Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 3 of Lent - March 9, 2021

TUESDAY 9TH MARCH 2021

3RD WEEK OF LENT

Daniel 3:25,34-43

Matthew 18:21-35

GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU, BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS

The feeling of mercy and compassion towards other people can only be expressed by those who know what it means to be in the situation of the other person.

Sometimes when I get angry due to what someone has done to me or how others have treated me, I remember the fact that I have done similar or worse things to others in the past and they had forgiven me.

This is why as human beings, we should be able to identify with the struggles of others because we are not perfect ourselves. This reminds me of the words of the author of the letter to the Hebrews in talking about human weaknesses. He said that every high priest is taken from among human beings and is appointed to act on their behalf in relationships with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or who have gone astray, because he too is subject to the limitations of weakness Hebrews 5:1-2.

As I read the gospel reading, I keep wondering how it was impossible for the servant who was forgiven his debt of ten thousand talents, to forgive a fellow servant who owed him as little as 100 denarii. When we think of the sins we commit daily and we have not been condemned and destroyed by God, we will find it easy to forgive others as many times as they wrong us and are sorry for their sins.

As we hear from the prophet Daniel in the first reading, the Jews were at a time punished for their sins and they became an object of scorn because they refused to repent of their sins. An unforgiving heart is like that of the devil. Jesus tells us that just as the unforgiving servant was dealt with, God will also throw out all those who refuse to forgive from their hearts. Many people are on their way to hell because of the grudges, anger and resentment they carry in their hearts.

Lord, help us to be in touch with our weaknesses and sins so as to be able to understand and forgive others when they wrong us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 3 of Lent - March 8, 2021

MONDAY 8TH MARCH 2021

THIRD WEEK OF LENT

2 Kings 5:1-15

Luke 4:24-30

THINK BEYOND YOURSELF

Sometimes we believe too much in our talents and possessions that we forget God. A footballer may be very skillful to the extent of thinking that there is no need to pray anymore. One can be very rich and think that money can do everything and thus no need for God.

In the first reading of today, we see Naaman an army commander who trusted too much in his position and power that he did not know God. He explored all options to cure his leprosy except recourse to God. When the Jewish slave suggested that he seek the prophet in Israel, he refused and the only move he made was for his king to write to the king of Israel that Naaman should be cured. He also refused to bathe in the Jordan as commanded by the prophet Elisha. All these show that he was never a man of faith but one who believed in his own efforts.

It is very important that we know that there are many things we cannot achieve on our own despite our physical strength, intelligence, wealth and connections. Let us therefore humble ourselves and heed the voice of the prophet.

Lord, help us to look up to you instead of our capabilities. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 2 of Lent - March 6, 2021

SATURDAY 6TH MARCH 2021

SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Micah 7:14-15,18-20

Luke 15:1-3,11-32

NO SHAME AT THE CONFESSIONAL

A young boy once walked up to me to tell me that he would like me to hear his confession, but would not want to do it in an open place because he doesn't want people around to see him as a sinner. It took me a lot of time to convince him that it is actually a thing of joy or pride to be at the confessional rather than shame.

There are many people today who have not reconciled with God because they are ashamed to be regarded as sinners. Some are afraid too because they think that God will not forgive them. The son who had committed a lot of atrocities against his father in the gospel reading, was initially ashamed to return home to his father, but he later summoned the courage to return to him, asking for forgiveness. As we see in the action of the father, God is always ready to receive us   and he had been waiting for us to return.

As the prophet Micah tells us in the first reading, God takes our faults away and pardons our crimes, his anger does not last forever, he is always ready to pity us and show us his mercy. All we need to do today is to take the bold step of returning to our father, he is on the road, looking to see if we are on our way back.

Lord, give us the courage to accept our sins and return to you. Help us to seek you with our whole heart. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 2 of Lent - March 5, 2021

FRIDAY 5TH MARCH 2021

SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-28

Matthew 21:33-43,45-46

NO NEED TO BE JEALOUS

It is very easy for us to be jealous when we are not ready to make effort to improve ourselves. When we fail to understand that we are all blessed differently, we will begin to feel that some people are being favoured than us. Some people, because of their personality, talents and gifts are very likeable, and thus can easily win favours. It could also happen in families where some parents may seem to like one child more than others.

In the first reading, we see the jealousy of the brothers of Joseph towards him. They thought that he was getting too much attention and favour from their parents and probably all those around them. We are not told that Joseph committed any crime against his brothers. It reminds me of the jealousy of cain towards Abel when he felt that Abel was more favoured and blessed by God.

The beauty of the whole story in the first reading will be see later in the life of Joseph when he gets to Egypt where his brothers had sold him into. As Jesus says in the gospel reading, the stone which was rejected out of jealousy, will indeed become the cornerstone.

Those who do not truly repent from their jealousy and strive to produce good fruits in due time, will be like the wicked servants in the gospel reading. They will definitely be brought to a miserable end.

God take away the spirit of jealousy from us and help us to strive to improve ourselves so as to bear fruits that will endure forever. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 2 of Lent - March 4, 2021

THURSDAY 4TH MARCH 2021

SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Luke 16:19-31

SALVATION IS ATTAINED IN HELPING THE POOR

When I was much younger, I thought that money and material things are sources of happiness. When I see people who live in big houses and drive big and expensive cars, I thought that they were the most happy people. I never knew that the rich also cry.

As I grow older, I discover that most rich people who are truly happy are those who are dedicated to the things of God and are sensitive to the needs of the poor.

As the prophet Jeremiah tells us in the first  reading, happiness is for those who do not put their trust in their possessions or fellow human beings. True happiness can only come from God. Those who put their trust in God are like the trees planted beside the waters, they are ever green, the blessings of God will never lack in their lives, they will be truly happy.

The rich man in the gospel reading was never happy on earth. Those who are happy do not despise the poor and needy. There are some rich people who do not even know how to get to the poor and needy to reach out to them, they make effort to look for the poor and needy to assist. The scriptures did not tell us that the rich man committed any crime; his sin was that he refused to be sensitive to Lazarus a beggar who stayed at his gate daily.

Giving of alms is one of the lenten observances. Do not allow the lenten season to pass by without reaching out to the poor. You can reach out to a priest to direct you on how to go about it if you are not sure. The water you give the poor to drink now may be what you will need to enter the kingdom of God.

God help us to be sensitive to the poor and needy around us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 2 of Lent - March 3, 2021

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jeremiah 18:18-20

Matthew 20:17-28

HOW MUCH DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE PLIGHT OF OTHERS?

It could be very frustrating to be passing through moments of pain and suffering and those around you are only interested in what they will gain. The experience of Jesus in the gospel reading of today can be compared to a dying man who is undergoing pain in his hospital bed, and his children are fighting over his properties.

Jesus knows what is ahead of him, crucifixion and death. He shared his pains with his Apostles, but they were more concerned about positions and places of authority. Jesus must have felt pained that his Apostles were yet to understand him and his mission. He had to tell them that the kingdom is earned not given freely, and positions of authority are for service not to Lord it over others. Some people may blame the mother of the sons of Zebedee for her request, but it is definitely what her sons told her about Jesus that would make her make such a request.

Whenever we think more of acquiring positions and not how to use them well, whenever we fail to be sensitive to the plight of those around us but think of how to get things for ourselves, whenever we fail to empathize with others, whenever we fail to identify with what others are passing through, we are causing pain and suffering to Jesus.

Lord grant us the grace to think more of our spiritual gains in all situations. May we work harder to attain salvation. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 2 of Lent - March 2, 2021

SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Isaiah 1:10,16-20

Matthew 23:1-12

THERE IS NO SIN GOD CANNOT FORGIVE

Pope St John Paul II was known to go for confession everyday. He said that if the bible would say that the righteous man sins seven times a day and stands up (proverbs 24:16), how will us who are struggling not strive to reconcile with God daily? It is very important that we always make effort to be one with God in mind and heart.

The prophet Isaiah today tells us not to give up when we have fallen badly. Many Christians may end up in hell because of their refusal to reconcile with God who is ready to receive them. God calls us today in the first reading to come to him for a dialogue. No matter the sin we have committed, God is ready to forgive us. He has seen us fall and he has stretched out his hands, ready to lift us up.

In the gospel reading he mentions few things that make us to fall. We compare ourselves with others and feel that God may not punish us if we commit sins,  we seek much attention from people around us and want to be acknowledged .

The Christian journey is a personal journey of faith, we do not need to look at any other person or look into what they do. Only the good deeds of people should be emulated. The bad things others do and are not punished should not be a license for us to do the same.

May almighty God help us to truly and fully return to him and be saved. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.