Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Easter week 7 - May 27, 2020

Wednesday 27th May 2020

Seventh week of Easter

Acts 20:28-38, John 17:11-19

Have you ever been in a situation where you are to give a farewell speech to a group of people you are about to leave behind and not sure when you will meet them again? I could remember when I was to say goodbye to the parishioners of a parish I had done  apostolic work for just six weeks, at some point, not only that the people were crying that I was leaving, I also managed to hide my tears because of the love they had showed me. I could also remember how many people were crying when a priest who had worked in a parish for over five years was transferred to another parish.

It is therefore very easy to understand why the people of Ephesus are in tears in the first reading of today, that Paul who had been with them for about three years was leaving them.

The tears of the Ephesians was obviously not just because Paul was leaving them but because of the way he had led them. He narrates it himself how he suffered for their sake and was not a burden to them. He worked night and day for their salvation and cared for their souls. His success in Ephesus was not just his disposition to work with them, but also their readiness to accept him and show him love and concern.

This is exactly what Jesus also speaks about in the gospel reading of today. In his conversation with his Father, he narrates how he had been a Father to us, cared and guided us. He made sacrifices to the point of death, and Paul also endured all the hardships in Ephesus to get the message of the kingdom to them. We can therefore make things easier for those working with and for us. If you are to leave where you are now? What will be the feeling around you? Sadness or joy? If people are also to leave your environment today, how do you think they will also feel based on the way you have treated them? God help us to put in our best in whatever we do. Only the Holy Spirit can help us achieve this. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Easter week 7 - May 26, 2020

Tuesday 26th May 2020

Seventh week of Easter

Memorial of St. Philip Neri

Acts 20:17-27, John 17:1-11

Have you ever been in a situation where you are doing something very difficult and unrewarding, but you are happy to do it because of the long term gain? To do the work of God and live a good Christian life is not easy, if not for the Spirit of God in us who continues to direct our hearts and minds to the glory of God which is to be revealed in us. In the gospel reading of today, we see how Jesus had glorified the Father with his life of suffering and death and has now ascended to the Father.

St Paul in the first reading is very eager to go to down to Jerusalem where he is very sure that he will meet opposition from other religious sects and even his fellow Jews who are not happy with him because he took the gospel to the Gentiles.

To be calm and steadfast in turbulent times with hope of eternal reward is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Today we have a good example in St Philip Neri. He lived a virtuous life of sacrifice and education of others. According to him, it is never a good thing to be proud in Spirit, and it is good to respect everyone irrespective of who you are. This was also the type  of life he lived. These are marks of a Christian and a proof of the spirit of God in us. May almighty God grant us the grace to glorify him with our lives so that he can also glorify us on the last day. God help us. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Easter week 7 - May 25, 2020

Monday 25th May 2020

Seventh week of Easter

Acts 19:1-8, John 16:29-33

We have entered the last week of the Easter season, and we prepare more intently to receive the Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost is usually associated with the day of the Holy Spirit, and on that day we ask the Spirit of God to fall afresh on us. The readings continue to show us that we cannot be Christians without the Holy Spirit.

In the first reading of today, we see that it is very easy for one to claim to be a Christian, but not all those who call themselves Christians are truly Christians. Some people in Ephesus had heard the word of God and believed, but they had not received the Holy Spirit to make them strong in the faith and give them courage to defend the same faith.

If Paul had not prayed over the people of Ephesus in the  first reading for them to receive the Holy Spirit, they would have easily been swept away by persecution.

This is why Jesus tells his disciples in the gospel reading, that if they do not have the Holy Spirit, they will be scattered when persecution comes. They will not be able to stand in the midst of little suffering. Those who have the Spirit of God, know during hard times that Jesus has overcome the world, and that hard times do not last forever. Let us approach Jesus today to baptise us with his Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, so that we may also conquer the world as he did. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP