May 1: Memorial of St Joseph the Worker (Workers’ Day)

MAY GOD BLESS ALL WORKERS

Dear friends in Christ, on this first day of May and the day the world honours workers, the Church presents us St Joseph as a model that should inspire all workers. St Joseph was a humble worker, a carpenter, who was chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of His Beloved Son Jesus.

God’s choice to enter into human history through the house of a simple, poor and humble worker demonstrates how God values everyone in their little works and it challenges us to recognize the dignity of work, even the poorest of all works, as well as the dignity of all workers, even those who do seemingly unimportant tasks. Let us remember that God can also choose to reveal himself to others from our humble homes and through the little work of our hands. Thus, we must do our works conscientiously, using them to serve both God and humanity. We should approach every work we do reverence and commitment, even if it is not seen or appreciated.

Work is not merely a means of earning a living, it is also a vocation, a means through which we collaborate or cooperate with God in the work of creation and of caring for the creatures of God. Contemplating Joseph as a model of workers is meant to enable all workers to grasp the meaning of human labour as a way of sharing in the creative power of God and cooperating in the building of a more just and Christian society. So, the church challenges us to use every work we do to assist in making the world a better place for everyone.

On this day also, the Church remembers all workers who work in inhuman conditions, workers whose rights, welfare and dignity are denied or not recognized by those who employed them. We pray that God will come to their aid and also touch the hearts of their employers to pay attention to their rights and welfare.

May God bless all workers and the work of their hands. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 

April 30: Feast of Our Lady, Mother of Africa

Theme: With Mary’s intercession, Christ’s intervention is assured.

Readings: Acts 1:12-14; Jn. 2:1-11

To overcome their present enormous problems, Africans need more than material aid from the continents that have continued to plunder their resources and render their continent poorer and poorer. The African continent needs a force that will wake up her people and their leaders from their slumber, so that they can rise to their challenges, reclaim their freedom from the plunderers of their resources, take their destiny in their own hands and reposition the course of their lives.

Aware of the enormity of the challenges facing the people of Africa in the realization of the continent they can be proud of and knowing that without Divine assistance, Africans cannot win their battles, the Church has entrusted the African continent to the Blessed Virgin to intercede for her children in the same manner she interceded for the couple of Cana when they were about to be overwhelmed and embarrassed by their own challenges, as today’s gospel tells us. With her intercession, the consciousness of Africans will be awakened, their initiatives divinely inspired, and their efforts gracefully amplified to surmount their challenges like men.

The Church urges Africans not to give up hope in their general and individual problems, but to turn to Mary in order to experience her maternal intercession and assistance in their daily lives, for under the intercessory power of Mary, Christ’s intervention is assured. We recall that despite the fact that Christ’s time had not yet come, He heeded the request of His mother and saved the couple of Cana from their shame. Jesus does not turn down the request of His mother.

Let us, therefore, take up our rosary, fall on our knees and pray, because with Mary’s intercession, Christ’s intervention is assured. May your Tuesday be fruitful. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 

Monday of 5^th Week of Easter: Reflection 

Reading: Jn. 14:21-26

There is on other way to tell Jesus that we love Him than to keep his words, and there is no better way to convince the world that we belong to Jesus than to live as he taught us to live. These facts are at the heart of the gospel of today.

In today’s gospel, Jesus told his disciples: “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me…if a man loves me, he will keep my word.”

Friends in Christ, what will convince the world that we are followers of Christ is not only the number of times we shout alleluia on the street, or how beautiful we dance awilo in churches, or the number of ministries or pilgrimage sites we visit, or the number of holy pictures we post online, or the sacramentals we hang on our necks and wrists, or the number of amen we post online. While these little gestures are important, they will fail to convince the world that we are Christians if our actions especially in our relationship with people do not reflect the teachings of Christ.

Dear friends, if we keep Christ’s words, we will not only convince the world that we belong to Jesus, we will also become the abode of Jesus and the Father, as Jesus promised us in today’s gospel. Consider what our lives will be like when we have the fullness of God’s presence in us.

The virginity and spiritual life of St Catherine of Siena, whose memorial the Church celebrates today, should inspire us to love and serve Jesus with everything in us.   

May God bless your new week. Amen.

Fr Isaac Chima

 

5^th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Christ: the best connection for bearing good fruits

Reading: Acts 9:26-31; 1Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8

The Church has two important questions for us this Sunday. The first is: “do you want your life to bear fruits of love, peace, forgiveness, charity, kindness, holiness and mercy?” Then, the second is: “do you want your family to be the abode of love, peace, and harmony?” If the answer is yes, then, the Church would like to show you the origin of these wonderful fruits that could turn homes and lives into a paradise.

In the readings of today, the Church showed us that the origin or the source of these fruits is Jesus, and that these fruits can only be nurtured when we abide in Him, that is, when we live our lives in communion with Him.

One of the problems of our world is that many people who want their lives or families to reflect the fruits of love, peace, harmony, charity, kindness, holiness and mercy seek these fruits from the wrong places/sources; they search for them from sources devoid of the values of Jesus, sources that do not draw their strength and inspiration from Jesus, sources that have cut themselves off from Jesus. These sources include social media influencers, pop stars, and other celebrities. This could explain why many relationships, families and communities are constantly soaked in disagreement, quarrels, hatred, wicked acts, envy, intolerance, immorality, greed, revenge and anger.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches, and that just as the branch of the vine cannot bear fruits by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can we bear fruit unless we abide in Him. He said if we cut off from him, we can do nothing, we can bear no fruit.

Therefore, dear friends, only the communities and families that are connected to Jesus and his teachings can bear fruits of love, peace, and unity. It is only the life that is connected to Jesus that can reflect the fruits of love, kindness, mercy, humility, goodness and self-control. When families and communities are disconnected from Christ, their relationships will be tainted by quarrels, hatred, wickedness, revenge, lack of trust, crisis, injustice and oppression, and intolerance. When individual lives are disconnected/detached from Christ and his teachings, envy, anger, hatred, lust, arrogance, thirst for evil, and frustration will set in. 

Many people in our world have lost this connection to Jesus, because they think they can move on without Jesus in their lives, and that is why there is high rate of frustration, intolerance, homicide, suicide, revenge and war in our world. Many families have lost this connection to Christ, and that is why many families no longer withstand crisis. Many young boys and girls have lost this connection to Christ, they have rather firmly connected themselves to hip hop stars, social media influencers, and other celebrities both online and offline, learning how to live their lives from them. This explains why many young people suffer instability in relationships; their loss of connection from the source of the values that sustain relationships, which is Christ, is the root of their woes. Christ is the source of the values of tolerance, sacrificial love, understanding and forgiveness which help relationships to thrive.  

In today’s second reading, John explains that it is only when we remain united with Christ by putting our Faith in him and drawing our spiritual strength from him that we will be able to obey God’s commandments, especially the commandment of love, loving one another as Jesus commanded us.

The first reading told us what became of the life of Saul after he connected himself to Christ. Before he met Jesus, the life of Saul was that of killing and persecuting of Christians. But when he met Jesus, and became part of the branches of Jesus, his life began to bear the fruits of love and testimony for the risen Christ.

Believe me, dearest friends, it is very difficult to live a life that is full of joy, happiness, peace, love, patience, kindness, humility, goodness, hope and self-control without the presence of Christ and the guidance of his teachings, that is to say, without this connection to Christ. It is absolutely difficult to conquer envy, anger, hatred, lust, arrogance, thirst for evil, pretence and frustration, unnecessary disagreement and quarrels without the grace of Christ and the guidance or inspiration of his teachings.

Let us abide in Christ so that our lives will continue to bear good fruits.

Fr Isaac Chima

 

5^th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Homily by Fr Justin Adiele

THEME: “ABIDE IN ME”

INTRODUCTION:

Last Sunday we talked about the role and character of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and our ability to also be like him. By his name, by his love and by his sacrifice, we too can afford to lead others in the right path that leads to life and not to destruction. Today, we explore Jesus as the True Vine and we the branches; and we must of necessity abide in Him to be fruitful and productive both physically and spiritually.

THE FIRST READING (ACTS. 9: 26 – 31)

Cut off or away from Christ, you may be doing harm, thinking that you are doing good. St. Paul before his conversion thought he was rendering service to God and country by killing and arresting believers in Christ; bearing the fruit of destruction. But when he became a Christian, he started building up the body of Jesus Christ through his missionary journeys; bearing the fruit of multiplication and peace. Paul became an example those who abide in Christ Jesus; who found the grace of repentance and turn around; and who never lacked the zeal, the courage, the grace, wisdom and strength to minister/testify for Christ; bearing the fruits of increase and spread of the faith among the gentile world.

THE SECOND READING (1 JN. 3: 18 – 24)

In the second reading, St. John tells us quite clearly the perfect and simple way to abide in Jesus Christ; and that is, “to believe in him, to keep his commandments and to love one another.” Only when we are ruled by faith, by God’s just commandments, and driven by love that we can actually bear the fruits of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; and bear fruits of charity, piety, justice and holiness.

THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 15: 1 – 8)

In the gospel reading, Jesus was very specific and particular about abiding in him in order to bear more fruits; and apart from him we can do nothing. This passage teaches us never to cut or block our link/channel with Jesus every day of our lives. What then is your link/channel/connection with Jesus? Our sure link/connection with Jesus remains prayer and sacraments and his holy words which guide us in the path of life eternal.

CONCLUSION

Jesus has invited us to abide in Him. He has a large heart and space to accommodate all his disciples. Abide in his Word; abide in his love; abide in his Commandments; abide in his Eucharist; abide in his Church and you would have the enabling grace to bear the fruits of faith and good works which expresses itself in the increase/multiplication of believers around you. May Jesus also abide in us as he promised through the Eucharist and through the Holy Spirit, and continue to inspire us to bear the fruits of our salvation and the salvation of the whole world!

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

 

5^th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

THEME: THE SECRET OF BEARING MUCH FRUIT

(John 15:1-8)

Jesus in the Gospel of today discloses to us our relationship with Him. He   reveals to us the bond we should have with Him. He talks of the divine interconnectedness that should exist between Him and men. He invites us to inseparable rapport with Him. He calls us to get intertwined with Him. This Holy Union is indeed not a mere act but a productive one that results in the manifestation of the will of God in us. Through it, we enter into God, and He, in return, enters into us. Let us know the will of God for us.

 

REMAIN WITH CHRIST THE TRUE VINE

Jesus calls Himself our true vine.  He wants to be our source of joy. He wants us to derive our lives from Him. He wants us to be true branches, not weeds, not camouflage leaves. He wants us to produce what He gives us.

He insists we should remain in Him, for if not, we will do nothing. We will not achieve much. Our country is unable to achieve much since independence because we have not held fast to godly principles. We have not maintained fairness, justice, truth, success by merit, encouragement of hard work, etc. We say much and do less, that is why we are not producing much. We have a lot of letters of the law that are positive, but none is put into practice. Once the source of goodness is not tenaciously held unto, a lot will fall apart. We find it difficult to remain. That's a big problem.

Politician do not remain with their true words that endeared them to the people. They say one thing today and do another tomorrow. They promise to serve for a tenure and stay for tenures. 

Couples do not remain in their marriage. They say, 'I do' today, and tomorrow, they are not doing what they vowed. This affects their fruitfulness.

Students do not remain studious. They disconnect from seriousness with their studies and start pursuing ephemerals. 

Ministers at different levels abandon the True Vine and start plugging themselves here and there for power, wealth, and everything that has no connection with their calling. Thus, they leave the fruits they are called to bear to bear something else. For you to bear fruits, you must blend with Christ. He wants the best for you. Therefore, He decorates you.

 

BE DRESSED BY GOD

Jesus connects with His Father, and for that, He succeeded. The fruit of salvation came to us through Him because He was able to remain One with His Father even when all seemed to be dry and fruitless. To be fruitful, Jesus invites us to subject ourselves to the pruning work of God. He wants us to be open to dressing. He addressed the Father as the Vinedresser. 

 

The vinedresser does two jobs. He eliminates the branches that have refused to produce. He equally helps those making efforts to do better.  In your little effort to bear fruit, accept the grace of God together with discipline He gives you. Welcome the chiselling, the beating into shape, the corrections, and the directions.

 

IT SHALL BE WELL WITH YOU

You will never remain the same after abiding in Christ, and Christ abides in you. You will certainly bear good fruits. The Lord says that whatever you ask shall be granted. What are the withered or withering areas of your life? Why are they withering? You may have disconnected from the Divine, the true vine.  Connect back in prayers, in good works, in fidelity, in holiness, and in sincerity. Do all in the name of Christ. Remain with God in your thoughts, words, and deeds. Seek the will of God and the face of God in all your endeavours, and you will certainly see a difference in your life.

 

PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS FOR ABUNDANT FRUITS

May you be fruitful in your spiritual life.

May you be fruitful in your marital life. May you be fruitful in your business. May you be fruitful in your academics. May you be fruitful in governance. May you be fruitful in administration. May you be fruitful in your pastoral life. May you bear abundant fruit in your vocation. May you bear sweet fruits to people around you. May you taste sweet to God and to men. May nothing separate you from the love of God. May you not be barren. May you be a fertile vine with pleasant aroma and be beautiful to behold. May every evil plan to disconnect you from the Divine never see the light of the day through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (Easter, Week 5)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

Friday of 4^th Week of Easter: Reflection

Theme: DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED

Reading: Jn. 14:1-6

Aware that the world is full of obstacles, trials, tribulations, hardships and other things that could make the hearts of those who believe in Him to grow faint, Jesus spoke these words of assurance and hope to His disciples in today’s gospel. He said to them: “do not let your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.”

We should note that Jesus never promised his followers that their lives will be trouble-free, nor did he want them to believe that the presence of troubles in their lives meant that God had turned His back on them, as some ‘men of God’ would have them believe. Remember, Jesus even told His disciples that in this world, they will have troubles (Jn. 16:33).

Dear friends, today’s first reading tells us that even in the midst of the troubles that will come our way, we should not allow our hearts to be troubled, because Jesus will be there for us to help us navigate our way through, for He is the way, the truth and the life; he will carry us on the palms of his hands so that our troubles will not defeat us; he will be there to supply us with abundant grace so that our enemies will not have the last laugh in our lives.

Whatever be the situation that is causing you tears and sleepless nights, don’t let your hearts be weighed down by it. Hand it over to Jesus and believe in Him, He will not let you down.

May God be by your side to help you deal with every difficult situation this Friday. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 

Feast of St Mark the Evangelist: Reflection

THEME: CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETIES ON CHRIST, FOR HE CARES ABOUT YOU.

Reading: 1Peter 5:5b-14

The devil, our enemy, who mounted obstacles on the way of St Mark and the other disciples of Jesus in their missionary works, still prowls around like a roaring lion in our own time, looking for someone to confuse, mislead, exploit, and devour. The first reading for today encourages us to be alert and always resist him, standing strong in faith (1Pet 5:8-9), as St Mark and the other disciples did.

Most times, when a person stands strong against the lure of the devil and holds firm his faith in Christ, the devil retaliates aggressively, bringing all sorts of troubles and hardships upon the person to weigh him down, as it happened to Job and the disciples of Christ. Today’s first reading advises that in such moments of untold problems or hardships, we should cast our worries and anxieties on Christ, because He cares for us (1Pet. 5:7). It assures us that the God of grace will restore us, establish and strengthen us after any suffering caused by such problems or hardships (1Peter 5:11)

So, dear friends, no matter how tough the circumstances surrounding are, submit them to Jesus, for He cares about you. And when these circumstances get more difficult despite having been entrusted to Jesus, hold your head high, for at such moment, your redeemer is closer to restore you.

May God’s angels stand by your side to defend you against the attacks of the enemy this Thursday. Amen.  

St Mark, pray for us

Fr Isaac Chima

 

 

 

Wednesday of 4^th Week of Easter: Reflection

THEME: BEGIN EVERY ACTIVITY WITH PRAYER

Reading: Acts 12:24-13:5a

Dear friends in Christ, the first reading of today reminds me of one beautiful song that goes this way: “Prayer is the key (2x), Prayer is the master key. Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer. Prayer is the master key.”

In this reading, Barnabas and Paul were about to be sent out for missionary work. Before sending them, the disciples prayed and fasted and, at the end, they laid hands on them and sent them forth. They did all these because they understood that without God, they can do nothing; but, with God on their side, every obstacle will be surmounted. The success of Paul’s mission in the gentile world testifies to the impact of that prayer of commission.

Dear friends, one of the mistakes we make every day is thinking that we can carry on alone without divine assistance. There is always the temptation to think that with our human connections, resources and other materials assistance well placed, we can achieve anything. But then, when we realize that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12), we will understand why many people who had all material resources at their disposal could not reach the peak they desired.

Today’s first reading, therefore, invites us to begin every activity and each day by calling on the name of God, asking Him to take control, to fight our battles, to amplify our natural abilities with His grace and to bless our efforts with success.

I pray that your efforts this Wednesday be crowned with success. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 

Tuesday of 4^th Week of Easter: Reflection

Theme: A CHALLENGE TO ALL CHRISTIANS

Reading: Acts 11:19-26

Dear friends, today’s first reading throws a big challenge to all Christians. What could this challenge be? Let us find out.

The disciples of Jesus made their way into Antioch and started doing what they were best known for: spreading the good news of Christ's resurrection, calling people to repentance, and leading a life marked by love, communal sharing, peace, and harmony. Everyone who came into contact with them admired how they handled their affairs. The residents of Antioch, their host city, couldn't help but admire this wonderful group, and they exclaimed that they must be Christians - the followers of Christ.

Now, the question or, rather, challenge for the Christians of the present world is: can someone look at you and identify you as a Christian based on how you speak, work, act and the principles you uphold? If this is not possible, then, you need to retrace your steps to rediscover what it really means to be a Christian.

Secondly, can someone look at how our Christian groups or communities conduct themselves: how they treat their members, aid those in need, settle their differences, organize their activities, and so on, and say that our Christian communities are indeed communities influenced by Christ? If this is not possible, then, we have missed the mark. Let us, therefore, take a deep breath and examine ourselves.

May the angels of God march before you as you step out for the business of this Tuesday.  Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 

IS THIS A JOKE OR AN INSULT?

 

APC and their lying machines will not cease insulting us. Obviously, they are calling us fools.

Let us illustrate what they mean with a short story.

A friend of mine has a son whom he wants to excel academically. To achieve this dream, he hired a private tutor for his son. After the first term, his son took the 30^th position in a class of 120 pupils. Since 30^th position is far from being the best, he fired the tutor and got another one who promised to take his son to the first position. The slogan of the new tutor was ‘CHANGE’.

After the 2nd term, his son could not even retain his previous poor position, he rather moved 20 steps backward and took the 50^th position out of 120.

Out of anger, my friend fired the second tutor and hired another one, who promised to help in bringing out the best in his son, with the slogan of RENEWED HOPE as his mantra.

After a term with the newest tutor, the son got the poorest of results; he took the 107^th position out of 120. My friend was enraged and threatened to fire the tutor, but he (the tutor) promised to help the poor son bounce back, blaming his teachers and other factors for the poor result.

A term after, his son moved from 107^th to 100^th position. Another term, he moved from 100^th to 95^th position. Then, another term, he moved from 95 to 91, and from 91 to 89 in another term.

Then, one day, the new tutor went to my friend and told him that his son has become the hottest brain and the best performing student in his class because he has moved from 107 to 89. 

If you are this my friend, what will you tell the private tutor?

This is how I see the narrative from the CBN boss when he said, ‘Naira is the best-performing currency in the world’.

Fr Isaac Chima

 

Monday of 4^th Week of Easter: Reflection

Theme: SAY NO TO DISCRIMINATION

Reading: Acts 11:1-18

 

One of the important lessons from today's first reading is that all of us who lay claims on Jesus as our Lord and Saviour should say no to the vice called discrimination in all its manifestation, be it because of tribe, religion, culture, language, colour, social/financial status, etc.

To get Peter to grasp this lesson, a vision was shown to him in this reading and God instructed him that what He has cleansed must not be called unclean, because at the heart of every discrimination is the feeling of superiority over others.

Discrimination is one of the factors undermining our beloved country right now. It is a tool our politicians frequently use to divide, manipulate and rule us, holding us captive. After squandering our resources for four or eight years and having nothing good in their records to convince us to vote for them again, they quickly pitch us against ourselves by playing the card of discrimination based on religion or tribe in order to gain our support and sympathy, and many people blindly fall for it.

Discrimination based on caste systems has also deprived many people the good relationship they should enjoy with others, especially in the case of marriage.

Dear friends, by His death, Christ has destroyed the barriers that separated all peoples, freed us from slavery to evil cultures and, then, united us in love, peace and harmony. Thus, whoever is erecting new walls of discrimination/separation is working against the spirit of Christ, and enslaving himself/herself once again. Let us, therefore, eschew all forms of discrimination.

May God bless your activities this new week. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima  

https://chimaisaac.medium.com/monday-of-5th-week-of-easter-reflection-f4eaa6706883

 

4^TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YR. B (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY): HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “YOU TOO CAN BE A GOOD SHEPHERD”

INTRODUCTION:

Today is the fourth Sunday of Easter, otherwise called “Good Shepherd Sunday”. Today, we remember and extol Christ the Good Shepherd of our souls and bodies, who never wished for any of his sheep to go astray, who has always led the way for his sheep to follow, and who certainly died for the safety and the life of his Sheep. The celebration of today is meant to elicit special love and care from us towards all those placed under our care by being like him; Christ our Good Shepherd.

 

THE FIRST READING (ACTS. 4: 8 – 12)

In the first reading, St. Peter made us understand that Jesus did not only come as our Good Shepherd to heal, save and deliver us; but even after his death and resurrection, by his name we are still healed and saved today like the cripple at the beautiful gate. Hence, we cannot continue to live in opposition and in denial of that name Jesus. By him, any fallen sheep would rise and stand again; and by his name, any lost sheep would be found again.

 

THE SECOND READING (1 JN. 3: 1 – 2)

In the second reading, St. John expounds the special character of Christ the Good Shepherd. He talked about the great love our Good Shepherd has for us that we should be called not even his sheep, but his children and his friends. Christ our Shepherd treats us like his children and really wants us to be like him. He teaches and empowers us to be like him; to have his spirit, his wisdom, his gifts, his powers and his virtues. And his apostles and disciples followed suite and became like him, good shepherds of souls and bodies as well.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 10: 11 – 18)

The gospel reading summarized some of the sublime characters of Jesus our Good Shepherd; as one who never lets go of the sheep; one who cares for the life and safety of the sheep; as one who lays down his life for the sheep; and as one who guides, leads and defends the sheep not for any ransom/pay, but for love of the sheep. St. John painted a beautiful picture of Jesus the Good shepherd who is not ready to lose any one of his sheep to any destructive aggressor or intruder. Jesus our Good shepherd till tomorrow, has already instituted contingent measures to safeguard his sheep from the destructive aggression and intrusion of sin through the sacraments of His Church.

 

CONCLUSION:

Pope John XXIII, when he was still a Cardinal (Cardinal Roncalli), played a beautiful role of a good shepherd to one of his derailing priest in Venice. One of his priests became an alcoholic and would spend every evening at the bars drinking. When the Cardinal heard about him, one evening, the Cardinal went to the bar and asked for the priest. People gathered to see what the Cardinal was doing in front of a bar. To his shock, the priest was informed that his cardinal was waiting for him outside the bar. The priest came out expecting to be scolded, sanctioned, suspended or fired. Instead, the Cardinal said to him; “Father, you are a priest, and I want to make my confession to you.” And so he took him aside and made his confessions, and the priest absolved his Cardinal. Cardinal Roncalli then said to him; “Remember, this is what you are a priest for. This is the power God has given you”. And from that moment, the priest gave up his habit of drinking. He realized how much God loves and cares for him. You too can be a good shepherd for someone going astray; you too can also love and care for others like Jesus the Good Shepherd. Yes we have seen how God operates; and we can and shall be like Him as John decreed in the second reading of today!

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

 

4th Sunday of Easter, Yr. B (Good Shepherd Sunday): Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Shepherds after the mind of Christ

Readings: Acts 4:8-12; 1Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18

Dear friends in Christ, today, the fourth Sunday of Easter, is called the Good Shepherd Sunday. The opening sentence of the Gospel of today points to this fact. Jesus is the Good Shepherd of our lives. He knows us profoundly and lays down His life for our salvation. Also, on this Sunday, the Church invites us to pray for vocations in our world: vocations to the priesthood, to the family life and to all good services to humanity.

By their vocations, bishops, priests, religious men and women are shepherds in our Christian communities. They take care of the spiritual and moral needs of the flock of God. By their offices, government officials are shepherds in our states and communities too; they care for our material needs and organize the political, economic, and social courses of our lives. Hence, it may not be wrong if someone says that the homily of today should be preached to these people listed here, including myself as a priest and a shepherd.

However, each one of us, as Christians, is a shepherd according to different degrees of assignments, services and relationships. Parents are shepherds in their families to their children and others who depend on them. Elder brothers and sisters are shepherds to their younger ones. Uncles and aunts are shepherd to their nephews and nieces. Medical doctors and nurses are shepherds to their sick patients. Professors and teachers are shepherds to their students. Businessmen and women and those who work in private offices are shepherds to their customers and other workers or employees. In fact, dear friends, we are all shepherds and sheep at the same time. So, the homily of today about the good shepherd touches all of us.

The gospel of today outlined the essential qualities of a good shepherd, which are already known to us. A good shepherd loves, cares and sacrifices himself (lays down his life) for the good of his flock. The first reading of today gave us a vivid demonstration of the power of the risen Christ, who is our shepherd. As a good shepherd, Jesus laid down his life for his sheep on the cross on Good Friday, and on Easter Sunday, He took it up again by rising from the dead. In the story of the first reading, through the power of His name, one of the sheep of His flock regained freedom and healing from sickness. Peter testified that it was in the name of Jesus that the crippled man was healed. He is the stone that the builders rejected, which has become the corner stone. There is no salvation anywhere else except in Him. There is no other name under the earth that can save us if not the name of Jesus.

Jesus is the shepherd that leads us from sickness to good health; He always wants to free us of anything that deprives us of the joy of our life. Therefore, dear friends, are you sick? Are you in a difficult moment? Be calm and open yourself to Jesus. He is the shepherd who will not abandon you to the power of sickness and difficulties. A good shepherd takes care of his sheep. He does not abandon them to be devoured or scattered by wolves, sicknesses, and worries.

Another quality worth noting in the gospel of today says: “the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. To underline the seriousness of this particular quality in the life of every shepherd, Jesus mentioned ‘laying down His life for His sheep’ five times in the Gospel of today. What does laying down one’s life for the good of the flock mean for a shepherd? The answer is boldly written in the life of Jesus. It means sacrificing of joy and comfort for the good of the flock; it means placing the good of the flock first in everything.

Parents who lay down their lives for their children are those who take care of the spiritual, moral and material needs of their children. They are those who will not allow their children to be lost to the influence of bad friends, they are always guarding them from physical, moral and spiritual dangers. They are those who will pass on good behaviors to their children, those who will be good role models to their children. Are you a role model to your children?

Medical doctors and nurses who lay down their lives for their flock are those who are patient with their sick patients, those who treat the sick with care, love, passion, sympathy and attention. Politicians and public office holders who lay down their lives for others are those who say no to corruption, those who treat their position with justice, transparency, sincerity, and integrity. They are those who represent the interest of the people they serve.  Businessmen and women who lay down their lives for others are those who treat their customers with love, dedication, and attention; they are those who do not cheat their customers, those who give to their employees what is due to them and place the interests of these employees first in everything. Teachers and professors who lay down their life for others are those whose sacrifice their comforts and joy for the good of their students, those to whom the good future of the students is not negotiable. Priests who lay down their lives for the flock of God are those who do not feed on the people, but love and treat them as Jesus willed.    

Dearest shepherds, let us ask the good Lord to help us to fulfil our roles as leaders and guardians of the sheep of God’s pasture. Let us be worthy role models to all those entrusted to us.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 

4^th Sunday of Easter, Yr. B (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY): Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh  

THEME: URGENT NEED FOR GOOD SHEPHERDS

(John 10:11-18)

In the face of insecurity, hopelessness, aridity, uncertainties, and fears; fears of the known and the unknown, of the armed, of the forces seen and unseen, of bandits, of kidnappers, of principalities and powers, of 'chi boo anu ozo', we really need a shepherd.

We are called to be good shepherds at different levels. We are suffering today because those who were supposed to shepherd us failed us. We need good shepherds in the homes, in the Church, in our various religions, in politics and governance. We need good shepherds now and always. In Christ, we have the good Shepherd. He gives us the LCM of being good shepherds and good sheep.

SELFLESSNESS

Jesus says that the good Shepherd lays down his life. He gave us an example of this on the cross. How ready are you to lay down your life, to sacrifice, to suffer for the good of those entrusted to your care?

We have among us leaders who do not care about the plight of their people. We have leaders who are serving their personal interests and the interests of the enemies of their people. We have leaders who care only about what they will gain and how to hold their staff firm for years of futility. The Good Shepherd, according to the definition of Christ, thinks of giving his life in exchange for his sheep. He wants to lose for the good of his sheep. He gives his all: his time, talents, and treasure. He gives up his pride, he makes himself available, and he is responsive and responsible.

HE IS NOT A WOLF

The Good Shepherd chases away the wolves that come to scatter and kill the sheep. But the bad one flees because he is hired. He doesn't care for the sheep. The health of the sheep doesn't matter to him. He will run away to another country when pandemics and epidemics strike, leaving the sheep to perish. He will take his family abroad when insecurity caused by his insensitivity hits the nation. He condones external aggressors who come to feed on his people with insurgency and hidden evil agenda. He, in short, befriends the wolves and becomes a wolf to His sheep. But a Good Shepherd drives far away whatever force that threatens the life and well-being of his sheep. He becomes a sheep and smells like the sheep.

HE KNOWS THE SHEEP AND THEY KNOW HIM

There used to be a time when people and pupils took time to know the names and positions of their leaders as part of current affairs.

But today, we do not know our shepherds because they don't care about us. They are very far from us. They prefer to shepherd us from abroad. They shepherd us from TV, and their live broadcasts are not even life enough. They read to us what has been written long ago that has nothing to do with our present situations.  They do not know how bad our roads are. They do not allow us to see them. They are in their tinted cars. They use jets. What we endure is none of their problem. They do not listen to us. It is sad.

Do you know your sheep as a shepherd? Do you know your children as the Shepherd of your family? Do you really know what they do? Do you have time for them? 'Onye no mmadu nso na anu ishi onu ya' (you know someone better when you draw closer to him) when do you come back to your home? When the children return for holidays, do you give them time or send them off for holiday lessons without parental attention? Know your sheep dad and mum.

Church leaders, do you know the faithful entrusted to your care? Do you give them the required pastoral attention? That world 'shepherd' is the root of 'pastor' and involves pasturing. Do you know the pastoral needs of your flock? Do you give them the real word of God? Do you make yourself available for them to guide, counsel, and direct them?  Do you have any special options for the poor and needy, the marginalized, the vulnerable, and the sick among them?  We need more of good pastors than milkers and milking machines.

CARE FOR THE OTHER SHEEP

There must be other sheep. Jesus affirms in the Gospel: "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold."

I want to understand this as 'emenyere nwa Ogwugwu, E menyere nwa Anosike...'(Inclusiveness, fairness, justice), E nye ndi ebe a enye ndi ebea (equal distribution). A good leader must be outreaching. He must have an open hand and open heart. A good leader is not supposed to be partial, racial, or discriminatory. He should be Catholic, universal. He should have an open door policy that incorporates everyone. He should carry everyone along.

This is the problem we are facing in our country, Nigeria, and in some other countries. Everything is one-sided. The high rate of marginalization results in the anarchy and chaos we face. Bad leadership is a disease. 

Let us always think of the other sheep: the children of your neighbour, other states apart from yours, other religions outside your own, other political zones, other parties, other denominations, and other XYZ. It is a divine mandate to carry all along.

ARISE SHEPHERDS

Let all the Shepherds rise up to their responsibilities. Pastors should be good enough to speak with courage, the truth, and nothing but the truth to their sheep that the enemy is scattering. Let love for money, not silence the voice of reasoning and of righteousness. Let fear of death never put off the passion to save our people from perishing. Let intimidations not make us to be shortchanged. Let's stand up with our staff to defend our people, encourage their good efforts, and motivate them to be good all the time.

Our political leaders should accept that they have failed us totally. Let them rise and remedy the remediable because the wolves are now in our midst, ready to claw and crush. Let them speak with love, passion, and affection to our people, retrace their steps, and start shepherding us well. Let them lead us well, govern us well, and police well too in the words of African China, the singer.

Let our people change and become good followers. Let us be disposed to allow peace. Let us prepare to fight evil as a people. Let us listen to our good shepherds and flee from bad ones who are as good as wolves.

Let us all at our different levels and in various capacities promote Vocation to the priesthood, to good leadership in the world and be all led into heaven at last.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

We need good shepherds urgently, Lord. Do not leave us without them. Forgive us for failing to follow the paths and teachings of Christ the Good Shepherd par excellence. Bless us with visionary leaders. Protect us and keep us safe with Your strong holy hands through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Good Shepherd Sunday to you (Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

3^RD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B: HOMILY BY REV. FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “EMBRACING CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE”

INTRODUCTION:

An advocate is one who comes to intercede and preach for our good. Jesus came and preached and advocated for our good; he advocated for love, peace, unity, forgiveness, equality, justice and righteousness amongst men. He was an advocate for the sick, the poor, the widow, the orphan, the needy and the less privileged. Unfortunately, along the line, He was rejected, denied, and crucified. After his resurrection, the Apostles witness about him today, to help us accept, acknowledge, embrace and exalt Christ our advocate in our lives every day.

 

THE FIRST READING (ACTS. 3: 13 – 15. 17 – 19)

In the first reading, St. Peter pointed out the mistake and error the Jews committed in the past by denying, delivering and crucifying Jesus Christ the righteous one, our advocate, and rather accepted and embraced a murderer. They rejected, denied and killed the author of life whom God raised from the dead on the third day. St. Peter calls them today to retract from their erroneous steps, repent and accept the anointed of God, Christ our advocate; and chose the life giver and life saver over a murderer.

 

THE SECOND READING (1 JN. 2: 1 – 5)

In the second reading, St. John once more reminds us about the benefits of embracing Christ our advocate. Jesus Christ the righteous one is the expiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world. We must choose to love him and obey his commandments so that He would continue to intercede and advocate for us before the Father.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (LK. 24: 35 – 48)

In the gospel reading, Christ our advocate continued to appear before his apostles in the breaking of bread, in their communion worship and gathering, to strengthen their peace, their joy, their faith, and their confidence to witness and preach about the risen Christ to all nations. When we faithfully gather in love and true communion, when we embrace the way of Christ like the apostles, He will continue to appear in our feast and in our midst to advocate for our peace, good and progress.

 

CONCLUSION:

Brethren, we are lucky to have Christ the special and senior/superior advocate on our side even though we cannot afford his price. We pray that as we accept to embrace, honor and exalt Him in our lives, He may also continue to appear in our case, in our families, in our homes, and in our workplaces like He appeared to the Apostles, and strengthen our joy, our health, our love, our unity, our faith and strengthen our resolve to serve him and our neighbors. May Christ continue to expiate for our sins and fill us with the Holy Spirit our helper, so that we may totally desist from denying and rejecting Christ our advocate!

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

https://chimaisaac.medium.com/3rd-sunday-of-easter-year-b-homily-by-fr-justin-adiele-7725fb8ea5fd

 

3^rd Sunday of Easter, Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: You are my witnesses

Readings: Acts 3:13-15,17-19; 1Jn 2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48

Dear brothers and sisters, our Lord Jesus has resurrected and has continued to appear to His disciples. The Gospel of last Sunday told us that he appeared to the disciples, gave them the message of peace and made them messengers of forgiveness and mercy. Today, we have another story of His appearance to His disciples. After giving them the greeting of peace, he spent time discussing and eating with them. At the end of His stay with them, He gave them a mission to be His witnesses to the world. The gospel of today ended with this beautiful verse: ‘you are witnesses to these things.’

In the first reading, we saw the mission of witnessing to Christ in action in the life of Peter. Peter did not forget to tell the crowd that he and the other disciples of Christ are witnesses to the great events of the life of Jesus. He said: ‘to this we are witnesses.’ As Christians, we have also received the same mandate to witness to Jesus through our baptism. Jesus has mandated us to go and tell our friends and the whole world that he has risen from the dead. He has commissioned us to tell our friends of the goodness of his name. He has sent us to tell our friends that to follow Him is the best of all choices. But then, how can we do all these if our lives do not show that Jesus is the Lord? How can we reflect the light of Christ if our lives still bear traces of darkness? How can we witness to the light if our life is still the abode of darkness?  What, then, are the best ways to fulfil this task of being witnesses to Christ? 

Dear friends, the first step towards witnessing to the risen Christ is by repenting of our sins. The reason for this is very simple. It is this: If your actions contradict what your mouth says, you are not a true witness. To convincingly witness to Christ, our actions and our words must be saying the same thing. In fact, friends, the best witness to Christ is through our actions, through our behaviours, both in the church and in the society. This was the lesson of the second reading of today. It says: “and by this we may be sure that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know him’ but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected.” We cannot be Christ’s witnesses if we disobey his commandments.

Hence, the big task for all of us who have received the mandate to witness to Christ is to know the extent the resurrection of Christ has influenced our lives; to know if the resurrection of Christ has changed us personally or whether we are still living our old life. Let us change any behavior in us that does not reflect the power of Christ’s resurrection. Let us repent of our own sins so that we can invite others to repent.

Another step towards witnessing to Christ is by being courageous. The courage of Peter and the other apostles in their mission should be our model. In the first reading, Peter stood up before the very people who condemned and killed Jesus and told them their sins to their faces. He told them of the wrong choice they made by requesting that a criminal be released, and that Jesus be crucified. This is the courage of a true witness to Christ. This is the courage that we need before our friends and the entire community if we want to be true witnesses. Most of the times we are afraid of being criticized, of being insulted, of losing our friends and acquaintances, and then, we prefer to close our mouths when we face occasions to defend our faith.

Friends, we must be ready to suffer criticisms and insults if we want to be true witnesses of Christ. Let us imitate the courage of Peter and the other apostles. With prudence and courage, let us go out and win our friends for Christ, this is the mission handed to us by the Risen Christ.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 

3^RD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YR, B: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: SEE MY HANDS AND MY FEET

(Luke 24:35-48)

Jesus continues to appear and reappear after His resurrection. He comes to make us see Him. He comes to make us feel Him. He wants to stay with us. He wants to communicate with us. He wants to commune with us.  He wants us to experience Him in reality. He wants us to live beyond theories and hearsays.

The Gospel of today is a follow-up from the Emmaus story. The two disciples told the story of the event on the road and how they knew Jesus during the breaking of the bread. The other disciples may have doubted. Jesus came in and authenticated the message of the two. He came to bear witness to the witness they were bearing about Him. He came to give them reasons to move on. He came to show them His Hands and Feet. He shows how ready He is to help us.

AKACHI: THE HANDS OF GOD

Jesus has got a mark in His hands with which He is to be known. They became marks of recognition (ahumarachi), God's mark, and divine imprint.

Let us reflect a little on the hand of God. This is the hand with which man was formed out of clay. This is the hand that took up the cross. This is the hand that received the nails drilled with the hammer.

It is the hand that indicates divine presence. When one is called, he answers by raising his hands. Jesus raised His hands today and showed it to the disciples. He means to say: It is I. I am present. I am living. I live for you. Take my hand and give me yours. Let me create you anew. By the power of my hand, I will make out something new in you.

AKARAKA (Divine Destiny)

Jesus shows the disciples that it is in his hands to save. It is in His destiny to suffer and die. It is a divine mandate. It is what he received from God (Onatarachi ya). He bore witness (aka ebe) with His life to God. He is pierced that He may make our own akaraka to shine in Him (ka anyi chakee).It is in Christ's destiny to change our own destiny for good. Look at your hands. Whose marks do you bear? Do you have the marks of righteousness, of peace, and of love? May God make all He has deposited in you to shine. Your destiny will never be denied even after many delays and nailing.

 

ENYEMAKA (DIVINE ASSISTANCE/ SANCTIFYING GRACE)

The Igbo Catechism 'nke abuo' defines Sanctifying Grace as: Aka Chineke tiirim, I ji mara ihe oma, meekwa ihe oma (God's hand on me, the divine assistance helping me to know and do good). Enyemaka in Igbo will mean literally (give hand, I give my hand).

Jesus gives us his helping hands today. He knows we can't do without it. Let us in humility and holiness receive those hands. These hands are capable of lifting us up, saving us from drowning, carrying us to God and away from evil, catapulting us to our destiny, feeding us and indeed handling the troubles troubling us spiritually and otherwise.

AKA DI OCHA (Clean Hands)

The hands shown to the apostles today are pure, and they purify. Jesus shows us these hands that we may learn from Him to keep our hands clean. Not to put our hands in things that dishonour God. He challenges us to keep our hands clean even when we bear the marks of hatred, injustice, bitterness, accusations, etc. Don't drive nails into people's hands again. Don't destroy the people placed in your hands. Handle the responsibilities given to you by God well. God will bless the works of your pure hands.

SEE MY FEET

With the feet of Christ, He went about doing good; preaching, healing, feeding the people, and raising the dead.

By calling us to see His feet, Jesus reminds us of what He did with His feet. With my feet, I walk towards you. Why not walk towards me? Why do you walk away from me? Keep my feet ever in mind and ensure you continue to walk in the path of life eternal.

HANDS AND FEET: A NEXUS

With His feet, Jesus walks towards us. He walks with us. May we also walk up to Him in faith, hope, and charity. When we walk to Jesus as He walks towards us, we shall meet Him and embrace Him with our hands. We shall be healed by His Holy Touch. We shall receive the blessings from His hands. May the marks of Christ's hands and feet attract abundant blessings and grace for us.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Thank You, dear Lord, for showing us the mysteries of Your Redemptive marks. Give us the grace never to relent in walking the path Your feet trace for us. Grant that we may merit to receive the blessings flowing from Your holy hands, that we may savour the joy of Your eternal bliss after bearing witness to you here on earth through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (Third Sunday of Easter)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

https://chimaisaac.medium.com/3rd-sunday-of-easter-yr-b-by-fr-julian-ekeh-2b5db5ed0395