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Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross, Year C.

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  Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 77:1-2, 34-38; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17. “CROSS AND CROWN!” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        Today, the church celebrates the feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The cross is an integral part of the mystery of our salvation. Jesus specifically instructs us that if you want to be my disciple, you must first renounce yourself, take up your cross and follow me. ·        Jesus shows us the way by first going to the cross to die for the salvation of mankind. The death of Jesus is a redemptive death for the salvation of mankind. What we celebrate today is the proclamation of Jesus that, “When I am lifted from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself.” ·        The cross, which used to be a symbol of shame and pain, has now been transformed by the death of Jesus on it into a symbol of hope, salvation, love and redemption. Jesus shows tha...
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Homily For The 23rd Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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Wisdom 9:13-18 ; Psalm 90:3-6.12-14.17; Philemon 9-10. 12 -17 ; Luke 14:25-33. “THE CHALLENGE OF DISCIPLESHIP ! ”   By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        It is common knowledge that when an advert for a job is placed, those who are invited for the interview may have passed the exams before the job specifications and benefits are laid out. Those who feel that they can meet up with the challenges of the new job, take up the job, and those who cannot meet up with the demands of the said job, look elsewhere. ·        We must understand that there are no calls without challenges, whether temporal or spiritual. The challenge of the call is only known after one has responded positively to the call. No one gives you the content of your call unless you respond first to the call. So also is the Christian call to follow Jesus. ·        The gospel reading (Luke 14:25-33) specifically i...
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Homily For The 22nd Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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  Sirach 3:17-20. 28-29 ; Psalm 68:4-7.10-11; Hebrews 12 :18-19. 22-24 ; Luke 14:1. 7-14 .   “HUMILITY: A DIVINE GIFT ! ”   By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·         In a human society where there are so many competitions and people are constantly trying to outdo one another. It is the survival of the fittest. Those who cannot compete or are defeated are left to lick their wounds with expressions like “pride goes before a fall”, “humility is the mother of all virtues”, “God exalts the humble and humbles the proud”, “God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble” (James 4:6), and some even go as far as quoting our today’s gospel “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk. 14:11). ·         Today, the church wants us to reflect on the virtue of humility as a divine gift. One may ask: Are we adopting a defeatist perspective, or are...
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Homily For The 21st Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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  Isaiah 66:18-21 ; Psalm 117:1. 2; Hebrews 12 :5-7.11-13 ; Luke 13:22-30 . “THE UNPOPULAR MESSAGE ! ”   By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        Sometimes when we listen to some Christian messages, they seem to sound like a direct contradiction to popular belief and practice. It only takes the eyes of faith and the consciousness of eternal reward to accept such messages. ·        The readings of this Sunday, especially the second and the gospel reading, are not what any Christian will normally want to hear on a Sunday, that God deliberately allows us to go through some difficulties because he loves us. How can pain and sorrow be associated with love? Is it not the other way round? ·        The second reading (Heb. 12:5-7.11-13) reminds us that “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; h...
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Homily For The 20th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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Jeremiah 38:4-6. 8-10 ; Psalm 40:2.3.4. 18; Hebrews 12 :1-4 ; Luke 12:49-53 . “THE POWER OF INNOCENCE ! ”   By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        The word innocence can be variously understood. It could mean that one is naïve, not exposed to some harsh realities of life. However, innocence in this context refers to a state of sinlessness, a state of being in harmony with God, characterised by a pure heart. ·        Today’s readings emphasise the power of innocence. Our innocence provokes God to action. And nothing evil will ever happen to a just man. The experiences of an innocent man may be bitter, and in the sight of men it may seem evil, but it is ultimately that which will lead to eternal bliss. ·        In the first reading (Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10), Jeremiah, the prophet of God, was conspired against for speaking out against the ills of society, for stirring the Israeli...
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Homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.

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  Wisdom 18:6-9 ; Psalm 33:1.12.18-20.22; Hebrews 11 :1-2.8-19 ; Luke 12:32-48 .   “TESTIMONIES OF FAITH ! ” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·       This Sunday, the Lord talks about faith. Faith is both a virtue and a gift that has been traditionally described as light in the darkness. When everything seems dark and uncertain, faith gives the person a reason to hope steadfastly, wait patiently and trust firmly. ·       The author of the Letter to the Hebrews which is our second reading (Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19), gives this classic definition: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). Such was the case with Abraham, the father of nations, a man of faith. ·        In the order of dignity, love is the most important. But in the order of knowledge, faith comes first. The virtue of faith is defined as a supernatural habit or disposition of th...
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