Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Easter Week 1 - April 6, 2021

DATE : 6/4/2021

 EVENT : Tuesday of the Octave of Easter

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Acts 2:36-41;

  Resp. Psalm 32:4-5,18-20,22;  John 20:11-18.

 THEME: NOW, WHAT NEXT

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this sixth day of April, which is the second day of the Octave of Easter, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Now, What Next". Beloved in Christ, often times, people get carried away by emotions and feelings of a certain moment, that they forget that feelings and emotions are temporary energies, and will definitely subside with time. I have heard and seen people who got so carried away by their emotions at a particular moment that After acting based on impulse, they later begin to regret  their actions or Promises. This is true especially with religious feelings. Sometimes, people make good promises and resolutions after listening to a challenging homily or after having a certain religious experience. I have seen people moved to tears when preaching was going on. I have also seen people who had an intense religious experience, especially after undergoing a certain program such as, 'Life in the Spirit Seminar', 'RCIA', or 'Catechism Class'. At such moments, they seem to be so affected by their experience. But, just days after that experience, they do not follow up on the movement of the spirit that has welled up within them. Just like many of us, who passionate followed the Lenten period, now that Easter has come and gone, what is our next plan of action?

       Beloved in Christ, during this early period of Easter Octave, we shall be reading mostly from the book titled, "Acts of the Apostles". Now, the 'Acts of the Apostles', is not a comprehensive account of the dealings and activities of the entire disciples of Jesus. In fact, it concentrated mainly on Peter and Paul, and a few followers of Paul. However, it gives us an idea of the life and activities of the early Christian communities and how they lived faithfully in accordance to the preachings of the disciples of Christ. The book was written around A.D 63, by the author of the third Gospel, a physician known as Luke, who was a convert and disciple of St. Paul. Thus, today's first reading Acts 3:36-41, falls within the wider context of Acts 1:1-2:43, known in exegesis as, 'the Reign of the Pneuma'.  It's remote context is Acts. 2:14-42, frequently referred to as, 'the first act of witnessing', by Scriptural scholars. Now, having been emboldened, by the Holy Spirit, Peter, as the leader of the early Christian, was the first to make a public witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus. He urged his listeners to believe in Jesus and be saved. And his words made deep impression on them all, such that they asked him, what next are we to do to be saved. And I strongly believe that they did not just stop at being emotional like many of us today, they made a decisive move and maintained it all through.

          Beloved, the aim of the daily preaching and words of exultation that you hear, and even this my homily digest that you read every day, will not be achieved, if after listening to them, you merely enjoy it and fail to act by them. Now, that we have finished the Lenten fast and Abstinence, what is the next thing you have decided to do in order to continue on the path of holiness? Today, the people asked Peter, having heard all that you have said 'what must we do to be saved? And Peter answered, 'Repent from you sins'. Today, I say to you, if you wish to maintain this salvation which Christ has won for you, REPENT from your SINS and Evil habits. And pray for the grace to continue on the paths of holiness.

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 know the things that I must do, and the things that I must not do, and give me the grace to keep to them....

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 Easter Sunday- April 4, 2021

 

DATE : 4/4/2021

 EVENT : Easter Sunday Celebration

 COLOUR: white

 READINGS : Acts 10:34,37-43; Resp. Psalm 117:1-2,16-17,22-23;   Colossians 3:1-4; Sequence; John 20:1-9.

 THEME: ALLELUIA!!! HE IS RISEN

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Fourth day of April, which is the Easter Sunday of 2021, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Alleluia!!! He Is Risen". Beloved in Christ, I once went to carry out a funeral rite about a years ago. While the rite was going on, the wife of the deceased was crying and wailing uncontrollably. So, one of the elders walked up to her and scolded her saying: what do you hope to achieve with these tears of yours, if your husband should stand up from that coffin, do you think you can stand here and not run away? I can't imagine what the feelings of the disciples of Jesus were like, when he appeared to them for the first time. Where they overwhelmed with fear? Or overcomed with Joy? Where they scared or irritated? Did they think of running far away from him? Beloved, as we rejoice on this Easter Sunday, let us not forget to come to terms with the reality of the Lord's resurection and it's significance to our lives. His resurrection is  completely a novel reality, a completely divine act, meant for our good. He arose to conquer our enemy: death, to restore our life and to demonstrate his supreme power over our greatest dread.

        However, the central message of Easter is that Jesus Christ rose triumphantly from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion on Good Friday. This is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be born, persecuted, die for our sins, and afterwards, rise on the third day (Isaiah 53). Thus, annually remembering the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his triumph over sin and death is a way to renew daily hope that we too have won victory over sin and death (Rom. 8:37). Although the true origin of the word 'Easter', remains disputed, several sources, especially the writings of the venerable Bede, suggest that it has a pre-Christian origin, and goes back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess Eostre. However, the celebration of the goddess was transformed and given a Christian meaning and significance, following the Christianisation of the West. Hence, the name Easter, stuck as the celebration of the glorious resurection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and true Sun of Justice.

     In the various readings of today, especially in the first reading, Act. 10:34-43, we heard how a formerly fearful and timid Peter spoke convincingly to Cornelius and his household, about the resurrection of Jesus. This was made possible through the resurrection power of Jesus which had strengthened the disciples to become fearless witnesses to this truth. In the same light, St. Paul, through admonishing the people at Collosae, warned us that, through faith in Christ Jesus, we have been brought back from death to life. So, it is fitting that we fix our gaze on Christ who is above in heaven, and not on any earthly thing which can only lead us back to death from which Christ has ransomed us. Thus, it will be a great and monumental shame that after experiencing the joy of Easter, we relapse back to our old self and lifestyle. It will be disgraceful beloved, that through our reckless fault, we miss this eternal life which Christ bought for us at the expensive price of his blood. It will be laughable that after conquering and triumphing over sin and death on our behalf, we are still slaves to sin and death. So, child of God, the best way to celebrate Easter is to appropriate this victory of Christ into our personal life. I pray that the Easter light of Christ will Illumine the darkest part of our life and that the joy of Easter will be our eternal reward. 

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

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, may the celebration of this year's Easter bring me close to the salvation you purchased for 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 EASTER SUNDAY BELOVED FRIENDS

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Holy Saturday - April 3, 2021

EVENT : Holy Saturday

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Gen. 1:1-2:2; Resp. Psalm 103:1-2,5-6,10,12-14,24,35; Gen. 22:1-18; Psalm 15:5,8-11; Exodus 14:15-15:1; Res. Psalm. Ex. 15; Isaiah 54:5-14; Psalm 29:2,4-6,11-13; Isaiah 55:1-11; Resp. Psalm Isaiah 12; Baruch 3:9-15,32-4:4; Psalm 18:8-11; Ezekiel 36:16-17,18-28; Psalm 41:2-3,5,42:3-4; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 117:1-2,16-17,22-23; Gospel reading Mark 16:1-8.

 THEME: HE DESCENDED INTO HELL

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Third day of April, which is also the Holy Saturday ( Sabbatum Sanctum), I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " He Descended Into Hell". Beloved, and fellow mourners, although on the cross, Jesus had said, "It is Finished" (John 19:30), he was still yet to wrap up his mission, if his redeeming sacrifice on the cross was to have a retrospective and futuristic impart on all of mankind (Cf. CCC. 634). Thus, we confidently pray in the fifth article of the Nicene Creed, "He Descended to the dead..." Now,  after his vicarious death on the cross on good Friday, and as his body tarried in the tomb in the grave, he descended to Hell or what is called limbo or Sheol in Hebrew and Hades in Greek, to greet and preach the Good News to the dead and to free those holy souls who have been deprived of the vision of God since their death (Cf. CCC 633). Thus, this Holy Saturday commemorate the sojourning of Christ amongst the dead as their redeemer and first to lead the dead to new life (1Cor. 15:20). So, while on earth, we joined the disciples in their mourning, and the women in preparing spices with which to anoint the body of Jesus, there was great rejoicing and celebration in the underworld, as Abraham, Moses, David and the other prophets of old, rushed to embrace Jesus, whose death broke the prison bars of Hell that held them captives.

       It is important that I mention at this point, that tonight is not actually the time of the Lord's resurrection. His resurection occurred in the earlier hours of the first day of the week, that is tomorrow, Easter Sunday. However, what we are actually doing tonight is called vigil. Now, a vigil is the liturgical commemoration of a notable feast, held on the evening preceding the feast. The term 'vigil', comes from the Latin word vigilia , which means "wakefulness," and which came to be used when the faithful stayed awake to pray and do devotional exercises in anticipation of a given feast. So, Easter vigil is the vigil held on the evening before Easter Sunday. Furthermore, according to the main document governing the celebrations connected with Easter, Paschales Solemnitatis, Art. 80: "From the time of the disciples, the Church has always celebrated that annual Pasch, which is the solemnity of solemnities, above all by means of a night vigil". This is done to heighten the joyful expectations of Easter Sunday. Because, the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith and hope. For if Christ had only died and not risen, our faith, would have been meaningless and futile. Tonight, as the readings narrate to us, we celebrate the accomplishment of God's redeeming work, this is evidently portrayed in the Great sung of Easter Proclamation, 'The Exultet ', which is Solemnly sung. We also celebrate Christ as the light of the world, in the great Lucernarium , we also sing the great Hallelujah, after a long while and the entire Church and indeed the entire world come back to life and exuberance.

        Beloved in Christ, on this night that we are keeping watch, a vigil in joyful anticipation of the resurection of Jesus, let us be confident that as no tomb in the world could contain the Lord Jesus for long, so our mortal bodies would not rot in the grave of destruction eternally. Just like through divine power, the body of Jesus was kept from decaying and he rose from the dead in tact by divine power, so we too shall be preserved from corruption in the grave until we rise with Christ. For the Psalmist had said: "My flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not let your Holy One see corruption" (Psalm 16:9-10). The mystery of Christ's lying in the tomb, reveals the great rest of God after the fulfillment of our salvation which brings peace to the whole world (Colossians 1:18-20). So, child of God, watch, pray and fast, so that that resurrection power of Jesus which shattered the grave, which freed him from the shackles of death, and which blasted the tomb, will also be made manifest in our lives this period. 

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

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you died that I might live forever in your kingdom of peace and righteousness. Strengthen my faith that I may I know the power of your resurrection and live in the hope of seeing you face to face for ever...

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 Good Friday - April 2, 2021

DATE : 2/4/2021

 EVENT : Good Friday (Celebration of the Lord's Passion)

 COLOUR: Red

 READINGS : Isaiah 52:13-53:12;  Resp. Psalm 30:2,6,12-13,15-17,25; Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42.

 THEME: AND HE SIGHED: IT IS FINISHED

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Second day of April, which is also the Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " And He Sighed: It Is Finished". Beloved in Christ, today is a mournful and sorrowful day, when the whole earth is grieving because God died. He was innocently accused, agonised and murdered in cold blood, as he remained defenseless, yet it is called 'Good Friday'. The question that I initially use to ask is: what made the Friday of my Lord's Passion 'good'? Am I supposed to be rejoicing at the death of a human being, not to mention of the Son of God? But unlike other sufferings and deaths, the passion of Christ is a vicarious one. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary, is the only exception in the mimetic arc of moral consideration and judgement, where evil was used to bring about the desired good of human salvation. Thus, by his sufferings we are restored, by his accusations we are blessed, by his condemnation we are acquitted, by his wounds we are healed, by his hanging on the cross, we are elevated from sin, and by his death, we received life. So, what he lost, we gained, what was substracted from him was added to us, what was denied him, was granted to us. Hence, today is called 'Good Friday'', not for the sake of Christ, but for our sake.

     In the first reading of today, Isa. 52:13-53:12, the prophet Isaiah foretold the nature of the sufferings by which Christ must undergo to redeem us. He would have to suffer humiliation, battering, insults, spittles, whipping, bruises, and mortal wounds. He would be betrayed, rejected, abandoned, derided and casted out by his closest allies. Yet, he will remain determined to follow his destiny, for he knows that this is the surest way to triumph over the evil which has plagued man. Jesus' death on the cross defeated sin and death for us. We can find no greater proof of God's love for us than the willing sacrifice of his Son on the cross. Jesus' parting words, "It is finished!" expressed triumph rather than defeat. Having successfully passed through the stages of the passion narratives and hanging finally on the cross, with life gradually dripping out of his frail body, Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife was now over and the battle was won. Thus, even while still on the cross, Jesus knew the joy of victory, and that what the Father sent him into the world to do has now been accomplished. (Cf. Hebrews 9:24-26).

       The author of the letter to the Hebrews, tells us In the second reading, that Jesus was not just a  distant agent, who came to die for us. No, he had journeyed with us in the flesh, he had experienced the pains and joys of this material existence, he even knows about the allures of temptations. So, he is one like us. And it is because he feels what we feel that he is able to relate concretely with our experiences and can plead to the Father on our behalf. So, in the cross of Christ, we see the triumph of Jesus over our enemies: sin, Satan, and death. And according to Rupert of Deutz (1075-1129), a Benedictine abbot and theologian, "The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise, the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, the consolation of our imprisonment, and the prize for our freedom." Furthermore, The cross of Christ is the safeguard of our faith, the assurance of our hope, and the throne of love. It is also the sign of God's mercy and the proof of forgiveness of sins. By his cross Jesus Christ has pardoned us and set us free from the tyranny of sin. He paid the price for us, when he made atonement for our sins by his own precious blood.

      Beloved in Christ, through the events of his passion, Jesus has put an end to the rule of the Devil over our life. He has brought us back from death to life, he has shut the yawning mouth of the grave and opened wide the gate of heaven. He has defeated the cunning serpent and bequeathed us with heavenly wisdom, he has put to an end to all our worries and nailed our shortcomings to the cross. He has granted us unrestricted access to the Father and made us adopted children of God, and coheirs to the treasures of heaven. By this singular death also, Christ has restored to us, that initial state of holiness and sanctifiying grace, which we lost in Adam. By being obedient even unto death, Christ has amended the wound inflicted on our human nature by the disobedience of Adam. Thus, through this mystery which we celebrate today, Christ has won an objective salvation for us, the onus now lies on us to  appropriate this objective salvation into our lives, so that we can then receive the subjective salvation that is due to each of us.

    Let us venerate the cross today, let us be proud of the cross, let us always wear the cross, for the cross is our sign of victory, it is fearsome to the evil one and it is the glory of the Saint.

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

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus Christ, by your death on the cross you have won pardon for us and freedom from the tyranny of sin and death. May we live in the joy and freedom of your victory over sin and death......

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

 DO HAVE A SPIRIT FILLED GOOD FRIDAY CELEBRATION

 @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP.

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Holy Thursday - April 1, 2021

DATE : 1/4/2021

 EVENT : Holy Thursday Of Easter Triduum (Maundy Thursday)

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Exodus 12:1-8,11-14; Resp. Psalm 115:12-13,15-18;  1Cor. 11:23-26; John 13:1-15.

 THEME: THE EUCHARIST; THE PRIESTHOOD AND HUMAN SALVATION

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this First day of April, which is also the first day of the Easter Triduum, Holy or Maundy Thursday, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " The Eucharist; The Priesthood And Human Salvation". Beloved in Christ, I want to start today's homily by welcoming you to this Fourth month of the year 2021. As a Catholic priest, I declare that this month shall see the start of new testimonies in your life, you shall grow in the fear of the lord and the good lord will protect and hallow all that concerns you in this month of April, through the power of His Christ, whose passion and resurection we venerate this season.

     Beloved, today is not just a regular new month, it is also Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, Thursday of mysteries, covenant Thursday, and sheer Thursday. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Spy Wednesday and succeeded by Good Friday. It is called Maundy Thursday because  Jesus gave His disciples a new commandments, called mandatum , in Latin, to love, to be humble and to serve, exemplified by his washing of his disciples' feets. More so, as Jesus' hour of humiliation and glory draw near, he reveals to his disciples the supreme humility which shaped the love he had for them, as he stooped to perform a menial task reserved for servants; the washing of smelly, dirty feets. In stooping to serve his disciples, Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of them and that the rest would abandon him through fear and disloyalty. Such knowledge could have easily led to bitterness or hatred. Yet, Jesus chose to meet the injury of betrayal and disloyalty with the greatest humility and supreme love. What a compelling commandment (Maundy) indeed it was.

      The mystery which the Catholic Church celebrates today is many fold. In fact, according to the teaching of the Church these days of Triduum is the most sacred days of the liturgical calendar. Thus, the special place which 'Sundays' occupy in a week, the triduum occupies in the liturgical year. On this Maundy Thursday, the Church celebrates the greatest mystery and gift of God to man; the institution of the Holy Eucharist, co-joined with this  is also the institution of the sacred Priesthood, after Christ, the eternal High priest. According to the rubric for holy Thursday celebration in the GIRM, today is also the day of Chrism Mass, when the holy oils of Catechumens, Sick and Chrism, are blessed for use in the administration of the sacraments. Although for pastoral reasons, the Chrism Mass can be moved to a more appropriate date not too far from Easter.

       Although there are many celebrations on this day, the highest point of it all is the institution of the Holy Eucharist by Jesus Christ himself, in the presence of his twelve apostles only. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "out of love for his disciples, knowing full well that his time on earth is drawing close and in order never to depart from his own, but make them sharers in his Passover, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist, as the memorial of his death and resurrection; and He sternly commanded his apostles to celebrate it in memory of him until he returns (Cf. Luke 22:19); by this very actions, Jesus constituted them priests of the New Testament" (Cf. CCC Art. 1337). Although instituted prior to his death on the cross, the Holy Eucharist is truly the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ, who under the species of bread and wine, and through the ministry of priest, is offered to God in renewal of the supreme Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross (Cf. Pastoral Guide, Vol. 2, Art. 63).

          Furthermore, the Eucharist receives it's efficacy from the words of Jesus who can never lie (Cf. Num. 23:19) and from the bloody sacrifice of the cross. Thus, without the sacrifice on Calvary, the Eucharist would remain an empty ritual (Cf. Pastoral Guide, Vol. 2., Art 63). Therefore, through the Eucharistic sacrifice offered by priests around the world today, the  salvation accomplished by Christ is wrought over and over again, and the sacrifice of Calvary is made present in an unbloody manner in every corner of the earth. The sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist is unique in the sense that Christ is the sole architect of the entire process. He is both the victim and lamb of sacrifice, he is the Altar of sacrifice, he is the high priest that offers the sacrifice, and he is the God to whom the sacrifice is addressed to. Thus, he offers himself, on himself, by himself and to himself, entirely for our sake and for our salvation. Through the bloody sacrifice on Calvary, Jesus ransomed us from satanic bondage and exchanged his life for our death. And through the Eucharist, he continues to strengthen, sustain and reinvigorate this life in us. Oh what a mysterious love beyond human grasp.

       Judging from the mystery of the sacrifice of the cross, it is obvious that no one can effect the work redemption except Jesus Christ, the immolated victim. These follows that the Catholic priesthood is not just a mere occupation or vocation. It is an invitation to participate in the saving actions of Christ. The priest is not his own, he does not choose or call himself, he acts in Persona Christi Capitis. This means that by means of his sacerdotal consecration which he receives at ordination, the priest is truly transformed into Christ ( Alter Christus), the high priest, and therefore possesses the authority to act in the power and place of the person of Christ himself; " virtute ac persona ipsius Christi" (Cf. Pius XII Nov. 20, 1947, Encyclical _Mediator Dei ). So, just as Christ is the source of all Priesthood; and the Priesthood of old prefigured Christ, so does the Catholic priest acts in the person and power of Christ, the eternal High priest. Therefore, the Catholic priest is the visible mediator of divine realities, bringing God to man as Christ did and offering the sacrifices and prayers of man to God in the person of Christ.

   So, Beloved, as we celebrate this Maundy Thursday of humble service, this day of the institution of the Holy Eucharistic and the ministerial Priesthood, let us pray for a change of attitude towards our veneration of the Holy Eucharist, let us stop all forms of abuses and unworthy reception of the Eucharist. Let us honour and accord respect to our priests for they are the emissaries and Images of Christ to us. They are the bearers of the mysteries of salvation and they are the ones lawfully entrusted by Christ to serve us as Christ served his apostles this Maundy Thursday. Let us pray for them, especially when their human weaknesses seem to overshadow and clampdown on their divine task. Finally beloved friends, let us remember to keep watch with Christ, today, even if it is for one hour.   

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

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me to love others freely, with heart-felt compassion, kindness and goodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather than strife...

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 MAUNDY THURSDAY BELOVED FRIENDS

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪