Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Easter Week 3 - April 20, 2021

TUESDAY 20TH APRIL 2021

THIRD WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 7:51-8:1

John 6: 30-35

TRUTH IS BITTER, BUT BETTER

Have you ever been persecuted for saying the truth? Have you been brought to limelight for doing what is right or condemning what you know is evil and unjust? One obvious truth is that human beings do not like to hear the truth even when it stares at them in the face. Truth hurts. In the first reading of today, we hear Stephen preach the truth to a people who had closed their minds to the truth. Stephen was not interested in knowing how the elders and the scribes were feeling about his preaching, he did not notice that their eyes were turning red in annoyance during his speech. He was only interested in saying the truth that he was looking up to heaven and saw Jesus sitting at the right hand of God.  His witness to the truth cost him his life today. Those who are afraid of persecution and death cannot walk the path of truth.

It is true that sometimes it is good to present truth euphemistically, and in a noble way, nevertheless, when you are afraid to witness to the truth for fear of being rejected and persecuted, you are already on your way to compromising your values.

In the gospel reading, we see Jesus not economical with the truth that he is the bread of life. He did not care whether many of his followers will leave him or whether he will be reported to the scribes and pharisees. It is more profitable to speak the truth and die, than to be alive, covered in the shadows of lies and deception.

Lord, grant us the grace to fear you and do your will rather than compromise our faith. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Easter Week 2 - April 17, 2021

SATURDAY 17TH APRIL 2021

SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 6:1-7

John 6:16-21

WE SHOULD NOT DISTORT WHAT IS IMPORTANT WITH IRRELEVANT THINGS

The church continued to spread with the experience of the resurrection of Jesus and the Pentecost. The Apostles have continued to move round the surrounding cities to preach the word of God, and the number of Christians continued to increase.

The more the number of people, the more demand, as well as those to be taken care of. It is possible too that many of those who joined the Christian sect would have done so because of what they would gain, since the distribution of food was also involved. It got to the point where some people began to complain that food was not enough for them. It is possible that the complaints were true; those who shared the food may just be settling their own people and neglecting others. This was becoming a serious issue that it was distorting the preaching of the gospel. This led to the selection of seven young men who were ordained  deacons, to take charge of the poor and the distribution of food to the poor and needy among them.

In our church today, some of these things still happen. We quarrel because of food and drink, whose turn it is to sweep the church, and so on; and we bring these irrelevant quarrels and squabbles that we should have resolved ourselves to the priest, thereby, affecting other more important activities that need attention. Issues of food and drinks should not bring quarrel in the house of God. Many people have left the church because of quarrels about food and drinks. When we allow material things as such to divide us in the house of God, we are not true Christians.

Lord help us to concentrate on things that are of more importance, do not allow us to turn away from you because of irrelevant things. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter Week 2 - April 16, 2021

FRIDAY 16TH APRIL 2021

2ND WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 5:34-42

John 6:1-15

JESUS MULTIPLIES OUR LITTLE EFFORTS

Most times in our lives, we are discouraged to do some things because we think we cannot complete them alone. We are even afraid to begin it, and many people are not ready to assist others because they believe that the number of those who need help are many.

Jesus knew that preaching the word of God is not only about words, but also about action when the need arises. As Christians, we should be ready to compliment our words with actions when we are able to.

Jesus understood this very well in the gospel reading of today. He knew that the people were tired after listening to his preaching, and were hungry. When he asked Philip how to get food for the crowd, philip was discouraged because of the number of people. At the end of the day, we see that it was the 5 loaves and 2 fish of a small boy that fed the crowd. It is possible that if the boy knew that his little food was to be shared among the crowd, he would not have released the food too because it was like nothing among the number of people.

Jesus therefore is not asking for so much from us today, he just wants us to offer the little we have and can afford, he himself knows how to multiply it and feed his children. Do not lose faith, do not be discouraged.

Lord, help me to know that the good I do, no matter how small, is what you want as an encouragement to others. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Easter Week 2 - April 15, 2021

THURSDAY 15TH APRIL 2021

2ND WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 5:27-33

John 3:31-36

OBEDIENCE TO GOD COMES BEFORE OBEDIENCE TO MAN

As Christians, we are faced daily with various peoples and situations that make us want to compromise the truth and our faith. We tend to do whatever it takes to please human beings so as to remain in their good books, especially when we are benefiting from them. This therefore clouds our sense of judgement and readiness to speak the truth.

In the first reading of today, we hear Peter and the Apostles reply the sanhedrin that obedience to God comes before obedience to man. Fear of God comes before fear of man. They did not care what the Jewish authority wanted them to do, all they knew was that Jesus had told them to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.

In the gospel reading, we hear John the Baptist telling his disciples to learn from the life of Jesus the Lamb of God. He came to bear witness to the truth and did not fear anyone. His message of truth was not accepted by some people also. As a good Christian always on the side of truth and what is right, many people will hate you, but do not forget that obedience to God comes before obedience to human beings. You may look poor and unpopular in the eyes of men by doing this, but God always takes care of his own. The psalmist today tells us that God listens to the poor when they call on him.

Lord, help me to obey your word and follow your commandments no matter the pressure around me. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Easter Week 2 - April 14, 2021

WEDNESDAY 14TH APRIL 2021

SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 5:17-26

John 3:16-21

WHY ARE WE TIMID?

Sometimes we wonder what has led to the drastic change in the way we practice our faith today, compared with those of the early Christians. The faith the early Christians expressed in the risen Lord was very exceptional. It can be compared to the faith of Shedrach Meshach and Abednego in the Old Testament who were ready to suffer for what they believed in. It can also be likened to the faith expressed by David who was ready for whatever will happen to him instead of abandoning his faith out of fear. This seems not be be the case in the practice of our faith today. Many Christians today are very much afraid to stand in the path of truth and defend their faith.  The early Christians continued to preach the faith despite being warned to stop. They were not afraid of the Jewish authorities and what they would do to them. When they were imprisoned, they were happy to have had their own share of suffering and pain. We now have Christians who are afraid of being persecuted. We want to be comfortable and can easily compromise our faith if we perceive any impending danger.

We are called today to remain steadfast in the practice of our faith,  because when we are faced with persecution and pain, Jesus whom we profess will not abandon us. He will be there to save us from the burning fire, from the mouth of hungry lions and from imprisonment and persecution.

Lord, help me to be conscious that you love and care for me, and thus, be ready to proclaim you. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Easter Week 2 - April 13, 2021

TUESDAY 13TH APRIL 2021

SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 4:32-37

John 3:7-15

THE EARLY  CHRISTIANS WERE OF ONE MIND AND HEART

It is very important for us to ask ourselves sometimes, the difference between us who claim to be Christians and those who are not. We carry the Christian name on our heads, but are not ready to live as one. If you read the  early chapters of the book of the Acts of the Apostles which chronicles the life of the early Christians, you will get an image of what it means to be a Christian.

In some places in our world, including some parts of Nigeria, especially in the core North where the Christian faith is not tolerated, the Christians in those areas suffer a lot. This was the same situation in the early Church. All those who listened to the preaching of the Apostles and became Christians were segregated and discriminated. For them to survive therefore, the early Christians had to support themselves, put what they had together and lived like one big family. Those who had brought out what they had, some sold their lands, just to make sure they survived together as Christians.

Do we still have such attitude today? Are people not thinking more of themselves rather than the good of others? The first reading is a challenge to every Christian today, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic. Many people are suffering around us, what efforts are we making to support them? Are we even making life more difficult for others?This is a time for us to put our faith into practice and witness to the risen Lord. People do not need to worship you before you give to them, you do not need to make them feel inhuman with your statements before assisting them. Generosity is a virtue that does not go unrewarded. We will either survive together as concerned Christians, or perish together as selfish Christians.

Jesus tells Nicodemus in the gospel reading of today, that if he wants to understand the things of the world, he should pay attention to what is  happening around him. Reach out to someone today and see how happy and blessed you will be.

Lord, help us to sensitive and considerate in our dealings with one another. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Easter Week 1 - April 10, 2021

SATURDAY 10TH APRIL 2021

EASTER SATURDAY

DO NOT BE AFRAID

Acts 4:13-21

Mark 16:9-15

There have been many times in our lives that we have failed to do what is right because we are afraid of what others will do or say to us. Human beings are generally afraid to die, thus we are ready to do anything including committing sins to avoid pain and death. In the first reading of today, we see that as Christians who have received the Holy Spirit, we should face situations, especially those of persecution for the sake of our faith with courage. This is because, God who has called us and whom we serve, will never let us be put to shame.

We see in the first reading how Peter and John who had been arrested for preaching about Jesus, were released unharmed. If they had thought of the punishment they would receive, they would have continued hiding and not preach the word of God. Do not keep quiet in the face of evil, do not refuse to speak the truth because of the way you will be treated, and do not allow fear of persecution or death make you abandon the ways of the Lord.

Lord, grant me the grace to witness to you without fear or favour. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP