Tuesday of the Octave of Easter: Reflection by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

WHY ARE WE WEEPING?

(John 20:11-18)

Jesus is risen. Mary stood weeping at the tomb without knowing that He has risen. Then the angels asked her: woman, why are you weeping? She answered:" Because they have taken away my Lord..."

With the resurrection of the Lord, it is supposed to be joy, joy, joy all the way. But why are we still weeping? This is the question. Jesus has paid the debt, but our fellow human beings continue to make things difficult for us. Jesus has saved us, but our society keep pushing the blessings of the Lord away from us. We have been redeemed by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ but we keep tying ourselves to sin; greed, injustice, tribalism, immorality and fetishism.

We are not as happy as we should be because of the evils still operating in our world and luring our people. We are weeping because of leadership problems, because of insecurity, because of the loss of value for life, because of corruption, because of poverty, because of indiscipline, because of hardship, because of insincerity and dishonesty, because of the materialism that has replaced spirituality, because of the egoism that has replaced community spirit, because of the individualism that has displaced the spirit of common good. For these and many more we are weeping. These things are the real things that make it seem as if the resurrected Christ is far removed from us. Let every crime give way for Christ so that cry may give way to smile.

LET US PRAY

May we weep no more Oh God Almighty Father.

May evil news give way for Good News. May anarchy give way for peace and tranquillity. May the joy of the Lord and the happiness of the children of God never depart from us. May You Oh God arrest all the powers destroying our true peace and joy through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Easter (Tuesday of the Octave of Easter)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Monday of the Octave of Easter: Reflection by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

DON'T BE HARDENED IN EVIL

image from: The Resurrection is No Myth, But It Is Dangerous | Adam Ericksen (patheos.com)

(Mt. 28:8-15)

A lot of people participated in the death of Jesus. Some of them realized their mistakes and repented. Even Pilate after the death of Jesus took a resolute stand not to remove the inscription "King of the Jews" on the cross. Peter repented and cried. The centurion in Matthew 27:54 confessed: 'Truly this man is the son of God'.

The truth that is obvious now is that Jesus died and has risen. The guards mounted to watch the tomb knew the truth about the resurrection and actually told the elders what had happened. But because these men are hardened in evil, they have become old in sin, they have grown used to covering the truth, they devised another means of thwarting the truth of the resurrection.

They didn't want the message of joy given to the women to go round. The message of the resurrected Christ to them was: Do not be afraid. But these men wanted them to remain in fear of what will happen to them if they are said to carry a false message about Christ. They wanted them to remain in fear of being accused to have carried the body of Jesus while the soldiers slept.

The soldiers lacked integrity and probity. They chose to be termed irresponsible than to be responsible for the truth they witnessed.

Dear Child of God, we too participated in our various ways in the death of Christ. After the resurrection, can we make a radical decision today not to hold on to those things that made Christ to die?

Are we in any way fighting against the truths the resurrection represents? 

Are we placing hindrance to the joy the people around us should experience as children of God?

Are we still holding people down or wishing that they remain down there?

Jesus has risen. Let us rise and become new creatures. Let us feel sorry for our evils. Let us stop fighting Jesus in the people and realities around us. Let us be sure of this: that Christ will never die again. We will die. When we do, shall we rise with him in glory?

LET US PRAY

 I want to share the joy of your resurrection Oh Christ. But a lot of forces want me to remain in my old ways. A lot of powers are paying and lobbying me to believe in a lie than in the truth that you alone are my only Lord and Saviour, enthroned above all powers. Keep me strong in faith without fears. May I attain the everlasting joy You have planned for me and rejoice beholding Your glorious face forever and ever. Amen

HAPPY EASTER (Monday of the Octave of Easter)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Homily of Easter Sunday Yr B by Fr. Isaac Chima

They thought they have conquered Him, but God disappointed them

Image from: What are the differences between exalted, resurrected and translated beings? (askgramps.org)

Dear friends, we have arrived at that day that defined our faith. The day that gave birth to the gospel we proclaim. If Christ had not risen from the dead, our faith would have been in vain. In fact, we would not have been here under this banner, there wouldn’t have been any Christianity. The resurrection of Christ is at the centre of our faith, it is the beginning of our faith. The resurrection narrative was always the beginning of every homily in the life of the early Christians, it was their reference point, it gave them authority and power.

Dear friends, we are lucky to be beneficiaries of this absolute power of God over the power of darkness and death. We are blessed to be associated with the resurrection power of Christ, the power that conquered the evil forces that wanted to rule the world, the power that shattered the stone that was used to cover the tomb, the power that defeated the dominion of the devil, the power that fulfilled the plan of God’s redemption of humanity from the failure of our first parents.

Today, light has conquered darkness, life has conquered death, grace has conquered sin, freedom has prevailed over slavery, justice has returned to the seat of judgement, Jesus has won the battle for us. Our hearts should be jubilating for this victory. Once more, we can smile, laugh and dance, because God did not allow death to have the last laugh in the history of our salvation. We can stand with our heads raised high because we are children of victory. Jesus has given us victory. Let us raise this banner of victory high in everything we do and say.

At the center of the victory of Christ’s resurrection is a saying that has a lesson for us. It goes this way: ‘it was at that time when his enemies thought that they have conquered Him that God in his infinite power raised Him to the heights.’

Dear friends, Jesus came into the world with the mission to set us free from the dominion of the devil and to return to God Father. But the devil wanted to halt that mission, he wanted to keep us his slaves forever. To achieve his plan of thwarting the mission of Christ, the devil instigated the men of authority and they killed Jesus. With His shameful death on the cross, His burial, the heavy stone that was used to cover the mouth of the tomb and the heavily armed guards at the grave, the enemy thought he has conquered the Prince of life and put an end to his mission.

However, it was at that time when the devil and his cohorts were rejoicing that God, in his infinite power, disappointed them by raising Jesus from the dead. It was at that point when they thought that they have conquered him that they actually hastened the realization of his mission on earth, which was to die for us and to return to the father.

What does this tell us? It tells us not to lose hope whenever we feel we have been conquered by the difficulties and realities of life. It tells us that there will always be a joyful development in the sorrowful stories of those who believe in God. It tells us that failure will not be the end of the story for those who believe in God. It tells us God is capable of disappointing our enemies in their evil plans against us. It tells me not to give up when I have been hit down by the problems of the world. The power of the resurrection of Christ gives me this assurance, it is my guarantee of ultimate victory in life. Remember, it was at that time when they thought they have conquered Christ that God disappointed them by raising Him from the dead.

The challenge for us is to open our eyes of faith and look beyond the source of our sorrows. In the extension of the gospel reading of today, Mary Magdalene focused her entire attention on the grave, hence, was unable to recognize the risen Christ. She was at the grave sweeping, asking God to give her back her Lord and consoler, asking God to bring Jesus back to life. But then, when the answer to her prayer stood before her, she couldn’t recognize him, because she was soaked in her sorrows.

Dear friends, it is not wrong to cry when we have been hit down by problems or when we have been disappointed, but it would be wrong if we become absorbed in our sorrows to the point that we fail to look up to God. often when we become absorbed in our sorrows and keep focusing on the closed door (the empty tomb in the case of Magdalene), we will not notice that God has opened another door for us, a better door. Through the power of Christ’s resurrection, God opens alternative door, a better door to those who focus on Him with faith during turbulent times. May the power of Christ’s resurrection open our eyes to see the solution God has given to us in our problems. Amen

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

PUSC, Roma

 

Homily of Easter Vigil by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

HE HAS RISEN

image from: God and Logic: Expert Witnesses on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (god-and-logic.blogspot.com)

(Mark 16:1-7) 

This is the great night, the holy night, the night of battles, the night when the light conquered darkness. This is the night that gave meaning to our living. This is the very night when  Good and evil fought and good won and our salvation is bought. 

This is the night of vigil and indeed the mother of all holy vigils. The Gospel presents us the story of the first faithful Christians who kept this vigil. They are the women   Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome.

Death could not hinder their love for Christ. They longed to preserve His Holy Body by anointing it.   They had concerns and worries but pushed on. The darkness couldn't stop them, fear of the unknown and of the soldiers was not a barrier for them. They couldn't sleep but remained in their Holy wish to have Jesus live on with them. There was no meaning in their activities without Christ. They are as good as dead without Christ. They were motivated by their goodwill and love for God. 

They saw the stone rolled back. They saw the empty tomb. They saw the angel. They received a message: "You seek Jesus of Nazareth... He is risen".

Alleluia. Child of God, who do you seek tonight?  Are you among those who really sought the face of God during the just concluded Lenten Season?  Do you seek Jesus? There's a Good News for you: He is risen!

He is risen for you to be free, He has risen to take control over your being. He has risen above your problems. He has risen to wipe your tears. He rises to dispel the darkness of your life. He has risen that you may be jubilant once again. He has risen to restore you. He has risen to transfer you from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, from sickness to health, from death to life, from damnation to salvation.

Arise and carry the message of tonight to your family, to your community, to your workplace, to your office, to your Church. The Lord has conquered. He makes you a missionary of joy. You will sow joy wherever you go.  You will be a monstrance that show God's constant love and power to the world. 

Let Alleluia be in your mouth again. The Lord has risen to give you reason to pick up all you have lost. Put on your candle. Keep this holy vigil. Take back your position as the child of God. Renounce Satan and all his operations and manipulations over your life. Let the light of Christ shine in your life. Let Him see you close to His side on the resurrection morning. 

Having died with Christ in baptism, renew that baptismal promises you made long ago and rise with Christ into newness of life.

You can't be an Alleluia Christian and remain the same. Christ has renewed you and given you new birth and life through His death.

LET US PRAY

Oh God, may I be among those who will rejoice in the fullness of joy that flows from the graces of your resurrection. Let no power steal the joy of this holy night and season from me. It is indeed my season of joy. Alleluia. May your name be glorified and exalted Oh Jesus forever and ever. Amen

Happy Easter( Easter vigil, Yr B) 

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Homily of Easter Vigil by Fr Isaac Chima

Christ’s Resurrection: A guarantee of our ultimate victory

image from: The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is the Son of God | Jesus resurrection, Christ, Pictures of jesus christ (pinterest.com)

Dearest friends, we have arrived at that night when the power of light conquered the power of darkness, that night when the Most High didn’t allow the power of death to rejoice over us. But some questions keep ringing in my mind. They are begging for answers.

Dear friends, I would like you to reflect over these questions and, possibly, answer them in your heart. Have you ever imagined what the world would have looked like if Christ never resurrected from the dead? Have you ever thought of the values that would have been supreme in this world if Christ did not resurrect from the dead? Do you realize that it took God the Father many years to prepare humanity for the coming of His only begotten Son?

Right from the fall of man in Adam and Eve, God took the decision to restore man to his lost glories. To achieve this plan, God adopted the people of Israel, sent priests and prophets to teach them to obey Him and to prepare them for the coming of His Son. The readings of this night give us a beautiful storyline in this regard. The entire world waited in anticipation for the coming of this Son of God. But, unfortunately, when the Son of God finally came, the world did not recognize him. The devil locked the hearts of the Jews from recognizing Him. The same devil, who caused the failure of Adam, wanted to drag humanity to another failure. Instigated by the devil, the Jews seized the Son of God, judged him unjustly and crucified Him. They crucified the one who has come to save them from the power of the devil. What a historic disaster, an end to the long-awaited Messiah! In the plan of the devil, the death of Jesus was to be the second deadly blow to humanity: the first was in Adam, the second was to be in the elimination of Jesus.

So, dear friends, if Christ didn’t rise from the dead, the plan of saving us from the dominion of the devil would have been dealt a heavy blow. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, all stories about him would have been reduced to mere curiosity, a forgettable footnote in the crowded history of lost courses. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, the values that support evil would have been supreme on earth, injustice would have been the order of the day. If Christ had not risen, darkness would have conquered light, evil would have conquered the good.

However, dear friends, death did not have the last laugh in the story of Jesus. God did not allow the story of His only begotten Son to end with His death on the Cross, rather, His story developed another chapter, the part which says, ‘He conquered death and rose from the dead’.

So, dear ones, we are victorious because of the victory of Christ. Relying on the victory of Christ, we can comfortably look at the cross and affirm that in our individual stories, in our life’s struggles, death, hardship, trials and tribulations will not have the final laugh or the final word. The resurrection of Christ has given us assurance of victory over our own problems.

The church wants us to raise our voices today, with eyes fixed on the cross of Christ, and affirm with faith that our own trials will also come to pass. Our childlessness will also come to pass. Joblessness will also come to pass. Hatred will also come to pass. Sickness will also come to pass. Hunger will also come to pass. The resurrection of Christ is our guarantee. Easter is a time of miracles for Christians, because St Paul assured us that if we suffer and die with Him, we shall live and reign with Him in glory.

Fr. Isaac Chima

PUSC, Roma

 

       

Good Friday Reflection by Fr. Isaac Chima

 

 Jesus transforms whatever He touches

image from: Calvary Cross Pictures of Jesus Christ (turnbacktogod.com)

Dear friends in Christ, the Good Friday Ceremony – the Veneration of the Cross – is a celebration of the victory of the foolishness of God over the wisdom of man, a celebration of the transformation of the symbol of shame – the cross – into a symbol of our salvation. This transformation is courtesy of Jesus, who transforms whatever he comes in contact with.

Before the death of Jesus on the cross, the cross was a symbol of shame, a course reserved only for criminals and other outlaws. In that case, death on the cross was the most shameful of all deaths. It was for this very reason that the Pharisees and the elders, who instigated the condemnation of Jesus, asked Pilate to have Him crucified on the cross. They wanted a shameful death for Him. However, the nature of Jesus is to transform whatever he touches. His encounter with this symbol of shame – the cross - transformed it symbol of salvation, a symbol that is revered and venerated. Jesus touched the symbol of shame and transformed it into a symbol of faith and salvation.  Such is the power of Christ.  

Dear friends, the church invites us to open ourselves to Christ, to allow ourselves to be touched by Him. He transforms whatever He touches. If he comes in contact with you, your life will never remain the same. Today, we have the cross of Christ in our midst, let us embrace it, let us venerate it so that we will feel its transforming power.

Every Good Friday, we listen to the Passion narrative; it is not a sweet story. It is rather a sad one, a story that recounted the injustice of the powerful over an innocent man. This narrative should push us to take a decision to defend the course of the innocent. It was the silence of those who were supposed to talk that led to the triumph of injustice in the trial of Jesus. Therefore, we should realize that any form of silence from us in the face of injustice can lead to the death or the suffering of someone who is innocent. The Passion of Christ should push us to say ‘no’ to being silent in the face of evil in our society. It should lead us to say that we will never allow the voice of injustice to triumph wherever we are gathered, be it in the family or in the workplace.

Lastly, it was our sins that necessitated the coming of Christ to die for us. Hence, as we condemn those who unjustly judged Jesus for their wickedness, we should also ask ourselves whether we are still committing those acts that made Him to accept the sorrowful journey to calvary. Every form of sin is a betrayal of Christ who died for us on the cross. Every sinful act increases the weight of that cross. We condemn him to death any time we fell into sin.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

PUSC, Roma

 

Good Friday: Reflection on the Passion Narrative by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

JESUS DIED AND WAS BURIED

Image from: The Sixth Saying of Jesus on the Cross: The Meaning of Jesus Christ Saying “It Is Finished” (findshepherd.com)

(John 18:1-19:42)

There is no Mass today. Today is a mournful day. Today is a day of sorrows. Today heaven and nature weep. Today evil is temporarily rejoicing over good. For the enemies of Christ, the battle is over. He's been won. Nke ya agwula. For His admirers and disciples, the only voice resounding within their hearts is: We are finished.  And Jesus seems to have attested to this when He said: It is finished! Jesus has finished the cup he received for our salvation. Jesus has died.

The Son of God died? Why did God allow this? Why did Jesus accept this type of shameful death and cowardice? These and many questions are asked.

As a child, I cursed all those who treated Jesus badly during the stations of the Cross. One of the Years, I came back on a good Friday and wept outrageously. When asked why I was crying my reply was: Jesus anwuola! (Jesus has died). Some adults laughed at me. But I was told to wipe my tears that it is a remembrance of His death. That Jesus can't die.

But he did die. Was it not reasonable for me to cry? People who lost their loved ones cry? And a God died, and people are just not concerned? Let the child in me weep biko. Let the Child of God in me look up and survey the wondrous cross on which my Saviour died.

It is no longer for the others but for myself and what I am still doing after the death of Christ that should make me cry.  I must have to take the death of Christ as the reality it is in order to take the radical decision not to put Him to death in my life and by my life. But make him live and reign.

WHAT KILLED JESUS?

But wait, when someone dies, the question is usually: What killed Him? What led to his death? Jesus died because of love. He suffered love. He lived loving. He loved his haters. He tried making His enemies friends and they killed Him. But even in death He prayed for them and buried their crimes, died their death and gave them His life.

WHO ARE THE KILLERS OF JESUS?

Jesus did not die because of Herod but because of the evil in the world that brought Him face to face with Herod and Pilate. Christ didn't die because of the pain of the scourging, but because we had the opportunity of preventing Him from falling into the hands of these barbarians, but we refused and kept on living the type of life that gives God pain in the heart. Jesus didn't die because of the cross' weight but because of the weight of our sins, abandonment of God and indifference. He cried, we mocked Him, He thirsted, we gave Him vinegar. He opened His heart for us we pierced Him with a lance. He opened the Paradise for us we ran away, running into hell, He gave us His all, even His Mother but we will not take her home. He commits us into the hands of God, but we commend ourselves into the hands of the enemy of our souls. But he bled and died to set us free still. That was all he could do for us.

THEN HE WAS BURIED 

He died after suffering the agony of the cross. But that was not enough. His act of salvation is not a superficial one. When death has done its last, Jesus went down to confront death with a life that can no longer die. He went to bring back and to restore. To give hope of new life and to destroy the powers holding us down. But, have we really stopped empowering the power of the evil one from operating in us? This is what Jesus died for. Let us start to live for that which Christ died for.

LET US LOVE JESUS CHRIST

The passion story according to John began with the story of betrayal, denial, evil judgement, wickedness and everything bloody. But at the end we saw the lovers of Jesus left with Christ's lifeless body.

Let us be among these friends of Jesus who will not live even when others live. Let us be like the Mother who will carry Jesus with love no matter how tough things are for us. Let us be like Nicodemus who will carry Jesus to burry when He has been abandoned by all, Let's burry the body of Christ in our souls through communion. Let us be like the beloved who will take all that belonged to Christ and care for them.

Let us appreciate the price paid for our salvation. Let us not be ashamed to live for him who was not ashamed to die the most shameful type of death for us.  Let us feel sorry for our sins, burry them all in the grave awaiting the resurrection on the last day.

Let us pray

I don't deserve what you did for me on the cross dearest Redeemer. Thank You Jesus. You died for love of me, thank you Jesus. You died that I may have life, help me to live for you. I am sorry for causing you to bleed through my sins. Forgive me and never permit me to separate myself from You again. Into Your hands I commend my spirit. May Your death give me life now and ever. Amen

Happy Good Friday

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh