Homily For Wednesday Thirty- first Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 8th November 2023

Readings:  Romans 13:8-10; Ps.112; Luke 14:25-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE SACRIFICIAL NATURE OF DISCIPLESHIP

As true disciples of Christ, we must constantly reflect on our discipleship in order to be aware of the seriousness of the commitment required of us. This is important as Jesus in our Gospel passage today, takes his discourse on discipleship to a radical and difficult level when he said: ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’

 

Here, Jesus teaches about the cost of discipleship. That there is a price to be paid. However, Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions in family life, but he wants us to accept the consequences that come with the truth of the Gospel teaching, more importantly, when it comes to living out the Gospel message radically, especially in a situation where our family values have been thrown out of caution as a result of secularism, individualism and excess desires for worldly pleasures, thereby neglecting the things that lead us to God.

 

So, these hard words of Jesus can only be understood in the light of our life experience, because there are moments when we have to make radical and difficult choices as disciples of Jesus. These moments may wield the sword of division or separation among those people and things which are so dear to us. Thus, he warns that we have to struggle to put him first, before family ties, knowing that divisions will surely occur as people have to decide to be for or against God. Hence, he states that the cost of discipleship extends to one even losing his life. For none of us can become his disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to God over all other competing loyalties in our lives including family, self-interest, and possessions.

 

Dear friends, how much are we willing to let go for the sake of discipleship? Do we find it too demanding? In what ways? Is giving up ‘all my possessions’ realistic and if not what does this passage mean to me? Whatever my response may be, may God give us the grace to grow in freedom, to be ready to follow and to serve him in a new way and also be able to speak to the Lord about the points of difficulty in paying this cost. Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading tells us to avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts from becoming good disciples, give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly desires, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing people and things that are dear to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Tuesday Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 7th November 2023

Readings: Rom. 12:5-16; Ps.131; Luke 14:15-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHAT EXCUSES ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE GOD FOR NOT HONOURING HIS INVITATION TO HEAVEN?

 

Invitations to events and social gatherings are part of humanity's social ways of life. As usual, Jesus often uses the things we are very familiar with to teach us a very important lesson. Just yesterday he told us to cultivate the habit of inviting the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind to our banquets for they can not repay us.

 

On the occasion of our Gospel passage today Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet, how a man planned a large banquet and sent out invitations, but those invited gave excuses and turned the invitation down. So he opened the invitation to all who cares to come the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. Jesus ends the parable by saying that “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet”

 

Here, the master respected their excuses for not coming to the banquet even though they were not realistic. Because no one buys land without seeing it first, and the same can be said for buying oxen. And what, exactly, would keep a newly married couple from attending a social event? All the excuses in the parable show insincerity on the part of those invited. Hence the invitation is opened up to society’s maimed and downtrodden.

 

The fact is that, those who ignored the invitation to the banquet chose their own punishment, they missed out and the master respected their choice by making it permanent: they would not “taste of my banquet”, he said. So it will be with God’s judgment on those who choose to reject Christ or are so busy to respond to his invitation, they will have their choice confirmed, and they will never taste the joys of heaven. Therefore, let us learn to honour the invitation of God in humility.

 

Dear friends, the kingdom of God is opened for us today, let us not be too proud or busy to embrace it for the blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith. Let us learn to be humble and charitable with the gift God has given us. And we must not let the things of this world distract us from responding to God’s call and mission. Little wonder St. Paul said in our first reading: All of us, in union with Christ, form one body, and as parts of it we belong to each other. Our gifts differ according to the grace given to us. Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are too busy with the things of this passing world, as we hear about the invitation to your Heavenly Kingdom today, may we embrace it with all humility. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.

Homily For Monday Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 6th November, 2023

Readings: Rom. 11:29-36;  Ps. 69; Luke 14:12-14

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WILL YOU INVITE THE POOR WHO MAY NOT INVITE YOU IN RETURN?

 

A critical look at what is happening in our world today, it is obvious that the world is in a big crisis. This is because humanity has lost the true meaning of love. For we have abandoned God who is the source and power of love. Today people find it very difficult to love and do things for others for free. We want to know what we will gain from whatever we do for people, because of selfishness and greediness. So we are called to be more charitable to people especially the poor who can not pay us back.

 

Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today says: when you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

 

Here, Jesus gave us reasons why we should not be seeking for gain and rewards for everything we do here on earth, rather we must learn to help others especially the poor. For he made us know that it is natural and universal for human beings to seek for rewards for whatever they have done. But what makes his disciples different from other people is the ability to do good without seeking for rewards in this passing world. By so doing we will be imitating God our heavenly Father, who in his compassionate heart shows equal love to both the rich and the poor.

 

Hence, we are called to always consider the poor and those who are less privileged. For we cannot be true Christians unless we are willing to love sacrificially in our actions and interactions, in all situations and to everyone without exception just like our Lord God who cares for us all. Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading today says: How rich are the depths of God, how deep his wisdom and knowledge and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything?

 

Dear friends, how many of us Christians are willing and able to follow these instructions of the Lord? How many of us are ready to invite the poor and less privileged into our events of life? The truth is that the poor are not necessarily those who do not have money, but anyone who desires to benefit from God’s goodness in us. How I wish we would embrace this principle of loving and stretching the hands of friendship and peace to the poor and the less privileged, by investing more resources in things that bring about peace and friendship with one another, rather than separating us and depriving the poor of their rights. For when this is done, then the world will become more peaceful and loving.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God,  help us to learn how to invite the poor knowing that they are not able to pay us back but our rewards will be in heaven,  give us the grace to bear the sacrificial nature of this demand and so become a true sign of your loving presence to the poor and less privileged. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week.

Homily For Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 5th November, 2023

Readings: Mal.1:14-2:2.8-10; Ps.131; 1Thess.2:7-9.13; Matt. 23:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

PREACHING AND PRACTICING, THE CHARACTER OF A GOOD LEADER

 

Leadership is one of the characteristics of the human person, it is that which makes us unique from every other creature. It is a gift from God by which we serve him and our neighbour responsibly. But this gift often has been abused and misused by people who were entrusted with the responsibility of leading others, just like the Scribes and the Pharisees in the Gospel passage today, who had the responsibility to lead people to the Kingdom of heaven, but with their ugly ways of life,  they neither enter nor allow those who want to enter to go in.

 

Hence, Jesus told his disciples that since the scribes and the Pharisees occupied the chair of Moses. They must therefore do what they tell them and listen to what they say, but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move any. Everything they do is done to attract attention.

 

Here, Jesus made it clear that we should listen to what the authorities are saying to us. However, we should not be such people who do not put into practice what we teach. So, as Christians, we need to start practising what we preach, we need to do more witnessing than preaching. It is not enough to recall principles, state intentions, point to blatant injustice and utter prophetic denunciation; these kinds of words lack the real meaning of our faith unless they are accompanied by effective action manifested in our way of life.

 

Thus, Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, because, they misused the gift of leadership entrusted to them. So, today we are called not to be like them, rather, we should be humble, committed and responsible with whatever we are entrusted with. Jesus made us to know that the greatest among us must be the servant of all. Because anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

Also, from our Gospel, we need to acknowledge that our authority as leaders come from God, for we are not to pride ourselves as rabbis, teacher, leaders, father, mothers, priests, pastors and prophet in our name and capacity. Rather our actions should reflect the paternity of God in the way we live and serve others for it is God who allowed us to serve in his name. Therefore let us imitate our Lord Jesus by loving and serving God and neighbours in simplicity of heart.

 

Little wonder, the Lord in our first reading says: now, O priests and leaders of this world, this warning is for you. If you do not listen, if you do not find it in your heart to glorify my name, I will send the curse on you and curse your very blessing. But you, you have strayed from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your teaching and actions. This should not be our portion and lot.

 

Therefore, let us learn from St. Paul who said in our second reading: Let me remind you, brothers, how hard we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming God’s Good News to you. For like a mother feeding and looking after her children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well.

 

Dear friends, preaching the Word of God is not enough, we must learn to practice what we preach. We must strive to follow the examples of our Lord Jesus in his dedication and total commitment to God the Father, for he put into practice all of the words he spoke to us. Teaching us that, it is not sufficient to speak, we must put into practice what we spoke about. We must let the Word of God touch and shape our lives.  So, as leaders in different capacities, we are called not merely to hear God’s word but to daily put it into action. Let our actions reflect what we preach and represent.

 

Today, can we be that good leader that humanity seeks to encounter in the world? A leader who preach and also practices what he preaches, for that is the character of a good leader. Sadly, the world is full of leaders with a Pharisaic spirit of greediness, selfishness, pride and corruption. This is evident in the ugly situation of war, genocide, chaos, coups, terrorism and kidnapping happening all around the world. Today, we need leaders who will be truly servants of the people at all levels of leadership beginning from the self to the family, to societies and other levels where we may find ourselves. But what does it take to be a good leader? Jesus says humility that comes from a humble heart that wishes to serve and not to be served. A heart that understands that leadership is sacrificial. Can I be such a leader in my family, in society and country?

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, humanity are suffering because of corrupt, greedy and selfish leaders who occupy virtually every important position of leadership. As we embrace your words today, may we become good leaders in our families, societies and the world at large? We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Do have a fruitful day.

Homily For Saturday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 4th November, 2023. The Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo

Readings: Romans 12: 1-2.11-12.25-27; Ps  93; Luke 14:1.7-11

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

SAY NO TO PRIDE, LEARN TO BE HUMBLE

 

One of the virtues that is lacking in our world today is humility, this virtue is really lacking in our society today because pride has become a way of life which most people wish to embrace. Hence we often hear people saying in a very proud way, do you know who I am? By the time I finish with you then you will fear me. We hear people taking all sorts of honorific titles whether merited or not, they want to be addressed and recognized so gloriously at every public event.

 

This should not be our attitudes or disposition toward Jesus in our Gospel passage today while addressing the Pharisees told a parable about humility saying: When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

 

Here, we see the importance of humility, we see how humility can help elevate someone from nothingness to something great. While pride can bring down the might into nothingness. The truth is that humility is not a way of glory, but a road of surrender that leads to the passion and death of one’s self. It is a way of sacrifice, a service to others at the price of self-sacrifice. That is why many people do not want to be humble. Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading put this question before us: have the Jews fallen forever, or have they just stumbled? Obviously, they have not fallen forever: their fall, though, has saved the pagans in a way the Jews may now well emulate. Think of the extent to which the world, the pagan world, has benefited from their fall and defection – then think how much more it will benefit from the conversion of them all. There is a hidden reason for all these actions.

 

Dear friends, we must learn to say no to prideful actions in order to embrace humility. Though it may seem so difficult to embrace the virtue of humility, especially in our society today, this virtue has a lot to offer us both as individuals and as a group. In fact, our world needs humble men and women, because a good society is built on all kinds of commendable virtues such as humility. This is what we see in the life of Charles Borromeo whose memorial we celebrate today, for though he came from a wealthy family of Medici, he never let himself be distracted by the things of this passing world. Rather, in humility he dedicated himself entirely to serving God in his people in a very sacrificial way.

 

Therefore, it is time for us to put off our old self which is led by pride the first capital sin, to put on a new person born of humility, love, compassion, contentment, purity, forgiveness etc. So let us work hard to add more virtues in our activities and behaviour for blessed are those who are virtuous for they easily solve their problems. Thus, why not try humility in solving those challenging moments in your life? Just try to be humble because it works like a miracle.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have often failed to follow the example of Christ’s humility which he has taught us. As we are reminded once again of the need to be humble, grant us through the intercession of St. Charles Borromeo the grace to truly be humble at any level we find ourselves, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and peaceful weekend.

Homily For Friday Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 3rd November, 2023

Readings: Romans 9:1-5; Ps  147; Luke 14:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

THE LORD CARES ABOUT OUR WELL-BEING

 

Most times when we reflect on the relationship between Jesus and his audience, we wonder how he was able to manage all the situations placed before him even when it seemed as if he had no escape root. Such is the situation in our Gospel passage today when on a Sabbath day Jesus went for a meal at the house of one of the leading Pharisees who had invited him; of which they watched him closely. Because in front of him was a man with dropsy, and Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees saying: ‘Is it against the law to cure a man on the Sabbath, or not?’ But they remained silent, so he took the man cured him and sent him away.

 

Here, we see Jesus who always honours all his invitations whether from the poor or the rich, friends or ‘enemies’ including Pharisees and Sadducees whose invitation was a trap to set him up. But Jesus cannot be trapped, rather he used the opportunity to teach us that no Sabbath law, no religious restriction, can ever forbid us from being compassionate and caring for the poor and the sick. And St. Paul in our first reading made us to know that as God’s chosen people, we have been adopted as sons, we have been given the glory and the covenants; the Law and the ritual were drawn up for us, and the promises of God were made to us in order to completely embrace the will of God

 

Dear friends, we can see that nothing can stop the Lord from taking care of us. So, today we are called to learn how to be compassionate no matter the situation we may find ourselves, in because Jesus has always been compassionate to us. For this kind of attitude will help us to become pure and blameless, and prepare us for the Day of Christ when we all will reach the perfect goodness which the Lord Jesus planted in us for the glory and praise of God.  But, are we willing and ready to show love, compassion and care to those who need our love and care especially when it seems very difficult?

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we often wish to be compassionate and caring like you. But we often fail because of fear and lack of proper disposition. As we listened to your words today, may we find the courage to be compassionate and caring, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with.

Homily For Thursday Thirty- First Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 2nd November 2023. The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day.)

Readings: Wis. 3:1-9; Ps.23; Rom 5:5-11; Matt. 5:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE DEPARTED SOULS: WERE THEY LIKE US? ARE WE GOING TO BE LIKE THEM?

 

Yesterday we celebrated the solemnity of All Saints, today being the 2^nd day of November the Holy Mother Church in her wisdom asked us to commemorate and pray for all the faithful departed (All Souls), especially the suffering Church. That is, as a militant Church, we are expected to pray for those souls that belong to the body of Christ but are still in need of purification. Thus, we are called to remember our loved ones who have gone before us into eternal life by visiting their tombs and praying for them. But why must we pray for the departed souls?  Today’s celebration will help us to understand why we must learn to constantly pray for the departed souls.

 

This is important because immediately after death we belong either to the suffering Church or the triumphant Church. The suffering Church is the souls that belong to the body of Christ but are still in need of purification. In this state they are helpless, they can not help anyone neither can they help themselves. They only rely on the intercessions of the triumphant Church and the militant Church. So as a militant Church, it is necessary and mandatory for us to be charitable to the suffering Church through our prayers and intercessions. That is why we need to pray and intercede for them. Little wonder the Church set apart a day like this for us to pray for the departed and also visit the cemetery and graves of our loved ones.

 

So as regards this visitation, I can recall my experience of visiting the cemetery as a seminarian. As customary, in the seminary, every 2nd November we often choose people to visit the cemetery to pray for the souls of the Faithful Departed Oftentimes my name will always be among those going to visit the cemetery but not often when it comes to going for other glorious and social occasions and events. Though at a point I felt I should complain I accepted it even though I had no option. Then, as usual, in 2017, I was privileged again to be among those to visit a cemetery at Oke-Are in Ibadan. Being more disposed than in previous years I was more observant. So, on our way to the cemetery which is located on a hill in the heart of Ibadan, passing through the market and streets all I could see were people struggling, buying and selling, fighting and cursing each other, beggars, sick people and poor alike, among the people were the rich, the educated, their leaders both traditional and political.

 

But getting to the cemetery I saw on a wall the names and dates of so many men and women who had passed on from this interesting community. Then I asked myself in my deep reflection, where will all of us in this beautiful community be in the next hundred years? Where are all these people whose names are listed on this wall? Were they like us before? Yes. Are we going to be like them later? Of course Yes. With this in mind, I realized that there is time for everything in this world, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to break down and a time to build up (Eccl: 3:1-11). Then I realized the reality of this life and the need to reflect and pray for the souls that have passed away from this passing world.

 

This we should do not in grief but in the spirit of faith and hope, knowing that they are living in communion with us as they share in the resurrection of Christ. Just as we heard in our first reading that the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God for those who are faithful will live with him in love; since grace and mercy await those he has chosen. And St. Paul in our second reading tell us to rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation in order to live a beatific life which Jesus gave us its guiding principles in our Gospel passage today.

 

Dear friends, do you know that you can offer some little help to souls struggling to attain heaven our beatific vision? Do we know that there are helpless souls who only rely on our help to attain the beatific vision? What am I willing to do for these helpless souls? Before now, have I even thought of it that my departed brethren need my assistance in other to reach their destination? Am I sure that I can avoid this state of suffering and purification? Do we ever remember that our loved ones may be there now?

 

Perhaps while they were in this life, they were of great help to us. Do we realize that our prayers and sacrifices represent the key to releasing them and we can use them if we want to? Do we care about using it? Therefore, as we remember the souls who are passing through this rigour of purification, it would be good for us to offer some prayers of intercession, especially for our loved ones as plenary indigence awaits us when we do this devoutly today or any day in November at the Holy Mass or at the cemetery.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we commemorate and pray for all souls today, may the light of your mercy shine upon them, especially those who are in need of your mercy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a fruitful day.