Third Sunday of Advent Year B (Gaudete Sunday), 13th December, 2020.

 Third Sunday of Advent Year B (Gaudete Sunday), 13th December, 2020. 

Readings: Is 61:1-2,10-11, Luke 1:46-50,53-54, 1Thess 5:16-24, John 1:6-8,19-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT YOURSELF?

Human identity is one of the most important thing in every society. We are often quick to identify ourselves with people or disassociate ourselves with people because of the value we hold as our identity. But the surprising thing is that most people do not truly know their true identity. Many people spend their entire live without knowing who they really are. 

But this is not the case for John the Baptist in our Gospel passage today, who when approached by the priests and Levites sent by the Jews from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you? He did not only declared his identity as a voice that is crying in the wilderness, he also declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ. And he went ahead to tell us about the identity and the personality of Christ saying: “I baptize with water; but there stands among you unknown to you, the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal. 

The most striking thing here is the fundamental question placed before John the Baptist which says: Who are you and what do you say about yourself?. This is a fundamental question because it points out to the fundamental reality of who we are and what we have identified ourselves to with. A lot of people do not know who they are or what they have identified themselves with. A lot of people today are sufferings and struggling because they do not know who they are and the identity they bear. Some have misplaced their identity with some thing else, some are putting on an identity that doesn’t belong to them.

Dear friends, Who are you? What is your identity? What is the source of your identity? Whose identity are you putting on now? Why are you putting on someone else identity? Why have you misplaced your identity. John the Baptist was very clear about his identity, he was clear that he was not the Christ. He was clear that he was not Elijah. John was clear that he was not the prophet, he was only a voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.

John knew his identity and his role in God’s economy of salvation. He was clear on who he was not and who he was. He was also clear on who Jesus is. So he was able to point others clearly to Jesus as the only Savior whom they desperately needed. Therefore friends, we must truly know who we are and our true identity. For us to effectively point others to Jesus, we need to be clear of who we are. And it is only when our sense of who you are before God as a Christian begins to shape how you live and what you do that we begin to play our role effectively and be fruitful. Also, it is only when we are clear on who we are in God’s kingdom, that we can effectively point others to Christ.

Today is Gaudete Sunday, a day we are called to rejoice for Christ our true identity is closed at hand.  And  for those who truly desire to know their true identity, St. Paul in our second reading tells us to rejoice always, pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects us to do in Christ Jesus our true identity, who prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us  that the spirit of the Lord has been given to him, for the Lord has anointed him. He has sent him to bring Good News to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. Dear friends, our true identity is only found in the person of Christ Jesus. All we need is to dispose yourselves for him to reveal his true identity to us and in him we will find our true identity.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, our true identity is found only in you through Christ your son, as we rejoice and celebrate his coming in glory, may we be filled with the joy of his presence who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. God bless you.

Good Morning My Dearest Friends in the Lord.

 Good Morning My Dearest Friends in the Lord. 

I really want to appreciate all your patience, tolerance and understanding towards the daily reflection I share with you. I know how much time it may have cost you to daily accommodate this little Words of God and how much you desire to still receive it. I kindly plead for your patience as there will be break for few days, because I have to embark on retreat for few days. I will surely keep you in prayers. Do have a blessed week ahead.

Second Sunday of Advent Year B, 6th December, 2020.

 Second Sunday of Advent Year B, 6th December, 2020. 

Readings: Is 40:1-5.9-11, Ps.85, 2Peter 3:8-14, Mark. 1:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

REPENT AND PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD TO COME INTO YOUR SOUL

In this world we are so busy preparing, acquiring and  safeguarding the things of this passing world. But only few persons are preparing for the future reality of human life, 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 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 coming to dwell among the fallen humanity, in order to renew us from sin and damnation. 

Thus, today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are presented with the theme of intensive preparation following the cry of John the Baptist who preaching in the wilderness of Judea as he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins saying: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, as we have it in our Gospel passage and also in our first reading through prophet Isaiah. His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord, calling the people of Israel to repent of their sins and to correct every injustice. John the Baptist, with this demanding words, announced the imminent coming of the Lord when he said: Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. For I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

With this message, John put us 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 rings out 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 judgement of God. We too are called to listen to God’s voice, that 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 in preparation for his coming in glory. For St. Peter in our second reading tells us that with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. Thus, the Day of the Lord may come like a thief, and since everything is coming to an end, we should be living holy and saintly lives. We should do how best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find us at peace when he comes in glory.

Dear friends, the only things that can deny us the fruit of this season is sin: unforgivingness, hatred, greed, immorality. What is keeping us from turning away from this ugly ways of life? Why not repent from them so as to embrace the new life 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 God 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 sinner.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, as we prepare the way for Christ coming into our souls. Give us the grace to turn away from sin and embrace the new life of 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.

THE COMPASSIONATE LORD DESIRES TO SAVE HARASSED, HELPLESS AND SINFUL HUMANITY

 Saturday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 5th December, 2020. 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE COMPASSIONATE LORD DESIRES TO SAVE HARASSED, HELPLESS AND SINFUL HUMANITY

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 achieving great things of life at the expense of things that prepares 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 prophet Isaiah in our first reading today reminding us of God’s promises 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 it’s 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 are 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 baptized person is called in 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, how are we carrying out this mission and 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 passing through in life? Do we feel the need of Jesus’ help in some part of our life? Then turn to him and be restored.

So, today, each one of us are 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 evangelize the people. Starting from our families, neighbours, colleagues in the office and others who we encounter in life. The truth is that, we may be the only person who can brings 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 bringing your compassionate love to suffering souls who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

LET IT BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH

 Friday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 4th December, 2020. 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET IT BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH 

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 manifest itself in form of trails, temptations, sickness and challenges both physically and spiritually. So everyday we struggle against these troubles and tribulations, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them. But often time, 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 helpless. The fact is that, we have faith but we have not been able to actively and radically put it into action like the two blind men in our Gospel passage today. 

These two blind men followed Jesus shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with 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, 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. For it is not enough to have faith, we must radically put our faith into action no matter the circumstances we find ourselves. Because it is through active faith that we can  reach out to God in prayers and so obtain what we desired. Therefore, 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, give 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.  Do have a fruitful day.

HEARING AND DOING THE WORD OF GOD IS BUILDING OUR FAITH ON A ROCKY FOUNDATION

 Thursday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 3rd December, 2020.  The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HEARING AND DOING THE WORD OF GOD IS BUILDING OUR FAITH ON A ROCKY FOUNDATION

One of my favorites hymn in our hymn book says:

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song! This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when striving cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

This hymn draws my attention to 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 speak. 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 the 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 for ever, 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, what have we been doing with the Word of God we hear everyday? What kind of fruit we bearing? How has the Word of God changed our life and the lives of those around us? How has the Word of God challenged and propelled us to love God and our neighours? Is our attitude towards the word of God like that of the foolish builder who takes short cuts for quick results? Or that of a wise builder who spend time in digging a secured foundations through constant meditation and practice of the word of God, just like St. Francis Xavier whose memorial we celebrate today?

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 soul. Our society today, have enough preachers and hearers of the Word, what we need now is 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 heart live a life that will influence the society positively.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, through your Word we find life and hope in Christ who is our all in all, grant that through the intercessions of St. Francis Xavier, we may be doers of your Words and not just hearers, in order to build our faith on a rocky foundation through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

JESUS HEALS AND FEEDS US WITH HIS WORDS AND EUCHARIST

 Wednesday of the First Sunday of Advent Year B, 2nd December, 2020.  

Readings Isaiah 25:6-10, Ps 22., Luke 15:29-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

JESUS HEALS AND FEEDS US WITH HIS WORDS AND EUCHARIST

It’s always the desire of humanity to experience the intervention of God whenever they 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. So, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected Messiah who was to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus in our Gospel reveals to all those who are in need that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. 

For Jesus did not just heal the sick, he also feeds the crowd. This feeding of the crowd refers back to the journey of the people of God in the desert from Mount Sinai to the promised land. So, we need the food of the Eucharist for our journey to heaven which is our promised land. This bread is the gift that we receive from Jesus whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards humanity. 

Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied it greatly. We should never think we have little to give others. Let us learn to share with others and Jesus will provide for us greatly for he is the one who feeds the hungry, and gives them strength for their journey. Just like prophet Isaiah tells us in our first reading that on this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. He will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth.

Dear friends, Jesus wants us to learn how to be patient and trust God in times of trouble and tribulations for he alone knows the best time and how best to deal with our problems. For when that time comes he will restore us back to his glory and set us free from all evil forces around us, just like the people in our Gospel passage. All he wants from us is to constantly feed our souls with his Words and Eucharist as we journey towards his kingdom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the forces and troubles of this passing world, may we always find solace in your Word and Eucharist and so conquer our fear and challenges, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you