Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 20th December, 2020.

 Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B, 20th December, 2020. 

Readings: 2Sam 7:1-5,8-11,16, Ps. 88, Rom 16:25-27, Like 1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

SAYING YES TO GOD’S PLAN

As we await the commemoration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus, an event that reminds and reveals to us the great plan of God to redeem humanity. This Sunday we are required to say yes to this plan of God. This is evident in our readings today beginning with the first reading where we heard about king David who now was a king of a united kingdom of Israel, with Jerusalem as the capital, set out to build a house for the Lord. But the Lord knowing David’s plan asked him through prophet Nathan to stop, for instead it is the Lord who will build a dynasty for David, a dynasty that will last forever, a promise which was fulfilled in Jesus as echoed by angel Gabriel’s words to Mary in our Gospel passage today. 

Thus, today’s Gospel presents to us the story of the annunciation by the angel to Mary. An event which immediately precedes the story of the annunciation to Zechariah (1:5-25). These two stories are quite unique and special. The condition of the women in these stories reveal the unique plan of God for each one of them because, neither Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife) nor Mary at that moment was a likely candidate for motherhood. This is so because, Elizabeth was too old, so John’s birth will require a miracle. Mary was a virgin, so Jesus’ birth will require even a greater miracle. But in all God so planned and design it to be so and both Mary and Elizabeth saying yes, cooperated with the plan of God.

Concerning this plan of God, St. Paul in our second reading says, “Glory to him who is able to give us the strength to live according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith”. This is the plan of God for humanity, for God wants to reconcile with us in order for us to fulfil the purpose of which he created us.

Dear friends, saying yes to God’s plan for us is so important. And I must tell us that God has a special plan for everyone, a plan which is unique. But sometimes it seem as if God has favoured some persons more than others. Well, in the eyes of men it seems true, but God has actually favoured each person in a very unique way only that we sometimes do not understand what God is doing in our lives. Our understanding of favour is quite different from that of God. 

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

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we approach the birthday of Christ your Son, give us the grace to constantly embrace your will and plans for us by saying yes to your words. Help us to cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection in order to welcome Christ joyfully when he comes, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a grace filled Sunday.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYONE

 Saturday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 19th December, 2020. 

Readings Judges 13:2-7,24-25, Ps. 70, Luke: 1:5-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYONE

Oftentimes, things happen in our lives that we can not explain how and why they happened. This is to tell us that we are unique and special, because, in our uniqueness we come to realize that God has a special plan for everyone. This is evident in our readings today where we are presented with the message about the visits of the angel announcing the birth of great men giving birth by barren women in the old and new testaments scriptures. 

In our Gospel passage we have Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist and the unnamed mother of Samson in the first reading (Judges 13:2-7.24-25). They remind us that God is in control of the human history, and intervenes graciously in favour of the helpless and despised. For he knows how to guide us towards his plans for us.

Thus, Angel Gabriel was sent to bring good news to Zechariah, who did not believe his words. The first message of the angel to Zechariah was: “do not be afraid!” Up until now, most people do not know the plan of God for them and this causes fear in their lives. So, the message of the angel continues to be valid, “do not be afraid” for God has a plan for everyone and through prayers God reveals his plan for us. 

Dear friends, the greatest plan of God is the salvation of our souls, to reconcile the heart of humanity toward their Creator, to reconstruct the fabric of human relationships and to build up a community of love and holiness. This was the mission of Samson, John and also the mission of Jesus and continues to be the most important mission and plan of God today. But, how are we contributing towards this mission? Remember, it is on this mission that we discover the purpose and plan of God for each one of us. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, everyday we struggle to identify ourselves with your plans for us, grant that we may faithfully follow your plans and fine joy in doing them no matter how difficult they may be, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and a fruitful weekend.

DO NOT FEAR TO FACE THE CHALLENGING MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE

Friday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 18th December, 2020. 

Readings Jer. 23:5-8, Ps. 71, Matt.1:18-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT FEAR TO FACE THE CHALLENGING MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE

As we continue the preparation of the birthday of our Lord Jesus, the liturgy presents to us the events preceding the birth of Jesus and invites us to contemplate in a special way the roles St Joseph played in the life of Jesus and Mary of which our gospel passage today presents to us how Jesus Christ came to be born. A challenging moment in the lives of Mary and Joseph.

 Mary who was betrothed to Joseph was found to be with a child; but Joseph being a man of honour and wanting to spare Mary’s publicity, decided to surely with great sorrow to send Mary away quietly. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit, she will bear a Son, and you shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from sins. We could imagine the great trauma Joseph was passing through when we think about the love he has for Mary. But even in these circumstances, he intends to do the will of God.

Hence, we can see how this Gospel passage reveals to us the magnanimity of Joseph’s heart and soul. How he wished to follow his own plan, but God was reserving another plan for him, a greater mission. Joseph was a man who always listened to the voice of God, he was deeply sensitive to his secret will, he was a man attentive to the messages that came to him from the depths of his heart. He did not persist in following his own plan, he did not allow bitterness to poison his soul; rather, silently he was ready to make himself available to the event of the new mission entrusted to him. This reveals to us how deep and great St. Joseph’s holiness of life was.

Dear friends, the challenge to every baptized Christian is to live a holy life and God cannot abandon us in this struggle. For he promised us in the first reading to raise up for us a righteous branch who shall reign as King and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in our land. He shall save the needy when they cry, the poor, and those who are helpless. Look at how the Lord helped Joseph in the challenging moment of his life, giving him grace to cooperate with his will even when it seems difficult, he said to him “do not fear”. 

So like Joseph, we should not fear to face those challenging moments of disappointment, pain, sorrow, guilt, betrayals, complex and complicating situations in our lives, for by combating them comes our victory and through the power of the Holy Spirit our souls are purified and the will of God is made manifest in our lives. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, give us the grace to imitate the silence and holiness of St Joseph, especially in a world full of noise, iniquities and distractions. A world  that encourages neither recollection nor listening to you nor one another. Grant us the grace to cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection in order to fully embrace the spirit of this season so as to joyfully experience the glory of Christmas. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled day.

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN THE GENEALOGY OF MY LIFE BE TRACED TO THAT OF CHRIST ?

 Thursday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 17th December, 2020. 

Readings Gen.49:2.8-10, Ps. 72, Matt.1:1-17

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN THE GENEALOGY OF MY LIFE BE TRACED TO THAT OF CHRIST?

Advent season as we know 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 today 17th -24th December. Hence, the best way to begin this second aspect of advent is by reflecting on the genealogy of Jesus Christ our Saviour as we have it in our Gospel passage today. 

From this genealogy of Jesus, we can observe that generations come, generations goes, great men and women came and passed on, new generations continue to spring up as God continue to unveil his plan for humanity. Just as he revealed to Jacob in our first reading today when he gathered all of his sons and their own families, and said his parting words as he was about to die. He blessed all of his children, some more than others, and from among all of the children, Judah stood out to be the one who received a more favourable blessing.

This shows how the Lord had revealed through Jacob what he was going to do for the people of Israel and for humanity. For 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 will rule over Israel forever which is evident in the genealogy of Jesus. 

Dear friends, this is our own generation, but the question that comes to mind is: our genealogy to what extent can it be traced to that of Christ? The things we are doing now to what extent have they been influenced by the events of the passed generations and to what extent are they going to influence the future generations. Therefore, let us use this great opportunity of Advent season to open our hearts, our minds and our whole beings for the Lord. Let us return to the Lord and focus our attention on him as we renew our faith in him and play our role in his plan of redeeming humanity.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we open our hearts to embrace your coming, may you continue to watch over us and guide us in our journey of faith and as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, may the Holy Spirit, teach us what to do today, how to do them, when to do them and give us the grace to do them properly. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bless and guide your ways today and always.

ARE YOU CONVINCED ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD?

 Wednesday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 16th December, 2020. 

Readings Is. 45:6-8,18,21-25, Ps. 85, Luke: 7:19-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

ARE YOU CONVINCED ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD?

The way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst of the ugly situation in our societies today. Because there are so many people who are confused about their faith in Christ Jesus the Messiah. Some are yet to embrace the teaching of the Church about the person of Jesus and his coming in glory, just like the disciples of John the Baptist who in our Gospel passage today came to Jesus asking him whether the he is the Messiah and Saviour that the world had been waiting for, since John the Baptist sent them.

Thus, Jesus told them to Go back and tell John what they have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me. For all had proclaimed the fulfilment of the Lord’s prophecies and promises, and no further explanation or proof is required.

Here, we can see that some situation can make  someone as great as John the Baptist to have doubts about the person of Christ. But this was because at that time, there had been plenty of false Messiahs that arose and led the people into rebellion as we have it in our world today. But they all failed, since they were all false and not the true Messiah. Although St. John the Baptist had indeed seen the signs when he baptised the Lord, and he recognised Him as the Lamb of God, the Saviour, but he did still have some doubts.

Dear friends, we may somehow have some doubt about the coming of the Lord. But this should not discourage us. For if someone as dedicated and faithful as St. John the Baptist had doubt in the Lord, then all the more shall all of us experience such doubt. However, we should hold on to our faith because our doubt can not change what God has planned.  Because if we do not hold firm to our faith in God, we will end up losing our faith as well as our way and the grace he is offering us. 

That is why in this season of Advent  we are reminded of the salvation and grace that God has given to us to hold on for his coming into our souls. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us to hold on to God for apart from him, all is nothing. Let us turn to him and be saved for he is a God of integrity and a Savour.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are so fragile and weak, always quick to doubt. Help us to hold on to our faith in you even in the midst of all our doubts. May we not allowed our fears and doubts to mislead or distract us from the blessings of this season. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.

IN GOD THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE

Tuesday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 15th December, 2020. 

Readings Zeph. 3:1-2,9-13, Ps. 33, Matt. 21:28-32

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IN GOD THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE 

One of the gifts that God gave to humanity is the gift of freedom. This freedom though comes with great responsibility, since we are responsible for whatever comes out with regards to how we manage our freedom. We are free to chose whatever we like but we are also responsible for the consequences of our choice. However, because of our fragile nature, we often make grievous mistakes in our choices even when God has given us all the necessary guidelines towards making right decision but out of disobedience, we frequently failed to follow this guidelines. Today we are meant to know that repentance and obedience are necessary disposition towards attaining our ultimate goal in life, which is eternal life.

This is exactly what today’s Gospel passage is addressing, when Jesus in the parable of the Two Sons said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My Son, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. 

Here, we see how repentance and obedience helped this first son to make the right decision about his father’s request while the second son failed because of negligence, irresponsibility and disobedience. Thus, the second son represents those of us Christians who promised to work for God’s kingdom but have failed and so excluding ourselves from the kingdom. While the first son represents those ‘sinners’ who first chose to go their own way but now have repented and begin to follow the way of the Lord, by so doing, they have gained access to God’s kingdom. 

So in the first son we see someone who reflected on his decision, realized that he was wrong, decided to make it right by taking full responsibility for his decision. For when the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. But if the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. This is because the righteous would perish for their sins of disobedience, while sinner would be saved by their act of repentance and obedience. This tells us the important of repentance and obedience when rooted in humility, for they are necessary disposition towards attaining eternal life.

This disposition is exactly what prophet Zephaniah is emphasizing in our first reading when he called us for repentance so that  when that day comes we need feel no shame for all the misdeeds we have committed against the Lord. Thereby teaching us the right disposition that we all have been called to show in our daily lives especially in our relationship with our God and with others.

Dear friends, in our journey of life have we made wrong decisions but finding it difficult to change our minds and put things right? Are we thinking of leaving the right path to follow the sinful paths because of the ugly condition we are passing through now? Are we thinking that our righteous ways of life, have not being fruitful because sinners are gaining more ground than we do? Are we living in sin now thinking that God will not punish us? Or are we thinking that it is not possible to repent now because of the gravity of our sins? 

The truth remains that God is watching and waiting for us to change our minds. He is waiting for us to decide to make things right and take responsibility for our actions. He is watching and waiting for us to repent and have the right disposition to make the right decisions, but his waiting can not be for eternity. All we need is the right disposition that is rooted in humble obeisance and repentance of our sinful and ugly ways of life.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have often abused the gift of freedom which you have given us and have strayed from the path you have made for us as a result of our sinfulness. Give us the grace of true repentance in humble obedience as you guide us through the right path of life. We as this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

 Monday of the Third Sunday of Advent Year B, 14th December, 2020. 

The Memorial of St. John of the Cross

Readings Num. 24:2-7,15-17, Ps. 24, Matt. 21:23-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE  DIVINE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

In our dealings with people, we are often requested to make reference to authorities in order to backup our claim to know or possess anything. And when such authority is not available we may not be taking seriously. Little wonder our gospel passage today, presents to us the fundamental question concerning the source of Jesus’ authority, namely whether it is divine or human. Here the chief priests and elders were more concerned to learn whether Jesus had received the proper human authorization by questioning the source of his authority. 

In response, Jesus draws their attention to John the Baptist and his authority and by so doing he implies that the source of John's authority is the source of his as well. Thus, anyone who correctly identifies the source of John's authority will definitely identify the source of Jesus’ own as well. Therefore the questions we need to ask ourselves are: What is our notion about the authority of Jesus? Do we have any doubt about the authority of Jesus? How much of this authority dwells in you? The crowds identified the source of John and Jesus’ authority as divine, have we personally identified the divine authority of Jesus in our lives? Why not ask him to manifest his power and authority once more in your life?

So in a special way today, we are celebrating the memorial of Saint John of the Cross, a great doctor and mysticist of the Church who truly understands and embraced the authority of Jesus and so inspires in our soul, how to continue to be in love with the Lord, he said:  What more do you want my soul and what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess all the riches, delights, satisfactions, and fullness of the kingdom of your beloved whom you desire and seek. Therefore, be joyful and glad in your interior recollection with him for you have him so close to you. Desire him deep within your soul, and there adore him. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself for he is deep with you. 

Dear friends, as we go on with our recollection this advent season, we need to open up our hearts to truly embrace the authority of the Lord Jesus. We need to build up our interior lives around his authority. We need to be more close to God and continue to prepare ourselves physically and spiritually as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus in our hearts and in our souls. For there he await our response to his invitation to holiness and love. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, in your divine authority we build our confidence and hope. Through the intercession of St John of the Cross, may you continue to direct and guide our ways and bring our plans and purposes to a successful end, through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s another week, wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.