Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 3 of Lent - March 8, 2021

DATE : 8/3/2021

 EVENT : Monday of the Third Week of Lent

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : 2Kings 5:1-15;  Resp. Psalm 41:2-3,42:3-4; Luke 4:24-30.

 THEME: DO NOT DISREGARD AN ANOINTED PERSON.

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Eighth day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Do Not Disregard An Anointed Person". Beloved in Christ, I welcome you to this new week and I pray that you may meet with God's protection and favour as your traverse through it. Dearest, God is constantly among his people ( Imma-nu-el, God is with us. Cf. 1Kgs 7:14), and he will never leave or foresake us, even when we often annoy Him. But as a Spirit, we cannot visibly see him. So, He has always chosen persons from among our midst, to acts as intermediaries between Himself and we His children. However, because God is a holy and blameless God, He always sanctifies, cleans and makes worthy those whom He has chosen to act His intermediaries. This means that, there is no self imposed intermediary. A man cannot chose, sanctify and make himself an intermediary. It is completely the prerogative of God to chose his workers. Just like Scriptures says in Heb. 5:4, "No man can choose himself, every priest must be called, chosen and anointed as Aaron was selected".

      Therefore, since no man ever choses himself, but he is chosen by God, we owe it to always regards God's intermediaries. I could recall that before and after my ordination in 2019, I felt no visible change in me. I did not become taller, fairer or anything else. But, I knew with full certainty that something great had occurred in me, and that change is not physical but spiritual and ontological. Thus, dearest friends, every anointed person carries God's seal within himself, divinely imparted for the discharge of spiritual and sacred duties (Exo. 30:29-30; Isa. 10:27  1Sam. 10:1,6; 16:13-14; John 1:33-33; 2Cor. 1:21). A priest or prophet who is anointed does not speak or act of his own accord, but God's. And God will always honour the words of their mouth (Cf. 1Chro. 4:10). This is the crime of Naaman in the first reading of today, 2Kg. 5:1-15. He expected some kind of acrobatics, prolonged spiritual incantations, loud shouting and speaking in tongues, great potents, signs and thunders from the prophet Elisha, so that he will believe that he is an anointed man of God, before he would be healed. But, Elisha, knowing his true worth, never did all of those. He only said, 'Go and bath seven times in the Jordan'. And when Naaman finally obeyed, he was healed of his leprosy.

      Beloved in Christ, do not disregard an anointed person, simply because in your own Reckoning he is not prayerful, he does not speak in tongues, he is not spiritual, he drinks too much, he talks too much, he is promiscuous, he is your family member, your school mate, or your friend. He does not preach well, he is not charismatic, he is not polished enough, does not wear fashion cloths, drive the latest cars or use the newest gadgets. No. These are all irrelevant frivolities. This is why Christ cried out in the Gospel reading of today, 'A prophet is not without honour except in his own town and among his acquaintances'. Because, they too often focus on the physical and fail to recognise the spiritual elements. Therefore, child of God, I tell you most solemnly if you regard God anointed with reverence and obey their teachings, you will certainly Attracts blessings to yourself, and if you disregard one of them, you may incur a curse. 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 treat with reverence all those whom you have chosen and called to serve him as our intermediaries, so that your blessings may follow me all the days of my 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

 HAPPY NEW WEEK BELOVED FRIENDS

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent Year B - March 7, 2021

DATE : 7/3/2021

 EVENT : The Third Sunday of Lent

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Eco. 20:1-17; Resp. Psalm 18:8-11; 1Cor. 1:22-25; John 2:13-25.

 THEME: DO NOT DESECRATE YOUR BODILY TEMPLE

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Third Sunday of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Do Not Desecrate Your Bodily Temple ". Beloved, today being the third Sunday of Lent, The Church has put before us the readings of today so that we can  take a deep look at our hearts and discover those areas which require urgent cleaning, cubwebbing, sweeping, mopping and complete overhauling. But, we cannot adequately do this if we do not know or have the  righttools by which we can measure or determine our filthiness.

     In the first reading of today, Exo. 20:1-17, we head how the Lord God, out of love for his people, offered them his ten commandments, which will enable them to serve him better and also to live peacefully with eachother. We must recognise that whatever God does, it is targeted towards our eternal salvation. Just like the Psalmist sang today, 'God alone has the message of eternal life'. And if we keep his commandments faithfully, we can be sure of obtaining the reward of his redemption. However, we must also consciously have it constantly in mind that the ways, thoughts and commandments of God, is somewhat different from the reasoning of the world. This is because the world as we know it, is being controlled by the evil one. And the evil one's ways are antagonistically opposed to that of God the supreme good. Hence,  to live in and love God is to set yourself at loggerheads with the world. And unless you are made of tough skin, you may shudder and fall. This is why St. Paul already told us through the second reading, 1Cor. 1:22-25, that as Christians who are followers of a crucified Christ, the world sees us as foolish people. Thus, whatever you do or say, makes little or no meaning to the world. Hence, we must ignore the allures and distractions of the world and not allow it to rub off it's stint in us.

       Beloved,, one question that I am often asked is this: Father, how can I remain sinless in this world where wrongdoings is commonplace, with my emotions welling up, with inviting temptations beckoning on me and with my needs constantly unmet? Child of God, as a Catholic priest, I know that many of us are making sincere effort to purify our hearts and to keep our bodies which is the temple of the Holy Spirit pure and spotless. So let's keep struggling for we can truly be holy. But, like the Gospel reading of today, John 2:13-25, where Jesus cleansed the temple from all unnecessary activities being carried out within the walls of the sacred space. Many of us have filled our lives with rubbish and harmful activities. And unless we get radical enough like Jesus, we may not be able to clean up the mess that is in our lives. Child of God, ask yourself today, what are the essential things you really need to live a decent and holy life. Identify those things and do away with the remaining ones. Ask yourself, do you really need to keep all the friends and acquaintances in your life? If no, then curtail your relationships. Do you really need to attend all the programs you have planned for, if no, then miss it. Do you really need to comment and reply to all the messages that you get or that come to you, if not, then speak on the essential ones only. And let the temple cleansing continues.

 

    Beloved in Christ, God has chosen you as the apple of his eye, he has called you by a new name, he has given you his commandments, which will serve as your compass and to help you to navigate through the cheap tempations of the evil one. He has deposited his Spirit within you, to make of y…

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 2 of Lent - March 6, 2021

  DATE : 6/3/2021

 EVENT : Saturday of the Second week of Lent

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Micah 7:14-15,18-20;  Resp. Psalm 102:1-4,9-12; Luke 15:1-3,11-32.

 THEME: COME DEAR SINNER!!! GOD NEVER REJECTS ANYONE

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Sixth day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Come Dear Sinner!!! God Never Rejects Anyone ". Beloved in Christ, there has been a recent debate about the most appropriate and befitting title for the Gospel reading of today, Luke:15:1-32. The popular theme in the past was, 'The Prodigal Son'. But, judging from the several perspectives from which this parable could be used to preach, several other titles have been suggested, ranging from, 'The parable of the Merciful Father', 'The parable of reconciliation and forgiveness', and, 'The parable of the jealous and ungrateful elder Brother'. However, each of these themes is apt, depending on the angle one chooses to approach the text from, just like the proverbial '9' and '6', view positions of two onlookers.

     Consequently, because of the time we are in, namely the season of grace and mercy, permit me to reflect with you on the second suggested title of the Gospel namely, 'The parable of the Merciful Father'. Beloved in Christ, according to one of my  brother priest, Fr. Henry Emeka, MSP, 'God is scandalously merciful'. He is so merciful that even if the devil were to repent tomorrow, God will be willing to forgive him. What More can be more consoling than the thought of a God, who is always ready, always willing and always on the lookout for a returning sinner. Listen to me child of God, the Gospel recorded that the Father sighted the son from a long distance and ran towards him, Luke 15:20. Now, can you imagine how many times the father must have come to the balcony of the house, always looking in expectation, into the far distance, if he could see his son. Can you imagine how many oblation and prayers the father had offered so that his son would return. And behold on this fateful day, while he was standing by the same balcony, his eyes beheld his son from a distance, and his heart was filled with great joy as tears rolled down his cheeks. Beloved, it is the same with you and I. God is always expecting us to return to him. It will most gladden his heart, if he sees us making the effort to return, and like the merciful father of the Gospel, God will send his angels to assist us with all the graces we will need to make it safely home, where the angels and saints are already throwing party and dancing in jubilation on our behalf (Luke 15:7).

     Dearest in Christ, the rejoicing of the angels will be short lived, if we repent only for us to go back to our filth after a short while. Like many of us do after coming to confessions. Hear me, repentance is a very serious business and no child's play. Like the prodigal son, if you truly want to repent and experience God's redemption, then, you must consciously leave the domain of those things that cause you to sin. You must consciously renounce them. You must put all your evil friends and accomplises aside. You must not keep ties with the old. You must be ready to walk the talk, and make Sacrifices. May God help us to prayerfully renounce our sinful past and come to him with all our hearts....

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

 

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you suffered and died for love of me, help me by your grace to rise up from my dungeon of sin and walk toward you....

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 2 of Lent - March 5, 2021

DATE : 5/3/2021

 EVENT : Friday of the Second week of Lent

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Gen. 37:3-4,12-13,17-28; Resp. Psalm 104:16-21; Matthew 21:33-43,45-46.

 THEME: DO NOT BE JEALOUS

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Fifth day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Do Not Be Jealous". Beloved, do you know that jealously can metamorphosize into any kind of untold evil and wickedness. Jealous hearts have been able to concort and execute the most henious crimes in human history. Jealousy is a desease that affects and enslaves the heart. Thus according to the Webster Dictionary, jealousy is described as, 'resentment towards someone for a perceived advantage or superiority they hold'. The evil thing about jealousy is that the recipient of the act may not have bad will towards the jealous party, while they are been eaten up gradually. Like a tiny cancerous cell, the seed of jealousy grows gradually in the heart, until it becomes a full blown hatred, leading to a calculated attempt to terminally harm the object of jealousy.

        Fellow pilgrims, like we read in the various texts of today, Gen. 37:3-28 and Mat. 21:33-46, jealousy has not limit, and no boundary. It is not restricted, it can come from any body, and can be directed to anybody. Joseph was the least of the sons of Jacob, he was supposed to be the beloved baby of the house, whom everyone was to pamper yet, he became the object of jealousy to his brothers. So much that they planned to kill him, before finally deciding to sell him as slave to the Ismaelite merchants. In the Gospel narrative, the tenants had a legal obligation to submit the proceeds of the vineyard to the landowner, and had no business with his messengers, yet they choose to harm them. The son of the landowner, never hurt them. His only crime was that he was the son to a rich man, and so jealousy made them to kill him.

    Child of God, just as temptation comes naturally to us without our consent, so also jealousy, can sneak into our hearts without our knowledge. Thus, it behoves on us not to give vent to it. To consciously speak words of wisdom to our heart. Listen to me friend, whenever you notice that your heart is beginning to remotely get jealous over another's wellbeing, success, promotion, position or blessings, quickly get to work and pray against it. Do not allow the Devil the permission to begin to suggest things to you. For all the suggestions he will offer are invalid. So dearest in Christ, like an unpopular musician sang, 'jealousy is the root of all evil'. Thus, let us weed the grasses of evil down to its roots, then we shall be saved. 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 always detect the cancerous cell of jealousy within my heart and grant me the grace to root it out on time...

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

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

 

 HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED FRIENDS

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 2 of Lent - March 4, 2021

DATE : 4/3/2021

 EVENT : Thursday of the Second week of Lent

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Jer. 17:5-10; Resp. Psalm 1:1-4,6; Luke 16:19-31.

 THEME: DO NOT BE BLINDED

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Fourth day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Do Not Be Blinded". Beloved in Christ, have you noticed that the most generous persons are not people who are known to be very rich. In fact, according to the law of wealth, 'the wealthier you get, the less generous you should be'. The reasoning is simply that if as a millionaire, you remove 1kobo from your 1million naira, you will cease to be a millionaire. So, to maintain your millionaire status, you should not remove a dine from your money. But, he who is not a millionaire is not afraid of losing a millionaire status, so he is more disposed to give. You get the point now? Permit me to say this. The reason why St. Paul said that, 'the love of money is the root of all evil', is simply because, every inordinate pursuance of wealth and material thing blinds us to the truth. To virtue, to holiness and kills our conscience. If not, how else would you explain the presence of so much decadence in our world today, despite the numerous gospel that has been preached and is still been preached even today. Beloved, as long as we still openly or remotely love and desire material gains, holiness wil be far from us and we will keep been blind Q.E.D.

       Child of God, the Gospel reading of today, Luke 16:19-32, presents us with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Now, we will notice that there was no specific sin which was mentioned against the rich man, neither were we told that he made his money through dubious means. In fact, it is possible that the rich man made his money through an honest means. It is also possible that he never wronged or cheated anyone. It is also possible that he was a very religious and pious man, who paid his tithes, and was careful to observe the ten commandments and other ritualistic norms. Yet, he found himself in Hell, simply because he was blind. Too Blind to see the plight of the poor around him. Too blind to see that God blessed him so that he can be a blessing to others. Too blind to see and identify with the reality of human sufferings. He was too blind to the real world. His wealths and things of the flesh formed a lump in his eyes. His stomach became his god. His appetite and craving for more millions won him the title of a glutton. And in his quest for the hard work that pays, he fell into the ditch of avarice.

     Dearest in Christ, have you noticed that riches never fills anyone. There is always space for more. So, as Christians, with a dreadful fear for damnation, let us shun every form of blindness that may come from material things. Let us learn to share. Let us learn to notice the tears in the eyes of our neighbours. Let us learn to come through for a hungry person. Let us go out of our way to meet and help that brother or sister who may not have the courage to approach us for assistance. Let us make it a point of duty to visit the orphanage. Take out time to visit prisoners and the sick. Try to offset someone's bills this season of Lent. Never refuse to render help to anyone who asks from you, no matter how little. Just help and you will be securing  paradise for yourself.    

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 notice the pains in the heart of my neighbour and give me the grace render the needed assistant.

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 2 of Lent - March 3, 2021

DATE : 3/3/2021

 EVENT : Wednesday of the Second week of Lent

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Jer. 18:18-20.   Resp. Psalm 30:5-6,14-16; Matthew 20:17-28.

 THEME: RELIGIOUS BOOTY

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Third day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Religious Booty". Beloved in Christ, during one of my conversations with some of the catechists working with me, I noticed that many of them are discontented with their status as catechists. And many of them are trying hard to force their sons into becoming a Catholic priest. Now, when out of curiosity I sought to know why many of them are ready to do anything and go to any length to ensure that their sons become priests; I was told that it is because of the riches, the seemingly privileges, the admiration, the power, the authority and the preferential treatments which Priests often receive in this part of the country. For them, the sacrifices, vows, loneliness and pains which the priest pass through, is inconsequential. Their only interest is the booty which the Priesthood brings to the individual. Although am not oblivious of that fact that this " booty" notion of the priesthood cuts across the entire nation.

       Beloved, in the Gospel reading of today, Matt. 20:17-28, we are told that Salome, the mother of James and John, came to Jesus to asked that her sons, seat one at his right and the other at his left in his kingdom. Now, according to biblical scholars this part of Scriptures falls within the wider context of Matt. 19:16-20:34, exegetically known as, ' the King's Demands', because it deals with the demands of discipleship. However, the pericope which we read from this morning, Matt. 20:17-28, is placed directly under the immediate context of Matt. 30:17-34, titled, ' glorify him'. Child of God, our Catholic theology teaches us that whatever religious activity we wish to embark on, it must have either or both of these aims: the glorification of God and the sanctification/salvation of man. Thus, if our intention in any religious acts is devoid of these two motives, then, that action is blemish.

      Dearests and fellow pilgrims, we must never seek religious positions for selfish gains. We must never take up religious sacrifices for public show or because of some form of booty we intend to accrue. We must never make selfish demands or prayers to God. We must never ever use religious intent as a disguise to amass the things of the world. If we seek religious positions for selfish interests and mundane desires then we risk the damnation of our souls. But if we truly take up religious positions and carry out religious acts for the sole purpose of service and  workship of God, then we can be sure of having an everlasting booty in heaven.

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 purify my heart of all mundane desires and may no selfish interest becloud my love for you....

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

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

 HAPPY MID-WEEK BELOVED FRIENDS

 @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for March Week 2 of Lent - March 2, 2021

  DATE : 2/3/2021

 EVENT : Tuesday of the Second week of Lent

 COLOUR:Violet

 READINGS : Isaiah 1:10,16-20;  Resp. Psalm 49:8-9,16-17,21,23;  Matthew 23:1-12.

 THEME: IF YOU ONLY SPEAK POLITICAL CORRECT WORDS  YOU ARE A RELIGIOUS HYPOCRITE

      Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Third day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme:  " If You Speak Politically Correct Words You Are A Religious Hypocrite". Beloved, we live in a world and time where "words", mean little or have no meaning at all to those who say or use them. People often say things just to please others, but they really never meant a bit of what they said. Thus, the trick is this, "just tell people what they want to hear, what will excite them, and have your way with them." This is the tactics often used by political aspirers to win the votes and confidence of people. They know what the people wish to hear, and they not only say what the people wanted to hear, they also sugar coat it, to make it more irresistible to their hearers. Their main concern is only to be politically correct. They often never mean to execute half of what they have said or promised to the people.

         It is very sad that most religious leaders have adopted this method, using and maintaining politically correct statements rather than exemplifying what they preach. Most preachers are aware of what the people want to hear. They know that the people want to hear words of prosperity and it shall be well with you prophecies, and they say it to the people. From my judgement, most charismatic preachers don't believe half of what they preach to people. Even if they do, most of them do not practice what they preach. This is the pain of Jesus in the gospel reading of today, Matt. 23:1-12. Jesus accused the Scribes and Pharisees, for telling the people to do the correct things which they will not do themselves. Thus the saying, " do what I say, don't do what I do" . The Pharisees felt themselves above the law, they regarded themselves more privileged than others, and so they felt that the commandments of God and the call to holiness is not for them who are already eating and dining with God, but for the Masses who are sinners.

        This is the feeling and thought pattern of most Christians today, especially those within the corridors of power or those who have been given the privilege to legislate and shepherd a congregation. Even those of us who are not ministers, do we mean what we say in church and in our various meetings, or do we just say them so that we can be politically correct. Listen to me, if you preach politically correct homilies without the intention of practicing what you preach, you are a religious hypocrite. If you advice people so well and often say the correct things to be done, without ever doing the things you said,  you are also a religious hypocrite. And through the first reading of today, Isa. 1:10.16-20, God is saying to you and I, who are politically correct Christians, to depart from his presence with our hypocritical attitudes.

      May God help us to believe what we read in the Bible, the grace to preach what we have believed, and the strength to practice what we teach or say...Amen

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

 

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me not so much to seek public applause as I seek to do your will at all times. ....

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

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

 HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED FRIENDS

 @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪