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

SEX IS SWEET BUT... By Tobe Eze

 SEX IS SWEET BUT...

Have you ever wondered why God carefully positioned a membrane of blood in a lady’s sexual opening? It is a tiny membrane that partially or completely covers the opening of the vagina. It is called the “HYMEN”. Why would God-Our Maker put a breakable tissue full of blood at the very door of the sexual opening of the female? Why is it so carefully placed at that entrance, like a ribbon tied at the entrance of a new house about to be launched? Why is it filled with blood that spills away when it is broken? Why? Without doubt, the HYMEN IS A GATE! It was God (our creator) who set that blood- filled vessel there as a covenant blockage, a sign and a token of a covenant between the bearer and whoever plunges into her opening. Before God, the dis-virginity of a lady is not a casual act of fun. It is a serious covenant struck and confirmed by the blood shed on that day. This is God’s way of saying, “Whoever plunges into this woman shall only be able to do so by making a blood covenant to be joined to her for the rest of his life, from that point onward. Little wonder why sexual intercourse was designed by God to take place only and only after the marriage contract is sealed. The one who made the body (the hormones, organs, nerves, tissues, e.t.c) God said it in clear terms, the body is not for fornication”. Anyone who chooses to use the body for fornication must know that he/ she is working directly against God’s plan and there would definitely be a consequence either now or at old age! There is a spiritual bonding, a supernatural process that takes place in a lady’s heart to the first guy that enters in to her especially at that particular time when the hymen breaks. There is no covenant without blood: this is why the membrane contains enough of it. As a matter of fact, what happens the first time a lady has sex is not just sex but an immersion and a bathing of the man with her hymen blood to initiate a covenant that is highly recognized in the spirit realm of both light and darkness! The first time this happens just marks her opening day covenant ceremony and each subsequent experience goes on to further refresh or strengthen that covenant or establish another version of it with another person. Continue Reading

The Kirikiri Sermon (A letter to all Ladies) By Amadi Brendan

The Author.

The Kirikiri Sermon (A letter to all Ladies)

From Brendan Amadi, Sunday 15th January 2017.

Her journey on the highway of life had been a long walk to perdition. She had not always been a persona non grata, as she had found herself in the recent past. (Excerpt from Akachi adimora Ezeigbo's novel "Trafficked). For those of you who spend their youthful stage meeting and sleeping from one man to another in search of money and sexual pleasure! Just know you are extremely entering into a strong covenant with the DEVIL who in partnership will captivate your destiny, blessings, success and carriers in life. 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

FOR COUPLES AND THOSE ABOUT TO GET MARRIED By Tobe Eze

FOR COUPLES AND THOSE ABOUT TO GET MARRIED

.

FOR OUR MEN:

Carry your wife to the bed when she sleeps off in the sitting room, make her feel like a baby at times. The truth is, every woman wants to be treated like a 2yrs old girl at times, that's why women behave childish or silly at times. You may have an argument with your wife and the next thing is that you will see her putting her bags outside the house, it doesn't mean she is asking for a divorce, she is just being childish, she simply wants you to hold her, look her in the eyes and say "I am sorry for the argument". That's women for you. Every brother needs to study in the University of Women before getting married, read books about them, learn what the Bible says about them and you will hardly have a problem with them. 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