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

31^st Sunday, Year B: Homily by Fr. Justin Adiele

THEME: “BE RULED BY THE LOVE OF GOD”

INTRODUCTION

In interpreting the Decalogue (Ten Commandments of God), the Old Testament Jewish Rabbis ended up listing 613 precepts of the law. They went further to classify them into 248 commands and 365 prohibitions. These were further classified into light and grave laws. It became a big debate among the Jews to determine which laws are light or grave; which ones have more binding force or less; which ones should rule us. Jesus in the gospel reading of today grappled with the same problem; which is the first or greatest of all the laws? His answer was very simple; love of God and neighbor! Every other law is centered on Love.

THE FIRST READING (DEUT. 6: 2 – 6)

In the first reading, Moses invited Israel and all of us today: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” This love is not just professed with the mouth but with our actions which bulges down to fearing the Lord by keeping all his statutes and his commandments as we know them. Be careful to do them; that it may go well with you; Moses explained!

THE SECOND READING (HEB. 7: 23 – 28)

The second reading talked about the priestly role and office of Christ which he has done and continued permanently to do for our sake out of love. He is able at all times to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. The love of God and the love of Christ for us has made him to continue to play a permanent role in our sanctification not just by mere words; he is our constant and inter-generational victim, carrier and expiator of our weaknesses and sins. Let us make it easier for Jesus by repenting and reducing the amount and weight of our sins on Him.

THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 12: 28 – 34)

In the gospel reading, when a Scribe asked Jesus the first (greatest) of all the commandments, Jesus cited the first reading of today: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Jesus also cited the second of all: “you shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” If you can live up to these two commandments, you are not far from the kingdom of God, said Jesus. What then does true love of God and neighbor imply? True love of God/neighbor will prompt you to do tremendous things for God and neighbor. It will prompt you to perform virtuous actions and not wicked actions. It will prompt you to put your own convenience and pleasures behind to please God. True love will prompt you to give preference to whatever will promote God’s honor, name and glory.

 

CONCLUSION:

Love of God entails doing whatever is within our power to secure the honour and glory of God and good of men. Christ himself gave us a clue when he said; “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Hence, to love God is to live life free from sin and to keep his commandments. An artist who was painting Lincoln’s portrait in the White House, asked him about his religion and Lincoln replied: I have no religion, I never joined any Church. But any Church that inscribes over its altar as its sole qualification for membership, the words of the Saviour; “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and thy neighbor as thyself”, that church I will join with all my heart and all my soul. Our religion, our code/law, our goal is Love!

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

Friday of 19^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Let love lead

Reading: Mt 19:3-12

In the light of the seemingly endless cases violence in marriages, breakups divorce and other marital issues that have become almost normal in the society, all married people are invited to take their minds back to the origin of marriage in order to discover the original intention of the one who instituted it as a union between a man and a woman.

When a question about marriage was posed to Jesus in today’s gospel, He didn’t answer it according to the custom of his land or to the law of the state, rather, he drew the attention of the questioners to how the union was when it was instituted by God and how it should be according to the will of God.

Jesus is, therefore, addressing to married people and those intending to enter the marital state to remind them that marriage was instituted by God as a union of love between a man and a woman, and should only be governed by love, which is both the intention and the identity of the one who instituted it. Marriage should not be governed by the dictates of the law but by love, since it is a sacred union and a vocation, it is not a mere secular union. Anytime people in a marital union relationship start evaluating their actions according to what their culture or the secular state says, that union has lost its test and needs rebooting.

It is true that the difficulties and challenges of living together as husband and wife are enormous, but when couples allow love to lead, their imperfections will not lead to physical and emotional attacks, breakups and divorce, but will instead challenge them to help each other to become better. When love leads, cases of betrayal will vanish, forgiveness will easily be given, tolerance, kindness, and other virtues acts will not be asked for, they will rather flow like a stream.

Most times, marital problems stem from the expectation of perfection from partners. But then, the fact that God created us imperfect should help people in marital unions to understand that no human can be perfect, and that whoever expects perfection from imperfect beings would be perfectly disappointed.

Let us, therefore, ask God to heal broken marriage and bless all marriages with abundant love

Fr Isaac C. Chima

 

 

 

Thursday of 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Yr. II: reflection

Theme: You can’t genuinely love God without loving your neighbour

Reading: Mk 12:28b-34

There are churches on every corner of the streets in our countries, with a large number of people going in and out of these churches for prayers and other religious purposes. At every prayer session or other activity in these churches, members raise their voices to declare or whisper quietly in their hearts about how much they love God, and also promise to love Him with every breath in them.

It is reasonable to assume that as the number of people expressing their love for God on a daily basis rises and as the number of places where this love is occasionally declared rises as well, the number of crimes against human beings in society will inevitably decline. But it seems that the opposite appears to be the case: despite the rise in the number of people who raise their hands and voices in churches to declare their love for God, crimes against humanity seem to be on the rise. This raises doubts about the genuineness of the love we profess for God or, more accurately, whether we truly understand what loving God entails.

In today’s gospel reading, while responding to the question about the greatest of commandments, Jesus hints on what anyone who truly loves God should do. He said the two greatest of all commandments are to love of God with everything in us and to love of neighbour as ourselves. None of these two can exist without the other.  

Therefore, whoever professes love for God must consequently extend a hand of love to the people around him or her, these include the people near and far: husband, wife, children, brother, sister, relatives, friends, colleagues, fellow citizens and all human beings, whether they are lovable or not.

Indeed, the genuineness of our love for God will be tested by the way we treat our fellow human beings, and not by how loud we proclaim it in the Church and/or street corners.

May your honest efforts this Thursday bear good fruits. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 

May 14 – Feast of St Matthias: reflection

Theme: This I command you, to love one another as I have loved you.

Reading: Jn 15:9-17

The theme of love occupied a special place in the discussion of our Lord Jesus Christ with His apostles in today’s gospel. He told them two times that whoever loves him will keep his commandment, and also two times that his commandment to them is that they should love one another, and this love must be as He loved them. It should be the love that moves one to lay down everything, including his life, for the beloved; the love that compels one to always consider the best interest of his beloved in all his actions and decisions.

Today, the Church is celebrating the feast of St Matthias, who replaced Judas among the twelve apostles. If Judas had loved as Jesus preached, he wouldn’t have sold Jesus and wouldn’t have lost his position in heaven. If Judas had considered the best interest of the one he sold, he would have conquered his selfish desire for money. Recall that when Judas was promised 30 silver coins, he lost his mind, allowed his selfish desires to overcome him, and sold a friend to whom he owed the duty of love.

Our world is dotted with many cases of people who betrayed the ones they owe a duty to love just because of material interests and gains. Selling out has become a common practice in our world. But then, we must understand that failing to love as Jesus commanded is sufficient to deny us a position in the community of the apostles and saints in heaven, as it happened to Judas. If we fail to love as Jesus commanded, our position will be taken by another person. Let us resist every temptation to betray our call to love as Jesus loved us.

May God’s blessings be abundant in your life this Tuesday. Amen.

Fr Isaac C. Chima

 

 

6^th Sunday of Easter, Year B: Reflection from Fr Julian Ekeh

THEME: LET US LEARN FROM THE FATHER'S LOVE

(John 15:9-17)

The Gospel of today began with: 'As the Father loved me so have I loved you'. Wonderful acts of love performed in the past. But very much relevant to the present. Thus, Jesus added: 'abide in my love'.

It was not careless that Jesus called 'Father'. He could have said 'God', but He chose to call 'Father' as He taught about the love that lasts, the love that saves, the love that generates.

It is very common to cloth love with a feminine garment. Mothers enjoy much love and are spoken of as loving more. Men are often tagged hard, mean, and beings without feeling. It is not true. The Father loves. He loves genuinely. His love is unique and objective. It is sometimes overlooked. The mother bears the child in the womb, but the father bears the mother and the child in his heart till delivery and continues. Jesus calls us to remain in this love.

Let us, therefore, learn from the love of our heavenly Father and make it an example for our earthly fathers and all father figures. Let us also endeavour to love the heavenly Father and indeed our fathers and all father figures and institutions the way we ought to. May we reflect on the qualities of the Father's Love and its implications for us.

 

LOVE THAT IS RIGHT

The love of the Father is a genuine one. It is a love that is in love with keeping the commandment. Thus, Jesus says, "If you love me, keep my commands." The Father loves the Son that is Obi nna ya (one that does what pleases Him). He is proud of the son or daughter who represents Him well. Fathers are groomers of law abidingness in their offspring. This can be done with the rod, but out of love. He insists you do it the right way. Only love can do it.

 

INSTRUCTIVE LOVE

The love of the Father is educative, instructive, filled with knowledge, understanding, it is love that is pure, true, holy, and spiritual. It is not materialistic nor destructive.

This love builds on what is spoken. Jesus says: 'These things I have spoken to you'. What do our fathers tell us these days? Do fathers still speak words of wisdom to their children? Can your children boast of hearing good parables and inspirational nuggets from you, their father? This is how the Father loves. It may not always be pampering. That undiluted truth is heard from the father. The voice of the father never dies. Let's accept the guidance, directives, and counsels of our Father in heaven through Jesus Christ and, indeed, our biological fathers here.

 

ENCOURAGING LOVE

The Father is the origin of the family. He initiates the idea of moving out, the idea of the 'otherness'; "Let us create." The thought of other beings into existence is his brainchild. He leaves the mother and father to join. It is in the nature of the father to unite. Is it still that way? Do you encourage love among your children?  Do you encourage love among the States, tribes and races in the country that look up to you as a father figure? Do you encourage as a political father, religious and traditional father harmony among the people entrusted to you? As the boss in that office, as a principal in that school, etc, do you promote love? As a Bishop, how do you promote peace among your priests?

 

SACRIFICIAL AND FRIENDLY LOVE

The Father loves from the heart. He wants the best for his family. He goes out of his way in search of greener pastures to provide for the home. He sacrifices his pleasure to ensure the security of His family. For him, there is no need to relax when there is no food on the family table. He takes a lot of risks even without mentioning them. He can do any type of job wearing just a pair of trousers but buys jewelries for the wife and best of wears for the children while paying the bills as well. Only a friend can do these.

Are you a friend, confidant, and listener to your children? Do you make out time to play with your family? Do you sacrifice your serious time for their nonsense? Do you care to understand their silence? Do you give them your shoulder to cry on?

God, the Father, in his love, understands our loneliness and gives solutions to it. He saw when man was helpless and sent us Immanuel as a Saviour. This love of the father frowns at indifference, suppression, and master-slave relationship.

 

LOVE THAT BEQUEATHS BLESSINGS

The father blesses the children and wishes them well in life. When Jesus was sent into the world, God gave Him graces and blessings with which He went about doing good. He lavishes the love of the Father on us.

Fathers should be blessings to their family and not curses. They should be blessings to the human family at large and not a curse unto them. They should hand on good fruits to their children.

What type of fruits do you encourage your children to bear? What examples are they moving out with?  Are you leaving behind peace, progress, and love or injustice, anarchy, and greed? 

 

May God our heavenly Father bless all the Fathers and Father figures in the world. May we show them real love that will encourage them in their responsibilities in the home and in the world.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

God our Father, thank You for the gift of our Fathers. They face a lot of challenges in our world today. Save them from the dangers that threaten to ruin them and the sacred task you have given to them. Make them blessings to their wives, children, and our society at large. Bless them with wisdom and bless them with happy old age in good health. May we not break their hearts. Reward them abundantly in heaven after living to the glory of your name here through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (6th Sunday of Easter)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

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

Theme: Love: the true identity of Christians

Readings: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48; 1Jn. 4:7-10; Jn. 15:9-17

Dearest friends in Christ, the readings of today give us the real identity or distinguishing factor of Christians. Friends, we all know that every establishment in this world has its identity, its trademark, let us say a quality that distinguishes it from other establishments. Also, every country has its identity, which can be seen in their nation’s flags, languages, coat of arms, etc. People also have their distinguishing factors seen in their cultures, languages, dressings, foods, hairstyles, etc.

For many centuries, Christians have also evolved means to show the world who they are, ways of letting the world know that they belong to the body of Christ. The hierarchies in the church, for example, Cardinals, Bishops, priests and religious, use uniforms to show who they are. On many occasions, the lay Christians have also identified themselves and their groups in the church through uniforms, badges, pinups.

However, dear friends, the readings of today are drawing our attention to a higher factor that should be our identity in the world, a factor that should distinguish us from the rest of the world. This factor is called love. It was Shakespeare who said that the ‘hood does not make a monk’ (Cacullus non facit monachum). He was right, because uniforms can be changed anytime, anywhere, and we have also seen occasions where people of the same uniform fought and killed themselves. Hence, uniforms are not enough distinguishing factors for Christians, they cannot be our identity before the world.

Before the chapter of today’s gospel, Jesus had already informed his disciples in Jn 13:35 that ‘if you love one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.’ In the today’s gospel, He added: this I command you, to love one another. It is a command, not a suggestion from Christ. I see the other parts of the gospel of today and the second reading as further lessons on this real identity, trademark or distinguishing factor for Christians.

The second reading gave us a reason why love should be the identity of Christians. The first reason why we should love is because God is love, and he who loves is from or of God and, consequently, knows God. Therefore, he who does not love cannot say he knows God because God is love. If you love, it means you know God, but if you don’t love, it means you don’t know God. Hence it is by loving that we can convince other people that we know God and that we belong to God, not by wearing uniforms. The love of God does not discriminate, it is a love that is shown to both friends and non-friends. Let us not talk about showing love to enemies because for those who love, there are no enemies, there can only be non-friends, and non-friends are not enemies. The first reading showed us how this love was poured on people who were not yet Christians. The type of love that is our Christian identity does not segregate.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus showed us more qualities of this love that should be our identity. This love for one another, he said, must be according to His own love for us. And at the heart of the love Jesus has for us is sacrifice, the laying down of one’s life for his friends. Hence, Jesus is telling us that the love that should distinguish us from other people is a sacrificial love, a love that is ready to burn out like a candle in order to light others. A love that does not end on the lips but is shown in service to others. A love that is ready to sacrifice something precious for the sake of the beloved. This love can be expressed through offering of one’s time, money, and talent for the good of other people. It is a love that goes out in search of those who offended it so that it can forgive them. It is the love that defends the poor and the weak. It is a love that is founded on honest service to other people. This is the type of love that should be the identity of every Christian.

Dearest friends, we will lose our Christians identity whenever we hate other people. We will lose our resemblance of God whenever we fail to love as Jesus loved. We will cease to represent Christ in the world whenever we hate our neighbours, friends and other people.

Peace be with you

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima