Homily:Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily (January 1): Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (Theotokos) and World Day of Peace. Fr. Michael Udoekpo

Readings Year ABC: Num 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7 and Luke 2:16-21

Mary, the Mother of the Prince of Peace

Dear friends in Christ, Happy New Year!

On January 1^st of every year the Church celebrates the Solemnity of The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother; the mother of our Community of Faith.  This is so well confirmed by St. Paul in the Second reading, Galatians 4:4-7 that,

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons (and daughters)”

Today is also marked the world day of Peace in a world that needs peace more than ever.  First of all, this makes a lot of meaning, when we put up all the facts and the truth of the scriptures together, the role of Mary in our salvation history. Her role in bringing God closer to us- the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

 She is the mother of the Prince of Peace and the Lamb of God, the humble Savior and the Light of the world, who comes to destroy the power of darkness and sins, to liberate and restore (Zeph 3) those bugged down by all forms of captivity (Isa 61: 1ff; Luke 4: 18ff). Mary is the Mother of God, the Prince of Peace when we look back on the Christmas stories narrated in the Prophetic Books in the Gospels especially those stories we shared from the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke’s Gospel and of John.

 We recall the annunciation and the salutation of the Angel to Mary. Hail full of Grace! , favored one, = kecaritwme,nh (Lk 1:28), the Lord is with you, Blessed are you amongst women and Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus! Ave, o Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore è il frutto del tuo seno, Gesù. Santa Maria, Madre di Dio, prega per noi peccatori, adesso e nell’ora della nostra morte. Amen.

She is the Mother of God, because with the Grace of God, Mary was able to say “I am the Handmaid of the Lord be it done to me according to your Word” (Fiat- Lk 1:38). She was not afraid to say yes, and to be opened up to the will of God. 

With Joseph, they lived the vocation of an ideal parent, preventing Jesus not only from the cold winter in Bethlehem but also from the onslaught of Herod. In today’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph opened their doors for the humble poor shepherd (Lk 2:16-21) and for the  rich and educated foreign  scientists-Magi (Matt 2: 13-23), as if she was teaching Jesus universalism, peace and inclusiveness of the poor, the rich, repentant sinners and saints in the Kingdom he  would come to preach about.

 Mary kept most of the mysteries of the birth and life of Christ, reflecting them peacefully in her hearts, offering them to God, including all that Simeon and Anna had said about Jesus, who would be source of joy and sorrows for many, a sign of contradiction.

After the Holy Families’ visit to the temple, recall, child Jesus stayed back. Mary and Joseph anxiously but peacefully searched for Christ. At home they peacefully and patiently Jesus human and divine values, those virtues that would later reflect in the Ministry of Jesus, as the Prince and Lover of Peace, long foretold by the prophets (Isa 9).  The most needed peace today can be traced back to Mary.

When we reflect back on the events of the past years in our families, homes, church, UN, in the Middle East, in NY/ the 9/11, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Irag, Libya, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Yemen, Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Russia, Asia, United States, Europe, Africa, all parts of the world, the natural, social, political, economic and sexual tragedies, we need peace more than ever today.

Peace, Shalom, which only God, Jesus, can give, is rooted in the Scriptures. Shalom, peace is nothing but wholeness. Peace is nothing but completeness that only God can give. In Psalm 34 verse 15, peace is the opposite of evil. Peace is “good life ethically ordered.” It is not far from Christian love, friendship and justice. Prophets Isaiah and Micah describe peace as a situation where by nation will not lift up a sword against nation, ( a situation where) there will be no more training for war” (Isaiah 2:14 and Micah 4:1-4).

Peace is grounded in forgiveness, in letting go sometimes, certain things. Peace is grounded in righteousness which only God gives us, through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is God’s grace, the kingdom of God, justice, and love. In Matthew 5: 9 we are told “blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God”, children of Mary, brothers and sisters of Jesus, which we saw in the second reading, Galatians 4:4ff. St. Paul in Galatians 5:22 and Ephesians 6:23, again sees peace and love as charity which are interrelated. Paul says,

“… The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Peace is God’s blessings. On January 1^st we are encouraged to count all the blessings that God has blessed us with the past year. We do make New Year resolutions as well, sometimes to make up for the weaknesses and bad habits of the old year, if any. Whoever we work, live with or meet on the way, or speak with these days it is customary to say, “Happy New Year!,” which could be said in many languages  and dialects all over the world.

I guess by this we mean, a year free from ill fortunes, sicknesses, and pains. A year free from unnecessary misunderstandings, troubles, worries, unnecessary anxieties, rumors of war and terrorism. 2012 will be a year of peace, prosperity and increase in happiness. We look forward to a 2012, year of better economy, less violence in the name of religion. In 2012, we look forward to a year when our politicians would come together to agree- and search prudently for the common good- a year of less greediness!

As Christians we are aware of how rough our journeys could be sometimes. In the New Year we are beginning, even when may be down, let us realize that we can always turn our temporary defeat into a lasting victory. We can always turn our temporary “downs” into a lasting “ups.”

It is a year we hope to make much progress in getting accustomed to the new translation of the Roman Missal in the English speaking world. We look forward to a year that progress will continue to be made in our parish, seminaries and religious communities. A year we shall continue to work as a team and as a family of God’s people. Personally, I will continue to work hard in the Seminary, Sacred Heart School of Theology, teaching the Catholic faith, forming good priests after the Sacred Heart of Christ our Good Shepherd.

 We look forward to good year for Christ’s disciples, lover of peace, like Mary and Joseph who even both happiness and sometimes sorrows have helped him to love and trust in God more and more, and to always search for peace and well-being!

As we begin a New Year, may Mary the Mother of God, our Mother, the Church, intercede for us so that we may be blessed with lasting peace, joy in God’s love and happiness.

Let me conclude with today’s first reading, the priestly blessings from the Book of Numbers 6:24-26:

 May “The Lord bless you and Keep you! May the Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace” in this New Year!

Happy New Year to you all!

Homily: Feast of the Holy Family- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily: Feast of the Holy Family (December 30^th) Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings Year B: Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Col 3:12-17; Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Ps 105:1-9 and Luke 2:22-40

Family: School of Faith, Hope, Obedience and Love

I know we are not surprise that soon after the celebration of Christmas and listening to the stories of the Birth of Christ, his origin, his naming ceremonies and circumcision, the role of the angels, the magi and the shepherd we are gathered again together as a church to contemplate the gifts of the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The gifts of faith, hope, obedience, love and devotion of the parents of Jesus.

                                   

Like the faith of Abraham and Sarah in today’s first readings (Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Heb 11:8,11-12,17-19) Mary and Joseph were faithful parents beginning from the time of the mysterious conception of Christ to the events of providing safety for Christ in Egypt (Matt 2:13-15, 19-23) to  the presentation  in the Temple,  narrated in today’s Gospel of Luke 2:22-40. Naturally after the Shepherd who work with animals had gone back to their farms and caves and those who were seeking to kill the child Jesus had died   Joseph and Mary would have returned to Nazareth to face the challenges and endurance of raising their son Jesus.

Joseph properly went about his carpentry work and having to deal with customers while Mary probably was busy with household works and changing of diapers. They were very devout parents doing what exemplary family of their time would do., teaching their kids, Psalms and prayers. We are told in  the Gospel when the time came Mary and Joseph  carried out the Jewish customs and rituals of offering back their male child to the service of the Lord, remembering the sparing of their Hebrew male children in Egypt (Exod 13:1-2, 11-16 Num 18:15-16) and the purification of the mother (Lev 12:1ff).

In the Temple they met two Jewish prophets Simeon and Anna who all recognized to amazement of Mary and Joseph the importance of Jesus for both Israel and the Gentile. Mary and Joseph handle with faith the  Nunc Demittis of Simeon ((Lk 2:29-32), especially the facts that Jesus will be a sign of contradiction and the cause for the fall and the rising of many in Israel and a Light for the Gentile, a prayer of hope come to fulfillment, long foretold by Israel’s prophets especially Isaiah 40:5; 42:6. 

 Although the Jews had waited for the Messiah for thousands of years, Gentiles were not included their plan of salvation. Mary and Joseph must also have handle with faith and hope especially the portion when Simeon predicted that “a sword pierce Mary’s heart.”

Even think of the sword of poverty. Mary and Joseph had no place in the Inn. Earlier they had to sleep in a cave in Bethlehem where Christ was delivered next to where animals were sheltered, and his first important visitors with the poor animal keepers, the shepherd.  From this narrative during the purification ritual Mary and Joseph were so poor that they could not afford a lamb or a sheep except two turtle doves (Lk 2:24).

 Isn’t it interesting that the mother of the Lamb of God could not afford a lamb for ritual cleaning. Nothing good was even expected from Nazareth (Jn 1:46). She even acknowledge her lowliness and poverty with joy in the Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55). Mary and Joseph had nothing but they had Christ, hope, faith and love to share with humanity. Think of the swords of opposition to Christ, false accusations against him, his suffering and death which Mary would live to witness.

In our family lives the challenges of a husband that returns home late from work or that of a nagging wife or partner. Even that of poverty too, there are certain things that our children would see in their neighbors’ children that daddy and mummy could not afford. Some of our kids are smart but not all would afford the high cost of putting them through college. What about the challenges of not listening to one another, the spiritual and moral poverty.

 We are told after the presentation Mary, Joseph return home where the child Jesus obediently grew up, became strong and was filled with wisdom and God’s grace. Wisdom because he was not only filled with God’s grace but he was dispose to learn from his parents the meanings of values, virtues and things around him. We are morally poor of respect when we do not respect our parents, visit them in nursing homes, hospices and hospitals or bring them to church when they are in need, but cannot drive because of ill health and poor visions.

We are spiritually and morally poor if we allow our kids to watch movies forbidden to the kids or fail to teach the basic values of the love of God and neighbors. Nazareth’s home was among other things, a spiritual home for Jesus, Mary and Joseph. And so should be our families.

We want to base our daily lives on love, trust, esteem and respect. We want to make room for exchange of ideas, values, experiences of joys and sorrows/swords, successes and trials.

As we reflect on the significance of the Holy family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, for  our respective families, let us keep in mind the following words of St. Paul.

 He says,

 “brothers and sisters; put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another… and let the peace of Christ control your hearts… and be thankful.. teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God…wives be subordinate to your husbands…husbands loves  your wives…. children obey your children…”(Col 3:12-21).

Homily: Feast of Holy Innocents, Martyrs ( Dec 28)- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily: Feast of Holy Innocents, Martyrs (Dec 28, Year B) - Fr. Michael Udoekpo

Readings: I John 1:5–2:2; Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8 and Matt 2:13-18

It was not enough that Christ was born in Bethlehem in the cold winter. Those humble people:  ordinary shepherds, ordinary folks visited with him including the Magi from outside the Jewish territory and angered Herod. Innocent children were slaughtered because Christ, the Light of the word was born.

Christ born at Christ is the Light of the Gentiles. He is the source of life. He is causes the rise and the fall of many. He is the sign of contradiction. And as a result a sword would not only pass through Mary’s soul but lives of innocent children, by the reckless command of Herod.

 Herod an Edomite (Mal 1:4), a Roman appointee, the political king of the Jews. He was not happy that the Birth of Christ the real King had made such wave in the community and in the neighborhood.  He  became jealous and threatened by the Kingship of Christ.

He was not happy that those shepherd had to leave their flocks and come to visit with Christ- King.  He was not happy that Magi even came from abroad, outside Jerusalem, perhaps from Persia to visit with Jesus the long awaited king of the Jews with gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. They were led by the stars. Usually this comes with a significant event. And it does not happen every day. Magi don’t come from the East everyday looking for the King of the Jews in Judea.  Naturally, it was very disturbing to Herod who felt threatened.

He quickly made up his mind to kill Jesus.  But, had to cover up his evil desire by pretending to the Magi. But the mystery of the birth of Christ kept unfolding as planned by God. The Magi, after their visit with Christ took another route home as directed by God.

Joseph was directed to rise and take Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety. When Herod realized that the Magi would rather obey God than him he went killing the entire baby boys in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas thinking Jesus would be one of his victims.

Herod in this story could be seen as a pretender, a liar, a murderer, a bully, a jealous and power hungry individual. He had no respect for children, and their families. He  care very little  about the sufferings and pains he inflicted on those mothers and fathers watching their two years old baby boys slaughtered in the broad day light. What a pain, what a sorrow and what a cross to bear!

Even though none of us here or today would want to play Herod, I am pretty sure each and every one of us has a cross to carry in his or her life. Sufferings can come to us in forms of illness, a difficult partner, an argumentative friend, or because we were born into or married into a poor family. Not just material poverty, but spiritual or ethical poverty.

Jealousy can also inflict pains and difficulties to neighbors. Injustices and all forms of violence, which still exist in our society today, can do the same.  Herod slaughtered the innocent children with a sword. What about those who sexually abused and “slaughtered” little children?

Supposing you have a brother, sister or friend who does not see anything wrong with abortion or challenges your faith, the Christian and Catholic Faith? What about wars that are not really call for or not to dissuade an attacking enemy. What about terrorist acts around the world? For example the 9/11, the London train bombing etc. Victims of such violent are not usually military combatants, but sometimes if not most of the times, innocent civilians, including women and children.

What Faith does for us Christians is that they enable us to see sufferings with Christian’s eyes; they have a new meaning when we see them in the Light of the Cross of Christ and the hope of the resurrection.

And this is why Matthew quotes Prophet Jeremiah 35:15 today that, “a voice was heard in Ramah, crying with loud lamentation. Rachel weeping for her children and she would not be consoled since there were no more.”

 Even though there were sorrows in exile, there was also joy when they were set free. The Birth of Christ sets us free. The Birth of Christ brings us hope. The sufferings of the Bethlehem were temporary.  The joy promised by the prophets is fulfilled in Christ at Christmas.

Our God can work through a disaster to blessings and from death to life.

Sometimes we suffer innocently. Sometimes we were misunderstood. Whenever these moments present themselves to us not completely feel abandoned- but trust that God is always there with us on our journeys.

Homily: Feast of St. John Apostle and Evangelist- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Feast of St. John Apostle and Evangelist (Dec 27 Year B) - Fr. Michael Udoekpo

Readings: 1 John 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; John 20:1a and 2-8

The Call to Share the Life and Love of Christ

I don’t think it is by accident that the Church places the feast of St. John the Apostles and Evangelist today, soon after Christmas and shortly before the Feast of the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.  From the scripture readings of today we are reminded that after birth, comes not only the challenges of life, our mission on earth, but death and resurrection, and how we react and handle these events.

The Disciples of Christ, including Mary, Magdalene, Peter and John are good examples for us on how we are to react not only to the birth of Christ, but his ministry,death and resurrection. The Christ we celebrate at Christmas  will suffer persecution, go through the glory of the cross and will be raised from the tomb.

John whose feast we celebrate today believed in the story of Christmas, but in the event of the  glorious cross and of the resurrection of Christ. He worked very closely with Jesus and Mary and even came to be known as his “beloved disciple.” He was originally from Bethsaida, a Galilean Town on the north of the Sea of Tiberias. His parents were Zebedee and Salome, wealthy professional fisherman. His brother was James. This remind me of my good friend who gave birth to twin- boys and name them “John and James.”

John is an example of a true disciple who left everything to follow Jesus, to bear witness to the Light of the World, born for us at Christmas. He made such a spiritual impact as reflected in the Gospel of John and many other epistles in our Christian Scriptures, including the first reading of today , 1 John 1:1-4.

It was not enough that Christ was born at Christmas, in manger in Bethlehem, and was visited by the Shepherd and the Gentile Magi who brought him gifts (Matt 2:1-12), Herod sought to kill him. His ministry was seen as a threat to the opposing the status quo, old ways that the Pharisees would do things.  Many false ideas were spread about the person and ministry of Jesus, completely opposite of John’s experience of Jesus. Many, the antichrist refused to acknowledge that Jesus born at Christmas was Christ, the Son of God (1 Jn 2:18-23). They denied Christ was truly human and truly divine.

When John  says, “beloved, what was from the beginning, what we have seen and heard, we proclaim now to you so that you too may have fellowship with us, for our fellowship is with the Father and with his son , the Christ,” he confirming the authenticity of Christ who came from the Father to be with us. And true fellowship with God through Christ must be based on the practice and spreading of true Christian ethics, charity and love for one another (1 John 3ff).  The same Christ, from life, death and resurrection!

When Mary Magdalene in today’s Gospel experienced the empty tomb, she reacted by running back to the disciples of Jesus, especially to John, the Evangelist and the Apostle, whom Christ loved and shared the story.  Notice, Mary did not keep the story of Christ to herself. She shared the good news!

 In responding along with Peter, John out ran in front of Peter and arrived first at the tomb. When they all experienced the empty tomb John particularly believed- and went out to share the truth with others.  We are call to be not only like Peter, and Mary Magdalene but also like John, who witnessed the goodness and the love of Christ. He believed, and then shared the faith with others. Peter of course entered the tomb first.  These disciples have something to teach us.

Like Mary we want to go out there and spread the news of Christ’s events. Like John we want to believe that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we want to go out and share them with the rest o the world (Jn 1:14). Like John we want to believe that unless you are born of water and the Holy Spirit you cannot enter the kingdom of God- and we want to share this with the rest of the world (Jn 3:5). And like John we want to believe and share with others that God is love, Jesus is the Good shepherd ( Jn 10), he is the resurrection and the life ( Jn 11), he is the Vine and we are the branches (Jn 15).

Our senses, of seeing, hearing, speaking, proclaiming and even the energy to run like the disciples, to drive or walk around can lead us to Christ. They can also lead us to faithlessness depending on our dispositions.

Let me share this prayer with you. It was Christmas 2010 presence to me from an Eighty five years- old SSND Nun whom I had worked with many years ago in my home diocese in Eastern Nigeria.

Dear God, I ask you to bless me and to watch over me this day

May my feet walk, where my presence will be a glimpse of you

May my hands touch someone in pain

May my eyes always see the good in everyone they meet

May my ears listen only to praise, and not to words that tear down

May my mouth always speak the truth

May my mind not judge others because they different

May I just be myself and a reflection of you

May my heart be restless until it rest in you

I ask this in the name of your Son and your Spirit for today, tomorrow, and all my days.

Homily: Christmas Mass During the Day Year B: Fr.Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily Year B:  The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Mass during the Day) - Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Isa 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6 and John 1:1-18

The Birth of Christ and our Responses

“A child is born for us, and a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name  him Wonder-Counselor, God Hero, Father –forever, Prince of Peace… and his name will be called Messenger of  great counsel” ( cf Isa 9:5-6).

My brothers and sisters, this royal prophecy of Isaiah, fulfils in, and explains the reasons why we are so joyfully and decoratively gathered today. We gather to celebrate Christmas, the Birth of Christ our Lord and Savior, the creative Logos/Word,  the Light of the world, the Divine Wisdom and God’s incarnate ( John 1:1-18).

Christmas brings us Christ, the source of life. Christmas brings us Jesus, a Friend of the poor and of the rich. Christmas brings us Christ, Lover of saints and sinners, a Messenger of hope, a Prince of Peace and a Prophet of reconciliation, especially in a divisive world of today; a world plagued with wobbling politics and a broken economy.   His birth requires a response from us!

Personally, I am so happy to be back here, home, at St. Frances Cabrini Church. And to share in the wonderful work and faith experiences we share here under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Don, with his team and the entire community. I have discovered that each year brings something new, something vibrant, something refreshing, something worth reflecting upon, or something to thank God or ask God for.  I am sure you also do.

 I have celebrated Christmas here with you as a student from St. John’s University. I have celebrated Christmas with you as a student from the Catholic University, Washington DC. I recall there was also a time I flew in from Rome to celebrate the Birth of Christ with you, with this wonderful faith community. This year I am also so privileged to be here with you today, as a seminary professor from the Sacred Heart School of Theology, beautifully located in Franklin County, in the south suburbs of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. It is an experience to be part of that formative team training future priests who would imitate Christ born for us at Christmas. I am thankful to God for this opportunity!

For all of us, it is the first Christmas, with the Third or new translation of the Roman Missal and after the recent occupied wall- street protesters. Even when we stumble trying to get use to the new Translation, get up, we shall get accustomed to it, not too long from now.

 I have also come to witness in our parish community, a team spirit, and hard work, great pastoral and spiritual leaderships. I love our new church bell. It swings and rings hourly or half-hourly. It brings joy. This reminds me of the response of the angels to the Birth of Christ.

 They broke into a great song, “Glory to God in the Highest… peace to people of good will”, which we began this Mass with.  A song that is also hidden, particularly in the poems of the redeemed Israel, that came up in today’s first reading, Prophet Isaiah chapter 52:7-10.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace (not war, not selfishness, not hatred, not greediness, revenge and division, but) bearing, good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion “Your God is King.”

It is the birth of this King that we celebrate today. He is the one whom Evangelist John describes in today’s Gospel, "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God...." Christ, born today preexisted with God the Father. He is the one through whom all things and all that we have, including life, our families our energies to do our jobs, to participate in politics and manage our economy, go to schools, came to be. He is the creative Logos, the source of being, the one who sustains all things by his mighty power (Heb 1:1-6).

He is greater than John the Baptist, and all the Angels would worship him. In his ministry, water would be changed into wine, women will be spoken with; children would be invited with care. They would be protected not abused. The poor would be loved, the hungry would be fed. Sinners would be forgiven. Zacchaeus would be visited. Lazarus would be raised from the death. Christ born today would come to wash the feet of his disciples,  lecture Pilate on the meaning  of truth and Mary Magdalene on the importance of detachment.

He would become flesh, carum factum est( John 1:14). Christ is born today to be in the world, but not of the world. The world will reject him- the Light, preferring rather, darkness (John 1:9-11). But to those who did accept him, Christ would give them power to become sons and daughters/children of God. What a special gift! Christ gives gifts to those who receives him (John 1:12-13). At Christmas, Christ is the revelation of that unseen God.

How we receive Christ at Christmas in our changing world today is important. We want it to be part of how we celebrate Christmas.  Besides our homes, offices, churches, streets which we have decorated with colorful ribbons and flowers, we want to allow those unfading Christmas Carols in our homes, “come ye faithful,..”  “Adestes Fideles,..” Once in royal David City….” “Joy to the world….the Lord is come…” In the new English translation of the Nicene Creed, we reminded to say “I believe in One God.” It is a personal faith, but expressed in the community together. We want to be constantly proud of our faith, our rich heritage and tradition. Merry Christmas to our neighbors should not be too difficult to say!

We also want to draw inspiration from the reception given to Christ as told in the Scriptures, about those faithful and humble remnants of Israel, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds of Bethlehem, Simeon and Hannah. They saw and received Christ as a gift, as God’s revelation and presence in their midst.

We want, in the same way, to see the birth of Christ as a joy and royal gift to us.   We want to respond to Christ’s gifts, by sharing these gifts with our neighbors even through our candies, food, drinks, cookies, clothing and wealth, acts of charity and forgiveness, kind and gentle conversations with one another. Let the visits and telephone calls we extend to our neighbors, to distant friends and relatives, and the joy we share with everyone this Christmas, be added ways we respond to the Birth of Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Finally, I invite you to sing with me:

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive the King; Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.!”

 

Homily: Sixteen Sunday of Year A: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily: Sixteen Sunday of Year A: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Wisdom 12;13, 1 6-19; Ps 86;5-6,9-10,15-16; Rom 8:26-27 and Matt 13:24-43

The Weeds and the Wheat

“You, O Lord are good and forgiving and abounding in kindness to all who call upon you….”

This prayer from Psalm 86 summarizes the Bible lessons of today. Our God gives us time. He is a merciful and a forgiving God, in spite of who we are. He is patient with us.  He is kind with the weeds, that we sometimes play, but we are constantly called to be the wheat producing -life in our Christian faith. He wants us to get into that Kingdom.

This forgiving or inviting image of God is well expressed in the first reading of today, just read, the Book of Wisdom, which says,

“There is no God besides you who has care of all, that you need show you have not unjustly condemned. For your might is the source of justice….but though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us…you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit  repentance for their sins.”

The meaning of today’s gospel parable of the weeds and the wheat is hidden in this Wisdom narrative. Christ has sown in this life as seed to bear good fruits. But often time some have turned out to be the weeds playing bad fruits while some become the wheat, good fruit in deed.

But as we grow as God’s sown seeds we need patience with ourselves and neighbors. We may not have to rush to harsh judgments. Time will tell, Christ tells his disciples:

 “ let them (weeds and wheat) grow together until harvest, then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

This is how God works, indeed. He gives us time for repentance and conversion. The incomprehensibility of God’s mysteries is also shown in the other parables of the mustard seed planted by  an ordinary farmer, and of the yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures. The mysterious workings of God in history are allegorically shown in the mysterious growth of the mustard seed into a humongous tree, accommodating birds of all walks of life.  Of course, the initial small yeast of this woman has grown also to produce sufficient bread for all. Each of us, man, woman, child has something to offer.

In other words God’s ways are not our ways. The kingdom of God can be measured by the way we treat our next door neighbor. The kingdom of  God can be calculated by how we find time to visit with the neglected seniors in our nursing homes. The kingdom of God could be present for us in the sick we visit with the Holy Communion or with “a get well soon card.” The kingdom of God might be hidden in the poor that we share our bread with or with the stranger that we volunteer to offer directions. It can be present by not rushing to judgments on our neighbors.

This image of Matthew’s Jesus is consistent with the Beatitude in Matthew chapter 5 “blessed are…for theirs is the kingdom of God.”  And in Matthew chapter 25 we are reminded, still of the wicked and the righteous, the weeds and the wheat, who shall be separated as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Remember the Lord of the Kingdom as Saint Paul would put it, “is the one who searches  (our ) hearts knows what is the intension of the Spirit it, because he intercedes for the holy ones” ( Rom 8:26-27).

And who are these holy ones? Those who make little effort to feed the hungry, to visit prisoners, provide water for the thirsty, comfort the broken hearted and welcome the strangers. Above all we are invited to be merciful and gracious to one another as God would have been merciful and generously gracious unto us.

Homily: Fifteen Sunday of the Year A: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily: Fifteen Sunday of the Year A: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Isa 55:10-11; Ps 65:10-14; Rom 8:18-23 and Matt 13:1-23

The power of the Word of God in our Lives

“Just as from the heavens and the rain and snow come down and do not return there  till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful… so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth….”

This prophecy of deutero-Isaiah puts to perspective not only the effectiveness and the transforming power of the word of God,but the fulfillments of his divine promises and covenant with us. It is a resounding affirmation of the power of God to forgive sins and to make his glory known in the lives of Israel, back from exile.

The people are reminded of God’s promises. The Word of God is like rain that falls to the ground to nurture a fruitful seed. Matthew 13 builds on this image the transforming power of the word of God in Prophet Isaiah. With the parable of the sower, Matthew stresses the danger of not accepting and living the word of God, especially by the followers of Jesus.

Allegorically, and like different soils in today’s gospel, there are many factors that can prevent us from hearing and putting the word of God into practice. Our nonchalant attitude or superficial approach to scriptures or Sunday lessons is one of theme. It is is like those seeds sown on the path way. Another factor could be lack of courage and fear of persecution. These are the seeds on the rocky grounds. Abuse of wealth, riches and position can also be another thorny factor that would prevents us from living the faith.  This takes place when we get distracted or overwhelmed with worldly and unnecessary secular anxieties.

The word of God is so important in our lives in whatever language it takes to communicate it. For Jesus, parable was okay. It was suitable for a simple, rural and agricultural people of his time, who were also familiar with Isaiah 6:9-10 which says,

“You shall indeed hear but not understand; you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their  hearts and be converted, and I heal them” ( Matt 13:13-15).

They also understood what Jesus meant by “some seed fell on the rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty fold” (Matt 13:8).  These “are the one who hears the word and understand it” (Matt 13:23).

This leaves us with a personal meditation on how as Christians we cherish the word of God in our faith journeys, which is so important.

Think of the huge place given to the Word of God in our liturgy or worship. We venerate it (cf Dei Verbum, 21). We form Bible classes in our communities. Christ is present in the Scriptures read during our formal worship. He is there with us when we study and reflect on the Bible as part of our daily lives. God speaks to us in the scriptures. He communicates his healing mercies and strengths to us through his words, which created the world in the first place (Ps 33:6 and creation story in Genesis).

Isaiah 40:8 we read, “Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of God stands forever.” And in Psalm 119 verse 105 we sing, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”  And for Prophet Jeremiah the word of God is like a fire. It is like a hammer shattering rock ( Jer 23:29).

The Letter to the Hebrews chapter 4:12, says,

“indeed , the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edge sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart”(Heb 4:12).

As St. Paul would put it, the word of God is at work effectively within us when we cultivate it in our hearts and allow it to produce results within our lives in our communities and in the way we relate, and even treat our neighbors (1 Thess 2:13), in our respective communities, homes, families, seminaries, factories and offices and all fellow travelers.

We pray at this worship for continuous disposition to be that 4^th soil, who hears, understands, lives and experiences the power of the word of God in our lives, which enables us to  participate in the glorious freedom of the children of God ( Rom 8:18-23).

Homily II: Fourteen Sunday of the Year A: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily II: Fourteen Sunday of the Year A: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

 Readings; Zech 9:9-10; Ps 145:1-2,8-11, 13-14; Rom 8;9,11-13 and Matt 11:25-30

Jesus, the Giver of Rest

“Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This text from Matthew 11 verses 28-30 set the tone for the teaching mission of Jesus, which lies behind the bible lessons of today. Christ is not only a peace maker, but he is always on the side of the poor, the “infants” the little ones, the rejected and the oppressed. He brings them “rest”, lessens their burdens and exonerates them from hard labor, from pains, from injustices, threats of war and burden of sin.

Rest in biblical language is an umbrella term. It connotes not just relaxation, refreshment, but peace, justice, prosperity, reconciliation, equality before God, freedom from the minority power status quo, from empty legalism of the Pharisees, the Scribes, from those “know all”- the “wise,” It means liberty, and entry into the promise land as well as fulfillment of all that the Lord had promised us in the OT and through the mouths of his messenger –prophets.

The first reading of today was certainly meaningful for a community that had just came out from exile. It brought them joy and consolations. Prophet Zechariah says,

“Rejoice heartily O daughter of Zion; shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem. See, your King shall come to you, a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt,… he shall banish the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, the warriors’ bow shall be banished, and he shall proclaim peace to the nations ….”

Every prophecy or Israel Prophets had these messages of judgment, ethical conducts, the sovereignty of God, and His power to restore, to reverse a certain fortune, hope and reconciliation, justice, peace and bring rest. But it has the challenges of persecution, and rejections by the ruling power, the arrogant and by some of their contemporaries. We have seen this in the case of Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and even in the non-classical prophets like Elijah and Elisha.

Similarly, in the time of Christ, as presented in today’s gospel many accepted while some did not. The  Pharisees and the Scribes, the so called the “learned and the wise” rejected him and his message.

Acceptance of Christ of course, depends on God’s revelation. It is a gift for those who are humble, meek and open to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the mysteries His Kingdom.

St. Paul says in today’s Second Reading,

“You are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Who ever does not have the Sprit of Christ does not belong to him….”

No doubt we live today in world of continued beat of war drums, revenge and terrorism. The gap between the rich, the wise, the learned and the poor and the little ones, is not nearly lessening, but it widens daily. Many are questioning their faith because of TV ads or science course they just took in a college and modern promotion of extreme materialism with freedom without commensurate responsibilities.

Many of us have our own personal, self-made burden of sins or spiritual disconnect from God, Church, families and neighbors. There are also many burdened by the unjust political and economic structures of the society they live in. Some are burdened by the tedious decoding of student’s loans, health and auto insurance codes, or by interpreting tons of paper work.

  Wherever we find ourselves burdened, socially, politically, economically and even spiritually, Christ’s yoke is nothing but easy and simple.

He invites us today:  the poor and the rich, the wise and the learned, infants, adults to open ourselves for Christ’s ethics of love, his revelation, humility, peace and forgiveness. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. He is the giver of rest and the source of peace.

Homily: Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily: Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8b-12, 14a,16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27 and Luke 1:26-38

    Gift of Mary and Gift through Mary

“Behold I am the Handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

This response of Mary to the Angel Gabriel in today’s Gospel underlines the dominance of the mother of Jesus in liturgy of the Fourth Sunday of Advent, especially in Cycles B and C. Mary says she is the handmaid of the Lord, ( h` dou,lh kuri,ou ,in Greek), the “servant of the Lord.” It underscores her hope, faith, humility, her availability and willingness, out of freedom to do God’s will, which we are invited to participate.

 She is an example of an ideal disciple. Mary is a disciple, willing to love, willing to forgive, willing to serve.  She is a gift to us. She becomes that simple vehicle through which historic royal theology and God’s mysteries and promises are fulfilled in Christ, come Christmas.

The first reading of today traces this promise to 2 Samuel chapter 7. After David had consolidated power with a smart move of making Jerusalem his capital, he planned to build a physical house (bayit ) for the Lord. Like the story of Eli and Samuel, God spoke that night to David through Prophet Nathan, reversing David’s plan. Rather He, God, would build a bayit, not just a physical house, but a dynasty, an everlasting house for David and his successors. God does things in mysterious ways!

Look at that first reading. It is truly the everlasting promise God made to David and his successors. God says, 

“It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people, Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you…. The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”

This unconditional promise of kingship forever would be fulfilled for us at Christmas through the birth of Christ, the Son of God.  Mary is that vehicle, a simple Jewish woman of great faith. She listens and accepts the message of the Angel Gabriel sent by God. She dialogues freely with Gabriel. She is not violent. She is not argumentative, but ponders. She is reflective. She is not arrogant. She does not claim to know more than God and the Angel. She is opened to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, over the mysteries of the one who will rule over the house of David.

Paul, in Roman chapter16 testifies to the fulfillment of this promise in the person of Christ. St. Paul says,

“to him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages, but now manifested through the prophetic writings, and according to the command of eternal God..” (Rom 16:25-27).

David, and especially Mary, I believe are great examples of how we can, in our different life-situations, respond to God’s mysteries and divine command.  David was attentive to Prophet Nathan. He gave up his plan of building a physical house. Mary responded with complete humility, trust and faith in whatever God has in stock for her. How we respond to Scriptures, what the Church teaches, our parents, teachers and God-fearing leaders, counts.

As Christmas approaches, we want to imitate her gifts. We want to contemplate the virtues of Mary, her dialogue and reactions to Angel Gabriel.  We want to make our homes, schools, seminaries,  religious communities ,offices, places of work “Schools of Mary” and “Colleges of Virtues”, where we obey, sing God’s promises (Ps 89),  hope and trust in God at all times.