Homily For Monday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B , 8th July, 2024

 

Readings: Hosea 2:14bc.15cd-16.19-20; Ps.145, Matt 9:18-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

COURAGE! YOUR FAITH HAS RESTORED YOU

 

Sometime in life, it seems as if we are not making progress because we don’t have enough faith to subdue our challenges and out of fear we feel helpless and want to give up. The fact is that, we have faith but we have not been able to actively and radically put it into action like the official whose daughter had died but came to Jesus for help  and also the woman with a hemorrhage in our Gospel passage today.

 

For today, we are presented with the story of the faith of a woman with a hemorrhage set inside the story of a little girl who died and the father in faith came to Jesus for help. However, Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:40-56 tell the story in greater detail. In Mark and Luke, the woman with the hemorrhage interrupts Jesus’ journey to the home of a child who might die before he arrives, creating an urgency that is not present in Matthew’s account. In Matthew’s account, the girl is already dead, so there is no need to hurry.

 

Here, the father confesses a resurrection faith, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” The father believes that even Jesus’ slightest touch will restore life to his daughter likewise the woman with a hemorrhage. The stories of the little girl and the woman have interesting similarities: Both are called “daughter” (9:18,22). Both are restored in the presence of people (the woman and the father) who seek Jesus’ help. The woman has been ill for twelve years, and the little girl was twelve years old. Both the woman and the little girl have been cut off from normal society by their unhealthy physical condition.

 

But there are also differences between the two stories. The father is a man of high standing in the community, and the woman is unclean an outcast. The man approaches Jesus boldly, and the woman approaches him timidly. The girl was raised based on the father’s radical faith, the woman was restored through her own faith for she was very sure that the very moment she touched the Lord’s cloak all her troubles were ended, for her body was made whole again.

 

This woman actually represents the sinful humanity in need of God’s mercy, salvation and restoration. Her bleeding signifies the iniquity of all humanity who are defiled by the constant shading of innocent blood through violent, wars and abortions, thereby unworthy of God’s presence. Her reaching out to touch Jesus and her restoration signifies the effort each one of us needs to make to reach out to God in order to be restored and finally the willingness of Jesus to heal all of us just as he had healed the woman from all of her troubles. But this requires that we radically put our faith into action. 

 

This can be linked to what prophet Hosea is saying in our first reading today, as he talks about God’s mercy, love and compassion for each and every one of us. Telling us that God will restore humanity once again and she will embrace God as her husband’, no longer will humanity be wallowing in ignorance worshiping of the Baals of this passing world. Because God will betroth us to Himself in faithfulness for ever, and will betroth us with integrity, justice, tenderness and love, so that we will come to know God and be restored once again.

 

Dear friends, today we are made to know that, it is not enough to have faith, we must radically put our faith into action no matter the circumstances we find ourselves. For it is through active faith that we can reach out to God in prayers and so obtain what we desired. Therefore, having faith in the Lord is necessary for us to obtain God’s restoration.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of faith, give us the grace and courage to put our gift of faith into positive action that yields positive results. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a fruitful week.

Homily For Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 7th July, 2024

 

Reading: Ezek.2:2-5; Ps.123; 2Cor 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

WHY DO WE OFTEN LOOK DOWN ON PEOPLE?

 

One of the ugly attitudes of most people in our societies today is pride. This ugly attitude is often expressed inform of contempt and neglect of other people by look down on them because we think that such people cannot offer us anything good at the moment. We are quick to forget that everyone, no matter the present condition is a potential instrument for God's blessings. This ugly attitude is what the people of Israel in our first reading and also the people of Nazareth in our Gospel passage today demonstrated.

 

Little wonder when God sent prophet Ezekiel to his people he said to him: “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a nation of rebels who have turned against me. Till now they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me. Their sons are defiant and stubborn; I am sending you to them, to say, “The Lord says this.” Whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know that there is a prophet among them”. Prophet Ezekiel no doubt was rejected and treated badly and humiliated by his own people because of his message of truth and liberation. Although the Lord made him strong even in the midst of all his challenges.

 

This is exactly what happened in our Gospel passage when Jesus came to his home town and taught the people in the synagogue in such a way that they were astonished, but instead of embracing the message of Jesus, they treated him with contempt and in their pride they said: ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? This is the carpenter’s son, surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers and sisters here with us? Where did he get all these?’ And they would not accept him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house’, and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith and he marvelled because of their unbelief.

 

Thus, out of pride and contempt the people rejected the blessings God has for them. And like the prophets of old, Jesus was not accepted by the very people to whom he had been sent. Because the people showed only little faith, he was only able to cure only few sick persons. But he went on to teach in other villages, while there were few great work done in his hometown. So, if they would not allowed him to do good in their city, he would do it some other place.

 

Therefore, he had to move on, he did not insist on convincing those whose minds were closed. Consequently, they missed out the blessings he was offering them. So in their pride they treated him with contempt. Today this kind of ugly attitude is what stops people from doing good, because they don’t want to be treated with contempt and as a result, a lot of people have been deprived of their blessings out  of human pride and contempt. This should not be our attitude towards God’s message and messengers.

 

Dear Friends, why do we often look down on people? Why treat other people we contempt? Why do we let pride destroy our relationship with God and with others? Why do we let this ugly attitude deprive us of our blessings? Let us stop looking down on people or treat anyone with contempt, for everyone is a potential instrument of God’s blessings and favour.

 

Therefore, if we want to make a difference in life, we should be ready to ignore what people are saying about us now, we have to forget our past failures and our humble beginning. People may not appreciate us now, they may even say all kinds of things about us, just to humiliate and discourage us.

 

But we should not give up, we should remain faithful and humble, just like St. Paul in our second reading who says:  “to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’ So I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong”.

 

Therefore, as children of God living in a world hostile to our faith and mission, we should never give up. We should rather put all our obstacles behind us and work hard for our dreams, give our time to it, sacrifice our sleep and comfort, sweat for it, plan for it, overcome all our opposition, enduring pains and obstacles, with the help of God we will succeed and become sources of God's blessings to others. Then we will sing joyfully to God our strength and all the people will gather about us in praise of our God. And they will say: Are not these the Carpenter's sons and daughters? Where then did they get all these? Yes, that's who we are, for Jesus is the Carpenter of our success and salvation.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, oftentimes in our pride we treat people with contempt because of their humble background, give us the grace to realize that everyone is a potential instrument of your blessings and favour to humanity, and as we struggle towards our goals, may you crown all our efforts and sacrifices with success. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Peace be with you.

Homily For Saturday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 6th July, 2024

 

Readings: Amos 9:11-15, Ps 85 , Matt 9:14-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

LET YOUR NEW LIFE OF GRACE PRESERVE THE NEW SKIN OF YOUR SOUL

 

Today our attention is drawn to the gift of New Life which Jesus is offering to humanity. A gift that differentiate his disciples from other people. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we read about the observation made by the disciples of John the Baptist concerning the relationship between Jesus and his disciples and their new ways of doing things. So they came to Jesus and asked him question regarding their manner of fasting and feasting. Jesus used this opportunity to educate them about the New Life of grace which he has come to offer humanity.

 

He said to them: Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast. For no one puts a piece of unshrunken cloth on to an old cloak, because the patch pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, the wine runs out, and the skins are lost. No; they put new wine into fresh skins and both are preserved.

 

Here Jesus gave two responses to the question. First, people do not fast when they are in the company of the bridegroom which is a time for celebration. For Jesus is the groom and as long as he is around, it would be inappropriate for his disciples to fast. However, a time will come when the groom will no longer be with them, then they will surely fast, telling us that fasting should be done at the right time for the right reasons. Moreover, being in relationship with Jesus is more important, because, what the bridegroom is to the bride, that what Jesus is to the souls of all who believe in him.

 

As his bride, he loves us with a deep and everlasting love. He pays all our debts to God; he supplies all our daily needs; he sympathizes with us in all our troubles; he bears with all our infirmities, and does not reject us because of our weaknesses. He regards us as part of himself:  We share in the glory that he has received from his Father. These are the privileges of all true Christians who are called to the heavenly kingdom. So Jesus is teaching us that the Kingdom of Heaven is not a matter of ritual or ceremonious fasting or feasting. But is about building a personal relationship with God who loves us personally and unconditionally.

 

In the second response, Jesus shows that he is bringing something totally new which should not be mixed with the old way of life. This he emphasized with the importance of pouring new wine into fresh wineskins and the need to avoid using new cloak to patch an old one. Here the fresh wineskins refers to a new heart that has put off the old cloak of sin and looks forward to the new wine of grace through the process of conversion.

 

This is exactly what prophet Amos prophesied concerning the people of Israel in our first reading, when after he spoke of the upcoming reckoning and judgment that the people would suffer for their rebellions and disobedience against God. God also spoke through him about the new life of grace, mercy and compassion towards the people, that His love for them is such that He would bring them back once again to their formal glory and restore them like the good old days.

 

Dear friends, what is that old garment in our lives that we are patching with the new? What is that old wine of habitual sin that we are pouring into the new wine skins of our redeemed and purified soul? Today we are called to a fresh response towards embracing the New Life of grace which Jesus is offering us. We must not mix our old life of sin with the new life of grace Jesus is offering us. As we think about these, let us struggle to avoid our old sinful ways of life and fully embrace the new righteous way of life that God is offering us.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, You are the source of our new life, grant us the grace of true and total conversion so as to find such great Joy in your abundant Life of grace and mercy, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and peaceful weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 5th July, 2024

Reading: Amos 8:4-6.9-12; Ps. 119; Matt. 9:9-13

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALL FOR REPENTANCE?

 

There is no doubt that Jesus had been calling people from different works of life to be part of his mission, but today’s call and choice of Matthew a man identified with sinners because of his work as a tax collector, was quite strange to some people. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today after Jesus had called Matthew to follow him, he had a dinner in his house and while at the dinner, it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. This is because to follow Jesus, Matthew needs to abandon his lucrative job, knowing that he can never regain it. Also, he needs to cut himself off from his old network of friends.

 

So, it seems likely that, in a spirit of joy, Matthew invites Jesus and his disciples to a great feast at his house. But the Pharisees felt bad and offended about Jesus sharing a meal with "sinners", so they complained to his disciples saying: “Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this he replied, “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.”

 

Here we heard the inner most desire of Jesus for sinful humanity in need of salvation. Because the call of Matthew is like the call of each of us, a choice that demonstrates Jesus' desire for sinners to repent. For all he desires is mercy and not sacrifices, repentance and not pride. Jesus is calling us to repentance, he is inviting us to make a fundamental choice for God just like St Matthew, who though sinner, rose up and followed Jesus at his call for repentance.

 

Therefore, we too are to respond to this invitation without delay, so that we will not be like the people of Israel in our first reading today, who failed to listen to God’s words and warnings. Thus we heard the Lord saying: see the days when I will bring famine on the country, a famine not of bread, a drought not of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord. They will stagger from sea to sea, wander from north to east, seeking the word of the Lord and failing to find it

 

Dear friends, how are we responding to God's call to repentance? As Christians who are called to follow the Lord, what is our attitude towards notorious and public sinners? How are we relating with those we judge to be sinners? What efforts are we making to convert sinners? Today, we are called to let St. Matthew be an inspiration and hope for every one of us. Let him be an example that will remind us that there is no one beyond the reach of God’s mercy and love. For he is capable of transforming our ugly ways of life into a glorious instrument for human salvation. Remember, Jesus desires mercy and not sacrifice and we are all invited to follow him along the way of salvation and not to condemn or judge anyone.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, despite our sinfulness,  you called and chose us to be instrument of your salvation to all humanity. As we learn for St. Matthew, give us the grace to make good choices that will help us to respond positively to your call for repentance and evangelization. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 4th July, 2024

 

Readings: Amos 7:10-17, Ps 18:8-11 , Matt 9:1-8

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

LORD RESTORE US AGAIN FOR WE ARE PARALYZED BY THE SINFUL THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD

 

The sin and evil going on in the world today are putting our faith to the test and most people are giving in to the scheme of the devil because they lack the strong will to withstand the suffering, sickness and problems that befall us as a result of this evil. People are running ups and down seeking for solutions.

 

While the evil ones are taking advantage of the situation to destroy the faith of the people. In fact, one may begin to wonder if there is still hope for the restoration of humanity from this ugly situation. But the fact remains that God is able to heal and restore us once again.

 

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, when some people brought to him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ But some scribes doubted his authority to forgive sins, and Jesus knowing what was in their minds said: ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ he said to the paralytic, ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home.

 

Here we see the power and authority of Jesus towards the restoration of paralytic man carried by his friends. A gesture that signifies the restoration of humanity paralyzed by sin. So Jesus began by forgiving our sins. Though sin seems to be the root of the sickness. But sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned. But for Jesus, healing is holistic for those who have faith in God. And this is what the scribes and the Pharisees failed to understand as they doubted and opposed the power and authority of Jesus just like the priest Amaziah in our first reading, who opposed prophet Amos.

 

Prophet Amos was doing the work of God, by calling people to repentance and to face the consequences of their sins. This is because, Amaziah and king Jeroboam had sinned and also led the people of Israel to sin against God as well.  So Amaziah saw Amos as a rival and a threat to his own influence, and that was also why he went up to king Jeroboam complaining about Amos and asking him to get out of Israel and return to the land of Judah, and stop prophesying in Bethel because he doesn’t want to hear the truth just like must of our leaders today who does not like to hear the truth.

 

Dear friends, today we are called not to be like the priest Amaziah or the scribes who were enslaved by their pride and desire to maintain their prestige in the society. They doubted the power and authority of Jesus and rejected the message of truth. But Jesus rebuked them, this shows us that truly he has power and authority not just to heal and forgive us but to restore us and all humanity back to our formal glory.

 

We are also called to imitate the great faith and love of the friends of the paralytic, the love and faith that radiate from the innermost being of those who exercise it. Let us like them, learn to love and help one another. Because the absence of love is the cause of most problems in our world today. For most families exist only by grace because of the absence of love. How I wish we can invest our time and resources in ensuring love and goodwill in our dealings with one another, believe me, the world will be a temporal home for everyone.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are paralyzed by the sins and evil we are committing against you and the world you created, as we come to you in faith, forgive us our sins, heal and restore us once again. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Wednesday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 3rd July, 2024. The Feast of St Thomas the Apostle

 

Readings: Eph. 2:19-22, PS 117:1.2, John 20:24-29

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

DOUBT NO LONGER BUT BELIEVE

 

There are many reasons in our world today why people may possibly have doubts about their faith in God and in Jesus. Because following the ugly attitude of deception, manipulation, exaggeration, corruption and flamboyant life style of false prophets and preachers in our societies, these can really make it difficult for people to become true and faithful believers in our world today.

 

Little wonder, people are scandalized by the actions and behaviour of some believers. Some have given up their faith, some are about to give up, some are just confused while a lot of people are just holding on to the little faith they have based on their little personal experience and encounter with the Divine. This disposition can be likened to that of St. Thomas whose feast we are celebrating today.

 

St. Thomas, one of the great Apostles of Jesus, journeyed with Jesus and experienced his great miracles, listened to his teaching, witness his passion and death. But as his faith could not bear it, he doubted the resurrection of Jesus based on other people's testimony. He could not believe it because it is too real to be true, so he sort for a personal experience and encounter with Jesus.

 

As a result of this, Jesus appeared to him in the occasion of our Gospel passage today and said to him: Thomas, ‘put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him you believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’. Here Jesus offered the scars side of his wounds for the disbelieving disciple to touch and so healed the wound of his unbelief.

 

Through this personal encounter of the risen Lord, he believed; looking at one who was true man, he cried out that this is God, the God he could not see. So, faith is no longer necessary, all that matters now for Thomas is to share his personal experience with everyone who cares to listen.

 

Tradition has it that, at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost, Thomas was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, and Persians; he ultimately reached India, sharing his experience and carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas.” He shed his blood for what he is convinced of. He was speared to death at a place called Calamine.

 

But, what about you and I who today have experienced the Lord, having journeyed with Jesus as long as we have come to embrace the Christian faith. What can we say about our personal encounter and experience of the person of Jesus. Are we really convinced about the faith we profess, are we still at the level of faith based on what we hear or read about Jesus? Or have we really and truly encounter the person of Jesus in such a way that our faith has no doubt anymore, such that we can truly say like St. Thomas "My Lord and My God"? The fact remains that we need to personally experience the rising Lord if we are to bear authentic witness.

 

Dear friends, today we are encouraged to believe without seeing, but this can really be very difficult in a world of empiricism, yet we are still called to truly embrace this faith without doubting despite all the ugly human attitudes that are kicking against our faith. For Jesus said to Thomas, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. Therefore, we need to support each other. We need to strengthen our community life especially during this difficult moment in our country and world at large.

 

This is necessary, because the first Christians supported one another by praying, worshipping and sharing the word of God and their resources together. And St Paul in our first reading encouraged us to remain faithful and strong, for we are no longer aliens or foreign visitors in the affairs of God: rather we are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. For we are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself is the main cornerstone. Thus, let us unite together as believers and bear authentic witness to our faith.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle in this dark and trial moment in our lives, when your presence seems far away from the world, help us through the intercession of St Thomas, never to doubt whatever you have revealed through your son. May we rather be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and untiring in loving you and our neighbours, especially in this time when the Gospel is under all kinds of threats by faithless and ignorant people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 2nd July, 2024

 

Readings: Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Ps. 5; Matt 8:23-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

NAVIGATING THROUGH THE STORMS OF LIFE

 

Why are we so frightened by the storms of this passing world? Why is our faith shaking because of the way things are going in our lives? Are you going through a situation where the need to look for a Saviour is highly expected. Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today. It is a story about the disciples' panic and fear of perishing as a result of the heavy storm that is effecting their boat.

 

With this heavy storm breaking their boat, the disciples cannot believe that Jesus was asleep while they were afraid and needed help from anywhere. So they went to him and woke him saying, ‘Save us, Lord, we are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened, you men of little faith?’ And with that he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and all was calm again. The men were astounded and said, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him.’

 

This story signifies God's chosen people on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea, the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world. The boat can be taken as a symbol of the faith of the Church and the people of God struggling with the world’s principalities and powers, while the storm is a symbol of heavy persecutions and suffering by the people of God. And Jesus is saying: why are you so frightened, you men of little faith.

 

Today Jesus is calling us to journey on this boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart, because the world is being tossed around by the waves of evil forces, the enemies of humanity. And it is only God who can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us back to himself. This is what the people of Israel failed to understand in our first reading today. Hence, we heard the Lord saying through prophet Amos: “you alone, of all the families of earth, have I acknowledged, therefore it is for all your sins that I mean to punish you”.

 

Dear friends, why are we so frightened by the storms of this passing world? Why is our faith shaking because of our present situation? Though, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul? I don’t know if you are under the power of the evil forces of this world. I don’t know if you are heading to destruction? All I know is that with great faith in God we can navigate through the heavy storms of life, for Jesus and his angels will surely rebuke the violent storms in our hearts so that we can experience once again the calmness of safety, peace and joy.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God. As we struggle everyday to overcome the ugly situation around us, grant that the violent storms and waves of bondage in our lives will end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful and joyful day