3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Your Hope Is Not Dead: Lessons from the Emmaus Experience

Readings: Acts 2:14.22–33; 1 Pet 1:17–21; Lk 24:13–35

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, for three years Jesus gathered a group of men around Him and taught them about the new Kingdom He had come to establish. From their knowledge of history, these men knew that charismatic leaders had risen in the past, overthrown oppressive rulers, and established new reigns. They saw Jesus as one of these charismatic figures and therefore built their hopes, dreams, and aspirations on Him.

They left their jobs and followed Him joyfully from town to town, counting His successes as their own. They supported His ministry with their resources and hoped that, once His kingdom was established, they would regain what they had invested and become princes in His reign. They eagerly awaited the moment when He would seize power, liberate the Jews from both Roman oppression and corrupt Jewish leaders, and restore the glory of Israel.

However, on Good Friday, they were confronted with what they never expected: the death of Jesus on the Cross. With His death, their dreams, hopes, and aspirations collapsed. For these disciples, the death of Jesus meant the death of their dreams and their hope for a better future. Their frustration deepened when they heard that Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb. A glimpse of their frustration and sense of hopelessness is revealed in today’s Gospel through the conversation of the two disciples walking to Emmaus. They were returning to their former lives, trying to pick up the pieces after their disappointment. Their words to the stranger—who was Jesus—express the depth of their sorrow: “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.” This single sentence captures a long‑held hope that has been crushed.

Like these disciples, many people today face different degrees of frustration. Some have invested so much in their lives or businesses, yet nothing seems to work. Some have lost the job they struggled so hard to secure. Some have lost a loved one who was the financial pillar of the family. Some are crippled by sickness or weighed down by problems with no visible way out. Some are so overwhelmed that they feel death would be the only escape from their pain.

Luke dramatized the Emmaus story to show how people feel when they are struck by devastating and discouraging situations. But he also used this experience to teach us that with Jesus, our hopes and dreams for good things cannot die. Problems may shake them, but they cannot destroy them for those who believe in Christ.

Peter beautifully echoes this truth in the first reading when he refers to today’s Psalm (Ps 16:8–10) saying, “For God is close to me, I shall not be shaken; therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; for He will not leave my soul among the dead, nor allow His beloved to see corruption.” For those who hope in the Lord, even death cannot conquer them or their hopes.

Here, then, are some lessons we need to draw from this Emmaus encounter.

The first lesson is that Christ walked with the two disciples, yet they could not recognize Him. Dear friends, these two disciples failed to recognize Christ because they were overwhelmed by their worries and frustrations; perhaps they did not even look at His face. Christ is always close to us in difficult times, but we often become so engulfed by our worries that we hardly notice His presence.

Whenever you focus all your attention on recounting your sad stories and brooding over them, you may become blinded to the point that you fail to recognize the solutions even when they are right before you. Do not allow your worries to blind you from looking at the face of Jesus. He is always standing by your side. Look beyond your problems and look up to Jesus, and you will receive something new. When you look at the face of the risen Christ, He will help you set your mind on things above, for our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

The second lesson is that we should not hesitate to open up to Christ—and to others—in our difficult moments. If the two disciples had not opened up to Christ when He approached them, they would not have received the solution to their worries. Many people think they can handle their problems alone and end up shutting out both God and others. By doing so, such people often hurt themselves even more. Christ is interested in sharing our troubles and our conversations; let us not shut Him out. Instead, let us open our hearts to Him through prayer. And in difficult moments, do not shut people out either. Christ came to the two disciples in the form of a stranger. That stranger or friend you meet may carry the solution to your problems.

The third lesson is that we must listen to Christ after we have told Him our problems. Many people pray or cry out to God in times of trials, but they do not wait to hear Him speak. In the Emmaus story, the two disciples listened attentively to Jesus. Through the Scriptures, He gave them a new understanding of their situation—showing them how God planned to bring greatness out of what they considered a hopeless event. St. Peter did the same in the first reading: he used Scripture to explain how God transformed the terrible mistake of killing Jesus into the salvation of the world.

Christ speaks to us through the Scriptures, through the homilies we hear, and through the Eucharist we receive. Through these, He shows us how God can transform our hopeless situations. Through them, Christ brings meaning to the seemingly senseless moments of our lives. Today, Christ invites us to look at our problems in the light of Scripture. This invitation helps us understand that in Christ, hope for a better future does not die—for our hope in God does not disappoint us (Rom 5:5). He also invites us to look at the Eucharist with faith, so that we may recognize Him in the breaking of the bread and in receiving His Body.

Finally, the Emmaus story teaches us not to let our problems stop us from helping those in need. In this story, the disciples looked beyond their own troubles and offered hospitality to a stranger who needed shelter for the night. That act of kindness became the key to the transformation they experienced. If they had not invited Him to stay with them and share their meal, they would not have witnessed the eye‑opening moment at the breaking of the bread—the very moment that answered their worries.

We must learn to look beyond our pains and notice others who need help. Often, our own problems make us blind to the needs of those around us.

Dear friends, reach out to strangers and to those who are helpless. The Lord may use them to reveal to you the way out of your own troubles.

Peace be with you.

Rev Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 3^rd Sunday of Easter, Year A: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

Theme: Stay with us Lord

(Luke 24:13-35)

Jesus Christ is still authenticating the truth of His resurrection by His appearances. Today He appears to the men travelling to Emmaus. He didn't just appear to them He walks along with them. He joins them in discussing the current affairs. And the most current of all the affairs was about Jesus Himself. This is interesting. When the secrete listener of every discussion shows up in your midst what will He find you discussing? Jesus was the centre of their discussion. They told the side of the story they knew which was the dark side of it all; how Jesus was unjustly condemned, how He suffered and died. They talked of the report they received from the women but saw it as a rumour. They didn't understand that Jesus will rise. In their midst, Jesus took time to interpret the scriptures to them about himself yet they didn't understand.

That discussion was a good relieve to them at a time when like each and everyone of us they thought that all hope was lost. Jesus then appeared to be going further when they reached their destination but they constrained Him to stay.

What could this mean? Why did they beg Jesus to stay? Was that not risky? Someone they never knew?

It could be that they were afraid of the night. They needed a companion. They had enjoyed the company of this stranger all along. But are they no longer men? Why this type of fear? Were they actually being good to Jesus to stay to avoid being harmed in the night? The first will possibly be the case. They needed Jesus more. They knew their need for Jesus. They felt a good replacement for the vacuum created by the death of Jesus. This is the golden truth: No one can fill the vacuum meant for Jesus in your life. No one but Jesus can do the work of Jesus in you. There remains within you a longing only Jesus can fill. There is this tempest God alone can still. In the face of wars and unrest in the world, faced with fear of uncertainties and catastrophic news here and there let us call on Jesus to stay with us.

 

We need His stay

With Him it is all day

He makes a way

Even where there seem to be no way

Let's listen to what He says

He knows what our heart prays

 

We need Him every hour

Let's beg Him to stay with us

Now that situations seem to get sour

May He be there for us to make our faith tower

Without Him we have a great minus

 

Stay dear Lord with our families

Stay dear Lord with us in our difficulties

Be with us in our uncertainties

Drive away our all our worries

 

Stay and heal us

Lest we perish

Behold darkness gets thicker

It is now that your light will shine brighter

 

The disciples beckoned and Jesus stayed. He ate with them and at the breaking of bread, they recognized Jesus. At this hour they rose fearlessly and returned to Jerusalem. We shall be returned to our normal life. For now, let's remain in spiritual communion and union with Jesus Christ. May His love be with us as we place all our hope in Him. No force of darkness will pull you down. May you live to tell of the glory of the Lord who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

Happy Sunday/Easter (3rd Sunday of Easter)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE GOD OF ANOTHER CHANCE COMES FOR YOU

(John 20:19-31)

Today, the second Sunday of Easter is the Sunday of Divine Mercy.

Today, being the eight day after the resurrection of the Lord we call to mind the great mercy of God even in our unbelief and sinfulness. We have a God who gives us chances, first, second and more chances. Do we utilize these opportunities?

The Gospel of today shows us manifestations of the mercy of God on the universal Church, in the life of the disciples, of the apostles and even in the life of Thomas the doubter. Jesus comes for you again and again to meet you in your weakness. He comes with peace and the Holy spirit, He comes with reconciliation.

 

RECONCILES WITH THE RECONCILERS

The disciples had lost their friendship with Christ on account of their betrayal at different levels, disappointments, ingratitude, denials, abandonments etc. They were filled with guilt, sorrows, shame, fears, troubles, regrets and feeling that they have failed. They lost their peace of mind. Jesus came in as they shut themselves because of fear of the Jews.

 

Jesus stood

Jesus stood and watched Peter, watched all the apostles and remembered their involvements in breaking His heart. He watched and saw them feel very sorry. He saw what was lacking in them; peace. They never expected it but Jesus surprised them with it in His merciful love. He said: Peace be with you. This means: "I have made peace with you on the cross", " I have forgiven you", "We are friends once again", " Let's forget about the past", "Let's move on" 'Udo ka mma' (peace is better). Jesus gave them yet another chance to experience His mercy and compassion.

 

JESUS MAKES THE APOSTLES RECONCILERS

Jesus did not only get reconciled with His apostles He went forward to make them reconcilers. He entrusted the message of reconciliation into their hands. He gives them His Spirit, the Spirit to bind and lose, the Power to forgive sins and even to retain them. He restored the 'Godbreathedness' lost in Adam once more. He breathed upon them and filled them. Thus, the community of the apostles present got both the forgiveness of Christ and the power to forgive.

 

MERCY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL- THOMAS

For some reasons, Thomas was absent when Jesus visited the community of the apostles. For that, he doubted and wouldn't believe that Jesus is risen, that He who had these wounds, pains, scars, who died such a shameful death could just come back to easily forgive and restore his betrayers.  He challenged God and Jesus came just for him. He gave him another chance of seeing Him. He gave him another chance of being forgiven, He gave him another special opportunity of touching Him. And the mercy and love of Christ amazed Him that He concluded that no man can do these. His eyes opened to see the God in Christ and He proclaimed: My Lord and my God!

 

JESUS COMES TO YOU WITH MERCY

You see, Jesus comes to us with mercy, true love and compassion. He knows we can't do without it. He knows how weak we are. He knows that we can err. He knows we are human, that we are made from humus, that we are fallible. But He doesn't want us to perish in the dust of sin, of shame, of immorality, of corruption. He raises us in the Sacrament of reconciliation, nourishes in communion and wants us to confess our sins and receive His mercy whenever we fall. He wants to hear us call for mercy. He hears our cry for mercy and heals us when we ask for forgiveness.

 

LET'S BE MERCIFUL

The Lord Jesus wants us to be filled with His mercy and show mercy to others. He wants to live in love. He wants us to forgive one another. Jesus wants us to have mercy on people around us. Jesus wants us to feel with the poor and the needy; those in need of our spiritual gifts, our moral support, our forgiveness, our peace and our reconciliation.

Let us be merciful like our heavenly Father.

 

LET US PRAY

We ask for your mercy Oh Lord. We can't do without it. Plunge us into the ocean of Your Mercy. Forgive us our sins, help us to take the chances You offer us in the sacrament of reconciliation seriously. Pardon us Lord, Give us Your peace and fill us with Your Spirit, restore to us the joy of our salvation through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Happy Easter/ Divine Mercy Sunday (Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 Divine Mercy Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: The Qualities of a Community Whose Christ Is Risen

Readings: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Pt. 1:3-9; Jn 20:19-31

Dear friends, on this Second Sunday of Easter, the Church invites us to embrace the qualities of a community that truly reflects the resurrection of Christ. She challenges us to become a people transformed—people who forgive, who love, and who care for one another.

Before Christ’s death and resurrection, His disciples were much like anyone else, struggling with personal ambitions and competing for status. But the resurrection brought about a profound transformation in them, turning them into a model community that inspired admiration. Today’s first reading shows that the early Christian community began to live a truly communal life—one marked by peace, love, mutual support, and selflessness. It tells us, “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people.”

The disciples allowed themselves to be transformed by the power of Christ’s resurrection and by the gift of peace and mercy He offered them in today’s Gospel. They opened their hearts to the risen Christ, who drove away their selfishness and restored their God‑given nature. In the second reading, St. Peter refers to this transformative power when he says, “By his great mercy, we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Dear brothers and sisters, Christ has risen. We have celebrated His resurrection with joyful Alleluias, and He has blessed us with His peace. Yet, when we look honestly at our families and communities, we notice that we often fall short of the qualities that marked the early Christians. What, then, is our challenge? Why do our communities still reflect hatred, injustice, indifference to the needy, and other unchristian behaviours? Why do our families, relationships, and personal lives not yet radiate the light of Christ’s resurrection? Why do we still lack peace, love, and forgiveness—even though Christ is risen? Why do some still live as though Christ has not risen?

When the disciples allowed the resurrection of Christ to transform them, their community became a place visited frequently by Christ, as we saw in today’s Gospel. Their virtues made their community attractive to the Lord.

Dear friends, if we want our lives, families, and communities to attract the constant presence of Christ, we must embrace the same qualities that shaped the early Christian community.

Today, the Church also presents us with another powerful path: the way of Mercy. This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday—a day to contemplate the boundless mercy of God toward us, His creatures. Our God is merciful: He loved us even while we were sinners; He forgave us without conditions; He corrects with love and without condemning the offender.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appeared to His disciples, offering them peace and breathing upon them the Spirit of Mercy. He forgave those who abandoned Him in His suffering and entrusted them—and us—with the mission of reconciliation through mercy.

If you want your life to attract the presence of Christ, you must embrace God’s mercy: by turning away from sin, by drinking deeply from the ocean of His mercy, and by extending mercy to those who have offended you. You must be as merciful as the Father. If you want your family to be a place visited regularly by Christ, it must be a home built on peace, mercy, and forgiveness. Christ does not dwell in a heart filled with vengeance or evil intentions; nor does He dwell in a family where conflict reigns and love is absent. Without forgiveness and mercy, there can be no lasting peace or love. A community or family without peace and love cannot truly be called Christian.

Therefore, let us allow our lives and families to be recreated by the power of Christ’s resurrection. Let us make our Christian communities, families, and relationships places of love, mercy, and mutual support. When our homes and communities radiate peace, love, and generosity, our lives will attract the presence of Christ—just as the early Christians attracted the presence of the risen Lord.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 Easter Sunday: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: They Believed They Had Defeated Him, but God Disappointed Them

Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37–43; Col 3:1–4 or 1 Cor 5:6b–8; Jn 20:1–9

Dear friends, today we celebrate the day that defines our faith—the day that gave birth to the gospel we proclaim. If Christ had not risen from the dead, our faith would be meaningless. Truly, we would not be gathered here under this banner; Christianity itself would not exist. The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our belief. For the early Christians, the resurrection was always the starting point of their preaching—the foundation that gave them authority, courage, and strength.

We are blessed to experience this same power of God over darkness and death. We are connected to the resurrection power of Christ—the power that triumphed over the evil that sought to dominate the world, the power that rolled away the stone, the power that shattered the devil’s reign, and the power that fulfilled God’s plan to redeem humanity from the failures of our first parents.

Today, light has triumphed over darkness, life has overcome death, grace has conquered sin, freedom has broken the chains of bondage, and justice has reclaimed its rightful place. Jesus has fought the battle for us. Our hearts should rejoice in this victory. Once again, we can smile, laugh, and dance, for God ensured that death would not have the final word in our salvation story. We can hold our heads high, for we are children of victory. Christ has granted us triumph. Let us carry this banner of victory into everything we do and say.

At the heart of the resurrection lies a profound truth: It was precisely when His enemies believed they had defeated Him that God, in His infinite power, raised Him to glory.

Jesus came to liberate us from the grip of the devil and lead us back to the Father. Yet the enemy sought to frustrate this mission, stirring those in power to crucify Him. With His humiliating death, His burial, the massive stone, and the armed guards, the enemy believed he had ended the mission of the Prince of Life.

But at the very moment of the enemy’s celebration, God overturned everything by raising Jesus from the dead. What they thought was defeat became the fulfilment of His mission. His purpose was to die for us and return to the Father—and God accomplished it in a way that confounded His enemies.

What does this teach us? It teaches us to hold onto hope even when life feels overwhelming. It assures us that sorrowful stories can still end in joy for those who trust in God. It reminds us that failure is never the end for believers. It reassures us that God can frustrate the plans of our adversaries. The resurrection gives us confidence that victory will always be the final chapter of our story.

Our challenge is to awaken our faith and look beyond the sources of our grief. In today’s gospel, Mary Magdalene was so focused on the tomb that she failed to recognize the risen Christ standing before her. Her sorrow blinded her to the miracle she longed for.

It is natural to weep in times of difficulty, but it becomes a problem when grief prevents us from looking up to God. When we fixate on our pain or on closed doors, we risk missing the new opportunities God has already opened—opportunities far greater than what we lost. Through the resurrection, God provides a new path for all who trust Him in their trials.

May the power of Christ’s resurrection open our eyes to the solutions God has already placed before us in our struggles. Amen.

Happy Easter.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 EASTER VIGIL – Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Christ’s Resurrection: A Promise of Our Final Triumph

Beloved friends, we have arrived at that extraordinary night when light conquers darkness, the night when the Most High prevents death from claiming any victory over us. Yet, as we gather in this sacred moment, several questions stir within my heart, yearning for answers.

I invite you, dear friends, to ponder these questions with me. Have you ever imagined what our world would look like if Christ had not risen from the dead? Have you considered the values that would shape our lives if Christ’s resurrection had never taken place? It is essential to remember that God the Father spent centuries preparing humanity for the coming of His only Son.

From the moment humanity fell through Adam and Eve, God resolved to restore us to our original dignity. To accomplish this, He chose the people of Israel, sending priests and prophets to guide them in obedience and prepare them for the coming of His Son. The readings of this holy night beautifully recount this long journey of salvation. The entire world waited for the arrival of the Son of God. Yet, when He finally came, the world did not recognize Him. The devil had blinded the hearts of many, especially among the Jews of His time. The same devil who caused Adam’s fall sought to lead humanity into another defeat.

Moved by this evil influence, they arrested the Son of God, subjected Him to an unjust trial, and crucified Him. They condemned the very One who came to free them from the grip of darkness. What a tragic moment in history—the apparent end of the long-awaited Messiah. In the devil’s plan, the death of Jesus was meant to be humanity’s second great defeat, following the first in Adam.

Dear friends, if Christ had not risen from the dead, God’s plan to liberate us from evil would have suffered a devastating blow. Without the resurrection, the story of Jesus would have faded into history as a mere tale—interesting, perhaps, but powerless. If Jesus had not conquered death, evil would have reigned, injustice would have become normal, and darkness would have overshadowed the light. Goodness would have been swallowed by malevolence.

But, beloved friends, death did not have the final word in the story of Jesus. God ensured that the life of His beloved Son did not end on the cross. Instead, a new chapter began—one that proclaims forever, saying, He defeated death and rose again.

Therefore, dear ones, we stand victorious because Christ is victorious. His triumph becomes the foundation of our hope. With His resurrection as our strength, we can face our crosses with confidence. In our personal journeys—through struggles, hardships, trials, and tribulations—we know that death and despair will never have the last word. The resurrection assures us of our own victory over life’s challenges.

Tonight, the Church invites us to lift our voices and fix our gaze on the cross of Christ, boldly declaring that our struggles will not last forever. Childlessness will not have the final say. Joblessness will not have the final say. Hatred will not have the final say. Sickness will not have the final say. Hunger will not have the final say. The resurrection of Christ is our guarantee.

Easter is a season of miracles for Christians, because—as St Paul reminds us—if we suffer and die with Him, we shall also live and reign with Him in glory.

Happy Easter

Fr Isaac Chima

 EASTER SUNDAY: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: CHRIST HAS CONQUERED ALLELUIA!

(John 20:1-9)

Death could not do much. Death could not stop Jesus from doing anything. The great stones could not hold him. Death and the powers of darkness failed woefully. The Easter is indeed a celebration of joy, hope, and liberation. We have every reason to Rejoice and be Glad in the Lord:

 

LOVE REMAINS

By killing Jesus, the enemies thought it was going to be the end of his love and concern for the salvation of man and his relationship with man. They thought they have cut him off from the land of the living. It was not so. They gave him flight ticket to enlarge His kingdom by preaching also to the dead and taking them along with Him after a three days retreat. They couldn't even stop the love of those who really knew Jesus after all the deceptive ploys. Mary Magdalene came with love to the grave and thought they have taken away the Lord. May your joy never be taken away. May you never lose grip of what is yours. May the death of Christ reveal the depth of his love for you and may you by the power of his resurrection be drawn to believe more in Him. The world can take away everything from you but not the love of God just as they took everything away from Jesus but not the Father's love.

 

THE THIRD DAY REMAINS

The Apostles who went to the tomb confirmed that Jesus wasn't there anymore. They confirmed emptiness. But at this moment they never understood anything about resurrection.

The third day is very important. When Jesus cried: "it is finished" Maybe some of his mockers laughed and thought they have finished Him. Oh no. What finished was his pre-resurrection ministry but the fruit of the sown seed will germinate that no force can terminate. He was buried to die but he became a plant that bloomed after the third day.

What are the circumstances burying you? What are the situations puting you down in shame? Jesus cried your cry. Weep not! He died your death, fear not! But on the third he gives you assurance that it doesn't end in sorrows. He tells you that the Good Friday is necessary but can never take away the Easter reality. He tells you that your toils will bring you joy. He tells you that your own tomb will also be emptied of the devil's plan. In fact the tomb is never your place. Jesus insists that after the rains there must be sunshine. Jesus promises that there maybe tears in the night but there must be laughter in the morning.

Child of God, look towards the third day and be radiant.

 

JESUS IS ALIVE ALLELUIA

That Jesus MUST RISE from the dead was a teaching the Apostles found as a hard nut to crack. The Easter message is that the grave is not His abode. He belongs to a kingdom. He came to open the kingdom for those held bound by the power of the grave. Since Jesus has risen what are we still looking for in the tomb? Oh let us rise! He lives, and because He lives I can face tomorrow. He is alive for ever Alleluia. You cannot die again. You shall live to sing of the Lord's goodness. He took your mortality to give you immortality.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

We thank You Lord for restoring our joy and giving us reasons to move on proudly as children of the light by the power of Your Son's resurrection. May we live and reign with the risen Christ in the glory of His light to the shame of the overthrown enemy of salvation through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Easter to you and your loved ones. Alleluia!!!

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh