t be an eye service or hypocritical leader for the world needs leaders who will be truly servants of the people at all levels of leadership beginning from the self to the family, to societies and other levels we may find ourselves. But what does it take to be a good leader? Jesus says humility that comes from a humble heart that wishes to serve and not to be served. A heart that understands that leadership is sacrificial. Can I be such a leader in my family, society and country?

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, humanity are suffering because of corrupt, greedy, selfish and eye service leaders who occupy virtually every important position of leadership. As we embrace your words today, may we repent and become good leaders in our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a fruitful day.

The Homily For Monday Second Week of Lent Year B, 26th , 2024

Readings:  Dan. 9:4b-10, Ps.79, Luke 6:36-38

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

HOW CAN WE BE MORE COMPASSIONATE?

 

The word compassionate is an adjective that expresses an attribute of the noun “compassion” which has to do with having a deep awareness and sympathy for another's suffering. It is the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.

 

Hence Jesus in our Gospel reading today, calls his disciples to be compassionate as our heavenly Father is compassionate. He told them not to judge so that they would not be judged. He said to them do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon and you will be pardoned. In the light of being compassionate, Jesus encouraged his disciples to be generous to people by giving, and they will receive gifts in return, a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into their lap; because the amount they measure out is the amount they will be given back.

 

Here, Jesus emphasises that our generosity should come from a truly compassionate heart, a heart that understands the sufferings of others and wishes to do something about it, knowing that truly there is a reward for every single act of generosity and compassion shown to others. Thus, prophet Daniel in our first reading reminded us that mercy and pardon belong to our God, because we have betrayed him, and have not listened to his voice nor followed the laws he has given us through his servants the prophets. So is time to come back to him as he calls us to be compassionate.

 

Dear friends, how can we be more compassionate to people in our society today, for we are called to be compassionate and generous just like our heavenly Father who is great and loving, showing compassion and kindness to those who love and keep His commandments? We are also called not to judge, because, often that which we judge in others, we are doing worse.  Hence, Jesus is challenging us today to think differently about how we live our lives.

 

He is calling us to look into our inner being, our interior life, that part of us that we hide from one another, in order to purify it in humility. And by so doing we can be pure and free to help others in the struggles with their weakness. Therefore, it’s time to look into ourselves and take away our prideful ways of life, so as to humbly accommodate the weaknesses and faults of others, especially in our families, societies and the world at large, knowing that no one is perfect without the other. This of course is a form of compassion that we are called to show to one another.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace the call to be compassionate and generous, may your blessings come down upon us in full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over so that we can share with those in need of our help. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May the favour of the Lord remain always with us.

Homily For Second Sunday of Lent Year B, 25th February, 2024

Readings: Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18, Ps.116, Rom 8:31-34, Mark 9:2-10

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

THE FAITH THAT LEADS TO STRONG PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH GOD

 

Reflecting on the awesome nature of God as manifested in the things he created, the surprising ways he chooses to carry out his plans, the people he chooses, the place, and the things he use in fulfilling his plans, they are just incomprehensible. This is evident in our readings today.

 

In the first reading, we heard how God made a difficult demand from Abraham, who after receiving  the fulfilment of God’s promised of a son, in the person of Isaac, was asked by the Lord to present this same son for a sacrificial offering at Mount Moriah. Here we can imagine what must have been going on in Abraham’s mind the moment he was asked to sacrifice the only son whom he so much desired to have as the hair to the promised God made to him. But despite this, Abraham obeyed God’s instruction unconditionally, for he trusted in the Lord and went ahead to offer Isaac as the Lord required of him. So when Isaac discovered that there was no sacrificial animal, he asked his father about it, who told him, that the Lord shall provide.

 

Hence it is clear that Abraham had such trust and faith in God that even if he offer Isaac to God, God will surely provide as he promised, because he could do what was impossible and will always fulfilled his promises. This was the great faith Abraham had that was rewarded by God when he told him not to harm Isaac, for he had seen how faithful he was. So God rewarded him saying: because you have not refused me your son, your only son, I will shower blessings on you, I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore.

 

What a great experience at the mountain of encounter and transformation which marked the beginning of a special encounter and a close relationship between God and man after the fall in garden of Edam. By obeying and trusting God, Abraham demonstrated an extraordinary faith in God’s guidance and providence. Thus, through his faith the whole humanity were blessed because from his descendants comes the saviour of humanity and this saviour is revealed at the mountain of transfiguration in the person of Jesus as we have it in our Gospel reading today.

 

The remarkable event of transfiguration reveals in a moment that Jesus was not just merely a Man, but also the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. He has two distinct yet inseparable natures of Man and Divine, through which he would seal and make a new Covenant that will last forever with all humanity, which will be made known through his Passion, his death on the Cross and his resurrection.

 

Here, we see the Lord Jesus, the Promised Saviour, who just like Isaac, the promised son of Abraham, was tied and brought up to the mountain, bearing the wood of sacrifice, to build up the altar of the sacrifice, but, in the case of Jesus, the Wood of the Cross is his altar, the altar of his sacrificial offering of love, where he, as the high Priest of all, offered himself as the worthy offering for all humanity. And this is the ultimate proof of God’s enduring love for us all. Hence, through this covenant, all of us are made to be sons and daughters of God, sharers of God’s inheritance and glory which was promised to Abraham and his descendants.

 

Therefore, the event of the transfiguration of the Lord reminds us of the revelation of Christ as the beloved Son of the Father, the one we are called to trust and listen to. An event that occur to draw our attention to inevitable event of parousia (the second coming of Jesus at the judgement day), which calls us to a life of faith and radical transformation. A transformation that brings about a new out fit that makes one a new person with a new life, a new mind and a new way of doing things. Thus, this transfiguration account tells us about the great dramatic revelation and encounter of God’s presence among the disciples of Jesus.  A truly spiritual personal experience of God, calling us for a possibility of divine encounter.

 

Dear friends, this second Sunday of Lent we all have been called like Abraham and the three disciples: Peter, James and John to journey with the Lord to the mountain of transfiguration in obedience to his will. Though, sometimes when we are called to follow the Lord, the path may seem to be uncertain and unknown to us, it may seem difficult and contrary to our own way of life, we must learn to remain faithful like Abraham, knowing that the devil is always ready to distract us, persuading and tempting us to remain in our old and ugly way of life  and not to respond to the Lord’s calling.

 

 Therefore, we are called this Holy Season of Lent to reexamine our lives in order to know how we are responding to God’s call to holiness and faith. We are to discern carefully the will of God in our lives? Today God is calling us to change our ugly way of life and follow him, in whatever directions that he wishes to lead us. Hence, St Paul tells us in the second reading that with God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for our sake.

 

But, the truth remains that, we can change our friends, residence, car or our physical appearance: hair, cloth, colour even gender as some people do today. But if we do not have a personal transfigurative experience like the three disciples, that will bring about a change of mind and heart towards loving God and our neighbours, we will remain the same and the old experience of unfruitful life will perpetuate itself over and over again in our lives. Because, everything absolutely change when we change our mind for good. And that change can only be propelled by faith that leads to a strong personal encounter and experience of God in our lives.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today you revealed the glory of your Son to humanity at the mountain of transfiguration, calling us to listen to him. As we listen to your words today, may you transform us into the image and likeness of your Son Jesus and fill our heart with the Joy of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday First Week of Lent Year B, 24th February, 2024

Readings:  Deut.26:16-19, Ps.119, Matt. 5:43-48

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

THE LIFE OF PERFECTION REQUIRES SACRIFICIAL LOVE

 

Naturally, people desire to love and be loved, to relate and be in the company of those whom they love. Nobody enjoys being among those who detest them and cause them pain and sorrow. That is why people naturally sacrifice for those whom they love in order to keep their friendship and companion. But it takes greater love and sacrifice to do good to people who detest us and cause us sorrow and pain since it is difficult and unnatural to sacrifice for such people.

 

This sacrificial life of love is what Jesus calls us to embrace in pursuit of the life of perfection. Little wonder he says in our Gospel passage: ‘If you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ 

 

Here Jesus emphasises that though it is natural and universal for human beings to love those who love them. But what makes his disciples different from other people is the ability to love not just everyone, but to love their enemies and not take vengeance or bear grudges against one another. For by so doing we will be imitating the perfection of God our heavenly Father, who shows equal love to all and calls us to a greater life of sacrificial love and deeper virtue towards perfection. Hence, we are called in our first reading today to keep the laws of the Lord, to keep and observe them with all our heart and with all our soul so that we will be a people consecrated to the Lord and by so doing become perfect just as our heavenly Father is perfect.

 

Dear friends, the life of perfection requires sacrificial love. So, today are called to a life of deeper virtue through love that leads to perfection. We are called to choose love over hatred and forgiveness over vengeance. Hatred breeds violence and other things that weaken the human soul, but love unites and heals. The fact is that God desires peace for humanity and this peace is what Jesus came to bring in the world, to restore the peace that God intended for all creation from the first day of creation. So today all of us are called to offer this peace to the world full of hatred, greed and violence. This we are called to accept and live out day by day in every way we can.

 

Therefore, friends, it’s time for us to stretch out the hands of friendship and peace to everyone both friends and enemies alike, by investing more resources in things that bring about peace and friendship with one another, rather than building a nuclear weapon that breeds more violence and hatred in the world. For by so doing the world will become more peaceful and loving.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, today we are called to live a life of perfection through sacrificial love. But the cross of the sacrificial life of love is so heavy, give us the grace to truly carry it by forgiving our enemies and striving towards the life of perfection that offers peace, mercy, compassion and love to distressed humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Friday of the First Week of Lent Year B, 23rd February, 2024

Readings:  Ezek. 18:21-28, Ps.130, Matt. 5:20-26

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

UNDERSTANDING THE APPLICATION OF GOD’S MERCY AND JUSTICE

 

Most of the time, we often find it difficult to understand the way God operates, especially as regards to his relationship with humanity. This is because humanity has failed to understand how God’s mercy and justice are applicable in our relationship with him and with one another. Little wonder, today in our first reading, the prophet Ezekiel demonstrated to us how God’s mercy and justice will be a standard for judging humanity.

 

Here, he made us know that those who are righteous if they fall into sin and wickedness, will be judged by those same sins they committed, and if found wanting, they will be condemned because of them. On the other hand, those who are wicked, if they repent from their wickedness and act righteously, will be pardoned and saved because of the righteousness and faith that they have shown through their repentance.

 

So when the upright man renounces his integrity to sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he has committed, for this is God’s justice in action. But when the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding, honest and holy, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die, this is God’s mercy in action. For we cannot separate God’s mercy and justice, because they are the same. The fact remains that, God is not interested in our past sinful ways, but in our present state of life.

 

Hence, Jesus in our Gospel passage today, calls us to a deeper virtue, when he said to his disciples, If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. That is, we must strive to deepen our virtue towards righteous deeds. We must become agents of peace and reconciliation. We must be a symbol of God’s mercy and justice in a world full of corruption and greed.

 

Dear friends, we are called today to experience this mercy and justice of God uniquely. Thus, we have to be vigilant always and strive to be righteous before God and man. Today, we have to make a fundamental choice to live a holy life and never to return to our sinful ways of life. We must struggle every day to grow in righteousness and never give up no matter the situation we are passing through. We should always reflect on what this justice and Mercy of God mean in our lives as we strive every day to remain faithful to God’s commandment of love and peace. 

 

LET US PRAY, as we struggle every day towards holiness and perfection, may we be guided by the Holy Spirit and strive to remain towards the path of righteousness and never go back to our sinful and ugly ways of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s Friday, wishing you God’s grace, mercy and favour.