Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter Week 1 - April 9, 2021

FRIDAY 9TH APRIL 2021

EASTER FRIDAY

Acts 4:1-12

John 21:1-14

THE RESURRECTION STORY GIVES US COURAGE TO FACE THE WORLD

There are times in life when we feel like giving up on people and ourselves. When the gospel of today took place, peter had only gone to the tomb at the news of Mary Magdalene about the resurrection of Jesus. Peter himself had not seen the resurrected Jesus and he was getting tired of waiting to see Jesus. He was giving up on Jesus.

Peter lost hope in Jesus and decided to return to his old fishing business. The Pentecost experience, as well as the encounter of Peter with Jesus at the sea in the gospel reading, led to the invigorated Peter we see in the first reading. Peter who has been afraid to even claim to know Jesus, was no longer afraid to die for the good news proclaimed by Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus should lighten our doubts and uncertainties, and give us new courage to face our unpleasant situations. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Easter Week 1 - April 8, 2021

THURSDAY 8TH APRIL 2021

Easter Thursday

Acts 3:11-26

Luke 24:35-48

THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

The birth, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus had been planned by God, so that we can be reconciled to our father. Throughout the period of Israelite journey through the wilderness, Moses was the face of salvation and liberation for the people because he liberated them from Egypt. Nevertheless, Moses continued to make reference to the coming saviour. All the prophets of Israel promised that the day of salvation is near. In the psalms, prayers are offered for the redemption and salvation of the world.

Jesus in the gospel reading of today, makes us to understand that God does not fail in his promises to us.   Many of us are not patient for God to perfect his plans in our lives, we are easily distracted with the things around us.

Peter and John knew the scriptures very well, they understood the salvation history and plan of God, not just because they lived with Jesus, but also because they read the scriptures. Many of us do not read the word of God as part of our routine. We see how Jesus explained  the scriptures to the disciples today, to understand why things happen the way they do. Many of us may never understand what is happening around us until we read the word of God and meditate on it. God still speaks to us, and meditating on his words is one of the ways we can hear him. Engage yourself with the word of God today, and you will have many answers to solve most of your questions.

Lord, help me to cherish your word, and may I hear your voice as I meditate on it. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Easter Week 1 - April 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY 7TH APRIL 2021

EASTER WEDNESDAY

Acts 3:1-10

Luke 24:13-35

SILVER AND GOLD I DO NOT HAVE, WHAT I HAVE IS JESUS

Peter has suddenly become the Peter Jesus called to be his disciple and the one Jesus placed over his Church. With the boldness Peter is going around to preach the word of God, it is obvious that the resurrection of Jesus has rekindled his faith and courage.

We all are called to preach the resurrected Christ to those around us too. In preaching the word of God, we see from the example of Peter and John in the first reading, that it is  both in words and actions. For the cripple and beggar who came up to Peter and John, it is obvious that he did not come to hear the word of God, but for material relief and money.

Since Peter and John are not social workers, they did not have money to give to him, nevertheless, they gave him what was more precious than money; prayer and healing.

We as Christians are therefore called to preach both with our words and actions. You may not be able to solve the problem, but you can contribute your quota. Many just need a show of concern, some just want a smile and assurance that things will get better.

The Easter message is for all of us to proclaim, how are you preaching it?

Lord, help me to assist those in need with whatever talent I have. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Easter Week 1 - April 6, 2021

TUESDAY 14TH APRIL 2021

OCTAVE OF EASTER

Acts 2:36-41

John 20:11-18

MAGDALENE LOVED JESUS EVEN IN DEATH

There are some people who have been very remarkably involved in our lives or we have had an experience of them and thus we never forget their influence in our lives. We love these people and are ready to do anything possible to help them when the need arises. This was the kind of experience Mary Magdalene had of Jesus.

In Luke 8:2, Jesus freed Mary Magdalene of seven demons. From that moment onwards, she began to show her love for Jesus. This love she showed by washing and anointing his feet and wiping it with her hair. She loved Jesus even in death that she came to anoint the dead body of Jesus only to discover that the body was no longer in the tomb. She refused to go home when she got to the tomb and could not find the body of Jesus. She stayed behind, crying at the tomb of Jesus.

Peter in the first reading, also showed his love for Jesus by preaching his resurrection and converting over 3,000 people.

I don't need to ask whether you love God and have something to be thankful for. God has done so much for us, the question is how you are showing it by your way of life in your family, and to your friends and neighbours.

Lord, help me to show that I appreciate what you have done for me. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Easter Sunday - April 4, 2021

SUNDAY 4TH APRIL 2021

EASTER SUNDAY

ALLELUIA THE LORD IS RISEN

Acts 10:34,37-43

Colossians 3:1-4

John 20:1-9

We are now fully in the celebration of Easter, our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified for our sake has risen from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and the powers of the evil one.

The resurrection of Jesus is very real, he did not resurrect like a ghost in movies, but in a glorified body, with blood flowing through his veins. This is what the Apostles testify to in the first reading of today. Jesus after his resurrection from the dead, did not make any case with all his enemies. He did not even appear to Pilate who sentenced him to death, he did not make troubles with the soldiers, even those who were guarding the tomb. He did not condemn Peter for denying him, I'm sure he would also have forgiven Judas if he had not killed himself. He ate and drank with the apostles after his resurrection.

We are also called to let go of every hurt and hateful feelings against other people  and ourselves because Jesus does not remember them anymore.

As people of the resurrection, we rejoice and celebrate our salvation. The resurrection of Jesus is our victory over sin and death, he has made heaven accessible to us. We must therefore renounce our sins and ask the risen saviour to give us the grace to live a life worthy of who we are; Christians.

St Paul tells us in the second readings of today, that as Jesus died and rose from the dead, we are also called to die to our sins and start a new life.

May the Joy of the risen Christ abide with us and bear fruits in our lives through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Holy Saturday - April 3, 2021

SATURDAY 11TH APRIL 2021

HOLY SATURDAY

Romans 6:3-11

Matthew 28:1-10

WE ARE SILENTLY WAITING FOR HIS RESURRECTION

The whole world is silent. The close friends of Jesus, especially his disciples cannot believe that Jesus has actually died. We too are sad because it was our sins that nailed him to the cross. The disciples of Jesus had already lost hope when they saw Jesus captured and crucified. They saw Jesus die and buried. They could not imagine it, no wonder they ran away and even Peter denied him.

The plan of God to save us did not just start on good Friday, but since our first parents as we see in the seven readings from the Old Testament today. God had through various means and people tried to reconcile us to himself. We see how he led the Israelites through the wilderness despite all their sins. The Pascal candle which represents Christ, means that Christ the light has come to illumine our darkened world.

As St Paul tells us in Gal 4:4, at the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a woman to save us from our sins. We are therefore happy today because after Good Friday comes Easter.

As we await the glorious resurrection of our saviour from the dead tonight, we are called to be more conscious of our lives. As we enter a glorious season of Easter, we should not forget our lenten observances and sacrifices. We should not forget our prayers, fasting and almsgiving. We should avoid sin. Not doing this is not to appreciate the death of Christ on the cross.

Mary Magdalene is a very good example in the gospel reading of today. When others lost hope in Jesus and wanted to return to their former ways of life, she trusted Jesus  and continued to show her love for Jesus even in death. She was therefore privileged to be the first person to see  Jesus after his resurrection.

We have every reason to celebrate today and make merry. May the joy of the risen Christ continue to radiate in our lives and help us to hold on firmly to him regardless of any situation.

Lord, our sins caused you pain and suffering and death. May your resurrection bring joy, laughter and light to our world. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MS

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Good Friday - April 2, 2021

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9

John 18:1-19:42

HIS DEATH HAS GIVEN US VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH

Today is the saddest day in the Church. It is a day when no mass is celebrated anywhere in the world, because the sacrifice of the holy mass is the same sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross which we celebrate today. As we mourn the death of our saviour today, we also are happy and have every reason to thank God because the death of Jesus has brought about our salvation. In the Old Testament, people killed rams and other animals to ask God for forgiveness of their sins. For man to be truly and fully reconciled to God and brought back to his original state, only the blood of God himself could achieve that. God himself therefore, has to die so that man could be saved.

Today is called good Friday because it is a day of our salvation. We kill the Son of God today and call it a good day, because we know that the death of God liberates us from the slavery and prison of sin and death. We therefore mourn today not because Jesus has died, but because it is our sin that caused his death.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah describes a righteous servant who committed no sin, but volunteered to suffer for the sins of others. The servant was falsely accused, insulted,  beaten and afflicted that he no longer looked human.  He was scorged at the pillar, crowned with a thorn that pierced his head, he fell three times on the stony and rocky road to calvary, he was hungry and thirsty, but given vinegar. You can imagine how much blood came out of his body today. Crucifixion is actually the worst form of death for criminals.  All these he went through without saying a word, so that our sins may be forgiven and the gates of heaven will be open for us.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews in the second reading of today, tells us that Christ is our high priest, and through his suffering and death, we have received the mercy of God.

As we celebrate this day, let us not easily forget with the Hallelujah songs of Easter that will come soon, that whenever we sin, we nail Jesus to the cross. Let us make efforts to avoid sin, and try to amend our ways.

Lord, help us to appreciate what you have done for us, by living a good life. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP