Homily For Second Sunday of Advent Year A, 7th December, 2025

  
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Ps.72; Rom. 15:4-9; Matt. 3:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

A CALL FOR REPENTANCE IN PREPARATION FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

Looking around us and reflecting on what is going on in our world today, it is obvious that we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. But only a few people are preparing for the future reality of human existence, 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 important of 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 that brings about peace 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 saying:  “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand’“ (Mt 3: 1-2). 

His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord, calling us to repent from our sins and to correct every injustice. John the Baptist, with these commanding words, announced the imminent judgement of the Lord, saying: “Every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3:10). 

With this message, John put people on guard against the hypocrisy of those who felt safe merely because they belonged to the Chosen People. In God’s eyes, he says, no one has reason to boast but must bear good fruit that befits repentance. 

John the Baptist’s appeal for conversion is necessary in our communities today. It is a pressing invitation to open up our hearts to receive Jesus, the Son of God, who comes among us to make manifest the divine judgment of God. We, too, are called to listen to God’s voice, which cries out in the desert of our hearts through the Sacred Scriptures.

Hence, in this Season of Advent, we should let ourselves be guided by the word of God. From the first Reading, the reign of David was the high point in the history of Israel, but his successors failed deeply; still, the hope remained that a king, a future king, would succeed where his predecessors had failed. 

Here, Prophet Isaiah foretells that even though the family tree of Jesse (David's father) has been reduced to a mere stump, nevertheless, from this stump a new shoot, a new king will spring. 

He goes on to sketch a portrait of the true king: he will be filled with the Spirit of God and endowed with all the virtues of his ancestors: the wisdom and understanding of Solomon, the prudence and might of David, the knowledge and fear of the Lord just like the Patriarchs and prophets. 

So endowed, he will judge fairly and be the champion of the poor. In the second reading, Paul sees Jesus as the one through whom God fulfils his promises, highlighting the value of hope and peace. While the gospel calls us to repentance in preparation for the coming of Christ the King of Peace 

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 really 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 have to be greatly distressed and worried, especially as regards the crises of war, protests, secessions, killings, kidnapping and political deceptions which are taking different forms, only God knows other evil plots that are still on the way. This ugly situation has really taken away the peace we ought to enjoy in this world as many people are yet to recover from the direct and indirect effects of this terrible and ugly situation of bad governance and inflation. 

Dear friends, the time to repent is now for the kingdom of God is very much at hand. For, in the wilderness of crisis in this passing world, we are called to prepare a way for the Lord’s peace to reign in our souls, in our families, in our societies and in our country. But the only thing that can deny us peace and the fruit of this season is sin, such as unforgiveness, hatred, greed, 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, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinners. We too should do the same. We should be instruments of peace in our families, places of work and societies. Lord make us instruments of your peace…

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, as we prepare the way for Christ's 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. Do have a blessed and joyful Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday the First Week of Advent Year A, 6th December, 2025

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia. 

WHY IS THE HARVEST RICH BUT THE LABOURERS ARE FEW?

Walking through the streets I observed how people are struggling to survive in this passing world. I saw their passion, their determination and 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 promise,s, 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 aimlessly 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 the bishops, priests, or religious men and women. But every baptised 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, why is the harvest rich but the labourers few? How are we carrying out this mission and the 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 lives? 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 evangelise the people. Starting from our families, neighbours, colleagues in the office and others whom 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. Peace be with you.

Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year A, 5th December, 2025

 

Readings Isaiah 29 17-24, Ps 26, Matt. 9:27-31

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO PUT YOUR FAITH INTO POSITIVE USE THAT YIELDS POSITIVE RESULTS

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 often, 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.

One may ask, if someone gives you a gift of something you actually need and you fail to put it to use, whose fault is it? Is it the fault of the person who gave you the gift? No. Is it the fault of the gift? No. Is it your fault? Yes, it's your fault. This is often our problem with the gifts God has given us.

But this is not the case with these two blind men who followed Jesus shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David for they put their faith into positive use without giving up.’ 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.’ 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, if the Lord should say to you today, let it be done to you according to your faith, do you think you have enough faith for those petitions you place before him, just like those blind men? The fact remains that 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.

Therefore, it is not enough to have faith; we must learn to radically put our faith into action, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. Because it is through active faith that we can reach out to God in prayer and so obtain what we desire. So, 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 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 of the First Week of Advent Year A, 4th December, 2025

 

Readings Isaiah 26:1-6, Ps 117., Matt. 7: 21.24-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BE A DOER OF GOD’S WORDS AND NOT JUST A HEARER

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.

And 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 the wise and foolish persons 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 up on high.

Dear friends, how do our lives and actions reflect the Word of God we hear every day? 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 a secure foundation 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 are 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 Word and not just hearers, in order to build our faith on a rocky foundation through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God’s favour and blessings.

Homily Wednesday First Week of Advent Year A, 3rd December, 2025. The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

 

Readings Isaiah 25:6-10, Ps 23, Matt.: 15:29-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DON’T GIVE UP, THE LORD STILL CARES FOR THE SICK AND THE NEEDY

It’s always the desire of humanity to experience the intervention of God whenever they are passing through difficult situations. This is also 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.

For Jesus did not just heal the sick, he also fed the crowd. 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 share with 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.

This is what Prophet Isaiah is telling 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. This is what we see in the life of St Francis Xavier, whose memorial we celebrate today.

 Xavier was known to have conducted his life's work with great vitality and zeal. His missionary work came from the support and prayers he was receiving from those who sent him and from the manner in which he viewed his service. He was serving God and helping others. For he was helping others by helping them to find God.

Dear friends, Jesus 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 the 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. Peace be with you. 

Homily For Tuesday in the First Sunday of Advent Year A, 2nd December, 2025

 
Readings Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps 71., Luke 10:21-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES FOR THEY SEE AND YOUR EARS FOR THEY HEAR

As we continue with the event of Advent, when we reflect on the two-fold coming of the Lord. We are reminded of the need to participate actively in the mission of Christ and to spend more time with God, and prepare ourselves for his coming just like the disciples in the Gospel passage today. After the seventy disciples of Jesus returned from the mission, he sent them. They rejoiced concerning the great things they had done in his name. 

So, Jesus says, “‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Then he said to his disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it”.  

Here, Jesus rejoiced in his disciples, because of the grace God his Father has given to them to share in the mission of the Son. Yes, the disciples are blessed because, in Jesus, they are beginning to recognise the long-awaited Messiah, whom prophets and Kings longed to see but could not. 

This is what we heard from Prophet Isaiah in our first reading today when he said: A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests. His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless, his sentences bring death to the wicked. 

Integrity is the loincloth round his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips. That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.

Dear friends, like the disciples, we also have been given this same grace. So, we are blessed and privileged to share in the mission of Christ. For whenever we spread the word of God, we are sharing in the mission of Jesus, and this should give us great joy because God chose us and gave us the privilege to share in the mission of his Son. 

For he had brought his salvation into the world, for the restoration of hope for all humanity who dwell in darkness in need of the light of Christ, which we are called to embrace in this season of Advent.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words this season, may we share greatly in the mission of Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Wishing you a glorious day.

Homily For Monday in First Week of Advent Year A, 1st December, 2025. HAPPY NEW MONTH

  

Readings: Is. 4:2-6;  Ps.122; Matt 8:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE FAITH OF A ROMAN CENTURION 

In our catechism class, we were taught that faith is a supernatural gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused in us by God. Little wonder our levels of faith are not the same. However, our gift of faith grows depending on our disposition and utilisation of the gift. That is why, when Jesus invites people to faith and conversion, he does not coerce them; rather, they come to faith through their disposition and utilisation of their experience with him. 

This is exactly the case with the Roman centurion in our Gospel passage today, who sorts help for his sick servant, he approached Jesus for healing, but when Jesus accepted to come to his home, the centurion hesitates, feeling unworthy of Jesus’ presence in his home, said to him “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed”.  

Here, the centurion believed that Jesus could speak a word of healing, and that would be enough to cure his servant. He has total faith and trust in the power of Jesus’ word. For him, the servant did not even have to hear Jesus speak the word: it was enough that the word was spoken. Jesus praised his faith and genuine humility. Today, these words of the centurion have become a pattern of prayer for us, that before receiving Holy Communion we say it passionately because his faith and compassion are inspiring examples for us to follow. 

This is exactly the kind of faith that all of us must have as well especially in this Advent season. The faith that leads us to seek God wholeheartedly, to be humble before Him and to love Him above all and not to allow our pride, ego and desires to lead us into faithlessness, disobedience and sin against God. 

And when this is done, we can understand the message of Prophet Isaiah in the first reading today, when he said that the branch of the Lord shall be beauty and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be the pride and adornment of Israel’s survivors. Those who are left of Zion and remain of Jerusalem shall be called holy.

Dear friends, let us learn to put into action the gift of faith that the Lord has given us, just like this Roman Centurion. But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: do we still have total faith and trust in God just like the centurion? What is our disposition towards the gift of faith that God has given us? Do you know that our experiences of evil, injustice, suffering and death can shake or shape the gift of faith in us depending on our disposition. 

The centurion interceded for his sick servant, do we intercede for others who are in need of God’s healing and mercy? Do we know that we can speak God’s word in prayer and someone, somewhere, will find healing? Do we often, like this centurion, recognise in all humility our unworthiness before God?  We are called today to learn from this man’s act of humility and faith.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are weak, and oftentimes we display an act of faithlessness due to the pressure and challenges of life. As we embrace the season of Advent, may you increase our faith and make us humble and patient. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed month.