BLESSED ARE THE EYES THAT SEE WHAT YOU SEE

 Tuesday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 1st December, 2020.  

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

BLESSED ARE THE EYES THAT SEE WHAT YOU SEE

As we begin another new day, the first day of the last month of this year, we continue with the event of Advent, when we reflect of the two folds coming of the Lord. We are called to spend more time with God, and prepare ourselves for his mission just like the disciples in the Gospel passage today. For after the seventy disciples of Jesus returned from the mission he sent them. They rejoiced concerning the great things they have done in his name. So, Jesus says, “blessed are the eyes that see what you see…”.  

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 recognize the long awaited Messiah which prophets and Kings longed to see but could not. Just as 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. 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 give 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. Happy new month. Wishing you a glorious day.

Feast of St. Andrew Apostle

Monday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 30th November, 2020. 

Feast of St. Andrew Apostle 

Readings Rom 10:9-18 , Ps.18:2-5, Matt 4:18-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

COME FOLLOW ME SAYS THE LORD

Today we celebrate the feast of St Andrew one of the Apostles of Christ and our Gospel today tells us the story of how a call from the Lord changed the direction of the lives of the first disciples, who left everything and followed him and Andrew being one of them. He was one of the disciple of St. John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ. Andrew according to scriptures proclaimed the good news to his brother, Peter (John 1:40-41). He was the one who brought the boy with loaves of bread and fish to him, that he might give them to the people all waiting in hunger. And St Andrew sets an example that points certain things at the heart of preaching the Gospel. He was involved in introducing the Greeks to Jesus and also joined in spreading the Gospel beyond the confines of Palestine (John 12:20-22). 

The life of St Andrew shows us that being a preacher involves having a clear conviction and faith in Jesus and readiness to share this faith and conviction with others. He dedicated himself just as his brother Peter and the other Apostles in ministering to the people and proclaiming the Lord’s coming. And even after the Lord had ascended into Heaven, he continued to preach the faith. He brought the faith to many places such as Ukraine, Russia, Balkans, Greece and other places. 

Andrew worked hard in spreading the Good News to those who are yet to witness the Lord and embrace his salvation.  For through him many were converted and inspired by his works and preaching. He also established many Churches and built foundation for many Christian communities. He was  the first Bishop of the Christian community in the city of Constantinople. However, Andrew like other Apostles encountered persecution and sufferings in Greece, where he was arrested, and was greatly tortured and eventually martyred by crucifixion. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is referred today as the Cross of St. Andrew, in memory of his faith and dedication to the mission of Christ.

Dear friends, today we are called like St Andrew to follow Jesus and following Jesus means leaving behind the life we have now and embrace 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 embrace holiness of life. Therefore, let St. Andrew be our inspiration and role model in our responding to the calling of the Lord to spread the Good News. 

So let us be conscious of what St. Paul is tells us in our first reading saying: But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent. Hence, the Lord is sending us,  let us follow the good examples of St. Andrew in responding to the Lord Invitation to follow him.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are called to follow your Son Jesus, as we respond to this call, may we through the intercession of St Andrew find inner joy in our soul 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.

First Sunday of Advent Year B, 29th November, 2020.

 First Sunday of Advent Year B, 29th November, 2020. 

Readings: Is 63:16-17,64:1,3-8 , Ps.80, 1Cor 1:3-9, Mark. 13:33-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

STAY AWAKE FOR YOUR SALVATION IS VERY NEAR

In a special way every first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins another liturgical year within the three years of A, B and C in the liturgical circle of the Church, of which we are celebrating year B in this year’s Advent season. The season of Advent as we know is one of the most important season in the life every Christian. The word Advent stems from the Latin root, Adventus, which means 'arrival' though from the root word advenire whereby ad  means 'to' and venire means 'come' that is the coming of someone great. 

So Advent is a period of intense preparations and a time of waiting in hope for the coming of the Lord which is in two folds: first the coming of the Messiah that is the birth of Jesus at Christmas and secondly, the return of Jesus at the Second Coming “ the parousia”. This is why Advent season is divided into two parts the first which runs from the first Sunday until 16th of December dwells on the second coming of Christ the eschatological aspect of Advent. While the second aspect which focuses on the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem runs from 17th -24th December.

Thus, Advent is a season characterized with four major themes which include: ‘Hope’, ‘Peace’, ‘Joy’ and ‘Love’. So, on this first Sunday of Advent our focus is on hope. A joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour who is our hope. Thus, as we anticipate the birth of Christ who is the source of our salvation, our hope and the Light that dispels the darkness of this world, so it is our duty as Christians to keep hope alive in the world for as long as there is hope, no situation is impossible.

But what should be our disposition this season? Our disposition should be the one of watchful expectation in order to recognize the Lord and be at peace with him when he comes. We are to be ready and prepared to welcome him with joy in our daily life. Hence, this is the season of reconciliation between us and God, when we have to reexamine our way of life. It is a time of reconfiguration of our lives and also to take stock of what we have done and what we are going to do from now onwards. Our disposition to welcoming the Lord take place by our ways of doing things, our desire for conversion and holiness, which shapes our lives more to that of Christ who showers his love, mercy and compassion to all.

 This is what the readings of this season calls our attention to, especially in the two fold coming of Christ as we have it in today’s readings. Thus, in the first reading, we heard from prophet Isaiah the lamentations over the misfortune that has befallen the people of God who now hope on the coming of the Messiah. In our second reading, we heard how the people of Corinth  are confident that as they wait for Christ coming in glory, they will remain steadfast in bearing witness with the gifts God has bestowed on them. While the Gospel urges us to be awake at all times for our salvation is very near so that we will not be taken by surprise and unprepared.

Dear friends, today we are called to be ready, we are called to repentance, we are called to embrace the new life the Lord if offering us. We are called to a life of constant struggle towards perfection. That’s what this season of Advent is all about and the Church is offering us another opportunity to encounter the Lord personally and to make that encounter a permanent experience. We should place our hope in Christ for while there is hope there is life. For it is because of the Lord that we can hope once again, knowing that beyond the sufferings of humanity due to sin and death, there is Light that dispels the falsehoods of evil and the despair of darkness that covers the whole world.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace this season in expectation of the coming of Christ your Son, may the Holy Spirit inspire us to have the right disposition that will able us to embrace the Lord when he comes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday and God bless you.

WATCH OR YOUR HEART BE COARSENED WITH CARES OF LIFE

 Saturday 34th week in Ordinary Time Year A, 28th November, 2020.

Readings: Rev. 20:1-7, Ps.94, Luke:21:34-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WATCH OR YOUR HEART BE COARSENED WITH CARES OF LIFE

The things of this world is so captivating that if we are not careful we will be like a foolish traveler who having encountered a pleasant garden forgets to continue towards his destination. This is exactly what Jesus is trying to draw our attention to in our Gospel passage today when he said: Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. 

Here Jesus is reprimanding us concerning the danger of attaching ourselves so deeply in the things of this passing world. For we are often interested in external beauty of things around us while neglecting the essence of life. We are interested only on worldly goods and not the things of the heart like justice, mercy, love and compassion. So Jesus is telling us to change our ugly ways of life, for it is time for us to look into at our lives and examine ourselves to know whether we have been living in accordance with God’s will, or whether we have fallen astray. Then, we can also look forward towards the life that is to come which God has promised us through his Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

And this coming of our Lord is what St. John in our first reading is talking about when he said that: the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in its place in the city; where his servants will worship him, they will see him face to face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. It will never be night again and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them. For they will reign for ever and ever.  

Dear friends, we believe that our true homeland is in heaven. But how are we preparing to embrace our heavenly home. Today people hardly reflect about the coming of Christ that was so strong in the early days of the Christian movement which left a strong impression upon the disciples of Christ. So like the servants awaiting for their master’s return, we are called to be ready and to watch at all times for day of the Lord which will come at the hour we do not know. 

Thus, we are to be prepared knowing that our most important ‘treasure’ is our heavenly home which God has promised to give us. Therefore, the best thing we can do with our worldly possessions is to use them for the good of others especially the poor since we are responsible and accountable for one another’s welfare. And this divine generosity is meant to help us in preparation for the coming of Christ. Remember what really matters in life is our capacity and readiness to receive what God has in store for us in heaven.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we continue our struggles with the ugly events of this passing world, may you continue to guide us and strengthen us in our journey of life and help us to endure our trials and challenges, for you alone are our source of strength, hope and fulfillment in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

PAY RAPT ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS OF THE TIME

 Friday 34th week in Ordinary Time Year A, 27th November, 2020.

Readings: Rev. 20:1-4,11-21:2, Ps.83, Luke:21:29-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

PAY RAPT ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS OF THE TIME

St. John of the Cross one of the doctors and mystics of the Church says that: the further you withdraw from earthly things the closer you approach heavenly things and the more you find yourself in God. This  advice will be very helpful as we come to the end of this liturgical year and about to embrace the season of Advent, when the Church calls our attention on the need to be prepared for the coming of the Lord and most of our readings draw our attention to this.

Thus, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us about the passing away of the things of this world and the dreadful events associated with it in relation to the end time events. He illustrates the signs of this event with the story of the fig tree, telling us to take notice of the signs of the times for they will help us to discern between what is of true value and what is passing away.

Here Jesus, presents the final recommendations of the end time. He insists that we should pay rapt attention to the signs nature is giving us concerning the end time events, that these signs should lead to have hope founded firmly on the word of God which drives away fear and despair, knowing that the kingdom of God is very near to us. This is even more evidence in our first reading today, where we heard about the final defeat of the devil, the great enemy and deceiver of humanity. 

For he has been deceiving humanity by turning us away from our God and making us to believe that this world is our home. So we are reminded once again that all those who refuse to believe in God and chose to follow the devil and his false prophets will be destroyed and defeated completely. For he and his agents and those who follow him will be thrown into the burning lake of eternal darkness. While God’s faithful people will triumph victoriously into heaven as beautiful bride dressed for her husband.

Dear friends, how are we embracing the word of God we hear at this period? What signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs of this times, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these signs make us to dread the second coming of the Lord or to joyfully embrace it in anticipation? Remember, the words of Jesus are truth that will never pass away. Therefore, Stand erect, hold your heads high, because our liberation is near at hand.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, humanity have been greatly deceived by the devil, who has made us to be so much attached to the things of this passing world. As we embrace your words this season, may our souls once again long and yearn for you our God, the living God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s Friday, may the joy of the Lord be our strength.

TAKE HEED FOR YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR

 Thursday 34th week in Ordinary Time Year A, 26th November, 2020.

Readings: Rev.18:1-2,21-23,19:1-3,9, Ps.99, Luke:21:20-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

TAKE HEED FOR YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR

As we continue to reflect on the great event about the coming of the Lord. Jesus in our Gospel passage today continues his warnings concerning what will happen to the beautiful things of this passing world which he illustrated very well by telling us what will eventually happen to the great city of Jerusalem in relation to what will happen at the end of all things. This passage contains the truth that we need to be reminded often. That is, the need for us to be prepared for the day of the Lord despite all the beautiful and a seductive things we encounter in this world.

 Thus, as the great and holy city of Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by the Romans in less than four decades after the death and resurrection of Christ, so will the things of this world pass away including those who are attached to them. Just as we also heard in our first reading today, the account of the declaration of the Angel of God at the end of the last trumpets how the world ends with the plagues, the final defeat of the devil and all the forces of the wicked, which is well illustrated with the fall of ‘Babylon’ which shall never rise again, for it has come to it’s final and ultimate defeat. While God has triumphed and won the ultimate victory for his faithful people.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that there are great signs of the end time event, but this should not be an occasion for fear rather, a period for intense preparations. Nonetheless, for the righteous it is a period of joy and happiness since our redemption from the powers of evil is close at hand. Although we do not know when, but, Jesus assures us that he will return in power and great glory. Therefore, we should take heed for our redemption is drawing near. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we make efforts everyday to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ your Son, give us the grace and courage to remain steadfast even in the midst of all the crisis in our world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

YOUR ENDURANCE WILL WIN YOU YOUR LIFE

 Wednesday 34th week in Ordinary Time Year A, 25th November, 2020.

Readings: Rev.15:1-4, Ps.98, Luke:21:12-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

YOUR ENDURANCE WILL WIN YOU YOUR LIFE

Everywhere in the world we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and different other immoral activities for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires. And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object of elimination. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situation, we are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness. A very difficult task to do, especially when we are suffering as victims of this ugly situation.

Thus, Jesus in our Gospel passage today declares that his followers are going to be persecuted on account of bearing witness to his name, a reality that will put even their most cherished relationships to the test: they will be betrayed even by their closest relations and friends. However we should not prepare any defence, because God myself shall give us an eloquence and a wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

Here, Jesus not only describes what his followers will have to endure, but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he recommends that here comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure, rather than despair. By their endurance they will gain their lives. Hence, period of persecution is a time to witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity. 

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that the world is passing through difficult times, as families, societies, countries, and churches are badly affected by the current pandemic, of which it’s troubles and conflicts are affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in this times of difficulty. For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he we will give us victory for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing to the Gospel, especially in this difficult times, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.