FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: MOVE YOUR FAMILY FORWARD

(Matthew 2:13-15.19-23)

Today is the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Today, God reveals to Joseph as the protector of the family, being the Father, His will for every Family. Do you know the will of God for your family? Do you have any dream concerning your family and what God has planned for your family? With the aid of today's Gospel Reading, let us try to figure out what God desires from each and everyone of our homes.

That you may move along together

Addressing the father in the person of Joseph, God said: "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee..." The family is never a place of individualism, it is not a place of suffering or enjoying alone. 'Alonism' has no place in the family of the Children of God. To move forward, to rise, to ascend, to improve, to develop a family must act as one. They must not allow anything to put a knife on the thing holding them together so that they may remain firm and not fall apart. Who is that person in your family you sidetrack? Who is that member of your family you relegate to the background? Who is that person in your home you leave behind during decision making? Who is that family member you fail to take seriously because of his disadvantaged situation in physique, finance, or education? Reason together, move ahead together, go as one, the father with the mother and children. This is a complete family. Always go together if you want to succeed. Don't leave anyone behind if not the enemy will come from behind and do havoc through him. Go to Church together. Be together always. Pray together even. The family that prays together stays together.

Flee from trouble

Some families are well-known for their troublemaking. Some are known for their no-nonsense character. Some must retaliate whatever evil done to them. But the lesson from the Holy family today is that you may have all it takes to fight back but it is more honourable to run from trouble. Onye ujo jikwanu ndu ya na onye ike. Just see Jesus (God) running from ordinary Herod(man)

And it must come to pass

No bad condition in your family can be permanent. So have strong hope that someday God will overpower the Herods fighting against your family. And till he dies, remain in the state where God wants you to be. God will reinstate you at the appropriate time, all you have lost will be returned to you. Be patient, training your children. You will be rewarded. Be strong in facing that challenge. It will never break you.

Take council from God

The downfall of many families today is that they listened to evil councillors. Seek the mind of God when you are in confusion. Do not divorce that your wife, do not disown that your child, do not sell that family property, do not intimidate that your brother. Those giving you bad advice go behind to mock your family. Never go to them for they are incompetent to hear your family problems. Come together and resolve whatever issue amicably.

May the peace, love, joy and blessings of the Lord abide with you and your family now and for ever. May your family grow from strength to strength. May your homes be a place you can always go and find solace. May God break every chain of discord in our families and make our families as blessed as the Holy family through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Christmas to you and Happy Feast of the Holy Family (Year A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 Feast of the Holy Family, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Imitating the Virtues of the Holy Family

Reading: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; Col 3:12-21; Mt 2:13-15,19-23

Dear brothers and sisters, today the Church celebrates the beauty of an institution established by God from the beginning of creation: the family. By placing this feast on the last Sunday of the year, the Church invites us to end the year as a family and to enter the new year united in love and peace as a family. For this reason, she presents to us the beautiful and holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—a family where love, peace, and unity reigned—so that we may learn from their virtues and avoid the vices that can destroy our own families. Indeed, if we desire to live together in love, peace, and unity, we must embrace the responsibilities that come with family life.

The second reading invites every member of the family to embrace compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, love, and peace. It encourages us to correct one another with wisdom rather than anger, to speak with love, and to do everything in the name of Jesus. It also reminds wives to show respect to their husbands as the heads of their families, and husbands to love and protect their wives.

There are many beautiful lessons we can learn from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph if we want our families to reflect the virtues highlighted in today’s readings.

The life of Joseph offers important virtues for every husband. Joseph showed perfect love, devotion, and care for Mary, even in the most difficult circumstances. Recall that when he discovered that Mary was pregnant before they lived together, he did not seek to disgrace her; instead, he sought to protect her from shame. What does this teach us? It teaches that every husband should seek what is best for his wife, not merely what is best for himself or simply what the custom says. We live in a world where people sometimes take pleasure in shaming others—even their own spouses. This should never be found in a Christian home. Like Joseph, and as the second reading instructs, every husband must be a man of selfless love, tolerance, and care in all circumstances.

Joseph was also the protector of the Holy Family, especially in times of danger. He guided Mary and Jesus to Egypt and back to protect them from Herod’s massacre, as we heard in today’s Gospel. Dear friends, every husband is called to protect his family from all threats to life and to their peaceful existence.

Together with Mary, Joseph searched anxiously for Jesus when He was lost in the temple. In the same way, loving parents always seek their children when they are not where they should be. Good parents do not allow their children to be lost to harmful influences or destructive friendships.

The life of Mary also offers beautiful virtues for wives. Her silence and her faith in God were golden. She was a woman of deep faith who placed herself at the service of God and her family. Dear wives, silence is not weakness. We know that remaining calm when one is angry is difficult, but many marital conflicts are not resolved through harsh words. Many challenges are overcome through love, understanding, and patience. Peace rarely survives where there is constant noise and tension.

The peaceful home of the Holy Family shows us that Mary was a woman of peace and gentle speech. Every woman is called to be a bearer of peace, love, and care within her home. Mary was a caring mother, attentive to her family and close to her Son. Every mother is called to be a homemaker in the best sense of the word—one who creates a loving environment and knows the needs and struggles of her children.

Parents have the responsibility to build a home where peace, love, care, and tolerance flourish—a home where children can grow in security and joy. The second reading also advises parents not to provoke their children.

Marriage is an institution of love. Husbands and wives who truly love their families do not turn their homes into courtrooms where each person argues like a lawyer to justify their behaviour because, in a courtroom, every victory is a defeat for the one party, leaving incurable wounds. Instead, Christian families should resemble confessionals—places where each person is willing to admit faults, seek forgiveness, and grow.

Parents also have the duty to form their children not only academically but spiritually. Dear parents, teach your children faith in God, moral integrity, and good values, and they will become treasures to you. The family is the “Domestic Church”, the first place where children learn about God and morality. Therefore, families should pray together and listen to the Word of God daily, for a family that prays together stays together. As Proverbs 22:6 teaches, “Train your child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

And what about the children? Obedience is the duty every child owes to parents. Jesus Himself was obedient: He returned to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph after being found in the temple, and He obeyed Mary at the wedding feast of Cana, leading to His first miracle. Today’s first reading urges children to honour and obey their parents even when it is difficult. It promises that God will bless those who show reverence and compassion toward their fathers and mothers. This reading insists that through obedience, children atone for their sins, receive material blessings and long life, and are heard by God when they pray.

Let us pray that God will pour out His grace and blessings upon all families.

May your family be blessed. Amen

Fr. Isaac C. Chima

 CHRISTMAS: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: It will be Christmas if…

Readings: Is 52:7–10; Heb 1:1–6; Jn 1:1–18

Dear friends in Christ, I would like today’s homily to centre on a theme different from those we heard in the readings of the Mass. During the Christmas music concert (Cantata) we held in Prantantico, Arezzo, Italy, on December 15, 2023, one of the fourteen songs we performed struck a special chord in my heart. I want today’s reflection to focus on that particular song. Its theme is “Sarà Natale se…” (“It will be Christmas if…”). I do not know whether everyone who sang or heard this song was touched by it in the same way I was, but it spoke deeply to me.

The song begins by telling us that “we have a special task this Christmas.” What is this task? It says, “it is to remind the world that it is Christmas.” This means we have a pastoral duty to remind those we encounter—our family members, colleagues, friends, and even our online communities—that today is Christmas and that we are in the Christmas season. We cannot be indifferent to those around us. We must tell them the reason for this season, remind them that our Saviour has visited us anew, wish them a happy Christmas, and speak to someone about the joy of Christ’s birth. We are called to become announcers of Christ’s presence.

The song continues, “if we put wings on our hearts, we will be angels that bring love.” Dear friends, this means our Christmas greetings must not be dry or empty. They must carry love. They must impart love to those who receive them. We are to be heralds of the good news of love, announcing with joy and tenderness that our Saviour is here—just as the angels announced His birth to the shepherds on that holy night.

The song goes on: “It will be Christmas if you love; it will be Christmas if you donate, and if you call someone to come and stay with you. It will be Christmas if you live, if you laugh, and if you extend your hand to someone who suffers more. It will be Christmas if you seek, if you believe, and if you sing every day with friends.”

What do these beautiful lines teach us? They remind us that Christmas becomes true Christmas only when we love others, when we give generously, when we laugh with others, when we extend a helping hand to those who suffer, when we bring cheer to those around us, and when we put smiles on people’s faces. Without these actions, we are not truly celebrating Christmas. This challenges us deeply. It is possible to enjoy all the merriment of the season and still fail to celebrate Christmas. If our celebration lacks these acts of love, then we have not truly celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus.

Finally, the song says that “our Christmas will be real Christmas if it does not last only an hour or a day, but becomes Christmas for an entire year.” This invites us to make every day of our lives a Christmas. We are called to smile, to laugh with others, to give, to help, to believe, and to welcome others—not only on Christmas Day, but every day. The song invites us to do good always. Let us therefore make every day a Christmas.

Peace be with you as you make today a true Christmas. Happy Christmas.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 CHRISTMAS: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: His name is Emmanuel – God is with us

Readings: 1st Is 52:7–10; 2nd Heb 1:1–6; Gosp. Jn 1:1–18

My dearest brothers and sisters, Happy Christmas. On that holy night when Christ was born, the heavens were filled with joy; the earth shone with the glory of God; the angels sang with gladness; the shepherds could not hide their amazement at the marvellous presence of God; the sheep kneeled in quiet welcome; and the stars danced and shone like never before. It was truly a night of grace.

We therefore have every reason to rejoice, for the Saviour has come to visit us again. His name is Emmanuel: God is with us. God has revealed to us what many prophets, kings, and wise men longed to see but did not.

From the moment Adam and Eve sinned and fell short of God’s glory and love, God began seeking a way to draw close to humanity again—to restore us to the dignity we had lost. In many ways He revealed Himself to the people of old and spoke to them, as the second reading reminds us today. Through various means, He prepared them for the coming of His Son.

Finally, in our own time—the appointed time—He has revealed Himself to us and spoken to us through His Son. The birth of Christ is the fullness of God’s revelation to humanity, the complete manifestation of His love and glory, and the shining of the light that dispels the darkness of sin and death.

With the birth of Christ, God has broken the reign of sin, dispelled the power of darkness, and restored us to His friendship. We have once again become His beloved children.

My dearest people, Christ now lives in our midst. In the birth of His Son, God took flesh and dwelt among us. This is the mystery of the Incarnation. He is no longer distant or unreachable. He has come down from heaven to be close to each one of us. He is living with you; He is living with me. His name is Emmanuel—God is with us.

If God is now close to us, it means He feels what we feel and knows our struggles as well. Therefore, let us not be afraid to call Him our brother and to invite Him into our lives.

However, in today’s Gospel, John tells us that He came to His own, and His own did not welcome Him. Let us reflect on this. Could it be that some among us still find it difficult to welcome Christ into their personal lives? Are there those who prefer to live according to their own designs rather than according to the teachings of Christ? Who are those in our midst who might be counted among “His own who did not receive Him”? We may not know for certain—it could be any one of us, but we do know the signs of rejecting Christ.

What is clear is this: we refuse to welcome Christ when we hate others, for Christ is the author of love. We reject Christ when we refuse to forgive, for Christ is the God of mercy. We reject Christ when we open ourselves to sin, for Christ is the master of holiness. We reject Christ when we fail to show kindness, for Christ is the prince of kindness. This Christmas offers all who have been rejecting Christ a beautiful opportunity to change their lives and welcome Him. He is the light and joy of the world.

The Gospel also tells us that to all who accepted Him, He gave power to become sons and daughters of God. Dearest brothers and sisters, Christ is knocking at the door of your hearts. His name is Emmanuel—God is with us. He desires to be with you. He desires to be with me. He desires to make us heirs of the Kingdom of God. Let us therefore open our hearts and our homes and welcome Him.

Happy Christmas to you and your family.  

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 CHRISTMAS: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH

(John 1:1-18)

In today's solemnity, we celebrate the taking flesh of that word delivered to Mary. Today, Mary is delivered of a Son. The Son of God that has become the son of Man. The child of God mixes up with the children of men to make them the children of God.

The message of angel of God has come to manifestation. The plan of God for man has come to fulfillment.  Heaven and earth rejoice to welcome the one who reconciles them. The angels that were placed at the garden of Eden to ensure that man never gets access to it now rejoice that man has been restored to peace with God by Christ the prince of peace.  Man has given flesh to God and opens his arms to embrace the spirit from God. Man has handed over damnation to accept salvation.  Man receives life and God destroys death forever.  Out of darkness, Christ the light of the world appears to lead man into life everlasting.

Alléluia! Christ is born in Bethlehem.

 

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS

 

ACCEPT CHRIST:

The gospel highlights that those who accepted Christ receives and believed in him received the power of being called children of God. Christ coming into the world reminds us of our origin, of whom we are called to be: children of God.  In Christ God wants us take back our true image.  Let us welcome Christ the newborn king with joy. Let us open our arms to look into the eyes of this God that visits us as a baby. Let us go back into the garden where we played with God with childlikeness. Let us admire the love of God that comes to dwell among us. Remove from your heart and from your home anything that will stand as a hindrance for the new born King to enter and reign with tenderness and compassion.

 

Express Love

As we welcome Christ with love, let us express love to one another. Let us share the little we have. Let us care and offer a helping hand. Let us be filled with joy and spread true happiness. Let us bring Christ to the masses. That is Christmas.

 

Christ's Mass

Let us celebrate Mass in honour of Christ. Let us stop deceiving ourselves with the worldly celebrations in the name of Christmas that is outside the intention of God and the Church for this season. Christ is the reason for this season. Let's offer the Holy Eucharist with pure hearts in Thanksgiving to God for what He has done for us in Christ. Let's make Christ shine.

 

Drive Darkness away

Christ comes in as light in a dark world to driver away the darkness of the devil and of sin. Let us this period, be agents of light to drive away darkness in our world, in politics, in religion, in our cultures, in business, in the family and all our endeavours.

 

Time to glorify God

The gospel maintained: we saw his glory. Let the glory of God be seen in all we during this festive season. God wants to see us glorify him. Travel to glorify God, give to glorify God, play to glorify God, pray to glorify God, sing to glorify God, meet family and friends glorifying God. Shun any actions and inactions that will not give glory to God this season.

 

Be filled with grace and truth

And the word became flesh and lived among us we saw his glory full of grace and truth.

My dearest friends in the Lord. We have prepared ourselves by sacramental confession for this holy season.  Let us remain in the state of grace. Let us stand up for Christ.  Let us be true to our calling as children of God. Let us speak the truth that will bring justice and reconciliation in our families, in the Church and in our world. May we all be filled with the grace of God and enjoy the blessings of the nativity of Christ.

Blessings

May Christ the newborn king, reign in our lives. May he the light of the world deliver us from the danger of this dark world. May this celebration bring us joy, happiness, healing and divine favours in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

Merry Christmas to you.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Emmanuel: God is always with us in times of threat and uncertainty

Readings: Is 7:10–14; Rm 1:1–7; Mt 1:18–24

Dear friends in Christ, we are gradually approaching the end of the season of Advent. The readings of this fourth week will shift our attention from the intense call to repentance and penance to the scene of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem; they focus on the events surrounding the historic birth of our Messiah.

As we prepare ourselves for the joyful celebration of that historic birth which changed the course of our world, the Church does not lose sight of the challenges we face every day. Thus, on this fourth Sunday, the Church reminds us that the Messiah whose birth we are about to celebrate is always with us in all difficulties and confusions; that His name is Emmanuel—God with us—and that His mission is to save those who trust in Him from all that threatens their existence. This awareness of who our Emmanuel is becomes necessary because many people tend to forget the power of this Saviour whenever they are surrounded by problems. Many look elsewhere for solutions when they feel threatened, forgetting that our Saviour, Emmanuel, is capable of rescuing us from every trouble and directing us on the right path. The first reading and today’s Gospel offer clear lessons on relying on God in times of threat and confusion.

In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and of Syria were planning an attack against the King of Assyria, who had taken control of their territories. They asked Ahaz, the king of Judah—the Southern Kingdom of Israel—to join them, but he refused. In response, they threatened to invade Judah and overthrow Ahaz. While Ahaz was anxiously considering how to save his kingdom from the imminent attack, the prophet Isaiah approached him and urged him to trust in the power of God, whose Holy Temple was in Judah, assuring him that God would protect Judah from all enemies.

But King Ahaz could not trust God’s promise of protection. Instead, he preferred to form an alliance with the king of Assyria to defend himself against Israel and Syria. Confident in God’s protection, Isaiah told Ahaz to have faith and not ally himself with Assyria. In the midst of Ahaz’s doubt, Isaiah invited him to ask God for a sign—a sign that would convince him of God’s protection over Judah. But out of fear and stubbornness, Ahaz refused. He was determined to follow his own plans, seeking an alliance with Assyria and its pagan gods. Then Isaiah announced a sign from God: a virgin would conceive and bear a son, whose name would be Emmanuel—God with us—a sign meant to assure Judah that God was truly with them and would not abandon them to their enemies. Despite this, Ahaz went ahead with his alliance with Assyria, worshipped its pagan god, and even sacrificed his son.

Through this biblical story, the Church reminds us of the character and power of the One whose birth we are about to celebrate. His name is Emmanuel, the God who does not abandon His people in times of difficulty and threat. In our problems, sicknesses, disappointments, and pains, He is always with us to strengthen and rescue us, because His name is Emmanuel—God with us.

In today’s Gospel, we encounter Joseph, whose plan to settle into marriage with Mary was shaken by great confusion when he discovered that she was already pregnant. As Joseph pondered how to handle this difficult situation, an angel of God appeared to him in a dream and instructed him on what to do. Joseph trusted God and obeyed His directives.

When we place Ahaz and Joseph side by side, the contrast is striking. While Ahaz doubted God’s power and refused to obey Him in his difficult situation, Joseph trusted God amid his confusion and obeyed His instructions. While Ahaz sacrificed his son to a pagan god to secure an alliance, Joseph protected his wife and the Child—Emmanuel—from all human threats.

We are therefore called to have confidence in God, especially in the most difficult moments of our lives. The name of our God is Emmanuel—He will always be with us. Though we may face financial problems, job insecurity, family struggles, or health concerns, let us trust God like Joseph. Instead of relying on our own schemes, which often lead to greater problems—as happened to Ahaz—let us open ourselves to God’s will, trusting Him and following His directives. Let us be strengthened by speaking to God in fervent prayer and by listening to Him through the Scriptures.

Today, Matthew tells us that the ancient prophecy of Isaiah—of a God who would always be with us—was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Therefore, dear friends, we are about to celebrate the birth of a God who is both transcendent and immanent, a God who is high above us yet always with us, a God who will not abandon us in our needs, confusions, threats, or discomforts, because His name is Emmanuel—the God who is always with us.

Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 4^TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: DREAMING OF CHRISTMAS

(Matthew 1:18-24)

The celebration of the Nativity of the Lord draws nearer and nearer. Today is the last Sunday before the great solemnity. We are called to reflect on the way the holy birth came about. Our special interest will centre on two personalities: Mary and Joseph the dreamer of the New Testament.

Our dreams of Christmas can never be thought of without these two persons. We think of Mary as the maiden through whom the Saviour will come to the world. We talk of Joseph on the other hand as the guardian and protector of Mary and Jesus.

As we prepare for our Christmas, as we paint the image of what we want our Christmas this year to look like can we through the aid of the Gospel today keep before us the dream of the first Christmas dreamer, what triggered it and the angelic instruction that the dream generated?

 

MARY FOUND TO BE WITH CHILD

The Gospel of today without telling how Mary got pregnant simply said that she was found to be with child outside the knowledge of the Man she was betrothed to. It throws every reader in suspense. As for Joseph who was the Man that initially experienced all these, he was plunged into a deep thought. He must have wondered who was responsible, he must have felt disappointed with Mary, he must have blamed himself for trusting so much.

In our day-to-day life we are faced with such moments of misunderstanding. When we do not understand anything around us, when we do not seem to comprehend why things happen the way they do to us and the people we care about.

At such moments, what do we do? Flame up or keep calm?

 

MARY WAS CALM

Let us place the silence of Mary before us for a while. Let's visualize the young innocent girl who asked some questions in the account of Luke now keeping quiet before Joseph. She never spoke. Maybe she simply said what she experienced and just shut her mouth up. Why did she do this? She did not want quarrels. She must have put herself in the shoes of Joseph to understand that he was feeling what every other man in such a situation would feel. She kept silent to avoid raising of voices, attracting a third party, spreading their linen outside and disrespecting her husband. What a rare decision! This is not what many women are known with.

Can we dream of a Christmas free from family quarrels, filled with conflict resolutions, decorated with overlooking ills done in the past?  Can we start seeking the face of God before taking any serious decision?

 

JOSEPH'S DECISIONS

"Being a just man" is the phrase used to describe the person of Joseph generally and with particular respect to his attitude to Mary. Joseph was yet to receive the message of the angel when on his own he took a noble decision. What was the decision of Joseph? He decided never to follow the bad injunction that encourages putting a victim of such to shame publicly. Let our dream for this Christmas include removing shame from people's faces instead of dragging them to shame. You can forgive that person without embarrassing him or her. You can hold that person's secrete and help him or her out of ugly situations instead of destroying the person's good name. Who knows, this may attract angelic visitation to you.

 

BEHOLD AN ANGEL APPEARED TO JOSEPH IN THE DREAM

With the whole trouble in his heart Joseph was uncomfortable. He must have found it difficult to sleep that night. Imagine him walking up and down without any other solution rather than simply divorcing Mary privately. He goes on to ask himself if there's no better solution to the problem. And suddenly sleep struck and subsequently dream. The dream here became a medium of communication, encounter, meditation and listening to the voice of God. I want to imagine that Joseph must have prayed fervently before his sleep not to make any mistake. And the angel appeared with an interesting message:  "Joseph son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife..." That became a response to the prayer of seeking God's face. May God send you angels both human and spiritual to deliver you when you are tempted to make bad decisions. Endeavour to follow directives from above when they come.

 

FOLLOW THE MESSAGES OF YOUR DREAM

The success people record in life depend to a large extent on the instructions they were able to obey or not. Wake from your sleep and go about what God has planned for you. Dream to make this year's Christmas a Christmas to be remembered by preparing to follow the commands of God. Let the law of love and of God guide each and everyone of us as we endeavour to use this last week of advent to fine-tune our Christmas preparations.

May God bless His word in our hearts

 

LET US PRAY

Thank You Lord God for leading us thus far in our preparation for Your Son's birth. We commit ourselves, our confusions, our discomforts and our plans into Your holy hands.

May our good dreams of Christmas come to pass and may we be spared from every misfortune this period and always through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Happy Sunday (Advent Week 4)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh