Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter week 4- May 8, 2020

Friday 8th May 2020

Fourth week of Easter

Acts 13:26-33, Psalm 2:6-11, John 14:1-6

It seems very easy to get many followers and sponsors when one is doing what is wrong. One may nevertheless become unpopular and lose much support when pursuing what is right. I can imagine the support Paul had among the Scribes and Pharisees and the elders of the people when he was persecuting the Church before his conversion. He was a very powerful man. Nevertheless, we see in the first reading of today, how he is struggling to make himself relevant to the people because he has embraced the way of the Lord.

One thing is very sure in life, when we put in so much energy to do evil, we will be very relevant at that moment, but since evil does not last forever, we will become frustrated when it ends except we embrace the way of Christ. St Paul appeared obviously irrelevant among his people when he embraced the faith, but today, he is even more popular and relevant than some of the direct Apostles of Jesus. We are therefore encouraged today to continue the good we are doing even if we do not have support, because our good deeds will be judged at the long run.

The promise of Jesus in the gospel reading of today, that he has gone to prepare a place for us is very true. Nevertheless, the rooms Jesus has gone to prepare will only be occupied by those who will endure in doing what is right to the end. God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Easter week 4- May 7, 2020

Thursday 7th May 2020

Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:13-25, John 13:16-20

Many of us may have seen a video that went viral recently, about a mad man who was preaching in the street, calling people to repent from their sins. When those listening to him offered him money, he refused it and told them to give it to the poor. It is obvious that not many people took him serious because of his mental state. It also happens in our society; some people may just suddenly repent from their sins and get converted to the faith, but we may not take them serious because of the life they had lived. How will you feel if a notorious armed robber or kidnapper or a terrorist suddenly enters the church and starts preaching? This was the image of Paul among the early Christians. Paul was very brutal to the Christian faith and wanted to eliminate it because he thought it was a deviation from the Jewish faith. I wonder how the people will be feeling today to hear him preaching, explaining the scriptures from the time of Abraham to that of Christ.

There are many people who we have written off in life and think that they are already doomed and are of no use. St Paul in his letter to the Romans, 2:11, tells us that God has no favourite. He can use anyone to accomplish his plans and goals. God has not given up on anyone just as he did not give up on Paul. May almighty God grant us the grace to be ready and willing, whenever he wants to use us for his work. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Easter week 4- May 6, 2020

Wednesday 6th May 2020

Fourth week of Easter

Acts 12:24-13:5, John 12: 44-50

Have you ever been in a situation when you are to travel to a place you have not been to before and you do not even know anyone over there? Many of our corp members posted to different parts of the country experience this. There is apprehension, fear and anxiety as to what to expect. This experience is probably nothing compared to priests who travel away from their people and environment and go to an unknown land. It is difficult because you do not know what to expect in the new environment. This was the situation with Paul and  Barnabas in the first reading of today. Sometime after his conversion or call to mission, Paul is about to begin his mission to other nations with Barnabas.

It is not always easy to do the work of God. Sometimes you are rejected, sometimes disregarded or even attacked. Paul encountered many difficulties in his first Missionary journey with Barnabas, just as many of us missionaries do today. Let missionaries not be discouraged with the hardships around them, for Christ who sends also provides for his mission. We pray for missionaries in difficult and challenging areas today, especially during this Covid-19 era, that God will continue to strengthen them for his work. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP