Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Easter week 3- April 28, 2020

Tuesday 28th April 2020
Third week of Easter
Acts 7:51-8:1, John 6: 30-35
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 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. 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 be economical and mild with the truth, and it has to be presented 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 doom.
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. God grant us the grace to fear him and do his will rather than compromise our faith. Amen. God help us
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Easter week 3- April 27, 2020

Monday 27th April 2020

Third week of Easter

Acts 6:8-15, John 6:22-29

Many of us Christians are not very sure what propels us towards Jesus and his Church. We seem to only seek Jesus because we know that he can solve our problems. Many people come to the Church or take some positions in the Church because of what they will gain. They get enticed with the glamour and benefits of following Jesus, but are not really concerned about their souls. Such people only see the Christian faith as an avenue to feed themselves.

This is why Jesus was angry  with the crowd that came to look for him in the gospel reading of today. Many of them did not come to Jesus because they had enjoyed his preaching some days before, but because he had fed them with bread and fish, and they had come for more. They saw Jesus as one who will quench their hunger for food.

This scenario had made the prophet Isaiah advice that we should not work for the food that perishes, but for what endures forever (Isaiah 55:2). Money and material things can only satisfy our physical needs, but they cannot truly satisfy us. Instead of spending all our time and energy on acquiring earthly things, we should also think of what will follow us beyond this world.

In the first reading, we see that Stephen was not concerned about earthly satisfaction, he worked for what endures forever, therefore he was not afraid of his opponents who wanted to set him at enmity with the people by falsifying his teachings. If you are following Jesus or going to the Church because of what you will gain, you will be disappointed here on earth and thereafter in heaven. May God give us the grace to work for the food that lasts forever. Amen. God help us.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Easter week 2- April 23, 2020

Thursday 23rd April 2020

2nd week of Easter

Acts 5:27-33, John 3:31-36

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. God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Easter week 2- April 22, 2020

Wednesday 22nd April 2020

Second week of Easter

Acts 5:17-26, John 3:16-21

Sometimes we wonder what has led to the drastic changed 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. Even when they were imprisoned, they were happy to have had their own share of suffering and pain. We now have Christians today 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. God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP