Homily For Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 13th, November 2022. The World Day For the Poor

  Readings: Mal. 3:19-20; Ps.98; 2Thess.3:17-12; Luke:21:5-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT GIVE UP IN TIMES OF PERSECUTIONS AND HARDSHIPS FOR YOUR ENDURANCE WILL WIN YOU YOUR LIFE

Everywhere in the world we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and different other immoral activities people do for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires. And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object to be eliminated. Yet in the midst of all these ugly situation, we are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness. A very difficult task to do, especially when we are suffering as victims of this ugly situation.

Hence, Jesus in our Gospel passage today while taking about the end time event in relation to the destruction of the beautiful temple of Jerusalem, declares that his followers are going to be persecuted on account of bearing witness to his name, a reality that will put even their most cherished relationships to the test: they will be betrayed even by their closest relations and friends. However we should not prepare any defense, because God himself shall give us an eloquence and a wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict for your endurance will win you your life.

Here, as Jesus foretells the destruction of the physical temple in Jerusalem, we need to recall what replaces that temple. This temple was replaced by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church and  in the soul of humanity. So we are born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Though we still talk about the glories of the temple of Jerusalem how it is being adorned, it’s splendour and beauty. 

But what about the new temple, be it the physical temple of our Church, or other objects of worship, or that of our homes, our families or even our bodies which is temple of the Holy Spirit, today Jesus is letting us to know that a day will come when they will be destroyed and will nolonger exist for nothing last forever in this passing world. So we should not be distracted by the beauty of the things of this passing world or let them separate us from the love of God be it inform of persecutions nor death.

Little wonder Jesus gave us the details of the challenges that awaits us as his followers such as: arrests; persecution; trials before government authorities; betrayal by family and friends; hatred on account of his name; and even execution. He made us to know that we should not lay blames on a particular person or group of people, on the society, or even on our enemies for such ugly treatment. For they are rather an opportunity to testify and bear witness of him to the world. 

Also in this Gospel, Jesus did not only describes what his followers will have to endure, but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he made us to know that here comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure, rather than despair. By their endurance they will gain their lives. Hence, period of persecution is a time to bear witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity. 

For we heard prophet Malachi in our first reading saying: the day that is coming is going to burn up evildoers, says the Lord of Hosts, leaving them neither root nor stalk. But for those who fear my name they are the sun of righteousness who will shine out with healing in its wings. And St. Paul talking about the need to work hard in preparation for the coming of the Lord says in our second reading: we order and call on people who have failed to work to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat and stop giving unnecessary excuses under the pretense that the coming of the Lord.

Dear friends, our message today is centered on hope, faith and love, letting us know that God remains present in the world and also in our lives even when things have gotten so bad that we feel as if the world is over for us. So these theological virtues of hope faith and love become very important to us, because the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that we are passing through difficult times, as individual, families, societies and countries. 

No doubt we are all affected by the current war in Ukraine and other social, economical, security and political factors, of which these troubles and conflicts are affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we too will not be abandoned in this times of difficulties. For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he we will give us victory for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives. So do not give up in time for persecutions and hardships for your endurance will win you your life. 

Finally, we will recall that Pope Francis since 2017 the year of Our Lord, dedicated every last Sundays before the Solemnity of Christ the King, as the World Day of the Poor. An occasion where we are all reminded of the poor, those people in our community who are  lacking basic needs of life as they depend on others to survive. Therefore today we are called to be of help the best we could to the poor knowing that God has a plan for everyone of us, each person has been given a special talent according to his/her ability in order to fulfill that plan. So everyone no matter you present condition is special, unique and a masterpiece

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us the courage and strength to endure patiently especially in this difficult times, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful Sunday celebration.

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 12th November, 2022. The Memorial of St. Josaphat

 Readings: 3 John 1:5-8, Ps.111, Luke:18:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

SOMETIMES ALL YOU NEED IS PERSISTENCE AND PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYERS

As human beings we are often in need of something from one another. I don’t know if have been truly in need of something from a friend who is capable of give you what you need but will not? Or have you been in a situation where you needed something from a friend but cannot get it because you can not reach him easily. Such a situation can make one to be under serious pressure. Then the question that comes to mind is, are we going to give up or persevere in our struggles of waiting or reaching out to him? This kind of disposition is what we experience sometimes when we pray and our requests are yet to be granted.

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today, using the parable of the widow and the unjust judge addresses the issues of faith in difficult times and the need to persevere in prayer. Here Jesus reassures us that God hears our prayers. He tells us that we need to pray continually and never lose heart. In this parable Jesus is not comparing God to an unjust judge, but saying that if through perseverance one obtains justice from an unjust judge, how much more will we receive from a good and loving father? For persevering in prayer teaches us that God does not need to be informed of our needs.

The parable also serves to encourage those suffering injustice to continue their struggles and call for justice. We should persist in our complaints, and prayerfully confront unjust authorities in order to effect the change needed for justice to reign. Thus, Jesus is encouraging us never to lose heart, rather, we should approach God with confidence, persisting until we obtain what we need. We should keep on asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer until we obtain the answer we need.

Dear friends, there are times when we asked and we received, sought and found, knocked and it was opened to us. But there were also times when we asked but did not receive, seek but did not find, knocked but the door remained shut. In such moments persistency and perseverance in prayer are what we are called to embrace. For they will help us to understand how to trust God knowing that he does not need to be informed of our needs. Therefore we are encouraged never to lose heart. This is certainly one of the biggest challenges of our faith today. People are not just patient with God. We want to have everything right now as it is hot. That is why, patient, persistency and perseverance are very difficult virtue for most people today.

Hence, we must learn from St. Josaphat whose memorial we celebrate today. For he was a monk who through persistent and perseverance rose to the position of leadership within the Church as an Archbishop. He fought for the unification of the Church despite the rising tensions and clashes between those who were supportive of the union and those who opposed it. As the leader and shepherd of his flock, he struggled to resolve the tensions and differences. However, this tensions and violence eventually led to his martyrdom. For he dedicated himself fully in ensuring that he leads and steers the faithful to the right path through his personal holiness and exemplary life style, he is known for constantly mortifying his flesh and resisting the temptations to sin.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, oftentimes we are not patient with you in our prayers, give us the grace to persevere and be persistent in our prayer life and in every other things we do in life, especially in our relationship with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 11th November, 2022. The Memorial of St. Martin of Tours

 Readings: 2 John 4-9, Ps.119, Luke:17:26-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT BE TOO COMFORTABLE AND  BUSY WITH THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD, LESS THE DAY OF THE LORD TAKE YOU BY SURPRISE

In this world we are so busy preparing, acquiring and  safeguarding the things of this passing world. The streets are full of people struggling and bobbling, the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and chatting, the Churches are full of people praying, singing and celebrating. Noise everywhere, no one wants to be patient with the other, no one wants to give way to the other. We are so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence that is, the salvation of our souls. 

Little wonder, Jesus who is speaking of the 'end times' in our Gospel passage today, wants his listeners to notice how life was going on normally in the days of Noah and Lot when flood and fire consumed them. The people were engaged in their everyday activities, when the disaster struck. No extraordinary warning, no premonition, no time to plan an escape. So too the Son of Man will come suddenly and unexpectedly. 

Our times certainly sound very much like Noah’s days, where everyone seems so busy and distracted, unable to concentrate on what is really important. But Jesus is warning us today that the time for decision can catch us unawares. He insists that with a real sense of urgency, we need to take our life seriously. And St. John in our first reading tells us that there are many deceivers in the world who are make us to be too comfortable with the things of this passing world at expense of heavenly things. Among them are those refusing to admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. They are the “Deceivers”; they are the Antichrist. Hence, we must watch our actions, or all our work will be lost and not get the reward it deserves. 

Dear friends, If we have not yet trusted in Christ Jesus as our Saviour, we should do so now for tomorrow may be too late. If there are ugly behaviours and sins we are yet to give up, the time to do that is now. Jesus tells us that we will not have any warning signs of the coming day of judgment any more than the preaching of the Gospel. There will be no time to repent when that day comes. 

Therefore, if we will believe and obey, if we would acknowledge our sins and trust in the mercy of God, we have to do it right now for the day of judgment draws very near. Let us not be unaware or apathetic about its coming. Let us not be too busy and  comfortable with the things of this passing world. Know that the only way to be prepared is to live a good and holy life, a life that is based on love. For when we live this way, then the coming of the Son of Man will not be a disaster but a day of glory for our final salvation. 

Nonetheless, we should not be afraid to approach Jesus for mercy and restoration, all we need is an active faith. Let us then be inspired by St. Martin of Tours whose memorial we celebrate today, his life was truly exemplary before God. He was a champion of the true faith amidst several challenges and heresies that were rampant in his time, protecting his flock from the false teachings and helped to guide them down the right path, leading by example through his own virtuous life. In gratitude to God, we too can do the same.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have become so busy with the things of this passing world while neglecting to prepare our souls for your coming. As we listened to your words today, may we through the intercessions of St. Martin of Tours realized the need to prepare our souls for your coming more than any other thing in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For Thursday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 10th November, 2022. The Memorial of St. Leo The Great

 Readings: Philemon 1:7-20, Ps.146, Luke:17:20-25

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND DISPOSITION TOWARDS THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Oftentimes whenever we hear about the kingdom of God, two questions comes to mind, the first question is when is it coming? And the second question is how will it looks like? This is not different from the Pharisees in our Gospel passage today who after hearing Jesus talking about the kingdom of God, asked him when the kingdom will come. This is because they presume that the kingdom of God is yet to come, and will be visible like an earthly kingdom. 

But, Jesus replies that the kingdom is already present though invisible, for the kingdom of God is within us. The kingdom is essentially God's reign in the soul of humanity through his Son Jesus. For with the presence of Jesus, the kingdom of God is already here among us. And within our hearts, God’s reign has already begun. So through our union with Jesus, we already have a foretaste of eternal life. 

However, Jesus said to his disciples, 'a time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. 

Here, Jesus encourages his disciples not to get worked up, or even overly curious, about the end times and the second coming of the Son of Man. Instead let us concentrate on the here and now, especially on our relationship with him as we ponder constantly on his teaching. Jesus also warns us not to be distracted by fake prophets and preachers who claim private revelations about the end of the world. Rather, we should focus on how to shape our life to attain the demands of God’s kingdom.

Dear friends, we must learn to prepare ourselves for God’s kingdom not as something that will come in a far distance time, but as something that is already here with us. And this should be seen in our attitudes and actions especially in our relationship with God and with one another. This is what St. Paul in our first reading today is teaching us when he said to Philemon: “I did not want to do anything without your consent; it would have been forcing your act of kindness, which should be spontaneous. I know you have been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back for ever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, as a blood-brother as well as a brother in the Lord.” 

This words of St. Paul describes how we ought to relate with one another as one people of God, just like Pope St. Leo the Great whose memorial we celebrate today. For he showed us what it means to be a true and dedicated disciple of the Lord. As the Pope he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the well-being of his flock. He led the Church and the faithful through the most difficult moment, and was instrumental in strengthening the Church against the various heresies of his time, telling all Christians to recognize our dignity and remain faithful and commitment to the mission entrusted to them by Christ Jesus.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we await your Kingdom, help us to be well prepared for it whenever it comes. And through the intercession of St Leo the Great, give us the grace to be faithful and dedicated servants, we ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen. Do have a faithful day.

Homily For Wednesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 9th November, 2022. The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

 Readings: Ez.47:1-2.8-9.12, Ps.46, 1Cor3:9-11.16-17, John 2:13-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOD’S TEMPLE, A SACRED REALITY DEDICATED TO GOD?

Today in a special way the Church celebrate the feast of the dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica Rome. It is the Mother and head of all the Churches and a symbol of unity for all the Churches in the world with the Roman Church. This feast reminds us of our need to live in deep communion with the Pope, the successor of St. Peter, the rock on which Jesus built his Church on which our faith as Christians depends  However, we should never lose sight of the fact that it is the symbol of the true meeting point between man and God, and Jesus Christ who is the actual temple. 

Little wonder Jesus in the Gospel passage today points to himself as the temple of God in the world, the one through whom God is present in the world.  Here, he is speaking of the Temple that was his body when he said to the Jews: destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Thus, prophet Ezekiel in our first reading today prophesying about this Temple said: ‘along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’ 

While St. Paul in our second reading, emphasis that the Christian community, the body of Christ, is the place where God is to be truly present in the world. That the Church is a spiritual temple and each individual member of the Church is a temple of the Holy Spirit, a living expressions of God’s loving presence in our world today. He said: ‘do you not know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred; and you are that temple'.

So today’s feast of dedication reminds us about our dedication to God by showing us the theological understanding of what Church dedication represent. It reminds us that the Church building is a sign of God’s worshipping community, pointing out that the people should be aware that the holiness of the building depends not on the “blessed stones”, but on the saving words proclaimed in it, the holy sacrifice offered there, the sacraments of salvation celebrate there and the presence of the Holy Spirit who dwells in the hearts of the faithful gathered in the Holy Assembly for worship.  

As temple of God, we are nourished in the Church with the Word of God, calling us to repentance and encouraging us in our daily struggles in life.  In the Church, we receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and are nourished by the Holy Eucharist. In the Church, we come to God with our burden of sin and sickness, and he heals us through the sacraments of reconciliation and anointing of the sick. Also, in the Church, we  receive God’s grace and blessings to server him in different vocations and ministries through the sacraments of matrimony and Holy Orders. In the Church, our Lord Jesus Christ remains present with us in the Holy Eucharist present in the tabernacle in company of Our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints. And when we passed away from this world especially as temple of God, the Church accompany us through prayers to our heavenly temple where we will be united with the triumphant Church in the presence of God our Loving Father.  

Dear f now we can understand why St Paul says that our bodies are sacred temple of the Lord, this in fact is the heart of our own baptismal character, to become temples of God through whom God’s loving presence touches the lives of others. So, today we are reminded that we are sacred reality, where God dwells, which should not be profaned or used as may material object. Therefore, we must preserve our bodies from stains of sin and corruption. We must not let the pleasurable things of this passing world defile our bodies which by virtue of our baptism have become a scared dwelling of the Holy Spirit. For this reason we must unite together to build up the body of Christ which is his Church. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the feast of the dedication of your Church, help us to realize that our bodies are sacred temple of your dwelling presence and so preserve it always from the stains of sin and corruption. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 2022

 Readings: Titus 2:1-8.11-14, Ps.37, Luke:17:7-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LEARN TO BE A HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 

These days the rate people seek for rewards for what they have done and some even for what they have not done is quite disturbing. Today it is difficult for people to do things without looking for what they will gain from it. In fact, it takes courage to trust people even when they extend their hands of generosity to others because we often think that they have some interior motives behind the generosity. But this should not be our attitudes as disciples of Christ. 

Little wonder in our Gospel passage today, Jesus  in the parable of a dutiful servant corrects some of the wrong thinking and notion about being a disciple and teaches us what our true place and disposition should be. In the parable Jesus compared our relationship with God to that of a master and his servant. Where the servant had a duty to serve his master well and to do what he had been told to do without seeking for any compliments. Because the master has no obligation to congratulate or please the servant. 

Therefore, telling us that we are “unworthy servants” before our Worthy and righteous God who loves us even in our unworthiness. So disciples should not seek reward for their good deeds. For our obedience to God is required by the very nature of who God is and not something to boast about or seek a reward for, since our obedience to him is that of a son or daughter to a loving Father.

Dear friends, today we are reminded that in following Jesus, we should do all our good works in humility without any strange attachment. We should do what we can to help others we meet on our way for no reason other than to help for the seek of helping. And St. Paul in our first reading tells us how each and every one of us ought to behave in the respective positions we found ourselves, 

Therefore, as a faithful servant, all that is required is for us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly before God without seeking any reward for that is what we are called to do. Remember that everything that happens to us, whether prosperous or adverse, comes from God, so that you neither become puffed up in prosperity nor discouraged in adversity. Thus, in anything you do avoid evil, do good, and seek peace.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, teach us how to be a humble and faithful servant, even when it is difficult. Grant us the grace to be faithful and humble servants at any level we find ourselves without seeking for rewards. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen  Do have a faithful day.

Homily For Monday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 7th, November 2022

 Readings: Titus 1:1-9; Ps.24; Luke 17:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

FRATERNAL CHARITY REQUIRES THAT WE CONSTANTLY FORGIVE AND CORRECT ONE ANOTHER

The fragile nature of the human person has made it clear that we are not perfect, as we are likely to offend one another in any relationship we find ourselves. As a result of this, there is need for us to learn how to accommodate one another’s imperfections. But one of the major challenges we face in most relationships today is the ability to properly accommodate and correct one another especially when one is straying from the norms set up for the good of the relationship.

This is what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today, for he gave us the practical steps we need to follow in order to correct and reconcile with one another so as to build a stronger relationship when he said, be on your guard for when your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, “I am sorry,” you must forgive him.’

Here, Jesus calls us to forgive and apply fraternal correction in any relationship we find ourselves, for we are responsible for one another’s welfare and these steps and stages give room for reconciliation and accommodation. So, fraternal correction must always be inspired by real charity which is one of the spiritual works of mercy. Though, this is never an easy task especially when one has to bear the sacrifice of forgiveness, because forgiving a very grievous offense is one of the most difficult things to do.

However, forgiven a grievous offense is like recovery a lost treasure that contains: joy, peace, freedom, healthy mind and healing. But how often do we seek to recover this lost treasure in our lives caused by unforgiveness? Hence Jesus today calls us to persistently seek for reconciliation until we gain our brothers and sisters back whenever they have offended and separated from us. But if they refused to be reconciled we should pray for their conversion. For in all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer, knowing that God manifests his mercy when he transforms people and lead them to conversion, as he changes us and turns us from selfish and rebellious individuals into truly loving persons. For we are meant to watch over our neighbours. And it is necessary for us to cultivate a good character and show good example in any stage and level we find ourselves.

Little wonder St. Paul addressing the issues of leadership said to Titus in our first reading today: I told you: that a leader must be a man of irreproachable character; he must not have been married more than once, and his children must be believers and not uncontrollable or liable to be charged with disorderly conduct. Since, as president, he will be God’s representative, he must be irreproachable: never an arrogant or hot-tempered man, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor out to make money; but a man who is hospitable and a friend of all that is good; sensible, moral, devout and self-controlled; and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition.

Dear friends, it is our duty, obligation and responsibility to ensure in a fraternal charity that our fellow brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours, colleagues and collaborators are forgiven, corrected and guided whenever they go astray. For each and every one of us have the responsibility to strengthen our relationship and be a good examples for one another as we work the path towards our salvation. Therefore, mutual love and fraternal charity are the only way and process of fulfill this obligation.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are rebellious and proud people, we lack the courage and disposition to correct and accept corrections, give us the grace and courage to correct one another in fraternal charity as we also learn to accept corrections when corrected. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.