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..........

New Year Vigil Mass. By Tobe Eze

 

1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27

2nd Reading: Galatians 4:4-7

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

Theme: Life in the Appointed Time.

When is the appointed time? We know that God’s time is eternal and not just numerical (Kairos and not Chronos). What shall we see and we will know that the appointed time is here? Before we go into answering these questions, let us make this point clear. The church has no liturgical readings for this night but the church knowing the importance of using the highest prayer she has to welcome a new year and a new time permits the vigil mass of a New Year and she uses the readings of the solemnity of Mary Mother of God. Continue Reading...........

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Feast). Year B. By Tobe Eze

 

1st Reading: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3

2nd Reading: Hebrews 11:8. 11-12. 17-19

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

Theme: Family life; A Journey of Faith

Often people like to attract pity by telling ugly stories about there families. Some would also be positive sometimes in telling stories about their families. Whichever one we have chosen to tell; we should always bear in mind that faith is required in every family. Faith in God and your family members. Again, we here every now and then that this is not what I bargained for in family issues, no one can know everything about his or her family before being in the family (especially husbands and wives). We may have in our heads prototype of families we would want ours to be like, only to go in and start seeing different things altogether. It is a journey of faith. Continue Reading..........

Christmas Day: Mass During the Day. Year B. By Tobe Eze

 

1st Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

2nd Reading Hebrews 1:1-6

Gospel: John 1:1-18

Theme: The Word was made Flesh; but it is finding it Difficult to Dwell among Us.

We have come again to continue the celebration we started previous night. In the night, we talked about Joy, despite the situation we have found ourselves. It is the continuation of this message of joy that we have gathered here to share. Continue Reading..........

Christmas Vigil Mass Year B. By Tobe Eze

 

1st Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

2nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

Theme: Joy, Despite the Situation

Every year, with great joy we await Christmas no matter the situation. Children often enjoy the season because of many goods they get but the joy of parents would always come with responsibilities. This year’s own responsibilities are like it has never been experienced because of the situation in the country, even children will feel it. Some of us may have wished this Christmas to have been shifted to know if things would get better, but here we are, this is Christmas. Just like we pointed out during the homily of the fourth Sunday of Advent Year B about things we would have loved to have achieved this year but could not. People find it very difficult to eat now talk more of footing other needs and here is Christmas again with many loads of expenses. Watching the situation we are into, we may be tempted to say, there is nothing to celebrate this year. Continue Reading..........

4th Sunday of Advent Year B. By Tobe Eze

 4th Sunday of Advent Year B. By Tobe Eze

1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5. 8b-12. 14a. 16

2nd Reading: Romans 16:25-27

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Theme: The Intention to House God.

Every voluntary action of any human being is first of all intended before the actual execution of that act. Both our good and bad actions are intended insofar they are being done willingly. We think before doing any of them and that makes us different from other animals. If this is true, then, our intentions count in a great manner in whatever we do or say. As we have seen the place of intention in our actions, we need to ask ourselves certain questions about our intentions on certain issues and decisions we make especially this period of preparation. Continue Reading...........

Solemnity of Christ the King Year B. By Tobe Eze

Solemnity of Christ the King Year B.

FIRST READING
Daniel 7:13—14

SECOND READING
Revelation 1:5—8

GOSPEL
John 18:33b—37

THEME: A GENTLE KING.

When we were growing up, when I was still in the secondary school. Our Parish (when we were still in our mother parish) encouraged us to be going for joint prayer. Each station should bring out a day in a week when they go to one of the Block Rosary centres in their station. It should continue to rotate among the centres. It will help to strengthen the centres in the station. I was the president of my own centre. One day when we were going for the joint prayer, during Akatakpa masquerade’s festival, we met one of them on the way. The children I was with wanted to run but I calmed them down. The Akatakpa ran towards us to scare me so that he will scatter us and beat those he can. I continued telling those kids not to move that nothing will happen. When it came closer enough and noticed that we were not moved, it turned and went to another direction. The next day, the boy in the masquerade came to me and asked me what gave me that courage as young as I was then. I told him, as a leader I had to, had it been I moved, what would have been the fate of those kids? In other to rule, you have to show your subject that you can protect them from prevailing dangers. Why the story? It is not that it is equal to whom Jesus is to us and what he did for us but just to show how he supports us in all our hard times. Continue Reading......................

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Daniel 12:1—3

SECOND READING
Hebrews 10:11—14, 18

GOSPEL
Mark 13:24—32

THEME: WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUNDS, WHERE SHALL WE GO?

The way we cherish this life we are living is making some to ask, are we still going to die? You will see an old man about 90-120 years still praying for long life and good health. What other long life is he looking for? It is not evil to pray for long life and good health but where the problem lies is on how we go about it. We are more interested in this passing life more than the everlasting life. Why this intro? The church in her wisdom is bringing to our consciousness the things of the end of time or eschatology through the three readings of today.

The first reading is telling us about those who did well and those that did not. It ended with these words, "But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendour of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever." The question now is, do we lead people to justice or jungle? Do we lead peace or pieces? These are the questions we should ask ourselves to know where we are going. Continue Reading...............

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B By Tobe Eze

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

 FIRST READING

1 Kings 17:10—16

SECOND READING
Hebrews 9:24—28

GOSPEL
Mark 12:38—44

THEME: A POWERFUL SACRIFICE.

After looking at what sacrifice means, David in 2Samuel 24:24 said, I will not offer to my God a holocaust that cost me nothing. Which means, every sacrifice we make must take something from us. In the African traditional religion, a deity (arusi) demands certain sacrifices from its worshipers from time to time. Sometimes this sacrifice will be too much for the person and he will be running around to see how he/she will meet up with it. In our own time or our own religion, our Lord do not demand a particular sacrifice from us any longer but a sacrifice that comes from the heart. Sometimes it may be prescribed for us by a prophet or a genuine representative of God and we are expected to accept it in good faith. And this will lead me into the first reading. Continue Reading................................

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 6:2—6

SECOND READING
Hebrews 7:23—28

GOSPEL
Mark 12:28b—34

THEME: OBEDIENCE IS THE WAY TO LIFE.

In the year 2016, I was at a place called Umualor in Isi-uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. The place is a swampy area. During rainy season, everywhere is filled with water. One day I went to the Parish Priest to collect his motorcycle to go somewhere within the parish. He told me to follow the place others have been following, no matter how I think the place is deep and there are many other dried places to follow, I should not make that mistake. When I left, I reached a place. The type of hole other Motorcycles follow, I was thinking that it was too deep for me to follow. I looked around and I saw another place I thought was dry. When I tried following there, my motorcycle sank in, when I stepped my feet on the ground to help the situation, my feet also sank into the mud. The thing destroyed my sandals. Why this story?  Had it been I obeyed the Parish Priest, I would not have suffered that. Continue Reading..........................

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

 FIRST READING

Jeremiah 31:7—9

SECOND READING
Hebrews 5:1—6

GOSPEL
Mark 10:46—52

THEME: LET US THROW AWAY OUR TROUBLES FOR THE LORD HAS COME TO SAVE US.

In a certain place, there was this poor palm wine tapper. He has been struggling since his youth. One day as he was going about his normal wine tapping, a rich man stopped his car before him. He was wondering whom that person maybe. When the man came down from his car, he greeted the poor man as a friend but he could not recognize him. After the introduction, it was his classmate from the neighbouring village.  They hugged themselves and exchanged necessary pleasantries. After the greetings, the rich man brought out two bundles of money and gave it to the poor man.  Out of joy he threw away his climbing rope.  After everything, he left it there and went home with the money.  He used it for investment and it helped him to become an average man in the society. He did not stick to his palm wine tapping rather he changed and became a better person. Continue Reading................

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 53:10—11

SECOND READING
Hebrews 4:14—16

GOSPEL
Mark 10:35—45

THEME: WE ALL WILL SHARE IN THE SUFFERING.

A woman met me one day and told me that she is tired of being a Christian.  I asked her why and she said.  I have been in agony for years now.  My husband is a drunkard and my children are not all that moving well in their areas of businesses. If it were when we were pagans, I would have promised one deity one or two things and things would have changed. Brother, God is inconsiderate. After listening to her, I preached to her and made her to know the kind of love God has for us, that she should just give God chance in her life and family and she will see the goodness of the Lord. Continue Reading..........

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

 First Reading

Wisdom 7:7-11

Second Reading

Hebrews 4:12-13

Gospel 10:17-30

THEME: THE WORD OF GOD IS ALL WE NEED; WE SHOULD HAVE IT.

In the beginning was the word, the word was with God and the word was God (John 1:1). I am the living bread, anyone who eats my body and drink my blood will have eternal life… (John 6:48-58).

The word of God is wisdom itself and anyone who has it has gotten a treasure that is above all. Seek you first the kingdom of God and its riches and every other thing shall be added onto you (Matthew 6:33). The word of God when accepted whole heartedly, comes with many other gifts that will help one to live long. Today’s readings present three forms this word of God can be. Continue Reading...........

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
FIRST READING

Genesis 2:18—24

SECOND READING
Hebrews 2:9—11

GOSPEL
 Mark 10:2—16

THEME: COMPANIONSHIP FIRST.

According to Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Ugwu (Fr. Natty Reggae), “marriage is between two managers that manage themselves very well”. In marriage, man and woman manage each other for they are different people with different strengths and weaknesses. They were born in different places and brought up differently. Even if they did courtship for 10 years, it is not enough to know all about themselves. Life changes with age or time. This is why man and woman who are in a marriage or who are planning to go into marriage should bear in mind that they are different persons coming to be joined together. Understanding is the key to good management of marriage. Continue Reading.............

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B. By Tobe Eze

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Numbers 11:25—29

SECOND READING
James 5:1—6

GOSPEL
Mark 9:38—43, 45, 47—48

THEME: THE TRUE SPIRIT.

The true spirit of God or the Holy Spirit falls on those God wills to receive the spirit. It is not our own making for a particular person or group of persons to receive the Holy Spirit. There are different gifts from the Holy Spirit as St. Paul pointed out in (1 Corinthians 12). Those gifts are meant for the well-being of human race. These gifts can be received by anyone as God wills. Continue Reading.............

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

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Wisdom 2:12, 17—20

SECOND READING
James 3:16—4:3

GOSPEL
Mark 9:30—37

THEME: GLORIES THAT FOLLOW SUFFERINGS.

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

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

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

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 50:4c—9a

SECOND READING
James 2:14—18

GOSPEL
Mark 8:27—35

THEME: FAITH IS BEYOND THE WORDS OF THE MOUTH.

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

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

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

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 35:4—7a

SECOND READING
James 2:1—5

GOSPEL
Mark 7:31—37

THEME: BE A SOURCE OF JOY NOT SORROW.

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

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

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

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 4:1—2, 6—8

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

GOSPEL
Mark 7:1—8, 14—15, 21—23

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

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

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

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.

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

SECOND READING

Ephesians 5:21—32

GOSPEL
John 6:60—69

THEME: THE CHURCH IS NOT A RESTING PLACE.

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