25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Wisdom 2:12, 17—20

SECOND READING
James 3:16—4:3

GOSPEL
Mark 9:30—37

THEME: GLORIES THAT FOLLOW SUFFERINGS.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay (Psalm 16:10). In Igbo there is an adage that says, achukata nwa ogbenye, achuga ya ebe ka mma. In order to affirm this, in the Bible there are many places it talks about the love of the poor by God. It was Leibniz a philosopher in his division of evil into three types metaphysical, physical and moral evils said that good things sometimes follow physical evil. Sometimes we suffer but they are just as gold being tested in fire (1 Peter 1:7).

A certain family that was just living average life faced challenges in life. It happened that the father of the house fell sick and he was the source of living for them. They travelled to far and near to see to the solution to their father’s health but all to no avail. This cost them almost all they had. After four years of serious sickness the man died living the family in abject poverty. The three children of the family dropped out of school. One day one of their indigenous priests came home for Christmas break from abroad and asked the Parish Priest to organize a scholarship exam for all fatherless children in the parish that he needs five persons that he will train. After the exam, two of the dead man’s children passed the exam. The scholarship was to train them abroad, and that was how they met their glory. The Lord does not forget his people no matter the situation. Continue Reading.............

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 50:4c—9a

SECOND READING
James 2:14—18

GOSPEL
Mark 8:27—35

THEME: FAITH IS BEYOND THE WORDS OF THE MOUTH.

After looking at some situations in this world I come to say that faith is the hardest thing one can achieve through an easiest way. What happened in a certain family made me to understand that faith is the best thing or treasure one can have.

A family of six, four children. It happened that the first child and daughter of the family in her final year in the University suffered just a little headache and died. The last child and daughter in the same way died. The family also endured it as they did in the first one. The first son in his second year in the University died also. It happened that he was my classmate. When we were going there for the burial, we were just praying to God to help us so that we would not bury two persons or even more than. When the body of the boy return from the mortuary, we divided ourselves into two groups. One should go and get the casket and the other should go closer to the parents to avoid stories that touch the heart. To our greatest surprise, it was obvious that they were consoling some of us. After the mass, as they were appreciating all that came. The mother said, I know you people are expecting us to kill ourselves today because of the death of our son, it will not solve the problem, you are expecting us to cry, it will not solve the problem, people are expecting us to do one thing or the other, and all of them cannot solve the problem. It is only faith in God that created us can solve the problem. When she said this, I asked myself, Tobe Eze, can you have this type of faith? Why this story? Continue Reading..........................

LUST IN THE NAME OF LOVE AMONG THE YOUTHS: THE WAY OUT. By Tobe Eze

CATHOLI DIOCESE OF NSUKKA.

A TALK BY HILLARY TOBECHUKWU EZE (DAN~HILL) TO CYON DURING YOUTH WEEK.

TOPIC: LUST IN THE NAME OF LOVE AMONG THE YOUTHS: THE WAY OUT.

Lust is one of the seven deadly sins according to the Christian Bible, but it also come to mean a term of strong sexual desire as a modern definition where few people are concerned with doctrine. ... Lust is An Intense Feeling Where You are Extremely Attracted to A Person.

LUST VS LOVE: DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

Lust is an altered state of consciousness programmed by the primal urge to procreate. Studies suggest that the brain in this phase is much like a brain on drugs. Researches illustrate that the same area lights up when an addict gets a fix of cocaine as when a person is experiencing the intense lust of physical attraction. Also in the early stage of a relationship, when the sex hormones are raging, lust is fueled by idealization and projection. You see what you hope someone will be or need them to be rather than seeing the real person, flaws and all.

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is when someone gives you what you do not have freely and not ask for anything in return. Love is when someone follows you to cry when you are crying and follows to rejoice when you are rejoicing. Love is when someone understands you in your weakness or weaknesses. Love is when someone gives you hope when there is no hope. Love is when someone gives you reason to laugh when the world has made you to cry. Love is when someone gives you life, when there is no life. Love is when someone gives you hope or reasons to live when you see no reason to live.

Pure lust is based solely on physical attraction and fantasy, it often dissipates when the "real person" surfaces. It is the stage of wearing rose colored glasses when he or she "can do no wrong." Being in love does not exclude lust. In fact, lust can lead to love. However, real love, not based on idealization or projection, it requires time to get to know each other. Here are some signs to watch for to differentiate pure lust from love. Continue Reading.....................

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 35:4—7a

SECOND READING
James 2:1—5

GOSPEL
Mark 7:31—37

THEME: BE A SOURCE OF JOY NOT SORROW.

There was this lady around her 37-39 years old still unmarried. She was going to chapel and every other prayer gathering. She was in many spiritual organizations. All these she was going did not change her behaviour. Any place she enters, people will know that she has entered not for her good deeds but bad. She has been doing that from her early years till that time.

Another lady in the same range of years. Anywhere she enters, people will know that she is around because she must make everyone there to be happy. She offers selfless services everywhere. She was only in few spiritual organizations. The two got married latter and they extended their different behaviours to their homes. The first continued causing confusion and the latter continued spreading peace and happiness. You, what do you cause? Joy or sorrow? It is not about Christianity, but about what do you do as a Christian. Continue Reading....................

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 4:1—2, 6—8

SECOND READING
James 1:17—18, 21b—22, 27

GOSPEL
Mark 7:1—8, 14—15, 21—23

THEME: THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW NOT THE LETTERS OF THE LAW.

In many communities of the world, people try to obey every letter of the law guiding the community without thinking about the spirit of the law. Many are more interested in what did the law say and forget what the law is trying to achieve. They also forget the mercy God is giving us example of it in our everyday lives. Some even like to multiply rules given them to guide the people to the extent that it will be very difficult for the people to obey them. Some villages make wicked rules that will favour some and not some. Continue Reading............................

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Joshua 24:1—2a, 15—17, 18b

SECOND READING

Ephesians 5:21—32

GOSPEL
John 6:60—69

THEME: THE CHURCH IS NOT A RESTING PLACE.

Some think that church is a refugee camp that you will run to when things get hard for you. It is not that the church cannot help in that aspect but it is not the primary duty of the church. Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah in his 2014 Lenten pastoral message Volumus Jesum Videre (we want to see Jesus), said,  There is difference between a child that ran to an elder’s house because he is pursued by a masquerade and a child that prepared and went to visit an elder in his house. The first, when the masquerade is gone, he/she will leave. Even when the child is still in the house, he/she will learn nothing from the elder because he/she seeks only protection that time. But when it comes to a child that prepared and went to an elder, there will be discussions and he/she will learn a lot from the elder. Tomorrow he/she will come back again for more but the other will not return unless the masquerade is back. That is the same way some of us practice our Christian life. Our church is not a bed of roses, it is a church filled with many sufferings that have hope. If we are choosing Christianity to escape suffering, we are making a serious mistake. Continue Reading...............

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Proverbs 9:1—6

SECOND READING
Ephesians 5:15—20

GOSPEL
John 6:51—58

THEME: JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY.

Sometimes I ask myself, what is wisdom? You will see this person behaving in this way and you will say this person is wise. Tomorrow you will see him/her doing another thing altogether and you will become confused. Even Solomon that asked for wisdom latter misbehaved that people especially my own self became confused whether he received the wisdom at all. Going through the scriptures, one will find out that the only man that lived his life without fault from him rather people imposed fault on him is Jesus Christ. From this we can go down to the readings. Continue Reading.............................

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING

1 Kings 19:4—8

SECOND READING
Ephesians 4:30—5:2

GOSPEL
John 6:41—51

THEME: FOOD FOR LIFE.

Sometimes I wonder all these churches everywhere that do not believe in the Holy Eucharist, is there salvation for them?  Jesus continued to talk about eating his body and drinking his blood and after all said and done,  he gave bread and wine as his flesh and blood and upon that asked his apostles to do it in the memory of him(Luke 19:22). St. Paul himself talked about it that, the cup of blessings we bless is the participation of the eating and drinking of body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). Many Holy Men and Women have talked about this Holy Eucharist and we have seen it in action in many ways but some still talk evil against it and they still call themselves Christians.  For there salvation, it is left for God to say not myself or anyone. They may be in heaven even before someone of us. But it is better for me to be in a place that I can trace my origin back to the Bible.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
FIRST READING
Exodus 16:2—4, 12—15

SECOND READING
Ephesians 4:17, 20—24

GOSPEL
John 6:24—35

THEME: SLAVERY VERSUS FREEBORN

We in this world are too conscious of worldly slavery and forget the worst part of slavery which is the spiritual slavery. The three reading of today are trying to bring to our consciousness the negative effect of the spiritual slavery which worldly things are putting us into.  These worldly things are now becoming too detrimental to our faith and we must watch them.  We do not have to complain, live our lives as the gentiles do and not look for worldly tittles for all of them are passing away. Continue Reading.................................

My Quotes By Tobe Eze

1.       QUOTES FOR THE WEEK

      If you want to take another person’s place, remember you will also take his/her problems. Think about it. Tobe Eze.

2.       If one is following you, always look back to know if he/she is still following, for you may not have the same paste with him/her. Tobe Eze.

3.       After faith, the next thing that moves mountain is love. Tobe Eze.

4.       If you like taking others’ position, expect others to take your own at any time. Tobe Eze.

5.       Have listening ears to things that concern you. For all are not for you. Tobe Eze.

6.       If you like giving excuses for your actions remember, others have their own excuses to give. Be wise in judgment. Tobe Eze.

7.       To water the efforts of a dead hero is to killing the hero for the second time. Tobe Eze.

8.       Keeping quiet when things are going wrong is as doing the wrong thing itself. Tobe Eze.

9.       Love demands sacrifice even when you know you will gain nothing in return but others will gain. Tobe Eze.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
2 Kings 4:42—44

SECOND READING
Ephesians 4:1—6

GOSPEL
John 6:1—15

THEME: THE LORD PROVIDES FOR HIS PEOPLE.

From of old, the Lord has continued to provide for his people till this day and he will also continue to do so till eternity.  Think of man in his creation God gave him every necessary to live.  He provided him with all that he needed.  Think of Abraham, God took care of him even when the world thought that there was no hope, he gave him a child (Genesis 21:1-22).  When Abraham himself thought there was no hope, that his son was gone, God provided the sacrificial victim. Israelites in their sojourn of life, God never left them to perish, he was every time protecting and providing for them.  When humanity was on the verge of doom, Jesus Christ came and redeemed us.  What a wonderful God! 

In the first reading, the servant of Elisha forgot the nature of the God of his master but Elisha knowing the God he was serving and being faithful to him waited for the Lord to do what he is known for and he did it and there was leftover. Whatever our God is doing, he does that with excess in order to favour us, though it may take time but when it comes, it covers all those time that it took before coming. Continue Reading .....................................

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

FIRST READING
Jeremiah 23:1—6

SECOND READING
Ephesians 2:13—18

GOSPEL
Mark 6:30—34

THEME: SHEPHERD’S WORKS.

There are things expected from a good shepherd, if any is lacking, that may make the shepherd a bad one.  A shepherd is known to be taking care of his sheep both physically, spiritually, psychologically, morally and so on. 

Some of these vital duties of a good shepherd were lacking in the people that God entrusted his people to and that made the Prophet Jeremiah to talk about those shepherds who have left their duties to doing another thing.  This same thing can be found in our own world and situation these days. It did not end with the people of old and God is talking about us today because of that. Continue Reading................................

A LOOK AT : GOD WILL MAKE A WAY WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY. By Tobe Eze

A LOOK AT : GOD WILL MAKE A WAY WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY.

Introduction
Our God is a God that always cares, guards, guides, protects, defends, and provides for his people. If we go through the scriptures,  we would discover that there are many instances of God showing love to his people.  He created human beings in his own image and likeness and through that means gave man multiples of potentialities. With the help of his grace and our earnest efforts,  those potentialities given to us would lead us to happiness here and here after.

God will make a way for us
Often times we face a lot of challenges in our lives which put us into crises.  We find ourselves in situations that make us even question the existence of God. But in all of these, when it seems that there is no hope,  hope will emerge from places we least expected.  Sometimes we see road where we may not have dreamt that there will be a road.  God comes to our rescue when the problem is above us,  when it tries to break us down. There are so many examples with which we can bring to practical life what we are saying here but I will only give one example. Continue Reading............

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Amos 7:12-13
SECOND READING
Ephesians 1:3-14

GOSPEL
Mark 6:7-13
THEME: THE SIMPLICITY OF THE CALL..
Our calling to Christianity is a call that needs simplicity of heart and soul. The humble is always exulted and the proud is always humbled. God calls those that are very difficult to be recognized in the society and after the calling, he wants the called to be humble and live a simple life.
In the first reading, Amaziah the fake prophet wanted Amos to leave Bethel for him for Amos was just a simple man that God called and he was very faithful to him. Amos narrated his genealogy to him, showing him how simple he was before the call and how he will also live after the calling. It takes a lot for a true prophet to stand. The fake ones will always like to paint the image of the true prophet black.
In the second reading, we can see the plan of our salvation being planned even before the foundation of the world and it was achieved by Christ through his simple way of life by accepting death on the cross.
The gospel shows us how the called should live. We should carry nothing for the journey for he will provide us with what we need.C Continue Reading........

SATURDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.
1ST READING: ISAIAH 6:1-8
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 10:24-33
THEME: HE HAS PREPARED US FOR THE WORK.
In the first reading, Isaiah who was not ready for the work tried to give reason for that and he made him clean. His response changed immediately and he asked God to send him. This is the type of response he is expecting from us.
In the gospel, Jesus prepared his disciples on what they will see in the ministry of his words and sacraments. They maltreated him Jesus, God and man, what about ordinary men. He gave them charge to go and proclaim the word in an open place without fear and be ready to face what will come out of it.
He has prepared us also today in his church through his teachings and sacraments, it is now our duty to go out to open places and proclaim them. He who denies him before men will be denied by him before his father and he who proclaims him before men, he will proclaim before his father.
A man very charismatic in a certain parish was preaching about those who snatch people’s lands from them. As he was preaching, his uncle who is well known of doing that came, because he was afraid of him, he changed the topic so that the man will not think that he was talking to him or about him. Fear only the one who can kill both body and soul.
The word of God is expected to be preached to all no matter whom it may affect for it is a double edged sword that pierces many hearts. He has prepared us for the work, let us not waste his effort rather utilize it. The work and glory are his and salvation is ours. Thanks.

FRIDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

FRIDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.
1ST READING: HOSEA 14:1-9
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 10:16-23
THEME: JUST RETURN AND LEAVE THE REST FOR GOD.
God who is reach in mercy knows what is best for us and that, he likes giving us always. He loves us so much that his mission is just to save us and not to leave us to die in sin.
In the first reading, he is asking us to renounce all our evil ways especially those we have taken as our personal gods. We have to leave them and come back to him that he has all we need on earth and after.
In the gospel, he is telling us that we will suffer many things for following him but, he is always with us. We will be hated by father, mother, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, neighbours, friends and enemies for following him but he will always give us what we will answer in the face of trials.
I met a man who told me that he cannot become a Christian at his age for God has nothing to do with him again. I told him that God has many things to achieve with and through him but he insisted. After some years, he became a Christian. Change from your (Our) evil ways and leave how God will clean them, it is his field not ours. Just return to him and leave the rest. Just allow him to send you, as he promised in the gospel, he will do. He told them not to be afraid of what they will say for he will supply. He is ever ready to help us when we return to him. Thanks.

THURSDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

THURSDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.
1ST READING: HOSEA 11:1-4.8C-9
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 10:7-15
THEME: HE IS A GOD THAT HEALS.
After all we have done to him (our God), he still said he will not destroy us. He is still in serious love with us. He is still giving us opportunities to change our ways of life and that he did in the gospel. He sent out his disciples to go and preach, heal, raise the dead and do many other miracles in his name without charge. 
The only thing we have to offer him is for us to accept his messengers. He wants us to be healed in every form we are suffering. Spiritual, physical, emotional, psychological and so on. That was why he said to his disciples to heal all their infirmities not one form but all. Those he sent will do his works without charges but those who send themselves will do with charges, this is a way to know fake prophets. They have prices for every spiritual activity.
As we have heard that any town, people or nation that rejects his disciples will suffer it at the last day. The ball is now in our own court to play. We are now to choose between the two. Anyone we choose has its own responsibilities. If we choose to welcome and hear them, we should be ready to put their teachings  into practice and if we choose to reject them, eternal damnation awaits us. He is a God that heals and we should help him in this his healing plans by obeying his words that he speaks to us through his messengers. Thanks.

WEDNESDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

WEDNESDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.
1ST READING: HOSEA 10:1-3.7-8.12
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 10:1-7
THEME: NO MATTER OUR SINS, HE STILL CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE.
In the first reading, God was still complaining about the sins of Israelites that grew with them. It is the same with us today. As we grow in development, we grow also in sin. Technology came to help us but we are using them as avenue for sins. All sorts of atrocities are now done through the product of science and technology. As we are doing these, God is still planning on how to save us. How?
In the gospel, he called men who will learn from him all that he learnt from his father to help the gospel to reach to the ends of the world. He called men from all works of life especially those whom the society regarded as nothing or sinners.
He called the weak that they may understand those who are weak also. He cares for us even when we sin. Jesus died for us even when we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He does not look on our sins before planning for our salvation. He calls men today to his vineyard to save his people. We should recognised that and follow him and it shall be well with us. Thanks.

TUESDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

TUESDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.
1ST READING: HOSEA 8:4-7.11-13
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 9:32-38
THEME: THE WORK STARTS FROM US.
The labourers are really few but the little we have are making serious effort but the problem is that we the farm are not ready and disposed for them. 
Following the first reading, where many of us have made for ourselves places of sin and have forgotten God. Some have already disposed themselves for hellfire. The Israelites made themselves gods that they were worshiping and God was not happy with them and said he will take them back to Egypt to go and suffer again. God is not happy with us, the way we live our Christian life and he is ready to take us back to damnation which he has redeemed us from if we do not change.
The labourers in the gospel are very few till this day. We should help the few working and help also ourselves by putting to practice what they are teaching us. Labourers are called by God and not men. Not that they are few, then we will call ourselves into the harvest as some are doing these days. He asked his apostles to pray for the Lord of harvest to send labourers and not for people to send themselves. As we pray for labourers, let us know that their works can only be fruitful if we start from ourselves and put their teachings into practice. Thanks.

MONDAY 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

MONDAY  14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.
1ST READING: HOSEA 2:14BC. 15CD-16.19-20
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 9:18-26
THEME: WE ARE MARRIED TO GOD’S MERCY.
That we are alive today is only by God’s mercy. That we have whatever we have is by his mercy and so on. It is not in any of our makings. If he should count our sins, we are no longer worthy of living. God's saving mercy and justice are what we have inherited from him through Jesus Christ his son through our baptism.
In the first reading, God said through the prophet Hosea that he will marry us in justice, mercy, steadfast love and righteousness. All we have and are, are only on this ground. 
To prove that love, mercy, justice and so on, he heeded to the plea of the two persons in the gospel. The woman with hemorrhage got healed because of his love and mercy. The daughter of a ruler was raised to life because of his love and mercy. We can still be healed in our various illnesses and be raised to life again from our different deaths. If we are married to his mercy, let us work towards that through our actions. A faithful wife gets good things from the husband likewise we will get from God if we remain faithful to him. Thanks.

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING

Ezekiel 2:2-5

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

GOSPEL

Mark 6:1-6

THEME: GOD IS BEYOND MAN’S THINKING.

A young man was admitted into the seminary school. His own kinsmen started writing petitions against him so that he will be expelled. As God made it he was not expelled. At his ordination, his own kinsmen refused to contribute money for his car and every other things necessary for ordination. What were their reasons? 1. How can the son of Okeke be Fada and our own sons are not. 2. Why should we buy him a car while our own sons have not even a wheel? 3. We know him, he is not qualified. 4. Even his father is too poor to sponsor him, he may have been stealing to survive there. And so many other rubbish reasons. Even after ordination, they failed to see him as a priest but whether they did or not, they know that a priest came out from his father’s house. He is a priest and no two ways about it. Continue Reading..............................

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING

Wisdom 1:13-15;2:23-24

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 8:7.9.13-15

GOSPEL

Mark 5:21-43

THEME: HE DESTINED US NOT FOR RETRIBUTION.

God from the Old Testament, New Testament and till now does not allow those who trust in him to suffer damnation. He said through his prophet, As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of a wicked man rather let him turn from his evil ways and live (Ezekiel 18:23).

In the first reading, it is clearly stated that death is not from God. He destined us life from the beginning of creation. His plans for us is the plan of life and not death. How do we gain this life he has planned for us? Continue Reading............

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING

Job 38:1.8-11

SECOND READING

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

GOSPEL

Mark 4:35-41

THEME: IT DEMANDS FAITH TO KNOW CHRIST.

If your faith is as big as the mustard seed, you will command the mountain to move and it will obey you (Luke 17:6). This is just an example of what faith can do to us if we have it. Jesus is God and God is a mystery, mystery is something that is beyond the understanding of human reasoning. So, to understand Jesus to a greater extent demands faith from us.

Our faith in Christ should not be a fearful faith for that will make us not to achieve what we suppose to achieve as those who believe in Christ.

A story about millipede and a bird (Nduru). Millipede is an animal that does not fear any man while working on the road. Even when one matches it, one is the one who will shout and run not millipede. That bird (Nduru) after watching this drama for a very long period, decided to ask millipede what is giving it that courage. Millipede told the bird that a Diviner (Dibia) prepared him a charm for that. They fixed a day for them to go to that Dibia for the bird to get its own charm. The millipede met the Dibia before that day they fixed to plan on what to do. That very day came and they went to the Dibia’s house. After preparing the charm, he told the bird terms and conditions involved. The first and the greatest was that it should not run no matter the situation. They went home. The bird was feeding on the ground, a man was coming and it decided not to fly away, when the man was reaching, a great fear came upon it and it flew away. Out of anger it went back to the Dibia to complain but he told the bird that it failed the first and greatest rule which is do not run no matter the situation. The bird told him that fear covered it and he told the bird. YOU MUST CONQUER FEAR BEFORE YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT. We must conquer fear before we build faith in Christ. Continue Reading...........................

SATURDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 20^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 43:1-7A

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 21:1-12

THEME: THE PLACE OF EXULTATION.

We often as human beings like the place or places of exultation(s). Where we shall be recognized. There are two ways to this. Is it worldly recognition or heavenly recognition? As we can see in many ways of our lives that we majorly do things because of others. We wear beautiful cloths and many other things because of others.

A lady bought new dresses to show off on Sunday. She appeared so beautiful on Sunday. During offertory, she waited for all to have gone so that all will notice her and her new dress. As she was moving from the back with her regalia, she missed a step and fell down at the middle of the church and that disgraced her and all she was putting on. Sometimes, this is what the devil does to us. He will make us to always think of worldly things and he will disgrace us at the middle of the whole show.

The Pharisees and Sadducees who were doing things for men to recognize them were missing God’s recognition for men’s recognition has taken upper hand. It is because of this human recognition that we do all sorts of evil like in the gospel. Because we want people to call us names we go into one evil thing or society to make name and firm. After that what next? People lord it over the people under them in other to make firm which God warned us about it (1Peter 5:3). We do the same this day. Girls sell their bodies, even women not only girls do the same in order to be updated or sexiest etc.

God’s recognition and place of exultation is the best and that is what he showed us today in the first reading through prophet Ezekiel. Let us work for that God’s place of honour and we will enjoy it forever. Thanks.

FRIDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

FRIDAY 20^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 37:1-14

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 22:34-40

THEME: HOPE IN GOD, ALL HOPES ARE NOT LOST.

If the Lord had made the dry bones in the valley to regain life, we still have hope. If Jesus could silence both the Pharisees and Sadducees, we still have hope.

The only problem we have or we are having sometimes is that we always like God to do our wills in our own time not God’s will in his own time. Jesus has never forsaken anyone who trusted in him. If we really trust in him this day, he will raise our dry bones and silence our enemies. In that our worst situations, let us remember that with God everything is possible and we must bear in mind that the will of God is the first.

A woman had a sick child. The woman was always praying for the will of God to be done in her child’s life. One day the sickness was rising and getting worst. She continued praying for the will of God to take place. When she noticed that the child was dying she changed the prayer immediately. God if this is your will, let it not be done. The child latter died and the woman took it that God is disappointing. Latter she conceived again and gave birth to twins and that time she noticed that the will of God was right in the life of that dead child and God has visited her in the time of the Lord not her own time.

It is this our always seeking for our own wills that cause our losing of faith and hope in God. God is assuring us today that no matter our situations, he can still show us that he is the Lord our God who can raise and give life to dry bones and silence our enemies. Thanks.

THURSDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

THURSDAY 20^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 36:23-28

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 22:1-14

THEME: THINGS ARE READY WHERE WE ARE INVITED, WHERE ARE WE?

God in the first reading tells us that he will make us his people and he will be our God. He will prepare a home for us where hearts of flesh will be not hearts of stone. Hearts that know mercy and compassion.

In the gospel, he has already prepared it for us but we are not forth coming. What is that that is taking us out of God’s banquet? School, family, work, business, friends, relations and every other things or persons or places? Any of them that is doing that should leave us alone before he burns us up. A question needs to be asked about the man without wedding garment. Was it his fault, for he was just called at the late hour? He was on his own not preparing for any wedding and they called him and they did not give him time to go and prepare. The truth here is that, this is how our death will be to us. When we are not ready to die. We can see what happened to the man that was not ready. We have to be ready at any time, any day, anywhere for we do not the year, month, week, day, hour, minute and second that banquet we will enjoy will come. No excuse. Thanks.

WEDNESDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

WEDNESDAY 20^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 34:1-11

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 20:1-16A

THEME: WHAT IS OUR WORK?

Parents, community leaders, government rulers, church leaders, school leaders, doctors, nurses and every form of leadership. What is our work?

God in the first reading is not happy with us about the way we handle those he has given us to take care of. God is rebuking us today. We are now feeding on the sheep that we should be feeding. We have left the point, the focus, and our work and are now doing another thing.

Just like in the gospel, the labourers who left their works and started questioning the one who hired them about his generosity. We sacrifice our works on the altar of worthless things. Let us remain focus in our works that God has given us to do. He is not happy with us on the way we handle it and he is going to take them away from us and we know what that means. Let us make hare while the sun is still shining. Ka anyi were ehihie chuwa ewu oji tupu chi ejie. Let us go back to our duty post and do our works diligently and God will reward us according to his will not our own wills as he did in the gospel. Thanks.

TUESDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

TUESDAY 20^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 28:1-10

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 19:23-30

THEME: THE DANDER OF RICHNESS.

Richness in money, wisdom, people, intellect, sin and so on can bring us downfall. Igbos say, okwa nwa nza rijuo afo, ochere chi kere ya aka mgba. When one is rich in any form, one will think that he/she is above the heaven. In his riches, man lacks wisdom (Psalm 49:13).

Responsorial Psalm says, I kill and I make alive. God is the one who gives us all these gifts except the richness of sin. If God has the power to give us all these gifts, don’t we think he has the power also to take them away from us? Why then do we brag with them? God told Ezekiel to go and tell the house Israel or to remind them that they are not gods, he has power to do whatever he wills to then even in that their richness. Their richness moved them away from God and it is same today with us.

In the gospel, Jesus talked again about the danger of richness. How hard it will be for the rich to enter heaven. If we allow our richness of any form to influence us, then it will be easier for Carmel to go through the eye of a needle than we going into heaven. In any way or any form that we are rich, let it not move us away from God. The danger of richness is that it makes us lose focus. Thanks.

MONDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

MONDAY 20^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 24:15-24

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 19:16-22

THEME: THE PROBLEM OF PLEASURE.

It is never difficult to get or start a pleasurable act or something but the problem is how to stop it. The only problem of pleasure is how to stop it. Obughi ikunye enwe mmiri bu nsogbu kama inata ya iko. It is how to stop our actions that are not good is the problem and now how to start them. The Israelites since ages, God has been warning them, giving them all sorts of signs to leave their evil ways but it was and is a very difficult task for them. This is not the problem of only the Israelites of the old but the present Israelites which are us.

The rich man in the gospel could not take the teaching of Jesus because it touched his comfort zone. Richness in the Bible may not literarily mean wealth but richness in sin. Some of us who are wealthy are saints and some who are poor are devils and still the other way round. It is the richness in sin that God is talking about. Israelites grew in sin to the extent that God could not only talk to them but demonstrated it for them, also Jesus demonstrated the same for us and he is still demonstrating it for us to repent. That our pleasurable actions that do not give praise to God, we should work around the clock to stop it. We should work tooth and nail to leave them and heaven will be ours. It is difficult but not impossible. We should just make serious effort and God will help for he counts efforts and not result. Thanks.

SATURDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 18:1-10. 13B. 30-32

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 19:13-15

THEME: YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.

Njo nna n’ eso nwa is now only a human concept but not God. It is wrong for it may make the child to continue in the sins of the father if the child knows that sins of his father or even forefathers will follow him/her. Many sins mentioned in the first reading touched the whole of our being. They touched the sins of omission which we often forget. Sometimes, it is these sins of omission that we commit most and we do not count them as sins. The catholic greeting, Onye jisie ike, orue alaeze, ma onye gbakata kwuru, the answer from time immemorial has been, nke ogbara agba ala n’ iyi. Changing it to nwanne ya enyere ya aka contradicts the first reading of today. We should bear in mind that before God, we must answer for ourselves. No one will suffer for our sins except us. Onweghi onye ga enyere anyi aka to face our punishment or enjoyment which means we must continue to work for ourselves without ceasing. It is a personal game not a group thing. We will face it alone. The earlier we realize this the better for us.

In the gospel, Jesus said, the kingdom of God is for those who have childlike heart. Childlike heart is a heart that do not think of any sin at all talk more of looking for another who will suffer for the consequences on their behalf. They do only things that will please their elders and that we should emulate to do things that please our God. Clean heart and a pure spirit is what every child of God should have. We must have that on our individual basis not in common, before we get heaven. That father had does not mean children should relax, onye na way ya. That father has a good heart and son/daughter is evil will not save you. It is our personal and individual death. My Death by Martin Heidegger. Thanks.

FRIDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

FRIDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 16:1-15. 60. 63.

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 19:3-12

THEME: DIVORCE OF GOD.

It is no longer a new teaching that God and Church have no room for divorce in any valid wedding. So we are going to look at another divorce which connects us to the first reading.

After all that God did for the Israelites from their birth to their youthful age, they had the got to leave their God to follow other gods. After all a husband has done for and to her wife, the wife had the got to follow another man and at the end, divorce the husband. Also placing it the other way round on men. We divorce God in many places, things and occasions we do or go in our lives. When we private good things as St, Augustine said, evil will come in. When we leave the good things we ought to do and do bad things, in that way, we divorce God. God is calling us today and begging us not to divorce him again. What God has joined together through baptism, no sin should put asunder. We should remain on him. Thanks.

THURSDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

THURSDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 12:1-12

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:21, -19:1

THEME: DO NOT KILL THE SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS.

The Lord got tired of the sins of the house of Israel and he was looking for any way possible to save them. He sent them many prophets but they did not heed to what they were saying. Now he is demonstrating what is to befall them but still they remained adamant. When he gets tired of all these things, destruction will follow. The Israelites we talk about is no more the Israelites of old but we that live in this generation.

In the gospel, Jesus gave us the mandate to forgive without ceasing but some do push people to the wall of killing the spirit of forgiveness in them just like the Israelites in the first reading. Think of the servant who was forgiven of the greater debt he owed, he went ahead to punish another who owed him without thinking about the grace he received and the consequences of the act. The forgiveness granted him was withdrawn immediately. The spirit of forgiveness towards him was killed by his own hands.

That we are bound to forgive is not a guarantee for us to continue to offend each other. God said we must forgive in other to be forgiven but we should also know that we are all human beings. If we remain adamant continuing to offend and provoke our neighbours or we behave like that wicked servant in the gospel, we may lose the chance of being forgiven if we do not make amend on time. As we expect others to forgive us when we sin against them, let us not also kill the spirit of forgiveness in them. Again, we are expected also to forgive as we expect forgiveness from others 7 times 70. Thanks.

WEDNESDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

WEDNESDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 9:1-7; 10:18-22

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:15-20

THEME: THOSE WHO GATHER IN HIS NAME WILL BE GIVEN THE MARK.

After seeing all that he saw in the first reading, it was obvious to him that it is only those who refute evils that will receive the mark of salvation and those who will receive the mark will be saved.

In the gospel, at the last sentence of it, it is stated, where two or more gather in my name, I will be with them. The church is the community of the people of God and people of God should be those who refute evil no matter the situation at hand. It is not easy to refute it but it is not impossible. The words of the last sentence of the gospel should be our consolation. If we really gather in his name, we shall be given the mark of salvation.

The problem is that some of us do not gather in his name rather we gather for something else. We place Jesus or his church as a refugee camp or even as a secondary saviour. When we must have given reverence to other gods then we will remember that he said he will be with us when we gather in his name. uka obuleka Jesu. A woman who worshiped Ugwube (A Deity) in my place. She got converted, but each time she is faced with danger she shouts Ugwube, she was asked to be using Jesus instead of Ugwube. So, when next something happened to her, she shouted Ugwube obuleka Jesu that is Ugwube! I mean Jesus. She remembers Jesus when she must have shouted Ugwube. We should not forget his name for what so ever reason. We should strive to make sure that we do gather in his name in truth so that the mark that will save us from eternal damnation will be given to us. No one who has no mark will be saved, we should always work to get the mark. Exodus account can be an example for us, the departure of the Israelites (Exodus 12:13). Thanks.

TUESDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

TUESDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 2:8. 3:4

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:1-5. 10. 12-14

THEME: BE OPEN TO LIFE.

Ezekiel had not known what the scroll was before eating it, he ate it and noticed that it was as sweet as honey. Uwa bu ahia akpa. He was open to face what will come out of it and the result was very good.

In the gospel, Christ asks us to be like children who are always very much open to change in life. They do not have a rigid way of life that deprives them opportunity to change. Change in a child is always built on humility. If a child is humble, that child can adjust in any situation that he/she finds him/herself. But an arrogant child will like to maintain one even when it is causing more harm than good.

If we are humble, we will welcome changes in our situations. A lady was married to a family, her behaviour was not all that welcomed there, so she started adjusting to fit in into the family system for she knew that that will only solve the problem. It was born out of humility. If it were to be a proud one, she would have asked them to take her behaviour or leave it. We must learn how to be humble like children in order to accept situations and adjust to situations that come to us. Do not be too rigid or watertight. Be liberal to a reasonable extent. Pope Francis is a liberal Pope and we are benefiting from it. One who is not open will find it difficult to cope with life. C.P Varkey (SJ) said, “Accept what you cannot change and change what you can change”. And this can only be achieved by being open to life. Thanks.

MONDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

MONDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 1:2-5. 24-28C

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 17:22-27

THEME: MAINTAIN YOUR DIGNITY.

Sometimes we fight over our rights and at the end loose that right entirely. It is better to maintain our dignity than to stupidly fight over our rights. A man was on the high way with his motorcycle, he was on his right. Suddenly a car that wanted to overtake another car started taking or following or plying the man’s right and the man insisted that he will not run. The car hit him. As he was being taken to the hospital, he was busy shouting, I was on my right! That was no more counting that time for he was the one suffering it. After two days, he died. It is not that we should keep quiet when our right is being played upon but if the approach will not yield positive result, we should redress.

In the first reading in order for God to maintain his glory, he showed his glory to Ezekiel in a way that was very complicated. When Ezekiel saw it, he fell on the ground because it was much for him. We are expected to have some reservations for ourselves. We are not to be open to the extent that we cannot hold water, control ourselves again. Surprise people from time to time with positive things. When one provokes you in your own right, try not to act in an outrageous manner. Just give the person a serious surprise like one of my school mates did one day. We were in the refectory in the morning for breakfast. His classmate consciously poured him dirty water to know what he will do. To our utmost surprise, he just laughed and kept quit. Another of his classmate met him and asked him, are you keeping quiet? He told him, if I make noise or fight with him, will it change anything? He said that that was just the end of the whole thing. In the afternoon, that his classmate bought a bottle of drink to beg him and that ended the whole thing. Had it been they fought, their dignities would have gone but they maintained their dignities especially the victim.

In the gospel, if Peter were told beforehand that Jesus will pay the tax, he would not have believed it. It was Jesus’ right not to pay but in order not to cause trouble that will reduce his dignity, he sent Peter to go and pay the tax. In order to avoid quarrels, fights, hatred and so on, learn how to swallow some certain things. Obu ka ahuchatacha mere mgbo jiri tuo enwe n’ isi. That will give you more respect and it will add feathers to your cap of dignity. Thanks.

SATURDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: HABAKKUK 1:12-. 2:4

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 17:14-20

THEME: MANAGE SILENCE VERY WELL.

In Igbo, we normally say, Onye gbara nkiti kwere ekwe but not in all cases. In some issues we have to keep silence not that we have accepted that but to think or that the place or the thing is not the best place or rightful place or thing to react.

In the first reading, Prophet Habakkuk is asking us, why are we keeping quiet when a wicked man is oppressing the poor and good man? If we keep quiet, we are part of the crime. We have to rebuke him in other to save the good and poor man.

In the gospel, when Jesus told his disciples men of little faith, they kept quiet till they got inside the house and they asked him in private to explain more. This is just the same with the Igbo adage that says, “Obu ichupu egbe, I gwa nwa okuko n’ onapuka. When you chase the kite away, you tell the chick that it wanders too much.

The first reading and the gospel are teaching us how to approach issues in life. When we see evil, we should not keep quiet and the gospel is teaching us how to react to many of them. When we see evil, we should be able to know the best way to follow it. Is it to keep quiet and attack it latter or to attack it now and keep quiet latter? Sometimes when things got hard for Jesus, he withdrew to the mountain and when he comes out, he addressed those challenging issues. When John the Baptist was killed, people were expecting him to talk but he withdrew into the mountain and when he came out again to face the realities, Hero said that John the Baptist was raised from the dead. When we notice that talking or acting will bring more harm, we should withdraw and look for another way but not to abandon it entirely. We must stand for justice but in a mild way. We must know how to manage issues and situations. When to keep quiet (silence) and when to take actions. Thanks.

FRIDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

FRIDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: NAHUM 1:15; 2:2; 3:1-3. 6-7

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16:24-28

THEME: GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT.

It is only in God that our lives is saved. Outside him, we are nothing. The first reading puts two ways of reward for us to see. On the feet of the mountain of those who bring good things and who proclaim peace, there we shall keep our feast. This calls us to always bring good things and proclaim peace always for the rest of the reading tells us what will happen to those who will not fulfill that. There will even be no one to morn them. Which means no hope.

In the gospel, Jesus is also warning us on how we should live our lives in other to get him as our reward. If any man will follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Again, what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul (Mark 8:36). All these are determined by what we put in through our actions. The son of man is to come with his angels to repay each man according to his deeds (Matthew16:27). Here brought the theme to a bare ground.

What maybe your reward, my reward when the son of man comes? Will it be losing our lives or gaining eternal life? Will it be holding our lives and leaving the cross of Christ? This induction is conditional anyway, we can choose to or not but we will be repaid according to what we have put in. once you want to make it in life, you must carry Christ’s cross. That cross will fetch you and I a good reward when he comes to reward each man according to his deeds. Thanks.

THURSDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

THURSDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 31:31-34

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16:13-23

THEME: THE NEW COVENANT IS IN US.

God promised in the first reading to make a new covenant with his people and this covenant will not be like the first that needed people to be interpreting them to people rather, the spirit will write them in men’s hearts. It is the same spirit of the father that revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God that writes the covenant. We all know what is good and what is bad and that is part of the covenant. We all know that Christ died for us and that also is part of the covenant, it is the main covenant. How are we now responding to the callings of the covenant in our hearts? All these preaching, sermon, homilies, reflections and many others that we here and see all the time are not to tell us what we have not known before but to remind us of what we have known and to awaken them (if they are sleeping) in our hearts. Since you know the will of God, act according to it and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). The covenant was sealed in our hearts with the blood of Christ. Peter thought like men when he was yet to receive the Holy Spirit that awakened the covenant in him. We have received the Holy Spirit, so let us live out the covenant that is in our hearts. Thanks.

WEDNESDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

WEDNESDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 31:1-7

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 15:21-28

THEME: PERSISTENCE IS A VIRTUE.

I was travelling from Nsukka to Enugu one day. I entered pick and drop bus. At a point where it dropped to pick more persons, a boy came to me to buy pear from him. I told him that I did not need it. He continued persuading me to buy it. I ignored him but to my greatest surprise, he did not go. At a point, I had to save myself that embracement and bought the pear from him. I bought that pear not because I needed it but because he persisted.

In the first reading, God said that all that will survive the tribulations will enjoy his goodness. He is also telling us today that if we persist in following him, despite all the troubles of the world that he will bless us.

We can see the practical persistence in the gospel. Persistence working and walking. Persistence personified. The woman despite that Jesus called her and her daughter dogs, she used one Igbo adage as a consolation, “Onyeocha kpoo mu ewu ma ya kwuo mu ugwuo mu”. Jesus can call her anything provided she gets what she was looking for.

We sing regularly “Mmiri mara mu ebe mu n’ eso Jesu” but we do not live it out. There is always a reward that follows those who persisted till the end. “The one who will remain steadfast will be given the unfading crown of glory” (1Peter 5:4). Let us ask God to give us the grace to be persistent in good things despite the situations we may find ourselves. Thanks.

TUESDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

TUESDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 30:1-2. 12-15. 18-22.

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:22-36

THEME: DO NOT DOUBT, HAVE FAITH.

I have come to realize that the major problem we have on earth is the lack of faith in God. That people do this bad thing and the other may be the lack of faith in God. The Israelites lost faith in God and started going the wrong way that God got angry with them. God is also today promising them and us his mercy and redemption. The problem now is, do we have faith to accept it? That many temptations win us today is on the basis of lack of faith. Peter filled with faith walked on the water but as soon as he lost faith and focus, he started sinking. All those who touched his garment with faith were healed. Where is your faith and my faith? We have faith in the Lord but just like Peter, when a little challenge comes, we fall off.

A man who was born and brought up in the Catholic Church was faced with an illness. At a point, the illness refused to be healed. People were telling him that this is no longer a thing of prayer and meditation. He should look for a diviner (Dibia). Oria agbaro aka. Refusing for sometimes, at last he yielded to their suggestions. After all said and done, the diviner could not also heal him. He died in the sickness despite what the diviner did. Had he known, he would have not involved himself in that. Have faith in God and he will visit you in due time. Thanks.

MONDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

MONDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 28:1-17

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:12-21

THEME: TEST THE SPIRIT.

There are many spirits working in the world now. Many people are now claiming to be called to the service of the Lord. How do we know these false ones? They have sweet and convincing mouths that it is very difficult for us to know the difference. How can we tell the one sent by God?

This appeared in the first reading where Hannaniah appeared as a prophet sent by God to his people. He told them what they wanted to hear and they were happy. Is it not the same with what is happening today in our own world? These days they tell us what we want to hear and we will clap and jump for them and follow them.

The words of the prophet can never favour everyone, it must pain some. Jeremiah knowing that Hannaniah was lying reminded them of the already existed true prophets but they ignored that because they have heard what they wanted to hear. We will be told the stand of the church and God from time immemorial but because the present person is telling us what we want to hear, we will abandon God and the church and follow the person.

The gospel is showing us the type of prophet we should follow. We should follow one who has compassion for his people. Instead of asking the people to get him what to eat and drink and sow seeds for all those he healed, he rather fed them from what he and his apostles had. The church and God are calling us today to test if the spirit is taking from us the little we have or is it giving us what we do not have. Test every spirit before you believe in it (1John 4:1). Thanks.

SATURDAY 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 26:11-16. 24

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:1-12

THEME: REMAIN IN TRUTH, THE APOINTED TIME IS NEAR.

Like in the responsorial Psalm, “At an acceptable time, O Lord answer me”. At the accepted time, the Lord answered Jeremiah and saved him from the hands of those who wanted to kill him.

At the acceptable time, the Lord answered the whole world by sending John the Baptist to prepare his ways for him. When John completed his works, he used his blood to wash the way for the Messiah to come and take over.

A story goes thus. A son of a certain man died. His best friend came and as he was consoling him, he told him that if this one did not happen, greater one may have happened. That man that his son died said in his heart that that his friend has hand in the death of his son. After the burial and funeral. He called that his best friend to thank him and his family for their support during burial and funeral. After cooking everything for the family, he poisoned the food to kill the whole family for he thought the man was responsible for the death of his son. When the family came, as they were about to pray and eat the food, a man ran inside there and told the family that their first son who was to graduate that year had accident and died at that spot. The man as usual said, if this did not happen, greater one would have happened he left with his family without eating that poisoned food. At that point, it became clear to that wicked man that his friend was innocent. If John the Baptism did not die, what would have happened?

Sometimes many bad things happen to us and we start to question God and his existence. It maybe that the Lord is waiting for the appointed time to do it for us. Jeremiah thought that that was his last time but God rescued him. Herod and Herodias thought that killing John will end the truth but that was the beginning of it. Herod out of fear said that Jesus was John, that he has been raised from the dead to life again. God’s ways are not our ways, he has plans of better things for us. John said he will decrease so that Jesus will increase (John 3:30), it was not just mere saying, it is also applied to us today. We suffer in other to increase. Let all that we pass through do not take us away from the truth (Romans 8:32). We were, we are and we will continue to be more than conqueror if we remain in him. Thanks.