7^th Sunday of Easter, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: That they may be one and be with me where I am

Readings: Acts 7: 55-60; Rev 22: 12-14,16-17,20; Jn. 17:20-26

Dear friends in Christ, one of the activities that organizations conduct for their new recruits is orientation. Some organizations even extend this process by sending their new recruits to participate in additional formation programmmes or specialized training, enabling them to integrate into the organization’s framework and serve as commendable representatives in society. A similar process occurs when an individual is designated as an ambassador for a nation. The ambassador will receive training in international relations and acquire a comprehensive understanding of his country’s interests in the nation where he is assigned to serve. Consequently, the ambassador will be equipped to effectively represent his country.

Jesus recognized the brevity of His time on earth and, consequently, gathered a group of men around Him to represent Him and continue His mission. He dedicated time to instruct them in the heavenly mysteries and the actions they should undertake to accurately represent Him on earth and to make disciples in His name as well.

For the past three Sundays, we have been reading the proceedings from Christ’s final seminar or additional training for His disciples. Two Sundays ago, He taught them that the sole identity they should embrace in the world while fulfilling His mission is love. Last Sunday, He emphasized this theme of love, explaining that the manner in which they can demonstrate their love for Him is through obedience to His teachings. He assured them that the Holy Spirit would assist them in recalling all that He had taught them. This Sunday, He is imparting the lesson that unity is essential if they are to convince the world of their love for one another and their belonging to Him; their expressions of love must unite them as a single community.

Recognizing the significance of unity, the challenges in attaining it, and how its absence will rip His disciples apart, Jesus committed the disciples into prayer, asking His Father to keep them united just as He is united with Him.

Dear friends, without unity, it will be impossible for us, the members of the Church, to convince the world that we love one another. Without being united, we cannot claim that we represent Christ, who lives in unity and love with the Father and the Holy Spirit. To convince and conquer the world, the Church must demonstrate acts of love that are deeply rooted in a strong sense of unity.

Recognizing the significance of unity and the potential consequences of its absence for the community of believers, the disciples consistently raised an alarm whenever there were signs of division within their communities. This is evident in Acts 15, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, and 1 Corinthians 12 and 13. We are tasked with ensuring that we uphold a united front in Christ, discarding anything that could foster division among us as Christians. The proliferation of churches does not signify unity in the eyes of the world; rather, it indicates that we are neglecting the identity that Christ has bestowed upon us.

Jesus prayed that we may be with him where he is in God’s glory. In today’s first reading, Stephen shows us one of the challenges we must confront as representatives of Christ in the world; a challenge we must overcome if we truly desire to be where Christ is in glory. He faced accusations and was stoned for preaching Christ. Rather than dwelling on the sorrow surrounding him or feeling anger towards Christ for not delivering him from physical suffering and death, he directed his gaze upwards, focusing on the glory that Christ had prepared for him. The vision of the glory that awaited him made him transcend the pain of his torments and the insults from his persecutors.

Representing Christ can be a challenging task in a world that prefers to hear less about God and more about worthless matters; this often results in varying levels of suffering and mistreatment. Nevertheless, the Christian who desires to be with Christ in glory is called to look beyond the current afflictions imposed by the world on account of Christ in order to perceive the glory that awaits him. A complete focus on earthly challenges may cause one to lose sight of the eternal destination that has been prepared for him, perhaps leading to the loss of such glory. The Holy Spirit that filled Stephen is always ready to support us when we face evil. Let us be open and receptive to him.

In today's second reading, John wrapped it up by stating, "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city through the gates." Truly, blessed are those who have cleansed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, those who have withstood the trials of this world due to their love for Jesus, much like Stephen did. They will share in the glory of Christ.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chima

 7^TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: JESUS' PRAYER FOR US

(John 17:20-26)

It is wonderful to know that Jesus offers prayers and entreaties for us. He lifts us and our shortcomings and weaknesses to His Father. He takes us up. From above, He came to give us the heavenly attributes. It is interesting to see how Jesus gazes into heaven on our behalf. May we take a look at the content and intent of Jesus' prayers for those who believe in Him through the word they have heard.

ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN

The Gospel began with the following words: "Lifting up His eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed...that they may all be one."

Why did Jesus look up to heaven? Was this act a careless or meaningless gesture? Did He just look up purposelessly? He may have looked up for a transplantation. Yes, I choose to call it transplantation. He wished to replicate what happens in heaven here on earth to transfer the seed of heavenly unity to the earth. He may have been praying, " Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" in another way.

Jesus may have remembered the effect of an attempted disunity in heaven and its effect on Lucifer, the author of such disharmony.

Jesus must have remembered the Divine effort at bringing about a lasting union with Man in paradise, which failed when Satan came in.

He remembers His mission and preaching: "The kingdom of God is at hand."

He has seen the Church as that kingdom on earth and wishes that it be One just as He is One with the Father. Jesus wants the unity for which He prayed to flow from the Trinity.

PERFECTLY ONE

Jesus knew how imperfect man was and prayed for Him.  He is not ready to settle with anything less than perfection. He prayed for perfect unity among His family the Church. But what has happened down the ages is nothing to write home about. Why do you render Christ's prayers unanswered? Every Father wishes that His children live in peace. It is usually the joy of dying parents who really loved their children and rooted them in unity to see that they remain one. They usually pray that no knife may be put on what hold their family together, that they may not fall apart. It is usually an encouraging word they resound in them 'united you stand'. With this, they are warned against the danger of disintegration.

 

WHAT CAUSES DISUNITY?

A lot of things may bring about disunity. Some of them include disobedience and selfishness.

Disobedience led Lucifer out of the unity of mind and heart he shared in heaven. And he said "non serviam" (I shall not serve). It is connected with the desire to lord it over others and expect to be served instead. Here, selfishness is also implied. He tries to take the glory due to God.

Adam, in disobedience, ate the forbidden fruit and lost the kingdom as well as the peaceful union he enjoyed with God. Judas left the bond, and we saw his end.

DISUNITY TODAY

Today, thousands and thousands of Christian denominations exist. The blind eye they pay to this portion of the scripture is quite surprising. The misinterpretation they give this passage is scandalous. Their intention to keep splitting up more and more can make Christ to weep. The recklessness of establishing and overseeing churches is unspeakably alarming.

Did Jesus establish a body in history? Yes.

Did he empower people to start establishing churches here and there? No.

Paul saw Christ. Did he start up his own church? No. He was rather directed to Ananias and the apostles.

There was a problem too in the early Church. Did it bring about a tear? No. The apostles met and ironed them out.

Let us pay heed to the call of Christ for unity in the Church, unity and love in our world, unity and love in our country, in our states, harmony in our families and the various organizations and institutions we find ourselves in.  When we live united by the right purpose, common good, passion for progress, and respect for one another, we help in bringing to realization the prayer and wish of Christ. This will save our world from crisis. Religious, moral, political, economic, etc.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Oh God, give us the spirit to be one in faith. Lead back to the fold all who have strayed.

May we be strengthened in communion and union with each other in God. Help us to live in tolerance and respect for the Higher Good in the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit. Amen

Happy Sunday (Easter, 7th Week, Yr C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 Ascension of the Lord, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac

Theme: Christ’s ascension: the hope of our spiritual striving

Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1:17-23; Lk 24:46-53

Whenever we recite the Creed, we declare that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father in glory. This is a fundamental tenet of our faith. How and when did this event occur? Today, the Church commemorates the feast of this significant aspect of our faith – the ascension of the Lord. She informs us about how and when it took place and also gives us some lessons from it.

The first reading and the gospel of today provide an account of the event of the Ascension of Jesus. It occurred forty days after His resurrection. Today’s solemnity is observed on the fortieth day following Easter. On that day, the day of ascension, Jesus led His disciples to Bethany and instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and await the coming of the Holy Spirit so that they could become His “witnesses to the ends of the earth.” Then, as they were watching, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. Subsequently, two Heavenly messengers clad in white garments appeared to them and assured them of Jesus’ “second coming” or return in glory.

Christ’s Ascension was the culmination of God’s Divine plan for the ministry of Christ Jesus on earth; after fulfilling his mission, Jesus returned to his Father. It marked a culmination, yet not an end, for although Jesus now resides with God in glory, he continues to be present with us, residing within us together with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He provided us with this assurance when he said, "I am with you always till the end of time."

Today’s feast also commemorates the hope of glory for all Christians, representing our aspiration to enter into glory after our earthly existence. Thus, faith in the reality of Jesus’ ascension into heaven assures us that following our spiritual endeavours here on earth, we will witness the glory of God in heaven. This is why St. Paul, while elucidating the theological significance of Jesus’ exaltation in his letter to the Ephesians 1:18 (the second reading for today), stated: "May God enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we may know the great hope to which we have been called." Our great hope is that one day we too will ascend to Heavenly glory. Therefore, our responsibility is to fulfil our mission just as Jesus fulfilled His own mission.

Our mission is reflected in today's gospel. Prior to His ascension into heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples, as well as all of us, to spread the Good News of salvation throughout the entire world through both words and actions. Today's gospel states that repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed to all nations in the name of Jesus, and that we serve as witnesses to the remarkable works that Jesus has accomplished.

Dear friends, we are summoned to reach out to the entire world and create disciples for Jesus by sharing the good news and by witnessing to this good news through our lives: through our virtuous actions, the manner in which we love others, the way we forgive those around us, the assistance we provide to others, the way we communicate with people, how we treat our fellow human beings, and how we foster peace and harmony within our families and our Christian community. These are exceptional methods to bear witness to the teachings of Jesus. If we adhere to these principles, we will partake in the mission of Jesus and the glory that accompanies it.

Happy Feast Day.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 6^TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(John 14:23-29)

The Church calls on us to listen to the promise made by Jesus. The promise is one that brings about presence, a presence with essence, an essence that cannot be dismissed. Yes, the Spirit of Christ is a vital force we can't live without. Jesus cannot fathom leaving His disciples without assuring them of His Divine assistance. The assistance of the Holy Spirit comes in different ways at different moments. Hence, Jesus disposes them of some of the tasks the Holy Spirit will do in their midst and in their lives, namely:

 

COUNSELLOR:

Jesus anticipated the human elements that will try to suppress and overshadow the divine will. Hence, the need for the Spirit. Jesus foresaw the battle between the flesh and the spirit, hence the need for the fortification.  Jesus took cognisance of the confusions that may set in with His departure and devices a way out. Jesus could sense the running helter skelter for information and won't want His followers to plunge into deformation by misinformation. Therefore, He promises a way out. Do we face crisis, confusion, and indecision? Jesus points out to us a true friend to guide us and save us from spiritual mistakes. He is the Holy Spirit.

 

TEACHER

The teacher is the one who impacts knowledge. He is one who leads one out of ignorance. He ensures that the pupil knows the truth. And Jesus says you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. In the work of teaching, the Holy Spirit takes up an ongoing task. He ensures that the mind of Christ is made clearer to the disciples. Are you in doubt of the will of God for you? Have you been made to believe false to be truth and truth to be false? Are you in the classroom of the Father of all lies or under the foot of Jesus the way, truth, and life? What do you really know about your faith? Are you docile to the promptings and teachings as well as the inspirations of the Holy Spirit? Are you an unteachable student in the school of the Holy Spirit? Are you an attentive student? Do you take seriously the various packages the Holy Spirit has endowed upon the Church for your growth? May the Holy Spirit teach us, and may we take the instructions He speaks into our lives daily.

 

REMINDER

Remembrance is a difficult thing to do most of the time. Jesus knew His disciples were likely going to forget. Shortly after His death, some of them forgot the instruction to stay in the upper room. They forgot even that Jesus would rise again. Peter even forgot he promised to follow Jesus to the very end.

A lot of us learnt a lot about our Christian faith at pedagogy. Some of us learnt a lot of prayers. We were taught a lot of Christian values. But today, where are we? We have forgotten, or we live as those who have lost their memory. We seem not to remember our initial zeal. We seem not to take seriously our expected commitment; we are preoccupied by care of life like the apostles who went back to their fishing. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit as a reminder to always keep us conscious of our own promises and of the demands of the teachings we received.

Do you still remember? If yes, kudos! If no, pay heed to the Holy Spirit, who will never fail to remind you as He reminded the apostles.

 

RESTORER OF CONFIDENCE

Jesus knew that His going away physically may bring fear, heartbreak, and uncertainties. He knew well the troubles they would face. He promised them His Spirit, who would protect them from harm and give joy and peace to their troubled hearts.

What troubles are you facing? Do you know that Christ in His omniscience has prepared the Holy Spirit to see you through? Can you hear these words and experience peace in your heart: "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Receive back your confidence as a child of God, for through this promise Jesus assures you that the Spirit is not of fear but of courage which makes us cry ABBA FATHER.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for your assuring promises today. We pray that You fulfil the promise of sending us Your Spirit.  May we be disposed to allow the Third Person of the Holy Trinity to use us. May His auction so function in us to the glory of God the Father and You Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen

Happy Sunday (6th Week of Easter Yr C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 6^th Sunday of Easter, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word.”

Readings: Acts 15: 1-2.22-29; Rev 21:10-14.22-23; Jn 14:23-29

Dear friends in Christ, last Sunday, we learnt from Christ that the genuine identity of His followers is love. This Sunday, the sixth Sunday of Easter, the readings revisit this theme of love due to its significance in our world and the essential role that Christians - all of us who declare our love for Christ - must take in this expression of love. Furthermore, the readings encourage us to remain receptive to the influence and direction of the Holy Spirit in our discussions and choices within the church and our families.

As Christ was giving His final instructions to His disciples in today's gospel, He told them how they could show their love for Him and the world in His physical absence. He stated, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word... whoever does not love me does not keep my words." In this statement, Christ established a link between the declaration of love for Him and the adherence to His commandments. Thus, the expression of love for Christ must be accompanied with obedience to His teachings. Without the latter, the former cannot hold true. This implies that those who claim to love Jesus must validate their profession of love through obedience to His words and a life that conforms to his teachings. The connection between love for Christ and compliance with His teachings must remain evident in our concrete decisions and actions. This is the expectation that Christ has for each of us. Our task today is to evaluate if our private and public lives reflect our love for Jesus and his teaching.

In reality, Christ did not demand anything extraordinary from His disciples or from us. It is evident that a child who disobeys their parents cannot genuinely claim to love them. Thus, obedience to our parents or superiors, particularly in their absence, serves as one of the means to express our love for them.

The first reading presented us with a situation that challenged the disciples of Christ to demonstrate their love for Him and adherence to His teachings through their specific choices/decisions. A dispute arose between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians regarding the Jewish practice of circumcision and the acceptance of pagans into Christianity. Some Jewish Christians insisted that pagan converts must undergo circumcision prior to being accepted as Christians. Circumcision was the gateway to the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 17:9-14). However, in reality, requiring pagan adults, who wished to embrace Christianity, to be circumcised would subject them to significant physical suffering and distress.

Consequently, guided by the Holy Spirit and Christ’s command to love others as oneself and to treat others as one would wish to be treated, the apostles relieved the pagan adults – the new converts to Christianity – from the obligation of circumcision, only asking them to adhere to the fundamental Christian practices. They declared, “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than the necessary things.” This is love in action.

Dear friends, the apostles understood that it is not the mark of a good Christian to subject other people to hardships and unnecessary pains. The essence of Christianity is love, and our mission is to share God's love with all of humanity, rather than causing others undue pain and sorrow. Therefore, if you truly love someone, you will refrain from subjecting them to unnecessary suffering; you will not permit them to endure needless anguish.

This presents a significant challenge for all Christians. We are called to ensure that our love for Christ transcends mere verbal expression. Hence, we must manifest this love through our adherence to Christ's teachings in our concrete choices and actions, particularly in following the command to love others as God loves us. It is regrettable that many people claim to love Jesus while their hearts remain distant from Him and His teachings, especially in how they treat their fellow human beings and how they live their personal lives. If you love Jesus, you will not impose unnecessary pain and suffering on others, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or financial; if you love Jesus, you will not mistreat others. If you love Jesus, you will not refuse others their rights or your assistance. If you love Jesus, you will not cling to any practice, system, or belief that causes harm to others. If you love Jesus, you will not look down upon others. If you love Jesus, you will not conspire against another person.

Dear friends, if you love Jesus, you will also love your fellow human beings, for those who truly love Jesus can easily recognize Him in others; they will see the Holy Face of Jesus reflected in the faces of their fellow humans. This is why John, in his first letter 4:20-22, stated, "If we claim to love God yet harbour hatred for our brothers and sisters, we are deceiving ourselves. For one cannot genuinely love God, whom they have not seen, if they do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen. The commandment given to us by Christ is this: all who love God must also love their brothers and sisters." Therefore, let us open our hearts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that our choices and actions may embody true love for others in accordance with the teachings of Christ.

Have a blessed Sunday.

Rev Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

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

Love: The True Christian Identity and its Transformative Impacts.

Readings: Acts 14:21b-27; Rev. 21:1-5a; John 13:31-33a,34-35

Dear friends in Christ, the scripture readings for this fifth Sunday of Easter reveal the true identity of Christians and the potential impact of embodying this identity. It is widely recognized that every organization possesses a unique identity, a hallmark that sets it apart from others. This distinguishing factor shapes its mission, values, culture, and activities. Similarly, each nation has its identity, often represented through symbols such as flags, coats of arms, and languages. Individuals also exhibit distinguishing traits reflected in their cultures, languages, attire, food, and hairstyles.

For centuries, Christians have developed various methods to express their identity to the world, demonstrating their affiliation with the body of Christ and distinguishing themselves in any setting. For instance, church hierarchies such as Cardinals, Bishops, priests, and religious figures wear distinctive attire that makes them recognizable among the crowd. Additionally, lay Christians have often shown their affiliations within the church through uniforms and badges. Furthermore, some individuals are frequently recognized as followers of Christ by the crosses or medals they wear around their necks and the Bibles they carry. These symbols have played a significant role in helping the world recognize those who belong to Christ.

Nevertheless, the use of uniforms, the displaying of crosses or medals, and the carrying of Bibles do not adequately convey the true identity of Christians, as the saying goes, 'the hood does not make a monk' (Calcullus non facit monachum). Shakespeare's assertion is true, as uniforms can be changed at any moment and in any place. Therefore, uniforms alone are insufficient as distinguishing factors for Christians, as they fail to fully represent or convey our identity to the world.

Consequently, today's gospel emphasizes a higher factor that should define our identity in the world, an identity that Christ himself has endorsed. This identity is known as Love. In today's gospel, Christ says, 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.' Therefore, beloved friends in Christ, love serves as our identity, our hallmark, the unique characteristic that Christ intended for his followers, and this love must reflect the same depth of love that Jesus has for us. We are all aware of the nature of Jesus' love for us; it is a love that contemplates the cross, a love that inspires one to make sacrifices for the well-being of others.

Dear friends, it is imperative to recognize that without mutual love, we cannot effectively demonstrate to the world our affiliation with Christ. Our Christian identity diminishes in the presence of hatred towards others. We lose our likeness to God when we neglect to love as Jesus loved. We cease to represent Christ in the world when we harbour animosity towards our neighbours, friends, and others.

In the Acts of the Apostles, it is recorded that the followers of Jesus were first referred to as Christians in Antioch. This happened after the citizens of Antioch observed the profound love with which Christians treated one another. The early Christians were characterized by their vibrant love, exemplified by their willingness to serve the needy through communal sharing of their possessions. Love was, indeed, their defining trait. Numerous passages in the Acts of the Apostles illustrate love in action among these early believers, with today's first reading being a notable example. It recounts how Paul and Barnabas dedicated time to visit the early churches they had founded, aiming to strengthen and encourage them in their faith while sharing the message of God's love. In this passage, Paul and Barnabas instruct us on the importance of supporting our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ with love. We are encouraged to maintain close connections through visits and phone calls, motivating them to remain steadfast in their faith. Such expressions of love can rejuvenate the spirit of those who are feeling depressed and restore the strength of the weary. Thus, acts of love have a transformative impact on all who receive them.

By embracing a life filled with love, we transform our relationships, our families, and our world. Indeed, through love, we have the power to recreate our environment. God created the world out of love, and as the second reading of today indicates, Jesus continues to renew all things through love. Thus, through our loving actions, we Christians align ourselves with Jesus in the mission of recreating and renewing the world. Love is the force that brings renewal. In today's second reading, John envisioned a new world descending from heaven, a world renewed by those who have lived in accordance with their Christian identity. John also told us that God resides among them; where love and charity abide, the Lord is present (Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est).

Dear friends, hatred makes our relationships, our homes, and our world old, whereas love makes them new. Hatred deprives us, our households, and our Christian communities of the divine presence of God, while love draws God's presence closer. Therefore, let us eliminate all forms of hatred and division from our hearts, our relationships, and our homes. Instead, let us convert our homes and Christian communities into sanctuaries of love. We should continually refresh our relationships, families, Christian communities, and the entire world through acts of love, which embody our true Christian identity. If we commit to this, God will dwell among us, and with His presence, new things will start happening in our lives. His presence will bring about transformation and renewal, making all things new.

Happy Sunday, dear friends

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 5^th SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: VAINGLORY MUST GIVE WAY FOR TRUE GLORY

(John 13:31-33a.34-35)

Today's gospel reading began with: ''when Judas had gone out [from the upper room].'' From the upper room, Judas went down. From the glory of God, Judas went out. It was then in his absentia that the time of true glory came. Oh, what a tragedy! Oh, what a bad thing! Oh, what a sad news! May the glory of God never manifest in your absence. May you never be like Judas nor like Uzziah, who died before the manifestation of the glory of God in Isaiah 6:1.

Be that as it may, for the glory of God to shine forth, certain elements have to be sent out. Those elements are the Judas elements, elements of betrayal, of mischief, and of course of vainglory.

On the other hand, for you to savour the joy of the glory of the children of God, the virtues of Christ must abide namely, of the new commandment:  Love.

Judas didn't get this LCM. He was already away and was never aware of it.

Let us try to know the difference between vainglory and true glory.

 

VAINGLORY

Vainglory is a distorted glory. It is translated in Greek as kenodoxia. It is also known as "empty glory. "It is an erroneous desire for greatness. It is seeking the praise of men. It is understood as confusion about how to attain the desire for glory. Over and above all, vainglory is a vice, a capital sin. By that, it implies that it is the root of some other sins like disobedience, hypocrisy, discord, and even killing. In Judas, we saw some of these. While the other disciples remained with the Lord at the table in obedience, he stepped out. He wasn't transparent but had something to hide, a hidden agenda which he went to the extent of covering with a kiss.

Instead of following the leader who will take him to true glory, he led those who attacked the king of glory.

 

WHAT MOTIVATES VAINGLORY?

Vainglory is fuelled by the desire to be renowned because of something not really worthy. So in every pursuit in life, let the question: 'Does it worth it?' be the driving force.

Vainglory is lubricated also by the wish to be greater than others. Judas may have wished to be the richest among the apostles.

Vainglory is also motivated by pharisaism; being more interested in the approval of men than that of God, caring more about what people think about you instead of what God is saying about you. Seeing oneself from the spectacle of materialism than spirituality.

 

TRUE GLORY

Glory comes from the Greek 'doxa'. It could be a physical, visible phenomenon. It can be used in relation to brightness. It is likened to truth and goodness. It is also understood as praise rendered to God in acknowledgement of his greatness. It is an attribute of God that He allows His privileged friends to be blessed with. When we live a praiseworthy life before God, we partake of his glorious manifestations.

Glory is a divine reward for goodness. It is a present and future thing. Thus, people should not dwell on past glory but keep making sincere effort before the Lord so as to grow from glory to glory.

 

IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG IN SEEKING GLORY?

Glory is synonymous with greatness. It is no evil to seek to be great. It only becomes evil when we seek our greatness outside God. God is the source of all greatness. He is the author of every glory. It is only in Him and through him that we can be glorified. Our glory indeed comes from Him.

 

LIVING A LIFE OF GLORY

Living a life of glory is doing everything for the glory of God. If what I am doing at any point in time doesn't glorify God, then it is vain. If my desire to be rich is for oppression, then it is vain. If in order to succeed, I must sacrifice my love for God, then I am in the prison of vanity. If I preach in order to pride myself, then I have lost the target. If I give so as to make people bow and worship me, then I am empty. If I do good for people to praise me, then I am in the ocean of vainglory.

Glory is about the things that last. Glory is motivated and lubricated by love, love of Christ above all things. To see the glory of the Lord, we must work in the light of Christ. To live a glorified life, we must aspire after spiritual things. To be glorified by Christ now and at the end of our life, we must sieve vainglory from true glory by asking ourselves in each one of our endeavours: After this, what next?

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Oh God bless us. Grant us a share of Your Glory here and hereafter. May we love You more than everything. May Your glory shine on us and our families, in the Church and in the society that we may not just dwell on past glory but continue to experience the newness of Your Glory inspired by the new commandment of love through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (5th Sunday of Easter, Yr C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 4^th Sunday of Easter, Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday): Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.

Readings: Acts 13, 14. 43-52; Rev 7, 9. 14-17; Jn 10, 27-30

On this fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates Christ the Good Shepherd of our souls, reminding us that we are all like sheep in the Lord's pasture, which is the Church.

The gospel reading for this Good Shepherd Sunday emphasizes both the characteristics of the sheep belonging to Christ and those of Christ as the Good Shepherd. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd of our lives, knows us by name, safeguards us from evil, and grants us eternal life, as stated in today's gospel. On the other hand, the reading mentioned that the qualities of good sheep include listening to the shepherd's voice and following Him.

Those familiar with domestic animals understand that a key trait is their ability to recognize the voices of their owners and those who treat them kindly. When Jesus refers to us as the sheep of His flock, He anticipates that we will exhibit the same quality of knowing Him, recognizing His voice, and following Him.

Understanding why a sheep must recognize its owner's voice is crucial. The wilderness is filled with numerous voices and sounds, many belonging to individuals and creatures that pose tremendous threats to the sheep's safety. These include thieves, bandits, wolves, lions, and other predators, all of which aim to harm unsuspecting sheep. Occasionally, these adversarial voices mimic the shepherd's call to deceive the sheep into danger and death. Therefore, any sheep that does not learn to identify and follow its owner's voice risks encountering fatal dangers.

Similarly, as members of Jesus' flock, we live in a world filled with competing voices. A significant challenge for many Christians today is the ability to discern the voice of Jesus or the actual voice that transmits the teaching of Jesus amidst the multitude of voices vying for their attention. It is important to understand that many of the dominant voices in the social space aim to distract Christians from Jesus' teachings, potentially leading them toward eternal separation from Him. Sometimes, these voices directly oppose Jesus' teachings or subtly distort them, often masquerading themselves as benevolent guides to humanity in distress.

Let us examine few ideologies propagated by some adverse voices that are prevalent in our society these days.

The word of God explicitly commands us not to kill; however, the adverse voices in our society advocate for the termination of human lives through practices such as abortion and euthanasia under the guise of compassionate support for women and the invalid. It is paradoxical that while these contrary voices advocate for the killing of unborn children, they simultaneously fervently defend the rights of pets to live, suggesting that they place a higher value on animals than on unborn babies. We must remain vigilant against these misleading voices.

Furthermore, these voices encourage individuals to 'follow your hearts'. This expression implies that one should base their moral decisions on feelings, emotions, and instincts rather than on rational thought and God’s wisdom and guidance. By promoting the idea of following one's heart, they imply that genuine happiness and fulfilment stem from heeding our emotional impulses. However, given the deceptive nature of human emotions or hearts, the Good Shepherd does not instruct us to follow our hearts; instead, He invites us, saying, 'Follow me, for I am the way, the truth, and the life.' A true Christian is called to adhere to the will of Jesus rather than succumbing to the fleeting desires of the heart, which, tainted by sin, often yearn for that which contradicts God's will.

Frequently, these voices also say, ‘Do whatever you like or whatever makes you happy; once you are happy, that is all that matters’. This mindset of pursuing personal happiness has led many people to adopt various sinful lifestyles in the quest for happiness. However, the voice of the Good Shepherd does not encourage us to follow our whims or seek happiness at all costs; instead, it instructs us to prioritize the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all else, cautioning that gaining the entire world while losing one's soul is a total loss.

Today's first reading illustrates how readily people can follow voices that oppose the teachings of Jesus. Paul and Barnabas preached the good news of Jesus to the Jews in Antioch, but the elders, driven by jealousy, quickly swayed the people against them, contradicting their message.

Beloved friends, if we remain committed to following the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd, even in the face of persecution and death, we will be among those who will stand before God's throne in heaven, where He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, as revealed in John's vision in today's second reading.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 4^TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE UNDETACHABLE BOND OF THE FATHER, THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP

(John 10:27-30)

Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter is the Good Shepherd Sunday. Let us reflect on the undetachable connection existing between God as the Father and owner of the sheepfold, Jesus as His beloved Son to whom the care and safety of the Sheep is entrusted and the Sheep for whom the Owner and the Shepherd dares to give all.

Speaking about this bond, Jesus maintained that they are undetachable. No one can snatch them from Him and invariably from the Father because He is One with the Father, and if the Sheep behaves as expected, their safety is assured.

The confidence and courage of Shepherds is indeed a fascinating one! They so much believe in themselves, in their ability to look after the Sheep, and to make the Sheep owners to be happy with them as well as the productivity of the Sheep.

In order to throw light on today's Gospel, let us know the role of the Father, the Shepherd, and the Sheep within the context of Shepherding.

 

THE FATHER

In cultures where shepherding was practised, families had their Sheep. The father as the head of the family usually used His children or servants as the case may be to tend his sheep. The Father was the sole owner of the herds and did with each one what he willed. He calls for the account to be updated about his flocks from time to time. He supervises to know who among the shepherds is getting it right or wrong. The Father commands what to do with each sheep and its product.

With regard to the gospel of today, God is the Father and the Owner of the Sheep.

 

THE SHEPHERD

The Shepherd is the one who has direct contact with the sheep. He takes them out, stays with them, feeds them, watches over them, defends them, heals them, carries them on the shoulder when weakness threatens, searches for them when they stray, plays with them, takes them to flowing waters and brings them back.

The Shepherd is classified into Good and the Bad. The one who fulfils the above-mentioned qualities of a Shepherd and others is good, while the one who does the contrary is bad. In the Gospel of today, we are not just talking about a good shepherd, but The Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the ideal Shepherd and the Shepherd per excellent.

 

THE SHEEP

The Sheep is the docile and dependent creature, source of wealth, and property belonging to the Father, entrusted to the Son or Servant.

The Sheep follows, obeys, and recognises the Shepherd who takes them to their owner's compound after each day's successful pasturing.

There is also good and bad sheep.

Be that as it may, we the people of the Lord are the Sheep of His flock. We are invited to remain the good Sheep of Our Good Shepherd to the glory of our Good heavenly Father.

 

WHAT ARE THE ATTRIBUTES THAT MAKE THE SHEEP GOOD?

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to whose direct care the flock of the Father was entrusted, enumerates the qualities that make a Sheep good. These qualities make Him the Good Shepherd fulfilled. They include:

 

HEARING

Shepherds' device sounds they make, which only their own sheep understands even when they are with a multitude of other people's flock.

 

Are you a good hearer? When you hear, do you understand who is calling? In the midst of the many noises in our world today, do you know the voice of your own master? The social media calls, the proliferated churches and ideologies shout, the secular opinions of the world invite, the materialistic advertisements lure. The neo-paganistic forces and satanic mesmerisms ring bells on a daily basis. From these distracting voices, can you decipher the true voice of your Good Shepherd? May God help us.

 

KNOWS AND FOLLOWS

The real Good Sheep identifies with the Shepherd. He doesn't hide from the shepherd. They will never follow a stranger. Some bad and foolish Sheep follows anyone carrying what looks like food. Some bad and dubious Shepherds do enlarge their sheepfold by walking past the sheep of another with food. The sheep that doesn't know its owner follows the stranger and meets its end. Even a fowl knows its owner. But a bad fowl follows a stranger who throws corn on the floor for it into the pot.

May we know Christ our Good Shepherd and follow His paths all the days of our life.

 

BENEFITS OF BEING A GOOD SHEEP

Jesus the Good Shepherd has enlisted His qualities as a Good Shepherd, namely, His ability to know the Sheep that belongs to Him and His mission of giving them eternal life.

He therefore promises those who are good and docile sheep the following:

"I give them eternal life,"

"They shall never perish,"

" No one shall snatch them out of my hand," Alleluia!

 

CHALLENGES OF TODAY'S CELEBRATION

We are all called to learn from Christ the Good Shepherd as we perform our various roles of shepherding at different levels. A society of failed leadership is invited to be passionate and selfless in protecting and ensuring the safety of the people entrusted to their care. They should stop playing politics with human lives. They should put an end to the flow of blood in the land. They should understand that they must account for the mismanagement of opportunities given to them by God to care for the flock of God.

The government that sleeps and snores while her citizens are on strike, without payment of salaries and not schooling, has failed to provide for the sheep of her pasture.

The government that does practically nothing to ameliorate the hardship of the citizens has failed to nourish them while preferring to milk them.

The Church should not forget her shepherding roles. In a special way, her leaders are called pastors. Let the Bishops, priests, deacons, etc. feed the people well with unadulterated word of God so that the many poisons of the world may not attract them. Let them be led by holy hands towards holy lives to save the sheep under their watch from the many wolves out there. Let them not allow ephemerals to distract them from their calling to lead the people to God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.

Fathers and mothers, you are Shepherds, you know that. Endeavour to lead your family to Christ. Don't allow them to be snatched away from you by social media madness, by peer associations, secret societies, and diabolical practices. Keep an eye on them to avoid them swallowing the poisons of immorality, being beaten by the serpents of  drug addiction, indecency, and secularism.

Let us all unite our efforts in leading all men to God by the examples of Christ The Ideal Shepherd.

 

BLESSINGS

May Jesus give you eternal life, May you never perish, May no power snatch you away from the Lord. May you be one with God, and with Jesus the Good Shepherd of your soul.

May God bless our bishops and continue to bless us with good shepherds. May the goodness and mercy of the Lord who is your Shepherd grant you all your desires. May you be bonded with God in Christ by the power of the Spirit who reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Happy Good Shepherd Sunday to you

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

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

Theme: Stand firm whenever evil fights back.

Readings: Acts 5:27b-32,40b-41; Rev. 5: 11-14; Jn. 21: 1-19

Dear friends, prior to His crucifixion, Jesus repeatedly instructed His disciples to be His witnesses to the world, that they will take the good news to the ends of the world. After His resurrection, He continued to appear to them, providing encouragement and reminding them of their divine mission as apostles—to spread His message to every corner of the earth.

However, due to their struggle to fully grasp the significance of His death and resurrection, the disciples returned to their old profession of fishing, neglecting their true calling to 'catch men’. Yet again, Jesus appeared to them in today’s gospel and, with the miracle of the great catch, demonstrated to them the importance of listening to His voice. This miracle illustrated that their true success depended on their commitment to follow Christ and adhere to the mission He entrusted to them.

In this encounter, Jesus sought confirmation from Peter regarding his commitment to the divine mission entrusted to him. He posed the same question three times, and each time, Peter assured Him of his willingness to do His will and care for His flock. With these affirmations, the apostles returned to the mission given to them by Christ. They went back to prepare themselves to bear witness to Jesus.

The first reading today illustrated how the apostles, particularly through Peter's words, remained steadfast in their mission to witness for Jesus before men. It emphasized that fulfilling this mission requires unwavering obedience to Jesus, even when faced with opposition from people who may try to deter us. I admire Peter's bravery in his response to those who sought to silence him from teaching in Jesus' name.

The apostles serve as a powerful example of how to respond when worldly pressures, friends, authorities, and our own desires push us to stray from God's commands. In this reading, the divine mission instructed the apostles to testify about Jesus' resurrection and to proclaim forgiveness and eternal life through Him. In contrast, the authorities commanded them to refrain from preaching in Christ's name and to avoid talking about His resurrection. Ultimately, as demonstrated in this passage, the apostles prioritized their obedience to God's word above all else.

At times, directives from government officials may attempt to hinder positive Christian endeavours without any valid justification. Additionally, there are instances when authorities might enact laws that conflict with God's commandments. In such situations, our allegiance to God must take precedence, because human laws are only binding when they are in accordance with right reason and with the eternal law of God. Furthermore, the inclinations of our hearts or those of our peers may conflict with our Christian faith. During these times, it is crucial to prioritize obedience to God above all else. We must consistently place God's will above the demands of men and our own desires, for to Him first who sits upon the throne belongs everlasting honour, glory, and power, as highlighted in the second reading.

In the first reading, the apostles were beaten and instructed not to preach in Christ's name again. Their response to the unjust treatment from the high priest serves as an inspiring example for us. Rather than complaining about suffering for Christ, they praised God for giving them the opportunity to suffer for the sake of Christ and they continued preaching in Christ’s name.

Dear friends, we find ourselves in a world where adhering to God's teachings and living a devoted Christian life can often result in mockery and scorn from others; a society that seeks to silence the mention of God's name in public discourse. Remaining true to Christ's teachings has caused many to lose friendships, favours, and opportunities. Sadly, numerous Christians have turned away from their faith and ceased attending church due to the harsh treatment they have faced because of their beliefs.

In today’s first reading, the apostles remind us that the appropriate response for a Christian when confronted with hostility and challenges is not to abandon the faith or blame God, but rather to appreciate the chance to share in Christ's suffering. We must understand that witnessing to Christ’s resurrection and living a genuine Christian life will inevitably invite opposition from those who do evil. Standing resolutely with Christ when evil fights back (in the face of adversity) is the calling of every true Christian. Let us always keep in mind that following God's word will ultimately lead to success and honour, even if it brings with it moments of humiliation and sorrow.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 3^RD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: CHRIST REVEALS HIS LOVING PRESENCE; LET US LOVE HIM IN RETURN

(John 21:1-19)

Today is the third Sunday after the resurrection of Christ. Today, Jesus showed Himself for the third time to the disciples. He appeared today with abundant blessings; He comes with spiritual and temporal satisfaction. He appeared that disappointment, fear, hunger, near success syndrome, missing the mark, and fruitless ventures may disappear.

Let's see what this third appearance of Jesus has for us.

 

 LABOUR AND FAVOUR

The disciples had gone back to their normal, past business of fishing. They followed Peter, maybe not as a spiritual leader but as an expert in fishing. But despite his expertise, they laboured in vain. Peter forgot that it was from that same fishing that he was called to fish souls. Jesus came back to that point of nothingness to demonstrate to him that He still lives. That nothing changed in Him, and as such, nothing should change in their relationship with Him. Thus, He once again did them a favour. Thus, through His good work, He was recognized. Never labour without Jesus. May He show you where to dip your net for a better and best catch of divine goodness. May God bless the good work of your hands.

 

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL SATISFACTION

Jesus is the one inquiring into our needs and worries. Having asked: have you caught anything? Jesus proceeds to invite the disciples for a meal. Jesus prepares a table for you. He cares about your spiritual satisfaction as well as your human fill. He had already made the bread a spiritual nourishment at the last super. There was bread there too.  With the fish, he satisfied the hunger of their stomach. He continues today to feed us at the two tables of the word and Eucharist. He asks us, too, if there are other areas we need him. Let's learn to bring our emptiness to Jesus and be filled. Let's not be lazy but endeavour to give in our best for God to sanctify it and satisfy us with it.

 

JESUS IS HUNGRY TOO OF LOVE

Having filled the hungry disciples, Jesus too gets hungry. Having restored the apostles to the Communion they lost during his trial, Jesus gets hungry. Let's not forget that while hanging on the cross, He was thirsty, thirsty of souls. Now He continues to hunger and thirst for love. He immediately remembered the three times His lover Peter betrayed Him. Hence, He asked him three good times: Do you love me? Not just any type of love. But love beyond every other person's love. The Jesus who loved you in an extraordinary manner deserves an extraordinary type of love from you. Do not starve him of that. Do not get tired like Peter of expressing the love. May the love of God continue to abide with you as you place all your hope in Him.

 

OUR BIOLOGICAL FATHERS ARE HUNGRY FOR LOVE

Today, as we thank God  for the gift of our father's and husbands, we employ ourselves to show them love. Just as our Lord Jesus Christ, they too ask: do you love me? Most of the time, we give our fathers less attention. We take them to be strong and mighty.  But in actual sense, most of them are lonely, weak, and in need of care and pampering. They cover their emotions, but behind their manliness lies deep pains, tears, disappointments, frustrations, and worries.

Do you love your husband when all you do is to make him sad and unhappy? Do you love your husband when you are always causing him heartbreaks with your nagging attitude? Do you love him when you make him think that your coming into his life is the greatest mistake of his life?  Mothers, please show love to the fathers and teach your children to love them and always try to know their unuttered good heart desires.

Love your father by making him proud of you. Love him by living a morally sound lifestyle. Love him and make people see you and remember your father for good even after his life here on earth. Be a good Ahunwa echeta Nna.

Fathers be good and loving, too. Be of good character. Avoid those things that make your children hide their faces in shame. Make God your source of inspiration and motivation. Live lives that give glory to God. Avoid bringing problems to your homes. Don't break your own families. Be manly enough to control yourself. Do not abuse the authority God gave you as the head of your family. May God strengthen you all and give you good health of mind and body. May you live to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Amen

 

FOLLOW JESUS

Jesus knows the danger of leaving us on our own. He knows we can't do anything without Him. Having paved the pathway for us, namely love, Jesus invites us just as He invited Peter to follow Him. If you follow Jesus, you will not walk in the dark; if you follow Jesus, you will have a good catch; if you follow Jesus Christ, you will reach your destination; if you follow Jesus, He will in His love lead you to everlasting life.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Oh God bless us and help us to be sorry for the many times we have not truly appreciated what You did for us in Christ Jesus. Continue to shower Your loving kindness upon each and every one of us in abundance, especially our fathers through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Easter to you. (Easter Week 3)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh