Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the 7th day in the Octave of Christmas Year B - December 31, 2020

THURSDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2020

7TH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

1 John 2:18-21

John 1:1-18

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Today is the last day of the year 2020. We cannot imagine it that this year has already come and gone. For many people, It just seemed like yesterday that we started the year with so much zeal and enthusiasm. For so many people, thank God that the very interesting year 2020 is over.

As St John tells us in the first reading, many of us were able to overcome the year because we did not listen to wrong teachings and advice. It is only those who hold on to Jesus who will conquer till the end.

In the gospel reading, we are told that God has been with us from the very beginning. Jesus has been with the father right from the time of creation. He knows the end from the very beginning.

As we spend the last day of the year 2020 and get set for 2021, let us thank God for all that he has done for us, and pray that the year 2021 will be better than this one. God help us. Amen. See you in 2021.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Holy Family Sunday Year B - December 27, 2020

SUNDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2020

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

 Genesis 15:1-6,21:1-3

Colosians 3:12-21

Luke 2:22-40

HOLY FAMILY: MAKE OUR FAMILIES LIVE YOURS

As it is customary in the Liturgical calendar of the church, the Sunday after Christmas celebration is the feast of the Holy Family.

The church presents to us today, the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as model for all families. The family is the smallest unit of the society, and the church right from the time of Pope Paul VI, has seen the family as the domestic church. This is because, it is in the family that our faith is conceived, born, nurtured and sent forth into the world.

In the first reading of today, we see the struggle of Abraham and his wife Sarah. They had no child. This is a situation that we all are familiar with. Some couples get married and are unable to have a child. This has led to the breakdown of many marriages. In the case of Abraham and Sarah, they stayed together and trusted God till God blessed them with Isaac and his descendants.

In the gospel reading, we see the struggle of Joseph with poverty. He was not a rich man, but was able to keep his family moving. From the narration of the gospel, we can see very well that Joseph was not even able to get a lamb and 2 turtle doves to use in the presentation of Jesus in the temple as commanded in Leviticus 12. He was only able to provide 2 young pigeons, a thanksgiving by the poor.

We all have a lot to learn today from the Holy family. It is not that there were no moments of quarrel, but they handled issues very well.

JESUS was obedient to his parents and was faithful to prayers and the things of God. Jesus helped Joseph  his foster father in his carpentry work until he started his public ministry.

JOSEPH was understanding with Mary when he heard that she was pregnant when he had not touched her. How many men can save their wives of such a shame? Joseph also worked hard as a carpenter to cater for the family.

Mary was quiet amidst all the troubles she went through. We are told that she treasured them in her heart.

Whatever we pass through in our families, let us look up to the holy family and pray that God should make our families like that of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Christmas Day - December 25, 2020

Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm 88:4-5,16-17,27,29

Acts 13:16-17,22-25

Matthew 1:1-25

REJOICE AT THE BIRTH OF JESUS

For about four weeks now, we have prepared ourselves to receive our saviour. We are ready to come out of darkness and embrace Jesus who is the light that dispels darkness. The prophet Isaiah tells us in 9:1-2 that the coming of Christ has brought light to us all who have been living in darkness. Today we commemorate the birth of our saviour, it is a time for us to once again come out of the various forms of darkness in our lives.

The world before the coming of Jesus was in darkness. The original sin of Adam and Eve our first parents left us in a very pitiable state. Right from creation therefore, God has mapped out ways to bring us back to himself and restore us to our original holy state. God called Abraham and his descendants so that through him, every tribe and nation will be saved. God sent leaders, kings, judges and many prophets to lead the people back to himself, but in the fullness of time, God sent his only son Jesus Christ into our world to show us the way back to him. How much God truly loves and cherishes us.

In the old Testament, we see that the consciousness of sin and morality was very low, that is why Jesus in Luke 10:23-24 said that we all are privileged to have been born to see and hear him and relate with him. Many kings and prophets longed for his coming. We see how Zechariah was very happy in the gospel reading of yesterday that he lived to see the birth of the saviour.

We are therefore called to rejoice and be happy today. Many things may have taken away our joy this year, we all have our various troubles and anxieties ranging from family, business, education, health, friendship and work challenges. We are called today to place them by the side of the new born king. Let us trust that Jesus who  became a human being like us, knows our troubles and challenges in life, and he will be our comfort and solace.

We can imagine how Mary struggled with her life since the angel gave her the message of the incarnation. We can imagine a woman giving birth during this cold season in a manger. We can imagine Joseph who had already planned his life with Mary, told to become a celibate and foster father of Jesus.

Let us rejoice at the birth of Jesus amidst our life challenges and share the joy with one another. Jesus has also come as the king of peace; let us be agents of peace and joy to everyone we meet. Jesus is the reason for the season, let us rejoice and be glad because our salvation is assured by the birth of Jesus. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance. God bless you. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 4 of Advent - December 24, 2020

THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2020

 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16

Luke 1:67-79

ARE YOU READY TO RECEIVE JESUS?

Many of us are doing last minute preparations for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Going out today to get some things for the celebration, I see how crowded everywhere is. Some people are still hoping to get the basic things for the celebration. The readings of today remind us once again that the season is that of joy and happiness. In the first reading, we are reminded that the one to be born to us is from the line of David as God promised him when he wanted to build the temple. Jesus is coming because of us, to lead us away from the slavery of sin and take us back to the father.

In the gospel reading, we see the joy in the heart of Zechariah who blessed the name of God for raising a saviour for humanity from the line of David as he promised through the prophets. The child to be born is the son of God who will make us aware of the need of our salvation, he will forgive our sins and lead us out of darkness.

Whatever we do in this season of Christmas, let us not forget that Jesus is the reason for the season. We do not need to do more than what we are capable of, we should not borrow to celebrate, we should not spend our last penny in celebration. May the coming of Christ bring us joy, and may we be truly conscious of God's abiding love for us. Amen. Be happy today and make others happy by extending a generous hand to them. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance. God bless you.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 3 of Advent - December 19, 2020

SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2020

THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

Judges 13:2-7,24-25

Luke 1:5-25

GOD KNOWS OUR TROUBLES AND HE WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYERS

It is indeed a very distressing experience for a couple who have no child. In our African society for example, people do a lot of things to have children. Some men will either marry a second wife or go through some scientific processes.

God in his own wisdom, has plans for everything and everyone. We may have prayed for something for a very long time and God seems not to be listening to us. Some have been praying for a child, some have been praying for life partners, some pray for improvement in their career and business. Some of us easily give up on God. In the first reading of today, we see that Manoah and his wife waited for the Lord, and he gave them Samson who was a blessing for the whole of Israel.

In the gospel reading, we see how Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth have looked for a child for a very long time, but did not get a child. They trusted God till their old age and remained steadfast. Their Son is John  the Baptist who is the forerunner of Jesus. The angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah when he was in the temple.

We are encouraged by these readings today, to be steadfast in our faith and never lose hope. You may think that God has forsaken you, be patient, God is cooking something special for you. You will rejoice and smile again. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP