Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Easter Week 6 - May 11, 2021

TUESDAY 11TH MAY 2021

SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 16:22-34

John 16:5-11

I recently heard one of the new generation preachers on television, emphasising that real children of God can never suffer. In essence, one cannot serve God and suffer or be poor. After 5 minutes I could not make sense of what he was trying to communicate to his audience. I finally got pissed off when he said that he cannot suffer as a servant of God. Many of us Christians also have this mentality. This is very contrary to the teachings of Jesus that all who serve him should be ready to suffer for his sake.

This is very evident in the first reading of today. We hear how Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned by the people in the course of their preaching. Despite this, they still trusted in God even while in prison. How many people still trust and believe in God in times of trials and tribulations? Some even forget to pray.

The Holy Spirit who we are expecting from the Father will lead our hearts and minds to navigate moments of tribulations. Difficulties are part of our Christian calling. What we need is to trust God and be focused on him.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Easter Week 5 - May 8, 2021

 SATURDAY 8TH MAY 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 16:1-10

John 15:18-21

GOD IS WITH US ON THE JOURNEY

Every human person in one way or the other experiences some form of persecution. It is even worse when you are doing what is right. When you seem to be the one standing on the way of those whose ways are questionable, be ready to be persecuted. This is why Jesus tells us in the gospel reading of today, that if you have not started experiencing tough times especially with the godless, it means that you have not started living a life worthy of your calling as a Christian. Jesus was hated and persecuted not for doing evil, but for doing good. He was practically hated for doing nothing. He therefore assures us not to get discouraged when the world hates us. This is because the world hated him who is our master also. If Jesus our master could be humiliated, who are we his servants to resist persecution?

This is very clear in the minds of Paul and Barnabas as they continued to undergo persecution in their missionary works. What Jesus needs from us is to endure our persecution with trust in him, because we are not alone on the journey. Jesus is journeying with us.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter Week 5 - May 7, 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 15:22-31

John 14:12-17

GOD DOES NOT DEMAND TOO MUCH

Sometimes in our lives, we spend so much energy doing what is wrong. We disregard what others say because we think we are doing what is right. What easily comes to my mind as I reflect on this, is the energy Paul had used to persecute the Church. Paul had thought that the Christian faith had come to disregard some Jewish practices and laws. After his conversion, Paul has now become a defender of what he had earlier condemned because he is now aware of the truth. This is what happens in our lives every day. We find ourselves defending what is wrong  with so much passion because we have no true knowledge of the opposition party. Paul is therefore being persecuted by his fellow Jews the same way he had persecuted Christians.

It becomes very pertinent therefore, that we try and listen to others when we are not sure of what we are doing or saying. We may spend the whole of our lives defending what is not true, until we hear the opinion of others as we see in the first reading of today. The saying goes that 'where you sit is where you stand'; It is  obvious that the Jews were thinking from a selfish perspective, they wanted Gentiles to become Jews before becoming Christians. After the Council of Jerusalem which  was guided by the Holy Spirit, it was noted that morality is universal but culture and norms differ. Thus we can serve God with our own individual differences. Let us therefore try and understand one another, only by doing this can we practice the life of love Jesus requires of us in the gospel reading of today. We cannot love one another if we are not ready to listen to and accept one another, lay down our opinions, claims, and prejudices about others. What Christ commands us today is to love one another.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Easter Week 4 - May 1, 2021

SATURDAY 1ST MAY 2021

ST JOSEPH THE WORKER

Acts 13:44-52

John 14:7-14

MAY THE LORD BLESS THE WORKS OF OUR HANDS

As we enter a new month today, the Church calls us to reflect on the personality of St Joseph the husband of Mary as a model for all workers. In 1889, pope Leo XIII had set Joseph as the model for all workers. Joseph as we know was a very hard working man as a carpenter. With his work, he was able to take care of Jesus and Mary. In most countries, including Nigeria  today is regarded as workers day and it is a public holiday.

We are called today to take whatever we do to earn a living very seriously because God blesses the works of our hands. It is a day to ask ourselves whether we are doing the right work and are exerting much energy into it. You cannot be doing what is wrong and expect God to bless it for you. It may seem good and enticing but at the long run it will be a disaster. Many people do not want to work but want to excel. St Paul tells us in 2 Thess 3:10, that those who do not work should not eat. This is to encourage everyone to try their best to work for what they eat. Nevertheless, we are also encouraged to assist others, especially those who either have no work or are unable to work becauseoftheirconditions. 

God has called us to become co-creators with him. Whether you build a mansion or a chair, whatever profession you embrace or the type of work you do, what matters is your conscience and zeal for the work.

As we enter the month of May today, let us also not forget that it is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We should intensify our devotion to her this month, that God should bless the works of our hands. Amen

Happy new month.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter Week 4 - April 30, 2021

FRIDAY 30TH APRIL 2021

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA

Acts 1:12-14

John 2:1-11

Today the Church once again calls our attention to our blessed mother. She is a mother who is concerned about the plight of her children. The Church in Africa today call on Mary our mother to continue to intercede for us. Our Lady is always praying and always wants the best for her children. She was united with the Apostles in prayer in the upper room in Jerusalem when they were afraid. She continued to console and comfort them. The popular story of the wedding in Cana as we see in the gospel reading, is an obvious proof that our Mother Mary wants the best for us even when we do not even ask her.

Together as Africans today, we acclaim her as our queen and mother and ask for her intercession as we fight against all the vices and wills around us.

Please endeavour to pray the rosary today and ask for her intercession.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Easter Week 4 - April 29, 2021

THURSDAY 29TH APRIL 2021

MEMORIAL OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA

FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 13:13-25

John 13:16-20

GOD CAN MAKE USE OF ANYONE

Many of us may have seen a video that went viral last year, 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 or street and begins to preach? 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.

St Catherine whom we celebrate today, entered the third order of the Dominican order in her teenage years. She received a vision to leave her secluded life, and engage in more active life in 1370. She wrote many correspondences including to Pope Gregory XI, telling him to reform the church, the clergy and the papal states. She wrote many doctrinal and spiritual books. She died in 1380, and she was declared a doctor of the church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter - April 25, 2021

SUNDAY 25TH APRIL 2021

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY AND VOCATIONS SUNDAY

 Acts 4:8-12

1 John 3:1-2

 John 10:11-18

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Today the 4th Sunday of Easter, is usually known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The gospel reading is that of John 10 where Jesus proclaims himself as the good shepherd. It is also a day we pray for and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that God should send people after his own heart to lead his flock.

In every human society, it is very important to have leaders, it is of more importance to have good leaders who care and are concerned for their people. Some leaders can go as far as laying down their lives for their subjects.

For us Christians, Jesus is our leader and shepherd. God has assured us through the prophet Isaiah 49:15, that even if a woman should forget her suckling child, he will never forget us.

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us that he is the good shepherd, and he tells us what is expected of us as shepherds. Some years ago, it was very easy to compare the love of God for us with the love of Fulani Herdsmen for their cows. The image of Fulani herdsmen today has been bastardized as they are now portrayed as thieves and kidnappers. Fulani herdsmen were known for their love for their animals, they lead them to green pastures, give them water, protect them against dangerous animals and even communicate with them. Their cows hears their voice and act accordingly. They are very close to their cows that they smell like them. This is the same care and love Jesus shows us. He wants us to trust and believe in him. We should not listen to other voices, because they are thieves and robbers who have come to feed on the sheep.

This is why St John tells us in the second reading of today that we are privileged to be called God's children  because he has lavished us with much love, including sending his son to die for us.  The parable of the lost sheep always reminds us that God does not want anyone to be lost, and that he cares for every human soul. This is why Jesus says in the gospel reading that there are other flocks which do not belong to the sheep fold. We pray for our separated brethren, that God will help them to hear the voice of the true shepherd sent by God.

In the first reading of today, we see Peter as the shepherd of the people, explain to the then that it was through the name of Jesus whom they had killed that he healed the cripple at the gate of the temple. He told them to repent of their sins and accept Jesus so as to be welcomed back into the sheep fold.

On this day therefore, we pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that God should inspire young men and women who will be good shepherds after his own heart to continue his work of human salvation so that everyone can hear the true voice of God and come into the sheep fold. We pray for all those in formation, that God will continue to speak to them daily and mold them for his work.

We thank God that we have shepherds in the Church who are leading us back to God our father. We pray for those who are not under true shepherds, that they may hear the voice of the true shepherd today and enter the fold.

Pray for your shepherds today as well, that they may be people after the heart of Jesus.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP