18^th Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: How to Satisfy the Longings of the Human Heart

Readings: Sir 1:2; 2:21-23; Col 3:1-5. 9-11; Lk 12:13-21

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, on this eighteenth Sunday of the year, the Church addresses a subject that lies at the core of our hearts. She invites us to reflect over the means by which we seek to satisfy the deep longings and inner desires of our hearts. Do these means provide us with lasting satisfaction? Can they offer us a fulfilment that goes beyond the grave?

In his book ‘Being and Nothingness’, Jean-Paul Sartre elucidated that the being-for-itself is a being of consciousness. Due to this being’s awareness of its surroundings, it consistently recognizes its incompleteness, and in its quest for wholeness, it seeks to transcend what it is to become what it is not. Between what it is (its current state) and what it wants to be (its aspirations) lies a void that yearns to be filled. Sartre referred to this void as ‘Nothingness’: a lack, an emptiness. This being is the being of man. For Sartre, the essence of man is defined by the nothingness or emptiness within him that seeks fulfilment. Within man exists a void or lack in his heart that continually drives him to strive for what he is not, a nothingness that compels him to pursue higher aspirations and achieve greater accomplishments in life. Economists might refer to this ‘nothingness’ as the insatiability of man.

The readings for today prompt us to examine the various means we employ to address the void that resides within the human heart, that yearning or desire inherent in mankind.

The wise teacher in today's first reading shared the numerous methods he utilized to fill/satisfy the nothingness/emptiness of his heart. Let us explore some of these approaches.

First, he sought to find fulfilment through wisdom and the quest for knowledge (Sirach 1:16-18). However, he soon realized that with each piece of knowledge he gained, he felt an increasing need to learn even more. Ultimately, the pursuit of knowledge did not provide the satisfaction his heart craved. Furthermore, he discovered that the same death awaits both the learned and the foolish.

Subsequently, he turned to the pursuit of pleasure, hoping it would bring him the satisfaction he sought (Sirach 2:1-3). He indulged in food and drink to excess, yet the more he consumed, the greater his desire became for new experiences; this led him to indulge himself more and more in pleasure. Disappointingly, he found that the same death awaited both those who feasted abundantly and those who were in want, leaving him disillusioned. In summary, pleasure failed to satisfy the emptiness/longing within his heart.

Then, he dedicated himself to diligent labour as a way to fulfil the desires of his heart (Sirach 2:4-6). He constructed mansions and bridges; however, the more he built them, the more innovative ideas for enhancing his constructions flooded his mind, preventing him from enjoying the fruits of his labour. This endeavour brought him greater troubles and anxieties rather than fulfilment.

Finally, he then devoted himself to the accumulation of wealth as a means to satisfy his soul. He took many wives, owned slaves, and ruled over empires, yet all his riches brought him more stress and distraction than he had anticipated.

After experimenting with various material possessions, he concluded that they did not provide enduring satisfaction for the emptiness/longing within his heart. Consequently, he proclaimed all material possessions as vanity. The lesson is quite simple. While material possessions may offer temporary satisfaction, the lasting fulfilment that our hearts crave cannot be derived from transient items, namely, material goods. Although material possessions may provide a sense of security in this life, they cannot sustain us indefinitely; they cannot secure our life in eternity. In today’s gospel, Jesus emphasized this point. He stated, "a person’s true life does not depend on the things he possesses" (Lk 12:15). Material wealth cannot secure our hearts, because it does not accompany us beyond the grave; the satisfaction it offers is fleeting and ultimately vanishes like smoke. The deep yearning of our hearts transcends what material possessions can offer.

The author's experience in the first reading mirrors that of numerous individuals in our contemporary world. In an effort to fulfil the deep-seated desires of their hearts, some individuals have dedicated their entire lives to the quest for material riches; others believe that excessive consumption of wine will achieve this; some assume that true satisfaction is found in nightclubs and various social events; others think it comes from making new friends; some others still believe it is derived from gaining political influence, etc. However, we should know that ‘oriri na onunu nke uwa abughi ebe ndu di; ikpa aku na mma nke uwa abughi ebe ndu di. Ndu di n’aka Chukwu, ihe anya na-ahu na-eduhie uwa, uwa amaghi na Chukwu nke igwe bu ebe ndu di.

The gospel reading of today presented the example of a man who believed that acquiring material possessions would secure his life, protect his heart from worries, and provide him with enjoyment. However, dear friends, Jesus informed us that the man was mistaken in his belief, because the accumulation of material wealth does not safeguard a person's heart and life, nor does it offer the ultimate satisfaction that our hearts seek. "A person’s true life does not depend on the things he possesses," Jesus said (Lk 12:15). Let us look at what that man said, "Then I will say to myself, Lucky man, you have all the good things that you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself." He was under the impression that his material wealth would keep him alive forever. He believed that material possessions would provide him with everlasting satisfaction. But God said to him, "You fool! This night you will have to give up your life." Subsequently, Jesus remarked, "This is how it will be for those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God’s sight."

We can categorize that man as a member of the group known as ‘ndi aku na-esi obi ike’, meaning those who think their wealth, beauty, strength, or political and societal status can accomplish everything for them; those who fail to look beyond their riches; and those who do not consider anything beyond this world. Numerous individuals, including many Christians, have become so engrossed in material wealth that they seldom contemplate God and heaven. For them, heaven has become an outdated tale, believed only by the foolish. However, this notion is false.

Dear friends, Jesus urges us to be wealthy in the sight of God even as we seek material wealth; He desires that we keep God in mind as we relish our material possessions and esteemed statuses, for material riches and elevated positions cannot guarantee eternal life, nor will they completely fulfil the emptiness within our hearts. 'Gi hapu Chukwu kpaa aku, gi agbara aka laa muo' (if you forsake God amidst your pursuit for riches, you will depart to the realm of the dead empty-handed).

The second reading addresses this matter directly. In it, Paul enumerates the elements that those who have faith in Christ cannot rely on to fulfil the voids or desires of their hearts. For believers in Christ, their source of fulfilment should derive from heavenly matters rather than sinful pursuits/things. Consequently, they ought to concentrate their thoughts on higher things, rather than on earthly matters. The fulfilment of the heart's desires for Christians, as articulated by Paul, should not stem from worldly cravings, fornication, nightlife, impurity, shameful passions, malevolent desires, greed, idolatry, or deceit. Indeed, Saint Paul admonished all Christians to eradicate everything within them that pertains solely to earthly existence.

Dear friends, the fulfilment of a Christian is derived from leading a life centred on Christ, a life that reflects the presence of Christ. If you delve deeper into this second reading, Saint Paul highlights the qualities that should bring contentment to the emptiness often felt in the hearts of Christians—lifestyles that enrich us in God. He enumerates these qualities as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, and peace. Through these virtues, Christians can truly live a life centred on Christ.

A life centred on Christ can also be embraced by those who seek material wealth. When they prioritize God at the heart of their enterprises, allowing divine values to shape their business ethics, they will experience inner fulfilment and lead a Christ-centred life.

The wealthy can also discover enduring satisfaction in their riches if they remember to embody compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, generosity, and holiness amidst their wealth.

In conclusion, dear friends, in your riches, beauty, political or social standing, or even in your poverty, always strive to maintain a close relationship with God through prayer. Such intimacy will provide fulfilment to the longing of your heart.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima.

 17^th Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Prayer: A Dialogue with a Benevolent Father

Readings: Gen 18:20 -32; Col 1:12-14; Lk 11:1-13

Dear friends in Christ, on this seventeenth Sunday of the year, the Church emphasizes the significance of intercessory prayer and the importance of persistence/perseverance in our prayers. As Christians, prayer serves as a means of communication between us and our God. Through prayer, we commune with God, open our hearts to Him, and gain insight into His plan for our lives. It is often said that ‘a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.’ Therefore, prayer is an essential weapon in the spiritual and physical battles Christians face in this world.

Today’s gospel opens our minds to an important knowledge about our God. It reveals that our God is benevolent. Frequently, we hear people express sentiments such as 'God did not respond to my prayer,’ 'God has disappointed me,’ 'God is silent,' and so forth. A similar expression of frustration, after seeking God's intervention during perilous and challenging times, was voiced by Job in the Bible. The book of Psalms contains numerous chapters dedicated to such lamentations. Nevertheless, in today's gospel, Jesus reassures us that our God will not fail to provide what is beneficial for us. He stated, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” I appreciate how the Gospel of Matthew articulates this. It says, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Dear friends, although we are frail human beings often susceptible to wrongful actions and decisions, we do not hesitate to provide good things when our children request them. If we can be this benevolent towards our children, how much more will God, our Father, who embodies all goodness, be willing to grant good things to those He has created, His children who seek His assistance?

Consequently, Jesus encouraged us to ask, and we shall receive; seek, and we shall find; and knock, and the door will be opened to us. However, how should we ask? How should we knock? And how should we seek? In addressing these questions, Jesus recounted the story of the importunate friend who, despite initially receiving a negative response to his request, continued to knock at his friend's door until his request was granted. This illustrates that Jesus is urging us to be persistent in our prayers to God. We should not merely knock at God's door and then vanish when it has not opened. Instead, we ought to knock and patiently wait until we have been heard. And once we have been heard, we must trust that God's response is in our best interest, for God cannot fail to provide what is beneficial for us in accordance with His divine will and plan.

Today’s first reading gives us some important lessons as we approach God's door to knock. First, it reiterates the importance of persistence in prayer. The angels of God were en route to Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy them due to their sins, particularly their sin of sexual perversion. It is regrettable that the sin of sexual perversion, which was one of the major reasons for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by God, is now being promoted by many nations as a human right. It is disheartening that the very sin of homosexuality, for which God obliterated Sodom and Gomorrah, is regarded as something good in our generation, with many Christians endorsing such views. May God help us.

When Abraham saw God's wrath towards Sodom and Gomorrah, he knelt down and prayed. In his prayer, he remained persistent until he received a favourable answer for his relatives residing in those cities. We must always pray without losing hope.

Secondly, the prayer of Abraham illustrates that prayer ought to be a dialogue with God, two-way communication rather than a one-sided affair. In a dialogue, no single individual dominates the conversation; instead, all participants have the opportunity to express their thoughts, as demonstrated in the narrative of Abraham. Abraham spoke and also listened to God’s responses. This crucial element of attentively hearing God's responses during prayer is frequently overlooked in the prayer life of many Christians. Thus, the Church today reminds us that prayer must be a dialogue between us and God, a conversation that enables us to hear from God and to understand His will through silent meditation and reflection, particularly on the scriptures.

Another important lesson is that prayer should not solely be for the benefit of the individual praying. Every Christian is called to be an intercessor for the well-being of others. In the first reading, Abraham interceded on behalf of his nephew, Lot, his family, and other righteous individuals in Sodom and Gomorrah, and they were saved. Our prayers can save our loved ones from calamity. Our unwavering intercession can lead to the salvation of souls in our communities. Therefore, let us commit ourselves to being intercessors today. Let us consistently dedicate time to pray for the intentions of others with perseverance and confidence.

Peace be with you. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 16^th Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

THEME: Hospitality: the key that unlocks blessings

Readings: Gen 18, 1-10; Col 1, 24-28; Lk 10, 38-42

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, last Sunday, the Church taught us that our neighbour includes anyone who is in need of help, and she instructed us not to turn our eyes from the needy. This Sunday, the Church wants to teach us the importance and benefits of kindness and hospitality. Beyond highlighting the importance of these virtues, the Church also seeks to emphasize the necessity of taking time to listen to the voice of Jesus, even while engaged in acts of kindness and hospitality.

Dear friends, for many years, Abraham and Sara have been praying to God for the fruit of the womb, and on several occasions, they have received promises from God that they will have children. However, it is remarkable to note that it was an act of hospitality or charity to strangers that ultimately led to the fulfilment of the promise of fertility made to Abraham and Sarah by God. An act of hospitality to total strangers, who turned out to be angels, as we read in the first reading of today, opened the door to blessings for Abraham and Sarah. 

It is often said that ‘in giving out, you lose in order to get something greater and better.’ In the letter to the Hebrews 13:2, the word of God said, “Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. Some people, by so doing, have welcomed angels in their homes without knowing it.” This was precisely the experience of Abraham and Sarah. They were merely performing an act recommended by their faith and custom, unaware that the strangers were, in fact, angels.

Similarly, our Christian faith and the custom of our various countries recommend that we treat strangers with kindness and offer hospitality to them. Nevertheless, the security issues prevalent in our world have made it challenging for many individuals to trust the authenticity of those who approach them as strangers. These apprehensions have hindered numerous people from opening their doors to strangers. Additionally, the economic difficulties of our time have made it even more difficult for many people to extend their hands in charity to other people.

However, today, dear friends, the Church urges us not to use security concerns and economic difficulties as excuses to withdraw from acts of charity and hospitality. In other words, the Church does not want us to stop our acts of charity and hospitality because of economic hardships and security threats. Rather, she wants us to realize that every act of charity and hospitality rendered to another person brings us closer to God’s plans for us and to the fulfilment of God’s promises in our lives, the same way it happened in the lives of Abraham and Sarah.

A saying goes this way: venit hospes, venit Christus, which means, ‘when a guest comes, Christ comes’. My dear friends, by shutting our doors to strangers, many of us have missed opportunities to meet Jesus and have consequently denied Him entry into our homes. By refusing to embrace strangers on the street, many of us have denied help to angels. By failing to treat our guests with kindness, many of us have missed opportunities to host angels and Jesus.

In the Gospel reading of today, Martha did not fail to host Jesus in her home. She ensured that she provided Jesus with the finest hospitality. Nevertheless, Jesus used that significant moment to teach us the best ways to take care of our guests and how to balance our active life with our contemplative life. Jesus was a guest in the home of Martha and Mary. While Martha was occupied with preparing the material necessities to host their guest, Mary was attentively listening to Jesus' teachings. For Martha, the action of Mary was wrong, but for Jesus, both the actions of Mary and Martha were right, though Mary’s choice was deemed superior and should be prioritized.

Therefore, while the Church encourages us to embrace charity and hospitality, she also invites us to always set our priorities right, ensuring that our efforts for the welfare of others do not distract us from the time we ought to spend with Jesus. Our watchword should always be ‘Jesus Christ first, then everything else.’

From this gospel episode, we should understand that it is essential to prioritize listening to the word of God and maintaining a close relationship with Jesus, even amidst our social engagements for the welfare of humanity. If we neglect our intimate connection with Jesus while performing actions for the welfare of others, we risk becoming mere philanthropists. Our lives and time should not solely be devoted to the work of the Lord; instead, the work of the Lord should continually lead us to recognize the Lord of the work.

It is evident that many Christians have overlooked this important aspect of our Christian life.  Today, numerous individuals are so preoccupied with an abundance of social activities—both within the church and at home—that they scarcely find time for spiritual reflection. In some of our families, we focus attention on every other thing but little or no attention on the spiritual growth of the members of our families. Many Christians have time for all social activities but little or no time for praying together or studying the word of God together. Many Christians contribute substantial sums of money to the Church, yet they lack time to spend with Jesus. Amidst your social activities for the church and community, make sure to set aside time for communion with God.

Another important lesson from today’s gospel is that a crucial aspect of hospitality involves paying attention to the guest. Sometimes, what our guest requires from us transcends material things; it is our attention. Dear friends, Jesus is the guest in our homes, and He wants us to gather around Him as a family, paying attention to what He wants to tell us, for He has something new to teach us every day. Therefore, we must not let anything hinder us from welcoming Him into our lives, nor should we permit anything to distract us from His presence.

Peace be with you and your family.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 15^th Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Who is my neighbour?

Readings: Deut. 30: 10-14; Col. 1:15-20; Lk 10:25-37

In every religion and culture, there exists a doctrine that advocates for the love of one’s neighbour. This doctrine invariably waters the soil for the application of the golden rule: treat others as you wish to be treated. Nevertheless, it seems that the teaching of ‘who qualifies as one’s neighbour’ is often misinterpreted across various religions and cultures. For instance, within Judaism, Samaritans are not regarded as neighbours and, consequently, are not to be treated with love; for the Essenes of the Qumran community, neighbours are exclusively those who share their religious beliefs; for the Zealots, neighbours are solely those who share their nationality and ethnicity; for some Muslims, Christians are not considered neighbours but rather infidels; and even for many of us, when we hear the term neighbour, we often think of our relatives, those residing nearby, or our colleagues at school or work. While it is accurate that all the people I have mentioned (our relatives, colleagues, and those living in proximity to us, etc.) are indeed our neighbours, it would be inadequate if these individuals were the only neighbours we acknowledged.

Consequently, in today's gospel, Jesus uses His response to the question posed by the teacher of the law to tell what has been lacking in the teaching of 'who one's neighbour is' as interpreted by various religions and cultures. Indeed, He articulates what the understanding of 'who my neighbour is' ought to be within Christianity; His reply signifies a transformative shift from the traditional perception of who a neighbour is or should be.

Let us examine the context of the narrative in the parable presented in today's gospel to extract the first lesson that Jesus is giving us. The parable said that the man who fell into the hands of robbers was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Dear friends, the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a lonely one during the time of Christ. It was very rocky with sudden turns that made it easy for criminals to operate successfully. Thus, it was recommended that anyone making a journey on that road should travel with escorts to avoid being attacked by robbers. However, the victim in today's parable chose to travel alone; that was why he fell into the hands of robbers. Therefore, it can be said he was not careful about his own safety.

Although it could be said that the man acted carelessly regarding his safety and consequently invited trouble upon himself, Jesus requested that he should be helped. What lesson can we derive from the position of Jesus? It teaches us that we must extend our helping hands even to those who are responsible for their own misfortunes. Thus, Christians should not deny help to those who are the cause of their own downfalls. We should not say, “Leave him to die because we warned him, and he refused to listen to us.”

In the gospel of today, rather than identifying the individuals surrounding him as the neighbours of that teacher of the law who sought to understand the definition of a neighbour, Jesus chose to tell the story of a man in need of help. The implication of Jesus's message is that the neighbours of Christians include those who are in need of help, even if they caused their own problems. In fact, such people are our true neighbours; they deserve our help.

Therefore, dear friends, who is our neighbour? Our neighbours are not only those who share our nationality, those who share the same race with us, those residing near us, our relatives, our fellow Christians, and our colleagues in school or workplaces, but they also include those in need of help: those wounded by poverty, those wounded by hunger, those afflicted by ignorance, those harmed by toxic relationships, those struggling with unemployment, those affected by corrupt government systems, those who have been wounded by cultural practices, etc.  Anyone in need of help is the neighbour to a Christian; that person is your neighbour, regardless of their family background, religion, culture, or nationality, for Jesus has united us.

The Samaritan in the parable of today broke down the racial barriers that separated Jews and Samaritans. He recognized that anyone in need of help is his brother, sister, and neighbour, irrespective of their origin. Therefore, dear friends, let us go to the streets and the highways this week and treat those in need as our neighbours through our acts of kindness.

As we engage in this activity, it is essential to keep in mind that one does not need to be excessively wealthy – financially stable – in order to assist those who are less fortunate. Some people claim that they lack sufficient funds for their own needs, and thus, they feel unable to extend help to others. In today's gospel, the Samaritan did not possess enough money at the time, yet his financial limitations did not hinder him from aiding the man in distress; instead, he transported the injured man to a location where he could receive proper care, then he deposited the little money he had and promised to cover any remaining costs later. This is love and charity for one’s neighbour in action. Let us emulate this example as we encounter the needy on the streets this week.

Peace be with you. Have a blessed new week

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 

 

 

 

 14^th Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Christ’s Peace Mission Needs Your Contribution

Readings: Is 66:10-14; Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12. 17-20

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus selected 72 individuals and sent them on a mission to bestow peace to the households they visit. Previously, in Luke 9:1-6, Jesus had sent out the disciples with the same mission, instructing them to proclaim to all they meet that the Kingdom of God has come. One might wonder why Jesus opted to send a larger number for the same mission. Could it be that the initial group – the disciples – failed in their mission or felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities?

In verse two of today’s gospel reading (Lk 10:2), Jesus provided the rationale for sending additional individuals on the mission. He stated that the harvest was abundant, yet the labourers were few. Therefore, he chose to send more people on this mission, as the twelve he had previously sent would not suffice for the vast undertaking of bringing peace to homes and establishing God’s kingdom on earth.

Now, who were the 72 individuals that Jesus sent out? Clearly, they were not part of the 12 disciples, those who lived with Jesus and accompanied Him on His missions and can be regarded as the inner circle members of His followers, to whom He entrusted the responsibility of leading His Church. So, who were they? The gospel writers did not mention their names or provide any additional information about them. To be chosen for such a mission, these 70 must have been among those who regularly approached Jesus after their daily activities to hear the Good News. Therefore, they can be classified as the lay members of Jesus' followers, as they were not part of the 12 whom Jesus ordained to lead His followers.

While sending out these 72 indicates that Jesus desired more than just the apostles to participate in the mission of spreading God’s word throughout the world and establishing the kingdom of God on earth, it also signifies that Jesus did not want those who frequently came to Him for hearing the Good News to remain passive; instead, He wanted them to actively engage in the mission for which He came. What implications does this have for us?

Dear lay brothers and sisters, the task of establishing the kingdom of God on earth cannot be fulfilled solely by priests and religious. Jesus did not intend for lay people to remain passive within his Church. He did not desire them to be mere listeners of the word of God; instead, he encourages the laity to actively participate, particularly in sharing the good news within their homes, workplaces, and other areas that priests and religious may find difficult to reach. Lay people are those who engage directly with the tangible realities of our world. For instance, they are the individuals working in offices where government policies are formulated and executed; they operate in businesses that influence and govern the economy of society; they oversee the households where young individuals are born and nurtured; and they manage the entertainment and cultural sectors where ideologies are shaped and disseminated, among other roles.

Today, the Church is reminding all lay faithful that it is Christ's desire for them to actively engage in God's mission. Christian lawyers are entrusted with the responsibility of bringing Christ's message into the courts, Christian traders have the duty of sharing the Good News within their shops and businesses, teachers are encouraged to take the Good News to their classrooms, musicians are tasked with incorporating Christ's message into their songs, filmmakers are urged to promote Christ's values through their films, engineers are advised to carry God's message to their work sites and while providing quotations, and public officials and world leaders are called to let the light of Christ guide and shape their decisions, policies, and actions. Furthermore, parents are encouraged to bring the Good News into their homes and transform their families with Christ's values.

This responsibility assigned to the lay people is not meant to be fulfilled through loudspeakers and microphones; instead, it should be achieved by allowing their concrete actions and decisions to bear the mark of Jesus, as St. Paul indicated in the second reading. The concrete actions and decisions of the lay faithful should carry the mark of the cross of Christ, which was signed upon us on our foreheads on the day of our baptism. This mission will be realized if we decide never to glory in anything except in the cross of Christ, as St. Paul proudly proclaimed in the second reading.

When the 72 individuals sent by Christ took the message of peace to their respective communities, they returned with testimonies stating that even demons were subject to their authority. Jesus affirmed that He saw the devil fall like lightning from heaven. This great feat occurs wherever the Good News of peace is embraced; it dismantles the barriers of hatred, envy, chaos, and enmity. The eradication of these vices upon the proclamation and acceptance of the peace message paves the way for prosperity to surge like a river into lives, homes, workplaces, and society, as prophesied by Isaiah in today’s first reading. Conversely, those who shut their minds and doors to the message of peace will meet a fate akin to that of Sodom, as indicated by Jesus in today’s gospel reading.

Therefore, let us march out after today’s Mass to share the message of peace, love, holiness, harmony, and other values of Christ in our families, workplaces, businesses, and other environments, so that the reign of God may dispel the shadows of evil and our prosperity may flow abundantly like a river.

May you have a blessed Sunday.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Imitating the courageous spirit of Peter and Paul

Readings: Acts 12: 1-11; 2Tim 4: 6-8.17-18; Mt 16: 13-19

Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate the solemnity of two great saints in the annals of Christianity, two saints we can rightly consider as the two principal pillars of the Church and renowned icons of the Christian faith, saints Peter and Paul. Although they were quite distinct in their personalities, their lives convey powerful messages about faithfulness, perseverance, humility, courage, missionary zeal, and particularly about God's grace, steadfastness, and divine selection.

The Gospel reading for today recounts Peter's declaration that 'Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Following this divinely inspired confession, Jesus chose Peter to be the leader of His Church, entrusted him with the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and assured him that the gates of hell would never overcome the Church established upon him.

With unwavering faith in Christ, bravery in proclaiming His message and defending his faith even in the face of threats, and a spirit of humility in service, Peter led the flock of Christ and ultimately sacrificed his life for them, emulating the example set by his Master, Christ.

The first reading of today recounts how God, in a mysterious manner, liberated Peter from prison, thereby fulfilling Jesus' assurance to Peter that the gates of hell would not triumph over him and the Church founded upon him. Indeed, for over 2000 years, the kingdom of hell has never prevailed over the Church that Christ founded upon Peter as a rock. In spite of the countless assaults this Church has endured, both internally and externally, God has consistently upheld his promises and has continued to envelop his Church with grace.

The second reading narrates Paul’s testimony of the remarkable deeds he accomplished as a missionary of Christ to the gentile world. Paul recounted that he had fought a good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and was anticipating the crown that was promised to him and to all who love Christ. Undoubtedly, Paul stands as the greatest missionary in Christian history. He was an indefatigable traveller and preacher of the Good News; he spread the message of Christ to the farthest corners of the known world during his era. Thanks to his courage, intelligence, perseverance, and missionary zeal, even amidst threats and persecution, the seed of the Christian faith was firmly sown in many prominent centres of Roman civilization of his time. A substantial portion of the Acts of the Apostles focuses on Paul’s missionary journeys, and he wrote 14 epistles.

Towards the end of today’s second reading, we heard Paul express that God had delivered him from the lions’ mouth on multiple occasions and would continue to do so, thereby affirming Christ’s faithfulness to His promise of protecting His Church against the gates of hell.

Despite Peter's evident leadership qualities, he was not without flaws. On numerous occasions, Peter exhibited his human frailties. For instance, he attempted to dissuade Christ from suffering and dying on the cross (Mt 16:22) and denied and abandoned Christ during His trial (Mt 26:69-74), among other instances. Nevertheless, in spite of his shortcomings, Peter remained steadfast in executing the mission entrusted to him by Christ. In a similar vein, St. Paul was also not a flawless individual. He had a troubling past as a persecutor of Christians. Throughout many of his missionary journeys, he recounted his struggles with his weaknesses, yet he firmly believed that the grace of God was sufficient for him (2 Cor 12:7-11). Christ chose these two men despite their imperfections, and although they were frail humans, they did not permit their weaknesses to hinder them from fulfilling the mission for which Christ had chosen them; instead, they kept the flame of faith alive despite their weaknesses. They were always aware that they bore the treasure of the heavenly kingdom in fragile vessels (2 Cor 4:7) and consistently offered their weaknesses to Christ, who filled them with grace and empowered them (Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 12:9-10).

We have been chosen by Christ to serve as missionaries and spiritual leaders for our generation, despite our obvious human frailties. Jesus is aware of our weaknesses, yet He remains confident that through our services, the gates of hell will not overcome His Church. Our responsibility is to ensure that our shortcomings do not hinder us from accomplishing our various divine missions within our families and society. Like Peter and Paul, let us not permit the light of faith to extinguish in our hands; instead, let us utilize every ounce of strength we possess to pass this light of faith on to the next generation, even if this task will bring us insults and rejection from the world. May the examples of Saints Peter and Paul inspire us to be steadfast and courageous in our mission to share the Gospel with others.

Happy Feast Day of SS. Peter and Paul. Remain Blessed

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: The Eucharist as Thanksgiving, Communion and Memorial Sacrifice

Readings: Gen. 14:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Lk. 9:11b-17

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, we celebrate a solemnity that is at the centre of our faith and life as Christians, the solemnity of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Corpus Christi), the Holy Eucharist that we receive in every Mass. The Second Vatican Council declared that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian faith and life.

The readings of this Sunday touched on three of the concepts of the Holy Eucharist: the Eucharist as a thanksgiving, as a communion and as a memorial sacrifice.

Eucharist as a thanksgiving: the first reading tells us how Melchizedek, the king of Salem and the priest of the Most High God, offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God for Abraham after he defeated some kings in a battle. In that sacrifice of thanksgiving to God, Melchizedek offered bread and wine to God. The substances of bread and wine are always signs of gratitude to God the creator for the fruits of the earth. Both Melchizedek and the character of his offering prefigured Jesus and His everlasting sacrifice. 

Jesus instituted the Eucharist as an act of thanksgiving. The words of the institution of the Eucharist are clear on this. They said, “He took the bread, and giving thanks, broke it,” and, “He took the chalice, and once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples” (Lk 22:19, 17 and 1 Cor 11:24). The Catechism of the Catholic Church also describes the Eucharist as “consecratory thanksgiving” (No. 1346) and “an act of thanksgiving to God” (No. 1329). The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God for what He has done for us through Christ and for the wonders of our being.

Actually, the term ‘Eucharist’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Eucharistein’ meaning ‘to give thanks.’ The entire Mass is a prayer of thanksgiving to God, as shown in some of its prayers. The prefaces of the Mass, for instance, begin with an invitation to give thanks to God. In them, the priest says, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,” and the congregation replies, “It is right and just.” Then, the Prefaces continue, “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father.” The Preface also concludes with the “Holy, Holy, Holy”, which is a hymn of praise and thanks to God. Also, the words of the doxology – the last part of the eucharistic prayer – are, “Through him, with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever.” This is a joyful song of praise to offer thanks to God. The last response of the Mass is also a thanksgiving to God. When the priest says, ‘Go in peace, the Mass is ended,’ the response is, ‘thanks be to God.’

So, whenever we gather for the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ, we are reminded that we have gathered to give thanks to God for His graces, love and blessings in our lives.

Eucharist as a Communion: the term ‘communion’ is one of the most profound and characteristic concepts of the Eucharist in the tradition of the Church. Right from its institution, through the early days of the Church and down to our own time, the Eucharist has remained a meal of unity between man and God and between man and man. In the early days of the Church, the dominant word for the celebration of the Lord’s meal was ‘Koinonia’, a Greek word meaning ‘communion’. It was a meal that united the early Christians around a table to share of the one bread and one cup, and also to own and share their material belongings communally.

The feeding of the crowd of five thousand men in the gospel of today, which prefigures Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist, brings out this aspect of the Eucharist as a communal meal, a meal that is eaten together. From five loaves of bread and two fish belonging to the apostles, Jesus fed the multitude. In the same way, from the one bread and one chalice of the sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus feeds us with his Body and Blood. The Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ unites us with Christ and with our neighbours. Through the Eucharist, we enter into a relationship with Christ and with our neighbour.

Becoming one with others through the Eucharist means that we must learn to open ourselves to them and also involve ourselves in their situations. This is the proof of the authenticity of our communion with Christ. If I am united with Christ through the Eucharist, I am also united with my neighbour in his own situation, and this unity is not limited to the moment of the reception of the Holy Communion, but only begins from it.

Eucharist as a Memorial: in the second reading of today, St Paul gave us the earliest account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament. He emphasized the command of Christ that the Eucharist should be celebrated in His remembrance, that is, in memory of Him: “Do this in remembrance of me.” So, the Eucharist is a memorial of the meal which Christ instituted on the night of His betrayal and a memorial of the entire salvific sacrifice which He offered on the cross for our salvation. 

The Greek word for remembrance or memorial, which St Paul used in this account, was ‘Anamnesis’, which means an active remembrance, an active memorial, not a passive one. So, the celebration of the Eucharist is an active participation in the Passover of Christ. The Eucharistic celebration makes present before our eyes that very sacrifice that took place on Calvary; it is a reenactment of the Last Supper and the crucifixion of Christ.

So, the Eucharist as a memorial of the Passover invites us to participate actively in the celebration of the Mass every day. We should, therefore, avoid every form of distraction and passivity any time we enter the church for the celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ. Let us also endeavour to keep away from us any type of life that denies us full communion with Christ and our neighbours, so that we will receive the full impact of the sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ in our lives. 

Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

Holy Trinity Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Living a life inspired by the Trinitarian relationship.

Readings: Prov. 8: 22-33; Rom 5: 1-5; Jn 16: 12-15

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, we celebrate the solemnity of one of the greatest mysteries of our Christian faith, the mystery of the Holy Trinity. It is a celebration that reminds us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, co-equal and co-eternal. Each Person of the Trinity is God, yet there is still only one God; they are one in substance, yet distinct in Persons and functions, but in their functions, there is unity of purpose.

Though the word ‘Trinity’ cannot be found in the Bible, the teachings of Jesus pointed to the reality of the existence of the Blessed Trinity, especially when He instructed us, “Go into the world and baptize them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).

The teaching of the Blessed Trinity is one that no amount of philosophical and scientific research can fully explain or even deny. It is indeed a mystery; it is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. In reality, the nature of our God is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. That was why God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” (Is. 55:8-9).

Thus, the Trinity is a mystery and can best be appreciated only with the “eyes of faith”. As a dogma, “it is an article of faith revealed by God, which the Magisterium of the Church presents as necessary to be believed…” Hence, St. Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1:18 becomes necessary for us today. It says, “May the Lord enlighten the eyes of your minds so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

Rather than focusing on the explanation of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, today's readings emphasize the actions of the Trinity. The first reading from the Book of Proverbs reflects on Wisdom, which is personified and was the first creation of God, witnessing the creation of the universe and everything within it. This reading extols the first Person of the Trinity, God the Father, as the creator. In the second reading from St. Paul's letter to the Romans, St. Paul unveils the unified purpose of the Trinity in the salvation of humanity. He instructs us that we attain peace with God the Father through Jesus Christ, and that the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. In the gospel, Jesus traces the relationship that exists between Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. He said, “all that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that the Holy Spirit will take what is mine (that is what belongs to the Father too) and declare it to you.”

We have seen the unity in the Trinitarian relationship and the distinctiveness of their roles. God the Father creates, God the Son redeems and reconciles, while God the Holy Spirit sanctifies and leads us in the truth.

Dear friends in Christ, there are numerous lessons to glean from today’s solemnity. First, the Blessed Trinity is one in essence yet distinct in functions. Similarly, we must strive to be united in faith and in the pursuit of a singular purpose while also acknowledging and respecting our uniqueness – that capacity in us to do good things in different ways. Our uniqueness is evident in the different modes of spirituality and gifts that exist in our church. However, the various gifts and attributes within the church should guide us towards a common goal, which is the establishment of the kingdom of God.

Secondly, the Persons of the Trinity teach us to embrace harmony and reject selfishness as we express our uniqueness in our roles in the Church, society, and family. In the life of the Blessed Trinity, God the Father did the work of creation, the Son redeemed and the Holy Spirit sanctified; they performed three distinct tasks yet did so in a harmonious manner. The actions of the Father paved the way for the actions of the Son, and the actions of the Son set the stage for the actions of the Spirit. None of them worked against the other. Therefore, as we engage in our various tasks within the Church and society, we must refrain from undermining the positive contributions of others. We should avoid manipulating, oppressing, or suppressing fellow members of our families, communities, and Church through our actions. It is essential that we learn to coexist in harmony with one another despite our individual differences and uniqueness. We must not treat others as if they are not part of the same family or community of God. A harmonious life is necessary for the growth of our Church, our families and our society.

The Trinitarian relationship also compels us to embrace community living, a lifestyle that acknowledges and honours the presence of others. If the God we worship exists within a community of Persons, characterized by love and sharing, then all of us who reflect the image of this God should reject any inclination towards isolationism – withdrawal from others and society. The Trinitarian relationship urges us to eliminate all forms of individualism, to cease living in a manner that shuts other people out.

Let us pray that we will model our lives according to the relationship that exists between the Persons of the Blessed Trinity.

Happy Feast Day. Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 Pentecost Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: The Unifying and Renewing Power of the Holy Spirit

Readings: Acts: 2:1-11; Rm 8:8-17; Jn 14:15-16,23b-26

Dearest brothers and sisters, today the Mother Church celebrates her birthday, the solemnity of the Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples with tongues of fire, empowering them to speak in many languages. It was the day the Holy Spirit confirmed the institution of the Church and empowered the disciples of Jesus to begin the ministry entrusted to them by Jesus.

Actually, the term ‘Pentecost’ means the fiftieth day, and it was on the fiftieth day after the resurrection that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. According to the Old Testament traditions, the feast of the Pentecost was already an important feast in the life and history of the Jews. On this day, the Israelites celebrated two events in their history. First, on Pentecost, the Jews commemorated the giving of the ten commandments to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, which happened fifty days after the Passover. They called it the feast of weeks (in Hebrew language, ‘chang ha shevout’). Secondly, on the Pentecost, Jews also celebrated their agricultural feast, offering the first loaves from their farm to God. They called it the festival of Harvest (in Hebrew language, Yom ha-bikkurim). These two great Jewish feasts, celebrated on the Pentecost, attracted a considerable number of Jews from around the globe to Jerusalem, allowing them to connect with their faith and homeland. It was due to this large assembly of Jews in Jerusalem for their feasts that many people from various parts of the world were present on the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, as described in the first reading. So, Christ chose the best day to send the Holy Spirit upon his disciples and to inaugurate his church – the day the whole world gathered in Jerusalem – so that the message of the resurrection will reach the whole world.

The feast of Pentecost is very important in the life of the church because of the impact of the Holy Spirit on the early Church, the contemporary Church, and on each of us. It was the Holy Spirit that transformed the apostles from fearful men into men who were filled with strength and courage to preach the Good News to all humanity. It is essential to recall that prior to Pentecost, the disciples were afraid of going out to preach the Good News; however, once the Holy Spirit descended upon them, they rushed out of the house and began to proclaim the message of the resurrection boldly. The presence of the Holy Spirit made the difference and has continued to make a difference. Therefore, let us pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our Churches and homes, to liberate us from our fears and to empower us with the courage to be effective witnesses of Christ wherever we live and wherever we go.

The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles also signified that the hand of God has once more assumed control over humanity. In the book of Genesis, chapter eleven, as we read in the first reading of the vigil mass of this feast, we heard the story of the Tower of Babel. In this story, God used the power of different languages to confuse and disperse humanity all over the world when they wanted to build a tower of equality with Him. However, on the feast of Pentecost, God utilized the same tool of multiple languages to reunite humanity. The first reading of today told us that the disciples spoke in many languages on the Pentecost, yet people of other tongues understood them in their own languages. It was indeed a great unity through language. Dear friends, what this unity of language tells us is that Pentecost is a feast of unity and new life. It is the celebration of the outpouring of new life into the church and the world because the hand of God has touched humanity once again. This feast challenges us, who have been blessed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to live the life of unity and newness.

Dear friends, if the hand of God has touched you through the Holy Spirit, your life should bear the fruits of unity and newness; your life should testify to the presence of the Holy Spirit. This was the point St Paul was making in the second reading of today. He indicated that there should be a clear distinction between the lives of those who are governed by the flesh (meaning those who have not received the Spirit) and the lives of those who are guided by the Spirit. St. Paul expects that all of us in whom the Spirit dwells to live exemplary lives in the world. It would be quite unfortunate if those who embody the Spirit of Christ were to lead lives contrary to Christ's teachings, indulging instead in a life that satisfies the flesh. The lives of those who possess the Spirit of Christ should yield the fruits of love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Let us, therefore, ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for us in today’s mass and that the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which have been bestowed upon us and the Church—namely, the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, understanding, piety, and fear of the Lord—may be revitalized, enabling us to live a renewed life characterized by unity, love, peace, harmony, charity, and kindness everyday of our life. Let us unite our voices with that of today's psalmist in prayer, saying, "Lord, send forth your spirit, and renew the face of the earth." Amen.

Peace be with you.

Happy feast of the Pentecost.

Rev. Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 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

 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: 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