Homily For Wednesday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 5th June, 2024. The Memorial of St Boniface

 

Readings: 2 Tim. 1:1-3,6-12; Ps.123; Mark 12: 18-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHAT IS YOUR DISPOSITION TOWARDS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION

 

The question about what becomes of the human person after death has been a contextual topic in every human generation and this has not changed in our generation. However, the answer to this question has been given to us by Jesus on the occasion of our Gospel passage today when the Sadducees, one of the most powerful and influential groups within the Jewish community at the time of Jesus came to ask him questions about this issue.

 

They are made up of secular and powerful societal elites who were mostly irreligious and worldly in their attitudes. They rejected the spiritual aspects of the Jewish customs and teachings, refusing to believe in the presence of Angels and the Spirit, as well as the concept of the afterlife. They rejected the notion of resurrection and life after death.

 

To them, this life on earth is the only life they have and are living through, for no other things matter more than to enjoy the world as it is, and thus, they tend to live an extravagant lifestyle and selfish attitudes. So they came up to Jesus with a trick question concerning the notion of resurrection using example of seven brothers who shared a woman as their wife and died without a child, for according to the Jewish laws and customs, when a man died without having any descendant to continue his name and lineage, it was his brother’s responsibility and obligation to take the widow of the deceased man to be his wife, and the firstborn child of the union would be considered as the child of the deceased brother.

 

Thus they asked Jesus, who’s wife will she be at the resurrection? Here, Jesus rebuked them for their ignorance of the scriptures and the power of God. Then he goes on to explain how people will relate to each other in the afterlife. For after death and resurrection, men and women do not marry, for they will be like the angels in heaven. He reminds them of the scene where the voice from the burning bush identifies itself to Moses. “I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). He is the God of the living and not of the dead. After this reply from Jesus, they no longer dared to ask him any questions, because, he had given a mind-blowing answer to their ignorance and unbelief.

 

Dear friends, it is natural for us to ask questions about the resurrection of life, but we should not expect to understand it fully while we are still alive. But we have to believe in the resurrection not so much because Jesus argued with the Sadducees, but because of his own resurrection and his promise to share his life with us forever. Jesus tells and shows us that we are children of the resurrection and children of God who neither marries nor given in marriage in the heavenly kingdom. For all that matters is our relationship with our God and neighbour, as for what we shall be after death is known by God alone.

 

Therefore, as Christians, we are challenged to overcome our excessive attachments to the world and to be closer to God and to allow Him to guide us in our path. Little wonder, St. Paul in our first reading today, reminds and encourages us not to worry about worldly trials sufferings and persecutions. Instead, let us focus our attention on the assurance of the life and joy that we will have in the kingdom of God.

 

Thus, let us be encouraged by the lives of St. Boniface whose memorial we celebrate today. He was a renowned bishop and Martyr of the Church, who is remembered for his many works of mission among the pagan peoples living in Germania, what is now known as modern-day Germany, where in the early days of the Church, he established the foundation of Christian faith and there he suffered martyrdom in the hands of the pagans. We also are called to remain faithful in our faith, even in the midst of all the difficulties and challenges of life.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, many things challenge our faith every day, grant that through the intercession of St. Boniface, we may remain steadfast in faith and charity, even in the face of trials and persecutions through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Tuesday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 4th June, 2024

 

Readings: 2 Peter 3: 12-15,17-17; Ps.90; Mark 1213-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

GIVE BACK TO CAESER WHAT BELONGS TO CAESER AND TO GOD WHAT BELONGS TO GOD

 

At the time of Jesus, one of the great means of exchange is the use of coin, A coin as we know is a small, flat, round piece of metal used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender use in order to facilitate trade. They are most often issued by the government with a particular images, numerals and inscriptions. It is a very important commodity use in payment of taxes other important goods, this gives great value to anyone who has enough for it in his possession.

 

So in the occasion of our Gospel passage today, when the Pharisees and Herodians attempted to trap Jesus using the mandatory law of paying tax to Caesar. It was a serious trap for Jesus, because a negative response from him would make him a serious enemy of Rome; a positive response would make him lose the trust of his own people, who generally detest paying this tax. Thus, Jesus said to them: “why do you set this trap for me? Bring me a coin and let me see it.’ They handed him one and he said, ‘Whose image and inscriptions is it?’ Caesar’s they told him. Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’ This reply took them completely by surprise.

 

But what do this reply means? Here Jesus requests a coin; he secures the coin; he inquires about the image and inscription of the coin; and they respond by identifying the coin with Caesar. In the context of these actions Jesus is probably holding the coin this implies that the true image of the coin is in his possession but the empirical image and inscription of the coin are the sum total of the things that belong to Caesar. In order words the true image and inscriptions of anything comes and belongs to God.

 

However the empirical image of corruption, greediness, pride, operation and deception that are found in this coin belongs to Caesar and should be rendered back to him. Thus, Jesus affirms, that one’s obligation to the government is necessary as long as it is for the good of all, while insisting that one’s obligation to God is always greater and this should be done by rendering the true image of the coin to God which ultimately belongs to Him.

 

Dear friends, in one way or the other we all possess the coins of this life, but whose image and inscription is in the coin we possess. Are we possessing the coin with the true image and inscription of God or the coin with the empirical image of sin, corruption, greed, selfishness and deception? Today Jesus is telling us to render back to the Caesars of this world all the ugly and sinful coins in our possession for they belong to them. While rendering to God the true image of the coin with the inscription of holiness, love, mercy, forgiveness, charity for they truly belongs to God.

 

Little wonder St. Peter advised us in our first reading saying: What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved. You have been warned about this, my friends; be careful not to get carried away by the errors of unprincipled people, from the firm ground that you are standing on.

 

LET US PRAY: O God, whose providence never fails in its design, grant that we may always render to you what really belongs to you, as we do away with all that offends you and our fellow neighbours through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 3rd June, 2024.

Readings: 2 Peter 1: 2-7; Ps.91; Mark 12:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE UGLY ATTITUDE OF HUMANITY TOWARDS GOD AND THE VINEYARD HE ENTRUSTED TO US

 

Oftentimes, I wonder why there is so much evil, greediness and wickedness in the world, despite how God has blessed us with good things. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, marked by a growing conflict between Jesus and the religious and political leaders of his time. And Jesus illustrates this ugly event with an allegory of the Vineyard Owner which was directed towards the ugly attitudes of humanity.

 

In this allegory, Jesus tells the story of a man who planted a vineyard, fitted it out with all that was necessary and then leased it out to tenants to cultivate. Now vineyard owner sent his servants to collect the dues and rents from the tenants whom he had entrusted with the care of his vineyard which he leased out to them. Those tenants were wicked and desired to keep everything they gained to themselves, hence they persecuted and killed the servants sent to them. The tenants also killed the son of the vineyard owner, whom the owner sent to them thinking that the tenants would respect his son.

 

This allegory describes the relationship between God and humanity and how humanity has been summoned for a trial. Here, the owner of the vineyard is God, while the son represents Jesus Himself, the Son of God sent into the world to save humanity. Also, the vineyard represents the world itself while the wicked tenants represent the ugly attitudes of humanity towards the resources entrusted to us by God.

 

Dear friends, why all this wickedness, greed and corruption in our society? Today our nation is on trial before God, for God has presented his case against us, summoning our blessed land and mountains to act as judge between Him and the people of this country, by reminding us how He has blessed us with so many resources, skills, good weather and people. But we have misused them, neglected his message, and committed a lot of evil and murder,  yet we are still crying, seeking solutions and signs from God.

 

Today as tenants in God’s vineyard, we are called to change our attitude positively, we should turn away from greed, corruption, pride and ego. If not, we will likely end up like those wicked tenants who acted with such evil against their fellow men and even against the son of their master and were justly punished.

 

Therefore, what God requires from us today is for us to do justice, to love kindly and to walk humbly with him for our good and the good of others. Little wonder St. Peter in our first reading made us know that God has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come: through them, we will be able to share the divine nature and to escape corruption in a world that is sunk in vice. But to attain this, we will have to do our utmost best, adding goodness to the faith that we have, understanding to our goodness, self-control to our understanding, patience to our self-control, true devotion to our patience, kindness towards our fellow men to our devotion, and, to this kindness, love.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, grant that we may turn away from pride, greed and the corruptions of this passing world and become steadfast in faith and care for one another. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God's favour and blessings.

Homily for Sunday of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Year B, 2nd June 2024

 

Reading: Exo. 24:3-8; Ps. 116; Heb. 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16.22-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

THIS IS MY BODY, THIS IS MY BLOOD SHADE FOR YOU

 

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ also called the Corpus Christi celebration. This event occurs every Thursday or Sunday after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. It is a solemn celebration where we reaffirm with great joy our faith in the Eucharistic Mystery of Christ’s love for humanity. Reminding us of God’s infinite gift of love for humanity which was made present in the Person of Christ Jesus under the appearance of Bread and Wine.

 

The mystery of the solemnity of Corpus Christi constitutes a very important aspect of our Christian faith, which is rooted in the historical and cultural context of the Jewish people's experience with God, of which Jesus is the fullest of this experience and revelation. Hence, on the occasion of our Gospel passage today, we heard how Jesus sent his disciples to go and prepare a place for their Passover celebration, which they did.

 

So, as they were eating Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. ‘Take it,’ he said ‘this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, ‘This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. I tell you solemnly, I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.’

 

With this statement, Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and gave his Apostles power and authority to do this in memory of him. This is a very important mission, which the Apostles had faithfully carried out and has passed on to all of their successors, the bishops and the priests of the Church, who have been ordained and have received the same power and authority from the Lord to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

So, at the Last Supper, Jesus presented the Bread and Wine as his Body and Blood which he offered on the cross as a sacrificial love for humanity and asked his disciples to do the same in memory of him. This very mandate of Christ is what the Church is doing at every celebration of the Holy sacrifice of the Mass, where Christ through the priest who acts ‘in persona Christi’ by the power of consecration, transubstantiate the Bread and Wine into his Real Body and Blood and offer it to God His Father as an unbloodied sacrificial love for humanity.

 

This means that the substance and essence of the bread and wine the priest blessed and offered to God at the celebration of the Holy Mass, have truly become the very Body and Blood of Christ Himself, under the appearance of bread and wine through the mystery of Transubstantiation. Thus, the word ‘transubstantiation’ from the two words ‘Trans’ which means ‘change’ and ‘Substantiate’ meaning ‘substance or essence’, we can explain the mystery of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, as the change of the whole substance and essence of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ through the prayer of consecration by Christ through the priest in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Therefore, at every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, through the power of the Holy Spirit the substance of bread and wine become the real and most precious Body and Blood of Christ Jesus, just in the same way he spoke at the Last Supper saying ‘This is My Body, which shall be given up for you’, ‘This is the Chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the New and Eternal Covenant, which shall be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins’ of which he fulfilled at the Cross in Calvary, where he offered himself Body, Soul and Divinity for the salvation of humanity. Hence, we share in this grace of salvation when we participate fully in this sacrificial offering of God’s love for humanity.

 

Little wonder in our second reading we heard that: Christ has come, as the high priest of all the blessings which were to come. He has passed through the greater, the more perfect tent, which is better than the one made by men’s hands because it is not of this created order; and he has entered the sanctuary once and for all, taking with him not the blood of goats and bull calves, as we heard in our first reading how Moses took the blood and cast it towards the people saying: This is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you, containing all his rules you are to observe. But here, Jesus offers his blood, having won an eternal redemption for us, to purify our inner self from dead actions so that we can offer our service to the living God.

 

The fact remains that in the Eucharist, we are physically and spiritually fed much more than the Israelites in the wilderness, who were fed with manna as we have it in Deut. 8:2-3,14-16, they were given the manna to survive in the wilderness, but Christ gave us the Eucharist not just for us to survive in the wilderness of this passing world but for us to gain eternal life and come to share in his love, for the Eucharist is the real presence of Christ love for humanity.

 

Dear friends, today we are called to embrace the love of God present in the Holy Eucharist, the power of God’s mercy for sinful humanity. We are called to deepen our understanding of this rich mystery of our faith in the Eucharist and come to change the way we relate with Jesus in the Eucharist. We are called to strive to worthily receive the Holy Eucharist. We are called to be grateful for this Sacrificial love of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and form the habit of adoring Christ our Lord present in the Holy Eucharist, as we let the love of his presence to transform our souls into that purest love that will renew our families, societies and the world at large.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, through the sacrificial love of your Son Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, grant us the grace to constantly experience your presence within us, especially amid doubt, ignorance, persecution, trials and uncertainties of life. May the Eucharistic Power of love fill our hearts once again and so renew the hatred, greed and corruption in the hearts of sinful humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday to you all.

Homily For Saturday Eight Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 1st June 2024. The Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr (Happy New Month)

 

Readings: 1 Jude 17.20-25, Ps.63; Mark 11:27-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

IDENTIFYING THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

 

In our dealings with people, we are often requested to make reference to authorities in order to back up our claim to know or possess anything. And when such authority is not available our proposal may not be taken seriously. Little wonder our gospel passage today, presents to us the fundamental question concerning the source of Jesus’ authority, namely whether it is divine or human. Here, after Jesus drove away the traders from the courts of the Temple, the chief priests and elders questioned the source of his authority, for they were more concerned to learn whether Jesus had received the proper human authorization by questioning the source of his authority.

 

In response, Jesus draws their attention to John the Baptist and his authority and by so doing he implies that the source of John's authority is the source of his as well. Thus, anyone who correctly identifies the source of John's authority will identify the source of Jesus’ own as well. Therefore the questions we need to ask ourselves are: What is our notion about the authority of Jesus? Do we have any doubt about the authority of Jesus? How much of this authority dwells in you? The crowds identified the source of John and Jesus’ authority as divine. Have we personally identified the divine authority of Jesus in our lives? Why not ask him to manifest his power and authority once more in your life?

 

Dear friends, we need to open up our hearts to truly embrace the authority of the Lord Jesus. We need to build up our interior lives around his authority, so as to be closer to God and continue to prepare ourselves physically and spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus in our hearts and our souls. For there he awaits our response to his invitation to holiness and love. Little wonder St. Jude in our first reading today said when some have doubts reassure them; when there are some to be saved from the fire, pull them out; but there are others to whom you must be kind with great caution.

 

So, like St. Justin whose memorial we celebrate today, we are called to learn to identify our authority with that of Jesus. He was known for his desire to establish a peaceful relationship between the Church and the state. For through his writings, he tried to convince Emperor Marcus Aurelius to end the persecution of Christians by the Roman state which led to his martyrdom with some of his followers in the year 165.

 

Today however, St. Justin no doubt, has shown us through his works and interactions, with pagan philosophers and even with the Emperor, that it is indeed possible to be fully faithful and committed to God while exercising our authority and position by living in harmony as a law-abiding citizens of the community and the state even in the midst of persecutions and operations as we experience in our societies today.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, in your divine authority we build our confidence and hope. May you continue to direct and guide our ways and bring our plans and purposes to a successful end. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a happy and fruitful weekend.

Homily For Friday Eight Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 31st May 2024. The Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading: Zeph.3:14-18; Ps. Is. 12:2-6; Luke 1:39-56

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

THE SACRIFICE AND JOY OF VISITATION

 

Every last day of May, we celebrate the Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A great Marian feast on which we conclude our May devotion in a grand style in procession, with hymns and candlelight, singing along with our Mother Mary in thanksgiving to God for the good work of our salvation.

 

So, today’s feast as we have it in our Gospel passage, reminds us of the moment when Mary, after the event of Annunciation, having received the message from Angel Gabriel, came to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is now pregnant with a child. For at that time, Mary was just having the Child Jesus in her not long after he was conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, while Elizabeth, who had become pregnant earlier, was having John the Baptist in her womb, even in her old age.

 

Here, Mary sang the Magnificat in honour to God for the great thing he has done not just for her, but for all humanity. For having heard that her cousin Elizabeth, who at that time had been long barren had now conceived a child, came and found out that what the Lord had revealed to her through the Angel Gabriel was indeed true, that her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived in her old age. And herself, about to have a Child without any human relations but by the power of the Holy Spirit. These made Mary rejoice greatly, for it was truly a great and joyful moment which God had shown to all his people.

 

Hence, this grace-filled event reveals the special role that Mary played in God’s plan for human salvation. So, as she brings the Word of life dwelling in her womb to Elizabeth, Mary becomes the image of the Church’s missionary activity for she is filled with the spirit ready to visit and bring Christ to all humanity.

 

This also presents to us the joyful moment when Mary bearing the Word Made Flesh visited barren and lonely humanity well represented by the person of Elizabeth. Thus, in this act of kindness, we recall the faith and the wonderful commitment shown by Mary, as an example and inspiration to all of us. For she totally obeyed the Lord and entrusted herself completely to the divine will of God.

 

Dear friends, visitation is part and parcel of our mission, just that we are so busy with everything except the very essence of our mission, which is, the salvation of our souls. The fact remains that, there is joy and power in visiting one another just like Mary. There is grace and a sense of belonging in visiting one another.

 

Do you know that some visitations bring healing, restoration and joy? Do you wish to have or give such kind of visitation? For there is inner healing and restoration when we visit each other. So today, who do you wish to visit or who will you like to visit you today? How will you feel if any of your loved ones should pay you a surprise visit today? How will you feel if your presence brings joy and happiness to someone today?

 

Why not try to visit someone today? Why not try to visit your friends, colleagues, classmates, workers, family members and neighbours whom you have abandoned for a long time? Why not try to learn from Mary, for in her we have found a great role model? So, by following her example we also embark on our journey of faith, learning from her obedience and dedication to the mission that has been entrusted to her throughout her life, just as we are entrusted with the task of spreading the Gospel passage to all humanity.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, only the soul for whom you have done great things can truly proclaim with fitting praise the joy of your presence. As we embrace your words today through the visitation of our Mother Mary, we joyfully surrender unto you, our whole life, our senses, our barrenness and loneliness, for our spirit rejoices at the coming of Christ Jesus our Saviour, and may this joy always remain in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday of the Eight Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 30th May 2024

 

Readings: 1Pet. 1:18-25; Ps.147; Mark 10:46-52

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE LORD TO DO FOR YOU?

 

There is no doubt that Jesus has shown his compassionate love for humanity in different ways, especially to the poor, the sick and those possessed by the unclean Spirit. This attitude of Jesus which springs from the love of God the Father constitutes the basis of the Church’s liberating activity which is rooted in our faith in God.

 

Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Bartimaeus, the blind beggar gives us a complete lesson about faith, expressed with total simplicity in front of Christ Jesus. He had faith enough to call out to Jesus as he passed by, even when he was scolded by the people close to him, his need for Jesus was so great that he cried all the louder, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!

 

Then Jesus asks an unusual question “What do you want me to do for you?” So even though his need was obvious, Jesus wanted him to mention it. In the same way today, Jesus is asking us: my child what do you want me to do for you? Why not like this blind beggar tell Jesus your need. Even though he knows your needs, you still need to present them before him. This blind man needed his eyesight restored, so he said aloud to Jesus, “Lord, that I may see!” And Jesus said: ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.’

 

Here, we see a man whose faith led him to put off his former identity and cry in the hope of restoration. Bartimaeus’s faith involves proclamation, prayer, liberation, personal encounter and following of Jesus. More so, Jesus in this healing reveals his compassion towards human sufferings and wants us to imitate Bartimaeus’s faith in our struggles and challenges of life.

 

Dear friends, what is that one thing you need in your life? Have we ever felt helpless and neglected? Do we feel the need for Jesus’s help in some part of our lives? Do we know people who are helpless and need some help? How strong is our compassion towards them? Let us look at them for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at them. How does he see them? Why not in faith present our needs before Jesus who is willing and ready to help us? For St. Peter, in our second reading today reminds us that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

 

So, like Jesus, each one of us is called today to reach out to people around us who are really in need of our assistance. This includes our family members, our neighbours, our colleagues and others who we encounter in life. The truth is that you may be the only person who can bring the healing and compassion of Jesus into their lives.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we present our needs before you today, may we experience once again your compassionate love and grant our hearts desire according to your Holy will, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God’s favour and blessings.