Homily For Saturday Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 31st May, 2025. The Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Reading: Zeph.3:14-18; Ps. Isaiah 12; Luke 1:39-56

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

EXPERIENCING THE JOY OF VISITATION

Today being the last day of the month of May, we celebrate the great Marian feast of the Visitation as we normally conclude our May devotion in a grand style in procession, with hymns and candlelight, singing along with our mother Mary in thanksgiving to God for the good work of our salvation.

So, today’s feast, as we have it in our Gospel passage, reminds us of the moment when Mary, after the event of Annunciation, having received the message from Angel Gabriel, came to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was now pregnant with a child.

For at that time, Mary was just having the Child Jesus in her not long after he was conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, while Elizabeth, who had become pregnant earlier, was having John the Baptist in her womb, even in her old age.

Here, Mary sang the Magnificat in honour to God for the great thing he has done not just for her but for all humanity. For having heard that her cousin Elizabeth, who at that time had been long barren, had now conceived a child, she came and found out that what the Lord had revealed to her through the Angel Gabriel was indeed true.

For she was told that her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived in her old age. And herself, about to have a child without any human relations but by the power of the Holy Spirit. These made Mary rejoice greatly, for it was truly a great and joyful moment which God had shown to all his people.

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

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

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

There is grace and a sense of belonging in visiting one another; there is healing and restoration in visiting one another. So today, who do you wish to visit or who will you like to visit you today? How will you feel if any of your loved ones should pay you a surprise visit today? How will you feel if your presence brings joy and happiness to someone today?

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

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

Homily For Friday in the Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 30th May 2025

 

Readings: Acts 18:9-18; Ps.47;  John 16:20-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO TURN OUR PRESENT SORROWS INTO JOY IN THE FUTURE

Oftentimes, when we reflect on the ugly events that happen around us which have caused us deep sorrows, we wonder why God, who is so good and powerful, permits such events to happen to us. Sometimes, we felt we should have avoided such a sorrowful event. Hence, we complain and even doubt the power of God, whom we thought would have helped us overcome evil. 

Thus, Jesus knowing that his disciples would surely find themselves in this kind of situation said to them in our Gospel passage today:  ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy…and that joy no one shall take from you. When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions.’

Here, Jesus is talking about the sorrows the disciples will experience when he goes away after his death and suffering and the joy they will experience when he soon returns at his resurrection. This does not simply mean that they shall pass from sorrow to joy; rather, the sorrow itself shall become joy because it was the necessary cause of their joy. 

So, Jesus illustrates this with the necessary pain and sorrow of childbirth and the joy of motherhood. An analogy that better explains the pains and sorrows of the disciples, where their pains and sorrows lead directly to a joy that no one could take away from them. It is a perfect way of explaining what will happen when they see him again, and their deepest pains and sorrows will be transformed into purest joys, which no one can take away. 

These are words of encouragement for the disciples who were afraid of what would become of them when Jesus was no longer physically with them. These same words of encouragement are what St. Paul received from the Lord at Corinth when he was scared of what would become of him and his mission as we have it in our first reading, when at night the Lord spoke to him in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.’  

Therefore, we are to learn from Jesus, whose path to joy went through the awful agony of the cross, knowing that our own path to eternal joy may first go through the pains of sorrow for our sins. For us to find permanent joy in Jesus, we have to die to ourselves, which may lead us through a necessary sorrowful moment that will give birth to a permanent joy that is found in the risen Christ.

Dear friends, today we are encouraged to be patient in times of sorrow, for God knows how to turn our sorrows of today into a thing of great joy in the future. The sorrow of contrite hearts today becomes the gladness of pardoned tomorrow; the sorrow of hardships, intimidation, abandonment, sickness, poverty and even death will become the great joy of success, victory, healing, freedom and eternal life which no one can take away from us

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, grant we pray that our present sorrows will be turned into great joy and lead us to eternal victory through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

As we begin the novena to the Holy Spirit today, may the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with the joy of His presence.

Homily For Thursday Sixth Week of Easter Year C, The Solemnity of Ascension. 29th May, 2025

 

Readings: Acts1:1-11; Ps. 47; Eph. 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE MYSTERIES OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD 

The Joy of the risen Lord has filled the hearts of his disciples as they experienced his physical presence for the past forty days after his death and resurrection. So on the occasion of today, the Lord Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, physically ascended into heaven as they watched him taken away in the cloud to return to his heavenly Throne, triumphant and victorious.

This, no doubt was a moment of great hope for them as they wished to be with him for eternity. However, they have a mission to accomplish; they are to bear witness to the events testify about it on their missions and pass it down as a true hope for humanity.

Thus, the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is a mystery that reminds us of that great moment of hope when the Lord triumphs victoriously and is no longer physically present among his disciples and followers, as they can no longer directly see him or touch him as they had been during all the while he was physically present with them. 

But this does not mean that the Lord has abandoned or left his disciples; rather, he has gone to fulfil his promise of preparing a place for his faithful disciples and will also send a great Helper to assist them.

Therefore, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord does not mean that Jesus has departed to some place far from people and from the world. Rather it means that he no longer belongs to the world conditioned by the life of space and time, corruption and death, as he now belongs entirely to God as the eternal Son, who has purified the filthiness of humanity. 

Hence, the Lord raised us into God’s presence by taking with him our flesh and blood in its transfigured form and presenting humanity to God the Father. This is the Mystery of the ascension we are celebrating today. It is a thing of great hope and joy for all who believe in him. It is the mystery of this great joy and hope that we celebrate today. An event that shows that humanity has been introduced into the very life of God. 

Hence, from the readings of today, we have the details of this great event and the last instructions of Jesus to his disciples. In the first reading, before the Ascension, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth. As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.’ 

In the Gospel passage, Jesus instructs his disciples, saying; you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this. 

Now lifting up his hands he blessed them, and he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. In addition, St. Paul, in the second reading, says: ‘He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation’.

Dear friends, the occasion of the Ascension of the Lord is a confirmation of the reality of heaven, which reminds us that God has always been faithful and loving as he fulfils his covenants and promises to humanity. It reminds us of our mission to evangelize the world, to give hope to humanity by letting them know that human hope and life are beyond the boundaries of this passing world.  

It reminds us that God will always be with us no matter what we are going through in this world, for he will always provide for us and care for us at all times. Hence, we must have faith in him no matter how challenging and difficult the situation in our lives may be; we must have hope and trust in God that, in the end, everything will be fine. 

Let us hold on to the Lord for this occasion is indeed a great time for us to recall the hope that we found in Jesus' triumphant victory over evil, sin and condemnation. Let us celebrate the greatest hope that God has given to humanity by letting us share in the very Life of the Trinity. 

The hope is that humanity will one day be united body and soul with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. A confirmation of the reality of heaven, for this is the central message of the event and mystery of the Ascension that gives great joy and hope to all who believe, which, as disciples, we are called to bear witness to the world. 

Therefore, let us share this great hope with the people of the world by letting the light of Christ in us illuminate the darkness and ignorance in the world. Let us share this hope through our words, actions and deeds. Let our presence bring hope and encouragement, not hatred and division. Let our actions bring healing and succour in hopeless situations. Let our deeds inspire humanity to come to know God and embrace the victory Jesus has won for us. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, let this solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension, enkindle in us the passion to love you more dearly and to spread in the world the Joy and hope we have found in Jesus. Let this Joy and hope bring healing, succour, strength and courage that will help us to overcome the ugly and hopeless situations in our lives, families, societies and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Wednesday Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 28th May, 2025

 

Readings: Acts 17:15.22-18:1; Ps.148; John 16:12-15

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE TIME OF IGNORANCE IS OVER, LET US EMBRACE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF TRUTH

One of the Spiritual works of Mercy is instructing the ignorant, and this is one of the most difficult tasks to do as a Christian, especially when it comes to dealing with people who are presumed to be learned. This kind of difficulty is what St. Paul has to face with the people of Athens in our first reading today.

So Paul, finding himself in the most learned city in the world of his time, needed to preach the Good News of God to them. But the theme for his message has to be something that will interest his audience.

Thus, he started by clearing their ignorance regarding what he knew they were searching for. He said to them: “I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is, in fact, the one whom you already worship without knowing it.”

In this passage, St. Paul claims that this unknown God is none other than God the Creator. He gave us evidence of the ignorance of pagan worship and made it clear that the object of true worship is the one Creator God. He showed us the proper relationship between humanity and God as he lets us know that the time of ignorance is now over. Also, Paul speaks of God’s creative act of humanity; from a single person, Adam, he made every race of people,e, and in h,im, we live and move and exist.

Therefore, we are God’s offspring, his true image in the world. Thus any image made by human skill and creativity will possibly be anything other than a distortion of the image of the one, true God. And so Paul warns us from involving in any form of idol worship as he calls for total repentance because God will no longer overlook our ignorance.

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, when Jesus said: ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.’

Dear friends, there are many idols that enslave us in this world, and when we are suddenly deprived of them, we end up acting irrationally and selfish, even to the point of hurting others so that we may protect and justify ourselves.

But the truth is that the time of ignorance is over, for today we have before us the Spirit of truth. We can no longer pretend to be ignorant of God’s instructions. Therefore, let us repent from our sinful ways of life and embrace the Spirit of truth who will clear our ignorance.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are ignorant of so many things about you and the world we live in, grant that the Holy Spirit of truth, will continue to teach us about you and the faith we have found in our Son Jesus as he unveils the darkness of lies and falsehood in our world. He who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Tuesday Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 27th May, 2025. Children’s Day

 

Readings: Acts 16:22-34; Ps.138;  John 16:5-11

Rev  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WORLD

As Jesus continues with his teaching on the Person of the Holy Spirit, whom he called the Counsellor, Jesus said to his disciples in our Gospel passage, ‘I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement.’

The focal point here is the role of the Holy Spirit in the world. This is because Jesus knows that with the rejection of his teaching by the people of the world, the disciples need an advocate who will surely prove to the world how wrong they are in rejecting and killing him. 

Hence, What seemed like abandonment to the disciples brought about the message of hope, assuring them that the Holy Spirit would show the world how wrong she was about sin and about judgment. That is, the Spirit will convict and persuade the people of the world of their sinful condition which they hold so tight because they were wrong for not believing in Jesus. 

Thus the Holy Spirit will clearly show to the world the righteousness of Jesus and his claims to come from God in order to bring the Word of God anew to the world. The Holy Spirit will reveal the meaning of Christ’s death as the condemnation of all that is evil in the world and victory over the devil, the prince of this world. This is so evident in our first reading, where we heard about the victory of Paul and Silas, who were praying and singing God’s praises in the prison when the prison doors were opened. 

Dear friends, as we struggle with the ugly situation in the world, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit dwells in us as our Counsellor, all we need to do is to turn towards him with hope and courage, knowing that God has called us to be his people and he will always be faithful to his promises. And if we trust in him, we shall not be disappointed, for in him alone is our sure hope of assistance during this difficult moment of our lives. 

Therefore, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and let him be the source of hope, light and inspiration for us especially in this difficult moment of fears of uncertainties in our hearts and minds, which have enslaved and prevented us from realizing what our lives truly mean and what we represent in this world. 

Let us know that God has not and will not abandon us in the ugly situation we have found ourselves in this passing world, for he has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, whose work is to ensure our victory and prove to this sinful world how wrong they are in rejecting and persecuting Jesus and the work of redemption which he has established.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the ugly situation in our world is really shaking the faith of your children; grant, we pray that we may always find delight in the indwelling of your Holy Spirit and so courageously conquer our fears and worries just like Paul and Silas. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. HAPPY CHILDREN’S YOU. May God bless and favour all our children.

Homily For Monday Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 26th May, 2025. The Memorial of St Philip Neri

 

Readings: Acts 16:11-15; Ps.149;  John 15:26-16:4

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE US TO THE PATHS OF TRUTH

In our societies today, many false influential powers have great effect on our lives coming from various sources under the guise of good but are, in fact, leading us astray. 

So, there is a need for us to examine these influences and today, in our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: when the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will be my witness. And you, too, will be witnesses because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.

Thus, the Holy Spirit will lead us to learn how to distinguish clearly where and in whom dwells the Spirit of truth from the Spirit of falsehood. As long as we are of God and in Christ, we have nothing to fear for we do not belong any more to this present world, full of sin, hatred, greed, corruption, deceit and violence. 

Every day, many false prophets and teachers are increasing and deceiving the people. May God guide us against embracing, too readily, any doctrine proposed to us without due consideration from any teacher who may pretend to have a divine inspiration but does not.

Dear friends, we must be very wise for many false prophets are operating under the power of the devil. Today Jesus is promising us the Spirit of truth that will give us a special sign for distinguishing true doctrine and true teachers from the false ones. 

Therefore, let us constantly ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace of discernment in order to distinguish between good and false prophets and teachers. Let us also be true Christians in our way of life, words and deeds. Let us learn to put our trust in God who has promised to keep us from falling away from the true faith we have found in His Son Jesus.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you promised to send us the Spirit of truth, grant we pray that through the intercession of St Philip Neri, we will always stand and witness to the truth we have found in Jesus against all the false influential prophets and teachers in our society today, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Have a fruitful week.

Homily For Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C, 25th May, 2025

 

Readings: Acts. 15:1-2.22-29; Ps.67; Rev. 21:10-14.22-23; John 14:23-29

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE PEACE THE WORLD CAN NOT GIVE IS THE GIFT THE LORD HAS GIVEN TO US

As we gather together today to celebrate the sixth Sunday of the Holy season of Easter, with the Solemnity of the Ascension coming up on Thursday within the week, our attention is being drawn more to the departure of Jesus, who has been with his disciples.

So, in anticipation of the Solemnity of the Pentecost coming very soon, the readings of today draw our attention to the last and very important words of departure from Jesus to his disciples.

These departing words can be summarized in two words which are Love and peace. This, of course, followed the promise of the Holy Spirit,t who will teach and remind us of everything he has taught us.

This promise is very necessary because the time for Jesus to accomplish his mission had drawn near, and he had taught his disciples a lot of things which they had not yet fully understood, and there was more to teach them.

So, as Jesus continues to teach the disciples he promised them the indwelling of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will take up the task to inspire them and deepen their understanding of the words and actions of God the Father.

However, Jesus emphasized that the condition for obtaining all that he has promised is the love we express to God and our neighbours and for this reason, he offers us his peace when he said in our Gospel passage today: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”

Here, the word Peace from the Hebrew word shalom means more than an absence of conflict or disturbance or war. Rather, it signifies a state of complete integration of unity between God and Man, between man and neighbours, and also between man and his environment.

It thus implies everything that Jesus came to achieve in this world. It is the legacy of his life, death and resurrection. Little wonder these words of Jesus are repeated at every Eucharistic celebration, where Jesus offers us his peace again and again.

There is no doubt that this peace is really lacking in our societies today. This is clear with the ugly events we hear and experience daily, especially the cases of killings, hatred, betrayals, greed, social and economic injustice, bloodshed, kidnapping, banditry and the massacre of innocent people all over the globe.

This, of course, is a clear sign that humanity has lost peace, that great treasure which she enjoys in the presence of God before the fall of man. But how can we regain this great treasure? Jesus made it clear that love is the only way to obtain this peace

Hence, he talks about the sacrificial love that comes from the heart and soul of one who is rooted in the life of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus speaks about the power of love, that life-giving passion that transforms and unites us with God and our neighbours.

It is this love that brings the peace that humanity is seeking, as demonstrated in our first reading among the apostles and also prophesied in our second reading today, pointing towards the Holy City of Jerusalem and its future glory as the home of peace.

But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Have we really embraced love to have peace in our lives? Do we experience this love and peace at the Eucharistic banquet every time we participate in the Holy Mass? Have I embraced the sacrificial love of Jesus so as to become an instrument of peace to my neighbour, my family and the society at large?

Have I embraced love to the point of sacrificing my possessions, my ambition and my life for the sake of peace? Have I sacrificially embraced love so as to forgive those who offended me and seek reconciliation for the sake of peace?

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. For love teaches us to be merciful, just as our Father in heaven is merciful.

Love is a sacrificial attitude, an attitude that forgives, an attitude that accommodates, perseveres, preserves, heals and builds up when everything has failed This is the kind of attitude the world needs now, the attitude that comes from pure love of God and our neighbours and brings peace to our lives, our families, societies and the world at large.

LET US PRAY: Almighty ever-living God, there are lots of things we need to know and understand about the faith we have found in you, may the Holy Spirt guide our way to embrace love and peace and always teach us what to do, how to do it, when to do it and grace do it properly. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It's Sunday, may the Holy Spirit guide and bless all your efforts.