Homily For Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 9th June 2024

 

Reading: Gen. 3:9-15; Ps. 130; 2Cor. 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35

 

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

IF YOU BELONG TO GOD’S FAMILY WHY SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Having a sense of belonging is fundamental to human happiness and well-being, for it gives value to our lives and helps us in coping with some painful emotions. Hence, we often want to identify with one another, with our friends and families, with our culture or one association with another. However, one of the common and safest places to belong is our families, especially when it is rooted in the love of God and neighbour.

 

So, today in our Gospel passage, Jesus speaks about belonging to his family and his relationship with members of his family when he said: ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.’ In this Gospel, Jesus speaks of two ways the people around him could be identified as members of his family. Firstly, he talks about those who belong to the family of his birth that is, his mother, father and relations. Then his other family is made up of those who do the will of God.

 

This family he says, is his true family where doing the will of God is the only way of belonging to this family. This is not to say that Jesus is rejecting his family; to do so would contradict his teaching about loving one's parents and loving one's neighbours. However, Jesus is using this opportunity to emphasize that relationship with God is more important and this should depend on our total commitment to doing the will of God through him.

 

Surprisingly, Mary the mother of Jesus belongs to both sides of the family, for she gave birth to Jesus and was also the first to do the will of God when she said, “Let it be done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). For this reason she is the first disciple of Jesus and a model for all Christians. This is not the same with Eve in our first reading who disobeyed God’s instructions for we heard the Lord calling the man after he had eaten of the tree. ‘Where are you?’ what have you done ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ the Lord asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’

 With this act of disobedience, humanity was separated from our original family where doing the will of God is the guiding principle. But God has not abandoned us for he still stretches his hand of reconciliation.

 

Thus, to be a Christian or a disciple is to respond to this act of reconciliation in order to enter into the family of Jesus and embrace a new relationship with God and with one another for this is the most important family we can belong. All other bonds, including those of blood, should be considered secondary. Because belonging to God is fundamental to our basic relationships before all human relations. Remember, we belong first to God before belonging to our families, after which we all go back to God where we ultimately belong, which is determined by how we have been doing God’s will here on earth.

 

Little wonder Jesus spoke about the sin against the Holy Spirit who is the primary agent of evangelization. This is because some scribes who watched the great miracle of the deliverance of a man who was possessed said that it was through the power of Beelzebul the prince of demons that he was able to cast the devil out. Because they were adamant in their opposition against Jesus which was propelled by envy and jealousy.

 

 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 said: 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 mercy and grace of salvation offered to us through the Holy Spirit‘s constant 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 the 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. This will be possible if we know where we ultimately and truly belong. Though, as Christians, we claim to belong to God. But do our attitudes and decisions show that we truly belong to God? Do we not often commit ourselves to things contrary to the faith we professed in God? Can we say that we are truly doing the will of God? What have we been doing with the word of God we hear every day? What kind of fruit are we bearing in our family and society? How has the word of God changed our life and disposition towards our family?

Therefore, we should ask God to endow us with the spirit of discernment and truth, especially during this period when we are often faced with the ugly and sad attitude of human deception all over the world.

 

 LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are called to do your will always in order to truly belong to that true family of Jesus where the love of you and our neighbour unites us together. Grant that we may learn to do your will and never sin against the Holy Spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Do have a blessed Sunday.

Homily For Saturday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 8th June, 2024. The Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Reading: 2Tim. 4:1-8; Ps. 71; Luke 2:41-51

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

DO YOU HAVE A HEART THAT PONDERS AND CONTEMPLATES ON THE LORD?

 

Biologically, the heart is the main organ in the circulatory system, the structure primarily responsible for delivering the circulation of blood and transportation of nutrients in all parts of the body. This continuous task uplifts the role of the heart as a vital organ whose normal operation is constantly required. In biblical language, “heart” indicates the centre of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell. Yesterday we celebrated the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Heart where we embrace God’s infinite love and mercy for humanity and His will for universal salvation. Following the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the Immaculate Heart of his Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Hence today, the liturgy invites us to venerate the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a devotional name used to refer to the interior life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and, above all, her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for her son Jesus, and her compassionate love for all people. Here we recall Mary’s great love for God, her faith and piety, her commitment to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, and how she loved her Son dearly from the moment before he was born, his finding in the Temple and even up to the way of the Cross, when Mary followed her Son faithfully as he picked up his Cross and bore that burden of the Cross to Calvary, she bears and pondered all this sorrows deep within her Immaculate Heart.

 

This is the event we celebrate today, of which our Gospel passage tells us how Mary having struggled to understand the mysterious events in the life of her Son Jesus, stored up all these events in her heart. A heart that is propelled by love and filled with genuine faith in God, a heart so pure and contemplative. For such is the immaculate heart of Mary, having been conceived without sin, and pure from any taints of evil and wickedness.

 

Yet, this loving and caring Immaculate Heart has to endure great sorrows and in the midst of these sorrows, she did not stop being loving, compassionate and caring to her Son and also to all of us, as she fulfils the mandate entrusted to her by Jesus at the Cross of Calvary saying: Mother behold your son and son behold your mother. By this mandate, all of us are blessed to have been placed under the maternal care of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a great saint and our role model.

 

Dear friends, do you have a heart that ponders and contemplates the Lord? For today we are called to imitate and embrace the Immaculate Heart of Mary, whose maternal care we have been commended by Jesus at the Cross of Calvary. We are truly fortunate to have received such abundant love and compassion from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary his mother, who is also our loving mother.

 

Let us, therefore cultivate a heart that mirrors that of our mother, let us imitate the purity of her heart, and let us be caring, loving, contemplative and compassionate in our relationship with one another. So like St. Paul in our first reading today we can say: I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we imitate the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, graciously grant that through her intercession we may be a worthy temple of your glory and make our hearts a loving, caring and compassionate vessel for all through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful weekend.

Homily For Friday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 7th June, 2024. The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (World Day Prayer For the Sanctification of Priests)

 

Reading: Hosea 11:1.3-4.8-9; Ps. Is. 12:2-6; Eph. 3:8-12.14-19; John 19:31-37

 

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

CELEBRATING THE HEART THAT WAS PIERCED FOR THE LOVE OF YOU AND I

 

Every Friday after the Sunday of the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Church celebrates the great Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. An occasion where we are invited to contemplate and celebrate the love of God pouring forth from the Most Loving Heart of Jesus pierced for the salvation of humanity. A great act of love which God revealed through influences on mystic saints such as St. Gertrude the Great was made more obvious through St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the revelation she had around 17 century.

 

In this revelation, the Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and showed her his heart and the anguish and sorrow which he had for the sins and disobedience of humanity, despite the incomprehensible act of love, compassion and mercy that he has lavished upon us. Then the Lord said to her: “Behold the Heart that has loved so many men, and yet, instead of gratitude, all I received were ingratitude…” and asking in particular that the Friday after the week in which the Solemnity of Corpus Christi is celebrated should be dedicated to him as the Feast of reparation to the Most Sacred Heart. The Lord also promised St. Margaret Mary that all those who devoted themselves to His Most Sacred Heart with faith will be protected and receive the graces of God.

 

So, the long development of these revelations led to the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as we have it today. However, it was Pope Pius IX who extended and placed this great Feast and Solemnity in its current form and honour. This great feast also marks the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctity of Priestly Life, keeping in mind that the priesthood is the product of Christ's sacrificial heart of love for humanity.

 

Hence, we remember all those who have been called to model themselves after the life of Christ’s love by giving themselves to the ministerial priesthood, so that we may truly model ourselves and our hearts after that of the Most Sacred Heart of Christ. Let us be filled with love for all humanity while recognizing that the priestly life is a very difficult undertaking, especially in our world today. Let us be supported by all, knowing that priests, though humans just like everyone, have their flaws and imperfections, but we are at the same time held up to a much higher expectation to care and guide the people of God.

 

Meanwhile, in the midst of all our difficulties, challenges, daily temptations and pressures of life, we are called to abide in the loving heart of Christ for he who abides in love, abides in God and God abides in him. (1 John 4:7-16). So, like St Paul in our second reading, we can say: may God give us the power through his Spirit to grow strong, so that Christ may live in our hearts through faith planted in love and built on love, and so with all the saints, we may be filled with the utter fullness of God as we fulfil our duty following the footsteps of our Lord. For in our first reading today we heard the Lord saying: when Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms, yet they did not understand that I was the one looking after them. For I led them with a cord of compassion, with bands of love.

 

Thus, in this solemn feast, our devotion is rooted in the mystery of God’s love; for it is precisely through the Sacred Heart of Jesus that the Love of God for humanity is sublimely manifested in all its effect and power especially for souls thirsting for God’s mercy, for in it we find the inexhaustible source from which we draw the water of life that refresh and revives the thirsty souls of sinful humanity and make us new and alive again. Hence we are called today to abide in this love of Christ which flows from the pierced heart of Jesus through which the door of true love is opened for all humanity as we heard it in our Gospel passage today.

 

Dear friends, every Christian is called to embrace the love of God which he poured out from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so as to become a wellspring which gives life of love to others. For we ought to be offering life-giving water to a parched and thirsty world. We are called to embrace that love which propelled Jesus to lay down his life for his friends and also forgive his enemies, for that is what this solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus represents. We are called to contemplate the mystery of love in the heart of a God who full of compassion, bestows his love upon humanity through his Son.

 

Though humanity has rejected his love, but God does not lose heart in the face of ingratitude or rejection by the people he loved and chosen; rather, with infinite mercy he sends his only-begotten Son into the world to take upon himself the fate of shattered love so that by defeating the power of evil and death he could restore humanity once again from our slavery of sin and death back into a life of grace and open up his Sacred Heart of love once again for all who wishes to embrace it.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, grant that we, who glory in the loving Heart of your beloved Son and recall the wonders of his love for us, may be made worthy to receive an overflowing measure of grace from that fount of heavenly gift of love which he offers to humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do pray for me and for the sanctity of all the Priests.

Homily For Thursday Ninth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 6th June, 2024

 

Readings: 2 Tim. 2:8-15; Ps.24; Mark 12: 28-34

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

YOU ARE NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM WHEN YOU LOVE GOD AND YOUR NEIGHBOURS

 

In our journey of faith, we struggle with so many commitments and responsibilities. Oftentimes, we want to know which one should be our priority. What should be the most important thing to focus our energy on? What should become the foundation of all the things we need to do? In fact, we just want to know what is really required of us in this life.

 

This is the deposition of the Scribe in our Gospel passage today who came to Jesus and asked the same question. In response to his question about which is the greatest commandment? Jesus reminded him of the 'Shema Israel' - שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, the prayer that they knew and recited from their earliest years from which they learned that the most important thing in life is to love God with all their heart, and with all thy soul, and with all their mind; that is, with all the powers and faculties of the soul; as under the influence and guidance of the more noble faculties of the soul, the mind, the understanding, judgment, and will. Jesus then added: that loving one’s neighbour is the second priority.

 

In other words, loving God with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is what is required of us and it is the foundation of all the things we have to do. Jesus set the standard of love not just by the love he was able to show, but the depth of love which he shows by dying for us.

 

This is exactly what St. Paul is encouraging us to imitate in our first reading, when he said: If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him. If we disown him, then he will disown us. We may be unfaithful, but he is always faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” This is possible only when we understand the true meaning of love and sacrifice and this is what is really lacking in our relationship with God and neighbours.

 

In fact, a critical look at what is happening in our world today, it is obvious that the world has lost the true meaning of love. This present generation has failed to understand the true meaning and source of love and this can be seen in the kind of fruit we bear. The fruit of love in this generation is so complicated: love has become a tool for selfishness, deception, greed, and emotional and sexual satisfaction. This is because we have abandoned God who is the source and power of love and created for ourselves a mirage in the name of love.

 

Dear friends, today, we are called to come back to the source of love, God himself, who teaches us that love is an attitude that seeks the good of others despite how we feel about them, he teaches us to be merciful, just as he is merciful. That love is a sacrificial attitude, an attitude that forgives, an attitude that accommodates, preserves, heals and builds up when every other thing fails. This is the kind of attitude the world needs now, the attitude that comes from the pure love of God and neighbours.

 

But how can humanity recover this power of love and harness it to bear more fruit in our societies where it seems as if true love does not exist? This is possible when we realize that we are products of love and are called to live out our essence, which is to love. Therefore, we can make our choice today to renew our commitment to keeping these two commandments and to reflect on how best we can put them together for our good and the good of humanity for by so doing we will not be far from the kingdom of God. Remember, in you resides that love that is lacking in others.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in You, is the fullness of love, grant that we may truly love You and our neighbours and so conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and corruption, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

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.