Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 31 Ordinary time - November 12, 2020

THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2020 MEMORIAL OF ST. JOSAPHAT Philemon 1:7-20 Luke 17:20-25 Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Josaphat who was martyred for the sake of the gospel. The church in the East and west had some challenges as to doctrines and primacy of jurisdiction that there was a schism. St Josaphat was one of those from the Ruthenian church in the east that regained communion with Rome, though they had their liturgy. He was the first to join the first monastery of the order of St Basil, and was later ordained a priest and then the bishop of Polotsk. As bishop, he believed that people can only become convinced of their faith when they are well attended to. When priests are ready to educate the people, they can never abandon their faith. He therefore encouraged that mission be engaged in with much vigour and intensity. He took the lead by going to the hospitals, prisons, schools and other institutions to preach the word of God. The work of Josaphat incurred the jealousy of the leading figures of Poland and Lithuania that Josaphat was murdered by a mob set up by them. He is the first person from the Eastern church to be canonized in the western church. Let us endeavour to learn more about our faith, so that we will not be mesmerized into cutting ourselves away from the church of God. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP