Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter week 3- May 1, 2020 - St Joseph the Worker

Friday Ist May 2020

ST JOSEPH THE WORKER (Opt Mem)

Acts 9: 1-20, John 6:52-59

During this Covid-19 pandemic era and the resultant shutdown as a precautionary measure,  many people have been lamenting their inability to go out and work. As we enter a new month today, the Church calls us to reflect on the personality of St Joseph the husband of Mary as a model for all workers. In 1889, pope Leo XIII had set Joseph as the model for all workers. Joseph as we know was a very hard working man as a carpenter. With his work, he was able to take care of Jesus and Mary. In most countries, including Nigeria today, it is regarded as workers day and it is public holiday. Since most countries have been on holidays since March, it seems to make no sense that today is public holiday. We are called today to take whatever we do to earn a living very seriously because God blesses the works of our hands. It is a day to ask ourselves whether we are doing the right work and are exerting much energy into it. You cannot be doing what is wrong and expect God to bless it for you. It may seem good and enticing but at the long run it will be a disaster. Many people do not want to work but want to excel. St Paul tells us in 2 Thess 3:10, that those who do not work should not eat. This is to encourage everyone to try their best to work for what they eat. Nevertheless, we are also encouraged to assist others, especially those who either have no work or are unable to work with what we have.

In the first reading of today, we see the zeal which St Paul went about his work of killing Christians. He did it very well because he considered it his work. When he discovered that he was doing the wrong work, he was converted and he used the same zeal or even more to preach the word of God. 

God has called us to become co-creators with him. Whether you build a mansion or a chair, whatever profession you work or the type of work you do, what matters is your conscience and zeal for the work.

As we enter the month of May today, let us also not forget that it is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We should intensify our devotion to her this month, that God should bless the works of our hands. God help us.  Amen

Happy new month.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Easter week 3- April 30, 2020

Thursday 30th April 2020

Third week of Easter

Acts 8:26-40, John 6:44-51

Have you ever read a book for a long time without understanding it? It takes people different length of time to comprehend what they read and many need a lot more explanation to grasp what they read.

If this is the case with ordinary writings, written by men, one can imagine how difficult it is to understand that which has been inspired by God. Many people read the bible like a novel and do not understand it. The bible is not what you understand after 6 months or a year study. To understand the bible, one needs to first understand the context in which it was written, the time and people it was written for as well as what the author actually had in mind when writing. If this is not done, the bible will just be like any other novel book.

In the first reading of today, we see that the Eunuch had spent the whole day reading the prophecy of Isaiah, how Jesus would come into the world and suffer and die without complaining or resisting his adversaries. If you are not trained in Biblical Exegesis and interpretation, like the Eunuch, you will need someone who has been trained rightly to explain it to you. Many people have been led astray by half baked bible interpreters who claim to know everything in the bible after 3 months in a bible school.

It is encouraged that we read the word of God daily, nevertheless, we should not read it like any other book and we should not interpret it the way we want. Every single sentence in the scriptures has it's own meaning. This is why the author of the letter to the Hebrews says that "the word of God is alive and active, it cuts more finely than any double edged sword " (Hebrews 4:12). May the word of God continue to brighten our paths as we journey daily to our Lord and Saviour. Amen. God help us.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Easter week 3- April 29, 2020

WEDNESDAY 29TH APRIL 2020

MEMORIAL OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA,  Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Third week of Easter

Acts 8:1-8, John 6:35-40

I once visited an old friend of mine who was in prison for a crime he never committed as it was later discovered. What baffled me when I saw him in prison, was the calmness and positive mind with which he stayed there. Other inmates spoke so highly of him that he is a very religious man. He led them at prayers in the morning and evening, and he read the bible to others and try to explain it to them. Asking him how he was able to still preach the word of God and practice his faith in that situation, he said that God knew that he was there, and had sent him there for a purpose.

This is the situation I see with the early Christians and Apostles. Sometimes, tough moments come our way, but they are geared towards a greater good. The scribes and pharisees have started a fierce persecution of the early Christians who entered every street corner to preach the word of God to all who cared to listen. With this came persecution as we see in the lynching of Stephen in the first reading of yesterday. The persecution of the Christians made many of them to run to different parts of the world. With this, they carried the gospel and the church with them, just as my friend carried the gospel to the prison. Therefore, the Church which was only in Jerusalem, now entered different parts of the world. Every ugly situation we find ourselves is a very good opportunity to witness to the faith. God works in mysterious ways and he will never abandon those who hope and trust in him.

St Catherine of Siena who we celebrate today is a very good example of one who was concerned with the smooth running and spreading of the Church of Christ. Seeking perfection, she entered the Third Order of the Dominicans when she was still in her teens. In 1370 she was commanded by a vision to leave her secluded life and enter the public life of the world. She wrote letters to many major public figures and carried on a long correspondence with Pope Gregory XI, urging him to reform the clergy and the administration of the Papal States. She burned with the love of God and her neighbour. As an ambassador she brought peace and harmony between cities. She fought hard to defend the liberty and rights of the Popes and did much for the renewal of religious life. She died on 29 April 1380. In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church. This zeal we are called to carry with us daily. Turn the ugly and unpleasant situations and persecution around you into an opportunity to evangelise today. God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP