Homily for eighteenth week in Ordinary Time Year B, 4th August, 2021. The Memorial of St John Vianney

 Homily for eighteenth week in Ordinary Time Year B, 4th August, 2021. The Memorial of St John Vianney.

Readings: Num. 13:1-2.25-14:1.26-29.34-35; Ps. 106; Matt. 15:21-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE WOMAN OF GREAT FAITH

In our society today, most people hardly accept who they are. Today people spent all their resources and energy trying to convince others of what they are not by seeking their approval. This is not the same with the Canaanite woman in our Gospel passage today, who when approached Jesus pleading for the restoration of her daughter was not discouraged because her request was not granted immediately in reference to her humble background. 

For Jesus said to her  ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman persisted, kneeling at his feet saying. ‘Lord help me.’ Jesus replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

From this little story, it is clear that the woman was not going to give up, but kept pleading, even from her Canaanite background, to the point of Jesus recognizing her great faith. The irony of this passage is that, in Israel Jesus was trying to convince people that he was the Messiah, as he was being challenged to prove it with a sign. But here in Gentile territory he met a woman who was convinced he was the Messiah and he could not discourage her efforts. 

For his apparent attempt to put her off was just a test, of which her great faith was proven by the acceptance of her humble background. She accepted the place of a “dog” as a Gentile in relation to Israelites been the chosen children of God to whom the message and grace of the Messiah came first. Hence she accepted that she may not be able to sit down at the Messiah’s table and eat with the “children,” but she should be allowed to pick up some of the crumbs of unmerited mercy and grace of God for the sake of her daughter. 

Dear friends, we must stop wasting valuable time trying to prove who we are not, let us first in faith accept who we are then, work hard to improve who we want to be in relation to our faith in God. Let our faith in God help us to accept who we are. Whatever we want to do, let us have faith in God and in ourselves, and be determined because, faith, determination and sacrifice are the secrets of any success in life. Therefore, tell yourself today that you can get that which you desire, plan for it, work everyday for it, you will begin to see a different face in the things you do. The truth is that people are rewarded in public for things they do for years in private. 

So, let us learn from the Canaanite  and John Mary Vianney, whose memorial we celebrate today, for they accepted who they were and were determined with faith to achieve their dreams through humility and persistence. Therefore, like John Mary Vianney, let us cultivate the right disposition of heart that will make us to be visionary leaders leading those entrusted to us safely towards the path of truth and life. For through his life of holiness, preaching, prayer and penance he was able to transformed the life of the people of his time.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are often very slow to accept who we are and sometimes because of our humble background we fail to obtain what we desire. As we come to you today in humility and faith like the Canaanites woman, may we obtain your grace and favours just like John Mary Vianney. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily for Tuesday Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time Year B, 3rd August, 2021

 Homily for Tuesday Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time Year B, 3rd August, 2021

Readings: Num. 12:1-13, Ps 51, Matt. 14:22-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

DO NOT BE AFRAID, TAKE COURAGE FOR THE LORD IS IN CONTROL

The fisher men and the marine men who are into sea business know what it means to be on the sea with heavy storms. A situation where the need to look for a Saviour is highly expected. Such was the case with the disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today. For When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death, he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea storms. 

So as the waves were breaking over the boat, the disciples cannot believe that Jesus has seen them, and is approaching. Hence, they were afraid and 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”. But Peter said ‘if it is you Lord, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. So he cried out ‘Lord! Save me!’ Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. 

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. And Jesus says: "Do not be afraid". This no doubt is what humanity are passing through today in the hands of few selfish evil men and women who have decided to destroy humanity by trying to recreate human beings into an artificial machine against the natural way God has created us in order for few of them to control the lives and activities of all.  

Today, humanity need to humbly cry out like Peter, Lord save us for we are sinking into the destructive hands of the evil powers of this sinful world. Hence we are called to trust in the Lord and hope in his promises and providence. For it is time for us to listen to God and hold onto him more closely. Let us not be like Aaron and Miriam in our first reading, who spoke against God and Moses but were punished for there sins, rather let us learn to be humble like Moses who was known as the most humbled man on earth.

Dear friends, Jesus is calling us today to journey on this boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart because, the world is being tossed around by the waves of evil forces, the enemies of humankind. And it is only God that can subdue it, for he has promised to restore us back to himself, if only we can trust in him completely. However, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul? Are you under the power of the evil forces of this world? I don’t know how long or deep you have been involved in this evil? All I know is that with great faith in God, the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid, take courage, it is I,” will surely resound in the hearts of all his children who live in hostile environment and are victims of the evils in this world.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, save humanity once again, grant that the violent storms and waves of bondage in our lives will end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.

Homily on Monday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time Year B, 2nd August, 2021

 Homily on Monday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time Year B, 2nd August, 2021

Readings: Num. 11:4-15, Ps 81, Matt. 14:13-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

JESUS SATISFIES OUR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HUNGER

Humanity are constantly in need of one thing or the other, we are never tired of searching for things that will satisfy our desire for physical and spiritual well being. This is the situation and condition of the people in our readings today. In the first reading, we heard how the people of Israel lamented against God and Moses for giving them only manner without any meat, fish, cucumber and garlic as they are used to in Egypt. And in our Gospel passage, we heard how the people were in search for Jesus for more bread. So as Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sickness and also fed them in a miraculous way.

Here, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected messiah who is to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The healing touch of Jesus 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. But Jesus did not just heal the sick, he also fed 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 which in a special way signifies the event of our Eucharistic celebrate. The Eucharist has the same characteristics of this miracle: the community gathered together, the transformation of humble elements into a glorified body of Christ to satisfy our spiritual hunger which is an abundant gifts of God to humanity. In fact, because of the link to the Eucharist, this is the only miracle that is reported by all the four gospels. 

However, we can interpret this miracle of feeding the crowd in two ways. First, we can simply interpret it as a miraculous event, pointing to the divine origin and mission of Jesus. Secondly, we can interpret the miracle as the fruit of sharing with one another, for it is possible that once the disciples began to share the little food they had with those around, others also who had actually brought some food with them started sharing what they have and indeed grace multiplied what they have to the point of having left over. How I wish humanity can learn to share our resources with one another, believe me, the world will witness another miracle of multiplication of resources that will be enough for everyone with left over for the future generations.

So, as Jesus heals and feeds the physical aspect of humanity, he also knows that we need the food of the Eucharist to sustain us spiritually for our journey to heaven which is our promised land. Here, Jesus did not bring the loaves and fish out of nowhere. Rather, he took what was offered to him and multiplied them greatly. This bread is the gift of the Eucharist which we receive back from Jesus whose heart is always moved with pity and compassion towards us. 

Dear friends, God loves us so much, that he is willing and ready to satisfy our unquenchable hunger for physical and spiritual things. Therefore, come to Jesus and embrace his love and you will be satisfied.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are really hungry, in need of your love and satisfaction both physically and spiritually, feed us once again with your heavenly grace and multiple the little bread and fish we share with others and provide for us the basic needs of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.

Homily for Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 1st August, 2021

 Homily for Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time  Year B, 1st August, 2021.

Reading: Exo. 16:2-4.12-15; Ps. 78; Eph.4:17.20-24; John 6:24-35

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

LOOKING UP TO JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE

The ugly situation in our societies, country and the world at large can make someone to completely lose hope in humanity and even in God. Today people are confused, they don’t even know what to believe or who to trust anymore. The questions that come to mind are: To whom shall we run to? What shall we do? Any hope for a better tomorrow? What signs are there for us to see in order to be assured of a better and a brighter future for humanity? This present disposition can be liken to the disposition of the people in our Gospel passage today.

Here, the Jews who had witnessed the great miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes, when confronted with the hard teaching about the person of Jesus, asked Jesus for a sign to prove that he is the Messiah, a sign like the manna which their forefathers ate in the desert as we have it in our first reading today. They said to Jesus that God gave them bread from heaven to eat. For the Jews, the manna was God’s gift from heaven. So they wanted such miraculous sign again.

However, Jesus made it clear to the crowd that it was God rather than Moses who provided the manna for Israelites. Also he identified himself as the true bread of life that comes from God. That he himself is God’s divine intervention in our world. He is the gift of God to the world. So he told them solemnly: “I AM the bread of life.”  Using the word “I AM”, he strongly identifies himself with God, a statement that recalls the name God revealed to Moses in the burning bush (Exod 3:14). Jesus goes on to say that: “Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” 

Thus, the true manna, the true bread from heaven is the Word of God, which is Jesus and this Word is what he teaches us to believe in. Today this Word is now addressed to us and we shall do well to pay attention to it, because with the event going on in the world today, we too can find ourselves in an ugly situation. A situation where we may no longer have faith in God and start doubting his existence as we are now scared of losing our lives, our health, wealth or even our loved ones. The worst of it is not knowing what to believe anymore especially in the way our society has been structured, people no longer know their left from their right. 

  

Thus, St. Paul in our second reading says: unless we have failed to hear him properly when we were taught the truth about our Lord Jesus. For assuming that  we have heard about him properly and were taught in him, then, we must have given up our old way of life; we must have put aside our old self, which gets corrupted by following our ugly desires. Our mind must have been renewed by a spiritual revolution so that we can put on the new self that has been created in God’s way, in the goodness and holiness of the truth.

Dear friends, I don’t know how you have personally experienced Jesus. I don’t know how deep is you’re understanding of Jesus in the Eucharist as the Bread of Life? I don’t know how the world has separated us for Jesus our Bread of Life? Are you confused about your faith in God?  I don’t know what you are passing through now. Does it seem as if all hope is lost and there is no opportunity again for you? Jesus says: I AM the bread of life, blessed is the one who does not lose faith in him. For he is waiting for us at the Eucharist, where he feeds us spiritually. Therefore, be courageous, do not be afraid. Be patient, do not lose heart. Rather let us look up to Jesus the Bread of Life, for he will surely come to save us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, whenever we come to Jesus and bond ourselves closely to him, we are actually identifying ourselves with You, may we constantly embrace Your love for us in the Eucharist as you feed us daily with the bread of life through Your Word. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy New month, God bless you.

Homily for Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 31st July, 2021. The Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola

 Homily for Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 31st July, 2021. The Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Readings: Lev. 25:1.8-17; Ps. 67; Matt. 14:1-12

THE WORLD IS IN NEED OF TRUTHFUL PEOPLE LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST

One thing that the world hates to hear is the sound of the word "truth". Why! Because it makes the world to tremble as most things in the world are built on falsehood and deceit and people are becoming comfortable with falsehood as a way of life. This is obvious especially with the ugly situation of corona virus where humanity are placed in perpetual darkness and confusion as the voices that speak the truth are silenced by all means. 

Today people want to be "free" to do whatever they like, they don't want anybody to remind them the hard truth about the realities of life. Hence, they can do anything just to silence truth. Thus, the cost of speaking the truth has become so expensive that some times it cost a life of an individual or even a whole community. It is even more demanding when the truth to be told has to do with the conversion of one in authority.

This is the case with John the Baptist in our Gospel passage today, whose head was the prize for the truth he told to Herod and Herodias. For Herod had arrested John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ Herod had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. 

But, on the occasion of Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. She conspired with the mother and demanded for the head of John the Baptist. The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered John to be beheaded and the head be given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 

These ugly attitudes towards John the Baptist points at what is done to Jesus in his Passion, demonstrating how good people, especially when they struggle for truth and justice, are often condemned to suffer in the hands of greed and powerful people. But should we stop speaking the truth because of fear of losing our lives. I don't think so, because truth saves life, it brings freedom, it releases tension, it brings peace, it settles quarrels and disputes. Truth is freedom which must be offered to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to its enemies, just like John the Baptist did to Herod and Herodias even at the expense of his life. 

Herod made a bad decision, which out of pride finds it difficult to change his mind and admit that he was wrong. He did not plan to execute John that night. He was persuaded by Herodias to do so, because he was a weak man. He is a slave to the opinion of others, he feared the people who revered John; he also fears the reaction of his guests if he should retract his oath.

Dear friends, like Herod, how often do we make decisions out of pride? When we make bad decisions, how quick are we able to change our mind, to admit that we are wrong. Are we like Herodias who is waiting for an opportunity to silenced the innocents who confront us with the truth?  If today we happen to be one of the guests of Herod, what would been our reaction? Will I have protested or stayed silent? Thus, what do we do when we see others suffering injustice? Do we have the courage to protest, even at the cost of losing our lives? Today we called to speak the truth, for the world needs to hear the truth no matter the cost.

Therefore, like St. Ignatius of Loyala whose memorial we celebrate today, let’s be courageous and steadfast in standing and speaking the truth no matter the condition we find ourselves now. 

LET US PRAY:  Lord God, it is difficult to speak and stand for truth in our world today, give us the grace and courage to become instrument of your word in truth and in deeds just like St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. John the Baptist. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s New month wishing you God’s favour and blessings.

Homily for Friday of Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 30th July, 2021

 Homily for Friday of Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 30th July, 2021. 

Readings: Lev. 23:1.4-11.15-16.27.34-37; Ps. 81; Matt. 13:54-58

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

NEVER LOOK DOWN ON PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR HUMBLE BACKGROUND FOR EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL INSTRUMENT OF GOD'S BLESSINGS

In life people are quick to neglect and look down on others, who they believed cannot offer them anything good at the moment. They are quick to forget that everyone, no matter the present condition is a potential instrument for God's blessings. This is the ugly attitudes of the people of Nazareth in our Gospel passage today. 

For when Jesus came to his home town and taught the people in the synagogue in such a way that they were astonished, but instead of embracing the message of Jesus, they treated him with contempt and in their pride they said: ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? This is the carpenter’s son, surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers and sisters here with us? Where did he get all these?’ And they would not accept him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house’, and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Thus, out of pride and contempt the people rejected the blessings God has for them. Today this kind of ugly attitude is what stops people from doing good, because they don’t want to be treated with contempt and as a result, a lot of people have been deprived of their blessings out  of human pride and contempt. 

Dear friends, do not treat anyone with contempt, for everyone is a potential instrument of God’s blessings and favour. And if you want to make a difference in life, be ready to ignore what people are saying about you now, forget you past failures and your humble beginning. People may not appreciate you now, they may even say all kinds of things about you, just to humiliate and discourage you.

Put all of them behind you, work hard for your dreams, give your time to it, sacrifice your sleep and comfort, sweat for it, plan for it, overcome all your terrors of opposition, enduring pains and obstacles, with the help of God you will succeed and become a source of God's blessings. Then you will sing joyfully to God your strength and all the people will gather about you in praise of your God. And they will say: Is not this the Carpenter's son or daughter? Where then did he get all this? Yes, that's who we are, for Jesus is the Carpenter of our success and salvation. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, oftentimes in our pride we treat people with contempt because of their humble background, give us the grace to realize that everyone is a potential instrument of your blessings and favour to humanity, and as we struggle towards our goals, may you crown all our efforts and sacrifices with success. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Peace be with you.

GOD OUR POTTER IS MOULDING US INTO A VESSEL FOR HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM

 Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 30th July, 2020.

Readings: Jer.18:1-6, P 146, Matt 13:37-53

Fr. Emmanuel Onyia.

GOD OUR POTTER IS MOULDING US INTO A VESSEL FOR HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM

A story was told of a beautiful clay pot used to decorate a garden. The clay pot was the point of attraction to all including it’s fellow ordinary clay. So one day the ordinary clay approached the beautiful clay pot and said, we have no doubt that you are clay just like us. But how come you have become so beautiful and special that everyone admires you? The clay pot smiles and said: there was a time when I was nothing but a dumb lump of red clay. Then one day a Potter came with a digger and a hoe, dung me out of the dumb lump and painfully separated me from my fellow clay and brought me to his house I cried out but he ignored me. 

He rolled and pounded me on a wooden table several times without mercy. I cried out, don’t do that! Leave me alone!’ But the Potter suddenly placed me on a spinning wheel and suddenly spun around and around and around until I lost all consciousness. Just when I thought it was over, he placed me carefully into an oven which is hotter than the hell fire. 

Why me! I cried out in anguish! But the potter only smiled and gently said: because you are special! I struggled, I yelled, knocked and broke several times, but the Potter was patient and meticulous in ensuring that I adjusted to his will. Realizing that I cannot win, I surrender completely to the will of the Potter and he only nodded in understanding and quietly said: “is not over yet! 

Then he pulled me out of the oven, when the heat became cooled he carefully picked me up, dust away some dirt and behold I was totally transformed, looking so beautiful and special. And the potter smiled and said:  this is what you are meant to be. For God has made you into a special vessel for special purpose. 

This story reflect what prophet Jeremiah is telling us in our first reading today that God is the Potter and we are the clay. Though God has created humanity as beautiful clay in his hands to be molded into a beautiful and special vessel for heavenly kingdom. But humanity have sinned and rebelled again God and his plan for us. Unless we repent and turn away from our sinful ways we will all perish. 

Hence we are called to repentance for there will be a day of judgement of which Jesus in our Gospel passage, used a parable to describe that the kingdom of heaven will be like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in fish of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. Here Jesus is telling us that the kingdom is open for all but not all can be suitable to dwell in it, only those who on the judgement day are found suitable can be admitted into the kingdom.

Dear friends, all God required from us is for us to let him mould us into the heavenly vessels that he planned for humanity. No doubt that sin has destroy our original nature, but just like when the pot a potter was shaping spoils in his hands and he forms it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. So will God re-mould us into a new vessel for his heavenly kingdom if we repent from our pride and sinful ways of life.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sin and pride has separated humanity from your plans for us, today we come to you like a clay in a dump lump, be our Potter once again and re-mould us into that heavenly vessels which you planned for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.