Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 1 of Ordinary Time Year II - January 12, 2021

DATE : 12/1/2021, Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time year (B)

 EVENT : Mass of the Weekday

 COLOUR: Green

 READINGS : Heb. 2:5-12; Resp. Psalm 8:2,5-9; Mark 1:21-28.

 THEME: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Twelft day of January 2021, I wish to reflect with us on the theme: " Dare To Be Different". Beloved, in his book titled ' Thus Spoke Zarathustra', the German Philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, opined that many people exist in the world with the 'herd morality', not daring to question most of their believe system. They sheepishly follow whatever the crowd is doing or go wherever the crowd is going. And according to Sorèn Kierkegaard, in his work titled, 'Fear and Trembling', these people are often swallowed up in the ''anonymous crowd', and live inauthentic lives. Beloved, do you know that there is a big difference between 'Living and Existing'. Those who merely "exist", make no impact in the world, and are quickly forgotten as soon as they die, just like the grass of yesterday. But those who truly "live", try their best to make a difference in their world. They take complete charge of their lives and are not afraid to be different from the crowd. They are ready to walk in the opposite direction, they are not afraid to stand out. They are not afraid to be different from the rest. They Dare the odds. they are full of confidence, conviction and often act with authority. 

  Thus, in the Gospel reading of today, St. Mark painted a vivid narrative of the Daring nature of Jesus' ministry and preaching. Reading through the lines of today's Gospel and feeling the pulse and thoughts of the people, we realise that Jesus taught them with authority. He spoke the word of God to them as no one had done before. When their Rabbis taught, they supported their statements with quotes from other authorities. And the prophets spoke with delegated authority, often repeating the clichè, "Thus says the Lord." But When Jesus spoke, he needed no authorities to back his statements. He was authority himself. He was full of confidence and convinced of who he is. Such that when he spoke, even the demons obeyed and all other forces succumbed to him.

   Child of God, do you know the powers that God has deposited in you? Do you know that you are more powerful than the angels and all kinds of demonic forces? Do you know that you can be anything you dream of? Do you know that you are a bundle of latent potentials. So, rise up, do not sheepishly follow the crowd or trending wave. Always act with confidence, and do not be afraid to dare to think,

 speak, or act differently if you have to. For it is only an authentic individual that can truly be happy and fulfilled in life. God bless you

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

#End Sars,

#End Political Oppression

#End Bad Governance 

 LET US PRAY :Lord Jesus, you created me a unique and special person, help me to be as authentic as possible all they days that I may live.......

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

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

@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 1 of Ordinary Time Year II - January 11, 2021

  DATE : 11/1/2021, Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time year (B)

 EVENT : Mass of the Weekday

 COLOUR: Green

 READINGS: Heb. 1:1-6; Resp. Psalm 96:1-2,6-7,9; Mark 1:14-20.

 THEME:  I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Eleventh day of January 2021, I wish to reflect with us on the theme: " I Bring You Good News". Beloved in Christ, from today we have entered the first part of the Ordinary Time of the Church. Now there are about six seasons in the Church's liturgical calendar:  Advent, Christmas, first or short Ordinary Tume, Lent, Easter and then the second or long Ordinary Time. An Ordinary Time is the period of the Church in which there is no specific celebration. It is characterised chiefly by the public ministry of Jesus and of His disciples. 

   In the Gospel reading of today, taken from St. Mark 1:14-20, we are told that immediately Jesus heard that John the Baptist has been arrested and removed from the scene, he went abroad and began his preaching and public ministry. Indeed the prophecy of John the Baptist  in John 3:30, "he must increase while I must decrease", came to fulfilment. Studying carefully the Gospel of Mark,  we notice that Mark focused more on the preaching of Jesus and the Good News therein. The word "Gospel" is from the Latin evangelium and the Greek euangelion , which literally means "good news". When a king had good news to deliver to his subjects he send messengers or heralds throughout the land to make a public announcement. Such as the birth of a newborn king or the victory over an invading army or occupied force. After Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan and anointed by the Spirit he begins his ministry of preaching the good news that the kingdom of God and the salvation of His Christ has come and is inexhaustibly available for all who are ready to receive it.

   Beloved in Christ, the Good News that God has been cooking for us through the mouths of the various prophets of old, and which was finally announced by Jesus, who is himself the Christ is this: That God has chosen to remit all our sins and to blot them away. That we shall be gifted anew with the sanctifying grace (the ability to commune with God), and the supernatural grace (the ability to rise above animalistic and appetitive inclination or desires). which we contracted through the disobedient of our first parents (Adam and Eve). Furthermore, Christ brought the good news of peace (restoration of relationship with God: Eph. 6:15), of hope (the hope of heaven and everlasting life: Col. 1:23 ), of immortality (God gives everlasting life: 2Tim. 1:10), and the good news of salvation (liberty from sin and freedom to live as sons and daughters of God: Eph. 1:13). Child of God, as charitable Christians, we are not to hoard this good news to ourselves alone. We are meant to invite others to come and share in this Good News, like Christ told his disciples today, to become fishers of men for God's kingdom. I pray that as the year proceeds, we may not only obtain the Good News, but also invite others to share in it.

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

#End Sars,

#End Political Oppression

#End Bad Governance 

 LET US PRAY :Lord Jesus, you came with the Good News of salvation, help me to assist in spreading this good news by my life style.......

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

 May Almighty God bless you 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 Baptism of the Lord Year B - January 10, 2021

EVENT : BAPTISM OF THE LORD

 COLOUR: WHITE

 READINGS :Isaiah 55:1-11; Resp. Psalm. Isa. 12:2-3.4bcd.5-6; 1John 5:1-9; Mark 1:7-11.

 THEME: BAPTISM EQUALS US WITH JESUS

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Second Sunday of the year, which doubles also as the baptism of the Lord, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Baptism Equals Us With Jesus". Beloved, do not be shocked by the theme of today's reflection because it is a valid statement. By the celebration of the baptism of Jesus today, the Christmas season has come to an end. And the public ministry of Jesus commences. However, just like every other thing that Jesus did, His baptism was meant to teach us the necessity of rebirth into the fellowship of God's children. Jesus does not need baptism for he was pure purity. But to make us all equal, he had to take the lead that we might follow. According to the teaching of the Church, baptism brings about a fundamental equality of all God's people. By his baptism, Christ has sanctified the batismal waters, thereby uniting all believer as one people. For since we all receive one baptism, there is no inequality arising from race, nationality, social status, colour, culture or sex (Gal. 3:28).

      Beloved, the fact that one is reborn in Christ through baptism is infinitely more important than being born into certain parents, class, social caste or race (CCC. Art. 35, Pg. 80). This is why the saintly Archbishop of Onitsha, Obiefuna, of blessed memory, once opined that "the waters of baptism is thicker than the blood of families ties". Dearest in Christ, the mystery and privileges obtained from baptism are innumerable. Firstly, by baptism, one is made entirely a new creature irrespective of past misdeeds and s/he receives full remission of all past sins, but original and actual just like that (Act. 2:38, CCC, Art 31, Pg 76). . And all the punishments due to those sins are cancelled (Cf. Council of Florence: DS 1316). Furthermore, through baptism, sanctifying grace and other graces are infused on the baptised. Thus, since baptism does not completely remove certain temporal consequences inherent in life as weaknesses of character such as 'concupiscence', these graces obtained through baptism enable us to wrestle favourably with temporal inclinations.

  Finally child of God, baptism takes us from merely being slaves and servants of God through being friends of Jesus, and finally being brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. It makes us adopted children of God and heirs to the kingdom of heaven (Gal. 4:4-6; Rom. 8:29). As sons and daughters of God, with Jesus as the first born Son, we should not be shy to demand our birth rights from God, we should not be too shy to call God "My Father" (Cf. John 20:17). We are not meant to shiver before God, our loving father, we should not suffer want or hardship, sickness and death. But we are deprived of all these benefits because despite our baptism, we have rushed back to the pool of sin. And like dirty and stinky  pigs, we feel too unworthy to approach God or to even raise our head. I pray that through the grace of the baptism of Jesus today, we may renew our baptismal resolution to die to sin and rise into the new life of Jesus Christ.

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

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, through your baptism, you have sanctified the baptismal font. Help me to imitate you 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 BAPTISM OF THE LORD BELOVED FRIENDS.

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday after Epiphany Year B - January 9, 2021

DATE : 9/1/2021, Saturday of the Second Week of Christmas year (B)

 EVENT : Saturday After Epiphany.

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : 1John 5:14-21; Resp. Psalm 149:1b-2.3-4.5-6a and 9c; John 3:22-30.

 THEME:  ALLIGN YOUR PRAYERS TO THE WILL OF GOD

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Ninth day of January 2021, I wish to reflect with us on the theme: " Allign Your Prayers To The Will Of God". Beloved in Christ, are you aware that God answers every prayers and petitions that we make to him. Now, as long as there is no sin that hinders our prayers from ascending to the divine throne of God (Isa. 59:2), God hears and answers us whenever we call on Him. That is why the prophet Isaiah told us in Isa. 59:1, "that the ears of God are not too dull to hear us..." Now, if God answers each prayer made to him, why are we not getting the required answers. The reason is simple. We do not see the answers because we have conditioned our minds on the kind of answers we expect from God.  So my friend, when you ask for a mansion and God replies with a "NO", he has answered you. Just that his answers are not always in the affirmative. So we do not see them as answers because, our minds have conditioned God as a puppet. Beloved, whenever we ask God for something, as a benevolent and all knowing father, God has the freedom to say "yes", or "no", to our petitions, depending on how good and beneficial that request is to the bigger picture, namely the salvation of our souls. 

   Beloved, the portion of John's letter which we read this morning falls within the Epilogue or concluding part of the first letter of this apostle of love. Thus, having exalted us on how to love God and our neighbour, and how to be faithful followers of the Christian way of life. John, now gives us "expo", on how to obtain favours from God and be contented. The expo is, "whatever he hope to ask from God, let us make sure it is in accord with the will of God for our lives. Thus, I do not need to stress myself asking God to bless me with the gift of car like he blessed my neighbour. Because my neighbour and I have different destinies. Thus, it is best to pray God to grant my prayers according to his own will for my life.

     I know that as the year is still fresh, many of us already have mapped out plans of things we want God to do for us this year. But beloved, before we stamp this plans, have we taken time to ask if these plans are in accord with the will of God for our lives (Cf. Prov. 3:5-6). So beloved, in the light of today's reading and borrowing a leaf from the prayer Jesus taught us, let us always commit and surrender our prayers and petitions to the divine will. And our prayers should always end like the Islamic cliche "INSHA ALLAH" (Let the will of God prevail). I pray that all that we shall ask for this year we be according to the will of God, so that He will grant it to us.

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

#End Sars,

#End Political Oppression

#End Bad Governance 

 

 LET US PRAY :Lord Jesus, may your will prevail in my life and in all I shall undertake this year...

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

 May Almighty God bless you 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 after Epiphany Year B - January 8, 2021

DATE : 8/1/2021, Friday of the Second Week of Christmas year (B)

 EVENT : Friday After Epiphany.

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : 1John 5:5-13; Resp. Psalm 147:12-13.14-15.19-20; Luke 5:12-16.

 THEME: JESUS IS THE ONLY TRUE SOURCE OF LIFE

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Eight day of January 2021, I wish to reflect with us on the theme: " Jesus Is The Only True Source of Life". Beloved, do you know that there is nothing more precious than the human life. In fact, as a promoter of life, the Catholic Church believes that human life is so sacred that in the danger of death, all the precepts and laws of the Church are suspended. Now, in the Gospel of John 10:10, Jesus said: "I have come that you may have life and have it in fullness". But the question is, what does it mean to have fullness of life. Now, we know from research that blood and water are the major constituents in the human body that carry life. But blood and water are not the originator of life. They are not the principal cause of life. There is an original force that moves and transmits life into them. That initial and originator of life is Jesus Christ, the author of life. That is why St. John the beloved said of him in John 1:3-4: "All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being, for in him was life, and the life was the light of all people".

      Beloved, the summary of the Good News is that Jesus has come to restore to us the fullness of life which he himself gave us at the time of creation, but which through sin, we had lost. Dearest, do you desire life in its fullness to enjoy the goodness of God? Do you wish to have a long life as the men of old, who lived effective lives even after hundred years? Do you want to taste eternal life? Do you want to enjoy many peaceful and happy days? Then listen to me; Keep your hands clean from all evil; love sincerely even when it hurts; serve God faithfully even when He seems silent; pray fervently to ward off dangers; Live uprightly; Make peace with everyone; Practice a healthy lifestyle and have moderate eating; Love Jesus passionately and seek to develop a personal relationship with Him.

   Child of God, Jesus has come and is willing to give us eternal life, if only we would choose to follow him and turn aside from all ways of sin and evil. He is ready to heal us, He is ready to protect us from harm, He is ready to answer us each time we call on him, but it will cost us something. That we let go of brief world pleasures and make sacrifices to be holy daily. May God help us to have access to the eternal life that Jesus has brought to the world.

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

#End Sars,

#End Political Oppression

#End Bad Governance 

 LET US PRAY :Lord Jesus, you are the source of life, for cut off from you I can do nothing. Help me to always remain connected with you who is the source of eternal life...

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

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

@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Thursday after Epiphany Year B - January 7, 2021

DATE : 7/1/2021, Thursday of the Second Week of Christmas year (B)

 EVENT : Thursday After Epiphany..St. Raymond Penyafort, P. (Opt. Mem).

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : 1John 4;19-5:4; Resp.

Psalm 72:1-2.14&25bc.17; Luke 4:14-22a.

 THEME: THAT YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS THE GOD YOU CAN SEE

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Seventh day of January 2021, I wish to reflect with us on the theme: " That Your Neighbour is the God You Can See". Beloved, a story was told of a pious man who earnestly desired to see God. So one day, he heard that God was going to appear and minister to people in the village. He got up early, prepared and headed to the village Church with all the religious devotion he could garner. While on his way, a poor feeble fellow beckoned on him to assist him to Church. But because he did not want to go late and so miss the front roll, he ignored the feeble stranger. Now, after the enormous congregation had waited a long time in Church without any sign of God showing up, news filtered in that God had come to the village in the form of a feeble stranger and had ministered to a man whom most of the people despised. The villagers later gathered that God ministered to him because he had offered to assist God, who came in the form of a poor feeble fellow to get to Church while himself was heading to Church.

   Beloved, the above story summarises the two readings of today (the first reading and the Gospel). Many of us claim to know and love God, yet we despise our neighbour who is the image and likeness of God which we can see. This is the central message of the last chapters of the first letter of St. John. As an Apostle of divine love, John knows that divine love of God is useless if it has no direct effect in our relationship with each other. Come to think of it, is it not said that Charity begins at home? So, how can we claim to show love to God who is far and invisible to us, if we have not first shown love to our neighbour who is near and visible to us. This humanitarian dimension of love is what Jesus expressed in the Gospel reading of today, Luke 4:14-22. Namely, to alleviate the hardness of our neighbour, to feed the hungry, to speak words of peace to the troubled mind, to assist in freeing those unlawfully detained in prison, to visit and pray for the sick, to contribute positively in making the lives of other people better, and to show undiluted love to those starved of love and affection. How best can we love God if not by loving those He created.

    Beloved, listen to me, as we proceed in this year, consciously make it a point of duty to contribute in making the lives of others better. Be the reason why someone will choose to smile. Be the reason why somebody will believe that good people still exist out there. Be the reason why somebody will choose to continue to live. Be the reason why the faith of somebody will be elevated. Be the reason why I can be encouraged to continue my Catholic Homily Digest. God bless you

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

#End Sars,

#End Political Oppression

#End Bad Governance 

 LET US PRAY :Lord Jesus, it is because you love me so much that was why you choose to die for me. Help me to reciprocate that love in the way I treat my neighbours.

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

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

@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the Epiphany Year B - January 3, 2021

DATE : 3/1/2021, the Second Sunday of Christmas Year (B)

 EVENT : EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

 COLOUR: WHITE

 READINGS :Isaiah 60:1-6; Resp. Psalm 72:1-2.7-8.10-11.12-13; Eph. 3:2-3a.5-6; Matt 2:1-12.

 THEME: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY AND TALENTS

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Second Sunday of Christmas which doubles as the first Sunday of the year 2021, on which the Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Do Not be Afraid to Reveal your Identity and Talents". Beloved, the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord which we celebrate today is simply the visible manifestation of Jesus Christ in human form to the world. Particularly to the Gentiles, since it was to the three wise men from the East (Magi), that he revealed himself to. Unlike what the Jews thought, the coming of Christ was not targeted at the salvation of Jews only, although he came from their lineage. His appearing (Epiphany), to the Gentiles in the Gospel reading of today was a great spiritual and theological lesson to the leaders and teachers of the people of Israel. How could they have been reading the prophecies about the coming of the messiah, only for Him to come without their knowing it, and he even chose to reveal his face first to uncircumscised foreigners. Indeed the ways of God are different from that of men.

      Beloved in Christ, the Gospel reading of today which was taken from the Matthew 2:1-12, tells us how the rising star of Jesus appeared to the three Magi in the East and led them perfectly through the house of King Herod in Isreal to the exact position where the baby Jesus was. These Gospel passage is loaded with many lessons for us today. But before then, it is important we know that the Gospel of Matthew is the very earliest of all the New Testament writings and it was originally written around 79 A.D, to  show the Jews Christians that Jesus is actually the awaited Messiah. However, the portion we read today, is from the part of Matthew's Gospel called the "infancy narratives", that is Matt. 1:1- 2:23. But the pericope of our focus today which is Matt. 2:1-12, falls within the immediate context of Matt. 2:1-15, called the "visit of the Magi from the East". Thus, although Matthew wrote to the Palestinian Jewish Christians, he included this narrative in his writing because he wanted the Gentile world to know that Christ cares for the them as much as he cares for the Jews.

    Child of God, what lesson are we to go home with today. The first lesson is this, that God has no favourite, He shows no partiality and He can use anybody who disposes himself properly to bring about His purposes. Furthermore, by this revelation of Himself to the world, Jesus has shown us that as lights, we must shine brightly and not allow the fear of anybody to shut us up or hidden (Matt. 5:14-16). If the tender and vulnerable child Jesus did not hide his glory despite the devouring intents of King Herod, then why must we hide our God given talents and gifts. Beloved like St. Paul tells us in today's second reading, what ever grace, talent or gift God has given to you, it is not meant for you to keep. Rather, it is meant to better the life of other people around you. So beloved in Christ, as we celebrate the Epiphany (revelation) of Jesus to the entire world today, I call on you, especially as the year is just about starting, do not allow the fear of anything or anyone to keep you from revealing or displaying your identity gifts. Do not lie hidden, but like unstoppable stars, let your gifts blossom. Hence, if you have a strong faith, do not be shy to show it publicly even amongst Muslims or pagan. If you have been blessed with a good voice, use it to sing to the glory of God, if you can smile, please do. If you can dance, please dance, if you can pray, be the first to lead, if you can give wise counsel, please, don't let anything hold you back. Just be confident of yourself and let the world celebrate you this year. 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, I pray for the courage to display my talent this year for the better glory of your name......

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 FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR BELOVED.

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪