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

 

WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2020

26TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

MEMORIAL OF ST. JEROME

Job 9:1-13,14-16, Luke 9: 57-62

 

GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT

 

The touching story of Job has a lot of lessons to teach us. There are times in our lives when we think that God is wrong, we feel like asking God some questions. When Job met his misfortune, all his friends told him that God would not have loved him and then allowed those misfortunes to happen to him. In response as we see in the first reading, Job says that no one can question God because God is never wrong. God has a reason for everything he allows to happen. He knows us more than we know ourselves.

God has the power to do whatever he wills. Nevertheless, all his actions are for our own good. Things may happen to us and we are confused why they happen, let us continue to trust God like Job.

Today we celebrate the memorial of St Jerome. After his ordination as a priest, he was assigned to work as secretary to Pope Damasus. This he did dutifully. At the death of the Pope, he returned to Bethlehem where he founded a monastery, a hospice and a school. He also was very passionate about refugees and the poor especially during the barbarian invasion. He is well remembered for his translation of the  bible into the Latin language. A translation that was accepted and approved for use in the church. His commentaries on the books of the sacred scripture are still very much in use in biblical studies today. May almighty God give us the grace to maximize our potentials. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 26 Ordinary time - September 29, 2020

 

TUESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2020

FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS : (MICHAEL, RAPHAEL AND GABRIEL)

Daniel 7:9-10,13-14, Apocalypse 12:7-12, John 1:47-51

 

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS I WILL PRAISE YOU LORD

 

Today we celebrate the feast of the Archangels. God created some spiritual beings at creation to carry out some spiritual tasks as well as to praise his holy name. These spiritual beings are called Angels. Among these Angel, some carry out some serious tasks and these are referred to as Archangels.

The bible make references to legion of Angels, which means that there are countless number of Angels. Nevertheless, when it comes to serious task, the bible mentions three Archangels which are Michael,  Raphael and Gabriel.

Angel Michael is regarded as the Angel of battle and our defender. He is mentioned in the book of Revelation as we see in the first  reading of today where he wrestled with the devil and hurled him into the abyss. Whenever we feel that we are in serious battle against evil and the evil one which is the devil, let us always call in Angel Michael to fight our battles for us. We should know the prayer to St Michael the Archangel by heart.

Angel Gabriel is regarded as the messenger of God. He appeared in the book of Daniel to explain some of the visions of the prophet, and he was the one that brought the message of God to the blessed virgin Mary  at the Annunciation. Let us always pray to have good news from God.

Angel Raphael is regarded as the angel of healing. In fact, the name means, God heals. In the book of Tobit, he was sent to heal Tobit of his blindness. Many of us are suffering from one illness or the other; God truly heals, call on him today and he will send Angel Gabriel to heal you.

We can only imagine how heaven is; may we be found worthy to praise God among the Angels on the last day. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 26 Ordinary time - September 28, 2020

 

MONDAY 26TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Job 1:6-22, Luke 9:46-50

 

WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF HAPPINESS?

 

Apart from the feast days we have this week, our first reading will be from the book of Job. The story of Job is a very popular one in the bible. Biblical scholars are of the opinion that the book which was written in the 6th century BC, try to explain the meaning of suffering and calamities that befall good people. Many people are righteous and pious in the sight of God and men, but they still suffer. Why should a good person suffer?

The book presents the suffering of Job as a test on his faith in God. God was very sure that Job would still serve and worship him even in the midst of suffering.

In the passage of today, we see that Job lost everything, his wealth, material possessions and children, but he was never sad. He knew that he would not take anything from this world. He made the popular statement,  "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I shall return. The Lord gave, the Lord has taken back.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

It is a lesson to us all today not to let material things be the source of our happiness. If we are only happy and serve God better during affluence and riches, we will be disappointed when they are no longer there. Sometimes, it is good for us to test darkness so that we will better appreciate light. Our life should not depend on what we have. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP