Homily For Tuesday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 8th February, 2022, The Optional Memorial of Saints Josephine Bakhita. The International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking

 Homily For Tuesday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 8th February, 2022, The Optional Memorial of Saints Josephine Bakhita. The International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking

Readings: 1 King. 8: 22-23.27-30; Ps.84, Mark 7:1-13

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET US EMBRACE THE TRUE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND SEPARATE THEM FROM HUMAN REGULATIONS

Oftentimes, we find it difficult to separate the commandments of God from human traditions. This no doubt plays out in our making and interpreting of laws and it has great consequences in our relationship with God and our neighbours just as we have it in our Gospel reading today, where we heard how the Pharisees multiplied religious laws and rituals to such an extent that it was impossible to know them all, talk more of observing them. So Jesus accuses them of  neglecting the true commandment of God over their petty regulations. 

These petty laws and traditions were highly detailed but unwritten human laws which the Scribes and Pharisees regarded as having the same binding force as the Law of Moses. However, Jesus was not totally against these laws and regulations. What he was against was the legalism by which the mere observance of some external actions were equated with being a devout lover of God. Hence he reminds them of the quotes from the prophet Isaiah saying: “this people honours me only with lip service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless; the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.” (Is 29:13). 

Hence, Jesus goes ahead to illustrates the hypocrisy involved in this ugly attitudes by showing how some supposedly devout people neglected the basic responsibility of respect and care for parents by claiming that they had consecrated all that they owned to God and the temple, while in fact they are keeping it for their own personal use. So for one to declare something to be “Corban,” an offering devoted to God, when his parents are in need, is in direct conflict with the commandment of God that says: honour your father and mother.

 Here, Jesus made it clear that the real commandments of God is the unconditional love of God and neighbour which is evident in our first reading where we heard Solomon after building a house for the Lord expressing his reverence and love for God and his chosen people saying: hear the entreaty of your servant and of Israel your people as they pray in this place, hear; and, as you hear, forgive.

In the light of this love, the Church today calls our attention to some ugly activities of human trafficking. 

This is important as we celebrate the memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita. She was a former slave from Sudan who was a victim of human trafficking. As a child, she had already suffered much, captured by slavers and treated horribly as a slave passing on from master to master. Bakhita had the fortunate chance to escape slavery through her former master, who was touched and converted by her virtuous life. So she eventually found her way to freedom and later joined the religious community in which she spent the rest of her life.

The outstanding thing about St Bakhita was that she never held grudges for her past slavers and masters, all those who had made her life very difficult and painful. In embracing the Christian faith and in dedicating herself completely to the Lord, Bakhita showed many people what it means to be touched by Jesus and be true disciples and followers of Christ. And so today, we are called to pray for victims of human trafficking.

Dear friends, as we examine our hearts to see if we have in anywhere engaged in human trafficking or Victims of human trafficking. We should never engage ourselves in such ugly activities. Therefore, we should examine ourselves to see if there  are elements of the Pharisee in us and these happen whenever, we focus our attention on laws while neglecting the spirit of the law which is the real focus of today’s Gospel. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, out of pride and greediness, we have often neglected the true meaning of your commandment of love but hold on to unnecessary human traditions which lead us into destructive criticism of others. Help us through the intercessions of  St. Bakhtia to change this ugly attitudes in order to embrace your teaching on love and humility. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Monday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 7th February, 2022

 Homily For Monday of The Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 7th February, 2022

Readings: 1kings 8:1-7.9-13; Ps.132; Mark 6:53-56

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD, LET YOUR HEALING TOUCH RESTORE US ONCE AGAIN 

From the beginning, we were told that God created everything so good and perfect. But out of pride and greediness, humanity have destroyed and keep on destroying the good things that God has entrusted to us. As a result of this humanity are suffering the consequences of our destructive actions which manifest in different from such as: natural disasters,  illnesses, diseases, afflictions, slavery and troubles. But time and time again, God though not pleased with this destructive nature of humanity, has not stopped to restore humanity back to it glorious state. This gracious act of restoration is made more evident in the life and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to redeem us through the path of humility and love.

Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, we heard of the great works of Jesus who was then at Galilee, ministering to the people who came to him seeking to be healed from their various illnesses, diseases, afflictions, slavery and troubles. People kept on bringing their sick ones to him and many people who had faith in him were healed by merely touching his cloak. This passage summarizes  what Jesus was doing for the people. It indicates the tremendous desire of the people to be healed and made whole by Jesus. Thus, the presence of Jesus brought Joy and relieve to them.

Dear friends, God really cares about us, for no matter the situation we may find ourselves, we must know that the touch of Jesus heals and restores everything. Therefore, we all are called to embrace the loving touch of Jesus and cooperate with him in his work and mission of healing and restoration of humanity. Hence, let us discern what we all can do in order to contribute even in little ways, to ensure the restoration of humanity and all God’s creation which we are destroying by our lives and actions. Let us learn from Solomon in our first reading today whose goal was to build a house for the Lord and ensure peace among the chosen people of God. 

So, let us seek to renew our faith in God and grow stronger in our love and devotion towards him. The people in our Gospel today rushed to Jesus with their needs and their hopes because they recognized him. Maybe we need to follow their example by bringing to him those things in us that are still in need of healing and restoration. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we submit our lives into your care, let your healing touch restore us once again, and so experience restoration in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.

Homily For Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 6th February, 2022

 Homily For Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 6th February, 2022

Readings: Is. 6:1-2.3-8; Ps.138; 1Cor.15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE AND RESPONSE TO GOD’S DIVINE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

There is something deep and unique about every person, sometimes it takes personal experience to discover this uniqueness. And in the process of discovering this uniqueness, we encounter so many challenges that have become part of our experience in life. So, I don't know if you have ever had an experience that made you realize the emptiness of this life, a kind of experience that turns your pride into humility, sinfulness into righteousness? This is the kind of experience  that prophet Isaiah and Simon and his companions had in our first reading and in the Gospel passage today. 

In the first reading we heard how prophet Isaiah saw all the great glory and majesty of God and was terrified at what he had seen. He was struck with great fear because he considered himself a great sinner unworthy to stand before God, but God sent his Seraphim to touch his lips, saying: your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’ Then he heard the voice of the Lord saying: ‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ in response to this invitation Isaiah said, ‘Here I am, send me. And he was chosen to be the bearer of God’s message to his chosen people.

This same experience is what Simon and his companions had with Jesus in our Gospel passage, that made Simon realize his emptiness and fell at the knees of Jesus confessing his unworthiness. This is because Jesus had said to Simon after preaching on his boat, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signaled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ 

This very experience brought true conversion in the lives of Simon and his companions, for this encounter changed their destiny from fishermen to fishers of men. For they obeyed the Lord who told them to put out into the deep waters, and as soon as they followed his instructions, they netted so much fish that the whole boat could not take it. This glorious event manifested the power and grace of God at work in us especially when we humble ourselves in obedient to God’s instructions and acknowledge our unworthiness before him. Little wonder St. Paul in our second reading made us to know how he received the Christian faith through the Holy Spirit and through the hands of the Apostles. For Paul, who as Saul was once the greatest enemy of all Christians, gained great insight of the faith and became one of the greatest evangelizers of the faith he once wished to destroyed.  

 

Dear friends, like prophet Isaiah, like Simon and his companions and also  like St. Paul, we are called to reflect on our personal experience and encounter with God. How have we personally experience God? When was our spiritual turning point? Do we have a personal conviction about God that does not based on what people have told us of him? In case we have not personally encountered him, all we need to do is to sincerely seek God in those common events in our lives. Then, we will realize how much God is willing to reveal himself to us through Jesus Christ his Son.

Therefore, today we are called to look into our lives, is there any sign of God’s divine presence in our hearts? Are there signs of God’s intervention in some situations around us, calling us to repentance? Are there signs of unworthiness in our hearts that makes us feel inferior to carryout some of our responsibilities? Are there voices calling us to embrace a particular apostolate and we feel unworthy to accept it or taking it for granted? Have we ever heard a voice calling us to stop indulging in immortality and wickedness? Have we ever heard the voice calling us to change our ugly attitudes of hatred, corruption, impurity, greediness and unforgiveness? 

How often have we rejected the voice calling us to holiness, purity, mercy, kindness, patience and love for God and for one another? How often have we turned down the request to be a special instrument of God’s message of truth and love? How often do we make resolutions and promises to God but have failed to honour and keep them? Today the Lord is calling us once again, what is he saying to you and what is your response to his request. O that today you will listen to his voice harden not your hearts.

LET US PRAY: heavenly Father, everyday is an opportunity to encounter you through different events that occur in our lives. Grant that we may have a personal experience of you just like Simon and his companion. May we experience you in a unique way in our daily activities and through this experience discover our purpose in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 5th February, 2021, The Memorial of St. Agatha

 Homily For Saturday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 5th February, 2021, The Memorial of St. Agatha

Readings: 1Kings 3:4-13; Ps.119; Mark 6:30-34

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 HUMANITY IN NEED OF RESPONSIBLE SHEPHERD

Humanity are constantly in need of one thing or the other, we are never tired of searching for things that will satisfy our desires for physical and spiritual well being. This is even worst with the ugly situation in our world today were humanity are lost, confused and sick as a result of what we have created out of our selfish desires. This can be likened to the situation and condition of the people in our Gospel passage today of which Jesus and his disciples devoted time trying to attend to them. 

But when the situation keep increasing Jesus said to his disciples you must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.  As they went through their boat, the people went after them on foot. So as Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd and he healed their sickness and taught them for a while.

Here, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected messiah who is to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The teaching and healing touch of Jesus reveals to us 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. This is very important because God has never abandoned his people for he will always send helpers or leaders who will stand in for the good of his people. 

One of such leaders is the person of Solomon in our first reading today. For Solomon having succeeded his father David, asked God in prayers saying: “give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?” God was very pleased with this request and granted him more than he requested which made Solomon one of the greatest King the world has ever known.

Dear friends, humanity needs leaders with listening hearts and discerning spirit just like Solomon, for the hopeless and ugly situation in our world today are good indications that we are just floating in this world like sheep without a responsible Shepard. Thus, we need to come to Jesus our true and Good Shepherd. We must make sure that nothing comes between us and the love of Jesus our Lord, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. For these are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us so much. 

We should learn from St Agatha of Sicily whose memorial we celebrate today, for Agatha, who from her very early years was notably beautiful. And because of her love for Jesus, she dedicated her life to God as a consecrated virgin. But this did not stop men from desiring her. One of the men who desired Agatha was Quintianus, and because he was of a high diplomatic ranking, thought he could force her to turn away from her vow and so force her to get married. His persistent proposals were consistently turned down by Agatha. 

So Quintianus, knowing she was a Christian during the persecution of Christians by Decius, had her arrested and brought before the judge. Too bad for Agatha, because, Quintianus was also the Judge. Hence, he sentenced Agatha to prison in a brothel to see if she will change her mind. But noticing that Agatha was enduring all the torture with a sense of cheer, he commanded she be subjected to a worse form of torture, he ordered that her breasts be cut off.  

In the midst of this torture, Agatha prayed to Jesus the good shepherd and committed her suffering soul in his care. And with tears falling from her eyes she died a virgin and martyr. Today she is the patron saint of Sicily, breast cancer patients, rape victims, wet nurses and a powerful intercessor for people who suffer from fire outbreaks.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this passing world, as we come to you in need of your love and direction both physically and spiritually, guide us once again towards the path of truth, love and fulfilment even in the midst of all the confusion in our world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Friday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 4th February, 2022

 Homily For Friday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 4th February, 2022

Readings: Eccl. 47:2-13; Ps.18; Mark 6:14-29

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IN A WORLD FULL OF CORRUPTION AND INJUSTICE, HOW FAR CAN WE STAND FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE?

One of our great musicians, Lucky Dube in one of his album said that he who stands for the truth will always stand alone. This is the case with John the Baptist whose head was the prize for the truth he told Herod and Herodias as we heard in the Gospel passage today. This terrible crime, which points at what is done to Jesus in his Passion, demonstrates how good people, especially when they struggle for justice, are condemned to suffer in the hand of greed and powerful people who become very cruel and as a result the innocent suffer.

 

The root of the whole problem is that king Herod made unwise promise out of pride, but 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 retracts his oath. Thus, the head of the innocent, who was in prison for speaking the truth was sacrificed.

Dear friends, in a world full of corruption and injustice, how far can we stand for the truth we professed? Or Like Herod, how often do we make unwise promises out of pride? When we make bad decisions, how quick are we able to change our mind, to admit that we are wrong. If today we happen to be one of the Herod’s guests, what would have been our reaction? Will I have protested or stayed silent? So how do we react, when we see others suffering injustice? 

 Perhaps, today we can think of all the victims of truth in our societies, the vulnerable, the innocent in our society and all those who are exploited and used to achieve the ends of others. These ugly events in our society, how are we confronting them? Do we have the courage to speak up or protest, even at cost of our head and our lives? So, let us learn to remain firm in speaking the truth just like John the Baptist and King David whose praises we heard in our first reading today.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace to stand for the truth and help us never to make unwise promises, direct our intentions and guide our words so that we may grow in compassion for the innocent victims in our families, societies, country and the world at large, through Christ our Lord. Amen.  God bless you.

Homily For Thursday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 3rd February, 2022

 Homily For Thursday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 3rd February, 2022

Readings: 1Kings 2:1-4.10-12; Ps. 1Chr. 29; Mark 6:7-13

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NATURE OF OUR MISSION

The rebellious nature of humanity have always keep us away from responding to God's invitation to Life of love, holiness, faithfulness and integrity. Hence, humanity have always failed to understand the true ways of God his creator. However, God has not stopped caring and stretching his hands of love towards us. In every generation God always send messengers to remind us of his love and plan for humanity. 

This is exactly what we have in our readings today. In the first reading we heard David instructing Solomon his son saying: be strong and show yourself a man. Observe the injunctions of the Lord your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his customs and his decrees, as it stands written in the law. And in our Gospel passage, we heard how Jesus sent his twelve disciples, the foundation of the future Church community, to do exactly the same work of evangelization that he has been doing.

 Hence, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, instruct them to preach repentance, that radical conversion towards the vision of the Kingdom, they were to anoint the sick and heal them. These three activities cover the whole nature of the human person: spiritual, mental and physical. Healing and wholeness, health and holiness. In this mission, they were instructed to travel lightly, bringing only what they absolutely need. No food or money or even a change of clothes. They will not need these things because they will be taken care of by the people they serve. 

So in this Gospel, Jesus is preparing his disciples for a task ahead. He let's them experience the nature of their mission, the challenges, obstacles and dangers which await them. He gave them the  guidelines about the mission and sent them out.  So, they succeeded because the power of God was working in them. The message entrusted to the disciples by Jesus is to offer peace and announce the coming of God's kingdom. This same message of peace and justice, forgiveness and healing have been entrusted to the Church down the centuries. 

Now it is our turn to witness to it. The disciples returned with joy. We will experience that same joy when we do what the Lord wants because, our joy is rooted in our identifying with Jesus, not in what we do. So the source of our joy should be our status in heaven as beloved sons and daughters of God, and not on our success over the evil forces or the things of this passing world. Thus, the Lord has entrusted to us an awesome responsibility and privilege to carry the message of God’s love, peace and mercy to the world. Unfortunate many of the disciples have to face rejection and persecutions from the people, who through their rebellious attitude have refused to believe in God even though he has always been so patient, loving, caring and forgiving.

Dear friends, today we are reminded about the condition and nature of our mission,  calling humanity  to repent from our sinful and rebellious attitudes in order to embrace the compassionate love and care that God is offering us. And as disciples of Christ, we have received a lot from God without payment; we should learn to give without expecting reward. Therefore, we must offer to others these same gifts which we have received. We are to show love to people, forgive, help the needy and share with one another the gifts God has blessed us with and if our love and care are rejected, we should offer it as a sign for the judgement day.  Remember, your kind gestures today can turn someone's life around now or later and by so doing we extend God’s divine compassion to rebellious humanity.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we are reminded about the condition and nature of our mission for which you sacrificed a lot to save us from our rebellious and sinful attitudes, open our hearts once again to repent and embrace your compassionate love and care for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Wednesday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 2nd February, 2022

 Homily For Wednesday of The Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 2nd February, 2022.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Readings: Mal.3:1-4, Ps.24, Heb. 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LET THE LIGHT OF CHRIST PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE OF OUR SOULS ILLUMINATE THE DARKNESS AROUND US

Today being forty days after the birth of Jesus at Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation. A day we are reminded of the event of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem. This event servers three purposes; the first is the redemption of the first-born male, which according to the law of Moses, was set apart for God. The second purpose is the purification of Mary which is done after giving birth and the third is the Presentation of Jesus into the temple of God which dwells in human hearts. 

Hence, in our Gospel passage today, St Luke explained that Mary and Joseph wished to fulfil all the prescriptions in order to emphasize that Jesus was born into a family of simple people, lowly but of steadfast faith: a family that belonged to the poor of Israel the true People of God. It is important to note that these three purposes that is, the purification of the mother, the redemption of the son and the presentation, aimed at giving account of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple of God which dwells in human hearts. A symbol of the reality  that shows the act of offering the Son of the Most High to the Father who sent him.

 

Hence, this becomes the confirmation of the words of the Prophet Malachi which we heard at the beginning of the first Reading: “Behold”, says the Lord, “I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming to purify the sons of Levi. Then the offering will be pleasing to the Lord” (3:1- 4), thereby indicating the role of the child. 

The same child Jesus, who is immediately presented in the Temple, is the same person who, as an adult, would purify the temple of our hearts (Jn 2:13-22). Above all, he would make himself the sacrifice and the High Priest of the new Covenant, as we heard in our second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews. A passage which tells us about the new priesthood instituted by Christ the High Priest. For which he will suffer greatly as prophecy by Simeon in our Gospel passage concerning both the Child Jesus and Mary the Mother when he said: “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, a sword will pierce through your own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 

Thus, this is pointing out the salvation which Jesus will bring to his people, that which he embodies in himself, as he passed through the Cross, the violent death by which he was to vanquish death and transform humanity with the sacrifice of his life through love. Hence, he becomes the true Light of the world of which Simeon and Anna proclaimed as a revelation, that Jesus was to be the High Priest of all, who is to absolve and redeem all mankind from their sins. By so doing becomes the true Light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. 

Dear friends, today as we encounter Christ the true Light of the world presented in the temple of our hearts, let us of course, allow ourselves to be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let us share in its splendour, and so be filled with it’s radiant, so that no one remains in the darkness. Let us bring this Light of Christ into our families and our homes, so that through sharing in his light we may be brought out of the darkness that covers our lives as individuals, families, communities, societies, country and the world at large. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we celebrate the presentation of your Son Jesus today, let the light of his presence dispel the darkness in our lives, in our families, societies and so illuminate our paths as we struggle and journey in faith towards achieving our goals and purposes in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.