Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - November 1, 2020 - All Saints

Homily of the Feast of All Saints, 2020 Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24:16, 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 Amen, amen, blessings and glory, wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, Power and might, belong to our God, forever and ever, amen. (Worship exclamation of all the angels who stood around the throne of God in St. John’s vision in the first reading, Revelation 7:12.) The Catholic Church holds and teaches that the Church exists simultaneously in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory. The Church in heaven is called Church Triumphant, the Church on earth is called Church Militant, and the Church in purgatory is called Church Suffering. The unity of the Church in heaven and the Church on earth is called Communion of Saints. It is based on this unity that we are celebrating today, the Feast of All Saints. This communion continues tomorrow, November 2, when we will commemorate All Souls, the Church Suffering, in a special way. In our celebration today, we pray that the saints in heaven intercede for us. They were close to God while they lived on earth. Now, they are with God in heaven; they intercede for us. That is why Catholics pray in the intercession of the saints. In the first reading, St. John saw “a vision of heaven, and of a great multitude, which no one can count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue.” Only a few saints out of the multitude of saints in heaven are canonized and celebrated. Today, we celebrate all the saints. Indeed, our loved ones who have gone before us and our ancestors are included. Therefore, it is not out of place to plead with our departed loved ones and our ancestors who lived godly life to intercede for us. The Catholic Church teaches that we take or include saints’ names for Baptism and Confirmation, so that those saints we take as our patron saints intercede for us, and we strive to imitate the life they lived. The priest who baptizes or the bishop who confirms cannot stop anyone from choosing names of celebrities for Baptism or Confirmation. But it is more spiritually beneficial to choose saints names for the sacraments. The Church Militant is a pilgrim church. Our destination is Church Triumphant. Therefore, while on earth, we need to live lives that will enable us to join the Church Triumphant in heaven. The second reading says, “Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.” Jesus gives us the beatitude in the Gospel that can guide us in our effort here on earth to join the Church Triumphant. How triumphant would our world be if we, ourselves, our leaders and our rulers be guided by the beatitudes? An explanation of the meaning of the beatitudes: · To be poor in spirit means to be lowly, to be self-contained, and not greedy. · To mourn means to grieve over sin and evil and to make effort to stop them. · To be meek means to be gentle, not antagonistic, and able to live and work with others. · To hunger and thirst for righteousness means to stand up for or fight for justice. · To be merciful means to be involved in all kinds of works of mercy and charity. · To be clean of heart means to be without guile and corrupt practices. · To be peacemakers means to be instruments of peace. · To be persecuted for the sake of righteousness means to put one’s life on the line in order to fight against injustice. St. Theresa of Lisieux advises that becoming a saint or going to heaven is only achieved by doing extraordinary and mighty deeds. She advises us not to aim at going to heaven by doing great things, but by doing small things with great love. She calls this the simple way, a simple and direct path to heaven. Also, Miriam C. Hunter writes, “Why were the saints, saints? Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be cheerful; patient when it was difficult to be patient. And because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still; and kept silent when they wanted to talk. And because they were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable…” With human being, it is difficult, but with all things are possible. Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 25, 2020

DATE :25/10/2020 EVENT : 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) COLOUR: GREEN READINGS : Exo 22:20-26; Responsorial Psalm 17:2-4, 47,51; 1Thessa. 1:5-10; Gospel Accl. John 14:23; Matthew 22:34-40. THEME: LOVE IS THE ULTIMATE INTRODUCTION : Greetings beloved people of God and fellow pilgrims. I welcome you to the 30th Sunday in the Ordinary time of the Church. (An Ordinary time is the season when the Church has no particular celebration). On this Sunday beloved friends, I wish to reflect with us on the theme, " Love is the Ultimate". Whenever you hear the word ' love ' what is the first thing that comes to your mind? For me, whenever we think of love, we should immediately think of God and sacrifice. anything short of these two is secondary. In 1John 4:8, we are told that God is love and love is God, the two are intrinsically linked to each other and co-natural. That explains why it would be a contraction both in term and reality for some one to claim to know God and yet not show love. Thus, the first external fruit of one who truly knows God is the love that he exudes. Beloved, the Pharisee-lawyer in today's Gospel text, out of his zeal for legalistic holiness, enquired from Jesus which among the several 613 laws contained in the Torah is the greatest. Jesus answered him by making reference to Deut. 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might", and He quickly added the next to it which is found in Lev. 19:18, "you shall love your neighbour as yourself". Beloved, God's love directs all that He does, His love is holy, just, and pure because it seeks only what is good, beneficial, and life-giving, rather than what is destructive, evil, or deadly. That is why he commands us to love, and to give only what is good, lovely, just, and pure and to reject whatever is contrary. in the Greek understanding, there are different grades of love namely. Ludus (playful love), Eros (Romantic love), Mania (Obsessive love), Philauta (Self love), Storge (Familiar love), Pragma (Enduring love), Philia (Family Affection), Agape (Selfless and unconditional love) and the Divine Love of God. The question then is, which kind of love dominates your life? Listen, the kind of love that dominates your heart, is usually the love that you would often give out. Although we may have different shades of love, but the kind of love that Christ wants us to cultivate is the Agape. Agape Love is giving oneself for the good of others. It is wholly other oriented and directed to the welfare and benefit of others. Note that a love which is rooted in pleasing myself is self-centered and possessive, it is a selfish love that is stunted and disordered and often leads to many hurtful and sinful desires, such as premarital sexual activities, jealousy, greed, envy, and lust. Hence, the root of all sin is disordered love and pride which is fundamentally putting myself above God and my neighbor. It is loving and serving the self rather than God and neighbour. Beloved, in all sincerity, I wish to tell us that the easiest way to live a holy life, to shun all forms of vices, anger and bitterness, and to joyfully obey all the laws of God (Divine law), of the Church (Ecclesiastical law), and of the government (Civil law), is to fill our heart with undiluted love. God bless you. OH that today you would listen to his voice harden not your heart (Ps.95:7-8). LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, your love surpasses all. Flood my heart with your love and increase my faith and hope in your promises. Help me to generously give myself to others as you have so generously given yourself to me....Amen HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU. @Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara MSP.⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 25, 2020

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A Exodus 22:20-26, Psalm 17:2-4,47,51 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Matthew 22:34-40 LOVE IS THE ANSWER The word LOVE is a very common word today especially among teenagers and young adults. It is a word whose meaning has almost become synonymous with erotic feelings and sexual immorality and gratification. The readings of today give us a different perspective to what love means. In the first reading, we see the law of love given to the Israelites as they were about to enter the promised land. No society can survive if the members do not seek the wellbeing of one another. God told them to love and care for the poor, needy, widows, orphans and those who are not privileged in the society. They are not to always seek their interest and gain, but to seek the good of their neighbours. We see how Paul and his companions showed that love of God to the people of Thessalonica in the second reading of today. It was only the love of God and man that would make them go to preach the word of God among poor people. In the gospel reading, we hear Jesus tell us that the greatest law is love. Love of God and of our neighbours. The situation in Nigeria at the moment reflects the fact that human beings have not been treated with love and regard, but as a means to an end. As Christians, we are called to love every human person unconditionally, not counting what we will gain. We cannot love God if we do not love our neighbours. May almighty God help us to truly be people after his own heart. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - 25, 2020

Homily of Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time of Year A, 2020 Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40 In the first reading, the Israelites had left Egypt, and were no longer under Pharaoh and the laws of Egypt. The reading is a section of the guiding rules God gave to the Israelites on how to take care of the weak and the needy among them. The reading mentions aliens, widows, orphans, and the poor. These guiding rules are as important to us today as they were in the time of Exodus considering how badly aliens, immigrants and refugees are currently treated in many parts of the world. Also, xenophobia has become a worrisome problem in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, too, in many countries, governments’ and institutions’ policies favor the rich and the powerful, leaving the poor and the underprivileged to their fate. In some countries, the plight of the poor and the underprivileged is very ugly because of bad government, corruption, and injustice. The sin of heartless coveting and forceful possession of what should be the inheritance of orphans and widows was rampant among the Israelites at that time. That was why God gave them the rule, “You shall not wrong any widow or orphan.” While injustice against widows and orphans is still huge among some cultures in our world today, by extension, ‘widows’ and ‘orphans’ represent the suffering poor, the underprivileged, the unemployed, the marginalized, the powerless, the voiceless, helpless, and so on. In our society, their conditions are made worse by the heartless coveting and forceful possession of what should belong to them by corrupt and mischievous people. We continue to pray for the repentance of those who oppress the poor; those who steal, kill, and plunder; and the corrupt and mischievous people. We may not be xenophobic, or be among the oppressors of the poor. But on our part, in our homes, in our neighborhood, in our organizations, and in our church community, in our environment; what efforts do we make to help those in need? Do we participate in programs directed at helping and supporting the hungry, the weak, the sick, the elderly, the homebound and the poor? What is our effort to see that there is justice and fairness, that no one is cheated, or dispossessed of his or her rights and privileges, or marginalized? Answering the question, “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Love of God is not possible without love of neighbor. Human beings are images of God. St. John’s letter explains, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother is a liar; for whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:20-21). This means that the first law, love of God, is determined by the second law, love of neighbor. Love of neighbor is the only channel through which we can love God. Love of neighbor is the step on the ladder through which we climb to God. Where there is no love of neighbor, there is no love of God. Jesus makes it clearer when he says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? Is it possible? We know stories of heroes, heroines, and saints who showed greater love to their neighbor than to themselves. Some of these men and women of goodwill put their lives in the line of danger or sacrificed their lives to save their neighbor. Such people challenge us. The Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 helps us to understand how to love our neighbor as ourselves: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” According to Jewish Rabbi, Hillel, (who was said to have lived around the time of Jesus), “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah, while the rest is the commentary on it.” St. Paul’s 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 enlightens us with the kind of love through which we can love our neighbor as ourselves: the love that is patient, kind, not jealous, not pompous, not inflated, not rude, not seeking its own interests, not quick-tempered, not brooding over injury, not rejoicing over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Let genuine love rule our hearts and our actions; everything else will fall in place. Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 18, 2020

DATE : 17/10/2020, Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : St. Ignatius of Antioch (Memorial) COLOUR : RED READINGS : Eph. 1:15-23; Resp. Psalm 7:2-7; Luke 12:8-12. THEME: WHEN GOD REFUSES TO FORGIVE Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As we celebrate the memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, " When God Refuses to Forgive". One of the many attributes of God is that He is an ever merciful and forgiving God. In fact, in addition to several other Biblical passages, the book of Lamentations 3:22-23, tells us that 'the mercies of God are new every morning'. But, just like every other thing that has limit, we must realise … MY CATHOLIC HOMILY DIGEST DATE :18/10/2020 EVENT : 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), Mission Sunday COLOUR: GREEN READINGS : Isaiah 45;1.4-6; Responsorial Psalm 96:1, 3.4-5.7-8.9.10; 1Thessa. 1:1-5; Gospel Accl. Phil. 2:15d-16a; Matthew 22:15-21 THEME: GIVE YOUR BEST TO THE WORLD AND GIVE YOURSELF TO GOD INTRODUCTION : Greetings beloved people of God and fellow pilgrims. I welcome you to the 29th Sunday in the Ordinary time of the Church. (An Ordinary time is the season when the Church has no particular celebration). On this day that is also called, 'Mission Sunday', beloved friends, I wish to reflect with us on the theme, " Give Your Best to the World and Give Yourself to God". The Church has set out today, so that we can reflect on the missionary nature of our lives and the Christian faith which God has called us into. Often time when we hear of mission or missionaries, our minds often wander to those priests who work in distant and remote villages, preaching the Good News. In as much as this thinking is not wrong in itself, it is reductionistic. In fact, According to the understanding of the Church, Mission is everything and anything that we can do to better the world is mission. So, whether we sell in the market, work in the office, engages in hand-work, whether we are male or female, married or single, healthy or sick, rich or poor, literate or uneducated, we are all on mission. The only difference is that we are called to this universal mission in diverse ways. Thus, in whatever we do, we must try to put in our best, and do it as if they were commanded by God. This understanding that we are all on mission, together with the Gospel reading is the reason why I have titled today's reflection as, 'Give your best to the world and yourself to God'. Beloved, In the Gospel reading of today, the Pharisees and Herodians, tried to ensnare Jesus by asking Him whether it is lawful to pay tax to Caesar or not, so that they may entrap Him. However, being God, Jesus understood the rhetorical and catch-22, situation which is set before Him. So, He proved Himself God in His response. Jesus avoided their trap by confronting them with the image of a coin. Coinage in the ancient world had significant political power. Rulers issued coins with their own image and inscription on them. In a certain sense the coin was regarded as the personal property of the ruler. Where the coin was valid the ruler held political sway over the people. Since the Jews used the Roman currency, Jesus explained that what belonged to Caesar must be given to Caesar. Accordingly beloved in Christ, just like coin which bear the picture and stamp of the ruler and rightfully belongs to him, we, too, have been stamped with God's image since we are created in His own likeness. For Scripture tells us that, "God created man in his own image and likeness, male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:26-27). So, like coins, we rightfully belong not to ourselves, but to God who created us and redeemed us in the precious blood of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor. 6:19-20). This explains why St. Paul admonishes us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1). The question we must answer today and deal with is this: Do we even consciously acknowledge that our life and everything we possess belongs to God and not to ourself? And do we give to God what rightfully belongs to Him completely at all time? Beloved, in as much as we have the image and stamp of God, we are not meant to be passive observers or spectators of the events of our world and the things that happen around us. We must be active members of the society, we must contribute to make the world a better place (Gen 1:28), we must engage in profitable and dignified labour (2Thessa. 3:10), We must speak up against injustice, oppression and brutality (#EndSars), We must live once and make it count, and we must live for God, for it is in Him that we ought to live and move and have our being here on earth and in heaven (Act 17:28). PASTORAL LESSEION 1 . Remember that you and I are called to mission to the society and every place and situation we find ourselves. 2 . Remember that like the Roman coin, you and I are stamped with the image of God, so we belong to Him and ought to return back to Him. 3 . Remember that the Christian Religion is no enemy to civil government, but seeks to improve it. 4 . As a matter of urgency, We owe the government the obligation to be law abiding, dedicated and peaceful even in the face of a crumbling structure. 5. Always remember that you can only live once, so give your best to whatever you do. God Bless you OH that today you would listen to his voice harden not your heart (Ps.95:7-8). LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love, because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself, because you have put me here I promise to give my best in all I do, so help me God....Amen HAPPY MISSION SUNDAY TO YOU.... @Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara MSP.⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 18, 2020

SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2020 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A MISSION SUNDAY Isaiah 45:1,4-6, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, Matthew 22:15-21 PARTICIPATE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST Today being mission Sunday, the church sets it aside for us to reflect on our involvement in the Missionary mandate of Christ and our propagation of the gospel. God has from the very beginning, been on mission to save us. Starting with the people of Israel, he led them from slavery in Egypt to the promised land and sent them priests and prophets to continue to guide them. In the fullness of time God sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins so that we can be saved. Before his ascension, Jesus called everyone to continue his Missionary work on earth. In Matthew 28:19, he tells us to go into the world and proclaim the gospel and baptise. Pope Francis in his Mission Sunday message to all Catholics, picked Isaiah 6:8 when God asked who he would send. The answer we all should give like Isaiah is, "here am I, send me". We all should be ready to go on mission to preach the word of God. It is not for the priests and religious alone. The word of God is still very much needed today as it was during the time of Christ. As Pope Francis says in Evangelii Gaudium, the Mission of Christ is far from being over, in fact, we have not evangelised a great part of the world. Some of us may not be able to actively go on mission as priests and religious, nevertheless, we can also go to the mission by praying and supporting those who are in the mission field. We pray that almighty God will give us the grace to witness to him and to work for the evangelisation and salvation of souls. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 18, 2020

Homily of Twenty Ninth-Sunday in Ordinary Time of Year A, 2020 Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21 Today is World Mission Sunday. It is a Sunday set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activities through prayer and sacrifice. We are invited to, constantly, pray for the success of the Church’s missionary activities all over the world. In addition to our prayers, we are, also, invited to offer material and financial support to the Church’s missionary activities. We are all missionaries, either by going to the missions, or by praying for missionaries or by giving to support or sustain the missions. Also today, in a special way, we pray for men and women of goodwill who have sacrificed their resources to support God’s work in the missions. Pope Francis, in his message for World Missionary Day, 2020, draws our attention to Prophet Isaiah’s response to his calling, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). The pope writes, “This is the ever new response to the Lord’s question: ‘Whom shall I send?’ This invitation from God’s merciful heart challenges both the Church and humanity as a whole in the current world crisis. … God continues to look for those whom he can send forth into the world and to the nations to bear witness to his love, his deliverance from sin and death, his liberation from evil. … The celebration of World Mission Day is also an occasion for reaffirming how prayer, reflection and the material help of your offerings are so many opportunities to participate actively in the mission of Jesus in his Church.” The readings present to us individuals God sent on various missions. In the first reading is King Cyrus. Although he was a Persian pagan king, God anointed him and gave him the mission to set the people of Israel free from the Babylonian captivity. In the second reading are Paul, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy. God gave them the mission of preaching the Good News. We recall that Paul was a persecutor of Christians, but God made him “a chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15). Silvanus and Timothy were converts to Christianity. They became Paul’s co-workers and great missionaries. That God used Cyrus, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy as his chosen instruments, not minding their past and former ways of life, is an encouragement that God calls everyone and wants to use everyone to continue the mission of Jesus at various levels. Everyone is qualified! However, God gives mission graces to those who accept the call. The mission of Jesus which the Church and all of us are to continue is as in Luke 4:18, proclaim good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, bring recovery of sight to the blind, and set the oppressed free. And as in Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons.” And as in Matthew 25:35-40, give food to the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, and visit prisoners. The mission of Jesus is in faraway lands, and within and around us. There is mission for everyone. Pope Francis wrote in 2019, “I am a mission, always; you are a mission, always; every baptized man and woman is a mission… Each of us is a mission to the world, for each of us is the fruit of God’s love.” Let us, therefore, not stifle the spirit of mission in us by refusing the invitation to mission. Let us not stifle the spirit of mission in anyone else by what we do or what we say. Let us pray to have the spirit of mission like Paul, Silvanus and Timothy and other great missionaries through whose sacrifice Christianity reached the ends of the earth, and has survived till our time. In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees and the Herodians were bent on stifling the spirit of mission in Jesus by persecuting him. They plotted to entrap him. In the same way, Churches and Christians are persecuted all over the world. Churches and Christians are persecuted either by targeted punitive government policies, or denial of rights and privileges, or forceful acquisition of Churches’ and Christians’ properties, or destruction of Churches’ properties and forcing Christians to flee from their homeland, or killing of Christians and missionaries. Jesus forewarned his followers to expect persecution since he, himself, was persecuted (John 15:20). We pray for the persecuted Churches and Christians all over the world, that their faith may not fail. We pray that Christian leaders may stand up and stand firm to resist the Evil One and his agents prowling around and devouring Christians and Christianity. Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 11, 2020

DATE :11/10/2020 EVENT : 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) COLOUR: GREEN READINGS : Isaiah 25:6-10; Responsorial Psalm 22:1-6; Phil. 4:12-14. 19-20; Gospel Accl. John 1:14,12; Matthew 22:1-14. THEME: BE CAREFUL LEST YOU MISS THE BANQUET IN HEAVEN INTRODUCTION : Greetings beloved people of God and fellow pilgrims. I welcome you to the 28th Sunday in the Ordinary time of the Church. (An Ordinary time is the season when the Church has no particular celebration). On this Sunday, beloved friends, I wish to reflect with us on the theme, " Be Careful Lest you Miss the Banquet in Heaven ". A banquet is a large celebratory meal where people are invited to rejoice, eat, drink, chatter, merry and celebrate with the guest. Usually, a banquet is open to all with too much of food to go round until everyone is full. As social beings, we ordinarily crave for banquet and party as a means of socialization. Both the rich and poor go to banquets. The first reading of today taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah, talks about the banquet of rich things which God has prepared for all of us. This banquet of the Lord is the glory, the blessings of the new covenant, pardon for sin, the favour of God, peace of conscience, access to the throne of grace, the comfort of the spirit and hope of eternal life, which awaits us in heaven. It a dual banquet in which we experience heaven on earth as we await the heaven in heaven afterwards. However, beloved, like the parable of the wedding banquet of today's Gospel, Christ the lamb of our banquet has been sacrificed like the fattened cattle was slaughtered. The apostles, priests and ministers of the Gospel have been sent out to call those invited to the banquet just like the messengers of the wedding banquet were sent to call those invited. And unfortunately, many of us have turned down the offer just like the invited guests did. Yet, just like the master of the banquet did, God has not given up on his banquet, He is still sending out priests and ministers to invite people of all nations to His heavenly banquets because the banquet hall of heaven has to be filled up. The question now is: Will you respond to the invitation and come with the required garment? Beloved, my emphasis today's homily is on the guest who managed to enter the banquet hall without a wedding garment and was thrust out. I am afraid this is the category many of us fall into. The man was thrown out because he, being aware of the Jewish custom, refused to put on a wedding gown. Like many of us Christians, we know the law of God and of the Church, but we choose not to keep it, yet we want to enjoy the meal of the banquet. It is not possible. Listen, although God needs people to fill up His heavenly banquet, He does not need anyhow kind of people, he does not need people without the garment of charity, of love, of sincerity, of moral uprightness, of marital fidelity, of modesty, of truthfulness, of commitment and of holiness. If you lack this garments, though the priest may let you into the Church like the servants did, but God the master, who sees our innermost garment will point to you and ask the angels to thrust you out of heaven. May this not be our portion. I pray God to give us the grace of repentance so that we may put on the appropriate wedding garment so as to be able to enjoy the banquet feast of the lamb in heaven. God bless you. OH that today you would listen to his voice harden not your heart (Ps.95:7-8). LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me with your grace to always put on my banquet garment of holiness especially at the hour of my death.....Amen HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU.....(Barka da Lahadi) @Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara MSP.⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 11, 2020

28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A Isaiah 25:6-10, Psalm 22:1-6 Philippians 4:12-14,19-20 Matthew 22:1-14 YOU ARE INVITED TO THE HEAVENLY BANQUET It is very interesting to see all the readings of today talk about food and drink. It is not surprising since food is one of the most basic human needs. Just like in our country where food is difficult to get, it happens everywhere even during the time of the prophet Isaiah and during the time of Jesus. Most of our works everyday is for the purpose of having food on our tables. In the first reading of today, the prophet Isaiah describes the coming of the messiah as a time when there will be abundance of food and drink as well as peace and tranquility. It is easy for us to think about heaven in human terms and think that enjoyment is about having plenty to eat and drink. The prophet Isaiah also describes the coming of the messiah as a time when all our earthly struggles such as sickness, natural disasters, diseases, sorrow and tears as well as death will be brought to an end. These are what we see and hear everyday, and there are people who have never experienced anything other than pain and suffering. In the gospel reading, we see Jesus compare the heavenly kingdom to a wedding banquet where everything has been prepared in abundance, ready to be eaten by the guests. The Jews were the first to be invited to the heavenly banquet, but they were too proud to attend, just the way some rich people will not attend programme when invited. We all have been invited to the wedding feast, everything is ready to be enjoyed free of charge. Nevertheless, we must wear the garment of holiness, faith, love, forgiveness, mercy and similar virtues. When we talk about heavenly enjoyment, it may not be about food and drink. According to St Paul in Romans 14:17, the kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. In 1 Cor 2:9, St Paul also tells us that it is what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, what the mind of man cannot visualise; all that God has prepared for those who love him. In his letter to the Philippians as we see in the second reading of today, St Paul prays for the people in Philippi who assisted him during the time he spent with them preaching the gospel. It was not easy for St Paul to preach the gospel among those who had no food to eat, but with assistance from some people, he was able to assist others. He learnt to live without food or drink. As human beings, we need food and drink to survive, nevertheless, let us not forget that if we store them up instead of sharing with those who are hungry and thirsty, God will ask for our garment of kindness and generosity on the last day. We pray for the grace to think beyond the things of the world. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 11, 2020

 

Homily of Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time of Year A, 2020

 

Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14

 

The first reading is Isaiah’s prophecy of the mission of Jesus Christ. Every word in the first reading is fulfilled in Jesus: “A feast of rich food and choice wines… The veil that veils all peoples, he will destroy, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. [He] will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove… Behold, our God to whom we looked to save us!” Jesus provided all these when he came. He is still providing them in our time. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

 

The Gospel is the parable of the wedding feast. The Jews who refused to accept Jesus were those who either had excuses or ignored the wedding invitation. Those who were gathered from the streets to fill the hall were the Gentiles. Why, then, was someone who was called from the street be punished for not having dressed in a wedding garment?

 

In the ancient Middle East marriage feasts, special wedding garments were provided by the host, so that everyone dressed well. To refuse the wedding garment provided, freely, by the host and decided to remain in shabby clothing was an act of disobedience, and a dishonor to the host and the celebration.

 

The parable can be applied to various areas of spiritual and earthly journeys. The parable reminds us that heavenly banquet awaits us after our earthly journey. The wedding garment is life in Christ which we must put on in order to enter into eternal life. St. Paul writes in Romans 13:14, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” In 2 Corinthians 5:17, St. Paul writes, “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” We must, therefore, discard the shabby clothes of sin (desires of the flesh) and put on Christ.

 

For us Catholics, the Holy Eucharist is our earthly wedding banquet which is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. An important wedding garment to receiving the Holy Eucharist worthily is being in a state of grace. As sinners, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the most effective channel of being the state of grace. St. Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 11:27, “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27). 

 

The guest’s refusal to wear the wedding garment and his resultant harsh punishment remind us of the deadly consequences of the sin of disobedience. The sin of disobedience made Adam and Eve to lose the paradise of Eden. Sin of disobedience made Lucifer to lose his angelic position in heaven. Sin of disobedience made King Saul to lose his kingship and his kingdom, and so on. Many people have lost their lives in all kinds of accidents due to refusal to obey rules. Many people have lost their vocations, jobs, marriages, positions, benefits, associations, talents, and so on, due to disobedience. Many people have health issues due to disobedience to health and medical rules. We hear it often said, “Keep to rules, and rules will keep you.” This maxim extends to both spiritual and temporal lives.

 

Virtues of humility and obedience help us to have a better understanding of the second reading. Humility and obedience help us to survive in all circumstances: whether “being well fed or going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.” In humility and obedience, we are strengthened by God, who helps us to do all things. In humility and obedience, we trust God who fully supplies whatever we need, “in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Amen.

 

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 4, 2020

 

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

Isaiah 5:1-7,

Psalm 79:9,12-16,19-20

Philippians 4:6-9

Matthew 21:33-43

 

DO NOT FRUSTRATE THE EFFORT OF GOD

 

The first reading and gospel reading of today both talk about the ungrateful and insensitive nature of man. In the first reading, we see a scenario where the owner of the vineyard did all he could  to make sure the vineyard was good so as to produce a rich harvest. This was not the case. The fruit produced sour grapes. This is exactly the case with us human beings. We do not meet the expectations of God. He spends so much for us and we do not change? In fact, we are getting worse by the day. I can only imagine how God feels whenever he looks down on us all?

In the gospel reading, we see that the tenants on the vineyard were not ready to repent. It was not just that they refused to at least pay, they planned to even take over the vineyard.

If you think about your life today, ask yourself whether you are truly bearing fruit. If we are not, God will not mind cutting into open.

St Paul tells us in the first reading of today to try and live an exemplary life, a life of witnesses to the faith which God requires of us.

God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Eninlejie MSP