Great Leaders are Prayer Warriors.

Homily for August 1, 2017

When we talk about leadership, our minds often go quickly to people in high positions of authority such as the President, Governors, Senators etc. but the fact is we are all leaders.

Leadership is not a matter of titles but a matter of influence.

In the parable of the weeds among the wheat, we can see that there are different kinds of people in the world. The good seed represents those of us who believe in God and are children of the kingdom while the weeds represent the children of the world who love to perpetuate evil.

As much as we live side by side with evil doers, we are supposed to be leaders in our own little ways. Each time we stand up for what is right rather than simply joining the crowd, we are being great leaders.

But often times, we are too timid, too shy and too afraid to stand up for the values we believe in; we allow the weeds take over while the wheat in us suffers.

Leading others is not easy. Sometimes, like Moses, you may find yourself alone against the crowd. Moses was just one man yet as one man, he was able to bring an entire nation to repentance from their idolatry.

Upon returning from the mountain with the stone tablets, Moses could have decided to keep his mouth in timidity since the crowd outnumbered him. He could have given in to pressure like the weak Aaron who fashioned a golden calf for them. But then, Moses stood his ground, he stood for what was right even if it was not popular.

Moses did not believe in the dictum: “if you can’t beat them, join them.” Instead, he beat them until all them turned around to join him. This is leadership. It is swimming against the tide, against the current and eventually changing the current itself.

Yes, leadership is not easy but there is secret key to successful leadership. It is PRAYER. Great leaders are prayer warriors. As a man, Moses was very weak, he lacked physical strength having passed his youthful age. But the success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God.

Every good leader must have a tent of meeting with God. Every good leader must have the habit of going up to the mountain to consult with God. If we must lead others, let us know that Leadership involves power and power comes only from God.

If we are not in tune with God by daily prayer, adoration, visitation to the Blessed Sacrament, we are basically powerless. Without God in our lives, the weeds could suck up our nutrients and we who are wheat produce poor harvest.

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Alphonsus Maria de’Ligori, the founder of the Order of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He was an Italian Catholic Bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher and theologian. He was born on 27^th of September, 1696 and died on this day 1^st of August, 1787 at Pagini, in Italy.

Amongst his favourite quotes include: Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends. Your God is ever beside you - indeed, He is even within you.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, equip me each day to be a better leader. Amen. St. Alphonsus, Pray for us.

Happy New Month. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 17^th week in Ordinary Time. Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori. Bible Study: Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5B-9, 28 and Matthew 13:36-43). 

The Seed of Holiness

Homily for July 31, 2017

Sin is defined as an offence against God. And since the world does not want to hear about God (Divine authority), it prefers to use the word ‘bad’ (indicative of freedom and choice).

We live in an age where sinful actions are advertised, openly displayed and people made to take pride in them without seeing anything wrong in them. If I call somebody a sinner, he or she could take it as an insult, but if I call that person a ‘bad guy’, he or she would smile and be happy.

When Aaron fashioned the golden calf, the people did not see anything wrong with it. They bowed and worshipped it, they even danced around it and engaged in orgies. There was no shame in them just as the people of our age are fast losing a sense of shame.

But then, see how our first reading ends. God says: “When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Sin is sin and it always attracts punishment yet we know God is merciful. How foolish we would be if we deliberately sin just because we are aware of his mercy?

If you always pardon your child each time he or she does something bad, how would you react if that child deliberately continues doing it and even laughs at you when you try to correct him? You be the judge.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a mustard seed which appears to be the smallest of all seeds but eventually becomes the biggest of all shrubs. Character begins with little habitual acts. To become the person of your dreams, you have to start with very little acts of goodness and holiness. Whatever good we do this day is like a seed the eventually grows shaping us into saints in the future.

Today we remember St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus also known as the Jesuits. Ignatius was on his way to military fame and fortune when a cannon ball shattered his leg. Because there were no books of romance on hand during his convalescence (healing process in the hospital), he whiled away the time reading the life of Christ and lives of the saints. His conscience was deeply touched, and a long, painful turning to Christ began.

Ignatius was a true mystic. He centered his spiritual life on the essential foundations of Christianity—the Trinity, Christ, the Eucharist. His spirituality is expressed in the Jesuit motto, ad majorem Dei gloriam—“for the greater glory of God.” He is the Patron of Retreats.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live a good life. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 17^th week in Ordinary Time. Memorial of St. Ignatius Bible Study: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 and Matthew 13:21-35).*

Fr. Abu. 

The State of Grace.

Homily for July 27, 2017

If you have been to any Catholic Church on a typical Sunday, you probably must have heard this announcement during the mass: Holy Communion is for baptised and practicing Catholics; only those who are in a State of Grace can come forward. If you do not belong to this category, please remain at your seat and pray for spiritual communion.

When we Catholics talk about being in a state of grace, what do we mean?

The origin of the concept of State of Grace comes from today’s first reading. The Israelites had successfully left the land of slavery. They had seen the mighty hand of God at work in making a way through the waters. Yet, they had the effrontery to grumble against God as if God could not provide for them.

So, at this point, God wants to reveal himself to them. God wants to let them know that he is not just a figment of imagination. But first, God instructs Moses that the people must prepare themselves. How?

And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, and be ready by the third day; for on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” Exodus 19:10-11.

By asking them to wash their garments, God was basically asking them to put themselves in a State of Grace. To see God, we must wash, we must purify our hearts, we must confess our sins to a priest and be sincerely sorry for them, indeed, we must wash not only our outer garments but the interior garments of our hearts.

No wonder some people find it very difficult to pray, no wonder some are always distracted during mass. The thing is, their hearts are over occupied with thousands upon thousands of junks (financial worries, children issues, political matters, etc.) that there is no longer any room for God at all. It is such persons that Jesus was referring to in our Gospel passage when he said:

“You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.' Matthew 13:14-16 

In other words, being in a State of Grace can be likened to washing and removal. It is when we wash that we can see clearly. If the Israelites would prepare themselves for God, then I too must prepare myself to take Holy Communion

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill me without your anointing that I may never depart from the state of Grace. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 16^th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20 and Matthew 13:10-17).

Effective Parenting: Nurturing Rich Soils in Kids.

Homily for July 26, 2017

Last weekend, something rather disheartening happened in Edo State. It was the day fixed for the Primary School leaving certificate examinations. The Governor of the State decided to pay surprise visits to some of the centres.  

Lo and behold, the Governor caught some Teachers right inside the examination hall copying answers to the children. In fact, in another centre, he saw parents struggling to enter the hall by force to help their children copy.

How can a whole father or mother go as far as accompanying their child to an examination hall to ensure they assist the child to pass through examination malpractice? Is it not shameful enough that a child could even conceive of malpractice? That parents would now go all the way to “block,” even to jump fence on their children’s behalf is just beyond comprehension.

This incidence really calls to question the nature of parenting in our society today. How are we bringing up our children? Do we realize that the future of our country depends on the sound moral and spiritual foundation we lay in our kids?

If as parents we now teach and encourage our children to commit malpractice in examinations, how do we make them understand that kidnapping, prostitution, bribery, armed robbery, telling of lies and other vices are wrong?

Today we celebrate Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That this feast exists at all shows that no children can ever be successful without the cooperation and assistance of good parents. Yes, Joachim and Anne brought up their daughter very well such that God was so pleased with Mary and decided to make her his own mother.

A child who is well brought up is the glory of his parents. As our Gospel passage today explains, the nature of the soil determines the nature of the harvest. Let us bear in mind that our role as parents is to cultivate and constantly manure good soils in the heart of our children so that God can work mightily through them.

We should never teach our children to complain and murmur like the Israelites did in our first reading today. Instead, we should teach them how to pray for their needs in humility with deep trust and faith in the power of God to provide.    

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, pour your grace out on parents everywhere. Amen.

St. Joachim and Anne, pray for us.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 16^th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 16:1-5.9-15 and Matthew 13:1-9). 

Can you Drink from this Chalice?.

Homily for July 25, 2017

Serving God really involves giving up a lot. This is what Jesus teaches us in his encounter with James and John. Every time you feel strongly tempted to commit a sin and you refuse, you are drinking from this chalice. Every time, you do not get what you think you deserve because of your decision to do the right thing, you are drinking from this chalice. Painfully, many Christians today have a reward-centred orientation. We worship God in the hope that he would appreciate us in the end with all these luxury things we ask for or with heaven. But then, God is not an investment. Being a reward-centred Christian is a dangerous thing. We are Christians not just because we want to get to heaven or because we want to enjoy the riches of life, we are Christians because we have Christ living in us. No better way could St. Paul have expressed this fact than these words from our first reading: We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2nd Corinthians 4:7ff). Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you showed us the need for suffering in the life of your servant, Saint James. May our remembrance of him today further deepen our resolve to be authentic Christians rather than reward-centred persons. Amen. St. James, Pray for us. *Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. James. Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 and Matthew 20:20-28).* Fr. Abu.

God will Make a Way.

Homily for July 23, 2017

As I was going through today’s readings, I immediately started singing Don Moen’s song:

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength for each new day

He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me

And rivers in the desert will I see

Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain

And He will do something new today

Ordinarily when we think of slavery, we tend to believe it is something only white people do to black people but considering the fact that the Egyptians were black and the Israelites were white, one can see that it is not a racial but a human phenomenon.

Slavery begins with a basic lack of respect for the dignity of a fellow human being. Every time you look down on others as good for nothing because you happen to be wealthier than they are or because they ask for alms, then know that you are no better than Pharaoh and his household.

One thing we need to understand about slavery is that it is not only the slave that suffers, the slaver himself is equally affected and destroyed. This is the point Asa, the musician was trying to point this out when she sang “Jailer”- ‘I’m in chains, you are in chains too. I wear uniforms, you wear uniforms too.’ Lack of respect for your fellow human being does not make you a higher specie.

The real impact of slavery is not so much the physical wounds inflicted on people but the psychological death it brings about within a person. The slave begins to think of himself in such low terms that he craves for and worship his master. This is the stage of surrender! In the presence of his master, he is overcome by fear.

This was the type of fear that gripped the Israelites in the presence of Pharaoh. They even said to Moses, “where there no better tombs in Egypt that you brought us out here to die?”

That was when Moses sang Don Moen’s Song: GOD WILL MAKE A WAY. Be still. Be calm. Relax. Fear Not. Just watch and see. Let God fight for you. Do not be in a haste to act. These Egyptians you see now, you will see them no more.

Each time, we are consumed by fear, we should remember this encounter. What causes our fear? Nothing other than the fact that we are slaves. That which you fear most is that to which you have become a slave. If for instance, you fear losing money, then you are a slave to money.

So be calm, let God act. Be still and know that there is God and He will surely make a way where there seems to be no way.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save me from fear. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 16^th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 14:5-8 and Matthew 12:38-42).

Where did Weeds Come From? An Enemy Has Done This.

Homily for July 23, 2017

Last Sunday, Jesus gave us the parable of the sower in which he described the kingdom of God as a field where a sower sowed good seeds freely. Some seeds fell on good soil, others fell on rocky ground, others fell along the path and others fell among thorns. In this way, Jesus explained why some people never bear the right fruits despite their constant hearing of the word of God.

Today, Jesus continues talking about the kingdom of God in parables. This time around, Jesus goes further to draw our attention to the fact that the devil also sows his own bad seeds in that same field. This means that apart from our efforts to ensure we have a good soil, we must also watch out for bad seeds being planted in our hearts by the devil.

In John 10:10, we read: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The only thing that the devil wants is our destruction and so he never stops strategizing and planning of ways to ensure that we miss heaven. No wonder St. Peter would warn us saying: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

You see, the devil is a copycat. When he sees the children of light receiving good seeds, he thinks up new ways to ensure bad seeds are sown in them. Just as I could stay awake all night in other to prepare a sermon in the hope that by listening to it, we would draw closer to God, the devil also stays up all night preparing his own type of sermon with the hope that God’s children would listen to it and go deeper in sin. Yes, there are demonic pulpits everywhere today.

One clear illustration of this parable is the Internet and Social Media platform we have today. Do you know you can obtain a doctorate degree in theology right from your phone by surfing materials online? In fact, there are millions of bible study programs on the internet with complete pictorial illustration on virtually every single verse of the bible.

However, that same internet and social media contains millions of devilish materials such as hard-core pornography, initiation into the occult world, vice and all kinds of evil. We cannot avoid using smartphones rather it is for us to be aware that the devil also loves the smartphone as he uses it to ensure that our minds are drawn away from God. Be careful, it is not everything you swallow on the internet. Even on television, there are good seeds, there are also very bad seeds of immorality, indecency and vice purposely sown by the devil.

Even in the church, there are persons sent by the devil. They come to church not to worship God but to distract and confuse God’s children. Some may decide to dress provocatively; almost completely nude to attract unscrupulous minds. And they know they are not properly dressed, yet they never sit in one position, they keep walking up and down, changing seats, running commentaries, cracking jokes all in a bid to distract. Jesus says: “By their fruits, you shall know them.” Matthew 7:16.

Instead of looking at the Crucifix, you end up doing adoration to what a person is wearing. Even while the preaching is going on, you fail to pick one word because your mind is so distracted and carried away with so many things. You are leaving church, but instead of a strong determination to be holy, you are even more convinced of the need to remain in your former vices.

Others may pretend to be holy but their mission is purely destruction. They may even hold high positions in the church, they belong to all the societies in the church. They are super active, always there, first to enter as soon as the doors are opened yet they are actually ravenous wolves in sheep clothing. Some have sold their souls to the devil and are convinced that there is nothing that will ever change them, that there is no need repenting anymore since they will still go back to sin.

Do not get carried away by a so-called Christian brother or sister who comes to church singing, clapping and dancing in the spirit only to lure you into fornication right after mass. Do not be deceived. There are satanic agents in our midst. No wonder Jesus would say: “it is not everyone who says Lord, Lord that shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:20.

Don’t be deceived by that brother or sister who appears to be so concerned about your welfare, always asks about your family and your job, listens to you like a dear friend only to suggest or advertise witch doctors, marine spirits and occult powers as the solution to your problem. They are sent! Yes, they are not from us.

A former fake pastor confessed how he would recruit agents to go to different churches just to bring in members into this own church where they are initiated into all kinds of demonic entanglements. They would assume the pastor is the solution to their problems not knowing he himself is the cause of their never-ending crisis.

Above all, my dear friends in Christ, there is a day of judgment; a day we shall all be harvested, a day we shall give an account of our lives. What kind of life am I living? Will I be among those to be gathered and thrown into the furnace of fire where there is weeping and grinding of teeth?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save me from the many evils around me. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: Wisdom 12:13.16-19. Romans 8:26-27 and Matthew 13:24-43).

The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceaseth.

Homily for July 22, 2017

Finally, as we read in today’s first reading, the children of Israel were freed from the bondage of Pharaoh’s captivity. They did not come to Egypt to become slaves rather they came in search of mercy at a time when there was no food in their land.

They sought mercy from men – a mercy that always has an expiry date. Human sympathy and mercy is like that. People tend to love you only to the extent that they can benefit from you or appreciate you for something you have done for them.

When Joseph brought his brothers to Egypt, the then Pharaoh gladly welcomed them and gave them the best part of the land, Goshen. He did so in appreciation for what Joseph did for the land itself by offering superior wisdom to survive the famine. 

It only followed that when a new Pharaoh arrived who had nothing to be grateful for, he turned the people to slaves, in this way, he started benefiting from them by force. More still, he was been cruel to them hoping to completely exterminate them. He even went as far as trying to kill their male children so that their daughters will have no choice other than to marry the Egyptians and forget their own people.

This is very sad but it is true. We humans are pragmatic by nature. Our goodness to people comes with an expiry date. I once read a quote: “Feed a dog for three days and it will remember you for three years but feed a man for three years and he will forget you in three days.” It is not as if Pharaoh did not know Joseph, he actually “forgot” Joseph.

The sad reality is that even though we know how short human mercy can be (and how fake it is most times), we tend to seek it more than we seek God’s mercy. We look too much at people’s faces whereas, we should only be looking at God’s face.  

See how Jesus displayed the depth of his mercy in today’s Gospel passage. He knew there were plots against his life. Yet, instead of getting angry or raining curses at those plotting to kill him, (as we humans would normally do), he simply withdrew from there but he did not stop his good work. Right there on the cross, he would say: “forgive them father for they know not what they do.”

God’s mercy unlike human mercy does not expire. Sing…. “The Steadfast love of the Lord never ceaseth”…. “His mercies never come to an end…..” “They are new every morning, new every morning, great is thy faithfulness O Lord.”

Today, we celebrate St. Mary Magdalene, the first person to witness the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the woman who called Jesus by the name ‘Raboni’ a name that depicts how close she was to Jesus. Mary Magdalene unlike the Blessed Virgin Mary did not have a clean past, she was not immaculately conceived, she was not sinless. In short, we are told seven demons were cast out from her.

We celebrate Mary Magdalene today because at some point in her life, she encountered God’s Mercy. You know what, God never goes back to our past once he forgive us. He does not remind us like we often remind people as if to warn them against offending us again. The Steadfast Love of God never ceaseth.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me not to seek from men that which only you can provide. Amen.

St. Mary Magdalene, Pray for us.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 15^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 12:37-42 and Matthew 12:14-21.).

God desires Mercy; Not Sacrifice.

Homily for July 21, 2017

Every religion has certain set of rules surrounding offering worship and sacrifices to God. For instance in our first reading this morning, God establishes the feast of Passover for the people of Israel and we can see the rules attached to this feast.

There is an exact day to pick up the lamb, there is an exact day to slaughter the lamb, there is an exact way to prepare it, (not to be boiled or fried but simply roasted), there is an exact way to eat it, there is even a way to dress to eat it and there is a time frame within which it must be totally consumed. And not just that, there is a memorial that must be celebrated every year.

In a similar way, we know that there is way to make the sign of the cross, there is way to say the rosary, there is a way to genuflect in church and there is a way to behave before the Blessed Sacrament. Etc. All these are rituals which should help us connect with God!

However, as we see in our Gospel passage, there is an extent to which our worship of God becomes reduced to mere observation of rules. This was the problem of the Pharisees.

It is like building a mansion and putting a housekeeper in charge of keeping it clean. One day, you travel to a distant place and leave an instruction behind: “Keep this house clean always, don’t even allow a fly perch on the wall.”

Then after some time, your come home and your housekeeper would not allow you enter your own house because according to your instruction, nothing should enter the house, not even a fly should perch on the wall.

It sounds funny but this is what happens when we observe rules at the detriment of actually worshiping God. No wonder, Jesus says: “I desire mercy not sacrifice.”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may my worship of you be pure and sincere. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 15^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 11:10-12:14 and Matthew 12:1-8).

Nothing is Difficult When God is Involved.

Homily for July 20, 2017

Words are powerful, they not only control our thoughts, they are also capable of controlling our feelings and actions. The whole world as it exists today is a product of words spoken by God.

We can define the type of future we desire for ourselves simply by selecting and controlling our vocabulary. As Christians, our vocabulary must reflect our faith. We cannot afford to talk like everyone else because we operate on a completely different level.

One word that we must be careful about is: “Difficult.” The moment we label anything as difficult, it is like we are giving it a command; asking it not to be easy any longer and surprisingly it obeys. Indeed, by saying something is hard, we send a message down through our spirit that completely paralyzes us.

This was the experience of Moses in the burning bush. When God told him his mission, there was only one word in his mind and this word kept sounding in his medulla oblongata - Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!!!

This Moses who grew up in Pharaoh’s house was too conscious of the power of Pharaoh so much so that he ran away from Egypt to Median for his dear life having killed an Egyptian. The question in the mind of Moses was: “Who could dare challenge Pharaoh? Who will dare to attempt such a difficult mission?”

At times, we become too conscious of the greatness of our problems that we completely lose sight of the greatness of the God that we serve. We talk all day about our difficulties and challenges and we never talk about the wonders of God in creation. We complain so much about our issues and we never take our time to really praise God who is very much up to the task.

Moses out of fear asked God for his name. He wanted to know what to tell Pharaoh. He wanted a name that Pharaoh would respect and obey. Just as I would jump on my feet and obey an instruction when my Archbishop’s name is mentioned. So God gave Moses a name - I AM THAT I AM.

If we really take out time to reflect on this name we would no longer see anything as difficult in our life. No matter how tough life may be, God is saying to us: “Don’t worry, just know that I AM.” I am here for you. I am here with you.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus concretizes this name by saying: “Come to me all you who are burdened by ‘difficulties’ and you will find rest for your souls.” Come to me. I am here for you. I am that I am. I will always be here. Your challenges will soon go away but I remain here. I can never leave your presence. I am here.

‘Come to me’ does not necessarily mean that we should visit a chapel or go before the Blessed Sacrament even though that is what it literally implies. ‘Come to me’ actually means: “Take Cognizance of My Presence,” “Become Aware that I AM.” “Look at me beside you.” “Relax, I am right here, even in the fire, I am still with you.”

So long as we can come to God, all our problems vanish like breeze. We cannot afford to call anything difficult when we allow ourselves become conscious of God’s presence. Don’t worry, I am.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I never lose sight of your presence in the midst of my challenges. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 15^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 3:13-20 and Matthew 11:28-30).