2nd Sunday of Advent Year C. By Tobe Eze

2^nd Sunday of Advent Year C.

First Reading

Baruch 5:1-9

Second Reading

Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11

Gospel

Luke 3:1-6

THEME: CUTTING AND LEVELING OF OUR ROADS.

In my village, every last Saturday of October every year is a day of repairing our village roads. After repairing the road, many things that do block the road will be cut and potholes will be filled. Gutters will be constructed again to avoid water flowing on the road. After doing that, everywhere will be looking good and it will be appreciated by all who use the road. After sometime into the year, before the last Saturday in October, our roads will get worse and it will become difficult for people using vehicles to use them. My persons thought of what should be done to solve the problem, they thought of having the repairing twice in a year but people objected, because of coming home and going back to different places where they live. After a long argument, a conclusion was reached that after every three months, those living in the village should help and fill those potholes to help the road not getting worst. They started it but another problem came out. Before that three months, there may be a heavy rain once or twice and it will wipe out the whole thing and the road will get worse again. Another solution has to be brought out and that solution is now helping everyone. They reached the conclusion that, anyone that erosion destroys the road before his house should repay it, not waiting till three months or whatever but with immediate effect and that has brought a wonderful solution to the problem. During the general repairing of roads, the work will be very small and all will do that happily and go. Why this story? Continue Reading.......................

1st Sunday of Advent Year C. By Tobe Eze

1st Sunday of Advent Year C.

FIRST READING
Jeremiah 33:14—16

SECOND READING
1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2

GOSPEL
Luke 21:25—28, 34—36

THEME: THE SALVATION GOD PLANNED FOR US.

God destined us not for retribution but to win salvation through Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:1). He planned for our salvation before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This is the time we always expect that promise in Christ Jesus.

God said in the first reading through the prophet Jeremiah says, “The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah”. That his plan of salvation for humanity is what he is telling us today being the first Sunday of Advent. A time when we prepare for the commemoration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Advent is a time for preparation for the coming of our saviour. It is not that we don’t prepare ourselves other times but we do it more now. 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.............