Homily For Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, 29th March, 2024

Readings: Is. 52:13-53:12; Ps. 31; Heb. 4:14-16.5:7-9; John:18:1-19:42

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

 IT IS FINISHED, THE SACRIFICIAL LOVE OF CHRIST FOR SINFUL HUMANITY IS ACCOMPLISHED

 

Today, we celebrate the passion of Christ which constitutes the climax of the revelation of God’s love for humanity. In this celebration we recall how the Lord was condemned to carry the sins of humanity on his Cross, enduring all the insults, torture, pains and struggles on the way to Calvary.

 

The anguish of the Lord’s Passion cannot fail to move even the most hardened hearts to pity and remorse, yet we call this most sorrowful day, Good Friday despite all the terrible events and circumstances Jesus had to pass through. But we will appreciate the “Good” about the Friday when we do not just focus our attention on what happened, but on what was accomplished for humanity, that is, the price paid for the salvation of humanity. For this Friday the Lord Jesus says I thirst…, it is finished. Today, all his pains and agonies were now finished, it had indeed ended on the Cross. No one to drag, betray or accuse him of anything anymore.

 

But, what is good about this Friday is that all our shame, disgrace, pains and agonies are now ended on the Cross of Christ. What is good about this Friday is that humanity has died to sin in order the rise to righteousness. What is good about this Friday, is that human hope which was lost to sin is restored. What is good about this Friday is that humanity has received mercy and forgiveness. What is good about this Friday is that the human body is constrained while the soul is elevated. What is good about this Friday is that the enemy the devil is conquered on the Cross.

 

This Friday is good because human pride is conquered by the humility of Christ. This Friday is good because human wickedness, greed, hatred, selfishness corruption and betrayal are conquered by love, sacrificial love and charity that flows from the heart of Jesus.  Thus, what is good about this Friday is that God has accomplished his plan for our salvation. This makes the event of Good Friday a very important aspect of the Easter Triduum, beginning from yesterday’s Holy Thursday celebration of the Last Supper and continuing with the Saturday Vigil and the Resurrection of the Lord at Easter, making the whole events one great celebration of the Holy Mass.

 

The event of Good Friday liturgy of Christ’s Passion is not simply a commemoration of an important event that happened in the past, but a prayerful experience that makes Christ’s sacrifice present and operative in the lives of his children. An event where Christ fought for humanity and won our salvation on the cross, calling us to embrace his love for us. On the cross, he says: I thirst…, it is finished. This means that all pains and agonies were now finished, the goal has now been accomplished, not of a futile end, but of a fulfilled mission.

 

Dear friends, today, this Friday, Jesus dies on the cross and lies in the tomb, an event that is so permeated by human sadness that leads to silence meditation and prayer. Therefore, let us pause awhile to contemplate his anguish, his disfigured face: the face of a Man of sorrows, who took upon himself the burden of all our mortal anguish. By so doing, we too, like the women of Jerusalem, like Simon of Cyrene, like the good thief, like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who were present at the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Let us beat our breasts, recalling what happened, and so see how his face is reflecting in that of every person who is humiliated and offended, sick and suffering, abandoned and despised, especially during this period that the world is passing through a turbulent moment as a result of the inflation caused by war, human greediness, selfishness, wickedness, terrorism and other sinful actions, which have brought a lot of troubles and fear in the hearts of people.

 

Let us know that we are not alone in our daily struggles against sin and other ugly actions which stand as the crosses we have to bear in this life. For Jesus is in fact, carrying his Cross together with us. He is suffering also with us for he has made all our sufferings, pains and struggles his own. He has carried away our burden of sins. Therefore, let us spend some time today to reflect on our Lord’s Passion and suffering, his great love for us and how important we need to change our ugly ways of life and resolve by God’s grace not to go on with our sinful ways, knowing that they separate us from the love of God.

 

Today, Jesus sacrificed everything for our sake. What are we sacrificing for him? What are we sacrificing for his Church, what are we sacrificing for humanity? What are we sacrificing for our families? What are you sacrificing for your wife, your husband, your children, your father and your mother, your boss in the office and those working for you? What are we sacrificing for the sake of peace in our homes, our offices, our colleagues in the office and marketplaces?  Brethren, the “good” about this Friday is the sacrificial love of Christ for humanity, which we are called to reciprocate in our neighbours. Therefore, let us go out there and offer this sacrificial love to all those we encounter today and always.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, for the sake of your sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and the whole world. Help us to reciprocate this mercy to all those we encounter in our journey of life. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace-filled celebration of the Lord’s passion.

Homily For Holy Thursday Year B, 28th March, 2024

Readings: Ex: 12:1-8,11-14; Ps. 115; 1Cor. 11:23-26; John:13:1-15

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH

The events of Holy Thursday mark the beginning of the Sacred Paschal Triduum of the passion and resurrection of the Lord which is the peak of the entire liturgical year. These events begin with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper after the Chrism Mass in the morning, which reaches its peak at the Easter Vigil and ends with  Sunday evening prayer. 

This shows that today’s celebration is truly very significant, for in it some of the core elements of our faith are established. Beginning with the Lord giving us his own Most Precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Where the bread and wine turned into this Body and Blood. Here, as the Eternal High Priest of all, at the Last Supper, Jesus offers his own Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine, as the beginning of the very first Sacrifice of the Mass, lifted as an offering to God the Father, which turns into the essence and substance of his own Body and Blood offered on the Altar at the Cross of Calvary on Good Friday, where this Sacrifice of the Mass is accomplished. By this singular event, the Lord Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist established the institution of Holy Priesthood and made his disciples share in his High Priest function and service.

So, the Mass of Holy Thursday evening shows deep signs of the mystery of God's love. The Gospel especially, links all these events with the concrete reality of our lives. Though it says little about the Paschal mystery, passion and the Eucharist, instead its focus is on Jesus, our Lord and Master, who gets down on his knees, lays down the clothes of his glory, wraps around his waist the towel of humility and makes himself a servant and washes the disciples' dirty feet. A sign of his service and love which unveils the mystery of his love for humanity. 

This act of cleansing offers his disciples the gift of purity, the capacity to dine with the Lord. Thus, this gift becomes a model, the duty for them to do the same for one another. Here, Jesus teaches us that it is in this spirit of purity, love and service of our brothers and sisters that we can practice the outstanding characteristic of Christian discipleship. 

Dear friends, we are encouraged to spend these three days of Easter Triduum to deepen our faith and love for God. We are called to dedicate ourselves once more to the Lord. We are called to make good use of this time to reflect on how blessed we are to have been loved by God, so much so that He was willing to go through all the troubles and sufferings for our sake. Therefore, let us spend this time to reflect deeply on our personal relationship with God and discern carefully how we can begin to live our lives more faithfully and in humble service to God and humanity, just the way our Lord Jesus has shown us and his disciples today.

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, We all have been recipients of your love and service in our lives, thanks for the gift of the people whom you have used to bring us close to God. Help us be of humble service to others, especially in this difficult moment when people are suffering, sick and dying as a result of human greediness, selfishness and inflation. May the efforts of your children who are deeply involved in the restoration of peace and stability in our families societies and the world at large not be in vain. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Please remember to pray for me and all the priests today.

Homily For Wednesday of Holy Week Year B, 27th March, 2024

Readings: Is.50:4-9; Ps. 69; Matt. 26:14-25

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

DO NOT BE A TRAITOR LIKE JUDAS

What is the price of a traitor, what are the motives of a traitor? What are the consequences and repercussions of a traitorous act? The answer to these questions can be found in the life of Judas. In the Gospel passage today, Judas went to the chief priests to make a deal for handing Jesus over to them for 30 pieces of silver, the poor amount of wages paid to the shepherd. This was the amount Judas betrayed his master, an amount that he too, will throw back to the priests after realizing what evil he has done. 

This act of betrayal as predicted by Jesus before his disciples is in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah in our first reading about the suffering Servant of God, to Whom the Lord had chosen to bear the punishments and sufferings due to our sins, that he might suffer them all instead of us. And yet, he would neither protest nor grumble against this, as it was by his desire and will that he had taken up his Cross and suffered for our sake. ‘But alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ 

Dear friends, 30 pieces of silver were the wages of Judas for his traitorous act. But Judas is not alone in this ugly and traitorous attitude. We can imagine what people are doing for money in our world today. Perhaps we too, have betrayed and handed Jesus and our friends and neighbours over more than once. We have often broken bread with Jesus, but later betrayed him for money, out of ambition, greed, anger, hatred, revenge or even become violent because of our own personal selfish gain. There is no doubt that the devil tempted Judas just as he had tempted us in various ways, and we have fallen just as Judas had fallen. For when we sin, no matter how grievous or small, we are still betraying the Lord. 

Therefore, let us watch it carefully during this Holy Season and indeed always not to involved in any traitorous act against God or anyone at all. If we are already involved in any, this is a period to reconsider and reconcile with them and so come back to the Lord with tears of repentance and resolve not to go back to such evil acts again as we apologize and make restitution. And in case anyone who had betrayed us should come back and ask for mercy, we must find a place in our heart to forgive, just the way Jesus has given us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we enter into the great mystery of Easter Triduum beginning tomorrow, give us grace to journey with you in holiness, may you also forgive us for often being a traitor against you, your Church, our families, friends and our societies at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace-filled day.

Homily For Tuesday Holy Week Year B, 26th March, 2024

Readings: Is.49:1-6; Ps.71; John 13:21-33.36-38

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

ARE YOU A BETRAYAL AND DENIAL OF GOD’S GRACE AND LOVE?

 

Today being the third day of Holy Week, the readings are selected to help us focus our attention on the upcoming celebrations of the Easter Triduum when we are going to enter into the most sacred moments in the history of our salvation. In our first reading, we heard of the suffering servant of God, the light of the nations who shall come forth as the Saviour sent by God. He will therefore bring hope to the people of God who are suffering and oppressed. An event which played out in the life of Jesus.

 

Consequently, the Gospel passage today, presents the moment when Jesus the Saviour sent by God was troubled in spirit on account of the passion he has to pass through as a result of the ugly attitudes of humanity as played out in the lives of his very disciples. Hence he declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ Here, Jesus is talking about the betrayal of Judas and the announcement of Peter’s denial as well. These two events place before us the terrible action of his two disciples which will lead to his arrest and condemnation. With this pronouncement, Judas became aware that Jesus knew about his plans. But this does not change his mind and decision to betray him. So from that moment, Satan entered him and he separated himself and left the presence of Jesus and his disciples.

 

Dear FRIENDS, are you a betrayal and denial of God’s grace and love? Today we hear how the ugly attitude of the human person of betrayal and denial led to the capture and torture of Jesus. Today it is Judas, at the house of Caiaphas and the Cross it will be Peter’s turn while every day we do the same, if not worse. But, unlike Judas, who plotted his betrayal over a price. Peter's denial of Jesus comes from his weakness and lack of courage to withstand evil. Oftentimes, in different places and circumstances, it will be our turn to either be betrayed, denied or betray, deny other people. Whatever the case, we must know that it is not simply Jesus and his love that we have betrayed, we have betrayed ourselves.

 

The fact remains that, our attitudes and selfishness sometimes are like that of Judas. Our sins against God and our neighbours are betrayals of our commitments and promises we made to either God or our neighbours. This is why we must be careful in order not to end up falling into temptation like Judas who fell into this temptation because of money and personal benefit, ending up committing a great sin against his very master and friends. 

 

Therefore, this Holy Week we must have an examination of conscience on how often we have betrayed one another. We must reconcile with those we have betrayed in any way as we resolve by God’s grace never to engage in such an ugly attitude. This we do by allowing our Christian faith and virtues to shine brightly in the midst of all the darkness of betrayal and denial as we look up to Jesus our Lord and Saviour, especially in these dark and difficult moments in our world where people do all sorts of evil things to one another.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, give us the grace and courage this Holy Season not to deny or betray you or our neighbour, for without your grace there is no sin we may not commit against You or our neighbour today. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday in Holy Week Year B, 25th March, 2024

Readings: Is.42:1-7; Ps.26; John 12:1-11

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING TO GOD IN APPRECIATION FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR US?

 

Six days to the passion and crucifixion of Jesus, we are called to embark on a spiritual journey of faith, passion and hope with Jesus. Little wonder, the first reading today, talks about the Saviour whom God sent into the world to bring forth justice and peace, and to reconcile the world with himself. Reminding us again that God has sent us a redeemer in the person of Christ his Son and servant, Who reveals God’s desire to save his people, by his readiness to take up the Cross and suffer for our sake.

 

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we have the story of how Mary in appreciation anointed the feet of Jesus just before he commenced his Passion. This happened as Lazarus and his sisters gave a dinner to Jesus,  perhaps in thanksgiving. Martha did the serving. While Mary honoured Jesus by anointing his feet with a precious ointment. This is because, when Mary saw her brother sitting at the same table with Jesus who turned her mourning into joy, could any gift be too great or precious to express her gratitude? No!

 

The generosity of Mary in the eyes of Judas, appeared wasteful. But Mary knew that Jesus was worthy of her honour and service, even when it cost so much. Here, Judas sees waste, but Jesus sees love. She pours her love on the feet of the one who will pour himself out on the whole world for the salvation of all humanity. Mary made a dramatic gesture of love which anticipates the love of Jesus on the Cross. But what are we offering to Jesus in appreciation for all he has done for us?

 

Dear friends, let us ask ourselves today if we have any kind of Mary's spirit in our hearts, the spirit that prompt us to show love and gratitude to our Lord and Saviour and to one another? This holy week, can anything be too precious so as to distract us from spending quality time with the Lord in thanksgivings for his love and mercy in our lives? 

 

Therefore, let us endeavour to utilize this golden opportunity to experience the Lord personally in our lives, as we resolve this day to live our lives faithfully, so as to be more humble, open and willing to listen to God. Let us struggle to get rid of all pride, ego, ambition, selfishness and greed in our hearts, for all these desires lead us to fall into temptation to sin and so distract us from reaching our goal of journeying with the Lord in his passion, death and resurrection at Easter.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, nothing was too great in Mary's heart to offer you, may nothing distract us from expressing our love and gratitude to you as we journey with you this period of your passion and crucifixion for the salvation of humanity, you who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

HOMILY FOR PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION YEAR B, 24TH MARCH, 2024

Readings: Is. 50:4-7; Ps. 22; Phil 2:6-11; Mark 4:1-15:47

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

MAKING A JOURNEY THAT LEADS TO ENCOUNTER, CONVERSION AND RESTORATION

 

One of the most beautiful Sundays during this holy season of Lent is Palm Sunday, a very special Sunday that ushers us into the holy week. This begins with a journey, in which Jesus the King of peace invites us to journey with him. Though, we have many journeys to make in life, but this journey is a special journey with the Lord. A journey of encounter, conversion and restoration. A journey with the procession that reflects an image of something deep about our salvation. Telling us that, together with Jesus, we are setting out on a pilgrimage along the high way that leads to our salvation.

 

Thus, in our Gospel passages today, we have a comprehensive account of the Lord’s passion from the time of his triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, as well as the time he was anointed in Simon the leper’s house, his Passover with his disciples, when he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, arrested, put on trial, handed over to the Romans, condemned to death and was crucified like a criminal, as prophesied in our first reading by prophet Isaiah, which was also emphasized in our second reading telling us how, though he was divine but humbled himself to accepting death on the Cross for the salvation of Humanity.

 

These of course, represent two very distinct extremes between the glory and triumphant nature of his entrance procession into Jerusalem, and the humiliating and painful nature of his passion and crucifixion at Calvary.  Reminding us that we are on a pilgrimage with the Lord, the king of peace, who calls us to strive for purity of hearts and clean of hands, calling us to embrace the truth we found in him as we Journey with him through the activities of this Holy Week.

 

As the King of peace, there are three things about the kingship of Jesus. First, he is the king of the poor, though rich he humbled himself and became poor. The poverty of Jesus comes from the inner freedom which sprang from a pure heart that is above the human greed for possession and power. The inner freedom that overcomes the corruption and greediness in the hearts of men and women of our world today. Secondly, the kingship of Jesus will be that of peace. For he will do away with wars, crisis, hatred, corruption, greediness in order to proclaim peace on earth. Thirdly, his kingship will be universal. For his kingdom will extend peace from sea to sea and those seeking the face of God will truly find peace.

 

Dear friends, there is no doubt that every year we celebrate our Palm Sunday, but how has this sacred celebration changed our lives? How have we encountered the Lord through this sacred celebration? How has this solemn event lead us to conversion? To what extent can we say that we have experienced restoration through the sacred celebration? All this can happen to us when we open our hearts to journey with God. So, this Holy Week, we are not to lose hope or miss out from the spiritual aspect of this celebration. Rather, let us open our hearts and embrace the spirit of the season by spending more time with God in prayer, deepening our devotion through works of charity and through reading of the Scriptures, develop a personal relationship with God as we journey towards him following our Lord Jesus Christ in his passion.

 

In fact, this a moment when we have to be more close to God despite the ugly situation in our society. This should probably be a reminder for us, of the spiritual and social value of what Palm Sunday really represents, so that, in spite of all these darkness and uncertainties, all the despairs and terrible things all around us, we still have that very one hope and one faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Saviour. Thus, let us enter into the Holy Week with an open heart and mind, by letting the Lord to enter spiritually into our hearts and into our beings as gloriously and joyously as the people of Jerusalem had welcomed him with branches of palms and with great rejoicing and reverence.

 

But not just the physical branches of palms, garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then withers, rather, with a pure soul, clothed in God's grace, love, mercy and holiness. Therefore, let our souls take the place of the palm branches as we embrace the Lord Jesus in his journey towards our salvation, and by so doing experience the presence of God personally and collectively in our lives.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we proclaim the kingship of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, let us embrace your kingship with all our hearts and so journey with him this period of holy week, desiring to be righteous and holy as we embrace your mercy and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a spirit filled Palm Sunday celebrate.

Homily For Saturday Fifth Week of Lent Year B, 23rd March, 2024

Readings: Ezek.37:21-28; Ps.31; John 11:45-57

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

DO NOT FIGHT ONE WHOM GOD HAS SENT ON A DIVINE MISSION

 

Oftentimes, we do things without knowing or understanding the full meaning of what we are doing. Sometimes, we feel or think that we can change God’s plan by frustrating the effects of others, but later to discover that we are unknowingly fulfilling the plan of God. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Jewish authorities were filled with rage on account of the news of the resurrection of Lazarus which increased the popularity of Jesus. So they convoked a council to discern how to get rid of him.

 

For them, this man works many signs and people are now believing in him, if we let him go on this way everybody will believe in him and the Romans will come and suppress the Holy Place and their nation. They were jealous and afraid not just of the Romans but also for possibly losing the temple and even the privileged position of the priests. Thus, Caiaphas being the high priest, decided that it is better that one man should die for the people, than the whole nation should perish. Though being the high priest, he did not just speak, but unknowingly, was prophesying that Jesus have to die to save humanity from sin and death.

 

Dear friends, do not fight one whom God has sent on a divine mission because you will fail. This is the attitude of the people in our Gospel passage and often times our actions and attitudes are like that of the Jewish authorities, we condemn people out of jealousy and unnecessary fear we feel because of what God is doing through them. Sometimes we feel threatened and intimidated by people’s good deeds and blessings, because we don’t see the need to appreciate them or see the hands of God in what they do.

 

This is very bad and should not be see among us. The truth is that, God has a plan for everyone. God’s plan for Jesus is to save humanity, which he had promised through prophet Ezekiel as we heard him in our first reading today saying: “I shall rescue them from all the betrayals they have been guilty of; I shall cleanse them; they shall be my people and I will be their God”.

 

This no doubt is what this season of Lent is all about, calling us to prepare ourselves well to celebrate the upcoming mysteries of the Holy Week, by embracing it with openness to God’s mercy and a renewed faith and obedience to God’s will. Let us all spend some time to reflect on how we can enter into the most sacred time of this season, so that we may truly have a personal experience of God’s presence so as to grow more spiritually and be ever closer to God our Father.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you promised to guard us as a shepherd guards his flock, to turn our mourning into joy and to give gladness for grief. May this Holy Season of Lent remind us again of your loving mercy for humanity especially on the ugly situations of sickness, poverty, greed, corruption and sins that are  ravaging our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled weekend.