Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, New Year and World Day of Peace. Year B. By Tobe Eze

1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27

2nd Reading: Galatians 4:4-7

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

Theme: Example of Mary; Sure, Road to New Blessings and Peace.

The first reading of today is a wonderful reading we would always long to have, filled with blessings from God. These blessings came to fulfilment in Christ who was born of a woman as recorded by the second reading. This woman is Mary and she did not born Christ without her own cooperation and personal efforts. These her efforts shall be our examples. Continue Reading..........

Holy Saturday. Easter Vigil Year C. By Tobe Eze

Holy Saturday. Easter Vigil Year C.

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-22

Second Reading: Genesis 22:1-18

Third Reading: Exodus 14:15-15:

Fourth Reading: Isaiah 54:5-14

Fifth Reading: 55:1-11

Sixth Reading: Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4

Seventh Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28

Eighth Reading (Epistle): Romans 6:3-11

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12

THEME: THE STONE HAS BEEN ROLLED OUT.

Some persons can be very religious in life. A certain woman during a burial (Christian burial), was sharing food. It happened that the food was not enough, she did not eat. After about 50 minutes or one hour when the food has finished, a woman came looking for food. When she was told that there was no food left, she finished the woman who shared the food up. There is nothing bad on earth that the woman did not rain on her fellow woman. Even when people tried to explain to her that the woman herself did not eat, she did not listen but was seriously barking. She told her that that is how they eat church money that poor people have contributed, that hell is now their birthright. After the whole thing, she left. What touched all of us who where there was, the woman that was insulted was just smiling and did not say anything. Continue Reading.....................................

GOOD FRIDAY. THE LORD’S PASSION. By Tobe Eze

GOOD FRIDAY. THE LORD’S PASSION.

First Reading

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Second Reading

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Gospel (Passion)

John 18:1-19:42

THEME: WHO’S FAULT?

I may not necessarily analyze the readings of today, I want to take another route which still has connection with the readings but not explicit. A man caught a life bush rat and covered it with a local basket in the kitchen, locked the kitchen door and left for somewhere. His two little sons were at home. The first knew about the bush rat but the second was not aware of it. The second one was hearing a strange sound in the kitchen and went and called the first one to tell him what was happening. He told him what was there and warned him not to go near it. He accepted. After a long time, the first son asked the second son. Will it not be good if we play with that rat? Continue Reading.............................................

Holy Thursday. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper By Tobe Eze

Holy Thursday. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

First Reading

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel

John 13:1-15

THEME: DO YOU REALIZE WHAT I HAVE DONE FOR YOU?

There are three significant celebrations this night. Today Christ the Lord instituted two sacraments and the act of love or charity that gives them beauty. He instituted the sacrament of the Holy Orders and the sacrament of the Eucharist, then lastly, he commanded us to love. To show love to one another.

These three signs today are mysterious in nature and mystery is something beyond human understanding. We use faith to believe in mysteries. From the three reading, we can see the manifestations of these three gifts to us. Continue Reading...........................

SOLEMNITY OF THE BIRTHDAY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. By Tobe Eze

SOLEMNITY OF THE BIRTHDAY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

FIRST READING.

ISAIAH 49:1-6

SECOND READING.

ACTS 13:22-26

GOSPEL.

LUKE 1:57-66.80

THEME: THE MAN JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Many prophets came to prepare the way of the son of God. They were preparing and clearing ways for him to come. John the Baptist was one of them. There is a clear difference between the prophets of old and John the Baptist. John is the bridge that connects the old and new testaments. He was the old prophet that made preparations for the coming of the Messiah and saw him when he come. Others longed to see the Messiah but could not, it was only John that saw him and showed him when he came. All the prophets called were called after their birth, it was only John who was called from the womb. Even in the womb he made signs to show whom he is when Jesus in the womb with his mother visited him also in the womb and his mother Elisabeth.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year B. By Tobe Eze

1.       Gentleness of the body is not gentleness of the heart, make them to be one. Tobe Eze.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year B.

FIRST READING
Exodus 24:3—8

SECOND READING
Hebrews 9:11—15

GOSPEL
Mark 14:12—16, 22—26

THEME: THE HIGHEST GIFT ONE CAN GIVE

It was Nikolaus Michaelson in a film named The Originals that said, “I will protect Hope my daughter with my last drop of blood”. This is not equivalent to what God did for and to us but just to compare it for us to see what likely God has done for us.

There was a video sent to me through WhatsApp by a friend. The video is a story of a man who had a daughter. The mother of the child died at the 4^th year of the child. The father was left to take care of the daughter. After her graduation from school, she fell Ill. She was taken to the hospital by her father. When they conducted test, they found out that she had heart problem (heart failure), she needed a new heart but she was not told. One day at the bed side, she told her father to do anything he can to save her, though she was ignorant of the type of sickness she was suffering from. He promised her that she will do that. After pondering on the whole thing, he went to the doctor and asked him to take his heart. The doctor objected but after all said and done, his heart was taken but before that he wrote something and asked them to his daughter to read when she must have recovered. After some months of recovery, she was given the write up to see what her father did for her. He used his life in exchanged of her daughter’s own. Though ethically “it is not right to take life no matter what”. This story is just to show us how our Lord Jesus Christ offered himself to redeem us. Out love the father sacrificed himself, out of love our Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed himself. Continue Reading.................

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Year B. By Tobe Eze

Our “I Do” has many implications, think well before you say it. Tobe Eze.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Year B.

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 4:32—34, 39—40

SECOND READING
Romans 8:14—17

GOSPEL
Matthew 28:16—20

THEME: ONLY A GOOD GOD CAN DO ALL THESE FOR US. (THE TRINITERAIN GOD FOR THAT MATTER).

A man was in a market discussing with people on how good and strong his father was but still people were disturbing him and provoking him. As he was saying all these and other things, an old man approached and asked him. Have you asked those who know your father very well for them to tell you whom he was? Have you not been told on how your father owed people every now and then? Have you not asked how he was redeemed from all of them by the umunna? These were the same questions Moses asking the Israelites today in the first reading. And the same questions are been addressed to us again today. Do we know how God saves, provides, protects, directs us and other good things he does for us? Have we ever asked how our forefathers treated God and his messengers and his forgiveness of all these? If we are to count his blessings on us, nights and days will pass without us finishing them. Anyi koba mmesooma Chukwu, chi ga eji, chi ga abo. It is only a good God that can do this to his subjects. And this is done by the FATHER. Continue Reading..............

Pentecost – Solemnity Year B By Tobe Eze

1.       Till death do us part is not tomorrow, be careful on choosing. Tobe Eze.

Pentecost – Solemnity Year B

FIRST READING
Acts 1:1—11

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 12:3b—7, 12—13

GOSPEL
John 20:19—23

The Christian feast day of Pentecost, which is celebrated ten days after Ascension Thursday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Some Christians believe this event represents the birth of the Church. Since the Feast of the Ascension occurs forty days after Easter, Pentecost is a movable feast.

THEME: WHY THE CONFUSION?

A man brought out a cartoon at night to share to children around him gifts from it. At the point of sharing the content of the cartoon, NEPA took light and there was total darkness. He managed to share them in that darkness. When the whole children have gotten, they managed also to go home in darkness. When each reached him, they checked their gifts. Some got chewing gum, some milkose, some Tom Tom and so many others. They differently told their different parents the gifts they received according to what each received. When they gathered again and were discussing on the gifts, they discovered that they received different gifts from one person.

They noticed that they were giving things differently and they understood themselves. It is God who gives but we that are receiving, receive different gifts for the good of mankind and Glory of God. Because we cannot access other person’s spirit, like that darkness, it is left for the one who received the gift to tell us what he/she has received. Continue Reading..............................

Ascension of the Lord Year B. By Tobe Eze

1.       Small stature is never small value. That is, small body is not small knowledge or does not make man small. Tobe Eze.

Ascension of the Lord Year B.

FIRST READING
Acts 1:1—11

SECOND READING
Ephesians 4:1-13

GOSPEL
Mark 16:15—20

THEME: TAKEN OUT OF SIGHT NOT HE ART.

I lived in a place where a woman has a shop in front of my house. I noticed that from time to time that woman will receive one kind call and the mood will change. She will become happy for the rest of the day no matter the time she received it. After observing this for long, I tried to understand the drama. I started going to her shop to discuss each time that I notice she is answering the call. After a while and I could not get everything clear as I wanted, I decided to ask questions. When next she was answering the call, I went there and waited till she finished and I asked. Who is this person giving you this type of happiness? To my utmost surprise she said her husband. But your husband is not even in the country, not even in sight. She answered me. He is out of sight but not out of heart. After looking at this experience, I think it has a connection with what we are celebrating today. Jesus is out of sight but not out of heart. Continue Reading.....................

Easter Day - The Resurrection of the Lord Year B. By Tobe Eze.

1.       Growing old is not growing up, try to join the two. Grow old and equally grow up. Tobe Eze.

I SINCERELY WISH ALL MY FRIENDS A BLESSING FILLED EASTER. I SAY A BIG HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL.

Easter Day - The Resurrection of the Lord Year B.

FIRST READING
Acts 10:34a, 37—43

SECOND READING
Colossians 3:1—4

GOSPEL
John 20:1—9

THEME: BE A WITNESS OF HIS RESURRECTION.

A certain family was living in an abject poverty but they were faithful to God. The first son dropped out of secondary school in order to make money and help the family. He went to the city to learn business (boi). There are five children in the family. After serving his Master (Oga), he was settled very well and he started his own business. The whole family had faith in him to move them to the next level of life. He was actually doing very great in the business. The last son who happens to be the fourth child went to live with him. Unfortunately, after his secondary school, the senior brother on his way coming back from a business trip had accident and broke his spinal cord. He was taken from this hospital to another, after all said and done, they sold everything and went back to the village. In the village one day, a group of NGO' S came. They organized a scholarship exam there and the younger son passed the exam. He was sent abroad (USA) to study any course of his choice. After everything, he became the breadwinner of the family.

He made the family to have name, fame and all they have till today. Why this story? Continue Reading.............................

New Year Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Year B By Tobe Eze

New Year Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Year B

FIRST READING
Numbers 6:22—27

SECOND READING
Galatians 4:4—7

GOSPEL
Luke 2:16—21

THEME: SO SOON.

Just like yesterday and a year is gone. Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ both now and forever more. Amen. Otito diri Jesu. Na ndu ebebe. Glory to God. Honour to Mary.

When I was small, in 2004, I was in the kitchen with my elder sister on 15th January. We were singing with 15th January 2004. At a point she asked me where will I be in 2014 and I shouted kpaoooo! Too far. But now, 2014 has long ago passed. It is a thing of joy. Years are now running so fast, and all are to the glory of God. It is not by our power or our might but through his merciful love and care. Chukwu dalu. Keep us forever in your side both in this passing world and the everlasting one coming. Continue Reading..........................................

Christmas Day - Solemnity; Christmas, the Birthday of Jesus Year B. By Tobe Eze

Christmas Day - Solemnity; Christmas, the Birthday of Jesus Year B.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 62:11—12

SECOND READING
Titus 3:4—7

GOSPEL
Luke 2:15—20

THEME: JOY TO YOU.

A child was dancing in front of her mother’s shop when Christmas was fast approaching, when the child was asked the reason for the joy and dance. The child said, the time my mother will make more money has come. Again a pagan was passing before a Catholic church on Christmas day, when he saw the type of vehicles that packed outside the Church compound, he shouted that “the God this people are celebrating must be a big one and went in to the Church and became a Christian from that day. Just that he saw cars. What do you own that will bring people to Christ? His family was so happy that day. Continue Reading............................

Solemnity of Christ the King Year A. By Tobe Eze

Solemnity of Christ the King Year A.

FIRST READING
Ezekiel 34:11—12, 15—17

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 15:20—26, 28

GOSPEL
Matthew 25:31—46

THEME: KING WITH DIFFERENCE.

I was one of those who has zero percent in music, singing, dancing, beating, playing and think of anything in music, I know nothing in it. In my first year in my school, I was nobody in music especially our Ikorodo cultural dance. In my second year I made serious effort to upgrade and I was a little bit recognized, finally in my third year I was a star in the area of singing in Ikorodo. In my first and second year, anytime we have anything to perform, I always go on time to get the costume that I will wear for I knew that if I don’t go on time I may miss the chance of performing in that occasion. In my year three when I noticed that without me, the singing department will have problem, pride came over me. I go late, they will start looking for me everywhere and they will keep my cloth for me even when others have none. Why am I telling this story? Just that I am being recognized, I started misbehaving. What of God who is all in all who is yet to misbehave? King that promised to come and serve his subjects and did so. Continue Reading............................................

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ By Tobe Eze

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 8:2—3, 14b—16a

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 10:16—17

GOSPEL
John 6:51—58

OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE WITHOUT CONSIDERATION.

The love of God towards us is unquantifiable. God loves us so much that, a night before his death he instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders. He instituted the Holy Eucharist and to allow us to partake of it even when he is not with us physically, he asked his apostles to do it in memory of him (Luke 19:22). In the second reading of today St. Paul is making it clearer to us that the bread we break and the cup we bless are body and blood of Christ. During last supper, he said to his apostles, take this all of you and eat it for this is my body which will be given up for you and when supper was ended, he took the cup and blessed it gave it to his apostles saying take this and drink from it for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant and everlasting covenant, for the forgiveness of sins of many. Do this in memory of me. In today’s gospel, Jesus is telling us that we can only see life in him. He is the only life that we can embrace and we will be sure of everlasting life. Onye obuna riri ma obu nuo obara mu ga enwe ndu maka na ahu bu ihe oriri ma obara mu bu ihe onunu. His flesh and are the best thing that will happen to us. Continue Reading

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity By Tobe Eze

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

FIRST READING
Exodus 34:4b—6, 8—9

SECOND READING
2 Corinthians 13:11—13

GOSPEL
John 3:16—18

THEME: THE LOVE AMONG THE TRINITY.

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

BIBLICAL VIEWS ABOUT TRINITY.

In Genesis 1, the Bible said that, when the world was in a formless void, the Spirit was hovering around the water. In the same Genesis, God said let us create man in our own image and likeness. From this statement, it sows that were other persons existing with God that time. If it was only him, he would just say, let me create man in my own image and likeness. The Trinitarian has been into existence from before creation. (Genesis 1:2 and Genesis 1:26).

PENTECOST By Tobe Eze

PENTECOST

Happy birthday to the Catholic Church! Happy birthday to you, who are the body of the Church!

We're all familiar with our own birthdays, and we celebrate them because they mark the day of the year in which we entered into this life. But did you know you have a second birthday?

Because you are part of the body of the Church, Pentecost is the Church's birthday, and yours as well. And like any birthday, it's a cause for celebration.

The word Pentecost is Greek and it means "50th day." Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations.

Pentecost – Solemnity By Tobe Eze

Pentecost – Solemnity

FIRST READING

Acts 2:1—11

SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 12:3b—7, 12—13

 GOSPEL

John 20:19—23

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES MANY GIFTS TO US BUT NOT SPIRIT OF FIGHTING.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 

Ọkwanụ ofu Alahaji ka anyị n' achịrị efi. The Holy Spirit of God is a spirit that gives many positive gifts to the people of God. Many persons are now adding are now adding many other gifts saying that they come from the Holy Spirit. Gifts like:

Group learning how to speak in tongues

Gift of falling down at the slit of any prayer

Gift of fighting etc. Continue Reading

Easter Day - The Resurrection of the Lord By Tobe Eze

Easter Day - The Resurrection of the Lord

FIRST READING
Acts 10:34a, 37—43

SECOND READING
Colossians 3:1—4

GOSPEL
John 20:1—9

THEME: THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE.

Alleluia Alleluia. It is been said in Igbo language, Onye ihe ọma mere adịghị aza Ọzọemena. He who is favoured by fortune do not say, let it not happen again. A good thing has happened to us that the Lord has risen from death freeing us from death. Ihe ukwu mere anyị, ka anyị kele nu Chukwu.   A Story:

Night Watchman: The manager of a firm advertised for a night watchman. All the applicants were present. But the manager was not satisfied. He found something wrong with each man. There was Raju, an applicant. He was sitting in a corner waiting for his turn of interview. Manager found nothing wrong in his appearance. He questioned about his health. He got the reply that he was suffering from sleeplessness. Manager was happy and appointed him.  It was St. Anselm who said, when God was looking for the one who will bring salvation to humankind, he could not use any of the created thing both man and animal for both are not perfect. It was only he himself that is perfect and he took human nature to save mankind. The manager who was looking for someone whom he will employ, he could not find anyone for the job except he that was suffering from sleeplessness. God also knew that Jesus was, is and will continue to be only the perfect being that can save humankind from sin and suffering, he also knew that Jesus was, is and will continue to suffer from love. It was because God saw that Jesus has everything it takes, that was why he gave him up for us.

The journey of our salvation which started on the annunciation day has been fulfilled today. Today the Lord has risen from the dead and this is the salvation which God prepared for us through Christ immediately after the fall of the first Adam. Christ’s mission on earth are (1) Died to win death for us. (2) For his side to be opened, so that salvation and the Church will be born. (3) He died to be the firstborn from the dead. (4) He died to fulfill what the scripture said. (5) He died for our sins. And lastly (6) He died for love. Continue Reading

Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord. By Tobe Eze

Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 60:1—6

SECOND READING
Ephesians 3:2—3a, 5—6

GOSPEL
Matthew 2:1—12

THEME: LIGHT THAT DISPELS DARKNESS

Our Lord Jesus Christ is a light, a light that shines out darkness. In the first reading Isaiah said “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.” When the through light comes every darkness will disappear. This light do not discriminate. This light shines both to the Jews and Gentiles. When this light shines in us, there will be no darkness in us. Isaiah said that nations will walk in the light, Kings also will walk in the light. We all are called to walk in the light which is Christ. In the second reading Paul said that the revelation and the stewardship he received was for the Ephesians. The stewardship and revelation of Paul are for us who are among the Gentiles. For us to walk in that light. How can we walk in the light? How can we know the light? (Ọbụ gịnị ka anyị ga eme?) We have to learn from the Gospel. The wise men from the east saw the light and followed it. They followed it till they saw the young light in a manger with his mother. The light is ever ready to lead us but the problem is that we leave the light and follow some other things which lead to doom. (Anyị na ahupuzị ikiri anyịnya kiribe Nwaukweze.) Which is too bad. The light calls us to himself through baptism and we still leave him. He calls us through sacrament of confirmation also we leave. We have left the sacrament of reconciliation that he gave us. What else do we want from him? He gave us his body and blood but we do not recognize him there. He has done all for us. Continue Reading

New Year Day. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God By Tobe Eze

New Year Day.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

FIRST READING
Numbers 6:22—27

SECOND READING
Galatians 4:4—7

GOSPEL
Luke 2:16—21

THEME: THIS IS NEW YEAR, THANK YOU LORD.

It is not all those we started last year with are present now witnessing the New Year. It not also all those who were healthy last year are healthy now in this year. Many have died and many are seriously sick. But we are here some alive and sound and some alive just little unsound. PRAISE BE TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BOTH NOW AND FOREVER AMEN! We are to sing, jump, clap and dance onto the Lord for his goodness to us. Where shall we start? (Ebee ka anyị ga ebido ma ebee ka anyị ga akwụsị?) The Lord is good. In the first reading because of his love for us, he gave format for blessing us. The LORD said to Moses: "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them." His love for us is too much to be counted. In the second reading, he also in the appointed time gave us the Son through her mother to also make us his own sons and heirs to his kingdom. Continue Reading