WATCHING AND WAITING

Homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent, Yr C 2021: 

Theme: WATCHING & WAITING!

R1:Jer 33 : 14 - 16, 

R2: 1 Thess 3 : 12 - 4 : 2, 

Gospel: Lk 21 : 25 - 36.

*A. PREAMBLE*

The advent season is a special season of watching and waiting. It is a season that is marked by the liturgical colour of purple - a colour that evokes the sense of sobriety. This colour is used during lent and funeral ceremonies. Every Advent season has the two fold character of waiting for Christ's coming as a Saviour and His coming as a Judge.

*Story of a drunkard who was saved by his friend from drowning after drinking. He continued the drinking habit and 20 years later was arraigned for a murder case before his friend again, this time not as his saviour but as his judge.

*B. THE PROMISE*

God makes us a promise through the Prophet Jeremiah that the days are coming when a righteous branch shall spring forth for David who will practice and teach us honesty and integrity in the land. This is exactly what Jesus has done.  He tells us in today's gospel that there will be signs in the sun and moon and the stars...and then they will see the Son of Man coming in glory.

This coming in glory (the parousia) has two dimensions; on individual basis at our death/ individual judgment and on universal basis at the end of time for the universal judgment. The immediate context in which Jesus spoke in today's gospel is the prophesy about the destruction of the Jerusalem city. It later happened in 70AD  when over 97,000 Jews were taken captives and 11,000 people perished by slow starvation and the sword. But not a single Christian perished because they heeded the prophetic warnings of Jesus and fled to Pella.

*C. MESSAGE OF VIGILANCE*

Let us be warned against the triumph of evil in our society today. We need to repent and flee before the wrath of God is unleashed against our Country Nigeria where bribery and corruption is becoming the order of the day inspite of all the noise of fake Christianity and Islam. Countries like Japan and China that are dominated by other non Christian religions seem to be doing better than us in the area of hardwork and discipline just because the brand of Christianity being practiced in Nigeria is the fake one.

Jesus warns us against the life of debauchery, drunkenness and materialism. These three sins have taken a strong grip of many of our political leaders encouraging a lot of wastage and consumerism. Jesus recommends 3 attitudes/ disposition for Christians in preparation for his coming:

1. Be watchful; He used the phrase: 'Stand erect and hold your heads high'. There should be no form of drunkenness.

*Advice of a wounded wife of a drunkard who killed his 2 daughters with a knife. The only surviving son also became an addict of marijuana and killed himself. The woman now advises young ladies: 'Do not be drawn into the madness of marrying a drunkard'.

2. Be holy; Being holy according to St Theresa of the Child Jesus is having extraordinary perfection in our ordinary duties. Imagine lecturers teach their students without exploitation, clerks in the offices push people's files without asking for bribe, leaders being accountable for public funds, etc.

3. Be prayerful; We must pray always like Jesus our master did; At his baptism, before choosing his apostles, at Gethsemane, at the transfiguration, during the last supper, on the Cross, daily midnight prayer, etc. James told us: 'You have not because you ask not, and when you ask and receive not, it is because you pray wrongly', James 4 : 1 - 3.

*D. CONCLUSION*

The way we receive him liturgically at every Christmas will mirror the way we will receive him at his 2nd coming (parousia). If we do not develop the habit of being vigilant now then the Lord will surely find us sleeping. We must endeavor to break with every habit of sin and learn to be in a state of grace all the time.

I don't know what other warning signals Christians are waiting for in Nigeria to begin to change our priorities and try to live out the message of the gospel. Christ has told us in the parable of the sower about the tragedy of the seeds that fell among thorns; cares of this world and the allurements of riches and worldly pleasures choke the Word they hear and they yield nothing, Mk 4 : 18 - 19. 

O my God! This seems to be the fate of so many Christians, especially Church leaders in Nigeria today. Unless we get back to the discipline of praying and fasting, we cannot be spiritually sober to see the sinking ship of this 'Titanic' called Nigeria. We will only remain busy rearranging the seats of our sinking ship - we will be busy building the physical structures of the Church without the spiritual aspects. Happy Sunday dear friends!

Reflection by Ben Agbo (Rev Fr)

HIS REIGN IS UNIVERSAL

HOMILY FOR THE 34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

SOLEMNITTY OF CHRIST THE KING...Jesus Christ is still at the centre, His reign is Universal

Today, as in every 34th Sunday of the liturgical year, the universal Catholic Church celebrates the Kingship of Christ whom is her Messiah and her King. This feast comes at the last Sunday of the Ordinary Time, Sunday before Advent (a period of waiting for the promised Messiah). 

The feast celebrates the conception, “that Christ is a Universal King”. 

The understanding of the word ‘universality’ connotes an existence that prevails, extends, applies everywhere and involves everyone and in all times. We began the liturgical year with Him and today we are solemnly ending it with Him as the King. Being universal, He is the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. The Church acknowledges this universality, hence, the institution of this solemn feast by Pope Pius XI in 1925 (93 years ago) promulgated on December 11, 1925 in his encyclical Quas Primas (Latin: In the first).

According to the Pontiff, Jesus Christ is King by two rights: the right of nature and by the right of conquest.

Meanwhile, the idea of Christ’s Kingship dates back to the earliest days of Christianity which was manifested in his works, signs and wonders that He performed.

This universality is made most evident in the first reading of today from the Prophet Daniel 7: 13-14 where “all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; His dominion becomes an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away…” and in the second reading from the Book of Revelation 1:5-8, “every eye will see him, everyone who pierced him, and all tribes will wail on his account…who is and who was and who is to come” (Rev. 1:8) – He is still at the nucleus of everything and incorporates all.

What sense can this solemn feast make to us in this generation? Just as the fear of communism and secularism gave rise to the institution of this solemn feast, this feast with Jesus at the centre of it all will assuage the fear of many who are today living in the fear of many things (real or imagined) in our present time. 

There is every need that we appropriate this feast and make it ours by proclaiming Jesus as the central and/or Universal King. We still live in fear in our present day. People live daily in fear. Others have been cast to the end or even outside the social margins, there is hope in sharing in the Kingship of Christ and we do not need to feel like outcasts. There are still many others who are in doubt and question the Kingship of Christ and His Supremacy just as in the Gospel periscope of today; Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King?” (John 18: 33). This feast further reminds us of the preeminence of Christ even in our tough and complicated generation and country.

It was Pope Saint John Paul II who said that "man can build a world without God but that this world will end by turning against him.  Just as  it will be foolish as Psalm 14:1 said to think there is no God above, so will it be to think that Jesus Christ the King is not in the Centre. Hence, on the next level we need to realize that He is and ought to be invited to the centre of the individuals, families, society, government, and nations.

The centre of our spiritual life (He is one without whom no one can be holy and see God) - John 15:4-5

The centre of our material life (He is one without whom no one lives and moves) – Acts 17:28.

The centre of our social life (He is one without whom we cannot interact) – Romans 12:5

The centre of our political life (He is one without whom no power exists just as the era of communism wanted to make people believe) – Matt. 28:18.

As we celebrate the King Jesus Christ today, we pray with the Church that God who has restored all things in his beloved Son, the King of the Universe will set the whole creation free from slavery and cause all mankind to render service to His majesty and ceaselessly proclaim His praise.

CHRISTUS VINCIT, CHRISTUS REGNAT, CHRISTUS IMPERAT – 

Christ conquers, rules and reigns.

Reflection by:

Rev. Fr. James Onyebuchi Adawai, SMMM

THE PAROUSIA... LAST THINGS

HOMILY OF 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

THEME: THE PAROUSIA…THE LAST THINGS

In the history of religion, the term eschatology refers to conception of the last things: immortality of the soul, rebirth, resurrection and the end time. It is also believed that everything in this world including the cosmos itself exists in time and must one day come to its very end. Each year, especially by this time, nature reminds us of this reality of always getting prepared and to be renewed for that day unknown to us.

In no distant time, our liturgical year, that is year B will be drawing to a close. As we are ending as to begin a new liturgical year of the church, so it is in every sphere of life; for example trees like ‘’Oha’’ shed their leaves in preparation for new life, individuals are seriously preparing to end the season, even some land animals and birds have started migrating for a new life looking for a greener pasture.

However, the church has always and will forever remind us as she did in today’s readings to be aware and to consider seriously about the reality of last end, the coming of Christ- the parousia, the time when Jesus Christ will return to judge humanity at the end of this world. In our first reading today, Daniel makes us to understand that there will be a time of trouble, such as never has been, but at that time, that people will be delivered, everyone’s name shall be found written in the book. Daniel strongly proclaimed that hard times will end and a new kingdom will be established. In speaking of this hope- filled future, the book alludes to ideas that will be found in the New Testament: about angels, about the resurrection, about the son of man. 

In today’s gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘’in those days after the great tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven and the powers in heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Dear friends in Christ, with the weight of this message, one could see the reason why the disciples in Mathew 24:3, approached Jesus privately and asked; ‘’Tell us when this will take place. What signs will be given us before your coming and the end of the world’’. 

In 1cor. 15:23, one could see this great message being preached again. ‘’in fact, who but you are our hope and our joy? Who but you will be our glorious crown before Jesus our lord, when he returns’’ {1 thess. 2:19}.

We as Christians, we ought to look forward to the second coming of Christ the parousia, as to the occasion of a great feast and celebration. Beloved in Christ, in Christian context, the sun represent bountifulness, hope and victory of life over death. Biblically, the moon symbolizes and highlights cosmic events, divine epiphanies and ephemeral nature of human life. Spiritually, the star is connected with the light of Christ. Star represents the five wounds of Jesus on the cross; it has the symbolism of divine guidance and protection. Dear friends in Christ, today’s readings especially the gospel is reminding us the need to get prepared for the last days and like Christ said, there will be the gathering of the elect.

Therefore as Christians;

We must not expect a life free from suffering

We must not expect a life free from denial

We must not expect a life free from hatred

We must not expect a life free from persecutions.

Let us like Jesus who passed through all these in the hands of men, stood firm and accomplished his mission, may we also accounted as those who accomplished their mission on the last day.

What lessons can we draw from today’s message?

Understanding and having good relationship with people will help us to be with God on the last day.

In line with the gospel acclamation today, let us watch at all times, praying that we may be able to stand justified before the son of man.

Like the sun, let us radiate, show love and concern to those who suffer for no just cost.

Since death is a necessary end, let us always get prepared by serving God in faith and love.

As Christians, we must learn to make good use of each and every day of our lives. 

LET US PRAY: O lord, help us not to give up and grant us the enabling grace to see the last days in peace! Amen.

Fr. Sampson Chetachukwu Nwachukwu, SMMM.

A CALL TO SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY

HOMILY ON THE 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Theme: A CALL TO SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY

R1:         1Kings 17:10-16

R/P:       Psalm 145:6-10

R2:         Heb. 9:24-28

Gospel: Matt. 12:38-44

In the first reading of today, Elijah encountered the widow of Zeraphat who assisted him with the last food in her house. This act of generosity was largely rewarded through the words of the prophet. 

It implies that the first purpose of our generosity is not what we stand to gain but to render necessary service to someone in need. This sacrificial way of giving is also evident in the life of Christ whom the author of the letter to the Hebrews describes in the second reading as our High priest who became both the priest and the victim. As distinct from the priests of the old covenant who go to the sanctuary year after year to offer sacrifices for the purification of the people and for his own sins too, Christ our High priest sacrificed himself once and for all and took the fault of many on himself.

Meanwhile, in the Gospel Jesus praised a poor widow who gave all she had out of her love for God. However, prior to this observation, Jesus warns us against being like scribes whom though were among the elites and the educated, lived in ways that contradict the laws they interpret to the people. 

Jesus Christ therefore warns us against overbearing: 

i) quest for prominence where people are ready to do whatever it takes to be relevant and famous. This ugly mentality is also found among the people of God who are ready to go to any length in order to be recognized or to attain a desired position in the Church.

ii) quest for difference: the Scribes sought to be different and as such lived ostentatious, hypocritical and dishonest lifestyle. Thus, they take undue advantage of their exalted positions (these are the men who devour the property of the widows Mk 12:40). For instance, a doctor who deceives illiterate patients by making their sickness look too serious in order to attract higher bill, a lecturer who forces students to buy books at exorbitant price, a taxi driver who doubles the price of transportation because there is scarcity of vehicles, a trader who extorts customers because they have little knowledge of the current market situation etc should consider himself or herself as eating from the same plate with the scribes.

We are therefore encouraged to emulate these two widows who gave all they had. Ultimate and true prominence will be achieved before God if we are able in all honesty to share what we have with one another. We do not have to wait until we have in abundance so as to give. Remember, “Nobody is so poor that he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich that he has nothing to receive”, (John Paul II). Real giving is always sacrificial and at times reckless. Since Christ our high Priest offered himself for our sake, we must reciprocate this love by giving our lives, time, energy and loyalty to him; and by sharing what we have with one another. 

Peace be with you!

Fr. Jerome Odiejije SMMM

ACCEPTING GOD'S WORD THROUGH LOVE.

HOMILY FOR 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

R1:             Deut. 6:2-6

R/P Ps 18: 2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

R2:            Heb. 7:23-28

Gospel:   Mk 12:28b-34

Theme: ACCEPTING GOD'S WORD THROUGH LOVE.

I welcome you to last Sunday in the month of October. Today marks the end of October devotion as we await the last two months of the year 2021.

From the readings, God through Moses makes a promise and a reward that awaits us if we keep His commandments.

In the first reading, God says, if we keep His laws and observe His commandment we will prosper and increase greatly. He will make us possess the promised land (these promised land could be identified in various aspects of our lives: success and breakthrough in business, academic excellence, peaceful and a happy home, good life partner, gift of children and so on). Be assured that God's promise will surely come to be and his time is always the best.

Christ who is our ideal priest, despite all he went through in his Calvary ordeals, persevered till the end in obedience to God's will. This merited him the crown of glory on the resurrection day. It  tells us therefore that the reward for obedience to the father which he promised will always be given. We have Christ who is our model and is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He lives to intercede for us who come to God through him (Cf. HEB. 7:25)

Jesus in order to help us sustain, keep and fulfill our convenantal strength with him, gave us a new commandment in the new dispensation: LOVE. He commands us to love God and our neighbor as we love ourself. No other commandment is more important than this. Anyone who loves God and his/her neighbor will definitely not go against other commandments. (CF Mtt 22:40)

Although these may be different avenues through which we express love since faith becomes a given when associated with a good act as St. James made us to understand,

our offerings, charity, sacrifices, almsgiving, etc are not more important than this love which Christ taught us. They are            subsumed in it.

Thus immediately the scribe confirmed in explanation what this love entails, Jesus replied "you are not far from the kingdom of God"(Mk 12:34)

It implies that we need to love in action and in truth. Definitely, we cannot do without act of  listening. For whoever lacks the ability to listen, cannot love. Love begins with listening, graduates to compassion, sympaty, empathy, etc.

One might ask, listening to who?

Listening to the ideal Priest. The Ideal Priest as the second reading tells is the one who is Holy, Innocent and uncontaminated. Other Priests offer sacrifices everyday but His sacrifice was done once and for all by offering Himself. He is Christ who is the only way, the truth and life for us in entering God's kingdom. (Jn 14;6)

The Psalmist therefore encourages us to do this with all our strength if we are to gain this reward promised by the Father.

We can do so by allowing God's words to penetrate our heart. We need to listen to Christ always.

Beloved in Christ, there are seven(7) benefits we received through the relationship between God and His People as was rightly pointed out by St Paul in Rom. 9:4-5.

We need to pay attention to them:

1. Adoption: God gathered us as the New Israel.

2. Glory: God gave us His Glory through Christ.

3. Covenant: God drew us to Himself.

4. Law: God taught us how to live.

5. Worship: God is always present in our assembly.

6. Promises: God promises us life and blessings.

7. Patriarchs: Through them, God shows his care by promising that our land will flow with milk and honey.

If we understand these benefits and keep them with all our heart, soul, mind and body definitely we will not be far from His Kingdom.

The words we receive from Him are Spirit and they are life. (Cf Jn 6:63)

Listening and paying attention to the word of God will save our souls from eternal damnation. 

Shalom.

Reflection by

Fr Richard Anigbogu, SMMM

RETURN TO THE LORD

HOMILY FOR 30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B* 

R1: Jer 31:7-9, 

R/P:  P 125:1-6, 

R2: Heb.5:1-6, 

Gospel: Mk 10:46-52

Theme: RETURN TO THE LORD

Today’s readings challange us to turn back to the Lord. We can recall that in the gospel of last Sunday, the two brothers James and John, made a special appeal to the Lord, that he should grant that on the last day, the two of them will be seated one at his right and the other at his left (Mk 10:35-45). Jesus, asked them if they will be able to receive the kind of his baptism and drink of the cup which he himself will drink. From that last Sunday’s gospel reading, we found out that following Jesus or becoming part or a member in his kigdom is not by a mere proclamation and profession of faith, it also requires drinking of a cup. 

Today’s gospel reading continues from here, stating clearing what we must do if we want to be part of this kingdom. It explains to us the kind of cup we must drink to merit that possition of sitting at his right and his left. Thus, we have the following lessons to learn from the readings:

*1. The call of God is for all:*  In the first reading of today, the prophet Jeremiah challanges the chiefs of nations to shout for joy, for the Lord will bring back from the land of the North, the blind and the lame, women with child and those in labour. Here the prophet wants us to understand the direction of God’s call. God calls both those who have closed their eyes against the suffering of helpbless (the blind). He wants those who have refused to speak against the evil in the society to return to him (the lame). He is not leaving behind those who are fruiful either in their ministries, apostolate, places of work or those who are making effort to bear good fruits (women with child), neither is he overlooking those who are suffering due to what they have intentionally committed (women in labour). Thus, let all of us make our way back to God.

*2. The medium through which we can return to the Lord:* Every Christian adventure needs mentorship. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews clearly writes: “No one takes this honour upon himself...(Heb 5:4).” For everyone that wants to live a good Christian life, such a person must seek a spiritual assistance. Let no one underlook the function of the priest who acts in the Person of Christ, in our struggle to perfection. The Sacrament of Penance is a necssary tool for this return. In this Sacrament, the priest acts not for himself and by himself, he acts in the Name of Christ. It might also interest you to note that as long as Bartimaeus desired to have his sight, “Jesus invited him through the aid of others.”  Jesus did not say to him, Come! He rather said to others, ‘Call him here.’ Mk 10:46. Spiritual support is essential for all.

*3. The voice of concience as a tool for spiritual return:* From the gospel reading of today, we see that the blind man (Bartimaeus) was only prompted by the shoutings of others to ask what was going on. Many Christians have blocked their minds from hearing this inner voice that always push us to seek the presence of God. This blind man was never forced to speak, he thought of himself and shouted, “Have mercy on me, Jesus, Son od David.”(Mk 10:47). This is the kind of force that should push me to seek God’s grace. Am I comfortable with my present situation? Have I blocked my ear from hearing the voice of God? To what extent has all the homilies I have been hearing affected my life positively? We cannot see, we cannot improve spiritually unless we listen to the inner voice and ask Jesus, that we may see.

*4. The cloak we must drop:* Did you notice that immediately Jesus invited Bartimaeus he threw away his cloak and jumpted to him? One will begin to imagin if he jumped naked to Jesus. My friends, there are things we must necessarily leave behind if we want to follow Jesus. Mk 10:29 insists that anyone who leaves his father, mother etc for the sake of the kingdom will receive the reward. The cloak we must leave behind include bad friends who are not helping us spiritually. In the case of Bartimaeus we see those who tried to discourage him, those who told him to shut up  but he overlooked them and shouted the louder. There are people we must overlook, there are actions we must overlook, there are habits we must overlook, there are dressing codes we must overlook, there are lifestyle we must overlook. These are the things that are drawing us back. They are those voices that keep discouraging us. We need to leave them behind so that we do not become as heavy as the rich man (Mk 10:25) who will find it difficult to enter the kingdom. The time to turn to the Lord is now. Jesus is telling us, Courage! Let us make haste while the sun shines.

May the Lord help us and may he bless his words in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Reflection by:

*Rev Fr. Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.*

THE ROUTE TO GREATNESS

HOMILY FOR TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

R1: Isaiah 53:10-11

R/P: Psalm 32:4-5,18-20,22

R2: Hebrews 4:14-16

Accl: Jn14:6

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45

THEME: THE ROUTE TO GREATNESS

Human beings are by nature ambitious. Our ambitions are fuelled by our pride and ego and our insatiable appetite to be better than others, to be more qualified, to be more learned, to be richer, famous or more influential. The endeavour behind almost every human effort is that of the desire to be great. 

The Disciples of Christ were not left out in this human quest to be great. In today’s gospel narrative, two of Christ’s apostles (James and John) approached Jesus and requested to be allowed to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in his glory. When persons sit at the right hand and left hand of the throne, it means that they share in the power, glory and authority of throne.

In ancient times, only the queen mother and the heir to the throne were allowed seats at the right hand and left hand of the king. No one else were allowed. The request of James and John was practically a definite request to share in the power, glory and authority of Christ. The request of the two sons of Zebesee revealed a yearning ambition to be greater than the rest of the apostles. Their request revealed a desire to be special, to stand out from the rest and perhaps to exercise authority.

The other ten apostles were not innocent of this ambition as well. Their feeling of indignation when they heard of the request of James and John revealed their own personal envy. They all sought to be great; to stand out; to share in the power, authority and glory of Christ. When Christ noticed the indignation among them, he called them together and showed them the route to true greatness.

In the words of Christ, “Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be the slave of all.” 

For Christ, the route to greatness is service, sacrifice and humility.We, like the apostles are in the same boat of seeking greatness; seeking to stand out, working hard to excel and to be above others in our various walks of life. This certainty is human. Christ does not condemn this quest for greatness. Christ rather shows us the path to true greatness. 

Greatness lies in service, sacrifice and humility. This runs against the trajectory of greatness in the eyes of the world. To the world, greatness means having others at your service. It means having other people’s opinion agree with your own opinion; it means having control over other people’s choices and decisions; it means having other people’s will bend to your own will. It literally means having your way all the time. But Christ changes this our idea of greatness. The key to greatness is service. We become great when we sacrifice our choices and preferences and decide to serve others. To the world, it indicates weakness; but for Christians, it is the path to greatness.

The first reading of today draws our attention to the suffering servant, who through his suffering and sacrifice procured justification and ransom for many. That suffering servant is Christ, who through his suffering and death paid the ransom for our salvation. In his suffering and sacrifice lies his greatness. His route to greatness was that of sacrifice. He invites us to sacrifice our time, talent and treasure for the good of others.

How do we pursue greatness? Do we exploit others in our quest to be great? Are we consumed by greed and avarice in our bid to become great? Has the thirst for greatness made us monsters of oppression and suppression in our society? Is our idea of greatness “sitting on the seats of power while others are at our service?” Do we lord it over people because we have the privilege of authority over them?  How do we handle power and authority? Do we see power and authority as opportunities to serve, sacrifice and be humble? Or do we see it as an opportunity to exact undue influence, to pressure and to exploit others as we feed our insatiable ego? Are we driven by the lust for power? If we see greatness as “sitting on the left hand and right hand of glory and power”, then we may not be free from the unhealthy competition, rivalry, envy, jealousy, greed, avarice and selfishness that hold many in our society captive.

 

Let us always remember that the route to true greatness is the route of service, sacrifice and humility.    

Peace be with you.

Reflection by:

Rev. Fr. Franklin Emenike,SMMM