Friday of Week 17 Year A By Tobe Eze

Friday of Week 17 Year A

First Reading

Leviticus 23:1.4-11.15-16.27.34b-37

Gospel

Matthew 13:54-58

THEME: THE HOLY DAYS OF THE LORD.

The first reading has just given us what the Lord demanded of the people of Israel to do for him after their deliverance from the land of Egypt. Through Moses, he gave them these days to be kept Holy. In the gospel, again, Jesus came to his people in the synagogue which means on the Holy day. He taught them there, instead of taking his teaching, they took to analyzing his personality which they even did wrongly.

When the church has asked us to keep some days Holy for the Lord, we start to analyze it and be asking why the church should do that. I once told someone to stop opening his shop on Sunday, even if not for God, but for him to have a day of rest but more especially for God. He just told me that the highest he can do is to offer to the Lord that morning period of mass. The first reading is telling us not to do labourious work on days marked out for the Lord. Looking for reasons to accept it or not may make us not to receive miracles, blessings and other things from God as it appeared in the conclusion of the gospel. In the things of the Lord, reasons are suspended and faith is taken. Let us accept the teachings of the church about Holy days of obligation and do not ask like the people of Jesus’ own country. Okwanu ka afucha mere mgbo ji tuo enwe n’ isi. Thanks.

Thursday of Week 17 Year A By Tobe Eze

Thursday of Week 17 Year A

First Reading

Exodus 40:16-21.34-38

Gospel

Matthew 13:47-53

THEME: GOD OF BOTH THE RIGHTEOUS AND SINNERS

A woman met me one day and told me that she will leave the Catholic Church for there are many sinners in the Catholic Church. She even went to the extent of calling names of those in the Catholic Church that are evil and we are still accommodating them. After looking at her ignorance, I pitied her and tried explaining to her that God does not discriminate here rather at the last day when we will be divided. Even St. Augustine on this type of thing said, the church is the church of sinners and saints.

In the first reading, we can see how God was protecting his people with cloud during the day and pillar of fire during the night. He was doing that knowing full well that some of those he was protecting were still those who would say many things against him.

In the parable we heard from the gospel, the net brought many types of fish and selection was made after the catch. After our life here, selection will be made on us.

The only reason why God is the God of sinners is to give us opportunity to repent, if not, we must have died long ago rather, he gives us opportunity everyday to make changes in our lives as his children. Since he is our God, we should always do what pleases him. Thanks.

Wednesday Week 17 Year A By Tobe Eze

Wednesday Week 17 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 34:29-35

Gospel:

Matthew 13:44-46

THEME: THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS GOOD.

There is a great difference between appearing in the church and being present in the presence of God. Going to the church for formality sake is very different from encountering the Lord. Just like we said on Monday of the 14^th week, encounter with the Lord changes one. Moses after his encounter with God, his whole body changed. His face was shining that no one looked on his face. Moses was keeping himself holy for God. He left all he had and dedicated himself to the service of God. In the gospel, Jesus told a parable that supported being in the presence of God. To be in the presence of God, we have to leave many things behind. We should leave all our worthless things that are not in the presence of God and buy that which pleases God most. Let us sell our pride, our envy and every other bad things we do and buy the best which is God’s presence through our behaviour. Isaiah 55:1, come and buy without money. Thanks.

Tuesday Week 17 Year A By Tobe Eze

Tuesday Week 17 Year A 

First Reading:

Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9.28

Gospel:

Matthew 13:36-43

THEME: THE LORD IS A JUST GOD

The Lord is full of love and compassion slow to anger abounding in love and charity (Psalm 154:8-9). Moses was going to his presence to intercede for the people and he was hearing him. Jesus in the gospel was explaining the parable of the weeds in the field. He was explaining it for him to justify every action he will latter take, the conclusion of the gospel said. He who has ears, let him hear. Onye nwere ntị ya nụrụ. He is always merciful on both those who make effort and sometimes on those who do not make effort and that was why the master asked workers to leave the two to grow but the end will determine. How much effort do we make? Let us like Moses go closer to God. Let us like the apostles go to him for him to explain to us what may be confusing us. He gives judgment with mercy. He has no partiality in him but he is merciful and compassionate. If we stay from afar to understand him, it may be very difficult for us but if we go closer like Moses and the apostles, we will see the richness of the kingdom. He is a just God. Thanks.

Monday Week 17 Year A By Tobe Eze

Monday Week 17 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 32:15-24.30-34

Gospel:

Matthew 13:31-35

THEME: DO NOT BE TIRED OF WAITING.

After prophesying our faith during our baptism, after professing all we profess during credo in the church, any little problem will destabilize us. The Israelites after shouting all that the Lord said we shall do. They went ahead to force Aaron to construct for them a god that will lead them, just that Moses went up to the mountain. Nothing good comes easily. In the gospel, parables were told. In the first one, No big tree can grow into a big tree within a short time. It takes time and Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like that. The second parable also is saying the same thing. The woman was mixing it till all were leavened. She did not get tired along the line. Let us today not get tired along the line. Let us continue to move. God knows us and our problems. It takes time. The journey of life is filled with ups and downs and that we should know and recognize so that we will not lose faith like the Israelites. We must keep moving like a tree that is growing gradually into a big tree. Though waiting for the Lord may take time, it must surely come to pass. Thanks.

Saturday Week 16 Year A By Tobe Eze

Saturday Week 16 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 24:3-8

Gospel:

Matthew 13:24-30

THEME: THE DEVIL AGAINST OUR EFFORTS.

Have you ever reflected on the fact that it is always when you want to make sincere effort that the devil will like to tempt you? Have you ever reflected on the fact that you will see a life changing situation and make a resolution to change and you will not even last anything and you will see yourself falling? These are facts of life.

I have had two experiences that made me to vow never to sin again but after that, I did not even last for anything and saw myself sinning again. The first one happened at UNTH Enugu. I went for blood donation there. They took our sample and we were outside waiting for them to test the sample. As we were there discussing and chatting. People were carried around on stretchers. Those who were seriously sick that were unconscious. The one that touched me most was that some groups of nurses were carrying a dead man on a stretcher chatting and laughing while the relations were crying behind them. I just asked myself, is this all we are in this world for. I sin because I am healthy, these people here who are dead, sick (unconscious for that matter) are asking God to give them this opportunity he has given me and I am here wasting it. I decided that I will not sin again from that very moment. It was few days to our break, immediately I came back home, the type of lie that I leveled to my people in order to get money from them was more than anything else. The second was one day I went to my cathedral to confess my sins in the evening. Normally, you do not search for priests in my cathedral but that day, I stayed till night before seeing a priest and it was Saturday, I needed it for the health of my soul and again because of Sunday. I made resolution that day not to sin again. Only to lie terribly on Sunday. My classmate called me that he wanted to visit me meanwhile I had already booked appointment with a friend to go somewhere and drink beer. I told him that my father said I would be taking him to somewhere and other stories to back it up.

This happened to Israelites after all these their promises in the first reading. All that the Lord said we will do. We can see the cause of this problem in the gospel, when we are asleep in our prayer lives, the enemy will plant weeds. We must wake up our prayer life in other to fight the devil that is against our efforts to be holy. Had it been that I handed those my resolutions to God through prayers, it would have lasted longer than when I violated it. Prayer is necessary in season and out of season else, the devil will plant weed in our farm and they will not be uprooted till the end of time. Thanks.

Friday Week 16 Year A By Tobe Eze

Friday Week 16 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 20:1-17

Gospel:

Matthew 13:18-23

THEME: THEY ARE FOR US TO CHANGE OUR WAYS.

Laws are made to help people in life. Laws that God gave his people, were for them to change from their evil ways of life to a better one. These laws are divided into two, love of God and love of our fellow human being. If we claim that we love God and we hate our fellow human being, the love is incomplete. Because we divide these laws and take only the one for God and forget our fellow human being, Jesus decided to explain the parable more for us to know that, they are all for us. Both those that fell on the road, rocky, thorny and good soil. So these laws are for us all. We are to make sure that we keep them and they will make us fertile for the word to bear fruits that will last in us and people around us will see it in work in our lives. It will be a disaster that we hear the word of God daily but there is no positive change in our lives. May we change our bad ways so that we can bear fruits in 30s, 40s, 60s and even 100s. Thanks.

Thursday Week 16 Year A By Tobe Eze

Thursday Week 16 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 19:1-2.9-11.16-20

Gospel:

Matthew 13:10-17

THEME: WE ARE PRIVILEGED.

First reading is a continuation of what Israelites did at Massah where they tested their God. After that, they said Moses was deceiving them, that they also wanted to hear from God directly not from Moses again. Hearing from God is only meant for those who are privileged to hear from God. We are privileged to hear from him through his ministers in different ways. In the gospel, Jesus talked about that same privilege. The problem here is that, some of us who are given the opportunity are now depriving ourselves the privilege and also trying to deny others the privilege. We reject this privilege through the kind of life we live. Let us watch the way we live as Christians and it shall be well with us. If you are given privilege (s), try and utilize it for it may not be forever and know that many may also be longing for that and they have not gotten it. In my local dialect, we normally say, onye era voyi gu alu, koma ne oge maka ne onwere ike inu ya onye ozo (when a mad man gives land to cultivate, do it fast for he may give it to another person). Do not abuse the privilege of being children of God. Thanks 

Wednesday Week 16 Year A By Tobe Eze

Wednesday Week 16 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 16:1-5.9-15

Gospel:

Matthew 13:1-9

IT IS IN OUR HANDS TO ACCEPT IT.

The Israelites were not ready to accept the fact that God was working for them both in season and out of season. They thought he was only working in season. After saving them from this problem they will say, we have never seen a God like this, but a step forward, they will complain again. They should have accepted the works God was doing for them. This also happen to us always, as it is explained in the gospel. Some fell on the way, stony or rocky, thorny and some on a good soil. Where are we? Some only get converted inside the church during homily and after that they go back to their normal way of life like the Israelites. When we are not faithful to God, he is still faithful to us and the earlier we accept him, the better for us.

A man who was a traditionalist got converted to Christianity. He left ATR during the time Omabe masquerade was on holiday. He was very active in the church just like he was in the ATR. When the local masquerade returned after two years, the man was already a serious Christian. One day, he went for 05:30am mass to enable him tap his wine on time for he was a palm wine tapper. When he climbed one of his palm trees, he started hearing the local music of the masquerade which was so sweet, he started dancing to it on the palm tree. At a point he could not endure it again. He called his wife from the palm tree and told her, “ada mu uka” which means, “I have loosen faith”. Put in another form, I am no longer a Christian. He came down and went back to his ATR. This is what happens to us when we do not understand God just like the Israelites and if the word of God did not fall on a fertile soil in our lives. Let us make effort to make ourselves fertile for the word of God to grow in us and bear fruits. Thanks.

Tuesday Week 16 Year A By Tobe Eze

Tuesday Week 16 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 14:21-15:1

Gospel:

Matthew 12:46-50

THEME: THOSE THAT ARE IN GOD’S LOVE

Who are those that we can classify as those who are in the love of God? The rich, the poor, the healthy, the sick, the strong, the weak or who? Those who are in the love of God are those who receive blessings from God, but from time to time though they may be passing through some challenges.

In the first reading, the Israelites are presented to us as those in the love of God for they received God’s saving help from the clutches of the Egyptians. In the Gospel, Jesus presented those who are in the love of God as those who do the will of his Father. He was told that his mother and siblings were looking for him and he gave an answer that looks like an insult but it is not. Of course Mary was the first to do the will of God in the New Testament, so even if he was talking about her biological mother, Mary is still qualified.

Coming from another angle which is not Biblical, maybe it is this type of claiming that we do when we see that someone has made it. Our people are fund of relating themselves to people who have made it in life. Jesus was famous and maybe some people wanted to make name out of it and he used that way to explain to them the task of being his mother or relation.

Whichever way, we should always make effort to be in the love of God and his favours will never leave us in life. Thanks.

Monday of Week 16 Year A By Tobe Eze

Monday of Week 16 Year A

First Reading:

Exodus 14:5-18

Gospel:

Matthew 12:38-42

THEME: SEE THE LORD BEFORE US.

In the first reading, the Israelites were faced with the Red sea and the great warriors of Egypt and these clouded them with fear and they could not see God working for them. They asked Moses if there were no graves in Egypt where they would be buried. Moses saw God in their situation and he proclaimed before them that the Egyptians you see today, you shall see them no more. In the gospel, some Pharisees who did not see Jesus as God in their midst were asking for sign from him for them to believe in him. But Jesus told them, there will be no sign for this generation.

Moses saw God before him and he saved them. The people of Nineveh saw God in Jonah and repented and Queen of Sheba saw wisdom in Solomon and traveled from a far place to witness it and what is higher than Solomon is here with us. Let us as they did today see the Lord who is standing to save us. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is greater than all we can think of. He is our God and he is ever ready to save us if only we can recognize him as Moses, the people of Nineveh and Queen of Sheba. Thanks.

Saturday of Week 15 Year A By Tobe Eze

Saturday of Week 15 Year A

First Reading

Exodus 12:37-42

Gospel

Matthew 12:14-21

THEME: THE APPOINTED TIME

When the appointed time comes, nothing will stop it. When the time God has planned or willed that sometime will take place comes, nothing will stop it. That sometimes we get confused about some issues is because we are not God and we cannot be God to know the time for everything. Despite whatever may happen, when the appointed time comes, we will see the manifestation of God.

Despite all that Pharaoh did to stop the children of Israel from leaving Egypt, at the appointed time, God used his hands to bring them out from Egypt.

That Jesus withdrew in the gospel was not because he was afraid of what may have befell him but because the appointed time had not reached. When the time reached, he could not withdraw again and he allowed himself to be killed.

Any situation we find ourselves that we are not comfortable with, just pray to God and wait for the appointed time and he will surprise us. We cannot know the mind of God, since we cannot know the mind of God, then let us wait for him for the bible recorded it that his thoughts for us are for good and not of evil (Jeremiah 29:11). Let us wait for the appointed time and our money, wives, husbands, houses, children, healing and every other thing that are worrying us will be ours. Thanks.

Friday of Week 15 Year A By Tobe Eze

Friday of Week 15 Year A

First Reading

Exodus 11:10-­­----12:14

Gospel

Matthew 12:1-8

THEME: MERCIFUL SAVIOUR

Sometimes God gives us many opportunities for us to change out of his mercy but we will always take it as if he is a weak God. Many times people do things and beat their chests and say, ‘God will understand’. I am not God for me to tell you that he will understand or not but from my little knowledge, he will only understand us when we make serious effort. Some of us Catholics worsen issue, “highest mmechaa mgaa confession”. It may not end in ije confession since you do not have regard for God and that sacrament.

In the first reading, despite the signs made by Moses and Aeron before Pharaoh and his people, they still refused to grant freedom to the Israelites. They we joking with his mercy.

In the gospel still, despite all that Jesus has done before the Pharisees, they still did not understand that he is a God of mercy. Ihe n’ asom bu ebere, obughi aja. They were more interested in what the law says, to the detriment of human beings that those laws are meant to serve.

Any law that is against the safety of human life or preservation of human life is against the natural law. If there is food and people are allowed to die of hunger because the law said, that law should be abolished for it is not a law meant for human being. Anytime we are trying to stick to the law, we should also remember mercy. What our God wants is mercy and not sacrifice. Though he is a justice God, he is also rich in mercy, he is a merciful saviour and we can see that most in the sacrament of reconciliation. Thanks.

Thursday of Week 15 Year A By Tobe Eze

Thursday of Week 15 Year A

First Reading

Exodus 3:13-20

Gospel

Matthew 11:28-30

THEME: THE LORD HEARS OUR AFFLICTIONS.

It is true that in our everyday life, we are faced with many afflictions but that does not expel the fact that God hears us whenever we are in trouble. He always hears us but the problem is if we even believe that he hears us.

In the first reading, God through Moses is showing us that he is not deaf with regard to our cry and not blind to see our afflictions. He will always answer us in due time.

In the gospel, he asks us to come to him in our trouble moments that he will help us. Whenever we are in trouble, our Lord God is the only and best person that we should run to and we will be saved.

What Moses told God in the first reading is still our problem today. How can I tell these people that you sent me? They will not believe me. In our world today, how can we convince you and me that it is the Lord who sent me to you? Many persons are now claiming that they are sent by God. How do we differentiate? The gospel has the answer. All those who claim that the Lord has sent them when they know they sent themselves will always preach suffering free Christianity while Jesus is inviting us to take his yoke for his yoke is easy and his burden not heavy. No matter the load we carry as Christians, they are not heavy since they are in the Lord. He hears us in all our situations, let us not lose hope for he will never forsake us. Thanks.

Wednesday of Week 15 Year A By Tobe Eze

Wednesday of Week 15 Year A

First Reading

Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12

Gospel

Matthew 11:25-27

THEME: TURN AROUND AND YOU WILL HEAR THE LORD.

The problem some of us have is that we are too rigid in life. Some of us have accepted that we are Christians but in character there is no change. I was telling a man who was a pagan the time I met him to get converted and become a Christian that that is where life is and every other thing. He openly told me. If these persons (he called names) are still Christians, I am not following you. If we have accepted Christ, why have we not done like Moses and turn around to understand what the Lord wants us to do?

Even in the gospel, Jesus himself is stressing the turning around by thanking the Father for revealing the hidden knowledge of the Kingdom to children. If we really want to encounter God and hear what he is telling us, we must become like children. We must leave our evil ways and embrace the innocent way of Christ that is manifested in children. Turn around and become a child and the knowledge will be revealed to you. Thanks.

Tuesday of Week 15 Year A By Tobe Eze

Tuesday of Week 15 Year A

First Reading

Exodus 2:1-15a

Gospel

Matthew 11:20-24

THEME: THE EVIL WORLD.

Some persons answer names like, Onyedioramma, Uwaenweogwu and so on. These names are the pure explanation of the two readings of today. People will be making serious effort to please the world and others will be complaining about the person. Obu gini ka aga eme?

In the first reading, we saw how Moses tried to save his own people from the trouble of an Egyptian and it turned to be a trouble for him. He was trying to imbibe in them the spirit of Umunne but the arrogant brother of his used it against him and that became a threat to  his life. No matter what you do to the people of the world, they must complain.

The gospel exposed how furious Jesus was to the people he had already done many miracles for but they could not repent and accept the message of life. He was causing them and comparing them with other nations that had not seen any miracle or even did not see miracle before there destruction.

In our world today, do we still have those who are unappreciative? Do we still have those who do not accept the good done to them rather, they use evil to pay for good? The answer for me is YES and some of them are here. Let us know that our God is not happy with us not paying good with good. Let us learn how to appreciate good things done to us and leave our evil deeds. The evil world can change through you and myself. Thanks.

Monday of Week 15 Year A By Tobe Eze

Monday of Week 15 Year A

FIRST READING
Exodus 1:8–14, 22

GOSPEL
Matthew 10:34C11:1

THE TROUBLE WITH FAITHFULNESS.

The Israelites were faithful to their God and he was blessing them with fruitful marriages. Pharaoh and his people instead of seeking for their own way of increasing in number they were busy having evil thoughts for the Israelites. The Israelites were faithful to their God even when they were undergoing the hard labour given to them by Pharaoh and his men. Seeing that Onye Chukwu goziri na ogozigo ya they brought another way to subdue them.

Jesus in the gospel, is also disposing us for the troubles attached to following him or being faithful to him. The war Jesus is telling us that he brought to us is not ogu egbe na mma but ogu okwukwe. It is not that type we think or we see in films or the world. The war he is talking about is war of faith as St. Peter said that we should be ready to defend our faith always. The war of truth, we should say the truth always, we should stand on the truth always and fight for truth. When we tell people the truth about their wrong doings, certainly they will not be happy with us. They will look for any means to fight us, to engage us in a war. It is this type of war that Jesus is talking about. The trouble with faithfulness is that people will hate us because of our faithfulness but we should remember that it is only those who are steadfast till the end will be given the unfading crown of Glory.

Saturday of Week 14 Year A. By Tobe Eze

Saturday of Week 14 Year A.

FIRST READING
Genesis 49:29–32; 50:15–26a

GOSPEL
Matthew 10:24–33

THEME: GRACE TO FACE OUR FATES.

Jacob on dying asked his sons to bury him in his fathers' grave yard. His sons accepted the fate without question or rejection. Joseph’s brothers were afraid to face any punishment that will come from Joseph. They were committing without thinking about the consequence or consequences. When they have committed the sin they were not ready to accept the fate that followed it rather they went to Joseph to beg him with their father’s name. Joseph as a just man made them to know that they would not suffer as he was alive. But when Joseph was dying, he made them to know that their liberation can only come from God. He disposed them for the fate ahead. He did that by telling them. “When God remembers you, promise to take my bones with you.”

Jesus in the gospel also disposed his apostles on what will befall them on the course of preaching the gospel or good news. When Joseph was disposing his brothers, it was for them to have faith in God no matter what they will pass through. Jesus also is doing the same thing today. He urges us not to fear our brothers or sisters in the villages who will not be on our sides when we say the truth. When problems come up in the village, we sell off our faith because of fear of ordinary men and women. Somewhere like Nsukka, when cases of Akatakpa, Oriokpa, Omabe, Odo, Kakpo and so on come up, we Christians will twist them and say. “All these are just for recreation”. Or even culture. Recreation or culture that is harmful to human life. Recreation or culture that threatens life, what shall we call it? Let us tell ourselves the truth.

Let us ask for the grace to face our fate as Christians no matter what people will say or do. A pastor was before his wicked King to preach against wickedness. He knew that his king will not leave him after the preaching and he drafted a means. He, the pastor shouted, Pastor be careful on what you preach for the king is here. After sometimes, he shouted again, Pastor be careful on what you will not say for the King of Kings is here. The choice is your, either to fear God and face the fate or to fear men and still face the fate.

Friday of Week 14 Year A By Tobe Eze

Friday of Week 14 Year A

FIRST READING
Genesis 46:1–7, 28–30

GOSPEL
Matthew 10:16–23

THEME: THE REWARD OF STEADFASTNESS.

After passing through all the troubles and trails in Egypt by Joseph and the ones his father passed through in the land of Canaan, emotional trauma he passed through when he lost Joseph, they came together again in love. What a joyful moment? When Joseph was suffering in Egypt, he trusted in God and remained steadfast. He did not shake for he knew the God that he was serving.

Jesus towards the end of the gospel said that, only those who remained steadfast till the end will be crowned with the unfading crown of glory.

Steadfastness is a virtue we should embrace in life. Let us learn to continue in our trials and life challenges. Do not stop when you are tried but stop when you are done. Let us not quit without trying. Let us learn to endure till the end for there must be the best for us. The meeting of Joseph and his father was the happiest thing that happened in their lives and this was a result of steadfastness. The end that Jesus is promising us today will be the best thing for us and it will only come through steadfastness. Let us today learn to continue. Ejighi ututu ama njo ahia.

Thursday of Week 14 Year A By Tobe Eze

Thursday of Week 14 Year A

FIRST READING
Genesis 44:18–21, 23b–29; 45:1–5

GOSPEL
Matthew 10:7–15

THEME: GIVE WITHOUT CHARGE.

Joseph was sold with charge but he was giving his brothers and family food without charge. Joseph was maltreated by his own blood brothers. What was done to him was an offence that no reasonable man should have forgiven those that did it to him. Child trafficking. But he did not even go to that side at all.

It is not all evil that have been done to us that we should pay back with evil if any at all there is any. There is difference between justice and revenge. There are those we should give punishment for deterrent not for revenge. Joseph punished his brothers by sending them to go and fetch his younger brother so that they may not try that act they did in the first place again. We have to overlook certain things because we are one family in Christ as Joseph did to his brothers.

In the gospel, Jesus mandated his apostles to give without charge for they received without charge. The problem we face today is that some who call themselves men and women of God are no more giving without charge. What can we call them? They are now using so called gift of God as avenue for making money.

If we really received without charge, we will give without charge and God’s blessing will never leave us. A labourer deserves his wages not a labourer demands his wages.