21^st Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Who Is Jesus to You Personally?

Readings: Is. 22:19-23; Rm. 11:33-36; Mt. 16:13-20

The Gospel of this Sunday poses this decisive question to every disciple of Jesus: “And you—who do you say the Son of Man is?” In essence, Jesus asks each of us: Who am I to you personally? Although Jesus addressed this question to the disciples in the district of Caesarea Philippi, the Church invites every Christian today to search his or her heart and give a personal answer.

Jesus’ choice of Caesarea Philippi—a region near Mount Hermon, at the boundary of the Gentile world, where the temple of Caesar stood—to pose this question to His disciples was deliberate and significant. In earlier times, this place was known for the worship of many pagan gods, including Baal and Pan. Standing in a location filled with symbols of worldly power and false deities, Jesus asked His disciples who the people said He was, and more importantly, who He was to them. It was as though He said to them, “You have heard what others say about me. You have seen my works and listened to my teachings. You see the gods of the pagan world around you. Now, who am I to you? You must make a choice.”

This question is equally urgent in our own time, especially with the many perceptions people have about Jesus and the varied sentiments people hold about religion. Even within our churches, people relate to Jesus in different ways. To some, Jesus is only a miracle worker; hence, they seek Him only when they need a miracle, and once they receive it, they move on. To others, He is simply a healer, and they remember Him only when sickness strikes. Some see Him as a provider of material goods, and once they are comfortable, Jesus becomes unnecessary. Others approach Him as a warrior, who is invoked only to fight battles or destroy enemies; when the battles cease, He is forgotten. While these perceptions touch on real attributes of Jesus, the Church calls us to a deeper and more mature acknowledgement of who He truly is.

The question “Who is Jesus?” can be answered satisfactorily only when someone has a personal relationship with Him—an encounter that transforms the heart. Peter’s confession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—and Jesus’ response to him show that true knowledge of Jesus comes from personal experience and divine revelation. A genuine relationship with Jesus reveals that He is not only a healer, provider, warrior, or miracle worker but also our Lord and Saviour, who desires to save our souls from eternal loss.

A life of prayer, adoration, study of the Word of God, and frequent reception of the Eucharist draws us into this personal relationship. The Church, therefore, urges us to take our spiritual lives seriously if we truly desire to know Jesus as He is.

In the second reading, St Paul acknowledges the greatness of God after his own profound encounter with Christ. Likewise, the psalmist proclaims who God is with deep conviction. These testimonies remind us that recognizing Jesus as Lord and Saviour shapes our entire lifestyle. It influences our choices and guides our actions so that our words and deeds do not contradict each other.

Peter’s acknowledgement of Jesus shaped his life so deeply that he carried out the mission entrusted to him—shepherding the Church—with fidelity to Christ’s will. This is a lesson for all who profess that Jesus is Lord: our proclamation must influence our decisions, actions, and public service. Whoever acknowledges Jesus as Lord cannot live in a way that contradicts His will.

The first reading presents a warning through the story of Shebna, a treasurer in the court of King Hezekiah. Instead of serving according to God’s will, pride and ambition led him to build a magnificent tomb for himself; he was more concerned about his body after death than about his soul. We see a similar attitude today, as many people spend large sums of money to secure beautiful burial places for their bodies and those of their family members, yet pay far less attention to the eternal destination of their souls.

Because of Shebna’s actions, he fell out of God’s favour and lost his position to Eliakim. His downfall teaches that public office is a sacred responsibility. Every opportunity to serve is an invitation to let our encounter with Christ shape our choices and actions. Public office must advance the values of God’s kingdom, not personal ambition or arrogance.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 21^ST SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: BE STRONG AND KNOW YOUR FAITH, THE ENEMY SHALL NOT PREVAIL

(Matthew 16:13-20)

The gospel of today started with an examination. Jesus was the examiner; the disciples were the candidates. Typical of every exam, some will pass while others will fail. Some will have a poor pass while others will pass excellently.

In the class of 12 only one student passed. His name is Peter.

The exam was on 'Christ knowledge'. Knowledge of Christ is not an intellectual knowledge. It is an exercise of faith. It goes beyond historical calculations, geographical accuracy, or philosophical and mathematical mastery. It does not even stop at theological versatility. It ventures into a one-on-one encounter that reveals the divine personality.

 

Faith of one and faithful of all

Peter didn't chorus with other apostles. He stepped out of group mentality to get hold with the real person of Christ. And he succeeded. The crowd may not always be right. That every person believes it or does it is never a good reason. Are you convinced about what you do? Are you as an individual in the know of why the Church does somethings some ways? You're a unique candidate when it has to do with faith. You're the target of Christ. He picks you from the crowd. He samples an opportunity for you to shine out. Be strong in faith and accept the faith challenge. You're many but you're one. You may be husband and wife but God looks at you both as an individual faith member and as a group of faithful couple. You may be a Christian among many Christians but you're a special Christian for Christ. He wants you to prove yourself one. To prove oneself you must be able to answer when called upon to give account of your faith. And by so doing you're sharing your faith in God. Is there any faith remaining at all in you?  You've got to allow the key of faith to operate in you.

 

The Key of faith

The key was a gift Peter received after his answer to Jesus. With this key he is empowered for teaching, empowered with the word of God, empowered to forgive sins, empowered to open the heavens, indeed empowered to bind and lose. This is amazing. We are empowered to come out of our condemnation because when the Son of man sets us free, we shall be free indeed. With this faith we are empowered to pray and call God Abba Father! With this faith we see and draw from the riches of the sacraments which are seeable and only admirable with the spiritual eyes.

For these great miracles to happen, it will not be flesh and blood that will guide us but the Spirit of the Father.

Life in the Spirit is an important key of faith. Let us not be alive in every other thing, active in things of the world and dead in the spirit. God forbid!

 

Faith never Fear

Faith attracts edification. Jesus promises to build on the little faith demonstrated by Peter. He makes Him the rock on which to build. With the encouragement He gives Peter, he assures us that with Him we shall be established. Let us know Him as our Lord and master. The word of God says I will save him because he knows my name. Let us learn to call upon that anointed name that anoints, that blesses, that forgives and heals. The name and person of Christ drives away every fear. Let us call upon Him with faith and not fear.

We are afraid of a lot of things threatening our faith. Jesus assures us that the gates of hades with never prevail against us. Just as the many forces that had plagued the Church for many years have not succeeded so will the enemy not prevail in bringing you down. Be strong in faith, the enemy will not bring down that your marriage, he will not destroy your joy, he will not take glory in your health issues, he will not take glory in your vocation crisis, he will not gloat over your failures.

Face life with strong belief in God, in who he is and what He can do. He can indeed do more than we can ever think of or imagine. He gives us the secret of a fulfilled life today, it is faith and knowledge of God.

He charged the apostles not to tell anyone about it. This is a way of telling you not to endanger your faith. Do not jeopardize your faith in God with bad company, sinful conversations, satanic practices, prayerlessness etc. 

As you persevere in your faithfulness and personal and communal bonding of yourself to Christ, the head of the Church, may no power of hell prevail over you and may doors of favours be opened unto you while every sin and evil is driven far away from you through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday to you (21st Week, Ordinary Time, Year A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: God’s Universal Salvation and Our Response

Readings: Is 56:1, 6–7; Rom 11:13–15, 29–32; Mt 15:21–28

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this twentieth Sunday, the Church reminds us that God’s salvation is universal. His love, kindness, and mercy are offered to all humanity because God is Father of all. He extends His invitation to every person—saints and sinners, tall and short, rich and poor, people of every colour, nation, and background. However, the Church also teaches, through the readings of this Sunday, that this invitation is accepted only through faith and by living out the demands of that faith in every circumstance of life.

All three readings today highlight different aspects of how we respond to God’s universal invitation.

In the first reading, through Isaiah, God steps beyond Israel’s narrow religious boundaries and announces that He will welcome foreigners to His holy mountain. The Israelites believed that salvation was limited to the twelve tribes of Israel and that foreigners would be rejected because of their beliefs. Yet God declares that foreigners who keep His covenant, honour the Sabbath, and love His name will be brought into His house of prayer. This passage encourages those who feel unworthy to approach God, reminding them that there is room for everyone in His house. They need only come into His presence, and He will purify them through the sacrament of confession.

This passage also teaches all of us who were once outside the covenant that, to partake in the eternal banquet on the holy mountain, we must live according to God’s covenant—loving and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. It is true that God is loving and merciful, but His mercy always calls for conversion.

Unfortunately, in our world today, many invoke God’s mercy without making any effort to live according to His commandments. Many no longer wish to make personal efforts to shape their lives according to God’s ways. They simply say that God is loving and merciful. Indeed, He is. But today’s first reading reminds us that the lives of those who claim God’s mercy must reflect who God is and what He commands. Belief in God’s mercy must be accompanied by true conversion—allowing His love and kindness to transform our actions. Whoever claims God’s mercy must also embrace His way of life.

Furthermore, this first reading teaches us not to close the doors of God’s house to those who struggle morally or spiritually—our brothers and sisters who do not accept our faith. It challenges us to reject all forms of discrimination: in the Church, in our families, and in society. We must treat everyone with love, kindness, and fairness, even when they do not agree with us or accept our faith. We must embrace the universality of God’s love. Whoever discriminates cannot truly be called a child of God.

In the second reading, St Paul addresses the Roman Christians—foreigners who were once outside the covenant. He tells them that through obedience they have gained a place before God, while the Jews, the original heirs of the promises, lost their place through disobedience. Paul warns that the Romans too will lose their position if they fall into disobedience. This is a powerful lesson for us who have been baptized and made heirs of God’s kingdom: whenever we depart from the path of righteousness, we lose our claim to God’s blessings and mercy.

In the Gospel, at first glance Jesus seems to insult the Canaanite woman by ignoring her and reminding her of how the Jews viewed her people. But His final words reveal the purpose of the encounter. He said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.” It was not an insult but a test—a way to show the disciples that faith, not ethnicity, grants access to God’s mercy. Through her perseverance, the woman teaches us that faith must be expressed in action. Her refusal to be discouraged by silence, rejection, or cultural prejudice is a model for us. We too attract God’s mercy by refusing to be distracted by insults, persecution, temptations, or anything that leads us away from God.

Finally, the woman’s persistence teaches us not to interpret God’s silence as a refusal whenever we pray. Perseverance must never be lacking in our prayer.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 20^TH SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: WHAT DO YOU ATTRACT TO YOUR HOME?

(Mathew 15:21-28)

In today's Gospel Reading, we witnessed the Canaanite woman crying and following Jesus up and down, She cries out from the depth of her heart. She weeps bitterly for her daughter. She is really concerned and troubled about her plight. She must have suffered sleepless nights because of this child. She is just like some of our mothers who think round the clock for the upkeep of their family.

They think on how to provide next day's meals, how to pay fees for the children, This woman represent the men and women who are bothered about how to pay house rents, crying for one problem or the other. What are you crying for ? What do you weep about? Are those things worth weeping for? The woman in today's Gospel Reading reminds us of what we should weep for, how we ought to weep, before whom we should weep and what we should attract to our family and how to do the attraction.

 

CRY FOR DIVINE MERCY

This woman cried out for the mercy of God. It has dawned on her that men fail. No one else but God can help her. Even the gods of the Canaanites must have failed her. She turned to the son of David, The merciful one who will not leave his people at the mercy of any Goliath. Could it be that you are passing through any misfortune on account of your carelessness, wickedness, mistakes or misbehaviours? Call on the mercy of God. Turn to him and turn a new leaf. Dear father or mother, cry for Divine Mercy, Dear people of God kneel and weep for the evils and atrocities you have   committed. Weep for the many times you looked for wealth, power, connection, fame etc wrongly. Do restitution oh politicians. Go back to God learn from this woman today, she may have gone to wrong places in search of deliverance. where have you gone to while looking for progress and prosperity? Pray God to forgive you and repent. Ask for forgiveness for not dedicating your family to God. Ask for forgiveness for encouraging your children to take every other thing in life seriously except God. Ask for forgiveness for creating avenues through which demons possessed your children.

 

 WEEP FOR THE DEMONIC POSSESSIONS

The woman today in the gospel prayed Jesus to come to her aid with regard to the daughter possessed by the demon.

What are the powers operating in you, in your family and in our society today? Expose the demons to Jesus, report their cases to Jesus with prayers. Cry for alcoholic possession, weep for sugar mummy/daddy possession, weep for drug abuse possessions, weep for lazy/gossip possession, weep for the social media possession, of your family. Are you even concerned that your children can no longer talk with you without chatting on phone for 10 minutes? Does it bother you that your children can no longer read their books, Bible or even pray. They are possessed by spirits that shouldn't have possessed them. They have expelled Jesus from their lives.

Take them to Jesus through counselling, prayers, interactions, practice of virtues e t c

That was what the Canaanite woman did today. Can you tell Jesus to deliver you and your family from every power distracting you today.

 

Attract with faith

Many attract curses for their children, some attract hatred to their homes, others attract failure to the generation. The woman today in the gospel attracted healing, deliverance, goodness, fulfilment of desires to her family. she indeed attracted Jesus Himself the author of all that is good to her household.

Faith in God brings in a lot of good things to our lives, homes and society. Can we employ genuine faith in our dealings with God and people so as to introduce nothing but favours into our lives?

Let's use the weapon of faith to bring in peace, progress, happiness and love.

Believe in God while making your sincere effort even when it seems the Lord is far, let your faith be intact, you will surely attract God. But once you lose your faith, you have lost it all.

 

May the faith we have in Jesus be like that of the Canaanite woman that we may hear Jesus speaking to us in our various circumstances.

"Let it be done for you as you desire"

May your good heart desires come to you and may you be set free from every demonic possession manipulating you. May our society be miraculously delivered by God through Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

HAPPY SUNDAY (20th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 19^th Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Fix Your Gaze Always on Jesus

Readings: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11–13a; Rom 9:1–5; Mt 14:22–33

Dear friends, as Christians, we are called to love God, defend our faith, stand against evil, and render good service in society. However, we live in a world filled with forces that oppose this divine mandate. The question that confronts us this Sunday is: How do we respond when crises or tribulations arise precisely because we love God or because we have done something good? The readings of this Sunday offer us an answer. They invite us to keep our focus on God with unwavering faith, especially in moments of difficulty. They emphasize what we should do when we suffer for doing good, when we are punished for refusing to participate in wrongdoing, or when we face hostility because of our fidelity to God.

The first reading recounts the deep crisis, threats, and pains the prophet Elijah endured because of his service to God. During the reign of King Ahab, idolatry spread widely in Israel through the influence of Queen Jezebel. Elijah, following God’s instruction, challenged the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel, defeated them, and wiped them out. Jezebel, enraged, sought to kill him. With nowhere safe to hide, Elijah fled into the desert and begged God to take his life, unable to bear the threats any longer. But God sent an angel to strengthen him, and later appeared to him, instructing him to go to Mount Horeb and stand before Him. Today’s passage recounts that encounter.

What God told Elijah is what He tells all who face threats, mistreatment, denial of opportunities, or persecution in their families, workplaces, offices, or society because of their love for God, their service to humanity, their commitment to truth, or their refusal to support evil. We live in a world where many are indifferent to goodness and may go to great lengths to persecute those whose lives reflect the light of God.

Many people today suffer because of something good they did—whether in their families, communities, or offices. Some feel disappointed with God for not intervening when they were attacked or ridiculed. Others regret ever doing good because of the hostility they received and the apparent silence of God. Dear friends, God is speaking to anyone in such a situation, saying, “Do not despair. Be strong. Look up to Me”. God may not come in the way we expect—just as Elijah expected God in the wind and earthquake—but in the silence of our hearts we discover that God is near. Difficult moments are not times to run away from God or to seek refuge in the devil. Suffering unjustly is not a call to lose faith or contemplate suicide, but a time to climb the mountain of prayer and encounter God in the gentle breeze of His presence.

The Gospel presents another account of people exposed to danger because of their service to Christ. After Jesus taught the crowd, the disciples wanted them dismissed because it was late, but Jesus insisted they feed the people first. Because of this act of charity, the disciples set out late at night and were consequently exposed to the storms at sea. As the waves tossed them violently, Jesus was not physically in the boat. It seemed as though He had left them to perish.

How do we feel when our suffering comes from an act of goodwill we performed for the Church or society? Many in such situations seek alternative help, while others may renounce God and join the camp of evil, just as Job’s wife suggested to him. The devil is cunning; he whispers that God has abandoned us and that the storms will swallow us. But this is false.

The Gospel teaches that Jesus is never far from us in our crises. He knows our struggles and always comes to our aid. All we need to do is look up—look beyond the waves tossing us from side to side—and we will see Jesus walking toward us, saying, “Courage, do not be afraid.”

By recounting that Jesus walked upon the stormy waters, this Gospel reveals that He is stronger than our problems and more powerful than the tempest that seeks to engulf our lives. In truth, these forces lie beneath His feet; God has placed them under His authority.

When Peter accepted Jesus’ words and fixed his gaze on Him, he walked calmly on the same stormy waters that threatened his life. He discovered that the very source of his fear could not conquer him. He only began to sink when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the waves. In the same way, when we look up to Jesus with faith in the midst of life’s storms, we discover that our fears cannot overpower us. They may not disappear, but they lose their power. As long as our gaze remains fixed on Jesus, the waves of this world will never conquer us.

This is our lesson today: if we lose our focus on God in difficult moments, our problems begin to overwhelm us. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus, our fears lose their power. Dear friends, I do not know your particular struggles, but the Church invites you today to fix your gaze on Jesus. Look beyond the waves of your problems and difficulties, and you will find Him walking toward you with strength and peace.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 19^TH SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: WALKING TOWARDS GOD

(Matthew 14:22-33)

It has been the will of God to walk with man from the time of creation.  That explains why, in Genesis, we hear of the visit of God to interact and unite with Adam and Eve.  But man chose the forbidden fruit. He failed to walk towards God, stopped walking with God, and started walking with the enemy of God, away from God, towards the creature instead of the creator.  What a mistake.

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK TOWARDS GOD?

Walking towards God presupposes a lot of walking away. As we saw in the Gospel today, Jesus made the apostles to leave the scene of the feeding of the 5000. Walking towards the Lord involves walking towards the spiritual, the eternal while leaving the material, the temporal behind. It is responding more to spiritual hunger and satisfaction of the desires of the soul.

Walking towards Jesus has to do with moving into the boat, that is the Church and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you.

Walking with Jesus is a divine encounter in solitude. It is walking away from the crowd. It is singling oneself out and being bonded to Christ. It is a listening in private prayers. It is a response to the summons of God.

 

LET US LEARN TO WALK WITH THE LORD

We enter into Christ through Baptism, the gate to salvation. As infants, we are guarded and guided by the teachings and directions of Christ to become mature individual Christians. We do not just live as just a body of believers.  We try to discover ourselves, our place among the many Christians out there. We learn to speak to God. We learn to approach God. We begin to admire things of the spirit, and we start plunging ourselves into the wonders and mysteries of the things of the Spirit. We learn to keep an eye on God and on the Holy. We try to keep away from the mundane, the depraved and the corrupt. We endeavour to tell God, "Saviour teach me day by day." We try to get from the Lord, the ways out of the very many evil forces surrounding us and the ranging tempests here and there.

In the Gospel of today, we saw the interested Peter, who represented each and every one of us, the children of God, on how we ought to relate with God in a personal way, how we should learn to follow the Lord, what it means to walk with Lord.

 

LESSON FROM PETER, THE WALKING CHILD

The effort to follow Christ, to walk towards Him in a personal way, is not an easy one.

Jesus had instructed the disciples to enter the boat. Then, the boat began to be tossed about by the wind blowing against it.

Are you surprised when you feel tossed about by problems even when you're a member of the Church? Does it trouble you that even after your efforts not to move over to the rebels, not to practice one ungodly act or the other, etc, forces still hit you here and there?

Jesus wants you to walk towards Him.

Jesus wants us to look up and see Him walking towards us, walking indeed on the things we fear most. Think of those things making you fear walking towards God, doing the will of God, praying the way you should, raising a Christian family, building a holy, noble relationship, etc. Look up and see Christ offering you a way out, a support, the spiritual side of the story.

 

To learn walking towards Christ, work on your fears and limitations.

Little children are often hindered from walking by the natural tendency and inclination to lie down or sit down. To be able to walk, they must be inspired to rise. Rise up from sitting in dormancy of enjoying the crowd coverage. Move from the 5000 into the 12 and from the 12 into the YOU, the single.

Little children are moved to walk by their desire to get grip of what is before them. They are drawn by the spectacle of the beauty before them. They stand, move the first leg, then the other, and again, they continue. Somewhere along the line, the claps and hailing by people around, the noise of those calling him little child, or whispering "he will fall, or fellow children running up and down touches him and makes him remember that he is not qualified to walk pulls him down. He cries and someone, holds them up, urges them on, and encourages them not to be of little faith but to continue till all is perfected.

This is indeed what we witnessed when Jesus summoned Peter today. Peter walked on. He walked on the forces and waves that were against him.  At a time, he started sinking and called out to Christ to save him. Jesus did and took him into the boat.

Dear Child of God. Make an effort to learn from God. Make an effort to advance in virtues. Endeavour to follow the instructions of Christ. Cry out for help when you start going down. Give God your helpless hand. He will offer you his helping hand. His grace will see you through. 

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Behold us, Lord, as we are walking towards you in private and communal prayers, in meditation and devotion, in weakness and fears. We need Your grace in the journey of life. We need Your abiding presence in times of trials and temptations. Deliver us from the many forces trying to make us lose focus on You our Lord and God. Help us to walk steadfastly in the light of Your word through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Happy Sunday (19th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 18^th Sunday, Year A: homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Trusting God’s Providence in Times of Scarcity and Sorrow.

Readings: Is 55:1-3; Rom 8:35,37-39; Mt 14:13-21

Dearest brothers and sisters, we have a God who never abandons us to the forces that seek to destroy us—forces that threaten our spiritual and physical well‑being. The readings of this Sunday are a powerful testimony to God’s benevolence. They remind us that, despite the sorrows and uncertainties around us, we still have a God who cares, who loves, and who continues to provide for His people.

In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks to Christians who were suffering persecution, hardship, and discouragement. Many were already losing hope because of the trials they faced. Paul reminds them—and us—that no situation, no matter how painful, can separate us from the love of God. He asks, “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or the sword?” And then he declares with conviction that nothing—neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor present nor future things—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Dear friends, I may not know the details of your personal struggles. But I know that many people among us carry heavy burdens: family conflicts, loss of loved ones, hostility in workplaces, abuses, illness, economic hardship, or injustice. Whatever your situation may be, dear friends, Saint Paul assures you today: your suffering cannot separate you from God’s love. God still sees you, still loves you, still cares for you.

The Gospel gives us a vivid demonstration of this loving care. Jesus performed a miracle in the desert—a place without life, without resources, and without ‘hope’. There were only five loaves and two fish, yet this scarcity did not prevent Jesus from feeding the multitude. This miracle simply demonstrates that neither the lack of resources nor the remoteness of the place could stop God’s providence from reaching us. In the same way, dear friends, our difficult circumstances cannot stop God from acting in our life, from reaching us, and from saving us.

The Gospel begins by telling us that Jesus had just heard of the death of His cousin, John the Baptist. He withdrew to a lonely place in sorrow. Yet His grief did not prevent Him from caring for the spiritual and physical needs of others. This is the love Saint Paul spoke about in the second reading—a love stronger than sorrow, stronger than death. Such is the nature of God’s love for us. What then must we do?

The prophet Isaiah tells us how to respond to this love. He invites us to come to God, to listen to Him, and to find life. He says, “Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and you shall eat well… Pay attention and come to me; listen so that you may have life.” Many of us are so distracted that we no longer listen to God. God speaks to humanity from His words in the Bible. If we truly desire to hear God’s word in the situations we face, we must open the Bible and read it. Every passage of Scripture contains something God has spoken about our lives and our circumstances. Many people are also so busy that they no longer find time for prayer, not even in moments of crisis. Yet prayer is what allows us to enter into communion with God, to open our hearts to Him, and to follow His guidance in every moment of life. Dear friends, Isaiah calls us back, saying, “Why waste your strength elsewhere? Come to God.”

Today the Church invites us to open our hearts and listen attentively to God’s direction. We must be attentive and obedient, just as the disciples were in the Gospel. Human logic says that five loaves and two fish cannot feed five thousand people. But the disciples did not doubt Jesus; they listened and obeyed, and a miracle happened. The lesson is this: nothing is impossible for God, even in your situation. Only listen and obey his voice.

Another important lesson is from Jesus’ prayer over the loaves and fish. Faced with insufficient resources, the typical reaction would be to complain or pray for multiplication. But Jesus did something different: He lifted His eyes to heaven and gives thanks for the little that was available. He did not complain; rather, He trusted, and God worked wonders. We must learn from this. Our prayer should not be limited to complaints. Let us make time to thank God for what we have, even when it seems small and insufficient. Gratitude opens the door to miracles.

May you have a blessed Sunday

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima