Saturday, February 27, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent Year B - February 28, 2021

SUNDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2021

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18

Psalm 115:10,15-19

Romans 8:31-34

Mark 9:2-10

HOW STRONG IS YOUR FAITH IN GOD?

Today being the second Sunday in the season of Lent, the Church calls us to reflect on our faith and trust in God. What extent can you go in doing something because you know that God is by your side and he will never deceive you?

In the first reading, we see the call of God for Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham's faith in God started in Genesis 12, when God called him to leave his own land and go to an unknown place and he obeyed. He remained steadfast in faith when God promised him a child despite his age. Sometimes God tells us to do something difficult so that he can bless us the more.

In the second reading, St Paul in his letter to the Romans, compares Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac his only son to the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. God did not spare his own son as he spared Isaac, this therefore means that there is nothing God will not do to save us.

Jesus obeyed his father to the end and gave up his life on the cross, just as Abraham obeyed God and was ready to sacrifice his son. Jesus did not hesitate in dying. Just like the prophet Isaiah said that, "Ill-treated and afflicted, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep dumb before its shearers he never opened his mouth" (Isaiah53:7). This was only possible because Jesus believed in and trusted that his father has the perfect plan.

In the gospel reading, we see the narrative of the transfiguration of Jesus. Six days earlier in Matthew 8:31-38, Jesus had told his Apostles that he would be captured and tortured by the chief priest and elders of the people, he will be crucified and he will die, but will rise on the third day. This made the faith of the Apostles to dwindle. Jesus therefore used the transfiguration experience to strengthen their faith in him. To have seen Moses who represented the law, and Elijah the greatest prophet in the history of Israel with Jesus, and to hear the voice of the father from heaven must have strengthened their faith in Jesus.

The Christian life is a journey of faith, only those who fully trust in God and believe that God is aware of whatever comes their way will succeed. Whatever you are passing through at the moment may be a test of your faith that will lead to the blessings God has designed for you. Do not give us. God help us to entrust our lives to him. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Friday, February 26, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 1 of Lent - February 27, 2021

SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2021

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Matthew 5:43-48

HAVE THE CHRISTIAN AURA AROUND YOU

There are people you encounter in life and you feel blessed to have met them. They have a very welcoming personality and it feels very good to talk with them and be around them. These people may not even be Christians. It becomes a double blessing if they are Christians and they add the Christian way of living to their wonderful personality. Such people seem not to have any enemy, as you see them laugh and move along with everyone. This is the type of treatment we receive from God. God does not treat us as we deserve; despite our sins, he still takes care of us all. He does not stop the rain and sun from reaching sinners, but continues to call us back to himself.

This is the type of life God calls us to live today. As human beings, God has given us all we need to live a good life. As Christians, God expects more from us. There are many people who are not Christians, but they live good lives, being Christians should give us the extra push to live much better. If our righteousness does not really go beyond that of the scribes and pharisees, we will truly not make heaven.

This is why we are called in the first reading to obey the commandments and customs of God and listen to his voice. Only by doing this can we truly be his children and make a difference in the way we live.

God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 1 of Lent - February 26, 2021

FRIDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2021

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Ezekiel 18:21-28

Matthew 5:20-26

KEEP UP THE GOOD YOU ARE DOING

As we continue in this lenten season, the word of God continues to encourage us not to turn to evil. Sometimes we may think that we have done so much good that God will not hold it against us if we commit a little evil. Many people especially the youths who are from very good homes and have lived good lives and have been close to God, suddenly find themselves turn to evil because of peer pressure and material gain.

The prophet Ezekiel gives a very good illustration in the first reading. If we gave been doing good and decide to turn to evil, God will judge us according to our present state. If we have been evil and decide to repent, we will also inherit the kingdom as we see the thief on the cross with Jesus did. This is why it is very important that we are in a state of grace at every moment.

In the gospel reading, Jesus tells us to pay attention to the little details around us. Before we commit sins, there are occasions that if avoided, sin can also be averted. Anger for example is a very serious vice that can lead to serious sins.

We pray that almighty God will continue to grant us the grace to be steadfast in doing what is right. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 1 of Lent - February 25, 2021

THURSDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2021

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

ESTHER 14:1.3-4.11.13-14

MATTHEW 7:7-12

GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS

Have you ever been in a situation where you are very hopeless that you cannot even pray? It is only people with deep faith in God that can still pray in times of adversities.

Esther in the first reading must have found it tough before her prayer. When she remembered all that God had done for the people of Israel in the past, she was encouraged to pray. Whatever the situation is in life, let us believe that God will hear us and do something about our plight.

The words of Jesus in the gospel are very comforting. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you. God always answers our prayers; sometimes God's answer may not go the way we want, this is why we should be ready to accept the will of God for our lives.

May almighty God help us to trust him always even in the midst of troubled circumstances. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 1 of Lent - February 24, 2021

WEDNESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2021

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

JONAH 3:1-10

LUKE 11:29-32

FORSAKE YOUR SINFUL WAYS

The prophets of the Old Testament really evoked fear in the people. The thought of the fury and wrath of God made many of them to be more serious in their dealings with God and one another. Nevertheless, many people truly repented out of love of God, knowing that what they were doing was wrong.

When Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh in the first reading, they repented from their sins and asked God for forgiveness and pardon. There is an opinion that the people who lived many years ago were more religious and more serious with the things of God, compared to our own time. Jonah did not perform any miracle to convince the people of Nineveh that he was a true prophet from God; in our time, some Christians may not take the word of God serious until one shouts at the top of his voice in prayer and work miracles.

This is also what Jesus experienced in the gospel reading. As he preached repentance to the people, many of them were asking for a miracle to prove that he is the son of God. It is our crave for miracles that has made many Christians to be led astray by magicians in disguise of religious leaders. Jesus calls us today to listen to the word of God and the voices of his priests and repent. We should not wait for the wrath of God before we forsake our sins.

May almighty God continue to minister to our hearts and help us to be conscious of the things we do. May we truly repent from our sins and put all our hope in God. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Monday, February 22, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 1 of Lent - February 23, 2021

TUESDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2021

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Isaiah 55:10-11

Matthew 6:7-15

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TO PRAYER

In Christian parlance, we would see that virtues are connected for spiritual growth. Prayer is connected with a clean and pure heart. Many of us Christians are unable to pray to God because we are not well connected to him. We can only pray to God when we are one with him in spirit.

Many people compare their prayer life with that of others,  but it is uncalled for because one's connectedness with God and level of spirituality cannot be measured. It has nothing to do with facial expressions and bodily gestures as well as the length of prayer and the words used.

In this lenten season, we must pray to God, not just in words but also in the union of our hearts with him. Jesus tells us to purify our minds and hearts before meeting him, there should be no anger, no malice, but forgiveness in the wrongs done to us. We should also purify our minds and hearts. If we study the word of God more intently this season, we will be better disposed to meet God in prayer. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

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

 SUNDAY 16TH MAY 2021 SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 1:15-17,20-26 Psalm 102:1-2,11-12,19-20 1 John 4:11-16 John 17:11-19 THE HOL...