Homily For Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 6th July, 2025

 

Reading: Is. 66:10-14; Ps. 66; Gal.6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12.17-20

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

HAVING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOD’S CALL TO SERVE

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the reason why God created us is to know, love, and serve him and to be with him in eternal joy. This can be seen as a foundational principle in Catholic faith and the essence of human existence. This affirms our belief that humanity's ultimate fulfilment comes from our relationship with God. 

For God whose nature is love, created us to share in that love and to participate in his divine life through service to him and to one another in fraternal charity. But the rebellious nature of humanity has always kept us away from responding to God's invitation to serve him as we find it difficult to actively participate in the mission of Christ. 

This is because we have always failed to understand God’s ways of doing things. However, God has not stopped caring and stretching his hands of love towards us. In every generation, God always send messengers to remind us of his love and plan for humanity.

Thus, in our Gospel passage today, we heard how the Lord appointed seventy-two persons and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he was to visit. He said to them: ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house! 

Here, Jesus gave us the nature and requirements for carrying out his missionary mandate successfully. So, to continue this great mission, he invites his disciples and sends them out, commanding them to see themselves as someone who gives freely of the good they have received from God. 

Hence, we should offer to others what we have received from  God, knowing that it has cost us nothing. We must live a life of detachment that is, in this mission, we are to depend totally on God's providence. Unfortunately, many of the disciples have to face rejection and persecution from people, who, through their rebellious attitude, have refused to believe in God, even though He has always been so patient, loving, caring and forgiving us.

Thus, we heard  Paul in our second reading today saying: the only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised or not; what matters is for him to become a new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading said: rejoice, Jerusalem, be glad for her, all you who love her! Rejoice, rejoice for her, all you who mourned her! 

Dear friends, what is our attitude towards the missionary mandate of Christ? How has the Word of God shaped our lives? How are we contributing towards the missionary mandate of Christ? As disciples of Christ, we have received a lot from God without payment; we should learn to give without expecting reward. 

Therefore,  we are called to acknowledge with gratitude all that we have received from God and give freely to others that which we have received. For this act of charity will purify us from pride and self-righteousness, because we are all recipients of God's love, mercy, forgiveness, favour, protection, healing and deliverance. So, may we learn to respond to God’s call and serve in fraternal charity. Hence, we must offer to others these same gifts which we have received.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today you gave us the requirements and nature of our missionary mandate. Help us to effectively follow these requirements and so fulfil your plan for humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen. God bless you. 

Homily For Saturday of Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 5th July, 2025

 

Readings: Gen. 27:1-5.15-29; Ps. 135; Matt 9:14-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

DO NOT MIX YOUR NEW LIFE OF GRACE WITH OLD LIFE OF SIN

Today our attention is drawn to the gift of New Life which Jesus is offering to humanity. A gift that differentiates 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 a 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 onto 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 is what Jesus is to the souls of all who believe in him.

So, 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 sympathises 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 it 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 emphasised with the importance of pouring new wine into fresh wineskins and the need to avoid using a new cloak to patch an old one.

Here, the fresh wineskins refer 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 totally different in the case of Isaac in our first reading today, who was deceived by Rebekah and Jacob to steal the blessing of Esau.

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 C, 4th July, 2025

 

Reading: Gen. 23:1-4.19;24:1-8.62-67; Ps. 106; Matt. 9:9-13

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

UNDERSTANDING THE DESIRE OF JESUS FOR SINFUL HUMANITY 

There is no doubt that Jesus had been calling people from different walks 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 that 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 for 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 innermost 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 a sinner, rose up and followed Jesus at his call for repentance; we too are to respond to this invitation without delay. 

Dear friends, as Christians who are called to follow the Lord, how are we responding to God's call? How are we relating to those we judge to be sinners, and what efforts are we making to convert sinners? Therefore, we are called today to let St. Matthew be an inspiration and hope for everyone 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, just like Abraham and Isaac in our first reading today, for the Lord consoled them with the gift of Rebekah, Sarah, who had passed on. 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 instruments of your salvation to all humanity. As we learn from St. Matthew, give us the grace to make good choices that will help us to respond positively to your call for repentance and evangelisation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 3rd July. 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”: AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS

In our world today there are great reasons why people may possibly have doubts about their faith in God and in Jesus. Because of the ugly attitude of deception, manipulation, exaggeration, corruption and flamboyant lifestyle 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 that people are scandalised 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, and witnessed 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 was too real to be true, so he sought a personal experience and encounter with Jesus. 

As a result of this, Jesus appeared to him on 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 scarred side of his wounds for the disbelieving disciple to touch and so healed the wound of his disbelief.

Through this personal encounter of the risen Lord, he believed; looking at one who was a 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?

 Have we really and truly encountered 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 risen 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 trying 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. Have a fruitful week.

Homily For Wednesday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 2nd July, 2025

 

Reading: Gen. 21:5.8-20; Ps. 34; Matt. 8:28-34

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE AUTHORITY TO OVERCOME EVIL IS IN JESUS

A critical study of the scriptures, it seemed as if Jesus lived in a world of hostility, political and family divisions, as well as the conflict between good and evil, just like we have in our societies today. Thus, every day is a struggle against the malice of the evil ones, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them.

Little wonder that our Gospel passage today presents to us Jesus’ encounter with two demoniacs from the countryside of Gadarenes, who had been tormenting the community. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way.

So when they saw Jesus, they started shouting, ‘What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the time?’ And Jesus said to them, Go, and they came out from the men and immediately entered the pigs and the pigs rushed into the lake and perished in the water.

Here, we are called to recognise that the presence of Jesus in the world brings about victory over the evil ones. Demons recognise Jesus as the power of God. And his power over demons is a direct defeat of the evil ones. The restoration of the two demoniacs signifies the inauguration of God's kingdom in the world.

It also signifies the healing of God’s people who had sinned and disobeyed God by abandoning His precepts and laws, preferring instead the wicked ways of life and worldly practices which lead to destruction.

This is evident in our first reading today, where we heard the story of Abraham and his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. For while Ishmael was born of a slave woman named Hagar, Isaac was born of Abraham’s wife Sarah, so he was the lawful and legal heir of Abraham. But this created friction between Ishmael and Isaac, because Ishmael was older and the supposed heir before Isaac was born.

However, he had been superseded by Isaac, the true heir. To resolve this conflict, Abraham sent both Hagar and her son Ishmael away after providing them with some food and water. They both wandered in the desert and in places without food and sustenance. It was then that Hagar cried out to the Lord for mercy and compassion, which the Lord heard and sent his Angels to help Hagar and her son Ishmael.

Dear friends, today each and every one of us is called to seek good and not evil, to promote justice and integrity, lest we be enslaved, rejected and possessed by the evil of this world, just like the two demoniacs that lived in the wilderness away from other people.

We must know that no matter how great our sins may have been, God alone has the power to heal us and to bring us back to Himself. And Jesus has given us the gift of his presence in the person of the Holy Spirit, which God has bestowed on us in our baptism.

In this gift resides the power and authority to confront the evil of this world and overcome it. For Jesus wishes to set us free from sickness, forces, power and manipulations of the evil ones. He desires to be with us as we struggle every day to overcome the evil in our lives, our families, our societies and the world at large. Therefore, we should not be afraid to stand firm against the manipulations of the devil, because Jesus will not abandon us in this battle of life.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the world is full of evil and wickedness, give us the grace to seek what is good and hate what is evil, and as we struggle every day to do your will, may your presence be felt and drive away all evil in our midst through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 1st July, 2025. HAPPY NEW MONTH

 

Readings: Gen. 19:15-29; Ps. 26; Matt 8:23-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE LORD IS STILL WITH US EVEN IN OUR DAILY STORMS OF LIFE

Have you been in 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 affecting their boat.

With this heavy storm breaking their boat, the disciples could not 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 repentant 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, just like Lot and his family in our first reading today.

For the angels urged Lot, ‘Come, take your wife and these two daughters of yours, or you will be overwhelmed in the punishment of the town of Sodom and Gomorrah and so they escaped the destruction.

Dear friends, the Lord is still with us in our daily storms of life. So why are you so frightened by the storms of this passing world? Why is your faith shaking because of your 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 in the town of Sodom and Gomorrah. I don’t know if you are heading to destruction? All I know is that with great faith in God, the heavy storms in our lives will become calm, 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: O God. As we struggle every day 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 Month.

Homily For Monday Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 30th June, 2025

 

Reading: Gen. 18:16-33; Ps. 103; Matt. 8:18-22

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

LEARN TO FOLLOW THE LORD WITHOUT MAKING EXCUSES 

The path to success is so rigorous, strenuous and competitive. The strong pass through it and are celebrated, while the weak will always quit or give up. Hence, a lot of people have not been able to achieve their goal in life because they always have excuses to give. Oftentimes we hear such people saying I want to do this but.., I could have done it but..., I thought of it but… I was almost there but... 

This kind of attitude is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, when  one of the scribes came up and said to him, ‘Master, I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another man, one of his disciples, said to him, ‘Sir, let me go and bury my father first.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.’

Here, it seems as if the Lord Jesus was very harsh when he said that those who have chosen to follow him have no place to call their own or that those who died ought to be left on their own to be buried. This is not the case here; rather, Jesus is emphasising that to be his follower requires serious commitment and sacrifices at all times. 

That following him requires a life of total self-denial, and the man who wishes to follow him most reflects thoroughly what following Jesus would entail. So Jesus made it clear that following him would mean giving up many of the personal comforts that one enjoys.

This is evident in the life of Abraham who was called to detach himself from his family in order to follow the Lord. And having separated himself completely from his family, he was able to relate with God more closely to the point that God can not hide anything from him. So in our first reading today, we heard how knowing about the destruction that was about to come before Lot, his brother, Abraham interceded on their behalf.

Here, Abraham was bold enough to bargain with God, as businessmen or women do when bargaining with a customer. Who could imagine someone bargaining with God who owns the universe? At first, we may think Abraham to be a bit rash to do such a thing. But the truth is that God was actually encouraging Abraham in the virtue of prayer. 

Remember, God took the initiative by revealing His purpose to Abraham, His friend, who was moved to pray, based on what he knew of God’s character, attributes and person. This is possible when we choose to give up everything and follow the Lord. 

Dear friends, for us to succeed in life we need to pass through some rigorous steps and stop making excuses. Sometimes the rigorousness of the paths may seem difficult and impossible, but in the end, they form the experience that will propel us to success and sustain us as well. 

So as we journey through the rigorous path of success in our mission and vocations, let us be encouraged by the life of Abraham, knowing that none of our sacrifices and contributions in the mission of Christ and his Church will be in vain.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, following you requires giving up everything, teach us how to faithfully embrace our vocation and mission in life without making excuses. May we be ever more nourished by your word and find in it the fount of grace to journey the path of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed week.