Reflection on the Gospel of Tuesday of Week One Yr. B by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

REBUKE AND SILENCE THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT

(Mark 1:21b-28)

We are given the picture of Christ in the synagogue teaching with authority on the sabbath.  There before Him was a man with an unclean spirit and he cried out: What have you to do with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"

Child of God, what happened to your authority? What is threatening your authority to walk in the ways pleasing to God this year?  What's standing between you and your achieving your goal, your positive plans, your dreams, your aspirations?  What's the strategy of the devil to frustrate your vision and mission?

Jesus had the dream and mission of leading the people out of ignorance and the shackles of the devil with authority from above.  But see the strategies of the devil to distract Him and weaken His authority.

He started with flattering Jesus, praising Him and revealing some truths about Jesus.

My dearest in Christ, you've got to rebuke whatever flattering spirit meant to deceive you this day, this month and this year. Any voice speaking to you that is not from God, should be rebuked no matter the apparent truth they reveal.

Rebuke that voice telling you to make money by evil means. Rebuke that spirit telling you that you will succeed without the mercy of God. Silence that voice that wants to negotiate with you in matters of heavenly importance. Silence the voice asking you what you've got to do with prayers. Silence that voice questioning your reasons for loving your spouse the way you do. Silence that voice asking you why you should teach your children the fear of God.

Nwa Chukwu, rebuke and silence that spirit that doesn't want you to destroy the vices in you. Destroy the vice of sin, the vice of dishonesty and insincerity, the vice of pride, of injustice, of marginalization and oppression. You can do so by the authority of Christ who strengthens you.

LET US PRAY

Thank You dearest Lord for all you have been to me, thank you for the authority you used to silence and rebuke the powers holding me down. Help me dear Lord to  work with the authority you have deposited in me to be able to silence and rebuke the forces questioning my reasons for fighting against the evils tormenting me. Heal me by your grace Oh Jesus. Amen.

God bless your Tuesday (Ordinary Time, YR B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image fromAliens, UFOs and The Coming Deception | Planet Zion (wordpress.com)

Reflection on the Gospel of Monday of Week One Yr. B by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

LET'S CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY WITH CHRIST

(Mark 1:14-20)

With the season of Christmas over, the Church starts the Ordinary Season. The 'ordinariness' of the season lies in the fact that during this period there is no special aspect of Christ's life that is celebrated. The weeks in this season are numbered and ordered. Thus, 'ordinary' here is not just 'common' as English translates it. It is derived from ordo, and then 'ordinalis' (numbers in a series)

The season is also described as "Time through the Year" (Tempus per annum). During this time, the mysteries of Christ in all its aspects is celebrated and not just in particular.

 It is not a time when nothing happens or when banality is encouraged. It is a serious season of the Church, when we should pattern and order our lives following the dictates of Christ in toto. It is a time to live out the word of God, a time of following Christ. Through Christ we enrol ourselves in loving discipleship. We are called upon to deepen our spiritual awareness of God in our midst in our day-to-day activities.

The vestments change to green, implying that we should allow the graces we have accumulated in the various seasons to blossom. We've got to remain alive. That's the invitation.

To remain alive in Christ, the Lord calls us to get connected to himself. He calls us out of the many activities of our lives. He calls us to leave all we do that distract us from following Him.

Just as in the gospel of today He called the men that turned to become His apostles, He calls us as well to become His apostles in our family, in our offices, in our workplaces.

Can you decide to renew your spirit of following God this season? Can you give God an opportunity to school you with His word and direct you especially in the midst of the confusions and troubles of our world today?

Let's Follow Christ zealously. We shall not regret it.

LET US PRAY

Thank You for this day, this season, and the changing times Oh Lord. You remain the Lord of all our situations. Call us to your side and keep us safe there. Keep us safe from bad government, from sicknesses, from insecurity, from poverty and from evils. May no trouble ever make us stop following you the way we ought now and for ever. Amen.

God bless your Monday (Ordinary Time, Yr. B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Matthew 4 - Wealthy Fisherman Follow Jesus - YouTube

Reflection on the Gospel of Feast of the Baptism of the Lord by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

BAPTISM IN CHRIST: KEY TO OPEN THE HEAVENLY GATES

(Mark 1:7-11)

As a child who loved Christmas celebrations so much even till I became an adult, the announcement made by the priest this day made me feel unhappy, namely that Christmas is over. The birthday celebration of Christ has ended. But living the life of those reborn begins.

Today's celebration is the celebration that brings to an end the Christmas season. With it, the Nativity celebration of our Lord comes to an end for the year.

Jesus steps into the Jordan river to be baptized by John the Baptist. The Lord comes to be baptised by His servant. The saviour bows to receive Baptism from His messenger and insists that it be done.  He gives credit to the message of the Baptist. He calls upon everyone to follow Him into the waters of the new birth.

We celebrate an important feast today; the Baptism of the Lord.

What is baptism?

The word baptism comes from the Greek word 'baptizein' or 'baptizonto' (immersion, submersion in the water). This takes place in a large body of water. Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word (CCC 213).

This first sacrament is according to the council of Florence (Ad 1438-45) the gateway to the spiritual life (vitae spiritualis ianua).

THE OPENED HEAVENS IN THE GOSPEL

Mark today reports that as soon as Jesus was baptized, He saw the heavens opened. What does this mean for us? What does it entail to say that heavens opened at the baptism of Christ? Who closed this heaven?

This reminds us the reason for the incarnation of Christ which we celebrated in the Nativity, that Jesus came to save us from sin. Sin made the gates of heaven to remain shut for years till God in His infinite love sent His only Begotten Son to free us and lead us to heaven once again. Jesus comes to unlock in holiness the gate sin closed.

Jesus opens the gate to new relationship with God. This was severed through disobedience which Adam and Eve indulged in and began to flee from God. God opens His arms of love like a wide gate to welcome us back.

God opens the heavenly gates to introduce us to the Trinitarian family. He takes us deeper in love with God, and makes us to take a view of the eternal life He wants us to live after our earthly sojourn here.

He makes us to open our ears as the heavens open to hear the word of God for us, hence the ritual of 'ephetta' at Baptism. God sees us beloved children. Do we make Him our beloved God?

God opens the gate of salvation and of the Church for us. He makes us His children and airs of God and members of the Church.

QUESTIONS FOR THE DAY

Important questions of today should take us to the baptismal promises we made on our own Baptism. Baptism is not necessary for Christ. He only needed to teach us how necessary it was for us.

What has your Baptism done for you? Are you any changed since you were baptized? Have you made good use of the heavens opened for you by Christ? Have you opened many other avenues and gates to enable you make hell fire your eternal abode? God forbid.

Let the celebration of today open gateways of virtues for us to attract blessings from God, joys of the citizens of heaven and peace with one another here as good Christians.

LET US PRAY

Thank you, Jesus for the heavens you have opened for us in Christ. Through the Baptism of the Lord help us to appreciate our own Baptism. Help us to live according to the promises we made Thee. May You speak favours upon us from above even at the last moment of our life. We wish to hear you call us your beloved children. May we please you by our thoughts, words and actions through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday/ Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

#Baptism #Christmas #FeastOfTheBaptismOfOurLord #CatholicBaptism

Image from: Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist Painting by English School (fineartamerica.com)

Reflection on the Gospel of Saturday after Epiphany by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

HE(CHRIST) MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE

(John 3:22-30)

People reported Jesus to John the Baptist. It sounds funny right? But it happened. They thought John was greater than Jesus. They thought John was more a baptizer than Jesus, without knowing Jesus was the owner of baptism and the one in whose name every baptism is held. It is for His sake that John was baptizing.

John did not waste time to clarify them and set the records straight. He must have laughed at their ignorance. He told them straight whom He is and whom He is not. He told them that He (John) is not the Christ.  More importantly that Christ must increase while He must decrease.

Who is increasing in your life? Are you allowing Christ to shine bright in your home? Who is stealing the praise and glory due to Christ in your life? Have you taken the decision that come what may, Christ must be your one and only Primus? Are you determined to make your love for things of God greater than your love for any other being?

As you step out today, make Christ number one, make Him the leader, put Him in front, make Him all that matters in your life. He's bigger than your worries, your sorrows, your problems, your temptations, your challenges. Just Increase your reverence and worship of God. Don't place yourself, money, friends, work, position before God. With God you will have these others in abundance. Oh yes! And greater joy at last. Believe it nwa Chukwu.

LET US PRAY

You're great and worthy of my praise and adoration, Oh Lord. I confess with John the Baptist today that you must increase while I must decrease. I decrease into you; I invoke your greatness upon my life. Manifest your great power in my life. May I not see the fake greatness the enemy wants me to believe is real. Open my eyes to consider and appreciate how great thou art in my life all the days of my life. Amen

God bless your day (Saturday after Epiphany)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: He must increase, I must decrease | volgdeboereninzuidafrika (wordpress.com)

#John3:22-30 #ChimaIsaac #EkeJulian #Increase

Reflection on the Gospel of Friday after Epiphany Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

WHAT'S THE LEPROSY THAT HAS COVERED YOU?

(Luke 5:12-16)

In today's gospel reading, a man covered with leprosy appeared before Jesus.  When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored for healing saying: 'if you want to, you can cure me'. Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, 'Of course, I want to! Be cured!'

Can you report yourself today to Jesus? Can you run out from that hideout the devil, sin and uncleanness has kept you? Just come out. Report your hatred, jealousy, arrogance, pride, laziness, diabolism, greed, theft, just name it to the Lord. Expose yourself to Jesus so that He will impose His holy hands upon you. Without such exposition on your side there will be no imposition and impartation of blessing, of forgiveness, of healing from God.

Show Christ your sinfulness and receive the holiness He shows you in Christ through the hands of the priest.

Show God yourself when you're alone in prayers, show Him your faults and strike your breast accusing yourself in the confessional, kneel before him in humble adoration.

LET US PRAY

Oh God, I appear before you this day exposing the dirty things in me to you. I expose my sins, my failures, my weakness my many covered faults, my sickness and my pains. Cleanse me through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, heal me and hold me gently by your holy hands now and forever. Amen

God bless your day (Friday after Epiphany)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: The healing of the Leper, and John’s healing of the blind man point the way to the healing of the paralytic – Comments on our Catholic Sunday Readings for our Reno, Nevada Cathedral (wordpress.com)

Reflection on the Gospel of Thursday After Epiphany by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

GRACIOUS WORD OF GOD FOR YOU

(LUKE 4:14-22a)

Jesus reads his will for us. He opens the book of his vision, mission and intention for us. He discloses the purpose for which He was sent to us by his heavenly Father. They include: Good news, release, recovery of sight, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Alleluia, the Lord in His unalloyed love dreams big and positive for us. He promises to see them fulfilled in us. May He open the eyes of our faith, free us from all forms of captivity and release us from every bondage both the self-imposed and those imposed on us by others.

Only the gracious words of God will come to pass in your life, not that of the evil one, not that of the enemies of God's steadfast love on you, not those of your faithless self.

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your good will for us, for your positive plans for me this year. Keep us faithful to focus on you believing that all your plans for us this year will come to perfection through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your day (Thursday after Epiphany)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: Count Your Blessings | God TV

Reflection on the Gospel of Tuesday After Epiphany by REV. FR. JULIAN O EKEH

DIVINE ATTITUDE TO HUMAN LONELINESS

(Mark 6:34-44)

The Disciples of Jesus came to Him saying: This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late; send them away, to go into the country and villages round about to buy themselves something to eat. But He answered them: you, give them something to eat.

We see human attitude towards the lonely, the neglected, the unloved and the hopeless. We send them away, build walls to keep them off, we are less concerned, we do not feel for them. It was night and cold, it was dangerous and fearful, yet the disciples never thought of what would happen to these men when they are left to go alone without a guide, without light, with empty stomach in that place of loneliness. All they cared about was to send them away 'Ka nri ha zuoro ha' (to avoid their cutting their normal ration of bread). That is human attitude.

The divine attitude to human loneliness is an interesting one. We started seeing it in Genesis when God saw how lonely the man was and made a helpmate for him. Today, God, in Christ, teaches the disciples this divine attitude towards human loneliness. He says: You, give them something to eat. Meaning you get involved in the other person's matters. You, stop being selfish. You, stop pushing your wife/ husband away by your attitudes. Are you in the midst of 'friends' and yet lonely? Do you leave that person that lives close to you lonely by your character?

Feed them with something good. Feed them with care, feed them with love, feed them with gentleness, feed them by sharing, yes share your time, share your gifts, share your privileges, share your connectedness positively.

The disciples were connected to Jesus, but instead of using their connection to draw people to God, take them away from loneliness, take them away from frustration, save them from the hopelessness of not knowing what to do and the embarrassment of not knowing which way to go, they push them away.

 The message of today presents to us a God who will never abandon us, a true friend who will not allow us be put to shame, a caring saviour whose compassion will not stand seeing us struggling alone. In Christ, we have a God who loves us and so feeds us with the word and the sacraments, a God who will not leave us to feel lonely.

God through the word of God today, calls on us to look around us and see those who are in need of our help, to heal our world of loneliness, to rid our society of suicides, to treat others the way God treats us.

LET US PRAY

O Lord, your word had revealed to us the difference in our ways and your ways. We are sorry for our attitudes of pushing people away from you by our selfishness. Help us to think less of ourselves and more of others. Comfort the lonely. Heal every injury created by loneliness especially the injury of despair and aggression through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your day (Tuesday after Epiphany)

REV. FR. JULIAN O EKEH

Image from: douglassblvdcc.com