8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

FIRST READING Isaiah 49:14—15

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 4:1—5

GOSPEL
Matthew 6:24—34

THEME: HE REMEMBERS US IN ALL OUR SITUATIONS

Will mother forget her child? Even if she forgets, I will not forget you. This is promise of God to us. He is our Lord and God. He cares for us and provides for us. We should fear not. It is out of fear that we sometimes judge our neighbours, but St. Paul in the second reading tells us not to judge. Be still and know that I am the Lord. One with God is majority. If you are with God nothing will harm you, there is nothing to fear about. Fear not for he is with us. First reading tells us that he will provide all our good needs. St. Paul said that, it is now the time for us to show our stewardship in Christ.

How do we show that stewardship? By obeying the law. What are the laws? The greatest commandment is love. If we love, there is nothing more that is expected of us. It is in love that we find hope, it is in love that we find joy, it is in love that we find prosperity, it is in love that forgiveness lives. Every good things are born out of love. If there is love among us there will be no fear. Where there is no love, every other vices live there.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that he cares for us more than every other creature. He is our father. Our good father. He has every good things in him, let us imitate, emulate and photocopy him. Let us answer oyiri Nna for our father is good. Oyiri Nna (Carbon copy of the father) is only good when the father is a good person. Because our father is good we should answer it, and if you cannot be like the father please do not answer it and remember those that he cares and provides for are those who are like him. Ndị nke ya n' eziokwu. In fear sometimes we lose our names.

Most times we fear too much that we don’t even remember God again and what we may be fearing for may be something too small. Continue Reading

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

FIRST READING
Leviticus 19:1—2, 17—18

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 3:16—23

GOSPEL
Matthew 5:38—48

THEME: WE ALL ARE FOR CHRIST.

Christ is God and God is Holy. If we are for Christ, that means, we should be Holy. Holiness is not doing extraordinary things but doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

How do we do ordinary things in an extraordinary way? Do everything in love and with love. Once we put love first in everything we do, we are doing them in an extraordinary way. Love should be in the centre of our lives. Christ is God and God is love, so we should also be love. Where love abides holiness lives in full there. Holiness of spirit and body. We are to be Holy for our heavenly father is Holy. When we say that he is Holy, we are just limiting him to a point. He is Holiness itself. And we should be holy as his children.

St. Augustine propounded the theory of Rationale seminale that is. God left a genre in creatures that make them procreate their different species. A goat cannot beget a fish. If we are really children of God, and God is holy, he that is holy can only give birth to another who is holy, which means, we to be holy. Continue Reading

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

 FIRST READING

Sirach 15:15—20

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 2:6—10

GOSPEL

 Matthew 5:17—37

THEME: WHO IS FREE TO SIN?

Let us start from the meaning of sin. What is sin? Sin is an immoral act considered to be transgression against the divine law. Sin is saying No where God said yes and saying Yes where God said no. Putting God after instead of putting him first. Ndị Igbo sị na Onye buru Chi ya ụzọ, ọgbagbuo onwe ya na ọsọ.

How can we sin? We have sin of commission and sin of omission. Sin of commission is when we act against the Ten Commandments if God which centered on thou shall not do, the six commandments of the Church which centered on thou shall do. Sin of omission is when we leave the good deeds we should do and do otherwise. James 4:17 says Therefore, if anyone knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him. But we usually forget this sin of omission. This is where we committee many times. Continue Reading

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. By Tobe Eze

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 58:7—10

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 2:1—5

GOSPEL
Matthew 5:13—16

THEME: CHARITY BRINGS BLESSINGS.

Salt cannot claim that it is sweet without acting on the tongue or been used in cooking or anyplace it works. It is not sweet in the container that is containing it. Light cannot say that it is light when it is not shining. A led torch that the battery is off can see nothing at night, so it is not light unless it is charged. We cannot claim to be salts of the earth without showing how salty we are. We cannot claim that we are the light of the world without shining out the light. Jesus told us today in the Gospel that if salt looses it saltiness it will be trampled upon. If we loose our saltiness there is no other option than to throw us away and trample upon us. If we as a light (led torch) spoils. The next option is to throw us away. We all know salt as a substance that is sweet, but after looking at our lives and behaviours, one will just conclude that we are no more sweet but sour and bitter. Light as we all know dispels darkness but, we are now distributing the darkness which we should dispel. Ndụ anyị bụzị ndụ rụrụ ịnyị. Ọchịchịrị bụ ihe n' apụtazị ihe n' ndụ anyị, ọbụghịzị ihe. The worse is that it is most among Christians. If we cannot trust Christians again, who shall we trust? Ebe ọbụzị ndị ụka n' emebiri anyị ihe, onye ka anyị ga agakwuru? To whom shall we go? We claim that we are the holiest on earth, we claim that we are the best people God created but all sot of evil are found within us. Witches are many in the Church, wizards are many in the church, murderers of all kinds, thieves in its fullness, fornicators, adulterers and every evil in the church. How can we shine to others light while we have all these vices? How can we tell others to come and take opposite of salt in the name of salt. We have lost that salt nature in us. Continue Reading

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

FIRST READING Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12—13

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 1:26—31

GOSPEL
Matthew 5:1—12a

THEME: HUMILITY IS NECESSARY.

Humility is all about self control. It is only to control ourselves from seeking the earthly things more than heavenly things. The characteristic of being humble or humbleness in character and behavior is humility. Bringing yourself to the level you should be, not placing yourself where you think you should be. You may think that, this position is for you, but you don’t know it is meant for another. Please wait for it to be given to you. Nwa ewu gbuo ikpere, ọṅụọ nne ya ara.

Where is the position of humility now in our lives? Can we still get it in our lives? The first reading tells us to search for humility. Blessings reach those who are humble faster than every other person. The effects of absence of humility in our lives has caused us a lot. Many have missed fortunes because of lack of humility. Many boys have missed many opportunities in this life because of lack of humility. In our world today, what you will wish a girl and she will never forget you again is RICH HUSBAND and many of them have missed the opportunity of getting to those dreams they want them to come true. I know of a boy in my place who missed opportunity if learning a particular hand work because of pride. AFTER LOOKING AT ME, YOU THINK I CAN BRING MYSELF LOW TO THIS EXTENT. I ……………. TO BE A PLUMBER? You are joking. But what happened in the Bible repeated itself there. His position another should take. (Acts 1:20) Another person took the position immediately and is now doing well and the other is still going about in the village impregnating young girls and all types of evil acts. Also of a girl who insulted a man who came to seek for her hand in marriage, because the man was not rich. But after two years HIGH TENSION WIRE passed through the man's land and government paid him enough money which he used to start life and is now doing well with his wife but the other is still doing Agụ Aunty in the village. Many stories about this humility have been going around everywhere. We cannot tell all with the words of mouth. Continue Reading

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

 FIRST READING

Isaiah 8:23—9:3

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 1:10—13, 17

GOSPEL
Matthew 4:12—23

THEME: ONENESS IS THE ONLY WAY OUT.

Oneness is the fact or state of being unified or whole, though comprised of two or more parts. Jesus himself prayed to God that they may be one. First reading recorded that those who are in darkness have seen light. It did not say he who is in darkness. In the second reading St. Paul also talked about the same oneness. For the people of Corinth were saying that some belong to Paul while others were to Apollos. Paul and Apollos were preaching one person whom everything has been united in him. In the Gospel Jesus was able to get his first apostles because they were together. Where two or more gather in my name, I am there with you. (Matthew 18:20). He did not say where one is alone in my name, I am there with you. But this does not mean that Jesus cannot be with one who is praying to him alone. Continue Reading

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A By Tobe Eze

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
Isaiah 49:3, 5—6

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 1:1—3

GOSPEL
John 1:29—34

THEME: CAN HIS GLORY BE REVEALED THROUGH US?

After looking at the world of today, this question will come to my mind. CAN HIS GLORY BE REVEALED IN THE WORLD AGAIN?  Luke Ezeji in one of his songs said Ụwa agworụwo ka mmiri. The world has turn to another thing all together. Ụwa Chukwu kere chọọ ya mma. A world that God made so beautiful. Isaiah in the first reading said. “The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory”. Who is the Lord going to say again to, l will show my glory through you?  When everything is turning to the negative side. Ọbụ onye ka aga agakwuru? In the second reading, Paul was called by the will of God. Who else will the will of God call? In the Gospel the glory was revealed through John who said “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”.  Who can the true spirit talk to us through? We have many men and women of God everywhere now. Who is the one God is using? Ngwere nile makpu amakpu, anyị amaghị nke afọ n’ arụ. Mechanics are now making it difficult for us to know mad men. But the truth remains that if we are sincere to God and ourselves, we still know the truth. I think I once saw in the Bible where it is written, Give without charge for you received without charge (Matthew 10:8). All these people claiming they are revealing the glory of God, and are more conscious of their pockets more than salvation of souls, are they still the ones God is using to show his glory? Did they receive without charge? Ike gwuru.  We that troop to them know the truth but are hiding in the shadow of magic done in the name if miracle. 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

Christmas Mass During the Day By Tobe Eze

Mass During the Day

FIRST READING
Isaiah 52:7—10

SECOND READING
Hebrews 1:1—6

GOSPEL
Longer Form John 1:1—18

THEME: CHRISTMAS OF JOY.

This is Christmas, let us shout Alleluia, this is Christmas, let us shout Hosanna. Christmas is back again. Since four weeks we have been preparing for this very day. This day is a great day to the Church and the whole world. Christ is born to us, Glory be to God. Christmas is for all, not for only Christians. Those who say it is not for them also notice it and also obey it. I went to the market to buy wrist watch. When I approached an Hausa man popularly called ABOKI to bargain for it, he told me #1200. I asked him why and he answered. “This is season, Christmas is at the corner. When you also meet those practicing African Traditional Religion (ATR) they also repeat the same thing. Which means it is for all. But all these are physical things. This Christmas of Joy, how joyful is it when many around us are in agony and we can liberate them from it? How joyful is it, when the one who offended us since last year, we are yet to forgive them and not even ready to forgive? (Ikpe mụ na gị bụzị n’ eligwu) How joyful is it, when our neighbours, friends, blood brothers or sisters and relations etc have nothing to use in this Christmas and we have more than required and still we don’t want to help out in this situation? Christ brings Joy to the world. Continue Reading

4th Sunday of Advent Year A By Tobe Eze

4th Sunday of Advent Year A

FIRST READING
Isaiah 7:10—14

SECOND READING
Romans 1:1—7

GOSPEL
Matthew 1:18—24

THEME: DO NOT FEAR, HE IS WITH US.

In the first reading Ahaz noticed that the Lord is with him and he said "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!" DO WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THE LORD IS WITH US THESE DAYS? In the second reading St. Paul also recognized that the Lord is with him and he said “Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God”. He made himself a slave because he knew that one with God is majority. In the Gospel, Joseph also noticed the presence of God through the Angel that came to him in his dream, and he acted according to the words of the Angel for he knows it is the word of God. Joseph passed through hardship provided he protects the child and mother. A righteous man like him passed through those hardships. As children of God, are we to encounter any disturbing thing in life as Joseph did? Some of our Christians today say that in Matthew 11:28-30 the Bible said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  That Jesus did not plane for his people to pass through any disturbing thing in life. Jesus in this chapter and verses of the Bible did not mean that we are going to enjoy painless life. Continue Reading

3rd Sunday of Advent Year A Gaudate Sunday. By Tobe Eze

3rd Sunday of Advent Year A Gaudate Sunday.

FIRST READING Isaiah 35:1—6a, 10

SECOND READING
James 5:7—10

GOSPEL
Matthew 11:2—11

THEME: BE PATIENT, HE IS COMING WITH JOY.

Because of the joy he will bring to us, the Holy Mother Church named today GAUDATE SUNDAY. The name "Gaudete Sunday" is taken from the words of the introit, Gaudete in Domino semper, "rejoice in the Lord always." The Scriptural basis for this Sunday comes from Philippians 4:4,5. Similar to Laetare Sunday during Lent, Gaudete Sunday is a minor "break" from the more penitential nature of the Advent season, and signals a shift from a penitential style of waiting to a more joyful tone. In the past, when organs and flowers were forbidden during the Advent Season, they were permitted during Gaudete Sunday. Because of the more joyful tone of Gaudete Sunday, rose colored (pink) vestments may be used instead of the normal violet ones. Also, the rose colored Advent candle is lit. Continue Reading

2nd Sunday of Advent Year A By Tobe Eze

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A

FIRST READING

Isaiah 11:1—10

SECOND READING

Romans 15:4—9

GOSPEL

Matthew 3:1—12

THEME: HE IS COMING FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE.

He is the Prince of peace. He comes to give peace, peace that last. In the Communion Rite of the Eucharistic celebration the Church recognized Jesus as the Prince of peace with his words “Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. (Udo ka mụ n' ahapụrụ unu, udo nkem ka mụ n' enye unu, elekwala anya na njọ anyị kama lekwasa anya n' okwukwe nke nzụkọ gị, nye ya udo na ịdịkọ n' otu mgbe nile dịka Uche gị siri chọọ. Gị bụ onye dị ndụ na achị ebebe ebebe”.) In the first reading, we can see the peace that will come on that day. Peace even among animals. Coming to us the people of God, some of us are more deadly than those animals mentioned in the first reading. But this coming of Christ can change many things. Some individuals are even dangerous to themselves talk more to others. Some Families are fighting more than those animals mentioned in the first reading. Coming to communities, it will be worse. In the first reading, despite how dangerous all those animals mentioned are, when the day comes, Continue Reading

1st Sunday of Advent Year A By Tobe Eze

1st Sunday of Advent Year A

FIRST READING

Isaiah 2:1—5

SECOND READING

Romans 13:11—14

GOSPEL

Matthew 24:37—44

THEME: IT WILL BE A SURPRISE TO US.

Advent as we all know is the preparation of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The three readings are telling us about the coming of the Son of Man. The first reading tells us “In days to come, the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills”. The days of the Son of Man will glorify God. Coming of the Son of Man is no more coming in flesh but coming into our hearts, into our Spirits. When a recognized personnel wants to visit us, we prepare in a very big way. We try to please the person through what we prepare for the person. Let in the same way or even more than that prepare for the day of the Son of Man. Last Sunday we were shouting in the top of our voices proclaiming Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Continue Reading