Homily For Tuesday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 13th January, 2026

 

Readings: 1Sam.1:9-20; Ps. 1Sam 2:4-7; Mark 1:21-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS OVER THE EVIL ONES

Oftentimes, when people are about to do something serious, it is always the case that they will need to back up their activities and message with authority. And when this is lacking, people may not take their activities and message seriously. Thus, in our Gospel passage today we heard people making reference to the authority by which Jesus speaks and carried out his mission. For he spoke and acted with God-given authority.

This is even more evidence of the manner in which he was able to rebuke the man possessed by an unclean spirit. These spirits are malicious beings that might be demons or fallen angels who have followed Satan to rebel against God. They might appear powerful as Satan, but in the end, none of them were able to rise up against God. For God alone is the source of all power and authority.

So Jesus, being the Son of God, wants to show us that he has been given all the power and authority over the evil ones. And through him, we have been given all authority and power over those spirits. The unclean spirit recognised Jesus as the power of God. His power over demons is a direct defeat of the evil one while the restoration of the possessed man signifies the inauguration of God's kingdom in the world.

Dear friends, it is obvious to everyone that Jesus had authority, his authority does not come from his position in life or from worldly power. Rather, his authority comes from his relationship with God his Father. He listened to his voice and spoke his words. Therefore, if we want to speak with authority, we must learn to spend time with God, listening to his voice and doing his will.

And this is what we see in the life of Hannah in our first reading today, who recognized the power and authority of God to answer her prayers and heal her barrenness. So she went to the temple and poured out her heart to God, and she conceived and gave birth to a son, and called him Samuel, since she said ‘I asked the Lord for him.

Hence, today we are called to recognize that the presence of Jesus in the world brings about victory over all our troubles. 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 evangelize the world and to confront evil and overcome it.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in a world full of evil and intimidation, we need your authority once again to speak and stand for what is right and just. As we struggle with our daily tasks, may we be courageous, knowing that the same Jesus who delivered the possessed man can heal our fears, anxieties and worries, for his presence sets us free from evil manipulations, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Remember, the power to overcome resides in you. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday First Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 12th January, 2026

 

Readings: 1Sam. 1:1-8; Ps. 116; Mark 1:14-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALL TO FOLLOW HIM? 

Today marks the beginning of the Season of Ordinary Time in this current Liturgical year. Today we are reminded of our call and vocation as Christians, which is well illustrated in our Gospel passage today for it gives us the account of the calling of the first Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, the four fishermen, Peter and his brother Andrew, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee, whom he called just right after he began his ministry after his baptism at the Jordan. 

Here we heard how Jesus called them, and they responded by leaving everything behind, their boat, their families and their profession, to follow the Lord. Today we are called like these Apostles to follow Jesus, and following Jesus means leaving behind the life we have now and embracing the new life he is offering to us. When we opt to follow Jesus, our life revolves around him. It’s no longer what we feel like doing, but what his word instructs us to do. It also means leaving behind our sinful ways of life and embracing the holiness of life. We need to surrender all the things that distract us, we need to submit our struggles and worries to God who has called us. And this is what we see in the life of Hannah in our first reading today. 

Dear friends, in this call to follow the Lord, how are we responding? What have we left behind? What have we sacrificed? Today we are called to really examine our conscience to know where we are as regards our vocation as Christians. How have we personally experienced Jesus? When was your spiritual turning point? Do we have a personal conviction about God that is not based on what people told us about him? In case we have not personally experienced him, all we need to do is to sincerely seek God in those common events in our lives, and we will realise how much God is willing to reveal himself to us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are reminded of our call to follow your Son Jesus. As we respond to this call, may we find inner joy in our souls that will prompt us to spread the Good News of the Gospel with faith and conviction. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful week ahead.

Homily For Sunday The Feast of The Baptism of The Lord Year A, 11th January, 2026

Readings: Is 42:1-4.6-7; Ps. 29; Acts. 10:34-38; Matt. 3:13-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE GIFT AND GRACE OF BAPTISM 

Today we celebrate the feast of the Lord’s baptism, an event which marks the end of the Christmas season. This feast is not just about the Lord’s baptism, but our own baptism as well and the renewing of its grace in our lives. The celebration of the baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity and mission as Christ faithful. 

The feast reminds us of who we are and our commitment to God on the day we were baptised. This feast reminds us that Jesus received baptism not because he needed it; rather, it was to identify himself with his people, who, as a result of John's preaching, are now aware of their sins and of their need for repentance. 

Little wonder in the Gospel,  we heard how the true identity of Jesus was confirmed at his baptism where God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power and his voice was heard saying: “This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased." This is a confirmation of the word of God through the prophet Isaiah in our first reading, who said: Thus says the Lord: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations. 

This shows God's revelation to mankind, especially about the mystery of the Trinity and also to reveal Jesus’ true identity and mission, stressing the importance of professing our faith in Jesus Christ, which is an essential aspect of the rite of Baptism. This symbolises the new covenant God wants to make with humanity, thereby calling us to repentance and faith in him. So this is the significance of baptism in our Christian faith and mission. 

Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 1279 emphasises that by our baptism, we become adoptive sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, heirs of heaven and temples of the Holy Spirit. We become incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made sharers in the priesthood of Christ. Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments (CCC 1213).  

Hence, let us come and receive the immortality that flows from baptism through the testimonies of water, Spirit and Blood which bear witness to the love of God for humanity.  For we are told by one ancient author that this is the water that is linked to the Spirit, the water that irrigates Paradise, makes the earth fertile, gives growth to plants, and brings forth living creatures. 

In short, this is the water by which a man receives new birth and life, the water in which even Christ was baptised, the water into which the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. And whoever goes down into these waters of rebirth with faith renounces the devil and pledges himself to Christ. He comes up from baptism, throws off his servitude, and becomes an adopted son of God and a co-heir with Christ, resplendent as the sun and purified.

Therefore, the baptism of Jesus reminds us of our mission that is, to experience the presence of God within us and share it with others, to acknowledge our own dignity as God’s children, to live as children of God in thought, word and action, to lead a holy and transparent Christian life and not to desecrate our bodies with impurity, injustice, intolerance, jealousy or hatred in order to grow daily in intimacy with God and be co-creators in building up of his Kingdom on earth. 

Hence, every baptism is a moment of decision, a moment of identification with the people of God, a moment of approval, a moment of conviction, a moment of certainties and assurance, a moment of equipment and indeed a moment of personal encounter with the Trinity.

Dear friends, today is a special day for us to remember the graces we have received at baptism in order to renew them. We can recall that on the day of our baptism,  we were anointed with the Oil of Catechumens, the sign of Christ's gentle strength, to fight against evil. Blessed water was poured over us, an effective sign of interior purification through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We were then anointed with Chrism to show that we were thus consecrated in the image of Jesus as Priests, prophets and Kings. A white cloth was placed on our foreheads as a sign of purity and our Christian dignity. 

Also, the candle lighted from the Paschal Candle was given to us as a symbol of the light of Faith, which our parents and godparents must have continually safeguarded and nourished with the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this is another day for us to renew our baptismal promises, consecrating ourselves to the Holy Trinity and rejecting Satan and all his empty promises.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift and grace of baptism. As we celebrate today’s feast may we rediscover in a new way the beauty of our baptism and so be filled with the grace and joy of Christ’s presence, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Saturday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 10th January, 2026

 

Readings: 1 John 5:14-21, Ps.149, John 3:22-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST

As Christians, one of the mandates that Jesus gave to us is to proclaim the Good News of our salvation, for in this mandate, every one of us has a special role to play. But the question is, what is our role in the mission of Christ, and how are we playing this role?

Today’s Gospel passage presents to us the humility with which John the Baptist plays his role in the mission of Christ. John knew who he was in the sight of God. He knew his strengths and his weaknesses; he knew that his life was centred on Christ.

This was not a burden for him, for he clearly understood God’s sovereignty; he understood who Jesus was. He rejoiced in the coming of Jesus and his role in the mission and life of Jesus. He knew he was the announcer of Good News, but not the Good News itself.

However, he did not have to make a public show of himself. He was not out to promote his ministry or reputation. Even though it seems as if he is becoming insignificant when Jesus arrives, he does not feel so. He aimed to identify Jesus to the people, which he did with all humility as we heard him say, “he must increase, but I must decrease”.

Thus, John shows us what it means to be a true disciple of the Lord. As disciples, we should not allow pride, ambition, ego and selfish desire to dictate how we live our lives. If not, we will easily be carried away by worldly temptations and lose our way by falling deep into the trap of sin.

Rather, we are called to be humble and to be faithful to God at all times. Hence, St. John, in our first reading today, tells us to struggle to free ourselves from sin and reject the path of sin so that we will not end up being trapped more and more in the path of sin, for this may make us end up in eternal damnation if we are not careful.

Dear friends, we all have a significant role to play in the plan of God, John understood his role in the mission of Christ and showed great humility in exercising it. But do we have any clue what our role is in the mission of Christ? In what ways do we exemplify humility in the little tasks entrusted to us? Let us learn from John the Baptist how to humbly exercise our role in any task or mission entrusted to us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, John the Baptist humbly remarked that it was only right that while his Lord and Master increased in importance and prominence, he should decrease, thereby showing and teaching us what it means to be humble servants and disciples. As we contemplate his life, may we learn to be humble in carrying out the mission and vocation entrusted to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a peaceful weekend.

Homily For Friday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 9th January, 2026p

 

Readings: 1 John 5:5-13, Ps.147, Luke 5:12-16

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD JESUS IS ALWAYS WILLING TO HEAL US WHEN WE CALL ON HIM

Reflecting on the ugly situation in our lives, our families, societies and the world at large, there is no doubt that most people are sick and in need of God’s healing touch. Thus, our Gospel passage today presents to us the story of a leper who approached Jesus for healing.

He made this request with faith and trust in the power of Jesus. He said: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Probably, he may have heard stories of Jesus' many healings. So in response, Jesus immediately touched him, saying: “I will be clean.” The man was healed immediately.

This can be symbolic in relation to what God has done for humanity. For a while, we were still in a state of sin, corruption and deep darkness as a result of the evil activities in this world.

The Lord has not abandoned us; rather, he always reached out to us and touched us with his generous love and often had mercy on us for our sins, which had separated us from God just as the leper had been separated and cast out from the society.

Here also, the touching of Jesus is very significant. No ordinary person would dare to touch a leper. Think of the inner healing that must have resulted from the touch of Jesus, that moment of physical contact. Touch is something we all need but are so often lacking in our relationship with God and one another. Thus, we too, need healing, including the healing that comes from the touch of Jesus.

And the truth is that we all have received this amazing loving touch of God, his mercy, compassion, forgiveness and healing. This is what St. John, in our first reading today, is reminding us when he spoke about overcoming the challenges of this world by believing in Jesus, who, through the testimonies of water, Spirit and Blood, bears witness to the love of God.

Dear friends, I don’t know what type of leprocious problems you are passing through, I don’t know how severe or hopeless your condition is. All I know is that Jesus is willing to help us if we come to him in faith. So, let us put our trust in the healing power of Jesus.

The story of this leper is a good example of how sinners can and should appeal to Jesus for cleansing, especially from our sins. We should come in faith, knowing that God can cleanse us because he is always willing to cleanse every sinner who comes to him.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we come to you today just like the man in our Gospel passage, you know our innermost being, so we ask that if you will, you can cleanse us, our families, our societies and the world from physical, emotional, greed, Unforgiveness, sinful and spiritual leprosies. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.

Homily For Thursday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 8th January, 2026

Readings: 1 John 4:19-5:4, Ps.72, Luke 4:14-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE GOD?

For the past few days now, we have been hearing about love from the first letter of St John. As we know, John is one of the inner circle of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is known as the beloved disciple of Jesus as his character and personality portray this, and all his teachings are centred on love.

Thus, our first reading today, centers on the summary of God’s commandments, that is, the love of God and the love of neighbour. Here, John was just very practical because anyone who loves God will naturally love all God’s children, who are, of course, in a very real sense our neighbours.

We must love every single person because we are all created in the image and likeness of God. It is not possible to separate the love of God from the love of neighbour, for it is one commandment with two parts which will be the criterion for the final judgement of God.

John tells us that these commandments are not burdensome. Not because they are always easy to carry out fully but because we live in the strength of the Holy Spirit and also because they are in total conformity with our nature made in the likeness of God; there is nothing artificial or arbitrary about them.

To observe them is to become more and more what we are meant to be, that is, living in that image of our Creator, which we share with him. This is the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ as we have it in our Gospel passage today, where we heard Jesus proclaimed his mission and goals as the fulfilment of all the wonderful promises of God’s salvation for humanity.

Dear friends, our Lord Jesus has taught and revealed to us what it means for us to love. He often reached out to us, even to the worst and the most wicked sinners. He always touches us with his love and also calls us to follow his example. But are we willing and able to commit ourselves to follow his example? I don’t know if you have ever loved someone and you show it, or someone loves you and shows it.

The truth is that it feels right and awesome because love brings healing and wholeness into people’s lives. Thus, it is by loving God in our neighbours that we can share and experience this nature of God in us and by so doing we will conquer the world full of hatred, self-centeredness, greed and sin.

LET US PRAY: Father, love is your gift to humanity, help us to embrace this gift of love and learn to share it with one another, just as Jesus has taught us who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Have a lovely day.

Homily For Wednesday After the Epiphany of the Lord, 7th January, 2026

 

Readings: 1 John 4:11-18, Ps.72,  Mark 6:45-52

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

TAKE COURAGE IT IS THE LORD WHO WILL NOT ABANDON YOU 

Recalling my first time sailing through the sea on a boat for forty minutes with a group of friends. It was fun, we were all putting on our life jackets with all the safety measures and cation. 

But I must confess that it was not too pleasant when we had to navigate through the waves of the sea. Then I realized what it means to be on the sea with heavy storms. A condition where the need to look for a Saviour is highly expected. 

Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in the Gospel passage today. It is a story about panic, for after the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, Jesus asked his disciples to get into the boat and sail to the other side while he went to pray. With the waves breaking over the boat, the disciples were afraid. 

Hence, they needed help from anywhere. It was at this point that they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and he said to them: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid”. 

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 young Christian Church struggling with the world’s principalities and powers, while the storm is a symbol of persecution suffered by this young Christian community. 

However, John, in our first reading, tells us that God abides in us and his love is perfected in us, for there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Thus, Jesus says: "Do not be afraid" as we struggle with the storms of this passing world for he abides with us.

Dear friends, today  Jesus is calling us to journey on his boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart because, the world is being tossed around by the waves of the evil forces, the enemies of humankind. And it is only  God who can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us to himself. 

Therefore, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul as a result of the power of the evil forces of this world. All I know is that with great faith in God, the words of Jesus: “Take courage, it is I,” will surely resound in the hearts of all of us, especially those victims around us and all Christians who live in a hostile community.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for constantly intervening in our daily storms of life. As we go about our duties today may you guide us through the storms of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.