Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 19 Ordinary time - August 13, 2020

 

THURSDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Ezekiel 12:1-12, Matthew 18:21-19:1

 

FORGIVENESS IS NOT AN OPTION BUT COMPULSORY

 

In the gospel reading of yesterday, Jesus taught us the 3 steps of reconciliation with those who have hurt us. The gospel reading of today is a continuation of that of yesterday. The topic of reconciliation and forgiveness is a very important topic for humanity. Many people are easily irritated and do not forgive simple misunderstandings with others. Some also prefer material possessions to the human person, thus they require people to pay for their mistakes at all cost, even with their lives.

Jesus opens our eyes and minds today to the consciousness that the wrongs that people have done to us which we have refused to forgive, cannot be compared to the magnitude of offences we commit everyday that God has not held against us. Sometimes we make terrible mistakes and commit heinous crimes, but a slight mistake from others irritate us and we blow it out of proportion.

How insensitive and senseless the servant in the gospel reading of today was. How could one who was told not to pay one million naira that he was owing put someone who was owing him one thousand naira in prison? If we think of how much offenses we have committed and God has not punished us but forgiven us, we will be ready to forgive others their mistakes. If someone offends you one hundred times and begs for forgiveness, you should forgive because God has not condemned you for the one thousand times you have sinned. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 19 Ordinary time - August 12, 2020

 

WEDNESDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Ezekiel 9:1-7,10:18-22, Matthew 18:15-20

 

WILL YOU FORGIVE?

 

One of the things we can be sure will happen to us as human beings, is the fact that no matter how good our friendship with someone is, there will be a time of quarrel and disagreement. It is difficult to see people who live together not have misunderstandings at one point or the other. Many people who were friends before have become great enemies as a result of a simple issue that was not well resolved.

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus teaches us ways in which we can settle with one another amicably without making issues out of nothing. The first recommendation by Jesus is personal dialogue. Some people may feel that they have been wronged by others, they will be angry and may even go and discuss it with other people, but they never care to meet the person they are angry with. We have to engage in personal dialogue with those who have wronged us. The person may have done it innocently without knowing that we have been hurt.

It cannot be taken for granted that some people are troublesome  and difficult to deal with, if meeting the person without telling any other person about it does not work out, we can look for someone whom our offender respects and holds in high esteem to help settle it. The misunderstanding will most likely be resolved at this stage. If for any reason the issue is still not resolved,  the Christian community can now be involved. The presence of some church members and leader should bring about the reconciliation.

Anyone who refuses to listen to personal dialogue, a reputable person and the entire church is not a Christian and should be treated as a pagan.

If there is someone you are angry with today because  of what he/she had done and you are both becoming lifelong enemies, take the step today and dialogue with  him/her. Accept your mistakes  and contribution to the situation, and you will win them back and live a happy life. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 19 Ordinary time - August 10, 2020

 

TUESDAY 11TH AUGUST 2020

MEMORIAL OF ST. CLARE

Ezekiel 2:8-3:4, Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14

 

HOW CAN WE BECOME LIKE CHILDREN?

 

Many of us can still remember how life was when we were much younger. As little children growing up with our parents, we were so innocent, and we trusted our parents that they are planning the best for us. We did not bother so much about many things, once we had eaten, we are fine. As we grew older, we began to seek positions and material possessions, we started claiming our entitlements and we keep malice.

In the gospel reading of today, we see that the Apostles as adults were not free of the adult tendency. They came to ask Jesus who was greater in his kingdom. Jesus used the opportunity to teach us to return to our childlike character. The innocence of heart, total trust and dependence on our parents should now be directed to God. We should maintain our holiness and innocence and trust God for all we need and that he is doing the best for us.

This was the type of life St Clare lived. At age 18, she had already decided to dedicate her life to christ. Influenced by St Francis of Assisi who is from the same place with her, she formed a monastery of nuns who dedicated their lives to prayer. St Clare formed them to be contemplative, always seeking the face of God and entrusting everything to him. She was like a mother to her nuns and showed them God's love and affection until her death in 1253. May the Lord help us to serve him well in the days of our youth, and to grant us the grace to always be young at heart in the practice of our Christian faith. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP