Fr.Charles Ezejide

  Acts 10:34. 37-43; Psalm 117:1-2. 16-17. 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9. “HE HAS RISEN AND WE ARE HALLELUYAH PEOPLE!”                                              By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide ·        Jesus is alive! Our Lord has risen, “because death couldn't keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24). Adam’s rebellion is reversed, and communion with God is restored. Through the victory of Christ, we have achieved divinization – become sharers in the divine nature. ·        What a great paradox we have been so immeasurably rewarded for our sinfulness, through the merits of Christ. That is the amazing depth of God’s love, the unfathomable wonder of divine madness. ·     ...

  Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9. 17-20. 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56. “THE HAND THAT BETRAYED JESUS” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide Palm Sunday ushers us into the highest point of our salvation history. The whole drama of Jesus’ mission and earthly times is summarized in the passion narrative. Today’s celebration moves from a joyful shout of “Hosanna to the king” to “crucify him, crucify him.” Today’s entire Liturgy presents us with a picture of triumph and defeat, and ironically, what seemed to be triumph was indeed not one, and what appeared to be defeat was the supreme triumph of history. Some may argue that the death of the son of God was a suicide. Could God the Father not redeem the world through other means than the gruesome death of his only begotten son? He is the all-powerful God and could have achieved our redemption even with the snap of a finger. The death of Jesus was not a suicide,...

  Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126:1-6; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11 “SELF-EXAMINATION: THE PATH TO ENCOUNTERING GOD'S MERCY” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide ·        We thank God for journeying with us so far in our Lenten Campaign. In less than two weeks, we shall be basking in the Glory of Easter. The question is, are we making good use of the opportunity the Lenten season offers us to transform ourselves into better persons? ·        Part of the opportunity the Lenten season offers with the solemn liturgy and meditative atmosphere with reduced music and dancing is for us to go into sober reflection and self-examination on our level of intimacy with God. ·        It is possible that for more than four Sundays of lent with the readings hammering on repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, a second chance, and the unconditional love of God the Father, many of us may be projecting...

Joshua 5:9, 10-12; Psalm 34:2-3.4-5.6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. “THE MERCIFUL FATHER: THE GOD WHO FORGIVES!” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide ·        Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent, traditionally known as “LAETARE Sunday”. It is also known as Rejoice Sunday. It is a day to celebrate the joy of God’s mercy and unconditional forgiveness to us sinners (Rom.3:23). We have reached halfway on our Lenten journey. We have barely a few days until Easter Sunday. So, we have every reason to celebrate this midpoint and be happy because God’s mercy is boundless. ·         God continues to take the initiative to extend his hands of mercy and repentance to us if only we will yield to his invitation. The readings of today highlights the joy that is expected of us when we dwell in the mercy of God. ·        The first reading today (Joshua 5:9-12) shows the joy the Israel...

  Exodus 3:1-8,13-15; Psalm 102:1-4,6-8,11, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12; Luke 13:1-9 “LENT: FROM ATTRACTION TO ACTION (MISSION)!” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide * Today the church celebrates the 3rd Sunday of Lent. We continue to implore the mercy of God for ourselves and our world. While we pray for God's mercy, we are called to be merciful as our heavenly father is merciful. * The readings of today have some important lessons for us in our journey towards salvation. When we meditatively listen to the word of God, it always calls us to action and invites us to do good and avoid evil. * In our various vocations in life, if we are asked what our motivation for the choice of that vocation was, many of us will have different answers to give. For those who became pilots, they may say, that they loved flying kites as children. For those who are teachers, they love to gather fellow children and teach them. Whatever our reason, there is usually this initial attraction. ...

  Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Psalm 27:1, 7-9, 13-14; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28-36. “LENT: A TIME TO DISFIGURE TO TRANSFIGURE AND TO CONFIGURE!” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide ·        Like a joke, dear friends in Christ, our Lenten experience is more than a week spent. I hope we are using this opportunity of grace and renewal to tame our excesses, discipline our bodies, and train them to be transfigured into the glorified body of Christ. ·        Apart from being a time for fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, the Lenten season is a special reminder that we are citizens of a special place, and all we do and say should be geared toward granting us admission into that special place. These 40 days of grace become a special opportunity to prepare adequately. ·        When we disfigure our mortal bodies through bodily discipline and mortification, then our eyes will open enough to s...