Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 1 of Lent - February 22, 2021

DATE : 22/2/2021 Monday of the first week of Lent

 EVENT :  The Chair of St. Peter (Feast)

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : 1Pet. 5:1-4: Resp. Psalm 22:1-6; Matt. 16:13-19.

 THEME:  ONE LOVE AND ONE SPIRIT BIND US TOGETHER

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Twenty Second day of February, on which the Church celebrates the chair of St. Peter's in Rome, day, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " One Love And One Spirit Bind Us Together". Beloved in Christ, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, the Church has four marks. She is Holy, Apostolic, Catholic and One. Speaking about the Oneness of the Church means that, there is always unity, communion and sameness within the Church, because she has one head, Christ. Whose visible vicar on earth is the Pope. And she has one Spirit, who directs and leads all her affairs, the Holy Spirit of God. Thus, as long as Christ remains the head of the Church with the Holy Spirit as it's invisible and binding force, the Catholic Church will forever remain united and One. Hence, this feast of the chair of St. Peter's which we celebrate today, is meant to remind us and to celebrate the unity of the church of Christ on earth. Therefore, The feast of the Chair of St. Peter in general is about the formation of the Church when Christ said, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.” (Matt. 16:18).

     This feast has been celebrated at Rome, Italy from the early days of the Christian era on 18 January, in commemoration of the day when Saint Peter held his first service in Rome. Now, Rome and not Jerusalem was chosen as the seat of the Catholic Church for several reasons. In 70 A.D, Jerusalem was destroyed and the disciples dispersed as the Jews continued to make Jerusalem unfavourable to the nascent faith. Also, most of the early Christians migrated to Rome, and many of them were martyred there including St. Peter and St. Paul. Furthermore, at that time, Rome was the seat of the world's political powers, so the Church wanted to be close to the corridors of powers, where decisions affecting all were made. Lastly and most preferably,  in honour of St. Peter whom Christ made the head of his church, a basilica was erected at his graveside in Rome where he was martyred, with a seat of power over his head. So, for easy and physical connection with him who was made the head, the succeeding vicars, used the basilica and sat at the chair which is over the head of Peter. And in the spirit of communion, all the Catholic churches around the world are connected with the Church of Rome and is administratively accountable to her.

       Beloved, we know that God has no visible hands or mouth or legs. Rather, he makes us of human instruments even with their limitations to carry out his divine purposes. So, just like God made us of Moses and the other prophets of old to direct his people, in this our days, God also makes us of the Pope, bishops and his priests to direct and lead the affairs of his church. Thus, no bishop or priest owns any Church. Rather, they are mere administrative shepherds, called and chosen to direct the affairs of God's Church. Hence, in the first reading of today, 1Per. 5:1-4, St. Peter, as the first leader of the Church, admonishes bishops and priests on how to lead the church placed under their watch and care in these words:

 "Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow".

     So, basically, bishops and priests are not just meant to preach, but like Pope St. JohnPaul II, says, 'they must first be witnesses, if their preaching would have binding force'.  Thus, although they are leaders of the church, their salvation is also at stake if they fail to discharge their responsibilities with honour and diligence. Therefore, as the flock and lay faithfuls, we owe it as a moral responsibility to always pray for, support and encourage our priests and bishops, and never to talk ill or gossip them, even when out of human weakness they fail in certain aspects of our expectations.

Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, may your Holy Spirit continue to guide the Church and may no selfish human element disparage her......

The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.

 May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen

 HAPPY NEW WEEK BELOVED FRIENDS

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the First Sunday of Lent Year B - February 21, 2021

DATE : 21/2/2021, the First Sunday of Lent (B)

 EVENT : Mass of the Sunday (Solemnity)

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Gen. 9:8-15; Resp. Psalm 24:4-6,7-9; 1Pet. 4:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

 THEME: TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS REVEAL WHO WE TRULY ARE

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this First Sunday of Lent, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Trials And Temptations Reveal Who We Truly Are". Beloved, it is often said that trials and temptations are parts and parcels of our lives here on earth. Hence to be alive and not experience either or both of them is nearly impossible. Thus learning to cope with and come out victorious from every form of temptations, should be the greatest concern of any serious individual. For whatever trouble or temptation that cannot destroy you, will surely leave you a lesson and a better person. Because tough times do not last but tough people do. Beloved, in the various readings of this first Sunday of Lent, the Church wants us to reflect on our attitude towards trials and temptations and see how we can turn such opportunities into sources of salvation and channels of grace.

     In the first reading of today, we heard how Noah and his entire house hold were saved from the destructive flood, having confronted and overcame the trials and decadence of their era. Thus, despite the temptations of the time, the destructive flood and dangers all around, the family of Noah emerged unscathed. The devil could not harm him, for he responded and allowed the Holy Spirit to direct him. More so, we see the deceptive work of the evil one more concretely in the Gospel reading of today, Mark 1:12-15. We are told that Jesus was led by the Spirit to the wilderness where after fasting for forty periods, he was tried and tempted by Satan. And unlike our first parents, Adam and Eve, who fell to the temptations of Satan, Jesus triumphed and conquered him. And then the angels of God came to minister and wait on him. Listen dear friends, the devil is a good strategist, he does not waste his energy on an already won battle. He knows how to strategize and where to shoot his shots. He knows that this is a season of Lent, a time of grace, spiritual resistances, mercy-seeking, resolutions, prayers and mortifications. He also knows that he has to double his efforts, to map out new pitfalls and release his full artilleries. So, we must be ready, resolute and stand on emergency alerts so as to resist the devil in whatever ways he may disguise himself.

           As Christians, our faith is not measured by the battles we wage at favourable times, but by the battles we confront at unfavourable moment. As we begin this season of Lent let us brace up, seek the help of the Holy Spirit, and try our best to emerge victorious with Christ at Easter. For it is the final outcome of our Lenten observance that will determine what kind of followers of Christ we truly are.

       Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8)

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me to remain steadfast in my resolutions and grant me the grace to overcome all the assault of the enemy this period of Lent

The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.

 May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......Amen

 

   HAPPY SUNDAY BELOVED FRIENDS.

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday after After Ash Wednesday - February 20, 2021

  DATE : 20/2/2021

 EVENT : Saturday After Ash Wednesday

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Isaiah 58:9-14; Resp. Psalm 85:1-6; Luke 5:27-32.

 THEME:  TAKE NOTE OF THE IGNORABLE FAULTS

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Twentieth day of February, the Saturday After Ash Wednesday, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Take Note Of The Ignorable Faults". Beloved, during this my short time as a Roman Catholic Priest, I have had the privilege of experiencing people on a deep and personal level. Some I have even accompanied and still accompanying in their spiritual journeys. During these my encounters, I have come to discover that many of us are really trying and making efforts to avoid the obvious sins and to be holy. However,  most of us, have a very shallow idea of sin and what offends God. For instance, if a hundred people come to confessions, you could almost readily predict the range of sins they would all be confessing. If it is not lie, it is disobedient, then abuses, followed by sexual related sins (fornication, adultery, masturbation and abortion) and then a few anger burst moments. But, we know that inasmuch as these sins are worth confessing, there are a lot of Ignorable wrongdoings and faults which every one of us commit, but pass it by or even are not conscious that we have transgressed. These are the sins which God wants us to be weary about in today's readings.

    In the first reading of today, Isa. 58:9-14, God reminds us through the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, that it is evil when we waste and throw away food, when people are hungry around us. It is a sin when we pass by an oppressed person without doing or saying something. It is a grave sin when we travel or transact on Sundays. It is a sin worth confessing when we gossip, speak ill or defame the character of another person, whether what we said is true or wrong. It is a pardonable fault when we pass by sacred images, places and person without showing adequate reverence. It is  a sin when we plan sin in our heart, even if we eventually did not carry it out. It is an offence when like the Pharisees in today's Gospel, Luke 5:27-32, we feel holier or more godly than other people. It is unchristian when we think and judge others to be sinners. It is a sin when we pretend to avoid somebody because they have wronged us, while we are actually malicing them. It is a sin to keep items which in conscience we know that we no longer need them. It is a sin to always shout 'JESUS', at every slightest provocation or accident.

   So beloved in Christ, if you truly want to be holy, do not just focus your attention on the big sins mentioned earlier. Remember that these small and Ignorable faults also have the power to cost you your salvation. Hence, just like it is often said, "that the devil lies in the details", make sure to guard against this Ignorable faults, so that you may be completely blameless before God. I hope your Lenten fast is going on well? Peace be with you.

Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, from hidden and Ignorable faults acquit me.

 

The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.

 May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen

   HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED FRIENDS

@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 5 of Ordinary Time Year I - February 12, 2021

 12/2/2021, Thursday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time (B)

 EVENT : Mass of the Weekday

 COLOUR:Green

 READINGS : Gen. 3:1-8; Resp. Psalm 31:1-2.5-7; Mark 7:31-37.

 THEME:  PLUCK OUT THE GREED IN YOU

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Twelfth day of February, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Pluck Out The Greed In You". Beloved in Christ, it was Mahatma Gandhi of India, who said, "there is enough resources in the world to meet everyone's need, but there isn't enough resources to satisfy every one's greed". God as the architect of creation, has fashioned the world in such a way that it is able to support the sustainability of every living thing, plants and animals alike. Thus, there is enough food to go round, enough shelter to go round, enough water to go round, enough money to go round, enough lands to go round, even enough male and female to go round. The world is not deficient in any way, there is nothing lacking in the world, the resources in the world are not limited. Just like the Bible says in Matt. 6:29 and Luke 12:27, God takes care of all created things, such that even King Solomon in all his adornment is not half as beautifully clothed as the lilies of the field s. And I dare to add that even Bill Gates with all his dollars is not as well taken care of as the ever green trees planted by the flowing river (Cf. Rev. 22:2).

         However, despite this availability of unlimited natural resources, abundance of rich food, and variety of pleasant luxuries, we noticed that in the first reading of today, the Devil was able to beguile Eve. Now apart from many other theological and spiritual explanations behind the vulnerability of Eve which later metamorphosed into the fall of man (Adam and Eve), Eve, representing the entire human race, fell because of the greed of the eye, and the greedy desires of the appetitive tongue and stomach. Now, added to the fact that the devil suggested eating the fruit to Eve, the Bible recorded that the fruit was desirous and pleasant to the eyes (Gen. 3:5). hence the temptations became a slippery slope for Eve. And she fell easily into it.

        Beloved in Christ, Beware of that which your eyes desire. Often times, we imagine that the devil will come to tempt us with something big. But no, as a cunning and wise serpent, he uses that which our hearts already remotely desires. What he does is just to give us a little push, and off we fall. As Christians, let us watch out for our Achilles heels, and our Waterloo, for that is the place the devil is sure to easily trap us. Bible tells us in 1Cor. 10:12, 'that he who thinks he is strong enough to stand should be careful lest he falls'. For as the saying goes, 'A chain is as strong as it's weakest link'. Always pray for the grace to work on your weakness and to pluck the greed of worldly desires from eyes.

Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me with the grace to resist the most inordinate desirous longing in my heart..... 

The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.

 May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen

 @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 5 of Ordinary Time Year I - February 11, 2021

DATE : 11/2/2021, Thursday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time (B)

 EVENT : Our Lady of Lourdes (Opt. Memorial)

 COLOUR:Green

 READINGS : Gen. 2:18-25; Resp. Psalm 127:1-5; Mark 7:24-30.

 THEME: WOMEN ARE LOVELY CREATURES

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Eleventh day of February, which the Church celebrates the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Women Are Lovely Creatures". Beloved, although it is often said that, 'beauty is in the eyes of the beholder', there are some beauties which are self evident and undisputably glaring. Hence, except under the pretext of denial, a rational person may not denial the loveliness, goodness, attractiveness, beauty, elegance and gracefulness with which God has fashioned the female beings. In fact, according to the second account of creation found in Gen. chap. 2, we are told that God created women with a particular specification and goal in mind. Namely to be desirous, irresistible and appealing to the cognitive and emotive faculties of  the man. Thus, it is natural and normal for a complete and healthy man to desire a woman, for that was what the divine being intended with the creation of the woman.

      Dearest in Christ, from the first reading of today, Gen. 2:18-25, we are told that in his love for man, God didn't want the man to be alone. Hence, he wanted to get a companion for him. However, in his divine wisdom and plans God did not just want to get for the man a companion, he wanted to provide him with a helpmate, a colleague, a gist partner, a friend, a confident, and a wife. One whom the man would not be able to resist, push aside or ignore like he had done with every other animal. Hence, based on request and need, God fashioned the woman in such a lovely way that the man would necessarily be wowed by the presence of the woman. So, Beloved in Christ, every woman is created attractive, lovely, beautiful, graceful and irresistible. Thus, it is the will of God that once a man has chosen 'his' woman, he should cling to her, love her, respect her, adore her, pamper her, take care of her, provide for her, protect her, defend her, and see her as a part of his own body. For indeed, a woman was taken from the substance of man. And just like a man cannot hate himself, but love and take care of it, so must he treat the woman.

     Child of God are you a man, then learn to respect women, learn to make life easy for them. Learn to love them as a part of you. Do not exploit women. Do not rape them. Do not see them as sex tools. But rather, while appreciating their loveliness, desire and thank God who created such beauties. Are you a woman, know your worth, do not disgrace your womanhood. You are gracefully made, do not ruin yourself in the mud because of material things. Learn to appreciate God for creating you the way you are. Do not enhance yourself into a tempting tool to vulnerable men. Ask God to make you a favourable helpmate to your man. God bless you.

Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, thank you for filling and decorating the world with such beautiful woman, whom you have put as a helpmate to the man.

The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.

 May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 5 of Ordinary Time Year I - February 10, 2021

DATE : 10/2/2021, Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time (B)

 EVENT : St. Scholastica, Virgin (Opt. Memorial)

 COLOUR:Green

 READINGS : Gen. 2:4-9. 15-17; Resp. Psalm 103:1-2,27-30; Mark 7:14-23.

 THEME:  IF YOU OBEY THE LORD, YOU WILL ENJOY LIFE

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Tenth day of February, which the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Scholastica, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " If You Obey The Lord, You Will Enjoy Life". Beloved, obedience might appear to be simple and ordinary, but in it lies the key to greatness. For through the grace of obedience, many people have gotten to their destinies, and  through one act of disobedience, majority of people have lost an opportunity that ruined their lives forever. St. Scholastica, whom the Church cherishes and celebrates today, was an obedient handmaiden of God. For being the twin of St. Benedict, she followed the path of consecration, shown her by her parents, together with her brother. They obeyed the commandments of the Lord and never allowed any of his decrees to fall to the ground. Now they are enjoying eternal bliss with him.

     Beloved in Christ, in the first reading of today, Gen. 2:4-9.15-17, we heard how God prepared a garden of Banquet and placed man in it to feast on the goodies he did not produce. However, there was only one code that was to ensure that man continues to enjoy this goodness and bounty. That "he should not eat of the tree in the middle of the garden". And as long as he obeys this simple rule, all the other goodness of the garden are unlimitedly his. Furthermore, Jesus, reminds us in the Gospel reading today, Mark 7:14-23, that everything that God made is holy and good for consumption. Thus, unlike what we think, it is not what a man eats or takes in from nature that defiles him, but what comes out of the human heart. This means that God has sanctified creation and bestowed it upon us to enjoy. But to continue to enjoy these created things and the other good things of heaven, we must obey. Here is the reasoning: If you obey, you would enjoy, but if you can't control your nefarious desires and obey the Lord, then you will eventually loose even the smallest enjoyment that should ordinarily come to you.

    Dearest in Christ, God has given us just one commandments to obey: To love. For if we fill our hearts with love, we would painstakingly avoid offending God, we would watch out for the good of our neighbours and we would not sin against our bodies. So beloved, do you want to enjoy life? do you want to be happy? do you want to live forever? Then obey the lord and he will bless you with the good things he has created both in this life and in the next. God bless you.

Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me to fill my heart with love, that I might freely obey the commandment to love God and my neighbour and so enjoy the goodness of God

The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.

 *May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 5 of Ordinary Time Year I - February 9, 2021

  DATE : 9/2/2021, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time (B)

 EVENT : Mass of the Weekday

 COLOUR:Green

 READINGS : Gen. 1:20-2:4 Resp. Psalm 8:4-9; Mark 7:1-13

 THEME:  DO NOT PLAY GOD FOR A FOOL

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Ninth day of February, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Do Not Play God For A Fool ". Beloved in Christ, without mincing words, I make bold to say that many of us who claim to be Christians, pious, religious, churchy, spiritual, men of God, evangelist, brother and sister in the lord, are only taking God for a fool. We wear the outer garb of religiosity, to actually conceal the filth and sordid desires and dealings that we do when no eye is watching. Thus, just like my Moral Theology lecturer, Fr. Raymond Aina, MSP, would often say, "the truest test of a person's character is that which they do  comfortably, when no eye is watching". Many of us carry out shady acts, which are very offensive to the very faith we profess. Many of us live hypocritical lifestyles, publicly displaying acts of religiosity, but internally decayed. Many of us can preach so well, we can act so piously, we can comport ourselves so sanctimoniously, we can prayer so voraciously, we can counsel a fellow so impeccably, we know the Bible and doctrines of the Church so well. We even wish to be revered as living saints, by people around us. But before the presence of God, we know where we stand.

    My brothers and sisters, sin is not a direct creation or intention of God. In fact, the Church believes that sin and evil is a defiant, a variation and absence of Good. Thus, since God is the ultimate good per excellent , it is impossible for sin to exist where good is. This means that, man was created good, without sin (Gen.2:27). Hence, man derives his goodness from the goodness of God. Just like the moon gets its lights from the Sun. So, it is impossible for the man who truly abides in God to be stained by sin. Hence, many of us fall prey to sin because we do not truly  belong to God. Because holiness is not religiosity. In the Gospel reading of today, Mark 7:1-13, Jesus attacked the Pharisees for being religious rather than aiming at holiness. Religiosity focuses on external acts of worship. Attending Mass, being present at church programs, paying your tithe, saying your daily prayers, singing in church, preaching good homilies, fasting, receiving the sacraments, observing other  religious rituals and by-laws. But holiness goes deeper than all these. Its focus is on doing the will of God, seeking his face and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct all that you say, do, and think.

    Beloved in Christ, holiness is not an impossible mission. Sin is not inevitable. We have been created good for God. We carry within us the capacity for holiness. I beg you, try your best to always resist the temptations of the devil. Let us make it a conscious effort to stop sin, to stop lying, stop cheating, stop stubbornness, stop deception, stop sexual immorality, stop the hypocritical worship, stop the stealing, stop the corruption, just stop it all and repent now...May God help us all

Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).

 

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you are holy and you have called us to be holy like you. Please give me the grace to shun every form of wrongdoing and work towards holiness of life......

The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.

 *May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪