Homily For Wednesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 8th December, 2021. The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

 Homily For Wednesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 8th December, 2021. The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings 1 Gen. 3:9-15.20; Ps 98; Eph. 1:3-6.11-12; Luke.1:26-38

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE PRIVILEGE OF MARY IN PREPARATION FOR HER ROLE IN THE SALVIFIC PLAN OF GOD

 

Following the role of Mary in God’s plan for our salvation, the Church ascribes some special prerogatives or privileges to her. These prerogatives concern what the Faith of the Church affirms in connection with the blessed Virgin Mary. They include her Immaculate conception, her perpetual virginity, her assumption into heaven and the title Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos), which is the foundation of other prerogatives. So, today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception one of these prerogatives which shows her special role in the universal plan of God. 

The Solemnity of Immaculate Conception refers to the moment when Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. That very moment when she came into existence as willed by God. She was immaculately conceived because of the role she will play as the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ. Immaculate, mean pure without fault, free from the taint of the original sin. 

And Mary by this privilege full of grace and remained free from sin throughout her life by the will of God, for  God chose to make her worthy of his Presence. Since, our God who is pure, perfect and sinless could not have dwell in a womb tainted by sin. Hence, in today’s Solemnity of Immaculate Conception, we celebrate one of the four great Marian Dogmas, as defined by the Church in the state of Mary, being the Mother of God, the bearer of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Thus, our Gospel passage today 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. This tells us that our success in life is determined by our disposition towards doing the will God. Hence, we have to identify our plans and purposes with the universal plan of God for humanity.

This is what Adam and Eve failed to do in our first reading today, they did not follow the plan of God for them for out of pride and disobedience they separated themselves from God. That is why after Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. By this very action humanity has fallen and separated from God his creator. Nevertheless, God has never give up on humanity. He has a plan to save us as we heard in our second reading today of which May in preparation for her role in this salvific plan was conceived immaculately and this great privilege is what we are celebrating today.

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 just like our Mother Mary, 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 celebrate the great privilege of Mary in regards to your plan for humanity, 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 celebration.

Homily For Tuesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 7th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Ambrose

 Homily For Tuesday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 7th December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Ambrose

Readings Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps 96; Matt. 18:12-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

GOD WILL NEVER STOP SEARCHING FOR HIS LOST SHEEP ENGULFED IN SINFUL THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD

It is natural and common for any human person to desire to seek and find any valuable thing he/she have lost. Some people even have sleepless nights over their lost items. Some can go to any length hoping to recover any of their valuable commodity that is lost. If we can do this just for perishable things of this passing world, don’t we think that God will do even much more to save every single soul he created in his own image and likeness. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus while addressing his disciples, tells us the parables of the lost sheep which illustrate the unrelenting love of God for each of us, especially sinners. 

In this parable, we see an examples of someone searching for what is precious to him. And when he found it his joy was so great. So, Jesus uses this example to explain to us how God seeks us when we are lost in sin and his joy when our friendship with him is renewed. His searching for us cost him the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ. This can help us to realize how precious we are to him, that he never gives up on anyone except those who chose to be lost. All we need is for us to return to God who is patiently waiting for us. Just like prophet Isaiah in our first reading today said:  Console my people, console them’ says your God. ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for.

Dear friends, are we lost in sin? Have we given up in our struggle with sin? Do you think that our sins are so great that God cannot forgive us? Do we feel lost now? Jesus is searching for us, he is waiting for us at the confessional. When was the last time we visited him at the confessional? Just know that he loves us and we are too precious to be lost in this sinful world.  Therefore, let us like Ambrose whose memorial we celebrate today, embrace the faith and mission our Lord entrusted to us. For St Ambrose did not just refused to be lost in the sinful things of this passing world, he rather joined the Lord to search for his lost sheep to the point that he was made a bishop even when he was still a catechumen.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this passing world due to our sinfulness, Seek out humanity once again from the wilderness of sins, so that through the intercessions of St. Ambrose, we may return back to you, just like the lost sheep and so rejoice and praise you once again with the angels. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 6th December, 2021

 Homily For Monday the Second Week of Advent Year C, 6th December, 2021.

Readings Isaiah 35:1-10; Ps 85; Luke 5:17-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC, A GESTURE THAT SIGNIFIES THE RESTORATION OF HUMANITY PARALYZED BY SIN

The sin and evil going on in the world are putting our faith to the test and most people are giving in to the scheme of devil because they lack the strong will to withstand the suffering, sickness and problems that befall us as a result of this evil. People are running ups and down seeking for solutions. while the evil ones are taking advantage of the situation to destroy the faith of the people. In fact, one may begin to wonder if there is still hope for the restoration of humanity from this ugly situation. But the fact remains that God is able to heal and restore humanity once again.

This is evident in our Gospel passage today, when some people brought to him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ But some scribes doubted his authority to forgive sins, and Jesus knowing what was in their minds said: ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ he said to the paralytic, ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home.

Here, we see that great faith is not hidden, it radiates from the innermost being of those who exercise it. Because of love, the friends of the paralytic man were moved with faith to bring their friend to Christ, they firmly believed that Jesus Christ could and would heal him. For a strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ. It was with humble and active faith that they brought him to Christ. Thus, we can see the power and authority of Jesus towards the restoration of paralytic man carried by his friends. A gesture that signifies the restoration of humanity paralyzed by sin. 

So, Jesus began by forgiving our sins. Though sin seems to be the root of the sickness. But sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned. But for Jesus, healing is holistic for those who have faith in God. And this is what the scribes and the Pharisees failed to understand as they doubted and opposed the power and authority of Jesus. They forgot the words of prophet Isaiah in our first reading today which says:  Courage! Do not be afraid. ‘Look, your God is coming, he is coming to save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy.

Dear friends, today we are called to have faith in God just like the friends of the paralytic and not to be like the scribes and Pharisees who were enslaved by their pride and desire to maintain their prestige in the society. They doubted the power and authority of Jesus and rejected the message of truth, of which Jesus rebuked them, showing us that truly he has power and authority not just to heal and forgive us but to restore us and all humanity back to our formal glory.

 

We are also called to imitate the great faith and love of the friends of the paralytic, the love and faith that radiate from the innermost being of those who exercise it. Let us like them, learn to love and help one another. Because the absence of love is the cause of all the problems in our world today. For most families exist only by grace because of the absence of love. How I wish we can invest our time and resources in ensuring love and goodwill in our dealings with one another, believe me, the world will be a temporal home for everyone.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are paralyzed by the sins and evil we are committing against you and the world you created, as we come to you in faith this season of Advent, forgive us our sins, heal and restore us once again. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.

Homily For Second Sunday of Advent Year C, 5th December, 2021

 Homily For Second Sunday of Advent Year C, 5th December, 2021

Readings: Baruch: 5:1-9; Ps.126; Phil. 1:4-6.8-11; Luke 3:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

IN THE WILDERNESS OF THIS PASSING WORLD LET US PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD’S PEACE TO REIGN IN OUR SOULS

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 the King of Peace is coming to dwell among the fallen humanity, in order to save 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 today. And also in our first reading we heard prophet Baruch saying: Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the glory of God for ever, wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you, put the diadem of the glory of the Eternal on your head: since God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven and the name he gives you for ever will be, ‘Peace through integrity, and honour.

Therefore, as we embrace this Second Sunday of Advent, our  focus moves from hope to that of peace where we look up to our Lord Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the Bearer of the everlasting peace and harmony which is really lacking in our world today. So, this Sunday we reflect on the Peace that God has bestowed on us through the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world. But a critical observation of what is going on in our world today, one may have to be greatly distressed and  worried especially as regards the crises of war, protests, secessions and the effects of the currently ongoing coronavirus pandemic which are talking different forms, from Delta variance to the new Omicron variance only God knows if other variance are still on there way. This ugly situation has really taken away the peace we meant to enjoy in this world as many people are yet to recover from the direct and indirect effects from this terrible and ugly situations. 

However, amidst all these situations, we re reminded that all hope is not lost for our Lord Jesus the Prince of Peace will surely intervene in our situation and help us once again. No doubt that may people are worried about their means of livelihood especially those  who have no jobs and those who have lost their jobs and occupations in addition to the high cost of commodities. We must not give up or surrender to fear and anxiety. Rather, we should hold firm to the promises the Lord made to us for in him, we can find true peace and grace to over come our worries, fears and uncertainties.

 Let us be encouraged by the words of St. Paul in our second reading today where he said. I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in us will see that it is finished when the Day of Christ Jesus comes, Remember, the Day of the Lord may come like a thief, and since everything is coming to an end, we should be living a life that foster peace, holiness, justice and integrity so that the Lord may find us at peace when he comes in glory.

Dear friends, in the wilderness of this passing world, we are called to prepare a way for the Lord’s peace to reign in our souls. But the only thing that can deny us peace and the fruit of this season is sin such as: unforgivingness, hatred, greed, immorality. So, 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 of peace 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 Jesus 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 peace and 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.

Homily For Saturday the First Week of Advent Year C, 4th December, 2021

 Homily For Saturday the First Week of Advent Year C, 4th December, 2021.

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD MAKE US GOOD LABOURERS TO SAVE 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.

Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Frances Xavier

 Homily For Friday the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021. The Memorial of St. Frances Xavier

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO PUT YOUR FAITH INTO POSITIVE ACTION THAT YIELDS POSITIVE RESULTS

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 our faith into positive action that yields positive results 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 to 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, just like St Francis Xavier, whose memorial we celebrate today. Xavier was known to have conducted his life's work with great vitality and zeal. His missionary work came from the support and prayers he was receiving from those that sent him and from the beauty from which he viewed his service. He was serving God and helping others. And he was helping others by helping them to find God.

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, grant us through the intercessions of St Francis Xavier, 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.

Homily For Thursday of the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021

 Homily For Thursday of the First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2021

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HUMANITY IS IN NEED OF DOERS OF THE WORD OF GOD AND NOT JUST HEARER 

As we embrace the spirit of this season of Advent the Church draws our attention to one of the most important teachings of Jesus as we have it in  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 say. 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 are 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. 

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, may we 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.