"From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” (Mark 7: 21 - 23)."
Ultimately we can't blame the devil, upbringing, or society for the corruption in us. Our Lord tells us sin comes from our hearts. This is not bad news because it means it is within us. It is not beyond us. We are not puppets but humans created with the power to make decisions. We can do something about the perverse situation of our hearts. Moreso, God is at work in us to make us ever willing and able. When impure thoughts rise in our hearts let's call on the name of Jesus, every knee bows at that name. As often as we invoke that name every stronghold of evil in our hearts will give way.
🙇♀A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily from Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Godliness and righteousness are not matter of externals, but they flow from the goodness of one’s heart. To be acceptable to God is not a matter of compliance to rituals but one that involves cleansing of our inside-our hearts and minds from what is not of the Lord. Jealousy, envy, hatred and pride are among the few that we as Christians should be able to decide to cleanse from our inner being. They mislead us and deceive us with foolish suspicions that we effectively mistrust everyone. We become paranoid that people are ganging up on us and our subsequent reaction is to attack with unfair accusations which are not only unsound but uncharitable and certainly not characteristic of a follower of Christ. They cause us to sin and to spill out impurity…impure thoughts and deeds that are fit only for those who have decided to affiliate themselves with the Enemy. Today let us ask ourselves who invited jealousy, envy, hatred and pride and unforgiveness into our hearts. No one but our sinful nature! This is the reason why change should sincerely start from within us. Shalom!
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily from Tuesday, February 12, 2019
In Mark 7:1-13, the Pharisees and the Scribes see that the disciples of Jesus eat with unwashed hands, and so ask Jesus a question concerning what they consider as defilement. In his response to them, Jesus takes the discussion to a higher plane, by focussing not merely on what defiles or does not defile a person, but on true worship, which stems from the heart. To illustrate his point, Jesus gives the example of Corban, in which the Pharisees’ would dedicate, something to God, and so not allow anyone else including their parents to use it, but would use it themselves. In case others wanted to use it, their answer would be that they could not allow them to do so since it was dedicated to God (Corban)and so belonged to God alone. There are times when we find way and means to get out of fulfilling our obligations to others. We come up with flimsy excuses when we cannot keep a commitment, and try to absolve ourselves of our responsibility. At these times we too can be accused of lip service. Shalom!
Fr Patrick Etuk, MSP - Homily from Tuesday, February 12, 2019
"This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me". Mt.15:8
True worship is a matter of the heart, not mere religous observance, an outward show nor an out-pour of emotions.
A heart free from falsehood, malice and dishonesty is always welcome and acceptable in God's presence. When we fall into sin God is ever willing to forgive us if we acknowledge our faults and are willing to make ammends. Yet, he can't stand hypocrisy, a deceitful heart, a malicious intent to circumvent his laws and commands, let alone justify our actions when we are clearly wrong. He hates it when we lie in his name, using our religiosity to deceive people for our personal gain.
🙇♀A humble and contrite heart O God you do not spurn. All I bring to you this morning is a broken Spirit. Be merciful unto me a poor sinner. Amen.
True worship is a matter of the heart, not mere religous observance, an outward show nor an out-pour of emotions.
A heart free from falsehood, malice and dishonesty is always welcome and acceptable in God's presence. When we fall into sin God is ever willing to forgive us if we acknowledge our faults and are willing to make ammends. Yet, he can't stand hypocrisy, a deceitful heart, a malicious intent to circumvent his laws and commands, let alone justify our actions when we are clearly wrong. He hates it when we lie in his name, using our religiosity to deceive people for our personal gain.
🙇♀A humble and contrite heart O God you do not spurn. All I bring to you this morning is a broken Spirit. Be merciful unto me a poor sinner. Amen.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Fr Patrick Etuk, MSP - Homily from Monday, February 11, 2019
"Whatever villages or towns or countryside he [Jesus] entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed." (Mark 6: 56).
No one who came to Jesus, left empty handed. Anyone who touched him was healed. We desperately need his touch today, we who are often afraid, anxious, broken, wounded, lonely, weak and sick. We don't have to search for him. He has come to us as he went to their towns, villages and farms. He is so within reach for everyone. All we need do is turn to him in faith and we will find solace in him. He will heal us and bind our wounds freeing us from all our ills.
🙇♀Lord Jesus, everyone who touched you was healed. Lord, I have assurance that my case will not be different. It is settled as I turn to you this morning. Amen.
No one who came to Jesus, left empty handed. Anyone who touched him was healed. We desperately need his touch today, we who are often afraid, anxious, broken, wounded, lonely, weak and sick. We don't have to search for him. He has come to us as he went to their towns, villages and farms. He is so within reach for everyone. All we need do is turn to him in faith and we will find solace in him. He will heal us and bind our wounds freeing us from all our ills.
🙇♀Lord Jesus, everyone who touched you was healed. Lord, I have assurance that my case will not be different. It is settled as I turn to you this morning. Amen.
Fr Patrick Etuk, MSP - Homily from 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time year C, Feb. 10, 2019
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain". 1cor. 15:10
1. Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life." It is a spontaneous gift from God "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved" that takes the form of divine favor, love, clemency, and a share in the divine life of God.
2. We could do nothing except by God's grace. All our effort will come to nothing, except by his grace. All our good will turn to ill except by his grace.
3. God"s grace is available to everyone no matter the condition of the person. No matter how sinful you are, you are a possible beneficiary of God's grace. In fact the more miserable we are the greater his love and even his willingness to show us mercy. Paul is a great example. He persecuted Christians and hated them with a passion but God showered him mercy and transformed him even when he did not ask for it.
4. God's grace is not automatic, we must respond accordingly so that his grace will be effective and fruitful in our lives.
We must tap into his grace. We must position ourselves to receive grace. How?
5. Let us acknowledge our sins and unworthiness. When Isaiah recognised his faults and humbled himself, God sent his angel to purify him and he was instantly cleansed.
6. We must be available. God's grace Will be fruitful in us when we are available for his purposes, Isaiah says here I am send me. He didn't even know the details and what demands the Lord will make, he simply abandoned himself. Whenever we yield to God we experience the power of his grace. Lord, grant us the grace to yield completely to you. Amen.
7. We must be docile. Being docile is being willing to take instructions from the other, not living according to our own whims and caprices. Paul tells us that the gospel is able to save us if we live by it. This is what Peter did he acted on the instruction of Christ. Jesus told him, pay out the net into the deep for a catch. He obeyed in spite of the fact that he did not see reasons to do so. Afterall, he had laboured all night and caught nothing. But when he obeyed, he neted such a huge catch that he needed help to bring to shore. Breakthrough, open doors await you as you are docile to Jesus, but when we live in rebellion we keep moving in circles and not making any progress. Obedience will bring immeasurable blessings to your life. This is grace. By his grace you can live in obedience. Amen.
8. God wants us to be instruments of his grace. Jesus tells Peter, I will make you fishers of men.
The greatest service we can ever render in this world is to make ourselves available to bring back our fallen brethren to the fold. We must have a burden for souls and be co-redeemers with Christ. This task today is more urgent than ever. We must be like Isaiah saying here I am send me. And if this disposition is lacking in us let us fervently ask for it and God Will grant it to us. Grace is not for the capable but for the available. There are people lost out there. Ask God to use you to bring them back no matter how deep in sin there are and far from his grace. The grace of God will not be fruitless in you. Amen.
1. Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life." It is a spontaneous gift from God "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved" that takes the form of divine favor, love, clemency, and a share in the divine life of God.
2. We could do nothing except by God's grace. All our effort will come to nothing, except by his grace. All our good will turn to ill except by his grace.
3. God"s grace is available to everyone no matter the condition of the person. No matter how sinful you are, you are a possible beneficiary of God's grace. In fact the more miserable we are the greater his love and even his willingness to show us mercy. Paul is a great example. He persecuted Christians and hated them with a passion but God showered him mercy and transformed him even when he did not ask for it.
4. God's grace is not automatic, we must respond accordingly so that his grace will be effective and fruitful in our lives.
We must tap into his grace. We must position ourselves to receive grace. How?
5. Let us acknowledge our sins and unworthiness. When Isaiah recognised his faults and humbled himself, God sent his angel to purify him and he was instantly cleansed.
6. We must be available. God's grace Will be fruitful in us when we are available for his purposes, Isaiah says here I am send me. He didn't even know the details and what demands the Lord will make, he simply abandoned himself. Whenever we yield to God we experience the power of his grace. Lord, grant us the grace to yield completely to you. Amen.
7. We must be docile. Being docile is being willing to take instructions from the other, not living according to our own whims and caprices. Paul tells us that the gospel is able to save us if we live by it. This is what Peter did he acted on the instruction of Christ. Jesus told him, pay out the net into the deep for a catch. He obeyed in spite of the fact that he did not see reasons to do so. Afterall, he had laboured all night and caught nothing. But when he obeyed, he neted such a huge catch that he needed help to bring to shore. Breakthrough, open doors await you as you are docile to Jesus, but when we live in rebellion we keep moving in circles and not making any progress. Obedience will bring immeasurable blessings to your life. This is grace. By his grace you can live in obedience. Amen.
8. God wants us to be instruments of his grace. Jesus tells Peter, I will make you fishers of men.
The greatest service we can ever render in this world is to make ourselves available to bring back our fallen brethren to the fold. We must have a burden for souls and be co-redeemers with Christ. This task today is more urgent than ever. We must be like Isaiah saying here I am send me. And if this disposition is lacking in us let us fervently ask for it and God Will grant it to us. Grace is not for the capable but for the available. There are people lost out there. Ask God to use you to bring them back no matter how deep in sin there are and far from his grace. The grace of God will not be fruitless in you. Amen.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Fr Martin Eke, MSP - Homily from 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time year C, Feb. 10, 2019
Homily of Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
The first reading is about the call of Isaiah, the second reading about the call of Paul and the Gospel about the call Peter.
The first reading narrates Isaiah’s vision and encounter with the Lord: Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord and his angels. He acknowledged his sinfulness, “Woe to me … For I am a man with unclean lips.” To sanctify Isaiah, one of the angels took an ember from the altar fire and touched Isaiah’s lips saying, “your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” The Lord said, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here I am, … send me.”
Like Isaiah, Paul acknowledged his sinfulness. Paul said, “I persecuted the church of God.” On Paul’s way to Damascus to persecute the Christians, “a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and was blind for three days. When Ananias prayed for him, “Immediately, things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight.” Thereafter, he became a chosen instrument of evangelization (Acts 9:1-19).
Peter, like Isaiah and Paul acknowledged his sinfulness. He said, “I am a sinful man.” The Gospel narrated Peter’s experience: “[Jesus] said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.’ Simon said in reply, ‘Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.’ … When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’”
Isaiah, Paul and Peter, by their own judgement were unworthy to answer God’s call. God called them despite their unworthiness. Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets. Paul was the greatest evangelist; and Peter, became the head of the Church. God may be calling someone to priesthood, or to the religious life, or serve in any of the ministries of the Church. The person may have all kinds of excuses. Someone can even go to the extent of wanting Jesus to depart, and leave him/her alone. Sometimes, we forget that when God calls, he gives the grace. All we need to do is put out into the deep water with faith and lower the nets for a catch. God does the rest.
God’s call is not only to serve in the Church. God calls us to serve him and humanity in various assignments, responsibilities, and professions. We are, also, to accept these calls with faith. God calls us to various areas of life; he wants to make us his chosen instrument; he wants to make us fishers of men and women. All we need to do is to put out into the deep with faith and lower our nets for a catch. God does the rest.
There are several reasons why some people do not respond to God’s call. Some people have a phobia feeling of inadequacy. Their feeling and expression are always “I can’t.” There are people who are afraid of failure. Putting out into the deep is too much a risk. There are people who settle for less or settle for mediocrity. They are unable to put out into the deep because they lack aspiration. They set the bar so low for themselves. There are people who are very comfortable in their comfort zone. Putting out into the deep will disturb their comfort. There are people who are lazy. They lack energy to put out into the deep. There are people who are easily frustrated and discouraged. They are unable to endure and triumph over the hitches and difficulties that go with putting out into the deep. There are people who lack the will power to pursue their vision. They remain at the level of dreams. They are unable to put out into the deep. There are people who are unable to put out into the deep because they live in the world of their ugly past. They must transcend their past for them to move forward and put out into the deep.
Psalm 42:7 says that Deep is calling each one of us to deep. May the angel of the Lord touch us with ember of fire to ignite us. May the light of Christ shine upon us to lead us. May we become God’s chosen instruments. Amen.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
The first reading is about the call of Isaiah, the second reading about the call of Paul and the Gospel about the call Peter.
The first reading narrates Isaiah’s vision and encounter with the Lord: Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord and his angels. He acknowledged his sinfulness, “Woe to me … For I am a man with unclean lips.” To sanctify Isaiah, one of the angels took an ember from the altar fire and touched Isaiah’s lips saying, “your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” The Lord said, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here I am, … send me.”
Like Isaiah, Paul acknowledged his sinfulness. Paul said, “I persecuted the church of God.” On Paul’s way to Damascus to persecute the Christians, “a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and was blind for three days. When Ananias prayed for him, “Immediately, things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight.” Thereafter, he became a chosen instrument of evangelization (Acts 9:1-19).
Peter, like Isaiah and Paul acknowledged his sinfulness. He said, “I am a sinful man.” The Gospel narrated Peter’s experience: “[Jesus] said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.’ Simon said in reply, ‘Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.’ … When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’”
Isaiah, Paul and Peter, by their own judgement were unworthy to answer God’s call. God called them despite their unworthiness. Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets. Paul was the greatest evangelist; and Peter, became the head of the Church. God may be calling someone to priesthood, or to the religious life, or serve in any of the ministries of the Church. The person may have all kinds of excuses. Someone can even go to the extent of wanting Jesus to depart, and leave him/her alone. Sometimes, we forget that when God calls, he gives the grace. All we need to do is put out into the deep water with faith and lower the nets for a catch. God does the rest.
God’s call is not only to serve in the Church. God calls us to serve him and humanity in various assignments, responsibilities, and professions. We are, also, to accept these calls with faith. God calls us to various areas of life; he wants to make us his chosen instrument; he wants to make us fishers of men and women. All we need to do is to put out into the deep with faith and lower our nets for a catch. God does the rest.
There are several reasons why some people do not respond to God’s call. Some people have a phobia feeling of inadequacy. Their feeling and expression are always “I can’t.” There are people who are afraid of failure. Putting out into the deep is too much a risk. There are people who settle for less or settle for mediocrity. They are unable to put out into the deep because they lack aspiration. They set the bar so low for themselves. There are people who are very comfortable in their comfort zone. Putting out into the deep will disturb their comfort. There are people who are lazy. They lack energy to put out into the deep. There are people who are easily frustrated and discouraged. They are unable to endure and triumph over the hitches and difficulties that go with putting out into the deep. There are people who lack the will power to pursue their vision. They remain at the level of dreams. They are unable to put out into the deep. There are people who are unable to put out into the deep because they live in the world of their ugly past. They must transcend their past for them to move forward and put out into the deep.
Psalm 42:7 says that Deep is calling each one of us to deep. May the angel of the Lord touch us with ember of fire to ignite us. May the light of Christ shine upon us to lead us. May we become God’s chosen instruments. Amen.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
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