Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 31, 2020

DATE : 31/10/2020, Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : Mass of the Weekday or B.V.M COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Phil. 1:18-26; Resp. Psalm 41:2-3,5; Luke 14:1,7-11. THEME: DO NOT SEEK PUBLIC RECOGNITION Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme " Do not Seek Public Recognition". According to the Austrian Neurologist and Psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud, every human person has several needs, which though latent, seek to be met and satisfied. One among these several needs which many of us are often shy to speak about is the need for recognition. The need for recognition pops up in several ways in a persons life. Such as, the desire to be appreciated for a good deed done, the desire to be respected by our juniors, the desire to be seen doing good, etc. Although many people may deny this feeling, but in reality, they yearn for it. This explain why so many of us feel bad when we are ignored, when our guest fails to appreciate our presence at an event, when our name is omitted from the high table or among those appreciated for contributing for the success of an event, and when we are left out in a group. Beloved, The inordinate need for recognition is what Christ warn us about in today's Gospel reading, Luke 14:1,7-11, through the parable of the invited guest, who went to take the place of honour at the banquet. Child of God, many of us may not have the confidence or guts to act so boldly or spontaneous like the man in today'd Gospel. But whenever we demand respect from others, whenever we feel bad for not been appreciated for an act of kindness, whenever we fail to do good a second time because the recipient failed to thank us at the first instance, whenever, we speak about our good deeds publicly, whenever we look down on others because we are in a privileged position, then we are not different from the man in today's Gospel passage. Remember the words of Scriptures: "when you give alms, let your left hand not know what your right is giving' (Matt. 6:3), and "When you have done your duty, only say we are mere servants, doing what we are meant to do" (Luke 17:10). I Pray God to give us the grace to shun every inordinate crave for public recognition. God bless you #End Sars, #End Political Oppression #End Bad Governance Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help me to be humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call me to serve...Amen HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED (BARKA da JUMA'A) @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 31, 2020

SATURDAY 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Philippians 1:18-26, Luke 14:1,7-11 HUMILITY IS A BLESSING Many of us human beings have an over exaggerated sense of importance and self worth. We rate ourselves very high and feel we should have a special position among other people. Jesus makes it clear to us in the gospel reading of today, that we should be humble so as to be exalted. It is when we expect so much from people and things do not go the way we expect that we get disappointed. It is better for you to be recognized and brought to the limelight, than to assume a position and be demoted. It does not matter who you are. I have witnessed a scenario where a king was disgraced and humbled because he exalted himself. He came to a ceremony where he was invited and assumed that the most conspicuous and eye catching seat must have been reserved for him since he was the king. He had just sat in it when one of the ushers asked him to move to another seat because the seat was reserved for the chairman of the occasion. You can only imagine how he must have felt. Jesus tells us today that it is not where we are that matters or whether we are bring noticed. What is important is that we are at the occasion and we have contributed our quota. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 30, 2020

FRIDAY 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II EPHESIANS 1:1-11, LUKE 14:1-6 TO GOD BE THE GLORY I can only imagine the level of joy in the heart of St Paul when he was writing the first reading of today. St Paul is very fulfilled and happy about the work he did in Philippi. He is very happy because those he ministered to listened to him and did what he told them. There is nothing greater for a priest of God to see the people of God doing well in their faith and happy. St Paul is therefore praying for them, that God will give them the grace to carry on the good works till the end. In the gospel reading, Jesus is not happy with the lawyers and pharisees who have refused to learn the truth and basic necessities of the faith, but picking issues in things that are not important. We pray like st Paul today, that almighty God will grant us the grace to carry on our good works to the end. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 30, 2020

DATE : 30/10/2020, Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Phil. 1:1-11; Resp. Psalm 110:1-6; Luke 14:1-6. THEME: ONCE LIFE IS INVOLVED, ALL LAWS ARE SUSPENDED Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme " Once Life is Involved, all other laws are suspended". Often times, people complain that the Catholic Church is too legalistic and traditional, because she has many laws concerning almost every aspect of her life, woship, ligurgy, sacraments and even laws guiding the conducts of her ministers. But, I recall vividly that article 1752 of the 1982 Code of Canon states that "the supreme law of the Church is the salvation of souls". Hence, once the salvation of a dying person is at stake, all laws are suspended, and the person is attended to swiftly. So, no matter the condition or situation, a priest is bound with all urgency, to administer the sacraments to a dying soul if he is she desires it. Beloved, we know that most of the practices, beliefs and teachings of the Church are inspired by the life and ministry of Christ. Thus, in today's Gospel, we see Jesus, teaching us to always put the supreme law of saving a soul before and above all other laws, when He healed the man with dropsy on a Sabbath. Beloved, Why did God give the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath and enjoined us to refrain from work on that day? The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness, both in creation and redemption. It is a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was not, however, intended to put a stop to love of God and love of neighbor. Because the law of love supersedes the law of rest. So beloved, when next you want to apply or hold tenaciously to any human or divine law, first ask yourself: is this law i am about to insist on, cause harm to another person, or will it bring them comfort and joy. I pray God to give us the heart to always bear the good and interest of others in mind, each time we are moved to insist on any law or decree. God bless you. #End Sars, #End Political Oppression #End Bad Governance Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, Fill me with your love and keep me free from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek to please you and to bring good to my neighbor despite what the law may dictates...Amen HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED (BARKA da JUMA'A) @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 29, 2020

DATE : 29/10/2020, Thursday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 6:10-20; Resp. Psalm 143:1-2,9-10; Luke 13:31-35 THEME: BE ON GUARD AT ALL TIMES Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme " Be on Guard at all Times". Beloved, without mincing words, I put it to you that to opt for Christ is to place yourself at enmity with the devil and his legions. It means that the very moment you consciously decide to give your life to Christ, to repent, to shun your old ways or habit, that moment you unleash the host of evil forces to engage them in a fierce spiritual battle. Many of us think we are Christians, but in reality, we are nominal Christians. For in truth, Christianity is not about dancing, clapping, singing, and attending all sorts of prayer sessions or Church activities, but righteousness, peace and unwavering faith in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). So, unless you are determined to enter into a spiritual warfare with these strong forces and to conquer, do not think yourself a true Christian QED (Quod erat demonstrandum). Beloved, have you ever asked yourself these: Why is it difficult to consistently do good? Why is my passion always having the better of me? Why is sin so attractive, simple and irrestible?Why do I often fall prey to the evil I do not like to do? Listen up dear friend, the invitation to follow Christ is no small job. St. Paul did not hide this truth from us in the first reading of today Eph. 6:10-20, neither am I going to conceal it from you today. To succeed in this Christian journey, we must put on God’s armour so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavenly places. So we must rely on God's grace if we hope to put up any resistance when the dark forces strike. Often time, the devil strikes from different angles, he may attack your spiritual life, making you to procrastinate; your business, making you to have financial crisis; your health, making you to doubt God's healing power; your family members, making them obstacles or a pain in your neck; your career, causing you to be discouraged in life; And worst of all, your faith, making you to doubt all that God has revealed or will speak through the mouth of His priests. Child of God, I want to cease this opportunity to encourage us that, in whatever ways the devil reveals his outdated tactics in your life, do not despair, do not lose faith, do no be discouraged. Hinge your Faith firmly on Christ who has given us victory over the evil forces, and has made us co-conquerors with Him (Rom. 8:37). I pray God to give us the grace to stand our ground, and to always conquer these evil forces that we must have to confront in our daily lives. God bless you #End Sars, #End Political Oppression #End Bad Governance #End Satanic bondage Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, give me the grace to always put on my spiritual armoury of faith, truth and integrity, as I confront these evil forces in my life....Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 29, 2020

THURSDAY 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 6:10-20, Luke 13:31-35 BE ATTUNED TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD I wonder how some people feel when they start living life as if nothing matters. They get tired of praying because of their sins and the devil has an opportunity to enter into their lives fully. In the first reading of today, st Paul advise that we should try to bond with God because it is only prayer that can save us from the various tactics of the devil to lead us astray. Many of us do not pray, some who pray do not pray in a state of grace. Sometimes we may think the troubles we have to face in life are those of people around us, most times, they are not. We fight daily against the impulses of sin inside us. St Paul tells us that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Most of these are our inner struggles against sin and the flesh. Let us continue daily to struggle against the things that make us not to live a good and prayerful life. How many of us are faithful to our times of prayers? How many of us are faithful to the Angelus and divine mercy prayer daily? May almighty God help us to always think of him so as to drive away evil thoughts from our lives. God help us. Amen. Fe Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 28, 2020

DATE : 28/10/2020, Wednesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : Ss. Simon and Jude, Apostles (Feast) COLOUR : RED READINGS : Eph. 2:19-22; Resp. Psalm 18:2-5; Luke 6:12-16. THEME: GOD HAS CALLED YOU TOO Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As the Church celebrates the feast day of two great apostles and saints, Simon and Jude, I want to reflect with us on the theme " God has Called You Too". Although not much is known to us about the life and public ministry of Ss. Simon and Jude whose feasts we celebrates today, we know that despite their flaws, Christ chose them as His apostles, and they remained faithful to their ministry, though in a more quite manner. Jude is said to be the brother of St. James the Lesser. Nephew of Mary and Joseph; blood relative of Jesus, and reported to look a lot like Jesus. St. Simon is said to be a zealot (those who have excess zeal for the Jewish law), and he brought this same zeal into his ministry as an apostle of Christ. Beloved, just like the first reading succinctly puts it, with the coming of Christ, you and I are no longer aliens or foreigners, to the kingdom of God, for Christ has called us, sanctified us, chosen us and made us co-heirs with Himself and all the saints. We are all now a part of that heavenly building which has the apostles as the foundation stones and Christ as the chief corner stone. We are stones, building up the body of Christ here on earth. As such, we need to remain available and relevant for the Lord to use us in His heavenly building project. Beloved, like today's theme read, God does not show partiality, He has no favourite, He has called all of us to be a part of His building. So, whoever makes himself available and docile, God will use him. Just like Ss. Simon and Jude, who have no special talent, charism or personal holiness, God can use anybody to bring about his salvation and purpose. He is not interested in your past or personality like Simon the zealot, He is not interested in your family or educational background like Jude, But, He is only interested in your disposition to answer the call and to remain faithful to it. I know it is a hard time in the world, especially in Nigeria to maintain your Christian values. But it is at such times as these when temptations lurks at every corner, when anger is justifiable, when looting is not seen as stealing, and when resources are scarce that God will reward faithfulness the most. I pray God to give us the grace to pull through these trying times unscathed. God bless you #End Sars, #End Political Oppression #End Bad Governance Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, fill me with courage and persevering faith to trust you. Give me the strength to cling to your promises when the world around me begins to crumble and when my zeal begin to waver, fan into me the flame of faithfulness to you...Amen

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 28, 2020

WEDNESDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2020 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II FEAST OF STS SIMON AND JUDE (APOSTLES) NOT MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT THEM In life, people have different personalities and behavioral patterns. Some always want to be the centre of attraction, some others do their work silently not minding whether they are recognized or not. Today as we celebrate the feast of Sts Simon and Jude, we discover that nothing much is known about them apart from the fact that they were Apostles of Jesus and that they carried on the faith till the end. Simon who is known as the zealot is said to have been zealous about the mosaic law and he was among a zealous group that was against Roman dominion of the Jews before Jesus called him. St Jude was the brother of James the less. He is believed to have preached the word of God in Palestine, Persia and Armenia where he suffered martyrdom. Because his name is similar to that of Judas Iscariot, he was rarely invoked during prayers, but devotion to him spread rapidly later on that he is known today as the patron saint of lost articles. Apart from when Jude asked Jesus a question at the last supper, they were silent workers who did not care about popularity and reward. As St Paul tells us in the first reading of today, we all are being built into one household of God, let us not seek our interest or gain, let us not work to be appreciated, let us not seek our own glory and fanfare. God sees us all, and he will bless us as we deserve. God help us. Amen. St Simon and St Jude: pray for us. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 27, 2020

DATE : 27/10/2020, Tuesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 5:22-33; Resp. Psalm 127:1-5; Luke 13:18-21. THEME: RESPECT AND LOVE ARE EARNED, NOT DEMANDED Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme " Respect and love are Earned, not Demanded" Often times, people feel they are not respected or loved enough by their wives, husbands, colleagues, juniors and all those they expect to receive these feelings from. So, in a bid to satisfy these basic needs, they try to demand these love and respect from their subordinates. Listen to me dear friends, you are not supposed to ask someone to respect or love you. People respect and love you because you deserve their respect or when you have earned their love. The very moment you ever ask someone: Am I your mate? why didn't you greet me? So you did not see me? Why don't you respect me? A whole me? Then know that you have begun to lose your value for respect and love. Because, if you comport yourself properly, keep to your responsibilities, and act with discipline, people would ordinarily respect and love you, even your seniors and enemies would have no choice. Beloved, in today's First reading, taken from the epistle of St. Paul to the Church in Ephesus, 5:22-33; St. Paul admonished wives to love and respect their husband because the husband is the head of the house as Christ is head of the Church. Holding tenaciously to this verse of Scriptural, most men now demand love and respect from their wives, even when they themselves are not submissive to Christ and the Church, neither are they responsible in fulfilling their fatherly and husbandry duties. Most men who demand respect from their husband are not faithful to their marital vows, they do not even provide sufficient welfare package for their families, they keep late hours, are usual soaked in alcohol, do not teach their family how to pray, do not set good examples to their children, and often embarrass their wives with insults and bruises. Child of God, hear me, no matter who you are or the position you occupy, you will always reap what you sow like the Gospel reading of today tells us. If you sow acts of respect, kindness, generosity, empathy, discipline, self restraint and love, no matter how small (like a mustard seed), you will definitely reap a bountiful harvest of all the above and even more. I pray God to help husbands, bosses, and all those in places of authority to recognise that Respect, loyalty and love are earned through personal discipline, rather than demanded. God bless you #End Sars, #End Political Oppression #End Bad Governance #End High handedness Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform me into the Christ-like holiness you desire. Increase my zeal for your kingdom and instill in me a holy desire to live for your greater glory...Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 27, 2020

TUESDAY 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 5: 21-33 CREATING A GOOD CHRISTIAN FAMILY St Paul in the first reading of today gives a long and detailed discussion on how to have a peaceful Christian home that can help build up a good family. Most of the problems we have in our society today have their foundation from the family. In psalm 11:3, we are asked what the righteous can do if the foundation has been destroyed. Many children who cause havoc and are not stable in our society today can be traced to broken homes. This is why st Paul advices that husbands and wives should strive to live a peaceful life and be models for their children. Husbands and wives should be best of friends, they should live, care and cater for one another, there should be understanding, patience and respect for one another. I know a family where the husband calls his wife mummy and the wife calls him daddy. This has gone a long way to instill much more love and respect from the children. A family where there is always quarrel and rancor cannot be models of christian faith. Husbands should love and care for their wives instead of lording it over them. There should be trust and understanding. We pray that almighty God will give us the grace to make our family holy just like the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP.

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 26, 2020

DATE : 26/10/2020, Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 4:32-5:8, Resp. Psalm 2:1-4,6; Luke 13:10-17. THEME: I COMMAND WHATEVER THAT HAS HELD YOU DOWN TO RELEASE YOU IN JESUS NAME Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As this new working begins, in which we celebrate the memorial of great Christian witnesses in our Country, I want to reflect with us on the theme " I Command Whatever that has held you down to Release you in Jesus Name". As a priest of the most high God, I have had encounters with people who have shared with me certain troubling and deep issues. Majority of which I discovered that certain spiritual or physical forces have held them down and bound, preventing them from actualizing their destiny or moving forward in life. Beloved, let me ask you this: Are comfortable with where you are in life now, are you comfortable with the level of your spiritual life, or your academic life, or your physical health, or your financial status or marital life, or single state? Are you under the bondage of a sinful habit that you feel entrapped, or a reoccurring sickness that has defiled all medication, or a gross financial crisis that has become an embarrassment to you, or spiritual laxity that had made you a Christian pagan? Do not worry Jesus Christ has come and He had power to rid you of all these infirmities. Beloved, in the Gospel reading of today, Luke 13:10-17, we heard that Jesus healed the a woman whom the devil has held sick and bound for 18 yrs. Listen to me child of God, the Devil has power to tamper with our spiritual and physical life, but his power is not infinite. That is why When the appointed time comes (Habb. 2:3-4), God will surely bring about our complete healing and shall restore in abundance, whatever we have lost in the years of locusts infestation and satanic bondage (Joel 2:25). Beloved, wherever you are reading this homily in faith on this first day of the week, by the Eucharistic power of Jesus Christ, I command that any and every form of Satanic bondage that has held you captive whether in your financial, spiritual, physical, mental, or academic life, let them be destroyed now that you may be free to live fully the good life God ordained for you in Jesus name. God bless you #End Sars, #End Political Oppression #End Bad Governance #End Satanic bondage Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you grant freedom to those who seek you. Give me freedom to walk in your way of love and to praise and worship you always. Show me how I can bring your mercy and healing love to those in need around me..Amen HAPPY NEW WEEK BELOVED (BARKA DA SABUWAR MAKO) @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 30 Ordinary time - October 26, 2020

MONDAY THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 4:32-5:8 Luke 13:10-17 BE CONSCIOUS OF THE KINGDOM The way and manner many of us live our lives connote the feeling that we are not conscious of the fact that we are going to account for it. In the first reading of today, st Paul tells us to try and make efforts to be like Jesus our master. Before we carry out any action, we should ask ourselves whether Jesus will be happy with us if we do it. We should ask ourselves if our actions will make us become saints. We cannot continue to commit sin, especially the sin of the flesh as emphasized by St Paul, and expect to inherit the kingdom. Only when we purify our mind, body, soul and also our bodies, can we have the hope of inheritance in the kingdom of God. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 24, 2020

DATE : 24/10/2020, Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :St. Anthony Mary Claret (Opt. Memorial) COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 4:7-16; Resp. Psalm 121:1-5; Luke 13:1-9. THEME: LIVE WELL WHILE YOU STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As we celebrate today the memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret, I want to reflect with us on the theme " Live Well while You Still have the Opportunity". One of the sad realities of our life as humans is not that we only live once, but we are time bound. Once we are born, we keep growing old, and as the years go by, the chances of what we could have done or can do, will begin to shrink and get limited. This means that, there is a time and season for every thing in life. Hence, an opportunity lost or wasted may never come back. Beloved, Although Scripture tells us in Psalm 90 that 'our life span is 70 years of 80 years for those who are strong,' and there is no guarantee that we all must get to this age before we bow out of life. Thus, it is wise for us to make the best use of the available time and opportunity that we have at hand. Listen, If God permits you for a few more length of days or years, it is because He wants to give you ample opportunity to bear enough fruits that will guarantee you a space in paradise. This is the meaning of the parable of the unproductive fig tree in the Gospel text of today (Luke 13:1-6). Child of God, the only way to avert the tragedy of being cut down and thrown into the burning furnace due to unproductive life, is to stay aligned and glued to Jesus the only true vine (John 15:1-10), and in the fellowship of other branches (Eph. 4:9-11). I pray God to give us the grace to lead a productive lifestyle and to help others to do the same. God bless you. # End Sars # End Bad Governance # End Corrupt Politicking Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, I know that cut off from you I can do nothing, help me to always stay connected to you so that my life will never cease to bear fruits....Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 24, 2020

SATURDAY 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 4:7-16, Luke 13:1-9 TOMORROW MAY BE YOUR TURN When we hear that someone has died, we normally feel bad and feel pity for the family and loved ones. After a while, we move on with our lives. We feel the pain a little longer if the deceased is a very close relative like a parent or sibling. The #ENDSARS protest going round the nation has claimed many lives. The Lekki tollgate massacre is the one that has gained momentum among many people. Many if Usman not feel it because someone close to us was not affected. Many people who were there continue to share stories of how they escaped by whiskers. They saw someone close to them hit by a bullet and died. Just as eyewitnesses and other concerned people share experiences, that is how some concerned people came up to Jesus this morning to report that pilate had massacred many Galileans. In response, Jesus taught them that they are not better than those who have died. Those who have died in this protest for example are not the worst of sinners, we are not holier than them. Some are even killed by a bullet in the comfort of their homes. Jesus therefore instructs us to make good use of the time we have here on earth. Any second or minute we have on earth is a moment of grace that we should live well. Today it is the turn of someone else, tomorrow may be your turn. It is important that we should bear good fruits now. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 23, 2020

DATE : 23/10/2020, Friday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :St. John of Capistrano (Opt. Memorial) COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 4:1-6; Resp. Psalm 23:1-6; Luke 12:54-59. THEME: CAN YOU READ THE SIGNS OF THE TIME Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As we celebrate today the memorial of St. John of Capistrano, I want to reflect with us on the theme " Can You Read the Signs of the Time" One of the marks of a truly intelligent or discerning person is his ability to perceive, pick, read and understand the unspoken signs or reactions around his surrounding. The ability to detect and interpret signs early enough can go a long way to helping remedy or avert an impending danger or disaster. Just as the early detection of any sign of tumur can help prevent cancer, so does early reading of climatic signs help Seafarers and farmers spot weather conditions for safe travel and planting. More so, a lot of effort is made today, with the help of science and technology, to discern potential natural dangers, such as tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earth quakes, and erupting volcanoes, so that people can be warned to take shelter before disaster hits. Same way early detection of spiritual disinterestedness can help avert extreme spiritual malady or eternal damnation. Beloved, just like Christ admonished His disciples in today's Gospel of Luke 12:54-59, to always read the signs of the time, I wish to call on all the good citizens of our dear Country Nigeria and indeed all members of the international Community, to read the looming sign of disaster and anarchy hovering over the Nigerian space. As a people, we need to ask ourselves, what is the will of God in all these protests and agitations for a better governance. Surely, it is not the will of God to see blood of innocent citizens shed, neither is it His will to see injustice, brutality and oppression prevail in the land. Thus, while I strongly lend my voice and support the ongoing peaceful protest, I wish to ask that we do not forget to always involve God in all that we do, for He only can grant us the peace, justice and equity that we are fighting for. God bless you # End Sars # End Bad Governance Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, transform my mind that I may discern what is right and choose what is good and pleasing to you even as I support this ongoing protest for a better Nigeria....Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 23, 2020

FRIDAY 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 4:1-6, Luke 12:54-59 DON'T LET EVIL ESCALATE Most times, we do not take things serious until they escalate. Most evils in our world today started as a little issue, more or less as if it was a joke. The #ENDSARS protest going round throughout the Nigerian nation started as if it was a little issue, but it has grown into a momentous movement that is not only asking for an end to police brutality but also bad governance that has brought about slavery and inhuman conditions in Nigeria. It is very obvious that the concern which many people have become conscious of did not start today, it is a conglomeration of all the suppressed anger over the years. This is why Jesus tells us in the gospel reading of today, that we should try and settle issues with one another when they have not escalated. We should not let things drag to a great length before we address then because at the end of the day, we may not survive it. If you have wronged someone and the person is angry, it is important that you take the issue serious and apologise; lest both of you go to the court and it gets messy. This is obviously where the government has failed to handle the situation at hand. They have failed to listen to the grievances of the people over the years and think that they will always get away with it. As Jesus advices us today, we should not only be concerned about knowing of irrelevant things as to if it wants to rain or shine, we should also know when to stop and apologise so that we will not be made to pay dearly for the evils we have done. Let us stop the sin today and apologise to God our father. We pray that almighty God help our country Nigeria so that we will not pay the last penny before we come to our senses. God help us. Amen Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 22, 2020

THURSDAY 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 3:14-21, Luke 12:49-53 I HAVE COME TO BRING FIRE As Christians, we sometimes experience turbulent moments in our lives just because we are Christians. This should not make us sacrifice our faith and morality. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us that we should not think that everything will go easy for us because we are Christians, we will be hated and discriminated as we try to practice our faith. In some families we see how they are divided because of their faith. I know a priest whose father disowned and refused to attend his ordination because his father did not approve him to be a priest. We can understand why Jesus would say that his coming would be as if he has brought war. In the midst of all the troubles we go through, we should still endeavour to be agents of peace; this is the only way we can show that we are true Christians. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 22, 2020

DATE : 22/10/2020, Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 3:14-21; Resp. Psalm 32:1-2.4-5.11-12.18-19; Luke 12:49-53. THEME: WHEN THE FIRE OF GOD DESCENDS Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme " When the Fire of God Descends". Realistically speaking, the human person is a bundle of possibilities. God so finely created man such that there is absolute nothing humanly possible that he cannot achieve, if he has the right motivation and disposition. However, as a limitless Being, Scriptures tells us that God is far above man and can do exceedingly above whatever we can ever think of or imagine (Eph. 3:20). Beloved, to achieve whatever height we desire in life, we need the right spirit to motivate and fire us and to keep us resolute, determined and focus to our desired end. In the Gospel passage of today, Luke 12:49-53, Jesus told his disciple that He has come to bring fire and not peace to the world. He has come to set a family, a community and a nation against itself. Child of God, without wasting time on semantics and rhetorics, the quidity of what Christ is saying is summarised, evidenced and practicalised in what we are witnessing in Nigeria today even as we speak. It is a Holy hunger and fire for justice, for fairness, for liberty, for an end to corruption which a few privileged class of elite metes on the majority of the poor, helpless and vulnerable people. Truth is, as Christians, we should never be cold and comfortable in the midst of oppression, suppression injustices of various degrees and murder. Rather, inspired by a holy anger, we must rise up against the unjust oppression and speak out loudly (Soro Soke). Thanks to the Nigerian Youths, who having been filled with a holy anger for justice, have arisen to put an end to the age long injustice at all levels of government which we have been witnessing in this country. I pray God to grant us our wish for a peaceful and just society. God bless you # End Sars # End Bad Governance Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love consume me and transform my life that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you. Fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit that I may always stand against any unjust oppressor....Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 21, 2020

TUESDAY 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 2:12-22, Luke 12:36-38 BE AT YOUR DUTY POST Apart from those who are terminally ill for a long time, many people who die never plan for it. They all have plans and things they want to achieve, but they never know it is the end. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us to always be ready at all times. We may think that there is enough time to achieve our plans, but we can never tell how things turn out. Jesus tells us today that it is those who are always in a good state and are at their duty posts when he comes who will dine with him in the kingdom of God. There is o need to procrastinate good deeds and repentance. May almighty God grant us the grace to turn from wrong ways and sustain our good deeds. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 21, 2020

DATE : 21/10/2020, Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 3:2-12; Resp. Psalm Isaiah 12; Luke 12:39-48. THEME: GOD LOVES A RESPONSIBLE CHRISTIAN Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, " God Loves a Responsible Christian". The fact that God loves and will reward a faithful Christian at the end of days is a known fact. The Devil knows that at the end of time, the reward of a faithful Christian would rank next to God, So, because he does not want that to happen, he can and will do any and everything to jeopardize that from happening. However, Christ, being aware of these evil plots of the enemy, warns us that the sole purpose of the Devil is just to steal, to kill and destroy (John 10:10). Thus, we need to be extra vigilant, steadfast and consistent in our pilgrim journey. Beloved, through the parable of the thief at night in today's Gospel, Jesus explained to us the need to be extra watchful and on guard, lest His coming catches us unawares, and we begin to cry had I known. He explains further through the parable of the faithful, semi-faithful and unfaithful stewards that there is a reward for every action or inaction carried out. Thus, ignorance is not an excuse. Since God has put a part of His goodness in our conscience, He expect each sane human person to be able to distinguish between right or wrong actions, irrespective of whether one has heard about Christ or not. But, for us who have heard about Christ, there is even no room for any sort of excuse. Hence, we must get busy resisting the Devil and doing the right things which we know in conscience we are meant to do and the good Lord will reward our efforts. God bless you Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, make me strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and generous in love that I may seek to please you in all things. Help me to always be watchful that I may gain your eternal reward....Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 20, 2020

TUESDAY 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 2:12-22, Luke 12:36-38 BE AT YOUR DUTY POST Apart from those who are terminally ill for a long time, many people who die never plan for it. They all have plans and things they want to achieve, but they never know it is the end. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us to always be ready at all times. We may think that there is enough time to achieve our plans, but we can never tell how things turn out. Jesus tells us today that it is those who are always in a good state and are at their duty posts when he comes who will dine with him in the kingdom of God. There is o need to procrastinate good deeds and repentance. May almighty God grant us the grace to turn from wrong ways and sustain our good deeds. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 20, 2020

DATE : 20/10/2020, Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 2:12-22; Resp. Psalm 84:9-14; Luke 12:36-38. THEME: BE SPIRITUALLY ALERT Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, " Be Spiritually Alert". It is a known fact that the spiritual realm controls the physical realm. And sadly enough, this truism is known only by few individuals. As a man of the spirit, St. Paul already informed us that we should be extra careful and spiritually alert because 'we battle not against flesh and blood, but with principalities, powers and strong forces both from the underworld and heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). And St. Peter also cautioned us to be vigilant and be on the lookout for our adversary the Devil is never at rest (1Pet 5:8). Yet, many of us still slumber away in eternal sleepiness. Awake Oh Sleeper. In as much as we are meant to be on guard against the enemy, we are also encouraged to be on the look out for the right time God will beckon on us to do His biddings. Beloved, through the Gospel reading of today, Jesus made it clear that as His disciples, we ought to be awake at all times and ready to hearken to His voice. Beloved, we must realise that just like sleep comes unexpected at nightfall, the devil attacks us when we are most vulnerable, when our resistance level is low, to keep us from heeding the voice of the master when He comes and knocks at the door posts of our hearts. Truth is, just like sleep, the Devil knows when best to strike. He would never strike you in Church while praying, or in a group of fellow believers, or whenever you make up your mind to fight and resist him. No, he will come to you when you think you are now a strong man, when you are alone in secret places and when you are on the crossroads. Hence, never underrate or overrate yourself. For Scripture says: Be careful you who think you are strong and standing, lest you fall (1Cor 10:12). Beloved, if you truly want to follow the Christian path faithfully and live authentically, then you must learn to cultivate spiritual alertness. This will help you firstly to discern the whim and caprice of the enemy's deceit and to overcome the evil plans of the powers that detect the affairs of the world. Secondly, it will help you to remain spiritually awake, ready, dispose and eager to heed the voice of God and so enjoy the promised glory which God has prepared for those who stayed awake, waiting on Him. I pray God to give us the grace of spiritual alertness and open our spiritual eyes to see the realities of life. God bless you Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, because you love me, open my eyes to spiritual realities and Fill me with a joyful heart and a generous spirit that is ready to serve and to do whatever you command... Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 19, 2020

MONDAY 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 12:13-21 NO ONE KNOWS TOMORROW As human beings, we always like to plan towards tomorrow, we try to save for the rainy days. Many people who suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic were more of those who had no savings. They ate from hand to mouth or squandered all they had. It is a good thing therefore to plan towards the future. The saying goes that one who fails to plan, plans to fail. In the gospel reading of today, we see a different concept from Jesus about saving for the future. Jesus does not condemn saving, but the fact that there is no need to save when we have not taken care of the needs of those around us. Many people never concern themselves with the wellbeing of those around them, provided they are comfortable. They save for the future when the present life of those around them are in misery. Many people especially politicians have saved up for their great grand children yet to be born. In the gospel reading, Jesus is not angry with the man because he wanted to save, but because he thought that he had achieved all he got through his own power. He never made reference to God as the source of his success. He never considered the suffering neighbours around him. This is how many of us store up money in our bank accounts, telling ourselves that we have enough to enjoy in years to come. If God requests for your soul today, what will happen to those huge amounts of money. Use it now when you are alive, but use it well, especially for the wellbeing of those around you. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 29 Ordinary time - October 19, 2020

DATE : 19/10/2020, Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : Ss. John of Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their Companions, Martyrs, and St. Paul of the Cross, Priest (Memorial). COLOUR : RED READINGS : Eph. 2:1-10 Resp. Psalm 99:1-5; Luke 12:13-21. THEME: HOW MUCH RESOURCES DOES A MAN NEED TO LIVE WELL Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As this new working begins, in which we celebrate the memorial of great saints and Christian witnesses, I want to reflect with us on the theme "How Much Resources Does a Man Need to Live Well" For me, one of the greatest tragedy and irony of life is struggling all through life to amass wealth, only to die without having time to enjoy the resources you have garnered. And it will be even more excruciating and painful when from the grave or underworld, you see another, feasting, enjoying and wasting the resources you would have rightfully enjoyed if only you were a cubit wiser. Beloved, St. James tells us that the things that cause conflict, quarrel, jealousy, killing, anger and greed, are our insatiable desires to have and to have more (Jamed 4:1). We spend most part of our life chasing after riches and wealth at all cost without ever getting satisfied. And we die without have time to really enjoy life and affect lives with our resources. Beloved, in the Gospel of today, Luke 12:13-21, Jesus, after dismissing the man who came to ask him to beg his brother to give him a share of his inheritance, quickly narrated to us the parable of the rich fool. The story of the rich fool is not too far from the life story of many of us Christians. Most of us have fat bank accounts and food items, yet, we are still amassing and saving resources so that someday, we can enjoy life. Even when we have had enough to last a life time, a year or a month, we are still grabbing. Such that we fail to notice the hungry poor in our neighbourhood. In his riches man lacks wisdom says the Psalmist (Ps. 49). Child of God, listen, there is no harm or sin in saving your resources for a better future. The problem or sin comes in when you get too busy piling up wealth more than you need like most of our politician do, that you hardly have time for charity, for God and to enjoy the wealth God has blessed you. I pray that we may not be caught unaware like the rich fool, but that we may be grateful for the little resources God has used to decorate our life and also help other to enjoy a better life. #End Sars, #End Political Oppression, #End Greed and unnecessary piling up of wealth, #End Bad Governance. Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, free my heart from all possessiveness and from coveting what belongs to another. Help me to make good use of the material blessings you give me that I may use them generously for your glory and for the good of others....men HAPPY NEW WEEK (BARKA DA SABUWAR MAKO) @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 17, 2020

DATE : 17/10/2020, Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : St. Ignatius of Antioch (Memorial) COLOUR : RED READINGS : Eph. 1:15-23; Resp. Psalm 7:2-7; Luke 12:8-12. THEME: WHEN GOD REFUSES TO FORGIVE Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As we celebrate the memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, " When God Refuses to Forgive". One of the many attributes of God is that He is an ever merciful and forgiving God. In fact, in addition to several other Biblical passages, the book of Lamentations 3:22-23, tells us that 'the mercies of God are new every morning'. But, just like every other thing that has limit, we must realise that there is limit to God's forgiveness. This is what Jesus Christ tried to communicate to us in today's Gospel, when He said that "anyone who sins against the Father or the Son will be forgiven, but anyone who dares to sin against the Holy Spirit will not experience forgiveness here and in the hereafter. Beloved, we must ask ourselves what is this unforgivable sin which Jesus warns us? It is called the sin of blasphemy. Blasphemy consists in uttering against God, inwardly or outwardly, words of hatred, reproach, or defiance. Blasphemy is a total denial of the power of the the Holy Spirit. Hence, Jesus warns us that one will be outside the purview and possibility of forgiveness if he reject the grace of God and falls into apostasy (giving up our faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ out of fear, pride, or disbelief). If someone repeatedly closes his or her heart to God and shuts their ear to his voice, they come to a point where they can no longer recognize God even when God makes his word and presence known to them. Although our Catholic faith teaches us that there are no limits to the mercy of God. What we mean that there is a point when God cannot forgive is that, God cannot force His forgiving grace upon someone who reject His mercy by refusing to ask God's pardon for wrongdoing and refusing to accept the help and grace He gives to turn away from sin and from whatever would keep us from doing His will. God gives sufficient grace and help to all who humbly call upon him. Giving up on God and refusing to turn away from sin and disbelief results from our own sinful pride, stubborn will. And hence, makes it impossible for such a person to experience forgiveness. I pray God to make our hearts docile to His mercy at all times. God bless you Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, May I never waver in my hope and trust in your merciful help and strength. Let the fire of your Holy Spirit burn in my heart and fill me with a consuming love for you always...Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 17, 2020

SATURDAY 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II MEMORIAL OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 12:8-12 DO NOT REFUSE THE CROWN OF GLORY Today we celebrate the memorial of St Ignatius the second bishop of Antioch after St Peter. He was a very zealous convert to Christianity and he was a disciple of St John the evangelist. He was a great leader in the early church that he was chosen to succeed Evodius who had succeeded St Peter. From 94-96 AD, there was a great persecution of the church under Emperor Domitian. St Ignatius was steadfast in defending the faith and giving hope to the Christians not to denounce their faith. From 98-117AD, there was a more fierce persecution under Emperor Trajan. Ignatius was captured in 107AD and brought before Trajan, but he so much spoke boldly about the faith that Trajan order that he should be sent to Rome to be devoured by beasts. Ignatius who was about 62 years old at this time had a painful journey from Antioch to Rome. The soldiers were very cruel to him. During this long journey, ignatius strengthened the faith of the many Christians who came out in the streets to see a bishop ready to die for the faith. Ignatius wrote many letters especially to various Christian communities which contain a lot about the early church and the faith exhibited by the early Christians. Though many Christians worked hard to release him, he warned them not to deny him the crown of martyrdom. He bore witness to the faith till the end. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us that those who boldly witness to his name and the kingdom of God, he will welcome them at the gate of heaven, he will also remember them and bless them and introduce them to his father in heaven. May almighty God help us to courageously defend our faith in him and witness to him. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 16, 2020

DATE : 16/10/2020, Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT : St. Hedwig and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin and Religious (Opt. Memorial) COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Eph. 1:11-14; Resp. Psalm 32:1-2,4-5,12-13; Luke 12:1-7. THEME: GOD DETESTS PRETENCE Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As we celebrate the memorial of Ss. Hedwig and Margaret Mary Alacoque today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, " God detests Pretence". Beloved, one of the greatest lies that can be told is lying to oneself. Many of us are so conscious of our public image that we do not want any iota of negative comment to be made about us. And to keep up with this bloated idea of self image we perfect the act of pretension in almost everything we do. Listen, there is a big difference between prudence and pretence. While the former helps one to work towards holiness, moderation and perfection, the latter is a calculated attempt to deceive others with a false impression of goodness or holiness. Beloved, in Revelation 3:15, St. Paul challenged the Church at Philadelphia, that due to there pretence, "they are neither hot nor cold, good nor bad. Hence, they would be spit out". Child of God, pretence makes us liars and deceivers, it gives others a sense of how righteous we are when in reality we are not. Pretence puts a dark mask on our face, preventing others from seeing and knowing who we really are. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus likened the Pharisees to yeast, leaven and hypocrites, who make a public show of purity and perfection while inwardly they are full of all kinds of rubbish evil thoughts and dealings. The truth of the matter is that we can only fool men by our hypocritical and pretentious lifestyle, but we cannot fool God. We can fool men that we are religious people, that we are prayerful, that we are superhuman devoid of sexual feelings, that we hardly get angry, that we are always heading to Church, meeting, practice or appointment, that we always say the truth and that our intentions are pure towards them, but we can never hide the true contents of our hearts and secret actions before a God who searches the heart and can see even in the deepest darkest. As we reflect on the readings and theme of today's homily digest, I will leave us with the words of Archbishop Matthew N'dagoso of Kaduna Archdiocese when he came to ordain some of our MSP deacons as priests in 2013. He said: "If you must pretend and wear a mask, do not wear a mask that is too thick. Rather, where a mask that is a little bit light so that people can struggle to see through and know where and how best to help you". And I add, instead of pretence, work towards prudence, and gradually with the help of God, you will create a good image of yourself both in the sight of men and God. God bless you. Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, may the light of your word free my heart from the deception of sin and consume me with a burning love for righteousness....Amen HAPPY WEEKEND TO YOU BELOVED (BARKA da JUMA'A) @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 16, 2020

FRIDAY 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Ephesians 1:11-14, Luke 12:1-7 DO NOT BE AFRAID OF DEATH Many of us commit sin because we are afraid of death. We fail to do the good things we are supposed to because we are afraid of someone, and we want to protect our interests. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us to look beyond what we think is most important in our lives; money, food and other material possessions. The things or persons we are afraid of, cannot deny us heaven if God wants us to be there. The things and people around us can only harm our bodies, but cannot do anything to our souls. It is God alone who has power over our body, soul and spirit; he knows everything about us and only what he allows to happen comes to place.; therefore, God alone should we fear. May the quest for material and bodily pleasure not hinder us the opportunity of heaven. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 15, 2020

DATE : 15/10/2020, Thursday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :St. Theresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor(Memorial) COLOUR : WHITE READINGS : Eph. 1: 1-10; Resp. Psalm 97:1-6; Luke 11:47-54. THEME: ALAS FOR YOU THAT HOARD KNOWLEDGE Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As we celebrate the memorial of St. Theresa of Avila today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, "Alas for You that hoard knowledge". Indeed, there is nothing that can stop a person who is determined and has resolved in his mind to work towards holiness. In fact, holiness is what we all have been called to pursue if we hope and intend to gain access to heaven someday. St. Theresa of Avila is one of such figures whom nothing could quench the fire of holiness in her. Despite her young age, the death of her mother, her diseased leg, her discouraging father and God's seeming silence, she persevered on the path of holiness. With a holy stubbornness, she sneaked her way into the convent, and later got the approval of her father and siblings. As a doctor of the Church, she wrote lots of spiritual and intellectual books so that her knowledge and experience would help those coming after her. Beloved, in today's Gospel reading, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for offering wrong, disjointed, and erroneous interpretation of the Scriptures, not so that the people will gain knowledge, but that they themselves might be publicly recognised. Many ministers today fall into this error of misinterpretating the Bible to suit their own lifestyle choices. Some of us have become a stumbling block to others. We pretent to be working for God, but we practice a double standard. We feign godliness in our external actions, and go contrary to His will in our internal intentions and thoughts. Beloved, let us learn to be generous, especially with the things of of God and allow others too to benefit from us. God bless you Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, may your word take root in my heart and transform all my thoughts and actions. Give me wisdom and understanding that I may know your will for my life and have the courage to live according to it." @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 15, 2020

THURSDAY 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II MEMORIAL OF ST. THERESA OF AVILLA Ephesians 1:1-10, Luke 11:47-54 YOU TOO CAN BE HOLY Today we celebrate St Theresa of Avilla, an outstanding Saint in the church. She was born in Avila in Spain in 1515. At the age of 20, she entered the Carmelite order to become a nun. While in the monastery she had some mystical experiences and visions, but she did not take them serious because she thought she was not holy enough to receive visions and messages from the Lord. As she grew older, she said to herself that she could do better as a nun and make more sacrifices. Together with St John of the Cross, she founded the discalced carmelite; a reformation of the Carmelites. They wore no shoe and they embraced a more poorer life. She faced a lot of persecutions both within and outside her religious order, but she was steadfast in her reform of the order. Theresa was a saint who was very close to God while on earth. She lived a contemplative life and prayed always. Her spiritual books are still very much in use today, and they inspire those who read them. May God also help us to seek to be better Christians and to contemplate him always. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 14, 2020

DATE : 14/10/2020, Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :Pope St. Callistus, Martyr (Optional Memorial) COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Gal. 5:18-25; Resp. Psalm 1:1-4.6; Luke 11:42-46. THEME: LOVE GOD FIRST THEN YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, "Love God first then you can do whatever you want". When the Scribes, who were experts in the law of God tried to snare Jesus by asking him which is the greatest commandment of all; Jesus answered: to love the lord your God with all your heart and all your strength and all your soul, and to love your neighbour as yourself. Beloved, our Christian faith teaches us that the spirit behind every law of God is love. Thus, just like how a good mother would try her best to prevent and keep her little baby from hurting himself, so God tries His best to keep us from harm's way through the various laws he gives us. The Church's law are also motivated by love, to keep us firm on the path of righteousness. However, it was St. Augustine who first said: Love God first and then you are free to do whatever you like". He came to this realisation, when he noticed that one who truly loves God will keep all His commands because he would not want to cause God pain and sorrow. Equally, since love only seeks the good of others, one who loves his neighbour would not also want to hurt or harm him. But there is a new dimension which we often neglect namely.... As I love myself Beloved, there are some offences and sins which if we love ourselves we would not indulge in them. These offences do not directly hurt God nor our neighbour but ourselves, namely: masturbation, tattooing, gender transplant, artificial organ developments and enlargement, piercing the body etc. Often times we may argue and wonder why these acts above are categorised as sins. The answer is simple. It is either they make a mockery of the ends and purpose for which they are created like masturbation and gender transplanr, or they cause damage to the glorified human body. This us why St. Paul would tell us in the first reading of today that, "you cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self indulgent passions and desires where to self or to others. I pray God to help us to love him more faithfully. God bless you. Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, inflame my heart with your love that I may always pursue what matters most - love of you, my Lord and my God, free my heart from selfish desires that I may only have room for kindness, mercy, and goodness toward every person I know and meet....Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 14, 2020

DATE : 14/10/2020, Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :Pope St. Callistus, Martyr (Optional Memorial) COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Gal. 5:18-25; Resp. Psalm 1:1-4.6; Luke 11:42-46. THEME: LOVE GOD FIRST THEN YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, "Love God first then you can do whatever you want". When the Scribes, who were experts in the law of God tried to snare Jesus by asking him which is the greatest commandment of all; Jesus answered: to love the lord your God with all your heart and all your strength and all your soul, and to love your neighbour as yourself. Beloved, our Christian faith teaches us that the spirit behind every law of God is love. Thus, just like how a good mother would try her best to prevent and keep her little baby from hurting himself, so God tries His best to keep us from harm's way through the various laws he gives us. The Church's law are also motivated by love, to keep us firm on the path of righteousness. However, it was St. Augustine who first said: Love God first and then you are free to do whatever you like". He came to this realisation, when he noticed that one who truly loves God will keep all His commands because he would not want to cause God pain and sorrow. Equally, since love only seeks the good of others, one who loves his neighbour would not also want to hurt or harm him. But there is a new dimension which we often neglect namely.... As I love myself Beloved, there are some offences and sins which if we love ourselves we would not indulge in them. These offences do not directly hurt God nor our neighbour but ourselves, namely: masturbation, tattooing, gender transplant, artificial organ developments and enlargement, piercing the body etc. Often times we may argue and wonder why these acts above are categorised as sins. The answer is simple. It is either they make a mockery of the ends and purpose for which they are created like masturbation and gender transplanr, or they cause damage to the glorified human body. This us why St. Paul would tell us in the first reading of today that, "you cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self indulgent passions and desires where to self or to others. I pray God to help us to love him more faithfully. God bless you. Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, inflame my heart with your love that I may always pursue what matters most - love of you, my Lord and my God, free my heart from selfish desires that I may only have room for kindness, mercy, and goodness toward every person I know and meet....Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 13, 2020

DATE : 13/10/2020, Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Gal. 5:1-6; Resp. Psalm 118:41.43.45.47-48; Luke 11:37-41. THEME: TRUE WORSHIP IS NOT DETERMINED BY EXTERNAL ACTS Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". Today, I want to reflect with us on the theme, " True Worship is not determined by external acts". Beloved, Scriptures was right when it said that God judges the secret intentions of man's heart, and not their external acts. Most often, we fall in the error of concluding that a person is a sinner and unacceptable to God or a saint and pleasing to God, based on what he or she allows us to see or know about them externally. Thus, there is a distinction between true worship and display of worship. Most Christians display worship in Church and religious gatherings, pretending to be moved by the spirit in the worship, whereby in reality they are far from experiencing God in a deeper way. They have perfected the act of pretension in worship such that we assume them to be holy and dining with God in the Spirit. In the Gospel of today, Jesus challenged the Pharisees for laying too much emphasis on external acts of worship and religion than on internal transformation and conversion. This is same for most Christians today. We are like white washed tombs, clean and sparkling on the outside, we can sing externally with fine voice, can dance well to the melodious instrument, can scream the loudest Alleluia, can preach so powerfully well, can advice and counsel so well, can emphasis the rubrics and liturgical exactitude even more than Rome, can religiously follow the rites of worship impeccably, but yet, our hearts are far from God, our ways far from Conversion and our actions far from Christian. Therefore, let us not act like fools, who focus only on the externals while the internal rots away. Let us make sincere efforts to clean and purify our internal organs, hearts and intentions for it is these that matters the most. God bless you Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me to pay attention to the things that really matter in my faith's journey...Amen @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 13, 2020

TUESDAY 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Galatians 5:1-6, Luke 11:37-41 THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS AN INTERNAL LIFE Human beings generally live an external form of life. We bother so much about what we wear, how we appear to people and what people think or say about us. We are very much concerned about what we portray of ourselves to others. Many of us also carry that attitude into the practice of our faith. We bother so much about the clothes to wear to church on Sunday, the money to use for offertory, the perfume to wear so as to smell good, and so on. Many people have missed going to church because of clothes and shoes. This is the attitude Jesus condemns in the gospel reading of today. Many of the pharisees lived a superficial type of life. They bothered so much about what people think and say about them. They try to impress people and attract attention to themselves instead of God. They wear the best of clothes and openly profess their faith in God, but in their hearts, they are very far from God. Jesus compares such people with those who wash the outside of cups and left the inside dirty. Our physical appearance is useless if our hearts are not clean. This is why St Paul told the Galatians in the first reading of today, that it is not circumcision that will save them, but their faith in God. May God help us to focus more on our internal life. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 12, 2020

MONDAY 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1, Luke 11:29-32 NO NEED TO LAUGH AT OTHERS; GOD HAS PLANS FOR US ALL There is a cliche that God's time is the best. Sometimes it may seem as if God's time will never come or that he is delaying; many people cry and lament that God comes late, but in the first reading of today, St Paul gave us an analogy to demonstrate that God does things at the most perfect time. We can only imagine how long Sarah the wife of Abraham would have cried with her husband asking God for a child. Hagar the slave who had a child for Abraham would have tormented Sarah for her childlessness. As St Paul says today, the promises of God endures forever and they are perfect. God blessed the descendants of Abraham through Isaac the child promised to him. Impatience can sometimes cost us our blessings. We may feel that God is delaying in answering us, but God acts at the perfect time, he is always on time. If you have been asking God for something do not relent, thinking that he has forsaken you, do not go and seek the solution to what you know you cannot help yourself with. God's promises to us endures forever. May almighty God help us to patiently wait for him. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 28 Ordinary time - October 12, 2020

DATE : 12/10/2020, Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time (A) EVENT :Mass of the Weekday COLOUR : GREEN READINGS : Gal. 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1; Resp. Psalm 112:1-7; Luke 11:29-32. THEME: CHRIST HAS SET YOU FREE Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". As this new working week begins, I want to reflect with us on the theme, " Christ has set you Free". It is always a thing of shame to see a free-born behaving or been treated like a slave in a house or place where he or she is supposed to be free. It is no more news that in most African countries, especially in Nigeria, free bonafide citizens are often harassed and treated like slaves in their own lands. Some of the so called law enforcement agencies that were supposed to protect and defend the rights of free citizens have resorted to treating them like thrash prisoners and our leaders looked on. As if this physical assault on our freedom as bonafide citizens in our Country is not enough, spiritually, the Devil still tries to cage us, to mal-treat us, to restrict us and to bind us in the yoke of slavery. However, with His vicarious suffering, Christ has freed us from the dominion and powers of sin, sickness, poverty, hunger, passion, backwardness, untimely death and damnation, and has set us completely free and blameless. But, due to our nonchallant attitude and carelessness, we have allowed the Devil to have reasons to accuse us before God and to thwart our God given freedom. More so, due to our personal sins and life style choices, we now live like slaves, lacking all the blessings and privileges of free borns in Christ. Beloved, just like St. Paul tells us through the first reading of today that "When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Therefore, let us try not to submit again to the yoke of slavery". Because if eventually we fail or refuse to live as free borns, preferring slavery, on the judgement day, the heathens and pagans who have not known Christ's redemptive grace and freedom will rise up and condemn us, for we should have known better. May God help us to shun the vices which lead us to slavery and make us live to enjoy the blessing and privileges of free borns this week and beyond...God bless you Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8) LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, your word said: "he whom the Son of man sets free is free indeed", help me by your grace to live and walk in freedom all the remaining days of my life.....Amen HAPPY NEW WEEK (BARKA DA SABUWAR MAKO) @ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 27 Ordinary time - October 10, 2020

 

DATE : 10/10/2020,  Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time (A)

 EVENT : Mass of the Weekday or BVM

 COLOUR : GREEN

 READINGS : Gal. 3:22-29; Resp. Psalm 104:2-7; Luke 11:27-28.

 

 THEME:  YOU TOO CAN BE BLESSED EXCEEDINGLY

 

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". I wish to reflect with us on the theme "You too can be Blessed Exceedingly". Often times dear friends, we fail to recognise our blessedness. Instead, we look at other people as more blessed, more privileged, rich, handsome, pretty, talented, and powerful than ourselves. This is not to say that we should look on ourselves as better than other people, but that we should recognise our own unique talents and blessedness.

 

    In the first reading of today, St. Paul draws our consciousness to the fact that through faith rather than bloodline, we all are heirs and have equal share and opportunity in the blessedness which God promised us in Abraham. Thus, there is no room for jealousy or low self esteem for we all share a common faith in Christ. A faith which guarantees us a right in the treasures of heaven and booty of father Abraham.

 

     Beloved, Scriptures tell us in Romans 10:17, that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of Christ". However, although faith comes by hearing the word of Christ, the right to participate in the blessedness of the children of faith comes by keeping and obeying the word of God which we have heard, as Christ pointed out to the woman in the Gospel passage of today, Luke 11:28. This is the issue with many Christians today, although we have strong faith, we are not able to access the treasures and blessedness that is ours as heirs of Abraham because, we often fail in obeying and keeping the word of God. I pray that from today, God will give us the grace to hear and obey His word so as to access our promised blessings. God bless you

      

   Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8)

 

 LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, give me your abundant graces to always hear and keep your word, for as man, you know how hard it is to keep your word amidst the trials and temptation of this world.....Amen

 

@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪