Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday Easter Week 3 - April 24, 2021

DATE : 24/4/2021

 EVENT : Saturday of the Third Week of Eastertide

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Acts 9:31-42;

  Resp. Psalm 115:12-17; John 6:60-69.

 THEME: WE ALWAYS NEED SOMEONE

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this twenty fourth day of April, which is the sixth day of the third week of Eastertide, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " We Always Need Someone". Beloved, one of the sad but fortunate realities of life is that, we will always need someone at each moment of our lives. No man or woman is completely independent or self sufficient in life. If we do not need someone to assist us, then we need someone to assist. We would need someone to love or to love us. We would need someone to talk to or to talk to us. We need someone to help us execute certain task. We need a family to care for us. Thus, the old Ubuntu philosophy has it that, "I am because we are",and because we are, therefore I am. So, the 'I', comes from the 'we', and the 'we', makes and gives relevance to the 'I'. The English man, would often say, 'No man is an island'. He will definitely be in need of something, because there is a vacuum created in his heart which is always yearning to be filled and satisfied. And according to St. Augustine of Hippo, no material thing can fill up this vacuum in the human earth except the divine love.

     In the Gospel reading of today, John 6:60-69, we are told that the hearers of Jesus, found his teaching intolerable and too difficult to accept, so gradually they began to withdraw from following him. Jesus however, turned and said to his remainder disciples, "what about you, do you want to go away too?’ And Simon Peter the chief of the apostles answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Beloved, this proclamation of Peter is not mere flattery of Jesus. Peter knew the ancient truth that man must have some one to go to. Man cannot live without a master, a guide, a comforter, and a God. He knew that the soul cannot live alone or grope it's own way. So what Peter meant was, we cannot leave you till we have found another, who shall outbid you in your offers. The offer of salvation and eternal life. He knew that there cannot be a better offer which shall ever surpass what Christ is proposing to offer them. If he has said his flesh is real food, and his blood is real drink for our soul's nourishment, then we have every reason to believe him, since there is not better argument to the contrary.

      Child of God, incase you have forgotten, let me remind that, there is no better place that your soul can find eternal rest if not in Jesus. There is no other way in which your soul can be nourished if not through the body and blood of Jesus Christ. There is no other means by which your soul can be redeemed if not through faith in Jesus Christ. Whatever place you go to, whomever you want to turn to, no matter the philosophy that you hold, if Jesus is not involved then you are heading to doom, where your soul will be lost forever. Why not keep faith with Jesus, I know that sometimes, the teaching of Christianity might appear to be too strict and labourous, but in it is found happiness, satisfaction, peace and salvation. But departing  from Jesus to follow a cheaper course, because the end might be disastrous for 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 remain faithful to you even when I find it difficult to maintain my sanity and serenity.

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 Easter Week 3 - April 23, 2021

DATE : 23/4/2021

 EVENT : Friday of the Third Week of Eastertide

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Acts 9:1-20;

  Resp. Psalm 116:1-2; John 6:52-59.

 THEME: CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this twenty third day of April, which is the fifth day of the third week of Eastertide, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Christ Is The Only Way". Beloved in Christ, one of the realities of life is that there is plurality in nature. Hence, there is never one option, method or way of doing a thing or getting to a desired outcome. God in His benevolent wisdom has created the world to provide varied levels of options for the teaming individual of various personalities  that populate the world. However,  in His manifold goodness also, He has chosen to narrow the path of salvation, making His begotten Son, our lord Jesus Christ as the only WAY and means by which man can be saved. Thus, while there are numerous ways to get natural thing done, there is only one access WAY to heaven and to the spiritual realities. The man Jesus Christ. This is why every prayer must end by calling on the name of Jesus.

       In the first reading of today, Acts 9:1-20, we are told that Saul was granted permission to arrest and prosecute all the followers of the WAY. This is one of the first place that the term "WAY" occured in reference to the disciples of Christ. According to Scripture Scholars, this term originated from Christ himself who said, "I am the WAY, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6). It has also been used  by the prophet of Old to refers to the Messiah (Cf. Isa. 40:3; Matt. 3:3; Mk. 1:3; Acts 11:26). The very expression of WAY, suggest man is a lost wanderer in the desert of the world. He has been displaced from the true path by ignorance, error, sin, danger, and irreligion. So, Christ coming as the WAY, offers man, a renewed opportunity to be saved. Thus, out of ignorance, Saul embarked on his way to persecute the followers of the WAY, until the WAY Himself, threw him off the way of ignorance into the WAY of salvation. And Saul persevered as a promoter of the WAY for the remainder of his life.

       Child of God, one of the questions you need to ask yourself this morning is: am I on the right WAY to salvation? Listen to me, it is one thing to know about the WAY, and a different thing to walk on the WAY. It is one thing to desire to walk on the WAY, and a different thing to persevere on the WAY like Saul. Truth is, there are many strong winds of temptations and harsh conditions of life, that will come to blow you off the WAY. But if you abide with the WAY, eating and drinking His body and blood, He will give you the vitality to remain steadfast in His WAY.

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 focused on the WAY that leads to my salvation....

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 Wednesday Easter Week 3 - April 21, 2021

DATE : 21/4/2021

 EVENT : Wednesday of the Third Week of Eastertide/St. Anselm of Canterbury. B.D.

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Acts 8:1-8.

  Resp. Psalm 65:1-7. John 6:35-40.

 THEME: THE DELIGHTFUL EVIL

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this twenty first day of April, which is the third day of the third week of Eastertide, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " The Delightful Evil". Beloved in Christ, according to the thinking of the natural man, 'what is bad is bad and what is good is good'. You can not extract good from evil, neither can you expect evil to proceed from good. Most times, it is impossible for us humans to believe that something good can come out of a bad condition. We often believe that anything bad is from the Devil. And the good is from God. So, the two have no meeting point. But contrary to this human thinking, we know that God can and has in fact brought out good results from seemingly bad situations countless times. Often times, God may allow evil to thrive so that we may appreciate the good when it comes. He can also allow evil to make its boast so that He may root it out and receive all the glory.

        In the first reading of today, Acts 8:1-8, we are told that after the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whom Saul supervised; a great persecution arose in Jerusalem, which made most of the believers to flee, taking refuge in neighbouring communities. Now, to an unspiritual eye and to an uncritical mind, why should God allow the early Christians to suffer at this early stage of their faith. Why did God not fight their enemies like He did in the Old Testament. Why did God allow their persecutors to get the better of them? Was God not aware that this move could discourage Many from converting to the nascent faith. These are genuine questions which any discerning mind can ask. But, God who alone has the bigger picture, knows what He is doing. He knows that allowing the early believers to exist peacefully in Jerusalem would not make the Gospel to spread rapidly; because they would all concentrate on the parochial centre Church in Jerusalem. But, through persecution, they are forced to scatter like little droplets across several communities, then the Gospel would be preached to a wider audience, so that the number of converts would swell exceedingly. Especially as the blood of the sacrificial martyrs has helped to water the earth

       Child of God, how do you feel whenever things are not working your way? How do you feel whenever you face disappointments and failures. How do you react when you face challenges and unplanned sceneries. What is your approach to the schemings of the enemy? Listen to me dearest in Christ, God is never oblivious of your plight and your condition. In His benevolence, He will never evil to triumph and to have the final say. After the mourning, there will always be rejoicing. His plan for your life will definitely play out. Do not lose heart when everything you have believed in and laboured for begin to crumble. God has a bigger plan to establish you better and bigger than you are now. Just relax, trust him and wait patiently. Because if you acts ignorantly, you may be frustrating and procrastinating God's divine purpose for your life.

 

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 calm and trustfully upon you, no matter my present predicaments.

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 Tuesday Easter Week 3 - April 20, 2021

DATE : 20/4/2021

 EVENT : Tuesday of the Third Week of Eastertide

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Acts 7:51-8:1.

  Resp. Psalm 30:3-4,6,8,17,21; John 6:30-35.

 THEME: CHOOSE YOUR FOOD WISELY

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Twentieth day of April, which is the second day of the third week of Eastertide, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Choose Your Food Wisely". Beloved in Christ, there are three basic realities that can be used to test the real character of a person namely: How does a person acts when he/she is entrusted with power. How does a person acts when money is involved in any transaction, and finally how does a person acts, when it comes to food or anything that will pass through the mouth. According to the Webster Advanced Learner's Dictionary, food is defined as, "any substance that can be consumed by living organisms, especially by eating, in order to sustain life." What this means is that, food is the sustainer of life. Without food of any kind, no living organisms will survive. Whenever an organism stops to take in food, it begins to disintegrate and die gradually. Now, we know that man, unlike all other living organisms, is made up of the material and immaterial, the physical and the spiritual, the mortal and the immortal, and body and soul. He is a living dualism, made up of body and soul, and each of these, have their respective kinds of food, which sustains them. So, while other organism busy themselves searching for bodily food only, man on the other hand, has to simultaneously source for foods for his dual natures. And in the scale or hierarchy of importance, the spiritual food comes before the physical, because it is the spirit that offers life, the body has nothing really to offer. This indeed is a great task bestowed upon man, which unfortunately many people have misappropriated.

            In the Gospel reading of today, John 6:30-35, Jesus said to the people asking him for material food (manna), 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.’ the people came to Jesus, believing that as Moses gave their forefathers manna from heaven to quench their physical hunger in the desert, Jesus, whom they mistook as the new Moses, should also rain manna upon them. But contrary to their canal expectations, Jesus offered them the higher manna (himself), as the food for their souls. The people wanted a manna which will last for few hours, but Jesus offered them a manna which will last forever, they wanted a manna which will nourish the decaying body, but Jesus offered them a manna for the undying soul. They wanted a food which will temporarily satisfy the appetite of the body, Jesus offered them the food which will satisfy the hunger of the spirit.

      Child of God, what kind of food are you interested in more? What kind of food do you spend your energy pursuing? The kind that last forever or that which last for only a few hours? Beloved, Jesus is the only bread if life, he is the only source of food for our souls, he is the only life giving food which our souls need. Without Jesus, our souls will begin to disintegrate and inevitably die in the unquenchable fires of Hell. Why not come to Jesus today, while not bid him to live in you. Why not focus more on the bread of life more than on the bread to death. I pray God to aid us to understand the most important food for us and grant us the grace to go for it with all our strength.

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

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, I want you to offer me that bread of life, that daily Eucharistic meal which nourishes my soul...

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 Saturday Easter Week 2 - April 17, 2021

DATE : 17/4/2021

 EVENT : Saturday of the Second Week of Eastertide

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Acts 6:1-7;

  Resp. Psalm 32:1-2,4-5,18-19; John 6:16-21.

 THEME:  PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS ARE NOT SOCIAL WORKERS

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Seventeenth day of April, which is the Sixth day of the second week of Eastertide, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Priests And Religious Are Not Social Workers". Beloved in Christ, it is clear to every sane mind that there is no organisation in the world that cares for the well-being of the underprivileged and oppressed more than the Catholic Church. In fact, in Matthew 25:31-46, Christ told us that the judgment of the world would be based on charity and consideration for the less fortunate. Furthermore, Magna Carta of the Christian call to the service of the poor and oppressed is found in Pope Leo XIII, encyclical of May 15, 1891 titled: Rerum Novarum. In this encyclical the holy Father charted  what is now known as the Church's preferential option for the poor. This means that whatever undermines the dignity and full actualisation of any body is the Church's business. This teaching was further given weight by the Pope Paul VI, ' Populorum Progression ', of March 26, 1967. According to Pope Paul VI, the development and care of all people especially those striving against hunger, misery, unjust wages, endemic diseases and ignorance, has the Church's close attention. So, beloved, apart from these papal teaching, lived especially has shown that the Church, loves and cares for her poor and needy members. This is clearly shown in the activities of several groups within the Church, St. Vincent De Paul. In fact, in most parishes, large chunk of the yearly budget goes to charity.

     Thus, in the first reading of today, Acts 6:1-7, we are told that the Hellenist complained that their widows and poor ones where often neglected or discriminated against in the daily distribution of relief material. Now, by way of explanation, Hellenists are people who due to the Babylonian captivity of 8th century B.C, have lost the pure Jewish blood, due to the influence of the Greek culture and intermarriages. So, when these group of Jews return to Palestine after their captivity, the remnant Jews in Jerusalem, considered them as aldulterrad Jews while themselves who had no Greek contact are seen as pure Jews. So, the Hellenists were often discriminated against and seem as lessee Jews. This was the dissension that arose among the early Christian who were still predominantly Jews. So, conscious of the distraction and problem associated with the distribution of relief items, the Apostles, who up till now were incharge of this divine charitable acts, decided to assign this divine duty to designated persons, so that they can be more focus on the salvation of soul, which is their primary responsibility and calling. Thus, rhey were quick to make a distinction between social actions and spiritual actions. Although both are simultaneously vital to the complete wellbeing of a person. They assigned the social actions to special people called deacons (servants), so that they will not lose touch of their initial responsibility.

          Child of God, do you know that most priest and all religious take vows of obedience, poverty and chastity? Do you also know that going by the vows of poverty which they took, they are meant never to have a personal material  resources of their own. Even when they are in charge of a parish of organisations, they are not supposed to be directly involved in the social relief of the people. Unfortunately, many of us have turned out priests into ATM machines, calling and demanding for money or support. Most family members have turned their son of daughter in the religious life into bread winners. The most annoying and embarrassing part of this whole drama is that, there are people who will never call to ask the priest to pray for them, but when they have financial crises, they rush to dial his number. Beloved, if you know the number of visitors, who come to the priest's office not demanding for prayers, but for help. A priest friend once told me that he stopped going to office because all those who come to see in his office only end up asking for money or good stuffs, instead of prayers and counselling. Listen to me beloved, if a Christ decides to organise material relief for the poor in his parish, if he tries to execute certain financial public project, and if he renders financial help to a few concrete dire situation, that does not make him a social worker. They primary responsibility of every priest is to offer prayers to God on your behalf and to bring you God's blessings. Anything short of these two is meant for other people within the fold. Let us desist from burning our priests with financial demands so they can refrain from stealing Church money to settle ours.

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

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, I pray that you may come to the aid of all your priests and religious so that they may not lose sight of the primary duty for which you have chosen 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

 HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED FRIENDS.

  @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter Week 2 - April 16, 2021

DATE : 16/4/2021

 EVENT : Friday of the Second Week of Eastertide

 COLOUR: White

 READINGS : Acts 5:34-42;

  Resp. Psalm 26:1,4,13-14; John 6:1-15.

 THEME: TIME: THE TRUEST TEST OF AUTHENTICITY

         Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Sixteenth day of April, which is the fifth day of the second week of Eastertide, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Time: The Truest Test Of Authenticity". Beloved in Christ, do you remember the famous saying that, 'time heals all wounds'? It is not only wound that time heals, there are a host of other things that time can remedy, can make whole, and can prove valid or invalid. As human beings, experience has shown that there is nothing under the sun that last forever. No condition, no situation, nothing at  all, no matter how long it last, can be permanent. Everything according to the Greek Heraclitus, is at the state of flux, change is constant. However, this temporariness pertains to created and existing realities. Only God is immutable, unchangeable, unalterable, and endures forever. So, it is only things which carry a stamp of the divine within them that will never change or end.

     Thus, in the the first reading of today, Acts 5:34-42, we are told that one of the respectable member of the Sanhendrin, Gamaliel, addressed the group of Jewish elders, who were bend on putting an end to the preachings of the Apostles. He spoke thus: "What I suggest, therefore, is that you leave these men alone and let them go. If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God."  Now, this man understood what Pharaoh and the Egyptians did not grasp on time. That, no one can change or put an end to whatever has a divine stamp. So, illumined by divine wisdom, Gamaliel understood that no natural or human force can complete with the divine force. He knew that God is the supreme ruler, and truth comes from him. Hence, whatever that is not from God, already has within itself the seed of destruction and will definitely expire with time. Thus, since God is full of patience, he allows untruths, pretenders, deceivers, and liars to fester because He knows that, they will fade away over time.

     Child of God, there is nothing that reveals the authenticity of an action, the validity of a thing, the workability of an idea, the durability of a product, and the reality of truth, like time. Whatever condition, idea, project, product, character and policy that  does not have the stamp of the divine will definitely wither. So, do not be quick to pass judgement, do not be quick to accept an idea,  do not be quick to trust, do not be quick to condemn, do not be quick to subscribe to an idea, do not be quick to evaluate a person's worth, do not be quick to see yourself as a failure. Always give yourself time. Times, matures, time heals, time brings bigger opportunities, time makes inauthentic existence to fade away. If you have a friend who claims to be dependable, give it time. If you have a love proposer, give it time. If you have a catch-22 before you, allow it some time, if you are sick, give yourself some time to heal, if you are downcast, depressed, and seem to be failing, give yourself some time. If things are not working out for you at this moment, give yourself some more time. If you are not happy with your profession or vocation in life, give it more time. And if God's promises are delayed in manifesting in your life, give it some more time (Hab. 2:3). At the end and with time, God will always work things for good.

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 be patience with you and to always believe in the ability of time to make things better.

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. ⛪