Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 17 Ordinary time - August 1, 2020

SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST 2020

SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR  II II

MEMORIAL OF ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI

GOD KNOWS HIS PLANS FOR US ALL

Yesterday we celebrated the memorial of St Ignatius of Loyola who left his military career to become a priest and founded the Jesuits. Today we celebrate another example of God's guiding light in human life, St Alphonsus. He was an exceptionally intelligent young man who obtained his doctorate in law at the age of 16. He was doing very well in life and many looked up to him. Nevertheless, he knew within him that his heart yearned for something else. He was moved to be zealous and concerned about the spiritual needs of the people rather than their temporal greed. When he lost a case as a lawyer, he believed that it was God's message to him to do what his heart truly yearns for. He left his profession at the age of 27 to study for the priesthood. He was ordained and later founded a religious congregation known as the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He laboured for 20 years moving around for the work of winning souls for the kingdom of God. This was what made him happy and fulfilled.

When God calls and chooses, he also gives the grace one needs to withstand the hurdles that comes with it. It was not an easy one for St. Alphonsus, but God never abandoned him.

This is also what we see in the first reading and gospel reading of today. Jeremiah was faithful to his preaching and prophecy as a prophet. He told them the truth about their sinful lives and told them to repent. They got angry with him and wanted to kill him.

In the gospel reading, John the Baptist told Herod the truth that it was wrong for him to divorce his wife and marry his brother's wife. This cost him his life. He died for the truth, he died at his duty post. Truth hurts. When you live a straight forward life and tell people the truth, it hurts them and they want to destroy you. God is always on the side of truth and posterity judges everything and everyone. If there is something that should connect the priesthood, Lawyers and Military personnel, it is truth and justice. We can also apply it to our lives no matter what we do. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 17 Ordinary time - July 31, 2020

FRIDAY 31ST JULY 2020

MEMORIAL OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

JEREMIAH 26:1-9, MATTHEW 13:54-58

SAY IT EVEN IF THEY HATE YOU

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The story of his conversation to the Christian faith is a very captivating one, and a proof that God has plans for everyone.

He was not a religious minded person before becoming a soldier. He was sent to the war front where he was badly injured. It was on the sick bed in the clinic where he was being treated that a saw a book which someone had probably dropped there. The book was titled "lives of saints". After reading about the lives of many saints, he said that they were mere human beings like him who made efforts to live a good life. He later read the bible to know more about God. It was then he decided to be a priest and live a holy life when he got well. He later studied for the priesthood and among 10 others, they founded a religious order known as the society of Jesus (Jesuits). He was their first superior general and he helped to reform the church during the turbulent times.

In the first reading of today, we see that many people will not like a prophet who speaks the truth. Some will hate you and some will plan for your downfall. Sometimes, we are afraid to say the truth because others will hate us. God tells us today that he will hold us responsible for the truth we refuse to utter because it could helped those who hear it to repent, if not now, later. God will hold responsible those who refuse to listen to the truth, but he will hold you responsible for not saying the truth.

In the gospel reading, we see that even Jesus was taken for granted by his own family and neighbours because they know him, but he was not discouraged from speaking in the synagogue.

Do not be discouraged in speaking the truth. You can never tell who is listening and who may repent. When someone dropped a holy book and bible in the hospital, he/she never thought that St Ignatius will come there one day. The good things we do that are not acknowledge or rewarded should not discourage us. God will surely ask us on the last day. God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 17 Ordinary time - July 30, 2020

THURSDAY 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Jeremiah 18:1-6, Matthew 13:47-53

GOD IS MOULDING US INTO HIS OWN IMAGE

Back in the seminary, one of the songs I loved so much especially during benediction, was the song composed by Carey Landry titled ABBA FATHER. The song which has Jeremiah 18:6 as part of its refrain, presents God in the image of a potter who is making different shapes of objects with clay. The image that comes to my mind is how patient God is with us to mould us into what he wants us to be. Most times we do not want to be told what to do, we do not want to be what God wants us to be. We want to do our own thing. Even when we get stubborn, God is still patient to guide us to the right path.

For articles to be made of clay, it has a lot of processes to go through. Even when the work is moulded, it has to be made strong with fire. This is where the path we have to play comes in. Some of the painful moments we pass through in life is part of the process of our becoming a better person. It could be when we are being made strong with fire. No experience no matter how good or bad it is, happen for its own sake, it is part of moulding and shaping us to be better. May God grant us the grace to see his hands in all our situations in life, so that we can accept them gladly so as to be who he wants us to be. If you are undergoing some turbulent moments, or finding your work difficult, do not give up, God is aware, and those moments will make you stronger to face the future. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP