Gods Word from My Heart to My Lips: Homilies for Sundays and Solemnities

By Canice Njoku C.S.Sp

This book is a very brief reflection on the readings of Sundays and solemnities of the churches' liturgical calendar, year A. In order not to make this just "a mere weekly homily", but a full book for all time, the thematical approach has been employed for each homily. However, these themes are not exhaustive. Rather, they are simply meant to help us have an idea of what could be the central message of each celebration. Brief stories and other biblical passages, quotes, popular sayings, and even personal life experiences have been employed in order to make the message clearer and more comprehensible to all. Above all, I have tried to keep it short and simple. However, great care has been taken in doing this by keeping in mind the rules of good biblical interpretation, without down playing the meaning and message of the individual readings. Hence, this book follows both the catechetical and exegetical approach. Some comments from readers from: https://wordpress.com/coments/all/frcanice.com Father, your reflections are brief, inspiring and challenging. Keep on helping us. - Fr. Karoli Lwanga, Kisii Diocese, Kenya Thank you very much Fr. Canice for your rich homilies. It is a great help to me as I always read it as I prepare my weekly sermons. God bless you and keep up the spirit of Cor unum. - Fr Aurelian Tumaini C.S.Sp Father, you are great and wonderful. Your reflections are highly inspired. Please keep it up, the Lord is your strength. Thanks a lot. - Fr Samson Ofuonye - Police Chaplain Benin City. Father, I want to thank you so much for your wonderful articulated, well researched, and organized homilies. They are concise and straight to the point. God bless you. - Izuu Iloka Thanks so very much for your reflection Padre Canice. May God continue to bless and uphold you in the mission. Amen. Happy Sunday. "" Fr. Odaudu Matthias C.S.Sp | Fr. Canice, what an inspiring thought you share every week! I have been visiting your page since my student days, and the flavor has not dwindled. Keep it up, you inspire me. - Fr Jude Hello Fr. Canice, let me appreciate you for the wonderful reflections you have been offering the world. I really enjoy it and sometimes help myself with it whenever I am preparing my sermon. Bravo Fr. God bless you abundantly. - Fr. Tizhe from Maiduguri, Nigeria. Padre, your website makes things easy for us, as it presents a rich source of good homilies. Thanks, and may God help you to keep it up. - Okenyi, Emmanuel Chidobe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098011055

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Gods Word from My Heart to My Lips

Homilies for Sundays and Solemnities

Canice C. Njoku, C.S.Sp

Copyright © 2019 by Canice C. Njoku, C.S.Sp

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The first Sunday of Advent: The Prince of Peace comes in glory and majesty

The second Sunday of Advent: Preparation in the hope of receiving Christ

The Third (Gaudete) Sunday of Advent: Rejoice, For the Lord Comes Soon!

The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Ready to Receive Mary’s Child, Emmanuel

Christmas Day: The word made flesh is among us!

The First Sunday Christmas: The Holy Family of Nazareth: The Christian Model

The Second Sunday of Christmas: Christ: God’s Wisdom and Light Dispels Our Darkness

Ash Wednesday: Lent: A Season of God’s Grace and Favour

The first Sunday of Lent: Stand Firm This Lent

The Second Sunday of Lent: Walking Towards Our Future Glory

The Third Sunday of Lent: Come to Christ, the Eternal Living Water

The fourth (Laetare) Sunday of Lent: Christ our Shepherd Illuminates Us, and Heals our Blindness

The Fifth Sunday of Lent: Christ Restores Us Through the Holy Spirit!

Palm/Passion Sunday: Hosanna to Our King Who Comes in Glory

Holy Thursday (Chrism Mass): Rededication to Christ’s Mission

Good Friday: What Is Good and Holy About This Friday?

Easter Vigil: Do Not Be Afraid, Christ is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia

Easter Sunday: Christ Our Lord Is Risen Today: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

The Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday): His Mercy Endures Forever, Alleluia, Alleluia

The Third Sunday of Easter: Alleluia! The Risen Christ Is with Us

The Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd): Christ Our Good Shepherd Cares for Us

The Fifth Sunday of Easter: We are the Royal and Priestly People

The Sixth Sunday of Easter: The Spirit of Christ Confirms Us

The Seventh Sunday of Easter: Communicating the Good News of Hope to our World

Pentecost Sunday: A New Pentecost: Come, O Holy Spirit!

The first Sunday of Ordinary Time: Baptism of the Lord

The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time: Here I Am Lord! I Come to Do Your Will

The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: Come closer to Christ, the Light of the World

The Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time: God Blesses, and Draws the Humble to Himself

The Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Our World needs Our Light and Sweetness now!

The Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Christ’s Law: The Fundamental Option for Life and Happiness

The Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time: Love without Boarders

The Eight Sunday of Ordinary Time: Trust in God’s Divine Providence

The Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Christ Our Lord, Is with Us

The Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Welcoming Christ in Others

The Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: God Visits and Reveals Himself to the Humble

The Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: God’s Word Is a Viable Seed in our Hearts

The Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: The Justice and Mercy of Our God!

The Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Let Us Seek Wisdom for God’s Kingdom

The Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: God’s Unconditional Love: Heals and Frees Us

The Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Jesus Our Saviour, Restores Our Peace

The Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time: God’s Mercy Reaches All Nations

The Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time: Recognizing Christ, the Son of the Living God

The Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time: Total Submission and Conformity to Christ

The Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: Promoting Reconciliation through Dialogue and Mutual Love

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Forgiveness Liberates and Heals Us

Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time: God’s Invitation and Love for All

The Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Obedience to God’s Will

The Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time: Meeting God’s Expectation

The Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Welcome to God’s Banquet!

The Twenty Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time: World Mission Sunday

The Thirtieth Sunday Of Ordinary Time: Love: The Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions

Thirty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time: Be True to The Message of Eternal Life

The Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary: Seek, and Wait Wisely for the Lord

The Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: Faithfulness to Christ our Head

The Thirty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Christ, the King of the Universe Reigns

The Immaculate Conception of the BVM (December 8): Prepared from Heaven

Mary, Mother of God (January 1): Holy Mary Mother of God, Intercede for Us This Year

The Epiphany of the Lord (January6): Beloved, Arise and Shine!

Saint Joseph, Spouse of the BVM (March19): The Faithful Spouse

Annunciation of the Lord (March25): Hail O Mary! Let the Whole World Rejoice

The Ascension of the Lord (BW: April 30 to June 3): Christ Goes Up in Glory

Holy Trinity Sunday: Glory Be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen!

The Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi): God Abides with Us, through the Holy Eucharist

Sacred Heart of Jesus (BW: May 29 to July 2): Heart of Love and Compassion

Birth of John the Baptist (June 24): Celebrating the Great Heralder

Saints Peter and Paul (June 29): The Pillars and Princes of Church

The Transfiguration of Our Lord (August 6): We Saw His Glory and His Majesty!

The Assumption of the BVM (August 15): Conceived without Sin and Incorruptible

Solemnity of All Saints (November 1): They Came, They Struggled, And They Conquered

Commemoration of All Souls (November 2): May Their Souls Rest in Peace

Preface

This book is the product of my reflections on the readings of Sundays and solemnities of the churches’ liturgical calendar, year A. It is also a product of what started like a brief reflection in the parish bulletin of my first priestly assignment at Our Lady of Fatima, Woliwo.

This project has kept me busy for over six years now. The myriads of reactions, commentaries, appreciations, fraternal corrections, and imputes from my readers have been the catalyst that has kept me doing this, though they did not leave me without a burden that someone is waiting for the next homily or its update. Also, knowing that one has a diverse audience has made me nervous at times, so I always try to put up a reflection that will edify and make sense to my audience. In spite of all odds, this has given me a great sense of duty and fulfillment.

In order not to make this project just a mere weekly homily but a full book for all time, I have employed the thematical approach by trying to suggest a theme for each homily. However, these themes are not exhaustive. Rather they are simply meant to help us have an idea of what could be the central message of each celebration. Where it is very necessary, I have tried to harmonize the readings of the day. I have equally employed very brief stories and other biblical passages, quotes, popular sayings, and even my personal life experiences in order to make the message clearer and comprehensible to all.

Above all, I have tried to keep it short and simple. However, great care has been taken in doing this by keeping in mind the rules of good biblical interpretation without downplaying the meaning and message of the individual readings. Hence this book follows both the catechetical and exegetical approach.

This book is divided into six parts following the usual liturgical calendar for each cycle or year. Part 1 is on the Advent season. Part 2 is on the Christmas season. Part 3 is on the Lenten season. Part4 is on the Easter season. Part 5 is on longest part of the cycle, the Ordinary Time of the year. The final, Part 6 is on the solemnities and commemorations. It suffices to note that the homilies for all the solemnities that are usually celebrated on Sundays (e.g. Trinity and Corpus Christi) are included in this section. The beauty of this is that there is a flow here without having to search for them elsewhere.

Peace be with you all!

Acknowledgement

First and foremost, I am highly indebted to Very Rev. Fr. Valentine Eze, C.S.Sp (my former parish priest) and the entire Catholic community of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Woliwo, Onitsha for giving me the opportunity to write and publish brief reflections in the parish weekly bulletin. This was the genesis of what we have today as a book

I appreciate the overwhelming support of Fr. Cornelius McQuillan, C.S.Sp (Neil) who encouraged and inspired me to publish these homilies during my 2018 brief vacation at the Spiritan Community, Hemet, California. I thank him immensely for actually taking time to teach me the nitty gritty of e-book editing and publishing.

I am seriously indebted to all my readers across the globe, especially to the following Spiritan confreres who through their frequent comments and compliments encouraged me to continue writing: Very Rev Fr. Michael Onwuemelie, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Matthias Odaudu, C.S.Sp (The Holy Monk); Fr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp (Cheche); Fr. Justin Nnaemeka Onyeukaziri, C.S.Sp; Fr. Elias Udeh, C.S.Sp (Hippo); and all my confreres of the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.

Finally, I am grateful to my elder brother, Mr. Lawrence N. Njoku, and very good friend, Bro. Feliz-Maria Odiaka, for their encouragement to publish these homilies.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

Part 1

Advent Season

The first Sunday of Advent: The Prince of Peace comes in glory and majesty

The Prince of Peace comes in glory and majesty

Readings: First: Is 2:1–5; Ps: 122; Second: Rom 13:11–14; Gospel: Mt 24:37–44

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, year A. Naturally, we all desire peace because it is necessary for both our spiritual and material progress. It is this peace that we pray for and expect Jesus the prince of peace to bring to our hearts, families, and world at the end of this season.

The term Advent, comes from two Latin words Ad-ventus, which simply means to arrive or Ad-venire, meaning to come. For us Christians, and Catholics in particular, it means expecting the Lord’s coming. Advent marks the beginning of the church’s new liturgical calendar. It is a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas.

So on this first Sunday of Advent, the church enjoins us to rejoice because that night of long pilgrimage to God’s eternal city of peace will soon be fruitful. The reign of peace is close at hand. Therefore, we must wake up and be ready to receive Christ into our lives, families, and nation. In the words of prophet Isaiah in the first reading: We see the mountain of the temple of the Lord, already etched against the Eastern sky. The prophet uplifts our spirits with his vision of the imminent reign of peace to be initiated by the coming of our Messiah.

The Messiah whom we expect this season comes to us with peace. Though he will wield authority, he will not oppress or exploit us. Rather He shall transform our culture of war into that of peace:

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Is 2:4–5)

Although, this verse decorates the wall of United Nations building in London, yet peace has eluded our world under its leadership. Instead of living together in harmony, we see more divisions, breakup of unions and friendships. The reason is quite simple: international morality which is the basis of secularism and humanism alone without spirituality does not work. It is only the reign of Christ in every heart and nation that can bring lasting peace.

To successfully usher in this reign of peace, both the second reading and gospel call us to be ready and awake. Clearly, Paul announces to us, the closeness of the Lord, the prince of peace: Our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. He also reminds us that [t]he time has come.

The time he means here is not the earthly time (chronos) but God’s time (kairos). It is God’s appointed time to save his own people and to restore peace to all troubled hearts, families, businesses, and nations. Hence, Paul advices us: Let us live decently as people do in day time…no warring or jealous. Let your amour be the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, the gospel is a wakeup call to all of us Christians. The evangelist admonishes us to [s]tay awake! It is very important because this is a season of great awakening, preparation, and of great expectation of the birth of the Messiah. It is a season that will definitely culminate in an outburst of great joy. It is a season of prayer when all Christians must turn to God in prayer. Therefore, with the psalmist, I pray for you all, my dear friends, companions, and faithful people of God: Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, and in your palaces, peace!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

The second Sunday of Advent: Preparation in the hope of receiving Christ

Preparation in the hope of receiving Christ

Readings: First: Is 11:1–10; Ps: 71:1–2, 7–8, 12–13; Second: Rom 15:4–9; Gospel: Mt 3:1–12

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. As a family of God’s people, we continue to move in the hope of receiving the fulfilment of God’s promise through our ancestors in faith. Hence this Sunday, the church reminds us that while we are sustained by the great hope of the Lord’s coming, we have to pay heed to the voice of the one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his