Homily For Thursday The Octave of Christmas, 26th December, 2024. The Feast of Stephen, the First Martyr

Readings : Act 6:8-10;7:54-59; Ps 31; Matt.10:17-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD FILL US ONCE AGAIN WITH YOUR GRACE AND POWER LIKE ST. STEPHEN

Every day, God makes himself present to us, but we often ignore him or pretend we do not perceive his presence. The truth is that in each heart, there is a secret garden which God has made uniquely for himself and that garden is our conscience. This garden is like a safety deposit vault which has two keys; God has one key; hence, the soul cannot let in anyone else but God. The human heart has the other key, which no one can get in without his/her consent. However, God is always at the gate of this garden with his key but we often pretend to be looking for ours.

This is the ugly attitude of humanity, which is well illustrated by the people who seek to kill Stephen, as we have it in our first reading today. Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But certain people came forward to debate with him. As they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom. They were infuriated and planned to kill him. Nevertheless, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. This he witnessed before them, but they stoned him to death.

Dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr who completely opened the door of his heart and found God; he witnessed with his life and went up triumphantly to heaven. We are called today to open up our minds and hearts for God to fill us with the grace and power of witnessing the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called not to be afraid to bear witness. For we may be dragged before governors and kings for the sake of the Gospel, we should not worry about how to speak or what to say; for what we are to say will be given to us when the time comes, as Jesus promised us in our Gospel passage today.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we open up our minds and hearts for your words to reign in us. Grant us the grace and courage to bear witness to the Gospel and through the intercession of St Stephen, may we find you in daily events of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For The Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas). Wednesday 25th December, 2024

Readings:Is. 52:7-10, Ps 98, Have 1:1-6, John 1:1-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET CHRIST JESUS THE PRINCE OF PEACE BE BORN IN YOUR HEART

Today Christ is born, today the Prince of Peace is born, today a great light has shone on the darkened world of humanity. Today the people who walked in the darkness of sin and shame, a great light has shone, and God has visited his people. So, let us join the angels’ hymn of praise, as they sing out following the announcement of the new-born Saviour: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of goodwill.”

Today we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, in a manger in Bethlehem. In the manger of Bethlehem, there appeared the great light which the world awaits. He is the Christ, the Word that was with God from the beginning. The Word is the true light that enlightens all men. This Word has come into the world, for the Word was made Flesh and dwell among us, the Son of God who became man. To him, the Father says: “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”. God has become one of us so that we can be with him and become like him, for this is how we come to know him.

Little wonder, prophet Isaiah in our first reading today says: “How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is King, for all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Thus, for those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness a great light has shone. This light means knowledge; it means truth, as contrasts with the darkness of falsehood and ignorance. This Light gives us life, it shows us the way to love. For in him is the fullness of love. Where there is love, light shines forth for the world; but when there is hatred, the world remains in darkness.

Hence, in Child Jesus lying in the manger, God has shown his glory, the glory of love in order to guide us along the way of love. From manger, a stream of light, love and truth will spread to every generation. In every age, it will touch men and women to enlighten them. And wherever people put their faith in Jesus, the grace of charity will spring up, the grace of love towards others, loving concern for the weak, the poor and the suffering, the grace of forgiveness and grace of peace in our homes, societies, and the world at large.

Dear friends, Christ is our Light and our Peace, and he proclaims his peace to those far away and to those who are near. This is why the prophet Isaiah called him “Prince of Peace”. His kingdom is said to be one “of Endless Peace”. Also, Pope Benedict XVI will say: that “among we Christians and Catholic, the word “peace” has taken on a very particular meaning: it has become a word to designate communion in the Eucharist. There Christ’s peace is present. In all the places where the Eucharist is celebrated, a great network of peace spreads through the world. The communities gathered around the Eucharist make up a kingdom of peace as wide as the world itself. For, when we celebrate the Eucharist we find ourselves in Bethlehem, in the “house of bread”. Where Christ gives himself to us and, by so doing, he gives us his peace”.

At the Eucharist Jesus exchanges his Divinity with our humanity. He exchanges his glory with our sadness and pain. In the Eucharist, Jesus exchanges his love with our hatred; in the Eucharist, Jesus exchanges his mercy with our unforgiveness. In the Eucharist Jesus exchanges our sinfulness with his holiness and purity. So, today, he has come to offer us his love. Are we ready to embrace it? Are we ready to say yes to Jesus? Are we ready to accept him and the salvation he has come to offer us? Are we ready to let go of our ugly behaviour in order to embrace the new life he is offering us? The new life of grace, peace, love, joy, faith, courage, wisdom and favours? If your answer is yes, then the essence of this Christmas has been fulfilled.

Therefore, let us join Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds in the manger to sing the glorious hymns of praise saying: “Glory to God in the highest” and on earth, peace to people of goodwill”. Let us spread this joy and peace everywhere we go even to the ends of the earth. And as we do this, may the joy of the child Jesus fill our hearts, our homes, our societies, our country and the world at large, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, we welcome you into the little manger of our life, as we celebrate your presence may you reign in our hearts, in our homes, in our societies, in our country and the whole world, you who lives and reigns with God the Father and The Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Merry Christmas, wishing you a joyful and peaceful celebration of this season. God bless you.

Homily For The Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Nativity ( Christmas) Year C. Tuesday 24th December 2024

 

Readings:Is. 62:1-5; Ps 89, Act. 13:16-17.22-25; Matt. 1:1-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHERE IS THE TRUE LITTLE MANGER OF JESUS?

For the past four weeks now we have been preparing for his coming. Tonight, we have gathered in anticipation of the birth of our Lord Jesus. Tonight, Jesus is coming to dwell with us for an exchange; he is coming to offer his divinity in exchange for our sinful humanity. Tonight, Jesus is offering everything; he is sacrificing everything for our salvation. He is giving up his heavenly glory in exchange for our suffering world. He is taking human flesh and becoming a man in order to elevate the human person to share in his divinity. Tonight, God is unveiling his Word, which became Flesh in the womb of Mary, in order to dwell with us. Tonight the Lord is manifesting himself in a little manger in Bethlehem of our souls.

Little wonder, in the Gospel passage tonight, we heard the genealogy of Jesus, which gave us the historical plan of God towards the manifestation of his Son, the Word made Flesh. From this genealogy of Jesus, we can observe that generations came, generations went, great men and women came and passed away, and new generations continued to spring up as God continued to unveil his plan for humanity. This genealogy shows how the Lord revealed to different generations what he was going to do for humanity. Judah’s kingship over all of Israel was given to David, who became the rightful king and God’s chosen one, and God promised that David’s house would rule over Israel forever.

Hence, we heard St. Paul in our second reading tonight saying: Men of Israel, and fearers of God, listen! God chose our ancestors and made our people great when they were living as foreigners in Egypt, and by divine power, he led them out. ‘Then he made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised for us one of David’s descendants, the child Jesus, whose coming we wait for tonight. For we heard the Lord in our first reading tonight saying: about Zion, I will not be silent, about Jerusalem, I will not grow weary until her integrity shines out like the dawn and her salvation flames like a torch.

So, tonight, the Lord is searching for a dwelling place, and the only place available is the little manger of Bethlehem. For down in a little manger lies the child Jesus, no crib for a bed, but, the little Jesus laid down his sweet head on a little manger of the humble dwelling of shepherd and his sheep. Here our God became man and took on our flesh. Our Creator became a creature; the One who dwells in the highest place, now lay helpless in a manger. The One who we so great and mighty became so tiny, so weak, and so powerless in a manger. The King of the whole world had been made a little child in a manger. The Creator of time has been constrained by time in a manner.

This little manger was a great symbol and sign. When the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field to invite them to visit the newborn King, he told them to look for a baby in a manger. But the manger was not just a sign for the shepherds; it’s a sign to all of us that Jesus is accessible to everyone who seeks him in humility. Yes, every humble soul will surely have access to the little manger of Jesus, for the shepherds would not have had access to a baby born in a royal palace, and as strangers, they probably wouldn’t even have had access to a baby born in the confines of a family home. But a manger was accessible to pure, innocent and humble souls.

Dear friends, the questions we need to ask ourselves tonight Are: where is the little manager? How can we locate the little manger of Jesus? How prepared is this little manager? Can we say that the little manger is available for the child Jesus to be born?

I know a good number of us will still be looking for the little manger of Jesus. I know some will tell me that the manager is right beside us. I know that those who are good with the scripture will tell me that the manager is located in a little town in Bethlehem. Yes, there was a little manger in Bethlehem, and there is a little manger beside us here so beautiful and captivating. But the true little manger is not just in Bethlehem, or the symbol of what we have here; rather, the true little manger is my soul, the dwelling place of God, which is located in the innermost chamber of my being.

This little manger of my soul is what the child Jesus is searching for to dwell in tonight. He is searching for a humble soul, he is searching for a peaceful soul. The child Jesus, with Mary and Joseph, is searching for a lovely soul; he is searching for the merciful and caring souls of humanity. The Lord is searching for innocent souls who can accommodate and make him accessible to humanity.

The little manger of Jesus, that’s who we are, but are we available for the child Jesus to come in and be born in us? Are we ready and prepared to welcome the child Jesus in our little manger? Are you going to allow him to dwell with us? Are we going to offer him joyful praise and worship just like the shepherds? Are we going to let him exchange our sinful humanity with his divinity?

What is stopping us from welcoming Jesus into the inner manger of our souls? Will you let bitterness and anger occupy the dwelling place of the Lord? Will you let the desire for the things of this passing world prevent you from opening the door of your soul for the child Jesus to come into the night? Will you let unforgiveness and jealousy send the child Jesus away from the manger of your soul? Will you let the ugly attitudes of your husband, your wife your children or your parents deprive you of the joy of this gracious season? Will you let the present situation in your life separate you from the presence of the child Jesus?

 Why not make your soul available for the child Jesus to reign in your life? Why not let the peace of his presence dwell in your heart? Why not let the joy of his presence dwell in the manger of your soul? Why not let his love propel you to love even those that you find very difficult to forgive? Why not let the child Jesus reign in that little manger of your soul tonight and always? Remember, the scripture says that the Newborn child dwells in the little manger in the little town of Bethlehem, which means “the house of Bread”. That means that the child Jesus dwells also in the little tiny Bread of Life. That is the Eucharist.

So, the Lord Jesus present in the Eucharist wants to feed us with his heavenly glory and love. He wants to dwell in the little manger of our souls to nourish our souls and exchange our sinful humanity with his divinity. Why not open up your heart to receive the child Jesus present in the Eucharist which is going to be consecrated in a few moments tonight? Why not let the child Jesus in the Holy Eucharist reign in the little manger of your soul? Do not let anything deprive you of his presence tonight.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we open the little manger of our souls for you to dwell in, may you reign in our hearts, in our homes, in our societies, in our country and the whole world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Merry Christmas to you all.

Homily For Tuesday Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 24th December, 2024

 

Readings : 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16, Ps 89, Luke: 1:67-79

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO EMBRACE THE LORD’S DIVINITY IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR HUMANITY

For the past four weeks now, we have been preparing for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; by evening today, Jesus is coming to us for an exchange; he is coming to offer his divinity in exchange for our sinful humility. Jesus is offering everything, he is sacrificing everything. He is giving up his glory in exchange for our sufferings. He is taking human flesh and becoming a man in order to elevate the human person to share in his divinity.

This is evident in our first reading today, where we heard about King David, who was now a king of the United Kingdom of Israel, who set out to build a house for the Lord. But the Lord, knowing David’s plan, asked him through the prophet Nathan to stop, for instead, it is he, the Lord, who will build a dynasty for David, a dynasty that will last forever.

Dear friends, Jesus is coming to exchange his glory with everything about us: our weaknesses, our strength, our filthiness, our sinfulness, past, present, future, everything we can ever think about in our lives. But are we prepared to embrace the Lord’s Divinity in exchange for our sinful humanity? Are we ready to exchange our life with that which Jesus is offering us today? Are we ready to exchange our humanity with that of his divinity? Are we ready to embrace the love he has for us? Are we ready to exchange our worries, burdens, sorrows, failures and fears with the smiling, peaceful and loving face of the baby Jesus who will soon make himself present to us?

Zechariah experienced this loving mercy of God and surrendered everything about his plan in exchange for God’s plan for humanity which he expressed in his Benedictus canticle in our Gospel passage today. What about us? What are we offering in exchange? What are we sacrificing? What do we give up in exchange for God’s love in our lives?

LET US PRAY: Lord God, for four weeks now, we have been preparing for the birthday of your Son Jesus; as we await his coming at dawn, may you fill our hearts with the joy of his presence, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful and joyful day.

Homily For Monday Fourth Week of Advent Year C, 23rd December, 2024

 

Readings : Malachi 3:1-4:5-6; Ps 25; Luke: 1:57-66

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR NAMES IN RELATION TO GOD’S UNIVERSAL PLAN

One of the most significant days in our lives is our birthday. This day often comes with joy and praise and in the mood of joy that a life has been born, one of the things that comes to mind is giving a name to the baby as an identity. This event is very important and necessary.

The naming of objects and persons is an important ritual found in scripture. We can recall in the book of Genesis (Gen.2:19-20) when God created Adam and gave him the responsibility of giving names to all creation. So the act of giving a name to people has been a traditional event not only in the scriptures but in every human culture.

Thus, our Gospel passage today gives us the record of the events of the birth and naming of John the Baptist. From the passage, great, significant and surprising things happened on the birth and naming of John the Baptist, of which we can identify three unusual features: first the old have given birth. Secondly, the child has a strange name, “John”, derived from the Hebrew name Yochana,n, meaning " YAHWEH is Gracious", a name which no one bears in the family. And thirdly, Zechariah's dumbness is taken away on account of giving this name.

These brought great joy to the people and they praised God. However, such remarkable events caused the crowd to fear, reflect and suspect that something different and surprising was happening, things worth remembering. Showing us that, when God names a child, that child is significant in his plan.

John’s birth was prophesied by the prophets, such as prophet Malachi in our first reading today, saying: “Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.” No doubt the mission of John the Baptist was unique and challenging because of his special role in preparing humanity for the coming of the Lord.

Dear friends, what are the mysteries surrounding your birth and your name? Our birth and names have a way of revealing our purpose and mission in life. This shows that we all have a significant place in the plan of God, and our names are not just a common ceremony because they bear the mystery of our mission and purpose in life, which are testimonies of God’s plan for us.

So, why not take time today to reflect on the mystery, the meaning and circumstances surrounding your birth and your names? By God’s grace, we will understand better who we are and what our mission and purpose on earth are. And by so doing, we will faithfully stand for the truth which we represent and fulfil our plans and purposes, 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 even at the cost of his head.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, you created each one of us to fulfil your plan on earth and in our names, we bear the mystery of our mission and purpose. Grant us the grace to faithfully and courageously fulfil our mission and purpose in this world, through Christ our Lord. Amen. As we embrace the Christmas season, may the joy of the Lord be our strength.

Homily For Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C, 22nd December, 2024

 

Readings: Micah 5:2-5; Ps. 80; Heb. 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

SHARING THE JOY OF GOD’S MESSAGE THROUGH VISITATION

As we await the commemoration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus, an event that reminds us and reveals to us the great plan of God towards redeeming humanity. This Sunday we are required to say yes to this plan of God and share the joy of this encounter with people through Visitation. This is evident in our readings today; in our first reading, we heard prophet Micah saying: out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel; for the Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth.

These prophetic words came to fulfilment in the life of Mary as we have it in our Gospel passage today which reminds us of the moment when Mary, after the event of Annunciation, received the message from Angel Gabriel about the plan of God for her and her cousin Elizabeth, she came to visit Elizabeth, for both are now miraculously pregnant with 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 as a barren woman.

At this visitation, 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, she 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 brought the Word of life dwelling in her womb to Elizabeth, Mary became the image of the Church’s missionary activity, for she is filled with the Holy 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 obeyed the plan of the Lord and entrusted herself completely to the divine will of God.

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 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. However, all we need is to say: God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will just as we heard in our second reading today, an affirmation of Mary’s response to God’s plans for her.

 So, as Christians, in Mary, we found a great role model for each and every one of us. For, following the example of Mary 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.

But the truth remains that we are so busy with the things of this passing world and have failed to carry out our mission. Today, the streets are full of people struggling and bobbling; the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and chatting, and the Churches are full of people praying, singing and celebrating. We are so busy with everything except the very essence of our mission, which is, the salvation of our souls. Today, we are called to reflect deeply and to dispose ourselves to embrace the Word of God with joy just like Mary and Elizabeth.

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. Wishing you a fruitful Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday Third Week of Advent Year C, 21st December, 2024

Readings : Song of Songs 2:8-14 , Ps. 33, Luke: 1:39-45

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO SHARE YOUR JOY WITH OTHERS

Every good news we hear has a way of activating the joy in our hearts, and when this happens, we necessarily want to share this joy with others. This is the case with the women in our Gospel passage today, who received favour from the Lord and decided to share their joy as they play their part in the saving plan of God.

For Mary, having heard that her cousin Elizabeth, who at that time had been long barren, had now conceived a child, she 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.

Thus, the psalmist today tells us to ring out our joy to the Lord, O you just; O sing him a song that is new for our Lord is coming to save us. Our beloved comes leaping upon the mountains as we heard in our first reading. Therefore, as we wake up this morning may the joy of the coming Lord fill our hearts with passion, love and ready to accomplish great things for the Lord and humanity.

May the Lord give us the grace and skills to face the tasks of the day and help us to share our joy and favours with others just like Mary who shared her joy with Elizabeth. Also, through the joy we share, may others leap for joy just like the child in Elizabeth's womb.

Dear friends, it’s a few days to Christmas, and as we struggle with our daily tasks, may God grant us the wisdom, inspiration and skills that will enable us to accomplish great things today and always. Let us be hopeful, joyful and patient. Fear not, be focused, be ready, be determined and do not delay in preparing, for the Lord is at hand.

LET US PRAY, Almighty God, as we anticipate the coming of your Son, may we be well disposed and prepared to embrace him with joy, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Have a fruitful and peaceful day.