Homily For Thursday of the First Week of Advent Year A, 1st December, 2022. Happy New Month

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW IS MY LIFE AND ACTIONS REFLECTING THE WORD OF GOD WE HEAR EVERYDAY

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 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, how is our lives and actions reflecting the Word of God we hear everyday? 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.

Homily Wednesday First Week of Advent Year A, 30th November, 2022

The Feast of St. Andrew Apostle 

Readings Rom 10:9-18; Ps.19:2-5; Matt 4:18-22

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING TO THE INVITATION TO LEAVE BEHIND THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING TO FOLLOW THE LORD?

As this month comes to an end, liturgy of today presents to us the feast of St Andrew one of the Apostles of Christ and our Gospel today tells us the story of how a call from the Lord changed the direction of the lives of the first disciples, who left everything and followed him. Andrew being one of them, was previously one of the disciple of St. John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ. Andrew according to scriptures proclaimed the good news to his brother, Peter (John 1:40-41). He was the one who brought the boy with loaves of bread and fish to him, that he might give them to the people all waiting in hunger. And St Andrew sets an example that points certain things at the heart of preaching the Gospel. He was involved in introducing the Greeks to Jesus and also joined in spreading the Gospel beyond the confines of Palestine. 

The life of St Andrew shows us that being a preacher involves having a clear conviction and faith in Jesus and readiness to share this faith and conviction with others. He dedicated himself just as his brother Peter and the other Apostles in ministering to the people and proclaiming the Lord’s coming. And even after the Lord had ascended into Heaven, he continued to preach the faith. He brought the faith to many places such as Ukraine, Russia, Balkans, Greece and other places. 

Andrew worked hard in spreading the Good News to those who are yet to witness the Lord and embrace his salvation. For through him many were converted and inspired by his works and preaching. He also established many Churches and built foundation for many Christian communities. He was  the first Bishop of the Christian community in the city of Constantinople. However, Andrew like other Apostles encountered persecution and sufferings in Greece, where he was arrested, and was greatly tortured and eventually martyred by crucifixion. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is referred today as the Cross of St. Andrew, in memory of his faith and dedication to the mission of Christ.

Dear friends, how are we responding to the invitation to leave behind the things of this passing world and following the Lord? For following the Lord requires leaving behind the things if this passing world. So, today we are called like St Andrew to follow Jesus and following Jesus means leaving behind the life we have now and embrace the new life God is offering to us. When we opt to follow Jesus, our life revolves around him. It’s no longer what we feel like doing, but what his word instructs us to do. It also means leaving behind our sinful ways of life and embrace holiness of life. Therefore, let St. Andrew be our inspiration and role model in our responding to the calling of the Lord to spread the Good News. 

So let us be conscious of what St. Paul is telling us in our first reading saying: But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent. Hence, the Lord is sending us, let us follow the good examples of St. Andrew in responding to the Lord Invitation to follow him.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are called to follow your Son Jesus, as we respond to this call, may we through the intercession of St Andrew find inner joy in our soul that will prompt us to spread the Good News of the Gospel with faith and conviction. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday in the First Sunday of Advent Year A, 29th November, 2022

Readings Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps 71., Luke 10:21-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WE ARE BLESSED AND  PRIVILEGED TO SHARE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST 

As we, we continue with the event of Advent, when we reflect of the two folds coming of the Lord. We are reminded of the need to participate actively in the mission of Christ and to spend more time with God, and prepare ourselves for his coming just like the disciples in the Gospel passage today. For after the seventy disciples of Jesus returned from the mission he sent them. They rejoiced concerning the great things they have done in his name. 

So, Jesus says, “‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Then he said to his disciples “blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it”.  

Here, Jesus rejoiced in his disciples, because of the grace God his Father has given to them to share in the mission of the Son. Yes, the disciples are blessed because, in Jesus, they are beginning to recognize the long awaited Messiah which prophets and Kings longed to see but could not. Just as we heard from prophet Isaiah in our first reading today when he said: a shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests. His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless, his sentences bring death to the wicked. Integrity is the loincloth round his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips. That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.

Dear friends, like the disciples, we also have been given this same grace. So , we are blessed and privileged to share in the mission of Christ. For whenever we spread the word of God, we are sharing in the mission of Jesus, and this should give us great joy because God chose us and give us the privilege to share in the mission of his Son. For he had brought his salvation into the world, for the restoration of hope for all humanity who dwell in darkness in need of the light of Christ, which we are called to embrace in this season of Advent.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words this season, may we share greatly in the mission of Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Wishing you a glorious day.

Homily For Monday in First Week of Advent Year A, 28th November, 2022

Readings: Is. 4:2-6;  Ps.122; Matt 8:5-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 LEARN TO PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION JUST LIKE THE ROMAN CENTURION 

In our catechism class we were taught that faith is a supernatural gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused in us by God. Little wonder our level of faith are not the same. However, our gift of faith grows depending on our disposition and utilization of the gift. That is why, when Jesus invites people to faith and conversion, he does not coerced them, rather they come to faith through their disposition and utilization of their experience with him. 

This is exactly the case with the Roman centurion in our Gospel passage today, who sorts help for his sick servant, he approached Jesus for healing, but when Jesus accepted to come to his home, the centurion hesitates, feeling unworthy of Jesus’ presence in his home, said to him “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed”.  

Here the centurion believed that Jesus can speak a word of healing, and that will be enough to cure his servant. He has total faith and trust in the power of Jesus’ word. For him, the servant did not even have to hear Jesus speak the word: it was enough that the word was spoken. Jesus praised his faith and genuine humility. Today, these words of the centurion has become a pattern of prayer for us, that before receiving Holy Communion we say it passionately because, his faith and compassion are inspiring example for us to follow. 

This is exactly the kind of faith that all of us must have as well especially in this Advent season. The faith that leads us to seek God wholeheartedly, to be humble before Him and to love Him above all and not to allow our pride, ego and desires lead us into faithlessness, disobedience and sin against God. And when this is done we can understand the message of prophet Isaiah in first reading today when he said: that the branch of the Lord shall be beauty and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be the pride and adornment of Israel’s survivors. Those who are left of Zion and remain of Jerusalem shall be called holy.

Dear friends, let us learn to put into action the gift of faith that Lord has given us just like this Roman Centurion. But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: do we still have total faith and trust in God just like the centurion? What is our disposition towards the gift of faith that God has given us? Do you know that our experiences of evil, injustice, suffering and death can shake or shape the gift of faith in us depending on our disposition. The centurion interceded for his sick servant, do we intercede for others who are in need of God’s healing and mercy? Do we know that we can speak God’s word in prayer and someone, somewhere, will find healing? Do we often like this centurion, recognize in all humility our unworthiness before God?  We are called today to learn from this man’s act of humility and faith.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are weak and oftentimes we display an act of faithlessness due to the pressure and challenges of life, as we embrace the season of Advent may you increase our faith and make us humble and patience. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed week.

Homily For First Sunday of Advent Year A, 27th November, 2022

Readings: Is. 2:1-5; Ps.122; Romans 13:11-14; Matt. 24:37-44

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

IS TIME TO CAST OFF THE WORKS OF DARKNESS AND PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF LIGHT FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS CLOSE AT HAND

Today is the beginning of another liturgical circle in the liturgical calendar of the Church. Given that every first Sunday of Advent that comes after the celebration of Christ the Universal King that end the liturgical circle in year C, the Church begins another liturgical year within the three years of A, B and C. So today we are beginning the liturgical circle with year A in the Holy season of Advent. The season of Advent as we know is one of the most important season in the life of every Christian. The word Advent comes from the Latin root, Adventus, which means ‘arrival’ though from the root word advenire whereby “ad”  means ‘to’ and venire means ‘come’ that is, “to come” or “the coming of someone great”. 

Moreover, Advent season is a period of intense preparations and a time of waiting in hope for the coming of the Lord which is in two folds: first the coming of the Lord as the Messiah that is the birth of Jesus at Christmas. And secondly, the return of Jesus at the Second Coming “ the parousia”. This is why Advent season is divided into two parts. The first which runs from the first Sunday until 16th of December dwells on the second coming of Christ which is regarded as the eschatological aspect of Advent. While the second aspect which focuses on the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem runs from 17th -24th December.

Hence, Advent is a season characterized with four major themes which include: ‘Hope’, ‘Peace’, ‘Joy’ and ‘Love’. So, on this first week of Advent our focus is on hope and preparation. A joyful hope that prepares us for the coming of our Saviour who is our hope. Thus, as we anticipate the birth of Christ who is the source of our salvation, our hope and the Light that dispels the darkness of this world, it is our duty as Christians to keep hope alive in the world, for as long as there is hope, no situation is impossible.

But what should be our disposition this Holy season of Advent? Our disposition should be the one of watchful expectation in order to recognize the Lord and be at peace with him when he comes. We are to be ready and prepared to welcome him with joy in our daily lives. Hence, this is the season of reconciliation between us and God and also with one another. It is a season when we have to reexamine our way of life. It is a time of reconfiguration of our lives to that of Christ.

 It is also a season to take stock of what we have done and what we are going to do from now onwards. This is important because our disposition to welcoming the Lord take place by our ways of doing things, our desire for conversion and holiness, which shapes our lives more to that of Christ who showers his love, mercy and compassion to all.

This is what the readings of this season calls our attention to, especially in the two fold coming of Christ as we have it in today’s readings. For in the first reading today, we heard prophet Isaiah saying: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. 

And we heard St. Paul in our second reading saying: brethren, you know what hour it is now, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The night is far gone, the daylight is at hand. let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark; let us arm ourselves and appear in the light. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day: not in revelling and drunkenness, no more promiscuity or licentiousness, and no more quarrelling or jealousy. Let us put on the armour of Christ and make no provision for the flesh.

While in the Gospel the Lord Jesus urges us to be awake at all times for our salvation is very near so that we will not be taken by surprise and unprepared. He said: As it was in days of Noah, so will it be when the Son of Man comes. For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes. Then of two men in the fields one is taken, one left; of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left.

Here, we can see how life was going on normally when flood 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. For there are many deceivers in the world who are making us to be too comfortable with the things of this passing world at expense of heavenly things.

Dear friends, today we are called to be ready, we are called to repentance, we are called to embrace the new life the Lord is offering us. We are called to a life of constant struggle towards perfection. 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, for there will be no time to repent when that day comes. 

This is what this season of Advent is all about and the Church is offering us another opportunity to encounter the Lord personally and to make that encounter a permanent experience. We should place our hope in Christ for while there is hope there is life. For it is because of the Lord that we can hope once again, knowing that beyond the sufferings of humanity due to sin and death, there is Light that dispels the falsehoods of evil and the despair of darkness that covers the whole world.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace this season in expectation of the coming of Christ your Son, may the Holy Spirit inspire us to have the right disposition that will able us to embrace the Lord when he comes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday and God bless you.

Homily For Saturday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 26th November, 2022

Readings: Rev. 20:1-7, Ps.94, Luke:21:34-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW WATCHFUL AND PREPARED ARE YOU FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD?

The things of this world is so captivating that if we are not careful we will be like a foolish traveler who having encountered a pleasant garden forgets to continue towards his destination. This is exactly what Jesus is trying to draw our attention to in our Gospel passage today when he said: Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. 

Here Jesus is reprimanding us concerning the danger of attaching ourselves so deeply in the things of this passing world. For we are often interested in external beauty of things around us while neglecting the essence of life. We are interested only on worldly goods and not the things of the heart like justice, mercy, forgiveness, love and compassion. So Jesus is telling us to change our ugly ways of life, for it is time for us to look into at our lives and examine ourselves to know whether we have been living in accordance with God’s will, or whether we have fallen astray. Then, we can also look forward towards the life that is to come which God has promised us through his Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

And this coming of our Lord is what St. John in our first reading today is talking about when he said that: the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in its place in the city; where his servants will worship him, they will see him face to face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. It will never be night again and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them. For they will reign for ever and ever.  

Dear friends, we believe that our true homeland is in heaven. But, how watchful and prepared for the coming of the Lord? How are we preparing to embrace our heavenly home? Today people hardly reflect about the coming of Christ that was so strong in the early days of the Christian movement which left a strong impression upon the disciples of Christ. So like the servants awaiting for their master’s return, we are called to be ready and to watch at all times for the day of the Lord which will come at the hour we do not know. 

Hence, we are to be prepared knowing that our most important ‘treasure’ is our heavenly home which God has promised to give us. Therefore, the best thing we can do with our worldly possessions is to use them for the good of others especially the poor since we are responsible and accountable for one another’s welfare. And this divine generosity is meant to help us in preparation for the coming of Christ. Remember what really matters in life is our capacity and readiness to receive what God has in store for us in heaven.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we continue our struggles with the ugly events of this passing world, may you continue to guide us and strengthen us in our journey of life and help us to endure our trials and challenges, for you alone are our source of strength, hope and fulfillment in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 25th th November, 2022

 Readings: Rev. 20:1-4,11-21:2, Ps.83, Luke:21:29-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW ARE WE INTERPRETING THE SIGNS OF THIS PASSING WORLD?

One of the doctors and mystics of the Church St. John of the Cross says that: the further you withdraw from earthly things the closer you approach heavenly things and the more you find yourself in God. This  advice will be very helpful as we come to the end of this liturgical year and about to embrace the season of Advent, when the Church calls our attention on the need to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.

Hence, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us about the passing away of the things of this world and the dreadful events associated with it in relation to the end time events. He illustrates the signs of this event with the story of the fig tree, telling us to take notice of the signs of the times for they will help us to discern between what is of true value and what is passing away. For heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of the Lord  will never pass away.

Here Jesus, presents the final recommendations of the end time. He insists that we should pay rapt attention to the signs nature is giving us concerning the end time events, that these signs should lead to have hope founded firmly on the word of God which drives away fear and despair, knowing that the kingdom of God is very near to us. This is even more evidence in our first reading today, where we heard about the final defeat of the devil, the great enemy and deceiver of humanity. 

For he has been deceiving humanity by turning us away from our God and making us to believe that this world is our home. So we are reminded once again that all those who refuse to believe in God and chose to follow the devil and his false prophets will be destroyed and defeated completely. For he and his agents and those who follow him will be thrown into the burning lake of eternal darkness. While God’s faithful people will triumph victoriously into heaven as beautiful bride dressed for her husband.

Dear friends, how are we embracing the word of God we hear at this period? What signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs of this times, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these signs make us to dread the second coming of the Lord or to joyfully embrace it in anticipation? Remember, the words of Jesus are truth that will never pass away. Therefore, Stand erect, hold your heads high, because our liberation is near at hand.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, humanity have been greatly deceived by the devil, who has made us to be so much attached to the things of this passing world. As we embrace your words this season, may our souls once again long and yearn for you our God, the living God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s Friday, may the joy of the Lord be our strength.