Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Ninth Sunday of Easter Year B - May 30, 2021- Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

 Homily of the Most Holy Trinity Year B, 2021

 Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22; Romans 8: 14-17; Matthew 28:16-20

 We celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost last Sunday. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles brings the work of the Most Holy Trinity to its fullness. God the Father is the Creator. God the Son is the Savior. God the Holy Spirit sanctifies and renews.

 As we read in the gospel, when Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, he authorized his apostles to baptize in the name of the Trinity. He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). By extension, Jesus commands us to do all things in the name of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. That is why, all our prayers begin with the invocation of the Trinity, and end with the blessing of the Trinity. We invoke the Trinity each time we profess the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirt, and sign ourselves with the Sign of the Cross. It is, therefore, important that we profess the holy names and sign ourselves reverently. The sign of the Cross was known in Christian liturgy about 3rd century AD.

 The Trinity is one of the most important mysteries in Christianity. Thus, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three persons, but one nature, one God, equal, undivided, and inseparable. We are not invited to fully understand the dogma because it is a mystery. We are, rather, invited to participate in the nature of the Trinity.

 What is the nature of the Trinity?

 First, the nature of the Trinity is Unity: The Trinity is one nature, inseparable, and undivided. We are invited to witness unity wherever we find ourselves. Separations and divisions are not from God.

 Second, the nature of the Trinity is harmony: There is perfect harmony in the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit relate in harmony from creation to the descent of the Holy Spirit. We are invited to work harmoniously with one another.

 Third, the nature of the Trinity is equality: The three persons of the Trinity are equal. None is superior to the other. Therefore, we are invited to provide equal treatment and equal opportunity for everyone.

 Fourth, the nature of the Trinity is love: Unity, harmony, and equality can only be possible where there is love. The Trinity is bonded by love. We pray that we are bound together by genuine love. As we know, everything is possible with genuine love.

 Fifth, the nature of the Trinity is holy: As we celebrate and worship the Most Holy Trinity, may the rays of their holy light shine on us, dispel forces of sin and darkness, and bring us to conversion. May the rays of their holy light bring us healing. May the rays of their holy light guide us to the path of truth and righteousness. May the rays of their holy light grant us protection. Amen.

 Any family, church, community, organization, institution, or country that is rooted in the nature of the Trinity will experience unity, peace, and progress. The crises we have everywhere is because of human beings’ rejection of the nature of the Trinity. Some people are rooted only in human nature that leads to nowhere. Worse still, some people are rooted in the nature of the Evil One and they go astray. Inequality, injustice, disharmony, hate, disunity, crises, and so on are opposed to the nature of the Trinity.

 

Humanity’s trinitarian interconnectedness is in such a way that what affects one affects all. Whatever happens to one part of the world affects other parts of the world. In his Urbi et Orbi (city and world) address, March 27, 2020, Pope Francis says, “We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, …” An English author, John Donne, in 1624 wrote, “No one is an Island, entire of itself; everyone is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main. … No one is self-sufficient; everyone relies on others.”

 The celebration today reminds us the necessity of the unity and oneness. It is often said, “Where there is unity, there is strength, and there is victory;” “United we stand, divided we fall.”

We conclude with St. Paul’s trinitarian blessing in 2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” Amen.

(Please, share this homily with friends and family. Let us all become instruments of evangelization.)

 Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for Eighth Sunday of Easter Year B - May 23, 2021 - Pentecost Sunday

 Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Gal. 5:16-25; John 20:19-23 

Speaking Our Native (Tongue) Language

1.     As we celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost today, we read these words from the first reading: “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the spirit enable them to proclaim.” (Acts 2:1-4). Today is the birthday of the church. We often think that the Holy Spirit came into existence on the day of Pentecost. That is far from the truth. God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and manifests Himself as such. But on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit became the dominant reality in the life of the early Church. It was the source of all guidance. The leaders of the Church were men of the Spirit. It was the source of courage and power, the counselor, the comforter and a solace in times of difficulties. We can rightly say that the early Church was a Spirit-filled Church and that was the source of its power.

2.     “There were three great Jewish festivals to which every male Jew living within twenty miles of Jerusalem was legally bound to attend – the Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. Pentecost means “The Fiftieth,” and another name for Pentecost was “The Feast of Weeks.” It was so called because it fell on the fiftieth day, a week of weeks, after the Passover. At least as many came to the Feast of Pentecost as came to the Passover. That explains the roll of countries mentioned in this chapter; never was there a more international crowd in Jerusalem than at the time of Pentecost.” Pentecost commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. So, it was a holiday for all and the crowds on the streets would be greater than ever. It was on that day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. The disciples experienced the power of the Spirit flooding their beings in a way they never had before. “All filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (Act 2:4).

3.     In verse 11 we read “Yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” With the coming of the Spirit the crowd heard the apostles, for the first time, speaking out openly about the mighty acts of God. They were ready to take the gospel to the ends of the earth and witness to the resurrection of Christ. With the power given them by the Spirit, they were able to preach the word of God in a way that struck straight to their hearts, that they could understand. The power of the Spirit gave these simple disciples a message that could reach every heart. Their chains of fear and intimidation were broken, they were free to move courageously among Jews and Gentiles alike, armed with the power of the word to set the captives free and preach a year of favor to the downtrodden.

4.     The disciples being understood by all who gathered is indicative that the ancient tragedy of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9) is now reversed. The people at Babel had arrogantly tried to “make a name” for themselves by building a tower to heavens – symbolizing the human attempt to see power, wealth, and security without any reference to God. In consequence God confounded the universal human language into many different languages, which made it impossible for them to complete that tower. At Pentecost, the Spirit-given ability of Jesus’s disciples to speak in various languages signifies that God is beginning to overcome human divisions. We too received the spirit at baptism. The Spirit gave us the power to speak words of wisdom and understanding that should be understood by all who hear us. The Spirit empowered us to do great things for God, to break the bonds of sin and division and bring about unity, peace and love. Yes “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:3). Paul reminds us that “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7). Have our Spirit grown dull and lukewarm? Why has the Spirit not burned the bad habits of our live and sow the seed of love in our hearts?

5.     The Spirit is God’s gift to us. Christ tells us “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk. 11:13). Instead of spreading gossip that hinders us from speaking our native language of love in praise of the mighty works of God, we ask the Spirit to help us be preachers of God’s marvels. Instead of proclaiming falsehood may the Spirit assist us to speak words of truth and honesty. For those who harbor strife, vengeful thoughts and hatred may the Spirit enable them to love God and their neighbors. We can only speak the language of love if we learned it from birth. Our parents must have taught us, not so much by what they say but by what they do. They must speak that language first at home with us through social interactions, relationships and the company they kept. No interpreter is needed, we must see it, feel it, practice it and then speak it.       

1.     Let us ask the Holy Spirit to come to us with his gifts of “Wisdom and understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord.” (Is. 11: 2-3). May the Spirit give us his fruit of “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal.5:22-23). May the Spirit conquer the indifference in our world and help us fight the internal battles of “immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies and the like.” (Gal. 5:19-21). And so we pray: Come O Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love, send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. God bless you! 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

 

 

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Eighth Sunday of Easter Year B - May 23, 2021- Pentecost Sunday

 Homily of Pentecost Sunday of Year B, 2021

Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 29-34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

 The Church was conceived when Jesus said to Peter, “You are the rock, upon you I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18). But the Church was born on Pentecost Sunday with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

 Among the Jews in the Old Testament, the feast of Pentecost was when Jewish pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem from various parts of the world: Europe, Asia, and Africa to celebrate the festival of thanksgiving for the first fruits of their harvest (Numbers 28:26).  Before his ascension, Jesus instructed the apostles to go and wait in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit. The apostles returned to Jerusalem, and locked themselves up in the upper room (Acts 1:13).  While the crowds were celebrating the feast of Pentecost, the apostles remained up in the upper and stayed in prayer. It took the power of the Holy Spirit to liberate the apostles from the fear of the Jews and bring them out of their hiding.

 We read in the first reading, “Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, ‘Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?’” 

One of the miracles of the descent of the Holy Spirit was that the apostles spoke in different languages, in such a way that people from various parts of the world could understand them in their own language. We recall that in Genesis, God used language to disperse the builders of the Tower of Babel (Genesis: 11:1-9). During the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, God used language to unite all peoples (Acts 2:11). One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is that the Church is able to preach the message of Christ in different languages in all parts of the world.

 The celebration of Pentecost Sunday is our prayer for individual Pentecost experience. We pray for the renewal or revival of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. Isaiah 11:2-3 names the following gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts can be called foundation gifts on which numerous other gifts of the Holy Spirit are rooted into.

 St. Paul names some other gifts which have been referred to as extraordinary or charismatic gifts: faith, healing, mighty deeds (miracles), prophecy, discernment of spirits, varieties of tongues (variety of languages), interpretation of tongues (interpretation of languages), apostleship (discipleship), teaching, assistance, and administration (1 Corinthians 12:9-10, 28). These extraordinary or charismatic gifts are nourished by the foundation gifts named above.

 The sign that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are effective and active are the lasting fruits they bear. St. Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 mentions some of the fruits as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 For many of us, it is true that the gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed on us are either inactive or minimally active. For this reason, St. Paul urges us, “I invite you to fan into flame the gift of God you received through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).

 

However, there are spiritual conditions that enable revival of the gifts and for us to experience personal or interior Pentecost. The first condition is as St. Paul urges us, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Ephesians 5:14). The second condition is as St. Paul, also, invites us, “Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

 Through the grace of Pentecost, may we be able to “arise from dead.” May we be able “to throw off the works of darkness.” May we be liberated from hiding and freed from “the fear of the Jews.” May the fire of the Holy Spirit descend on us that we may fan into flame the gifts God has given to us; and may the gifts bear lasting fruits. Amen

Shall we rise and sing:

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, and use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

 

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Easter- May 16, 2021

 SUNDAY 16TH MAY 2021

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 1:15-17,20-26

Psalm 102:1-2,11-12,19-20

1 John 4:11-16

John 17:11-19

THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ONLY DWELL IN A HEART OF LOVE

Today is the last Sunday before Pentecost,  the Easter season is almost over. On Thursday of this week, we celebrated the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. We can only imagine how painful it must have been for the Apostles to see Jesus leave them again. They had not overcome the trauma of his death and resurrection. The leadership of the church began to take shape as soon as Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter took his duty as leader of the Church and his first work was to call for a replacement for Judas as we see in the first reading of today and the feast of St Matthias on Friday of this week. It is very important that we try to be united with the church of Christ, and the various societies and organisations we belong to in the church. We may feel too big among others or cut ourselves away by our lifestyle of pride, disloyalty, carelessness, greed, anger or any other personal factor. As in the case of Judas, he chose money over Jesus and the gospel, and he was easily replaced. No one is indispensable.

The scenario of the early church is very lovely. Unlike today where people campaign and lobby for positions even inside the church, Peter and the other Apostles called on God, they prayed and cast lot, and it fell on Matthias. We are not told that Matthias campaigned for the post, Joseph his colleague did not reject the result. Everyone worked peacefully and lovingly for the growth of the church.

It is also very important to see how the owner of the upper room allowed the Apostles to stay there for this long time. After staying there for 40 days, Jesus told them to remain there for another 10 days, they should not go out until the day of Pentecost. Many early Christians such as Dorcas, Lydia, Priscilia and Aquilla, Cornelius and many others, expressed the love of God to make the faith to germinate and grow in the early church.

The second reading of today, draws our attention to the love of God, which we are to show to one another for the growth of humanity. Jesus gave us a new commandment today, that we should love one another as he has loved us.

In the gospel reading, Jesus prays for unity among all Christians. Only those who are united can experience and share the love of God. We are awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, he will fall afresh on us once again, but the Holy Spirit can only dwell in a heart full of love. As Jesus ascended to heaven, he made it clear that only love and concern for one another can help us survive this world. May we be fully ready to receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for Seventh Sunday of Easter Year B - May 16, 2021 - Ascension

  Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mk. 16:15-20

Stop Staring, Get Back to Work!

1.     William Shakespeare understood life on earth as we see it today. In Merchant of Venice he said through Antonio, “I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, a stage where everyman must play a part.” (Act 1 Scene 1). And so, it is for everyone; we step into the scene from birth and play our part till death. The feast of Ascension reminds us that Christ, who died, rose from the dead and appeared to his Apostles for 40 days, now ascends into heaven, while the Apostles must continue the work of evangelization. The apostles were prepared for this task from the day Christ began his public ministry until now. He told them, “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk. 1:15). And at the end of his ministry, he commissioned them to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (Mk. 16:15). We Christians must believe in Christ and witness to him. To be a true Christian is to be a missionary disciple.

2.     As Christ was being lifted up, the Apostles looked intently at the sky, I guess wondering what to do next. Angels had to intervene in order to bring them back to reality. “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). With that the Apostles recalled the words of Christ. “You will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). They must prepare themselves for their mission. So back to Jerusalem they returned and devoted themselves to prayer while waiting for the Holy Spirit. Aren’t we like that most of the time? Thoreau was right when he said, “We live merely like ants, and our lives are frittered away by details.” We often get caught up in problems and are weighed down by difficulties. We tend to lose direction and find it difficult to see things in the correct perspective. At times like these we need to recall the vision faith gives us regarding the goals and meaning of our lives. Why are we here? What is the purpose of our lives? Christianity is not standing around waiting for something to happen; it is about making something to happen. We make it happen by witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ through word and deed.   

3.     The feast of Ascension gives us hope, strengthens our mission and empowers us to bring the gospel of salvation to others. It reminds us of our Baptism; when the word of God was placed on our lips by the minister as he said, “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.” (The Rite of Baptism). Jesus also received his mandate at his baptism. It was then that his mission was revealed. Hence, he said, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Lk. 4:18-19). The letter to the Hebrews told us, “For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; Behold, I come to do you will, O God.’” (Heb. 10:5-7). This too is our mission, to do the will of God and bear witness to him.

4.     Ascension is about endings and beginnings. Christ’s personal ministry on earth ended, but the operation of the Holy Spirit in his followers to continue his ministry began. It is now time for us to step up and play our part in the mission of Christ. As he commissioned the disciples, so we are now commissioned to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, until the end of age.” (Mt. 28:19-20). Now the time for preparing his apostles for the mission to build his Church was over, but the time for the participation in the expansion of that church began. We must begin witnessing to Christ and carry on his mission to the ends of the earth. But we know that we are not alone. He is with us always in and through his spirit.

5.     To bear witness to Christ we must be men and women of prayer. We come to church to praise God, to hear his word and to break the bread of his body with our brothers and sisters. But we don’t stand by staring up to heaven. We have places to go and things to do. So, we must stop staring and get back to work! We must leave the church with fire in our hearts to preach the word and bear witness to him in the world. Christ has no one else except me and you to continue this mission of love. He has no body but ours, no hands and feet, no eyes and ears, no means to show compassion and love, to show mercy and offer forgiveness, to preach the word and baptize but ours. Our hands must be his hands, our mouth must be his mouth and the good that must be done by him must be done by us. If anyone is to die again for others, it must not be Christ but us, since we are called to bear witness to him. And so, we pray at this Mass that we may witness to Christ by celebrating His Ascension into glory. May this celebration of hope remind us that we too will join Christ one day to enjoy life in full communion with God, to behold his beatific vision, and live in peace and harmony with God and all the saints in glory. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

 

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Easter Year B - May 16, 2021- Ascension

Homily of Ascension of the Lord Year B, 2021

Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

 The idea that Jesus was a political messiah never left Jesus’ disciples even when Jesus was about to ascend into heaven. Jesus’ disciples gave him a heroic welcome into Jerusalem believing that he had come to overthrow the Romans. Then, he was arrested, crucified and buried. When Jesus reappeared, the disciples’ conviction of his political messiahship became stronger. We read in the first reading, “When they had gathered together they asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?’” I guess that Jesus’ answer astonished them further. Jesus replied to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The disciples might have wondered, “What’s this man talking about? We are talking about the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, and he is talking about the Father and the Holy Spirit and witnessing. What’s the connection?” Probably, that was why when Jesus disappeared into the cloud, the apostles stood in bewilderment and gazed intently at the sky until the angels came to minister to them. Then, they returned to Jerusalem and “went to the upper room … [and] devoted themselves with one accord to prayer…” until the descent of the Holy Spirit on them (Acts 1:12-14).  

 What does the Ascension of the Lord mean to us?

 First, Jesus ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of God interceding for us. St. Paul confirms this, “Who will dare condemn them? Christ who died, and better still, rose and is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us?” Jesus himself says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  The Book of Hebrews speaks of Jesus, “Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Also, 1 John 2:1, “We have an intercessor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One.”

 Second, Jesus says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am” (John 14:3). The two angels who appeared to the disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven said to the disciples, “This Jesus has been taken up into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” The Preface of Ascension 1 of today’s Eucharistic celebration says, “Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.” We are, therefore, to be ready for his return, and go with him. The Lord speaks of his coming in the Book of Revelations, “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed” (Revelations 16:15).

 

Third, Jesus is no longer physically in the world. As his followers, we are to continue his good deeds by witnessing him to the world. Jesus remains in the world through us who are his disciples, ambassadors, and witnesses. We are mirrors of Christ. We are his mouth, his hands, his feet, and his heart. St. Teresa of Avila appeals to us: “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

 Fourth, when Jesus ascended into heaven the apostles went to the upper room and devoted themselves with one accord to prayer until the descent of the Holy Spirit on them. We are invited to go into “upper room” of prayer, and pray for the renewal and fire of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises us, “I will send him to you” (John 16:7). St. Paul prays for us in the second reading, “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, …” (Ephesians 1:17-19).

 Finally, in today’s gospel reading, before his ascension, Jesus reveals “the hope that belongs to his call” and the effects of the power of the Holy Spirit. The receivers of his call and the Holy Spirit will go out and proclaim the gospel. Signs will accompany them: they will drive out demons; they will speak new languages; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mark 16:17-18).

 May we not remain looking at the sky but go into “upper room” of prayer and receive our call and “the surpassing greatness of his power.” Amen.

 Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for Sixth Sunday of Easter Year B - May 9, 2021

  Readings: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 Jn. 4:7-10; Gospel John 15:9-17

Love Breaks all Barriers.

1.     In the first reading, we see Peter, a Jew, in the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Jews had nothing in common with the Gentiles. The Gentiles were not considered fit to be admitted into any place of importance, not to mention the kingdom of heaven. Peter’s presence in the house of Cornelius was therefore, considered a taboo, scandalizing and very offensive indeed, to the Jews. To that point, Peter said, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean. And that is why I came without objection when sent for.” (Acts 10:28-29). Peter began his preaching with these words: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is accepted to him.” (Acts 10:34-35). While Peter was preaching, we are told: “The Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit would have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.” (Acts. 10: 44-47). All Peter could say was “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?” (Act. 10:47). With that Cornelius and his household were baptized.

2.     The division, hatred and barriers in our world today are caused by man’s inhumanity to man and our inability to keep the commandment of love. It is the limitations we place on love that create animosity among people. Though many people in our society think that they are better than others, more intelligent, talented, richer and better endowed than others, it doesn’t make them right. Thoughts like these foster violence and bloodshed among brothers and sisters. The belief that one race is better than or more superior to others, makes it hard, if not impossible to love. Hence, St. Paul tells us, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28). Therefore, Christ exhorts us in the gospel: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love.” (Jn. 15:12).  And John stresses in the second reading: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” (I Jn. 4:7-8). We must love as we are loved by God.

3.     God’s love transforms and redeems us. He loves us sacrificially through his Son, who gave up his life for our sake. He tells us: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (Jn. 15:13). There is so much misunderstand and mistrust in our society because we have not kept the commandment of love. Christ demonstrated this to his disciples when he said: “You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn. 13:12-15). The disciple must walk in the footsteps of the master; hence the Apostles were so convinced of their discipleship and the teaching of their master, that they were not afraid to die for others as their master did. No mountain was high enough for them to climb and no barrier could prevent them from bringing the gospel of Christ to the ends of the world. Hence Peter went to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, to preach the gospel of salvation to him and his household. God took the initiative and proved to them that salvation was open to all his children regardless of race, origin and tribe. All are welcome in God’s house.

4.     It is not surprising that today we celebrate Mother’s Day. Today we remember those special women in our lives who celebrated and continues to celebrate and love us. They would willingly sacrifice their lives for us. They reflect the heart of Jesus, the heart of love. They were our teachers, our religious education instructors and our sole guide and providers from womb to birth and beyond. Their love for us was not just warm and fuzzy feelings; it was dedication, commitment, care, forgiveness, unselfishness and thoughtfulness. Our mothers’ love is captured by Paul: “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, not pompous, not inflated nor rude. It does not seek its own interest, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:4-8). Hence, John tells us that God is love, to love is to communicate God. This love breaks all barriers and brings us together. St Paul urges us to “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Rom. 13:8). At the end of our life on earth we will be judged on how much we loved God in one another. May God who loves us show us how to love others so as to abide with him in all eternity. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

 

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter Year B - May 9, 2021

Homily of Sixth Sunday of Easter Year B, 2021

 Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 98:1-4; Psalm 98:1-4; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17

 Many Jewish Christian converts of the early Christian community believed that non-Jews and Gentiles were unworthy of becoming Christians. They lost sight of the fact that Gentiles were among the followers of Jesus when he was alive. The apostle, Simon the Zealot (the zealous one), was a Canaanite. Matthew 15:21-28 tells us about the faith of the Canaanite woman, and the faith of the Centurion in Matthew 8:5-13. Then, Chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles begins with the vision of Cornelius (a Roman centurion), and the vision of St. Peter. The visions reveal the inclusive nature of Christianity.

 The visions played out when Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house. “Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, ‘In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.’ While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God” (Acts 10:34-35, 44-46).

This is a painful reminder of past and present partiality, exclusive, and discriminatory mentalities, laws and regulations in religious and civil circles across the world. St. Peter made a powerful statement while addressing the people, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean” (Acts 10:28). He continues, as we see in today’s reading, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35).

 The first reading begins with the following words, “When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being” (Acts 10:25-26). St. Peter’s humility is a challenge to those who arrogate themselves to ‘golden calves’ and demand others to ‘worship’ them.

 Unfortunately, too, we discharge these unholy attitudes of partiality, exclusion, and discrimination on one another in our homes, groups, churches, communities, neighborhoods, places of work, gatherings, institutions, organizations, and so on. The way out of these sins is for us to see one another with eyes of love. For this reason, St. John writes to us in the second reading, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

 The admonition continues in the gospel reading. Jesus says to us, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. … This is the commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:9 and 12-13). We have many great examples of people who have made or make various degrees of sacrifices for love of God and human beings.

 To conclude, let us call to mind the words of St. Peter, “God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean.” Therefore, let us not demean anyone or people, or see anyone or group as second-rate or third-rate. Let us see each other with the eyes of love, and break down barriers and barricades of partiality, exclusion, and discrimination. By so doing, we are able to accept one another, live in peace with one another, work with one another, build up one another, give one another equal opportunity, and celebrate one another and with one another. When we say that all men and women are created equal, and that all men and women are endowed by God with equal rights, let us match up these words with sincere actions. So help us God. Amen.

 Fr. Martin Eke, MSP