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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 25, 2020

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A Exodus 22:20-26, Psalm 17:2-4,47,51 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Matthew 22:34-40 LOVE IS THE ANSWER The word LOVE is a very common word today especially among teenagers and young adults. It is a word whose meaning has almost become synonymous with erotic feelings and sexual immorality and gratification. The readings of today give us a different perspective to what love means. In the first reading, we see the law of love given to the Israelites as they were about to enter the promised land. No society can survive if the members do not seek the wellbeing of one another. God told them to love and care for the poor, needy, widows, orphans and those who are not privileged in the society. They are not to always seek their interest and gain, but to seek the good of their neighbours. We see how Paul and his companions showed that love of God to the people of Thessalonica in the second reading of today. It was only the love of God and man that would make them go to preach the word of God among poor people. In the gospel reading, we hear Jesus tell us that the greatest law is love. Love of God and of our neighbours. The situation in Nigeria at the moment reflects the fact that human beings have not been treated with love and regard, but as a means to an end. As Christians, we are called to love every human person unconditionally, not counting what we will gain. We cannot love God if we do not love our neighbours. May almighty God help us to truly be people after his own heart. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 18, 2020

SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2020 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A MISSION SUNDAY Isaiah 45:1,4-6, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, Matthew 22:15-21 PARTICIPATE IN THE MISSION OF CHRIST Today being mission Sunday, the church sets it aside for us to reflect on our involvement in the Missionary mandate of Christ and our propagation of the gospel. God has from the very beginning, been on mission to save us. Starting with the people of Israel, he led them from slavery in Egypt to the promised land and sent them priests and prophets to continue to guide them. In the fullness of time God sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins so that we can be saved. Before his ascension, Jesus called everyone to continue his Missionary work on earth. In Matthew 28:19, he tells us to go into the world and proclaim the gospel and baptise. Pope Francis in his Mission Sunday message to all Catholics, picked Isaiah 6:8 when God asked who he would send. The answer we all should give like Isaiah is, "here am I, send me". We all should be ready to go on mission to preach the word of God. It is not for the priests and religious alone. The word of God is still very much needed today as it was during the time of Christ. As Pope Francis says in Evangelii Gaudium, the Mission of Christ is far from being over, in fact, we have not evangelised a great part of the world. Some of us may not be able to actively go on mission as priests and religious, nevertheless, we can also go to the mission by praying and supporting those who are in the mission field. We pray that almighty God will give us the grace to witness to him and to work for the evangelisation and salvation of souls. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie 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. 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. 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. 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. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - October 11, 2020

28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A Isaiah 25:6-10, Psalm 22:1-6 Philippians 4:12-14,19-20 Matthew 22:1-14 YOU ARE INVITED TO THE HEAVENLY BANQUET It is very interesting to see all the readings of today talk about food and drink. It is not surprising since food is one of the most basic human needs. Just like in our country where food is difficult to get, it happens everywhere even during the time of the prophet Isaiah and during the time of Jesus. Most of our works everyday is for the purpose of having food on our tables. In the first reading of today, the prophet Isaiah describes the coming of the messiah as a time when there will be abundance of food and drink as well as peace and tranquility. It is easy for us to think about heaven in human terms and think that enjoyment is about having plenty to eat and drink. The prophet Isaiah also describes the coming of the messiah as a time when all our earthly struggles such as sickness, natural disasters, diseases, sorrow and tears as well as death will be brought to an end. These are what we see and hear everyday, and there are people who have never experienced anything other than pain and suffering. In the gospel reading, we see Jesus compare the heavenly kingdom to a wedding banquet where everything has been prepared in abundance, ready to be eaten by the guests. The Jews were the first to be invited to the heavenly banquet, but they were too proud to attend, just the way some rich people will not attend programme when invited. We all have been invited to the wedding feast, everything is ready to be enjoyed free of charge. Nevertheless, we must wear the garment of holiness, faith, love, forgiveness, mercy and similar virtues. When we talk about heavenly enjoyment, it may not be about food and drink. According to St Paul in Romans 14:17, the kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. In 1 Cor 2:9, St Paul also tells us that it is what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, what the mind of man cannot visualise; all that God has prepared for those who love him. In his letter to the Philippians as we see in the second reading of today, St Paul prays for the people in Philippi who assisted him during the time he spent with them preaching the gospel. It was not easy for St Paul to preach the gospel among those who had no food to eat, but with assistance from some people, he was able to assist others. He learnt to live without food or drink. As human beings, we need food and drink to survive, nevertheless, let us not forget that if we store them up instead of sharing with those who are hungry and thirsty, God will ask for our garment of kindness and generosity on the last day. We pray for the grace to think beyond the things of the world. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 27 Ordinary time - October 10, 2020

 

SATURDAY 27TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Galatians 3:22-29, Luke 11:27-28

 

FAITH IN GOD SHOWS IN OUR ATTITUDES

 

It is often disgusting to see people of faith behave in a very awkward way. We are not known to be Christians because we say we are, and that we believe in God; people will truly call us Christians if it shows in our lives that we are.

In the first reading of today, we see how St Paul admonish the Galatians that their christianity was still very shallow. The Jews were very attached to their laws, they believed that once they obeyed the law, it was good enough to make heaven. St Paul therefore told them that observing the law is not enough, it should be accompanied with good deeds. We cannot discriminate against people and treat them badly, yet we claim to be children of God. May almighty God give us the grace and resilience to practice the faith we profess. God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MS

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 27 Ordinary time - October 9, 2020

 

FRIDAY 27TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Galatians 3:7-14, Luke 11:15-26

 

LEARN TO SPEAK GOOD OF OTHERS

 

Every human person has a need to be recognized and appreciated. It is good to praise and  commend  people when they do well instead of making them feel bad.

In the gospel reading of today, we see how the people tried to talk ill of Jesus after he had worked a miracle. They forgot what he had done and began to discourage him by accusing him of being diabolical instead of Godly.

When people do well or achieve something good, it will be good that we appreciate them instead of spoiling their reputation. Let us encourage all those around us today who are making effort to do what is right. There is no need to talk down on people to make them feel bad. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP