RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD: DO YOU BELIEVE?

HOMILY FOR 5TH SUNDAY OF LENT - YEAR A

THEME: RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD: DO YOU BELIEVE?

R1: Ezekiel 37:12-14 

R2: Romans 8:8 - 11

Gospel: John 11: 1 - 45

Dear friends, we are gradually approaching Easter which is the summit of our Christian belief. We are gathered here because Christ resurrected from death. With Christ’s resurrection, we are sure and we have hope of resurrection. With the resurrection of Christ we have a view of what resurrection is like:

1. Liberation from earthly suffering 

2. A total transformation.

As long as we remain on earth, we, like the Israelites who were carried to exile in Babylon, may experience several persecutions, rejection, condemnation and trials. 

Within our trying times, we may pray like the siblings of Lazarus who sent a message “Your friend Lazarus, is sick.” The term your friend, stands for every follower of Christ. It indicates someone close to Jesus (a Christian). On receiving this message, Jesus stayed for an extra two days; he didn’t go immediately until after  Lazarus’s death. Jesus’s delay was intentional for two major reasons: 

1. That physical suffering and death is a common experience of everyone and Jesus  didn’t come to stop physical death.

2. Jesus wanted to teach about the resurrection and to manifest God’s glory.

Even though everyone will! have to die someday, not everyone will resurrect to life of everlasting happiness. So who are those who will resurrect? It is only those who believe in Jesus that will resurrect to life. To confirm this Jesus asked Martha, “Do you believe?” Believing in Jesus is a necessary condition for resurrection. By the time we got baptised, we were initiated into the family of those who believe; we become interested in spiritual things. With baptism we are committed to the life of Christ, hence, we must live and act like Christ always  so that even though we may die a physical death, we shall rise with Christ. 

Resurrection sets us free from every physical chain of mortality and makes us immortal. In resurrection we are liberated from slavery to sin and the world of corruption to a better experience to live in freedom in the presence of God. Resurrection leads to a total transformation, our physical bodies will become a glorified body. It is a total change, that was why even Jesus’s closest companions didn’t know him when he resurrected.

May God help us to focus more on the things above, Amen.

HOMILY by:

Rev. Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM

HAVING A SPIRITUAL SIGHT

HOMILY FOR 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT - YEAR A

THEME: HAVING A SPIRITUAL SIGHT

R1: 1 Sam 16:1,6-7, 10-13

R2: Eph 5:8-14

Gospel: John 9:1-41

Did you notice the wonderful drama of the first reading? Samuel went to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as king of Israel. Jesse presented all his seven sons with good appearances but none of them was chosen except the last who was being looked on as not having the physical capacity for leadership. Why were they rejected? Because the spirit of the Lord did not rest on them, therefore, they lacked that grace to lead. 

Friends, is it possible that we may be called  followers of Christ without enjoying God’s favour? Do you know it is possible that on the last day some of us may be chosen while others will be left out? God forbid that this will be our portion. No wonder Matthew 7:21 maintains,  “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of God.”

What could cause our rejection by God? What could deprive us of God’s choice and favour? What could make us to be like these rejected sons of Jesse? This is found in the attitude of the Pharisees who were obstinate to God’s will. They rejected the miraculous work of God through Jesus even though they claimed to be believers of God. Instead of praising the mighty deeds of Jesus, they thought of  killing him. They knew the truth but refused to acknowledge it. They claimed to be wise but were spiritually foolish. They pretended to be lovers of God but lacked spiritual insight to understand the things of God. They were  spiritually blind, hence, Jesus told them, “judgment will come upon you” (John 9:39).

Therefore, spiritual blindness comprises of total rejection of God. It is obstinacy in sin and lack of openness to spiritual possibilities. It is negligence to spiritual things. It is being full of pride, selfishness and spiritual emptiness. Like the sons of Jesse, it is appearing huge but spiritually empty. Like the Pharisees, it is intelligent to worldly things but foolishness and empty to heavenly things. For these, Jesus says, “…your guilt remains with you.”( Jn 9:41).

Dear friends, the readings of today challenge us to be cured of our blindness, to have a spiritual sight. It is an invitation to let go of our Pharisaic pride and empty  ourselves to the healing mercy of God. St Paul in the second reading rightly puts it, “Once we were in darkness but now are in light.”  This light was given to us at the moment of baptism when we made a commitment to be a people of God. Through our baptism which initiates us to God, we become like the blind man who was cured by Jesus today. Like the blind man from birth, we share in the original sin of our first parents which Christ has wiped away and has brought us to light.

Even though we have been healed by Christ, St Paul also advises that we must try to discover what God wants which has nothing to do with darkness (Eph 5:10-11). Discovering what God wants is concretised in the profession of faith of the blind man, “I believe and worshipped him” (John 9:38). We must therefore always believe and worship God. This demands standing up to the defense of our faith, especially when people say “we are old enough to speak for ourselves.” Defending the faith is a proof of your spiritual sight. This demands doing the will of God, and this is the meaning of having a spiritual sight.

God bless you.

Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN: MY OWN EXPERIENCE

HOMILY FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY OF LENT,  YEAR A

THEME: THE SAMARITAN WOMAN: MY OWN EXPERIENCE

R1: Ex 17: 3-7

R2: Rom 5:1-2, 5-8

Gospel: John 4: 5-42

Dear friends, the story of the Samaritan woman in the gospel is a very peculiar one. Jesus, who

was tired by the day’s journey, sat beside the well at Sychar to wait for his disciples who had

gone to buy food. A woman (a Samaritan) came to draw some water by the well and there she

saw Jesus (a Jew) who was free to engage her in a discussion.This woman was an unfaithful

woman, that even though she wasn’t married she had lived with seven men.

This woman and her story represents all of us who have been unfaithful to God. Jesus meets

us and wants to lead us back to God in a new and eternal covenant. She came to draw some

water from the well, the disciples went in search of food, these represent our constant search for

material pleasure which can only grant us a momentary satisfaction. That is why Jesus speaks

of giving this woman the living water which when she drinks she will never get thirsty again. This

living water is the spirit of God that when received we are sure of salvation (eternal satisfaction).

At the start of the discussion with the woman, she was only interested in water (material

pleasure). Continuous discussion with Jesus opened her to a deeper understanding of the gift of

God. In the same way, we have been invited to a relationship with Christ through our baptism. At

the beginning we only understand that God provided our material needs and will never let us go

hungry. When our encounter and journey with Jesus to God becomes intensified we realize

sometimes how difficult the road is and like the Israelites we soon forget the initial enthusiasm

that led us to embrace the faith. We begin to complain, “why did you bring us out of Egypt into

the desert to die of thirst?” (Ex 17:3). We start reclining in our faith instead of asking for the

living water, that which wells up to eternal life. We put God to test by asking Him for signs to

show that He loves us.

Dear friends, our Christian journey is a journey of faith. The journey of faith is the journey of

hope. These are what the second reading calls us to adopt, faith and hope. Faith and hope are

built by patience, that in every situation God is there. The Samaritan woman understood this

well that was why she persisted in the discussion with Jesus. With that persistence she realized

that Jesus was not just sir but a prophet and later a messiah. With this reality she was no longer

interested in the physical water rather the living water (salvation), thus she forgot her jug and

went and call others to come and see the saviour of the world.

May we ask God for the gifts of faith and hope so that we may be persistent in the pursuit of

salvation which he has brought for us, Amen.

*Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.*

LEAVE YOUR FATHER’S HOUSE, FOR THE LAND I WILL SHOW YOU

HOMILY FOR 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT -YEAR A

THEME: LEAVE YOUR FATHER’S HOUSE, FOR THE LAND I WILL SHOW YOU

R1: Gen 12: 1- 4

R2: 2 Tim 1: 8 - 10

Gospel:  Mt 17:1 - 19

The first reading of today begins with an instruction from the Lord to Abram; “Leave your country, your family house and your father’s, for the land I will show you.” (Gen 12:1). This divine instruction forms the basis of our reflection this Sunday. 

Dear friends, this command; “LEAVE”, is a gentle reminder and a reawakening of the consciousness that the Lenten season is a time we embark on a spiritual journey. This journey has at its end a transforming effect, just as Abram became Abraham when he moved according to God’s instruction. It has the resurrection and salvation at its end. It is not a physical movement rather an internal movement which must transform the inner self. 

It is an invitation to break away from the self-imprisonment to sin and the world. The journey must challenge our comfort zones, from where this movement will begin. “Leave your father’s house”, the phrase, “your father’s house”, implies one’s comfort zone. Therefore, this is an invitation to take a risk and to make a step forward and break off from one’s shell. “Your father’s house”, stands for one’s bad habits, imprisonment to sin and careless lifestyle. Sometimes, we feel very comfortable with these lifestyles as though we were at home. God invites us today to break up from them, or to leave them. St Paul in the second reading encourages that we should bear all things for the sake of Christ and what awaits us (2 Tim 1:8). Thus, for the sake of Christ, move.

This invitation to leave this our comfort zone (bad character) is not usually an easy one. It is like swallowing a bitter pill. It is not simple to leave what one is used to and to start thinking of a new pattern. Thus, we may ask, what would the new pattern look like? What will be my fate in the new one? This reality confronted the apostles and they asked, Lord, we have left everything to follow you, what shall we gain? (Mt 19:27). It is a movement that is characterized by uncertainties.  

God’s invitation to embark on this journey is not a movement to nowhere. It is a movement to a better place;  “the land he will show us.” It is a movement to the land of transformation. Jesus made this movement to the mountain today and he was transfigured. When Moses made this movement away from the Israelites, his face became as bright as the sun (Ex 34:35). Hence, it is a movement to where we shall become new, with many possibilities and opened doors. It is a movement to the land of salvation.

The Lenten season offers us an opportunity for this spiritual exercise, in which we may develop an inner disposition to recognise what is important for this movement. It offers us an opportunity to take this difficult step with Jesus to the mountain of transfiguration. Therefore, God is calling on us to go beyond our natural limits and move higher in spirit. It is a call to move from bad to God. It is a sweet invitation to what awaits us ahead which is the land of milk and honey (the kingdom of God).

Homily by:

Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.

TEMPTATION: KNOW YOUR LIMIT

HOMILY FOR 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT  YEAR A

THEME: TEMPTATION: KNOW YOUR LIMIT

R1 Gen 2:7-9; 3: 1-7

R2: Rom 5: 12 - 19

Gospel: Mt 4: 1 - 1

Dear friends, welcome to the first Sunday of Lent. The Lenten season is a period of spiritual renewal and reconciliation. It is a time we are expected to pray and struggle against evil. Within this time we ask God for courage so that we may change our ways and believe in the Gospel.

The readings of today invite us to be conscious of temptation and sin as well. In the first reading, we read about the story of our first parents; Adam and Eve. God created them and put them in the garden of Eden. They were to eat from every tree in the garden except from the tree in the middle of the garden; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Being deceived by the serpent they ate of the tree they were forbidden to eat.

The picture of Adam and Eve in the garden represents our picture,men and women alike in the world. We have been created by God to live free in the world. Not minding the freedom we are to enjoy, there is a limit we must not cross, this represents the tree we must not eat from. Hence, we must be very conscious of the temptation to break away from the limit we must not cross. We must be conscious of those who want to seduce us into crossing this limit, these represent the seductive serpent. When we break into this domain of God, the result will be curses. 

The forty days of fasting of Jesus reminds us  that we are on a journey in this world. This journey is like a journey in the desert as in the experience of Israelites to the promised land, so also shall we enter the promised land of heaven if we live well. Therefore, we must be careful of the following temptations which may confront us and are capable of driving us away:

1. Desire for pleasure: Like the Israelites in the desert and like Jesus,  we shall be hungry. We may be confronted by many worldly pleasures that may want to push us beyond our limits. Let us not forget that whatever  we do or desire must be in accordance with the commandments of God always. Pleasure alone does not give happiness.

2. Position: Because we are Christians,  we enjoy a special relationship with God which places us on a high level of being the sons and daughters of God. However, sometimes we are tempted to say God has forgotten us, especially when we meet some confronting situations. The Israelites were faced with this situation when they experienced hunger and drought, thus, they murmured against God and abandoned God. Life challenges should not make us deny God.

We must avoid asking God to show us a sign as a proof of His love or for us to do His will. Let us be careful and not allow what we are to lead us away from God. God who created us will always save us at his time. Let us avoid asking for a sign as a proof of our love.

3. Desire for power: In the desert, the Israelites got tired of God and bowed to the golden calf. Do we at some point feel God is dead especially when we ask and don’t receive from Him? Do we at some point feel God lacks the power to save us? Jesus did not yield to the clutches of the devil even when he promised to give him the earth. Let what we want not make us bow to an inferior power.

Temptation comes through seduction. It is a seduction to go against God’s plan and will. Like I’m the case of Adam and Eve and Jesus as well, the devil tries to make a grave to look less grievous and pushes one to make a choice of what is outside our domain. Let us always be conscious of our limits and against God’s will for us.

Homily by 

Rev. Fr. Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.

RAISING OUR SPIRITUAL STANDARD

HOMILY FOR 7TH SUNDAY OF YEAR A

THEME: RAISING OUR SPIRITUAL STANDARD

R1: Lev 19: 12; 17 -18

R2: 1 Cor 3: 16 - 23

 Gospel: Mt 5: 38 - 48

Today’s first reading begins with a strong and challenging demand; “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” This statement sets the pace for today’s reflection. Thus, we may ask, what is the intention of this demand?

In ancient tradition, holiness means “setting aside, reserved for God or different from others.” People, places and objects  were set aside, apart from others for religious purposes. These were declared holy because they were reserved for God or for religious purposes only and were never to be confused with other things of circular use. The people of Israel were called holy because they were set aside by their covenantal relationship and were to live a life different from others by following the commandments of God. 

Therefore, when the first reading of today says, “Be holy…” it is demanding that we must be different from others. It is challenging us that through our character we must show that we have been set apart for God because of our special commitment as Christians. This does not mean a physical separation rather it is a demand for an interior separation, that is, to lead a life different from others. The life we should lead must reflect the life of God, who loves all without segregation. God sends rain to the just and unjust; He does not only love those who love him, he forgives even though we have slapped Him on the face many times, He does not treat us according to our sins (an eye for an eye). He is compassionate and love. This character must always reflect in the lives of His followers. We must learn to love like God, not just our lovers like the world does, but our enemies as well. The simplest way to demonstrate love for the enemy is by praying for their repentance instead of destruction.This is the meaning of being holy as our God is holy; it is putting up the right attitude.

Why must we act this way, why must we be holy, why must we put up this attitude? St Paul in the second reading answers, because,  "We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and God lives among us." The implication of being the temple of the Holy Spirit recalls three instances:

 1. We are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26-28).

2.  And after the creation of man, God breathed upon him His Spirit, and he became a living being (Gen 2:7).

3. During our baptism and confirmation in a special way, we received the Holy Spirit.

These instances present us to the forefront of reflecting that which is us. They challenge us to put into practice what is in us. Like St Paul would say, we must be ready to fan into flame the gift of God in us (2 Tim 1:6). These challenge us to raise up our spiritual standard and never to remain in the ordinary level. This is the meaning of holiness for which the readings challenge us to embrace. Refusing to fan into flame that spirit in us or lowering our spiritual standard will attract rejection, destruction, and condemnation by God.

Therefore, let us brace up for action, let us reflect what and who we are.

 May God help us to raise our spiritual standards, Amen.

Homily by 

Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.

DISCIPLESHIP: GOING EXTRA MILE

HOMILY FOR 6TH SUNDAY OF YEAR A

DISCIPLESHIP: GOING EXTRA MILE

R1: Sir 15: 15-20

R2: 1 Cor 2: 6 - 10

Gospel: Mt 5:17 - 37

Today Jesus continues with the Sermon on the Mount. Very repeatedly today Jesus said; “You have heard how it was said…. But I say to you…! This statement indicates the intention of Jesus preaching today. 

One may be wondering if Jesus by this statement is intending to make a separation from what has been taught by the prophets,  but he declared, I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Mt 5:17). Notwithstanding, Jesus teaching today is meant for a selected few; his disciples (Christians). The intention of his teaching today is to challenge the disciples not to remain in the ordinary level of their religiosity but to go an extra mile in their followership. Hence, he said, if your  virtue does not go deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter into the kingdom of God (Mt 5:20).

How do the scribes and Pharisees live, why does Jesus expect the uprightness of his followers to go beyond that of scribes and the Pharisees? Scripture made us understand that these people teach a different thing while their actions communicate different things. They never practice what they preach, rather they lay boardings on the people which they themselves are not willing to lift (Mt 23:13,15,23,25,27).

Therefore, Jesus challenges our actions so that  we may not only avoid evil but to do good for in this lies the strength of Christian. These extended beatitudes are aimed at drawing us closer to God as well as our neighbour. While we strive to avoid evil and remain in good relationship with God, we are to totally refrain from those acts that are capable of leading us to sin.

Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, these are the steps  Jesus wants us to adopt. (1). Since people are most times influenced by what they hear and are taught, we must watch against misleading others and teaching them the wrong thing for acts like this can send one to hell. (2). Against the commandment not to kill, Jesus warns us not to be angry at all or to be in control of our anger. It is anger that can push one to take another’s life. (3). About forgiveness, Jesus wants the offended to make the first move towards reconciliation and not just to wait for the offender to make the first move. This is following his example, for not minding that we have sinned against God, He took the first step by sending His Son to come and reconcile us with God. (4). Against adultery, we must be masters of our looks. It is what we look at that pushes us to  acts that are adulterous. Build a responsible friendship and relationship that does not make the other an object to be exploited instead. 

Dear friends, our daily living in the world places us on the crossroad of choice, either to choose the way of God and have life or away from God and die away. These beatitudes present before us the way we should follow so that we shall have life in God. Let us avoid being logical like the pagans who see the commandments of God as what is outdated. 

Homily by:

*Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM*