Homily For Friday Third Week of Advent Year A, 16th December, 2022

Readings Is. 56:1-3.6-8;Ps. 67; John 5:33-36

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW IS MY WAYS OF LIFE TESTIFYING ABOUT JESUS AND OUR SALVATION

Today as we make the end of the first face of the Holy Season of Advent, our Gospel passage presents to us the response of Jesus concerning his authority. For he said:  you sent messengers to John, and he gave his testimony to the truth, not that I depend on human testimony; no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this. John was a lamp alight and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave. But my testimony is greater than John’s: the works my Father has given me to carry out, these same works of mine testify that the Father has sent me.’

Here, Jesus is teaching his listeners about his personality and he wants to assure us that he is speaking the truth about himself. He made it clear that his mission comes from the Father and that his works are proof of this. He then used the mage of a shining lamp as a powerful way of describing the faith of John. Jesus tells us that while he respects the testimony of John the Baptist, for crucial evidence we should look at the works that he has done in obedience to his Father. So the first witness Jesus gave was the testimony of John the Baptist. Then in his second and third witnesses, Jesus appeals to the miracles he performed by divine power of God his Father. But the Jewish authorities failed to believe in these testimonies.

Dear friends, do we truly believe in the testimonies of Christ as we have it in our scriptures today? How is my way of life testifying about Jesus and the salvation he came to offer us? Today, as we are called to deepen our belief in the coming of Jesus, we invited to be a light of faith for those around us. So, let us make our ways of life reflect our belief in Jesus. So that people can look into our life and our actions, rather than rely on just spoken evidence of our mouths and so dispel the darkness of doubt and unbelief in our hearts.

Little wonder, we heard the Lord through prophet Isaiah in our first reading today saying: Have a care for justice, act with integrity, for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest. And blessed is the man who does this and the son of man who clings to it: observing the sabbath, not profaning it, and keeping his hand from every evil deed. Therefore, let us make our lives living testimonies of Christ’s love and salvation for all humanity. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we await the coming of Christ, make us instruments of peace and the testimonies of your presence with us even in the midst of all the challenges around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Thursday Third Week of Advent Year A, 15th December, 2022

Readings Is. 54:1-10;Ps. 30; Luke 7: 24-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW ARE YOU PLAYING YOUR ROLE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST ?

As Christians, one of the mandate that Jesus gave to us is to proclaim the Good News of our salvation, for in this mandate everyone of us has a special role to play. But the question is how are we playing this role? In our Gospel passage today, Jesus talks about the mission and role of John the Baptist when after John’s messengers had gone he said: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: See, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare the way before you. ‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John.

Here, Jesus talk about the manner in which John the Baptist plays his role in the mission entrusted to him.  John knew who he was in the sight of God. He knew his strengths and his weaknesses, he knew that his life was centered on Christ. No doubt the mission of John the Baptist was quite challenging as he encountered many obstacles just like other prophets before him. He faced strong opposition and rejection from the Pharisees who doubted and challenged his teaching and works for baptism of repentance of which many people believed in him. 

This though, was not a burden for him, for he clearly understood God’s sovereignty, he understood who Jesus is. He rejoiced in the coming of Jesus and his role in the mission and life of Jesus. He knew he was the announcer of Good News, but not the Good News itself. However, he did not have to make a public show of himself. He was not out to promote his own ministry or reputation. Even though it seems as if he is becoming insignificance when Jesus arrived, he did not feel so. His aim was to identify Jesus to the people which he did with all humility. 

Thus, John shows us what it means to be a true disciple of the Lord. That as disciples, we should not allow pride, ambition, ego and selfish desire to dictate how we live our lives. If not, we will easily be carried away by worldly temptations and lose our way by falling deep into the trap of sin. Rather, we are called to be humble and to be faithful to God at all times. Hence, prophet Isaiah in our first reading  today said: do not be afraid, you will not be put to shame, do not be dismayed, you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth.

Dear friends, we all have a significant place in the plan of God. No doubt that John understood his role in the mission of Christ and shows the essence of humility in exercising it. Do we have any clue of what our role is in the mission of Christ? In what ways do we exemplify humility in the little task entrusted to us? Let us learn from John the Baptist how to humbly exercise our role in any task or mission entrusted to us. 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, you created each one of us to fulfill your plan on earth, grant us the grace to faithfully and courageously fulfill our mission and purpose in this world. As we contemplate the example of John the Baptist, may we learn to be humble in carrying out the mission and vocation entrusted to us, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and joyful day.

Homily For Wednesday Third Week of Advent Year A, 14th December, 2022. The Memorial of St. John of the Cross

Readings Is. 45:6-8,18,21-25, Ps. 85, Luke: 7:19-23

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO DO NOT LOSE FAITH IN GOD

In our world today, there are so many people who are confused about their faith in Christ Jesus as the Messiah. And the way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst of the ugly situation that are challenging our faith in God. For some are yet to embrace the teaching of the Church about the person of Jesus and his coming in glory, just like the disciples of John the Baptist who in our Gospel passage today came to Jesus asking him whether he is the Messiah and Saviour that the world had been waiting for, since John the Baptist sent them.

Thus, Jesus told them to Go back and tell John what they have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me. For all had proclaimed the fulfilment of the Lord’s prophecies and promises, and no further explanation or proof is required.

Here, we can see that some situation can make someone as great as John the Baptist to have doubts about the person of Christ. But this was because at that time, there had been plenty of false Messiahs that arose and led the people into rebellion as we have it in our world today. But they all failed, since they were all false and not the true Messiah. Although St. John the Baptist had indeed seen the signs when he baptised the Lord, and he recognised Him as the Lamb of God, the Saviour, but he did still have some doubts.

Dear friends, we may somehow have some doubt about the coming of the Lord. But this should not discourage us. For if someone as dedicated and faithful as St. John the Baptist had doubt in the Lord, then all the more shall all of us experience such doubt. However, we should hold on to our faith because our doubt can not change what God has planned. Because if we do not hold firm to our faith in God, we will end up losing our faith as well as our way and the grace he is offering us. 

That is why in this season of Advent  we are reminded of the salvation and grace that God has given to us to hold on for his coming into our souls. And prophet Isaiah in our first reading tells us to hold on to God for apart from him, all is nothing. Let us turn to him and be saved for he is a God of integrity and a Savour. Let us learn from St. John of the Cross whose memorial we celebrate today. 

St. John of the Cross is one of the great doctors and mysticists of the Church who truly understands and embraced the authority of Jesus and so inspires in our soul, how to continue to be in love with the Lord, he said:  What more do you want my soul and what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess all the riches, delights, satisfactions, and fullness of the kingdom of your beloved whom you desire and seek. Therefore, be joyful and glad in your interior recollection with him for you have him so close to you. Desire him deep within your soul, and there adore him. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself for he is deep with you. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are so fragile and weak, always quick to doubt. Help us to hold on to our faith in you even in the midst of all our doubts. May we not allowed our fears and doubts to mislead or distract us from the blessings of this season. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent Year A, 13th December, 2022. The Memorial of St. Lucy

Readings Zeph. 3:1-2,9-13, Ps. 33, Matt. 21:28-32

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD IS WATCHING AND WAITING FOR OUR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE 

One of the gifts that God gave to humanity is the gift of freedom. This freedom though comes with great responsibility, since we are responsible for whatever comes out with regards to how we manage our freedom. We are free to chose whatever we like but we are also responsible for the consequences of our choice. However, because of our fragile nature, we often make grievous mistakes in our choices even when God has given us all the necessary guidelines towards making right decision but out of disobedience, we frequently failed to follow this guidelines. Today we are meant to know that repentance and obedience are necessary disposition towards attaining our ultimate goal in life, which is eternal life.

This is exactly what today’s Gospel passage is addressing, when Jesus in the parable of the Two Sons said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My Son, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. 

Here, we see how repentance and obedience helped this first son to make the right decision about his father’s request while the second son failed because of negligence, irresponsibility and disobedience. Thus, the second son represents those of us Christians who promised to work for God’s kingdom but have failed and so excluding ourselves from the kingdom. While the first son represents those ‘sinners’ who first chose to go their own way but now have repented and begin to follow the way of the Lord, by so doing, they have gained access to God’s kingdom. 

So in the first son we see someone who reflected on his decision, realized that he was wrong, decided to make it right by taking full responsibility for his decision. For when the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. But if the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. This is because the righteous would perish for their sins of disobedience, while sinner would be saved by their act of repentance and obedience. This tells us the important of repentance and obedience when rooted in humility, for they are necessary disposition towards attaining eternal life.

This disposition is exactly what prophet Zephaniah is emphasizing in our first reading when he called us for repentance so that when that day comes we need feel no shame for all the misdeeds we have committed against the Lord. Thereby teaching us the right disposition that we all have been called to show in our daily lives especially in our relationship with our God and with others.

Dear friends, in our journey of life have we made wrong decisions but finding it difficult to change our minds and put things right? Are we thinking of leaving the right path to follow the sinful paths because of the ugly condition we are passing through now? Are we thinking that our righteous ways of life, have not being fruitful because sinners are gaining more ground than we do? Are we living in sin now thinking that God will not punish us? Or are we thinking that it is not possible to repent now because of the gravity of our sins? 

The truth remains that God is watching and waiting for us to change our minds. He is waiting for us to decide to make things right and take responsibility for our actions. He is watching and waiting for us to repent and have the right disposition to make the right decisions, but his waiting can not be for eternity. All we need is the right disposition that is rooted in humble obeisance and repentance of our sinful and ugly ways of life. Let learn from St. Lucy whose memorial we celebrate today, for she is known for her humble obedience and faithful to God. Today is known as the patron saint of those with eye problems are suffering an eye illness

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have often abused the gift of freedom which you have given us and have strayed from the path you have made for us as a result of our sinfulness. Through the intercessions of St. Lucy, give us the grace of true repentance in humble obedience as you guide us through the right path of life. We as this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday of the Third Week of Advent Year A, 12th December, 2022

Readings Num. 24:2-7,15-17, Ps. 24, Matt. 21:23-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR NOTION ABOUT THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS?

In our dealings with people, we are often requested to make reference to authorities in order to backup our claim to know or possess anything. And when such authority is not available we may not be taking seriously. Little wonder our gospel passage today, presents to us the fundamental question concerning the source of Jesus’ authority, namely whether it is divine or human. Here the chief priests and elders were more concerned to learn whether Jesus had received the proper human authorization by questioning the source of his authority. 

In response, Jesus draws their attention to John the Baptist and his authority and by so doing he implies that the source of John's authority is the source of his as well. Thus, anyone who correctly identifies the source of John's authority will definitely identify the source of Jesus’ own as well. Therefore the questions we need to ask ourselves are: What is our notion about the authority of Jesus? Do we have any doubt about the authority of Jesus? How much of this authority dwells in you? The crowds identified the source of John and Jesus’ authority as divine, have we personally identified the divine authority of Jesus in our lives? Why not ask him to manifest his power and authority once more in your life?

Little wonder we heard how Balaam in our first reading acknowledged the authority of God saying: the oracle of Balaam son of Beor ,oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes, the oracle of one who hears the word of God. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened. How fair are your tents, O Jacob! How fair your dwellings, Israel! A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples. His king is greater than Agag, his majesty is exalted.’

Dear friends, as we go on with our recollection this advent season, we need to open up our hearts to truly embrace the authority of the Lord Jesus. We need to build up our interior lives around his authority. We need to be more close to God and continue to prepare ourselves physically and spiritually as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus in our hearts and in our souls. For there he await our response to his invitation to holiness and love. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, in your divine authority we build our confidence and hope. May you continue to direct and guide our ways and bring our plans and purposes to a successful end, through Christ our Lord. Amen. It’s another week, wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.

Homily For Saturday the Second Week of Advent Year A, 10th December, 2022

 Reading: Sir. 48:1-4.9-12; Ps 80; Matt. 17:10-13

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WAIT NO LONGER FOR THE PROPHETS, RATHER EMBRACE THEIR MESSAGE

In our societies today people often desire to hear the message from the prophet to know what God is saying as regards their situation in life. This is the disposition of the people at the time of Jesus. Little wonder in our Gospel passage today we heard how the disciples of Jesus after their experience of the Lord’s transfiguration, as they were coming down from the mountains, they asked Jesus saying: why do the scribes say then that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hand.

Here a reference is made to John the Baptist, the one who was the Herald of the Messiah, the one who prepared the path for the Lord Jesus as predicted by the prophets. So, Jesus mentioned how John was the fulfilment of those prophecies, and indeed, his works and ministry had prepared the path for his coming into this world. Meanwhile, John the Baptist had often been compared with the prophet Elijah because both of them have some similarities, they lived in similar manner, travelling in the wilderness, proclaiming repentance and the coming of God’s salvation as we heard about prophet Elijah in our first reading today.

Indeed, John the Baptist  can be likened to prophet Elijah sent into the world to finish the works that Elijah had once initiated. Though, John the Baptist had the spirit of the prophet Elijah, which was not the same as being the same person, so both by that extension had the same ministry among the people of God, and they used same approach and efforts to pass the message of God to his people. Both suffered because of their teaching and mission. Jesus also would face the same reality.

Dear friends, today we are called to reflect on the lives and mission of these two great prophets especially in this Advent season so that we too may become more faithful by following their examples and faith. We do not need to keep waiting for prophets to come again rather we should embrace the message these great prophets have for us. And their message is quite simple, they are calling us to repentance, they are calling us to love, they are calling us to make the path of our lives straight, they are calling us to embrace the Lord Jesus and the gift of salvation he is offering us this season.

LET US PRAY: Heaven Father, as we listen to your words through your prophets calling us to repentance, love and preparation, may we embrace your word and so prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.

Homily For Third Sunday of Advent Year A (Gaudete Sunday), 11th December, 2022

 Readings: Is.35:1-6.10; Ps. 145; James 5:7-10; Luke 3:10-18

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

HOW CAN WE REJOICE IN A WORLD FULL OF CRISIS, WICKEDNESS, CORRUPTION AND SIN?

The entrance antiphon of today’s Mass begins by saying: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. Yes, every third Sunday of Advent the Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday in Advent season when we are called to rejoice for the coming of the Lord is very near. On this Sunday, we put on rose vestments a colour that is only used twice in the entire liturgical year, first on a day like this when we celebrate the Gaudete Sunday and secondly on the fourth Sunday of Lent when we celebrate the Laetare Sunday. This Gaudete Sunday is named as such because we are called to rejoice in the Lord forever.

So, our focus this Sunday is on the theme of Joy and we can recall that for the past two Sundays of Advent our focus were on the aspects of Hope and Peace. This theme of Joy ushers us into the most important disposition of the season of Advent that calls us to preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas when the true Joy of the Lord will be born in our hearts. Little wonder prophet Isaiah in our first reading today said: Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. Strengthen all weary hands, Steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming, 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. They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.

This message of hope and joy came in anticipation for the liberation of the people of Israel from their long exile in Babylon for they had faced great humiliation and sufferings due to their own infidelities and stubbornness, their abandonment of God, His laws and commandments. Because of these grievous sins, they were sent to exile in Babylon where they were brought low and defeated, but as the Lord remembered them and promised to save them, prophet Isaiah called them once again to rejoice. This joyous return to Zion of the liberated Israelites through the transformed Syrian desert are signs of the messianic era. The signs of the coming of God’s Kingdom into this World which will bring victory over afflictions and joy over sadness, life over death through Christ Jesus our Lord whose coming is the beginning of the new world to come. So, we are called to rejoice for the day of the Lord is close at hand.

Dear friends, how can we rejoice in a world full of crisis, wickedness, corruption and sin? Because the ugly situation humanity has found herself today is quite similar to the situation of the people of Israel in Babylon. Today humanity has found herself in Babylon of different degrees and it seems as if no hope for her restoration. Today humanity has found herself in deep Babylon of sin and corruption, impurity, evil of the highest order. We have found ourselves in Babylon of iniquities of the highest degree, we have found ourselves in Babylon of wars, kidnapping and killing of each other. We have found ourselves in Babylon of hatred as never before. People hating each other at different levels, colours, religion even within our families and shamelessly among married couples. 

Oh humanity, why have we chosen to dwell in Babylon of greediness, where one will choose to kill, blackmail and tarnish the good image of people just to have it all? I, I, I, me, me, me, is the slogan of the day, if I can’t have it no one will have it. Oh poor humanity, why have we chosen to dwell in Babylon of immorality at the highest level in the history of mankind. No single respect for the sanctity of the human body and soul. We dine in sexual immorality of different degrees and we package them with beautiful names to make them even more captivating. Everything we do now must be sexy in order to gain recognition. 

What is going on with us, when will these Babylon be over?  When are we going to say no to these ugly ways of life. When will we say no to oppression and criminal activities? When will we say no to killing, blackmail and tarnishing of the good image of one another. When will we say no to corruption, impurity and greediness. When will we say no to hatred and unforgiveness. When will we say yes to integrity, holiness, purity of heart? When will we say yes to peace, to love, to kindness and care for one another. 

Today in our Gospel passage we heard how the Lord Jesus said to the people after responding to the disciples of John the Baptist who came asking if Jesus is the Messiah or they should wait for another person. He said to them: Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’, And talk about John the Baptist, Jesus said: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen.

My dear friends, we can truly rejoice when we embrace this message of Jesus. We can only rejoice when we say yes  to God and no to evil. We can only rejoice when we become agents of peace and learn to wait patiently for the Lord’s will to be done in our lives. Little wonder St.  James in our second reading today said: Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of your love and joy, as you call us to rejoice today in preparation for the coming  of your Son our Lord Jesus, help us to do away with our ugly ways of life that prevents us for obtaining your true Joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Sunday to you.