Reflection on the Gospel of Monday Week 2 of Lent by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

BE MERCIFUL

(Luke 6:36-38)

In the word of God today, Jesus invites us to be merciful as God our Father. He goes on to explain what is involved in being merciful.

If we are merciful, we will not be judgemental but treat people with love. If we are merciful, we will not be quick to condemn since we would not like to be condemned. If we are merciful, we will readily forgive faults and feel with the weak ones around us. If we are merciful, we will be open handed in giving. In mercy, we will consider how we feel when we are hurt and as such never inflict pain on people around us.

We need mercy in our world today. As we ask God for mercy this Lenten season, God asks for our own mercy. God requires mercy from us. He is the God who says: mercy I need not sacrifice.

Can you stop blaming that your partner and make Him see the love of God that gives opportunity for even the worst offender to go and sin no more?

Can you call that your wife, husband, son, daughter, old friend and colleague who offended you and tell him: " I have forgiven you". That is the pleasant surprise God wants from us this period.

Feel sorry for that person who has never stopped feeling bad about what he did to you. Free Him and free yourself. When you forgive, you release yourself too.

Why are you still stingy even when you have more than enough? Look around and help those you can. Mercy opens the gates of heaven. The mercy we show is what God looks at on the last day.

Let us be merciful like our heavenly Father. "Misericordes sicut Pater".

LET US PRAY

We thank you Lord for your mercy and compassion towards us. Help us to learn from You. Teach us how not to judge but to reason with others. Teach us how not to condemn but save others. May we learn to forgive the failings of others especially when they know not what they do. Teach us how to give to others. Bless us in abundance with every spiritual or material resources we use in showing mercy. Oh God, May Your mercy meet us always especially at the hour of our death through Christ our Lord.

God bless your Monday (2nd Week of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Blessed Are The Merciful | Irving Bible Church

Homily of 2nd Sunday of Lent Yr. B by Fr. Isaac C. Chima

God will not fail you: Listen to Him

1st Reading: Gen. 22:1-2.9a.10-13,15-18

2nd Reading: Rm. 8:31b-34

Gospel: Mk. 9:2-10

Dearest brothers and sisters, the central message of this beautiful Sunday is in the first paragraph of the second reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans. It said: “if God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, will he not give us all with him?” if we read a bit further to verse thirty-five, saint Paul mentioned many of the forces that battle against our life here on earth, and he affirmed that nothing on earth can separate us from the love of God. He said: “who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can troubles do it, or hardship or hunger or persecution or poverty or danger of death?... No, in all these things, we have complete victory through him who loved us.” In verse thirty-nine, Saint Paul concluded that “there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God.” Truly, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

What, then, does this strong promise of the love of God mean for every Christian? Dear friends, it means that we should have unwavering faith, a faith that is as strong as rock in God, in His words and promises, even in the most difficult time of our lives. It is a call for every Christian to stand firm in God in the face of life’s challenges, and even when the difficulties and challenges of life seem to make a ridicule of our faith in God. It is a call to be strong in God, to believe in his words, even when we did not understand them fully. He will fulfil them in due time.

We saw this unwavering faith in God and his promises in the first reading about the life of Abraham. As we all know, Abraham demonstrated a strong and unwavering faith in God both before the birth of his son, Isaac, and afterwards. Before the birth of Isaac, God appeared to Abraham countless times and also made countless promises to him. At each appearance, God gave Abraham a new task to do. Abraham continued to believe in God, he continued to be obedient to God, and he continued to believe in the fulfilment of the promise that his descendants will inherit a large land mass. His faith was strong despite the fact that he had no child and even when, according to nature, his wife has passed the age of childbearing. What a strong man of faith. Abraham was sure that not even nature can stand against the fulfilment of God’s promise to him. My dear friends, God did not fail Abraham. God does not abandon those who trust in Him.

When, eventually, Isaac, the son of the promise, was born to Abraham, God came to Abraham with another challenge of faith as we saw in the first reading of today. God asked him to Sacrifice his most precious son to him. To this second challenge, Abraham demonstrated that God should be trusted and believed even when we did not fully understand Him. Dear friends, our Christian life is a call of total trust in God even in the most difficult times of our lives, and even when our relationship with God demands us to leave something what is very important to us, as Abraham did with his son.

In the gospel of today, we saw the same absolute trust in God, even when that absolute trust would bring suffering and pain. On the mountain of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus to discuss His death according to the will of God, the death on the cross for the salvation of the world. Hence, the will of God for Jesus was one that would bring pain and death, but Jesus accepted and obeyed this will because he believed that not even pain and death can separate him from the love of God the Father. The psalmist of today said: I trusted, even when I said, I am sorely afflicted.

Dearest brothers and sisters, in the gospel of today, the voice of God came from the cloud and told us, the disciples of Jesus: “this is my beloved Son, listen to him.”  Thus, our own task as Christians is to listen and obey the voice of Jesus for our lives, even in the most difficult moments of our lives, believing with saint Paul that since God gave us his only Son to die for us, He will do everything for us.

Our life in this world is full of crosses, sicknesses, pains and uncertainties. But in the midst of all these, the church wants us to listen to the voice of Jesus, believing that God will not abandon us to the power of sickness and pain. Also, whenever it seemed that our prayers are not answered, our faith in God should be unshakable like that of Abraham.

God wants us to listen to the voice of Christ which calls us to give out or share our precious treasures with the poor this Lent through almsgiving. He wants us to listen to the voice of Christ which invites us to deny ourselves some pleasures through fasting because of Lent. God wants us to listen to voice of Christ and the church which is calls us to come out of any sinful behaviour or conduct, and any sinful relationship for the sake of the cross and death of Christ, even when that sinful conduct or sinful relationship is the only source of our joy, and even when coming out of that sinful conduct will cause us pain and sorrow. The truth is: if God is for us, nothing can be against us. If God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, he will do everything for us. God will not disappoint us when we choose Him above every other thing, especially, above the pleasure of sin.

Have a beautiful Sunday

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

Image from: (8) a-psalm - Second Sunday of Lent Year B - Gospel Acclaimation - YouTube 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflection on the Gospel of 2nd Sunday of Lent Yr. B by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

LISTEN AND GLISTEN

(Mark 9:2-10)

We are taken to the mount of transfiguration like Peter James and John by Jesus today. There, Jesus wants to strengthen our faith. Jesus wants to lift up our hearts. Jesus wants us to hear what God tells us about Him. He shows His glistening nature and invites us to activate our listening capacity so as to remain glistening spiritually and otherwise. He encourages a life of transformation. He wants us to live in anticipation for His glory that will soon be revealed. To do that more effectively this Holy Season of Lent, let us learn from the Apostles, from Moses and from Elijah. Men who   journeyed with the Lord in their lifetime.

WALK WITH THE LORD

We learn from the apostles to be among the few who will follow Jesus to the Holy mountain of transfiguration this Lenten season. They had ears to hear. That was why they followed Jesus up. It is possible that the Lord gave an open invitation but these three are always the ones with the proper disposition. Have you disposed yourself to hear Jesus telling you this year: Come with me. Let's walk along. Let's talk along.

What is stopping you from following so far? Why have you not begun to ascend spiritually? Why have not joined in the stations of the cross? Why have you not started tracing your way up to God?

It could be that the other disciples were weak and afraid. It could be that they were considering what it will take to climb the mountain. It could be that they were thinking of what to eat on the way or they wanted to go their different ways and live their private lives while Jesus was away. May be they had something to hide which closeness will reveal about them. But the three apostles walked with Christ to the mountain and had their strength and faith renewed.

Are you still weak? The Lord calls: Come on, let us go. Accept the invitation. Walk in faith not by sight. Separate yourself from the world. Stay away from sin. Go inward. Single yourself out and be closer to none but Christ. Let your song be: "Nearer to Thee my Lord nearer to Thee". When you draw near to Him, you will hear His will and know His plan for you. You will not regret drawing close.

MANIFEST THE LORD'S GLORY

In the presence of the Lord glory shines. God speaks and we hear His voice encouraging us to continue to listen to Jesus.

This season we must look into ourselves and see if there is anything within us that is not giving God glory. Is there any condition that does not allow God to shine?  The Lord wants us to behold His face and see light in His light. The Lord wants us to go about our daily tasks living as heavenly candidates. 

We pray with to God in this season with the following words from the lenten hymn: "...What we have darkened head with light and what we have destroyed make whole"

Therefore, child of God arise and shine out in virtues. Shine in holiness. Shine in prayers. Shine in almsgiving, shine in mortification, shine in bringing consolation to the afflicted. Shine in wiping tears from the faces of people. Shine in keeping the commandments of God. Shine in saying no to worldliness. Shine in speaking the truth. Shine in emulating Christ.

He calls us up to Himself   on a high mountain. Let us not operate below the divine expectations. Let's not go down into sin and depravity. Let's not go down back to our old bad ways. Let's fly on in virtues. Let's be like the eagle. Let's keep going high in hope for the glory that the resurrection ushers us into. Let us move on in the forty days’ journey already begun. May God open our ears to hear and maintain our glistening nature in Him.

LET US PRAY

Oh God, we thank You for calling us to Yourself to hear Your word. We thank You for counting us worthy to share in Your holiness.  Destroy everything in us closing our ears from paying attention to the things of the Spirit. May Your glory continue to shine in us and may we like Peter long to remain close to Your side savouring the power of transfiguration in here and in heaven for ever and ever. Amen

Happy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Homilies – Page 6 – St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish (saintjohnjackson.org)

Reflection on the Gospel of Saturday Week 1 of Lent by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

LOVING THE ENEMY: IS IT POSSIBLE?

(Matthew 5:43-48)

It is very difficult in our world to be loved by all. A lot of people take you as their enemies. You too take some people as your enemies. There are also those who claim to be friends, but they are not really friends in actual sense. There are equally those you claim to love but down within you, you are aware that you are just pretending to.

You may have that one person or family you're holding something against or that holds something against you.  Some even would want you dead. Some will eliminate you if they get the opportunity. Some others would not be alive to see you succeed. Some of them would frustrate any good thing that comes to you. Some have really taken fortunes from you while others have attempted severally to steal your joy or have your image tarnished in the past. Some have killed.

We seem to present these 'wicked' persons to God to handle them terribly. We pray and wait patiently for the day God will strike them. We seem to ask God for permission to retaliate or, better still, give them something worse than what we have received from them.  But Jesus says to our disappointment and surprise: Yes, they are your enemies, but I say to you: Forgive them!

Christ has said it. He will not lead us astray. Let us sit down and ask ourselves some questions. We will surely know that it is better to forgive than to keep fighting and gathering more enemies. Let us make more heavenly and holy friends and free ourselves and others from the bondage of enmity. May we all be bonded to Christ.

LET US PRAY

Oh God, It is difficult to forgive especially the enemies. Bless us with the grace to forgive them and pray for those who persecute us on daily basis. May we not be persecutors to others as well. Help by your grace through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Saturday. (First Week of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: 700 Club Interactive - Love Your Enemies - January 19, 2017 | CBN.com

Reflection on the Gospel of Friday Week 1 of Lent by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

THE HEAVENLY STANDARD CANCELS THE EARTHLY STANDARD

 (Matthew 5:20-26)

Jesus gives us new teaching today. He gives the new standard of living. He teaches us the new and true way. He evaluates what was there before and tells us what should be. He stresses the oughtness in a world that has set its own modus operandi et modus vivendi that opposes the will of God.

In such a world that does not want to hear anything about holiness, Jesus stresses the need for righteousness. Jesus wants us to make a positive difference. He wants us to ensure that our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees. Thus, He proceeds to outline for us what we must do to enter the kingdom of God, to live heavenly here on earth, to inherit everlasting life. That is our goal. We've got some roles to play to make it come about. What are these roles?

According to the new teaching of Jesus, we should be concerned about those little vices we practice at will without qualms. Jesus is telling us to stop thinking that offending God is only when we commit sins like killing. He at the same time wants us to stop thinking that we are doing something extraordinary by offering sacrifices at the altar.

There are little things that matter before God. In fact, before Him, they are great acts. It is the desire of God therefore that we live in peace and harmony with each other, that we destroy anger. We should not be insulting either in our words or actions. We should speak kindly to people. We should reconcile with our brothers and sisters and not keep malice with anyone. We should live in love and offer love to people around us especially the unloved. This will be the greatest gift acceptable to God. When we do these, then Jesus opens His arms to welcome us and accept our worship.

In this holy season, let us stop listening to the world but to God alone. You have heard how it was but let's consider how Jesus wants it. What is the world telling you? What is the social media telling you? What are your bad friends suggesting to you? What is your ego saying to you?  How has it been in your life? Do you care about how God wants it? Read, listen and meditate on the word of God telling you what God wants from you. You will be glad you obeyed the voice from above.

LET US PRAY

Thank You Lord God for leading us out of how it was and exposing to us how you want it to be. Give us the grace to live our lives based on what you want for us and not what the world wants for us. Grant that we may live authentic life of holiness. May we be reconciled to you and to one another so that our worship and sacrifices as well as our Lenten observance may win favour in Your sight this year through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Friday (First Week of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Daily Bible Reading Devotional [Luke 20:1-8] December 15, 2017 – Dust Off The Bible

Reflection on the Gospel of Thursday Week 1 of Lent by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

YOUR PRAYER IS NEVER IN VAIN

(Matthew 7:7-12)

Our problem with praying is disbelief and concern with regard to whether our prayer is answered or not, whether it will be answered or not. The truth is that all prayers are answered. With this in mind, Jesus gives us the confidence to ask and receive, seek and find, knock and have the door opened.

In this holy season of prayers, we are encouraged to pray with faith. We are called upon not to give up. We should not relent. Do you feel your prayers have not been answered all along? The Lord is saying today that He will grant your petitions. Present your intentions to Him today. Let God know your worries. Disclose your problems to God.

Pray all the time. Do not be discouraged. Do not get tired. Do not stop no matter the challenge. Your prayer is not a waste of time. It is indeed efficacious. Every condition has a prayer format. Let no situation or mood make you lose interest in praying. When happy sing praise, when in sin ask for mercy, when in trouble call for divine assistance. The Lord assures that such prayers will never go unattended.

God will make you receive what you are asking for this season. God will open doors of blessings for you and your family.  You will find whatever you have lost especially the spiritual values.

LET US PRAY

I believe You Oh Lord that my prayers will never be in vain. And so in faith, I have come to ask that I may receive your grace to move on. I have come to seek that I may find the way that leads to happiness in you. I have come to knock that I may be received into the joy of knowing You as my personal Lord and Savior and entering into a loving and lasting peaceful relationship with you. I  thank you for I know you will never fail me. Grant our prayers Almighty God through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless your Thursday (First Week of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Ask and You Shall Receive! - SoulSpring - SoulSpring - A hub for conscious insights on all things life, wellness, love, transformation and spirituality

Reflection on the Gospel of Wednesday Week 1 of Lent by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY AND REPENT

(Luke 11:29-32)

It is wicked to stick to evil. Jesus calls His audience a wicked generation. He promised them no other sign but the sign of Jonah the prophet.

The story of Jonah is that of a people who seized the opportunity of grace they had and amended their lives.

Just like the people in the time of Jonah, we deserve condemnation and punishment on account of our sins. But are we aware of the urgent need for repentance and positive change?

We have a whole of 40 days to turn from sinful men to holy men, to convert from a wicked generation to a godly generation, to change from disobedient to obedient children of God.

It is indeed grace that we are given this opportunity. A good number of persons would have longed to be given a second chance, but they got it not. We have it, it is lavished upon us by our Lord Jesus Christ.  The annual memorial of His passion and death offers us a chance of change of heart.

Let us seize the opportunity offered us in this favourable time to fall on our knees asking for mercy. Let us as individuals and a people reconcile with God and stop being held under the slavery of the evil one.

LET US PRAY

Thank You Jesus for the opportunity you have given to us for repentance.  Help us to seize this gracious time to call upon You for forgiveness. May we turn away from our evil and wicked ways and begin anew to follow Your own way, the way that leads to eternal life. Save us from eternal damnation through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless your Wednesday (First Week of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Repent and Believe the Good News | Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference

Refection on the Gospel of Tuesday Week 1 of Lent by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

OREMUS

(Matthew 6:7-15)

"Oremus" is the Latin translation for 'let us pray'. It is used as a call for solemn prayers in the Church. In the Gospel of today Jesus responds to the request of the disciples: "Teach us how to pray". He taught them the classical prayer: "Pater Noster"

The request of the disciples is also an expression of the desire to pray: Let us pray. We want to pray. We need prayers. We can't do without praying. We feel empty without divine intervention.

Jesus taught them to call God: "Our Father". He taught them to pray not in the way of the Gentiles. He wants them to pray as friends of God. He wants them to pray as those bonded in the Spirit with God. He wants them to pray like those in spiritual connection with their heavenly Father.

During the season of Lent, our prayer Life should be solidified. Our personal and communal prayers should be strengthened. Our meditation on the things of God should not be compromised. Our visit to the Blessed Sacrament should be intensified. Our devotional prayers like the stations of the cross, rosary, divine mercy must be carried out more religiously. 

This period, let us pray in praise and honour of God. Let us thank Him, ask for His mercy. Let us ask Him for the grace to overcome the temptations coming our way. Let us pray to be delivered from every evil.

Let us not relent in praying for ourselves, for the Church, for our troubled world, for our leaders, for our families, for friends and enemies. Let us not stop the spiritual exercise of praying, it is a great weapon given to us by our Lord. Let's treasure it.

LET US PRAY

We pray Thee Oh Lord. Be glorified and lifted high above all else. Bless us, protect us, strengthen us, be with us. Do not allow us to be put to shame. Do not allow temptations to weigh us down. Give us the confidence to always call You "Our Father" and continue to bless Your Hoy name through Christ our Lord.

God bless your Tuesday (First Week of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: BRIDE TV STREAMING | PROGRAMMES

Reflection on the Gospel of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

YOU ARE PETER, ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

(Matthew 16:13-19)

Today we celebrate the Chair of St Peter. This celebrates the authority given to Peter as the head of the universal Church. By extension we equally celebrate the leadership roles of the successors of Peter. We call to mind the respect we should accord the men God has entrusted the care of the Church to.

We wish to observe by the power of the word of God that the success and achievements of Peter is to a large extent thanks to the collaboration and prayerful support of the early Christians.

In our own time are we building the Church or destroying it? Are we obedient to the teachings of the Church or are we always opposing and destructively criticizing everything that has to do with the Church?

We are the temple of God and as such our soul is the Church. God entrusts the keys to these souls in our hands. Do we edify them? Do we lead souls to God or away from God in our various capacities?

The key handed over to Peter is the key to heaven. Have the leaders of the Church today become people who unleash hell and mayhem on the people? The key is of love and charity. Where then is the abuse of power and ecclesiastical offices coming from?

We thank God for Peter and all the saintly leaders of the Church whose faith has sustained the Church of Christ for these ages. We thank God that the human elements and devil's plan has not pulled down the Church till our own time.

The prophesy that the gates of hades will not prevail against the Church will be truer if we cooperate with the spirit of God, if we do not hand over the authority that make us children of God to the enemy of our salvation. Let us not allow materialism, indifference, religious syncretism and secularism to make us lose focus of who really holds the key.

Let us be strong in faith and uphold the faith of our Fathers. Let us be good collaborators with the shepherds of the Church. Let us be wise and prayerful in choosing who should pilot the affairs of the Church of Christ. Let ours be a Church that builds true faith and promotes true worship of God in Spirit and in truth. Let the authority of the Church not be silenced by the evil forces in our world (the kidnappers, the evil political thugs, and the 'godfathers' and 'godmothers' of immorality. May the Church continue to be the only key to set people free from bondage, from poverty of the mind, from fetishism. May she remain the voice of the voiceless and her leaders be like caring mothers to feed, nourish and provide the spiritual benefits of the world in crisis. Let us have a Church that will rise to bind on earth whatever that God detests and loose upon earth heavenly blessings so that God's will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

LET US PRAY

Thank You Jesus for entrusting Your Church into the care of humans elected as wise stewards to give the household of God their food at proper times. Thank You for being with the Church for these number of Years. Do not leave it now. We need You now than ever. In the face of the various attacks on the teaching authority of the Church from within and from without, we pray that You keep our leaders firm on Christ the Solid rock. Continue to strengthen our faith in You. Strengthen our leaders all the more and give us the grace to be good followers that we may all gather with the jubilant Church when our work here on earth is done. Oh God, bless us and keep us all faithful through Christ our Lord our Lord. Amen

St. Peter, Pray for us.

God bless your Monday

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: v2-45a53192668aa44c38443580a1fedf92_r.jpg (690×831) (zhimg.com)

Reflection on the Gospel of First Sunday of Lent Yr B by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

40 DAYS OF LENT: REPENTANCE IN THE FACE OF TEMPTATIONS

(Mark 1:12-15)

Jesus was driven into the wilderness where He was tempted for forty days and nights. 'Fortieth' is the Latin meaning for Lent. The Latin rendition is "quadregesima". This is a solemn religious observance in which Christians call to mind and relive the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time we should have the spiritual drive to go into the wilderness with Christ; the drive for holiness, for prayers, for alms giving and for mortification.

We are called today to follow Jesus into the wilderness for the spiritual encounter. We will not but repent of our evil deeds if we follow sincerely in this Lenten desert experience. But will temptations allow us? Will our flesh, the world and the devil stop putting obstructions on our way?  Let's see what the Gospel has to say on this matter.

DESIRE TO SEEK THE FACE OF GOD

Jesus went into the wilderness to look for God, to find quiet time with God, to meditate in a calm atmosphere, to pray and indeed to fast.

What Jesus did is like what we do when we decide to stay away from   occasions of sin, when we go for confession, when we set out to fight a particular vice in our lives, when we plan to say no to distractions from the world around us.

The devil follows behind. The tempter comes along. That time we want to be alone with none but God, he comes to deform our 'Christ's wilderness experience' into 'Eve's Eden experience' 

In the Gospel, the themes of temptation and repentance were made manifest. Jesus was tempted but did not give in to the temptation. But Jesus comes out after the temptation and understood quiet well while we fail so often. But He didn't want us to remain lying on the ground. He calls us to repentance.

These 40 days avail us another opportunity to enter into conversation with our maker once again. It prepares us spiritually to face the challenges of our world. It charges and recharges us to function more effectively. It propels us to move on in the good deeds we do. We are inspired and encouraged to face the ups and downs of the ministries and functions divinely entrusted to us with renewed unction. For these we enter the desert with Christ. For these and many more we seek the face of God. Because of these we wish to renounce our sins, repent of having offended God and become new in Christ. But we have some fears.

FACTORS CHALLENGING OUR DESIRE FOR GOD AND REPENTANCE

We have a lot of problems and questions staring us at the face in our longing to follow Jesus even in these forty days of lent. These questions do not only give us worries within lent but also outside of lent. They include:

In the face of the many temptations surrounding us in our world, what is the need for repentance?

Why bother about repenting when I know I may still fall into the same temptation? How do I talk of repentance when I am not yet convinced about saying bye to that sin?

DON'T GIVE UP! YOU WILL CONQUER

Anaghi aso mgbagbu eje ogu!(the fear of temptation should not demoralise you) Ride on trusting God. Take the decision to depart from your evil ways. Take the decision to repent. The angels of God will come to your help, they will minister to you. Divine assistance will not allow you to fall. At the weakest moment, when you think all hope is lost God will not allow you to be put to shame.

Go for confession and live a more sinless life. Reconcile with your enemies. Overcome the temptation to exploit people. Overcome the temptation to be a tempter. Overcome the temptation to allow this year's Lent come and go without transforming your life. Rebuke the temptations following into this holy season. Do that with prayers and faith.

LET US PRAY

Thank You Lord for this time of favour which you have offered us this year again. As we follow You into the wilderness Oh Lord bless us with the spirit of true repentance. Help us to overcome the temptations that come our way. May we not be temptations to others. Grant us the fortitude these forty days to win the battle against our flesh, our world and the devil through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday (First Sunday of Lent, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: First Sunday in Lent Reflection - The Southern Cross (scross.co.za)

Reflection on the Gospel of Saturday after Ash Wednesday by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

LET'S RISE AND FOLLOW HIM

(Luke 5:27-32)

The gospel of today is the story of rising to follow Jesus. Jesus called Levi and He left everything and followed Him. He didn't look back. He left old ways behind and indeed threw great feast in gratitude to God for enabling him to begin a new life in Him.

Here is a time of new beginning. Here is a time to leave old ways. Here is a time to follow Christ. Here is the time to trace the path of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the time to stop feasting in evil and start communing with Christ the new way, the truth and the life. It is the time to rise from the table of bad companions. It is the time to rise from spiritual laziness. It is the time to be mindful of whom we follow in order not to be followed by curses but blessings.

Will the Lenten season this year meet you in all your old sinful way? Will this year's lent pass you by and you remain the old Adam? Will you not allow the transforming power of the word of God calling you this season to repentance and change of heart?

Open your sick life and be healed by Christ.  Expose your impurities and be cleansed by the precious blood of Christ.

Learn to die to sin in order to rise to righteousness. May God who calls us to His side this period heal us and make us well as we leave our evil past.

LET US PRAY

Thank you, Jesus, for calling us to rise and follow You unworthy though we are. In faith, We come to You. We come carrying our burden of sin. Heal us dearest Lord. Cleanse us of our infirmities. Purify us by Your word and the spiritual exercises of this season. Grant that we may be numbered among those who will feast at Your Easter Table and live for ever with You in the happiness of heaven forever and ever. Amen

God bless your Saturday (Saturday after Ash Wednesday)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: ppt.fellowshipenglewood.com

Reflection on the Gospel of Friday after Ash Wednesday by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

IT IS TIME TO FAST

(Matthew 9:14-15)

"Then, they will fast"- These are the last words of Jesus in today's gospel reading.

This is the time when we contemplate on the attempt to take away the Son of man by the scribes and the pharisees. This is the time when darkness wages great war against the light. This is the time when we are called upon to deny ourselves of some pleasures to gain divine favours.

Thus, the Church encourages us to fast. O come and mourn awhile. Jesus our Love is crucified for our sake. Thus, let us fast from whatever that will make this great price for our salvation be a waste. Let us not make this great sacrifice a vain thing. Let us follow Jesus in the wilderness. Let us feed on the word of God there and be able to command the desires of the flesh and the worldly passions to flee.

We must fast from unnecessary fear, from hypocrisy and dishonesty, we must fast from faithlessness, we must fast from weakness to pray. Let us fast from sinful relationships; let us fast from gossips; let us fast from extortion; let us fast from deceiving one another; let us fast from cheating; let us fast from bad habits. Let us fast from revenge, quarrels, hatred, injustice and corruption.

Yes, let us deny ourselves of those things that will make us deny Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour.

And so, listen my flesh, I refuse to give you all you want. I wish to fast till everything in me hungers for God.

LET US PRAY

We are too hungry and sick to fast, Oh Lord. We hunger for food that does not satisfy; we are sick of losing our attachment to the pleasures of this word. Give us the grace to fast from evil and hold fast to holiness and righteousness. Help us by your grace Oh Jesus. May your passion, be our strength. Amen

God bless your Friday (Friday after Ash Wednesday)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: The Orthodox Faith - Volume IV - Spirituality - Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving - Fasting - Orthodox Church in America (oca.org)

Reflection on the Gospel of Thursday after Ash Wednesday by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW ME

(Luke 9:22-25)

Jesus tells us the reason for this holy season in the Gospel Reading of today. It is all about the Son of man who must suffer many things including death but must rise on the third day.

This is the period we follow Jesus along the way of the cross. This is the time we contemplate on what Jesus passed through for our salvation. 

He invites us to get involved in the redemptive act by carrying our own cross to follow His steps.

Thus, this is a period of imitation of Christ. This is a time to lose in order to gain. This is a time to lose our attachments to things of this world. It is the time to disconnect from things that do not give honour and glory to God. It is the time to deny ourselves of pleasures and humble ourselves before God. It is indeed the time to move out of our comfort zones in order to surmount the challenges standing on our way to heaven.

What are the heavy crosses that would make your Lenten journey this year less successful? What are the difficulties in your life discouraging you from following Jesus along the way to Calvary? What are the temptations weighing your spirit down? What are the problems covering your eyes from seeing the glory that lies behind the cross?

Take up those problems, forget about the loses, think more of gaining heaven at last. Consider the pain of losing God as a saviour. Move on with Christ. He will help you save all that you fear losing.

LET US PRAY

Thank You, Jesus, for the invitation You have offered us to follow You. Give us the grace to carry our crosses with patience, humility and faith and come after You. May we trace Your steps and enter into the happiness of heaven. Save us Lord from losing our souls because of unnecessary things of this passing world. May Your cross save us forever and ever. Amen

­God bless your Thursday (Thursday after Ash Wednesday)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 Image from: hardships | Lightbearers For Jesus (wordpress.com)

Homily of Ash Wednesday by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

LET'S RETURN TO THE LORD

(Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

We are called back to our spiritual camp. The Church beckons us to listen and retreat. The Ash Wednesday begins a new season in our life as Christians. This is another holy season when we are encouraged by the word of God and the various spiritual exercises designed by the Church to come back to the Lord from whatever may have distanced us from God. We are called back to embrace authentic piety and live a heaven-oriented life.

The Gospel of today points out what we should return to. We should return to our origin: God who made us from the dust, who knows us through and through and before whom we are nothing, to whom we shall return after our sojourn here on earth. We should accept our ashness, that we have fallen in different ways and make out time to consider how God views us. The truth is that we have spent a good number of times practicing outward piety. The Lord wants us to go in and work on those things no eye sees.

Heaven's reward should be our target this season. It is a time of action. It is a time when we consider how genuine our actions are. Our duties and obligations towards God and our fellow human beings are to be evaluated. Thus, Jesus wants us to be less hypocritical, to be more charitable, to be more prayerful and to mortify our flesh. All these are geared towards   raising our hearts and minds to God.

Let us therefore return as individuals, families, as Church, as Christian Communities, and as a nation to call on God for mercy. Let us call on our God of mercy and compassion to look with pity upon us. Let us call God our Father that He may let us return to Him as His sons and daughters. Let us return to the practice of virtues that we have abandoned for one frivolous reason or the other. Let us embrace God as we return from our evil ways.

LET US PRAY

Thank You Lord for keeping us alive to witness this Year's Lenten Season. Give us the spiritual energy to stand on our resolutions to leave evil and return to holiness, to practice virtues and say bye to vices, to fight against the forces of hell and be focused on heaven and things of heaven. May we walk in the light of Christ's ways and allow the ash we are to remind us of God our maker to whom we shall return. Help us by your grace through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Wednesday.

Welcome to the Holy Season of Lent.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Ash Wednesday Prayer Experience - Middletown Christian Church 

Reflection on the Gospel of Tuesday Week 6 by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

BE ON THE WATCH OUT

(Mark 8:14-21)

Jesus warned the disciples to guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.

Jesus applied the methodology of a wise father speaking in coded language for only his children to understand. A good number of parents in the traditional Igbo family setting used coded signs and symbols to refer to particular persons. A stranger in such a family can never understand what is said and why it is said. The person about whom the statement or sign is made will never understand. Sometimes the eye is used, at other times clearing of the throat is used, the head or even the leg may be used to send a signal or warn against what is unwanted. Typical of this is when parents will not like you to answer a particular question, they give a sharp sign. When they don't want you to eat in a particular place or accept an item from a stranger or an untrusted friend, they give a sign as well.

The wise children understand the signs or the coded words so well. But the dull ones do not.

Jesus expected His disciples to understand what He meant by the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod. But they were thinking of food. Jesus made them to understand that food should not be their problem when their life is at stake. Thus, He went on to make them understand the danger in their midst. That danger was the negative influence of the Pharisees and Herod. The warning was against the false teachings of the enemies of Christ. A little heresy can cause a whole lot of problems for a believer.

So, Child of God, beware of the Pharisees of today. They enjoy their marriage and encourage you to leave your marriage because of little misunderstanding. They are happily married as man and woman but encourage gay unions. They claim a lot of what they are not. They sell attractive lifestyle on social media but have nothing attractive about them. Their evil ways spread like wildfire if not carefully watched. So, Jesus insists that we should be careful with them and the forces they carry.

LET US PRAY

Thank You Jesus for calling us to be on the watch. Thank You for calling our attention to the many dangers around us. Help us by your grace to follow Your instruction to flee from negative influences and embrace noble motivations leading us to everlasting happiness in you. Bless us and keep us safe under the shadow of Your wings now and forever. Amen

God bless your Tuesday (6th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: The Mystery of the Trinity: Mutual Indwelling With God and His People – Pr Eddy Leo – Malaysia’s Christian News Website (christianitymalaysia.com)

Reflection on the Gospel of Monday Week 6 by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

SIGH FROM THE HEART IN PLACE OF SIGN FROM HEAVEN

 (Mark 8:11-13)

Today, the Pharisees came seeking for signs from Jesus. They demanded of Him a sign from heaven. But that was not a genuine demand, it was a test. Testing God? Doubting the power of God? Subjecting God under human expectations? It wasn't funny at all.

Jesus was dumbfounded. He was speechless. All He could do was just to respond with a sigh from the heart. He saw the insincerity of the men. He knew what they were seeking. What they wanted was not from heaven. They were asking for a sign from heaven, but their hearts were not fixed on things of heaven. They were asking for a sign from heaven but were unable to perceive the greatest love of God in their midst, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Most of the time we make Jesus to sigh. We leave God speechless. We make God to weep from the heart. We make God to ask: What are these people really looking for? What other miracles do we need? What other signs are we running helter-skelter for?

Jesus will sigh at Africa and our country Nigeria. What has God not deposited in our land? The human and mineral resources?  Are we still supposed to be looking out for anything? Are we supposed to be blaming God for anything? We are the cause of our problems. May God forgive us.

Some people keep looking out for a better wife or husband when God has given you the best in the house. What are you still looking for?

Some are created to be males, but they still look out to become females. What is your problem?

Someone is given opportunity to study or work, but He chooses to look out for other things that doesn't matter.

Listen Child of God, follow the sign God gives you in Christ through His word and daily presence. Be sincere with Him and not pharisaic. When you're open to the inspiration of God, you will receive it from heaven. When you work with divine direction you will succeed.

Let us stop putting God to the test. Let us stop deceiving ourselves thinking we can deceive God. Let's follow God and stop forcing God to follow us. Let's accept what God shows us at any point in time and stop insisting on what we want.

LET US PRAY

In human quest for signs O Lord, you have been made to sigh bitterly. Forgive us. Give us the grace to receive you. Open our eyes to accept you as our Highest and Only Good. May we shun the temptation to go after signs when you are the One all signs refer to. Bless your word in our hearts and cancel the punishments we deserve by making you sigh. Answer our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Monday (6th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: the Pharisees ask Jesus | Jesus second coming, Jesus lives, Jesus (pinterest.com)

Valentine: Loving as Jesus loved - Homily of 6th Sunday Yr B by Fr. Isaac Chima

 

1^st Reading: Lev. 13:1-2,45-46

2^nd Reading: 1Cor. 10:31-11:1

Gospel: Mk. 1: 40-45

Dearest brothers and sisters in the Lord, today is a special Sunday in the society and in the church. It is a Sunday that celebrates the theme which is at the foundation of the world. It is the theme of love. Today is the memorial of St. Valentine, the saint that reminds us of love and invites us to true love.

As our mother, the church invites us to celebrate this day of love by teaching us what it means to love. The church teaches us the type of love that is worth celebrating. She teaches us the love that should be of prime importance in the heart of every Christian on the 14th day of February, the type of love that Saint Valentine died for. This love is seen in the reaction of Jesus towards the leper in the gospel reading of today. It is love per excellence, a love that conquered physical, social, ritual and medical boundaries to rescue the loved. We would not understand the depth of the love Jesus showed the leper if we do not know the conditions of lepers during the time of Jesus.

The first reading from the book of Leviticus gave us a sharp and vivid picture of the condition of lepers during the time of Jesus. It said: “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He shall dwell alone in a habitation outside the camp.” They were cast out of the society and remained outcasts all through their lives. They were separated from the people and allowed to die without care and love. Nobody would want to have these conditions.

During that time, lepers were seen as the living dead. They were alive in the body but dead in the society. Leprosy was the worst sickness that time. It destroyed whoever contacted it physically, socially, mentally and religiously. Physically, leprosy distorted and disfigured those who suffered it. Their hairs fell off from their heads and bodies. Their fingernails and toenails loosened, decayed and dropped off. Joint after joint, their fingers and toes shrunk up and fell away. Their tooth gums were absorbed, and the teeth gradually disappeared. Then, their nose, eyes and tongue became slowly consumed.

Socially, a leper was not allowed to live among his friends and relatives. Lepers were taken away from their families and forced to live in leper colonies or in caves outside the city, probably among animals, so that they will not contaminate other people with their sickness. They lived without love and contact with human beings. Should a leper decide to go into the city to get help from people, the law mandated him to ring a bell as he walked, shouting unclean, unclean. It seems lepers also live in isolation in our societies today.

Religiously, a leper was looked at as someone who had been punished by God. He was unclean ceremoniously and was banned from public worship. He wore torn cloths everywhere he went.

Mentally, anyone who is suffering from segregation and discrimination cannot be balanced.

Dearest friends, those were the unfortunate situations of the leper in the gospel of today. Ritually and legally, nobody was permitted to touch a leper. The reason the contagious nature of leprosy, just like Covid-19. Whoever touched a leper risked suffering from leprosy. 

However, the gospel of today said when the leper approached Jesus, Jesus was moved with compassion and touched him. So, Jesus took a grave risk and made a big sacrifice by touching the leper. He disobeyed the Mosaic law and risked becoming a leper just to make the leper clean. By touching the leper, Jesus bridged the gap between what is clean and what is unclean. By touching the leper, Jesus identified himself with all lepers, with all who are ritually or socially unclean and isolated, and with all of us sinners who are spiritually unclean on account of our sins. Thus, He became “unclean” in the eyes of the law that we might be made clean. Dear friends, this is where the story of true love lies. Love seeks to make the loved better. Love seeks to bridge a social gap. Compassion, sacrifice and risk taking are factors that should not be lacking when we love.

Love is not made manifest only in loving the lovable and the beautiful. Love is not shown only in loving our friends and family. Real love is seen when we love the unlovable, the rejected, the discriminated, the ugly and those who have been abandoned to die. These people are everywhere in our society. They are the imprisoned, the sick, alcoholics, drug addicts and marginalized groups, migrant workers, the mentally ill, the hungry, and the aged. As we celebrate this feast of love, Jesus calls us to step out, take a risk and touch these people with real and true love. We should be ready to break the boundaries of hate, discrimination, social status and racial identity to show love to other people. We have to take risks and make sacrifices for the sake of Christ and our beloved ones. This is real love

In the second reading, Saint Paul gave us the same challenge of showing love to everyone. He asked his listeners to learn from him as he tries not to seek his own advantage in what he does but that of others. So, St. Paul challenges us not to be selfish in our relationships with others. We should not seek for what pleases us alone, rather, we should always seek the good of the person we love, and the good of every person we see.

Friends, the type of love that St. Valentine died for was not a selfish love, it was not immoral love, it was not a discriminating love, it was love after the manner of Christ.

Happy Valentine, my good people.

Fr. Isaac C. Chima

Images from: Happy Valentines Day 2021 Wishes Cards Images HD Wallpapers PEC BISE RESULT

and  Peter Ruckman chalk drawings | Bible preaching, Bible topics, King james bible (pinterest.com)

 #ValentineDay #St.Valentine #6thSundayYearB #HomilyOf6thSunday #IsaacChima #FrIsaacChima #love #LoversDay

 

Reflection on the Gospel of Sunday Week 6 Yr. B by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

I WILL, BE CLEAN VS I WILL BE CLEAN

(Mark 1:40-45)

The two statements above have the same words, but the punctuation made a whole lot of difference. The one with comma are the 'ipsisima verba'; the words of Jesus Christ to the leper.

The other one without comma should be the reaction or the response of the leper and, of course, each and everyone of us to the call to holiness and cleanliness by Christ.

I WILL, BE CLEAN

Jesus in today's gospel reading announced his will for us.  His will for us is that we be clean. Hence, He told the leper: "I Will, be clean".  This was necessitated by the call made by the leper who knelt begging to be made clean. He said to Jesus: "If you will, you can make me clean" Jesus wills our wellbeing, our cleanliness, our holiness, our purity. He means well for us. He is moved with pity towards us. He opens his hands to receive us.  He gives us his holiness to take from us our sinfulness. That explains why He stretched out His hand and touched the man. It was a lovely touch. It was a therapeutic touch. It was a transforming touch. It was a touch that takes one to the best state. It was a reinstating touch; one that takes the person to the desired position God planned for Him.

Jesus says to you. I will, be clean. Endeavour to be clean. Make sure you have the same mind and heart with Christ. Depart from that pitiable state and embrace the state of Grace. To do this, address yourself.

I WILL BE CLEAN

This is a statement made in conviction. This is a statement made by a person to himself. This is a soliloquy.

This man must have been tired of living in leprosy. He must be tired of the embarrassing state of being ostracised from His people. He must be ashamed of carrying bells around and shouting: I am unclean, I am unclean. Thus, he says in faith. I will be clean. I will be clean if... I will be clean if He wills. I want to be clean. I want to be good. I want to commune and communicate with my people, with God.

Another way of seeing this is as a surprise. The man must have been shocked when Jesus told Him that He was going to be clean. Will it be that easy? How will it happen?

Some of us have become so stained with sin that we no longer believe that Christ can simply make us clean by His precious blood. We ask in surprise: Will I be made clean? Jesus replies immediately: Yes! I will, be clean.

"I will be clean" at the third perspective should as well be our determination to remain clean. Seeing how much God loves us, how compassionate He is towards us, how determined He is to heal us, we should talk to ourselves and ensure we don't get contaminated again. Say those words over and over again and let the powers and forces leading you into the dustbin of sin hear that you have chosen light against darkness.

HOW CLEAN ARE YOU?

Like the leprous man today we should be concerned about the level of our cleanliness in the sight of God. How clean is your heart? How holy are you? How pure are you? How clean is your intention towards your neighbour?  How good is your love for that person you call your friend? Are you far from God? Are you driving people of goodwill away from your life by your offensive behaviours?

THE REMEDY FOR UNCLEANESS

Call for help. Realize that you need help. Desire to be clean. Don't enjoy sin. Stop allowing yourself to be held down by your weakness. Don't be tired to bath. Don't allow cold make you afraid of being washed. Stop rolling yourself over and over in ruins.

Go for confession. Pay attention to the word of God and follow it to the latter. Prove to everyone around you that you stand for cleanness and be proud of it.

Pray against the filthy forces dragging your spiritual life to the mud. As Jesus assures you: I will, be clean make sure you reaffirm in return: I will be clean.

LET US PRAY

Thank you, God, for willing that we be clean and for availing us of the opportunity to be made clean by your word and the Sacraments. Give us your holy hands and take our unclean hands. Make us clean in and out through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday

Have a Clean Val.

(6th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Jesus heals a leper - a miracle – Historical articles and illustrationsHistorical articles and illustrations | Look and Learn

Reflection on the Gospel of Saturday Week 5 by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

HAND OVER YOUR LOAVES

(Mark 8:1-10)

Jesus feels with the hungry crowd in the desert. They have been with Him for three days and had nothing to eat. He never wanted to send them away so that they will not faint on the way. The disciples were wondering how Jesus was to concretize His compassion towards the crowd. They asked Him the possibility of feeding such a number of people in the desert.

He asked them how many loaves they had. It was seven loaves and a few small fish. Jesus asked them to hand it over to Him. He blessed them giving thanks, broke them and handed them back to be shared. The result was amazing. Great miracle followed.

What have you? How many loaves do you have? Give them all to Jesus. The Lord Jesus stretches out His hand for you to hand over your insufficiency, your lack, your little, whatever you have to Him. Hand over your family issues to Him. In the desert of your business, do a hand over. Hand over that your small money in your bank account to Jesus. Put it to good use and believe God to bless you. You've got to hand over your little salary to God. With it, God will help you in raising your children.

Wait a moment, in this desert of lack and poverty in the country, could it be that some people hand over their little to wrong hands? Have you wasted the little upon which God wants to build you up on frivolities? Hand it over to the only holy hand. The hand of God on whatever we do and whatever we need, whatever we have and whatever we will be makes a whole lot of difference.

May God bless your little effort, may He show compassion to us in our hunger for justice, for peace, for true love and for progress.

LET US PRAY

We hand over to you Oh Lord our nothingness, our littleness, our desert experiences and all our lacks. We transfer them all into your holy hands. Bless them, give them back to us in a more favourable and satisfied way. Do not allow us go starved of your goodness. May your love be with us as we place all our hope in you for if you send us away, we will have no place to go. Keep us safe in thy hands through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Saturday (5th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Wednesday of Trinity 7: What Was Jesus’ Yeast? - Gnostic America

Reflection on the Gospel of Friday Week 5 by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

EPHPHATHA

(Mark 7:31-37)

Today Jesus healed a deaf man who also had impediment in speech. When the man was brought to Jesus, He took him aside, He put His fingers into his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue and looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, 'Ephphatha', that is, "Be opened."

With the above words, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

Jesus has come to open our ears that we may hear his word. He opens our mouth to speak and testify to his goodness and love. He takes up our sighs. He comes to silence whatever force that has silenced us. He comes to open our ears to hear the Good News the enemy of our salvation does not want us to hear.

Let every closed thing in you be opened by the power of God's word.  Let us be opened to what God is doing in us. Let us be docile to divine will to lead us out of our miserable states. Let us invite Jesus to do well all that has been destroyed in our lives.

May we be opened to the inspiration of God and the auction of the Holy Spirit.

LET US PRAY

Come in Lord and open our ears to receive your word. Open our mouth to speak in testimony for the great things you do every day of our life. Take away our shame and give us authority and victory over our spiritual enemy. Command openness and opened doors in our lives through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Friday (5th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: LiturgyTools.net: Pictures for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Reflection on the Gospel of Thursday Week 5 by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

YOUR FAMILY DELIVERANCE

(Mark 7:24-30)

A woman, a non-Jew, a Syrophoenician by birth came to Jesus today, to plead for a divine inclusion, "ka Chukwu gunye ya, maka na Chukwu gunye ya, o nweghi onye ga agupu ya". She begs to be made worthy of God's deliverance and healing mercy. She begs to receive even little portion of what the children of God receive. She valued even what many who saw themselves as Children of God valued less. She saw in Christ what the Israelites were not seeing. She saw Christ as the solution to the troubles in her household.

She paid the price needed to attract Jesus Christ: Faith. She passed through the test of faith. She proved that she knew what she was asking. She was convinced that it is honourable to be a servant of God than to be under demonic chains. She drew the attention of Christ to her home.

Jesus made the spiritual journey into her family and found the child possessed by the demon. He did the exorcism without being physically present. He assured the woman of the wellbeing of the daughter. She went home and found her lying in bed, and the demon gone. Amazing!

Can we learn from this woman to draw the attention of Christ to our immediate families? A lot of us face serious family challenges. Let us begin a novena calling on God to deliver us, deliver our entire families.  We need divine deliverance upon the children in our families, the youths, the mothers, the fathers, the house helps and so on. Various demons of our time are in operation in our homes, causing lack of peace, mistrust, disobedience, laziness, cheating, weakness in prayers, sickness, all forms of manipulation and death.

Let us storm the heavens with tears, prayers and strong faith that God may heal and deliver us and keep our families safe from every evil.

As we pray to Christ today, let us hear these reassuring words from Him: 'You may go, the demons have left'.

May our families be charged with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

LET US PRAY

Deliver us O Lord from the evils and diabolic powers that threaten our homes. Make our homes abodes of the Holy Spirit. Expel any force manipulating us in any form.  Protect us from all unfavourable situations and strengthen our faith when the attacks come from any angle whatsoever. May your angels fight our seen and unseen battles. We ask these through Christ our Lord. Amen

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us.

God bless your Thursday (5th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Mark – Baptist Bible Graphics