Homily For Wednesday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 10th December, 2025

 

Readings Isaiah 40:25-31; Ps 103; Matt. 11:28-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY CARRY YOUR BURDEN ALONE? JESUS WANTS TO HELP YOU

The ugly condition of our country today really places a heavy burden and stress on us, and oftentimes these burdens are so heavy that we don’t know how to carry them. The worst of these burdens is the sorrow we bear in our hearts: sorrows caused by our sins, unhealthy relationships, unforgiveness and family problems.

Little wonder in our Gospel reading, Jesus invites us to come to him just as we are. He recognises the sorrows in our lives, how we labour and are overburdened. This invitation should open a refreshing space in our souls, by inspiring hope and drawing us into his loving and gentle presence who is always with us.

Dear friends, Jesus, wants to listen to all of our troubles, and assures us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. When we spend time with Jesus we find rest for our souls. He speaks to us in the silence of our hearts and gives us inner peace. Therefore, why carry your burdens alone? Jesus is willing to help you, for he promised that when we are troubled and turn to him, he will help us. So let us trust in his word.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are carrying heavy burdens of this passing world, as we present these burdens before you, may we find rest for our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Remain blessed.

Homily For Tuesday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 9th December, 2025

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD IS SEARCHING FOR US, FOR WE ARE TOO PRECIOUS TO BE LOST IN THIS SINFUL WORLD

It is natural and common for any human person to desire to seek and find any valuable thing he/she have lost. Some people even have sleepless nights over their lost items. Some can go to any length hoping to recover any of their valuable commodity that is lost.

If we can do this just for perishable things of this passing world, don’t we think that God will do even more to save every single soul he created in his own image and likeness? Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus while addressing his disciples, tells us the parables of the lost sheep which illustrate the unrelenting love of God for each of us, especially sinners.

In this parable, we see an example of someone searching for what is precious to him. And when he found it his joy was so great. So, Jesus uses this example to explain to us how God seeks us when we are lost in sin and his joy when our friendship with him is renewed. His searching for us cost him the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ.

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

Dear friends, are we lost in sin? Have we given up in our struggle with sin? Do you think that your sins are so great that God cannot forgive you? Do we feel lost now? Jesus is searching for us, he is waiting for us at the confessional. When was the last time we visited him at the confessional? Just know that he loves us and we are too precious to be lost in this sinful world.

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

Homily For Monday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 8th December, 2025. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING OUR SPECIAL ROLE IN THE UNIVERSAL PLAN OF GOD FOR HUMANITY

There is no doubt that Mary has always been a special vessel of God. So, following her role in God’s plan for our salvation, the Church ascribes some special prerogatives or privileges to her. These prerogatives concern what the Faith of the Church affirms in connection with the blessed Virgin Mary.

They include her Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity, her assumption into heaven and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of these prerogatives. So, today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception one of these prerogatives which shows her special role in the universal plan of God.

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

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

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

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

This is what Adam and Eve failed to do in our first reading today, they did not follow the plan of God for them, for out of pride and disobedience, they separated themselves from God. That is why, after Adam had eaten of the tree, the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.

By this very action, humanity has fallen and separated from God, its creator. Nevertheless, God has never given up on humanity. He has a plan to save us, as we heard in our second reading today, of which Mary, in preparation for her role in this salvific plan, was conceived immaculately, and this great privilege is what we are celebrating today.

Dear friends, saying yes to God’s plan for us is so important. And I must tell you that God has a special plan for everyone, a plan which is unique. 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 actually favoured each person in a very unique way just like our Mother Mary, only that we sometimes do not understand what God is doing in our lives. Our understanding of favour is quite different from that of God.

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

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

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.