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.

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

FRIDAY 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 26:1-9

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:54-58

THEME: SOMETIMES IT PAINS TO BE HOLY.

It is very difficult for a righteous one to get his reward here on earth, rather many tribulations. Many tribulations follow being righteous. We are at home with how people mock those who try to be holy or live the life of holiness. Holinwaeje, Santanwa egbe, uka ehihie, uka anyanwutu and many other names.

Jeremiah after saying what the Lord has directed him to say, they instead of repenting vowed to put him to death. After the teachings of Jesus in the gospel, instead of them taking it and changing their ways of life, they started questioning his authority and threw him out of the city. After Dino Melaye had said the truth of ringing the bell of justice, instead of taking his words, Buhari and his co-murderers wanted him dead.

Instead of taking the truth your parish priest told you, you plan to kill him, seduce him or lure him to bed just to drag his name on the floor. Instead of taking the good news of the young seminarian sent to your parish, you start to question his age, background, class or qualifications and every other things. God is watching us.

Instead of taking the truth told us in clan, village, community, church and other places we meet, we look for a way to deal with the person who spoke the truth. For those who stand in the path of truth and life, the reward of a righteous one on earth is persecutions and the reward in the after world is eternal salvation, do not relent, it may pain today but tomorrow will be better. Thanks.

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

THURSDAY 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 18:1-6

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:47-53

THEME: WE DETERMINE WHAT HE DOES TO AND FOR US.

As we can see in the first reading, the clay in the potter’s hand tried to show the potter that it can misbehave and the potter showed it that he was still in-charge and changed it to another shape. If we prove to God that we are stubborn, he can still do another thing to us.

In the gospel, the parable is still showing us what will be obtainable on the last day which will be the fruit of our labours. If we do good he will put us in his vessel but if we do bad, to a burning furnace where there will be gnashing of teeth. We must obey God if we must make heaven. He is our creator and he has power to do anything to and with us depending on our dispositions.

If we show him that we are incorrigible, he will treat us as such, if we show him that we are corrigible, he will also treat us as such. Life and death are now placed before us and it is left for us to choose (Deuteronomy 30:19). Choose the God that you will serve for I and my family have chosen to serve the living God (Joshua 24:15). The ball is in our court. Thanks.

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

WEDNESDAY 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 15:10. 16-21

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:44-46

THEME: TO FOLLOW GOD IS NOT EASY.

Jeremiah complained to God all that he was passing through because of his words. He suffered many tribulations because of the word of God. But all hope were not lost.

In the gospel, we are made to understand that, to get that heaven we must sacrifice many if not all we have. The man who found the treasure in the field sold all he had in order to buy that land. We have to sacrifice all we have in order to buy or make heaven. What are those things we have to sell? We have to sell our pride, insincerity, adultery, idolatry, fornication and all forms of sins we commit to buy every other good things that lead us to heaven. When we talk about selling what we have, it is not like a woman who changed church newly from catholic to another church. On her first day in the church, the pastor told them to sell everything they had and bring the proceed to sow seed and God will multiply it. She went home and sold all that she had and took the proceed to the pastor. After two weeks she was left with nothing and nothing came in. Instead of running to the pastor, she ran to the parish priest to tell him what happened. After all said and done, the parish priest helped her to start life again and she was forced by experience to come back to the Catholic Church. We are not to sell what we use for our living but the evils we do and it must surely pain us to do that because they are our comfort zones but our rewards will be greater. Thanks.

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

TUESDAY 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 14:17B-22

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:36-43

THEME: GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HEAR US.

In the first reading, the situation of the Israelites are being made known to us. Despite all forms of gods they followed, they could not give them joy that they wanted. It is only in the Lord that there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). They were looking for where to get solution to their problems but could not find it. What a bad thing!

The apostles had their own problem of not getting clearly what the parable of the wheat and weed meant. Immediately they went to Jesus, their problem was solved because he is the only one who can hear, understand and feel with us in our situations. It was because of that that after looking at our situation, he decided to come down to live like us, die like us and to redeem us from our ugly situation.

When I was at Ibagwa-Aka, I was coming back from the parish house on Nkwo market day and Nkwo is their special market day. Three women were going home from market and one was discussing her husband. How bad the man is and how he treats her. She said that the man is not worthy of being a husband talk more of a father. I was using rolling on the motorcycle I was using and I was just following them at the back. When the other two reached their various houses, they left that one. I started my motorcycle and rushed her and asked her to enter. When I reached her house, I decided to pass, she shout for me to stop. I told her that I cannot stop for I wanted to take her to her father’s house so that he can leave that evil man. She told me No that it has not reached to that level. I told her, if it has not reached to that level, why were you selling your family so cheap to people who cannot help you?

None of those people we carry our troubles to will give us the solution except God. “Come to me all who are over laboured and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)”. He is the only one who can hear us and understand us. Let us leave those godfathers, godmothers, godbrothers, godsisters and so on that give us vain hopes and come to Jesus who is the final solution to all our troubles. Thanks.

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

MONDAY 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 13:1-11

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:31-35

THEME: SINS HAVE DEPRIVED US MANY THINGS.

I met a boy one day and gave him bread to eat, he collected it with joy. After three days, I saw him with biscuit and asked him to give me one and he refused out rightly. I could not understand him, then I went and bought that type of biscuit 2 and asked him to come and collect one. He rushed like a hungry dog but I did not give it to him. He cried heaven and earth but the cry did not touch me. Why this? In the first reading, from the drama that took place, we can see how God took his people but they made themselves useless before him. He planned to make them his people forever but they chose the wrong part of following other gods. I was just trying to make that small boy my friend but he failed me. What is that that our sins have deprived us? That boy’s selfishness deprived him other gifts from me.

The gospel came to tell us how we will be and where we will be if we remain in God and that is what sin is depriving us. Mustard seed that is very small growing to a big tree. We that are not recognized by men will at the end gain everlasting happiness. From another angle, that place people joke with, think it is very small, have many mansions for us to occupy. A man once told me that he will not work towards making heaven that all of us will not accommodate there. It is this kind of thing that makes us to sin always and loose that which is prepared for us. Had it been that small boy gave me that biscuit, I would not have taken it and also I would have bought more for him. If we leave sins that bring us condemnation as in the first reading, we will be great like in the gospel and we will occupy that position prepared for us in heaven. Thanks.

SATURDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 7:1-11

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:24-30

THEME: REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The Lord has promised us many good things if we come back to him. If we do not allow ourselves to be deceived by all sorts of strange doctrines (Ephesians 4:14). He warns against all sorts of evils we do and after come to his house to claim Christians. The two cannot go together, choose one and leave the other and I advise we should choose God. In the gospel, it explains what St. Augustine said that the church is the church of saints and sinners. It is not God who made them sinners in his own house or was it his intention for that to be rather the devil.

One person told me one day that many evil men and women are in the Catholic Church and we allow them, for that he will never in his life come back to Catholic Church again. If God allowed them to grow together (Matthew 13:30), who are we to go and uproot them? He is the Lord of the vineyard and knows what he will do after.

Those who remained in him, those who remained righteous till the end, we will be taken to his barn where they will be preserved forever.  Let us remain as wheat and we will be rewarded with his house. Thanks.

FRIDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

FRIDAY 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 3:14-17

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:18-23

THEME: RETURN TO THE LORD.

The first reading shows us the type of God we have. A God that begs his people to return to him from their far away journey. We have gone wrong in many ways but God does not care about it or them, he is only interested in our returning back to him, our God. He destined us not for his retribution but to win salvation (1Thessalonians 5:9). It is only when we have returned to God by making our hearts ready for the sower to sow the seed in a fertile or good hearts that will bear fruit in 30s, 60s and 100s. Remember that Jesus did not spare the tree that failed to produce fruit when every possible opportunities have been given to it to produce fruit (Mark 11:12-25). God is now asking us to return to him begging us. Can you imagine God begging man? Instead of us begging him to accept us, he is now begging us to come back. We can recall what happened to Pharoah who hardened his heart. And many others like Judas Iscariot. If we harden our hearts today, tomorrow may be too late for us. Why not change today and begin to produce our own flowers that will turn to fruit in 30s, 60s and 100s. Thanks.

THURSDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

THURSDAY 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 2:1-3. 7-8. 12B

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:10-17

THEME: WHY THIS CHANGE?

We are made to know that our forefathers who first accepted this faith were travelling very far with their legs in order to attend masses and receive other sacraments. Today everything is now at our beck and call but we are no longer embracing them. Why the change?

God is asking us in the first reading through Jeremiah why we have left him the fountain of the living water.

The gospel has given us reasons for that. Because we have closed our hearts from accepting the word of God, we have closed our ears to hearing it, closed our eyes from seeing the workings of the word of God.

A man who lived in Lagos for years came back empty handed. His kinsmen paid for him to go and learn a work. He did that for two months and stopped (a work he should learn in three years). When he was asked the reason for that, he said that even the Bible said it that the rich shall become richer and the poor shall become poorer, that he sees no reason why he should suffer himself while the bible is in support of the situation. He closed up to all the words of admonitions and advice given to him by his kinsmen and friends. That is also our problem today. We take positions and say we cannot move again when we have many opportunities to move more.

The rich shall become richer and poor poorer is not just the literary understanding but it has a spiritual dimension. St. Augustine who noticed God late in his life became rich in the Lord and in order to become richer he shouted. “Oh have I known you late”. Those who have the knowledge of God will look for him the more and gain more of it but those who do not have and do not make effort to have, even the little they know will be taken away from them. This change towards evil is the result of our closed areas we should have opened. Let us open our hearts, minds, eyes, ears and every other places we can open for God and get richer in his knowledge and heaven will be ours. This change is not favourable to and for us. Thanks.

WEDNESDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

WEDNESDAY 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 1:1. 4-10

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:1-9

THEME: THOSE WHO WILL ACCEPT IT WILL BEAR MORE FRUIT.

Jeremiah the prophet was called by God to preach and prophesy to his people Israel. He wanted to run away from that by giving excuses for he knew what result prophets get. God promised to be with him. Now the problem is no more from Jeremiah but now on those whom he will preach and prophesy to. Will they accept it? It is this question that the gospel came to answer.

Some fell on the road, among thorns, on stones or rocks and on a good soil. Many that are messengers of God are now everywhere preaching and prophesying to us. How do we make our hearts ready for the message? Do we prepare it to be a road or thorns or rock or the good and fertile soil? The onus lies on us to make our hearts ready to accept and work with the word of the Lord which has been given to us by God.

A story circulated on social media one time ago about a Barber who said that God does not exist. His customer tried to argue with him but could not fine enough reason to back his argument up. The Barber talked about the moral decadence in the world as a proof that God does not exist. He said that, there are many priests, pastors and other preachers everywhere but evil still has upper hand in the world which shows that God does not exist. The customer left the shop after his barbing, outside he saw a man with bushy and dirty hair. He went back and told the Barber that Barbers do not exist. He said to him, I am a Barber who just barbed you now, and I exist how can you say that? He went out and brought that man with bushy and dirty hair and showed him to the Barber. He said, if barbers exist, why is it that people like this still exist? He told him that they have refused to come to them barbers to barb them, then the man told him also that those who commit all those sins have refused to accept the preaching of those men and women of God outside their. And that made the Barber to be humble and accept that God exists.

It is not that preachers are no more doing their works but it is our disposition that is very important and not long and rich homilies, reflections and every other things. Igbos do say, ma onye agwalu kwe. If the one addressed accepts it. Let us accept the word of God with faith today and work with it so that we shall bear more fruit and our fruit will last and salvation will be ours. Thanks.

TUESDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

TUESDAY 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: MICAH 7:14-15. 18-19

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 12:46-50

THEME: HE REMEMBERS HIS PEOPLE.

The topic of the first reading is “He will cast our sins into the depths of the sea”. If we remain steadfast in love of God and faith in him, he will remember us and cast our sins away. He is rich in mercy and abounding in love (Ephesians 2:4, Psalm 145:8 and 103:8). He has nothing to do with our sins. Once we show him that we are sorry, he welcomes us back.

Gospel still on the same point. Jesus said that those who do the will of his father are his mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. If you obey the will of God, he will remember you as one of his family members. He does not forget those who obey him and walk in his ways. Think of our blessed mother Virgin Mary who was the first to obey him in the New Testament (Luke 1:38), he himself obeyed her at the wedding of Cana (John 2:5). He will also obey our requests if we obey his dictates.

God does not forget his people no matter the situation. Israelites stayed many years in Egypt and when the time came, he remembered them. The whole earth was wallowing in sin and death, he remembered us and gave us his only begotten son to die for us (John 3:16). He is still doing it in our own time. Let us not relent in doing good and being God’s children, he does not forget his people. Thanks.

MONDAY 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.By Tobe Eze

MONDAY 16^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: MICAH 6:1-4. 6-8.

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 12:38-42

THEME: WHAT ELSE WILL GOD DO FOR US?

God in the first reading through the prophet Micah is asking us what again do we want from him. He has done many things for us but we have failed to recognize them.

Gospel also is following the same line. Some Jews asked Jesus for another sign when he had worked many wonders among them. I received a message through whatsApp one day which told a story about a rich man who fell sick and was rushed to the hospital. He used oxygen there. After his treatment, the bill was very high, when he asked why, he was told that it was because of the oxygen he used. The man started crying, he said, I am now 60 years old and since I was born, I have been using oxygen free but just for these two days I stayed here, I have to pay this amount for oxygen. He finally said, I AM OWING GOD.

Have we ever thought of all these free gifts of nature to us before asking God for more favours? ATR practitioners thank God, Ala, ancestors and their personal Chi every morning before doing anything. We Christians take them as candidates for hell. They may rise to condemn us on the last day or judgment day. We need to appreciate God for all he has done for us. He does not ask much from us. There is nothing that we will give him that will equate what he has done for us, what he is doing for us and what he will do for us. What else do we need from him? Remember some are lacking that which we have. To end with a story.

A man called Onumonu in my village. There was this holidays that I went home. I went to buy cement for my brother’s house that was under construction that time. I was to buy six bags and I was using lady’s motorcycle to carry them. I was carrying them two per a trip. I had to go there three times. When I was coming back for the first time, I met him with a cutlass, I stopped and greeted him and we discussed. He told me that he was going to get something for his goats. After the third one, I was washing the motorcycle when his two grandchildren came to my house crying. I scolded them for I knew them for doing that but they told me their father was dead. I thought it was their father not knowing that it was the man that I discussed with. When I rushed there, I saw him lying on a mat in his parlour. We rushed him to the hospital and the doctor confirmed him dead. What came to my mind that moment was just. I HAVE LIFE WHICH HE HAS NOT.  We have many things others do not have, we should thank God for them before asking for more. Thanks.

SATURDAY 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. ByTobe Eze

SATURDAY 15^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: MICAH 2:1-5

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 12:14-21

THEME: DO WE REMEMBER JUSTICE AT ALL?

Sometimes, after looking at what is happening in the world, one may ask, will anyone make heaven? We often pray against bribery and corruption in Nigeria pointing accusing fingers to our leaders and we are even worse than them. I have come to realize that many who shout that prayer are our major problems.

The first reading is seriously warning us of the evil we do to people especially those under us. Curse shall be upon us when we think about evils at night and execute them in the day. When we think about evil in the night of our hearts and execute them in the day of our actions. The poor in the reading are not majorly those who have no money or little money rather, those whom we oppress in one way or the other. Responsorial Psalm is reminding God not to forget the poor. If God remembers them, we that are oppressing them will be in trouble.

Gospel says that God’s son will make sure that victory comes. Are we going to be saved when it comes? Let us think deep in many ways we oppress people and relent from that. Snatching peoples’ lands, tress, animals, money, wives, children, parents and many other ways we do that.

A man from my place married a young beautiful lady. After few years of their marriage, the wife noticed that the man has a widow that he goes to every now and then. When he says he has nothing to give to the family, he goes to the widow and spend all. The wife has done all within her power but the widow has snatched him from the family. She came to me and told me about it. I recommended prayers and good behaviour towards her husband which she does. She latter called me and said that there is a little change.

Let us today go back to our God who is the God of justice and work towards the path of justice so that we will not be condemned but gain life everlasting. Thanks.