Friday, November 2, 2018
Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily from Friday, Nov. 2, 2018 Solemnity of All Souls
Do you sometimes wonder if you’ll ruin your salvation and never get to heaven? In John 6:37-40, Jesus says: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me.” He’s referring to you! God the Father has given you to Jesus so that Jesus can lead you to heaven. During your baptism, our Father in heaven said to Jesus: “Here Son, take good care of this one. Make sure he/she is going to make it home to heaven okay.” Jesus replied, “I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I do your will.” What the Father wants, the Father gets, unless the recipients of his love reject all of his efforts to bring them to heaven. This is equally true for your deceased loved ones. If they had any desire to be with Jesus while they were on earth, they of course – more than ever – wanted to be with him at the moment of death as he stood before them in the fullness of his love. When we meet Jesus face to face, everything becomes clear. We regret the sins that we have not yet purged from our lives, and Jesus lets us choose purgatory as a completely thorough purification process so that we can live eternally in the fullness of God’s love. Let’s keep in mind, though, that the fire of love today and throughout our earth-bound life is more sanctifying than the fire of purgatory. By purifying how well we love now – loving others even when it’s difficult, forgiving others as often as they sin, and giving ourselves generously to the needs of others – we unite ourselves to God’s love. Eternal rest grant them O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine on them. May the Rest In Peace. Amen!
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Fr Patrick Etuk, MSP - Homily from Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 Solemnity of All Saints
"I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue." (Revelation 7: 9).
👉No one is born a saint. Scriptures tells us We were all conceived in iniquity and brought forth in sin. Ps.51:5
👉Every saint has a past. They struggled with the same defects, guilt and vices common to all mortals and came out victorious, because they persevered and would not give up the fight in spite of how often and how hard they failed. "They went through the great persecution and had washed their robes clean by the blood of the lamb."
👉Everyone can become a saint. No tribe, tongue, religion, status, people and nation, temperament has monopoly of sainthood.
👉 It is every person's destiny and the worst tragedy in life is not to have become one. Yes. "What would it profit a man if he gained the whole world and lost his soul." The real loss, the real failure in life is to fail to become a Saint.
👉Saints have no other treasure in this world but God, and They seek him as though none else was. They are often broken about evil in themselves and in the world. They suffer along with others and are never aloof from human pain. They won't take advantage of others for their pleasure and selfish gains. They are never broken by insults, abuses and rejection they suffer for doing the right thing.
They won't relish in the downfall even of their enemies and will never pay back evil for evil. In sincerity of heart They seek for peace and labour to reconcile others yet abhor false compromises and pretences. They never give in to mediocrity and won't settle for that illusion of being holier than others, or that they had nothing more to change in themselves.
👉Saints are not hard to come by. I don't believe they are rare and endangered species. They live amongst us, we find them in our families, neighbourhood, at work place, in the church, in the market, in the parliament, in the field of play, even at parties. They fast and grieve in silence and alone but feast often with others.
👉Whatever your condition today, don't be discouraged. Know that Every saint had a past. Every sinner can have a future.
🙇♀A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Amen.
👉No one is born a saint. Scriptures tells us We were all conceived in iniquity and brought forth in sin. Ps.51:5
👉Every saint has a past. They struggled with the same defects, guilt and vices common to all mortals and came out victorious, because they persevered and would not give up the fight in spite of how often and how hard they failed. "They went through the great persecution and had washed their robes clean by the blood of the lamb."
👉Everyone can become a saint. No tribe, tongue, religion, status, people and nation, temperament has monopoly of sainthood.
👉 It is every person's destiny and the worst tragedy in life is not to have become one. Yes. "What would it profit a man if he gained the whole world and lost his soul." The real loss, the real failure in life is to fail to become a Saint.
👉Saints have no other treasure in this world but God, and They seek him as though none else was. They are often broken about evil in themselves and in the world. They suffer along with others and are never aloof from human pain. They won't take advantage of others for their pleasure and selfish gains. They are never broken by insults, abuses and rejection they suffer for doing the right thing.
They won't relish in the downfall even of their enemies and will never pay back evil for evil. In sincerity of heart They seek for peace and labour to reconcile others yet abhor false compromises and pretences. They never give in to mediocrity and won't settle for that illusion of being holier than others, or that they had nothing more to change in themselves.
👉Saints are not hard to come by. I don't believe they are rare and endangered species. They live amongst us, we find them in our families, neighbourhood, at work place, in the church, in the market, in the parliament, in the field of play, even at parties. They fast and grieve in silence and alone but feast often with others.
👉Whatever your condition today, don't be discouraged. Know that Every saint had a past. Every sinner can have a future.
🙇♀A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Amen.
Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily from Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 Solemnity of All Saints
Today we celebrate the numerous courageous men and women who lived lives of selfless love, a reminder that we too, as those who have gone before us are capable of living such lives. It is a celebration of possibilities, potential and promise. If they could, we also can. The Beatitudes, which Christ taught us, in Matthew 5:1-12a, tell us how to achieve this. The Beatitudes was lived by all the saints in every time and place. Their lives are our guide here below. Their lives were filled with great distress. But they took God at his word, and lived their lives in the hope of heaven. We too have this hope, and everyone who has this hope makes himself pure in heart. It is a humble path, unnoticed by the world, a small, hidden path of little things, done with great love, the path of self-sacrifice and self-denial that can be lived out in imitation of Christ in any state of life. Let us pray to God and persevere in our life with Christ that we may be counted as among the saints. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” Matthew 5:12a. Shalom!
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily from Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018
In answer to a question of whether only a few will be saved, Jesus responded not with a direct answer, but by placing the onus of entry into the kingdom on each individual’s shoulders. “Strive,” he said, “to enter by the narrow gate” Lk 13:24. Strive is the keyword since apparently, many are going to try to enter and fail because the gate is so narrow. The possibility of failure is very real. Who will fail? Probably, people who don’t take him seriously; people who don’t try hard enough; people who love something more than they love Jesus. In other word, lots of people will fail. He goes on to say that many who think they are doing enough are going to be surprised to find they didn’t do enough. They think their Christian credentials are solid, but they will be found wanting. Yet others who did not seem so good in life will be entering the Kingdom before them. Which group will YOU be? Jesus is warning us that just because we feel we are doing enough for him doesn’t mean we are going to be in the group to be saved. We need to follow him with as much sincerity and honesty as we are capable of, doing his will and not our own. This means that the we are challenged to do what has to be done and not presume or take for granted that salvation is assured and especially if one is not willing to receive it. God’s grace is abundant but can only be received by those who want to receive it. Shalom!
Fr. Patrick Etuk, MSP - Homily from Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018
Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough. Lk 13:22-33
It is not only God's grace that matters in our spiritual journey, our efforts, our struggles to overcome temptations and persevere in doing good counts in God's sight. St Augustine tells us that we should pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on us. We will not idly stroll into the kingdom of God, sometimes we will come to it through tears and blood.
🙇♀Jesus I trust in you. I need you more than ever today. Walk with me Lord for I can't walk alone. Be my strenght and my shield. When my strength fails me, let your mercy hold me up. Jesus I trust in you. Amen.
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough. Lk 13:22-33
It is not only God's grace that matters in our spiritual journey, our efforts, our struggles to overcome temptations and persevere in doing good counts in God's sight. St Augustine tells us that we should pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on us. We will not idly stroll into the kingdom of God, sometimes we will come to it through tears and blood.
🙇♀Jesus I trust in you. I need you more than ever today. Walk with me Lord for I can't walk alone. Be my strenght and my shield. When my strength fails me, let your mercy hold me up. Jesus I trust in you. Amen.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Fr. Patrick Etuk, MSP - Homily from Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush."
(Luke 13: 18 - 19).
The prophet Zechariah tells us never to despise the days of small begginings (4:11).
Though small and insignificant things may seem they will not remain that way, if we stay the course, ever counting on God's faithfulness, and his unfailing help.
Never look at the length of the distance you have to cover to reach your destination, take the first step.
Be not overwhelmed by the enormity of task that needs to be done to achieve your goals, to transform this world, Make the first move, just lift a finger, do your own little bit.
Simple gestures of love can have life changing and revolutionary impact in your life and the lives of people around you.
Yes because it's not just about what we do. God is at work in us to make us willing and able to accomplish feats beyond what we can ever imagine. He Will multiply our efforts and bring our good purposes to a fruitful end, if we do not give up.
🙏Jesus I trust in you. Amen
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush."
(Luke 13: 18 - 19).
The prophet Zechariah tells us never to despise the days of small begginings (4:11).
Though small and insignificant things may seem they will not remain that way, if we stay the course, ever counting on God's faithfulness, and his unfailing help.
Never look at the length of the distance you have to cover to reach your destination, take the first step.
Be not overwhelmed by the enormity of task that needs to be done to achieve your goals, to transform this world, Make the first move, just lift a finger, do your own little bit.
Simple gestures of love can have life changing and revolutionary impact in your life and the lives of people around you.
Yes because it's not just about what we do. God is at work in us to make us willing and able to accomplish feats beyond what we can ever imagine. He Will multiply our efforts and bring our good purposes to a fruitful end, if we do not give up.
🙏Jesus I trust in you. Amen
Fr. Patrick Etuk, MSP - Homily from Monday, Oct. 29, 2018
"Woman, you are set free of your infirmity" Lk 13:12
For 18 years, the woman that was doubly bent from her infirmity kept her faith in God in despite not seeing her healing in sight. I suspect she was no longer hoping that God will visit her and grant her relief from her affliction. This woman's faith inspires me because she continued to seek God and remained faithful and devout even when she saw no prospects of receiving answers to her prayers. This is heroic faith that Habbakuk speaks of: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. 3:17-18.
🙏🙇♀Lord you never forsake those who hope in you, may I never be put to shame as I hold on to your promise. When my faith wavers, let your goodness and mercy uphold me. Amen.
For 18 years, the woman that was doubly bent from her infirmity kept her faith in God in despite not seeing her healing in sight. I suspect she was no longer hoping that God will visit her and grant her relief from her affliction. This woman's faith inspires me because she continued to seek God and remained faithful and devout even when she saw no prospects of receiving answers to her prayers. This is heroic faith that Habbakuk speaks of: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. 3:17-18.
🙏🙇♀Lord you never forsake those who hope in you, may I never be put to shame as I hold on to your promise. When my faith wavers, let your goodness and mercy uphold me. Amen.
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