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

The Beatitudes: Paths to True Happiness

Readings: Zeph 2:3, 3:12—13; 1Cor 1:26-31; Mk 5:1-12a

Dear friends in Christ, the readings of today point us toward the paths that lead to true happiness—happiness in this life and eternal happiness in the life to come. The desire for happiness drives human aspirations, decisions, and sacrifices. People work tirelessly, often losing sleep, because they long for a secure and joyful future. In today’s Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus as a teacher of the Way, seated on a small hill, teaching His listeners the true paths that lead to the happiness their hearts long for.

In the first reading, the prophet Zephaniah speaks of the qualities of those who will be spared on the day of destruction. Zephaniah was a prophet who emphasized the doom awaiting the wicked people of Judah. Yet, in the midst of his warnings, he also affirmed that not everyone would perish—some would be spared. These remnants of Judah were called “blessed” because of the virtues they possessed. They sought justice, humility, truth, and righteousness. While others would groan in pain on the day of destruction, these virtuous ones would rejoice, for they would not be marked for destruction.

In today’s Gospel on the Beatitudes, Jesus expands this teaching by describing the qualities of those who will find true happiness—not only in this world, but in the eternal kingdom. He outlines the values and attitudes needed to enter this everlasting home of joy: poverty of spirit, hunger and thirst for justice, compassion, meekness, mercy, integrity, peace-making, and the willingness to suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness.

The word ‘beatitude’ comes from the Latin ‘beatitudo’, meaning blessedness, divine joy, or perfect happiness. Christ was essentially telling His disciples, “If you desire true happiness, be poor in spirit; hunger and thirst for what is right; be compassionate and meek; be a peacemaker and a person of integrity; and be willing to suffer for the sake of goodness. Embrace these virtues. Live them daily.”

If we were to survey opinions in today’s world about what leads to happiness, the qualities listed in the Beatitudes would hardly appear. Many would say happiness comes from having large bank accounts, exotic cars, luxurious homes, expensive food and wine, attractive partners, high political positions, job promotions, nightly entertainment, or the ability to travel anywhere at will. It may surprise many that none of these things appeared on Christ’s list of true happiness. This teaches us that lasting happiness cannot come from things that do not last. True and enduring happiness does not come from material or fleeting pleasures, but from possessing what is eternal—God Himself. Our true happiness comes when we possess God and His kingdom, and Christ gives us the dispositions needed to attain this. He is not condemning the good things of this world, but He warns that possessing material comforts without the virtues of the Beatitudes leads only to the destruction Zephaniah foretold.

In essence, the Beatitudes fulfil and complete the Ten Commandments. While the Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai present a series of prohibitions—things we must not do—Jesus presents the Beatitudes positively, as virtues we must cultivate to receive the reward of salvation. One of Matthew’s aims in his Gospel is to show Jesus as the Messiah foretold by the prophets, the One who fulfils the Law and the Prophets. In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew presents Jesus not only as a new Moses, but as one greater than Moses. Just as Moses ascended the mountain to receive the Commandments and give Israel the Law, Jesus ascends the mountain, sees the crowd, and gives the new Law to the new people of God. Obedience to the Commandments led Israel to the Promised Land; obedience to Christ’s teaching in the Beatitudes leads Christians—the new Israel—to the kingdom of God.

Let us now reflect more deeply on what the Beatitudes—the new laws of Christ—ask of us.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims the poor in spirit blessed. It means poverty of spirit is the path to true happiness. We are poor in spirit when we trust God as our ultimate source of security, when we recognise our need for Him, when we surrender our plans to His will, and when we repent sincerely of our sins. We are poor in spirit when we hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Jesus also tells us that to be happy we must be meek—gentle. We are meek when we surrender ourselves to God instead of becoming aggressive or demanding. True meekness is the ability to be rightly angry at sin and injustice, but never at people.

Jesus says we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for what is right. To be righteous is to do God’s will. We hunger for righteousness when we respect others deeply and treat them with dignity. Jesus wants us to help those who have been abused regain their dignity. It is providential that the Bishops of Italy invite us today to give priority to children, especially those who are victims of war, violence, abuse, exploitation, indifference, and abandonment. This must be part of our mission this year.

Jesus also promises happiness to the merciful. He calls us to forgive unconditionally and to ask forgiveness for the wrongs we have done. A merciful heart is essential for peace and joy. When we hold grudges, we cannot be free or happy. Let us therefore forgive and be merciful.

Jesus says the pure in heart are blessed. Purity of heart means sincerity, honesty, and moral integrity. The pure in heart do not deceive others. They will see God face to face on the last day.

Jesus also blesses the peacemakers. A peacemaker works actively for reconciliation, is willing to forgive, to let go, and to help others resolve conflicts with love. We are called not only to live peacefully but to help others live in peace—beginning in our families and Christian communities.

Finally, Jesus says we are blessed when we are persecuted for our faith and for living a good life. He calls us to follow His example and that of the apostles who suffered for the truth. We must not renounce our faith in difficult times, nor be ashamed to stand for what is right, even if we stand alone. Today Christians face many forms of persecution. Jesus invites us to overcome them with steadfastness.

May the Beatitudes guide our daily choices and lead us to the eternal happiness God desires for us.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

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

POVERTY IN THE SPIRIT: THE PATH TO BLESSEDNESS

(Matthew 5:1-12a)

In a world that emphasised affluence, riches, and position of honour, Jesus talks of poverty as a blessing. Who will understand that? In a world where poverty is a curse and everyone tries everything possible, even tries to package to look wealthy. Jesus addressed the poor to be blessed. Poverty is a state of lack, being in need, or not having what one wants. There are many different kinds of poverty: financial poverty, intellectual poverty, psychological poverty, environmental poverty, spiritual poverty, etc. Jesus was specific about the kind of poor people He addressed today as blessed with the kingdom of heaven.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT; Who are they? The poor according to Matthew's Gospel Jesus, meant were those who knew their need for God. They are like beggars for things of the spirit. They gasp and pant for the ruah Adonai (breath of God) They feel lifeless without the Spirit of God. They can do anything to preserve the life that God gives. They can go to any extent to avoid whatever that doesn't give God glory. They are those who long eagerly to be satisfied with blessings from above. They are those who have the wisdom to understand that no matter what the world promises that what God promises is the best. They are those who have understood the transient nature of the things of this world. They may be powerful in the human definition, but for the fact that they know that their power is given to them, they discharge it according to the directives of the one who gave it to them. They are those who understand that the position they occupy today, another occupied yesterday, that they will not be there forever. For this they are humble. They are the wise people who do not feel secure on the security they think they have achieved; financially, medically, politically, etc.  They know that there is a source to all they have, and because of this, they remain under the authority of God, respecting the dignity of their fellow human beings and living their lives without intimidating anyone.

 

WHAT POVERTY IN THE SPIRIT IS NOT

The blessing Jesus gives to the poor is particularly for the poor in spirit.  The message is not for those who take themselves to be poor in the worldly usage of the term to clap for themselves and remain in poverty without making any effort. It is not a call for the rich to allow the poor to die in their poverty. It is not a licence for the world leaders, African leaders and even the Church to continue impoverishing the people and our world through their incentive policies. It is never a promotion of poor in the spirit teaching of Christ to give kudos to the negligence of the suffering in our midst. The poor in the spirit are not those who live unhappily because they do not have money or food and as such are ready to do anything at all without recourse to God. They are not the arrogant, malicious and selfish people in the high and low classes. They are simply in both high and low classes but have chosen to take up the heaven attitude, the attitude of being, the life of the beatitude which keeps them conscious of God as the all in all.

 

BLESSEDNESS UNTO BEATIFIC VISION

The whole eight beatitudes expressed our conditions of vulnerability on earth and our openness for divine assistance to reach our goal, which is heaven at last. The purpose for which Christ took His disciples to the mountain to announce these blessings is to make us focus on our heaven goal and never forget the roles we have to play to continue attracting God's blessings.

In whatever you are facing today, you must see it in the beatitude. After each of them, there is blessings when you pass through them with the vision of Christ before you. They are encouraging words. They help us know that God is in control of everything happening around us.

So, if you're poor in the spirit, you're blessed for the kingdom of God is for you. When you're mourning, you're blessed for God will comfort you. Are you meek? You're blessed even when your meekness is misunderstood as weakness by people around you. When it is for the sake of righteousness that people call you names and make fun of you, he will satisfy you. You are blessed for being merciful, pure in heart, being a peacemaker, being persecuted. All these, when undertaking for the heavenly riches, in the spirit of the first beatitude opens the kingdom of God for us where we shall be with Jesus as the head of the body, the Church.

In our longing to be poor in the spirit for the kingdom of God, may God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Thank You Jesus for taking us to the mountain of the beatitude where You spoke words of blessings for us as a people and for me as an individual. Make me recognise how empty I am without You. Continue to bless us here on earth and bring us safely into Your kingdom unhindered by the riches of this world that have become abuse and distractions for many. Continue to bless us in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

 

Happy Sunday (4th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 3^RD SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST: CHANGE YOUR WAYS

(Matthew 4:12-23)

It is the third Sunday of the ordinary time in the Church's liturgical calendar. This Sunday is dedicated to the appreciation of the word of God. Today's message highlights the transforming power of the word. The word is not just verbalization but vitalization. Let us hear Jesus the Word and live according to His ways.

 

THE NEED FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE MESSAGE

The Gospel began by telling us where the word took John the Baptist. John the Baptist was arrested. He was the agent of the Word. He carried the message of Christ, He prepared people for Christ, the word that would become flesh through his spoken word and preaching. He feared no one, He preached by the authority of He that is to come. The climax of it all was the message delivered to Herod, a message inviting him to retrace his steps. For this, He was thrown into prison. Why do we hate the truth so much? Why do we hate living under the light of divine truth? Why do we hate those who tell us the truth? Why do we try to hold the truth down?

The word cannot be imprisoned. Jesus came and continued with the same message John preached in a higher level. The word will not rest until evil in the world is arrested. But unfortunately, we allow evil to arrest the word. We follow the world and keep the Word in chains. No matter what happens, the word must be heard. Little wonder John called himself the voice. Can the voice be held bound? When the Baptist was in the prison, the voice of his message continued to ring even louder and more still through the word himself, whom he voiced. You can cut the head, but you can't cut the Good News. May we heed the word of God and work on ourselves instead of working against it and its agents.

 

THE NEED FOR CHANGE

Some translations used repent, while others used change. The question is, what really needs to be changed in us? Our ways. These are the ways that are contrary to the ways of God. These are the things we have created ourselves to be. These are the images we derived outside the image of our creator. These are the instructions we got from the enemy of our salvation. Jesus must have seen the need for this change and wants us to see the need for change in our lives. The word should motivate us to do good. It should discomfort us when we are not getting it right. It is meant to bring us back to our senses. Let's be touched by the word of Christ Himself as Christians that we are and be changed for good.

Let us listen to those called to spread the word. Let us be preachers in word and deed. Let us be healed and heal our world of all her infirmities by the power of the word of God. Let Christians who are privileged to hear this word endeavour to change the world whenever and wherever they are offered the opportunity. May the message of Christ in all its richness find a place in us and transform us, transform our leaders, transform our land, transform our system and transform the entire world order. May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Oh Lord our God, we call upon You to cast the light of Your word in our world. May we see light in the light of Your word. Deliver us from the prison of not speaking the truth of Your word and from the misfortune of not following the dictates and ways of Your Son Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you (3rd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 3^rd Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: The Restoration Power of God’s Word

Readings: Is 9:1–4; 1 Cor 1:10–13, 17; Mt 4:12–23

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s readings continue the message of the light of Christ that we heard last week. Last Sunday, the Church urged us to let the light of Christ shine in every corner of the world through our actions in society and through our witness to our friends. Today, the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel of Matthew reveal what the light and the Word of God can accomplish: they can restore desolate lands and uplift lives that have been despised. This message is especially fitting as the Church celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God today.

In the first reading, Isaiah prophesies the restoration of the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee. These two communities were destroyed by the Assyrians in 732 BC when they invaded the northern kingdom of Israel. That attack left the region devastated, neglected, desolate, and despised.

Dear friends, it is important to understand why the Assyrians succeeded in destroying the northern kingdom. For many years, the kings and people of Northern Israel lived sinful lives and refused to listen to the prophets God sent to them. When their sins and stubbornness became too many, God withdrew His protection and allowed their kingdom to fall into the hands of the Assyrians, who carried the people into exile. This story teaches us a vital lesson: whenever we close our ears to the Word of God, we lose His protection, expose ourselves to danger, and become vulnerable to our enemies, for God alone is our mighty defender. As the Psalmist says, “If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain do the watchmen keep vigil.” Whoever refuses to welcome God’s Word is, in a sense, sowing the seeds of his own destruction.

Yet, dear friends, the anger of God does not last forever. He never abandons His people—especially when they repent and call upon Him with sincere hearts. After many years of desolation, the cries of the repentant people of Zebulun and Naphtali reached God. Thus, in today’s first reading, Isaiah proclaims God’s promise that these lands will be restored, that His light will shine upon them again and dispel the shadows of darkness and destruction. Whenever we sincerely repent and call upon God, He hears us and restores us to His glory.

Isaiah’s oracle is a message of hope for all Christians this year. Even if our past has been marked by disappointment or rejection, we must not lose heart, for God has not forgotten us. Isaiah assures us that lives which have not flourished in previous years will see the light of God this year.

This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus visited the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, bringing them the light of the Good News. Today’s Gospel tells us that when Jesus heard of John’s arrest, He withdrew to this region and proclaimed the Gospel there. Matthew explains that this fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “The land of Zebulun and Nephtali … The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” The light and Word of Christ healed the people of those lands of every disease and infirmity and restored them to dignity and glory.

My prayer is that the Good News you hear today will dispel every shadow of darkness in your heart and life, and usher in the dawn of God’s glory.

Dear friends, the Gospel and the second reading teach us an important lesson: we must never refuse opportunities to hear the Word of God. Each time the Word is preached and welcomed, darkness is driven away. Earlier, the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali rejected God’s Word and suffered destruction. But when Christ brought the Word to them again, they accepted it, and it became the beginning of grace, favour, and restoration. Their acceptance of the Word fulfilled God’s ancient promises.

Today, the Church speaks to all whose hearts or lives have been wounded by past mistakes or sins, those crushed by disappointment or failure, those discouraged by unfulfilled goals, and those who feel despised or forgotten. Do not lose hope. Instead, open your hearts to Christ and His Word. The Word of God has the power to restore the glory and success of your life. What happened for Zebulun and Naphtali can happen for you as well.

In the second reading, the Church reminds us that division and rancour among Christians can hinder the work of restoration that God’s Word seeks to accomplish. Paul and the other apostles preached the Word in Corinth and united the Christians in love. Yet the Corinthians allowed themselves to be divided into factions. In today’s passage, St. Paul warns them against all forms of division. Likewise, the Church urges us to reject division, hatred, and bitterness in our communities, families, and society, and to work instead for peace and unity. Let us cooperate with God’s saving work of dispelling the darkness of the world, the darkness of disappointment, and the darkness of past errors.

Let us not become stumbling blocks to the restoration, freedom, salvation, liberation, blessings, healing, and favour that the Word of God desires to bring into our lives this year.

Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 2nd Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Two Beautiful Ways to Bring Friends to Christ

Readings: Is 49:3, 5–6; 1 Cor 1:1–3; Jn 1:29–34

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Church gives us an important mission this week, one that ought to guide our steps throughout the year. On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we were reminded that through our own baptism we have taken up the mission of Christ and are called to reflect His light to the world. This Sunday, through the example of John the Baptist and the teaching of St Paul to the Corinthians, the Church again reminds us of our mission: to carry the light of Christ to others and to bring people to Christ.

In the first reading, the Church presents the Suffering Servant of God from the prophecy of Isaiah. His mission was to bring back the scattered children of Israel to God. Chosen from birth, he was commissioned to be a light that would draw the exiled children of Israel back to the Lord. In the same way, God has chosen us from the moment of our conception and has commissioned us through baptism to bring back to Him friends who have wandered into the world of sin, friends who do not yet know the saving grace of Christ, and friends who have been confused or misled by the world’s false teachings.

But how do we fulfil this mission of bringing our friends to Christ? The second reading and the Gospel offer us two beautiful ways: announcing Christ to our friends and living a holy life among them.

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist announced Christ to his audience. When he saw Jesus, he proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus had come to His people, yet many did not recognize Him as the Christ. John, therefore, took it upon himself to introduce Jesus to the people by bearing witness to Him. He was standing with his own disciples, but the moment he saw Jesus, he pointed Him out as the Christ—the one who would free them from sin and darkness. The verses following today’s passage tell us that two of John’s disciples immediately began to follow Jesus.

Dear friends, Jesus has come to us, yet many of our friends still do not recognize Him. Many do not know who He truly is. Our mission this week—and this year—is to do what John did: introduce Jesus to our friends, speak to them about His teachings, share His mercy, and remind them of His desire to rescue them from the distant lands where they have wandered. We must find the right moments and the right ways to share the Word of God. And we should not fear that speaking about Christ will offend them, for the Word of God has the power to soften even the hardest heart. Do not be afraid to proclaim the Word—its effect may surprise you.

In the second reading, St Paul gives us another essential way to bring Christ to others, one that complements our spoken witness. This is the way of living a holy life before our friends. If our lifestyle contradicts the message we proclaim, our friends will not be convinced by our words.

St Paul was writing to Christians in Corinth, a city known for immorality. These Christians, like us, were called to announce Christ to their friends in that sinful environment. Paul reminded them that their mission also includes living as saints—living holy lives. The most effective way to convert others is by living an exemplary life, by embodying daily the message we proclaim. This does not require extraordinary deeds, but rather doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Our mission to announce Christ includes living a life worthy of imitation—a life that communicates the Gospel without words. If we preach peace, we must give peace. If we preach holiness, we must live holy lives. If we preach love, we must show love. If we preach charity, we must be charitable. If we preach truthfulness, we must speak the truth. If we preach mercy, we must show mercy.

We must not allow ourselves to be corrupted by the sinful environment we are called to evangelize. We must not sow doubt between our message and our lifestyle.

In summary, with the examples of John the Baptist in the Gospel and St Paul in the second reading, the Church reminds us that we have a mission: to announce Christ to our friends and to live lives that do not contradict the message we bear.

As we celebrate today's Mass, let us open our hearts to this mission and pray with the psalmist: “Behold, Lord, I have come to do your will.”

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 2^ND SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: RECOGNISE WHO COMES AND WHY

(John 1:29-34)

Today in the Gospel Reading, John looked and saw Jesus coming towards him. Recognising Him, he called out to the people around him in great exclamation: " Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Let us consider how to recognise what people are coming with, know really what they come into our lives to do and what we should do in people's life.

 

KNOW WHO IS COMING

It is good you look far. It is important for us to try to see beyond what appears but dig deep to recognise those coming. To this effect, you've got to look out for the signs with which you recognise people. Do not be deceived by what they present themselves to be. Try rather to see them as the Lord would. Look and see. See well. To see well, put on the divine spectacle. Do it like John the Baptist. Look for what God would say about him/ her and how he/she reflects the word of God. John remembered immediately what God said about Jesus Christ: “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain...” This is interesting. He is not just one who claims to be but one who really is. He is not just one upon whom the spirit descended but one upon whom the Spirit remains. If the person is just a carnal person, be careful; if he is not coming to uplift you spiritually, beware! If he doesn't care about your edification, flee from him. Just recognise the packages he is coming with and know whether he comes to give or take and what he gives as well as what he takes, whether what he comes to take is what he should take and whether what he gives is what should be given. Know if he is indeed a friend or an enemy.

 

The Bible tells us what the enemy comes to do: to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus comes for abundant life. The real friend enhances your life positively.

 

TO TAKE AWAY

Jesus' coming was to take away sin, evil, and vices. What are we called to take away in the life of people around us? Instead of taking away sins, many act as Nigerian epileptic electricity companies who take away the lights to introduce darkness, who take away power to bring about weakened progress, who abort development and encourage mediocrity.

What are we supposed to take away? We are called to take away injustice, political instability, greed, marginalization, deceit, bribery and corruption, moral, religious and cultural decay, terrorism, and destruction of life and property. Take away everything that puts a question mark on your call to be human, to be a Christian, to be holy. This oppression "Take Away" should begin with oneself and extend to others. When you've taken away, by the grace of Jesus Christ in you, all that is not good, then you're called to move into the lives of others to help them out, to take away too whatever that is sinful in them. Also, we are encouraged to be docile and allow good-spirited people around us to take away, by the power of the word, through advice, through corrections, and through admonitions, all infirmities in us.

 

TO PUT IN

Some people come into our lives to give, to make a positive mark, to introduce avenues of success, open doors, knowledge, wisdom, to actually help us to bring out the best in us. These people have something to offer always. When you encounter them, you will never remain the same. You must be a changed person for good, old things must be put away, and new things begin to take place in you. They give in a lot to make you better without counting. Like Jesus Christ, they are ready to make sacrifices.

Jesus offered a special type of baptism even different and higher than that of John the Baptist. Jesus brought with Him what became an open door, what served as a gateway to joy everlasting. They can offer you peace in your marriage, joy and hope in your disappointments, love when you feel unloved, strength in your weakness, job in joblessness, a way out in your troubles, advice in your confusions, and direction in your doubt. They bring in and bring back into your life all the good things you may have lost.

 

RESOLVE/PRAYERS

Know who is coming into your life and why he comes. Take away vices from your life. Take in virtues and graces into your life. Let the Spirit of God remain in you for discernment, and may God take away the consequences of your sins and lavish His grace gratuitously in your life through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday to you, (2nd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD AND OUR OWN BAPTISM

(Matthew 3:13-17)

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, a feast that officially brings the Christmas season to an end. We thank God for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, a birth that reveals the Trinity to humanity. Thus, today, we hear the voice from above declaring: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am pleased." We are thankful for such a holy birth that gives us a new birth, a rebirth.

Through Nativity, God enters into our world of sin as the lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. In baptism, He opens a gate through which we enter heaven to take up the holiness of God. And as we witnessed in the Gospel, the heavens were opened. This is great. The heavens that were closed by the sins of Adam has been opened by the righteousness of the One who came to fulfil all righteousness and received Baptism that we all may receive it for salvation.

 

Is Christ's Baptism same with ours?

This is a point we should look into for those who say because Christ was baptised at so and so age then... We are baptised to be washed from sin. But Jesus had no sin in Him but was baptised. There was no urgency for baptism on his part. He needed it not for himself. But we need it for our salvation since we all are products of Adam and Eve. For those people too who said that Jesus was baptised at river Jordan and as such teach erroneously that baptism must be at a river, why did they not say it must be at river Jordan? Why did they not say John must be the one to baptise? Why do they leave the river when the Holy Spirit has not spoken? Jesus stepped into the waters of Baptism to purify it and make us partakers in the life of holiness that comes from Him.

The necessity of Baptism and its implications

Jesus came to be baptised but John wanted to refuse him on the ground that he should rather receive baptism from Jesus. But Jesus insisted and John consented.

Why is it that some people stop certain persons from receiving baptism? Especially the infants. Jesus would rather say let the children come to me for the kingdom of God is for people like them. If baptism is a gateway to heaven, why stop them? Does it follow that because Jesus did not get baptised as an infant then no infant should receive baptism? Oh no. He is the one who has come to teach us the importance and necessity of being baptised. His own parents may not have known this. Yet they did the one they knew which was presenting the babe in the temple. In our own time through the revelation of the Gospel, we have come to know the necessity of this rebirth. It should be part of our obligations for the infants. Just as we do not seek their consent to send them to school and to provide them healthcare, we should endeavour not to take their spiritual upkeep and life everlasting for granted since they too can die, that they may not do so in the state of original sin which Baptism targets together with any other sin.

Our Consenting

We as candidates in need of Baptism consented to the terms and conditions of Baptism. We also by extension declared our willingness as godparents and biological parents or guardians to train up the baptised in the faith. How are we going about these responsibilities? How do we even make choices of godparents for our children?  Handsomeness, beauty, wealthiness, connectedness, etc? How do you take care of the children you gave your consent to train up in the faith? Do you care if they go for the sacraments, the wears they put on, the friends they keep, the places they go, the dangers of their faith?

Our profession

Baptism is faith-based. It is a symbolic act. Hence in Baptism we see just water, we see no sin, we may not see the heavens open with our physical eye, we may not see the Holy Spirit descend like dove, we may not hear any voice speak. But is there the reality of the rebirth, of the descent of the Holy Spirit, of the presence of the Trinity? O yes! And this is why there must be Profession of Faith. Thus, we are asked some questions at our Baptism. This may be likened to what transpired between Jesus and John the Baptist today. In summary, we accepted the Faith and rejected the Devil. How long does this rejection and acceptance last? Are you still faithful to your baptismal promises? Is your white garment presented on the day of Baptism white still? Is your candle given on the day you were baptised still shining? All these should make us sit back and ask ourselves some questions concerning our Baptism.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

We thank You Lord God Almighty for the feast of today. May we not forget that Baptism made us Your children and children of the Church.

May the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ bring us renewal of our baptismal graces and favours. May we all who are reborn, grow and be part of that kingdom prepared for us by keeping our promises that we may hear on the last day: this is my beloved son/daughter, with whom I am well pleased. This is our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Feast Day/Happy Christmas.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh