Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 23 Ordinary time - September 12, 2020

 

SATURDAY 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

1 Corinthians 10:14-22, Luke 6:43-49

 

TOTAL TRUST IN GOD

 

Many of us Christians are only Christians in our mouths. Our faith is very shallow that we can turn away from God and face another direction for help when things begin to get difficult. Many of us do not fully believe that God will answer our prayers, we think that he is too slow or does not listen. Some of us therefore are Christians by day and pagans by night. We seek or consult other powers for solutions to things. As we know, there's no other power other than God the most high.

In the first reading of today, st Paul tells us to shun idolatry and be in total communion with the body and blood of Jesus. Those who trust in other powers are in communion with those powers and cannot lay claim to God. It is not possible for one to eat on the table of the Lord and also eat with the devil. In fact, this makes God angry with us the more.

Jesus in the gospel reading of today tells us that we can only bear good fruits if we remain on the good trees. We can never expect to bear good fruits if we are on the bad tree. If we remain with God and do what he tells us, we are sure of blooming in whatever situation. There is no need to call on God's name if we do not trust him. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 23 Ordinary time - September 11, 2020

 

FRIDAY 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-27, Luke 6:39-42

 

DO IT BECAUSE OF GOD

 

Often times, we hear many Christians say, 'I am doing it because of God'. As Christians, there are many things we are going to do just because of God.

St Paul in the first reading of today tells us that he never thought of becoming a preacher, it was God who called him. He is carrying out the responsibility not because he is enjoying it or because it is easy, but because God had chosen him. It is a responsibility that he cannot refuse. There are many rights he would have demanded of the people as their spiritual father, but he is ready to endure whatever comes his way, for the sake of the kingdom. 

He therefore advises that as Christians, our only focus should be heaven and not earthly entitlements. Our race is not to win a price, but to get to the kingdom of God. We will never be happy if we continue to think of what we want or are supposed to get and they are not there. Paul made himself like a slave, he became weak and like a dejected man so as to also identify with the lowly.

God takes care of his own people, not when we insist on our rights or want what is not necessary, but when God decides to. May he grant us the grace to give up whatever is our entitlement but not forthcoming, but truly engage in his work for the sake of the kingdom. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 23 Ordinary time - September 10, 2020

 

THURSDAY 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

1 Corinthians 8:1-7,11-13, Luke 6:27-38

 

DO IT FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO LOOK UP TO YOU

 

There are many things we are sometimes tempted to do, but we cannot because we are Christians. As Christians we are never aware that many people are looking up to us until we do something wrong. The faith of many people may depend on us. Whatever they see us do, is the right thing, and when we do what is wrong, it can be a devastation and a serious scandal for them.

St Paul in the first reading of today tells us that though he knows that food sacrificed to idols are like normal food, he would advice that Christians should not eat them, not because they will harm us, but because it will affect the faith of others.

There are many things we do as Christians that affect the faith of those around us especially those whose faith are not as strong as our own, as well as the little ones around us.

Jesus tells us in Luke 17:1-2, that 'causes of falling are sure to come, but alas for the one through whom they occur. It would be better for such a person to be thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck than to be the downfall of a single one of these little ones'.

Let us therefore be conscious of ourselves and what we do. We preach more as Christians, by our way of life. People believe more of what we do than what we say. Our life is intertwined with that of others. When we fall as a Christian, many may fall down with us also. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP.