Homily For Saturday Second Week of Easter, 13th April, 2024

Readings: Acts.6:1-7; Ps.32; John 6:16-22

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

COME INTO THE BOAT OF JESUS AND BE SAVED FROM THE STORMS OF LIFE 

A deep reflection on the Scriptures, we will discover that Jesus often makes use of the boat to teach and instruct the people and his disciples. This is obvious in the occasion of our Gospel passage today, where the disciples of Jesus got into the boat and went before Jesus to the other side. When evening came, they were there alone on the boat which had gone far on the lake and was battling heavy sea storms. So as the waves were breaking over the boat, the disciples were afraid and needed help from anywhere. It was at this point that they saw Jesus walking on the sea and he said to them: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”. And as they got into the boat the wind ceased. 

In this Gospel passage, we can foresee a gesture which signifies the chosen people of God on a transit of faith, frightened by the guilt of sin and wounded by the waves of the sea, the abode of evil forces and monsters of this world. Today Jesus is inviting us to journey on this boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart so that our storms of struggles will cease. Because the world is being tossed around by the waves of evil forces the enemies of humankind, inflicting hardships, sickness and sorrows on us. But Jesus is inviting us to come into his boat so that we can find life, peace and grace to overcome our struggles. 

Dear friends, the world is full of crowds and caves of different storms and so many people are trying to find ways to fix their problems. Today Jesus is inviting us to come into his boat of life with an unwavering faith and a repented heart and we will find peace of mind. For his boat is the safest vessel where all our storms can be subdued. Where humanity can find solace, where all our struggles will cease, where hope for the future is guaranteed. 

Therefore, I don't know the great storms of doubt and fear in your soul today. I don’t know how deep your sorrows of constant failure and disappointment are. I don’t know how long or deep you have been involved in the evil going on in this world. All I know is that if today we come into the boat of Jesus with faith he will calm down the heavy storms in our lives, our families and societies. Then the storms will cease and we will worship God in sincerity and freedom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for being with us in all our struggle against the storms of life, as we come into your boat may the violent storms and waves of bondage in our lives end in a wonderful calm that brings peace in our souls. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a peaceful weekend.

Homily For Friday Second Week of Easter, 12th April, 2024

Readings: Acts.5:34-42; Ps.26; John 6:1-15

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

ARE YOU PREPARED TO FACE PERSECUTION WITH JOY?

 

Today the persecution account of the apostles of Jesus continues as the members of the Sanhedrin call for the council meeting to decide what to do with the apostles.

So at this council, as we have in our first reading, Gamaliel a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, suggested that the apostles should be left alone based on past experiences of those who claimed to be great but were letter perished when their leader had died, that what is happening now with the apostles might be the same. He advises them to have nothing to do with the apostle, that if their purpose or activity is from human origins it will soon perish. If not, they will not be able to destroy them without fighting God Himself. So they beat them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus.

 

However, instead of being depressed, the apostles left the court full of joy that they had been judged worthy of being beaten for the sake of the Name of Jesus. Here, they experienced the blessedness that Jesus had spoken of in the Sermon on the Mount when he said: “Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people abuse you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Matt 5:10-12).

 

Dear friends, are we prepared to face Persecution with joy? In any situation we find ourselves, we are called to bear witness to our faith in Christ, though this mandate may seem difficult in our world at this moment, just like in the time of the apostles the grace of God is sufficient for us. Therefore, let us not be afraid of witnessing our faith in the world, for God will surely protect us as He protected the apostles.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we proclaim your name to the world, especially in these difficult times, give us the grace to rejoice even in the midst of persecution, suffering, sickness or death. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. May the blessings, joy and favour of the Lord find their way into our lives and our families.

Homily For Thursday Second Week of Easter, 11th April, 2024

Readings: Acts.5:27-33; Ps.33; John 3:31-36

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO CHOOSE GOD ABOVE HUMAN AUTHORITY? 

As the persecution of the apostles continued, the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin forbade them from preaching in the name of Jesus as we have it in our first reading today. But the apostles spoke out boldly saying: It is better for us to obey God than men. They stood firm and witnessed all that they had experienced. Their testimony was directed by the Holy Spirit, who is given to all those who respond to God with the obedience that comes from faith. 

So, they continued to preach in the name of Jesus and their accusers could not stop them even though they had been strictly forbidden to do so. Such is the grace and courage we receive when we experience the power of the risen Lord. We will not be afraid to witness because we are convinced that Jesus is the One who comes from above, the One whom God has sent to speak the words of God. He is the Word of God who came to bear testimony to what he has seen and heard just as we heard him telling Nicodemus in our Gospel passage, that anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: the anger of God stays on him.

Dear friends, why have we failed to choose God over human authority? Why have we prepared to obey human laws while neglecting God’s laws? So, as Christians living in a world where our faith is being challenged every moment, especially with the ugly situation of faithless, conflict, sickness and poverty in our society, we must still have to make costly choices of choosing to obey God rather than men and not give in because of persecution, hunger, poverty or our worldly ambition. Everywhere we find ourselves be it in business, relationships, politics or family life we have to make decisions about remaining honest, truthful, and faithful to our faith and commitments to God above that of any human authorities. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us grace and courage to constantly obey You above any human authority, especially in times of difficulty, hunger, striving, sickness, and persecution. Never let us deny You because of worldly pressures and difficulties or be put to shame, as we place all our hope in You. Amen. It’s a new day, be strong and be focused for the Lord has promised to be with us till the end of time.

Homily For Wednesday Second Week of Easter, 10th April, 2024

Readings: Acts. 5:17-26; Ps.33; John 3:16-21

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

IF GOD STILL LOVES THE WORLD SO MUCH, YOU ARE THE FACE OF HIS LOVE FOR HUMANITY TODAY 

Our Gospel passage today talks about the relationship between God and humanity that inhabits the world. Telling us that God loves the world and the humanity living in it. He loves it so much that He gave His only Son, who died a shameful and terrible death on the cross for the sake of His love.  God loves the whole world, His love is total and unconditional for every one of his creatures. 

This love is what the apostles bore witness to in our first reading today and for this, they were persecuted by the authorities. We are told that the main motive for their displeasure was jealousy. The apostles were witnessing what they had experienced and this attracted large crowds to the group. So the authorities out of jealousy had the apostles arrested and thrown into the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates for them and told them to go back and continue preaching in the temple and bearing witness to God’s love for humility.

Dear friends, this is what we are called to do. But the question we need to ask ourselves now is: do you believe that God still loves the world? In the midst of all the problems and disasters we face every day can we still say that God loves the world? This is important because it will help us to understand the importance of remaining firm in our faith in God.  We must acknowledge that God loves the whole world, for his love is total and unconditional for every one of his creatures. This he demonstrated on the cross where he poured out his love for the salvation of all humanity. 

Brethren, we have in one way or another experienced the love of God greatly and personally in our lives. It’s now time to bear authentic witness to this love for all humanity. We are to tell the world how deeply God loves us. We are to demonstrate this love to the world and let this love be felt by those who have lost hope in God, especially at this time when humanity is struggling with the ugly situation of inflation and its effects on our economy. So, if God still loves the world so much, we are the face of his love for humanity today, we are the channels of his love and grace now. 

Therefore, let us extend this love in any form, gesture or manner possible to everywhere that it is lacking. A kind word, a single phone call, a text message, an act of forgiveness, a single prayer, sacrifice, patience and any form of generous act shown to anyone around us or as many people we can reach out to today, reflect this love of God for humanity through us. Let us make Christ our light and love as we embrace his words today

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we have come to know and experience Your love for humanity, give us the grace to reciprocate this love in the world by our ways of life using the gifts, talents and resources you have given us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you

Homily For Tuesday Second Week of Easter, 9th April, 2024

Readings: Acts.4:32-37; Ps.92; John 3:7-15

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

EMBRACING THE FRATERNAL LIFE OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS

 

One of the major problems in our world today is individualism, this no doubt is the cause of disunity, greediness and corruption that is really destroying humanity. To overcome this ugly attitude we need to learn from the early Christian community as recorded in our first reading, which gives us an account of how the company of believers were of one heart and soul deeply united with each other. They bear witness to the central element of their faith, that is, loving God with all their hearts and with all their soul and loving their neighbours as themselves. Thereby bearing witness to the teachings of Jesus. They sold their belongings brought the proceeds together and distributed them to each according to their need.

 

This great gesture demonstrates what fraternal love really means. No one claimed anything as belonging to him/herself; everything was held in common. This shows us the social life of the early Church. But the question is, do we still have such sharing communities in our Church today? Perhaps we may find such communal sharing in some different communities of religious life with vows of poverty and total sharing of resources coupled with a life of material simplicity.  Also, there may be other groups of lay people and some families who try to implement this Christian vision and value.

 

Dear friends, how many families are practising this great Christian fraternal living? How many societies in our churches are willing to maintain this tradition? This should be encouraged especially at this moment when the world is passing through difficult times, and we are fast losing our great Christian values of communal and fraternal living. There is a need for us to also extend it to societies where fraternal Communion and charity have been taken over by individualism, selfishness, corruption and greed. How I wish humanity would learn how to live in fraternal charity like the early Christians, then we will see that the world resources will be enough for everyone. Therefore, let us unite again as one family sharing and taking care of each other.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the attitudes and virtues of the early Church, give us the grace to imitate them as we cultivate the attitude of sharing our material blessings with those in genuine need in our community, especially in this difficult moment in our societies, country and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace-filled day.

Homily For Monday Second Week of Easter Year B, 8th April, 2024.The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Readings: Is. 7:10-14.8:10; Ps. 40; Heb.10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

REJOICE MOST HIGHLY FAVOURED ONE! THE LORD IS WITH YOU 

Today in a special way, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, an event that marks exactly nine months before the birth of Jesus at Christmas, recalling the very moment when our Lord and Saviour was conceived in the womb of Mary, as she responded to the revelation of the Good News of God through the Archangel Gabriel saying: I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word. With this response the Word became flesh and dwells among us through a humble Virgin, thereby revealing the arrival of the long-awaited Saviour into the world as we have it in our Gospel passage today.

In our first reading, we heard how King Ahaz also received revelation from God through prophet Isaiah, of the coming of God’s salvation to his people. But Ahaz refused to accept the sign, out of false humility, saying that he would not put God to the test even when the prophet had specifically said that God would give him a sign. This shows a lack of faith and disobedience from King Ahaz which is quite opposite to that of Mary who humbly accepted God’s will. 

When compared the response of Mary to that of Ahaz, who further led the people of Judah into sin, as he did not follow or obey God’s laws. We will see that his lack of faith is indeed opposite to Mary’s total submission to God, his pride and false humility are opposite of Mary’s total humility and devotion to God.  Hence, Mary became a role model for all of us, as her obedience and willingness to accept her role as the Mother of our Lord and Saviour is something that all of us as Christians should also emulate in our own lives.

Dear friends, today our society is filled with a lot of uncertainty, sorrow and grief, challenges and trials, obstacles, difficulties and suffering all over the world. But we are consoled in today’s Solemnity of the Annunciation of our Lord and Saviour with the words of the angle, telling us to rejoice most highly favoured for the Lord has special plans for us if only we can say like Mary: “Let it be done to me according to your will”. 

Thus, we are called to draw strength, faith and courage from Mary in her total submission to God’s will, knowing that despite all the darkness, sorrow and uncertainties in our world, God will not abandon his people. His promise of salvation is a reality that we will surely experience. Therefore, let us entrust ourselves in humility to God just as Mary had done. Let us ask for his mercy and forgiveness as we also forgive one another. It is not time to judge people or lose faith. Rather, it is time to pray for each other as we grow stronger in faith and our love and devotion to God. knowing that he is closer to us in these turbulent times for he does not fail in his promises.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the occasion of the annunciation reminds us of your promises and plans to redeem humanity, as we listen to your words today, may we respond positively to your requests and so be filled with the joy of your presence, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily For the Second Sunday of Easter, the Divine Mercy Sunday Year B, 7th April 2024

Readings: Acts.4:32-35; Ps.118; 1John 5:1-7; John 20:19-31

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

DO YOU STILL BELIEVE IN THE RISEN LORD AND HIS MERCY?

 

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, which was instituted by Pope St. John Paul II in the Jubilee Year of 2000. This event is to be celebrated every second Sunday of Easter to remind us that the joyful celebration of the Easter season is also a time for us to appreciate once again that our Lord Jesus passed through the worst of sufferings and humiliations in his Passion, Death and Resurrection, and so win eternal life for humanity.

 

Thus, the event we celebrate today is meant for us to focus our attention once again on the Lord, to ask Jesus for his mercy on us and the whole world especially through his glorious and wondrous passion, which stands as a perfect offering for the redemption of our sins. Hence, we need to have faith in the Lord and believe that through him there is hope for our salvation. This truly explains the words of Jesus to his disciples when he said: “Blessed are those who believe”.  This statement could be a central theme in our Gospel passage today.

 

Here, Jesus said to Thomas: “ Do not doubt but believe… for blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”  This is because Thomas was lacking in faith and so was doubtful of the Lord’s resurrection but only to be humbled when the Lord himself appeared right before him. Thomas believed and said to the Lord, ‘My Lord and My God’. The Gospel ended by saying that these are written so that you may believe in Jesus and that you may have life in his name.

 

This also is repeated in our second reading today, where we heard that whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten by God; and whoever loves the Father that begot him loves the child whom he begets. For anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world; telling us that through our faith we have victory over the world. So, the purpose of this Gospel is for us, the readers to believe and enjoy the promised blessing. Today Millions of Christians have been strengthened in their faith by reading this Gospel, and millions of others have been brought to faith through it.

 

Dear friends, oftentimes we recite the apostle's creed, do we really believe what we say? Have we really contemplated what we say in the creed? Do we really mean what we professed? I know that we believe in what we profess in the creed. But sometimes in our lives, we behave like Thomas Thomas representing all of us who in one way or the other have been doubtful of the presence of God in our lives. No doubt that there are many of us with different experiences at different levels of faith and devotion. But at some point, we may have grown weak in our commitment to the Lord and begin to doubt his presence with us, based on our own experiences, or when we are distracted and tempted by many ugly desires for worldly things that will turn us away from the Lord.

 

More so, we have often placed God aside and forgotten about him, by prioritizing more on other things in our lives. We have often treated him or things related to him as something not significant. There are times when we doubt the presence of God in our families, societies and even the Church. There are times when we have doubted the presence of God in the Eucharist, the sacraments and even in the activities of his ministers. Oftentimes, we are doubtful of the mercy of God, his love for us, and his power to save, heal and protect us, as we go seeking help from other “sources” which will only worsen our situation.

 

Brethren, to be a believer in our world today can be really difficult, so we need to support each other. We need to strengthen our community life, especially during this difficult moment in our country and the world at large. The first Christians supported one another by praying, worshipping and sharing their resources and the word of God together, as we have it in our first reading. For the whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.

 

Therefore, let us unite together as believers, and bear authentic witness to our faith. As we struggle in this dark moment in our lives when God seems far away from the world, let us ask him to help us to remove all forms of doubt, especially at this time when the Gospel is under all kinds of threats by faithless and ignorant people. Let us embrace His Divine mercy in our lives, our families, societies and the world at large. Remember, the Lord is indeed merciful he forgives us freely and generously but do not take his mercy for granted by dwelling perpetually in sin.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, today we are encouraged to believe without seeing, this can really be very difficult in a world of empiricism, help us especially this trial moment in our world, never doubt whatever you have revealed through your son, may we rather be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and untiring in loving you and our neighbours, as we hope to experience your Divine Mercy once again in our lives, our family and the world at large. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Happy Divine Mercy Sunday to you and your household.