Homily For Tuesday The Sixth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 30th December, 2025

 

Readings : 1 John 2:12-17, Ps 96, Luke:2:36-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

AN ENCOUNTER THAT LEADS TO MISSION AND EVANGELISATION

It’s always the desire of humanity to have the experience of God especially when we are passing through difficult situation. This had always been the desire and disposition of the people of Israel as they await the coming of the Messiah as prophesied by the prophets. Hence, our Gospel passage today presents to us the experience of Anna with Jesus at the temple. 

Anna was a deep spiritual person who spent her waking hours in the Temple, praying and fasting. She came on the scene just as Jesus and his parents were in the Temple. She, too, must have realized the true identity of the Child and gave thanks to God. She then began to speak about Jesus to everyone, especially those awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. An action that portray an encounter that leads to mission and evangelisation 

This passage says much about our experience with the divine, showing that our social status is of no consequence in our relationship with God. If we want to be close to God, we have to make prayer a very important part of our lives. In prayer we come to know Jesus and to love God the more and once we truly come to know Jesus, we cannot keep it to ourselves but must share the experience with the people around us, especially those who are looking for some meaning in their lives, just like Anna in the Gospel.

 Little wonder St. John in our first reading admonished us to embrace the love God is offering us through his Son Jesus and not give in to the love of this passing world, because, the love of God cannot be in any man who loves the world. For the world has nothing to offer us except pleasure of the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride of sin and greed which finally lead us to destruction.

Dear friends, what is our relationship with God  as regards to the things of this passing world? How have we personally experienced the Lord Jesus who has been born for us? How have we been able to share our experience of God with others? If we have not experienced the Lord personally in our lives, the right time to do that is now. But we need to ask ourselves what is our disposition towards prayers and pleasurable things of this passing world? To experience the Lord, we must love him above all other things and truly desire to encounter him just like Anna. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are living in a world where materialism and pleasurable things are seriously distracting us from experiencing your presence in our midst, help us to conquer our inordinate desire for the things of this world in order to embrace the heavenly things. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you. 

Homily For Monday The Fifth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 29th December, 2025

Readings : 1 John 2:3-11, Ps 96, Luke:2:22-35

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BEHOLD, THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL AND RISING OF MANY

Following the tradition of purification as laid down by the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus came to the temple to present him to the Lord. This is what we have in our Gospel passage today. Where St Luke explained that Mary and Joseph wished to fulfil all the prescriptions of the law in order to emphasize that Jesus was born into a family of simple people, lowly but steadfast in faith: a family that belonged to the poor once of Israel the true People of God. It is important to note that the purpose of this event among the Jews is for the purification of the mother and the redemption of the son, which shows the act of offering the Son of the Most High to the Father who sent him.

This same child Jesus, who is immediately presented in the Temple, is the same person who, as an adult, would purify the Temple (cf. Jn 2:13-22). Above all, he would make himself the sacrifice and the High Priest of the new Covenant. For which he will suffer greatly as prophecy by Simeon in our Gospel concerning both the Child Jesus and Mary the Mother saying: “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, a sword will pierce through your own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Thus, this prophecy is pointing out the salvation which Jesus will bring to his people, that which he embodies in himself, as he passed through the Cross, the violent death by which he was to vanquish death and transform humanity with the sacrifice of his life through love. Hence, he has become the true Light of the world of which Simeon proclaimed as a revelation, that Jesus was to be the High Priest of all, who is to redeem all mankind from their sins.

By so doing he becomes the true light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Thus, St. John in our first reading tells us that the night is over and the real light is already shining. And anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark. But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling.

Dear friends, today, as we encounter Christ the true Light of the world presented at the temple, let us of course, allow ourselves to be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let us share in its splendour, and so be filled with it’s radiant, so that no one remains in the darkness. Let us bring him into our families and homes, so that sharing in his light we may be brought out of the darkness of hatred, envy greed and jealousy that covers our lives as individuals, families, Homily For Monday The Fifth Day Within The Octave of Christmas, 29th December, 2025

Readings : 1 John 2:3-11, Ps 96, Luke:2:22-35

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BEHOLD, THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL AND RISING OF MANY

Following the tradition of purification as laid down by the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus came to the temple to present him to the Lord. This is what we have in our Gospel passage today. Where St Luke explained that Mary and Joseph wished to fulfil all the prescriptions of the law in order to emphasize that Jesus was born into a family of simple people, lowly but steadfast in faith: a family that belonged to the poor once of Israel the true People of God. It is important to note that the purpose of this event among the Jews is for the purification of the mother and the redemption of the son, which shows the act of offering the Son of the Most High to the Father who sent him.

This same child Jesus, who is immediately presented in the Temple, is the same person who, as an adult, would purify the Temple (cf. Jn 2:13-22). Above all, he would make himself the sacrifice and the High Priest of the new Covenant. For which he will suffer greatly as prophecy by Simeon in our Gospel concerning both the Child Jesus and Mary the Mother saying: “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, a sword will pierce through your own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Thus, this prophecy is pointing out the salvation which Jesus will bring to his people, that which he embodies in himself, as he passed through the Cross, the violent death by which he was to vanquish death and transform humanity with the sacrifice of his life through love. Hence, he has become the true Light of the world of which Simeon proclaimed as a revelation, that Jesus was to be the High Priest of all, who is to redeem all mankind from their sins.

By so doing he becomes the true light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Thus, St. John in our first reading tells us that the night is over and the real light is already shining. And anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark. But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling.

Dear friends, today, as we encounter Christ the true Light of the world presented at the temple, let us of course, allow ourselves to be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let us share in its splendour, and so be filled with it’s radiant, so that no one remains in the darkness. Let us bring him into our families and homes, so that sharing in his light we may be brought out of the darkness of hatred, envy greed and jealousy that covers our lives as individuals, families, communities, societies, country and the world at large.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, the world is seriously in darkness of deep confusion and and we really need the light of your presence. As we celebrate the birth of your Son and his presentation at the temple, may we be enlightened and so over come the darkness of this sinful world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Have a fruitful day.

Homily For Sunday Within The Octave of Christmas Year A, 28th December, 2025. The Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth

 

Readings: Sir. 3:2-6.12-14; Ps 128; Col. 3:12-21; Matt. 2:13-15.19-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE OF FAMILY IN THE SOCIETY 

Family, as we know, is always seen as the nucleus of life and the seed of every human society. It is a domestic church, a place of faith, a place of prayer and a place of loving concern for the good of one another. Little wonder every last Sunday of the year that falls within the octave of Christmas or 30th of December if the last Sunday is new year, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth as a way of addressing with joy some of the issues within the families of the world, wishing them the peace and love that Jesus brought among us this Christmas.

The Lord Jesus was born and he grew up in a human family. In this way, he consecrated the family as the first and ordinary means of his encounter with humanity. Jesus was born in a stable and had a manger as his first home, but the love of Mary and Joseph made him feel the tenderness and beauty of being loved. Children need this kind of love from their father and mother. It is this that gives them security and, as they grow, enables them to discover the meaning of life.

The Holy Family of Nazareth went through many trials, beginning from the events of the annunciation, the birth of Jesus, the presentation at the temple, the massacre of the innocents, the finding of Jesus at the temple and the flight to Egypt, just as we have it in the Gospel passage today. Telling us that whatever we are passing through as a family, we can draw strength and grace from the Holy Family, who, trusting in divine providence, found their stability and guaranteed Jesus a serene childhood and a sound upbringing.

Thus, our first reading talks about the relationships in the family when it says: The Lord honours the father in his children, and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons. Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins, he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune. My son, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.

And our second reading reminds us that love is the source of harmony in the family. Little wonder St. Paul said: As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

He continues: Wives he said, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. So today, demand is made of our family and us to do the will of God at different stages of our lives and so ensure the peaceful existence of our families.

Dear friends, let us learn to make the Holy Family of Jesus a model of our family, for in our societies today, family life and values are no longer guaranteed, as the powerful influence of secularism and materialism is fast destroying all the great values and virtues that sustain the family and society. Today, the only hope we have is the family and our religious practice, which are under serious threat as they stand against the agenda of the secular world. Thus, we must uphold our family values and practices, with fraternal love as the hallmark of sustaining our Christian virtues and values in the family and community.

Also, we must hold on to the virtues and practices of our faith and not give in to the pressure of secularism and materialism. Let the Holy Family of Jesus be a model for us to follow. And as we struggle to build a holy and lovely family, let us entrust all families to Our Lady and to St Joseph, so that we do not lose heart in the face of trials and difficulties but always cultivate a conjugal love and devote ourselves with trust to the service and protection of life which is a product of the family.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, a lot of families in our world today are struggling to survive as a result of secularism and materialism, which have taken away the sacrificial love that sustains the family. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, may you restore all the families of the world with your love and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a joyful and glorious day.

Homily For Saturday in The Octave of Christmas, 27th December, 2025. The Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist.

 

Readings : 1 John 1:1-4; Ps 97; John 20:2-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST

Every 27th of December within the octave of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist. St. John, as we know, is one of the Twelve Apostles and one of the three inner circle of Jesus Christ, and no doubt one of the four great Evangelists of the Church. As one of the three inner circle of our Lord, John, together with St. Peter and St. James, his brother, were often brought to the most important events in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. John, as we know, was present in great events such as the resurrection of the synagogue official’s dead daughter, the Transfiguration of the Lord at Mount Tabor, and also at the agony of the Lord at the Gardens of Gethsemane before the time of the Lord’s Passion. He witnessed great works and miracles of Jesus.

We will recall that St. John was one of those who remained and followed the Lord at the moments of his Passion, suffering and death on the Cross. He also remained with Mary at the foot of the cross, and it was to St. John that the Lord Jesus entrusted Mary, his Mother, and also John to Mary as well. This no doubt shows the place of St. John in the mission of Christ and the important role he played in the life and mission of the Lord Jesus.

The fruit of this great privilege is evident in the missionary activities of St. John. For he spent all his life spreading the truth of God all over the world. He also wrote several letters and Epistles, and the fourth Gospel is attributed to him. He also received the great vision of the end-time event when he was in exile as a result of the persecution of Christians, this vision he recorded in the book of Revelation as we have it today.

So today as we celebrate the Feast of this great Apostle, we heard the readings of his first letter and his Gospel passage. In this letter, as we have it in our first reading today, St John wrote about Christ the Word of Life that has come into this world. Concerning this Word, he said: This is what we have heard from him, and the message that we are announcing to you: that God is light; there is no darkness in him at all. If we say that we are in union with God while we are living in darkness, we are lying because we are not living the truth. It is this Word of truth that we are celebrating this Christmas.

However, this Christmas celebration will not be complete if we do not let the Lord be born in our hearts or if we do not have a personal experience of the Lord Jesus in our lives that will make us find our place in the mission of Christ such as the one we heard in our Gospel passage today. Here, we were told about the personal experience of John and Peter, who having heard about the resurrection of the Lord, ran towards the empty tomb with open hearts to encounter Christ, who had died and is risen to renew us, to remove from our hearts the guilt of sin and death, so that we can embrace his divine and eternal life.

Dear friends, this is the fundamental core of our Christian faith; this is the victory that transforms us and unites us with our Lord. Hence, if Jesus, who was born for us, was crucified, died, buried and is risen, and is alive, who will ever be able to separate us from him? Who will ever be able to deprive us of the love of him who has conquered hatred and overcomes death?

Therefore, I don't know what your experience has been in this world, especially this Christmas season. I don't know how you woke up today. I don't know what troubles your mind. But all I know is that today is another gift of God to humanity, a day of joy, a day of victory. I am excited, hopeful and am going to live it with all joy, not trying to change things that I cannot change or try to fix things that I do not want to be fixed.

I will not let the ugly situation in our world today, or any ugly event of the past, distract me today or steal my joy. I will focus on the blessings that come with the joy of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will follow the directives of the Lord, for his ways are right and the upright walk in them, but the transgressors stumble in them. Thus, let us proclaim the message of this season and spread it throughout the world with the joyful song of this Holy Season.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we celebrate the great event of Christmas, may your joy fill our hearts and through the intercessions of St John, may we spread this joy all over the world especially to people and places where this joy is lacking. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Friday in The Octave of Christmas, 26th December, 2025 The Feast of Stephen, the First Martyr

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY STONE THE INNOCENT FOR BEARING WITNESS TO THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST?

Every day God makes himself present to us, but we often ignore him or pretend we do not perceive his presence. The truth is that in each heart, there is a secret garden which God has made uniquely for himself and that garden is our conscience.

This garden is like a safe deposit vault which has two keys. God has one key; hence, the soul cannot let in anyone else but God. The human heart has the other key, which no one can get in without his/her consent. However, God is always at the gate of this garden with his key but we often pretend to be looking for ours.

This is the ugly attitude of humanity, which is well illustrated by the people who seek to kill Stephen as we have it in our first reading today. Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But certain people came forward to debate with him.

As they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom. They were infuriated and planned to kill him. Nevertheless, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. This he witnessed before them, but they stoned him to death.

Dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, who opened the door of his heart completely and, finding God, he witnessed with his life and went up triumphantly to heaven. We are called today to open up our minds and hearts for God to fill us with the grace and power of witnessing to the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are called not to be afraid to bear witness. For we may be dragged before governors and kings for the sake of the Gospel, we should not worry about how to speak or what to say; for what we are to say will be given to us when the time comes, as Jesus promised us in our Gospel passage today.

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

Homily For The Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Nativity (Christmas) A. Saturday 24th December, 2025

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

A NIGHT OF ENCOUNTER WITH THE CHILD JESUS IN THE LITTLE MANGER OF OUR SOULS

Tonight we have gathered in anticipation of the birth of our Lord Jesus, whom for the past four weeks we have been preparing for his coming. Tonight, Jesus is coming to dwell with us for an exchange; he is coming to offer his divinity in exchange for our sinful humanity. Tonight, Jesus is offering everything; he is sacrificing everything for our salvation.

He is giving up his heavenly glory in exchange for our suffering world. He is taking human flesh and becoming man to elevate the human person to share in his divinity. Tonight God is unveiling His Word, which became Flesh in the womb of Mary, in order to dwell with us. Tonight the Lord will manifest himself in a little manger in Bethlehem of our souls.

Little wonder in the Gospel passage tonight, we heard the genealogy of Jesus, which gave us the historical plan of God towards the manifestation of his Son, the Word made Flesh. From this genealogy of Jesus, we can observe that generations came, generations go, great men and women came and passed away, new generations continue to spring up as God continue to unveil his plan for humanity.

This genealogy shows how the Lord had revealed to different generations what he was going to do for humanity. Judah’s kingship over all Israel was given to David, who became the rightful king and God’s chosen one, and God promised that David’s house would rule over Israel forever.

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

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

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

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

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

This little manger of my soul is what the child Jesus is searching for to dwell in to night. He is searching for a humble soul, he is searching for a peaceful soul. The child Jesus is searching for a lovely soul, he is searching for merciful and caring souls of humanity. The Lord is searching for innocent souls who can accommodate and make him accessible to humanity. The little manger of Jesus, that’s who we are, but are we available for the child Jesus to come in and be born in us? Are we ready and prepared to welcome the child Jesus into our little manger? Are you going to allow him to dwell with us? Are we going to offer him joyful praise and worship just like the shepherds? Are we going to let him exchange our sinful humanity with his divinity?

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

 Why not make your soul available for the child Jesus to reign in your life? Why not let the peace of his presence dwell in your heart? Why not let the joy of his presence dwell in the manger of your soul? Why not let his love propel you to love even those whom you find very difficult to forgive? Why not let the child Jesus reign in that little manger of your soul tonight and always? Remember, the scripture says that the Newborn child dwells in the little manger in a little town of Bethlehem, which means “the house of Bread”. That means that the child Jesus dwells also in the little tiny Bread of Life. That is, the Eucharist. So, the Lord Jesus present in the Eucharist wants to feed us with his heavenly glory and love. He wants to dwell in the little manger of our souls so as to nourish our souls and exchange our sinful humanity with his divinity. Why not open up your heart to receive the child Jesus present in the Eucharist, which is going to be consecrated in a few moments tonight? Why not let the child Jesus in the Holy Eucharist reign in the little manger of your soul? Do not let anything deprive you of his presence tonight.

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

Homily For Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Year A, 24th December, 2025

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW ARE YOU WAITING ON THE LORD’S COMING? 

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

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

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

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

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