Monday, November 30, 2020

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 1 of Advent - December 1, 2020

TUESDAY 1ST OF DECEMBER 2020

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

Isaiah 11:1-10

Luke 10:21-24

THERE WILL BE GREAT PEACE WHEN HE COMES

There are a lot of things that  trouble us daily in our lives. The world seems to be in chaos and everyone seem to be very angry. I was in the popular ever busy upper iweka avenue in Anambra state today, and everyone in the place seem to be in a haste. It looked like a normal thing to see two keke drivers fighting, motorists shouting at one another, people crying over lost materials along the pedestrian bridge, people trying to out smart one another. One can only imagine how the scenario is at this moment of preparation for the festive season.

In the first reading of today, the prophet Isaiah paints a world that we all would like to see. That world will be of serenity, peace, justice, coexistence and love of one another. A world where the snake and human being will be friends, lion and ox will be playing together. A world where we will no longer be afraid to sleep at night or afraid to travel because of bandits. A world where everyone will be comfortable with whatever they have. This according to him, will happen with the coming of the messiah from the stock of David. On that day according to the psalmist, justice shall flourish and there will be great peace. Let us therefore work towards that peace, and get it in fullness at the coming of Christ. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 1 of Advent - November 30, 2020

 MONDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2020

1ST WEEK OF ADVENT

FEAST OF ST ANDREW THE APOSTLE

Romans 10:9-18

Luke 4:18-22

PREACHERS ARE CALLED AND SENT

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. He was the elder brother of St Peter and according to tradition, he was one of the first to be called by Jesus to be his apostle. He was formally a disciple of John the Baptist. The gospel reading of today tells us that he was the son of Zebedee, and together with his brother Peter, they were with their father, fishing  in the sea of galilee, when Jesus called them. As people of faith, convinced of the life and mission of Jesus, they left everything including their father and followed Jesus.

Andrew is said to have preached round the Asia minor before he was martyred during the persecution of Emperor Nero where he was crucified on a cross which is in the shape of X. We are told that he continued to preach from the cross for 2 days before he died.

St Paul in the first reading of today, talked about preachers who have been called, chosen and sent by God. It is only when the word of God is preached that people hear it, only when people hear that they can have a change of mind.

As we celebrate St Andrew today, we pray for the grace of God on all genuine preachers of his word. May he continue to bless and sustain them in his love and grant them the grace to persevere in whatever situation or circumstances in which they find themselves. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the First Sunday of Advent Year B - November 29, 2020

 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B

Isaiah 63:16-17,64:1,3-8

Psalm 79:2-3,15-16,18-19

1Cor 1: 3-9

Mark 13:33-37

LET US RECONCILE OURSELVES BACK TO GOD

Today we begin the advent season, a new liturgical year in the church. The advert season is a period of preparation for the immediate and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an immediate preparation for the Christmas season which we shall celebrate very soon, it is also a period of reminder for us to repent from our sins and be always ready to receive Jesus at all times.

In the first reading of today, we see how the Israelites returned from exile to see their city in ruins. Conscious of the fact that it was their sins that caused it, they did penance and asked God for forgiveness.

We too are called to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus in our hearts. The fruits of the Christmas season will be how much we have prepared for his coming. We should pray, go for confession and ask God to forgive us so that when he comes, he will find us ready to receive him into our hearts.

In the gospel reading, Jesus tells us to be ready always. I pray that this advent season will refresh us in Christ, bring us closer to him and help us to do the will of God always. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Easter- May 16, 2021

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