Homily For Tuesday, the Second Week of Advent Year C, 10th December 2024

Readings Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps 96; Matt. 18:12-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ARE YOU LOST IN THE SINFUL THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD? GOD IS SEARCHING FOR US

It is natural and common for any human person to desire to seek and find any valuable thing he/she has lost. Some people even have sleepless nights over their lost items. Some can go to any length hoping to recover any of their valuable commodity that is lost. If we can do this just for perishable things of this passing world, don’t we think that God will do even much more to save every single soul he created in his image and likeness?

 Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus, while addressing his disciples, tells us the parables of the lost sheep, which illustrate the unrelenting love of God for each of us, especially sinners. In this parable, we see examples of someone searching for what is precious to him. And when he found it his joy was so great. So, Jesus uses this example to explain to us how God seeks us when we are lost in sin and his joy when our friendship with him is renewed. His searching for us cost him the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ.

This can help us to realize how precious we are to him and that he never gives up on anyone except those who choose to be lost. All we need is for us to return to God who is patiently waiting for us. Just like the prophet Isaiah in our first reading today said: Console my people, console them’ says your God. ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for.

Dear friends, are we lost in sin? Have we given up in our struggle with sin? Do you think that our sins are so great that God cannot forgive us? Do we feel lost now? Jesus is searching for us, he is waiting for us at the confessional. When was the last time we visited him at the confessional? Just know that he loves us and we are too precious to be lost in this sinful world. Therefore, let us embrace the faith and mission our Lord entrusted to us. Let us refuse to be lost in the sinful things of this passing world but rather join the Lord to search for his lost sheep.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this passing world due to our sinfulness; seek out humanity once again from the wilderness of sins so that we may return to you, just like the lost sheep, and so rejoice and praise you once again with the angels. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday, the Second Week of Advent Year C, 9th December 2024. The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Readings 1 Gen. 3:9-15.20; Ps 98; Eph. 1:3-6.11-12; Luke.1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY 

Today, the Holy Mother Church celebrates the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception, one of the prerogatives of Mary, which shows her special role in the universal plan of God. So, reflecting on the role of Mary in God’s plan for our salvation, the Holy Mother Church ascribes some special prerogatives or privileges to her. These prerogatives concern what the Faith of the Church affirms in connection with the Blessed Virgin Mary. They include her Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity, her assumption into heaven and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of other prerogatives.

Hence, the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception refers to the moment when Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. That very moment when she came into existence as willed by God. She was immaculately conceived because of the role she was to play as the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ. Immaculate means pure without fault, free from the taint of the original sin. 

Mary, by this privilege, is full of grace and remained free from sin throughout her life by the will of God, for  God chose to make her worthy of his Presence. Since our God, who is pure, perfect and sinless, could not have dwelled in a womb tainted by sin. Hence, in today’s Solemnity of Immaculate Conception, we celebrate one of the four great Marian Dogmas, as defined by the Church in the state of Mary, being the Mother of God, the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Thus, our Gospel passage today presents to us the story of the annunciation by the angel to Mary. An event which immediately precedes the story of the annunciation to Zechariah (1:5-25). These two stories are unique and special. The condition of the women in these stories reveals the unique plan of God for each one of them because neither Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife) nor Mary at that moment was a likely candidate for motherhood. 

This is so because, Elizabeth was too old, so John’s birth will require a miracle. Mary was a virgin, so Jesus’ birth will require even a greater miracle. But in all, God planned and designed it to be so, and both Mary and Elizabeth, saying yes, cooperated with the plan of God. This tells us that our success in life is determined by our disposition towards doing the will of God. Hence, we have to identify our plans and purposes with the universal plan of God for humanity.

This is what Adam and Eve failed to do in our first reading today; they did not follow the plan of God for them, for out of pride and disobedience,e, they separated themselves from God. That is why after Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. By this very action, humanity has fallen and separated from God, his creator. Nevertheless, God has never given up on humanity. He has a plan to save us, as we heard in our second reading today, of which Mar,y, in preparation for her role in this salvific pl, was conceived immaculately,ely, and this great privilege is what we are celebrating today.

Dear friends, saying yes to God’s plan for us is so important. And I must tell us that God has a special plan for everyone, a unique plan. But sometimes it seems as if God has favoured some persons more than others. Well, in the eyes of men, it seems true, but God has favoured each person in a very unique way, just like our Mother Mary, only that we sometimes do not understand what God is doing in our lives. Our understanding of favour is quite different from that of God. 

Therefore, all we need is to say yes and trust in God for he has plans which are meant uniquely for each person. We do not need to know the plans God has for us, all we need is to trust and cooperate with his plan. For God alone knows the plans he has for us, and in due time, he will reveal them to us just as he revealed to Mary the plan he has for her through the angel.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the great privilege of Mary regarding your plan for humanity, give us the grace to constantly embrace your will and plans for us by saying yes to your words. Help us cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection in order to welcome Christ joyfully when he comes, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Have a grace-filled celebration.

Homily For Second Sunday of Advent Year C, 8th December, 2024

 

Readings: Baruch: 5:1-9; Ps.126; Phil. 1:4-6.8-11; Luke 3:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATH STRAIGHT AND HIS PEACE WILL REIGN IN YOUR HEART

In this world we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. But only a few persons are preparing for the future reality of human life, that is our eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Little wonder, the Church for the past seven days now, have been schooling us in the liturgical Season of Advent, calling our attention to the need for us to be prepared and be opened to embrace the coming King, our Lord Jesus, who is the King of Peace that is coming to dwell among the fallen humanity, to save us from sin and damnation.

Thus, today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are presented with the theme of intensive preparation following the cry of John the Baptist who preached in the wilderness of Judea as he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, as we have it in our Gospel passage today.

Also in our first reading, we heard prophet Baruch saying: Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the glory of God forever, wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you, put the diadem of the glory of the Eternal on your head: since God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven and the name he gives you forever will be, ‘Peace of righteousness and glory of godliness integrity, and honour.

Therefore, as we embrace this Second Sunday of Advent, our focus moves from hope to that of peace where we look up to our Lord Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the Bearer of the everlasting peace and harmony which is lacking in our world today. So, this Sunday we reflect on the Peace that God has bestowed on us through the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world.

But a critical observation of what is going on in our world today, one may be greatly distressed and worried especially as regards the crises of war, protests, secessions and the effects of the current economic hardship. This ugly situation has taken away the peace we are meant to enjoy in this world, as many people are yet to recover from the direct and indirect effects of this terrible and ugly situation in our societies today.

However, amidst all these situations, we are reminded that all hope is not lost, for our Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will surely intervene in our situation and help us once again. No doubt that many people are worried about their means of livelihood, especially those who have no jobs and those who have lost their jobs and occupations in addition to the high cost of commodities. We must not give up or surrender to fear and anxiety. Rather, we should hold firm to the promises the Lord made to us, for in him, we can find true peace and grace to overcome our worries, fears and uncertainties.

 Let us be encouraged by the words of St. Paul in our second reading today where he said. I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in us will see that it is finished when the Day of Christ Jesus comes. Remember, the Day of the Lord may come like a thief, and since everything is coming to an end, we should be living a life that fosters peace, holiness, justice and integrity so that the Lord may find us at peace when he comes in glory.

Dear friends, in the wilderness of this passing world, we are called to prepare a way for the Lord’s peace to reign in our souls. But the only thing that can deny us peace and the fruit of this season is sin, such as unforgivingness, hatred, greed, injustice and immorality. So, what is keeping us from turning away from these ugly ways of life? Why not repent from them so as to embrace the new life of peace Jesus is offering us?

Are we finding it difficult to let go of our ugly sinful ways of life? It’s time to come to Jesus and ask for his grace. Let us embrace the word of God we hear this season and truthfully share it with those we encounter, just like John the Baptist who stood for the truth of his mission and offered it to everyone, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinner. This is what we are called to do this season. So, let us be agents of peace in our families, society and the world at large.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, as we prepare the way for Christ coming into our souls. Give us the grace to turn away from sin and embrace the new life of peace and holiness which Christ is offering us this season of Advent. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed and joyful Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday, the First Week of Advent Year C, 7th December 2024

 

 Readings Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26, Ps 146., Matt. 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

REMEMBER WE ARE LABOURERS FOR GOD’S HARVEST

Walking through the streets I observed how people are struggling to survive in this passing world. I saw their passion, their determination and their willingness to achieve great things in life at the expense of things that prepare us for eternal life. Then my mind turned towards the words of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, when he saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest’. 

Here, Jesus reveals God’s compassion towards humanity who were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. He then says to his disciples that there is a huge harvest waiting to be reaped. Calling on us to pray for God to send labourers into his harvest. Just as we heard the prophet Isaiah in our first reading today reminding us of God’s promises, saying: Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: People of Zion, who dwell at Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will be gracious to you when he hears your cry; when he hears he will answer.

Thus, we can see that this compassionate love of Jesus, in its historical and physical solidarity with human suffering, springs from the love of God the Father and constitutes the basis of the Church’s liberating missionary activity, which is meant to spread throughout the world, hereby calling us into action. 

Hence, more labourers are needed, for Jesus sees how humanity is harassed and dejected, wandering like sheep without a guiding shepherd. And because the souls of everyone in the world are so precious to Jesus, he needs many more labourers. 

Therefore, the harvest is as big as ever and people are getting lost and clueless as never before. But who are these labourers? They are not just bishops, priests, or religious men and women. But every baptized person is called in a different capacity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those around him/her. So each of us has a vocation, a call to save souls and build the Kingdom of God together. 

Dear friends, how are we carrying out this mission and mandate of Christ? How strong is our compassion towards others? Do we know people who are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd? Let us look at them for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at them and saying something to them. Do we feel harassed and helpless as a result of what we are going through in life? Do we feel the need for Jesus’ help in some part of our life? Then turn to him and be restored.

So, today, each one of us is called to reach out to people at any particular corner of the field of harvest where we find ourselves now, for we may be the last and only person who may have access to evangelize the people. Starting from our families, neighbours, colleagues in the office and others who we encounter in life. The truth is that we may be the only people who can bring the healing and compassion of Jesus into their lives. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace and courage to be faithful labourers in your vineyard, who will labour to bring your compassionate love to suffering souls who need to hear the Good News of Jesus. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year C, 6th December, 2024

 

Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year C, 6th December, 2024. 

Readings Isaiah 29: 17-24; Ps 27; Matt. 9:27-31

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO YOU HAVE FAITH? LET IT BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH

There is no doubt that people are passing through a lot of difficulties as a result of the active presence of evil in the world, which manifests itself in the form of trials, temptations, sickness and challenges both physically and spiritually. So, every day, we struggle against these troubles and tribulations, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. 

But oftentimes, 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 fall victim and are helpless. The fact is that we have faith, but we have not been able to actively and radically put our faith into positive action that yields positive results like the two blind men in our Gospel passage today. 

These two blind men followed Jesus shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house, the blind men came up to him, and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you according to your faith.’ And their sight returned. 

Here, these blind men had faith in Jesus' power of healing. So they followed him persistently. They have one need, one prayer point, that is, to see, they said: Have mercy on us! Yes, Lord, we believe! With these expressions, the two blind men received their sight, just like prophet Isaiah foretold in our first reading, saying: in a short time, a very short time, the deaf will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see.

Dear friends, in matters of faith, we are all blind in some ways. We need sight and insight in order to receive the healing touch of God’s merciful love today. For he reaches out to all those who are afflicted and distressed. In this way, he restores us to our dignity as sons and daughters of God the Father. What is needed is faith, to believe that he has the power to give us life, to enable us to feel his presence among us. 

In faith, the blind men followed him persistently, reminding us of the need to be persistent in prayer. For it is not enough to have faith; we must radically put our faith into action no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Because it is through active faith that we can reach out to God in prayers and so obtain what we desire. Therefore, whatever you want God to do for me today, you must ask him with persistent faith, looking with expectation and hope to see your prayers come true. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today you said to the blind men, your faith deserves it, let it be done to you. As we thank you for the gift of our faith, grant us through the intercessions of St Francis Xavier, the grace and courage to persistently put our faith into positive action that yields positive results. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday First Week of Advent Year C, 5th December, 2024

 

Readings Isaiah 26:1-6; Ps 118; Matt. 7: 21.24-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO USE THE WORD OF GOD TO BUILD YOUR HOUSE OF FAITH ON A ROCKY FOUNDATION 

As we embrace the spirit of this season of Advent the Church draws our attention to one of the most important teachings of Jesus as we have it in our Gospel passage today, where Jesus says: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. 

Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: for it was founded on rock.

Here Jesus calls our attention to something very important. He reminds us that it is not enough to hear the word of God; we must put it into practice. It is not sufficient to speak about God, but we must practice what we say. We are called not merely to hear God’s word but to daily put it into action.

 Hearing or reading the Word is important, but that is not enough. We must let the Word of God touch and shape our lives. For it is a waste of time and energy if our lives do not reflect the Gospel we preach if we do not hear the words of Jesus and act on them. 

The truth is that the houses built by wise and foolish people may probably look alike. But the difference is the foundations, which can only be revealed when tested by the storms of life. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us to trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the everlasting Rock; he has brought low those who lived high up in the steep citadel; he brings it down, brings it down to the ground, flings it down in the dust, but the humble he raises on high.

Dear friends, what have we been doing with the Word of God we hear every day? What kind of fruit are we bearing? How has the Word of God changed our lives and the lives of those around us? How has the Word of God challenged and propelled us to love God and our neighbours? Is our attitude towards the word of God like that of the foolish builder who takes shortcuts for quick results? Or that of a wise builder who spends time digging for secured foundations through constant meditation and practice of the word of God. 

The fact remains that, hearing and doing the Word of God is building our faith on a rocky foundation, that cornerstone, that solid ground, through the fiercest drought and storms of life, for the fruit of the Word of God in us is seen when tested in the storms of life. Therefore, when we hear the Word, we must apply it to our daily lives because that's the only way we can feed our souls. 

Our society today has enough preachers and hearers of the Word; what we need now is doers of the Word of God. We need men and women who will feed their lives with the Word of God and, from the abundance of their hearts, live a life that will influence society positively.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, through your Word, we find life and hope in Christ, who is our all in all. May we be doers of your Words and not just hearers, in order to build our faith on a rocky foundation through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Wednesday of the First Week of Advent Year C, 4th December 2024

 

Readings Isaiah 25:6-10; Ps 22; Matt. 15:29-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THEY ALL ATE AND WERE SATISFIED

There is no doubt that It’s always the desire of humanity to experience the intervention of God whenever we are passing through difficult situations. This had always been the desire and disposition of the people of Israel as they awaited the coming of the Messiah as prophesied by the prophets. 

So, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus fulfils his role as the expected Messiah, who was to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus in our Gospel reveals to all those who are in need that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. 

Jesus did not just heal the sick; he also fed the crowd; they all ate and were satisfied. This feeding of the crowd refers back to the journey of the people of God in the desert from Mount Sinai to the promised land. So, we need the food of the Eucharist for our journey to heaven which is our promised land. This bread is the gift that we receive from Jesus whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards humanity. 

Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied it greatly. We should never think we have little to give others. Let us learn to share with others, and Jesus will provide for us greatly, for he is the one who feeds the hungry and gives them strength for their journey. 

Just like the prophet, Isaiah tells us in our first reading that on this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. He will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth.

Dear friends, Jesus cares for our physical and spiritual needs. He wants us to learn how to be patient and trust God in times of trouble and tribulations for he alone knows the best time and how best to deal with our problems. For when that time comes he will restore us to his glory and set us free from all evil forces around us, just like the people in our Gospel passage. All he wants from us is to constantly feed our souls with his Words and Eucharist as we journey towards his kingdom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the forces and troubles of this passing world, may we always find solace in your Word and Eucharist and so conquer our fear and challenges, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a glorious day.