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The Solemnity Of Christ The King Of The Universe, Year C.

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  Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1-2. 5. R/1; Apocalypse 1:5-8; John 18:33-37. “CHRIST THE ONE TRUE KING OF KINGS” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        The history of the world is replete with the rising and falling of kings and kingdoms, and the rising and falling of empires and emperors. The entire gamut of world history presents us with tales of the enthronements and dethronements of individuals and groups, accompanied by their transient powers. We are conversant with the Pharaohs of Egypt and Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon during the exilic experience of Daniel’s time. Throughout history, we are familiar with notable figures such as Alexander the Great, whose reign was felt across the known world of his time, as well as Alfred the Great, Darius the Great, Charlemagne, Louis XIV, and others. Many empires rose and fell: The Roman Empire, the Spanish Empire, and the Empires of France and Britain. ·        In moder...
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Homily For The 33rd Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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  Malachi 3:19-20; Psalm 97:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21 :5-19.   “WORKING FOR SALVATION ! ”   By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        There is this common joke shared among Nigerians that “Christianity is free, but we must buy the bible”. It simply means that Christ has come to offer salvation to all, but this salvation must be appropriated by our free choice and decision to embrace it. Hence, we must work for it. ·        The church’s liturgical year and even the civil calendar are gradually coming to an end, so it is not surprising that the readings are eschatological and remind us of the imminent end of time and the need to be conscious of it and prepare adequately. ·        I am tempted to think that if the energy, resources, and time used to prepare for Christmas and New Year (end of the year) is used to prepare for the coming of Christ (end of time),...
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Homily For The Feast Of The Consecration Of Lateran Basilica, Year C.

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  Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9,12; Psalm 46:2-3.5-6, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22. “ONE CHURCH; ONE BAPTISM; ONE MISSION!” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        Today, the universal church celebrates the feast of the dedication of John Lateran Basilica, Rome. This church is referred to as the “mother of all churches”. This Church houses the seat of the Pope as the Bishop of the Diocese of Rome. ·        Pope Leo XIV is the head of the over 1.5 billion Catholics around the world. St. Peter's Basilica remains the administrative headquarters of the Catholic Church worldwide, while John Lateran Basilica is the seat of power (service) of the Pope as the head of the Diocese of Rome. ·        What we celebrate today is not just a physical building but the symbol of the unity of Catholics worldwide to the church of Rome. We celebrate our unity with the successor of Peter, ...
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Homily For The Feast Of The Commemoration Of The Faithful Departed, Year C.

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  Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; Mark 15 :33-39; 16:1-6. “MAY THEY REST IN PEACE, AMEN ! ” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide ·        Today, we commemorate the souls of the faithful departed. We recall our brothers and sisters who have walked this earth and have returned to God their maker. It is a beautiful thing to pray for the dead, and it is one of the corporal works of mercy. ·        When we pray for the dead, we remind ourselves that death is a debt which we all must pay when the time comes. That time is known to God alone. Our worry should not be if or when it will come. Our prayer should be that when it comes, we may be ready to meet our maker. ·        Today, as we celebrate the feast of all souls, we turn our focus on the old church doctrine on purgatory, which is a place of purification. Those we pray for today are the souls undergoing purification, that ...
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Homily For The 30th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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  Sirach 35:15-17, 20-22 ; Psalm 34:2-3.17-19,23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 1 8:9-14.   “ALL ARE WELCOME ! ”   By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        Today, the church celebrates the 30 th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We are gradually edging closer to the end of the church’s liturgical season. There is no better time to remind us that all are welcome in God’s presence – both saints and sinners are all God’s children. ·        God is our loving father and does not despise any of his children, regardless of our human weaknesses. God desires that all be saved. That is why Jesus boldly declared that “I have come not to call the righteous but sinners.” In another place, he said, “There is more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than ninety-nine righteous persons.” ·        The church of God should be where anyone who comes in should feel welcome and proud to share ...
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Homily For The 29th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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  Exodus 17:8-13 ; Psalm 120:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 1 8:1-8. “PRAYER IS KEY ! ” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·        Last Sunday, the Gospel taught us about the prayer of thanksgiving. A grateful heart is pleasing to God, for it is humble, obedient, and full of trust in divine providence. This Sunday, we have another lesson on prayer, and this time it is about the prayer of petition. The Lord tells us that, “ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened unto you.” ·        Our simple catechism teaches us that prayer is the raising of our minds and hearts to God. It is a communication link between us and God. If there is no relationship, there can be no communication. ·        For many of us, it does not just make sense to pray since we think that God no longer answer prayers. If our prayer is delayed, that is when we should be...
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Homily For The 28th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C.

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  2 Kings 5:14-17 ; Psalm 97:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:8 -13 ; Luke 1 7:11-19.   “GRATITUDE NOT ATTITUDE ! ” By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide. ·         It is often said that familiarity breeds contempt. And over-familiarity with spiritual things can lead to a closeness to Christ without intimacy with Christ. This familiarity can oftentimes lead us to attitude rather than gratitude. ·         Today we reflect on the theme “the power of gratitude or thanksgiving”. A lot of us have become so used to God that the things of God do not matter to us anymore. We have become used to enjoying favours from God that we think that thanking God is unnecessary. ·         We have been unfaithful to God but God has always been faithful hence we take God for granted that he will always be God while we can be anything we want to be. ·         Today ...
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